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Learning the periodic table of elements can pose a challenge for students due to the complex organization and relationships between the different elements. Game-based interventions have been shown in past studies to be one of the feasible ways to overcome this challenge. In this research, a tabletop game, called "Little Periodic" was developed to improve students' chemical representation and conceptual understanding. Following the five phases of the ADDIE model - Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation - the study first analyzed students' needs and identified key concepts for mastery. Additionally, an overview of the five phases is discussed in detail within this study, providing insight into the systematic process to develop and evaluate the tabletop game. Three teachers were interviewed to see the appropriate content that will be included in the tabletop game based on the "Dokumen Standard Kurikulum dan Pentaksiran (DSKP)." A tabletop game was designed and developed that could be used in physical learning environments. To evaluate the effectiveness of the developed tabletop game, validation forms and questionnaires were administered to three validator experts. The results indicated that the tabletop game was valid and effective, with high scores for content suitability, potential effectiveness, and overall satisfaction. The feedback received from chemistry teachers indicated a significant level of satisfaction with the tabletop game. The developed tabletop games can be employed in various learning situations, including in-person learning, and the effects of tabletop games need to further be investigated to ensure and enhance students to achieve deeper learning outcomes.

The Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025 has increased emphasis on learning using projects and group work to support 21st century education goals in Malaysian secondary schools. In response to that, the current lower secondary science textbooks following the Integrated Curriculum for Secondary School (KSSM) have been revamped to include a majority of learning activities in the form of projects and group works. Since these activities are collaborative in nature, this study explores teachers' views in conducting science projects and group works using the collaborative learning approach. Twelve teachers teaching lower secondary science subject in Malaysian national schools were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol and their responses were analysed using the conventions of thematic analysis. Findings include revelations on teachers' understanding of collaborative learning, why teachers prefer collaborative learning activities for the lower secondary level, and classroom and instructional challenges in this matter. Recommendations have been made to better support teachers to deliver 21st century science education goals at the school level in similar contexts.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote teaching was required to ensure that educators could continue teaching and that students could still attend classes. However, since the necessity for remote teaching occurred, many teachers were not used to teaching virtually while ensuring that their students were given equal opportunities and environments to obtain a quality education. The aim of this study is therefore to explore the experiences of secondary school teachers in Malaysia in providing a more inclusive education during the pandemic specifically in science-related subjects via virtual classrooms. An online survey was conducted among 126 science teachers. The findings indicate that the readiness of science teachers in providing inclusive education is not high. Their scores in terms of affective attitude, behaviour, cognition, competence and awareness were barely sufficient. Issues such as lack of experience teaching virtually, insufficient training and support from schools and educational authorities, and parents lacking technological competence and skills to facilitate their children's virtual classrooms at home were identified. This study has implications for researchers and educational institutions that intend to promote inclusive education in the context of remote teaching and learning.

Purpose: The current study investigates the factors influencing graduates' perceived employability by utilizing the stimulus-organism-response theory, in the post pandemic era. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative approach was employed to examine the hypotheses of the research framework through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) on the SmartPLS software. Findings: The result indicates that course structure has a positive effect on students' grit and community of inquiry (CoI). Also, students' grit and CoI have a positive relationship with students' performance, while students' performance has a positive relationship with perceived employability. Moreover, students' grit, CoI and students' performance sequentially mediated course structure and perceived employability, whereas readiness and self-directed learning strengthen the relationship between students' performance and perceived employability. Originality/value: The findings will benefit university management, government and potential employers on how confident the student is in the chances of a future career after graduating from a higher institution.

During the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, online teaching was implemented by teachers in almost all education areas, and various technological tools were also employed to improve teachers' online teaching effectiveness. Based on this, the current qualitative case study aims to explore chemistry teachers' experience during online teaching in Malaysian secondary schools according to the data collected by interviewing five teachers. The findings show that student-centered teaching strategies, such as project-based and game-based pedagogy, may be well implemented in online environments by teachers, especially during the pandemic session. In addition, educational changes caused by the pandemic have provided new development opportunities for teachers' teaching, in which teachers ponder how to better use the existing high-tech tools to serve their teaching practice and improve their students' engagement and learning enthusiasm. Discussions and recommendations for future researchers are also provided at the end of the research.

This study investigates the effects of Task-based Language Teaching (TBLT) and the Audio-Lingual Teaching Approach (ALTA) on learning motivation among non-native Mandarin learners in the Teaching of Mandarin as a Third Language (TMTL). The TBLT applied is an adaptation of Willis's TBL Framework, while the ALTA applied is an adaptation of Sariçoban's dialogue memorisation. A quasi-experimental design was used in this study, with 21 students selected through convenience sampling for TBLT and 22 students for ALTA. Motivational Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) was employed. A descriptive analysis was conducted to compare if any changes in learning motivation and learning anxiety components for both groups before and after TBLT and ALTA were adopted in the learning interventions. The descriptive analysis showed that there were changes in the aspect of learning motivation and learning anxiety component. The result indicated that there was an increment in the number of students of the group with a very high level of learning motivation for TBLT. The result ranged from 8 students (38%) to 11 students (52%); the ALTA group remained unchanged as 11 students (50%) had a high level of learning motivation, and 11 students (50%) had a very high level of motivation. As for the learning anxiety component, the TBLT group showed a decrease in the number of students having very high anxiety, from 2 students (10%) dropped to 0 student (0%). Meanwhile, for the ALTA group, the results indicated that anxiety level for students had increased; the number of students who experienced a very high level of anxiety had increased from 2 students (9%) to 6 students (27%). The study indicates that TBLT has a positive effect on Mandarin learning motivation, which TBLT might help in reducing students' learning anxiety. Still, ALTA might, on the other hand, increase learning anxiety. The study implies that TBLT might be a better approach to learning Mandarin and might promote better performance among non-native speakers.

