On Ordered Weighted Averaging Operator and Monotone Takagi-Sugeno-Kang Fuzzy Inference Systems

—The necessary and/or sufficient conditions for a TakagiSugeno-Kang Fuzzy Inference System (TSK-FIS) to be monotone has been a key research direction in the last two decades. In this paper, we firstly define fuzzy membership functions (FMFs) with single and continuous support; and consider TSK-FIS with a “grid partition” strategy for computing its firing strengths with product T-norm (here after denoted as TSK-FIS-product). We also define a more general joint necessary condition, whereby each constituent itself is a necessary condition for the TSK-FIS-product model. The first necessary condition indicates that the normalized firing strength must not be indeterminate (i.e., 0/0), i.e. susceptible to the “tomato classification problem”. The second necessary condition indicates that all restricted consequents of fuzzy if-then rules must be defined. Based on the principle of the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operator as well as the concept of increasing orness in OWA and hyperboxes, a general joint sufficient condition for a TSK-FIS-product model to be monotone is derived. Three case studies of the developed methods for undertaking Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and image processing tasks are presented. The results are compared, analyzed, and discussed, demonstrating the usefulness of our developed methods

Examining the Relationship of Cognitive and Affective Images on Destination Loyalty: A Case of Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food, and Festival Tourism in Sarawak

This study investigates the intricate interplay between cognitive and affective images in shaping tourists' destination loyalty, focusing specifically on culture, adventure, nature, food, and festival (CANFF) tourism in Sarawak as elements of cognitive image. In contemporary tourism research, identifying the drivers behind tourists' loyalty toward a specific destination is crucial for sustainable tourism development. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of destination images on tourists' behavioural intentions. More specifically, this research investigates the relationship between cognitive image and affective image, and the subsequent effects of both cognitive and affective images on tourists' intentions to revisit and recommend the destination. A systematic survey was conducted using convenience sampling of tourists visiting Sarawak, yielding 420 valid responses after data screening. A disjoint two-stage approach in Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), appropriate for testing higher-order constructs (HOCs), was employed in this research. The findings support the conceptualization of a tourist destination's cognitive image as a reflective-formative, multidimensional higher-order construct encompassing culture, adventure, nature, gastronomy, and festivals (CANFF). Collectively, these CANFF attributes significantly contribute to forming Sarawak's cognitive image, illustrating how diverse destination elements coalesce to shape tourists' perceptions and drive their intentions to revisit and recommend Sarawak. Results also indicate a positive influence of cognitive image on affective image, with both cognitive and affective images positively influencing tourists' behavioural intentions. Notably, the affective image exerts a stronger impact on tourists' intentions to revisit and recommend the destination compared to the cognitive image, implying that emotions and feelings are more accurate predictors of behavioural intentions. The implications of this study are twofold. Firstly, it contributes to destination image and loyalty theories by empirically establishing nuanced relationships between cognitive and affective elements. Secondly, it offers practical insights for destination management organizations (DMOs) and policymakers in Sarawak and elsewhere to develop targeted strategies that enhance both cognitive and affective aspects of the destination experience, thereby fostering greater tourist loyalty. Leveraging these insights, Sarawak can progress toward its goal of becoming a leading tourist destination, significantly contributing to its economic development by 2030

ENGAGING MINDS THROUGH ANIMATION : THE EFFECTIVENESS OF 2D CONTENT IN MEDICAL HEALTH EDUCATION

The article examines the effectiveness of 2D animated content as an engaging and innovative educational tool for mental health education. The study explores how such animations can enhance understanding and raise awareness of mental health disorders among diverse audiences. Among the ongoing difficulties mental health education faces are stigma, misunderstandings, and a dearth of interesting materials that successfully explain difficult disorders like bipolar disease. To this end, six user-friendly animated modules were developed, focusing on key aspects of Bipolar Disorder, including an introduction to the condition, its symptoms, causes, prevalence, types, and available treatments. A structured evaluation process was employed, combining usability testing to measure knowledge retention with participant feedback to capture perceptions and experiences. The study engaged three target groups: healthcare professionals, multimedia experts involved in content creation, and members of the general public with varying levels of familiarity with Bipolar Disorder. By integrating insights from these groups, the research highlights the transformative potential of 2D animation in mental health education. Preliminary findings demonstrate that animated content significantly improves comprehension and awareness, presenting it as a dynamic, engaging, and accessible medium for disseminating information. These results underscore the promise of 2D animation in reducing stigma and misconceptions about mental health disorders, paving the way for the development of future educational resources and interventions

