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The Effects Of Synchronous And Asynchronous Mathematics Based Robotic Education In Primary Schools: Investigating Computational Thinking, Interest And Self-Efficacy Across Gender
Get PDFThis study aimed to investigate the effects of synchronous and asynchronous virtual
robotic education on primary school students’ perceived interest, self-efficacy,
computational thinking (CT) skills and computational thinking (CT) achievement, while
considering the moderating role of gender. As technology continues to advance, there
remains a knowledge gap in understanding how synchronous and asynchronous modes of
instruction influence computational thinking, interest, and self-efficacy across gender in
primary school students. As for the significance, the unique use of educational robotics as a
fundamental teaching method in STEM subjects not only brings additional educational
benefits but also allows students to engage more with virtual ER, leading to increased
interaction and accessibility from anywhere and anytime, ultimately helping to reduce the
gender gap by involving and motivating girls to pursue future professions in STEM-related
fields. Therefore, a 2x2 factorial design was employed quantitatively using quasi
experimental design, with the independent variable (IV) consisting of two levels
representing synchronous learning (SVRP) and asynchronous learning (AVRP), and gender
serving as the moderator variable
Entrepreneurship Program Implementation Practices In Public Universities Of Malaysia And Nigeria A Comparative Study
Get PDFThis research investigated the implementation practice of entrepreneurship
program in public universities of Malaysia and Nigeria in comparative approach.
Specifically, it focused on three components, namely entrepreneurial curriculum
content (EEC), entrepreneurial teaching strategies (ETS) and the entrepreneurial
university environment (EUE); purposefully to assess their effects on students’
entrepreneurial intention and the challenges surrounding teaching the program with a
view of addressing them. The study employed sequential explanatory strategy under
mixed method in which qualitative findings strengthened quantitative results. After
collecting data from the total sample of 581 students and 10 lecturers of
entrepreneurship using questionnaire and interview as instruments, Statistical Package
for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 was employed for the computation. Hence, the
quantitative data was analysed using Independent t-test and Regression; while the
qualitative data was processed according to Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis
framework. The quantitative results revealed that significant differences exist between
the Nigerian and Malaysian universities students’ perceived views on the effectiveness
of entrepreneurship curriculum content and university environment, but not on the
teaching strategies. Again, it was discovered that only ECC and ETS made the
strongest contribution in predicting students’ entrepreneurial intention in Nigeria,
while only ECC made the strongest contribution in predicting students’ entrepreneurial
intention in Malaysia. Along the same line, qualitative findings supported the
quantitative findings on the effectiveness of entrepreneurial curriculum content and
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explained negative students’ perceived views on the entrepreneurial teaching strategies
and the university environment
Grit As Predictor Of Psychological Capital, Flourishing, Self-Reliance And Life Satisfaction Among University Students: The Role Of Resilience As Mediator
Get PDFThis study examines the association between grit, defined as the combination of perseverance of effort and consistency of interest for long-term goals, and various dimensions of well-being, including resilience, psychological capital, flourishing, self-reliance, and life satisfaction among university students. The investigation adopts self-determination theory framework, which emphasizes on individuals' beliefs about their abilities and motivation to achieve goals. Grit is aligned with growth motivation as proposed by the mindset theory. Participants were 447 university students enrolled at a Malaysian public university. Three hundred and thirty-three (75.3%) were females, while 120 (26.4%) were males. The majority of the participants were between 22 to 25 years old (317; 69.9%), followed by 18 to 21 years (127; 28.1%). Instruments employed in this study include Grit scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience scale, PsyCap Questionnaire (PCQ-12), Flourishing scale, Self-reliance scale (SRS), and Life Satisfaction scale. Confirmatory factor analyses and omega (ω) reliability coefficients were employed to assess the reliability and validity of all scales used in the study. The results indicated that the scales consistently and accurately measured the intended constructs. The study was investigated both direct and indirect (mediating) effects of grit and dimensions of well-being. The findings of this study confirmed that grit was significant predictor of psychological capital, flourishing, self-reliance, and life satisfaction
Factors Influencing Students’ Entrepreneurial Intention In Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia: The Role Of Entrepreneurial Education And University Environment As The Mediator And Moderator
Get PDFEntrepreneurship has been a key driver of the economy by creating innovation, jobs and a higher standard of living. An entrepreneurial mindset can play an immense role in meeting the goals of the government’s sustainable growth plans. By reviewing the reality of the unemployment problem among the youth, along with its risks and approaches to overcoming it, the role of entrepreneurial intention among young undergraduate students (currently enrolled on an entrepreneurship course) is to alleviate the severity of the unemployment problem in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Considering the role of individual entrepreneurship awareness, this study suggests the conceptualization of the effective factors. Those factors include: individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) (Innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking), entrepreneurial social support (ESS) (Family support and peer-group support), the entrepreneurship education (EE), the entrepreneurial university environment (EUE) and the individual entrepreneurial intention (IEI). For the collection of the data, this study utilised the quantitative online-survey method with the convenience sampling technique. For fruitful insights, the current study analysed the data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Smart-PLS Software and SPSS Software. The framework proposed in this theory is under the spectrum of Stimulus-Organism-Response S-O-R Theory. The overall findings of this research suggest recommendations to the policymakers and government bodies that in order to create