The excessive use of social media is prevalent among undergraduates. Dark triad personality is one of the significant predictors of social media addiction, but inconsistent findings were reported. This study adopted the personality-coping-outcome theory as a framework to examine whether coping strategies mediate the effects of dark triad personality on social media addiction. The purposive sampling method was used to recruit 219 undergraduates for a survey. The results showed that only narcissism is associated with social media addiction, and only avoidance coping strategy mediated the effects of pathology on social media addiction. It is suggested a complete theory is required to explain the relationships between dark triad personality and social media addiction, and a coping scale to be developed to cover the coping strategies that fit dark triad personality.

Studies show that social networking sites (SNS) are convenient for older adults to bond with friends and family without traveling and provide new opportunities for communication that can help older adults to avoid loneliness and social isolation. However, the numbers of SNS usage among older adults are fewer in less developed nations, which can be because only a small number of older adults know how to use SNS, and difficulties such as fears and insecurities while trying to use SNS. To increase the number of older adults using SNS in Malaysia, this study explored the experiences that could affect the intention to learn SNS in older adults in using SNS. Phenomenology approaches using semi-structured one-to-one interviews were used to explore the factors that could affect the intention to learn SNS among older Malaysian adults. This study employed a qualitative approach to explore the intention to learn SNS of twelve older adults aged 60 to 73, residing in different regions of Malaysia. Thematic analysis was used to identify the themes and interpret the data after the data saturation was reached. The themes that emerged from the data were the 'perceived usefulness,' 'unrealistic dependency,' and 'ignorant.' The results of this study can be used to come up with policies and strategies to encourage the learning of SNS among older adults. Program developers and trainers can also use the results of this study to develop modules that are more suited for older adults.

This study examines the effects of Task-based Language Teaching (TBLT) in 52 non-native Mandarin learners of Mandarin beginning level learning motivation and the associated factors affecting their learning motivation. Mix method design was applied in the research. Quantitative questionnaire data were analyzed using paired sample t-test to examine the differences between pre-treatment survey and first cycle post-treatment survey, and between first cycle post-treatment survey and second cycle post-treatment survey. Semi-structured interview was conducted to 11 different grade-based learners among the 52 learners in the three stages of surveys to define factors affecting learning motivation. The findings reveal that there was nonstatistical decrement in learning motivation between pre-treatment survey and first cycle post-treatment survey (t(51)=1.04, p>0.05), and statistical increment between first cycle post-treatment survey and second cycle post-treatment survey (t(51)=-3.52, p<0.05). The findings of the interview show that learners? learning motivation is affected by the application of TBLT, busy schedule and support from Mandarin native speaker. As conclusion, the study indicates that TBLT can increase learners? learning motivation in long term application. The study also implicates that TBLT can perform well with sufficiency language input task and Mandarin native speakers? support before the output task.

This research paper presents the outcome of research conducted to improve and enhance the creativity level of engineering undergraduates at a private institution of higher learning in Malaysia. A Creative Thinking Module that features six proposed creative thinking tools was developed and administered to a group of 3rd Year Mechanical Engineering Undergraduates in the studied university. The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking Figural Forms were applied to measure the creativity level of respondents in this research. The effects of the Creative Thinking Skills Module developed is obtained through Pre-Test and Post-Test research method, Paired Sample T-Test and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test are used to analyse the scores, and results indicated the module developed has significantly improved the creativity of the undergraduates.

This study reports the effectiveness of nanoscience activities in enhancing secondary school students' understanding of two chemistry concepts: structure of atom and acid and bases. For the purpose of this study, quasi experiment was employed to 163 Grade 10 students from the Northern Region of Malaysia. Sample from the experimental group was exposed to a series of nanoscience activities lasted for 10 weeks. Students' understanding on the two chemistry concepts was tested using Chemistry Achievement Test (CAT). The CAT consists of multiple-choice questions and openended questions. Data obtained from CAT was analysed using one-way ANCOVA to identify the effectiveness of nanoscience activity in enhancing students' understanding of chemistry concepts. The findings show that there were statistically significant differences between experimental and control groups' mean scores (F (1,160) = 167.82, p < 0.05 n[subscript p] [superscript 2] = 0.512) with the experimental group students reporting higher mean. The ANCOVA result indicated experimental group students' understanding of chemistry concepts significantly higher than the comparison group. The qualitative analysis of open-ended responses further supports findings obtained from the quantitative analysis. The study suggests that integrating nanoscience into the contemporary teaching of chemistry is relevant and appropriate.

The high attrition rate among Malaysian tertiary students have drawn the attention of educators and policy makers, and poor academic adjustment is regarded as one of the factors. Therefore, it is important to find out factors that are relevant to their poor academic adjustment so that intervention programs can be designed to improve their adjustment. Social media addiction and the grit personality have found to be significant factors that affect academic performance. However, it is not clear how the three variables interact with each other. Accordingly, this study adopts the essentialist and contextual perspectives to examine the relationships among these three variables, especially whether grit is a mediator or moderate for the relationship. 210 undergraduates were recruited by using the purposive sampling method and were asked to fill in a questionnaire. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling was used to analyze the data. The results showed that social media addiction is negatively associated with grit personality and academic adjustment, and grit is positively associated with academic adjustment. In addition, grit is a statistical mediator rather than a statistical moderator for the effect of social media addiction on academic lifestyle. The findings support the contextual perspective on personality that grit personality is a state that can be changed by certain social context. The findings reveal the importance of providing a positive social context for tertiary students who are undergoing a transition period, so that their grit personality can be developed and thus enhance their academic adjustment.

