bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Syrian Refugee Crisis: A Balkan Perspective
Authors: Jamallullail Syed Harun
Published: February 2024

This article, deploying data from documentary sources, examines the issues of the Syrian Refugee Crisis in the Balkan’s perspective and the main issues faced by the governments and the refugees. Both Content Analysis and In-depth Interview was done in order to understand the situation in the Balkans. Therefore, articles from various countries in the Balkan peninsular and interviews are conducted with the embassies and expatriates whom are currently in Malaysia. Drawing from the historical and economic situation of the states, it notes that the countries in the Balkan region were the less developed region of Europe. Based on the review of the Balkan’s economy and history, the article argues and concludes that, despite some of the countries in the Balkan peninsular are in the European Union, there are still problems faced by these countries when it comes to the mass influx of the refugees in their own country.

Keywords: denial, xenophobia, euro crisis, Social Marketing Theory
Language Lecturers’ Awareness on Cooperative Problem-based Learning (CPBL) Method
Authors: Idrus Hairuzila , Othman Haslinda
Published: February 2024

Language lecturers have utilised various methods in enhancing students’ competency in preparing them for the working world. Nevertheless, the outcomes are consistently mediocre and indistinguishable from the quality of their peers’ works. Cooperative Problem-based Learning (CPBL) is a combination of cooperative learning (CL) and problem-based learning (PBL) and has shown to improve the problem-solving skills among students. Moreover, CPBL trains students to work together with people of different background and instils positive values of teamwork. This has resulted students to become better learners from the CPBL experience, and it is believed that CPBL is able to assist students in the language classroom to prepare them of the working challenges. The essence of implementing CPBL in class fits with the demand of producing better graduates of the future. As CPBL has never been implemented in the language classroom, pilot study on the language lecturers’ awareness is needed to proceed with its execution. Thus, this paper investigates the awareness among language lecturers on the CPBL approach and their willingness to incorporate CPBL in the language lessons. Interviews were conducted among language lecturers to find out their understanding and perceptions towards CPBL approach. The findings of this study revealed that the language lecturers are still using traditional method of teaching in the classroom and their awareness towards CPBL is divided between cooperative learning or problem-based learning. They are uncertain of both combinations in CPBL approach, but are willing to try CPBL if it has been proven to be effective in the language classroom.

Keyword: Cooperative Learning, CPBL method, Language Learning, Problem-based Learning, Teaching pedagogy
ANALYSING THE TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF GENERAL TAKAFUL INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA: A NON-PARAMETRIC APPROACH
Authors: Mohamad Yusof Nurul Afidah
Published: February 2024

This paper aims to examine the technical efficiency level of the general takaful operators in Malaysia from 2013 to 2017. The focus on the general takaful industry is made after taking into account the recent regulatory developments, i.e. phased liberalisation of motor and fire tariff, and Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 (IFSA 2013) - conversion of composite license to single licenses. This paper employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) in order to measure the relative technical efficiency and the total factor productivity (TFP) change of eight general takaful operators in Malaysia respectively. The findings suggest that the main source of inefficiency of the general takaful operators in Malaysia is scale inefficiency, rather than managerial inefficiency. Meanwhile, technological regress has dampened the TFP growth of the general takaful industry in Malaysia. Therefore, it suggested the general takaful operators improve their productivity by improving their technical innovation.Keywords: General takaful, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Malmquist Productivity Index, efficiency
AN ECOCRITICAL READING OF SELECTED WORKS BY POST-INDEPENDENCE MALAYSIAN WRITERS
Authors: Ali Termizi Arbaayah , Mohd Said Nur Aainaa Amira
Published: February 2024

This paper presents an ecocritical reading of works by selected post-independence Malaysian writers namely Shahnon Ahmad, Kamarul Zaman Ariff and Rehman Rashid. These writers use Malaysia or parts of it as the ecological landscape in their works which are No Harvest but a Thorn (1966), Long Road to Merdeka (2006) and A Malaysian Journey (2006). Despite the works’ varied settings, these three share the commonality in how nature is foregrounded and its relationship with human is amplified. Thus this paper aims to place these writings within one of the key movements of ecocritical thought i.e. material ecocriticism whereby both human and non-human co-exist and interconnected with each other via storied matter. The finding of this study thus broadens the scope of environmental consciousness in non-anthropocentric terms in writings which do not originally belong in a nature-writing genre as well as shares the humanistic values pertaining cohabitation of human and non-human.Keywords ; eco-criticism; storied matter; nature; literature; Malaysia
DETERMINANTS OF LONG-TERM FINANCING DECISIONS: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION ON THE OIL AND GAS FIRMS IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Marimuthu Maran , Hamzah Hana Halini
Published: February 2024

The financing decision is the most vital decision that a firm takes as it affects the firm value and shareholders’ wealth. While the main contributions of past studies on financing decision come from developed countries, the same issues are of equal concern for developing countries, and no exemption to Malaysia. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of determinants of long-term financing among the oil and gas firms in Malaysia. The study adopts the pooled OLS, fixed effect, and random effect regression analysis and employs 28 oil and gas firms listed on Bursa Malaysia over the period of 2008 – 2017. The findings reveal that asset tangibility is the only determinant that consistently shows a significant impact on the significant effect on the long-term borrowing decision while other determinants remain insignificant across the three models. This reiterates the fact that fixed asset requirement remains as the fundamental requirement for the oil and gas firms, especially when raising their financial leverage. This offers a new lens of understanding in the literature of financing decisions from the perspective of the energy sector.

