Rythm of the eyes: enhancing visual communication through eye-tracking technology

Visual is the main form of communication used by designers to convey unique and creative messages to the viewers. Whether the communication processes took place in basic forms such as in 2D sketches, paintings or through rendered 3D animated models, the ultimatum of using visual communication is to enhance the viewers experience with the tangible creative products and subsequently improve the quality of their decision-making. The platforms for visual communication within the creative environment also include advanced visualization technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality, which provide real-time and real-world experience to the viewers. Nevertheless questions were raised whether the designers were fully aware of the viewers perception towards the visual information embedded in their creative products. Without these understanding, the products and their valuable information would be less meaningful to the viewers

Measuring Visual Pollution Threshold along Kuala Lumpur Historic Shopping District Streets Using Cumulative Area Analysis

Visual pollution significantly affects public appreciation of the urban environment. Sources of visual pollution such as wastes, energy infrastructures, and advertising boards can cause discomfort towards one\u27s ability to enjoy a scene or view. Although visual pollution is prevalent in the urban environment, less is known regarding public acceptance and tolerance towards different levels of pollution. Therefore, from our point of view, determining the threshold level of visual pollution is essential in achieving visual quality in the urban environment. In this research, we have chosen a popular urban street in Kuala Lumpur as a case study to help us understand how people respond towards visual pollution within a historic shopping district. The study employed cumulative area analysis and photo booklet survey, and it was tested with students in the landscape architecture program at Universiti Putra Malaysia. Results show that the respondents have higher tolerance towards the level of visual pollution than what we had anticipated. Although we have thought that landscape architecture students should be more sensitive towards visual pollution, regular exposure towards pollutants in the urban environment probably has increased their level of tolerance. Nevertheless, this study has provided us with insight on demographic variables such as gender, education level and residential location, which may be meaningful for future research in identifying visual pollution threshold among the public in cities

Research Article Countering Recommendation from CICR on Social Impact of FDI in Liberia: Strategies for Sime Darby to Overcome the Problems

Abstract: Liberia has initiated a paradigm shift to develop its agriculture sector through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). An investment from Sime Darby Plantations has created social impact towards the local, culture and land use. Center for International Conflict Resolution or CICR has seen these problems as a threat to social development in Liberia. Eleven recommendations have been delivered to Sime Darby as a solution to cater all problems that should conserve the local, culture and the land use. In order to assist Sime Darby, this study aims to highlight a strategy for Sime Darby to counter all recommendations from CICR. This study was conducted over a period of three months with several documents and files being investigated. Documents from CICR and Sime Darby have been analyzed thoroughly in order to propose a promising resolution. Three factors have been seen as solutions to Sime Darby to overcome the problems whilst it will assist them on their investment in Liberia. Sime Darby has to execute all strategies that will promise a long run investment in Liberia whilst building their own image as a people-friendly company

Effects of modern instructional technology (MIT) on critical thinking skills of students in agriculture vocational courses in Nigeria

The recent development in modern instruction technology (MIT) methods and equipment warranted for studies to examine their effects on students, teachers, and the education system in general. This study examines the effects of MIT on students’ critical thinking skills in Agriculture vocational courses in Nigeria. The methods and equipment used were identified, and the effect of teachers’ usage behaviour was assessed. A survey approach was adopted, using questionnaires for data collection. The descriptive, correlations and multiple regressions were carried out using SPSS. The result of this study indicates that the most commonly used equipment is electronic whiteboard, while the least are electronic tablets and laptops. Cooperative learning is the most commonly used methods while games and online instruction are the least. There is a moderate positive correlation between MIT methods and the students’ critical thinking skill, but a very weak positive correlation between MIT equipment and students’ critical thinking skill. There is statistically significant contribution of methods to student’s critical thinking, but insignificant method usage behaviour. Therefore, it is concluded that government should incorporate the provision and effective utilisation of MIT equipment and methods in the national education policy. School managements should emphasise the use of MIT methods and review curriculum to improve teachers’ skills in MIT usage. Teachers should utilise the available MIT equipment and method along with their skills for an effective delivery of lessons. Similarly, the students should be encouraged to appreciate the available methods and the equipment, and use them effectively

