The characteristics of natural rubber, that is its elasticity, resilience, and cost -effectiveness, are the main reasons for its extensive usage in systems for vibration, noise, and structural shielding. Nonetheless, the existence of impurities, including m etals, polymers, minerals, and fibres, might bring the natural rubber products' reliability, safety, and performance to a halt. Such contaminants usually get into the rubber during the buying process, cutting to size, and processing. Their severity varies, making their detection quite diffic ult, as these impurities differ in size, type, and form. Various approaches are currently used to locate and identify these materials. Among the techniques applied are mechanical sieving, magnetic and eddy current separation, optical imaging, and X -ray and computed tomography scanning. Besides that, surface and chemical analysis methods like inverse gas chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy are also part of the process. This research explores the effect of foreign contamination on the n atural rubber's mechanical, dielectric, and environmental properties and further points out the major drawbacks of the current inspection techniques employed in the industry. The three main future research directions are: the use of artificial intelligence , non-destructive electromagnetic and microwave sensing, and the development of uniform benchmarking frameworks for real -time industrial quality monitoring.
The evolution of smart grid technology has introduced a wide range of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and digital solutions into modern substations. However, the coexistence of diverse communication protocols and isolated hardware gateways has created significant challenges for data integration, scalability, and maintenance. This study presents the design, development, and field validation of the Distribution Intelligent Switch (DIS), a unified communication gateway that consolidates multiple industrial protocols including Modbus, IEC 104, and IEC 62056 21 into a single platform using the MQTT protocol. Field trials were conducted at four distribution substations operated by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to assess the real -time performance of the DIS under actual operational conditions. The system successfully facilitated the integration of devices such as Online Feeder Pillars (OFP), Community Energy Storage Systems (CESS), Voltage Regulated Distribution Transformers (VRDT), and Remote Terminal Units (RTU), enabling synchronised and accurate data acquisition. The implementation of Network Time Protocol (NTP) ensured precise time stamping of all data logs, improving the reliability of event diagnostics and analysis. The results confirmed that the DIS enhances interoperability, r educes infrastructure redundancy, and supports centralised monitoring with minimal configuration effort. These outcomes demonstrate that the DIS is a scalable, secure, and cost-effective solution for advancing substation communication systems, aligning with the strategic objectives of TNB’s smart grid initiatives and offering a replicable model for global utility modernisation.
Lateral misalignment poses a significant challenge in the field of wireless power transfer, particularly in dynamic systems where the receiver coil exhibits relative motion to the transmitter. Although many earlier studies have primarily focused on advance d coil designs in dynamic scenarios, this research investigates how circular coils that are integrated with sensorless -based algorithms behave when subjected to static lateral shifts within a distance of −10 cm to +10 cm. Root-mean-square current readings were collected systematically, and the Gaussian curve fitting method was applied to accurately depict the spatial changes of the circular coil magnetic coupling. The assessments were also carried out with vertical coil distances set at 2.5 cm, 3.5 cm, 4.5 cm, and 5.5 cm. The measured data suggest that peak Irms values experience a steady decline as the air gap is increased, accompanied by a concurrent increase in Gaussian spread, highlighting a coupling region that is more sensitive to changes in system par ameters. The centre alignment metric hovered around zero, indicating that the coils were aligned correctly and the reliability of the positioning setup. The implementation of the inverse Gaussian model facilitated the estimation of lateral displacement in the absence of positional sensors, with measurement errors typically kept within ±1.5 cm. Additionally, the peak-to-peak voltage exhibited an exponential decay characteristic as the vertical distance increased, consistent with the expected decline in magne tic coupling effectiveness. Although the experimental arrangement was performed under static (non -moving) conditions, the results establish a predictive modelling framework that serves as a hypothesis for real -time estimation in future dynamic wireless power transfer applications.
