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- PublicationA Comparative Study Of Ibn Khaldun’s Theory Of Good Governance And Mencius’ Theory Of Benevolent Government(2024-10)This study aims to juxtapose Ibn Khaldun’s concept of good government with Mencius’ concept of benevolent government. Both theories have undergone comprehensive scrutiny in academic circles, respectively
- PublicationEffect Of Career Intervention On Vocational Preferences And Learning Motivation Among Junior Secondary School Students In Jigawa State, Nigeria(2025-01)The study examined the effectiveness of career intervention on vocational preference and learning motivation among junior secondary school students of hadejia emirate, jigawa state nigeria. Quasi-experimental research design in form of pretest posttest design was used with mixed research. The population comprises 12 public junior secondary schools of hadejia emirate with the population of 1,622 student and 240 samples drawn from twelve (12) schools with gender balance. The researcher employed simple random sampling techniques. Adapted instrument tagged students vocational preference and learning motivation scale (svplms) to collect the data of the study. The instrument was validated by experts and tested at 0.05 level of significant using test-retest technique. Six research questions and six hypotheses were formulated upon six (6) research objectives. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while t-test for independent sample & paired sample t-test and analysis of variance (anova) were used to interpret the research hypotheses. The qualitative data in form of interview was interpreted. Study had shown that junior secondary school students were faced with difficulties in choosing an appropriate vocation and most of them were out of school due to lack of motivation which resulted to drastic unemployment and underemployment.
- PublicationImproving Photometric Redshifts By Varying Activation Functions In Artificial Neural Networks(2024-12)In recent years, the astronomical community has faced a data deluge of up to exabytes due to the advancement of telescope technology. In fact, the application of machine learning techniques has simplified the task of analysing data for astronomers. Photometric redshift estimation or photo-z is one of the relevant applications of machine learning and statistical methods in cosmology. Due to its significant contribution to cosmology, there is an increasing demand for precise photo-z for forthcoming astronomical surveys, including the Euclid mission and LSST. The accuracy and performance of the photo-z algorithm have been improved by adopting and modifying machine learning hyperparameters. The Artificial Neural Network Redshift (annz) algorithm is a fast and simple machine learning photometric redshift estimator. One of the hyperparameters in the artificial neural network (ANN) is the activation function. It acts as a decision-making unit, which introduces non-linearity into the model, leading to better differentiation capabilities and potentially boosting the ANN’s performance if optimally tuned. We test the performance of annz by varying the activation functions, replacing the original logistic sigmoid with tanh, Softplus, SiLU, ReLU, Leaky ReLU and Mish. The training is demonstrated on the Luminous Red Galaxy (LRG) sample of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), Stripe-82 survey, and Physics of the Accelerating Universe Survey (PAUS). We also tested the performances of these activation functions by varying the depth and width of the ANN architectures.
- PublicationRole Of Board Diversity In Investment Efficiency At Different Firm Life Cycle: Evidence From Mena Region(2024-12)The middle east and north africa (mena) region is confronted with formidable obstacles concerning inefficiency in investments and corporate governance (cg), specifically concerning on board diversity. It investigates the dynamic relationship between board diversity and firm investment efficiency across different stages of the firm life cycle (flc). While prior studies have explored the impact of board diversity on investment efficiency from a static perspective, this research incorporates the concept of flc stages to provide a more comprehensive understanding. The study is grounded in firm life cycle theory, which posits that agency costs associated with free cash flows (fcfs) are a recurring issue at specific stages in a firm's development. Board diversity, the independent variable, is measured using the entropy weighted board diversity index (ewbdi), incorporating nationality, women representation, and educational level. Investment efficiency, the dependent variable, is determined by the variance between actual and expected investment levels based on future growth opportunities. Flc stages, defined by fcf levels, act as the interacting variable and are categorized into four stages: introduction, growth, mature, and shake-out/decline.
