The study aims to understand how value is added by higher education institutions (suppliers), and preschools (service providers) in the preschool educational supply chain. Based on the qualitative methodology, 14 group interviews with preschool pre-service teachers and 9 individual interviews with the Head of Academic Programs from the upstream supply chain were performed. In addition, 23 group interviews with preschool teachers and 8 group interviews preschool operators from the downstream supply chain were conducted to verify the data obtained. The results showed active collaboration, frequent dialogues, close discussion and information sharing between the members of preschool education supply chain for the value creation of preschool teachers. The study implies that a structured and long-term relationship should be established between all the members of preschool educational supply chain so that children, the end-user of this system, will gain the best value possible. For future res.....

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This work sets out to examine the validity and reliability of the Mathematical Modeling Attitude Scale (MMAS), a instrument measuring teachers? attitude towards mathematical modeling. A cross-sectional survey research was utilised to describe the validity and reliability of the MMAS. The population of the present study focused on Malaysian mathematics teacher in primary and secondary schools (N = 171) and this was achieved using convenience sampling. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis were utilised in analysing the data in the present work. EFA revealed that the data from the teachers had a four-factor structure: constructivism, relevance and real-life, understanding and motivation and interest. The CFA confirmed that the model fit indices established the four-factor structure of the first and second-order model. Although the Rasch analysis generally supported the finding of EFA and CFA, there was still room for improvement in terms.....

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Several instruments that measure the teaching, learning, and assessment quality have been developed and published. However, a psychometrically sound instrument to measure teaching, learning, and assessment quality in early childhood care and education that suitable for the Malaysian context needs to be validated. Therefore, this study aimed to validate on teaching, learning, and assessment quality in early childhood care and education instrument, which contains 68 items. The sample comprised 3,498, selected by stratified random sampling from a population of all Malaysian kindergarten teachers. Data were analyzed based on the Polytomous Item Response Theory (IRT) using the Xcalibre software. Samejima's Graded Rating Model (SRGM) was found to be the fit model with the data. Unidimensionality assumption and local independence were tested using the exploratory factor analysis and were fulfilled. The instrument?s reliability was overall very good (?=0.966) and the construct validity was als.....

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This study developed and used a mobile Augmented Reality (AR) reading kit to help preschool students recognize alphabets and read simple words more effectively. This study was based on the quantitative approach involving an experimental methodology that used a one-group pretest-posttest design. In this study, the variables of interest to be measured were students' reading skills, motivation, and self-learning. The learning treatment involved a series of reading sessions using the novel learning application that spanned three weeks, with each session lasting for two hours. The sample of this study comprised 60 preschool students, whose ages ranged from four to six, who were selected from three different preschools. The effectiveness of the novel-reading kit was evaluated in terms of students' learning performance, learning motivation in reading, and self-learning. The data for the former were gathered from pre-testing and post-testing. At the same time, a survey was administered to the .....

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This study aimed to validate the instrument for Successful Person on Quality of Early Childhood and Care Education (ECCE). The validation of the constructs was carried out in two phases, firstly, using the Rasch Measurement Model (RMM) and secondly using the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CfA). The RMM to determined validity, reliability, polarity and fitness of the items and CFA for measurement model by using Win steps software and AMOS. Results from the RMM analysis showed that the reliability and separation of the items and the persons are high. Polarity of the items show that there were 26 items that measured other constructs, and the items were dropped and retained 67 items. Meanwhile, from CFA the measurement model was fitted and accepted; Chi-square/df =2.04 (.90), and PNFI=.84 (>.50). In the regard, the scale was successful for psychometric standard, valid, reliable and stable. ? 2021. All Rights Reserved...

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The study was focused on the effectiveness of Centella asiatica extract in microbial reduction and retarding browning formation of the samples obtained from fresh-cut fruits and vegetables (FCFV) during room temperature displayed (RTD) and chilled storage (CS). The microbial and color analyses were done in hour-basis (room temperature displayed) and daily basis (chilled storage). Candida albicans (6.77 log CFU/mL), Bacillus cereus (6.34 log CFU/mL), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (6.46 log CFU/mL) and Aspergillus niger (5.34 log CFU/mL) were specifically inoculated in apple, potato, lettuce, and pineapple, respectively. In room temperature displayed samples, the population of survival microorganisms ranged from 4.44 to 6.90 log CFU/g. In chilled stored samples, only A. niger was survived in chilled pineapple (3.00 log CFU/g) when storage end. Browning indexes in room temperature displayed and chilled stored samples ranged from 8.06 to 9.26 and 5.00 to 12.68, respectively. In short, low tempe.....

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The objective of this article was to examine multicultural sustainability with reference to appropriate manners suitable for creating an atmosphere of mutual acceptability. The focus was on previous early education among the intercultural teachers. The participants included ten teachers, five Muslims and five non-Muslim, with intercultural backgrounds, who were selected to be involved in this study. A structured interview was employed, and a thematic analysis was performed on the basis of the research findings. The findings revealed that there were several themes resulting from conducted interviews that were centered around understandings of multicultural sustainability based on learning experiences in previous early education. When evaluating the intercultural awareness of mutual acceptability within the context of a multicultural background, among the themes operating as key strategic elements for achieving multicultural sustainability through mutual acceptance were situational exper.....

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This qualitative study describes the procedures undertaken to explore the Intangible Culture Heritage (ICH) preservation, especially focusing on the inhabitants? garments of different ethnic groups in Weld Quay, Penang, which was a multi-cultural trading port during the 19th century in Malaysia. Social life and occupational activities of the different ethnic groups formed the two main spines of how different the inhabitants? garments would be. This study developed and demonstrated a step-by-step conceptual framework of narrative analysis. Therefore, the procedures used in this study are adequate to serve as a guide for novice researchers who are interested in undertaking a narrative analysis study. Hence, the investigation of the material culture has been exemplified by proposing a novel conceptual framework of narrative analysis. This collaborative method has been utilized to ascertain the narrative data collected from an interview with visual and semiotic analysis. The information de.....

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PbTiO3 has emerged as a promising material for the thermoelectric application. In this study, we proposed to use density functional theory to investigate the underlying mechanism for improving the thermoelectric efficiency of ATiO3. The thermoelectric parameters of the designed surface structures have been obtained by using the Boltzmann transport equation approximation. The properties of the structure, electronic, and thermoelectricity were measured and analyzed. The surface (001) modification through the AO termination layer has increased the electrical conductivity, thus increasing the power factor. On the other hand, increasing the Seebeck coefficient, which is aided by declining thermal conductivity, which is aided by low thermopower, improves the figure of merit. It is shown that the thermoelectric performance of surface (001) SnTiO3 is higher as compared to PbTiO3 making it interesting towards lead-free materials in thin-film application. ? 2021 Elsevier B.V...

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Nutraceuticals are a category of products more often associated with food but having pharmaceuticals property and characteristics. However, there is still no internationally accepted concept of these food?pharmaceutical properties, and their interpretation can differ from country to country. Nutraceuticals are used as part of dietary supplements in most countries. They can be phy-tochemicals which are biologically active and have health benefits. These can be supplied as a sup-plement and/or as a functional food to the customer. For human health and longevity, these materials are likely to play a vital role. Consumption of these items is typical without a therapeutic pre-scription and/or supervision by the vast majority of the public. The development of nutraceuticals can be achieved through many bioresources and organisms. This review article will discuss the current research on nutraceuticals from different biological sources and their potential use as an agent for improving human he.....

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