Browsing by Type "doctoral thesis"

This is a multimodal genre analysis study of Malaysia Regional E-Travel Guidebooks (MRTGs) by adapting the frameworks of Bhatia (2004) and Kress and van Leeuwen (1996, 2006). The analysis focused on examining the rhetorical structure, communicative purposes, linguistic features, professional practices, and visual components present in MRTGs. The analysis is done to understand how this genre-which successfully helped Tourism Malaysia to improve its tourism industry- is built up and written. To accomplish the study's objectives, a combination of textual analysis and semi-structured interviews was employed, utilizing specialized software tools such as Atlas.ti and Sketchengine. The study revealed that MRTGs exhibit a distinct structure comprising ten core moves (Headline, Introducing the Country, Urging Action, Targeting the Market, Trivia, Justifying the Destination, Endorsement, Related Info, Service Info, and Closing Info). Notably, the findings highlight the strategic deployment of linguistic features to capture the readers' attention, promote the featured destinations, motivate action, and furnish pertinent information about Malaysia. MRTGs adeptly employ a synergy of informational value, salience, and framing to offer travellers a comprehensive and captivating informational resource. Additionally, the visual elements employed in MRTGs effectively convey meaning and engage readers with the featured destinations. Crucially, the findings show that professionals within Tourism Malaysia believe that MRTGs are essential for attracting and assisting travellers, and ensuring visitor satisfaction, with a focus on transitioning to online platforms and continuous improvement. This study provides multifaceted insights that extend beyond the specific context of MRTGs, contributing significantly to the domains of genre analysis, professional communication, digital marketing, visual communication, and destination marketing. Additionally, it elucidates practical implications for professionals in the tourism industry, enhancing their comprehension of the art of crafting compelling and effective promotional materials with regards to English for Tourism.

This study proposes a hybrid crowdfunding model to enhance financial services for microenterprises in Indonesia. The hybrid concepts of the proposed model are threefold namely product offering, services provided and service modes. The model encourages community involvement by engaging local investors who are geographically close to the microenterprises, allowing them to retain offline interactions with each other. Thus, this model suggests ways of improving and meeting the needs of microenterprises in Indonesia by providing affordable financial services. The research applied a mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology. The interview was conducted to validate the hybrid crowdfunding model's suitability, sustainability, and prospects. The experts confirmed the proposed model have the suitability for unbanked and marginalized communities. Besides, the experts opine that the model is applicable in Indonesia, which has large Muslim population and microenterprises. They emphasized that the model could significantly enhance financial accessibility for these businesses by fostering a sense of community-based support. Additionally, experts highlighted the potential for this model to increase financial inclusion, especially in underserved rural areas, by leveraging local networks and trust. The quantitative part of the study examines the factors influencing the behavioural intention of microenterprises to use the proposed hybrid crowdfunding model. An extended technology acceptance model (TAM) was adopted, which incorporates perceived risk (PR), perceived trust (PT), government support (GS), and two moderating variables, Age and Experience, in addition to two original TAM factors, perceived ease of use (PEOU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU). All predictors' direct and indirect effects are examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and logit regression. The result of the PLS-SEM found that all hypothesized relationships between predictors (PR, PT, PEOU, PU, GS) and the criterion (BI) are statistically significant. Age moderates the relationship between predictors, namely perceived risk (PR), government support (GS), and endogenous variable behaviour intention (BI). On the other hand, the moderating effect of experience on the relationships between the constructs specified is found to be insignificant. Based on the logit regression result, both the basic and interaction models (the simple effect) confirmed that only three predictors, perceived risk (PR), government support (GS), and perceived ease of use (PEOU), are statistically significant in affecting outcomes, but PT and PU are found to be insignificant. The interaction term between age and four predictors (PR, PT, PEOU, and GS) is statistically significant. The interaction term between experience and three predictors (PT, PEOU, and GS) are confirmed to be significant. The study concluded that the hybrid crowdfunding model is acceptable in general. It highlights the need for strong support from the government in establishing robust data protection and privacy regulations for microenterprises who may be concerned about the security of their personal and financial information. Therefore, policymakers should consider formulating policies and guidelines, promoting the use of the proposed hybrid crowdfunding model, and building related infrastructure, such as widening internet penetration, especially in rural areas, to support model implementation