- PublicationMultiple Input Multiple Output Visible Light Communication System Sub-Optimization Using Power Allocation Schemes(2025-01)Low power consumption and high bit rate are the most important features of visible light communication (vlc) systems. These features are always the main target of any communication system. This study focuses on enhancing data rates and optimizing power consumption in vlc systems. To improve the data rate, multipleinput multiple-output (mimo) has been employed and this technique has an inherited property of combining the data streams and multiplying the data rate. The system was upgraded from a 2×2 to a 4×4 mimo-vlc configuration. To optimize power consumption, two power allocation schemes, gain ratio power allocation (grpa) and normalized gain difference power allocation (ngdpa), were applied to the 4×4 mimo-vlc system. Additionally, a novel modified-ngdpa (m-ngdpa) scheme was proposed, extending the coverage area from 3.14 m² to 4.52 m² and enhancing the sum rate at the coverage boundaries. The mathematical model of the proposed system was presented. The simulation result shows that the 4×4 mimo-vlc system achieves a sum rate of 268 mbps over a 10 mhz bandwidth within a circular coverage area of 1 m radius (3.14 m²). Simulation results indicate that while ngdpa provides a higher sum rate, grpa demonstrates better overall energy efficiency.
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- ItemProperties Of Recycled Crosslink Polyethylene Filled High Density Polyethylene Composites(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2013-07)Waste crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) obtained from a high voltage electric cable was directly utilized, recycled and incorporated into a high density polyethylene matrix. Due to the high gel content (93%), the possibility of producing a completely miscible blend is quite unlikely. However due to that factor, the waste is break down into small filler. They are then compounded with HDPE in concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30wt% to produce a composite material. The tensile properties, DSC and morphology of the composite were obtained. However, addition of the waste did not give any reinforcing properties to HDPE matrix. This is visible from the tensile properties of the composite where the tensile strength decreases as the waste concentration increase from 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30%. The elongation at break of the composite decreases as the waste concentration increases from 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30%. The chemical resistance test was done to obtain the tensile properties of before and after immersion. The two chemicals selected are nitric acid and ammonium hydroxide. The tensile strength of the composite decreased compared to virgin HDPE samples. Chemical resistance properties show that overall the tensile strength of the composite decreases with increasing waste concentration from 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30% with chemical concentration of 50 and 100%. For elongation at break of the composite, the value shows irregularity for different waste concentration. Different heating rates of 5, 10 and15°C/min of the DSC scans shows co-crystalization with increasing waste content form 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30%.
- PublicationRational Design And Synthesis Of Peptide Inhibitors Of Ns2b/Ns3 Protease As Therapeutic Agents For Dengue Virus Type 2(2021-10)The main objectives of this study are to design potent and selective peptide inhibitors by studying the interactions between the designed peptides and the NS2B/NS3 dengue protease using two independent docking programs (MOE and AutoDock4.2), thus, to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative docking results from both programs. The other objectives are to synthesize and characterize the potential peptides by using Fmoc Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) technique, to perform NS2B/NS3 dengue protease expression and purification, and finally to investigate the biological evaluation of the selected peptides using in vitro NS2B/NS3 dengue protease inhibition assay.
