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Exploring the relationship between motivation and science achievement of secondary students
No full textMotivation plays an important role in students' learning and academic performance. It is believed that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation contributes in the learning process in different ways. This study examined the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on student science achievement using the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011 data. Furthermore, the study explored how intrinsic and extrinsic types of motivation function across different cultures. The sample consisted of eighth grade students from the United States, England, Malaysia, and Singapore. Students from the Western culture value extrinsic motivation higher than intrinsic motivation in science learning. The findings also showed that students with high intrinsic motivation perform better than students with low intrinsic motivation across the four countries. Positive relationship between motivation and science achievement supported motivation theory in which higher motivation led to higher achievement scores. Students with intrinsic motivation obtain higher score in science compared to extrinsically motivated students. This study also showed cultural differences affect students' types of motivation. Furthermore, this study could be practically valuable in providing insight on understanding the motivation levels in enhancing students' science achievement
Functionalized carbon nanotubes for adsorptive removal of water pollutants
No full textToday, clean water shortages will cause the next great global crisis. As such, several conventional water treatment methods, including physical, chemical, and biological treatments have been applied before discharge to the environment. Nevertheless, these conventional water treatments exhibited several drawbacks, including small wastewater flow rate, expensive in production, high working pressure to push the wastewater flow, diffusion limitation and inability to reduce dissolved solid content. Today, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) appear to be one of the most promising technologies for water remediation. CNTs have attracted much attention from scientist and researcher community due to their unique properties, including its high catalytic, adsorption, transport and electrical properties. This paper presents recent achievements on chemical modification methods for CNTs using different approaches (fluorination, cycloaddition, reaction with diazonium salt, oxidation and radical polymerization) for enhancing the CNTs’ solubility and reactivity. Besides, the role of CNTs on water remediation platform will be discussed
Dyspepsia in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug users and the effect of preventive measures
No full textOBJECTIVE: To evaluate regular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) users for dyspepsia, as well as to assess the effect of preventive measures, and the reasons for non-adherence to gastroprotective agents (GPA) from a real-world perspective. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted among outpatients with regular NSAID usage. The presence of dyspepsia was assessed by locally validated versions of the Leeds dyspepsia questionnaire (LDQ), GPA and the participants' adherence to the drugs were assessed at recruitment and 2 weeks later. GPA was defined as the use of antisecretory medications or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. RESULTS: Initially, 409 participants (mean age 52.3 ± 14.6 years, 60.6% females, 48.4% treated for musculoskeletal pain) were recruited. At recruitment, 50.9% of the participants had at least one upper gastrointestinal symptom. Complete data for follow-up analysis were collected from 158 participants who were naive NSAID users, had no prior gastrointestinal medication and who could be contacted. At 2-week follow-up there was no significant difference in the LDQ score change between NSAID users treated with GPA and those did not. However, there was a greater reduction in abdominal pain/discomfort (8.8% vs 5.0%, P < 0.001) and burping (8.8% vs 4.0%, P < 0.001) among participants using GPA compared with those who were not. Adherence to GPA was poor, with study participants citing the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms as their main reason for non-adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The use of GPA in patients on regular NSAIDs does not improve their overall dyspepsia, but it reduces abdominal pain and burping. Poor adherence to GPA may be a contributing factor
Observation of saturation transfer characteristics in solution processed vertical organic field-effect transistors (VOFETs) with high leakage current
No full textUnlike ordinary organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), saturation current is hardly to be found in vertical OFETs (VOFETs). Moreover, the fabrication process of patterned sourced for VOFETs is quite complex. In this current work, a simple solution processed VOFET with directly deposited intermediate silver source electrode has been demonstrated. The VOFET exhibits a high leakage current that induces an inversion polarity of its transistor behavior. Interestingly, a well-defined saturation current was observed in the linear scale of transfer characteristic. The VOFET operated with high-current density >280 mA/cm2 at Vd = 5 V. Overview potential of the fabricated device in display application is also presented. This preliminary work does open-up a new direction in VOFET fabrication and their application
Plant data visualisation using network graphs
No full textBackground: The amount of plant data such as taxonomical classification, morphological characteristics, ecological attributes and geological distribution in textual and image forms has increased rapidly due to emerging research and technologies. Therefore, it is crucial for experts as well as the public to discern meaningful relationships from this vast amount of data using appropriate methods. The data are often presented in lengthy texts and tables, which make gaining new insights difficult. The study proposes a visual-based representation to display data to users in a meaningful way. This method emphasises the relationships between different data sets. Method: This study involves four main steps which translate text-based results from Extensible Markup Language (XML) serialisation format into graphs. The four steps include: (1) conversion of ontological dataset as graph model data; (2) query from graph model data; (3) transformation of text-based results in XML serialisation format into a graphical form; and (4) display of results to the user via a graphical user interface (GUI). Ontological data for plants and samples of trees and shrubs were used as the dataset to demonstrate how plant-based data could be integrated into the proposed data visualisation. Results: A visualisation system named plant visualisation system was developed. This system provides a GUI that enables users to perform the query process, as well as a graphical viewer to display the results of the query in the form of a network graph. The efficiency of the developed visualisation system was measured by performing two types of user evaluations: a usability heuristics evaluation, and a query and visualisation evaluation. Discussion: The relationships between the data were visualised, enabling the users to easily infer the knowledge and correlations between data. The results from the user evaluation show that the proposed visualisation system is suitable for both expert and novice users, with or without computer skills. This technique demonstrates the practicability of using a computer assisted-tool by providing cognitive analysis for understanding relationships between data. Therefore, the results benefit not only botanists, but also novice users, especially those that are interested to know more about plants
