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Gender differences in motivation and problem-solving in a physics course online problem-based learning
No full textOnline learning has been crucial since COVID-19, yet its effectiveness, particularly in physics education, remains debated. Understanding students’ motivation and problem-solving abilities in online environments is critical. This paper examined and presented the gender difference in motivation and problem-solving skills using an integrated online problem-based learning (ion-PBL) in a physics course. Developed using analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) mode, ion-PBL module of physics guided students through problem-solving activities over 13 weeks. A post-test–delayed post-test design was used to assess retention of motivation and problem-solving skills. The study involved 116 pre-university students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (88 females, 28 males). Motivation was measured using the motivated strategies for learning questionnaire (MSLQ) (four components), and problem-solving skills were assessed with the problem-solving inventory (PSI) (three components). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 28. Findings showed a significant gender difference in the ‘cognitive strategy’ component of motivation at the post-test, favoring female students. However, this difference was not sustained in the delayed post-test. In contrast, no gender difference was found in problem- solving at the post-test, but females scored significantly higher in ‘personal control’ in the delayed post-test. These findings suggest that female students are more likely to maintain cognitive strategies and personal control in online learning. Educators should consider targeted strategies to support male students’ motivation and problem-solving development in virtual environments to foster gender equity. Educators should consider targeted strategies to support male students’ motivation and problem-solving development in virtual environments to foster gender equity
Associations between intimacy in relationships and marital satisfaction across gender and in different durations of relationship
No full textThis study aimed to assess the associations between intimacy in relationships and marital satisfaction across genders and in five different relationship durations. A total of 1,058 participants in Malaysia were categorised at relationship durations of less than 3 years (N = 279), 3–5 years (N = 278), >5–10 years (N = 197), >10–20 years (N = 136), and >20 years (N = 168). Measures in the study covered the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (PAI R) and the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. Analyses were carried out using linear regression. The finding showed that emotional, intellectual, and recreational intimacy were the significant predictors of marital satisfaction for male and female participants. However, there was another significant predictor for the male: conventionality intimacy. In terms of relationship durations, emotional, intellectual, recreational, and sexual intimacy were the significant predictors of marital satisfaction for those in a relationship below 3 years. Recreational intimacy was an important marital satisfaction predictor across the duration of the relationship. Besides recreational intimacy, emotional intimacy was another significant marital satisfaction predictor for those in a relationship for 3–5 years and >10–20 years, and another significant predictor for those in a relationship for >5–10 years was intellectual intimacy. These observations on marital satisfaction across genders and five relationship statuses were important in our contemporary society, where the number of marriages is decreasing
A systematic review of coercivity measurements in the lift of effect for non-destructive testing method
No full textCoercivity is the strength of the reverse magnetic field required to demagnetise a material after saturation which is a crucial indicator of the hardness of magnetic materials. However, errors in coercivity measurement known as the lift-off effect can be caused by air gaps. This paper investigates the literature on the gap between novel methods to tackle this issue. There was literature reporting that by integrating additional inductance measurements and developing a calibration method, it aim to mitigate the impact of air gaps. The rationale behind this calibration method is that changes in air gaps affect both coercivity and inductance measurements. Therefore, the need for a systematic literature review is crucial to synthesise empirical data on using or implementing these methods. This paper attempts to identify the trends and the focus in the field of study which is a key step in advancing our understanding of the topic. The study utilised the Science Direct, Scopus, and ProQuest based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). From the 136 documents that was fitted under the keywords - lift-off effect, coercivity measurement, magnetic materials and non-destructive testing from 2014 to 2024, only 17 original articles were published. The findings reveal that the United Kingdom is the dominant country in conducting reducing the lift-off effect on magnetic plates papers. Followed by The United States-Korea and finally is Poland. The research samples were also more focused on auxiliary inductance data, multifrequency induction data, testing of metallic spherical geometry, sensors based on their equivalent parameters, and using fibre optic Eddy current sensors to detect defects in the magnetic material. Therefore, this shows a clear gap between the present research and its future direction
