Information systems continuance model for employee in Waqf organisation

Information systems (IS) or computer-based systems plays a critical role in an organisation’s success, especially in the era of digital economics and among digital organisations take place. IS can facilitate organisation through several courses of information management, which including gathering, processing and disseminating information. The positive impacts of IS in job performance will influence its continuous use. However, lack of research in continuance use of IS poses an obstacle to the growth of this domain. Previous studies have examined continuance intention using the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM), which provides a basis of investigating IS continuance. ECM employed mainly the three factors to explain behavioural intention, namely confirmation, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction. However, the expansion in today’s business in terms of technology and business models requires a further integration with other factors such as experience, self-efficacy, task technology fit, utilization and perceived support. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop an IS continuance model through the extension of ECM by integrating new factors from other related theories which include Task-Technology Fit (TTF), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), Social Support Theory (SST), and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The proposed model is evaluated by distributing a survey questionnaires among members of the staff of Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Johor (MAINJ) that use e-Waqf system. The feedback from 115 valid respondents were analysed using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) based on Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique. The results show that perceived support, self-efficacy, utilization and perceived task technology fit complement behavioural intention factors that involve user satisfaction, perceived usefulness, as well as confirmation towards IS continuance intention. The results further reveal that prior experience have no influence on IS continuance. The outcome of this study would provide the new knowledge in IS continuance domain and provides an opportunity for developing an effective plan of IS continuance in the organisations

Environmental Management Practices in Small Batik Industry in Kelantan, Malaysia

Small businesses form a backbone of economy in developed countries as well as in developing countries. However, at the same time, small businesses significantly contributed to environmental degradations because they are preoccupied with matters pertaining to business as well their limitation in resources to look after the environment. In Malaysia, batik industry is one of handicraft products that contributed significant to the country economy, but the industry has poor environmental record. Yet until recently, not many researchers in Malaysia conducted in research pertaining to environmental management practices of SMEs entrepreneurs by using batik as a case. This paper examines environmental practices adopted by entrepreneurs in their business activities. This study utilized in-depth interviews with three entrepreneurs in the industry in Kelantan. The results of the study found that the level of implementation of environmental-friendly practices among batik entrepreneurs were low. Keywords: Environmental management practices, SMEs, batik industr

Program literasi Bahasa Melayu murid tahun tiga Sekolah Kebangsaan Tiong, Kota Bharu Kelantan / Helmey Zainee Binti Mohd Zain and Zuraihan binti Zakaria

Literasi bahasa ditakrifkan sebagai kemampuan minimum untuk membaca dan menulis dalam sesuatu bahasa. Pertubuhan Pendidikan Sains dan Kebudayaan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu mendefinisikan seseorang yang mempunyai keupayaan literasi ialah seseorang yang dapat membaca dan menulis sesuatu pernyataan yang pendek dan mudah dalam kehidupan hariannya. Satu program literasi bahasa Melayu telah dilaksanakan di Sekolah Kebangsaan Tiong Kota Bharu Kelantan oleh tujuh orang tenaga pengajar dari Pusat Pengajian Bahasa Literasi dan Terjemahan, Universiti Sains Malaysia Kampus Kesihatan. Seramai 15 orang murid tahun tiga yang menghadapi masalah dalam penguasaan pembacaan dan penulisan dalam bahasa Melayu telah dipilih bagi menyertai program ini. Program ini telah dijalankan selama dua tahun iaitu pada tahun 2011 dan tahun 2012. Fokus utama kajian adalah untuk menganalisis keberkesanan program ini. Oleh itu dapatan kajian dapat memberi petunjuk tentang keberkesanan program literasi bahasa Melayu yang telah dijalankan terhadap 15 orang murid tahun tiga Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Tiong, Kota Bharu

Improving micro-hardness of stainless steel through powder-mixed electrical discharge machining