This study aims to test the hypothesis that classroom engagement mediates the relationship between students' internal locus of control and academic procrastination. As many as 302 students from a private university between 18 to 26 years of age were recruited to respond to Internal-External Locus of control Scale, Classroom Engagement Inventory, and Academic Procrastination scale. Bootstrapping analyses were conducted by utilizing PROCESS Macro model 4 in SPSS software, and the results showed that the mediator variable fully mediates the link between the predictor and outcome variables. In other words, the direct effect of internal locus of control on academic procrastination was no longer significant when controlling for classroom engagement. Further discussion, implications and suggestions were presented at the end of the article.

Recently, the emergence and rapid growth of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have become an essential part of everyone's life. People from all walks of life are utilizing social media for communication, especially the primary and secondary school pupils. Instead of restricting the usage of ICT among primary school pupils, ICT should be fully explored to nurture the habit of writing in the school. This study aims to explore the practicality of ICT in promoting pupils' writing skills. Hence, social media serves as the core of the entire study. A qualitative research was conducted to illustrate the relationship between the use of social media and its role in promoting writing skills among 60 primary school pupils from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. The research findings revealed that ICT serves as one of the useful and practical tools in promoting writing skills among the pupils. The results obtained from the survey were divided into several themes, which would be further discussed in the paper. In a nutshell, it is believed ICT and social media helps to promote writing skills among pupils, especially in learning English as a second language. The recommendation that can be derived from this study is that, it would be better to expose the pupils to write through social media under the surveillance of adults or teachers to make sure the learners are on the right track.

This study addresses the potential of a mobile learning model that integrates local Malaysian musical heritage in piano ornaments finger exercise. An asynchronous model adapted from the concept of karaoke was designed aiming at a synergy of piano exercise, edutainment, and heritage education with visual and auditory accompaniments. We aimed to raise interest and motivation for piano playing ornaments exercise among learners during practice while raising awareness of local musical heritage. A total of 30 piano students aged 13 to 15 years participated in this intervention study; they were equally divided into a control group and an experimental group. The pre- and post-intervention assessments revealed an increase in the levels of motivation, awareness of local musical heritage, and perceived satisfaction factors for the new mobile learning model.

Purpose: This paper aims to determine whether teacher's gender factor and school type factor influence level of readiness of teachers in implementing STEM education. Method: An ex post facto research design study was conducted in 99 schools from Johor Bahru district involving 690 primary school teachers (134 males, 556 females). The random sampling method was used to collect data from these teacher participants via an online-based survey instrument that was used to measure the level of readiness of teachers in implementing STEM education. In this study, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for analysis purpose. Mean and standard deviation were used to identify the level of readiness of primary school teachers in the district of Johor Bahru, Johor in implementing STEM education. An Independent T-Test was performed to compare the level of readiness of teachers in implementing STEM education in male and female teachers. A one-way ANOVA test was conducted to compare effect of category of school type on the level of readiness of teachers in implementing STEM education. Findings: The result from independent ttest revealed the difference between male teacher (M = 4.06) and female teacher (M = 4.08) was not statistically significant at t (688) = -0.540, p = 0.59, while there was a statistically significant difference between school type groups as determined by one-way ANOVA (F (2, 687) = 22.425, p < 0.001). The results of this study show that female and male teachers have the same level of readiness of teachers in implementing STEM education while different school type may be is one of the factors that influence the level of readiness of teachers in implementing STEM education. Significance: The difference in school type factor influences the level of readiness of teachers in implementing STEM education may be caused by the different school administrator's management while female and male teachers may have the same role in implementing STEM education in their own school. There are important to conclude that teachers' readinesss can affect the effectiveness of STEM implementation. Efforts from the Ministry of Education (MoE) are a vital need to instil and enhance teachers' positive readiness towards STEM education and to fulfill the national interest in producing a competitive generation.

The Flourishing Scale is a new scale designed to measure psychological well-being. FS has been translated into more than 10 languages (e.g., Portuguese, Russian, Turki, Spanish, Egyptian, French, Chinses, Japanese, Malay, Urdu, and Persian). The psychometric analysis of the Flourishing Scale has not been explored in the Malaysian context. The aims of the current study were to examine the factor structure, reliability, concurrent validity (correlate with Satisfaction with Life Scale [SWLS] and Life Project Reflexivity Scale [LPRS]) of the Flourishing Scale (FS). The EFA was conducted to explore the factor structure of FS in the Malaysian context. Then, CFA was run to test the model fit of the FS in the Malaysian context. Test of measurement invariance was also conducted to ascertain the generalizability of the factor structure of FS across gender groups. A cross-sectional survey with 663 university students (435 female students and 228 male students) from a public university in Sabah, Malaysia was conducted. The EFA results revealed a single factor solution with a total explained variance of 68.31%. The CFA result also revealed a one-factor structure with all eight items loaded in one factor. The multi-group analysis of this model demonstrated invariance by gender. FS also demonstrated high reliability and good concurrent validity. The FS was positively and significantly correlated with Satisfaction with Life Scale scores, Life Project Reflexivity Scale score and its subscale. The results supported FS appears to be a valid measure of a flourishing state, and its utilities in the Malaysian context is proven, including gender comparisons.

This study aims at examining the relationship between teacher computer-mediated communication (CMC) competence and teacher attitude toward using Frog VLE, a virtual learning platform. This is a non-experimental research using a cross-sectional survey technique through the administration of a set of questionnaires that comprised teacher demographic variables, teacher CMC competence, and teacher attitude toward using Frog VLE. The participants in this study are 351 secondary school teachers from Klang District, Selangor. The results indicated that teachers showed a medium level of attitude and a medium level of CMC competence toward using Frog VLE. Results showed that there is statistically significant direct causal relationship between teacher CMC competence and teacher attitude toward using Frog VLE. CMC motivation and CMC knowledge are the two direct factors of teachers' affective and behavioural attitude toward using Frog VLE, and CMC motivation predict teachers' cognitive attitudes toward using Frog VLE.

