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- PublicationEnvironmental Issues In Exploration Of Plastic Materials: A Studio Art Practice Research(2025-01)The emergence of plastics has significantly enhanced daily convenience, but their large-scale production and use, driven by consumerism, have caused severe plastic pollution, straining the relationship between humans and nature. Despite efforts by environmentalists, scientists, and activists to raise awareness, scientific information alone often fails to change public perceptions due to a lack of vivid, emotionally engaging imagery of environmental issues. Art, however, uniquely conveys environmental information, offering perspectives that other disciplines cannot. While plastic pollution is a global crisis affecting both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, current artworks primarily focus on marine plastic pollution, overlooking the interconnectedness of plastic pollution and climate change. The absence of a theoretical foundation limits artists in fully exploring the potential of plastic materials for environmental themes. This research aims to examine and produce artworks through studio-based research by integrating eco-aesthetics, environmental issues, and overconsumption.
- PublicationStudy on voxel-grade pulmonary function imaging based on ventilation-perfusion mapping and its application in radiotherapy(2025-12)Current single-modality lung functional imaging techniques for lung cancer radiotherapy (RT) fail to comprehensively reflect the spatial distribution characteristics of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion functions，hindering precise radiotherapy (RT) planning for lung cancer. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel voxel-level ventilation-perfusion (VP) imaging technique for lung cancer RT optimization. A retrospective analysis was performed on 20 lung cancer patients who underwent four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans. ventilation (V-Imaging) was derived from 4D-CT deformable registration, and perfusion (P-Imaging) from pre-treatment PET/CT. An integrated VP-Imaging was generated via Hadamard product. Agreement between modalities was assessed using Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and correlation. Intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) plans were optimized based on each functional image, comparing doses to targets and organs at risk. VP-Imaging demonstrated superior concordance with single-modality images (DSC up to 0.71, Pearson CC up to 0.943) compared to the poor agreement between V- and P-Imaging alone (DSC=0.11 in high-function regions). VP-guided plans yielded significantly different dose distributions (p<0.05) in high-function ipsilateral lung compared to V- or P-based plans, without compromising other OAR doses. In conclusion, VP-Imaging successfully integrates ventilation and perfusion data from routine clinical scans, resolving V/Q mismatch and providing a superior map of functional lung. It facilitates personalized RT planning by enabling selective sparing of high-function tissue, potentially reducing pulmonary toxicity while maintaining treatment efficacy.
- PublicationExploring Students’ Motivation And Experience In Vlog Task-Based Language Teaching For Ielts Speaking Skills In A Chinese International School In Guangzhou(2025-02)This study investigates the motivation and experience of using vlog task-based language teaching (tblt) to enhance international english language testing system (ielts) speaking among chinese high school students. The research explores how the vlog tblt can improve students' ielts speaking based on dörnyei’s motivational theory and gibbs’ reflective cycle. A six-week vlog tblt program was implemented, during which students engaged in weekly tasks with themes of objects, animals, and sports vlogs, each lasting for two weeks. The first weeks involved a 60-minute class discussion where students introduced their vlogs, scaffolded through celebrity speaking on related topics, and, the subsequent week, produced the vlogs using video-editing applications and then shared them using media platforms.
- PublicationDetermination Of A Low Glycaemic Index Pre-Exercise Rice-Based Mixed Meal And Its Effect On Endurance Exercise Performance In A Heat Stress Environment Zaini Binti(2025-02)The pre-exercise low glycaemic index (lgi) meal has been shown to enhance endurance exercise performance in a thermoneutral environment. Limited information is currently available on the lgi mixed meal based on the asian-based diet. Furthermore, the contribution of this asian-based lgi mixed meal in enhancing endurance exercise performance in a heat stress environment has yet to be widely examined. Based on this lack of information relating to the asian-based mixed meal on endurance exercise performance in a heat stress environment, a series of studies were conducted. The first study was conducted to identify the dietary intakes of malaysian endurance athletes (n = 85) and the selection of foods that the athletes commonly consumed. The second study was carried out to determine the glycaemic index (gi) value of rice-based mixed meals, whereas the menu was based on the foods the athletes commonly consumed.
