This experiment was conducted to study the potential of solid electrolyte from the fish waste of Clarias gariepinus for battery application. The battery was one of the important components that supplies electrical energy to users throughout the world, and it strongly contributed to technology development in the economic sector, transportation, residential as well as agriculture. The presence of ammonia in organic fish waste could produce renewable energy and helped to reduce the use of lithium-ion batteries in modern industries. Two different parameters were being observed in this study, which was the quantity of fish and the number of the cell layer. The process of collecting the fish waste was carried out in the hatchery at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu using two methods, which were filtering and soaking. The result showed that the highest value of energy output was 0.430V from waste filtering of 50 fish and 0.207V from soaking in waste of 50 fish. Meanwhile, the lowest energy output was from the tank that contained ten fish with an energy output of 0.177V for filtering and 0.101V for soaking. Besides, for a different number of the cell layer, the highest value of energy output was 0.414V at 25 layers, and the lowest voltage was 0.175V at five layers. Thus, from the study was observed that the produced voltage was dependent on the quantity of fish and the number of the cell layer, when the quantity of fish and number of cell layer increases, the output energy was also increased.
Food insecurity is interrelated with low food supply consumption which have high disposition to poor diet quality. However, less study has been done in assessing the relationship between food insecurity and diet quality of children in Malaysia. Therefore, this study objectives are to determine food insecurity level and diet quality of children from B40 families in Kedah. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 106 children aged 7 – 12 years old from one selected district in Pendang, Kedah. Radimer/Cornell Hunger was used to determine food insecurity level of the children, while diet quality of the children was assessed by applying modified Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2005. Based on the result, 43.4% of the household were categorized as food secure while 56.6% were food insecure. Those food insecure were classified into three levels and the study found that 61.0% were household food insecure, 28.0% were individual food insecure and 11.0% of the household were child hunger. About 28.3% of them had poor diet quality, 69.8% of them had diet that needs improvements and only 1.9% of them had good diet quality. However, there was no significant relationship found between food insecurity and diet quality of these children (p = 0.436). This is somehow indicated that food insecurity does not reflect the diet quality of children from the B40 families in this study.
Lipases are enzyme with versatile industrial applications can be produced by the solid-state fermentation (SSF) method and is an economical alternative for enzyme production assisted by fungus. In Malaysia, 5 million of copra waste were generated annually. Large amount of copra waste produced will cause an increasing amount of the waste dumped to the landfill. Copra waste is one of the potential substrates to produce lipase enzyme through SSF. Thus, the aim of this study is to optimize the lipase production by SSF associated by Aspergillus niger using the 23 full factorial design approach. In this study the factors affecting parameters that involved in the production of lipase enzyme such as temperature (25˚ and 35˚), substrates concentration (40% and 60%) and inoculum size of Aspergillus niger (1 and 9 petri dish) were determined. The maximum production of lipase was obtained after 120-hour incubation in SSF. The optimum condition for inoculum size of Aspergillus niger was 9 plates, 30°C of incubation temperature and 60 % moisture contents. The range of the concentration of lipase enzyme produced varied from 105 U/ml to 170 U/ml. When applied to the wastewater treatment, the reducing percentage of fat, oil and grease (FOG) in food processing wastewater is reduced from 219.4925mg/l to 169.467mg/l accounted to the amount of 34 % FOG removal. Lipase produced using copra waste as a substrate using SSF has the potential value to be developed in the future for various industry including wastewater treatment industry.
The household activities such as vacuuming may elevate the concentration of particulate matter in indoor environments. Cleaning workers and occupants inside closed room may be exposed to the fine particulate matter and at risk of developing numerous respiratory symptoms. This study aims to determine the concentration of the particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) that might arise during vacuuming activities and estimated the surface compartmental residence time of particulate matter in indoor environment after each vacuuming activities. The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations throughout vacuuming were measured in forty-seven offices in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu using the TSI Dust Track DRX. Based on the concentrations measured, the surface compartmental residence time was then estimated using standardized equations taken from literature. The result shows that highest particulate matter concentration was nearly eleven times higher than the World Health Organization guidelines of 25 µg/m3 for PM2.5 concentration (PM2.5 was 270 µg/m3, PM10 was 421 µg/m3), while the particulate matter were estimated to remain lingers inside the air for around 1-4 days before being deposited on the surface. In conclusion, the usage of vacuum cleaners may contribute to more particulate matter being released inside the air due to the resuspension phenomenon. Therefore, it is important for the occupants to maintain proper ventilation after each vacuuming activities took place.