The main aim of this research paper was to ascertain the relationship between principal leadership practices and teacher commitment. The study was conducted using quantitative survey questionnaire to 384 secondary school teachers, ranging from band 1 to band 6 in Malaysia using multi stage stratified cluster random sampling. This study was using SPSS nonparametric analysis and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the data. The study found that teacher commitment was high, especially in commitment in teaching work. The study also identified three significant predictors of principal leadership practices that could enhanced teacher commitment. Findings from this study can be used to tailor for the pre-service and in-service professional leadership programs for school principals. Principal leadership practices such as continuous improvement of instruction, cooperation and collaboration and school climate that impacting teacher commitment should be given more emphases in those programs. School bureaucracy, though it is highly centralized, was another matter of important with regard to teacher commitment.

Employees' absence from organisational citizenship was unquestionably caused by their high level of emotional exhaustion. Despite this, few studies have been conducted in search of a solution. This has prompted the need to examine the relationship between emotional exhaustion, organisational citizenship behaviour, and psychological capital in this study. In particular, it examined the role of psychological capital as a moderator in weakening the negative relationship between emotional exhaustion and organisational citizenship behaviour. A total of 392 employees from Malaysia participated in this cross-sectional study. The results showed that emotional exhaustion and organisational citizenship behaviour are negatively correlated. However, psychological capital moderated the negative relationship between emotional exhaustion and organisational citizenship behaviour. This study has provided new insights into how the negative effect of emotional exhaustion on organisational citizenship behaviour can be weakened by psychological capital. An intervention of psychological capital is recommended and should be provided to employees who are experiencing emotional exhaustion so as to reduce the detrimental impact of emotional exhaustion on employees' organisational citizenship behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teachers of urban higher education institutions often explore new methods of teaching using innovative techno-pedagogical approaches. This study reports on postgraduate students' perceptions of the blended learning mode of delivery, co-taught by two lecturers concurrently during the "Qualitative Research" elective course offered for the Master of Educational Leadership program, in a reputed Malaysian university. A qualitative action research methodology was adopted for this study with students' comments captured through "Padlet." Results indicate that students have very positive perceptions of their experiences gained through blended learning and co-lecturing. The findings of this action research study provide evidence of the meaningful and personalized learning experiences reported by students, gained through the collaborative blended mode of delivery. The results also provide more thoughtful reflections for teachers to draw on students' feedback and possibly adapt their teaching practices to better accommodate students learning needs.

The purpose of this study was to design and develop a theory-based summary writing online tool, named Summary Writing-Pal (SW-PAL), to assist English as a second language students in improving their summary writing. It also evaluates the effectiveness of SW-PAL in enhancing the students' summary writing performance and examines their perceptions about it. This mixed-method empirical study involved 53 English as a second language students majoring in computer science at a local university. Two intact groups were randomly chosen as the control and experimental groups with 26 and 27 students, respectively. The control group was taught using the conventional method, while the experimental group was taught using SW-PAL. Both groups were given a pre- and post-summary writing test. A Split-Plot Analysis of Covariance test was used to examine the effectiveness of the SW-PAL tool. A focus group interview was conducted to gather qualitative data on perceptions about the SW-PAL tool. Quantitative findings revealed that students' summary writing performance improved significantly due to the SW-PAL with a large effect size of 0.42. Qualitativewise, the users perceived SW-PAL to be useful as a motivating, challenging, and self-learning tool. Recommendations for practice for language instructors who wish to incorporate such a tool into their language instruction and suggestions for future research are discussed.

This study aims at examining the relationship between teacher ICT competency and teacher acceptance and use of SMS in Negeri Sembilan secondary schools in Malaysia. This is a non-experimental quantitative research using survey technique through the administration of a set of questionnaire that comprised teacher demographic variables, teacher ICT competency and teacher acceptance and use of SMS. Some 417 returned questionnaires have been analyzed. The findings showed that teachers in Negeri Sembilan secondary schools rated themselves as having high level of ICT competency, and acceptance and use of SMS. Furthermore, data indicated that there was a statistically significant moderately strong positive correlation between teacher ICT competency and teacher acceptance and use of SMS. In addition, multiple regression analysis showed that smart pedagogy, professional growth and leadership, and digital citizenship were the three teacher ICT competency dimensions that are statistically significant predictors of teacher acceptance and use of SMS. The fitness indexes of the proposed structural model do not achieve the level of fitness required for RMSEA, GFI, and Ratio Chisq/df. Thus, a re-specified structural model was established for this study.

This study aims to identify the readiness of teachers to use mobile phones for the purpose of teaching preparation. The study also reviewed the level of teachers' satisfaction when using the mobile technology applications developed for the purpose of teaching and learning in the classroom. This study used the mix method to collect data. A total of 31 teachers were involved in answering the questionnaire and seven teachers were interviewed to obtain supportive data. The findings show that the use of applications on mobile phones can help teachers smoothen the lesson preparation. In addition, the use of mobile technology also gives satisfaction to the teachers in enhancing their knowledge in the field of teaching. However, the technical aspects are still a priority and influence the usability aspects of an educational application. The study also revealed that the end users' age factor is important because it affects the frequency and usage of mobile technology in developing their skills. In conclusion, the use of mobile technology among teachers is appropriate and facilitates the teaching activities.

