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The prevalence of COVID-19 worldwide and the length of the global lockdown period deeply affected students' academic study. This unexpected scenario posed a challenge to a considerable number of academic institutions around the world to formally adopt a new education system based on e-learning platforms. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether Malaysian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) undergraduates' incidental exposure to online platforms during the pandemic might have helped to arouse their interest in reading extensively on the internet. To help explore the issue, a quantitative approach using a descriptive survey design was implemented. Data were collected through a structured online questionnaire administered to 255 undergraduate EFL students majoring in a range of academic disciplines at the University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) to express their interest in the research topic. To analyze the data, a two-tailed Pearson Correlation coefficient was undertaken and the researchers administered the standard multiple regression analysis to test its impact using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (Version 25). The obtained findings indicated that the relationship between incidental exposure to e-learning and students' interest in online extensive reading during the COVID-19 pandemic was found to be high, positive, and statistically significant. Therefore, EFL undergraduates who had incidental exposure to e-learning classes also developed a significant interest in extensive reading on the internet. Moreover, carrying out reading and writing assignments assigned by EFL university teachers was one of the central reasons behind the Malaysian undergraduates' engagement with online extensive reading during this period.

Evolution of English medium instruction (EMI) in non-native English-speaking countries in recent years has inspired researchers to investigate the various dimensions of this phenomenon. Internationalising higher education, realising the local needs of English-speaking graduates, and eliciting the economic and social benefits of English are often reported as the major factors behind the adoption and implementation of EMI. However, these goals and demands of EMI are perceived and realised to varying extents in diverse higher education contexts. This article reports on a small-scale study conducted in Malaysia and Bangladesh exploring the beliefs and attitudes of university lecturers to EMI. Based on the data extracted from interviews, this study highlights the needs and aspirations of EMI in Malaysia and Bangladesh and identifies several common issues that influenced the adoption of EMI in both countries. However, Malaysia's desire to become a hub of higher education in the region and to encourage the recruitment of international students has been reported by the lecturers in Malaysia as the most prominent reason for their adoption of EMI. Such EMI-related policies in Malaysia have shaped positively the beliefs and attitudes of lecturers towards its adoption and implementation. Furthermore, these policies also supported the lecturers to develop a considerate attitude to students' challenges with regard to EMI.

The issue of employability has gained significant importance, not only for graduate students but also for higher educational institutions. In this regard, employability prediction models using machine learning have emerged as crucial techniques for assessing students' potential to secure employment after graduation. Enhancing university graduate employability is critical because student unemployment is a global concern that has widespread negative effects on both individuals and institutions. Therefore, focusing on graduate employability predictions using machine learning techniques is considered essential in addressing this issue. Traditionally, demographic and academic attributes, such as CGPA, have been considered key factors in determining student employment status. However, research suggests that various other factors, such as student satisfaction, might influence employability. This study employs machine learning techniques to identify the factors that affect graduate student employability. The objective is to investigate the features significantly influencing students' ability to secure employment. Data was collected from Malaysia's Ministry of Education's graduate tracer study (SKPG). Several classification algorithms were applied, including Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machine, Extreme Gradient Boosting, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). The results show that ANN achieved the highest accuracy, with around 80%. The findings also revealed that student demographic and academic features and student satisfaction level with the university facilities (e.g., library and counseling service) are considered significant for graduate student employability predictions. Consequently, the empirical results can help higher educational institutions enhance facilities and prepare students with the necessary skills for future employability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Drawing on conservation of resources (CoR) and speech act theories, the authors tested the relationship between managers' motivating language (ML) and employee service quality and psychological relatedness and competence as mediating variables between their associations. Design/methodology/approach: Using a convenient sampling technique, the authors collected 366 hotel employees' opinions in Malaysia and analysed them in partial least squares-structural equation modelling. Findings: Three forms of ML, psychological competence and relatedness correlate with employees' service quality. Although direction-giving language is correlated with competence, empathetic and meaning-making language are not; thus, competence only mediates the relationship between direction-giving language and service quality. Three types (direction-giving, empathetic and meaning-making) of managers' communication are correlated with relatedness; thus, relatedness mediates the association between the three types of language and service quality. Practical implications: Hospitality managers are encouraged to enhance psychological relatedness and competence by practising an appropriate ML. Psychological relatedness and competence are significant