13474 research outputs found
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Numerical analysis of combined natural and marangoni convection in trapezoidal enclosure with nanofluids / Sharifah Dini Afiqah Syed Zaharuddin
No full textCombined natural and Marangoni convection phenomena have been examined within
a right-angled trapezoidal enclosure filled with water-based nanofluids. The alumina
water-based nanofluid is used throughout this study. The model is configured in such a
way that the top and bottom walls are fixed to be adiabatic, the left vertical wall of the
trapezoidal enclosure is heated uniformly, the right inclined wall is cooled at a constant
temperature, and the surface tension gradient is added at the top wall. It is presumed that
the flow will be incompressible, two-dimensional, laminar, and Newtonian. A number
of the physical parameters are subjected to change to investigate each variable’s impact
on the total heat transfer rate. The shape and volume fraction of the nanoparticles, the
enclosure aspect ratio, the tangential surface tension strength, and the top wall length
are all systematically manipulated to locate the parameter combinations that are the most
appropriate for specific applications. The physical model that is being suggested is used as
the basis for deriving the governing equations and boundary conditions. The controlling
set of partial differential equations is dimensionless by using appropriate dimensionless
variables. The derived nondimensionalised equations are then solved numerically using
the finite element method (FEM) for the two-dimensional numerical approach. A suitable
numerical approach is designed to discover the analytical solution of heat transfer and fluid
flow in the enclosure. The numerical results are validated by comparing them with prior
published investigations. The flow and temperature, including the heat transfer rate inside
the enclosure, are recorded graphically
The coronavirus (COVID-19) related information on firm performance disclosure: The moderating effect of corporate governance mechanisms / Vivian Khor
No full textThe world is heavily affected by the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) ever since the
first reported in Wuhan City, China at the year-end of 2019. As the first case of
coronavirus (COVID-19) was detected in Malaysia, the government of Malaysia has no
alternative but to promulgate and extend the Movement Control Order (MCO) until the
number of coronavirus (COVID-19) decreased in Malaysia. This first research objective
is to examine the association between coronavirus (COVID- 19) related information and
firm performance disclosure among Malaysian public listed companies. The moderating
effects of corporate governance mechanisms: board size, board independence, board
gender diversity and audit committees, in enhancing the relationship between (COVID-
19) related information and firm performance disclosure are also examined as second
research objective in the study. Prior literatures found that a better corporate governance
will result in a higher level of firm performance disclosure, which the moderating effects
of corporate governance mechanism are investigated on the Malaysian public listed
companies. This study makes several significant contributions as it theoretically extends
the application of Agency theory by examining its relevance in the context of the
coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, providing new insights into how corporate
governance mechanisms influence firm performance disclosure during crises. Practically,
the study offers valuable implications for corporate policymakers, regulators, and
practitioners in enhancing firm transparency and communication strategies, particularly
in turbulent times. Methodologically, the use of computerized textual analysis offers a robust and replicable approach to content analysis, enriching the process of evaluating
corporate disclosures. Additionally, this research aims to fill a gap in the literature by
being one of the early studies to analyze coronavirus (COVID-19) related information
and firm performance disclosure in Malaysia, contributing to a better understanding of
disclosure practices in emerging markets during unprecedented times. From here, this
study finds the number of total 137 public listed companies from five (5) selected sectors
to represent Malaysian public listed companies as a whole. Also, this study conducted
