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Soil-Water Characteristic Curve analysis of silt clay in the Garinono Formation, Sabah
Get PDFThe Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC) serves as a fundamental tool for investigating unsaturated soils and comprehending the relationship between soil water content and properties. This study analyses the SWCC for silt clay soil from the Garinono Formation in Sandakan, Sabah. Field sampling and laboratory tests were conducted to gather the soil's physical properties and SWCC data, representing the study area. The primary findings illuminate the unsaturated behaviour of the soil within this formation, providing valuable insights into its water retention capabilities. Through rigorous laboratory testing, the SWCC data reveal how the volumetric water content (VWC) changes concerning varying suction conditions (matric potential). The analysis indicates that the SWCC measured data are best represented by Fredlund and Xing model, encompassing the entire range of suction from lower to higher values. The findings underscore significant variations in the SWCC shape based on the bulk density of the soil samples, a crucial indicator of mechanical properties such as compaction and strength. Additionally, the study discusses the direct impact of soil composition and porosity on the SWCC, deepening understanding of their interrelationships. The study's outcomes hold implications for diverse fields, including geotechnical engineering, agriculture, soil science, and environmental science
Mapping the impact: Property crime trends in Kuching, Sarawak, during and after the covid-19 period (2020-2022)
Get PDFThis study aims to explore how COVID-19 and the Movement Control Order (MCO) have influenced the trend of property crimes in Kuching, Sarawak spanning from 2020 until 2022. The lockdown imposed by the government had impacted daily activities in Malaysia, including those in Kuching, Sarawak. The methodology employed in this research involves descriptive analysis and spatial analysis, specifically using the Hot Spot Getis GI* technique, with the support of ArcGIS software. It examines relationships between crime and geography. The trend of property crime cases dropped from 1,144 cases (2020) to 813 cases in 2021 and ended with 683 cases in the year 2022. The value of GiZScore from the lowest of 2.066694 to the highest of 13.365677 is from the year 2021. Property crime in Kuching’s urban center was targeted even during MCO beginning March 2020 to November 1, 2021. This indicates a notable decrease in property crime trends during the COVID-19 (2020-2021) pandemic period due to the MCO and lockdown which continue to impact into the subsequent endemic era of 2022. This demonstrates the efficiency of the Royal Malaysia Police, particularly in the context of Kuching, Sarawa
Construction of self-esteem and self-confidence in stateless children: Scoping literature review
Get PDFStatelessness, defined as the lack of citizenship, is a complex issue governed by international law. Factors contributing to statelessness include gaps in nationality, political policies, and individuals moving to countries at birth.. Stateless status can affect individuals of all ages, and children born to stateless parents are particularly vulnerable. This article explores the impact of self-confidence and self-esteem on the future preferences of stateless children. While international human rights instruments recognize basic rights for all, regardless of citizenship, many countries link citizenship to the full enjoyment of rights. Research methods employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to gather insights from previous studies. The results and discussion section highlights the negative impact of statelessness on self-esteem and self-confidence, with stateless individuals often feeling invisible and undervalued. The lack of citizenship not only undermines political and legal status but also tests the limits of self-confidence and self-esteem. The article also discusses the challenges faced by stateless children, such as legal instability, discrimination, limited access to services, identity uncertainty, violence, and exploitation. It emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges to protect the rights of stateless children, promote their self-confidence, and enable their holistic development. The article underscores the need for legal recognition, emotional support, education, legal protection, psychological education, and involvement in positive activities to enhance the self-confidence of stateless children
Investigating the spatial relation between landuse and property crime in Kuching, Sarawak through location quotient analysis
Get PDFUrban areas are often associated with higher crime rates, which is a growing concern among communities. This study aims to investigate the spatial relation between landuse and property crime in Kuching, Sarawak through location quotient analysis. Three methods were applied in this study: multiple buffer analysis, Pearson’s correlation, and location quotient. Based on initial findings, there is an observed increase in crime levels as the distance from the centroid extends from 150 to 750 meters and decreases beyond 750 meters. The study findings reveal a strong and consistent positive correlation between property crime and land use areas across 2015-2017. Property crime is more prevalent in urban and associated areas compared to other land use categories. Offenders in Kuching often utilise various tools to break into houses and dig holes, break locks, climb gates, engage in snatch theft using motorcycles, and break car windows to steal handbags that are placed on the right seat. In certain locations, CCTV cameras are positioned far away from the target areas. All of these factors contribute to creating opportunities for offenders. Property crimes were more common during the daytime than at night as during the daytime, which may be attributed to more people being active outside their homes, providing criminals with easier targets. At night, people tend to stay home, and the opportunity for property crimes decreases. The study provides crucial geographic crime information to the Commission of Kuching North City Hall and the Council of the City of Kuching South to enhance urban safety
