USM Journal Management System (Univ. Sains Malaysia)
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Effectiveness of Sandals Combined with Physical Therapy Versus Physical Therapy Alone on Pain and Function in Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Get PDFBackground: Recent evidence suggests that appropriate footwear can facilitate recovery in individuals with plantar fasciitis. This study evaluated the effectiveness of combining arch-supportive, shock-absorbing flip-flop sandals with physical therapy (PT) compared to PT alone in treating plantar fasciitis.
Methods: Sixty-six participants aged 20–60 years with normal body mass index and plantar fasciitis (median symptom duration = 6 months) were randomised into either an intervention group (n = 33; PT plus sandals) or a control group (n = 33; PT alone). Both groups received eight weeks of PT and home exercises. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks and included pain-related parameters, pressure pain threshold, the Foot Function Index, and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. The global rating of change was evaluated at weeks four and eight.
Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures (P < 0.001). A significant time × group interaction was observed for first-step post-inactivity pain (F = 3.238, P = 0.042), with the intervention group showing greater improvement (mean reduction: 3.71 points, d = 2.01) compared to controls (mean reduction: 2.82 points, d = 1.30). Improvements in all other outcome measures were comparable between the groups.
Conclusion: While PT effectively improves plantar fasciitis symptoms, adding sandals provided significantly greater improvement in first-step post-inactivity pain. Further large-scale trials with extended follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings and assess long-term efficacy
Visual Metaphor in Literary Covers: A Case Study of Symbolic Expression in Lu Xun’s Call to Arms Cover
Get PDFWhile symbolic metaphor is pivotal in conveying narratives and emotions in literary book covers, research on visual metaphors remains limited. This study addressed the gap by examining the cover of Lu Xun’s 1926 Call to Arms as a case study to explore how visual metaphors convey implicit meanings and authorial emotions within the book content. This analysis adopted Wilcox’s (2004) metonymic and metaphorical mapping model to analyse the symbolic elements on Lu Xun’s cover. The findings indicated that the cover layout represented the “iron house” restricting the national spirit; the typography “??” embodied the New Youth warriors calling for the national awakening from sleep through their literary works; the colour black signified the dark social reality, while the red conveyed both the pain of revolution, as well as the desire for a bright future. This paper also employed a conceptual integration network to blend the three metaphorical meanings to construct a cohesive interpretation, a visual manifesto of Lu Xun’s inner world for revolution. In summary, this study provides a practical analytical framework for interpreting the meanings of literary book covers, laying the groundwork for further studies
A Conceptual Hybrid Model for Transcultural Product Design Innovation
Get PDFIn the current era of globalisation, cultural diversity is playing a critical role in shaping how individuals interpret, exchange, or adopt sociocultural traits from other cultures. In this context, creating a transcultural product has become a complex process that demands a keen understanding of user identity and cultural differences. The primary aim of this study is to develop a hybrid framework for designing culturally inclusive transcultural products. To achieve this goal, we have consolidated selected models of cultural and cross-cultural product design innovation. A systematic review of these models was conducted using reproducible research practices, following the PRISMA guidelines, to ensure a valid and reliable account of the existing literature. In conclusion, our study offers valuable insights into the intricate process of designing transcultural products, providing designers with a hybridised framework to create culturally inclusive products. This hybridised framework is a significant step towards transcultural product design innovation, and it has the potential to assist in the creation of products that cater to the needs of diverse cultural audiences
Intuitive Design Thinking Criteria of Designers in Problem Solving
No full textIndustries involved in research and development (R&D) for new product development (NPD) typically employ experts from various disciplines and knowledge domains, including engineering design, art-based design, interface design, information technology, and more. These differences in discipline and experience influence the approaches and solutions taken when addressing problems in NPD projects, such as functionality, aesthetics, usability, manufacturing, and so on. For this reason, an in-depth study was conducted to explore intuitive design thinking behaviour across different knowledge domains. The study employed an empirical method involving the observation of experimental design and Design Protocol Analysis (DPA), conducted with the participation of thirty final-year undergraduate students who were divided into three groups: engineering design (ENG), art-based design (IDE), and interface design (ID). Besides profiling the intuitive design thinking behaviours of these three domain groups, findings also revealed distinct patterns in problem-solving whereby ENG participants emphasized usability with less focus on aesthetics; IDE participants prioritized aesthetics with less emphasis on usability; and ID participants balanced both ergonomic and aesthetic considerations. Based on these findings, the researchers proposed a new model for design management within organizations that employ multidisciplinary designers. This model is intended to enhance the quality of operations in the NPD process and to shorten project durations by reducing repetitive processes caused by rejections at different stages of development
