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Online learning is on the rise, and it is becoming an important mode of learning in higher education. However, there are limited models that explain the link between learners' characteristics, learning processes, and outcomes in an online learning environment. This study aims to examine the influence of online self-regulation on the experiences and engagement of students during online learning processes and their outcomes in terms of satisfaction and academic performance. A quantitative correlational design was used to achieve the objective of this study. Data collection was carried out using an online survey. A total of 609 undergraduates from four public and private universities in Malaysia were sampled. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was run to analyze the obtained data. The results showed that online self-regulation is a presage factor affecting online learning processes. It significantly and positively affects students' experiences and engagement in an online environment. These three factors explained more than two thirds of the variance in satisfaction, a key learning outcome of online learning. However, its predictive value for academic performance was weaker. The developed model can be used as a framework to promote positive online learning outcomes among undergraduate students. The implications of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed in this paper.

While ChatGPT has recently become very popular, AI has a long history and philosophy. This paper intends to explore the promises and pitfalls of the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) AI and potentially future technologies by adopting a speculative methodology. Speculative future narratives with a specific focus on educational contexts are provided in an attempt to identify emerging themes and discuss their implications for education in the 21st century. Affordances of (using) AI in Education (AIEd) and possible adverse effects are identified and discussed which emerge from the narratives. It is argued that now is the best of times to define human vs AI contribution to education because AI can accomplish more and more educational activities that used to be the prerogative of human educators. Therefore, it is imperative to rethink the respective roles of technology and human educators in education with a future-oriented mindset.

Purpose: The present study explores a tricomponent attitude model for "forced" online learning applied in the post-COVID era following the online learning transition. The study aims to provide a reference for future practitioners in the event a similar crisis results in the mandatory transition towards this study mode again. Methodology: Following the guideline for judgmental sampling, a total of 156 valid responses were collected from Malaysian undergraduate students via an online questionnaire from Google Forms. The respondents' profiles were computed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, while Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to validate the measurement model, structural model, and mediation model for hypothesis testing. Findings: The findings demonstrate that perceived usefulness (PU) is insignificant when online learning is the only feasible learning strategy. Technical system quality (TSQ) was found to be positively related to perceived ease of use (PEU), attitude (ATT), and student satisfaction, while quality of content (QC) was found to be positively related to PEU and student satisfaction. The remaining hypotheses were rejected. These findings are expected to transform various student attitude, leading to the cognitive components of PEU and PU and ultimately contributing to student satisfaction. In line with the government's desire to transform digital education in higher education, TSQ and QC constitute a framework for shaping the affective components of students' attitude. Attitude, in turn, drives students' PEU and PU, which are two critical factors of the Technology Acceptance Model that serve as the main determinants of student satisfaction. Significance: The study demonstrates that instructors can use a variety of strategies to increase student satisfaction with online education, which can be beneficial even in the post-COVID era. The findings can aid education providers in implementing necessary changes to improve online learning for their students in the future. In addition, the study reveals that through the pandemic, students have become more resilient and have begun to value online learning, highlighting the importance of considering the long-term effects of online learning on student satisfaction.

Purpose: This paper presents two educational gamified virtual labs and investigates different methods of including gamified elements in virtual labs used for teaching. The purpose of this study is to investigate if immersive gamified virtual labs can be used as effective pedagogical tools by properly incorporating them into higher education curricula to assist low-risk active learning and student engagement. Design/methodology/approach: This research design comprises two gamified virtual labs including nine essential experiments of biology and chemistry integrated into the higher education curriculum of the Foundation of Science at an international University. Students filled in a survey after participating in the lab to shed light on appropriate ways of using gamification approaches in virtual labs. Findings: From the predominant findings of the study, gamified virtual labs increase student involvement thereby enhancing knowledge development with active learning and may be a potentially suitable pedagogical tool for low-risk interactive learning. Research limitations/implications: Limitations of the study include findings based on gamified virtual labs but not comparing the gamified virtual labs to simple virtual simulations to further investigate the pedagogical approach and understand the student perceptions in a simple virtual simulation and a gamified virtual lab. Practical implications: The findings of this study will provide evidence that gamified virtual labs integrated into higher education curricula as supplementary tools for laboratory experimentation improve the educational delivery process. Originality/value: This research highlights an appropriate way of integrating 3D virtual labs into practical curricula while discussing the benefits.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a three-dimensional approach to professional services in which high-quality and current research evidence is integrated with practitioner expertise along with client values to inform assessment and treatment decisions. The primary objective of this study is to promote the importance of EBPs for speech-language-pathologies to their students' clinical practices. A cross-institute collaboration on EBP in-class assignment was conducted at the National University in Malaysia and Rockhurst University in the United States. This assignment required students to choose and explore a research article online and write a synopsis of the article and reflections about its findings for clinical application. The findings show that both groups of students learned how to access EBP, and this assignment helped them better understand EBP in the field of speech language pathology. Students from the United States reported that they had more of a base of knowledge about EBP than their peers in Malaysia. Findings from this study could help the local governance and speech-language pathology associations in Malaysia and the United States and university programs in both countries understand the current practice and professional development needs of speech therapists in both countries.

