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Digital Medical Images Segmentation by Active Contour Model based on the Signed Pressure Force Function
Get PDFThe signed pressure force (SPF) function has recently become a popular function for guiding the curve evolution of the active contour model (ACM) for image segmentation. The aim is to extract the boundaries of digital medical images for shape and image analysis. The recent SPF-based ACM demonstrates effectiveness in image segmentation. However, it may fail if the targeted object is close to a neighbouring object. Additionally, the presence of intensity inhomogeneity and noise in medical images degrades segmentation accuracy and local target areas. Thus, we proposed a new SPF-based ACM, namely the Selective Segmentation with Signed Pressure Force 1 (SSPF1) model, by incorporating the ideas of the SPF function and the distance fitting term based on geometrical constraints. Then, the new SSPF1 model was extended by incorporating an image enhancement technique to develop our second new model, termed the Selective Segmentation with Signed Pressure Force 2 (SSPF2). Numerical results indicated that the SSPF2 model was more recommended than SSPF1 as the SSPF2 model was approximately 4.7% more accurate, as indicated by the Jaccard value and was about 112 times faster in segmenting noisy images compared to the existing selective segmentation mode
Unveiling the Determinant Factors Effecting the Willingness to Share Waqf Information among Malaysians
Get PDFThis study aimed to evaluate the determinant factors of willingness to share the waqf information among Malaysian. The study investigates the impact of trust, reciprocity, power, life satisfaction and commitment as independent factors on the willingness of waqf stakeholders in Malaysia to share information. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a quantitative research approach, utilising the information sharing theory. The analysis employs the SPSS software to analyse the demographic factor for descriptive analysis and partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using SMART PLS4 for hypotheses testing. The study was conducted between April until August 2023, involving 370 purposively sampled respondents who were Waqif, Mawquf Alaih, or possessed knowledge about endowing waqf. The study intends to demonstrate the validity of factors influencing waqf stakeholders' willingness to share information, thereby enhancing Malaysia's waqf co-creation ecosystem. Findings: The result show that power, life satisfaction and commitment positively significant with the willingness to share the waqf information. Meanwhile, trust and reciprocity do not appear significantly influence the willingness to share the waqf information. Research limitations/implications: Given that the current study relied solely on questionnaires for data collection, a qualitative approach (interviews) should be incorporated to provide in-depth data. As the respondents were limited to the public, data from waqf institutions should also be collected to gain a more comprehensive perspective and generate new ideas to increase a person’s willingness to share waqf information among Malaysian. Practical implications: This study contributes significantly to the current literature concerning the willingness to share the waqf information. Policy makers encourage to develop of stakeholder-oriented strategy to promote power, life satisfaction and commitment to increase the willingness of waqf to share information. Aside from that, waqf institutions need to improve the waqf trust and reciprocity. The study offers empirical insights, bridging the gap between theory and practice in building trust and improving waqf contribution among stakeholders. These findings can influence the economic impact through policy implications. Society's willingness to share waqf information significantly impact fund sustainability. Increased waqf contributions can drive substantial projects, benefiting society and improving overall quality of life. Originality/value: to the best of authors’ knowledge, this is among the first comprehensive empirical studies that examine the willingness to share information focusing on the waqf area. Thus, the findings offer a valuable contribution to the waqf institutions to strategise and improvement the waqf sustainabilit
Pengajaran Bahasa Melayu menggunakan Papan Putih Interaktif: Penerimaan Guru di Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Daerah Hulu Langat
Get PDFKajian ini dilaksanakan untuk mengenal pasti tahap penerimaan guru di Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) terhadap penggunaan papan putih interaktif dalam pengajaran bahasa Melayu berpandukan Teori Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Kajian ini turut mengkaji hubungan antara tahap penerimaan papan putih interaktif berdasarkan pengalaman mengajar. Kajian kuantitatif ini menggunakan kaedah tinjauan. Sampel kajian terdiri daripada 185 orang guru bahasa Melayu di SJKC sekitar daerah Hulu Langat menggunakan jenis pensampelan bertujuan. Enam belas buah sekolah SJKC dipilih sebagai lokasi kajian kerana terdapat kemudahan papan putih interaktif di setiap bilik darjah. Instrumen kajian yang digunakan ialah soal selidik dengan nilai kebolehpercayaan berada dalam julat antara 0.712 hingga 0.846. Data kajian dianalisis menggunakan bantuan perisian SPSS versi 28.0. Analisis deskriptif min dan sisihan piawai, manakala analisis inferensi menggunakan Korelasi Pearson. Tahap penerimaan papan putih interaktif mencatatkan nilai min yang tinggi mengikut empat konstruk UTAUT. Hubungan tahap penerimaan dengan pengalaman mengajar mencatatkan nilai korelasi yang signifikan p <0.05 berbentuk hubungan yang negatif iaitu semakin meningkat pengalaman mengajar semakin berkurang tahap penerimaan papan putih interaktif. Implikasi kajian mencadangkan sekolah yang mempunyai kemudahan papan putih interaktif diberikan panduan dan latihan yang terancang untuk meningkatkan tahap penerimaan papan putih interaktif khususnya dari segi bahan pengajaran dan aplikasi yang sesuai dan berkesan bagi mata pelajaran bahasa Melay
