17362 research outputs found
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Making a global connection: Learning about animals to learn about the world
No full text"Making a Global Connection: Learning About Animals to Learn About the World" emphasizes how studying animals can foster a deeper understanding of global cultures, environments, and interconnected ecosystems. By exploring the diverse habitats, behaviors, and roles of animals across regions, learners not only gain scientific knowledge but also develop cultural awareness and empathy for the people and places that share the planet with them. This approach highlights the importance of biodiversity and conservation while encouraging students to see the world through a global lens, ultimately promoting curiosity, respect, and responsibility as global citizens
Exploring spatial relationship in criminal behavior: A spatial analysis of offenders’ homes and theft locations in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
No full textThis study aims to identify the proximity of offenders' homes to the theft location in Kuching, Sarawak. The attribute data includes the total number of theft offenders in Kuching in 2018, categorized as solo and co-offenders. It also details the modus operandi used in these thefts, as well as the offenders' employment and educational backgrounds. At the same time, spatial data consists of Kuching and Samarahan land use types, Kuching police station sector boundaries, the home addresses of offenders, and the locations where thefts occurred. This study applied standard deviation ellipses, Euclidean distance analysis, and kernel density estimation. The findings indicate that young people and individuals in their late twenties (15-29 year olds) are at a higher risk of engaging in theft activities. Their target areas are often close to their homes, particularly in urban areas lacking CCTV and security guards. Offenders in urban areas, who are unemployed at the age of 15-29 years old and have low education (SPM level), tend to be thieves. Both solo offenders and co-offenders tend to commit theft near their home. The total number of solo offenders of theft is 78.5%, and co-offenders are 21.4%. The analysis reveals a high level of spatial clustering among offenders, with their homes concentrated in the urban center of Kuching, where crime is most prevalent. The findings imply that offenders' residences are localized in specific urban areas rather than being evenly distributed across the districts of Kuching, Sarawak. The offenders typically travel short distances when engaging in property crime, especially theft. The study suggests that land use planning should consider the concentration of offenders in urban areas. The study also highlights the importance of targeted patrols in high-crime urban areas, especially those lacking CCTV and security guards
Analisis perundangan dan polisi berkaitan sekuriti makanan halalan tayyiban di Malaysia: Satu sorotan
No full textSekuriti makanan halalan tayyiban merupakan suatu tuntutan syariah yang menegaskan pematuhan terhadap aspek kehalalan dan kebaikan makanan secara menyeluruh, merangkumi keselamatan, kebersihan, serta keberkesanan pemakanan kepada pengguna. Pemerkasaan prinsip ini menuntut kerangka dasar dan perundangan yang kukuh serta bersifat inklusif. Namun, dalam konteks Malaysia yang terdiri daripada masyarakat majmuk berbilang kaum dan agama, pelaksanaan sekuriti makanan halalan tayyiban berdepan pelbagai kekangan dari segi dasar, pelaksanaan dan penyelarasan antara agensi. Kajian ini dijalankan bagi menganalisis secara kritikal kerangka perundangan dan dasar semasa yang menyokong pelaksanaan sekuriti makanan halalan tayyiban di Malaysia. Menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif melalui kaedah analisis dokumen, kajian ini memfokuskan kepada penilaian terhadap akta-akta berkaitan, dasar-dasar kerajaan dan dapatan kajian terdahulu. Hasil kajian mengenal pasti empat dasar utama yang berkait secara langsung dan tidak langsung dengan pengukuhan sekuriti makanan halalan tayyiban, iaitu Dasar Sekuriti Makanan Negara (DSMN) 2021–2025, Dasar Halal Negara (DHN) 2025–2035, Pelan Induk Industri Halal Malaysia (HIMP) 2030, dan Dasar Agromakanan Negara 2021–2030 (DAN 2.0). Meskipun dasar-dasar ini menggambarkan komitmen kerajaan terhadap pembangunan sistem makanan patuh syariah, pelaksanaannya masih berdepan beberapa cabaran utama. Antaranya termasuk kelemahan penyelarasan antara agensi pelaksana, keterbatasan sokongan kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS), serta tahap pengintegrasian teknologi yang belum mencapai tahap optimum. Sehubungan itu, kajian ini mencadangkan supaya sebuah badan penyelaras tunggal diwujudkan di peringkat nasional bagi memperkemas tadbir urus, menyelaras pelaksanaan dasar secara menyeluruh dan menjamin kelestarian sekuriti makanan halalan tayyiban di Malaysia
Needs analysis for developing critical reading: Perspectives from EFL undergraduates and teachers
No full textRelevant literature revealed that critical reading presents a significant challenge for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, especially non-English major undergraduates in China. Although critical reading is widely acknowledged as essential, its effective integration into EFL instruction remains inadequate. This study is an initial step in exploring strategies to address this gap. It aims to discover the need to develop critical reading skills from the perspectives of Chinese EFL non-English major undergraduates and EFL teachers. A sample of 386 non-English major EFL undergraduates and 82 EFL teachers participated in the study, with a Need Analysis Students’ Questionnaire (NASQ) and a Need Analysis Teachers’ Questionnaire (NATQ) used. Results revealed a congruency between learners and teachers, as both groups reported moderate levels of engagement—learners in their use of critical reading skill (M = 3.151) and teachers in implementation of critical reading instruction (M = 3.045). This study recommends designing modules that align teacher instruction with learner needs, developing critical reading skills from lower-level to progressively higher-level skills, and providing structured tasks within the skills development