A review of vegetable waste bio-processing techniques in rural areas
Get PDFPurpose: Vegetable waste (VW) could cause environmental problems if not properly managed. Due to rural living conditions and a relatively low residence density, VW is usually disposed of in landfills. Waste management should be engineered in a way to process the waste into value-added products in a sustainable manner. This review evaluates four bioprocessing techniques for this purpose: anaerobic digestion (AD), vermicomposting (VC), black soldier fly composting (BSFC), and composting. Method: A systematic search involved databases from Scopus using keywords like “vegetable waste; anaerobic digestion; composting; vermicomposting; black soldier fly”. By reviewing and synthesizing 173 articles (with 162 from 2019−2023), this paper summarizes and illustrates the information collected. Results: In a systematic search, AD and composting easily surpassed 2000 publications (from 2013 to January 2023). Besides composting emerged as a cost-effective (for MYR 1.40/kg) bio-processing technique in terms of production cost. This review on VW composting is based on an acceptable C/N ratio (30−50), moisture content (50% −80%), ratio of VW to additives (typically 30:70), efficient additives, and inoculation strategy. This review also summarizes the maturity index and illustrates the usage of compost and leachate as fertilizer. Conclusion: VW composting in rural areas is reliable and beneficial because it uses a small-scale reactor and has the potential for a circular economy in the community
The role of travel review videos in boosting speaking confidence in English language classroom among diploma in nursing student
Get PDFThe background of this study is anchored in the utilisation of travel review video as a tool in language learning. The purpose of this qualitative study is to ascertain how adding a travel review video presentation affects students pursuing a diploma in nursing's confidence in their English language skills. This study investigates students' post-task completion perceptions in light of the critical role that English competence plays in healthcare communication. Based on survey data obtained from the students, significant gains in English language skills were observed, as well as the provision of favourable feedback regarding the impact on their confidence. In spite of their positive answers, students also pointed out the shortcomings of the trip review video assignment and made suggestions for its future development. These results highlight the possibility of using real-world scenarios, like trip evaluations, to increase students' self-assurance and fluency in the language, better preparing them for successful communication in a variety of healthcare settings. Furthermore, research emphasises the advantages of experiential learning strategies and stresses the significance of real-world application in language learning (Dörnyei, 2009). Thus, incorporating travel review videos into language learning exercises is consistent with tried-and-true pedagogical concepts and has the potential to improve students' confidence and fluency in English
Evaluating the vegetative growth rates of etlingera coccinea (zingiberaceae) in smallholder agroforestry farms in Sabah, Malaysia
Get PDFThe objective of this study was to examine the effectivity of counseling with the Emo Demo method learning model on improving teenagers’ knowledge and attitude information literacy of smoking hazards. The study employseda quantitative research approach, specifically utilizing the One Group Pretest Posttest Design pre-experimental research design. The sample size for this study consists of 20 research subjects. The study was carried out at SMPN 3 Sindangkerta, located in the West Bandung Regency. The factors under investigation encompass smoking knowledge and attitudes, which will be assessed by pretest and posttest knowledge instruments, behavioral observation sheets, and counseling media utilizing the Emo Demo approach. This study focuses on the utilization of SPSS statistical software for data analysis approaches. The findings from the analysis of data on the impact of counseling on the risks associated with cigarette use, utilizing the emo-demo approach, revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement in adolescent knowledge following counseling with the emo-demo method. This suggests that the provision of emo-demo counseling leads to enhanced knowledge among adolescents regarding the dangers of cigarette use. Similarly, the impact of counseling on the hazards associated with cigarette smoking, employing the emo-demo approach to modify attitudes towards smoking behavior, yielded a statistically significant result (Asymp Sig, 2-tailed) of 0.000, which is less than the predetermined significance level of 0.05. This finding indicates that there are discernible disparities in attitudes towards smoking behavior before and after counseling on the dangers of smoking, utilizing the emo-demo method. Therefore, it can be inferred that the utilization of the emo-demo approach in counseling sessions is efficacious in enhancing the attitudes and understanding of teenagers’ information literacy of smoking hazards