Development of Comprehensive Framework Teaching Approaches and Methods for Group Counselling Laboratory Course in Higher Education Institution

The study was conducted to develop a comprehensive framework of teaching methods and approaches for group counselling courses. It was carried out in two phases. The objectives of this study were: (i) to identify comprehensive teaching approaches and methods for group counselling courses, and (ii) to develop a structured framework for these teaching approaches and methods. This study utilized a mixed-method research design involving former and current students who had taken the Group Counselling Laboratory course. The results of the needs assessment analysis and group interviews with past students revealed that effective approaches include constructivism (a student-centred approach) and cognitivism (a teacher-centred approach). Additionally, the effective teaching methods identified for learning group counselling courses include interactive lectures, guided instruction, just-in-time teaching, experiential learning, case-based learning, role plays, and simulations, which are categorized as teacher-centred approaches. For the student-centred approach, the effective methods identified were fieldwork and clinical methods. The impact of these teaching approaches and methods was reflected in student performance, with 11 students obtaining an A, eight earning an A-, five receiving a B, and two earning a B-, out of a total of 26 students. Post-test feedback from the majority of students described the clarity of objectives, engagement, feedback on tasks, classroom management, assessment, differentiation of instruction, materials and learning plans, as well as the integration of technology presented in this course. In conclusion, the comprehensive framework of teaching approaches and methods for the Group Counselling course requires the integration of constructivism and cognitivism approaches, alongside teaching methods such as interactive lectures, guided instruction, just-in-time teaching, experiential learning, case-based learning, role plays, simulations, fieldwork, and clinical methods. Future researchers can explore other contexts, such as teaching delivery and course assessment

Human Resource Practices and Employee Performance in Sarawak Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs): Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

The competitiveness, success and sustainability of Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) hinge upon various factors and most importantly, the interplay between human resource (HR) practices and employee’s performance in the light of the rapid changes in the business environment. However, how individuals respond to organizational efforts require further understanding. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of HR practices, specifically training and development, job rotation, career planning, and job involvement on employee performance in PHEIs in Sarawak, Malaysia, with a focus on the mediating role of self-efficacy. Framed within Social Exchange Theory (SET) and the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) Theory, the research aims to understand how these HR practices contribute to enhanced employee performance. Data were collected through an online survey across 27 PHEIs, resulting in 452 responses from both academic and non-academic staff using purposive sampling. The analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The key findings revealed that the relationship between HR practices and employee performance is significant, where job involvement shows the strongest influence, followed by training and development, job rotation and career planning. In addition, self-efficacy was found to significantly mediate the relationship between HR practices and employee performance. Theoretically, the findings highlight the importance of strategic HR interventions in fostering a motivated and capable workforce in line with AMO Theory. The practical contributions include enhancing HR practices, improving staff retention, emphasizing leadership development, and guiding policymakers on continuous professional development (CPD) and career progression to strengthen employee performance and PHEIs. Recommendations for future research include exploring additional HR practices and mediators in different educational contexts to develop HR strategies that improve employee performance

Parametric Study of The Microstrip U-Slot Patch Antenna for Concrete Strength Monitoring

This paper presents a parametric study of a microwave microstrip patch antenna based using finite element modelling software to conduct simulations applied to dielectric material characterization. A probe-fed U-slot patch antenna has been designed to function as a material sensing applicator. The primary objective of this study is to provide non-destructive measurements for predicting the grades of cast concrete in the construction industry. The size, shape, and dimensions of the designed patch antenna are described in detail. The parametric study focuses on the shift in the minimum peak of return loss, |S11| (dB) of the antenna in relation to changes in the dielectric constant of the material under test. The modelling done on the antenna show a significant response in the |S11|, when placed on materials selected to simulate concrete samples at different periods of the curing process, and also at different strength grades. It is known that different strength grades of concrete have varying relative permittivity and dielectric constant values. Consequently, the shift in the minimum peak of the measured |S11| (dB) correlates with changes in concrete strength, thus offering a simple, non-destructive, fast, and effective system for testing concrete quality

