13474 research outputs found
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Plastic crystal - gel polymer electrolytes for magnesium rechargeable batteries / Diyana Hambali
No full textPolymer electrolytes are known to be the possible substitution for liquid electrolytes due to their excellent safe performance and good compatibility with electrodes compared to its liquid counterpart. Thus, in the present work, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) have been studied comprising plastic crystal succinonitrile (SN) to form plastic crystal - gel polymer electrolytes. The GPEs were prepared by using two types of magnesium salts which are magnesium trifluoromethanesulfonate (MgTf2) and magnesium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Mg(TFSI)2) varied from 5 to 30 wt.%. In the preparation of GPEs, four GPE systems were introduced which are single plasticized systems (PVdC-co-AN/SN/MgTf2 and PVdC-co-AN/SN/Mg(TFSI)2) and double plasticized systems, i.e., combination of SN with ethylene carbonate (EC), (PVdC-co-AN/SN/EC/MgTf2 and PVdC-co-AN/SN/EC/Mg(TFSI)2). The GPE samples were analyzed by means of alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopy to determine the ionic conductivity at room temperature and at a temperature range of 303 K to 353 K. The conductivity temperature dependence studies of the GPEs were found to obey the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) relation. The ionic and cationic transference numbers were evaluated by direct current (DC) polarization method and the combination methods of AC impedance and DC polarization respectively to study the charge carrier species in the GPEs. To reveal the interactions among the constituents in the GPEs as well as to confirm the complexation between them, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was carried out. The analysis of FTIR was extended by the deconvolution of the FTIR spectra to prove the dependability of ionic conductivity with the presence of free ions, ion pairs and ion aggregates in the GPEs. The amorphous nature of the GPEs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis while the surface morphology of GPEs was analyzed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). On the other hand, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies disclosed the relationship between the thermal stability of GPEs and ionic conductivity. The electrochemical stability of the GPEs was also determined by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The Mg/GPE/MgMn2O4 cells were assembled by using the most optimum GPE samples from all systems and their charge-discharge performances were studied. The best specific capacity of 90 mAh g-1 was obtained from the cell that using PVdC-co-AN/SN/EC/15 wt.% Mg(TFSI)2 based GPE as electrolyte
Exploring fraudulent practices in Nigerian public sector: Evidence of Bauchi State / Shehu Umar Sa’id
No full textThe study explored fraudulent practices in the Nigerian public sector. This research aims to (1) explore conditions affecting fraudulent practices in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The study also aimed to (2) identify the challenges faced in preventing fraudulent behavior among Nigerian public employees. Most of the previous accounting studies on fraudulent practices focused on fraud prevention. Yet, accounting research so far considering various factors such as corporate governance, auditing, forensic audit, financial reporting regulation for fraud prevention and detection. To understand the conditions affecting fraudulent practices and the challenges faced in preventing fraud in the Nigerian public sector, a qualitative approach is employed in this study. The dynamic of the Fraud Diamond Theory assists in the collection of data. Semi-structure is conducted with 14 participants that comprise (4) Auditors, (4) Accountants, (2) Legal practitioners, (2) staff of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), and (2) staff of Federal Inland Revenue Service. The interview data collected is analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. The research identified several possible conditions affecting fraudulent activities in the Nigerian public sector. The findings of this study indicate that (1) pressure, (2) opportunity, (3) rationalization, and (4) capability influence the employees to engage in fraudulent activities. In addition, the findings also show that (1) godfatherism, (2) lack of political will, (3) untrustworthy judges, and (4) political immunity are major challenges in preventing fraud in the Nigerian public sector. All these emanate from the poor corporate governance of the Nigerian public sector. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge by investigating fraudulent practices and challenges faced in preventing public mismanagement in the Nigerian public sector, evidence from the Bauchi State. Thus, the study provides an insight that could help to reduce the occurrence of fraud in the Nigerian public sector
Isolation of plastic-degrading fungi from landfill and determining the selected plastics biodegradation capability / Priya Mohan
