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2191

Abundance on canvas: Cultivating peace and floral expressions in Lida Sherafatmand’s paintings

Abstract

In this study we discuss the relationship between the concepts of abundance, peace and painting. After a general look at different definitions and approaches to the concept of abundance, we will choose the cultural and artistic approach and, in this context, take a brief look at the painters who used the concept of abundance together with peace. Then we will look at the style of Florescencism, invented and introduced by the contemporary painter Lida Sherafatmand, and the related paintings that have been shown in many prestigious exhibitions around the world, in the context of one of the main approaches of this style, which is to represent the concept of abundance. The abundance of fresh and bright flowers with vivid and promising colors in Lida Sharafmand’s paintings is formally and conceptually in line with one of the clauses of the Florescencism manifesto, which refers to the concept of abundance as a way to develop peace. The paintings selected and presented in this review have be.....

Article Published 2024 534 hits Available

2192

Challenges and issues encountered by elite coaches in developing student-athletes at malaysian sports schools

Zulakbal Abd Karim

Abstract

The Malaysian Sports School (MSS) is a governmental institution under the purview of the Ministry of Education Malaysia. It is a specialised institution that prioritises sports education and training for exceptionally gifted young athletes. The primary goal of MSS is to create a conducive environment for students to thrive in both academic and athletic pursuits. It is imperative to enhance the domain of sports at the school level in order to optimise the performance and accomplishments of student-athletes across different sports disciplines. Hence, this study aims to investigate the specific problems and obstacles encountered by top-tier coaches at MSS in nurturing gifted student-athletes The study employed the Qualitative Method, specifically utilising the Evolved Grounded Theory approach developed by Strauss and Corbin. Data were gathered from ten elite coaches in five MSS using in-depth semi-structured open interviews, observation, and document analysis. The purpose was to identify .....

Article Published 2024 409 hits Available

2193

Influence of washing parameters on biomass and biochar properties of empty fruit bunches from oil palm plantation

Suriani Abu Bakar

Abstract

This study examines the efects of washing pretreatments on the chemical characteristics of biomass and the resultant biochar derived from empty fruit bunches (EFBs) of palm oil plantations. We optimized parameters such as washing duration, techniques, and water volume to improve biochar quality. Following the washing pretreatment, the EFBs were subjected to slow pyrolysis at 500 °C for 2 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. In-depth analyses employing techniques like X-ray fuorescence (XRF), X-ray difraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-DTG), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) demonstrated profound changes in the EFB biomass and biochar structure and composition. Specifcally, the sample L-EFB4, soaked in water for 72 h, showed a 67.08% reduction in ash content and a signifcant decrease in potassium content, enhancing the biochar’s.....

Article Published 2024 550 hits Available

2194

Development of the SiAlong platform to improve digital literacy on landslide disasters among generation Z in Semarang City

Hanifah Mahat

Abstract

This study is a development research which proposes to create a digital platform to enhance digital literacy concerning landslide disasters for Generation Z. The findings indicate that in Semarang City, Generation Z frequently accesses information from the internet and finds it extremely helpful. However, their knowledge and literacy regarding preparedness for landslide disasters remain low, which highlights their need for a digital literacy platform on this topic. Based on this requirement, the researchers developed the SiAlong platform, short for "Landslide Preparedness Information System". This platform is a website accessible by users on various devices, including Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers, laptops, PCs, and tablets. To date, the availability of digital platforms for information and education on landslide disasters is very limited. Digital technology is predominantly used for developing sensing systems, detection, prediction, or monitoring of landslide disas.....

Article Published 2024 446 hits Available

2195

Investigation on mechanical and thermal properties of Poly (Latic acid) (PLA)/Fish Scales Hydroxyapatite (FsHA) composites

Ismail Zainol

Abstract

This study investigates biomaterial composites made from a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) polymer matrix and hydroxyapatite (HA) extracted from fish scales (FsHA) for biomedical applications, especially in 3D printing. Fish scale HA is considered a halal alternative to synthetic or bone-derived HA. The research aims to explore the chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of PLA/FsHA composites. Samples were prepared by melt-blending PLA with varying FsHA weights (10-50 wt%) at 190 °C, followed by hot pressing. Mechanical properties were analyzed using tensile tests, while scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) characterized the morphology of fractured specimens. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studied the functional groups between PLA and FsHA. Thermal properties, including glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting temperature (Tm), were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Mechanical analysis revealed that optimal properties were achieved at 20 wt.....