End-of-life vehicle recovery factors: Malaysian stakeholders' views and future research needs
No full textIn this study, we identify the factors that affect end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recovery effectiveness in order to develop an improved ELV recovery model in Malaysia. We derived these factors from a literature survey and on-site interviews with representatives of selected local companies who are the key stakeholders in ELV management. We used the system dynamics approach to identify the link between the ELV recovery factors and recovery effectiveness, and we present the results in the form of an aftermarket cognitive map, which provides a pictorial view of the interrelationships between the ELV recovery factors. Indeed, we found that the factors conform well with those identified in previous studies. We believe that the improved ELV recovery model will be beneficial to product designers and stakeholders in the ELV recovery network, and encourage them to take action in accordance with the National Automotive Policy in line with the ELV directive
Swelling behavior and chemical stability of chitosan/nanocellulose biocomposites
No full textWe investigated the chemical stability and swelling behaviour of synthesized biocomposites with varying concentrations of oil palm frond (OPF) nanocellulose and chitosan (Cs) for biomedical applications. Nanocellulose were extracted via acid hydrolysis method from OPFs and commercialized (COM) cellulose for comparative analysis. Condensation polymerization process was implemented to incorporate the nanocellulose and N, N’-Methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) crosslinker into the Cs. Flory-Huggin model was used to test their swelling behavior. Biocomposites in wet condition was observed through a variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VP-SEM). Results showed that increasing the amount of nanocellulose on the biocomposites can reduce the swelling of the Cs, and it is significantly reduced (up to 420% at pH 4, up to 576% at pH 7, up to 305% at pH 10) with the use of OPF nanocellulose. Moreover, adding OPF nanocellulose to Cs has improved its stability in acidic medium, basic medium, aprotic solvent, polar solvent, non-polar solvent up to 90, 23, 23, 18, 22%, respectively. The swelling resistance and chemical stability of Cs biocomposites with OPF nanocellulose were better than using COM nanocellulose
Perceived overall service quality and customer satisfaction: A comparative analysis between local and foreign banks in Malaysia
No full textPurpose: Foreign and local banks in Malaysia are competing in terms of skilled staff, innovative products and services, rendering quality services and customer satisfaction. The purpose of this paper is to examine the overall service quality and customer satisfaction of both foreign and local banks. Design/methodology/approach: The data used to test the hypothesis were collected from 748 foreign and local bank customers in Malaysia. The research model was analysed using a structural equation modelling technique. Findings: Results show that knowledge and staff competencies, as well as convenience of the bank is more significant for local bank customers while bank image and internet banking are important components for foreign bank customers. The results also reveal that foreign bank customers have higher satisfaction as compared to local bank customers. Research limitations/implications: No analysis is undertaken of any difference in the service quality dimensions between banks of different size. Further research on banking services could usefully test services quality dimensions across banks of different sizes. Practical implications: The findings serve as a valuable reference for local banks understand service quality challenges they may face from foreign banks in this competitive industry. Findings suggest that, to provide high-quality services, financial institutions need to heighten customer satisfaction differentiation strategies. Originality/value: The outcomes of this study enhance the knowledge on the performance of both local and foreign banks in Malaysia as well as customer satisfaction, which are invaluable to all bank managers and industry players in improving their services
Are microfinance institutions in South-East Asia pursuing objectives of greening the environment?
No full textMicrofinance institutions (MFIs) were initially established to alleviate extreme poverty by providing a wide array of customized financial products. However, today's MFIs’ roles have been diversified into providing not only basic financial products but also a great variety of non-financial products, such as incentives and assistance to promote environment-friendly practices in the developing countries. By using an unbalanced panel data of 274 MFIs in South-East Asia from 2000 to 2014, this study investigated MFIs’ contribution in greening the environment using the proxy of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agriculture sector. The regression results show that the main proxy variables: number of borrowers, number of loans outstanding and average loan over gross national income per capita have a negative effect on GHG emissions, and thus, creating a positive impact on greening our environment
Quantum-Inspired Multidirectional Associative Memory With a Self-Convergent Iterative Learning
No full textQuantum-inspired computing is an emerging research area, which has significantly improved the capabilities of conventional algorithms. In general, quantum-inspired hopfield associative memory (QHAM) has demonstrated quantum information processing in neural structures. This has resulted in an exponential increase in storage capacity while explaining the extensive memory, and it has the potential to illustrate the dynamics of neurons in the human brain when viewed from quantum mechanics perspective although the application of QHAM is limited as an autoassociation. We introduce a quantum-inspired multidirectional associative memory (QMAM) with a one-shot learning model, and QMAM with a self-convergent iterative learning model (IQMAM) based on QHAM in this paper. The self-convergent iterative learning enables the network to progressively develop a resonance state, from inputs to outputs. The simulation experiments demonstrate the advantages of QMAM and IQMAM, especially the stability to recall reliability