Keywords: oil and gas firms, financing decision, borrowing
AN ANALYSIS OF BLENDS IN LOCAL ENGLISH NEWSPAPERS
Authors: Nian Ong Shyi , Manokaran Komalata
Published: February 2024

There are many blends found in the newspapers such as a-meow-zing (amazing + meow) and purr-sible (purr + possible). The blend is a type of word-formation technique combining two or more source words (SWs) to become one compact new word. This qualitative study aims to classify the types of blends and analyse the semantic relationships between paradigmatic and syntagmatic blends found in local English newspapers (The Star, NST, The Malay Mail, and The Borneo Post). This study uses two theories dealing with the types and semantic relationship of blends. The classifications of blends are recorded based on Mattiello’s framework: morphotactic (total and partial), morphological and graphic (overlapping and non-overlapping), and morphosemantic (attributive and coordinative). The semantic relationship between paradigmatic and syntagmatic in blends are studied based on the headedness and meanings of the blend using Bauer’s framework. A total of 168 blends were analysed to classify the types of blends and semantic categories using a descriptive qualitative research design. The findings show that local English newspapers used total type blends and syntagmatic blends. The paradigmatic blends share the same lexical class, while syntagmatic blends share different lexical categories. The syntagmatic blends have two types, termed as right-headed (modifier + head) and left-headed (head + modifier). The findings of this study can help to identify semantic relations regarding the headedness in word-formation, especially in blends. The paper concludes that the headedness determines the semantic types and function of blends.Keywords: blends, source word, splinter, syntagmatic blends, paradigmatic blends, headedness
SABAH STATE ELECTION 2020: DID THE ELECTORATE VOTE FOR CHANGE?
Authors: Chin Huat Wong
Published: February 2024

After the defection of 13 elected state assemblypersons to former Chief Minister Musa Aman, Sabah’s Warisan-led State Government was forced to dissolve the state legislature on 30 July 2020. As many as 20 parties and 447 candidates took part in the snap poll on 26 September 2020, which saw the Warisan Plus coalition replaced by the Gagasan Rakyat Sabah coalition aligned with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Combing through electoral data, this paper finds three interesting facts. First, the Sabah election outcome was more a reinstatement of status quo in 2018 than a decisive shift of voters’ preference. Second, voters supported incumbents who changed parties as long as they were backed by main parties. Third, two out of five constituencies failed to produce majority winners despite the First-Past-The-Post system. Drawing insights from Cox’s (1997) framework on party reduction, this paper argues that concentration of executivepower at both the federal and state level made the election a contestation of incumbency advantage.Keywords: Sabah, state election, party-hopping, incumbency advantage, wasted votes, clientelism
MONEY ATTITUDE AND CRIME INTENTION SCALE DEVELOPMENT: FACTORIAL AND CONFIRMATORY ANALYSIS
Authors: Ishak Nur Annizah , Zakaria Roza Hazli , Abu Bakar Siti Hajar , Mohd Satar Nurulhuda
Published: February 2024

Individual’s perception of money has been recognized as an important concern that affects their behavior andwellbeing, thus understanding how individual’s appraisal of money is important. The objective of this study is to develop an instrument to measure Malaysian’s money attitude and crime intentions. Using Structural Equation Modelling and SPSS, empirical evidence for a sample of 175 students from a prominent university was tested. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted using principal axis factoring to determine the factor structure. The analysis revealed a six-factors structure of money attitude comprises of “richmotivation, achievement, respect, budget, donate and makemoney” that account for 70.82% of variances. All items showed strong factor loadings and high internal consistency within constructs. While the crime intention construct has a three-factor structure, namely; “falsifying, bribery and stealing” that account of 75.09% variances. Through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), this study shows an acceptable model fits and recommends the feasibility of applying these constructs in tandem with the underlying theory. The scale has brought applications for research and practice as it serves as a tool for capturing perspectives on “money attitudes” and “crime intention” among Malaysians.Keywords: money attitude, crime intention, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)
COMPOUND WORDS OF MALAY AND CHINESE LANGUAGES IN NYONYA RECIPES
Authors: Nair Krithiga Devan , Nian Ong Shyi
Published: February 2024

