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714 research outputs found
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Comparison Study of Natural Dye Sensitisers in Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells
No full textThis work explored the performance and characterisation of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) based on sustainable dyes, as compared to traditionally applied dyes consisting of metal compounds. Several natural sources were used to extract the dye, including mangosteen, thyme, coriander, spearmint, ginger, and papaya. The samples were investigated, and a comparison was made between the performance of each dye. The ruthenium sensitised control sample yielded a Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) of 3.9642% with a Fill Factor (FF) of 69.434%. Among natural dye sensitisers anthocyanin pigment-rich dye from mangosteen performed the best with PCE and FF of 0.7677% and 68.55%, respectively. Other natural dye-sensitised samples all depicted PCE < 0.3% but relatively close FF, ranging from 50% to around 70%
Generative AI-based Healthcare Recommender System
No full textPersonalized healthcare recommendations remain challenging due to diverse patient data, including medical history and lifestyle habits. Traditional systems struggle to provide real-time, personalized recommendations, leading to ineffective treatment. This research improves healthcare recommendation systems (HRS) using generative AI techniques, specifically Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), to enhance personalization, accuracy and adaptability. This study explores synthetic data generation to address data sparsity and cold-start problems while maintaining privacy. Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) and preprocessing methods like feature engineering, identification of missing data, normalization and outlier detection are part of the research methodology. Interpretability is enhanced by data visualization using boxplots, histograms and heatmaps. Although complete GAN and VAE implementation was not possible due to computational limitations, baseline assessments created a fundamental framework. According to preliminary findings, generative models can fill in the gaps in customisation. Potential improvements in prediction performance are shown by evaluation criteria including Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), accuracy and precision. Despite its drawbacks, this research shows that integrating Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) into HRS is viable for improved scalability and flexibility.
Effect of Entrance Insulated Inner Absorber on EGATC Thermal Performance – Experimental Approach
No full textThis study presented the experimental results of using insulated inner absorbers to enhance the thermal performance of the Evacuated Glass Thermal-Absorber Tube Collector (EGATC). The inner absorber of EGATC was insulated with exterior thermal insulation paint. The length of the insulation varied at 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, and 50 cm from the tip of the inner absorber. The thermal performance of the EGATC improved when the insulated inner absorber was utilized compared to instances without insulation. The optimal insulation length for enhancing EGATC’s thermal performance was found to be 35 cm from the projection. A follow-up experiment used the 35 cm insulation length to observe its thermal performance patterns. The 30 cm and 35 cm insulation lengths exhibited similar outlet temperatures during charging, confirming that 35 cm was the optimal length for insulating the inner absorber
Abstention Obligation Under the UN Charter in the Light of the Subsequent Practice of the Permanent Members
No full textA permanent member of the Security Council derives its veto power from Article 27(3) of the Charter of the United Nations. The proviso of Article 27(3), however, provides that when the Security Council is considering a non-procedural resolution under Chapter VI and Article 52(3) of the Charter, a party to the dispute to which the resolution relates shall not vote. It is also known as the obligatory abstention rule. The abstention obligation seems clear, but the practice of the obligation is not as straightforward. Some scholars argue against the abstention obligation because it has not been invoked for decades. On the other hand, some argue that treaty obligations cannot be modified or amended by subsequent practice. This paper argues that the abstention obligation under Article 27(3) cannot be amended by the subsequent practice of the Security Council, and it proposes that the General Assembly make an application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an authoritative pronouncement in this regard
A Literal ‘Till Death Do Us Part’: The Difficulties of Severing Marital Ties in the Philippines with No Divorce and the Court’s Struggle to Ease the Journey
No full textThe Philippines, aside from the city-state of the Vatican, remains the only country in the world where divorce is not allowed to sever marriage and marital ties. Current law only allows certain remedies – annulment and declaration of nullity of marriage – which take time and resources to litigate. With a growing call to legislate divorce into domestic law, the lower house of the Philippines’ bicameral congress recently passed a bill, but the upper house does not appear to be receptive to the initiative, with several members even antagonistic to the movement. The judiciary then stands in a distinct position to be proactive in resolving disputes involving marital ties, but its attitude remains subject to the composition of the courts, although more recent approaches have been liberal. The paper tackles the current situation of divorce (or lack thereof) in the Philippines and the struggles of the people and the courts to navigate the perilous journey of severing marital ties in the country
Operational Dynamics of Internal Communication in Nigerian Public Universities: A Case Study of Administrative Staff in Owerri, Imo State
No full textThis study explores internal communication in Nigerian public universities, focusing on administrative staff in Owerri, Imo State. It aims to investigate how the flow and processes of internal communication influence the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative staff in public universities. Challenges of internal communication in public universities in Nigeria are primarily attributed to reliance on traditional communication methods, fragmented channels, insufficient ICT infrastructure, limited capacity building, resistance to changes in practice and imposed communications. These challenges lead to delays, miscommunication, and inefficiencies that hinder effective administrative operations. The study employed a qualitative research approach, using semi-structured interviews with 20 informants purposively selected to collect data on internal communication and its effect on their work efficiency. Interview questions were developed based on a literature review and the Equity Theory framework to guide the process. Findings from the study revealed that a structured, top-down communication approach limited feedback opportunities and resulted in delays, disengagement and inefficiencies. Similarly, multi-layered processes and passive communication created rigid processes, leading to poor responses to the university's operational demands. The study highlights the importance of upgrading digital communication infrastructure to enable two-way engagement and advocates for staff training on ICT tools to enhance internal communication. It recommends implementing policies that allow regular staff feedback to mitigate communication gaps and improve internal communication practices. These processes will promote inclusiveness, responsiveness, and efficiency, ultimately enhancing administrative productivity and adaptability to change in Nigerian public universities.
