17362 research outputs found
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Corporate governance mechanisms and capital structure in a two-tier board system: The role of board gender diversity
No full textThis study sought to investigate the relationship between capital structure and corporate governance variables, with an emphasis on the moderating effect of gender diversity on the board on the relationship between capital structure and corporate governance mechanisms in a two-tier board structure (Indonesia). Utilizing a sample of 384 non-financial firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2012 to 2021, this study generated 3,836 observations to evaluate hypotheses regarding the impact of the board of directors (BOD), board of commissioners (BOC), and the proportion of independent commissioners (PIC) on capital structure, as proxied by the debt-to-asset ratio (DAR) and long-term debt-to-asset ratio (LTD). Furthermore, it examined the moderating role of gender diversity in the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and capital structure metrics. Panel data regression analysis, which comprised a fixed-effects (FE) model with clustered standard errors, was used to analyse the data. The study found no significant relationship between the corporate governance mechanisms and DAR. However, the BOD and the BOC significantly affect LTD. Incorporating gender diversity as a moderator revealed a significant enhancement in the linkage between corporate governance practices and financial leverage measures. Negative and notable associations were observed when moderated by gender diversity, indicating an amplified influence in the presence of female board members
Developing speaking skills through flipped classroom at a secondary school in Sabah
No full textThe English language plays an essential role as it is a medium of communication used internationally. In Malaysia, English is recognised as the second language, and it is pivotal to ensure that young generations are proficient at communicating in the language. In this study, the focus was to introduce the Flipped Classroom approach to develop the speaking skills of second language learners. Hence, the objectives of this study are to investigate the speaking performance of secondary school students and to explore their perceptions following the implementation of the Flipped Classroom approach. The Flipped Classroom is a pedagogical approach that uses class time for learning activities and moves informationtransmission teaching out of the class. A qualitative method was employed by using a set of open-ended questionnaires and observation in order to examine the impact of the Flipped Classroom approach on Form 2 students at a secondary school in Sabah. This qualitative study emphasises the participants’ subjective realities, experiences, and viewpoints as the outcomes of the implementation of the Flipped Classroom approach. After four meetings with the students, their speaking skills showed improvement, and they gave positive perceptions toward the approach. This study proved the potential of the Flipped Classroom approach to cultivate classroom interactions using the English language. The application of this approach can foster the development of speaking abilities among Malaysian students
Exploring demotivating factors among EFL learners across differing levels of English proficiency in blended learning settings
No full textThis study analysed the demotivating factors perceived by English as a foreign language (EFL) learners across different levels of English proficiency in a blended learning context. The analysis was conducted through a questionnaire survey undertaken by 649 EFL sophomore students with varied majors from a university in mid-east China. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients were calculated to evaluate the internal consistency of the questionnaire items, and principal component factor analysis was performed to explore the structural validity of the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to illustrate the profiles of the questionnaire items and the demotivating factors. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc multi-comparison analysis were utilised to determine whether significant differences existed among learners at different English proficiency levels regarding the demotivating factors and to determine the differences. Results revealed that an inappropriate learning environment was the greatest contributor to learners' demotivation, while loss of task value was considered the least demotivating. Moreover, low-proficiency learners were more likely to be demotivated by internal factors than high-proficiency learners, whereas high-proficient learners were more inclined to attribute their demotivation to internal factors. It is implicated that EFL educators should strategically diversify instructional content and pedagogical approaches to maintain learner immersion within blended educational settings, and that different strategies ought to be employed to enhance learning motivation for low proficient and high proficient EFL learners
Transforming hydropower: An in-depth systematic review of climate change impacts