This dissertation analyses the transformations in historical theory through the lenses of Ibn Khaldun, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and Arnold Toynbee, focusing on their strategies for understanding the general rise, fall and movement of civilisations in history. By situating the ideas and conceptual frameworks of these thinkers within their sociohistorical contexts, the research also provides a comparative perspective for examining the factors that determine changes in the vector of social development. Thus, Ibn Khaldun’s concept of Asabiyyah, or social solidarity, is a key factor in the forces that shape and potentially disintegrate civilisations. On the other hand, while Hegel wrote from a dialectical point of view, he was also interested in the development of reason, which seeks fulfilment in opposites and reverses, so that reason plants a wish for liberty in humanity and the World Spirit. The cyclic model that Toynbee has proposed, based on the challenge-response mechanism, also enhances the discourse by describing civilisations that were born, grew, and died due to the struggle against stresses and strains from within and without. This study makes critical points regarding the implications of linear and cyclical gravity concepts in relation to historical evolution, focusing on the convergences and divergences between these three thinkers. It emphasizes the significance of leaders, integration, and change in the rise and fall of civilisations. The dissertation similarly evaluates the appropriateness of these theoretical approaches in the modern world, especially concerning nationalism, globalisation, or political movements. On the other hand, this work explains the social forces that drive historical change, pertaining to the evolution of societies, rather than superseding the existing notions of historical interpretation. The call is to shift the focus away from the onesidedness and fragmentation of civilisational change. It argues that Khaldunism, Hegelianism, and Toynbeeism still have their purpose in contemporary studies. This dissertation presents history from a new perspective by focusing on Hegel and Toynbee through Khaldun’s point of view and analyzing their theories in a new way. This suggests that, rather than the linear evolution of social forces, an integrated approach is ideal for the evolution of civilisations.

Youth unemployment has been a significant concern and a pressing issue within many nations. It is essential that all countries prioritize youth empowerment to curtail national security concerns. Although the authorities of Nigeria have made various attempts to provide national security through empowerment programs since its independence, these efforts were not successful due to non-political will. This study explores the potential role of waqf in enhancing youth empowerment for sustainable development in Yobe State, Nigeria. Waqf is considered as a mechanism to achieve economic and social objectives, acting as a platform for entrepreneurship to enhance societal well-being. This study aims to provide the potential roles of waqf institutions to empower the youth and enhance the well-being of the population in Yobe State. This study employed a qualitative method of research, which includes descriptive, historical, analytical and evaluative approaches. This study found that there are numerous factors contributing to youth unemployment, insecurity, and other social vices in Yobe State, such as insufficient incentives in the agricultural sector, lack of vocational skills, the declining quality of the Nigerian education system, corruption, youth involvement in political violence, and high rates of school dropouts. The findings show the potentials of waqf institutions on youth empowerment in Yobe across various domains such as education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and vocational training. This study concludes that waqf institutions have significantly contributed to youth empowerment in entrepreneurship, education, healthcare, and vocational skills, ultimately advancing the sustainable development goals in Yobe State. Finally, this study offers suggestions and recommendations for effective strategies in utilising waqf properties in the region. Keywords: Waqf, Youth Empowerment, Sustainable Development, Yobe State, Nigeria.

The science of text criticism is considered one of the most important sciences in the present age. The book of �?Umdat al-Q?r? Sharh ?a??? al-Bukh?r?� by Imam Badr ad-Deen al-?Ayn? is regarded as one of the important books of explaining hadiths as it explains the hadiths of Imam al-Bukh?r?�s �al-Jami� as-Sah?h� which is the most authentic book of hadith; this is why the researcher chose this book to be the subject of her research. This study aims to refute the claim that the former scholars gave credence to the chain of narrators but not the text by studying the history of the science of text criticism. Also, it aims at to explore Imam Al-Aini's methodology in criticizing the texts in his book, ?Umdat al-Q?r? so that it answers about the problematic hadiths of Sahih Al-Bukhari. The purpose of studying Imam al-?Ayn?'s methodology in criticizing texts is to benefit from it in identifying the right way to criticize texts. The researcher employed several approaches in this study: The first is the historical approach, in tracking the developments that the science of text criticism has undergone, as well as in examining the historical pages of Imam al-?Ayn?. The second is the inductive approach, in collecting scientific materials related to the science of textual criticism and what is related to Imam al-?Ayn? and his book ?Umdat al-Q?r? and tracking the hadiths contained in the book ?Umdat al-Q?r?. The third is the deductive analytical approach, which analyses what Imam Al-Aini criticized in the texts of hadiths, then extracts his criteria and method in criticizing the texts. The fourth is the critical approach, which is in criticizing Imam al-?Ayn?�s approach to criticizing texts by comparing his opinions with the opinions of other scholars. The researcher arrived at several significant findings. Chief among them is that one of the most frequently employed methods of textual criticism by Imam al-?Ayn? in ?Umdat al-Q?r? is his systematic effort to reconcile apparently conflicting ?ad?ths and uphold all relevant narrations wherever possible. In his commentary on ?a??? al-Bukh?r?, when he encounters a ?ad?th that appears problematic�either due to its seeming contradiction with the Qur�?n, the authentic Sunnah, scholarly consensus (ijm??), established companion reports (mawq?f), sound reasoning, or verified historical facts�he undertakes a thorough examination of the narration in light of these authoritative sources, striving to harmonize the texts to the fullest extent. In jurisprudential matters, Imam al-?Ayn? consistently prioritizes the views of the ?anaf? school, deviating from them only in rare instances. When reconciliation between conflicting ?ad?ths proves unattainable, he applies the principle of abrogation (naskh). Moreover, if a conflicting narration is weak or flawed, he rigorously identifies its defects and dismisses it accordingly.

