17362 research outputs found
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Determinants of actual usage of BIM in the construction industry in Sabah
No full textThe purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of perceived utility (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) on actual utilization (AU) of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the Sabah construction industry. Additionally, the study explored the potential mediating effect of PEOU and AU on AU. This study used quantitative methodology to survey 30 BIM practitioners working in Sabah’s construction sector. The hypothesized hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using reflective indicators. Actual usage (AU) of BIM was positively influenced by perceived utility (PU) (LLCI = 0.725, ULCI = 0.849), whereas PEOU had no significant effect on AU (LLCI = -0.642, ULCI = 0.048). Additionally, the analysis revealed that in Sabah's construction sector, the notion of PU served as an intermediary between the concept of PEOU and the implementation of BIM (LLCI = 0.400, ULCI = 0.988). The results of this study offer significant contributions to the knowledge base of stakeholders and decision-makers regarding the determinants that impact the implementation of BIM in Sabah. Moreover, they can serve as a guide for developing effective strategies to promote BIM usage in the construction industry
Sejarah pemerintahan kesultanan brunei sebagai kerajaan talasokrasi pada abad ke-16
No full textKajian ini membincangkan Kesultanan Brunei sebagai sebuah kerajaan talasokrasi yang berkembang pada abad ke-16 di bawah pemerintahan Sultan Muhammad Shah (Awang Alak Betatar), Sultan Bolkiah I, dan Sultan Saiful Rijal. Kesultanan Brunei berjaya mengukuhkan empayar melalui penguasaan maritim, hubungan diplomatik, serta kekuatan ketenteraan. Penaklukan wilayah di sekitar Kepulauan Borneo, Kepulauan Sulu, Mindanao, dan Luzon menjadikan Brunei sebagai kuasa dominan di rantau ini. Selain itu, sistem pentadbiran dan perundangan yang diperkenalkan, termasuk Hukum Kanun Brunei serta struktur sosial berdasarkan sistem wazir dan cheteria, memastikan kestabilan politik dan ekonomi. Kajian ini juga meneliti faktor-faktor yang menyumbang kepada kemerosotan pengaruh Brunei akibat cabaran dalaman dan kedatangan kuasa Barat. Kesimpulannya, Kesultanan Brunei merupakan contoh kerajaan maritim yang berjaya mengekalkan pengaruhnya dalam tempoh yang panjang sebelum berhadapan dengan ancaman kolonialisme
Examining green brand approaches in promoting new electric vehicles
No full textThe Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) market has entered a phase of rapid expansion, forming a stable and sizable user base. Maintaining strong brand relationships with existing users has become a necessary strategy for ensuring sustainable business growth. However, existing research has primarily focused on predicting adoption intentions among potential users, while overlooking the brand-related psychological perceptions and behavioral consequences of current NEV owners. To address this gap, this study draws on the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) framework, self-congruity theory, and the concept of authenticity to empirically investigate the roles of green brand authenticity, the congruence between consumer self-concept and brand image, brand attachment in fostering Word-of-Mouth (WOM) and brand forgiveness. Data were collected from 428 NEV owners through Chinese automotive forums and car enthusiast clubs and analyzed using the PLS-SEM method. The findings reveal that higher perceived brand authenticity leads to stronger brand attachment, subsequently enhancing positive WOM and brand forgiveness. Furthermore, brand attachment mediates the positive effects of actual-self and social-self on WOM and forgiveness. NEV companies should move beyond reliance on one-time purchase behaviors and, through brand communication, respond to consumers’ deep-rooted desires for authenticity and self-expression by building emotionally resonant green brand identities. Policymakers should recognize that relying solely on short-term policy incentives is insufficient; authenticity management and green brand incentive mechanisms are equally essential. The study discusses its limitations and directions for future research
Microwave‑assisted pyrolysis: A review of tailored carbon materials and scale‑up challenges
No full textMicrowave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) has emerged as a transformative method to synthesize high-value carbon materials from diverse waste feedstocks, offering rapid heating rates (up to 330 °C/s) and potentially reducing the process’s activation energy. This review systematically evaluates MAP-derived solid carbon products such as biochar, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon dots, and carbon onions (CNOs), highlighting their tailored properties for advanced applications. Key innovations include biochar with a BET surface area of 419 m²/g for NH₃ adsorption (66.6 % removal efficiency), activated carbon supercapacitors achieving 48.2 Wh/kg energy density, and nitrogen-doped CNTs with oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance comparable to commercial Pt/C catalysts. Despite these advances, technical challenges such as non-uniform temperature distribution, material compatibility in scaled reactors, and energy efficiency trade-offs continue to hinder industrial adoption. This work identifies pathways to optimize microwave parameters such as frequency modulation, and proposes recommendations for temperature measurement techniques. Notably, this article outlines potential practical strategies that offer a path to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale insights and the demands of industrial-scale implementation, positioning MAP as a sustainable platform for carbon material synthesis