The rapid expansion of oil palm (OP) has led to its emergence as a commodity of strategic global importance. Palm oil is used extensively in food and as a precursor for biodiesel. The oil generates export earnings and bolsters the economy of many countries, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia. However, oil palms are prone to basal stem rot (BSR) caused by Ganoderma boninense which is the most threatening disease of OP. The current control measures for BSR management including cultural practices, mechanical and chemical treatment have not proved satisfactory. Alternative control measures to overcome the G. boninense problem are focused on the use of biological control agents and many potential bioagents were identified with little proven practical application. Planting OP varieties resistant to G. boninense could provide the ideal long-term solution to basal stem rot. The total resistance of palms to G. boninense has not yet been reported, and few examples of partial resistances have been observed. Importantly, basidiospores are now recognized as the method by which the disease is spread, and control methods require to be revaluated because of this phenomenon. Many methods developed to prevent the spread of the disease effectively are only tested at nursery levels and are only reported in national journals inhibiting the development of useful techniques globally. The initial procedures employed by the fungus to infect the OP require consideration in terms of the physiology of the growth of the fungus and its possible control. This review assesses critically the progress that has been made in BSR development and management in OP.
Introduction: Nursing documentation is the key to nursing care in hospitals. Nursing documentation contains ev- idences which demonstrate a significant association between the comprehensive level of nursing care and nurses’ professional practice. Therefore, nurses in Malaysia are trained to abide with the code of professional practice (1998) which required them to contrive a complete and comprehensive nursing documentation. Despite the importance of nursing documentation in the nursing professional practice, such study almost non-existent in Malaysia. Hence, there is a need to explore nurses understanding about existence of professionalism within their documentation, from a Malaysian context. Methods: The study utilized a qualitative approach which aimed to explore the perceptions among nurses in Malaysia on their documentation with relation to professionalism in nursing. Forty semi structured interviews were conducted in order to obtain an understanding of nurses’ views on their documentation and its influ- ence on their ways of preparing and completing their documentation. Thematic analysis was used to identify catego- ries and themes in nurses’ accounts of their documentation with relation to professionalism in nursing. Results: One of many profound findings from the study is the fear among nurses of “blaming culture” in that occurs their clinical setting. The nurses perceive “blaming culture” do not tolerate mistakes and they are more likely to be blamed for poor patient safety and insufficient quality of care. This is because nurses are directly involved in delivering care to patient or client in the hospital. “Blaming culture” however motivates nurses to ensure their documentation is com- plete, comprehensive and contemporaneous. Conclusion: Interestingly, the nurses perceive their documentation as an important evidence if there are possible future medical legal issues that they might have to involve with.
Introduction: Nursing is a highly stressful profession that affects the nurses’ physical and mental health. To maintain the quality of health services, nurses must have physically and mentally healthy. Given this, the present study aimed to examine the level of Stress and Psychological Well-Being among nurses and the methods used by nurses to cope with them. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess psychological well-being and coping strat- egies with stress which include Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being (RPWB), Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOCQ) and Nursing Stress Scales (NSS) for the data collection on 637 nurses in nine hospitals in Sabah. Results: The results revealed that the main Sources of Stress among nurses was Conflict with Other Nurses. Also, Purpose in Life was found to have the highest mean score in terms of psychological well-being among nurses. Furthermore, Positive Re- appraisal was found to be employed by nurses in dealing with stress. The study also revealed there was relationship between the sources of stress and the psychological well-being among nurses. Conclusion: Thus, to reduce work stress among nurses, hospital administration should keep themselves aware of the work dynamics and address the negative conflict occurred in nurses as soon as it is recognized. Recognizing the impact of work stress and using the technique of coping plays a vital role in minimizing the stress of nurses.