This research reports on the formation of compound words of Malay and Chinese languages, food culture and tradition in Nyonya delicacies found in Malaysian cookbooks. This qualitative case study targets the word formation produced through the acculturation of two distinctive languages and culture. The types of compound words found in cookbooks are identified and analysed using “Feature Percolation Conventions” and “Argument-linking Principle” frameworks. The data are gathered from recipes published in two cookbooks of a local chef and YouTube channel videos of the same chef. The choice of using local texts, articles and YouTube videos is to enable data triangulation to achieve the reliability and validity of the data gathered. Majority of the compound words identified are Malay compound words with borrowed Hokkien words. The compound structure is also an adaptation of both Malay and Chinese linguistic structure.Keywords: Malay compound words, Chinese compound words, Chinese Peranakan, Nyonya cuisine
AN ANALYSIS OF BLENDS IN THE MANHATTAN FISH MARKET ADVERTISEMENTS
Authors: Manokaran Komalata , Nian Ong Shyi
Published: February 2024

Blending presents unique and unusual attractive words in mass media because of its creativity (Beliaeva, 2019). The study aims to: 1) identify types of blends, 2) investigate the semantic relationships of blends, and 3) examine the contribution of splinters in the formation of blends in The Manhattan Fish Market advertisements. Mattiello (2013, 2017) comprehensively classified blends into morphotactic (total and partial), morphological and graphic (overlapping and non-overlapping), and morphosemantic (attributive and coordinative). This study uses Bauer’s (2006, 2012) model to study the semantic relationship between paradigmatic and syntagmatic based on the headedness and meanings of the blend. The Manhattan Fish Market (MFM) contributes many blends inspired by other splinters (e.g., sea-, -licious, -tastic). This study analyses 142 blends to classify the syntactic and semantic categories using a descriptive qualitative research design. The findings show that MFM uses overlapping blends and syntagmatic blends to attract readers. The paradigmatic blends share the same lexical class, while syntagmatic blends share different lexical categories. The subtypes of syntagmatic blends are right-headed (modifier + head) and left-headed (head + modifier). The findings help identify the semantic relations based on the headedness in blends and the contribution of splinters in the formation of blends. The paper concludes that headedness determines the semantic types and function of blends.Keywords: blends, Manhattan Fish Market, headedness, syntagmatic, paradigmatic, splinter
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC TOWARDS MALAYSIA’S SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Authors: Muhammad Zaki Nurul Neeta Syafika , Shaharuddin Muhd Fazly Shah , Cik Ishak Nur Adani Balqis , Hilmi Zahida Saffiya , Kamarul Azmi Nur Aisha Alyssa , Kurnia Jundika Candra
Published: February 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading all across the globe since December 2019. The pandemic has brought a threat by not only risking peoples’ lives but also impacting society’s mental well-being. This research aimed to discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological health of secondary school students in Malaysia who were expected to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination in 2020 but it got postponed due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of the proposed research revolve around the idea of investigating the underlying causes affecting these students’ mental well-being and identifying any coping mechanisms used to overcome this issue. A total of 137 respondents took part in completing the online survey from the period of February 16th to 21st 2021. Results indicated that 59.6% of the respondents are being psychologically impacted by the current pandemic, followed by 32.7% of the respondents who mentioned they somehow are being psychologically impacted, and 7.7% stating that the COVID-19 has not impacted them psychologically at all. A variety of external stressors led to a finding in the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) that respondents were asked to respond to, indicating that 37.6% of respondents had extreme anxiety, 28.8% had moderate anxiety, 20.0% had mild anxiety, and 5.6% & had normal mental well-being. It is highly suggested that the mental health of secondary school students needs to be monitored by the respective authorities to achieve a quality education among the students.Keywords: Coronavirus, pandemic, students’ mental well-being, mental health, education, online distance learning
E-PROCUREMENT FRAUD DETERRENT IN THE MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Ismail Khan Norziaton , Mohamad Nor Norwina , Isahak Mohamad Shahril
Published: February 2024

The adoption of e-procurement in the government procurement process is assumed to provide accountability and transparency. It could mitigate fraud and corruption by decreasing the chances at every level of the procurement system by using information communication technology. Hence, this study aims to examine the relationship between information quality, system quality, service quality and transparency, and e-procurement fraud deterrent in the Malaysian public sector. Primary data was collected through the distribution of the questionnaire. A total of 300 samples were selected from the Ministry of Higher Education. Two hundred and twenty-seven (227) respondents responded to the questionnaire, which then was used for the analysis. Statistical tests such as descriptive analysis, correlation and regression analyses were conducted to answer the study’s research questions. The findings from the study show that system quality, service quality and transparency have a significant positive relationship with e-procurement fraud deterrent. However, there is no significant relationship between information quality and e-procurement fraud deterrent. This study gives a holistic picture of the impact of information quality, system quality, service quality, transparency, and e-procurement fraud deterrent as well as the important insight of e-procurement to deter fraud in the public sector.Keywords: E-procurement, fraud deterrent, government procurement, procurement system
THE FACTORS INFLUENCING AGROPRENEURS’ INTENTION USING TPB: A STUDY OF FERTIGATION PROGRAMME IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA
Authors: Wan Azman Wan Attieyyah Rahman , Mohammad Afandi Syamsul Herman , Kamarulzaman Nitty Hirawaty , Wana Ismail Normaz
Published: February 2024

