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.....

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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.....

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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.....

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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.....

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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...

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The unique properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), such as their high effectiveness against bacteria, are considered one of the reasons to encourage researchers to find easier and non-toxic ways to prepare them. The present study has been documented to investigate and assess the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of AgNPs produced by biogenic synthesis. The twigs of polyalthia sclerophylla (P. sclerophylla) were used as an initiator and silver nitrate (AgNO3) as a reducer. The prepared samples were named AgNPs-a and AgNPs-b. Physical–chemical approaches were employed to characterize the produced samples. AgNPs were tested for cytotoxicity against fibroblast cell line L929 using the Alamar blue assay, while the evolution of the antibacterial activities was against S. aureus and E. coli. According to the data, AgNPs-a had a wavelength of 434 nm, and AgNPs-b had a wavelength of 454 nm. SEM and STEM pictures revealed that the prepared samples had spherical forms. AgNP.....

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The Sultanate of Oman has implemented M-government to improve service delivery. It provides the Ministry of Housing with unique opportunities for real-time and customised access to government information and services. However, despite the Oman Government’s best efforts, low citizen acceptance of M-government services is a common problem in Arab countries. Therefore, to increase the adoption rate, this paper investigates the factors influencing citizens’ intentions to adopt and use M-government programs for the Ministry of Housing. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was utilised for this research. In addition, three considerations were added to the equation: experience, confidence, and time. Data was gathered, and 428 relevant responses were included in the final survey. All of the proposed factors in our TAM model were statistically important in affecting citizens’ intention to embrace and use M-government services for the Ministry of Housing, according to the descriptive rese.....

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Purpose – This study aims to examine the factors of implementing istibdal waqf and generating cash waqf funds through istibdal in Penang.This study was based on the previous problemstatements, stating that waqf property could not be developed due to lack of cash funds. This has allowed the study to explore the factors for implementing istibdal waqf property and the extent towhich the istibdal method can generate cash waqf funds in Penang. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted a qualitative method by conducting semistructured interviews to achieve its research goals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to comprehensively understand the current practice on istibdal cases in Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) through official institutions concerned with waqf management practices in Penang. This research relied on purposive sampling to select the informants. It is a sampling strategy to select the informants in advance based on the research question. To ac.....

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The purpose of this study is to undertake a comparative study of higher education indices in China and between the 31 administrative divisions of China with the international evaluation system. The analysis includes a comparison of higher education indices between China and six continents and several key countries in the world, as well as a comparison between internal regions in China and Malaysia, both of which are in Asia. The numbers and rankings of higher education institutes (HEIs) of various countries and regions listed in the QS World University Rankings (QS) over 13 years from 2010 to 2023 form the basis of corresponding higher education indices obtained through several calculation formulas. These indices are the QS Higher Education Density Index (QSHEDI), QS Higher Education Quality Index (QSHEQI), QS Higher Education Composite Index (QSHEI), and Relative QS Higher Education Composite Index (RQSHEI), and they reflect the index calculation results of the density, quality, and c.....

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Operational efficiency is essential for optimizing resource utilization and streamlining processes, resulting in cost savings and increased productivity. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of different drivers on the operational excellence of organisations in Saudi Arabia. The study examined the mediating role of supply chain integration and digital technology adoptability. Data were collected from 290 employees across multiple departments in various organisations in Saudi Arabia. The researchers utilised a self-administered questionnaire, a cross-sectional research design, and a quantitative research approach. The study found that supply chain integration and digital technology adaptability had a significant impact on sustainable operational excellence. The study found significant effects of Eco-innovation, control operations process optimisation systems, and operations risk management systems on supply chain integration. This research also found no significant influence .....

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