Malay medical manuscripts (MMMs) reflect centuries of indigenous therapeutics, but their contribution to contemporary male reproductive medicine is little explored. This study evaluated natural treatments of male reproductive ailments recorded in selected MMMs by combining native wisdom and modern scientific verification. Five transliterated MMMs were obtained from the collection of IIUM, Kuantan, and assessed using the Scientific Analysis of Kitab Tib Index for Index of Manuscript Selection (SAKTI- iMS). Traditional formulations and pharmacological effects documented in the MMMs were compared with empirical studies retrieved from NCBI PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar, ensuring comprehensive appraisal of pharmacological evidence and regional publications. 79 natural products were identified in 32 formulations utilised for male reproductive disorders, with Tayyib Al-Ihsan Fi Tibb Al-Insan and Kitab Tib MSS 2515 contributing the highest number of formulations (25% each) and MSS 2515 showing the greatest diversity of natural products (34.2%). Remedies are primarily plant- based (74.3%), with honey, shallot, black seed, raisins, and sugar palm tree, noted to improve sperm quality, erectile dysfunction, and low sexual desire. Significant antioxidant activities from the high phenolic contents, reduce lipid peroxidation thus enhance cellular functions. Traditional knowledge integrated with scientific validation highlights the potential of MMMs in enhancing evidence-based medical interventions.
In the current era, access to vital signs monitoring systems is limited in some areas, such as remote areas. This project is an early prototype aimed at validating a non -invasive monitoring system using an Arduino-based platform with an ESP32 Hibiscus. Thi s early stage focuses on real-time body temperature, heart rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure estimation. The data were obtained from female subjects aged 22 to 28 years over a period of 10 to 15 minutes and validated against standard clinical equipment. The results indicate an accuracy range of 78% to 95% for heart rate, 96%-100% for SpO2, 98% to 100% for body temperature and 79% to 99% for blood pressure estimate. The project presents a low cost and accessible solution for maternal health monitori ng. It differs from existing Arduino-based systems by using a MAP-based blood pressure estimation and the particular subject validation. The findings indicate the practicality of the proposed system as a preliminary tool for remote monitoring with the possibility of future integration with IoT and clinical validation.
Struvite precipitation has attracted increasing attention as a promising approach for nutrient management in wastewater treatment. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and thematic analysis of global research on struvite precipitation, aiming to elucidate its development trends, intellectual structure, and emerging directions. The article evaluates 1,717 studies on struvite technology as a nutrient recovery method, from 1999 to 2024 extracted from Scopus®, through a structured bibliometric analysis using the Biblioshiny tool. The results identify a major turning point around 2013, marking a shift from foundational laboratory-scale studies to rapid expansion characterised by increased research output, pilot-scale applications, and integration with advanced treatment technologies. China is found to be the top country in the number of citations and total publications, which hosted the first two leading institutions. Additionally, keyword analysis illustrates strong connections between “struvite” and terms like “phosphorus recovery” and “wastewater”, emphasising struvite precipitation as a still- promising method for recovering phosphorus from emerging P-rich wastewaters. Furthermore, two major research gaps are highlighted; the role of struvite technology in climate change remediation, as well as the economic feasibility of struvite fertiliser harvested from waste streams.
The relationship between humans and wildlife has existed for thousands of years, with hunting being the most fundamental aspect. Borneo, especially Sabah, is known to be one of the hotspots for legal and illegal wildlife trade and consumption. In 2016, the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) introduced the wildlife market logbook for wildlife meat suppliers. Data from the West Coast (WCD) and Interior Division (IRD) wildlife market logbooks from 2016 to 2019 were analysed to examine the status of the wildlife market in terms of wildlife meat species and the temporal patterns of supply and demand in the different areas. Until now, there has been no proper centralised system for the baseline data to monitor the trend of legal wildlife markets in Sabah. A total of 122.4 tonnes of wildlife meat was extracted from the forests, primarily comprising bearded pigs (Sus barbatus) and sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) for a duration of four years (2016 to 2019). In the WCD, the largest amount of game meat was bought in May and December, while IRD was in February and April. This shows that there is always a supply when there is a demand, even outside of the festive months. This study showed that the logbook is an important tool in monitoring the legal wild meat market, but its effectiveness depends on data management conducted by the SWD. In conclusion, this highlights the intricate dynamics of human-wildlife interactions and the challenges inherent in monitoring the trade in wildlife in Sabah.
Paralysis is the inability to move and, in some cases, unable to feel in a portion or the entire body. This condition could be transitory or long term. In addition, the current market options to cater paralysed patients are often bulky and expensive, limiting access outside hospitals. To address this dilemma, the project focuses on creating an affordable, user -friendly device that uses hand movements to control the system through an accelerometer and gyro, wirelessly transmitting data to a receiver. Vital signs such as temperature, BPM, and SpO2 are monitored and displayed on both the OLED screen and a mobile app via a Blynk server. During the functionality performance, the number of errors that occurred during the testing of the smart IoT system's functionality was zero, indicating a high level of reliability in the IoT system. During testing, the system recorded 0% functional error and achieved an average accuracy of 80%, outperforming earlier systems that ranged between 40 to 60%. In short, this proposed system enhances healthcare access, improves care quality, and offers patients more independence and peace of mind.