Introduction: Rooted form the ancient times, having a white and a delicate skin has been a dream of all women as it is perceived as a perfect beauty. Due to this high desideratum, the global beauty industry had taken an advantage to this target group promising an instant white skin for as early as three days. Global industry analysts (GIA) pre- dicted that this year 2020 the global market for skin lighteners will reach $23 billion. Despite the effectiveness of using skin-lightening, some had reported of having adverse effect including dermatological as well as neurological. Methods: This is a quantitative study using descriptive analysis approach to all nursing students in Sabah. The type of sampling is using snowball sampling methods. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to all nursing colleges in Sabah. Results: A total of 161 nursing students responded. Based on this study, most of students start are using cos- metic product in the age of15years old. Using an open-ended question, the top three cosmetic products containing skin-lightening ingredients use by students are Safi(27.9%), Garnier (25.5%)and Simple(16.1.%). Majority experience acne (47.5%) and skin irritation (18.8%)after using cosmetic products containing skin-lightening ingredients while 36.6% did not experience any skin problem. It is about80% concern about safety when choosing skin care contain skin-lightening ingredients,76.9% will make an effort to read leaflet provided prior to purchasing, 69.4% aware about the list of dangerous ingredients in choosing skin care contain skin-lightening ingredients, 78.1% aware about its side effect. Conclusion: The outcome of this preliminary study lead to the conclusion that nursing students in Sa- bah are aware that using a cosmetic product contain skin-lightening ingredient is harmful for them.
Introduction: The final year of the study period is the time students should be in the mood of ready to enter working life. There are concerned that newly graduated nurses do not have the necessary skills and competence once they enter the working life. The final year nursing students seldom have confidence because they were not getting enough experience in the clinical posting. The soft skill and not being able to perform in the clinical area and their readiness to work in real working life. Thus, this study is to assess final year and newly graduated students’ readiness to enter the real working life environment after graduated from the institution. Methods: This study using cross-sectional sur- vey design using convenience sampling method. Adapted questionnaire is used and distributed via on-line Google form to all final year nursing and newly graduated of nursing students Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Results: Total 71 respondents (63.38% third-year and 21.12% newly graduated students) responded to this survey. 68 students (95%) were ready to enter the real working life and there were two students (5%) that still not ready to perform on their own after the course finished. Majority 70 (98.59%) find that early exposure to a real working environment was important to polish student soft skill and enhance student performance skill in doing any procedure. 96% responded that early exposure will develop student competency in leadership qualities to guide their teamwork and adaptation from the real scenario on how they will perform in their work in the future. Complete facilities in the practical area can make the student feel excited to start working in clinical area is the possible factor rated in more than half of the responded (57.7%). Conclusion: Most of the participant is ready to apply their knowledge and skill in a real working situation.
Shopee online has become increasingly popular among consumers for purchasing purposes as compared to brick-and-mortar retail due to the benefits and enjoyment that come with it. However, Shopee has facing intense competitive challenges with other competitors in Malaysia. In addition, it is also difficult for Shopee to compete with major leader of online shopping portal although this platform offers the same function and usage as its contender. Hence, it is important to understand consumer perceptions on the benefit and intention of using Shopee. This study examines consumer perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived price, perceived convenience and perceived trust adapted from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). 208 respondents who have experience online purchasing in East Cost of Malaysia were invited to participate in this study using online survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive, correlation and multiple regression analyses. The findings show that perceived convenience and perceived trust have strong influence towards consumer intention to use Shopee as platform to do online purchase. It is suggested that this study will help practitioners to understand consumer online shopping perception and intention in order to induce visitation and usage of Shopee.
There is sufficient evidence regarding the potential risk of mobile phone use on anxiety. Therefore, the aim of research was to examine the relationship between mobile phone use and anxiety among students from two faculties in University TeknologI Mara (UiTM) Seremban. This cross-sectional study included 317 students of both genders. The sampling method was measured using proportionate stratified sampling. Level of mobile phone use was measured using Problem Use Mobile Phone (PUMP) Scale and level of an anxiety was measured using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BEI) Scale. In Malaysia, there are very small amount who made this research. The finding of this study showed that majority respondents are at normal level for mobile phone use. Pearson correlation result shows there was significant correlation between mobile phone use with an anxiety among students. This study indicates the important mobile phone use toward an anxiety among university students.