Mitigation of frequent-handover in 5G and beyond using handover candidate cells list optimization
No full text5G and beyond networks require diverse spectrum allocations: lower band for coverage, mid-band for both coverage and capacity, and higher band for high to ultra-high data rates. To meet increasing capacity demands, small cells are deployed, significantly increasing base station (BS) proximity and network densification. This results in frequent handovers; In existing techniques, the handover candidate cells list (HCL) are reported as-is to the target selection (handover decision-making) stage, which results in “unnecessary” cells included as potential handover target, leading to high unnecessary handovers, ping-pong effects, and handover failures, causing signaling overhead, network congestion, and session disruptions for mobile users. This paper proposes an optimization approach for HCL to improve handover performance in 5G and beyond networks. The approach utilizes mobility load balancing (MLB) to identify overloaded cells/BSs in the neighbor cells list (NCL), which are then excluded from the HCL prior to the target selection stage. Additionally, it considers angular displacement (proximity) to remove cells that are significantly displaced from the UE’s direction of movement. This process reduces or eliminates potentially unnecessary candidates from the handover decision phase, thereby minimizing frequent handovers, unnecessary handovers, ping-pong effects, and handover failures. A comparative analysis is presented for the handover procedure with and without HCL optimization, in both manual and auto-tuning mobility robustness optimization (MRO) methods, in absolute and relative handover measurement strategies (events). The results indicate that HCL optimization significantly enhances handover performance across various MRO methods for absolute handover measurement events while maintaining high throughput. Handover performance improvements range from 17.98% to 96.80% for the handover rate (HR)/frequency, 58.56% to 99.75% for the ping-pong handover rate (PHR), 0.62% to 84.29% for the unnecessary handover rate (UHR), and 66% to 99.90% for the handover failure rate (HFR). This analysis suggests that HCL optimization should be considered a vital component in the design and implementation of handover management and control to maximize efficiency and reliability. The proposed approach optimizes handovers with minimal additional complexity, making it a viable solution for 5G and beyond networks
Prevalence and patterns of complementary and alternative medicine usage among adults with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among individuals with underlying chronic illnesses. Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the global prevalence and patterns of CAM use among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Search strategy PubMed, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus were searched from inception until 26th February 2024. Inclusion criteria Original articles reporting the use of at least one type of CAM among individuals aged above 18 years old and at all stages of CKD or undergoing any form of kidney replacement therapy. Data extraction and analysis Two independent reviewers performed the literature screening. The data were extracted from the included studies by one reviewer and cross-checked by another. Discrepancies were resolved by discussion and consensus among two reviewers. Primary information included prevalence of CAM use, types of CAM used, reasons for CAM use, factors associated with CAM use, and disclosure to healthcare providers. Meta-analyses were performed to determine the pooled prevalence of CAM use and non-disclosure of CAM using a random effect model. Results Forty-one studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of CAM use was 43% (95% confidence interval: 34%, 51%), I2 = 99.46%. The reasons for CAM use included treatment of underlying comorbidities, complications or symptoms, maintenance of general health, and treatment of CKD. Nutritional approaches were the most common CAM modality, with 412 different herbal and dietary supplements reported; psychological and physical approaches included massage therapy, relaxation techniques, and mind–body practices; and other complementary health approaches such as homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, and Ayurvedic medicine were also frequently reported. Factors associated with CAM use included sociodemographic characteristics such as older age, female gender, or higher income; disease or therapy factors such as not having diabetes, relying on hemodialysis, or poor adherence to medication; and patient or internal factors such as positive attitude towards CAM and perceived safety of CAM. About 66% (61%, 72%) of CAM users did not disclose the use of CAM to their healthcare providers. Conclusion CAM use is prevalent among individuals with CKD, and healthcare providers should communicate openly and effectively to emphasize the rational use of CAM to avoid potential harm. Please cite this article as: Chin JW, Abdullah R, Tan BWW, Wong KW, Khor BH. Prevalence and patterns of complementary and alternative medicine usage among adults with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Integr Med. 2025; Epub ahead of print
Metabolomics profiling and antioxidant analysis of enzymatically treated Okara fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum SY11