Malaysia has been continuously practicing the fertigation system, which is applying fertiliser solutions with irrigation water, typically through a micro-sprinkler or a drip system. This system has helped numerous small and medium-scale agropreneurs (agriculture entrepreneur) develop constant business. At a larger scale, fertigation is a means to address food security issues. Many small and medium-scale agropreneurs apply fertigation techniques in their crop cultivation. What are the underlying factors that cause them to continue using these techniques in their cultivation practices? To what extent do their intentions in crop production using fertigation techniques measured? This study sought to investigate the factors that affect small and medium-scale agropreneurs’ intention to continue practicing fertigation techniques in their agricultural activities. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study examined 319 small and medium-scale agropreneurs’ intentions and the moderating effect of personality traits under Farmer’s Organization Authority (FOA) agency. The results revealed that the interests of FOA participants were determined significantly by subjective norms and personality traits while attitude, perceived behavioral control did not affect their intentions. Household income, number of household, age and education similarly provides significant effect of the agropreneurs’ intention. The findings of this study lead to the success of the fertigation program conducted and can further maximise the application of this technique to the cultivation of diverse crops. Additionally, the framework used can be adapted in various agricultural subsectors such as crop production, animal production, fisheries and agribusiness .Keywords: Intention, personality traits, small and medium scale agropreneurs, agricultural entrepreneurship, attitude, Theory of Planned Behavior
SPEECH ACT ANALYSIS: DISCUSSION ON COVID-19 VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS IN A FORUM
Authors: Kit-Yee Tang , Xiao Li , Shyi Nian Ong
Published: February 2024

Vaccines have been an important topic in recent years due to the prevalence of COVID-19. Discussions were mainly conducted online during this period, which makes COVID-19 discussion forums a great place to start examining the discourse surrounding this topic. The objective of this study is to examine the speech act strategies performed by participants in an online forum on their perception of COVID-19 vaccine side effects and how they promote or influence others with their viewpoints. The study extracted 7 pages or 105 posts, from a forum called Veda (Vestibular [inner-ear and brain balance] Disorder Association) as the data. Participants of different beliefs in the forum shared their thoughts upon taking the vaccine through the forum’s “Covid-19 Vaccine Side Effects” tab. Using Searle’s Speech Act Theory, the study first identified the types of speech acts performed. Then, each of the posts were categorised into three groups (pro, anti and vaccine-hesitant groups) based on the content and previous posts made by the same participant. Findings revealed that assertives (46.9%) were the most prominent speech act, amongst all three groups. The pro and anti groups who had a firmer position on vaccination used more assertives as compared to vaccine-hesitant groups who used slightly more directives to request answers or clarifications. Declaration (1.9%) speech acts were used the least frequently since participants did not possess a special institutional role to bring about changes in real-life other than possibly influencing the perceptions of other participants.Keywords: speech act theory, online forum, COVID-19, vaccines, computer-mediated communication, synchronous discussions
ADAPTABILITY OF PLATFORM COOPERATIVISM IN THE MALAYSIAN E-HAILING SECTOR: A CONCEPTUAL STUDY
Authors: Uchiyama Yosuke , Furuoka Fumitaka , Lim Beatrice , Pazim Khairul Hanim , Aruchunan Elayaraja , Paidi Rohayati , Nikitina Larisa , Omar Siti Aminah
Published: February 2024

Malaysia’s taxi sector is beginning to question platform capitalism. Penyatuan Pemain Industri Pengangkutan Darat Malaysia (PPDM) has called for the creation of a new government-led platform to replace the online platform companies that have exhausted the taxi industry ecosystem. However, discussions with the Malaysian Government remain parallel. This article uses the theoretical concept of platform cooperativism to explore its adaptability and the potential for transformation from platform capitalism in the Malaysian e-hailing sector. Through the development of the conceptual framework, a commons-based democratic management governance system based on platform cooperativism is developed to move away from platform capitalism, which is a corporate-driven profit-making and management structure. Four key elements for the proper management of platform cooperativism: governance, economy, technology and society can be fully adapted to the demands of PPDM by transforming them from the private sector. Consequently, the realisation of platform cooperativism has the potential to manage the Malaysian e-hailing platform as a shared asset for users and to enable the circulation of benefits within the community.Keywords: : platform cooperativism, gig economy, sharing economy, e-hailing, taxi industry
IMPORTING AWARENESS AND EXPORTING CULTURE? CHINESE EFL LEARNERS’ BELIEFS ABOUT GLOBAL ENGLISHES AND ENGLISH LEARNING
Authors: Gu Huiyuan
Published: February 2024

