PERCEIVED CORRELATION BETWEEN COMMUNICATION STYLES AND INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

Background and Purpose: A good and fulfilling relationship among individuals from distinct cultural backgrounds depends on effective communication. This research examined the perceived relationship between communication styles and interpersonal conflict resolution among international students in Malaysian universities.   Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional survey in which self-developed structured questionnaires were used to gather data from a random sample of 324 international students in 15 higher institutions across Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis.   Findings: The findings of this study revealed a significant positive relationship between communication styles and interpersonal conflict resolution among international students. Specifically, passive, passive-aggressive, and assertive communication styles have a significant positive relationship with conflict resolution. However, the aggressive communication style exerts an insignificant effect on conflict resolution with a t-value of 0.734 and a P-value of 0.463. Thus, the students generally believe this style does not help to resolve interpersonal conflict. These outcomes suggest the students’ readiness for cultivating a peaceful learning environment.   Contributions: This study provides relevant information that can help educational decision-makers to strengthen cross-cultural collaboration among international students in the Malaysian context. This valuable information can also facilitate successful academic, professional, and social cooperation.   Keywords: Cross-cultural relationship, interpersonal conflict resolution, communication styles, international students, Malaysia.   Cite as: Mohammed, S., Nasidi, Q. Y., Muhammed, M. U., Umar, M. M., & Hassan, I. (2023). Perceived correlation between communication styles and interpersonal conflict resolution among international students in Malaysia. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 8(2), 352-372. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol8iss2pp352-37

The influence of various chemical oxygen demands on microbial fuel cells performance using leachate as a substrate

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), hailed as a promising technology, hold the potential to combat various wastewater pollutants while simultaneously converting their chemical energy into electricity through biocatalysts. This study explores the applicability of a dual compartment MFC (DC-MFC) under varying conditions, targeting the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from landfill leachate and electricity generation. In this setup, anaerobic sludge from a wastewater treatment plant serves as the inoculum in the anode compartment of the MFC, with a Nafion117 membrane acting as the separator between MFC units. The cathode compartments are filled with distilled water and continually aerated for 24 h to enhance air supply. The study assesses the MFC's performance across different COD concentrations, focusing on COD removal, power generation, and Coulombic efficiency. The findings reveal that COD removal efficiency is notably enhanced at higher concentrations of organic matter. Specifically, at a COD concentration of 3325.0 mg L , the MFC exhibited the highest COD removal efficiency (89%) and maximum power density (339.41 mWm ), accompanied by a Coulombic efficiency of 25.5%. However, as the initial substrate concentration increased to 3825 mg L , the efficiency decreased to 72%, with a Coulombic efficiency of 13.56% and a power density of 262.34 mWm . Optical density levels increased due to bacterial growth at ambient temperature and neutral pH, reflecting the dynamic microbial response within the system. [Abstract copyright: © 2024. Crown.

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical evaluation of anticorrosion property of a tetrapolymer for carbon steel in strong acid media

A novel tetrapolymer (TP) consisting of carboxylate, sulphonate, phosphonate and sulfur dioxide based comonomers was synthesized using Butler cyclopoymerization technique. The synthesized tetrapolymer was characterized using FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13CNMR and elemental analysis. The performance of the tetrapolymer as a corrosion inhibitor for St37 carbon steel in 15% HCl and 15% H2SO4 acid media was assessed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), linear polarization resistance (LPR), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical frequencymodulation (EFM) techniques. The influence of addition of a small amount of KI on the corrosion inhibition efficiency of TP was also assessed. Results obtained showed that the tetrapolymer moderately inhibited the corrosion of St37 steel in the acid media with protection efficiency of 79.5% and 61.1% at the optimum concentration of 1000 mg·L−1 studied in HCl and H2SO4 media respectively. On addition of 5 mmol·L−1 KI to the optimum tetrapolymer concentration, the protection efficiency was upgraded to 90.6% and 93.5% in HCl and H2SO4 environment, respectively. The enhanced performance of the polymer in the presence of KI is due to synergistic action deduced from synergism parameter (S1) which was found to be greater than unity. The tetrapolymer afforded the corrosion inhibition of St37 steel in the acid media by virtue of adsorption of the polymermolecules on the steel surfacewhichwas confirmed by ATR-FTIR analysis of the adsorbed film extracted from the steel surface. TP+KI formed complex with St37 steel surface in H2SO4 solution but not in HCl solution

Potentials of global networking in SMS technology: an example of Nigerian users

In the last two decades, Short Messaging Service (SMS) has witnessed a remarkable growth and acceptance worldwide. Among other Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) avenues, it is regarded as one of the fastest in increase probably for being so instant and private. It is being estimated recently that short messages are being sent in trillions globally. In the Nigerian framework, the technology has been generating momentum as a phenomenon to be reckoned with socially and politically. The younger generation, above all, use the machinery to bring about social change, fight corruption, and actively monitor and participate in the local politics. This critique reviews related literature on the global nature of SMS and the inference of its use in a local milieu. Findings revealed that SMS has a variety of positive impacts on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. At the same time, results of some studies conducted on students at different levels of education raises some alarm over the growing influence of SMS language shortcuts on students’ formal scripts. Socially, the literature has reiterated the increasing concern over the culture of ‘sexting’ and how capable it is in promoting social vices and incongruity among the Nigerian populace. Keywords: GSM technology, Nigeria, short messaging service, SMS technology, CM