This study addresses issues related to the bioethical ramifications of researching human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) within the context of Islamic jurisprudence. Structured into five principal chapters for a comprehensive analysis of both the biological and ethical dimensions from the standpoint of Islamic jurisprudence, this study delves into the intricate issues surrounding ethical considerations, legal consequences, and theological discussions related to the generation and use of hESCs. Additionally, this study delves into the foundational characteristics of hESCs, addressing crucial issues related to their application in therapeutic contexts. This study sheds light on the metaphysical concerns surrounding the ethical standing of hESCs, emphasising its impact on the inviolability and sanctity of human life according to Islamic values and jurisprudential principles. For this, the researcher has adopted a qualitative approach and literature review to critically examine the bioethical implications of hESC research within Islamic jurisprudence. Employing chosen literature review and qualitative methodology facilitated a comprehensive analysis of perspectives on hESCs, addressing its ethical standing and implications in a thorough investigation. Data collection has been made by two ways. The first involves library materials, especially books and journal articles, dealing with medicine, bioethics, and jurisprudence. The second source consist of unstructured interviews with specialists, including experts of Islamic jurisprudence, clinical embryologists, and stem cell scientists. The spontaneity of unstructured interviews allowed questions to evolve through the dialogue. Reflective practices, analytic memos, and thematic analysis (inductive and semantic approaches) were employed throughout this study. The findings will enrich the discourse on hESC research, offering valuable insights for medical practitioners, policymakers, and scholars in the Muslim world. Advocating for a conscientious integration of evidence-based medicine and Fiqh, this study highlights the potential of alternative cell sources, ultimately aiming for a harmonious alignment of hESC research within the Islamic framework to benefit all of humanity.

Blended learning has gained recognition and government support, but there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the application of blended learning in the Indian institutions of architectural education. This research seeks to identify important tools and teaching techniques to compare the effectiveness of the blended learning with traditional teaching methods, considering the unique requirements of architectural education. A critical aspect of this research is to investigate the current level of the adoption of the blended learning in Indian architectural institutions and to formulate practical recommendations for enhancing the quality of architectural education in India through implementing a blended learning approach in the light of the IPSIT framework for blended learning. The research methodology follows a mixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. To achieve the objectives, three questionnaires were developed and administered to a diverse group of participants, including students, faculty members and professional architects in India, along with a detailed literature review. The study also includes a case study with a separate questionnaire to assess the evaluation process using blended learning tools. While developing the research framework, significant attention was dedicated to aligning the research with the guidelines that shape architectural education in India, such as the IPSIT framework for blended learning, proposed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the Model Curriculum for B Arch, proposed by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). This study became especially relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted educational institutions to explore alternative teaching methodologies. The research reveals a substantial increase in the adoption of blended learning in the post-COVID-19 period. Most respondents have been exposed to blended learning and acknowledge its positive impact on architectural education. They reported that the blended learning significantly improved the quality of education. It offered the benefits such as flexibility, self-learning, software skills development, etc. The study highlighted the importance of the research-based approach to architectural education at the undergraduate level. Most respondents strongly supported this approach, particularly those with higher academic qualifications. The research findings also highlight the effectiveness of Google Classroom and rubrics in improving learning and assessment. The challenges encountered include the limitations of existing tools in facilitating architectural design and drawing. Technical issues, maintaining student engagement, and the need for faculty development are also identified. In conclusion, this research study underscores the potential of blended learning to transform architectural education and recognises its potential to meet the evolving needs of architectural education in India. The research findings offer practical recommendations for educators, policymakers, and institutions seeking to embrace innovative approaches.