quantitative research which focuses on content analysis that related to computerized
textual analysis to score the coronavirus (COVID-19) related information and firm
performance disclosure in the annual reports. SPSS Statistic version 26 was used in this
study to conduct descriptive statistic, correlation analysis, multicollinearity test,
regression analysis, and moderating analysis on the variables. Finally, the findings found
significantly positive relationship between coronavirus (COVID-19) related information
and performance disclosure, which indicates that coronavirus (COVID-19) related
information is associated with the level of firm performance disclosure. However, other
than board gender diversity, the other corporate governance mechanisms: board size,
board independence and audit committee showed insignificant negative relationship in
moderating the association of coronavirus (COVID-19) related information and
performance disclosure. The inclusion of women on boards brings diverse perspectives,
leading to more comprehensive discussions and decision-making. That is, the female
board members must have influential roles while translating gender diversity into better
governance and disclosure practices
Seahorses: Fisheries, traditional medicine, culture values and trade in Malaysia / Reana Ng May Yen
No full textSeahorses (Hippocampus spp.) are well known for their importance ecologically,
medicinally, commercially, and culturally among many communities. Although
seahorses are broadly sold for traditional medicine (TM), as curios, and as aquarium
fishes in Southeast Asia, documentation on the current nature and extent of seahorse
trade, fisheries, and cultural-specific uses in Malaysia are limited. Therefore, this study
aimed to quantify seahorse trade characteristics, historical and recent patterns of
seahorse bycatch, and gear-specific biological parameters of caught seahorse in
Malaysia as well as address cultural knowledge gaps by examining how ethnicity and
other socio-demographic drivers shape seahorse use among Malaysians. Questionnairebased
TM, fisher, and public surveys were administered in Malaysia from March 2021
to March 2023. A total of 40% of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners/
traders (n = 138), 3% of Malay TM practitioners (n = 3), and 88% of TM traders of
other ethnic groups (n = 7) reported selling seven species sourced locally and imported.
Current supply volume and selling price of seahorses were higher than those historically
sold but present-day demand was reportedly lower than in the past. A total of 71% of
fishers (n = 612) had caught seahorses, mostly as bycatch using gill or drift nets (73%).
Most seahorses caught were small-sized (≤ 13 cm) and of the species Hippocampus
kuda. Total estimated annual seahorse catch in gill or drift nets (2,589 kg/ year) was
higher than trawls (787 kg/ year). Only 21% of respondents reported consuming
seahorses (34% for medicinal use, 56% for other non-medicinal uses, and 10% for both
use types). All ethnic groups reported using seahorses. In the public group, medicinal use was more common among the Chinese respondents while in the fisher group, other
uses were more common among the Malay respondents. The Indian and indigenous
respondents who were expected to have no association with seahorse use, reported
consuming seahorses. All four threats were considered as major seahorse threats by
most public respondents with higher awareness of the degree of severity of habitat
destruction and ocean plastic pollution compared to overfishing and bycatch. Bycatch
was perceived as a major threat more than other threats but fishers were mostly unsure
of the existence and/or severity degree of threats. There is still considerable demand of
seahorses with almost half of the TCM practitioners/ traders selling seahorses. Given
that gill and drift nets account for large proportion of seahorse bycatch, there is a need
for effort reduction of gill and drift fisheries in addition to trawl fisheries. The low
prevalence of seahorse use among Malaysians is an encouraging finding from the
conservation perspective of local seahorses. However, the higher degree of other uses
compared to medicinal use suggests the need to focus on these types of uses. This
should be coupled with implementing and enforcing seahorse trade regulations to ensure
sustainability of seahorse trade, fisheries, and use in Malaysia
