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1 – 10 of 49S.A. Aida, H.H. Aili, K.S. Manveen, W.I.W. Salwina, K.P. Subash, C.G. Ng and A.Z.M. Muhsin
The number of juvenile offenders admitted to Malaysian prisons is alarming. The purpose of this paper is to determine the presence of any psychiatric disorders and their…
Abstract
Purpose
The number of juvenile offenders admitted to Malaysian prisons is alarming. The purpose of this paper is to determine the presence of any psychiatric disorders and their association with personal characteristics of juvenile detainees in prisons across Peninsular Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
Detainees were recruited from five different prisons in Peninsular Malaysia and interviewed by a psychiatrist using the MINI-Kid and FACES-IV, relevant personal and family information was also collected.
Findings
A total of 105 detainees participated in the study. Almost all of the offenders (93.3 per cent) had at least one diagnosable psychiatric disorder and more than half (76.2 per cent) had two or more psychiatric diagnoses. Conduct disorder (CD) was the commonest disorder (59.0 per cent), while substance use disorders (SUD) was the commonest co-morbidity. A significant correlation was found between presence of CD, education level and SUD. Almost all (61/62, 98.4 per cent) of the detainees with CD, had not completed schooling (OR 8.03, 95 per cent CI 1.01-71.35), and detainees with this disorder were more likely to use substances than detainees without CD (OR 4.35, 95 per cent CI 1.90-9.99). Detainees with any psychiatric diagnosis were more likely to have four or more siblings in their families (OR 5.5, 95 per cent CI 1.1-26.9).
Originality/value
There is a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among juvenile offenders in Malaysian prisons, detection and intervention would be important.
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Hamza Laloui, Noor Hanita Abdul Majid and Aliyah Nur Zafirah Sanusi
This paper aims to investigate the impacts of introducing voids combinations on natural ventilation performance in high-rise residential building living unit.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impacts of introducing voids combinations on natural ventilation performance in high-rise residential building living unit.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was carried out through field measurement and computational fluid dynamics methods. The parameters of the study are void types and sizes, and a wind angle was used to formulate case studies.
Findings
The results indicate that the provision of a single-sided horizontal void larger by 50% increase the indoor air velocity performance up to 322.37% to 0.471 m/s in the living unit and achieves the required velocity for thermal comfort.
Originality/value
Passive design features are the most desirable techniques to enhance natural ventilation performance in the high-rise residential apartments for thermal comfort and indoor air quality purposes.
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Steven Kuba Nuhu, Mohd Nadzri Md Reba, Zainuddin Abd Manan, Sharifah Rafidah Wan Alwi and Fatin Nabihah Syahira Ridzuan
The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) proposed the development of eco-industrial parks (EIP) related to the 9th, 12th, and 13th of the sustainable…
Abstract
The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) proposed the development of eco-industrial parks (EIP) related to the 9th, 12th, and 13th of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) for ensuring green industrial practice to deal with climate change. The first approach to EIP is choosing a suitable site, however, it is not a simple task, because it involves spatial factors and is always impaired by uncertainties that require more than one decision module. There is a fewer study in objectively assessing the criteria for the selection of suitable sites for EIP development to contribute to the SDG initiative. This study provides an integrated process for assessing a consistent weight of criteria for EIP site selection. Nine steps were used in the fuzzy-analytical hierarchy process namely criterion identification, hierarchical structure construction, triangular fuzzy number matrix, geometric ratio, fuzzy relative weight, defuzzification, normalisation, sensitivity analysis (SA) and weight ranking. When tested using spatial and non-spatial criteria for EIP site selection, results show transportation infrastructure (13%), raw materials (12%), water bodies (12%), climate (10%), labour (9%), land use (9%), markets (9%), governmental policies (8%), existing industries (7%), urban settlement (6%), and restricted areas (5%). The SA verified that any evaluation error of 2% or 5% on the criteria weight is insignificant, but for 10% error, results can be distorted. The study has developed a consistent, simple approach integrating hierarchical and uncertainty modules for choosing EIP locations, and it is proposed as a guide for selecting suitable greenfield or brownfield EIP sites for sustainable industrial practices.
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Hamza Laloui, Noor Hanita Abdul Majid and Aliyah Nur Zafirah Sanusi
The paper aims to investigate and evaluate the impacts of the voids combination as a passive design feature on wind-driven ventilation performance in high-rise residential…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to investigate and evaluate the impacts of the voids combination as a passive design feature on wind-driven ventilation performance in high-rise residential building units. It proposes a series of building models and thereon indoor ventilation performance and outlining why and how these building models designed with architectural design features are important. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how natural ventilation as a passive cooling strategy in living units of high-rise residential buildings can be applied through improving the provision of the architectural design feature of voids configurations.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was carried out through field measurements experiment and the computational fluid dynamics methods. A series of numerical simulations were carried out to calculate the indoor ventilation rate inside the case studies of the generated building models based on various variables such as horizontal voids type, size and wind directions.