This study proposes a sustainable personal financing model, the Qarḍ Ḥasan via Cash Waqf (QHCW) model, as a proactive solution to mitigate future economic crises. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), it assesses the model’s acceptance by examining respondents’ knowledge, objectives, and perception within the B40 and M40 income groups, who are often excluded from conventional financial services during downturns. The model establishes a structured, interest-free fund sustained through Shari’ah-compliant investments, incorporating standard operating procedures (SOPs) from the Prophetic tradition to encourage reciprocal contributions upon repayment. Following the Dinc Framework, the QHCW fund relies on initial contributions from unaffected individuals, permitting withdrawals only after securing these deposits. Public donations remain open, with all funds allocated to low-risk, Shari’ah -compliant ventures to ensure sustainability and cover administrative costs. A mixed-method research design integrates quantitative survey data from snowball sampling with qualitative insights from open-ended respondent feedback and practitioner interviews, offering a comprehensive evaluation of feasibility, acceptance, and implementation readiness. Empirical findings confirm the QHCW model’s viability, with no Shari’ah compliance concerns identified. As an ethical alternative to interest-based banking, the model provides a sustainable financial safety net, particularly in times of crisis. The study also raises an urgent ethical concern: financial institutions, despite their mandate for economic stability, continue to impose interest during crises, deepening financial hardship. This contradiction underscores the necessity of ethical, interest-free mechanisms. The QHCW model is ready for implementation, presenting a viable, Shari’ah -compliant intervention to strengthen Malaysia’s financial resilience, enhance social welfare, and ensure economic stability in future crises. It offers actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and Islamic financial institutions.

This study aims to develop a hierarchical model to identify and rank the challenges faced by conventional and Islamic banks in Bangladesh in providing quality service, along with their corresponding critical success factors (CSFs). Few studies have systematically analysed the challenges and practical solutions for these banks. In this study, specific objectives include: 1. Identifying challenges faced in prioritisation by conventional and Islamic banks. 2. Ascertaining CSFs for each challenge. 3. Ranking the challenges and CSFs. 4. Developing a hierarchical model to enhance the Bangladeshi banking sector's effectiveness. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-method design, qualitative data were collected from 14 experts from conventional banks and 15 from Islamic banks, followed by a survey of 120 respondents for prioritisation. Data for both stages were purposely accumulated from internal and external stakeholders of Bangladeshi conventional and Islamic banking sectors, ranging from relevant personnel. Six challenges were identified for conventional banks: ‘global financial crisis,’ ‘lack of governance,’ ‘liquidity crisis,’ ‘export-import remittance,’ ‘insufficient banking technology development,’ and ‘employees’ insufficient banking knowledge.’ For Islamic banks, the challenges included ‘lack of governance,’ ‘lack of capital market,’ ‘liquidity crisis,’ ‘lack of Islamic products,’ and ‘employees’ insufficient Islamic banking knowledge.’ The Analytic Hierarchy Process ranked ‘employees’ insufficient banking knowledge’ as the top challenge and ‘reward based on performance’ as the key CSF for conventional banks. For Islamic banks, the most crucial challenge was ‘lack of capital market,’ with ‘ensuring uniformity in Islamic banking practices’ as the main CSF. By addressing these challenges and CSFs, banks can achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, enhancing operational performance and service quality. The developed hierarchical model aims to improve both the competitiveness of banks and the broader economic development of Bangladesh.

China and Afghanistan have historically maintained ties with each other, but with the eruption of wars, China's engagement with Afghanistan was affected negatively. In 2001, when the United States invaded Afghanistan, China refused to join the United States in its "War On Terror" rather chose to focus on building and expanding its soft power across Afghanistan. This is in contrast to America’s reliance on hard power tools in its relations with Afghanistan. As a major power sharing a border with Afghanistan, China's decision to utilize soft power tools requires deeper analysis to inform contemporary geopolitical considerations. This thesis aims to explore the use of soft power tools by China in Afghanistan and analyze the challenges China faced in building and expanding its soft power. It is significant to assess what specific mechanisms China has used to build and expand its soft power in Afghanistan, alongside investigating the reasons driving its strategic preference for soft power. Furthermore, this thesis critically evaluates China’s success in building and expanding its soft power. This study used thematic analysis for analysing the data collected from China and Afghanistan have historically maintained ties with each other, but with the eruption of wars, China's engagement with Afghanistan was affected negatively. In 2001, when the United States invaded Afghanistan, China refused to join the United States in its "War On Terror" rather chose to focus on building and expanding its soft power across Afghanistan. This is in contrast to America’s reliance on hard power tools in its relations with Afghanistan. As a major power sharing a border with Afghanistan, China's decision to utilize soft power tools requires deeper analysis to inform contemporary geopolitical considerations. This thesis aims to explore the use of soft power tools by China in Afghanistan and analyze the challenges China faced in building and expanding its soft power. It is significant to assess what specific mechanisms China has used to build and expand its soft power in Afghanistan, alongside investigating the reasons driving its strategic preference for soft power. Furthermore, this thesis critically evaluates China’s success in building and expanding its soft power. This study used thematic analysis for analysing the data collected from 15 diplomats, officials, and experts on China-Afghanistan relations. This thematic analysis facilitates the development of a framework for China’s soft power dynamics, providing insights that are essential for scholars studying China’s evolving influence in Afghanistan. The research makes critical contributions to the understanding of China's soft power tools, challenges, reasons and effectiveness and offers significant recommendations for future research in this field. 15 diplomats, officials, and experts on China-Afghanistan relations. This thematic analysis facilitates the development of a framework for China’s soft power dynamics, providing insights that are essential for scholars studying China’s evolving influence in Afghanistan. The research makes critical contributions to the understanding of China's soft power tools, challenges, reasons and effectiveness and offers significant recommendations for future research in this field.