The Role of eWOM, Facilities, and Experiential Marketing Towards Revisit Intention through Tourism Satisfaction as an Intervening Variable in Ledok Sambi, Sleman, Yogyakarta
Get PDFThis study aims to determine and analyze the influence of eWOM, facilities, and experiential marketing on revisit intention through tourist satisfaction as an intervening variable. The sample used was tourists who visited Ledok Sambi in Sleman, Yogyakarta, with a total sample of 100 respondents. The data collection method uses questionnaires with accidental sampling techniques, while data analysis techniques use inferential analysis consisting of indicator tests, fit model tests, hypothesis tests, and path analysis with the help of SmartPLS 3.2.9 analysis tools. The results of the study showed that eWOM does not affect tourist satisfaction, facilities have a positive and critical impact on tourist satisfaction, experiential marketing has a positive and critical impact on tourist satisfaction, eWOM does not affect revisit intention, facilities do not affect revisit intention, experiential marketing does not affect revisit intention, tourist satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on revisit intention, tourist satisfaction is unable to mediate the relationship between eWOM and revisit intention, tourist satisfaction is unable to mediate the relationship between facilities and revisit intention, tourist satisfaction is unable to mediate the relationship between experiential marketing and revisit intention. The results of this study are expected to be a reference and input for managers to improve what factors can increase satisfaction and revisit intention for tourists and can be used as a reference for further researc
Determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Disclosure: A Systematic Literature Review
Get PDFCorporate social responsibility (CSR), a concept which existed for almost a century, is gaining traction in both commercial and academic spheres. Firms are experiencing greater pressures to report more non financial disclosures, especially on information related to their CSR initiatives. Even though some countries have implemented some forms of mandatory disclosure requirements, corporate executives continue to retain substantial autonomy in deciding the quality and extent of their corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRDs). One hundred twenty-eight articles published from 2006 to 2022 were found in the Scopus and Web of Science databases using a systematic literature review technique. This study offers a comprehensive mapping of the research works conducted, theoretical frameworks cited, and various determinants of CSRD. This study reveals that legitimacy theory, agency theory, and stakeholder theory are commonly cited in CSRD literature. Many country-level, firm-level, and individual-level determining factors affecting the quality and quantity of CSRD were discovered. This research made valuable contributions to the extant literature on CSR across multiple dimensions. Lastly, this study also identifies potential research avenues for academics to further the expanding body of knowledge in CS
Impact of Balanced Exploration and Exploitation on High-dimensional Feature Selection with Hierarchical Whale Optimisation Algorithm
Get PDFHigh-dimensional datasets (HDDs) pose significant challenges in feature selection due to their complex nature. While metaheuristic algorithms like the Whale Optimisation Algorithm (WOA) have shown promise in addressing these challenges, stability issues are least addressed. Through an extensive literature review, it was identified that stability is manifested in the equilibrium of exploration and exploitation. Hence, this study introduced the Hierarchical Whale Optimisation Algorithm (HiWOA), an approach designed to enhance the WOA’s stability and performance in HDD feature selection tasks. The HiWOA incorporates a two-phase strategy comprising a nonlinear control parameter based on the arcsine function and a hierarchical position-update mechanism adapted from the Grey Wolf Optimiser. The proposed HiWOA was evaluated through 23 benchmark optimisation functions and feature selection experiments on 11 medical HDDs. The results indicate that the HiWOA outperformed the WOA and a modified variant (mWOA) in terms of a better fitness value, a more balanced exploration-exploitation ratio, and improved classification accuracy with fewer selected features. These findings demonstrate the HiWOA’s effectiveness in enhancing stability, making it a robust solution for high-dimensional optimisation and feature selectio
Understanding Brand Transference in Educational Institutions: A Reflexive Approach
