17362 research outputs found
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Enhancing peat soil embankment stability through air-tube technology
No full textThis study examines the challenges and opportunities in addressing peat soil issues in road and building construction, focusing on Sabah, Malaysia, particularly the Klias region. Peat soil in this area is characterized by extreme moisture content (687.03%), high organic matter (98.94%), and significant fiber content (66.41%). These properties result in high compressibility, low shear strength, and limited load capacity, presenting unique geotechnical challenges. The research explores the use of a pipe grid system with compressed air to improve peat soil performance. This system leverages buoyancy principles, where PVC pipes, mimicking bamboo's air-trapping cavities, are arranged in a grid to distribute soil and structural loads. The study hypothesizes that this approach reduces soil compaction and enhances load-bearing capacity. Experimental results validate the system’s effectiveness. On the second day, the pipe grid reduced settlement by 77% and vertical pressure by 76% compared to unreinforced soil. By the seventh day, settlement and vertical pressure reductions were 43% and 42%, respectively. These findings demonstrate the system's potential to improve embankment performance on peat soil. However, the study notes that factors such as soil properties, environmental conditions, and load characteristics influence performance, warranting further investigation. This research contributes to geotechnical engineering by offering a practical solution for construction on challenging peat soils, with implications for future studies and real-world applications
Systematic review on Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled insurance sector
No full textThis study looks into the application of AI technology in the insurance industry, through a systematic literature review, the study initially sorts out the status and progress of existing studies on the application of AI based on risk assessment, claims processing, customer service, and product personalization. Followed by additional analysis on the relevance of the data in terms of content analysis, the role and potential challenges of AI technology in enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer experience, and strengthening risk management. The results of the review showed that the wide application of AI not only improves the intelligence of insurance but also provides support for the long-term competitiveness of the industry. Eventually the study concludes with the future of AI applications in insurance and suggests solutions in line with data privacy, technical barriers, and algorithmic bias
Enhancing phishing detection with advanced ensemble learning techniques
No full textPhishing attacks contribute to over 90% of data breaches, posing a severe cybersecurity threat by tricking users into divulging sensitive information. Traditional detection methods, such as blacklists and heuristic-based approaches, are often ineffective against new phishing websites due to their rapidly evolving nature. This study introduces an advanced phishing detection model that leverages ensemble learning techniques to improve accuracy, robustness, and adaptability. The model integrates Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and k-Nearest Neighbours (kNN) as base classifiers, combined through a stacking ensemble approach, with Logistic Regression serving as the meta-classifier. Feature selection is performed using Random Forest, selecting the most impactful attributes based on importance scores greater than 0.01. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is applied to reduce dimensionality while retaining 95% of the variance, minimizing information loss. Hyperparameter optimization is achieved through Grid Search. The dataset was sourced from an open-access phishing detection repository and consists of 11,430 URLs, with 60% classified as phishing and 40% as legitimate. It includes 87 features that are categorized into URL structure, webpage content, and external service queries. The model's performance is evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score across various test sizes (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%). Experimental results demonstrate that the stacking ensemble model achieves a peak accuracy of 97.64% with PCA (95%) and feature selection (importance score >0.01) at a 10% test size, significantly outperforming traditional methods. Performance comparisons across different test sizes highlight the positive impact of feature selection and PCA on phishing detection. Statistical validation through t-tests (p < 0.05) further confirms the model’s reliability, indicating substantial improvements over baseline methods. This study showcases the potential of ensemble learning and feature optimization in enhancing phishing detection, offering a robust solution for practical cybersecurity applications
Determinants of unemployment in Sabah Long-Run and Short-Run analysis
No full textThis study explores the determinants of unemployment in Sabah from 1982 to 2020. This study utilized the Autoregressive Distributed Lag order (ARDL) model to investigate the linear relationship between job vacancies, economic growth, government spending, labor force participation, and inflation on unemployment. Job vacancies were disaggregated into five types based on occupations to better understand the symmetric relationship between unemployment and vacancies based on the Beveridge curve theory. Alongside Beveridge Curve theory, this study included Okun’s Law, Keynesian theory of fiscal policy, and Phillips curve theory, which explain the factors of unemployment. Findings revealed that unemployment was influenced by economic growth (GDP) and inflation (CPI) in Sabah
Enhancing the performance of Malaysian library websites: A comprehensive analysis of web load performance
No full textThis paper aims to assess the load time performance of library websites in Malaysia, considering the widespread transition of libraries towards digital platforms. Ensuring the accessibility and optimal performance of library websites is paramount to meeting the evolving expectations of users. A prolonged load time negatively impacts user interest, potentially hindering access to vital library resources. The study systematically recorded and evaluated website load times on both desktop and mobile devices, utilizing an online service for web page load assessment. Additionally, the research provides insights into the accessibility percentage for each library website, acknowledging the significance of inclusive design practices. Incorporating data from 121 libraries, the findings reveal a notable discrepancy in the load times between desktop and mobile versions of library websites. The study underscores the critical importance of addressing load time disparities to enhance user experience and ensure the effectiveness of library services in the digital era. The results contribute to the broader discourse on optimizing digital library infrastructure, shedding light on practical considerations for libraries navigating the transition to digital platforms in Malaysia and beyond. This research serves as a valuable resource for library administrators, policymakers, and researchers seeking to enhance the digital accessibility and usability of library services
UAVs and social science: A transformative perspective