There is an intensified interest among researchers and practitioners toward English as lingua franca (ELF), World Englishes (WE) and Global Englishes (GE) (Jenkins, 2012; Rose et al., 2021). However, beliefs about Standard English and the ideology of traditional English teaching are rarely studied in a GE context. The current study explores issues related to the student's language beliefs about Global Englishes, China English, Standard English, and English language education in mainland China. Both questionnaire and interview data are collected from students studying at a public university in mainland China. The results give prominence to the prevalence of the belief that English is a global language and that learners should be exposed to different varieties of the English language. Though Standard English grasps a dominant status in the learners’ beliefs, high awareness of and astrong preference for China English are still indicated. The findings also reveal that the current exam-oriented English language teaching in China might impede the students from being competent English users.
ROLE OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIAN MANUFACTURING SOLAR PV INDUSTRY: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Authors: Mukhtar Bilal , Shad Muhammad Kashif , Won Lai Fong , Waqas Ahmad , Mukhtar Zaid
Published: February 2024

Manufacturing organisations should embrace green technology innovation that strengthens their sustainable performance in a continuous dynamic market to promote coordinated natural environmental, social, and economic development. Pertaining to this objective, several studies have been performed to enhance the adoption of green technology innovation and sustainability performance. Nonetheless, the existing literature is insufficient to clearly indicate whether green technology innovation enhances sustainability performance in the Malaysian Solar Photovoltaic (PV) industry. Therefore, this study aims to construct a conceptual framework by documenting the relationship between green technology innovation and sustainability performance in the Malaysian PV industry. To empirically validate this relationship, this study proposed the collection of data through primary sources from the Malaysian manufacturing solar PV industry, incorporating a 5-point Likert scale. Regarding the data analysis, Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) is proposed to investigate relationships between constructs and latent variables. With theoretical support, the proposed results indicate that green technology innovation enhances sustainability performance, specifically in Malaysian manufacturing solar PV organisations. In practice, this paper helps policymakers to design comprehensive policies and systematic guidelines for strengthening sustainability performance through the adoption of green technology innovation, specifically in the solar PV manufacturing industry. Scholarly, it will also enrich the existing body of knowledge on green technology innovation and its impact on sustainability performance in the Malaysian manufacturing solar PV industry.
The Challenges Brought by China’s New English Textbooks for Senior High Students
Authors: Liang Ya , Shyi Nian Ong
Published: February 2024

English is an important subject throughout the educational experience of Chinese students. In 2019, the Chinese education department revamped English textbooks, in which vocabulary had been changed from American to British English, and more Chinese elements were added into contexts. However, these changes put some students in a dilemma, as they had studied the old versions of English textbooks for around six years but were suddenly exposed to the new English textbooks in high school. By investigating students’ evaluations of the 2019 edition of English textbooks used in senior high school, this study aims to explore challenges caused by the new textbooks from the perspectives of senior high school students. Participants from a private school in Yunnan province, China, would provide data by finishing a bilingual questionnaire online. Then, a mixed research method is adopted to analyse the data collected and illustrate the challenges brought by the new English textbooks with the help of Vygotsky’s sociocultural perspectives. The finding shows that the new English textbooks challenge students and make English learning much more difficult. However, the contents provided in the new textbooks focusing on world cultures are useful for students to broaden their horizons and enrich their knowledge of world cultures. This study also identifies the actual situations of educationally backward regions to draw more attention to students struggling to learn English. Besides, some practical suggestions for helping students to adapt to the new textbooks will also be mentioned.Keywords: English education, English textbooks, English learning, Vygotsky’s sociocultural perspectives, Chinese students, Chinese curriculum reform
Traumatic Characters’ Re-Victimisation Through Death Instincts In Selected Contemporary Malaysian Noir Narratives
Authors: Mohd Noor Nurul Soleha , Ali Termizi Arbaayah
Published: February 2024

Sigmund Freud first coined the concept of ‘death instinct’ in his controversial work Beyond the Pleasure Principle (1920) by stating that all beings are driven towards death as the result of living. The concept was introduced to explain the reasons for traumatised individuals to undergo a ‘compulsion to repeat’ their traumatic state. This concept will be applied to the textual analysis of selected characters who had undergone traumatic experience(s) fromthree Malaysian noir short stories published by Fixi Novo and written by three different authors. These stories were chosen since they took place in an urban community with its storyline regulating sexual abuse that leads to murder. The paper aims to (a) identify the traumatic event(s) experienced by selected characters in the short stories which provoke(s) their primal ‘death instinct’ and (b) examine how the concept ‘death instinct’ by Sigmund Freud compelled selected characters to repeat their trauma outwardly to undo their trauma. The study discovered that ‘death instinct’ is crucial as an intrinsic force to help victims of trauma psychically undotheir traumatic experience by repeating the act of violence upon others as a disguised form of self-gratification in response to a traumatic condition of urban society.Keywords: death instinct, Malaysian literature, noir, trauma, violence
Speaking Anxiety Among Malay ESL Learners at A Private University: A Gender-Based Study
Authors: Kamarulzaman Laily Murny , Idrishah Noor Aishah , Hassan Jasmin
Published: February 2024