Article Published 2024 328 hits Available

2196

Structural, elastic, and optical properties of holmium–ytterbium-doped borotellurite glass for possible applications in optical fiber sensing

Muhammad Noorazlan Abd Azis

Abstract

A series of mixed glass formers (MGF) with varying compositions denoted as (79-x)B2O3-xTeO2-20Li2O-0.5Ho2O3-0.5Yb2O3 (x = 0–50 mol%) were prepared using the melt-quenching technique. This aim of this study was to examine the effect of combining glass formers TeO2 and B2O3 on the structural, DC conductivity, elastic, and optical properties of the glass system. XRD measurements confirmed the amorphous nature of the glass samples. Structural analysis revealed a rivalry between the TeO2 and B2O3 formers. It was observed that the bridging oxygen (BO) indicated by the BO4 functional group decreases gradually at x ≥ 40 mol%, implying that non-bridging oxygen (NBO) units, denoted by BO3, become dominant beyond 40 mol%. The variation in DC conductivity showed a non-linear behaviour upon addition of TeO2, with the conductivity increasing to a maximum value at x = 30 mol% before decreasing at x > 30 mol%. Interestingly, the conductivity showed a slight decline at x = 40 mol%, possibly r.....

Article Published 2024 342 hits Available

2197

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) prediction model based on limited peat samples using an evolved artificial neural network

Wang, Shir Li

Abstract

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are involuntary by-products of incomplete combustion and are highly toxic to humans and the environment. The Malaysian peat is often acidic or extremely acidic having high levels of chlorine and/or other organic acids that act as catalysts or precursors in PCDD/Fs formation. This study aims to predict PCDD/Fs emissions in peat soil using an artificial neural network (ANN) approach based on limited emission data and selected physico-chemical properties. The ANN's prediction performance is affected by uncertainties in its initial connection weights. To improve prediction performance, an optimisation algorithm, termed differential evolution (DE), is used to optimise the ANN's initial connection weights and bias. The study adopts several ANNs with fixed architecture to predict PCDD/Fs emissions, each consisting of a multilayer perceptron (MLP) with a backpropagation algorithm. Eight input variables and one output.....

Article Published 2024 490 hits Available

2198

Women and investment decision in sharia instruments: Moderating effect of financial spirituality orientation

Husna Husain

Abstract

This research is based on a gap in authority between men and women in making investment decisions where women are considered less financially literate and less struggling. Therefore, this study examines how financial literacy and trust affect women’s investment decisions in Sharia instruments with financial spirituality orientation as a moderating factor. The sample was selected from 256 women on the northeastern coast of Central Java, Indonesia. Structural Equation Modeling with a Partial Least Square method was used to test the data. The findings showed that the higher the financial literacy, trust, and financial spirituality orientation, the better the decision level in the Sharia investment decisions. The financial spirituality orientation strengthens the influence of financial literacy on Sharia investment decisions. However, financial spiritual orientation cannot intervene in trust in financial institutions. This finding suggests that women consider their spiritual beliefs whil.....

Article Published 2024 527 hits Available

2199

Pancasila as the core value for character building in Islamic higher education institutions

Miftachul Huda

Abstract

Higher education, as the continuation and culmination of the formal education process, has a role and responsibility to optimize character building based on the nation’s philosophy, namely Pancasila. Indonesia today is far from Pancasila’s hopes. This article explored the landscape of internalizing the nation’s philosophical values through exposure to concepts, practices, and challenges at UIN Ar-Raniry. This research used qualitative methods with a naturalistic approach carried out at Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The sample in this study was taken using a non-probability sampling technique. Meanwhile, data collection was carried out using triangulation techniques. The data were analyzed using inductive analysis techniques with an interactive qualitative approach, comprising data reduction, data display, and drawing conclusions. The research results showed that the process of internalizing the nation’s philosophical values at UIN Ar-Raniry was inte.....

Article Published 2024 354 hits Available

2200

Industrial digitization, the use of real-time information, and operational agility: Digital and information perspectives for supply chain resilience

Khan, Mustafa Rehman

Abstract

Change is the permanent reality of the digital business world. Firms manage it by their ability and capability to cope with short-term and long-term deviations and disruptions. This article presents an examination of the supply chain resilience (SCR) of firms operating in the Malaysian Service Sector. The data for this article were collected from 157 managers of 59 firms operating in 7 subservice sectors. Following organizational information processing theory and reviewing the relevant literature for the conceptualization, we tested a framework that suggests that the use of real-time information (URTI) enhances SCR. We also found that the industrial digital environment has an important link with the URTI. The results indicate that the URTI is significantly associated with SCR and operational agility, which partially mediates the relationship between the URTI and SCR. We further discuss the theoretical, practical, and policy implications arising from this research. © 1988-2012 IEEE...

Article Published 2024 553 hits Available

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