Repository@USM

Welcome to closed access digital repository of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

This repository contains multiple types of scholarly materials, especially USM theses and exam papers.

To access the full text, please log in with your USM email account.

Photo by @clarissemeyer

Research outputs

6139

Projects

People

Recent Additions

Association between food security status, negative emotional states and academic performance among undergraduate students at School of Health Sciences in Universiti Sains Malaysia
(2025-01)
Shun, Ong Jing
Food security status needed to get more concerned by university students. Food security status could influence students’ emotional well-being and academic performance. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association between food security status, negative emotional states and academic performance. A total of 136 undergraduate health sciences students from USM were recruited in this study using the convenience sampling method. An online and self-administered questionnaire was distributed to obtain sociodemographic characteristics, food security status (US AFSSM), negative emotional states (DASS-21) and academic performance (CGPA). SPSS version 29 was used to perform data analysis. The results indicated that nearly half of the respondents experienced food insecurity with 27.9% of low food security and 20.6% were identified as very low food security. Among food secure respondents, there were 16.2% of high food security and 35.3% of marginal food security which was the highest among four of the food security degrees. Meanwhile, normal depression, anxiety and stress were the highest percentages within their categories at 63.2%, 36.1%, and 58.9% respectively. In terms of academic performance, 61.8% of respondents obtained excellent CGPA followed by 38.2% with good CGPA. It revealed a significant association between food security status and negative emotional states including depression (χ2 = 9.582; p-value = 0.048), anxiety (χ2 = 14.266; p-value = 0.006) and stress (χ2 = 13.784; p-value = 0.005). Additionally, food-insecure students were less likely to report excellent CGPA than food-secure students (χ2 = 4.275; p-value= 0.039). While depression (χ2 = 18.579; p-value < 0.001), anxiety (χ2 = 14.825; p-value = 0.005), and stress (χ2 = 12.188; p-value = 0.009) were negatively associated with academic performance. These findings highlighted the need to address food security status. Targeted intervention programs should have been carried out to improve students’ food security status which further supported their emotional health and excel in academics.
Design, analysis and fabrication of Special origami structure using 3D printing for reduce surface impact force
(2023-07-14)
Anasliyana Fayyadhah binti Azman
Origami patterns with pleated or multiple folds have a great impact absorption ability among other origami designs. This study examines the design, analysis, and creation of unique origami structures utilizing 3D printing technology with the aim of lowering surface impact force. Origamiinspired constructions have drawn a lot of interest lately because of the special mechanical qualities and adaptability they can offer. A promising method to improve their functionality and optimize their performance in certain applications emerges by combining these structures with 3D printing. In this research various origami patterns are explored and analyzed for their potential to reduce surface impact force such as Miura fold, bellow shape, Honeycomb pattern, Ron-Resch pattern and others. Computer-aided design tools are employed to model the structure and a few samples before fabrication. The most suitable origami patterns which are bellow shape are identified and selected for further analysis and to be experimented. Various thickness of the structure been experimented which plays a big role in determining the flexibility of a structure. Further optimization is made possible by this study, which offers vital insights into the deformation patterns, stress distribution, and energy absorption abilities of the structures. We use 3D printing technology to create the chosen origami structures as complex geometries can be manufactured precisely and accurately, guaranteeing the accuracy of the origami patterns. The printing materials are selected by using Poly-lactic Acid (PLA) material to test the ability for this material to be compressed with minimal crack. The findings of this study shed important light on the possibilities of fusing 3D printing and origami structures for applications needing impact force reduction. The research aids in the creation of novel solutions for sectors including automotive, aerospace, and sporting goods where surface protection and improved performance are essential elements.
Condition-based monitoring of vibrating beam structure using iot with cloud data analysis
(2023-07)
Amirul Azhajzul bin Gilok