Carpaine modulates calcium mobilization through PLC-InsP3 pathway in cardiomyocyte
No full textCarpaine, an alkaloid found in the leaves of Carica papaya (papaya), is known for its diverse pharmacological properties. A previous study demonstrated that carpaine promotes cell proliferation and repair of H9c2 cardiomyocytes after oxidative insults. However, the exact mechanism of action remains elusive. Calcium (Ca2+) is the most versatile and universal signalling agent modulating essential physiological functions. This study aims to decipher the calcium modulation of carpaine extracted from C. papaya leaves. Carpaine was isolated from C. papaya leaves, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the extracted alkaloid's purity. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of carpaine in cardiomyocytes was determined using an MTT assay. Fluorescence-based assays were used to determine intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Pyrazole-3-carboxylic Acid (Pyr3), U71322, and Xestospongin C (Xest C), which are the inhibitors of TRPC3/6, Phospholipase C and the InsP3 receptor, respectively, were used to explore the mode of calcium mobilization in cardiomyocytes. Carpaine induced a significant increase in Ca2+ mobilization into cardiomyocyte cells. Inhibition of PLC or TRPC3 significantly suppresses the Ca2+ mobilization, but interestingly, the inhibition of the InsP3 receptor alone nearly abolished the carpaine-induced Ca2+ mobilization. These findings suggest that carpaine induces a calcium store-dependent intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in cardiomyocytes
Ethnopharmacological, phytochemistry, and antiviral activity of plants belonging to genus Sida - a systematic review
No full textViral infections are significant global health concerns, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. The leading causes of viral-related mortality worldwide include influenza, COVID-19, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and lower respiratory infections, such as pneumonia. Current antiviral therapies, such as protease and reverse transcriptase inhibitors, are effective but limited by high costs, side effects and drug resistance. This review aimed to provide an overview of the current landscape of viral infections, their impact, and available treatments. This review explores the antiviral potential of natural products, focusing on the genus Sida. A systematic literature search using database like PubMed, Science direct, Google Scholar and Wiley Online Library identified on Sida traditional uses, chemical composition and antiviral properties. This review outlined the the overview of Sida Genus as a promising source for new antiviral coumpounds due to its bioactive properties that may inhibit viral infection
Dysregulation of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signalling pathway by supraphysiological dose of testosterone in female sprague dawley rats during development of endometrial receptivity
No full textObjective: This study investigated the effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone on uterine morphology and the regulation of the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signalling pathway during endometrial receptivity. Methods: In this study, 30 adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment groups received subcutaneous injections of 1 mg/kg/day of testosterone from gestational day 1 to day 3, either testosterone alone or in combination with inhibitors (anastrozole, finasteride, or both). A control group of six untreated rats was maintained for comparison. Rats were euthanised on the evening of gestational day 4 to examine uterine morphological changes, gene expression and the distribution of proteins associated with the LIF signalling pathway (LIF, LIFR, JAK1 and STAT3) and MUC1 by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. Results: The results of this study showed that the thickness of the endometrium and myometrium, as well as the number of glands, markedly decreased in all testosterone-treated rats. In addition, the mRNA levels of LIF, LIFR, JAK1 and STAT3 were significantly downregulated in response to supraphysiological testosterone treatment, while the mRNA of MUC1 was significantly upregulated. The IHC results were consistent with the mRNA data and confirmed the changes in protein distribution in all treatment groups. Conclusions: A supraphysiological dose of testosterone may impair endometrial receptivity through dysregulation of the LIF signalling pathway, potentially affecting fertility
Knowledge, attitude and practice towards iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant women in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