- PublicationThe correlation of body composition, bone health status, physiological function and physical activity level with quality of life and cancer-related fatigue among breast cancer survivors in selected locations in Malaysia(2025-05)The main aim of the study was to determine relationships between body composition, bone health status, physiological functions and physical activity level with cancer-related fatigue and quality of life among breast cancer survivors in Malaysia. Eighty-three female breast cancer survivors with mean age 52.8 (8.7) years old participated in this study. The participants performed assessment of body composition, bone speed of sound (SOS), and physiological functions consisted of handgrip strength, shoulder and lower body flexibility and pulmonary function. The participants answered short form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (SF IPAQ) to identify physical activity level, FACT-B questionnaire for determining quality of life (QoL) and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) scale questionnaire for assessing cancer-related fatigue (CRF). The present study found that, there was no significant correlation between percentage of body fat, and fat free mass with cancer-related fatigue and quality of life respectively. A significant negative correlation was observed between handgrip strength and total CRF score (r=-0.240, p=0.032), and a significant positive correlation was found between time spent for moderate to vigorous physical activity (Mins/week MVPA) and functional wellbeing, a component of QoL (r=0.217, p=0.049). A significant negative correlation between days spent for moderate physical activity (Days/week MPA) and severity of fatigue, a component of CRF (r=-0.234, p=0.033) was observed. A negative correlation between total CRF score and total QoL score (r=-0.298, p=0.01) was also observed. Bone SOS of right arm was shown to be positively correlated with bone SOS of left arm (r=0.423, p=0.031) and right tibia (r=0.264, p=0.031), lower body flexibility (r=0.286, p=0.017) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (r=0.245, p=0.045). Stepwise regression analysis shows that the variables of physical well-being score, emotional score, functional score, social score, additional concern score and time spent for moderate physical activity (Mins/week MPA) reveal to be significant predictors of total QoL score. The single best predictor of total QoL score is physical well-being score. Besides, it was found that the variables of fatigue severity, physical well-being score, and emotional score are the significant predictors of total CRF score. The single best predictor of total CRF score is fatigue severity score. The present study findings could provide new information for management of cancer rehabilitation to improve quality of life of the breast cancer survivors.
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- ItemVolatility behavior patterns and information transmission mechanism : evidence from Malaysian futures markets(Universiti Sains Malaysia., 2005-10)This study employs bivariate ARMA(p,q)-EGARCH(p,q) model specifications model to investigate whether information between Malaysian futures and cash markets is transmitted through first moments or second moments or both. Using daily data, the study covers the period from January 2, 1990 until December 31, 2003. The study also investigates the effects of the Malaysian futures - cash market relationship in the light of international market interdependencies. More specifically, it looks at whether information from foreign futures markets of S&P SOO, HSIF and NSIF influence the futures-cash relationship and whether the effects come through price level or volatility or both. In addition, the study also looks at the volatility patterns of Malaysian futures markets in order to facilitate a better understanding of the volatility transmission process. Lastly, to determine whether this transmission of information process (be it within and across markets) is affected by structural changes, the sample period was sub -divided into pre-crisis, during-crisis and post-crisis periods. Results indicate that the volatility behavior patterns of FKLI and FCPO futures markets are highly persistent but mean-reverting. Volatility of these futures markets also reacted asymmetrically to its past innovations, where positive news caused higher volatility than negative news. Transmission of information between Malaysian futures and cash markets occurs at both returns and volatility level, where futures markets tend to dominate the cash market at both levels. Volatility transmission is not asymmetric when the interactions between the futures and cash markets are included. The error correction terms have significant predictive power on both the conditional mean and volatility of these futures markets. Findings show that domestic futures-cash relationship is being influenced by the information transmitted from foreign futures markets. As for the Malaysian stock index futures, S&P 500 futures is the information producer at return level, while HSIF futures is at volatility level. NSIF futures have no influence on the volatility of FKLI and its related cash markets
- ItemRekabentuk pencahayaan untuk pameran ayat al-quran di Muzium(2002-03)Understanding the meaning and terminology's of lighting is important towards the discussion of the artificial lighting design at exhibit area in museum. The purpose of this study is to gain information on how lights play the role in displaying museum artifact such as AI-Quran verses. To determine the application of lighting on artifact applicable with the types, position, color and brightness of light source. Level of illuminance on artifact which is classified under papers and manuscripts, is considered. Further more, on the impact of the acceptance of light and the light threat on artifact. The study involved the method of measuring light intensity and measuring temperature and relative humidity to support the illuminance level, temperature and humidity in display casing and surrounding environment. Elaboration from the result and analysis of measurement and the perception of visual impact from respondents' on artifact is obtained. Nonetheless, factors related such as environment factors and method of· displaying artifact will assist in produce of efficient lighting. Finally, few proposal and future studies have been proposed.