Container imbalance occurs when there is an excess of empty containers in one location and a shortage in another due to the difference in import and export activity. The situation has become a critical challenge for shipping lines and the logistics industr y. One of the most important things to do to handle this situation is the empty container repositioning (ECR), which means shifting of empty containers from regions of excessive volume to regions where their availability is scarce. This study aims to identify the development, trends and research gaps associated with the research related to empty container repositioning. A bibliometric analysis was performed on 232 Scopus - indexed articles that have been published over the span of 50 years which is from 1972 to 2024. The analysis shows that the research on ECR has progressed through three phases where the first phase of slow growth followed by a significant rise after 20 years and rapid growth in publications in the last decade. The study found that there is a vast literature exists on container shipping optimisation but there is still more scope, especially in terms of incorporating carbon emissions and sustainability, reflecting a growing emphasis on environmental impacts in logistics research.
Rapid advances in big data analytics, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) have transformed algorithmic trading (AT), enabling more accurate prediction of market trends and price movements. Once limited by technological constraints, AT is now wide ly adopted, with a large share of daily trading volume executed by hedge funds, insurance companies, and investment banks using proprietary algorithms. This institutional dominance has concentrated resources and innovation within large corporations, creating barriers that limit access to advanced trading tools for individual investors. This paper addresses this imbalance by proposing a user -centric, open-source algorithmic trading platform designed to democratise access to sophisticated trading technologies. The system integrates a custom-built deep learning model that analyses historical stock data alongside news sentiment to improve trading predictions. The trading infrastructure is implemented using the open - source QuantConnect framework, while decision-making is driven by DL and sentiment analysis techniques. The application was designed, deployed, and rigorously evaluated using standard software performance metrics. Results demonstrate that the proposed system enhances accessibility to state-of-the-art trading strategies, empowering individual investors and promoting a more inclusive, competitive, and innovative stock trading ecosystem.
Diatoms are adaptable microbes that have numerous uses in areas including environmental monitoring and drowning investigations. Due to the ongoing exposure to moisture and changing conditions, traditional forensic techniques for detecting and estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) of partially submerged cadavers are frequently inefficient in aquatic situations. To ascertain the PMI and the location of partially submerged burial remains, this study sought to assess the efficacy of diatoms as biological indicators. This study was conducted in freshwater and brackish water ecosystems, where the fatty flesh of commercial Sus scrofa was buried in a shallow grave and allowed to decompose at several designated sampling points for 270 days of burial interval. Benthic diatoms were sampled from the associated soils to determine their abundances at each decomposition stage. Notably, several diatom species were identified as potential PMI indicators, including Caloneis silicule (freshwater) and Chaetoceros coarctatum (brackish water). Species potentially useful for locating submerged cadavers including Cosinodiscus argus for freshwater systems and Fragilaria crotonensis for brackish water. Additionally, strong correlations between certain diatoms (Navicula cancellata, Fragilaria vaucheriae, Hantzchia sp., Nitzschia closterium, and Coscinodiscus gigas) and lipid content further underscore their potential to be used in forensic investigations.
Twenty-six percent of global rice is produced in Southeast Asia, yet rice shortages remain a regional concern. Integrated pest management (IPM) has been promoted for decades to improve yields, but its adoption in Malaysia remains low. The reasons for this need to be investigated, as Malaysia aims to produce safer, higher-quality food. A survey was conducted in two paddy areas using a questionnaire to assess paddy farmers’ knowledge of IPM-related topics. The study found that all respondents still rely on chemical pest control methods. Respondents scored well in their knowledge of insecticides, pest symptoms, and arthropod pests and their ecology, with average scores of 71.9%, 71.5%, and 70.2%, respectively. However, they performed poorly on topics related to natural enemies and their ecology, with an average score of 36%. The generalised linear model revealed that age, farming experience, and levels of educations did not significantly affect knowledge of insecticides, pest symptoms, and arthropod pests and their ecology. However, higher levels of education were predicted to improve scores on topics related natural enemies and their ecology. Based on these findings, farmer education is recommended to enhance their knowledge of biological control, with the hope of promoting higher adoption of IPM in Malaysia.