Findings
The results indicate that the provision of a single-sided horizontal voids in building models can improve the indoor ventilation rate in units with cross ventilation mode up to 4 times, depending on wind direction and living unit location. The indoor ventilation performance in units located in models with single-sided horizontal voids is 17.54% higher than the units located in models without voids configuration. Furthermore, higher indoor ventilation performance was achieved in the case scenarios located at higher levels compared to the middle and lower levels in both horizontal voids types.
Originality/value
This study explores the application of voids combinations for natural ventilation performance, investigates the numerical simulation results and validates field measurements experiment data using CFD simulation.
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Muhsin Michael Orsini, David L. Wyrick, William B. Hansen, Rita G. O’Sullivan, Denise Hallfors, Allan B. Steckler and Ty A. Ridenour
Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs use typically increases in prevalence and frequency during middle and late adolescence. School health instruction often focusses on…
Abstract
Purpose
Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs use typically increases in prevalence and frequency during middle and late adolescence. School health instruction often focusses on providing facts and rarely provides tools for addressing the psychosocial risk factors needed to prevent substance use. The purpose of this paper is to report about the effectiveness of a prevention programme delivered in US high school health classes. The intervention augments typical instruction by providing teachers with activities that can be infused in their daily teaching.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 26 schools were randomly assigned to receive the intervention or serve as controls. Pupils were pretested near the beginning of the school year, posttest near the end of the school year and administered a final test near the beginning of the following school year. Teachers in treatment schools were provided with activities designed to target psychosocial variables known to mediate substance use onset and self-initiated cessation. These include normative beliefs, intentionality, lifestyle incongruence, beliefs about consequences of use, peer pressure resistance skills, decision-making skills, goal setting skills and stress management skills.
Findings
Hierarchical modelling analytic strategies revealed the intervention to have definable positive impacts on alcohol and cigarette use. Moreover, the intervention had strongest effects on alcohol and cigarette use among pupils who were identified at pretest as being lower-than-average risk.
Originality/value
This research provides support for providing teachers with a strategy for preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drugs that can be used in a flexible manner to augment the instruction they are already mandated to provide.
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Sundas Hussain, Safiya Mukhtar Alshibani and Amir Daneshvar
The ongoing economic impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic upon national and international economies has provided a novel set of challenges and barriers for organisations;…
Abstract
The ongoing economic impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic upon national and international economies has provided a novel set of challenges and barriers for organisations; particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This has led to an increased focus on sustainable decision-making and long-term survival and growth strategies, such as internationalisation opportunities, for SMEs during obscure times and fluctuating economies. Thus, examining how SMEs within ambiguous economies are adopting innovative decision-making to continue to sustain and grow their enterprises provides a vital perspective and understanding of not only enterprise survival but enterprise growth during times of economic uncertainty. This chapter proposes a conceptual framework that explores internationalisation opportunities through an intersectional lens. The framework depicts that intersectionality as an enabler during ambiguous times for Maldivian women entrepreneurs generates innovative decision-making towards internationalisation as part of sustainable growth practices. The conceptual framework offers theoretical implications for empirical studies of an inductive or deductive nature and offers pragmatic importance for women entrepreneurs considering internationalisation through sustainable growth during obscure times and fluctuating economies. This chapter contributes to the growing body of knowledge in the field of international entrepreneurship, particularly innovative decision-making, and sustainable growth through internationalisation opportunities of women entrepreneurs, whilst advancing our understanding of gender and entrepreneurship studies. Studying innovative decision-making and sustainable growth practices of women entrepreneurs additionally provides a new perspective on intersectional works within entrepreneurial growth during uncertain times.
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Krar Muhsin Thajil and Hadi Al-Abrrow
Following the theory of emotional events, this paper aims to use the bright triad and the dark tetrad as representations to investigate the role of positive and negative…
Abstract
Purpose
Following the theory of emotional events, this paper aims to use the bright triad and the dark tetrad as representations to investigate the role of positive and negative personality patterns in achieving positive and negative innovation. The study also examines the mediating role of emotional intelligence and abusive supervision and the interactive role of emotional exhaustion in understanding the relationship between positive and negative personality patterns and positive and negative innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the hypotheses of the study model, a set of questionnaires was distributed to a sample of 500 medical officers working in different departments of public hospitals in southern Iraq. The data were analysed using the structured equation model.