This study aims to demonstrate the existence of compacton matter waves in binary mixtures of Bose-Einstein condensates trapped in deep optical lattices under periodic time modulation of the interspecies nonlinear interaction, described by coupled discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equations, in the presence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Averaging the coupled DNLS equations leads to a rescaling of SOC parameter that involves the density imbalance of the two components, which gives rise to density-dependent SOC parameter that strongly influence the existence and stability of compactons. The stability of compactons is investigated by linear stability analysis and direct numerical integrations of the coupled DNLS equations. Two types of SOC interactions are considered: intraspecies and interspecies SOC. In the case of intraspecies SOC, the SOC term restricts the parameter ranges for the existence of stable stationary compactons with one-, two- and three-site structures. However, it also provides a more stringent signature of their occurrence. In particular, compactons should appear when the intraspecies interactions and the number of atoms in the two components are perfectly balance or nearly balanced. In the case of interspecies SOC, similar parameter ranges restrictions are observed, however the existence of compactons is limited to only of one-site and next-nearest-neighbour two-site profiles. Notably, the linear stability analysis requires a more refined gain definition to reveal that there exists a critical point for the gain in which instability occurs if exceeded. Furthermore, the number of atoms in the two components does not necessarily to be balanced for compactons to appear. Therefore, in contrast to the intraspecies SOC case, the interspecies SOC compactons cannot be suggested as a tool for indirect measurements of the number of atoms and/or the interactions between the species.

This study examines the complex interplay between social and political identity formation among Muslim minorities in Laos and northern Thailand, two regions with distinct socio-political contexts. These diverse communities, comprising descendants of immigrants from Southwest China and South Asia, as well as indigenous hill tribe converts, offer a unique perspective on the integration of minorities. Over the course of six years, extensive fieldwork including interviews, focus groups, and site surveys generated rich qualitative data on these understudied populations. While acknowledging limitations in accessing precise demographic data, this research provides valuable insights into their lived experiences, challenges, and evolving identities. The study pursues two primary objectives: 1) investigating social identity construction and 2) analysing political identities and relationships with the states. The research reveals a complex interplay of internal factors (ethnicity, religious practice, political regime, demographic policies) and external factors (socio-economic opportunities and media influence) that shape identity formation. Specifically, it examines how diverse ethnic origins contribute to varied expressions of Islam and analyses the impact of Laos's single-party system and Thailand's constitutional monarchy on Muslim political participation and religious freedom. Furthermore, it examines how the Ummah concept fosters unity alongside internal variations in jurisprudence. The research also investigates how socio-economic opportunities and media exposure particularly cross-border influences affect integration and perceptions. Finally, it compares and contrasts Muslim political engagement in Laos (limited yet evolving) with that of northern Thai Muslims (greater rights and active participation). This research provides a foundational understanding of Muslim minority communities in Laos and northern Thailand, serving as a valuable resource for future researchers and those interested in these often-overlooked populations. Keywords: Social Identity, Political Identity, Political Participation, Minority