Ciri-ciri budaya pada papan tanda di Little India Brickfields / Kanagathurga Arumugam
No full textBrickfields ialah salah satu penempatan India yang tertua di negara ini dengan persekitaran kediaman yang sederhana. Baru-baru ini bandar ini, telah berubah wajah menjadi jalan berwarna-warni dengan kedai-kedai dan restoran India yang dimiliki oleh masyarakat India (Gupta , 2010). Brickfields ialah salah satu kawasan yang terletak di tempat utama di mana terdapat banyak bangunan komersial dan dikenali sebagai ruang awam yang menonjolkan unsur budaya kaum India. (Bawani, 2015). Tujuan utama kajian ini dijalankan adalah untuk mengenal pasti unsur budaya India yang terdapat pada papan tanda dan membincangkan ciri budaya yang mencerminkan budaya masyarakat India. Pengkaji telah mengumpulkan sebanyak 100 buah papan tanda di Brickfields Little India yang boleh dilihat secara jelas oleh para pelanggan. Data dianalisis dengan bantuan teori Ben- Rapfael & Bami, (2010) dan tujuh parameter yang digunakan oleh Supramani at.el (2013). Dapatan kajian mencerminkan bahawa terdapat tiga ciri budaya masyarkat India terdapat pada papan tanda iaitu bahasa, warna dan imej. Masyarakat India juga berpendapat bahawa papan tanda di Brickfields Little India mencerminkan unsur budaya
Design guidelines for smart kitchen appliances for the elderly / Li Yongchuan
No full textWith an aging population and the rapid rise of smart technologies, smart kitchen appliances are now a popular choice in homes. However, designers have not adequately addressed the needs of the aging population. This has resulted in a lack of smart kitchen appliances suitable for the elderly, as existing kitchen appliances do not consider the perceptions and behaviour intentions of elderly users. These challenges hinder older individuals from bridging the digital divide and enhancing their quality of life. Hence, it is crucial to establish design guidelines for age-friendly kitchen appliances in order to design smart kitchen appliances that cater to the elderly. This study examined and analysed crucial design elements of smart kitchen appliances, research theories related to technology acceptance and the perception characteristics of the elderly. It proposed a model that elucidates the influence of smart kitchen appliance design elements on the perception and usage willingness of the elderly — essentially, a model of technology acceptance for smart kitchen appliances among the elderly. The formulation of design guidelines was informed by data collected from older users, designers and a literature analysis. To ensure the accuracy of the findings, a triangulation methodology was employed. The study was conducted in China, and it encompassed a comprehensive analysis of older user data, involving the distribution of questionnaires to a sample of 411 respondents in order to analyse the impact of various smart kitchen appliance design elements on older users' perceptions and willingness to use the appliances. In
parallel, insights from designers were garnered through semi-structured interviews, This enriched the understanding of the detailed strategies that could be employed for
smart kitchen appliance product design. Building upon this foundation, the study delved
into design guidelines encompassing elements of smart kitchen appliance, namely
product functions, visuals, ergonomics, brands and interactive interfaces, viewed
through the lens of user perception. Specifically, the guidelines addressed user
perception elements, namely perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived
pleasantness, technological anxiety and self-efficacy. Finally, the efficacy and
applicability of the proposed design guidelines were validated through a validation
square. Specifically, designers affirmed that the guidelines successfully balanced
cutting-edge technology with a user-centred design approach catering to older users.
The practicality of the guidelines was further substantiated through a case study centred
around the design of a smart refrigerator. This study combined research on technology
acceptance theory with smart product design methodologies, culminating in a
comprehensive set of design guidelines for smart kitchen appliances tailored to the
needs of the elderly. The research outcomes will empower companies specializing in
smart kitchen appliances to thoughtfully consider and seamlessly integrate the unique
perceptual characteristics of older users into all stages of design and development.