No full textIntroduction: Iron deficiency anaemia is a major public health concern, particularly among pregnant women, and it not only affects their health but also their birth outcomes. Despite the implementation of nutrition interventions and iron supplementation, the prevalence remains high. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards anaemia and its association with anaemia among pregnant women in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 162 pregnant women aged 18 to 49 years who attended two randomly selected health clinic located in Kota Kinabalu, through convenient sampling. A Malay back-to-back translated questionnaire was used to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards anaemia. Results: Most pregnant women (54.3%) had good knowledge and 51.2% showed a positive attitude towards anaemia. The pregnant women elicited moderate practice towards anaemia. A total of 37% of pregnant women were anaemia. No association was found between knowledge and attitude toward anaemia on the incidence of anaemia among pregnant women. Conclusion: This present study revealed that while most pregnant women had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards anaemia, their practices were only moderate. No association was found between knowledge and attitude and the incidence of anaemia. These findings warrant further in-depth study in a wider population of pregnant women to unravel the incongruities identified
Evaluating the plant community patterns in Mantanani Besar Island using GIS and phytosociological survey
No full textMantanani Besar Island, in Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia, is both a tourist site and an important ecological site for many species. Despite the ecological importance, information on the distribution of plant species remains limited. This study aims to fill this gap by examining community patterns using vegetation mapping and a phytosociological survey. Based on our spatial analysis, approximately 84% of this island’s surface area is covered by forests, categorised into two distinct types: inland and coastal forest. Further investigation based, 55 quadrat plots (10m × 10m) that were randomly established in the classified forested area confirmed 66 species, representing 63 genera and 38 families. Two of the 66 recorded species were listed in the IUCN and Malaysia Plant Red Lists. The ANOSIM and Mantel’s tests revealed four plant community types in the island’s forested areas. Our survey the first comprehensive plant species checklist and community patterns on the island. We also concluded that combining both methods is beneficial for designing vegetation mapping
Effect of fiber hybridization on concrete slurry waste composite containing de-oiled bleaching earth
No full textConcrete Slurry Waste (CSW) is a byproduct of the concrete production industry, consisting of aggregates, minerals, and chemical admixtures. This waste poses environmental risks when disposed of in landfills and has significant limitations to be repurposed for alternative applications. Hence, this study attempts to enhance the performance of CSW by incorporating De-Oiled Bleaching Earth (DOBE) natural pozzolan and hybrid fiber reinforcements. A total of 17 new mixture designs were formulated, utilizing combinations of copper-coated steel, nylon, and basalt fibers, along with varying percentages of DOBE. Initially, the properties of the fibers, DOBE, and CSW were characterized. The developed Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Slurry (HybFRS) were then evaluated for setting time, drying shrinkage, water absorption, compressive strength, and flexural strength. Ultimately, the study examined the synergistic combinations of the hybrid fibers and the interactions between the fibers in CSW containing DOBE. The results indicated that the HybFRS led to increased setting times, significant reductions in drying shrinkage, and minimal changes in water absorption. The mechanical properties of the HybFRS varied with the percentage of DOBE added. The steel-nylon hybrid consistently showed the lowest performance in both compression and flexure across all percentages of DOBE additions. In contrast, the nylon-basalt hybrid performed best at 5 % DOBE, while the basalt-steel hybrid achieved the highest results at 10 % DOBE. The compressive and flexural strengths of these two hybrids were directly related to the percentage of DOBE included in the mixtures
Effect of impregnation temperature on monoethanolamine-kenaf biosorbent for CO₂ adsorption from gas mixture
No full textCapturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial resources to mitigate the global increase in carbon emissions is a challenging and expensive process, especially when utilizing Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies. The energy cost of CO₂ capture in post-combustion CCS, employing the absorption method with monoethanolamine (MEA) as the commonly used liquid amine. This study focusing on the adsorption method, which is more energy saving and less corrosive for CO₂ captured, by using modified kenaf biosorbent. Its low density, highly porous and permeability is well matched to be used as adsorbent. This study specifically investigated the influence of impregnation temperature of kenaf modified with a constant concentration of MEA towards the CO₂ adsorption capability at different gas flowrates and pressure bed. From the surface morphology of modified kenaf sorbent, MEA-kenaf impregnated at 55 °C exhibited large pore openings and more structured walls compared to the other temperatures. The kenaf samples were then utilized in IsoSORP gas analyzer for CO₂ adsorption with a mixture of CO₂ - Nitrogen (N2) at two different flow rates and various pressure beds. The highest CO₂ adsorption was achieved by the modified kenaf at impregnation temperature of 55 °C (gas flowrate 150 cm3/min) and 65 °C (gas flowrate 250 cm3/min). Apart from that, the adsorption ability shows a proportional increment when the gas pressure flow increased from 10 up to 30 bar. The research findings indicated that increasing the impregnation temperature enhanced the sorbent's pore size and nitrogen content impregnated on the kenaf surface (increase basicity), resulting in a significant improvement in CO₂ adsorption capacity