Findings
The results of the current study confirm previous studies on emotional intelligence because the bright triad negatively associates with negative innovation and positively associates with positive innovation. Meanwhile, the dark tetrad positively associates with negative innovation through abusive supervision, and that emotional exhaustion reinforces the negative side and weakens the positive side of the relationships.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by emphasising that the values represented by the bright triad have a strong readiness to show positive innovation and immunity to negative influence caused by abusive supervision. Meanwhile, the negative emotions of the dark tetrad pattern result in negative patterns because they correlate with negative innovation and the avoidance of positive behaviour, which is escalated by abusive supervision.
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Rima Abdul Razzak, Ghada Al Kafaji, Mohammad Nadir Khan, Amar Muhsin Marwani and Yahya M. Naguib
This paper aims to evaluate the effect of consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) rich with total saturated fats on adiposity and serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the effect of consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) rich with total saturated fats on adiposity and serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1), a biomarker of endothelial inflammation/dysfunction. Another aim is to evaluate whether supplementation of a phytosomal formulation of curcumin would reduce adiposity measures and sVCAM-1 levels in HFD rats.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted on 17 male rats which were allocated to one of three feeding regimen groups: normal diet (ND); HFD, or HFD with dietary phytosomal curcumin (HFD-C). Anthropometric measures were recorded weekly up to 20 weeks of feeding intervention, at the end of which, sVCAM-1 levels were also compared with one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc analysis.
Findings
The HFD group had the greatest values for raw anthropometric data, and there was a group difference in anthropometric measures, however there was no significant difference between HFD and HFD-C for any measure. The gain at 20 weeks from initial values did reveal significant differences in weight and abdominal circumference between HFD and HFD-C groups. There were significant group differences in sVCAM-1 levels, with only HFD-C displaying significant lower levels than HFD group.
Originality/value
This is the first study that shows the capacity of a phytosomal formulation of curcumin in reducing adiposity and sVCAM-1 levels during daily intake of saturated fats above the recommended level. The results are promising in that this formulation can protect against endothelial inflammation/dysfunction, and can be used as complimentary therapy to suppress dyslipidemia/obesity-related cardiovascular complications.
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Muhsin Menekse, Xintong Zheng and Saira Anwar
This study investigates computer science (CS) students' perceived needs for support in an array of academic and nonacademic areas prior to entering college and relates these…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates computer science (CS) students' perceived needs for support in an array of academic and nonacademic areas prior to entering college and relates these findings to their subsequent performance in the core CS curriculum. This study specifically explored how students' perceived needs vary by gender and residency and how these perceived needs relate to students' academic performance in CS courses.
Design/methodology/approach
Data included survey responses and academic performance measures from 718 CS students. Approximately 14 percent of the participants were female students, and 86 percent were male students. Also, 24 percent of students were international, 46 percent out-of-state, and 30 percent were in-state students. To address research questions, multiple regressions and analysis of covariance were conducted. For all analyses, students' ACT scores were used as covariates.
Findings
Results show significant main effects for both gender and residency, but interaction is not significant. Female students, on average, selected more perceived needs compared to male students. Also, international students selected more needs compared to domestic students. Also, the number of perceived needs for different categories is unique across students of different residency and gender. Results also indicate that the perceived need for assistance with STEM content is associated with lower CS academic performance. In contrast, perceived needs for professional skills and support services are not related to CS performance. Finally, students' ACT score is a good predictor of their academic performance.
Originality/value
This study provides important contributions to higher education and CS education literature. This is the first study with CS students focusing on their perceived needs. Also, this study includes an almost complete data set (94.6 percent survey completion rate) from CS students.
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Heru Yulianto, Yohanes Sutomo, Dyah Palupiningtyas and Krisnawati Setyaningrum Nugraheni
This study aims to determine the effect of halal brand awareness (HBA), halal brand image (HBI), halal brand loyalty (HBL) on halal brand equity (HBE) and purchase decision-making…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the effect of halal brand awareness (HBA), halal brand image (HBI), halal brand loyalty (HBL) on halal brand equity (HBE) and purchase decision-making (PDM). This study will also discuss the mediating role of HBE and the moderating role of interactive social media (ISM).
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 700 questionnaires were distributed with an effective rate of 94% to customers in large supermarkets in 3 major cities in Indonesia by using convenience sampling. The hypothesis was tested using structural equation modeling processed using AMOS. The Sobel test was used to test the significance of mediating variables.
Findings
The results of the study reveal that there was a positive and significant influence between variables. Other results reveal that HBE acts as a partial mediator and ISM as a moderator.
Originality/value
This study builds a new construct, namely, ISM and is the first to build and test a comprehensive direct and indirect relationship between HBA, HBI, HBL, HBE, ISM and PDM on halal cosmetics in Indonesia.
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