Ultimately, the study's overarching objective is to expedite the acceptance and
widespread utilization of smart kitchen appliances among elderly people, thereby
elevating their overall quality of life
Utilization of ground tile waste with lime as a cohesive soil stabilizer in road subgrade layer / Mohd Hafizan Md.Isa
No full textThe subgrade layer is crucial for road safety and durability as it provides the foundation for the pavement structure. Improper construction can lead to issues that compromise structural integrity, like settling, deformation, cracking, and erosion. Prioritising subgrade construction is vital for road maintenance and longevity. Various factors can lead to subgrade failures, such as poor drainage, inadequate compaction, or poor soil quality, a severe concern in construction projects. Soil stabilisation is one of the methods for treating poor soil quality. There has been a growing trend toward utilising waste materials in soil stabilisation. In the past, some waste materials used as stabilisers were fly ash, slag, lime kiln dust, quarry dust, waste glass powder, rice husk ash, etc. In this study, the ground tile waste (TW) with lime has been utilised as a soil stabiliser to improve the mechanical properties and rutting behaviour of the road subgrade layer. In order to understand the interaction between soil and TW, six soil mixtures were prepared with different tile waste contents of 5% to 40%. On the other hand, the performance of TW as an auxiliary additive to lime in subgrade stabilisation was investigated by adding 7% lime together with various portions of TW (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%). The use of TW and lime was investigated in this study by conducting various laboratory tests, such as compaction, unconfined compressive strength, indirect tensile test, flexural test, and California bearing ratio (CBR) test, as well as microstructure analysis. A wheel tracking equipment was also used as an on-field simulation test to predict the subgrade's performance. The results showed that the TW indicated an increment in strength when an optimum percentage of TW was used as a stabiliser for the soft soil samples. Any additional content of TW beyond the optimum value will decrease strength, with excessive TW contents in soil samples without pozzolanic reaction. Meanwhile, strength was significantly increased when a combination of lime and TW was added to the soil. In addition, the mechanical properties of the soil-lime mixture increased by an increment of TW content. The wheel tracking test results indicated that rutting resistance increased with the addition of TW in lime-stabilised soil. This result was found to correlate with the CBR value obtained. When TW is mixed with lime-stabilised soil, the pozzolanic reaction takes place, forming cementitious compounds. The cementitious compounds produced by the pozzolanic reaction fill the voids in the soil and coat the soil particles, thereby improving the strength and stability of the subgrade. Besides, the pozzolanic reaction particle interaction also plays an essential role in the strength. Using recycled TW in the subgrade stabilisation method can provide a sustainable and cost-effective alternative solution to improve performance and reduce the environmental impact due to road construction
Behavioural intention to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) among accounting students: Evaluating the effect of technology readiness and job relevance / Jyashree Krishnanraw
No full textThis study investigates the determinants affecting Malaysian accounting students' behavioural intention to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) using an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework. Amidst the expanding integration of AI in Asia's accounting industry, this research seeks to discern the perceptions and projected use of AI by future professionals. A survey-based methodology involved third and fourth-year undergraduate students from four leading Malaysian universities, assessing technology readiness dimensions (optimism, innovativeness, discomfort, insecurity) and job relevance, with mediating variables of superior functionality and perceived usefulness. Data from 136 participants were analysed with Smart PLS 4, exploring direct and indirect influences on students' AI usage intentions. The empirical results reveal that optimism and innovativeness significantly influence the perception of AI's superior functionality, with optimism further impacting its perceived usefulness. Notably, superior functionality serves as a pivotal mediator, connecting positive perceptions with the intent to use AI. In contrast, discomfort with AI presents a significant obstacle, negatively affecting the inclination to employ AI in accounting practices. Furthermore, job relevance directly impacts both the perceived usefulness of AI and the intention to utilise it without necessitating any mediating factors. These insights enable universities to align theory and practice in accounting education, ensuring programs remain current and prepare students for the evolving, technology-centric field
Effect of support structure on part build using selective laser melting / Muhammad Rafi Sulaiman