Malaysia is a member of Developing-8 (D-8), which facilitated the formation of bilateral trade relations among member countries. This study focuses on Malaysia’s foreign direct investments (FDIs) within D-8. The purpose of this study is to strengthen the FDI ties with D-8 member states, where Malaysia must focus on cooperating for long-term investments and examining the existing FDI policies under Malaysia and its D-8 counterparts, as well as studying the opportunity of interdependence between Malaysia’s FDIs with D-8 member states. The main issue is the imbalance of Malaysia’s FDI preference with D-8 member states, which is followed by the weakness of Malaysia’s FDI outwards policy, specialised among the D-8 counterparts. Thus, Malaysia’s FFDI lacks penetration with D-8 member states. The qualitative research method, data collection, interviews, and content analysis method are used for this study. The respondents’ agencies for interviews are experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), The Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations Division of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI and the Foreign Investment Promotion Division of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). Coding techniques are applied for the coding process of the content analysis. This study also uses the theories of interdependence and political economy with SWOT analysis to examine the implementation of Malaysia’s FDI with D-8 counterparts. The findings of the study show that Malaysia is looking for quality investments without choosing where the investments come from, and FDIs with D-8 counterparts in several sectors can still be implemented if the D-8 counterparts are offering quality investments for Malaysia.
This study focuses on the parasites in Dascyllus trimaculatus fish in Bidong Island. Though D. trimaculatus is a common reef fish, there is lack on parasites studies of this fish in Malaysia. The objectives of this study are to identify metazoan parasites and analyse the prevalence and mean intensity the parasites in D. trimaculatus. Sampling was randomly conducted on a coral colony of 100 meters within a 15m depth at Pantai Pasir Cina,BidongIsland.ThisresearchresultedintheidentificationofacopepodLernaeocera branchialis and a nematode from the family Camallanidae. The copepods collected in this study infected 20 out of 42 D. trimaculatus specimens, whereas the nematode-like parasites collected infected 18 of out of 42 D. trimaculatus. All copepods found in the gills of D. trimaculatus had a prevalence of 4.95 and mean intensity of 47.62%, while the nematode-like parasite, which were found in the brain, had 2.72 prevalence and 42.86% mean intensity. This elucidates that both parasites are categorised as having light levelbut common frequency of infection, and the current IUCN status of D. trimaculatus has not been reported to be harmedby parasites. Though the mean intensity of both parasites isnot harmful, the prevalence are concerning and might increase in the future, with further incorporation and monitoring of climate change factors that may affect the damselfish.
Tourism is associated with leisure and travelling, and is considered one of the fastest growing sectors that contribute significantly to the country’s economy, as well as bringing benefits directly to local communities. The Rural Tourism Master Plan was established in 2001, which defines rural tourism as an attraction that offers visitors the opportunity to experience Malaysia’s traditional culture and heritage away from urban areas. This study focuses on such tourism in the Gunung Mulu National Park, a famous natural park comprising underground caves, virgin rainforests and highlands. This research uses a quantitative approach with a random sampling technique because the procedure to select a unit for inclusion in a sample is much easier, quicker and cheaper. A questionnaire is distributed via Google Form to 500 local tourists who visited the park. The results of this research may be useful in marketing the Gunung Mulu National Park worldwide, besides fine-tuning programmes to attract tourists to the national park.
Malaysian construction firms have increasingly gained investment opportunities in foreign countries pushed by the competitive and saturated domestic market. However, the entry location decision involves complex factors to be considered by these firms prior to their international operations. Currently, based on a secondary data obtained from the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia, there are twelve (12) firms that are actively operating in international markets. The main objective of this preliminary study is to develop an entry location assessment criteria (ELAC) model based on the performance of Malaysian construction firms in international markets. The ELAC formula was derived through a development of taxonomy criteria from previous studies. The construction firms’ performance was analyzed and ranked using a weightage score characterized under three (3) dimensions of country with the taxonomy criteria. First dimension involves entry location decision to countries in ASEAN, Non-ASEAN and both regions, while the second dimension involves entry location decision to ASEAN, Asia, Africa, United States of America and Europe while the third dimension involves entry location decision to countries categorized as Developing Countries (DLC); Least Developed Country (LDC); Newly Industrialized Countries (NIC); Developed Countries (DC); and Highly Developed Countries (HDC). The ELAC score shows that three (3) construction firms which are, Sapura Energy Berhad (66%), Gamuda Berhad (53%) and Sime Darby Berhad (50%) have sustained international operations in various locations by obtaining an ELAC score of more than 50% by venturing to ASEAN countries, developing countries and developed countries. Even though his study is limited to Malaysian construction firms, it provides significant information and contributes to the current knowledge in international market expansion. This ELAC model is useful especially for construction firms that are just beginning to explore foreign business opportunities or for the global players that are expanding geographically to new international markets.