Comparative immunological study of Plasmodium knowlesi infections in humans and macaques: Insights into cytokine dynamics
No full textPlasmodium knowlesi, a simian malaria parasite endemic to Southeast Asia, is transmitted from macaques to humans via mosquitoes and has seen a surge due to human encroachment into macaque habitats. While the primary host, Macaca fascicularis, can regulate P. knowlesi and alleviate disease symptoms, infected humans face a different scenario. A study was conducted in Sabah, Malaysia to compare the effects of parasite genomic DNA (gDNA) and host (both human and macaques) mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA) release on cytokine profiles in humans and macaques infected with P. knowlesi. Methods Blood samples from 30 Plasmodium knowlesi‑infected individuals and 30 healthy controls, along with serum samples from 35 wild macaques, were analyzed using PCR and immunological assays. Nested PCR and real‑time PCR were performed on macaque blood samples to confirm mono‑infection with P. knowlesi. Parasite genomic DNA (gDNA) levels were quantified via qPCR. Additionally, the concentrations of six cytokines—TNF, IFNγ, IL‑1β, IL‑4, IL‑6, and IL‑10—were measured in the samples. Results Parasitemia levels, determined through microscopy method, exhibited strong correlations with parasite gDNA. Notably, the infected macaques displayed significantly higher parasite gDNA and mt DNA levels compared to humans. Cytokine analysis unveiled IL‑10 dominance in humans, positively associated with parasite gDNA, while macaques showed IL‑6 dominance unrelated to parasite gDNA. Despite lower parasite gDNA levels, patients exhibited a higher IL‑10/TNF ratio, indicative of disease severity. Conclusions These results suggestively highlight variations in immune responses between two distinct hosts in two different phases of infection: human (acute infection) and macaque (presumed chronic infection) hosts. The correlations and interplay between parasite gDNA, host’s mt DNA (both human and macaques) and cytokine levels observed in this study further emphasizing the need for further research to comprehensively understand P. knowlesi pathogenesis
Gender differences in health-seeking behavior: Insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019
No full textHealth-seeking behavior involves actions taken by individuals who feel unwell to seek remedies and varies based on cognitive and non-cognitive factors like sex, age, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare. Gender roles significantly impact health outcomes with the COVID-19 pandemic further accentuating the gender disparity in public health compliance. Using secondary data from a national health survey, this article aims to assess the gender-based characteristics and factors influencing health-seeking behavior among the population in Malaysia. Methods This study was a secondary data analysis of the NHMS 2019, a cross-sectional national health survey using Andersen’s Behavioral Model. It evaluated factors influencing self-medication and treatment-seeking based on socio-demographics, enabling conditions, and perceived health needs. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were conducted to identify factors influencing health-seeking behavior among men and women. Results This study analyses the health-seeking behaviors of 10,933 Malaysian adults, representing 19.7 million people. The overall prevalence of sickness was 16.1% (95% CI = 14.8–17.4), with higher rates in women (18.1%; 95% CI = 95% CI = 16.3–19.9). Among those who were sick, 56.4% (95% CI = 52.9–60.0) sought professional treatment while 23.0% (95% CI = 19.8–26.2) self-medicated. Regression analysis showed that urban women and those rating their health poorly were more likely to seek professional care, while Chinese, those with no formal education, and retiree women were more likely to self-medicate. Among males, those with long-term condition are more likely to seek treatment while students were less likely to self-medicate compared to private employees. Conclusion The study reveals significant gender and sociodemographic disparities in health-seeking behavior amongst Malaysian men and women. The factors that influence these health-seeking behavior is unique for each gender. This emphasizes the importance of targeted interventions which are gender-sensitive to address structural inequities and achieve equitable healthcare utilization across all demographic groups in Malaysia
A standardized protocol for the detection of arboviruses in different Aedes mosquito species in North Borneo Sabah, Malaysia
No full textArboviruses, including dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses, are mainly transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and pose a threat to public health. The viruses are transmitted by the primary vector, Aedes aegypti, which is more commonly found in urban environments. However, with increasing urbanization, the overlap of rural and forested areas where different Aedes species are found could also contribute to transmission. Nevertheless, most extraction methods focus on human blood samples or on Ae. aegypti, which limits standardization of virus detection in a variety of less common Aedes populations, especially sylvatic species.