Studies of errors in mathematics are essential for mathematics educators to design and contextualize a whole new instruction accordingly. Nonetheless, less attention has been given to the mathematical writing errors when compared to the mathematical conceptual and procedural errors. It is mainly because the former mistakes usually do not affect the final answer or are seemingly irrelevant to students' mathematics knowledge. Most of the studies surveying the mathematical writing errors focus on the undergraduates, followed by middle school students. Little has been done towards the primary school pupils. This paper aims to identify and classify the types of mathematical writing errors committed by primary school pupils in three domains: number and operation, measurement, and statistics. A qualitative approach is employed to identify and classify the mathematical writing errors committed by 29 above-average students from three schools. The results show that six categories of mathematical writing errors are observed. Lack of term or phrase and misuse of mathematical symbols top the overall categories of errors. The close-up views of the solutions with written errors provide some insights to tackle the problem by the mathematics teachers starting from the tender age of the students.

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

Sketching the graph of mathematical functions using derivatives is a challenging task for undergraduate students who enrol for the first level of calculus course. Before graph plotting, students are required to perform a thorough function analysis using the concepts learned in differentiation. They are then expected to solicit the results obtained to sketch the graph. Nevertheless, the students face great difficulties in achieving this goal; and fail to relate the results obtained in the analysis and their representation in a graph. Their performance is thus negatively affected eventually. To overcome this cognitive gap, an innovative board game named Graph Puzzle (GP) is developed. It is intended to function as a manipulator to facilitate students in comprehending the inter-related algebraic, symbolic, and graphic representation of a function under the applications of derivatives, forming the corresponding procedural and conceptual knowledge. To measure the effectiveness of this board game, 84 undergraduate students who took this calculus course were given pre- and post-test before and after the learning session. An ANCOVA test conducted reveals a significant difference (F (1, 81) = 12.182, p = 0.001) between pre and post-test score in solving polynomial functions, whereas students' performance in solving rational functions indicates no meaningful difference (F (1, 81) = 0.04, p = 0.841) of post-scores between control and treatment groups. From this standpoint, it is shown that GP has the potential to serve as a solution to the difficulties faced on graph sketching in calculus, particularly when dealing with polynomial functions.

Sibling relationships remain understudied in typically developing adolescents who have siblings with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of adolescents who have a brother or a sister with a diagnosis of ASD using semi-structured interviews. Using thematic analysis, the participants reported having difficulties communicating with their siblings. Feeling a mixture of emotions was common when interacting with their siblings with ASD and emotional self-regulation was a typical coping strategy utilized by these adolescents. Despite the challenges, having a sibling with ASD led to closer relationships between the siblings. These findings offer insights into these adolescents' needs and how they may be best supported, informing the practice of speech-language pathology and other health professions.

This article examines the current narrative of Chineseness in the context of higher education in Southeast Asia. We hypothesise that the concept of Chineseness at the macro-level has shifted beyond historical, ethnic, and cultural to include geopolitical, socio-political and economic considerations. At the meso level, we focus on unpacking Chineseness through the development of higher education institutions studying the case of Chinese established educational institutions in Malaysia, particularly in how these institutions articulate and portray their Chineseness in a multi-cultural higher education context. Having examined both macro and meso levels, the article discusses the importance and complexity of exploring Chineseness at the micro-level while also highlighting areas and gaps that have not allowed a more thorough understanding of Chineseness in the given context. Understanding this phenomenon allows us to explore the hypothesis of a shifting conceptualisation of Chineseness and thereby contribute to a more nuanced understanding of internationalisation and international students in higher education.