Professional learning community (PLC) studies in the Asian Chinese nations remain scarce despite the emerging interest in the practice of PLC beyond the Western context. This study attempts to provide an understanding of the practices of PLC and challenges in implementing PLC in a Malaysian Chinese culture-dominated secondary school. This qualitative study used a phenomenological constructivist approach as a strategy of inquiry. Semi-structured interview data were collected from six middle leaders and ordinary teachers in a national-type Chinese secondary school in the northern region. Findings informed three existing PLC practices at the school level, namely, (a) peer coaching, (b) sharing of personal practices, and (c) professional development courses. However, the practice of PLC encounters various challenges, including excessive workload, teachers' passive attitudes, unsupportive conditions in the school, poor execution of PLC by the school community, and a vague understanding of PLC. Interestingly, this study identified two uncovered challenges hindering the development of PLC: misconception about PLC and lack of supervision from the authority. Implications and future studies are presented.

Background: Only 80% of patients are satisfied with their outcomes post-TKA. Mounting attention has been paid to constitutional limb alignment and individualized alignment strategies in recent years. MacDessi et al. proposed the CPAK classification, which takes into account the patients' arithmetic hip-knee-ankle axis (aHKA) and joint line obliquity (JLO). In this study, we aimed to establish local demographic data, compare them with published data, and assess their correlations with modifiable variables. Methods: A total of 500 end-stage osteoarthritic knees subjected to TKA were radiologically analyzed. The lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were calculated from long limb radiographs before the aHKA and JLO were derived and a CPAK phenotype was assigned. Demographic data were harvested and analyzed for possible correlations. Results: There were 160 males (32%) and 340 females (68%), with a mean age of 66.42 years (range, 47–88). The mean MPTA was 85.8° (± 3.0)°, and the mean LDFA was 87.6° (± 2.4)°. The average aHKA was a varus of 1.8° (± 4.2)°, and the average JLO was 173.4° (± 3.45)°. The most common CPAK phenotype was Type 1 (43.4%). The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient demonstrated excellent reliability (> 0.9). No correlation existed between CPAK phenotypes and age, height, weight, or body mass index (BMI), but CPAK phenotype was significantly correlated with gender. Conclusion: An urban Malaysian population with osteoarthritic knees was found to be constitutionally varus, with the most common phenotype being varus aHKA with an apex-distal JLO. Constitutional alignment is not influenced by factors such as age, height, weight, or BMI. Level of Evidence: Retrospective Observational Study-III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The psychometric properties of the Malay Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) need to be tested as it is increasingly utilized, and there is a lack of a brief, validated scale to examine suicidal behaviors in Malaysia. A total of 713 and 715 undergraduates answered the English and Malay SBQ-R, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis derived a one-factor solution, with a total explained variance of 58.0% accounted for by the four items. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the one-factor model for the Malay SBQ-R, with acceptable fit indices (χ2/df = 0.451, comparative and Tucker–Lewis fit indices = ≥1.000, standardized root mean square residual = 0.014, root mean square error of approximation = 0.000, and 90% CI [0.000, 0.083]). Measurement invariance was achieved when comparing the SBQ-R between the English and Malay versions, indicating that both versions are similar in Malaysian undergraduates. Convergent validity was established through a strong correlation between the Malay SBQ-R and the Malay Yatt Suicide Attitude Scale (r = 0.74; p < 0.001). Good internal consistency was achieved for both the English (α = 0.83; ω = 0.85) and Malay (α = 0.81; ω = 0.84) versions. The Malay SBQ-R has adequate validity and reliability for use in Malaysian undergraduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of autism is increasing globally. While most of the published works are done in the Western and European countries, the trend in autism research is shifting towards the Asian continent recently. In this review, we aimed to highlight the current prevalence, diagnosis, treatment and research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Singapore and Malaysia. Based on database searches, we found that the awareness about autism among lay and professional public is higher in Singapore compared to Malaysia. The special education system and approach towards autism treatment is also different between both societies although the culture is similar and the geographic location is close. Main findings and implications were discussed in this review. The lack of study on autism prevalence in this part of the world commands a critical need for further research. Perhaps more collaborative work between both countries could be done to expand the knowledge in autism.

Technological Knowledge is directly related to productivity, enhanced performance and service quality. Technology integration in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curriculum is expected due to high application of technical knowledge and technology applications. TPACK is a professional knowledge framework that gives flexibility and provides dynamic strategies to TVET instructors to enhance and therefore improve the teaching and learning process. This study analyzed the impact of Field Specialization variation on the level of knowledge gained. It is found that regardless of the large variation and multiple perspectives of specialization existing among TVET instructors, specialization is not a factor that influenced the level of knowledge gained. Therefore, this study contributes to the understanding that there are other factors that may influence the knowledge gained among Malaysian TVET instructors.

The rapid development of Information Communication and Technologies (ICTs) has made tremendous changes in the twenty-first century. ICT is said to bring a variety of benefits in facilitating the teaching and learning process. Therefore, ICT has been the emphasis in school and higher institutions of education nowadays. However, to integrate ICT in education is not problem free, problems are faced by the teachers. This paper aims to investigate the ESL teachers' perception toward the use of ICT in KT, Malaysia. Data were collected via interviews with four Form 4 English teachers in a secondary school in Kuala Terengganu. Findings show teachers have a positive perception towards the use of ICT. However, teachers claimed they face challenges in using ICT especially due to insufficient facilities.

Environmental health (EH) is the study of environment and environmental factors affecting the health of human. Identifying the most relevant and up-to-date and updated teaching topics of EH programs is vital to ensure competent practitioners are nurtured. Thus, this study aimed to attain the view of current content of EH programs for EH professionals and intended to recommend topics necessary for education and practice. The level of importance of current and newly proposed topics for EH courses at diploma and bachelor's level was assessed using a cross-sectional survey design. Practicing EH programs graduates were invited via social media and e-mails to participate in the survey. The respondents were asked to rank the importance of different EH topics based on 5-point Likert-type scale. Descriptive statistics were employed to report the importance of EH curricula at Malaysian tertiary institutions. It was found that between diploma's and bachelor's level, the bachelor's graduates were expected to have high exposure in existing topics such as vector control management, legislation for EH and safety, health and safety risk assessment, as well as newly proposed topics including critical literature evaluation and innovation in creating awareness activities. The findings from this survey could serve as a guide to improvise EH curricula to ensure the EH programs continue to produce students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and competencies.