Speaking is found to be the most anxiety-inducing facet of language learning and is one of the many variables that could hamper successful language learning. Several studies have suggested gender to be a factor forspeaking anxiety, with some findings indicating speaking anxiety was more prevalent in female participants and others that detected no statistical difference between female and male participants. This present study aims to identify students’ anxiety levels based on the personality and environment variables and to compare the level of speaking anxiety between male and female students. This quantitative research involves 60 male and 69 female students from a private university in Perak who were second-year students taking an English Proficiency class that was carried out for 14 weeks. A 5-likert scale questionnaire adopted from Horwitz's Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) was administered to the students at the end of the semester. Based on the study conducted, it was found that the participants experienced a moderate level of speaking anxiety in the second language classroom, with the males recording a slightly higher speaking anxiety level than females, and while personality did not show a significant impact on students’ anxiety levels, environmental variables did.Keywords: second language learning, ESL, motivation, personality, comparative
Forecasting Coal Prices Using Decision Tree Approach
Authors: Murugesan R. , Shinde Umesh
Published: February 2024

Coal is an important fuel in the world's energy systems. Today's world depends heavily on coal. It contributes to 41% of the world's power and acts as a key ingredient in the production process of 90% of cement and 70% of the world's steel. An accurate prediction model for forecasting future coal prices would provide critical information and a timely caution to governments to ensure a steady energy supply. Studies on forecasting coal prices regarding related commodities such as crude oil, iron, natural gas, and paper are rare. Hence, this research aims to forecast coal prices using historical data for the 2013-2016 period. The study uses a decision tree model to anticipate the coal prices, and the impulse response function and variance decomposition are used to show the dynamic connections of coal prices with various variables. The model in predicting coal prices performs well with mean absolute percentage errors of around 5%. The study results will likely enable new insights in providing valuable inputs for all the stakeholders.Keywords: Coal price forecasting, decision tree, prediction
Upacara Penghormatan Jenazah dalam Adat Kematian Dayak Aoheng dan Liturgi Kematian Gereja Katolik
Authors: Berahang Mikael
Published: February 2024

This study aims to explore and describe of ceremonies honouring the dead person in the adat of the Dayak Aoheng, that can be practiced in the Light of the Catholic Faith as efforts to adapt a series of ceremonies honouring the dead person. The research was conducted among the Dayak Aoheng of the Semukung sub-group, who live in Long Apari and Noha Silat Villages, Long Apari District, Mahakam Ulu Regency, East Kalimantan. This study uses a comparative qualitative method with interview data collection techniques and related document collection. The informants in this study were fifteen informants spread over two research sites. The results of the study reveal that there are several parts of the series of ceremonies honouring the dead person in the adat of the Dayak Aoheng that can be proposed for adaptation into the Liturgy of Death of the Catholic Church to enrich the Church's Liturgy and the local cultural wisdom. The series of ceremonies honouring the corpse that can be proposed for adaptation efforts are found in the series of ceremonies undertaken before the death and at the time of death, during the taking care of and caring for the corpse, during the praying for the corpse and consoling the family, and in the funeral ceremonies.
Kompetensi Sosial Guru Pendidikan Agama Katolik dan Budi Pekerti dalam Program Sekolah Ramah Anak pada Sekolah Menengah Pertama Katolik
Authors: Dea Clara Wetuq , Devung G. Simon , Anggal Nikolaus
Published: February 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kompetensi sosial yang diterapkan oleh Guru Agama Katolik dalam tiga aspek yaitu: 1) bertindak objektif dan tidak diskriminatif terhadap siswa, 2) berkomunikasi secara efektif, empatik, santun dengan siswa, dan 3) beradaptasi dengan siswa yang memiliki keragaman sosial dan budaya. Penelitian dilakukan pada Sekolah Menengah Pertama Katolik Barong Tongkok, dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif. Teknik pengumpulan data penelitian menggunakan metode wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Adapun informan dalam penelitian ini yaitu: Kepala Sekolah, Guru Pendidikan Agama Katolik, siswa, dan guru biasa. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa kompetensi sosial guru yang diterapkan oleh Guru Agama Katolik sudah baik, yang ditunjukkan dengan tindakan memperlakukan siswa secara objektif tanpa membeda-bedakan, bersikap dan bertindak adil, memberikan perhatian dan kesempatan yang sama kepada semua siswa. Guru juga bertindak sesuai dengan tugas dan fungsinya yakni mendengarkan lawan bicara, bertutur kata menggunakan bahasa yang baku, dapat menyesuaikan diri dan betah menjalankan tugas sebagai seorang guru. Dengan demikian, Program Sekolah Ramah Anak menjadi wadah bagi Guru Agama Katolik untuk mengembangkan kompetensi sosial yang mereka miliki dengan baik melalui kerja sama dengan semua pihak sekolah.
UJI AKTIVITAS SITOTOKSIK FRAKSI ETIL ASETAT HERBA Gonostegia hirta TERHADAP LARVA UDANG (Artemia salina Leach)
Authors: Ariya Apt. Ariya Eka Kusuma, M.farm , Apt. Farizal, M.Farm  , Surya ningsih
Published: February 2024