Speech-language therapy is a growing field in many Asian countries, including Malaysia. Yet, no studies have examined the general public's awareness towards communication disorders and speech-language therapy in Malaysia. A total of 535 respondents completed a questionnaire, using Google form or paper-pencil format, to assess their awareness and attitudes about communication disorders and speech-language therapists. Public awareness towards communication disorders was generally positive, though negative trends were observed for some items related to the speech-language therapy services. Public awareness also differed according to age, education level, and occupation. Specifically, older individuals, individuals with higher levels of education and health professionals tended to have greater exposure to communication disorders and speech-language therapy. Awareness and attitudes towards speech-language therapy and speech-language therapist profession are still developing in Malaysia. We recommend continuous promotion of the profession of speech-language therapist to the public in order to improve community access to our therapy services.

Limited efforts have been made in middle- and low-income countries to raise public awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over the past ten years. We report data from a general population survey exploring the relationship between awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding autism in Malaysia. A questionnaire consisting of items related to awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding ASD was distributed. The scores of knowledge of ASD and attitude towards ASD were 6.87 (SD = 4.17; with a total possible score of 12) and 6.39 (SD = 2.77; with a total possible score of 9), respectively, indicating that, on average, the participants had moderate levels of knowledge and attitude. Structural equation modeling showed that improving awareness and knowledge about ASD will enhance more positive attitudes towards ASD. Efforts should be geared towards disseminating information about ASD, in order to increase acceptance of the disorder.

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

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

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

This research investigated the effects of creative drama on situational interest, career interest, and science-related attitudes of science majors and non-science majors. Also investigated were students' perception toward creative drama. 55 science majors and 28 non-science majors from five high schools in Malaysia voluntarily participated in this 5-day creative drama activity held in Taiwan. They completed pre-tests on "The Individual Interest Questionnaire" and "Test of Science-Related Attitudes". They designed, prepared, and presented their creative drama during the 5-day. A post-test was administered after the activity. Creative drama was found to have triggered the situational interest in science within both majors. The career interest and science-related attitudes of science majors were found to have significant improvement; some students' perception toward science careers and science have changed after the activity. Some students commented that creative drama had developed their courage, social skills, teamwork, creativity, self-reflection, presentation skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

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

Purpose: In the field of second language education, self-directed learning is really important as it can empower students to attain optimal success in language learning by engaging students to express their ideas confidently, think reflectively and make use of language learning strategies. The main aim of the present study is to investigate students' self-directed learning readiness (SDLR) in a foundation program in a public university in Malaysia so as to find out how they perceive this approach can improve their learning of the English language at tertiary level. More specifically, the researchers intend to find answers to these research questions: 1) Are foundation students ready to use self-directed learning strategies in English Language learning? (i.e. awareness, motivation and language learning strategies); 2) Is there a significant difference in the three attributes (i.e., awareness, motivation and language learning strategies) of self-directed learning among foundation students?; and 3) Is there a significant difference between English language proficiency (upper and lower) and the three attributes (i.e., awareness, motivation, language learning strategies) in using self-directed learning strategies? Methodology: A set of survey questionnaires with a 6-point Likert scale were administered to 400 students attending an English proficiency course (i.e., Introduction to Academic English) in the first semester of the Foundation Studies for Agricultural Science program. The data of the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test and paired samples t-test. Findings: Results revealed that the respondents have a rather high degree of readiness to apply self-directed learning strategies in learning English. Motivation has the highest mean scores (M=4.57), followed by language learning strategies (M=4.41) and awareness (M=4.34). Results also showed that there are no difference in terms of SDLR depending on English proficiency levels, namely lower level (MUET Bands 1,2,3) and upper level (MUET Bands 4,5) (p>0.05). Significance: The findings are beneficial for students to learn more about their readiness to apply the self-directed learning strategies. In particular, these findings also provide insights for lecturers, program administrators, curriculum developers, and policy makers to plan and implement suitable teaching methods, course outlines, and curricula for the development of the students' English language abilities.