No full textOkara, a major industrial by-product of soymilk production, can be sustainably repurposed as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly fermentation substrate. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation is being used to enhance nutritional profile in fermented food. In this study, three LAB starters, namely Lactobacillus acidophilus TP7, L. casei ATCC 393, and L. plantarum SY11 were screened based on viable cell count and total protein content after 48 h fermentation on enzymatic treated okara (ETO). Among the three strains, L. plantarum SY11 had the highest viable cell count (16.40 ± 0.06 log CFU/mL) and protein content (14.76 ± 0.24 %), with protein content significantly higher (p < 0.05) than L. acidophilus TP7 (13.59 ± 0.16 %). L. casei ATCC 393 had the lowest viable cell count (13.27 ± 0.06 log CFU/mL), significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the other two strains. In total, 55 metabolites were detected and classified mainly into organic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, alcohols, aldehyde, phytosterol, and miscellaneous groups. Fermented okara (FO) exhibited a 2.54-fold increase in DPPH, a 2.31-fold increase in ABTS, and a 2.84-fold increase in FRAP antioxidant activity compared to raw okara (RO), indicating a significant enhancement in its antioxidant properties after fermentation. These findings suggest that FO could serve as a functional food, providing a symbiotic ingredient with promising food and feed applications
Transcanal endoscopic surgery of soft tissue giant cell tumor of the ear canal
No full textBackground Primary giant cell tumor of the soft tissue (GCT-ST) of the external auditory canal (EAC) is a rare entity with very limited data available regarding the treatment approach. We aim to describe the surgical technique used for tumor excision and the benefits of this approach. Case presentation A 25-year-old man who presented with an isolated EAC mass and underwent excision of the mass via the trans canal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) approach. Histopathological examination of the tumor revealed a GCT-ST of the EAC. Conclusion Surgical management of GCT-STs of the ear canal is technically challenging due to the narrow region. The TEES approach has shown advantages for the excision of EAC tumors. It provides a wider view during tumor excision which leads to a good outcome after excision
ScannerVision: Scanner-based image acquisition of medically important arthropods for the development of computer vision and deep learning models
No full textComputer vision methods offer great potential for rapid image-based identification of medically important arthropod specimens. However, imaging large numbers of specimens is time consuming, and it is difficult to achieve the high image quality required for machine learning models. Conventional imaging methods for identifying and digitizing arthropods, such as insects and spiders, use a stereomicroscope or macro lenses with a camera. This method is challenging due to the narrow field of view, especially when large numbers of arthropods need to be processed. In this paper, we present a high-throughput scanner-based method for capturing images of arthropods that can be used to generate large datasets suitable for training machine learning algorithms for identification. We demonstrate the ability of this approach to image arthropod samples collected with different sampling methods, such as sticky traps (unbaited, in different colors), baited mosquito traps as used by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and BioGents-Sentinel (BGS), and UV light traps with a sticky pad. Using different strategies to place the arthropods on a charge-coupled device (CCD) flatbed scanner and optimized settings that balance processing time and image quality, we captured high-resolution images of various arthropods and obtained morphological details with resolution and magnification similar to a stereomicroscope. We validate the method by comparing the performance of three different deep learning models (InceptionV3, ResNet and MobileNetV2) on two different datasets, namely the scanned images from this study and the images captured with a camera of a stereomicroscope. The results show that the performance of the models trained on the two datasets is not significantly different, indicating that the quality of the scanned images is comparable to that of a stereomicroscope
Effects of life history strategy on the diversity and composition of the coral holobiont communities of Sabah, Malaysia
No full textCoral-associated microbes have essential roles in promoting and regulating host function and health. As climate change advances and other environmental perturbations increasingly impact corals, it is becoming ever more important that we understand the composition of the microbial communities hosted. Without this baseline it is impossible to assess the magnitude and direction of any future changes in microbial community structure. Here, we characterised both the bacterial and Symbiodiniaceae communities in four coral species (Diploastrea heliopora, Porites lutea, Pachyseris speciosa, and Pocillopora acuta) collected from Sabah, Malaysia. Our findings reveal distinct microbial communities associated with different coral species tending to reflect the varied life history strategies of their hosts. Microbial communities could be differentiated by collection site, with shifts in Symbiodiniaceae communities towards more stress tolerant types seen in samples collected on the shallow Sunda Shelf. Additionally, we identified a core microbiome within species and a more discrete core between all species. We show bacterial and Symbiodiniaceae communities are structured by host species and appear to be influenced by host life history characteristics. Furthermore, we identified a core microbiome for each species finding that several amplicon sequence variants were shared between hosts, this suggests a key role in coral health regardless of species identity. Given the paucity of work performed in megadiverse regions such as the Coral Triangle, this research takes on increased importance in our efforts to understand how the coral holobiont functions and how it could be altered as climate change advances