No full textSelective Laser Melting is a metal Additive Manufacturing process used to synthesize three-dimensional object in which successive layers of material are formed under computer control to create the object. To successfully produce metal parts by SLM, additional support structures are needed to support overhanging surfaces in order to dissipate process heat, minimize geometrical distortions induced by internal stresses and hold the work piece in its place. In this work, an experimental investigation was carried out to optimize the parameter of contour support structure which is contour offset, teeth height, teeth top length and teeth base length. The design of experiments was conducted using Taguchi’s L16 orthogonal array. The effect of support structure parameter toward the residual stress of part, volume of support, build time and support removal time were investigated. Furthermore, a statistical tool analysis by utilizing signal-to-noise response and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to obtain the optimal and significant support structure parameter. The result indicates amount of residual stress, time required for support removal and build time are significantly influenced by contour offset, while all parameters are significant for support volume. The optimum parameter to get low residual stress is contour offset is 0.6 mm, teeth height is 1.4 mm, teeth top length is 0.75 mm and teeth base length is 1.55 mm. Samples with lower deflection exhibit smaller average melt pool areas compared to those with higher deflection, with the regions closer to the support showing an average depth of 148 micrometers compared to 205 micrometers in regions farther from the support. The distortion results obtained from simulating with Simufact Additive exhibit a strong agreement when compared to the deformations observed in experimental data
Analisis kod budaya dari perspektif semiotik dalam latar filem Tamil ‘Jagat’ / Dhineswary
No full textFilm is an entertainment material that cannot be separated from today's society. The entertainment media can be said to be the most successful to the point that it has blended with human’s social life. This is so because a film not only acts as an entertainment tool, but also has the power to influence the emotions, minds, and forms of life of the audience. So, the comprehension of a film is important to understand the message being conveyed. The comprehension of a film does not only depend on the dialogue but also on the cultural codes found in the film. The purpose of this study is to analyse the cultural codes found in the setting of the Tamil film 'Jagat' from a semiotic perspective. Semiotic Theory Model "Two Orders of Signification" by Roland Barthes (1964) is used in this study. The cultural codes found in this film categorized according to the three cultural components stated by Ismail Said (2009), namely Cognitive Cultural Components, Normative Cultural Components and Material Cultural Components. Then, the Semiotic Theory of Roland Barthes (1964) used to unravel the meaning of the denotation and connotation of the cultural codes found in the setting of the film. A total of 37 shots were selected from the setting of this film to analyse the cultural codes. The cultural codes analysed, and the true meaning represented by the cultural codes will be identified. Malaysia has various ethnicities and cultures, so this study is significant because it can help the audience to understand the meaning to be conveyed through cultural codes. Film directors and filmmakers will also benefit from this study.
denotation, connotation
Label-free quantitative analysis of endometrial receptivity proteins in infertile women with noncavity-distorting fibroids / An-Nisaa Jasmine Mohd Roslee
No full textUterine fibroids (leiomyomas) pose significant challenges to women of reproductive age, impacting fertility, menstrual health, and overall well-being. This study investigates the intricate relationship between noncavity-distorting intramural fibroids and endometrial receptivity, shedding light on molecular disruptions that affect fertility treatment outcomes, particularly in assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The prevalence of uterine fibroids and their association with heavy menstrual bleeding, anaemia, and infertility emphasises the need for a comprehensive understanding of their impact on reproductive health. The response of fibroids to reproductive hormones, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, coupled with their potential to distort the uterine cavity, further complicates the implantation process during fertility treatments. This research employs label-free quantitative mass spectrometry to profile the endometrial receptivity proteome in three distinct groups: infertile women with intramural fibroids, infertile women without fibroids, and fertile women. The comprehensive identification of 2,089 proteins reveals significant alterations in the protein landscape associated with intramural fibroids. Notable proteins, including moesin, nucleophosmin, annexin A2, annexin A7, complement component 3, calreticulin, protein disulphide isomerase 3, and serotransferrin, demonstrate differential expressions in infertile women with fibroids. These proteins play crucial roles in cellular processes such as actin cytoskeleton regulation, cell adhesion, and calcium signalling, which are essential for endometrial receptivity. The study delves into the impact of these proteins on cellular functions, exploring alterations in extracellular exosomes, unfolded protein binding, and immune responses. Additionally, the observed endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress suggests a multifaceted role of intramural fibroids in influencing the endometrial microenvironment and receptivity. The study's findings highlight the complex interplay between extracellular matrix (ECM) production, inflammation, and ER stress, offering valuable insights into potential disruptions in endometrial receptivity associated with noncavity-distorting fibroids. This understanding is critical for tailoring fertility treatments to address the specific challenges posed by fibroids in infertile women. In conclusion, this research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the impact of uterine fibroids on reproductive health. Identifying specific proteins associated with intramural fibroids provides a foundation for future studies and potential therapeutic interventions. By unravelling the molecular disruptions affecting endometrial receptivity, this study offers a pathway toward improved fertility treatment strategies for women with fibroids