Factors influencing the intention to re-use e-learning among students of Malaysian universities with e-learning facilities

E-learning is regarded as a mandatory teaching and learning approach in higher education worldwide. The effectiveness of e-learning depends on the successful adoption by the student. E-learning is considered the most appropriate effective method of knowledge delivery to meet the current academic requirements. Hence, this study was essential to examine the factors affecting the intention to use e-learning among students in Malaysian higher education institutes. Based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) this study developed a comprehensive framework on students' intention to use e-learning. A quantitative research method that suited the research objective was adopted. This study used the random sampling technique, data was collected from 330 respondents who were enrolled in public and private universities with e-learning facilities in Malaysia. The result showed that Attitude, Perceived usefulness, and Perceived behavioural becomes a positive predictor of Intention to use e-learning. However, Subjective norms found no significant effect on Intention to use e-learning. The results revealed that all the constructed hypotheses were supported except for H3, which reported that the subjective norm did not have a significant positive influence on the intention to use e-learning. The obtained results have significant contributions to theory and practice in e-learning delivery. The findings of the study provide clear insight to researchers and practitioners on the usage of e-learning among distance-learning students as well as the variations in the intention to use e-learning between male and female learners. Besides, as a practical contribution, this study suggests that university managements should improve their e-learning facilities to benefit their stakeholders, especially the students

TOXICITY OF ATRAZINE AND RELATED TO TESTICULAR, TISSUE DAMAGING ENZYME LEVELS IN POECILIA SPHENOPS

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the toxic effects of Atrazine (ATZ) on the enzyme levels in Poecilia sphenops.Methods: The cytosolic testicular enzyme and tissue-damaging enzyme activity were measured in Poecilia sphenops was exposed to 3 sub-lethal concentrations (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/l) of atrazine for 100days and control was also maintained. The toxic effects of ATZ to Poecilia sphenops were assessed through testicular marker enzyme, tissue-damaging enzyme level.Results: The activities of testicular functional enzyme ALP, ACP, SDH, LDH, G6PDH and tissue-damaging the activities of glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activity levels were altered in treated groups compared with that of the control.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that atrazine induces tissue damage in terms of enhanced enzyme activity and testicular enzyme activity in Poecilia sphenops. Atrazine has toxicity to the reproductive system in Poecilia sphenops

Agricultural trade between Malaysia and China: Competitiveness and complementarity

The discernment of trade competitiveness and complementarity findings holds crucial implications for policymakers, facilitating the formulation and implementation of strategies conducive to fostering economic growth. This study aims to determine the latest level of competitiveness and complementarity of the agricultural trade between Malaysia and China. This investigation uses quantitative research methodologies to draw upon data extracted from the UN Commodity Trade Statistics Database, specifically employing the HS2012 (HS12) classification system from 2017 to 2019. The empirical findings illuminate significant trends. China displays a pronounced comparative advantage in exporting agricultural products classified by HS12 items 05, 13, and 16, whereas Malaysia exhibits a pronounced comparative advantage in exporting HS12 items 14, 15, 18, 19, and 21. The examination of trade dynamics unveils that HS12 item 07 demonstrates a complementary relationship in terms of China’s exports and Malaysia’s imports, while HS12 items 14, 15, and 19 exhibit complementarity from the perspective of Malaysia’s exports and China’s imports. The trade intensity index (>1) substantiates the profound interconnectedness characterizing bilateral agricultural trade ties between the two nations. The investigation uncovers inter-industry advantages within HS12 items 06, 07, 11, 14, and 16, juxtaposed with intra-industry advantages specifically about HS12 item 23. The findings provide evidence of the inherent comparative advantages prevalent within diverse agricultural product categories. Consequently, this study not only aids policymakers but also furnishes traders within Malaysia and China with strategic insights, thereby facilitating the development of plans to augment the competitive prowess within their respective agricultural sectors

Relatório de estágio em farmácia comunitária

Relatório de estágio realizado no âmbito do Mestrado Integrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas, apresentado à Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbr

I-Bin: Weight Based IoT Smart Recycling Scheduler for Guarded Neighbourhood

Overpopulation and lack of awareness are the main causes of poor waste management. While existing research in waste management employs current technology such as the Internet of Things, it lacks emphasis on residential centric type of waste management system. This project designs a weight based scheduling system for a guarded neighbourhood using Arduino Uno, load cells and plastic bins which are then incorporated with WiFi to send waste weight information in real time to cloud for monitoring. Design verification tests such as the linearity test and non- repeatability test showed less than 1 percent standard deviation error. A Proof of Concept test was conducted to test the system's performance at a guarded residential area. Analysis of test showed that an average of 0.0966 kg of recyclable waste was collected per house. Based on the results also, it is predicted that approximately 483 kg of waste can be effectively collected from 10 residential areas using the I-Bin system. Residents tend to dispose waste after office hours and scheduling more waste collection frequency after office hours will lead to increased revenue for the recycling company