Condition-based monitoring (CBM) has emerged as a powerful real-time technique for monitoring structural conditions, enabling proactive maintenance and minimising downtime. By leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud data analysis, CBM can significantly enhance the reliability and performance of industrial machinery, resulting in cost savings and improved efficiency in the manufacturing process. In this study, we focus on the vibration analysis of a beam structure with the attachment of an unbalanced motor using CBM method. The objective is to investigate the effectiveness of CBM in detecting potential issues and monitoring the condition of the machinery. To achieve this, an IoT-based system was developed, integrating sensors to collect vibration data from the structure. The collected data is then processed and analysed using a cloud-based system. The primary aim of this research is to utilise the results obtained from the analysis of the testbench's natural frequencies, mode shapes, and dynamic responses in developing a comprehensive CBM system. This system will continuously monitor the machine's condition, allowing for early detection of anomalies or potential failures. By leveraging the insights provided by CBM, maintenance activities can be scheduled proactively, reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns and minimising downtime. The study employs advanced data analysis techniques, combining IoT technologies and cloud-based systems, to extract valuable information from the collected vibration data. The obtained results will refine the CBM system and improve its accuracy and effectiveness in monitoring the machine's condition. The significance of this study lies in its potential to revolutionise maintenance practices in industrial settings. By implementing CBM method, companies can transition from reactive maintenance to proactive and predictive strategies. This shift enhances the reliability and performance of machinery and contributes to cost savings and improved operational efficiency. In conclusion, this research focuses on implementing CBM using IoT and cloud data analysis to monitor a beam structure's vibration with an attached unbalanced motor.
Development of an interactive matlab-based teaching and learning aid on a pid controller for automatic control course
(2023-07-01)
Muhammad Faaris Bin Mohamed Ali
This project introduces a teaching and learning aid system developed in MATLAB, specifically designed to simulate PID controllers. The system incorporates two crucial graphical representations: an amplitude against time graph and an error versus time graph. These graphical representations serve as powerful tools for visualising the system's behaviour. By manipulating the inputs to their desired values, users can observe changes in the amplitude against the time graph and the error versus the time graph, providing a comprehensive understanding of PID controllers. The primary problem addressed by this project is the complexity associated with teaching and learning PID controllers through theoretical approaches in automatic control courses. The system utilises MATLAB's App Designer to tackle this challenge, offering an interactive platform with intuitive features and visualisations. This interactive environment empowers students to experiment with different combinations of inputs and observe the corresponding effects on the system's behaviour. The amplitude against time graph provides insights into the response and stability of the system under various input conditions. In contrast, the error versus time graph enables students to analyse and optimise the controller's performance by visualising the deviation between the desired and actual outputs. Overall, this MATLAB-based system simplifies the comprehension of PID controller behaviour by providing students with an intuitive and interactive learning experience. The system fosters a practical and engaging environment for learning about PID controllers by allowing students to manipulate inputs and observe real-time graphical representations. Through this approach, students gain a deeper understanding of PID controller behaviour and acquire the necessary skills to apply this knowledge in automatic control.
IoT application development for fertigation system
(2023-07-14)
Amirul Afifi bin Azmi
The use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in fertigation systems has the potential to revolutionize agricultural practices. By collecting and analyzing data in real-time, IoT can help farmers optimize the use of water, fertilizers, and other resources. This can lead to increased crop yields, better crop quality, and reduced environmental impact. Fertigation is the process of draining fertilizer with water directly into the plant through a fertilizer drip pipe. Traditional agricultural practices can waste a lot of time and involve a lot of labor. The biggest issue with conventional fertigation is that consumers cannot effectively monitor their plants, which can cause plants to die from nutrient deficiency. The project will develop an IoT-based fertigation system for any farm scale size. The system will collect data on soil moisture, temperature, and nutrient levels. This data will be used to control the irrigation and flushing systems of fertilizers or other nutrients as needed. The results of this project will demonstrate the potential of IoT to improve agricultural practices. The system will be developed using low-cost open-source hardware and software. This will allow other farmers to replicate the system and benefit from the advantages of IoT.