USM Journal Management System (Univ. Sains Malaysia)
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Exploring Sleep and Physical Activity among Young Adults Across Asia: A Systematic Literature Review
Get PDFPrevious studies have examined the association between sleep and physical activity; however, few have systematically reviewed the studies on young adults in Asia. Therefore, the present study aimed to systematically summarise the research on sleep and physical activity among young adults in Asia and critically assess the methodological quality of existing studies. The review process adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, beginning with research question formulation and systematic searches through identification, screening, and eligibility in the Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. Subsequently, the studies underwent quality appraisal, data extraction, and analysis. Thematic analysis organised the findings into three main themes: i) the prevalence of sleep quality and physical activity in Asia; ii) the association between sleep quality and physical activity; and iii) sleep quality and physical activity during the COVID-19 outbreak. These findings reveal a high prevalence of sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality among young adults in Asia, whereas the prevalence of physical activity varies. Moreover, the COVID-19 outbreak negatively affected sleep quality and physical activity. Therefore, proactive measures should be implemented to improve sleep quality and promote physical activity, thereby improving physical and mental health
Evolution of Stroke Care at Universiti Sains Malaysia Specialist Hospital, Malaysia (1983–2025): Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions
Get PDFStroke remains a significant global health burden and is the third leading cause of mortality in Malaysia. Despite advances in the management of acute ischaemic stroke through reperfusion therapies, such as intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy, access to these treatments remains limited in many parts of Malaysia due to high costs and infrastructural constraints. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Specialist Hospital, located in Kelantan state, has transitioned into a comprehensive stroke centre, particularly addressing the needs of suburban and rural populations. USM Specialist Hospital has implemented a multidisciplinary, protocol-driven stroke service that encompasses a rapid triage system, 24-h neuroimaging, reperfusion therapies, a dedicated acute stroke unit, neurocritical care services, cerebrovascular neurosurgery services, and a comprehensive rehabilitation programme. This coordinated stroke management model has improved clinical outcomes, patient survival, and functional recovery rates. The USM Specialist Hospital experience highlights the importance of structured, multidisciplinary stroke care pathways in enhancing treatment access and optimising outcomes, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings
Sequential Mediation Analysis on The Relationship Between Servant Leadership And Affective Commitment to Change: Evidence from Indonesia
Get PDFOne of the most significant challenges facing leaders today is the need to position and enable organisations and people to adapt to an increasingly dynamic and demanding environment. This study examined and analysed the role of servant leadership in affective commitment to change in the higher education sector using a sequential mediation model of conscientiousness personality and psychological ownership. The data were collected online from 293 Indonesian lecturers. Data analysis was performed using a structural equation model using SmartPLS software. The results confirmed that implementing servant leadership encourages positive values in social learning principles in higher education, which can improve conscientiousness and psychological ownership. Conscientiousness and psychological ownership support social learning, according to the principle of servant leadership, to encourage a robust affective commitment to change in a higher education environment. Conscientiousness and psychological ownership are sequential mediators that influence affective commitment to change. This study is unique in that it highlights the conscious personality factor and psychological aspects as sequential mediation on the relationship between servant leadership and affective commitment to change in the higher education sector, as well as the fact that although all hypotheses are supported, this sequential mediation mechanism is the first such study
Omni-Channel Customer Experience and Advancing Customer Loyalty
Get PDFGrounded on the customer experience theory and perceived value theory, the current study examines how omni-channel customer experience (OCCE) in fashion brands promotes customer loyalty in an emerging economy context. Fashion brand customers (N = 372) revealed that OCCE significantly influences customer satisfaction, increases perceived value, and advances customer loyalty. Likewise, omni-channel customer satisfaction (SAT) and perceived value also lead to customer loyalty. The study further demonstrates that SAT and perceived value also have an indirect effect on the relationship between OCCE and customer loyalty. These important insights would contribute to advancing the existing understanding in similar domains. The theoretical and practical implications, study shortcomings, and avenues for future studies are also outlined
