The purpose of this study is to assess the determinants of psychological traits towards users’ technology experience specifically on Online Travel Agencies (OTA) via exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Working on these issues and after sequences of analyses to verify reliability and factor structure, the final 16 items of Technology Readiness 2.0 (TR2.0) with 4 items for each dimension (Optimism, Innovativeness, Discomfort, and Insecurity) have been congregated. Through an online survey, the technology readiness determinants were administered to 100 travelers at KLIA2 who have experienced on OTA. EFA using Principal Component Analysis with Varimax Rotation indicated 14 items, with 4 factors final solution with the following subscales: Innovativeness (4 items); Optimism (4 items); Discomfort (3 items); and Insecurities (3 items). All in all, only two items were removed from the original total of 16 items by the factor analysis based on the factor loading matrix for this final solution. This study basically plays an important role in contributing to the existing literature on the OTA users’ standpoint by using an approach which is very powerful to redefine the factors within Technology Readiness. This enhancement has reorganized the items according to their importance specifically towards new perspective which are OTA users in Malaysia setting.
Sports tourism is an essential part of world tourism and is trendy in Malaysia. Malaysia recorded about 2 5 83 million tourist arrivals in 201 8 . Efficient delivery of hospitality services to the sports tourists will contribute to the multi billion dollar sports tourism business. In a competitive sports tourism market, offering sporting event requires being de e ply acknowledged with the reasons that attracts tourists’ choice of specific sporting event and the degree of satisfaction that these sports tourists perceived from the service provided. As so, this present study discusses on the sports event’s quality to w ards attendance of tourists at sports event hosted at northern zone of Malaysia. The objectives of this study are answered based on survey research conducted among 351 sports tourists at the sports event organized at northern zone of Malaysia . The study r e veals that the intangible aspect of sports event’s quality highly affects tourists’ attendance at sports event hosted in Northern Zone of Malaysia, compared to the tangible aspect. Growing economy plays an important role in ensuring the quality of sports e vent. Findings reveal dissimilarities on perception of quality towards sports event between the gender groups, with the male tourists displaying higher sensitivity. Further study on sports events hosted in other region of Malaysia could contribute to deve l opment of quality sports events in promoting Malaysia as an international sports tourism destination.
Internationalization procedure of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is part of the increasing economy. The study aims to identify relationships between the factors influencing the SMEs to internationalize and identifying the most impactful factor that affects the internationalization of SMEs. The factors affecting internationalization of SMEs identified were external, internal, networking as well as barriers and challenges. The study focusses on SMEs in the service sector in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The methods used to conduct the survey is by distributing the questionnaire through email. There are 100 selected SMEs in the service sector which are listed in SME Corp Malaysia website and MATRADE website. Regardless of whether the SME’s are practising international business or not, they will still be one of the potential respondents. The data were examined and obtained using the statistical software SPSS. The analysis used is reliability analysis, correlation analysis and regression analysis to meet the research objectives. The expected outcome from this research is to analyze the factors that will impact the internationalization of SMEs. The results of the analysis show that all the variables have a low positive correlation. The most influential factors that effects SMEs decision to go international are barriers and challenges.
Biofilm is a microbial community that attaches to a surface and is enclosed in extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix. Formation of biofilm often develops resistance towards a wide spectrum of antimicrobial agents. Since the biofilm-mediated diseases are commonly difficult to treat, there is need to find new anti-biofilm agent. The studies on anti-biofilm activities of plant species have received a great deal of attention over the last few decades. In Malaysia, plant species have been used as alternatives to the conventional antimicrobial therapy. Several Malaysian plant species are known to control biofilm infection by inhibition of quorum sensing pathway, disruption of EPS matrix, alteration of cell permeability and reduction in cell surface hydrophobicity. This review demonstrates that Malaysian plant species may become excellent therapeutic agents in combating the biofilm infection.