No full textPolyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) are the most important polymers used predominantly in present world. Since synthetic polymers hardly undergo degradation and remain in the environment for a very long time, up to 1000 years, these drawbacks increase the percentage of solid wastes in landfill and threaten the environment. To date, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfill is the most favored disposal method especially among the developing countries. The aim of present study is to evaluate the potential of fungus isolated from landfilled plastics to degrade PET, LDPE and HDPE. Besides, effect of different concentrations of the selected inoculum was carried out to investigate the biodegradation of PET, LDPE and HDPE polymers. A total of eight fungi strains were isolated from untreated dumped plastics. In this study, two liquid media (BOD and Bushnell Haas) were used to determine the most desirable broth media by the fungus to perform their degradation activity. The biodegradation of the plastics were confirmed by average radial diameter of fungi colonies and weight loss of the incubated polymers after 30 days of incubation period at 28⁰C. Based on the results obtained, the maximum degradation of mixed plastics (PET, LDPE and HDPE) was attributed to Aspergillus fumigatus (FI 5) strain in both BOD and Bushnell Haas media with an average weight loss of 1.76% and 2.03% respectively. Considering the cost and biodegradability potential of the isolates in the broth media, BOD media was selected over Bushnell Haas media to evaluate the suitability of the media for the fungus to perform the biodegradation activities. On treatment with different concentrations of A. fumigatus, 1% (w/v) inoculum gave highest weight loss for PET plastics (1.5%), while 5% (w/v) noculum showed highest weight loss for LDPE (21.9%) and HDPE (1.31%) films after 30 days of incubation period. The concentrations of inoculum strongly suggest that the factor has a great effect on biodegradation by fungi. Hence, further FTIR analysis was conducted to study the structural changes of the plastic films with maximum reduction in weight loss treated with A. fumigatus. The results showed the potentiality of A. fumigatus to consume these polymers (PET, LDPE and HDPE) as carbon and energy source and the effectiveness of the strains to perform their biodegradation activity can be clearly seen during the optimal condition
Pembangunan model pengajaran pemikiran reka bentuk sekolah rendah / Nurulrabihah Mat Noh
No full textWalaupun meningkatnya kesedaran mengenai kepentingan pemikiran reka bentuk dalam pendidikan, masih terdapat kekangan dalam pelaksanaannya dalam kelas formal. Guru kurang pengetahuan dan kemahiran terutamanya kompetensi pemikiran reka bentuk, yang diperlukan dalam pembelajaran berasaskan reka bentuk. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk membangunkan model pengajaran pemikiran reka bentuk sekolah rendah. Berdasarkan sorotan literatur, model seumpama ini masih belum dibangunkan oleh mana-mana pihak. Oleh itu penghasilan model ini adalah wajar dibangunkan sebagai panduan kepada guru-guru untuk melatih dan menerapkan pemikiran reka bentuk dalam diri murid serta mempraktikkan kemahiran yang diperlukan dalam abad ke-21 dalam poses pengajaran dan pembelajaran. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan reka bentuk dan pembangunan (DDR) yang diasaskan oleh Richey dan Klein (2007). Berpandukan kaedah ini kajian ini dibahagikan kepada tiga fasa. Fasa pertama melibatkan fasa analisis keperluan menggunakan kaedah temu bual dan analisis dokumen kepada tiga orang guru sekolah rendah untuk melihat bagaimana pembelajaran berasaskan pemikiran reka bentuk diimplementasikan di sekolah rendah. Data yang telah dianalisis menghasilkan tiga tema yang memberi penjelasan yang konkrit kepada pengkaji bahawa terdapat keperluan untuk membangunkan model pengajaran pemikiran reka bentuk sekolah rendah. Fasa kedua menggunakan pendekatan kaedah Nominal Group Technique (NGT) dan Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) untuk membangunkan model berdasarkan pandangan dan keputusan panel pakar yang terdiri daripada sembilan orang pakar. Impak daripada fasa yang dijalankan telah menghasilkan sebuah digraf yang dikenali sebagai prototaip model pengajaran pemikiran reka bentuk sekolah rendah. Fasa ketiga melibatkan penilaian kebolehgunaan model bertujuan untuk melihat kesesuaian serta kebolehgunaan model pengajaran pemikiran reka bentuk untuk dijadikan panduan oleh guru-guru dalam melaksanakannya dalam proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran (pdp) menggunakan kaedah Fuzzy Delphi. Hasil analisis menunjukkan ke semua pakar dalam kajian ini bersetuju elemen, dimensi dan keseluruhan model dalam model pengajaran pemikiran reka bentuk bersesuaian dan boleh digunakan dalam proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran. Pembangunan model ini dapat memberi garis panduan kepada guru-guru dalam pembelajaran abad ke-21
Multiple intelligences approach to infuse critical thinking skills among preschoolers / Yong Siew Nget