Nuansa dan Estetika Fenomena Budaya Tempatan: Perihal Ruang Sinematik dan Emosi dalam Gurindam Jiwa (1965): Nuances and Aesthetics of Local Cultural Phenomenon: Analysing Cinematic Space and Emotions in Gurindam Jiwa (1965)
Get PDFThis article attempts to extend the discourse on cinematic aesthetics by focusing on the under-studied dimension of purbawara films (also known as period costume dramas), by highlighting the aspect of shared cinematic identity. This can be perceived through the nuances and aesthetics of Asian melodrama, which emphasise the diverse emotions of characters and can be read as conveyed through cinematic space, fostering an interactive viewing experience between the spectator and the characters’ emotions via spatial aspects and cross-cutting techniques. Therefore, through the examination and discussion of the film Gurindam Jiwa (M. Amin 1965), this article argues that the shared cinematic identity of Asia is one of the elements that shape the unique nuances and aesthetics of purba films, observable through the complex assimilation of spatial, emotional, and intellectual aspects of the characters. Gurindam Jiwa tells the story of a romantic relationship between a husband and wife slowly evolving into a tragic tale due to suppressed emotions. This can be identified through the concept of “firasat” conveyed by the characters and translated through cinematic space (both interior and exterior) or in “babak bisu,” where viewers are only left with the emotions or facial expressions of the characters without dialogue, or scenes where characters do not speak but rather ponder their fate, accompanied by diegetic or non-diegetic sound. This intimate emotional space can be expressed by both men and women through their life experiences and perceptions. Therefore, by employing textual analysis methods and considering the aspects of cinematic space as well as local cultural phenomena such as “firasat,” “nestapa,” and the interplay among them, this article attempts to elaborate and weave together all these elements as a unique Asian value. This also contributes to a deeper understanding of the fluid and interconnected nature of Asian cinema through its shared cinematic cultural identity
The Exploration of Storytelling and Visual Filmmaking with Sign Language in Japanese Animated Media
No full textSign language is a method of communication that enables deaf individuals to interact with others. In fictional media, sign language is frequently used to signal a character’s deafness to the audience. Many stories in fiction that showcase deaf characters utilise sign language as a primary method of communication. Sign language’s visual modality aligns closely with animation’s visual nature, making it a particularly effective medium for representing deaf communication. Beyond its functional role in conveying dialogue, signing within animation contributes to narrative richness by facilitating the exploration of interpersonal connections and shared linguistic identity. Japanese animation has increasingly featured deaf characters using sign language to foster communication and build emotional connections. The characters are depicted not only through the absence of a sensory capacity but also as social actors negotiating a world that frequently fails to understand or accommodate them. This paper examines the differences among the previously mentioned Japanese animations and analyses how they use sign language to communicate and convey emotional connections between characters
Social Media Intervention to Improve University Students’ Well-Being: A Self-Determination Approach
Get PDFThe debate on the effect of social media use on students’ psychological well-being has attracted much attention and interest around the development of social media interventions in higher education. This study investigated university students’ interactions with social media and its effect on their well-being. An intervention was designed to support and improve students’ well-being. Guided by Ryan and Deci’s (2000) Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study aimed to assess associations between social media use and individuals’ intrinsic motivation and psychological needs in the academic context. A focus-group qualitative approach was used to collect data among university students and explore the relationship between social media use and the way they cope with stress in their first year of undergraduate study. Results showed high social media use among students who experienced stress, but the effect of social media on students’ well-being varies between their psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The study combined SDT and basic psychological needs to address the issue. We conclude that individual differences play an important role in social media use. This study used inductive coding approaches and offered a comprehensive approach to conceptualise students’ social media use and well-being. We propose theoretically grounded design features that can identify stressors among students, reflect their psychological needs, and propose strategies that can be used to cope with social media. Many current educational policies and practices fail to recognise the importance of psychological needs satisfaction in learning contexts, despite substantial evidence, and therefore create a gap that this study aims to close. This study proves that individuals’ consumption of social media does not solely justify their stressors and the effects on their well-being, but the autonomous form of motivations for specific social media use and psychological needs matter
