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

6621

Projects

People

Recent Additions

Creative Cultural Ceramic Products Design Development: A Case Study Of Consumer Perception At Beijing Palace Museum
(2025-01)
Wu, Tingfang
This research analyzed consumers' perceptions of ceramic cultural creative products at the beijing palace museum using detailed questionnaire data. Based on the design stance of innovative ceramic products in the cultural creative product store of the beijing palace museum, the analysis of the appearance and function of ceramic cultural creative products, and new strategies for the design and development of ceramic cultural creative products, this study intuitively understands the development status of "cultural and creative products". Through an extensive collection of consumer perception questionnaires, this study identified several shortcomings in designing ceramic cultural creative relics at the beijing palace museum. To design ceramic cultural creative products that better meet consumer needs, this study has developed objective criteria for consumers' decision-making on the appearance and functionality of cultural innovative ceramic products from the beijing palace museum. The factors that need to be considered in designing and developing ceramic cultural creative products at the beijing palace museum were analyzed.
The Relationship Between English Teachers’ Knowledge, Attitude, And Practices, And Integration Of Sustainable Development Goals In Senior High School English Teaching In Shanxi, China
(2025-01)
Wei, Yiran
English teachers play a key role in fostering students’ understanding and awareness of sustainable development issues. However, the way teachers implement sdgs in the classroom, and the relationship between their knowledge, attitude, and actual teaching practices, has not been thoroughly investigated. To address this research gap, the present study examines the relationship between english teachers’ knowledge, attitude, and practices concerning the integration of sdgs into english teaching at senior high schools in shanxi province and explores the impact of these factors on teaching behavior. This study underscores the significance of the knowledge, attitude, and practice (kap) model in analyzing english teachers’ integration of sdgs into their teaching practices. The kap model provides a framework for understanding how teachers’ knowledge of sdgs influences their attitude and how these attitudes, in turn, shape their teaching behaviors. This study adopted a mixed-methods research approach, combining quantitative questionnaires with qualitative interviews and classroom observations, surveying english teachers in public high schools across shanxi province. The results indicate that english teachers possess a high level of sdgs knowledge, a medium level of attitude, and a low level of practice.
Transformational Leadership, Dynamic Capability And Sustainable Performance: Empirical Evidence From Large-Scale Manufacturing Enterprises In China
(2025-02)
Wei, Xuecheng
Excellent leadership can assist large-scale manufacturing industries in adjusting resource allocation, enhancing competitiveness, and achieving sustainable performance. In the context of the double carbon goals, the development of china's manufacturing industry faces increasingly complex challenges. However, there remains a lack of research on the impact of different combinations of leadership styles on the sustainable performance of large-scale manufacturing industries, particularly within the backdrop of a manufacturing powerhouse like china. To this end, this study developed a theoretical framework by integrating transformational leadership, sustainable leadership, managerial tie, dynamic capability and sustainable performance based on resource-based view, theory of dynamic capability, and social network theory. The model underwent evaluation utilizing partial least squares-structural equation modeling (pls-sem) with a sample of 606 large-scale manufacturing enterprises in china. Four significant discoveries emerge from the analysis.
Motion Planning Of Differential Drive Mobile Robot By Circular Arc And Spiral Arc Trajectories
(2025-01)
Zakaria, Wan Zafira Ezza Wan
In today’s world, mobile robots are essential tools capable of moving from one location to another. Motion planning, a critical task for these robots, has garnered extensive attention, particularly in sensor-based applications. However, robots that do not rely on sensor data pose significant research challenges, as continuously adjusting their movements to follow a predefined path becomes difficult. This work focuses on employing computer-aided geometric design (cagd) for sensorless motion planning as an effective curve computation technique. In this study, we present a sensorless motion planning method for differential drive mobile robots (ddmrs), considering scenarios where the start point, endpoint, and initial direction are known. Ddmrsare widely used in various applications due to their reliability and ease of use. They achieve mobility by distributing velocity between their left and right wheels, determined by the curvature value. Our study outlines a method for constructing and connecting arcs between points, focusing on two types of arcs which are circular arcs and clothoids. Circular arcs are defined by parametric equations describing their circular form, while clothoids are characterized through fresnel integrals.
The Development And Effectiveness Of The Lwpbl Module Towards Motivation, Self-Efficacy And, Literature And Writing Achievement Among Higher Vocational College Students In China
(2025-01)
Tang, Shenlong
As a critical component of higher education institutions, college chinese course in higher vocational colleges still adopt traditional teaching methods, which makes students lack motivation and self-efficacy, and their literature and writing (lw) achievement is poor. Therefore, this study aims to develop a literature and writing problem-based learning (lwpbl) module and to investigate its effectiveness towards motivation, self-efficacy, and lw achievement among higher vocational students in china. Constructivist learning theory and situated learning theory provide a comprehensive theoretical framework for this study. A quasi-experimental design incorporating pre-test and post-test was used with students who were divided into two groups of classes, the lwpbl module (70 students) and the lw module (70 students). The addie model and pbl model were utilized to design and develop the lwpbl module. The result revealed a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in the post-test and between the experimental groups in the pre-test and post-test for motivation, self-efficacy, and lw achievement.

Most viewed

Volatility behavior patterns and information transmission mechanism : evidence from Malaysian futures markets
(Universiti Sains Malaysia., 2005-10)
Noryati Binti Ahmad
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
Rekabentuk pencahayaan untuk pameran ayat al-quran di Muzium
(2002-03)
Bidin, Baizura Hanim
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.
Removal Of Zinc (Ii) Ions From Industrial Wastewater By Activated Carbon Synthesized From Mangrove (Rhizophora Mangle)
(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2022-07-01)
Suntharam, Nanthini Mohana
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.
Kinetics And Optimization Studies Of Pressed Pericarp Fibers Pretreated With Organosolvent
(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2012-07)
Hii, Kiew Ling
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.
Construction of multigrid solver for 2D heat conduction problem
(2017-06)
Muhammad Aqil Bin Azman
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.