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an environment of entrepreneurial education in universities, students’ entrepreneurial intention needs to be created and examines whether the proposed factors effect this intention
Tropical Bed Bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Infestation, Public Awareness, Morphological Identification And Population Genetic Structure In Iraq
Get PDFCimex hemipterus (f.), or tropical bed bugs, is an ectoparasite that primarily feeds on human blood. Tropical bed bugs have recently become in public health and are of social and economic importance. This study aimed to determine bed bug infestation, identify the bed bug species, and determine the level of awareness among the iraqi community regarding bed bug infestations in iraq. This study also examines the genetic structure and diversity of c. Hemitpterus populations in iraq. Bed bug infestation dynamics were determined by surveying 18 infested sites, including private homes, local hotels, and workers’ dormitories, across eight iraqi governorates between 2020 and 2021. Bed bug samples were collected from each infested site for further study. From the survey, most bed bug infestations in iraq primarily stem from migrant workers and the reuse of second-hand furniture and clothing. In terms of preferred harborage, wooden furniture was the common source (91.6%). Although a large number of respondents (43.8%) expressed "somewhat concerned" about bed bug infestations in iraq, there was a high level of unawareness (53.3%) regarding bed bug infestations. The mean pronotum width-to-length ratio of collected bed bug samples was less than 2.5mm these samples then underwent for molecular identification through partial sequences of mitochondrial coi and 16s rrna. Based on their morphological characteristics and dna sequence data, it can be affirmed that all collected bed bugs were c. Hemipterus. Moreover, the results indicated that c. Hemipterus is the sole bed bug species in iraq
Factors associated with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among the peka B40 population on Langkawi Island from 2022 to 2023
No full textIntroduction: The prevalence of undiagnosed DM poses a significant public health challenge, particularly among socio-economically disadvantaged populations. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with undiagnosed DM among the PeKa B40 population on Langkawi Island, Malaysia.
Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data records from January 2022 to December 2023, involving 1,070 participants from the PeKa B40 population on Langkawi Island. Participants were previously screened for DM using fasting blood glucose tests and HbA1c levels as part of the PeKa B40 initiative. Sociodemographic data, current health status, lifestyle factors, family history, and medical history were extracted from the existing Peka B40 records. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with undiagnosed DM.
Results: The prevalence of undiagnosed DM was found to be 6.7% among the study population. Key factors associated with undiagnosed DM included medical history, higher BMI, and residing on smaller islands. Participants classified as overweight and obese were significantly more likely to have undiagnosed DM compared to those with a normal BMI (Adj. OR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.40,5.30, p=0.003) for overweight; (Adj. OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.19,5.00, p=0.015) for obese. Individuals residing on smaller islands had a higher likelihood of undiagnosed DM compared to those on the main island (Adj. OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.03,2.85, p=0.039). Participants with a documented medical history were significantly less likely to have undiagnosed DM (Adj. OR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.12,0.36, p<0.001).
Conclusion: The high prevalence of undiagnosed DM among the PeKa B40 population underscores the urgent need for enhanced screening and early detection programs. Public health strategies should focus on targeted education campaigns, expanding healthcare infrastructure, and integrating opportunistic screening into routine healthcare interactions to improve early detection and management of DM
Analysis Of The Constructs And Effects Of Integrating Social Work Embedded In Service-Oriented Community Governance
Get PDFThis research aims to understand integrative social work practice in service-oriented community governance in china, by providing a detailed descriptive analysis of socio-demographic variables such as socio-cultural, socio-economic, and service demand. Three theories were used to provide the theoretical background for this research. First, social stratification theory provides important conceptual and analytical tools for analyzing and studying group differences. Inclusive governance theory is an important vector of good governance, while social systems theory ensures that systems function on their own in the integration process. In this qualitative study, a purposive sampling technique was used to select 41 participants from the jinfu community in china, including community councils, community residents, social workers, and volunteers. Primary data was collected from selected stakeholders through in-depth interviews. The data collected were analyzed using atlas.Ti8. Unstructured data collected through audio tapes, notes, and all other field data were analyzed using computer assisted qualitative data analysis software (caqdas) of atlas.Ti8
The Mediating Effect Of Shariah Supervisory Board On Management Control System And Performance Of Islamic Banks In Indonesia: Competitive Strategy As Moderator
Get PDFThis study aimed to investigate the impact of the Shariah Supervisory Board as
a mediator and competitive strategy as a moderator on the relationship between the
management control system and the performance of Islamic banks in Indonesia. The
management control system of Islamic banks in Indonesia was studied based on
Simon's levers of control, and the performance was evaluated using the Maqasid
Shariah concept. The study included 128 respondents from 32 Islamic banks registered