No full textHydropower is a cornerstone of the global renewable energy transition, yet its reliability is increasingly threatened by climate change-induced shifts in hydrological cycles. This systematic review critically examines how climate change affects hydropower sustainability through water availability, streamflow variability, and the frequency of extreme weather events. Guided by the PRISMA framework, 124 peer-reviewed studies were analyzed to explore three core dimensions: global impact patterns, regional vulnerabilities, and adaptation strategies. The central research question addresses how climate and hydrological variability shape the operational and strategic sustainability of global hydropower systems. Results reveal pronounced regional disparities. Arid zones such as Northern Africa and the Mediterranean face substantial reductions in water availability, while high-altitude areas like the Himalayas experience increasing seasonal flow variability. Conversely, regions like Northern Europe may benefit from enhanced precipitation. These dynamics reflect broader climatic trends—rising temperatures, earlier snowmelt, and increased evaporation—that are already reducing hydropower reliability in vulnerable areas. The review identifies promising adaptation pathways. Technological innovations, including AI-driven water management and advanced turbine systems, enhance operational efficiency under uncertain conditions. Additionally, governance strategies such as Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and transboundary agreements offer institutional mechanisms to coordinate water use and mitigate resource conflicts. By synthesizing global trends and region-specific responses, this review offers critical insights to inform climate-resilient hydropower planning, infrastructure investment, and policy development. It underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and forward-looking adaptation to secure hydropower's role in a changing climate
Eco-friendly cellulose-based polymer ligand for toxic metals removal from water sources
No full textA graft copolymerization process was carried out to anchor an acrylic monomer onto nanocellulose derived from pine wood, resulting in cellulose-graft-poly(methyl acrylate) (cellulose-graft-PMA) via a free radical mechanism. Then, the grafted polymer was treated with hydroxylamine in an alkali medium, resulting in a poly(hydroxamic acid) ligand. The efficiency of this ligand for heavy metal adsorption was systematically investigated. Several parameters, such as pH, initial metal concentration, and adsorption duration, were optimized using batch adsorption experiments, targeting multiple metal ions (Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺). The poly(hydroxamic acid) (PHA) exhibited a notable sorption property for Cu²⁺ ions, achieving the highest capacity of 351 mg/g at pH 6. Other metal ions also showed significant adsorption capacities, with values of 301 mg/g for Fe²⁺, 261 mg/g for Co²⁺, 223 mg/g for Ni²⁺, and 201 mg/g for Zn²⁺. Trace level of Fe²⁺ ions can be determined visually using the colorimetric test with PHA. The heavy metals adsorption was pursued using the pseudo first order kinetic model (R2 > 0.994), however, the second order plots showed minimum differences between the qe values and experimental qe values. The adsorption isotherm analysis closely aligned with the Freundlich model, exhibiting a high correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.999). These data indicate that the cellulose-based poly (hydroxamic acid) ligand possesses a heterogeneous surface, which facilitates the creation of multiple layers of adsorption. This adsorbent demonstrates exceptional efficacy in removing toxic metals from industrial wastewater, achieving up to 97 % removal efficiency and presenting a promising approach for controlling wastewater pollution
Poly (amidoxime) chelating ligand from pine wood cellulose for eco-friendly toxic metals extraction from water sources
No full textIndustrial, domestic, and agricultural activities have significantly contributed to environmental pollution, with heavy metal contamination from wastewater emerging as a critical issue. In this study, nanocellulose was extracted from pine wood and chemically modified via graft copolymerization. Free radicals generated on the cellulose backbone facilitated the grafting of acrylonitrile monomers, resulting in poly(acrylonitrile)-grafted nanocellulose. This intermediate product was further transformed into poly(amidoxime), a chelating polymer ligand specifically designed for heavy metal extraction from aqueous media. Batch adsorption experiments evaluated the removal efficiency of heavy metal ions, including copper (Cu²⁺), iron (Fe²⁺), cobalt (Co²⁺), nickel (Ni²⁺), and lead (Pb²⁺). Analytical results revealed that Cu²⁺ exhibited the highest adsorption capacity of 335 mg/g at pH 6. Other metal ions also showed significant adsorption capacities, including Fe²⁺ (281 mg/g), Co²⁺ (241 mg/g), Ni²⁺ (205 mg/g), and Pb²⁺ (306 mg/g), confirming the polymer's effectiveness in heavy metal removal. Adsorption behavior was analyzed using the Langmuir isotherm model, which assumes monolayer adsorption on a surface with uniformly distributed active sites. The experimental data aligned well with this model, demonstrating predictable and efficient adsorption performance. Reusability studies indicated that the poly(amidoxime) ligand retained its adsorption capacity over six cycles with minimal degradation, highlighting its sustainability. This suggests its potential as a cost-effective and reusable material for heavy metal remediation. By combining high adsorption capacity with reusability, poly(amidoxime) provides a durable and efficient solution for addressing heavy metal contamination in wastewater, significantly contributing to environmental sustainability through improved water treatment methods
Newton iteration with weighted exponential penalty function for solving multi-objective constrained optimization problems
No full textIn this paper, the Newton iterative method and weighted exponential penalty function method for solving multi-objective constrained optimization problems are proposed on the basis of classical optimization methods for mathematical planning. Firstly, according to the characteristics of the objective function, it is transformed into a single-objective constrained optimization problem using variable weight coefficients. Then according to the characteristics of the constraints, the exponential penalty function method is used to transform it into an unconstrained optimization problem. Finally, Newton's method is used to solve the transformed unconstrained optimization problem to obtain the efficient Pareto solution of the original problem. The convergence of the method is included in the paper, and numerical experiments show that our proposed method can obtain a set of effective Pareto solutions corresponding to multi-objective optimization problems in different dimensions