mechanisms that enlighten the effects of supervisory communicant on service quality, indicating employees' need satisfaction should be improved. Originality/value: Our study contributes to speech act and CoR theories by explaining the relationship between ML, psychological relatedness, competence and service quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on dry bulk terminal improvement is currently limited and lacks focus, despite the increasing global demand for dry bulk cargo which has necessitated terminal expansion to accommodate this demand. The primary aim of this paper is to propose a design for enhancing dry bulk terminal operations and identify a significant factor for improving dry bulk terminal performance through the utilization of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method. The fundamental concern in QFD pertains to determining the customer’s desires and formulating an effective strategy to address the identified challenges. These two elements are of utmost importance and are considered essential components within the House of Quality (HOQ) matrices. This study employed systematic procedures that utilized inferential statistics, specifically factor analysis and Spearman correlation, within the context of QFD method. Factor analysis is employed in the process of identifying and selecting the optimal set of unutilized items. The Spearman correlation coefficient was employed to examine and enhance the association between the elements. The findings indicate that there exist significant variables and items that contribute to the enhancement of dry bulk terminal. A study revealed that there exists a moderate and statistically significant correlation between loading time and both labor and machine factors. Additionally, the analysis reveals a substantial correlation between the provision of quality services and the size of the berth. Finally, the analysis reveals a moderate correlation between vehicle control and the operation of lorries. The strategy proposed in this study can be employed by port management to effectively identify solutions in the context of dry bulk terminals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since November 2019, most countries across the globe have suffered from the disastrous consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic which redefined every aspect of human life. Given the inevitable spread and transmission of the virus, it is critical to acknowledge the factors that catalyse transmission of the disease. This research investigates the relation of the external demographic parameters such as total population, population density and weighted population density on the spread of Covid-19 in Malaysia. Pearson correlation and simple linear regression were utilized to identify the relation between the population-related variables and the spread of Covid-19 in Malaysia using data from 15th March 2020 to 31st March 2021. As a result, a strong positive significant correlation between the total population and Covid-19 cases was found. However, a weak positive relationship was found between the density variable (population density and weighted population density) and the spread of Covid-19. Our findings suggest that the transmission of Covid-19 during lockdown (Movement Control Order, MCO) in Malaysia was more readily explained by the demographic variable population size, than population density or weighted population density. Thus, this study could be helpful in intervention planning and managing future virus outbreaks in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to empirically examine the effect of tourists' grandiose narcissism and adventure experiences on their self-presentation and electronic word-of-mouth communication (e-WOM) intention in a water-based adventure tourism setting. Data were collected through a personal-administered survey of 357 tourists who had participated in various water-based adventure activities offered at Kota Kinabalu coastal areas in Sabah, Malaysia. A partial least-square -based structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the data. The results signify that tourists' water-based adventure experiences had a direct effect on their positive self-presentation and e-WOM intention while tourist grandiose narcissism had an indirect mediating effect on e-WOM intention through positive self-presentation. The findings provide theoretical knowledge in the literature as well as practical implications for tourism managers and practitioners, particularly in water-based adventure tourism settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mempelas paya (Tetracera indica Merr.) is used in folk medicines for the treatment of different diseases including diabetes and its related infirmities in Malaysia. This plant has been reported to contain terpenoids and flavonoids as major bioactive constituents. Flavonoids from this plant have earlier been reported for their antidiabetic potential. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antidiabetic potential of non-polar compounds to ascertain whether they also contribute antidiabetic effect to mempelas paya. Materials and Methods: As non-polar compounds, two terpenoids viz. betulinic acid and stigmasterol were isolated from stems ethanol extract through repeated silica gel column chromatography and their structures were characterised NMR spectroscopy. In vitro antidiabetic effect was investigated through 3T3-L1 adipocytes and fluorescence glucose (2-NBDG) uptake assays. MTT viability assay was performed on 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes to confirm the safe concentrations of both compounds. Finally, both terpenoids were subjected to fluorescence glucose (2-NBDG) uptake test on differentiated adipocytes. The cells were treated in different safe concentrations as well as in different adipogenic cocktails, which were modified by the addition of compounds to be investigated and in the presence or absence of insulin. Rosiglitazone was used as standard. Results: Betulinic acid and stigmasterol induced significant (P<0.05) adipogenesis like insulin and enhanced adipogenesis like rosiglitazone. Furthermore, both terpenoids also exhibited significant (P<0.05) glucose uptake activity. Conclusion: This study is reporting the in vitro 2-NBDG uptake evaluation of stigmasterol and betulinic acid for the first time. The present study demonstrated that the non-polar compounds isolated from the mempelas