This paper examines the dielectric behaviour of pure polypropylene (PP) and its nanocomposites modified with 2 wt% of different multielement oxide nanofillers which is magnesium aluminate (MgAl₂O₄), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), and zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to assess thermal and chemical characteristics, respectively. The results indicate that pure PP demonstrates the highest direct current (DC) breakdown strength, reaching about 327 kV/mm. However, the breakdown strength drops to 271 kV/mm when 2 wt% CaCO₃ is added, w ith further reductions observed for ZnFe₂O₄ (239 kV/mm) and MgAl₂O₄ (174 kV/mm). These reductions are believed to be due to morphological changes introduced by the nanofillers, which act as nucleating agents, as confirmed by DSC analysis. Overall, the study emphasises that the type of nanofiller plays a decisive role in shaping the dielectric performance of PP-based composites.
The aim of creating a popular nutrition knowledge and food recommendation app, designated as the mobile application for personal nutrition system (MPnutris), is to improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. This study involves the development and design of this system with a focus on expert perspectives, which addressed the limitations and opportunities for app implementation and integration and resulted in acceptance outcomes. To examine the application’s components, a focus group discussion was conducted with eight experts at the Football Association under the Patronage of His Majesty the King in order to identify the needs and gaps based on Fogg’s motivation principle and Davis’s theory of innovation and technology acceptance from the aspects of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. The MPnutris prototype was used in the study, and the results showed that most participants found that there were no problems in its trial and use, the app was easy to use, and the functions of MPnutris were acceptable. Therefore, the app could be a feasible and acceptable solution to support nutrition promotion interventions in primary care.
This study systematically investigates the effects of calcium titanate (CTO) concentration on the microstructure and electrical properties of ZnO-based varistor ceramics to identify optimal Bi-free formulations for low-voltage protection applications. CTO, a perovskite oxide, was incorporated to address the volatility and environmental limitations of conventional Bi₂O₃-based varistors. Analyses of microstructural and crystallographic data reveal that low CTO concentrations promote grain growth, while higher amounts induce moderate grain refinement and increased micro-strain. Electrical characterisation demonstrates enhanced nonlinearity in all CTO-doped ZnO ceramics, with the maximum nonlinearity coefficient (α = 3.850) and lowest leakage current density (425.11 μA/cm²) observed at 1.0 mol% CTO. The study identifies an optimal CTO concentration window that yields a balanced combination of large grain size, high potential barrier height, and stable non-ohmic response. These findings confirm CTO as an effective, thermally stable substitute for Bi2O3 in tailoring grain boundary properties and electrical performance, laying the groundwork for environmentally friendly ZnO varistor development. Future research should further refine doping strategies to maximise nonlinear characteristics and device reliability.
As efforts to address unmet supportive care needs evolve, increasing attention has been directed toward the well-being of both cancer patients and their caregivers in Malaysia. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Malay version o f the Supportive Care Needs Survey for Partners and Caregivers (SCNS-P&C-M), focusing on the multidimensional needs of caregivers of cancer patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 222 adult partners and caregivers across various healthcare settings in Malaysia. The SCNS-P&C-M encompasses four key domains: psychological, practical, informational, and emotional support needs. Psychometric evaluation included assessments of content validity, internal consistency, construct validity, as well a s convergent and discriminant validity. Content validity indices were high, with S -CVI/UA at 0.88 and S-CVI/Ave at 0.96. Expert ratings indicated strong agreement across relevance (0.99), clarity (0.95), simplicity (0.95), and minimal ambiguity (0.94). The model showed good fit based on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), with CFI, TLI, and RMSEA values within acceptable thresholds. Internal consistency was excellent, with composite reliability ranging from 0.760 to 0.971 across domains and 0.983 for the overall scale. Convergent validity was satisfactory, while discriminant validity was supported. In conclusion, the SCNS-P&C-M demonstrated strong psychometric properties, confirming its reliability, validity, and cultural appropriateness for use among Malays ian caregivers. This tool offers a valuable framework for identifying and addressing the specific unmet needs of cancer caregivers in clinical and community settings.