- ItemRemoval Of Zinc (Ii) Ions From Industrial Wastewater By Activated Carbon Synthesized From Mangrove (Rhizophora Mangle)(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2022-07-01)Water pollution has become one of the major issues in Malaysia, due to the release of industrial wastewater containing heavy metals. A suitable adsorbent is required to overcome this problem. Activated carbon is one the common adsorbent used for adsorption processes. Commercially available activated carbon (CAC) is expensive because it is made from non-renewable resources and require advanced processing methods to be produced. In recent years, production for activated carbon from agricultural products has gained attention for its ability in enhancing adsorption processes. Therefore, this study focuses on the potential use of agricultural wastes that are abundantly available in Malaysia, which is mangrove wood, as the precursor for the preparation of inexpensive adsorbent that can be applied to eliminate Zn (II) ions from industrial wastewater. The preparation conditions of the char through microwave heating were made at various radiation power and time. The optimization of microwave radiation power and time was performed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimal activated carbon was obtained at 616 W and 4 mins under physical activation with CO2. Apart from that, the adsorption process using the mangrove-based activated carbon was investigated under several conditions. The adsorption of Zn (II) ions was performed in batch system. From the experimental data, the ideal KOH impregnation ratio was at 0.5 with 98.97% of activated carbon yield and zinc (II) ions removal of 84.44%. The surface properties and morphology and functional groups of the prepared adsorbents were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and CHNS Elemental Analyzer. The equilibrium phase during adsorption for all batch experiment was reached within 5 hours. The initial concentration of Zn (II) solutions was studied at different concentrations such as 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ppm. Whereas the varying temperatures selected for the experiment were 20, 40 and 60°C. The highest Zn (II) ions removal and adsorption capacity was reached at 10 ppm and 60°C with percentages of 82.70% and 20.4043 mg/g respectively. The Langmuir isotherm model exhibit the best fit for the adsorption carried out. The maximum adsorption capacity using Langmuir isotherm was 27.6243 mg/g. The experimental data was also well fitted with pseudo-second order kinetics with R2 value of 0.9999. Finally, the thermodynamics study proved that the adsorption process is naturally endothermic. The process is spontaneous and faster at higher temperature of 60°C.
- ItemKinetics And Optimization Studies Of Pressed Pericarp Fibers Pretreated With Organosolvent(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2012-07)The existence of lignin in pressed pericarp fibres (PPF) could inhibit the cellulolytic microorganisms from reacting with cellulose which directly inhibits the cellulolytic enzyme activities. In order to increase the susceptibility of cellulose, PPF was treated with organic solvent under high pressure and temperature in a high pressurized reactor (HPR). Monohydric alcohols (propanol) showed better delignification and hydrolysis at 38.5% and 46.1%, respectively. Ethanol was chosen as pretreatment solvent for further screening of catalyst due to its wide availability and economical perspective. Results showed that ethanol catalysed by nitric acid gave the highest delignification (48.9%) and hydrolysis (96%) of PPF, an increase of 7.4-times from the untreated PPF (raw PPF). In this study, optimization of conditions for PPF pre-treatment was also carried out using one-factor-at-a-time method (OFAT) and a statistical tool. It was found that an optimal PPF pretreatment was achieved at 180oC, ethanol to water ratio of 0.65 aided with 0.8% (w/w) of nitric acid. For the response surface methodology (RSM) via central composite design (CCD), it was found that ethanol to water ratio 0.61 catalysed by 0.69 % (w/w) nitric acid at 183 oC with reaction time of 92 min was the best condition for delignification (55.2 %) and hydrolysis of PPF (90 %) as compared to the untreated condition. The irreversible simultaneous reaction rate model involving 3 species of lignin was proposed and modified, and found that it fitted well with the experimental data at co-efficient of determination (R2) 0.91. As for the cellulose retained and PPF hydrolysis, a conventional reaction rate model with slight modification and a basic enzymatic reaction mechanism were proposed, respectively.
- ItemConstruction of multigrid solver for 2D heat conduction problem(2017-06)This research describes the formulation and application of the multigrid method for the 2D heat conduction problem. A Multigrid method (MG) is essentially a matrix solver which is used with another computational method for solving partial differential equation (PDE) such as finite element method (FEM), boundary element method (BEM), finite different method (FDM) etc. The formulation between FEM and MG is used to test the performance of this combination through the solution. The solution involves partial differential equation (PDE) of Poisson equation of 2D heat conduction problem and the solutions solved by using Matlab. The Poisson equation was tested with various types of heat source and the error L2 norm and H1 norm were computed to validate and prove the convergence of the solution. The solution of FEM and FEM-MG were compared and FEM-MG contains two types of smoother Gauss-Siedel and Successive Over Relaxation (SOR). The result shows that the error of L2 and H1 norm in FEM-MG smaller compare to FEM with conventional linear system solver.