Natural gamma ray well logging technique is used to characterize the radioactivity (GR) laterally and vertically in Banting district, SW of Malaysia. Seven drilled boreholes, along N-S profile with their natural gamma ray records are utilized to compute the heat production (HP) parameter, based on the Bucker and Rybach relationship.The analysis of 3467 measured points in those boreholes indicates that GR varies between 6.24 API and 358.4 API with an average of 79.95 API, while HP varies between 0.086 and 5.65 μw/m3 with an average of 1.25 μw/m3.The multi-fractal Concentration-Number (C-N) is used to characterize the radioactivity and heat production variations and to isolate different GR and HP populations in the study region. The high radioactivity and heat production ranges are mainly related to the silty clay layers, accompanied by uranium and thorium.
It is well known that Asia generates and receives large quantities of plastic waste. Through a detailed study of plastic waste generation and trade, the management and treatment of plastic waste in Asia were analyzed from the regional perspective. The amounts of plastic waste in municipal solid waste and in industrial solid waste were estimated to be 79 Mt and 42 Mt, respectively, in Asia. The overall treatment and recycling status in Asia are unsatisfactory. Asia imported 74% of the plastic waste in the world in 2016, and China (mainland) imported the most plastic waste until 2017, with 5.8 to 8.3 Mt. In 2017, about half the plastic waste imported by Asia came from other regions, and after subtracting the exported quantity, 98% of the plastic waste was left in Asia for treatment and disposal. The plastic waste imported by Asia declined about 72% in monetary value in 2018. There is still a large gap between the plastic waste quantity imported to Asia and that exported from Asia. China's ban of plastic waste imports caused import quantities to drop to 52 kt in 2018, simultaneously, exports from the largest exporting countries or regions such as Hong Kong (China), the USA, Japan, and Germany decreased. While Vietnam, Malaysia and some other Asian countries and regions saw significant increases in plastic waste imports from 2016 to 2018. Considering this situation, countries in Asia are starting to strictly limit plastic waste imports from other countries.
Sexual orientation other than heterosexuality is believed to be unnatural, sinful and dangerous in a country like Malaysia that is steadfast in religion and culture. Children sexual orientation has subsequently been a sensitive, challenging, and frightening topic for parents. Past studies have documented the role of nature and nurture in the development of social orientation. Although preliminary studies have found genetic to be a significant factor, it was inconclusive if it was the only factor in determining sexual orientation. Hence, this paper will highlight the role of parents in nurturing sexual orientation of children. Despite lack of studies in local and Western context, the few stud-ies available indicated that a secure attachment bond between parent and child is essential for healthy psychosexual and identity development. Additionally, this paper highlights the importance of communication, unconditional love and support between parent and child throughout the developmental stages leading to adulthood. Furthermore, this paper will briefly discuss possible treatment options for children with sexual orientation issues and its impact on chil-dren psychological health and well-being. This paper will conclude with suggestions on future research to further understand the development of sexual orientation in children.
Introduction: According to PDRM statistic, in average, 100 babies are dumped every year, in Malaysia. The stig-ma of having babies out of wedlock, feeling of desperation and lack of support are some reasons why babies were dumped at the unimaginable places. Even if they were found and saved, these babies will be placed and raised at institutions. This will lead to the negative effects of institutionalisation as they do not receive appropriate adult care and attention which is crucial in developing their potential. OrphanCare Foundation advocates and provides services that ensure babies and children who are in institutions and those whose lives are at risk grow up in the care of a loving family. Methods: OrpahnCare Foundation provides a safe haven for babies that are being abandoned through baby hatch centres, finding a family for these babies through a legal adoption programme, and deinstitutionalisation (DI) i.e. removing all children currently in institutions, to family based care. Results: Since 2010, OrphanCare Foun-dation has saved a total of 369 babies and successfully arranged for the adoption of 221 babies. Forty even children were taken out from institutions and brought home to their families. Conclusion: The best place for a child to grow up is in the love and care of a family. They will receive personalised guidance, support and love that they need to develop to their full potential.
