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The mediating effect of nomophobia in the relationship between problematic social media use/problematic smartphone use and psychological distress among university students
No full textAs smartphones and social media become more common, the psychological impact on university students has garnered increasing research attention. The present study examined nomophobia as the mediator in the relationship between problematic social media use (PSMU)/ problematic smartphone use (PSU), and psychological distress among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 622 Malaysian university students recruited through online survey, socio-demographic information, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMPQ) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were completed. To analyze mediation effects, partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used. PSMU, PSU and psychological distress were found to be positively related to nomophobia. Nomophobia was a significant mediator between PSMU/PSU and psychological distress. Findings appear to highlight the importance of nomophobia in increasing psychological distress among young adults. Future research could examine these relationships longitudinally to better understand the relationship for effective interventions for the improvement of psychological well-being of young adults navigating the challenges of modern technology
Energy security and carbon emissions: the role of economic freedom
No full textThis paper explores the impact of energy security on carbon emissions and analyses the mediating role of different dimensions of economic freedom in this relationship. By examining the mechanisms through which economic freedom can enhance energy security, this study aims to contribute to the formulation of policies that support both economic growth and environmental stewardship in a low-carbon future. The study is based on panel data for 69 countries from 2012-2018, employing the fixed effects model as the main methodology. Results indicate that energy security significantly reduces carbon emissions. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis of six dimensions of economic freedom—business, monetary, trade, investment, and financial freedom—reveals significant mediation effects, while labour freedom shows no significant impact. This study advocates for policies that promote sustainable development and a low-carbon economy. Key recommendations include enhancing energy security through clean energy and efficiency; guiding economic growth towards low-carbon industries; conserving forests; attracting green FDI; enforcing cleaner industrial practices; expanding carbon markets; and promoting economic freedom by streamlining bureaucratic processes
In vivo evaluation of Aloe vera and Ficus deltoidea anti-inflammatory effect in mice: a brief update
No full textAloe vera (Family: Liliaceae) and Ficus deltoidea (Family: Moraceae), also known as Mas Cotek has been applied in traditional medicines as sources of anti-inflammatory remedy and as therapeutic alternatives to conventional medicines. The present study was carried out to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of Aloe vera and Ficus deltoidea powder extracts in mice. The mice were divided into 4 groups (n=5), namely the negative control, positive control and two treatment group of Aloe vera and Ficus deltoidea extracts. The animals were treated with normal saline, diclofenac, Aloe vera and Ficus deltoidea extracts according to their respective group, 30 minutes before carrageenan was introduced. The inflammation was induced by injecting carrageenan into the sub-plantar region of left hind paw of all mice. The paw edema was measured using digital caliper at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 24 and 48 hours after carrageenan was injected. There were significant differences in the measurement of the paw edema between normal saline (negative control), diclofenac (positive control), Aloe vera and Ficus deltoidea powder extract at p<0.05. Diclofenac (10mg/kg) significantly inhibited paw edema from 0.5 hour onwards (p<0.05); Aloe vera extracts (4000mg/kg) from the 1st hour onwards; and Ficus deltoidea extracts (4000mg/kg) from the 2nd hour onwards. The anti-inflammatory action demonstrated by both Aloe vera and Ficus deltoidea extracts are comparable to those of diclofenac treatment even though their efficacy is lesser. The findings indicate that Aloe vera and Ficus deltoidea powder extracts possess anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan induced paw edema in vivo. Therefore, in conclusion, the Aloe vera and Ficus deltoidea powder extract have the potential in managing acute inflammation and serve as an alternative therapeutic agent
Stability of PRESAGE® dosimeter for end-to-end radiotherapy dosimetry audit and dose delivery
No full textThe stability of commercially available PRESAGE® was evaluated for use in complex radiotherapy dose delivery and audit. The dose-response of PRESAGE® under room temperature, low temperature and exposure to visible light was investigated. The photon energy and dose rate dependence of the PRESAGE® were also investigated. It shows a different response under different temperatures. It was demonstrated that this batch of PRESAGE® shows decreased optical density (OD) over time instead of increased OD like a common PRESAGE®. Additionally, the OD of PRESAGE® decreases more slowly which is 0.1 % each hour under low temperature. PRESAGE® also quickly returned to its original state within 48 h post-irradiation under room temperature which the OD decreased by 2.06 % each hour. Upon its return to its original state, the PRESAGE® was able to be reused again with the dose-response reproducibility of more than 99 %. This study also shows that the PRESAGE® is highly sensitive to the visible light radiated by the common fluorescent lamp. The longer the exposure, the higher the optical density within the PRESAGE® which on average, the OD increased by 21.13 % each hour of exposure. The PRESAGE® shows a small dependence of energy with the linearity difference of 5.22 % and shows the independence of dose rate with a variation of less than 5 %
The effectiveness of modular living wall system for heat reduction a case study of an urban transformation center in Pasir Gudang
No full textIn urban areas, humans' thermal comfort is a crucial concern related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Living wall system (LWS) can be used as a climate mitigation measure to improve temperature at an outdoor building. Studies on LWS' thermal performance of plant species are still scarce, especially for tropical countries. As such, this study aimed to investigate the cooling potential of vegetation with specific plant characteristics. An experimental study of the LWS was undertaken in the industrial city of Pasir Gudang, Malaysia. Four plant species, Philodendron burle-marxii, Phyllanthus cochinchinensis, Nephrolepis exaltata and Cordyline fructicosa 'Miniature', were evaluated in 4-metre (width) x 1-metre (height) of LWS. The study was carried out continuously for three months, from January until March 2019. The data were then analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistic 24. The findings revealed that Philodendron burle-marxii demonstrated the best cooling capacity among the tested plants as it caused its surrounding temperature to be 2.85 oC during the daytime. It was shown that the broader leaves and higher leaf area index value of the species gave a good response to air temperature reduction in the outdoor environment. Meanwhile, Phyllanthus cochinchinensis was the most efficient species as it obtained the highest reduction of surface temperature with an average of 6.17 oC. This study also confirmed that dense branching and multi-stemmed plants influence the lowering of surface temperature with a smaller leaf and higher leaf area index value. In brief, the combination of a higher leaf area index with several plant morphology is recommended for temperature reduction through the different abilities of plant species
16 warga UPM raih Anugerah Visibiliti Media UPM 2024, platform strategik ketengah pakar universiti
No full textSERDANG, 8 Mei – Seramai 16 warga Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) menerima Anugerah Visibiliti Media UPM 2024 sempena Majlis Promosi UPM Bersama Media 2025 yang menjadi platform strategik ubagi menyerlahkan kepakaran pensyarah universiti kepada umum
UPM tingkat kesedaran diabetes kepada komuniti
No full textSERDANG, 18 Mei - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) menerusi Asian Medical Students’ Association – Universiti Putra Malaysia (AMSA-UPM), Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains Kesihatan telah menganjurkan Diabetes Day 2025 bagi meningkatkan kesedaran dan kesejahteraan holistik terhadap penyakit diabetes kepada komuniti
Pelajar pilih Pendidikan Sains Pertanian di UPM untuk didik generasi baharu
No full textSERDANG, 27 Mei – Dua pelajar Bachelor Pendidikan Sains Pertanian, Fakulti Pendidikan, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) memilih program pengajian tersebut sebagai laluan kerjaya yang menawarkan gabungan ilmu pertanian dan pendidikan