Analysing JAKIM’S Crisis Communication Strategies Using Image Repair Theory
No full textThe halal industry is successful and in demand, offering numerous economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and organisations. Despite its enormous potential, particularly its vast market, which included domestic and international markets, the Malaysian government, regulators, and businesses were concerned about managing the halal crisis. As a country with a substantial Muslim population, Malaysia has a responsibility to provide halal goods and services that align with Islamic principles. Recent controversies have posed challenges to the industry's reputation and public trust, highlighting a critical gap in research regarding crisis communication strategies in this context. This study evaluated the crisis communication response strategies employed by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia ("Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia,” JAKIM) during halal crises using Image Repair Theory as the theoretical framework. Through qualitative content analysis of JAKIM's press statements, the research identified key strategies, including denial, evasion of responsibility, reducing offensiveness, and corrective action. The findings offer valuable insights for halal businesses and public relations practitioners, emphasising the need for effective crisis response strategies to safeguard organisational integrity and reputation. Meanwhile, the study contributes to the ongoing growth and sustainability of the halal industry
Views from Journalists: Social Media Practice in Malaysian Newsrooms
No full textSocial media has transformed the world of journalism and opened up channels for greater communication between journalists and news organisations with the public. This research aims to identify the perception of Malaysian journalists on the use of social media in the newsrooms. In addition, the research discusses the use of social media in the journalistic practice of Malaysian newsrooms. Snowball sampling was adopted for in-depth interviews with journalists from various Malaysian news organisations. Findings suggest that the majority of Malaysian journalists view the adoption of social media positively as a medium to engage with the audience of the news organisation. While social media algorithm has their benefits, journalists expressed concerns over its technology that could lead to an invasion of privacy and confirmation bias. Finally, findings suggest that though social media adoption in newsrooms is seen as beneficial in many aspects of journalistic work, journalists are cautious about adopting its technology due to ethical concerns. This signifies the awareness of media literacy among journalists interviewed. This study addresses the lack of non-Western literature on social media newsroom practices. It contributes to the literature on newsroom practice in Malaysia and social media practice among journalists in nations of the South
Laser Induced Thermal Effects and Accuracy in Polycarbonate Cutting
No full textThis research investigates into the CO2 laser cutting process applied to polycarbonate materials of varying thicknesses. Investigating laser power, cutting speed, standoff distance, and cutting diameter, the study focuses on responses such as heat-affected zones and kerf diameters. Through advanced microscopy and coordinate measuring tools, interaction effects were assessed using variance analysis. Measurements were made using Meiji Techno MT7000 Metallurgical Microscope and the CRYSTA-Apex S 900 CNC Coordinate Measuring Machine. Interactions effects of data were calculated by analysis of variance. Notably, higher cutting speeds coupled with lower laser power yielded optimal heat-affected zones. Standoff distance emerged as a critical factor influencing material cut-through capacity. The results show that optimum levels of heat affected zone were possible by applying higher cutting speeds and lower laser power. Standoff distance had the most impact on the ability of the material to be cut through.
Manuscript received: 14 Jun 2025 | Revised: 19 Aug 2025 | Accepted: 30 Aug 2025 | Published: 30 Nov 2025
EEG-Based Emotion Recognition Using CNN-LSTM: Dynamic Segmentation and Feature Fusion
No full textThis study examines current developments and persistent difficulties in identifying emotions from EEG data, particularly when it comes to real-time systems. The need for precise, quick-response models has increased as interest in emotion-aware applications—from adaptive human-computer interfaces to mental health tools—increases. Although deep learning methods such as CNNs and LSTMs have demonstrated remarkable accuracy (up to 98%), a number of practical issues still need to be addressed, especially in the areas of delay minimization and data preprocessing. In order to improve recognition speed and reliability, the research presents real-time prioritization techniques and dynamic segmentation procedures. It also examines the wider socioeconomic and ethical implications of EEG-based systems and highlights important avenues for further study, such as multimodal feature fusion and dataset diversification.
Manuscript received:1 Mar 2025 | Revised: 23 Apr 2025 | Accepted: 8 May 2025 | Published: 30 Jul 202