under the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and the hypothesis testing was
conducted using PLS-SEM with Warppls software version 8.0. The results indicated
that the boundary system had a positive and significant impact on the performance of
Islamic banks in Indonesia. Furthermore, the Shariah Supervisory Board acted as a
mediator in the relationship between the boundary system and the performance of
Islamic banks, and the interactive control system. All the Islamic banks in Indonesia
utilized low-cost strategies that facilitated the implementation of belief and boundary
systems. The implications of this research confirm that the management control system
will improve the performance of Islamic banks with the support of the functions and
roles of the Shariah supervisory board. The study also demonstrated that integrating of
agency, stewardship, and stakeholder theories influenced corporate governance
implementation in Islamic banks
Tindak balas antikanser-imun terhadap sel kanser payudara mda-mb-231 dan penilaian teratogenik daun pereskia bleo
Get PDFConventional treatment for breast cancer, especially radiation and chemotherapy, have significant adverse effects on patients. Thus, an increased global focus on finding nontoxic and cytoselective treatments has emerged, which includes the study on herbs. Various herbs showed excellent bioactivities; however, there are herbs that can be toxic and teratogenic at certain dosage. The current study was conducted to assess the anti-cancer properties of P. bleo leaves in terms of their ability to induce apoptosis and to determine its anti-cancer-immune response by stimulating Natural Killer (NK) cells’ cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, as well as to evaluate its toxicity and teratogenicity in the animal model. Hexane, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of P. bleo leaves were tested for their cytotoxicity against normal cells MCF-10A and MDA-MB-231 cell lines by MTT assay. Methanolic extract showed the best activities and was used for subsequent experiments. Annexin V/PI assay and flow cytometric analysis were used to measure the induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and apoptotic protein expression by methanolic extract of P. bleo leaves (MEPB). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilised to measure the level of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukins (IL)-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, perforin, and granzyme B in healthy blood donors to determine the best concentration of MEPB leaves for activating NK cells. Flow cytometry and trypan Blue were used to measure NK cell counts and purity for subsequent experiments. Flow cytometric analysis and ELISA were used to determine the ability of MEPB to enhance NK cell cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells. The toxicity and teratogenicity of MEPB leaves were evaluated by observing the oestrous cycle, body weight, general behaviour and clinical signs, histopathological analyses, absolute body weights of dam’s visceral organs, and pregnancy outcomes, including the numbers of corpora lutea and implantation sites, pre- and post-implantation death (%), gravid uterine weight, number of live and dead foetuses, foetal body weight, sex ratio, and gross examination of the foetuses. The study used 40 female rats and was divided into 10 rat-control groups (distilled water) and 30 rat-MEPB groups (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day). The MTT assay showed moderate cytotoxicity of MEPB leaves towards MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with an IC50 value of 64.57μg/mL. The flow cytometry data indicated that MEPB can arrest the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and stimulate apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells, increasing the Bax, p53, and caspase-3 while decreasing Bcl-2 expression. The results indicated that MEPB leaves could upregulate IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-18, perforin, and granzyme B levels and downregulate IL-8 and IL-10 levels in healthy blood. Breast cancer patients were found to have fewer NK cells than healthy donors, and approximately 87.09% of NK cells were effectively isolated. MEPB enhanced NK cells to kill MDA-MB-231 cells via apoptosis by upregulating perforin, granzyme B, and IFN-γ in healthy and breast cancer patient donors. The study also showed that the rat groups treated with various doses of MEPB leaves did not affect toxicity parameters, pregnancy outcomes, and foetotoxicity parameters. Our findings concluded that MEPB leaves induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells, with a significant capacity to regulate cytokines and increase NK cell cytotoxicity towards cancer cells without any evidence of toxicity and teratogenicity in rat-MEPB groups
Rhamnolipid As Antifungal Agent Against Pyricularia Oryzae And Rhizoctonia Solani Causing Blast And Sheath Blight Diseases Of Paddy
Get PDFPyricularia oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani are fungi causing blast and sheath
blight diseases of paddy (Oryza sativa) in Malaysia. The use of disease resistant rice
varieties and fungicides to control both diseases might increase the fungal resistance
and the discharge of chemicals into watercourses. This research evaluates the
antifungal activity of rhamnolipid, a biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas
aeruginosa USM-AR2 which is more sustainable than chemical fungicides. Seven
isolates of Pyricularia sp. and eight isolates of Rhizoctonia sp. from thirty isolates
were successfully obtained from blast and sheath blight symptoms in a paddy field in
Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. Pathogenicity test confirmed that all Pyricularia sp. and
Rhizoctonia sp. isolates were pathogenic by showing a typical blast as an orange brown
edge diamond-shaped and sheath blight as an irregular water-soaked. Morphological
characterisation and molecular identification of one representative isolate from each
group confirmed the identity as P. oryzae USM-PD1 and R. solani USM-PD2.
Moreover, antifungal evaluation of rhamnolipid against both fungi demonstrated
retarded mycelia with lysis and lesion, as well as slow growth on plates. The highest
percentage inhibition of diameter growth (PIDG) for P. oryzae USM-PD1 was
achieved at 2000 ppm (48.30 ± 1.18%). Meanwhile, PIDG and percentage inhibition
of sclerotia (PISC) number of R. solani USM-PD2 were obtained at 10 000 ppm (60.00
± 2.35%) and 800 ppm (100%), respectively