Telah dilakukan penelitian “Uji Aktivitas Sitotoksik Fraksi Etil Asetat Herba Gonostegia hirta Terhadap Larva Udang (Artemia salina Leach)” dengan menggunakan metode Brine Shrimp Lethality (BSLT). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui aktivitas sitotoksik pada herba Gonostegia hirta terhadap larva udang (Artemia salina leach). Ekstrak herba Gonostegia hirta didapatkan dari proses ekstraksi bertingkat dengan metode soklet. Penelitian ini menggunakan 4 konsentrasi dari ekstrak herba Gonostegia hirta yakni konsentrasi 10.000 ppm, 1.000 ppm, 100 ppm, dan 10 ppm. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan ekstrak herba Gonostegia hirta memiliki aktivitas sitotoksik dengan nilai LC50 363.07 ppm.
MANAGEMENT OF HOTEL NETWORKS IN THE CONDITIONS OF MARITAL STATE IN UKRAINE
Authors:   Cherkasy State Technological University, Cherkasy, Ukraine, Lutskyi Ihor
Published: February 2024

Due to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war and martial law in Ukraine, it is advisable to expand the scope of study of problematic issues related to the management of hotel chains under martial law in Ukraine by examining the current state of the industry and the experience of hospitality industry enterprises gained during this time, which has led to the relevance of the chosen topic for this scientific article. The article is aimed at analyzing the mechanism of functioning of international and national hotel chains in Ukraine and the peculiarities of management of hotel chains under martial law. The object of research is the management system of hotel chains under martial law in Ukraine. The subject of the study is a set of theoretical and methodological foundations for determining the essence and features of the hotel chain management system under martial law in Ukraine. The scientific novelty of the study is to summarize the arguments regarding the organisation and functioning of hotel chains in the current business environment and to systematize the scientific theoretical, methodological and applied foundations for determining and taking into account the peculiarities of hotel chain management during martial law in Ukraine. In order to reveal the subject of scientific research, the article uses such methods as observation and comparison (characteristic features and forms of functioning of hotel chains in the hospitality industry are determined), analysis and synthesis (the essential indicators of success in Ukraine and the world of certain hotel chains, management methods in crisis conditions are clarified), methods of statistics (recording the dynamics of development of hotel chains), methods of visualisation (graphical and tabular forms), classification (in terms of types, forms and factors of influence on the functioning of hotel chains), visualisation methods (graphical and tabular forms). The article summarises the arguments regarding the importance of state regulation in the hotel business and international and national requirements for the provision of hotel services under conditions of risk. The scientific theoretical, methodological, analytical and applied principles of the hotel business in the system of the legal field for compliance with the standards of functioning of international and national hotel chains under martial law are systematised. The results of the study can be useful for employees of the tourism and hospitality industry; researchers, teachers, students of higher education institutions, who study, in particular, the specialities "Tourism" and "Hotel and restaurant business". Keywords: martial law, hotel industry, hotel chains, hotel services, hospitality industry, hotel management, hospitality market, Ukraine, hotel management.
Study on the Management and Planning Methods of Transportation to and from Primary and Secondary Schools in Urban and Rural Areas
Authors: Gao Chengbo
Published: February 2024

The transportation of urban and rural primary and secondary schools leads to traffic congestion in some sections, and the traffic order is chaotic, which seriously affects the travel of surrounding residents and greatly increases the additional traffic delay of pickup. How to effectively manage and plan the transportation of urban and rural primary and secondary schools and rationally plan the channelization of transportation roads have become a topic of great concern to the society. This paper will take several primary and secondary schools with representative traffic environment as the research object, analyze the behavior mechanism of the pick-up process, propose coping strategies for the school pick-up congestion problem under different road conditions, and plan a reasonable road channelization scheme and intersection design scheme. Finally, through the VISSIM simulation software, the proposed scheme and the original traffic environment are simulated and analyzed, and the vehicle delay before and after the improvement is compared, so as to find out whether the traffic planning and management scheme given in response to the school address in different traffic environments is reasonable. Through the simulation results, it is found that it is beneficial to reduce vehicle delay and avoid traffic jam by changing bidirectional to unidirectional on road section. In the vicinity of the intersection, one-way is the main way, and planning multiple drop-off points is helpful to solve the traffic congestion caused by school pick-up.
Research on the integration of labor education and ideological and political education in colleges and universities in the new era
Authors: Rong Gui
Published: February 2024

As an important part of the socialist education system with Chinese characteristics, labor education and ideological and political education are the central tasks of school education, with moral cultivation as its fundamental goal and important mission. Ideological and political education plays the role of ideological guidance in the process of labor education, and labor education can concretely realize the goal of ideological and political education and promote the mutual promotion of students' ideological and political education and the sense of labor acquisition. Facing the new requirements, new opportunities and new challenges of the new era, strengthening the integration of labor education and ideological and political education is an important way to strengthen and improve the ideological and political work in colleges and universities, improve the labor quality of college students, and train qualified talents who meet the needs of society.
Research on the Application of Computer Music Technology in Solfeggio Teaching in Universities
Authors: Ren Dongwei
Published: February 2024