This study was conducted to assess how entrepreneurship experience, family background, and societal factors influence university students in Terengganu to embark on entrepreneurial activities. It cannot be denied that entrepreneurship exposure on campus may drive university students to engage in activities which may enhance their academic achievements in, boost confidence, and instill relevant qualities and skills to be successful graduates in the future. Such valuable experiences may be value added to the graduates. To see the impact of such an experience together with other relevant factors, this study has tested the relationship between entrepreneurship experience, family background, social factors and the subsequent effects among students of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu after graduation. The data were collected from 370 targeted respondents and were analysed using the multiple regression analysis. It was found that entrepreneurship experience and family background have significant relationships with entrepreneurship intention while societal factor was found to be insignificant.
Learning preferences among undergraduate accounting students might vary considerably and are still largely unexplored although their findings might be useful for lecturers to improve learning and teaching strategies. Students’ preferences in selecting the appropriate learning strategies can help improve their understanding and lead to improved competency for better academic achievement. This study examined students’ preferences towards learning strategies and the differences in learning strategies among accounting students in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, between genders. The data were collected using online survey completed by accounting undergraduate students from Year 1 until Year 3 for the academic session 2018/2019. 150 students responded to the online survey, with 32% response rate. Using a revised two-factor version of the Study Process Questionnaire, the survey assessed deep and surface approaches in learning preferred by the students. The results showed that deep learning approach scored a higher mean of 3.36 compared to surface learning and gender was found insignificantly related to the preferred learning approach. This finding suggests that the use of deep approach (for example, active learning or student-centered learning) is to encourage better learning process that would contribute to better academic performance and teaching strategy practices among accounting students.
Trawling is a method of catching fish in a large volume where fish net is pulled through water using one or two boats. Bottom trawling is where the nets are pulled over or close to seabed and can affect the subsea pipeline if found along the route. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of pull-over to selected subsea pipelines in Sabah and Labuan waters. This study involved four oil and gas pipelines in Sabah and Labuan waters from the oil fields to shore terminals. The research started with obtaining data of the pipelines and specification of trawl gear in Sabah. Fishing trawler traffic data along the pipelines route was determined by AIS system and site observation to determine the density of the trawlers. Trawl gear pull-over load was calculated using DNV algorithm and the inputs were trawl gear specification ^and fishing trawl speed. The severity was based on pull-over load calculated and pipeline yield stress. Then frequency was based on AIS data and density of fishing trawl per area. Based on the comparison between trawl pull-over load and yield strength/stress, the effect of trawl board pull-over is considered as minor, which is the lowest in the severity index.
The concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM) is often measured as a mass concentration. However, the other way to express particulate matter is by using the Particle Number Count ([PNC]) concentrations. This study aims to analyse the seasonal variation of airborne particulate matter in terms of [PNC] by using R packages and the Boosted Regression Trees (BRTs) technique. The study was conducted at IOES, Universiti of Malaya in Bachok, Kelantan. The monitoring was important to understand the variability of seasonal effects due to different seasons. In this work, only the datasets for three seasons (Inter Monsoon, North East Monsoon and South-West Monsoon) were analysed involving 25,958 data. The air quality monitoring equipment involved was the particle counter Environment Dust Monitor GRIMM Model 180 and a weather station for recording the meteorological parameters. The data analysis was completed by using R software and its package for evaluating seasonal variability and providing the statistical analysis. The relationship between variables was studied by using the Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) technique. The interaction between independent variables towards the [PNC] in different seasons was discussed. The best setting result of BRT model evaluation R² is 0.22 (North-East Monsoon), 0.87 (Intern monsoon 1), and 0.59 for South West Monsoon which indicated that the model developed is acceptable except for NEM and intern monsoon seasons. Temperature (57 %) and wind direction (67%) were found to be the highest factor influenced by the formation of [PNC] concentrations in this area. Finally, good results indicated that BRT technique is an acceptable way to analysed air pollution data.