Peak power shaving in hybrid power supplied 5G base station

The Information and Communication Technology sector consumes approximately 3% of the world’s electrical energy due to the exploding demand for internet service. The most energy-intensive part of cellular communications is the base station, which there are about four million of them deployed globally. As Fifth Generation (5G) wireless networks are introduced, the number of base stations will be growing in parallel with the data traffic which in turn will increase the energy consumption of the base station to cater for the growing capacity. The high-power consumption and dynamic traffic demand overburden the base station and consequently reduce energy efficiency. In this paper, an energy-efficient hybrid power supply system for a 5G macro base station is proposed. It is analysed that with the solar energy working in conjunction with the conventional supply from the grid, the reduction of poor power quality is observed as the fluctuation of the demand is greatly decreased. The proposed model showed a reduction in the average grid power by 14.9%. Furthermore, the power supply showed peak power shaving of 5kW; thus, reducing the reliance on the grid as well as increased the energy-efficient of this hybrid power supply system

Study of Various Properties of Chemically Treated Lignocellulosic Cissus quadrangularis Stem Fiber for Composite Reinforcement

The increasing demand for natural fiber-reinforced composites has opened up the market for inexpensive, lightweight, bio-renewable, and environment-friendly plant fibers. The chemical treatments on fiber lead to the reduction of lignin and hemicellulose contents which helps in better adhesion with the matrix. The objective of this work is to do various chemical treatments on Cissus quadrangularis Stem Fiber (CQSF) and perform its characterization. The natural fibers are first extracted from the Cissus quadrangularis stem using the retting process. The fibers are then chemically treated with magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). The characterization of single fibers is investigated by single-fiber tensile test, chemical composition, thermogravimetric analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscope. Characterization results show that the MgCO3-treated CQSF has improved mechanical and thermal properties. Thus, MgCO3-treated CQSF is suggested for biocomposite preparation due to its promising mechanical properties and thermal properties

Hotspots and trends of environmental, social and governance (ESG) research: a bibliometric analysis

This study examines paper-level metrics in the literature on topics related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) to provide a research agenda for hotspots and trends. Based on 755 papers on ESG in the Web of Science Core Collection database from 2004 to 2021, we use VOSviewer and CiteSpace to present a bibliometric review of publications, citation structure, authors, universities, countries, journals, and keywords on the topic. Additionally, the philosophy of the ESG system, factors affecting ESG, the financial outcomes of ESG, the association between ESG and corporate social responsibility (CSR), and ESG investing are presented as research hotspots. Furthermore, three research trends are identified: research on the influencing factors and economic consequences of ESG in the context of emerging markets, mechanism analysis of ESG’s impact on the capital market, and further research on ESG information disclosure and ESG ratings. Our study enriches ESG theory and provides new paths for researchers and practitioners

Clinicopathological features of Adult Granulosa Cell Tumour of Ovary- A Case Series of 14 Cases

Adult Granulosa Cell Tumour (AGCT) is the most common sex cord stromal tumour of ovaries. These tumours in comparison with epithelial tumours are of low-grade malignant potential and have low recurrence rate after surgical procedure. In this case series, a retrospective search for ovarian AGCT cases from January 2016 till January 2021 was done. A total of 14 cases were included. Parameters studied in this case series were age, laterality, gross, architectural pattern, call Exner bodies, nuclear grooves, necrosis, mitotic count and tumour staging. After studying all the cases, it was reported that mean age of presentation was 44 years (range 21-64 years), unilateral with right-sided dominance (71.4%), grossly 78.5% of the cases were solid cystic with haemorrhagic area, with mean tumour size of 9 cm, 57.1% cases had call Exner bodies, and all the cases showed nuclear groves. Most of the cases, 85.7% presented with low mitotic count of <4/10 High Power Field (HPF). Rare presentation of endometroid carcinoma-endometrium World Health Organisation (WHO) Female Genital Tract (FGT) fifth edition), and mature teratoma of contralateral ovary presented in one case each. This case series outlines characteristic histomorphological feature, frequent presentation at lower stage, and low mitotic count, these characteristic features act as prognostic marker for recurrence prediction