Mitigating Ecotourism Challenges through Effective Stakeholder Engagement: Insights from Udawalawa National Park in Sri Lanka
Get PDFEcotourism is an expanding segment of global tourism that promotes sustainable travel, balancing environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and economic benefits. In Sri Lanka, it serves as a vital mechanism for leveraging the country\u27s biodiversity and natural resources while addressing challenges in conservation and stakeholder participation. However, ineffective implementation—often stemming from insufficient stakeholder commitment to ecotourism principles—poses significant challenges. This study aims to analyze stakeholder dynamics and propose strategies to enhance their commitment to effective ecotourism practices in Udawalawe National Park. Data were collected from 33 stakeholders through interviews and field observations, with findings quantified using the Relative Importance Index. Environmental considerations ranked highest among stakeholder priorities (0.648), followed by mutual understanding (0.636) and transparency (0.606). Key challenges identified include environmental degradation, governance gaps, economic disparities, and social disruptions. Critical threats such as poaching (38%), mining (31%), and overcrowding (12%) further hinder sustainable efforts. The Power-Interest and Influence-Commitment Matrices reveal disparities in stakeholder engagement, underscoring the need for decentralized governance and inclusive strategies. Recommendations include equitable economic distribution, the development of eco-friendly infrastructure, and educational programs to foster cultural and environmental awareness. This study emphasizes the integration of stakeholder dynamics as essential for achieving long-term sustainable ecotourism development
Trends in Meteorological Drought in Iran Using the SPI Index and Mann-Kendall Test: A Review
Get PDFDrought is one of the most significant climatic hazards in Iran, occurring with varying intensity and frequency due to the country\u27s wide geographical and climatic diversity. Investigating drought trends can offer valuable information for sustainable water resource management and reducing vulnerability in the agricultural sector. This review aims to systematically evaluate research conducted on the trend of meteorological droughts in Iran, focusing on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the non-parametric Mann-Kendall (MK) test. In this study, 13 related articles were used and analysed, and data for the SPI index from 1951 to 2019 were reviewed. Most arid and semi-arid regions have experienced decreases in precipitation and increases in drought severity, whereas northern and humid regions exhibit more variable and less predictable behaviour. Overall, evidence suggests that the intensity and frequency of droughts have increased in recent decades, emphasizing the importance of climate adaptation policies and water resources management
The Determinants of Non-traditional Activities of Vietnamese Commercial Banks: The Role of Women, Private Sector and Foreign Investors
Get PDFThis study investigates the determinants and their influence on non-traditional banking activities among commercial banks in Vietnam, measured by non-interest income. Using a panel dataset of 23 listed Vietnamese commercial banks from 2010 to 2021, the research applies various panel data estimation techniques, including OLS, FEM, REM and GLS, to address potential model specification issues. However, the two step Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimator is ultimately employed due to its robustness in handling endogeneity and dynamic relationships. The results reveal that operational efficiency, loan-to-deposit ratio and bank size positively impact non-traditional activities. In contrast, net profit margin, non-performing loan ratio and selected macroeconomic variables exert negative effects. Notably, the presence of women on the board of directors significantly moderates these relationships, reversing the impact of operational efficiency and macroeconomic factors. In addition, the study finds that banks in the private sector and those with foreign capital contributions demonstrate similar moderating patterns. However, the effects of equity dependence and capital adequacy differ from the baseline case. These findings highlight the importance of governance characteristics and ownership structure in shaping non-interest income strategies. The study offers new empirical evidence on the role of gender diversity on boards, private ownership, and foreign investor participation in influencing income diversification in the banking sector, particularly in an emerging market context