No full textCritical thinking skills (CTS) are regarded as the imperative skills for the complex and rapidly changing twenty-first century. The national educational goal should focus on developing CTS during early years. However, the infusion of CTS is not evident in our national preschool curriculum. There are no explicit guidelines and instructional consensus for teaching CTS in preschool. Thus, this study aimed to explore the ‘how’ and ‘what’ for the teaching and development of CTS among preschoolers through the adoption of the Multiple Intelligences approach (MIA). In addition, this study also explored how the acquired CTS can be applied for solving problems by selected preschoolers. An exploratory case study approach was conducted among a class of twenty preschoolers (six-years-old), in a private preschool which has been adopting MIA for the past fifteen years. This study began with a feasibility study to gauge the readiness of young children towards critical thinking. A set of instructional support materials (ISM) with fifteen CTS infused MI based lessons which hinged on the framework established by a panel of ECCE experts was then designed for teaching CTS in the selected preschool classroom. Data collection was done basically through qualitative methods involving some quantitative data. Class observations on the implementation of all the fifteen lessons were conducted and audio-video recorded by the researcher. Semi-structured interviews with selected teachers and principal and focus-group interviews with selected preschoolers were also conducted. The qualitative data collected were analysed using the constant comparative method for an in-depth description on the development of CTS among selected preschoolers. Two instruments, the Preschool Critical Thinking Skills Tests (PSCTST: Pre-Assessment and Post-Assessment) were developed for assessing the CTS levels of children before and after the implementation of ISM. The quantitative data collected from the tests were analysed using simple descriptive statistics for this exploratory case study. The score results of the Post-PSCTST revealed a notable improvement in the CTS levels of selected preschoolers after the ISM implementation. Thus, ISM implementation was found to have enhanced the teaching and development of CTS through multiple modalities of learning. From this study, six themes were identified as contributive factors towards the CTS development: readiness, explicit teaching, scaffolding, routines, classroom climate and interplay of MI strengths. Selected preschoolers with similar strengths were found to work and think together more effectively in the same MI groups. Through the process of problem-solving tasks, selected preschoolers were found to have applied CTS systematically in relation to the cognitive aspects of interpretation of problem, analysis of information provided, making inferences of solutions and evaluating their choices before presenting the solutions. The essence of this study showed that preschoolers can learn and apply CTS in various contexts of problem-solving regardless of their dominant MI strengths. Hence, it can be concluded that a conducive thinking challenging environment (with MIA as the vehicle in this present study) is the essential medium for teaching CTS explicitly. Several implications and suggestions were put forward to various stakeholders and researchers
Penilaian keberkesanan program kelayakan profesional pemimpin pendidikan kebangsaan dalam kalangan pemimpin sekolah menengah kebangsaan di Selangor / Nirmala Raman
No full textPada tahun 2008, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia telah memperkenalkan program latihan iaitu Program Kelayakan Profesional Pemimpin Pendidikan Kebangsaan (NPQEL) bagi meningkatkan pengetahuan dalam kalangan pemimpin sekolah untuk menerajui sekolah. Sehubungan itu, untuk mengenal pasti keberkesanan prpogram ini maka kajian penilaian ini dijalankan di sekolah seluruh negeri sekolah. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah gabungan Kualitatif dan Kuantitatif. Analisis keperluan yang melibatkan kualitatif dengan menemu bual enam orang pemimpin pendidikan sekolah di daerah Klang. Soalan-soalan terbuka-tertutup digunakan dalam analisis tersebut. Ia adalah berdasarkan Konteks, Input, Proses, Produk dan Teori Perma. Kualitatif juga dilakukan dengan mencari nilai persetujuan antara pakar kualitatif tentang unit-unit analisis sesuatu tema yang diperoleh dalam temu bual. Proses verifikasi tersebut dilaksanakan dengan menggunakan “inter-rater reliability” terhadap kod dan unit yang dianalisis. Fraenkel dan Wallen (2006) menjelaskan kaedah tersebut berupaya melahirkan sebuah kajian yang mantap serta mengurangkan keralatan dan memastikan konsistensi dalam dapatan sesebuah kajian. Analisis Indeks Cohen Kappa dapat menentukan sejauh mana unit analisis yang dipilih dapat menggambarkan tema-tema yang timbul daripada temu bual dengan tepat dan menjurus kepada persoalan yang hendak dikaji. Kajian ini juga dijalankan menggunakan kaedah kuantitatif menggunakan borang soal-selidik. Pemilihan sampel menggunakan kaedah dua peringkat iaitu menggunakan pensampelan kluster dan persampelan rawak. Seramai 701 respenden telah menyertai kajian ini. Data analisis menggunakan perisisan SPSS secara diskriptif iaitu min, sisihan piawai dan peratusan. Data analisis juga menggunakan Korelasi, Anova, dan Regrasi Pelbagai. Model CIPP iaitu konteks, input, proses dan produk telah digunakan untuk membuat penilaian keberkesanan tersebut (Stufflebeam, 2003). Ujian kebolehpercayaan mendapati nilai alfa cronbach adalah 0.98 secara keseluruhannya, manakala ujian kesahan menggunakan ujian Kolmogorov-Smirnov dan Shapiro-Wilk menunjukkan data yang diuji bertaburan normal. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan kesemua item bagi konteks, input, proses dan produk adalah berkesan iaitu min melebahi 3.67 hingga 5.00. Kajian ini telah memilih halangan berdasarkan Teori Perma menggunakan pendekatan psikologi iaitu emosi-emosi yang positif, tindakan, hubungan positif, bermakna dan pencapaian yang diperkenalkan oleh (Martin Seligman, 2011). Kesimpulannya, dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan program NPQEL yang dijalankan oleh Institut Aminuddin Baki, Malaysia adalah berkesan. Keberkesanan ini ada kaitanya dengan kandungan modul yang menggunakan pendekatan teori dan praktrikal di samping para pensyarah yang berpengalaman dan berkelayakan. Selain itu kejayaan seseorang pemimpin pendidikan sekolah adalah bergantung kepada keupayaan melaksanakan amalan kepimpinan di sekolah dengan cekap dan berkesan (Mohammed Sani, 2013) dan kesanggupan untuk melaksanakannya kerana kepimpinan adalah satu kemahiran yang boleh dipelajari (Bush 2008; Gentry et al. 2013) telah dapat direalisasikan dalam kajian ini. Dapatan teori Perma pula menunjukkan keyakinan diri adalah trait kepimpinan yang membantu seseorang menjadi pemimpin yang lebih berkaliber dalam kepimpinannya, manakala kepercayaan diri ialah kepercayaan dalam diri seseorang bahawa dia boleh melakukan sesuatu perkara telah diamalkan oleh pemimpin sekolah dalam kajian ini
A genre analysis of online crisis press releases on the MH370 flight incident / Nor Zulaikha Che Mat
No full textA crisis press release is a piece of writing intended for the members of media and
general public which specifically deals with a particular emergency case or incident. The
use of press release in an event of crisis is crucial as a means of communication. This
study aims to analyse the press releases on MH370 flight incident from a genre analysis
perspective. 44 corporate press releases are collected from the Malaysia Airlines website
and analysed. The findings of this study identify the communicative purposes of the crisis
press release which are to disseminate information, to address issues and speculations as
well as to assure and regain the reliability of the company. The mixing of informative and
promotional genres is seen in the press releases through these communicative purposes
as well as the rhetorical structure and strategies used to realise them. The findings and
discussions may help the English for Academic Purposes teachers, researchers and novice
writers in applied linguistics, crisis communication and public relation to write or further
understand the online crisis press releases
Teachers’ beliefs and use of frog vle in rural secondary English Language Education / Nanthini Kumari Muthukumaran
No full textFrog Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is an online learning platform which has been introduced in Malaysian government-aided schools in 2012. Despite prominent calls for implementing Frog VLE and the efforts of the Ministry of Education (MOE), the application of this technology has yet to meet the expectations of MOE. This study aimed to investigate the rural secondary English language teachers’ beliefs and their use of Frog VLE. Implementing an explanatory sequential mixed method design, data have been collected through survey questionnaires and interview. The survey involved 84 English language teachers, who are teaching in several districts in Negeri Sembilan, namely Jempol, Jelebu and Kuala Pilah, and interviews were conducted with 6 of the survey participants. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson Correlation test were utilised to analyse the data. The findings indicate that teachers in rural areas hold positive beliefs about the use of Frog VLE in English language teaching. However, result from the Pearson Correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between teachers’ beliefs about Frog VLE and their actual practices in teaching English in rural secondary classrooms. Interview data indicated that infrastructure facilities, training, support and motivation, and workload management become major factors affecting rural English teachers’ use of Frog VLE. It is hoped that the outcome of this research provides valuable information and recommendation to the stakeholders for integrating new technologies into the teaching and learning process
Impact of i-think Maps on the flow of ideas and writing performance of year five pupils / T. Gewa S Thuraisingam
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of i-think Maps on the flow of ideas and writing performance of Year Five pupils. The use of i-think Maps as a cognitive tool enables pupils to activate and illustrate their flow of ideas in the i-think Maps templates during the planning and editing stages of the recursive process of writing.
