19672 research outputs found
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Operational utility of the reverse-transcription recombinase polymerase amplification for detection of dengue virus
No full textBackground: A method for rapid detection of dengue virus using the reverse-transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) was recently developed, evaluated and made ready for deployment. However, reliance solely on the evaluation performed by experienced researchers in a well-structured and well-equipped reference laboratory may overlook the potential intrinsic problems that may arise during deployment of the assay into new application sites, especially for users unfamiliar with the test. Appropriate assessment of this newly developed assay by users who are unfamiliar with the assay is, therefore, vital. Methods: An operational utility test to elucidate the efficiency and effectiveness of the dengue RT-RPA assay was conducted among a group of researchers new to the assay. Nineteen volunteer researchers with different research experience were recruited. The participants performed the RT-RPA assay and interpreted the test results according to the protocol provided. Deviation from the protocol was identified and tabulated by trained facilitators. Post-test questionnaires were conducted to determine the user satisfaction and acceptability of the dengue RT-RPA assay. Results: All the participants completed the test and successfully interpreted the results according to the provided instructions, regardless of their research experience. Of the 19 participants, three (15.8%) performed the assay with no deviations and 16 (84.2%) performed the assay with only 1 to 5 deviations. The number of deviations from protocol, however, was not correlated with the user laboratory experience. The accuracy of the results was also not affected by user laboratory experience. The concordance of the assay results against that of the expected was at 89.3%. The user satisfaction towards the RT-RPA protocol and interpretation of results was 90% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: The dengue RT-RPA assay can be successfully performed by simply following the provided written instructions. Deviations from the written protocols did not adversely affect the outcome of the assay. These suggest that the RT-RPA assay is indeed a simple, robust and efficient laboratory method for detection of dengue virus. Furthermore, high new user acceptance of the RT-RPA assay suggests that this assay could be successfully deployed into new laboratories where RT-RPA was not previously performed
Characterization of pervious concrete with blended natural aggregate and recycled concrete aggregates
No full textThe utilization of recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) from construction and demolition wastes to produce green concrete serves as a sustainable solution with manifold environmental benefits. This study aims to widen the potential uses of RCA to fabricate pervious concrete for non-structural applications. The mechanical and surface properties, permeability, and greenhouse gases assessment of pervious concrete made with blended normal granite aggregates and RCA were investigated in this work. RCA replacement levels of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% were used. Experimental results show that the RCA mixes have lower mechanical properties. Microscopic analyses show that the lower strength of RCA mixes was attributed to the failure path of RCA specimens which occurred at the weaker adhered mortar on RCA. Despite the drop in strength, all RCA-mixes attained the minimum BS EN 1338 requirements in terms of skid and abrasion resistance. In the mix with 100% RCA, the waste content in the pervious concrete mix was 87% by weight and 73% by volume. The greenhouse gases assessment also shows that the CO2 emission of this 100% RCA mix is 24% lower than the control mix
Japanese English: Norm-dependency and emerging strategies
No full textThis paper investigates the English language spoken by four educated Japanese speakers from an acoustic phonetic perspective. We look closely at how they pronounce and connect segments in reading a short text. Because English has the status of an international language, it is actively used for various purposes within and across countries. English speakers are therefore not necessarily native speakers but have a different first language (L1); English is a second (L2) or foreign language (FL) for them. There are increasing numbers of studies on Japanese English (JE), particularly from attitudinal and perceptual angles (e.g. Tokumoto & Shibata, 2011; Matsuura et al., 2014), but, as McKenzie (2013: 228) notes, there is a dearth of research that documents, or systematically characterizes, the English produced by Japanese speakers
Predicting determinants of hotel success and development using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM)-ANFIS method
No full textThis study aimed to identify the relative importance of the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) that contribute to the success and development of hotel industry in Malaysia. Drawing uponTechnology-Organization-Environment (TOE) and Human-Organization-Technology (HOT) fit models, this study developed a theoretical model to predict the significant factors that contribute to the success and development of hotel industry. A two-stage Structural Equation Modelling (SEM)-Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS) method was applied to test the research model and reveal the importance level of factors in the model. SEM analysis showed that the use of IT, financial performance, benchmarking, service standardization, top management support, customer satisfaction, service quality, hotel interior and exterior design/look, location, employee training and empowerment were significant factors influencing hotel success and development. Moreover, the results of ANFIS showed that customer satisfaction under human dimension was the most critical predictor of hotel success and development
Rising of the Phoenix: Mitigating Political Risk through Knowledge Management—Behn, Meyer & Co., 1840–1959
No full textThis article examines how a German firm in the Malay Peninsula - Behn, Meyer & Co. - capitalized on its knowledge management to overcome political risks during the period from 1840 until 1959. During the two world wars, all assets and properties of the Behn Meyer firm were systematically expropriated because of the introduction of the Alien Enemies (Winding Up) Act of 1914 and the subsequent imposition of a ten-year ban by the British colonial administration in the Malay Peninsula. However, Behn Meyer's resilience and flexible outlook, as demonstrated by its management of political risks during these tumultuous periods, enabled it to rebuild its business interests and reestablish a foothold in postcolonial Malaysia and the region. This article argues that Behn Meyer displayed an exemplary business strategy, utilized its understanding of the geopolitics of the area, and leveraged its local and international networks to ensure its survival and longevity in the most tumultuous period in the history of the world
Performance comparison of feedforward neural network training algorithms in modeling for synthesis of polycaprolactone via biopolymerization