paya do possess antidiabetic potential revealing insulin-like and insulin-sensitizing effects which were significant among the compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a detailed target-oriented performance assessment of a 232.5 kWp grid-connected solar PV (GCPV) system installed on a commercial building in Malaysia. Technical and meteorological data for 2019, in 5-min intervals, was retrieved from the solar data logger. The GCPV system generated about 301.5 MWh of energy in 2019, almost achieving the stated target of 305.0 MWh. While most months in 2019 successfully achieved the set monthly target, some did not due to low solar irradiance. The Performance Ratio (PR), Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF), system efficiency, and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) were found to be 85.4%, 14.85%, 9.15%, and 0.396 MYR/kWh, respectively. The PR of the present GCPV system was higher than other GCPV systems surveyed. Approximately 177 metric tons of CO 2 emissions were saved during the year after installing the GCPV system. In addition, performance models, based on the key factors of solar irradiation and PV module temperature that affect the yield and power output of the GCPV system, were developed and tested statistically. The findings of this study should be of use to solar energy customers and stakeholders. [Display omitted] • A target-oriented performance analysis of grid-connected solar PV (GCPV) system is assessed. • Actual yield of GCPV system achieved about 90% of the set target yield. • The annual PR, CUF, and system efficiency was 85.4%, 14.85%, and 9.15%, respectively. • The payback period and LCOE was ∼8 years and 0.396 MYR/kWh, respectively. • About 177 metric tons of CO 2 was reduced due to GCPV system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child malnutrition risk factors are globally recognized, but the specific impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of child malnutrition, considering socioeconomic burdens and changes in family lifestyles, remains underexplored. This study aims to identify the significance of COVID-19-related factors in relation to the prevalence of child malnutrition in Selangor, Malaysia., Methods: Purposive sampling was employed in this pilot study to select the households with under-5 children and, a structured questionnaire was developed to gather data. Chi-squared tests, logistic regression modelling and World Health Organisation AnthroPlus software-based visualization were used for analyses., Results: The present study's findings indicate that demographic and social factors, including 'Citizenship,' 'Type of House,' 'Number of Earning Members,' 'Father's Highest Educational Level,' and 'Number of Children in a Family,' have a statistically significant association with Wasting. Additionally, the mother's 'Highest Educational Level' is found to be linked to underweight prevalence. Within COVID-19 factors, "COVID-19 Impact on Employment/Business" demonstrated significance for both stunting and wasting. Multivariate analysis revealed disparities in childhood malnutrition by gender, age, and factors such as "COVID-19 impact on children's physical activity" and "COVID-19 impact on children's decrease in health over the last two weeks.", Conclusions: This study identified COVID-19 factors alongside sociodemographic variables with statistically significant relationships impacting childhood malnutrition in Selangor, Malaysia. The results underscored the substantial influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on child malnutrition prevalence. Decision-makers at family and community levels can benefit by considering these factors in their actions. However, the study's limitation lay in its dataset, urging larger-scale analyses to explore further sub-categories of the examined variables., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Trichoderma species are commercially applied as biocontrol agents against numerous plant pathogenic fungi due to their production of antifungal metabolites, competition for nutrients and space, and mycoparasitism. However, currently the identification of Trichoderma species from throughout the world based on micro-morphological descriptions is tedious and prone to error. The correct identification of Trichoderma species is important as several traits are species-specific. The Random Amplified Microsatellites (RAMS) analysis done using five primers in this study showed different degrees of the genetic similarity among 42 isolates of this genus. The genetic similarity values were found to be in the range of 12.50-85.11% based on a total of 76 bands scored in the Trichoderma isolates. Of these 76 bands, 96.05% were polymorphic, 3.95% were monomorphic and 16% were exclusive bands. Two bands (250 bp and 200 bp) produced by primer LR-5 and one band (250 bp) by primer P1A were present in all the Trichoderma isolates collected from healthy and infected oil palm plantation soils. Cluster analysis based on UPGMA of the RAMS marker data showed that T. harzianum, T. virens and T. longibrachiatum isolates were grouped into different clades and lineages. In this study we found that although T. aureoviride isolates were morphologically different when compared to T. harzianum isolates, the UPGMA cluster analysis showed that the majority isolates of T. aureoviride (seven from nine) were closely related to the isolates of T. harzianum.

Banking system plays an important role in the economic development of any country. Domestic banks, which are the main components of the banking system, have to be efficient; otherwise, they may create obstacle in the process of development in any economy. This study examines the technical efficiency of the Malaysian domestic banks listed in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) market over the period 2005-2010. A parametric approach, Stochastic Frontier Approach (SFA), is used in this analysis. The findings show that Malaysian domestic banks have exhibited an average overall efficiency of 94 percent, implying that sample banks have wasted an average of 6 percent of their inputs. Among the banks, RHBCAP is found to be highly efficient with a score of 0.986 and PBBANK is noted to have the lowest efficiency with a score of 0.918. The results also show that the level of efficiency has increased during the period of study, and that the technical efficiency effect has fluctuated considerably over time.