Purpose: Since late 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide. Some children with COVID-19 present with seizures; in particular, studies have reported an increase in seizure episodes during the Omicron wave of the pandemic. This study was performed to describe the clinical characteristics of seizures among children hospitalized with COVID-19 before and during the Omicron wave. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on all pediatric admissions for COVID-19 at Hospital Tunku Azizah from June 2021 to May 2022. Results: During this period, 1,586 children were admitted with COVID-19, of whom 111 (7.0%) experienced seizures. Patients with seizures were more likely to have a history of seizure (odds ratio [OR], 71.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 23.7 to 215.2; P<0.001) and prior antiseizure medication use (OR, 55.1; 95% CI, 6.1 to 497.4; P<0.001). Most seizures (55.0%) occurred on the first day of illness, with 86.5% lasting less than 5 minutes. None of the children required intubation or admission to the pediatric intensive care unit, and all were discharged without complications. Between June 2021 and January 2022, the seizure rate varied from 1.3% to 3.4%; however, it increased to 18% in April 2022, coinciding with the period of Omicron variant predominance in Malaysia. Children admitted during the Omicron wave had significantly higher odds of experiencing seizures (OR, 7.89; 95% CI, 2.07 to 13.07; P<0.001) than children hospitalized prior to this wave. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study revealed a marked increase in seizures associated with pediatric COVID-19 cases during the Omicron wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have highlighted the dissatisfaction of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with the facilities and services in various built environments, yet limited research has focused on the healthcare-built environment. This study aims to identify the physical barriers faced by PWDs in accessing healthcare facilities in Malaysia. A qualitative approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews and the analysis of complaint records. Four hospital engineers were selected through purposive sampling, and data from the facility management complaint database were extracted. Content analysis was conducted using Microsoft Word and Excel. Findings revealed that PWD toilets had the highest frequency of breakdowns and complaints, highlighting them as a key area for improvement. While breakdowns in most facilities were reported as low to moderate (2-10 times per month), issues with covered walkways were also noted, indicating broader accessibility concerns. PWD-related complaints were relatively low, reflecting their minority status in the population. The identified barriers related to maintenance, access to information, building use, and facility provision, impacting safety, accessibility, and overall ease of use. Establishing comprehensive data will help stakeholders understand physical barriers and develop strategies for improvement, ensuring equal access to healthcare facilities for PWDs. Future research on maintenance policies and their impact on PWDs is essential for fostering a more inclusive healthcare environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to explore factors affecting Malaysian Chinese parents in sending their children to either national secondary schools or Chinese independent schools, 494 parents were surveyed using a questionnaire. Results showed that parents who sent their children to Chinese independent schools have different priorities compared to those who sent theirs to national secondary schools--the former are concerned with teachers' quality, chances of learning the Chinese culture and Mandarin while the latter are concerned with tuition fees and strategic location. In general, the finding that Malaysian Chinese parents take cultural and language factors into account when choosing a suitable school for their children is interesting because both are seldom listed as important.

Nowadays, most of e-learning systems embody online discussion forums as a medium for collaborative learning that supports knowledge sharing and information exchanging between learners. The exponential growth of the available shared information in e-learning online discussion forums has caused a difficulty for learners in discovering interesting information. This paper introduces a novel recommendation architecture that is able to recommend interesting post messages to the learners in an e-learning online discussion forum based on a semantic content-based filtering and learners' negative ratings. We evaluated the proposed elearning recommender system against exiting e-learning recommender systems that use similar filtering techniques in terms of recommendation accuracy and learners' performance. The obtained experimental results show that the proposed e-learning recommender system outperforms other similar e-learning recommender systems that use non-semantic content-based filtering technique (CB), non-semantic contentbased filtering technique with learners' negative ratings (CB-NR), semantic content-based filtering technique (SCB), with respect to system accuracy of about 57%, 28%, and 25%, respectively. Furthermore, the obtained results also show that the learning performance has been increased by at least 9.84% for the learners whom are supported by recommendations based on the proposed technique as compared to other similar recommendation techniques.