Novel cross-linked enzyme aggregates of levanase from bacillus lehensis g1 for short-chain fructooligosaccharides synthesis: developmental, physicochemical, kinetic and thermodynamic properties

Short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOSs) can be produced from the levan hydrolysis using levanase. Levanase from Bacillus lehensis G1 (rlevblg1) is an enzyme that specifically converts levan to scFOSs. However, the use of free levanase presents a lack of stability and reusability, thus hindering the synthesis of scFOSs for continuous reactions. Here, CLEAs for rlevblg1 were prepared and characterized. Cross-linked levanase aggregates using glutaraldehyde (CLLAs-ga) and bovine albumin serum (CLLAs-ga-bsa) showed the best activity recovery of 92.8% and 121.2%, respectively. The optimum temperature of CLLAs-ga and CLLAs-ga-bsa was increased to 35 °C and 40 °C, respectively, from its free rlevblg1 (30 °C). At high temperature (50 °C), the half-life of CLLAs-ga-bsa was higher than that of free rlevblg1 and CLLAs-ga. Both CLLAs exhibited higher stability at pH 9 and pH 10. Hyperactivation of CLLAs-ga-bsa was achieved with an effectiveness factor of more than 1 and with improved catalytic efficiency. After 3 h reaction, CLLAs-ga-bsa produced the highest total scFOSs yield of 35.4% and total sugar of 60.4% per gram levan. Finally, the reusability of CLLAs for 8 cycles with more than 50% activity retained makes them as a potential synthetic catalyst to be explored for scFOSs synthesis

Formation of a Nanorod-Assembled TiO₂ Actinomorphic-Flower-like Microsphere Film via Ta Doping Using a Facile Solution Immersion Method for Humidity Sensing

This study fabricated tantalum (Ta)-doped titanium dioxide with a unique nanorod-assembled actinomorphic-flower-like microsphere structured film. The Ta-doped TiO2 actinomorphic-flower-like microsphere (TAFM) was fabricated via the solution immersion method in a Schott bottle with a home-made improvised clamp. The samples were characterised using FESEM, HRTEM, XRD, Raman, XPS, and Hall effect measurements for their structural and electrical properties. Compared to the undoped sample, the rutile-phased TAFM sample had finer nanorods with an average 42 nm diameter assembled to form microsphere-like structures. It also had higher oxygen vacancy sites, electron concentration, and mobility. In addition, a reversed double-beam photoacoustic spectroscopy measurement was performed for TAFM, revealing that the sample had a high electron trap density of up to 2.5 μmolg−1. The TAFM showed promising results when employed as the resistive-type sensing film for a humidity sensor, with the highest sensor response of 53,909% obtained at 3 at.% Ta doping. Adding rGO to 3 at.% TAFM further improved the sensor response to 232,152%

Evaluating Different TiO2 Nanoflower-Based Composites for Humidity Detection

Unique three-dimensional (3D) titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoflowers (TFNA) have shown great potential for humidity sensing applications, due to their large surface area-to-volume ratio and high hydrophilicity. The formation of a composite with other materials could further enhance the performance of this material. In this work, the effect of different types of composites on the performance of a TNFA-based humidity sensor was examined. NiO, ZnO, rGO, and PVDF have been explored as possible composite pairing candidates with TiO2 nanoflowers, which were prepared via a modified solution immersion method. The properties of the composites were examined using field emission electron spectroscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), current-voltage (I-V) analysis, Hall effect measurement, and contact angle measurement. The performance of the humidity sensor was assessed using a humidity sensor measurement system inside a humidity-controlled chamber. Based on the result, the combination of TiO2 with rGO produced the highest sensor response at 39,590%. The achievement is attributed to the increase in the electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, and specific surface area of the composite