This study investigates the critical success factors for intention to family takaful adoption in Malaysia. The research explores the direct relationships among performance expectancy, effort expectancy, price value, hedonic motivation, social influence, facilitating conditions, and habits concerning the behavioral intention to engage in family takaful in Malaysia. Additionally, the study examines the inverse relationship between behavioral intention and trust. A total of 389 respondents were surveyed using a convenience sampling technique and quantitative methods. Hypothesis testing employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the relationships between variables. The findings indicate that Muslim behavioral intention to participate in family takaful in Malaysia is significantly influenced by performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, and price value. Moreover, the association between family takaful participation and behavioral intention is mediated by trust. Trust influences the behavioral intention to participate in family takaful. However, habit and social influence do not significantly affect the behavioral intention to engage in family takaful in Malaysia. This study introduces an extended UTAUT2 model, untested in the context of family takaful, contributing to Islamic financial product marketing and consumer behavior.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become a favourable choice due to the current environmental conditions and limited fuel resources. For efficient operation, EVs often use a lithium-ion battery as its main power source. Nevertheless, during acceleration, EVs require an instant high load demand, which is quite challenging to satisfy with the lithium-ion battery alone due to its slow discharging rate. This frequent fluctuation can damage the batteries’ State of Health (SoH), and to overcome this issue, a Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS) is proposed. In the system, a Supercapacitor (SC) is used to support the immediate load demand from a vehicle. To ensure that the correct amount of power is extracted, a suitable controller needs to be integrated with a Bidirectional DC-DC Converter (BDC). As a model disturbance can influence both the load demand and system feedback response, a novel contribution of this work is to introduce the application of Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) to overcome this issue. A detailed derivation of this algorithm, along with the investigation of the tuning effect, is presented. To analyse the efficacy of this controller, several numerical simulations have been carried out using MATLAB/Simulink, where the MRAC performance is benchmarked against the Proportional Integral (PI) controller, based on several performance indexes such as Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of current and voltage, power demand tracking, and controllers’ characteristics. For regular operation, the results show that MRAC outperforms the PI controller in tracking voltage demand by 67% (with constant voltage) and 85% (with variable voltage) with inverting BDC and current demands by 16% (with variable current) in non-inverting BDC. While in the presence of disturbance, MRAC shows its efficacy in current demand tracking by surpassing PI controller with 15% higher accuracy. In this case, MRAC requires some time due to adjust its mechanism to surpass the PI controller in tracking the load demand. To validate the MRAC design, an EV model, designed by MathWorks has been utilised upon the integration of the HESS with a Power Management System (PMS) that operated with four (4) different driving cycles, approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), such as US06, Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), Highway Fuel Economy Test (HWEFT) and Federal Test Procedure (FTP). The comparison results show MRAC consistently demonstrates superior current tracking compared to PI controller under disturbance conditions, as evidenced by significantly lower RMSE values in HWFET (8.15 vs. 39.74), UDDS (7.4 vs. 31.97), and FTP (6.34 vs. 24.89) drive cycles, respectively. Finally, the results of this study highlight the potential of adaptive control strategies in improving the efficiency, stability, and reliability of power management systems along with BDC for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs).

In Malaysia, many small businesses failed before their 5th anniversary. Small businesses made up a major percentage of the businesses and provide jobs for 50% of the populace. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors required by small businesses in Malaysia to sustain operations beyond the first five years. The underlying theories discussed in this study were Self-Determination Theory, Self-Management Competency Theory, and Resource-Based View. A review of the literature focused on small business failure and factors required to sustain a business longer than five years which contributed from a good service quality of sports coaching for achieving a sustainable competitive advantage and personal values of the sports coach who were passionate to conduct the effective sports coaching activity. The first stage of this research methodology was to conduct a qualitative research method which is by interviewing 10 small business owners in different fields of the sports industry. Then, the second stage was done by distributing a questionnaire developed from the interview sessions. This research targeted 225 respondents. Data analysis strategies consisted of correlation and regression using SPSS software. Factors required for small business sustainability were: (a) effective strategizing, (b) flexible financial capital management, (c) human capital development, and (d) market positioning and sales. The research found that small business owners in sports businesses were passionate about starting up their businesses and have the necessary skills to strategize effectively and manage capital, thus sustaining their business beyond five years. Information derived from this study may assist small business owners in starting successful companies that support employees, other companies, communities, and families, contributing to the development of the Malaysian economy.

This study aimed to develop proposed teaching units for teaching Arabic phonological phenomena to Tamil speakers, based on analyzing of students� needs and errors. The research employed descriptive, analytical, and developmental methods. Secondary data were collected by reviewing of previous studies, including articles, research, and books. Questionnaires, interviews, and observations were used to determine students� needs and desires regarding phonological phenomena, as well as to analyze their errors and difficulties in learning them. The questionnaire was administered to one hundred and fifty (150) second-year students in the Department of Arabic Language at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. At the same time, personal interviews were conducted with five (5) lecturers in the department. The fieldwork revealed that 70% of the research sample expressed a desire to learn phonetics and phonological phenomena. These students exhibited errors in differentiating between assimilation and dissimilation phonetic units, reading words and sentences considering syllables, stress positions, and intonation, identifying the occurrence of assimilation and dissimilation phenomena in words, understanding the phonological changes within words, and comprehending phonetic terminology. Factors contributing to these difficulties included individual differences in language level and learning motivation, linguistic interference, challenges in applying Arabic phonological rules compared to the mother tongue, a lack of interest in the department�s course, insufficient teaching time for course content, the absence of dedicated study units for the course, large lecture hall sizes, and the lack of a language laboratory. Evaluation results indicated that the proposed teaching units were appropriate, useful, and engaging for enhancing students� phonological phenomena skills and vocal performance.