Attitude towards learning science is a well-researched domain for more than four decades. Globally, studies on attitude still stay relevant following the decline in enrollment in science-related studies across many levels. Particularly, emergent of new sciences in this century calls for a shift in the content included in school science, to be more contemporary. Hence, there is a need to inculcate an appropriate attitude to learn the new content. Many factors contribute to the development of attitude, in particular, motivation in learning the subject and the environment constitute learning the subject are imperative. In school science, investigating science laboratory environment is essential. Following this claim, in this study, an attempt was made to articulate the relationship between lower secondary school students' perceptions about laboratory environment, attitude, and motivation towards learning. For this purpose, in this quantitative survey, a total of 1003 lower secondary students between 13-15 years old from different schools in the Northern Region of Malaysia have participated. The result shows that motivation and perceptions of the learning environment are two factors that predict attitude towards learning science. These findings suggest that in designing teaching strategies, teachers need to consider how the teaching can affect the motivation and learning environment. Subsequently, the teaching strategies anticipated to influence students' attitude towards learning science.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) intervention package through a subscription model in improving HbA1c and health parameters among type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) individuals in Malaysia. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study involving a total number of 111 individuals with T2DM (mean age 57.0 ± 11.7 years, 61% men) who were assigned to intervention (n = 51) and control (n = 60) groups. The intervention group participants were the subscribers of SugO365 program which provided a personalized care service based on self-recorded blood glucose values. Subscribers received a Contour® Plus One glucometer which can connect to Health2Sync mobile app to capture all blood glucose readings as well as physical and virtual follow up with dietitians, nutritionists, and pharmacists for 6 months. Outcome measures were body weight, body mass index (BMI), random blood glucose (RBG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL, assessed by SF-36 questionnaire). Data were measured at baseline, third and sixth months. Results: Repeated-measure analysis of covariance showed significant improvement in HbA1c level (ƞp2 = 0.045, p = 0.008) in the intervention (baseline mean 7.7% ± 1.1%; end mean 7.3% ± 1.3%) as compared to control (baseline mean 7.7% ± 0.9%; end mean 8.1% ± 1.6%) group. Similar trend was observed for Role Emotional domain of the quality of life (ƞp2 = 0.047, p = 0.023) in the intervention (baseline mean 62.8 ± 35.1, end mean 86.3 ± 21.3) compared to control (baseline mean group 70.5 ± 33.8; end mean 78.4 ± 27.3) group. Negative association was found in HbA1c changes using Z-score and Physical Function domain (r = − 0.217, p = 0.022). Conclusion: A 6 months SMBG intervention package through a subscription model improved blood glucose control as measured by HbA1c and health-related quality of life, particularly the Role Emotional domain. Elevated HbA1c levels are correlated with decreased physical function.There is a need to further examine the efficacy of SMBG intervention package using a larger sample and a longer period of intervention and to determine its cost efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to improve the use of digitalization in facilities management (FM) for shopping complex facilities in the post-COVID-19 era. The resumption of economic activities, especially in shopping complexes, poses challenges for FM with throngs of shoppers. To tackle these challenges, enhanced and innovative FM practices are necessary. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a qualitative research approach, incorporating case studies, interviews, observations and documentation. It focused on super-regional shopping complexes in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, selecting two complexes for qualitative data collection. Supplementary data were gathered from various sources, including government policy publications, websites, books, journal papers and archival records. Findings: The research provides valuable insights into FM innovations and the application of FM digitalization in shopping complexes after the COVID-19 pandemic. It also addresses challenges faced by FM teams during this period. Recommendations for implementing FM digitalization in super-regional shopping complexes post-COVID-19 include developing skilled personnel, defining appropriate work scopes, strategies and policies, using cost-effective software, and increasing occupant awareness. The involvement of outsourced service providers is advised, emphasizing their understanding of the organization's business model and innovative approaches. Originality/value: The findings offer new perspectives on the characteristics of FM digitalization in the commercial sector during business disruptions caused by the pandemic. The proposed strategies are grounded in real industry implementations, aiming to enhance the FM digitalization approach for improved business performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV), namely continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), delivers mechanical ventilation without endotracheal intubation. Short-term NIV (planned for <21 days during initiation) can be used for the management of acute respiratory distress (ARD) among paediatric palliative patients with "Do Not Resuscitate or Intubate" (DNI) as the ceiling of care. This study aimed to describe the usage of short-term NIV among paediatric palliative patients in a woman and child hospital with a paediatric palliative subspecialty. Materials and Methods: A retrospective and observational study was conducted on all paediatric palliative patients who received short-term NIV in Tunku Azizah Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from March 2020 to May 2022. Results: During the study period, short-term NIV was offered on 23 occasions for 20 different children. Indications for short-term NIV include 16 (69.6%) occasions of potentially reversible ARD (NIV Category 1) and 7 (30.4%) occasions of comfort care at the end of life (NIV Category 2). The main cause of ARD was pneumonia (90.3%) due to either aspiration or infection. The modality of NIV used was BiPAP only (14 occasions, 60.9%), CPAP only (three occasions, 13%) and both BiPAP and CPAP (six occasions, 26.1%). The median duration of NIV usage was four days (minimum one day and maximum 15 days). NIV was initiated as an escalation from nasal prong, Ventimask or high-flow mask oxygen on 22 occasions and as weaning down post-extubation on one occasion. For the 22 occasions of escalating therapy, there was significant improvement at six hours compared to pre-NIV in the median heart rate (136 to 121, P=0.002), respiratory rate (40 to 31, P=0.002) and oxygen saturation (96% to 99%, P=0.025). All 17 documented parental impressions of the child's condition post six hours of NIV were that the child had improved. Adverse events during short-term NIV include five episodes (21.7%) of stomach distension, four episodes (17.4%) of skin sores on the face and one episode (4.3%) of excessive drooling. Three patients passed away while on NIV in the hospital. For the other 20 (87%) occasions, patients were able to wean off NIV. Post-weaning off NIV, three patients passed away during the same admission. On 17 occasions, patients were discharged home after weaning off NIV. Conclusion: Usage of short-term NIV in paediatric palliative care, where children have an advanced directive in place indicating DNI, as seen in our study, can be a valuable modality of management for distressing symptoms, in addition to the pharmacological management of breathlessness. This is shown through our study to be of benefit in potentially reversible ARD as well as comfort care at the end of life. Further rigorous studies will need to be conducted for a clearer understanding of short-term NIV that would enable the formulation of guidelines to improve the quality of life and death in children [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This quantitative study reports the effects of gender and grade level on secondary students' attitude towards chemistry lessons. For this purpose, the Attitude towards Chemistry Lessons Scale (ATCLS) was administered to 446 secondary school students between 16-19 years old. The ATCLS consists of four different subscales: liking for chemistry theory lessons, liking for chemistry laboratory work, evaluative beliefs about school chemistry and behavioral tendencies to learn chemistry. Data obtained from the ATCLS survey was analyzed using two-way MANOVA to identify the effects of gender and grade level on students' attitude towards learning chemistry. The findings show that gender and grade level have a significant effect on attitude towards learning chemistry. Gender and grade level also have a significant interaction effect (Wilks' lambda = 0.933, F (15, 1198) = 2.032, p < 0.05) on secondary school students' attitudes towards chemistry.

