USM Journal Management System (Univ. Sains Malaysia)
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Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Evaluating DRR Awareness Among Indigenous Trainee Teachers
Get PDFDisasters have numerous effects on children as one of the vulnerable groups in society. Increasing teachers\u27 knowledge and awareness about Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) can improve overall disaster resilience in the community. Teachers not only educate school children but also play an important role in shaping school policies and practices related to safety and emergency preparedness. Therefore, this study is exploring the introduction of the importance of DRR education to trainee teachers and evaluating the knowledge of trainee teachers on DRR education. This study utilised a quantitative approach to explore the knowledge of trainee teachers. A sample of indigenous trainee teachers from the Teacher’s Training Institute was taken as respondents. Pre- and post-questionnaires were distributed to the participants in the form of a capacity-building workshop with a total of 46 participants, aged between 18 and 24, engaged in the workshop. Analysis of pre- and post-workshop questionnaires revealed initial uncertainty among trainee teachers about their knowledge of DRR, with a significant change to increased confidence after the workshop. After the workshop, there was a significant increase in the identification of various hazards specific to Malaysia, reflecting increased awareness and understanding. Trainee teachers expressed strong support for integrating hazard education into the school curriculum, highlighting its importance for future generations. Overall, the finding suggests the importance of educating both school students and teachers about DRR to increase community resilience
Clustering and Significance in Spatial Distribution Analysis of the Skudai River Catchment Using Geographic Information System (GIS)
Get PDFIn this study, the spatial distribution patterns of point source pollution in the upstream Skudai River catchment were investigated, focusing on restaurants, laundromats, car washes, and workshops. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in the region have led to environmental challenges, including changes in hydrology, geomorphology, and deterioration in water quality. GIS technology played a crucial role in analyzing and visualizing the spatial dynamics of point source pollution. The analysis revealed non-random clustering patterns for each pollution source category, with concentrations observed in specific areas within the catchment. The study also explored the correlation between point source pollution and land use types, identifying concentration hotspots in commercial and residential areas, with the transportation sector emerging as a significant contributor to pollution. The proximity of pollution sources to water bodies and neighbor pattern analysis provided further insights. The findings offer valuable information for water resource management, environmental conservation, and urban planning in the Skudai River catchment, highlighting the importance of GIS-based spatial analyses for informed decision-making and effective pollution control measures
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND GREEN ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY: MECHANISM ANALYSIS IN THE GUANGDONG-HONG KONG-MACAO GREATER BAY AREA
Get PDFFaced with problems such as low energy efficiency, serious environmental pollution, and ecological degradation caused by rapid economic growth, it has become crucial to seek a balance between economic vitality and ecological management. Improving green economic efficiency, that is, the ability of an economy to minimise ecological pollution while achieving sustainable growth, can play a vital role in solving these issues. Opting for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as the case study, this research illustrates the key contribution of artificial intelligence (AI) to improving the efficiency of the green economy. Through the economic dependence theory, the level of regional economic dependence is quantified, and then a multiple regression model is constructed to empirically analyse the relationship between AI, economic dependence, industrial structure, and green economic efficiency. Research results demonstrate that AI has a significant positive effect on the improvement of green economic efficiency. This desirable positive effect can be further strengthened through the mediating variable of industrial structure rationalisation. In addition, economic dependence moderates the relationship between AI and green economic efficiency, indicating that AI has a positive contribution to optimising resource allocation and reducing ecological impact. The significance of this study is far-reaching, showing that AI not only supports sustainable economic growth but also promotes the balanced development of ecology and economy. By integrating AI, regions can achieve higher efficiency and sustainability. Finally, this study provides reference suggestions for the layout of smart industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and the improvement of other regional economic development and green efficiency
Of Haunted Spaces: Cinema, Heterotopias, and China’s Hyperurbanization: Ella Raidel. With contributions by Itty Abraham, Ute Meta Bauer, Marlene Rutzendorfer, and Weiying Yu. Singapore: Nanyang Technological University Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, 2023. 125 pp. Paperback. ISBN 978-98-11-85893-2.