No full textThis study highlights the transformative impact of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in social sciences, revealing their growing importance across methodologies and ethical considerations. Initially prominent in military use, UAVs now significantly benefit civilian and academic domains, including anthropology, geography, and archaeology. A comprehensive literature review assesses UAV integration into these fields, emphasizing innovative applications and case studies that demonstrate their value in enhancing data collection and research capabilities. UAVs’ ability to gather detailed, wide-ranging geographical information efficiently underscores their methodological revolution in social science research. This paper underscores UAVs’ potential for deeper analysis and the ethical challenges they pose, forecasting their profound effect on future research trends by marrying technological advances with ethical mindfulness. In moving forward, this study advocates for interdisciplinary collaborations and the development of robust ethical frameworks to maximize the benefits of UAVs while mitigating potential risks, paving the way for their responsible and impactful application in social science research
Next-generation sodium alginate hydrogels for heavy metal ion removal: Properties, dynamic adsorption–desorption mechanisms, and sustainable application potential
No full textHeavy metal contamination constitutes a significant global environmental issue, primarily attributable to industrial operations. Adsorption is one of many techniques used to clean up pollution, and it has become an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to remove heavy metals from industrial wastewater. This review assesses the efficacy of sodium alginate hydrogels, a naturally sourced biopolymer, in eliminating heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and high adsorption capacity of sodium alginate hydrogels make it an attractive candidate for environmental applications, particularly in water treatment. The heavy metal elimination primarily occurs through adsorption, which involves mechanisms such as ion exchange, complexation, chelation, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonding. These processes work synergistically to enhance the hydrogels' effectiveness in capturing heavy metal ions. This review also highlights the regeneration and reusability of adsorbent that allows for multiple cycles of use without needing constant replacement. Besides laboratory studies, the practical applications of sodium alginate hydrogels in extensive environmental remediation, including wastewater treatment and industrial effluent management, are examined. The feasibility of incorporating these hydrogels into current water treatment systems is thoroughly evaluated alongside scalability considerations. Challenges and future directions are also addressed, emphasizing the need to enhance the performance of sodium alginate hydrogels through structural modifications, composite formation, and synergistic materials. This review aims to comprehensively understand sodium alginate hydrogels' role in heavy metal removal, providing valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in food science, technology, and environmental management
Trends in the internationalization of higher education: A review of internationalization at home in China and other countries
No full textInternationalization at Home (IaH) has emerged as a significant model for the internationalization of higher education, garnering extensive attention in both domestic and international academic circles in recent years. This study utilizes data from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Scopus to retrieve literature from 2014 to 2024 with "IaH" as the theme, resulting in 564 Chinese articles and 676 English articles. Through statistical analysis of publication quantities and high-frequency word analysis, the study reveals the characteristics and development trends of IaH research. The findings indicate that while there are commonalities in research focuses and perspectives between domestic and international academia, differences also exist. The international academic community places greater emphasis on cultivating intercultural competence, curriculum internationalization, and teaching innovation, whereas Chinese scholars tend to focus more on policy orientation and local practices, particularly in promoting IaH in local universities and implementing Sinoforeign cooperative education programs. Furthermore, the COVID-19 has significantly accelerated IaH research, with virtual exchanges and online teaching becoming focal points, highlighting the importance of digital means in internationalization practices. Based on these findings, this paper suggests that future research should strengthen the localization of IaH theoretical frameworks, explore the sustainable development of digital internationalization, deepen the exploration of multi-level practical pathways, and promote cooperation and dialogue between domestic and international academic communities in the field of IaH. This study provides important references for theoretical innovation and practical development in IaH, as well as valuable insights for the diversified development of higher education internationalization in the post-pandemic era
Investigation of physicochemical properties of Tabin Mud Volcano
No full textVolcano mud is a rare phenomenon found in specific areas, such as Lipad, Sabah, Malaysia, characterized by superficial vents that expel mud and gas flows. This process influences topography, soil properties, ecosystems, and landscapes. Understanding the chemical composition and physical properties of this mud is crucial for assessing rare-earth elements, fluid characteristics, and environmental impacts. In this study, the mud's physicochemical properties were analyzed, revealing a pH of 7, moisture content of 25.17%, and a particle size distribution of 6368 d.nm. Geochemical analysis via Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) identified elements like Oxygen, Silica, Aluminum, Iron, and others, with O and Si being dominant. Rare clinochlore minerals were also detected using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The mud exhibited a negative surface charge of -26.5 mV and a unique morphology described as flakes and brittle, differing from typical soil structures as observed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). Additionally, a high nitrogen compound content of 2.31% was detected, indicating potential gas release of nitrogen and carbon dioxide
The effectiveness of multimedia in the learning and simplification of reproduction topic in science
No full textThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of multimedia in the learning and simplification (LnS) of reproduction of form 1 science and their influence towards students’ science achievement. A total of 42 form 1 students from one of the schools in Kota Kinabalu were selected as respondents in this study. This study uses a quasi-experimental approach. This research using a pre-test and post-test design with only one group of respondents. This design involves administered a pre-test, then exposing them to an intervention of LnS using multimedia, and then measuring them again on the post-test. The pre-test and post-test scores will be collected and analyzed using the SPSS version 29 application. Data will be analyzed using descriptive and paired sample t-test methods. The results showed a significance Mean difference of 13.59 between pretest and post-test. It was concluded that multimedia-based learning used in LnS enhanced better students’ academic achievements in the topic of reproduction