A total of 28 pupils participated in this pre experimental: one group pretest post-test study where treatment lessons using four i-think Maps were carried out for 10 weeks. The qualitative aspect of this study focused on structured interviews, classroom and i-think Maps observations and document analysis.
Paired sample t-Test was used to determine the mean differences of the pre-test and post-test scores using the SPSS program quantitatively. There was a suggested significant difference in the scores for the pre-test (M=7.71, SD=5.643) and post-test (M=10.47, SD=5.196); conditions t(27)= -9.295, p = 0.000 which explains that the results were significant at 1%. Since this study was based on non-randomized selection of one class of pupils without a control group, other extraneous variables such as self-motivation and input from private tutors, parents or siblings may have also contributed to the increase in the flow of ideas and consequently, the post test scores.
However, on the whole, this study confirms past studies on the positive influence of using i-think Maps in enhancing pupils’ writing skills. There are definitely pertinent pedagogical implications in employing i-think Maps for facilitating flow of ideas and writing performance. As the increase in the post–test scores is exclusively representative of the 28 participants of this study, further study on the impact of i-think Maps in ESL writing using two groups of randomly selected pupils over a longer period is recommended to establish more conclusive results of using i-think Maps in the English Language classroom
Effectiveness of digital game-based learning in enhancing primary four pupils’ achievement in fraction / Boo Jia Yi
No full textFraction is one of the basic concepts in Mathematics but the general understanding of the concept is still inadequate among pupils in elementary schools. A hindrance in the method of teaching and the lack of technological tools in the topic of fraction have led to the need of a deeper understanding about the causes of low achievement among Malaysian pupils in Mathematics. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a digital game-based learning in enhancing Primary Year Four Pupils’ achievement in fraction. A quasi-experimental research design was conducted to answer the three research questions of this study. The sample of this study consists of 56 pupils Year Four primary pupils from two equal sizes of intact classes in one of the Chinese primary schools (SJKC) in Kuala Lumpur. They participated in this study with one class assigned as the control group (N= 28) and the other as an experimental group (N = 28). The experimental group was taught using the Zapzapmath app as digital game-based learning which is designed based on cognitive information processing theory and Gagne’s conditional theory. The intervention for the experimental group was conducted for six weeks. The control group was taught using the traditional approach. Pre and Post Fraction Achievement Test were administered to pupils in both the experimental group and the control groups before and after the intervention. Inferential statistics such as Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used in analyzing the quantitative data obtained. Results of Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that there were no significant difference between the means of the pre-test and post-test of the pupils in control group, when z = -1.04, p = 0.30. After six weeks of intervention, the results of the Wilcoxon signed-rank test had shown that there was a significant difference between the means of the pre-test and post-test of the pupils in experimental group (z = -4.56, p ‹ .001). This means that pupils in the experimental group have improved significantly in post-test as compared to the pre-test after the digital game-based learning approach. Furthermore, results of the Mann-Whitney U test revealed that the post-test for the experimental group and control group were statistically significantly different, U