Perceived Benefits and Risks: A survey data set towards Wolbachia-infected Aedes Mosquitoes in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Introduction: The paper presents data collected using measures of perceived benefits, perceived risks, trust in key players, attitude towards nature versus material, attitude towards technology, religiosity, and attitude towards the Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes (WiAM) technique. The validated questionnaires were used to randomly survey targeted stakeholders in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, who had been asked to voluntarily participate in face-to-face interviews. Completed questionnaires were received from 399 respondents (adults above 18 years old) and comprised two stakeholder groups: scientists (n = 202), and the public (n = 197). The detailed findings serve numerous opportunities to examine the social acceptance of Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes, to ensure the development of policy and action plans, and to encourage further study by other researchers interested in the measures and data presented.
Precast concrete panel is one of the Industrial Building System (IBS) components currently used in modern construction industry, especially, in a highly populated urban area in Malaysia, owing to its cost and time efficiency in a project completion. However, the constraints lie in Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) when IBS workers manually lift the concrete panel repeatedly. The aim of this study is to analyze the recommended weight limit (RWL), lifting index (LI) and physiological experience among workers while lifting precast concrete panel with 3300mm x 600mm size and compressive strength of 40MPa. The methods involved include a survey through the Nordic questionnaires, interview sessions, NIOSH lifting index calculation, recommended work limit calculation, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and video recording. The results yielded the MSDs problem. The guidelines of recommended weight limit and lifting index are produced. They benefit workers and increase their awareness on the MSDs issues.
Transport of fuel is essential to ensure supplies are delivered as per requested by the industrial sites or other demands. Numerous accidents have been reported and recorded in which loss of containment of hazardous chemicals occurred and led to disastrous outcomes. This paper presents the analysis of Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE) due to loss of containment for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) road tankers. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the potential consequences resulting from overpressure blast and thermal radiation of tankers carrying LPG to the people and the surrounding. The aim is also to compare the outcomes obtained from PHAST software simulator 8.11 with that of established mathematical model. Malaysia North-south Expressway (NSE) was selected as the location of the incident. The volume, weather parameters and properties of LPG were identified. It was found that the effect of BLEVE on people and structures was catastrophic. The results obtained from the mathematical model were similar with that modelled using PHAST software simulator.
Industries in Malaysia are entering a period of major disruption caused by new technologies such as Artificial Intelligent, Robotics, Blockchain, Nanotechnology as well as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT). In this fourth industrial revolution where information is generated and exchanged at a rapid and huge scale, its reliability is of paramount importance. The success of Occupational Safety & Health Management System (OSHMS) is highly dependent on the reliability of the information gathered and used, where a large number of intermediaries authenticate the information to establish trust between the stakeholders. Blockchain technology is able to do verification by virtue of secured distributed storage brings about a paradigm shift in the way we establish trust. This paper gives an overview of the potential use of Blockchain technology for Occupational Safety & Health Management System. The discussions focused on the benefits and challenges of implementing the Blockchain technology in OSHMS. The conclusion is drawn based on the strength in the characteristics provided by the Blockchain technology itself.
Introduction:Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease that can cause significant morbidity. In Malay-sia, National Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis started in 2001 with the initial target of achiev-ing Lymphatic Filariasis elimination status by 2018 but it has been revised to year 2020. Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Programme was performed from 2004 to 2008 in all endemic areas (Red Implementation Unit, IU) in Malay-sia including Terengganu state to stop disease transmission. Transmission Assessment Surveys (TAS) were conducted later on and for Terengganu, they were done in 2011 (TAS 1), 2015 (TAS 2) and 2017 (TAS 3) and had passed all the surveys based on critical cut off (CCO) point given. Methods: A cross sectional analysis of 10-year Terengganu filariasis records (2009-2018) was initiated in June 2019 using data source from eVekpro and filariasis cases line-list-ing. Results: Majority of filariasis cases in Terengganu were among males (n=147, 76.6%) with the highest number among 30-39 year-old age group (n=35, 18.2%). Majority of cases were Malaysian citizens (n=162, 84.4%) with main filariasis species identified were Brugia Malayi (n=149, 77.6%). The number of cases diagnosed was slightly higher from Green Implementation Unit area (n=102, 53.1%) compared to Red Implementation Unit area. Conclu-sion: The number of lymphatic filariasis cases among Terengganu citizens was below critical cut off point after the accomplishment of MDA programme and in accordance with the aim of lymphatic filariasis elimination status in Malaysia by 2020.