The Nonmonotonic Investment–Cash Flow Sensitivity and Business Life Cycle: Evidence from An Emerging Market
Get PDFThis article aims to investigate the non-linear correlation between investment and cash flow. Drawing on a sample of 669 Vietnamese publicly listed firms from 2010 to 2021, the study tests two hypotheses concerning the investment–cash flow relationship, employing a two-step system-GMM approach. The sensitivity of investment to cash flow is examined across different financial scenarios and business stages. The results demonstrate a U-shaped investment-cash flow relationship, which consistently holds across various firms’ financial positions and ownership structures. Interestingly, this pattern is absent under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. When considering the business life cycle, the results indicate that while companies in the introduction and expansion phases exhibit the inverted U-shaped sensitivity, those in the maturity and decline stages display a U-pattern. These outcomes enrich the existing corporate literature and offer significant practical insights for investors, firm managers, and policy-setting parties, particularly within the emerging market context
Effects of Fintech Firms on Banking Profitability in ASEAN-5 during the Pandemic COVID-19
Get PDFFintech and fintech businesses have advanced banking and finance innovation. Since COVID-19 in 2020, fintech has accelerated the adoption of digital technology in banks to help individual and business customers during the crisis and the new normal. This research seeks to assess the correlations among fintech firms (FIN) and bank performance metrics, specifically Return on Total Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE), alongside bank attributes, i.e., Total Assets (SIZE), Leverage (LEV), Loans (LOAN), Deposits (DEPO) and Scale (SCA). Additionally, it investigates the influence of FIN on these essential bank profitability indicators in conjunction with macroeconomic variables, including GDP, Consumer Price Index (INF) and the occurrence of COVID-19. Based on consumer and disruptive innovation theories, dataset including 57 banks from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam from 2017 to 2021, the study used the dynamic panel model with the two-step Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimator, to demonstrate that fintech firms negatively affected bank profitability across ASEAN countries. Fintech hurts small banks more than large banks, and COVID-19 exacerbated its negative impact on ASEAN-5 bank profitability
Does Intellectual Capital Alleviate Bank Earnings Management? New Findings from Vietnamese Context
Get PDFBeing “black boxes” in an economy, consequences resulting from manipulation of number reporting in banks has kept the spotlight of central banks worldwide for decades. Accordingly, many efforts that aim to enhance bank financial information transparency have been studied and proposed. In astonishment, despite the widely demonstrated influential role of intellectual capital in banking operations, the linkage between this factor and bank earnings management is largely unexplored. Motivated by this fact, the study makes the first endeavour to pinpoint how intellectual capital can assist banks in reducing earnings management. By employing the extended-VAIC model rather than the traditional measure, the panel data analysis based on the research sample of 26 Vietnamese banks from 2006 to 2020, with the support of different econometric methods shows that increasing intellectual capital will demotivate banks to be involved in earnings management. Also, three elements of intellectual capital: structural capital, relational capital and capital employed play a crucial role in alleviating bank earnings management. By contrast, the last element, human capital, does not yet help banks preclude financial misrepresentation, especially in small banks. These findings will be of special interest to bank regulators and managers in Vietnam and perhaps, other emerging economies
Transformasi dan Modenisasi Kepimpinan Murut di Bawah Pemerintahan British, 1881–1963: Transformation and Modernisation of Murut’s Leadership under British Rule, 1881–1963
Get PDFThis study examines the transformation of the traditional leadership system of the Murut community in North Borneo (now Sabah) during British administration, focusing on changes in the structure, function and roles of traditional leaders, as well as the emergence of modern leaders. Although there are studies on the Murut community, understanding of how their leadership system adapted to colonial influence remains limited. This study addresses the question of how British modern administration influenced the traditional leadership system of the Murut. The findings of the study show that Murut’s traditional leadership institutions centred on the tribal system have undergone significant changes through the implementation of government policies such as the Village Administration Proclamation 1891, the Native Chief Classification Scheme 1912 and the Indigenous Administration Ordinance 1937. Traditional leaders including Orang Tua and tribal chiefs were either replaced or incorporated into modern administrative roles such as Village Headmen and Native Chiefs. These positions were assigned new responsibilities, which included the management of Native Courts. This study employs a historiographical approach with qualitative and descriptive methods, analysing primary documents such as The British North Borneo Herald, North Borneo Secretariat Files, and Colonial Office records, as well as secondary sources. This study makes an important contribution to understanding the transformation and modernisation of Murut leadership under British influence and its implications for the socioeconomic aspects of the Murut community. Further research is needed to explore the role of modern Murut leaders in the post-independence era.