- ItemDesign And Development Of Robot End-Effector For The Use In Lower-Limb Stroke Rehabilitation Exercises(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2022-07-25)Stroke is the second largest cause of human death worldwide and is also a major cause of long-term disability such as walking gait abnormalities. Rehabilitation is essential in helping patients regain as much motor function as possible. Robot assisted rehabilitation is currently the forefront in this regard. However, no solutions are currently widely available for use in developing countries like Malaysia. Therefore, there is space for such a product to be developed and commercialized. Thus, a smart lower-limb end-effector prototype that can be installed on a collaborative robot to aid patients performing exercises such as plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, hip abduction and hip adduction was developed. The project kick started by designing the end effector as four different parts on in Solidwork. This step is then followed by slicing process using Ultimaker Cura and then 3D printing. The 3D printed is then assembled up and tested for strength and design accuracy. At this stage, any design failure is then followed by redesigning and 3D printing again. Meanwhile, MPU6050 sensor was coded using Arduino Uno and powered by NodeMcu. This set up was placed on the foot holder to measure the rehabilitation angle. The sensor is also connected any app which was developed using Blynk to showcase the data obtained in terms of angle X˚, Y˚ and Z˚ Then, two healthy subjects, a male and female were choosen to carry out all four type of exercises mentioned above. The results obtained shows that angle recorded falls within the range of a human to carry out those exercise (20-35° of dorsiflexion, 15-30° of plantarflexion, 30–55° of hip abduction and 15–30° of hip adduction). This shows that the end effector perms well and can be used to aid physiotherapist and the patient. Therefore, a smart lower-limb end-effector prototype that can be installed on a collaborative robot to aid patients performing various leg exercises has been successfully created which also incooperates IoT elements.
- ItemRemaining competitive in China: a case study of ACIC's business model on work-integrated -learning(2010-10)This case study explores the strategy engaged by Australia China Investment Corporation (ACIC), taking into account the effects of globalization and the emerging-economy environment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). ACIC’s business model is based on Work-Integrated-Learning. The Company’s flagship programme, Study Abroad Internship Programme, is chosen as the study object. This case study aims to confirm if the current strategy employed by the company is applicable to remain competitive in the PRC market and further find out the effects of these strategies. The country analysis conducted is PESTLE, based on the framework of Global Competitive Index. SWOT analysis, TOWS matrix with attributes of Balanced Scorecard, and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) concepts together with Sun Tzu Art of Strategy are employed as analysis techniques. It is found that ACIC is employing a combination of strategies and has managed to remain competitive in PRC with an increasing revenue trend. The company focuses on learning and growth as well as its internal processes. Intelligence and information is its utmost priority while positioning, targeting, strength and weakness estimation are also regarded as important. The case study results, while answering the research questions, have also encourage a paradigm shift on defining global business strategy, especially in the dynamic emerging economy of PRC.
- ItemRenal survival and its prognostic factors in chronic kidney disease patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan(Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2016-04)Introduction: End Stage of Renal Disease (ESRD) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients represents a heavy burden for patients, families, and health care systems. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the renal survival time of CKD patients at Hospital USM and to identify the prognostic factors that influence the renal survival of patients. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 247 CKD patients at Hospital USM, Kelantan from January 2005 until December 2015. All patients who fulfilled the criteria were included in the study. The medical record were reviewed and the renal survival time based on the time of the first date of diagnosis with CKD until the the first date of diagnosis with ESRD or received dialysis. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used in the statistical analysis. Results: Overall renal survival time of CKD patients was 26 months. The significant prognostic factors that influence the renal survival of CKD patients were GFR (adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98,0.99; p value <0.001), smoking status (adjusted HR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.53, 3.13; p value=0.042), comorbid hyperlipidemia (adjusted HR=1.87, 95% CI: 1.34,2.60; p value =0.005), analgesics (adjusted HR=1.87, 95% CI: 1.21,2.88; p value =0.015), functional GI disorder (adjusted HR=1.42, 95% CI:1.07,2.01; p value =0.016), lipid lowering agents (adjusted HR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.02,1.97; p value=0.039), corticosteroid (adjusted HR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.25,3.55; p value =0.005), urea (adjusted HR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.01,1.05; p value <0.001), and creatinine (adjusted HR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.98,1.00; p value =0.005). Conclusion: The medium renal survival time of CKD patients in this study very fast within 26 month. The prognostic factors of renal survival identified were GFR level, smoking status, comorbid hyperlipidemia, analgesics, lipid lowering agents, functional GI disorder, corticosteroid drugs, urea and creatinine are significant to renal survival among CKD patients in Hospital USM. Thus, the clinician can change the clinical management by focus on the factors and slow the progression to ESRD.