Thousands of surgical procedures are performed daily to repair or replace tissue damaged by disease or trauma, with scaffolds playing a critical role in supporting bone regeneration. However, the clinical application of a scaffold remains challenging, particularly in the treatment of periodontal disease, where bone loss and microbial infection significantly impede the healing process. Tissue engineering aims to overcome these limitations by developing biodegradable scaffolds that not only support tissue regrowth but also deliver therapeutic agents to the defect site. These scaffolds act as temporary templates that guide regeneration while simultaneously preventing infection. Recent advances in nano-assisted drug delivery have enabled localised and sustained drug release, thereby reducing systemic side effects and minimising the risk of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to develop a biodegradable collagen–chitosan scaffold loaded with metronidazole nanoparticles (CCMNP) for periodontal bone regeneration. The scaffold was fabricated by blending chitosan and collagen at a 70:30 ratio, with MNP incorporated at various concentrations (0–40% w/v). Physical crosslinking was achieved using dehydrothermal treatment. Characterisation of the scaffolds was conducted using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to assess morphology, pore structure, and pore size. In vitro studies were conducted to assess antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and cell adhesion. Antibacterial efficacy was tested against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum using the disc diffusion method. Biocompatibility was evaluated using the 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay with human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1), and cell adhesion was visualised using FESEM. Based on the in vitro results, the scaffold exhibiting the optimal characteristic was selected for in vivo evaluation. The selected scaffold was implanted into critical-size calvarial bone defects in a rat model. Bone regeneration was assessed after a four-week healing period using histological staining and morphometric analysis. The findings revealed that the 30% w/v MNP-loaded scaffold exhibited desirable physical characteristics, including appropriate pore size and controlled biodegradability. It showed a significant inhibitory effect against the tested periodontal pathogens and promoted the proliferation, viability, and adhesion of HGF-1 cells. In vivo analysis demonstrated enhanced new bone formation at the defect site compared to controls, confirming the scaffold’s regenerative potential. In conclusion, the CC scaffold loaded with 30% w/v MNP demonstrated promising results for periodontal bone regeneration. It offers a targeted, dual action approach by combining antimicrobial protection with structural support for tissue healing. This strategy provides an alternative to conventional systemic antibiotic therapies and contributes to the advancement of scaffold-based regenerative techniques in tissue engineering and dental medicine.

Background: The indigenous Malay Muslim minority in Singapore is disproportionately affected by psychosocial stressors linked to structural inequalities in employment and economic stability. Epidemiological data show that 1 in 6 Malays and Indians, compared to 1 in 8 Chinese, experience poorer mental health. Among Malays, culturally rooted spiritual attributions of mental illness may contribute to delayed help-seeking and lower engagement with conventional psychological interventions. Addressing the need for culturally sensitive interventions, this study has three primary aims: (1) to develop the Islamic Psychology of Self (IPS) module, enabling Asatizah (Islamic religious teachers) to collaborate with mental health practitioners using Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), a therapy that combines aspects of cognitive behavioural therapy with mindfulness that instils compassion, acceptance and non-judgement; (2a) to investigate the effectiveness of MBCT integrated with the Islamic Psychology of Self (MBCT-IPS) in alleviating psychological distress, improving mental wellbeing, and enhancing self-compassion among Singaporean Malay Muslims; (2b) to assess the appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility of the intervention; and (3) to explore participants' qualitative experiences with the intervention. Methods: The study was conducted in three phases. Phase 1 involved the development of the IPS module based on the Dharuriyyatil-Khams (Five Basic Essentials) of human needs and Ilmun-Nafs (Knowledge of the Self). Phases 2 and 3 utilised a sequential mixed-method explanatory design. In Phase 2, 80 Malay Muslim participants were randomly assigned to one of three arms: the experimental MBCT-IPS, conventional MBCT, or counselling. Primary outcomes were measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Secondary outcomes included the Positive Mental Health Instrument (PMHI-19), the Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form (SCS-SF12), and post-intervention measures of Acceptability, Appropriateness, and Feasibility (AIM, IAM, FIM). Assessments were conducted at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and one-month and three-month follow-ups. Analyses used a General Linear Model with intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) approaches. Phase 3 involved thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with participants who completed therapy. Results: In Phase 1, the IPS module demonstrated strong expert-rated content validity (I-CVI=0.924) and was successfully pilot-tested with 12 participants. In Phase 2, all three interventions—MBCT, MBCT-IPS, and counselling—led to significant improvements across all outcome measures over time. Comparing mean scores, MBCT-IPS was found to be more effective in reducing DASS-21 depressive symptoms compared to counselling and MBCT based on both ITT and PP analyses. Counselling showed consistent reduction in DASS-21 anxiety symptoms in ITT analysis, outperforming both MBCT and MBCT-IPS, whereas MBCT-IPS demonstrated greater reductions in the PP analysis. MBCT more effective in reducing DASS-21 stress symptoms than both MBCT-IPS and counselling, in both ITT and PP analyses. Counselling showed greater improvements in PMHI-19 compared to MBCT-IPS and MBCT across ITT and PP analyses. For SCS-SF12, ITT analysis revealed that MBCT-IPS was more effective than counselling and MBCT, while PP analysis indicated counselling was more effective than both MBCT-IPS and MBCT. Notably, therapy attrition was highest (61.25%) where therapists were non-Muslims. In Phase 3, participants who completed therapy reported positive experiences, particularly favouring Islamic psychotherapy as culturally relevant, emotionally meaningful, and spiritually aligned with their values. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of culturally adapted interventions in addressing mental health disparities among minority populations. Findings highlight the potential of integrating Islamic concepts into therapy and fostering collaboration between mental health professionals and Asatizah to enhance treatment acceptability, cultural relevance, and psychological outcomes for Malay Muslims in Singapore.