Introduction: The Ministry of Health Malaysia introduced the national best practices for adolescent-friendly health services in 2018 and it served as an assessment tool in the accreditation of adolescent-friendly clinic status. This study was conducted in Kelantan with the objective to determine the proportion of adolescent-friendly clinics and its determinants and perceptions of healthcare providers regarding the facilitating factors in providing adoles-cent-friendly health services. Methods: The research design was sequential explanatory mixed method. State wide clinics assessment was done to estimate the proportion of adolescent-friendly clinics and to determine the factors associated with adolescent-friendly health services provision. Perceptions of healthcare providers on the facilitating factors for adolescent-friendly health services were explored through in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis were performed for quantitative data, and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Results: Out of 85 health clinics, 30 (35.3%) clinics were accredited as adolescent-friendly. Availability of trained health-care providers in adolescent health modules, private room for adolescent counselling, dedicated team in charge of adolescent programme and adolescent health promotional activities were the statistically significant determinants for adolescent-friendly health services (p
The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Malaysia has been mainly focused on collection, transportation and disposal of MSW. To examine the contribution of MSW management to GHG emissions, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 Waste Model was used by deploying Tier 2 method. It estimated that 6,898,167 tonnes CO2-eq of GHG emissions were released in 2016 from solid waste disposal sites (SWDS) and are projected to increase to 9,991,486 tonnes CO2-eq in 2030. To reduce GHG emissions from MSW management, Solid-Waste-Management Greenhouse-Gas (SWM-GHG) calculator was used to compare different approaches. SWM-GHG calculator focused on three settings including recycling approach, incineration approach and integrated approach. According to SWM-GHG calculator, in 2016, 15,906,614 tonnes CO2-eq of GHG emissions were released by recycling approximately 16% of MSW and disposing of 84% of MSW in SWDS. Out of the three approaches, integrated approach can result in highest reduction of GHG emissions by 2050 (64%) from GHG emissions in 2016, as compared to recycling approach (50% reduction) and incineration approach (46% reduction). While, recycling has been the main national goal for last 14 years as it has increased up to 17.5% by 2016, the current Malaysian government aims to establish 8 incinerators in Malaysia that will treat approximately 32% of MSW annually. However, estimations of SWM-GHG calculator and some opportunities and threats highlighted by SWOT analysis suggest the integrated approach as the best suited approach for Malaysia for achieving significant and sustainable reductions in GHG emissions.
In this paper, ambient total suspended particulates (TSP) with a focus on humic-like substances (HULIS) are characterized based on intensive ground-based field samplings collected in Malaysia during non-haze and haze periods caused by peatland fires on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Furthermore, concentrations of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and carbon content of HULIS (HULIS-C) were determined, and fluorescence spectra of the HULIS samples were recorded by excitation emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy. The concentrations of WSOC and HULIS-C over the entire period ranged from 4.1 to 24 and 1.3 to 18 μgC m-3, respectively. The concentrations of WSOC and HULIS-C during the peatland fire-induced strong haze periods were over 4.3 and 6.1 times higher, respectively, than the average values recorded during the non-haze periods. Even during the light haze periods, the concentrations of WSOC and HULIS-C were significantly higher than their averages during the non-haze periods. These results indicate that peatland fires induce high concentrations of WSOC, particularly HULIS-C, in ambient TSP at receptor sites. EEM fluorescence spectra identified fulvic-like fluorophores at the highest intensity level in the EEM fluorescence spectra of the haze samples. A peak at excitation/emission (Ex/Em) ≈ (290-330)/(375-425) nm is also observed at high intensity, though this peak is normally associated with marine humic-like fluorophores. It is shown that a peak at Ex/Em ≈ (290-330)/(375-425) nm is not derived from marine sources only; furthermore, peatland fires are shown to be important contributors to HULIS around this peak.