Get PDFThis review examines Of Haunted Spaces: Cinema, Heterotopias, and China’s Hyperurbanization by Ella Raidel, a publication that bridges cinematic practice and critical urban studies. At the centre of the book is Raidel’s exploration of China’s “ghost cities”—monumental yet uninhabited urban developments that serve as both subjects and stages for her films. More than an artist monograph, the volume engages with multidisciplinary perspectives, featuring contributions from scholars such as Ute Meta Bauer, Marlene Rutzendorfer, Itty Abraham, and Yu Weiying. These texts situate Raidel’s hybrid documentary-fictional films within broader conversations on heterotopia, speculative urbanism, postcolonial theory, and architectural cinema
Enhancing Photorealism in Interior Design: Insights and Innovations from PRIDE Framework Analysis
No full textThe evaluation of photorealistic renderings in interior design is often subjective, lacking a standardized methodology to reliably assess the complex interplay between technical proficiency and artistic expression. This paper introduces and empirically validates the Photorealistic Interior Design Evaluation (PRIDE) framework, a comprehensive tool designed to address this gap. The framework\u27s reliability was tested in a rigorous study where a panel of ten expert assessors, comprising of both industry professionals and academics, evaluated a diverse set of 15 interior renderings. The results demonstrate the framework\u27s robustness, showing excellent internal consistency for its technical (Cronbach’s ? = 0.988) and artistic (? = 0.984) subscales, and strong inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.782). The primary finding of this study is the data-driven identification of a significant "technique over artistry" gap; renderings consistently achieved higher scores on technical execution than on nuanced artistic elements such as emotional engagement and surface imperfections. The validated PRIDE framework provides a valuable tool for practitioners and educators to benchmark quality and guide development. Furthermore, this work establishes an empirical basis for future hybrid evaluation models, suggesting a path toward semi-automation that combines computational analysis of technical criteria with essential human judgment of artistic merit
I-WEAR NUSA (Innovative-Wear Nusantara): The Implementation of Experimental Fashion Design Method through Interactive Wearable Fashion Creation
No full textThis research was based on the digital phenomenon of the Fourth Industrial Revolution with a specific focus on fashion sector classified as part of the largest contributors to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but lacking in product innovation through technology application. The aim was to develop innovative clothing that integrated cultural traditions with modern advancements through the use of electro-fashion and embedded augmented reality features. The design showed the culture of Sasak Sade community as part of the indigenous tribes that had received government attention for preservation and promotion due to its local wisdom and heritage. Moreover, I-WEAR NUSA (Innovative-Wear Nusantara) was explored as an experimental fashion design method to produce clothes. The implementation of this method enabled practical experimentation in the production of innovative fashion that seamlessly combined cultural traditions with contemporary advancements through the incorporation of elements such as electro-fashion and integrated augmented reality features. The results were expected to enhance the understanding and application of technology in fashion sector while promoting the cultural heritage of Indonesia both nationally and globally
Media Events, Digitalization and Criticism – A Communication Studies View of the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Get PDFCup and the Olympic Games, highlighting their lasting significance in communication studies. These events are seen as major social occasions that create public spaces where diverse groups converge, promoting social integration and cultural identity through shared values. They act as ritualized "high holy days of communication," fostering communal experiences that strengthen societal bonds.
The rise of digital media has significantly transformed how these events are produced, distributed, and economically structured. Digitalization has broadened opportunities for public participation and extended engagement beyond the events themselves, enhancing the worldwide visibility of sport and reinforcing its dual role as a cultural phenomenon and economic force. The escalating costs of media rights have empowered international sports federations, affecting athlete pay and enabling detailed coverage across emerging formats and channels.