Pre-University Students’ Perception towards the Use of Online Learning in Mathematics Subject

COVID-19 has had a major influence on higher education, requiring a faster digitization of course materials, integrating academics who work from home, and modifying student funding policies in reaction to border closures abroad. In order to adjust to the situation, faculties are required to close and switch to a new style of instruction. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to close this gap by examining the perspectives of pre-university students about the use of online learning in mathematics lessons with regard to content delivery, engagement, and assessment. In this quantitative study, 74 students were chosen at random to respond to a series of questionnaires. A descriptive analysis of the data was conducted to determine the percentages, means and standard deviation. According to the data analysis, pre-university students at UNIMAS generally have a good opinion of the usage of online learning in mathematics subjects in terms of engagement, material delivery, and evaluation

Political Participation of Rural Women in Yaxi, China: A Gender Perspective

This research attempts to study political participation of rural women in Yaxi, located in southeast of China through the lens of gender theory, and aims to explore ways to increase their participation in politics. This study also analyses cultural and social challenges in influencing Chinese rural women’s lack of political participation, and assesses policies and regulations in relation to rural women’s low political participation. Gender in this research is studied within the framework of the socialist feminism approach to examine the culture, values and social forms that lead to low political participation of rural women and to explore ways to increase their involvement in rural China. Based on the critical paradigm, a qualitative approach is used to explore in depth the participants' feelings, interpretations and understandings. Empirical findings from Yaxi Town largely confirm that the exclusion of women from political structures and decision-making processes is the result of cultural, social and policy challenges in the context of modern society. Thousands of years of traditional culture and social norms influence the political engagement of rural women in China. Being a country where only one party dominates, the understanding and implementation of policies affects rural women in their participation in politics, and policies with gender inequality violate rural women's political rights and their participation in politics. The insights gained from the interviews suggest that ways should be sought to change the cultural and social barriers and change policies to promote women's participation in politics, especially in their decision-making processes

Gamification and technology acceptance model : a systematic review and future research directions

Technological advancements have popularized "gamification" in recent years, yet few studies have explored its connection to the technology acceptance model (TAM). This paper aims to enhance understanding of the relationship between gamification and TAM by systematically reviewing current research trends. Employing a systematic literature review (SLR) method, we analyzed 72 papers identified via Scopus, focusing on 13 journal papers published between 2016 and 2020 that met our criteria for in-depth analysis. Our findings indicate a significant rise in research on gamification and TAM, with nearly half of the studies (49%) incorporating new external variables into the original TAM framework. The study identifies three key themes for future research. By providing a comprehensive review, this study contributes new knowledge and offers a critical summary for further investigation into the integration of gamification with TAM, highlighting potential avenues for future research and practical application

Key insights into recommended SMS spam detection datasets

Short Message Service (SMS) spam poses significant risks, including financial scams and phishing attempts. Although numerous datasets from online repositories have been utilized to address this issue, little attention has been given to evaluating their effectiveness and impact on SMS spam detection models. This study fills this gap by assessing the performance of ten SMS spam detection datasets using Decision Tree and Multinomial Naïve Bayes models. Datasets were evaluated based on accuracy and qualitative factors such as authenticity, class imbalance, feature diversity, metadata availability, and preprocessing needs. Due to the multilingual nature of the datasets, experiments were conducted with two stopword removal groups: one in English and another in the respective non-English languages. The key findings of this research have led to the recommendation of Dataset 5 for future SMS spam detection research, as evidence from the dataset’s high qualitative assessment score of 3.8 out of 5.0 due to its high feature diversity, real-world complexity, and balanced class distribution, and low detection rate of 86.10% from Multinomial Naïve Bayes. Recommending a dataset that poses challenges for high model performance fosters the development of more robust and adaptable spam detection models capable of handling diverse forms of noise and ambiguity. Furthermore, selecting the dataset with the highest qualitative score enhances research quality, improves model generalizability, and mitigates risks related to bias and inconsistencies