Powder-mixed electrical discharge machining (PMEDM) is the technique of using dielectric fluid mixed with various types of powders to improve the machined surface output. The process is fast gaining prominence in electrical discharge machining (EDM) industry. The objective of this investigation is to determine the ability of tantalum carbide (TaC) powder-mixed dielectric fluid to enhance the surface properties of stainless steel material during EDM. The properties of investigated are the micro-hardness and corrosion characteristics of the EDMed surface. Machining was conducted with 25.0g/L concentration of TaC powder in kerosene dielectric fluid. The machining variables used were the peak current, pulse on time and pulse off time. The effects of variables on the micro-hardness of the EDMed surface were determined. Corrosion tests were also conducted on the samples that exhibited higher hardness. Results showed that the EDMed surface was alloyed with elements from the TaC powder. The micro-hardness obtained with PMEDM is about 1,200Hv. This is about 1.5 times obtained without TaC powder in the dielectric fluid. The loss in weight during corrosion test was found to be 0.056 ug/min for PMEDM which was lower than the lowest value of 10.56 ug/min obtained for the EDM without powder dielectric fluid

Effect of machining parameters on surface roughness during wet and dry Wire-EDM of stainless steel

Surface integrity of Machined parts is one of the major machining characteristics that play an important role in determining the quality of engineering components. It is well-known fact that good quality surfaces improve the fatigue strength, corrosion and wear resistance of workpiece. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Wire-Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) variables on surface topography of stainless steel. In the present work, the effects of pulse current and gap voltage on surface topography during wet and dry WEDM of stainless steel were investigated. It was evident that as the two process parameters increase the surface topography of workpiece becomes worse. The effect of both dry and wet machining conditions on surface topography is also reported in this paper

The effects of human needs as stipulated in Maqasid Syariah on zakah distribution effectiveness / Maheran Zakaria, Wan Murshida Wan Hashim and Nazmi Mohd Zain

The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of human needs in the perspective of Maqasid Syariah namely religion, physical-self, knowledge, family and wealth on zakat distribution effectiveness. Approximately 350 sets of questionnaire were personally sent to zakat recipients of two programs conducted by Majlis Agama Islam Kelantan (MAIK) namely business assistance and living skill course. From this amount, 320 people responded, amounting to 91.43 % response rate. Data were analyzed using Social Science Statistical Package (SSPS) 20 and Analysis of Moment Structurzakahe (AMOSS) 20. From the findings, it can be concluded that all human needs in the perspective of Maqasid Syariah namely religion, knowledge, physicalself, family and wealth positively influence zakah distribution effectiveness. Hence, the study provides an insight to zakat institutions, policy makers and the public that the effectiveness of zakah distribution could not only be judged in terms of monetary value but also to other non-monetary values that include religion, physical life, knowledge, family and wealth

MRR and TWR study of powder mix EDM and pure EDM based on response surface methodology

Powder-mixed electrical discharge machining (PMEDM) enhances the machined surface's output by combining dielectric fluid with various types of powders. This process is quickly gaining acceptance in the electrical discharge machining (EDM) sector. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a dielectric fluid containing tantalum carbide (TaC) powder can improve the material removal rate (MRR) also, lessen tool wear rate (TWR) during the subsequent EDM machining of stainless steel material. The material removal rates, tool wear rate, and mathematical models of two different EDM mediums were examined during the machining. For the machining procedure, kerosene dielectric fluid containing TaC powder at a concentration of 25.0 g/L was used. The machining input variables were used peak current, pulse on time, and pulse off time. We determined how these variables affected the MRR and TWR of the copper-based EDMed electrode tools. During electrical discharge machining, the MRR for stainless steel (SUS 304) was increased by MRRPMEDM by 4.3 to 5.3% and TWRpEDM was reduced by 37.9% when TaC powder additive was used. Optimized results also show that TWR and maximum MRR can be achieved at 81.98% and 13.779mm3/min respectively with 83.50% desirability whenever the pulse on-time and pulse off-time are 6.20 µs and 6.50 µs respectively. The models are reliable and can be used to forecast the machining responses within the experimental region, it can be said. The MRR and TWR model for EDM with TaC powder additive (MRRPMEDM) identifies current as the most significant factor, followed by pulse on time and off-time