Sporting mega-events are thus not only entertainment but also reflections of wider social dynamics, including neoliberal ideals centered on competition. They connect individuals globally through shared symbolic participation, reflecting sociological concepts of the sacred and communal ritual. Additionally, the text highlights changing journalistic practices and the tension between using sport for commercial or political ends versus its potential as a venue for protest and social critique in the digital age
The Role of Three Rivers Crossing the Urban Area on the Masamba 2020 Flash Floods
Get PDFMasamba, the capital of North Luwu Regency in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, experienced a devastating flash flood in 2020. The disaster caused casualties, extensive damage to infrastructure and facilities, and the displacement of residents. This event resulted from a combination of high-intensity rainfall, topographical factors, and soil characteristics, which led to river overflows. From an environmental geography perspective, Masamba\u27s urban area is intersected and flanked by multiple rivers. The floodwaters carried landslides and debris, including large chunks of wood, which accumulated in residential areas, damaging agricultural land and urban infrastructure. As the Earth\u27s surface is entirely divided by river basins, Masamba\u27s urban area is part of a watershed. A watershed, defined by ridges at its highest points, consists of interconnected rivers, where water naturally flows from higher elevations to lower areas (upstream to downstream), influencing the occurrence of flash floods. This study aims to identify the watersheds and rivers flowing through Masamba’s urban area. The research utilized NASADEM data and a detailed spatial plan (RDTR) map of Masamba. A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was employed for spatial analysis to map the region’s topography. The findings revealed that three rivers—the Baliase River, the Masamba River, and the Radda River—cross the Masamba urban area. These rivers belong to a single watershed, the Masamba watershed, which covers 104,946.96 hectares. This research is vital for both the government and the community in protecting and maintaining watershed and river ecosystems from upstream to downstream. It also underscores the importance of river boundary policies and regional spatial planning in mitigating future flood risks.
Reframing Ecotourism through Stakeholder Perspectives: Toward Effective Development in Yala National Park
Get PDFOne of the most influential factors shaping effective ecotourism practices is the commitment of stakeholders, particularly in protected areas with high biodiversity. This article investigates stakeholder commitment and its effect on ecotourism development in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka. A qualitative case study method was employed to collect data, drawing on semi-structured interviews and field observations with various stakeholder groups, including state agencies, local communities, external tourism facilitators, and tourists. Thematic analysis, supported by the Relative Importance Index (RII), suggests that while issues such as environmental protection and collaborative decision-making remain highly valued by stakeholders, several challenges persist. These include weak governance, inadequate infrastructure, socio-cultural disparities, and economic inequality in the distribution of tourism benefits. Environmental concerns highlighted by stakeholders included poaching (31%), habitat destruction (13%), tourist overcrowding (19%), and pollution (8%). Moreover, a majority of local residents reported exclusion from both decision-making processes (10%) and revenue-sharing (42%). Other commonly cited challenges included inadequate infrastructure (26%), political interference (32%), and insufficient visitor warnings (15%). The RII analysis confirmed these concerns, showing that mutual understanding and agreement (RII: 0.63), reaching common decisions (RII: 0.63), and environmental considerations (RII: 0.62) were ranked as top priorities. In contrast, power decentralization received the lowest emphasis (RII: 0.54), indicating limited influence of local agencies in governance. Indicators such as trust among stakeholders (RII: 0.60), transparency (RII: 0.59), and comprehensiveness (RII: 0.59) also scored relatively low, reflecting a fragmented yet partially collaborative governance framework. Similarly, socio-cultural pride and local economic development (RII: 0.58) ranked low, aligning with qualitative evidence of cultural erosion (16%) and youth marginalization (14%), pointing to broader social consequences of the current tourism regime. The findings highlight the need for participatory governance, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive development approaches. This study proposes actionable reforms aimed at strengthening cooperation, improving ecotourism management, and promoting community-led ecotourism models in protected area
Funding Cost and Bank Liquidity Creation: Evidence from the U.S.
Get PDFRecent academic research shows that banks with a high amount of deposits are inclined toward creating more liquidity and taking more risk. However, little is known about the puzzle of liquidity creation and how it is influenced by the cost of funding. This article aims to study the impact of the cost of funding on liquidity creation in the U.S. banking industry. Using comprehensive quarterly data for the period 2001 to 2019, we find that the cost of funding negatively relates to the bank’s ability to create liquidity and the bank creates less liquidity and takes less risk when the cost of funding is high. Moreover, we show that large and public banks are more responsive to depositors’ behaviour, arising from changes in the cost of deposits. Our results are robust to alternative econometric approaches including addressing the endogeneity concerns, the measure of funding cost and liquidity creation, bank size and different crisis periods