Kajian ini meneliti transformasi sistem kepimpinan tradisional masyarakat Murut di Borneo Utara (kini Sabah) semasa pentadbiran British dengan fokus terhadap perubahan struktur, fungsi dan peranan pemimpin tradisional serta kemunculan golongan pemimpin moden. Walaupun terdapat kajian mengenai masyarakat Murut, pemahaman tentang adaptasi sistem kepimpinan mereka terhadap pengaruh kolonial masih terhad. Kajian ini menjawab persoalan bagaimana pentadbiran moden British mempengaruhi sistem kepimpinan tradisional Murut. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa institusi kepimpinan tradisional Murut yang berpusat pada sistem suku mengalami perubahan signifikan melalui pelaksanaan dasar kerajaan antaranya seperti Proklamasi Pentadbiran Kampung 1891, Skim Klasifikasi Ketua Anak Negeri 1912 dan Ordinan Pentadbiran Peribumi 1937. Pemimpin tradisional iaitu Orang Tua dan ketua suku digantikan atau disepadukan dalam jawatan pentadbiran moden yang dikenali sebagai Ketua Kampung dan Ketua Anak Negeri dengan tanggungjawab baharu seperti pengendalian Mahkamah Anak Negeri. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan historiografi dengan kaedah kualitatif dan deskriptif serta menganalisis dokumen primer seperti The British North Borneo Herald, North Borneo Secretariat File dan rekod Colonial Office serta sumber sekunder. Kajian ini memberikan sumbangan penting dalam memahami transformasi dan modenisasi kepimpinan Murut di bawah pengaruh British dan implikasinya terhadap sosioekonomi masyarakat Murut. Kajian lanjut diperlukan untuk meneliti peranan pemimpin moden Murut dalam era pasca-kemerdekaan
Threatening Sounds as an Alternative Mitigation Method to Deter Elephant: A Study in Elephant Conservation Centre, Kuala Gandah, Pahang, Malaysia
Get PDFHuman-elephant conflict is a common issue in the agricultural sector, often resulting in crop damage. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of threatening vocalisation playbacks as a mitigation method to deter elephant encroachment into agricultural areas. The study was conducted at the National Elephant Conservation Centre (NECC) in Kuala Gandah, Pahang, Malaysia, involving two male and five female elephants. Five soundtracks were played to observe the elephants’ responses: the sound of a buzzing bee, a tiger roar, an elephant rumble, rain (control) and nocturnal jungle sounds (control). The elephants’ behaviours were recorded during and after exposure to each soundtrack. The results showed that the elephants responded most strongly to the tiger roar (33%), followed by the buzzing bee sound (23%), while the elephant rumble elicited the fewest responses (8%). The tiger roar and buzzing bee sounds also resulted in the longest halt times, with the elephants stopping and standing still, particularly the older group (p < 0.05). Male and female elephants exhibited similar responses to the sound playbacks (p > 0.05). This study suggests that playback of threatening vocalisations could serve as an additional mitigation strategy to deter elephants from encroaching on agricultural sites, such as oil palm plantations
Isolated Population of Proboscis Monkeys and their Status in Sulaman Lake Forest Reserve, Sabah, Malaysia
Get PDFProboscis monkeys are largely confined along the eastern coastal zone of Sabah, Malaysia. Sulaman Lake Forest Reserve (SLFR) is the only Class V Mangrove Forest Reserve in the forestry district of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. This study is in accordance with the conservation strategies outlined in the Sabah Proboscis Monkey Action Plan (2019–2028), which is to focus on areas that have not been surveyed. Prior to this study, the status of proboscis monkeys in this reserve had not been scientifically documented. In addition, the habitat of this colobine species along the coastal zone of Sulaman Bay will be impacted by the construction of Pan Borneo Highway (Work Package 9). Hence, we intend to shed light on the status of proboscis monkeys in the SLFR including local threats to their population. This study discovered a small and isolated relict population of proboscis monkeys through a boat survey approach, which was also derived from interview sessions with local communities. We found that the degradation of mangrove forest integrity is a major threat to this population in the SLFR. It is hoped that this study will trigger more research, especially population size estimation, because such baseline information is crucial in the formulation of effective conservation programmes