Oil extraction from rice bran using conventional and bio-based solvents
Get PDFRice bran is the outer layer of the rice grain, rich in essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. It is a valuable by-product used for various purposes, including the extraction of rice bran oil (RBO) known for its health benefits. This study focused on extracting oil from the nutritious rice bran using both conventional solvent (n-hexane) and bio-based solvent (isopropanol) for comparison under diverse conditions. The RBO yields were analysed at different temperatures of 40oC, 50oC, and 60oC, with bran-to-solvent ratios of 1:3, 1:5, and 1:7, and extraction times of 2, 4, and 6 hours. The highest yields achieved were 12.4% for n-hexane at 60oC, 1:7 ratio, and 6 hours, and 9.76% for isopropanol at 60oC, 1:7 ratio, and 4 hours. The extracted oil underwent comprehensive physical analysis, including density, acid value, free fatty acid, and iodine value test. The physical analysis revealed density values of 0.867 g/mL for n-hexane and 0.866 g/mL for isopropanol. Acid values were 21.48 mg KOH/g (n-hexane) and 26.90 mg KOH/g (isopropanol). Free fatty acid percentages were 10.74% (n-hexane) and 13.45% (isopropanol). Iodine values were 65.48 mg (n-hexane) and 60.40 mg (isopropanol). The collected data were analysed using response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the extraction condition, predicting the highest yield at 60oC, with a bran-to-oil ratio of 1:5 parts solvent, and an extraction time of 6 hours. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of the optimization model (p < 0.05). Overall, this study provided valuable insights, advancing more efficient and effective RBO production methods
A preliminary checklist of lepidoptera in oil palm area and remnant forest at Sandakan Bay Estates, Sabah, Malaysia
Get PDFOil palm plantations have been frequently reported with a low insect diversity. However, having a conservation area within the oil palm estate might create a sanctuary for the insects. This study documented and compared the Lepidoptera diversity (butterfly and moths) between a remnant forest and a 30-year-old mature oil palm area within the Sandakan Bay Estates. The Lepidoptera were sampled using Van Someren-Rydon traps and aerial nets from 30 September to 4 October 2022 in the remnant forest and 5 to 9 October 2022 in the oil palm area. The remnant forest recorded 184 individuals of 28 Lepidoptera species while the oil palm area recorded 172 individuals of 19 species. The T-test result showed that there was no significant difference in species richness (P = 0.108) between both sites due to differences of nine species recorded. There was also no significant difference in species abundance (P = 0.577) between both sites, with differences of 12 individuals recorded. The remnant forest recorded slightly higher Lepidoptera diversity (H’ = 2.6415) compared to the oil palm area (H’ = 2.2316). The remnant forest has a higher species richness indicated by the Margalef index, (Dmg = 5.1774). On the other hand, the oil palm area recorded a lower species richness value (Dmg = 3.4968) indicating a low Lepidoptera species richness in the area. The similarity index of both sites was 0.3380, sharing 10 butterfly species and two moth species. This preliminary assessment highlighted the importance of having a conservation area to support biodiversity within a monoculture environment
Does different social media platforms lead to depression, anxiety, stress and bipolar disorder? a cross-sectional analysis on private University undergraduates
Get PDFThe widespread use of social media platforms among undergraduate students in Malaysia has raised concerns about its impacts on mental health. Social media expose students to a variety of potential risks, such as cyberbullying and privacy concerns. This study addresses the pressing issue of whether the use of social media influences the mental well-being of undergraduates. The objective is to identify the specific effects of platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok on student mental health. Using a questionnaire-based convenient sampling methodology, we collected a study sample of 182 students studying at a private university to investigate the correlation between social media use and mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. SPSS is used to conduct Cronbach Alpha for reliability test, and Pearson Correlation for testing the conceptual framework. The results show that Facebook and YouTube significantly affect depression, anxiety, stress and bipolar disorder. TikTok also shows significant impacts on mental health except for stress. Meanwhile, Instagram only significantly affects anxiety. This result is a strong proof that excessive use of social media is correlated with anxiety especially related to physical social life. Facebook, YouTube and TikTok seem to bring more impacts on mental health compared to Instagram. The implication of this study is to provide insights on the factors that influence mental health issues among university students and emphasizes the future need for targeted interventions to mitigate possible harm