This study reports the antioxidant potential and L-asparaginase production of culturable fungal endophytes from Dendrobium orchids in Malaysia. Twenty-nine isolates were screened using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay to determine their free radical scavenging activities and antioxidant capacity (IC50 and AEAC). L-asparaginase production of fungal endophytes was detected by the qualitative plate assay, and the enzyme activities estimated via the Nesslerization method. All 29 endophytic isolates exhibited various degrees of radical scavenging activities (35.37%–77.23%), with Fusarium fujikuroi (D1) identified as having the highest antioxidant capacity (IC50 6.097 mg/mL) and the highest AEAC value (11.55  mg/g). For L-asparaginase production, the majority of the isolates (89.66%) showed positive results, especially among the culturable species of Fusarium, Trichoderma , and Daldinia. Most Fusarium spp. were able to produce L-asparaginase (80.77%), but the highest L-asparaginase activity was detected in Daldinia eschscholtzii (D14) with 2.128 units/mL. Results from this study highlighted the potential of endophytic fungi from medicinal orchids (Dendrobium sp.) as natural sources of bioactive compounds to be developed into novel antioxidants and anticancer drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste is being manufactured for the production of hydrogen. The amount of plastic waste collected annually is 189,953 tonnes from adjacent nations like Indonesia and Malaysia. Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and Polystyrene (PS) are the five most prevalent forms of plastic found in most waste. Pyrolysis, water gas shift and steam reforming reaction, and pressure swing adsorption are the three main phases utilized and studied. In this research, authors examines the energy consumption on every stage. The plastic waste can be utilized to manufacture many hydrocarbons using the pyrolysis reaction. For this process, fast pyrolysis is being used at a temperature of 500 °C. A neutralization process is also needed due to the presence of Hydrochloric acid from the pyrolysis reaction, with the addition of sodium hydroxide. This is being carried to prevent any damage to the reactor during the process. Secondly, the steam reforming process continues after the water gas shift reaction has produced steam and carbon monoxide, followed by carbon dioxide and hydrogen formation. Lastly, pressure swing adsorption is designed to extract H2S and CO2 from the water gas shift and steam reforming reaction for greater purity of hydrogen. From the simulation study, it is observed that using various types of plastic waste procured (total input of 20,000 kg per hour of plastics) from, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Indonesia, can produce about 340,000 tons of Hydrogen per year. Additionally, the annual profit of the Hydrogen production is estimated to be between $ 271,158,100 and $ 358,480,200. As per the economic analysis, it can be said that its a good to start hydrogen production plant in these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report the occurrence of echinostomatid eggs in feces of wildlife, domestic animals and humans frequenting the forest–oil palm plantation interface in the Kinabatangan (Sabah, Malaysia), and discuss potential implications for public health. Using microscopy, we detected echinostomatid eggs in six host species, including Asian palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus [13/18]), leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis [3/4]), long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis [1/10]), domestic dogs [3/5] and cats [1/1], and humans [7/9]. Molecular analysis revealed a close genetic proximity of civet echinostomatids to Artyfechinostomum malayanum , a zoonotic parasite of public health relevance. The intermediate hosts for A. malayanum have been reported in at least 3 districts in Sabah, suggesting that all the necessary elements required for the completion of the parasite's life cycle are present. Our findings point at the presence of zoonotic trematodes in an area with high human–wildlife interaction and highlight the potential public and animal health concern of zoonotic trematode infection in the context of Southeast Asia's rapidly changing ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the speed of adjustment (SOA) to target leverage for different industry sectors in Malaysia. Using the two-step system generalized method of moments for 415 non-financial firms from 2010 to 2021, we found that the SOA for the overall sample is 38.6% and 22.0% for total debt and long-term debt, respectively. Our paper reveals the heterogeneity of SOA based on industry sectors. The industrial sector has the slowest adjustment speed (14.1%), whereas the healthcare industry has the quickest adjustment speed (80.4%) to target leverage. Our results are consistent with the dynamic capital structure theory regarding the deviation between target and actual leverage. Furthermore, our study demonstrates the significance of an industry-based perspective when researching SOA, which suggests that the capital structure strategy depends on the industry's business climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This international cross-sectional survey, conducted in low-to high-income countries, aimed to compare experiences of and preferences for medicine information sources among respondents with recent medicine use.Methods: The survey was originally developed in England (Kent), then adapted and translated for use in southern Thailand (Songkhla), Malaysia (Klang Valley), and central Uganda (Kampala). Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics and Chi-squared tests.Results: A total 1588 respondents were involved in the study. Community pharmacies were the primary source of medicines in all four countries (40.7 to 65.3%). Most respondents (1460; 92%) had received at least one form of information with their medicine, but provision of written medicine information (WMI) varied between countries. A manufacturer's leaflet was the most frequent information source for patients in England, while verbal information was common in Thailand, Malaysia and Uganda. There was commonality across countries in the desire for verbal information with or without WMI (1330; 84.8%); aspects of medicine information wanted most frequently were instructions on medicine use (98.3%), indication (98.2%), name (94.4%) and possible side effects (94.3%); and the importance of providing leaflets with all medicines (87.5%). Fewer than 10% in Uganda would use internet based WMI, compared to between 20% and 55% elsewhere.Conclusion: Preferences for medicine information are similar across countries: verbal information is seen as most desirable, and the most wanted aspects of information are common internationally. Accessibility and understandability are key influences on preferred information sources. In-country regulations and practices should ensure that all medicine users can access the information necessary to maximise safe medicine use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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