No full textThis paper reports the biopolymerization of ε-caprolactone, using lipase Novozyme 435 catalyst at varied impeller speeds and reactor temperatures. A multilayer feedforward neural network (FFNN) model with 11 different training algorithms is developed for the multivariable nonlinear biopolymerization of polycaprolactone (PCL). In previous works, biopolymerization carried out in scaled-up bioreactors is modeled through FFNN. No review discussed the role of different training algorithms in artificial neural network on the estimation of biopolymerization performance. This paper compares mean absolute error, mean square error, and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) in the PCL biopolymerization process for 11 different training algorithms that belong to six classes, namely (1) additive momentum, (2) self-adaptive learning rate, (3) resilient backpropagation, (4) conjugate gradient backpropagation, (5) quasi-Newton, and (6) Bayesian regulation propagation. This paper aims to identify the most effective training method for biopolymerization. Results show that the quasi-Newton-based and Levenberg–Marquardt algorithms have the best performance with MAPE values of 4.512, 5.31, and 3.21% for the number of average molecular weight, weight average molecular weight, and polydispersity index, respectively
Understanding the pull motivations of Malaysian women music teachers as music entrepreneurs
No full textEntrepreneurship generally refers to small business ownership which implies quality of innovation and initiative in creating a new venture. Previous studies on entrepreneurship have indicated that pull and push factors in motivation and the environmental influences are the two main dynamic aspects that prompt women into their decision in creating their own business. In the Malaysian context, some women music teachers have ventured into establishing music businesses after several years of contribution in music teaching. What are the pull factors and influences that prompted these women music teachers into music business ownership after some years of music teaching? This study aims to examine and explore the pull motivational and influencing factors of why women music teachers endeavour in setting up music studios, music schools and entering into small music business ownership. In-depth interviews were conducted with 3 women music entrepreneurs and data was analysed for emerging themes. The findings provided evidence for the better understanding of the pull motivational and influencing factors of the women music entrepreneurs
Land Cover Types and Their Effect on the Urban Heat Signature of University Campuses using Remote Sensing
No full textThe campus, as an educational area, has a variety of land cover with varying surface temperatures. Knowledge of land use in a localized urban environment and its effect on the Urban Heat Signature (UHS) of a university campus is insufficient, so it is essential to assess UHS-related localized urban environments. The objective of this study is to assess land cover and its effect on the UHS of two university campuses. The research used spatial-temporal analysis employing satellite images during the period 2013-2014. The areas studied were the University Malaya (UM) and University Indonesia (UI) campuses. The results show that the land cover of both university campuses has the same localized urban environment pattern. Based on Landsat 8 TIRS (100 m ground resolution) both university campuses had UHS profiles related to vegetation cover of 25-33°C, with mean temperature 28°C is the lowest temperature, and building cover of 33-39°C, with a mean temperature 35°C, is the highest temperature, caused effect from Land cover types. Google Earth visual interpretation and digitalization provided the land cover based on 10m × 10m vector square grids with their attributes validated by field survey. The research shows a trend of UHS change between 2013 and 2014, with the maximum temperature of > 30°C on the UM and UI Campuses with increased of temperature 1°C. The study concludes that the UHS behavior is an effect of its temporal relation with land cover, which is new knowledge on university campuses about localized urban environments
Gaming behaviour with Pokémon GO and physical activity: A preliminary study with medical students in Thailand
No full textPokémon GO becomes the most rapidly downloaded mobile application in history. This study aimed to determine the physical activity of medical students, who played Pokémon GO, and the change in their use of Pokémon GO and physical activity over time. An observational study was conducted. Physical activity was measured by using self-administered questionnaires at baseline (phase 0), 1 month (phase 1) and 3 months (phase 2) post-Pokémon GO download. The changes in physical activity (phase 0 to 1 and phase 1 to 2) were analysed using Wilcoxon Signed Ranked test. The trend (3-point analysis) of physical activity from phase 0, 1 to 2 were analysed using Friedman’s test. The relationship between physical activity and time spent gaming was analysed by using Spearman’s rank correlation. Twenty-six participants (mean age 22.04±1.70 years) participated in the study. There was no statistically significant change in physical activity during the three-month period (p = 0.45). Only 11 participants (42.3%) were still playing Pokémon GO 3 months after download. The key reasons for playing game were ‘have fun’ and ‘pass time/boredom’. The most common commuting mode to play the game was walking; some drove a car or motorcycle while playing the game. There was no correlation between physical activity and time spent gaming. This study highlights how the lack of sustainability of the game and the motivation behind using Pokémon GO as a game rather than a physical activity app may have undermined the potential of using the game to improve physical activity. Further studies need to explore the reasons for the lack of sustainability and how to combine fun with behavioural change
Attracting international spectators to a sport event held in Asia
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the systematic influence of core product features, event operation quality, sport fan identification, and image of host city as a tourism destination on behavioral intentions of international spectator at a Formula One (F1) event held in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: A survey form assessing the specified concepts was designed and employed to examine the structural relationships. The research participants were international spectators (n=512) attending the event. Data were randomly split into two halves, one for EFA (n=256) and the other for CFA and SEM (n=256). Findings: Findings revealed that core product feature and sport fan identification factors were significantly (p<0.05) related to both of international spectators’ desire to stay at the event, attend the event in the future, and revisit the country; whereas, event operation quality was only found to be significantly influential of the re-patronage, and destination image was only significantly influential of the desire to stay. The findings highlight the importance and relevance of these concepts in attracting, serving, and retaining international visitors to the event. Originality/value: Unlike other studies that are centered merely on game and event factors, this study expanded on a bigger ecological spectrum surrounding a F1 event and systematically evaluated the critical concepts and factors affecting international tourist to the event that can be considerable sources of economic growth. The findings provide empirical evidence for event and tourism management and marketing