Exploring corporate social responsibility practices in the telecommunications, broadcasting and courier sectors: a comparative industry analysis
No full textThis study aims to dissect and understand the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) endeavours of organisations within Malaysia’s telecommunications, broadcasting, postal and courier services sectors, particularly those holding licenses from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). These sectors were chosen for this study due to their crucial role in Malaysia’s economy and society, their notable environmental influence, the regulatory and public attention they receive as well as the distinct challenges and opportunities they face in implementing CSR. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study utilises a semi-structured interview protocol to gather rich, detailed insights from top management across eight listed and non-listed companies. This approach ensures a comprehensive exploration of CSR types, practices and their implementation within the target sectors. Purposive sampling was adopted to select informants with specific expertise, ensuring that the data collected was relevant and insightful. The findings of this study underscore that while telecommunications firms actively participate in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, their efforts predominantly benefit the broader society, with less emphasis placed on shareholders. Additionally, it was observed that environmental issues receive relatively minimal attention from these organisations. This diversity highlights the necessity for a more equitable CSR approach that caters equally to the needs of all stakeholders, including the environment. Such a strategy is crucial for cultivating a sustainable and ethically sound business environment. The implications of this research are manifold. For companies, it emphasises the critical nature of adopting an all-encompassing CSR strategy that fosters competitive advantage while promoting sustainable development. The study advocates for a paradigm shift towards CSR practices that are not only philanthropic but also prioritise environmental stewardship and value creation
Protein hydrolysates as functional food ingredients: A bibliometric analysis from inception to 2023
No full textProtein hydrolysates contain a mixture of amino acids, oligopeptides, and polypeptides with improved functionalities, making them valuable functional ingredients for diverse applications. Recently, hydrolysates have garnered considerable attention because of their usefulness in numerous industries. This bibliometric analysis evaluated research development in protein hydrolysate-related studies from 1933 to 2023 using the Scopus database to enhance knowledge and identify research trends. A three-phase methodology—comprising planning, data collection, and analysis—was employed. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 11,578 publications were analyzed using bibliometric tools such as Biblioshiny (R Studio), VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. The most prolific author was Soottawat Benjakul from Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, with 63 publications. The South China University of Technology led institutional contributions with 430 articles. The strategic emphasis on food security both nationally and globally by the Chinese government might have contributed to China’s leading position as the top country contributing significantly to protein hydrolysate-related research, and also reflected by the high output of top contributing institutions from China. A notable shift is observed in basic hydrolysis and nutritional evaluations toward more integrated, health-focused and sustainability-driven research themes. Future studies are expected to explore underutilized protein sources, improve bioactive peptide identification through multi-omics technologies and machine learning, and strengthen clinical validation for therapeutic applications. The insights gained on this subject can guide future research and policy development
Lime stabilization of clayey soils in Kota Belud: Insights from Mohr-coulomb failure criterion, stress-strain and pore water pressure analysis
No full textThis study investigates the improvement of clayey soils from three locations in Kota Belud, Sabah: Kg. Pandasan (KgP), Kg. Mantanau (KgM), and Kg. Kalibungan (KgK), through lime stabilization. These soils, derived from the weathered Wariu Formation, pose geotechnical challenges due to their intermediate to high plasticity, presenting significant geotechnical challenges due to low shear strength and high compressibility. Lime treatment was applied to enhance their engineering properties, focusing on shear strength, stress-strain behavior, and pore water pressure. Consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial tests were performed on untreated and lime-treated samples cured for 7 days at 40 degrees Celsius under effective confining pressures of 25, 50, and 100 kPa. Consolidated undrained triaxial tests showed significant improvements across all parameters. For instance, 6% lime-treated KgP soils achieved a cohesion of 520 kPa and a friction angle of 29.7°, compared to untreated values of 290 kPa and 24.2°. Shear strength also increased significantly, reaching 1802.2 kPa, 1812.9 kPa, and 1938.0 kPa under confining pressures of 25, 50, and 100 kPa, compared to untreated values of 925.3 kPa, 929.8 kPa, and 1024.6 kPa. Similar enhancements were observed in KgM and KgK soils. Lime treatment also reduced pore water pressure, improving stability, and resulting in soils with greater stiffness and reduced plastic deformation. These findings demonstrate that lime stabilization is effective in improving the mechanical behavior, stability, and geotechnical suitability of clayey soils from Kota Belud