No full textThis paper explores the reflexive research methodology applied in doctoral study focused on brand transference in educational institutions. Central to this approach is the acknowledgment of the position held by the researcher and its impact on the research process. The study utilizes purposive sampling to select alumni participants, whose experiences and perceptions are explored through in-depth interviews. Reflexivity is maintained throughout the research, with the researcher continually reflecting on their influence on the data collection and analysis itself. The transcribed interviews are subjected to analysis, with the reflexive approach providing a nuanced interpretation that considers the interplay between researcher and participant perspectives. This methodological framework not only captures the complexities of brand transference but also offers a robust means of understanding how alumni experiences shape and are shaped by the brand identities of educational institutions. The findings underscore the importance of reflexive practices in qualitative research, particularly in studies exploring the dynamic and subjective nature of branding in educational context
Qualitative Reflexive Research for Bridging the Traditional Agricultural Practices with Contemporary Technological Upgradations in North-Western Himalayas
No full textThis study explores the challenges faced by farmers in the Garhwal Mandal region of Uttarkashi district in northwestern Himalayas, based on field visits and data collection conducted in 19-20 villages. Using qualitative research methodologies, we identified key issues such as technical difficulties, implementation and adaptation gaps, social challenges and policy-related problems. Our focus was on addressing technical difficulties through design innovation, enhancing traditional agricultural equipment to be more cost-effective, easy to maintain, and sustainable. This approach aims to foster self-reliance among local farmers, improve the sustainability of agriculture in the hilly regions, which may also reduce migration. Our findings highlight the need to integrate modern advancements into traditional techniques to make farming more viable and appealing for future generations. The strengthening of traditional agriculture equipment was decided to be based upon two important aspects: that the strength of the traditional practices should be maintained and further enhanced, and the abovementioned insight should direct the outcomes of reflexive qualitative research conducted in the Himalayan villages. Being problem identification research, the study had to be based on exploratory research design pursued through reflexive methodolog
Perception of High-Value Goods Tax Implementation in Malaysia among Postgraduate Students at Universiti Utara Malaysia
No full textThe high-value goods tax in Malaysia is part of the government's strategy to increase revenue by taxing luxury or expensive items. The study purposely investigates the perceptions of postgraduate students at Universiti Utara Malaysia regarding High-Value Goods Tax (HVGT) which aligns with the Theory of Planned Behavior as attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control are confirmed to be the basis of the perceptions. This study is designed with a qualitative approach to get an in-depth perception among a group of respondents taking into consideration their background and knowledge of taxation matters. Overall, the respondents believed that it is their responsibility to pay for the tax if imposed and in fact, willing if the rates are not a burden to them. The respondents also agreed on the elements of subjective norms where friends, family, and peers also play roles in sharing knowledge about HVGT and indirectly affect their decisions. A few other elements are also being highlighted to influence the respondents’ perception of the HVGT’s implementation in Malaysia such as support, knowledge, and affordability. This study adds to the existing literature on HVGT perceptions and offers valuable insights for policymakers to consider when refining HVGT policy in Malaysi
Transforming Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis: Implementing Vision Transformer (ViT) for MRI Images Classification
Get PDFAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder and the leading cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases. Early detection of AD is crucial for timely intervention, as the disease significantly impacts cognitive functions and daily activities. Diagnosing AD in clinical settings remains challenging due to subtle early symptoms, diverse presentations, lengthy diagnostic processes, and inconsistent criteria that heavily rely on medical expertise. Accurate and timely diagnosis during the early stages is essential for effective treatment and intervention. Modern imaging techniques, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), have become essential in diagnosing Alzheimer’s by providing detailed insights into structural brain changes. This study explores the application of the Vision Transformer (ViT) model for classifying MRI images of Alzheimer’s patients, focusing on enhancing accuracy and reliability through data augmentation during pre-processing. A dataset of 8,000 MRI images, categorised into four groups—non-demented, very mild demented, mild demented, and moderate demented—was used to evaluate the ViT model. The experiment achieved promising results, with an accuracy of 98.19%, sensitivity of 96.34%, specificity of 98.80%, and an F1-score of 96.37%. These findings underscore the model’s effectiveness in distinguishing between affected and unaffected individuals, minimising misdiagnosis and enabling timely clinical interventions. However, some challenges remain, particularly in the classification between “Non-Demented” and “Very Mild Demented” cases. Future research should focus on enhancing data augmentation techniques and increasing data diversity in these categories to improve the model’s performance further. The ViT model holds great potential for advancing Alzheimer’s diagnosis, offering a valuable tool for early detection and intervention in clinical setting