In this study, we demonstrated a standardized protocol for extracting sufficient amounts of RNA for detection from a single mosquito sample. We validated the protocol by extracting ar
boviruses from six different Aedes species collected in the field in Sabah, Malaysia: Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. poecilus, Ae. butleri, Ae. niveus, and Ae. vexans. Multiplex real-time PCR detection yielded consistent cycle threshold (Ct) values across species (range: 18.9–40.3), with a positivity cut-off of Ct <41. Our results show that this protocol improves current practice by extending the target sample to different Aedes mosquito species, ultimately contributing to more efficient virus detection and supporting more comprehensive surveillance, even in ecologically diverse environments
Work concerns and teacher effectiveness in China: The moderating role of cultural norms
No full textThis study examines the moderating role of school cultural norms between work concerns and teacher effectiveness among young teachers in private universities in Shandong Province, China. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a survey method with 380 respondents. Work concerns were categorized into self-concern, task- concern, and impact-concern, while teacher effectiveness was assessed through instructional planning and strategies, assessment, and learning environment. Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) was conducted to determine the direct effects of work concerns and the moderating role of school cultural norms. Findings reveal that work concerns (β=0.607, p<0.001) and cultural norms (β=0.075, p<0.001) significantly enhance teacher effectiveness, explaining 65.1% of the variance (R²=0.651). However, the interaction effect is negative (β=-0.197, p<0.001), suggesting that school cultural norms moderate the positive influence of work concerns. These results highlight the importance of considering cultural moderation when designing strategies to enhance teacher effectiveness. The study contributes to understanding the mechanisms affecting teacher performance and provides practical implications for improving teaching quality in private universities
The relationship between the gut microbiome and the aqua cultured fish, general prospects toward fish health: A systematic review
No full textAquaculture allows the cultivation of aquatic life outside its normal origins which can pro- vide work opportunities, seafood security, as well as conservation efforts for endangered fish species. Numerous factors influence the health of aquaculture fish, with the gut micro- biome playing a pivotal role. Research indicates that an imbalance or dysbiosis in the gut microbiome can significantly affect the overall well-being and health outcome of these fish. Despite extensive research utilizing metagenomics across diverse environments and con- trolled conditions, a clear consensus on the characteristic of “healthy” or “optimal” gut microbiome in domesticated fish has yet to be established. This review will cover 28 studies, which further discusses the findings of the gut microbiome within fish and attempts to provide a general outline of how the gut bacteria may interact and affect fish health within aquaculture environments. The indices as well as pathogens and beneficial bacteria of each study are also listed. This review aims to provide readers with an enhanced understanding of the complex dynamics of the gut microbiome in aquaculture fish, while offering insights that could inform the design of future studies in this field
A novel automated kinematic capillary viscometer system for precise viscosity measurements
No full textThis study explores recent advancements in viscometry techniques for precise viscosity measurements, focusing on automating the widely used Unbeholden capillary viscometer. Previous attempts at automation utilizing single-camera and infrared laser techniques demonstrated initial promise; however, these approaches exhibited significant limitations. This research introduces the design and validation of a new automated kinematic capillary viscometer system utilizing real-time computer vision for simultaneous meniscus detection and timing up to three viscometers. The system incorporates two waterproof cameras per Unbeholden viscometer connected to a computer running custom-made Visco Check software, with temperature control managed by an Arduino microcontroller. It maintains the water bath temperature within ± 0.5 °C and measures flow time with ± 0.01 s resolution. The system was validated by measuring the viscosity of a binary ethanol–hexane mixture across the entire mole fraction range at a constant pressure of 101.325 kPa and a temperature of 298.15 K. Results were compared with literature values and correlated using the Grunberg–Nissan (G–N) and McAllister three-body models. Excess molar volumes (V E) and viscosity deviations (Δï) were calculated to assess accuracy in capturing complex liquid mixture behavior. Findings revealed general agreement between experimental and reference data. The G–N model showed excellent agreement, exhibiting a low standard deviation (0.036) and absolute average deviation (1.648%). These results demonstrate the system’s potential as a reliable tool for precise automated viscosity measurements across various industrial application