Several recent studies have proved the ability of cement-based materials to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) through carbonation. Yet, the capture capacity may decline over multiple cycles, reflecting the poor regeneration performance inherent in other calcium-based sorbent materials. Partial replacement of nano-sized silica (SiO2) could potentially enhance both CO2 capture capacity and regeneration performance of cement. While previous research has extensively proven the significant improvement in cement properties with nano-silica, limited studies have examined its impact on CO2 capture and regeneration performance. Therefore, this study investigates how partial replacement of nano-silica in cement paste samples affects CO2 capture capacity and regeneration performance. Nano-silica was synthesized from rice husk ash (RHA) through the precipitation method, aiming to utilize agricultural waste. Before synthesizing, the RHA was acid-leached and thermally treated. Cement samples were partially replaced with nano-silica in various percentages (0.00% to 3.00%) and cured for 7, 14, and 28 days. Using the one-factor design from response surface method (RSM), the cement/nano-silica samples’ composition was determined. Characterization and analysis confirmed successful synthesis of high-purity, amorphous silica nanoparticles with diameters below 50 nm via the precipitation method. Nano-silica significantly improved the properties of hardened cement samples, with a notable 34.77% increase in compressive strength achieved with 3.00% nano-silica replacement compared to other samples across curing durations. XRD patterns indicated that nano-silica promoted hydration reactions, resulting in increased peak intensity of the C-S-H phase. Moreover, SEM-EDX analysis revealed the morphological characteristics of C-S-H phase throughout the observed morphology, along with a decrease in the Ca/Si ratio with increasing percentage of nano-silica replacement. The study findings suggest that inclusion of nano-silica significantly enhanced CO2 capture and regeneration performance of cement at room temperature conditions, with maximal improvement observed at 3.00% nano-silica partial replacement and 28 days of curing, displaying approximately 493.76% increment over the reference sample during a 150-minute experimental test. However, at 800℃ experimental temperatures, the presence of nano-silica did not effectively enhance CO2 capture capacity but rather led to its deterioration, potentially due to structural modification of the C-S-H phase during thermal cycles.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted global supply chains, heightening consumer concerns regarding food safety and integrity. One critical area of interest is the halal poultry supply chain, particularly the maintenance of halal integrity from production to consumer purchase. Ensuring compliance with halal standards throughout the supply chain remains a key challenge, particularly during manufacturing and distribution. This study aims to address these concerns by identifying critical gaps in the halal poultry supply chain and proposing strategies to enhance its integrity. To examine the integrity of the halal poultry supply chain, this research employs document analysis and thematic analysis. Key regulatory documents analyzed include Manual Prosedur Pensijilan Halal Malaysia (Domestic) 2020 and MS1500:2019 Halal Food General Guidelines (Third Revision). Empirical data were gathered through in-depth interviews with three halal executives from leading halal poultry companies and five halal experts in Malaysia. The findings reveal several critical integrity dimensions purity, hygiene, quality, and safety as well as opportunities for improvement in halal poultry practices. A conceptual framework for integrity in the poultry supply chain, grounded in maq??id al-Shar??ah, is proposed. Thematic analysis of interview data highlights key factors influencing halal integrity, including government regulations and oversight, halal traceability and transparency, industry collaboration and best practices, and consumer confidence and education. While all three halal poultry companies demonstrated strong compliance with halal standards, particularly in animal welfare, slaughtering processes, and halal awareness training, variations in halal control points and monitoring systems were identified. These discrepancies underscore the need for stricter and more standardized oversight. Furthermore, the study finds that the five protections (?ar?riyy?t) of maq??id al-Shar??ah protection of religion, life, intellect, lineage, and wealth are highly relevant to the halal poultry industry. This research provides a comprehensive framework to ensure that poultry products bearing the halal certification genuinely uphold halal integrity. By addressing consumer and stakeholder concerns, the study enhances confidence in the halal poultry supply chain. The findings emphasize the necessity for collaboration among industry players, regulatory bodies, and consumers to safeguard halal integrity at every stage of the supply chain. The proposed strategies aim to strengthen consumer trust, support regulatory enhancements, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the halal poultry industry in Malaysia and beyond.