The increasing demand for reliable LTE (4G) connectivity in semi -urban environments necessitates a comprehensive understanding of spatial variations in network performance. Despite continuous infrastructure enhancements, signal degradation caused by terrai n characteristics, environmental obstructions, and suboptimal base station placement remains a critical issue, highlighting the need for efficient analysis and visualisation tools. This study presents a MATLAB Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based framework for spatial analysis of Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and Signal - to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in Parit Raja, Johor, which supports effective network diagnostics and data - driven optimisation for improved cellular performance. Field measurements were acquired using a MikroTik LtAP LR8G LTE6 kit with integrated GPS, enabling accurate geo -referenced data collection. The proposed system automates data preprocessing, spatial interpolation, an d heatmap visualisation to facilitate efficient and intuitive performance evaluation. The analysis of Maxis cellular coverage in Parit Raja shows that RSSI values range from −45 dBm to −85 dBm, while SNR varies between −10 dB and 30 dB. Strong signal conditions are observed in open areas, whereas weaker performance is evident in dense and obstructed environments, demonstrating significan t spatial variability.
Postpartum mental health among mothers of children with special needs is a critical yet often overlooked issue, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. This study aims to develop an interactive web platform using a Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach, incorporating multimedia educational content to support maternal mental well -being. Building on a previous phase involving preliminary user data collection and prototype development, the current phase focused on functional web system development, multimedia content production, and early -stage evaluation of user experience and perception. The methodology included user needs assessment through Focus Group Discussions, agile-based system development, and the creation of educational content in various formats, including interactive videos, audio -based infographics, and microlearning modules. A limited user trial was conducted in Pekanbaru involving 80 mothers of children with special needs. Evaluation methods included SUS, TAM, system logs, and interaction heatmaps. Preliminary findings indicate that the HCD approach supported positive perceived usability, user comfort, and platform engagement. The multimedia content showed high engagement, particularly on stress management and emotional support topics. The platform achieved a SUS score of 84, indicating good to excellent usability, with an average session duration of 9 minutes and 43 seconds. However, this phase did not measure clinical mental health outcomes or long-term effectiveness using validated psychological scales. The resulting prototype is technically ready for broader field evaluation and provides a foundation for developing a more integrated and adaptive digital mental health support platform for mothers of children with special needs in Indonesia and similar developing contexts.
Postharvest handling of tropical fruits requires a reliable and non -destructive method for assessing the degree of ripeness. This paper proposes an IDC sensing technology to address the limitations of the conventional subjective methods used in the Malaysian fruit industry. IDC sensor measures changes in capacitance during fruit ripening based on a correlation between fruit maturity and dielectric properties. Capacitance values are obtained via a voltage divider at 340 Hz, 500 Hz and 1 kHz frequencies and a 10 Vpp supply and then compared with traditional destructive analysis of firmness, Brix and pH. CST Studio Suite was used to simulate four IDC sensor designs to demonstrate their performance. Design 2 (finger length = 11 mm, finger width = 5 mm, finger gap = 2 mm) and Design 4 (finger length = 7 mm, finger width = 5 mm, finger gap = 1 mm) were selected for further study as the best field performance design. Capacitance of Design 4 at 340 Hz was most closely related (R²= 0.9771) to markers of ripeness. The experimental results show that the IDC sensor offers fast and accurate ripeness estimation, 25% more accurate compared to visual inspection. The combination of sensor data and known destructive methods helps to establish firm predictive models. The non-destructive nature of the IDC technique brings great benefit to the preservation, quality and reduction of postharvest waste of fruit.
Skills-based workforce scheduling is essential in enhancing operational efficiency across various industries. Despite its importance, a comprehensive review of mathematical methods used to address complex scheduling problems is still underexplored. Therefore, this paper aims to fill this gap by reviewing the research trends and the recent mathematical approaches that have been applied using both bibliometric and systematic review techniques. An initial dataset of 1109 articles was retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases and merged using Python software. After removing duplicates and non-English articles, 749 articles were analysed to identify the publication and citation trends, the most popular journals, the most cited articles, and the emerging keyword themes. To investigate the current mathematical methods of solving skills- based workforce scheduling, 62 articles that were published between 2020 and 2024 in the fields of operations research, management sciences, decision sciences, and mathematics were further analysed. The findings indicate that heuristic and metaheuristic approaches are the most commonly used, with hybrid approaches becoming more prevalent. This review offers valuable insights into the evolution of the landscape of mathematical techniques that may support future researchers in developing innovative concepts for workforce scheduling, which benefits both academic and practical applications in this field.