A review of relationship between presenting symptoms and tumour location in colorectal carcinoma in tertiary centre hospital

Colorectal cancer is ranked as the most common cancer for men and the second most common cancer for women according to the Malaysian National Cancer Registry Report (MNCR) 2007-2011. However, delay in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is still common partly attributable due to late presentation and incorrect diagnosis by the general practitioners. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between presenting symptoms of colorectal cancer to the location of the tumour in order to prevent delay in diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Between 1996 until 2009, a total of 212 patient data from Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic and surgical data were obtained. We studied the relationship of the presenting symptoms of colorectal cancer to the location of the tumour. The age of candidate included in this study range from 16 to 93 years old with mean age was 56 and male predominance. In this study, there is a strong relationship between presenting symptoms and the location of the colorectal cancer but no significant relationship between age and sex to the anatomical location of the tumour. The study showed the presenting symptoms of rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit and tenesmus were significantly associated with rectal tumor, intestinal obstruction with left sided tumors and anemia and abdominal mass with right sided tumors (p-value <0.05). However abdominal pain does not follow this role as it is mostly associated with other presenting symptoms and it has no significant relation to the anatomical location of the tumor

Assessment of Glycaemic Effect of Benincasa hispida Aqueous Extract in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

Benincasa hispida, Bh (winter melon) is a good source of natural sugars, amino acids, organic acids, mineral elements and vitamins. This study was designed to explore the glycaemic effect of Bh aqueous extract in diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-350g) were induced to become diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ, 45mg/kg intraperitoneal). The Bh aqueous extracts of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg and metformin were administered through oral gavage to determine their effects on fasting blood glucose (FBG) and oral glucose tolerance test. The dose of 250 mg/kg was found to be the most effective dose and it decreased blood glucose level (BGL) by 11.8% in normal healthy rats after 6H of administration. The same dose also caused a marked reduction in BGL of 33.1% in normal rats, 38.7% in severe diabetic rats and 64.7% in mildly diabetic rats in OGTT after 3H of oral administration of the extract. The changes of BGL were not significant compared to normal rats. It shows that the extract is diabetic-friendly since the blood glucose levels were stable throughout the study period. These trends of BGL reduction show that Bh aqueous extract is diabetic friendly

Coping strategies for sexual problems and sexual dysfunction amongst Malay women with breast cancer : a qualitative study

Introduction: Women’ sexuality becomes complex after breast cancer diagnosis and sexual health is highly neglected in the management of the illness. Aims: To explore the coping and strategies to overcome sexuality problems and sexual dysfunction among women with breast cancer. Material and Methods: Using the in-depth and photo-elicitation interview methods, this qualitative study following phenomenological analysis was conducted on fourteen married female respondents with breast cancer and had the positive result for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) screened by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6 items) from Kelantan, Malaysia. The interviews data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and managed in analytic computer software NVivo11 Pro. The transcriptions were analyzed using thematic analysis by referring to the meaning-making theory. Main Outcome Measures: We identified overlapping themes of coping and strategies among women with breast cancer to overcome sexual problems and sexual dysfunction which correspond with meaning-making theory. Results: Three themes have emerged. Women with breast cancer that developed sexuality problem and sexual dysfunction strived to accept the illness using religious belief and conform by altering sexual practices. These individuals positively look for a solution by seeking formal healthcare advice, modify their physical appearance, active discussion with the husband and support from other survivors. A few of them passively struggle with the subject by averting the intimacy and receptive toward polygamy. Conclusion: This study highlighted the various mechanisms that emphasized the pivotal role of religious belief and relationship context as key factors in the coping strategies among women with breast cancer in Malaysia. The finding may not be generalized to other countries