Previously, the genus Merizocera Fage, 1912 comprised only seven species from Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. In this study, 28 new species are described from South and Southeast Asia: M. baoshan Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. betong Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. colombo Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. galle Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. hponkanrazi Li, sp. nov. (♂), M. kachin Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. kandy Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. mandai Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. krabi Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. kurunegala Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. lincang Li, sp. nov. (♀), M. mainling Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. nyingchi Li, sp. nov. (♀), M. peraderiya Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. phuket Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. putao Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. ranong Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. ratnapura Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. salawa Li, sp. nov. (♂), M. tak Li, sp. nov. (♀), M. tanintharyi Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. tengchong Li, sp. nov. (♂), M. thenna Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. uva Li, sp. nov. (♀), M. wenshan Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. wui Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. yala Li, sp. nov. (♀), and M. yuxi Li, sp. nov. (♂♀). Among them the genus Merizocera is reported for the first time from China, Myanmar, and Singapore.
The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is significant even in tropical countries such as Malaysia. Sun exposure is the primary source of vitamin D for most people due to limited intakes of food containing vitamin D and supplements. This study explored the perception of barriers towards sun exposure and strategies to overcome these barriers among vitamin D insufficient women workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Twenty-five female indoor workers with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 50 nmol/L participated in seven focus group discussions (FGDs). Barriers towards sun exposure were lack of accurate knowledge of vitamin D, health concern towards sun exposure, time constraints, desire to have fair and beautiful skin, sedentary lifestyle, indoor workplace, weather, lack of social support, living arrangement, safety concerns, and religious or cultural practices. The improvement strategies were classified into lifestyle changes and workplace opportunity for sun exposure. Public education on safe sun exposure to produce an optimal level of vitamin D is necessary. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of sunlight exposure program at workplace for the high-risk vitamin D deficiency group.
The increase in wastes generated from jackfruit seeds has been largely under-utilized in Malaysia. Due to the high nutritional and medicinal content embedded in the cellulosic structure of jackfruit wastes, a need then arises for their physicochemical elucidations. In this study, the extraction of Artocarpus heterophyllus seed was carefully investigated using Taguchi orthogonal optimization design. Complete functional group characteristics and chemical profile of the A. heterophyllus seed extracts were obtained using different physicochemical characterization. The optimal conditions of the microwave extraction parameters were determined at 5 min of irradiation time, 450 W of power and 50 °C of temperature. Under this condition, the optimal yield of 17.34 (mg/g) % was achieved at an SNR ratio of 24.78. The mass spectrometry analysis tentatively identified a total of 90 and 148 secondary metabolites at positive and negative ESI modes, respectively. The chemical profile obtained provided a baseline reference for further investigation on the food and medicinal bioactive from Artocarpus heterophyllus seed oleoresins. The FT-infrared emission spectrum shows the presence of some specific carbohydrates and amide protein functional groups directly linked to C-O (1008 cm-1) the carbonyl (C=O) groups, respectively. Moreover, the morphological characteristics of the jackfruit raw and crude extracts conspicuously revealed large-sized globules which suggest the carbohydrates and protein contents. The result of this study indicates that the use of microwave extraction technology produced high-quality extracts with lower degradation of the thermal labile constituents. This will assist in determining the suitable conditions necessary for the total recovery of medicinal and nutritional constituents and conversion of agricultural waste products into useful products.
This data article describes the hand skills of pre-school children between five and six years old from five schools under the Ministry of Education Malaysia. These data may be used in a journal article later to show the effects of touch-screen technology usage on hand skills of pre-school children. Demographic characteristics, hand skills ability and frequency of touch-screen technology usage data that was collected from August to September 2019. These data may be used in a future systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis to conclude the effects of touch-screen technology usage on children's hand skills. Parents, teachers and health practitioners may refer to these data to note the effects of touch-screen technology usage on hand skills of pre-school children.