This paper investigates the potential impact and benefits of integrating computer music technology into solfeggio teaching within university music programs. Solfeggio, as a foundational skill in music education, encompasses sight-singing and ear training, yet traditional teaching methods often encounter challenges in engaging students and providing personalized instruction. The paper explores the theoretical foundations of solfeggio teaching and the role of technology in music education, highlighting the potential advantages of incorporating computer music technology. Specific examples of technology applications, such as interactive software for ear training, digital music notation tools, and virtual reality applications, are examined for their potential to enhance student engagement and provide personalized feedback. Furthermore, the paper reviews case studies of successful technology integration in solfeggio instruction and presents empirical research findings on the impact of technology on learning outcomes. Pedagogical considerations for technology integration, including instructional design, assessment methods, and student engagement strategies, are discussed, along with recommendations for educators and institutions interested in adopting technology-enhanced solfeggio instruction. The paper emphasizes the broader significance of technology-enhanced music education and its potential to enhance students' aural skills and overall musical proficiency.
Strategi kepemimpinan dalam pengamanan Pemilu di wilayah hukum Polres Nias
Authors: Zendrato Viktor Bastian , Waruwu Eliyunus , Hulu Fatolosa , Mendrofa Syah Abadi
Published: February 2024

Penelitian ini mengeksplorasi strategi kepemimpinan dalam keamanan pemilu di wilayah hukum Polres Nias, menyoroti peran penting kepemimpinan yang berwibawa dan efektif dalam memastikan pemilu yang aman, adil, dan transparan. Dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif, penelitian ini melibatkan wawancara mendalam dengan tokoh-tokoh kunci termasuk Kepala Bagian Operasi Polres Nias, Paur Dalops Sibbag, dan Paurmin Bag Ops yang menekankan pentingnya keterbukaan, kepatuhan hukum, dan kolaborasi antarlembaga. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa tanggung jawab kepemimpinan dan kebijaksanaan dalam manajemen kekuasaan secara signifikan berkontribusi terhadap keamanan, kepercayaan publik, dan stabilitas selama pemilu. Studi ini menyimpulkan bahwa strategi keamanan pemilu yang sukses bergantung pada otoritas, kemampuan beradaptasi, dan komitmen para pemimpin terhadap prinsip-prinsip hukum, yang menggarisbawahi pentingnya mengembangkan kualitas kepemimpinan seperti itu dalam penegakan hukum untuk meningkatkan demokrasi melalui proses pemilu yang aman, adil, dan transparan.
Khotbah Dialogis Serta Implikasinya bagi Pemberitaan Firman Tuhan dalam Ibadah Kristen
Authors: Rudy Roberto Walean
Published: February 2024

Bentuk-bentuk Pelayanan Firman biasanya lewat jalur Pelayanan Injil (PI) Pribadi, kebaktian kebangunan rohani, bhakti sosial dan pelayanan kesehatan. Lebih khusus pelayanan pemberitaan Firman yang dimaksud adalah lewat khotbah. Khotbah mengalami perkembangan yang sangat cepat. Bentuk-bentuk khotbah berkembang sesuai dengan tuntutan jaman dan situasi serta kondisi dari berbagai daerah dan gereja, salah satunya adalah khotbah dialogis.

Semua bentuk atau cara yang dipakai, mempunyai tujuan yang sama yaitu, banyak orang dimenangkan dari hukuman dosanya dan percaya kepada Yesus, sehingga Allah dalam diri Tuhan Yesus sendiri dimuliakan. Dengan khotbah dialogis diharapkan mampu membuat pemberitaan Firman lebih lagi dan menjadikan ibadah dinamis serta interaktif.
LANDASAN ALKITAB DAN TEOLOGIS KONSEP PELAYANAN HOLISTIK
Authors: Yohannes Nahuway
Published: February 2024

Tuhan Yesus menyatakan misi-Nya sebagai “misi pembebasan” (Lukas 4:18-19). Misi pembebasan ini menyangkut pembebasan ekonomi, pembebasan politik, pembebasan dari penyakit, pembebasan dari non-kekerasan dan pembebasan total dan pembebasan dari dosa. Ini membuktikan bahwa Tuhan Yesus sendiri telah merumuskan misi-Nya sebagai misi pembebasan yang komprehensif, yang melibatkan seluruh aspek kehidupan manusia (Larosa, 2001:14). Pelayanan holistik secara universal menunjukkan bahwa teologi biblika bukanlah rangkaian kitab suci tentang misi (holistik), dan melihat misi sebagai cerminan pribadi Tuhan dan selanjutnya ciptaan Tuhan, sehingga akhirnya kita mendapatkan pemahaman baru tentang ajaran Alkitab tentang misi holistik.