Purpose: This paper presents an educational virtual reality (VR) game and experiments with different methods of including it into the teaching process. The purpose of this research study is to discover if immersive VR games can be used as an effective pedagogical tool if blended with traditional lectures by assisting learning gain, memory and knowledge retention while increasing edutainment value. Design/methodology/approach: This research design comprises three different methods of learning: lecture-based involving lecture slides, infographics, and a video, game-based involving an immersive VR game of oil rig exploration, and the combination of lecture and game-based. Participants of each method filled up a questionnaire before and after participation to measure the learning gain, memory, and knowledge retention. Findings: From the predominant findings of the study, the combined method demonstrated a significant increase in learning gain, memory, and knowledge retention and maybe a potentially suitable pedagogical tool. Research limitations/implications: Limitations of the study include findings based on one VR game with a specific educational topic, additionally, it is suspected that having different participants for each of the three methods may have slightly affected the results, albeit to a limited extent. Practical implications: Findings of this study will provide evidence that VR games can be used alongside traditional lectures to aid in the learning process. Educators can choose to include VR games into their curriculums to improve the educational delivery process. Originality/value: This research contributes to ways of incorporating VR games into educational curriculums through findings of this study highlighting the combination of VR games with lectures.

The development of cognitive and motor skills early in life is essential for a child's global development and learning, which in turn influences later health and well-being. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the associations between sociodemographic factors and nutritional factors with cognitive and motor delays in infants aged 6-12 months. This study involved 200 mother-infant pairs from three randomly selected maternal and child health clinics. Results showed high prevalence of cognitive delay (37.0%) and motor delay (58.0%). Infants with small gestational age, anaemia, and single mothers had an increased likelihood of cognitive delay. Boys, anaemic infants, and non-exclusively breastfed infants were more likely to develop motor delay. Nutritional education programmes and interventions for mothers should emphasize early nutrition such as exclusive breastfeeding practices and the prevention of anaemia in infants in order to improve cognitive and motor development among infants.

Introduction: Knowledge and awareness of stuttering are closely associated with attitudes toward stuttering. Few studies have been conducted on the knowledge and awareness of school-aged children, and none have been conducted in Malaysia. This study aimed to: (a) determine knowledge and awareness of stuttering among Malaysian school-aged children, and (b) determine whether there are differences between age group, gender, and people who stutter (PWS) exposure groups. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 192 Malay school-aged children (mean age = 9.47, SD = 1.781) recruited via email and social media platforms. They completed a Malay version of the questionnaire devised by van Borsel et al. (1999) on various aspects of stuttering, including prevalence, onset, gender distribution, occurrence in different cultures, cause, treatment, intelligence, and heredity of stuttering. The χ2 test of independence was performed to compare the distributions of survey responses by age group, gender, and PWS exposure group. Results: Around half of the school-aged children had met a person who stutters, but certain aspects of their knowledge were limited. Knowledge also differed according to age and gender. Girls were more knowledgeable about stuttering than boys. Regarding stuttering treatment, younger children had more positive attitudes than older children. Participants who did not know a PWS were more likely to consult their family doctor rather than a speech-language pathologist in relation to stuttering. Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness of stuttering among Malaysian school-aged children were limited. Findings of this study could be used to develop a stuttering awareness program specific to children to increase their knowledge and awareness about stuttering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Attitudes of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) toward stuttering play an important role in managing stuttering cases. Yet, such studies had not been studied in Malaysia, a country that is still developing the profession of speech-language pathology. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of Malaysian SLPs and speech-language pathology students toward stuttering. Methods: A total of 50 SLPs and 67 speech-language pathology students completed the Clinician Attitudes Toward Stuttering (CATS) inventory. There were eight domains of attitudes toward stuttering: (a) etiology, (b) early intervention, (c) therapeutic efficacy, (d) personalities of people who stutter (PWS), (e) clinician expertise and roles, (f) teacher/counsellor roles and client/public reactions, (g) therapy strategies, and (h) parent attitudes. Descriptive data were presented, and multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to examine the effects of clinical certification on the eight domains of attitudes toward stuttering. Results: Participants who possessed a clinical certification were more accepting toward the personalities of PWS and therapy strategies. On the other hand, participants without a clinical certification were more accepting toward clinician expertise and roles. Conclusions: Current curriculum and professional training should be reevaluated to remediate less accepting stereotypes held by SLPs and students toward PWS and to enhance essential skills such as counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media sites including Facebook are increasingly accessed and integrated in the counselling and psychotherapy profession. As there is a universal escalation of mental and emotional health needs in today's society especially among young adults, Facebook as a popular social networking site for Malaysian youths could be taken advantage as a platform for expressive writing. However, there is a significant deficiency in the available body of knowledge regarding Facebook as a potential online intervention medium. This study aimed at examining the consensus level of 22 experts in the field of counselling and psychology on the suitability of Facebook as a platform for writing therapy intervention in the Malaysian context using the Fuzzy Delphi Method. Findings identified contradictory views among the experts on the survey items, which indicated the inadequate understanding of the applicability of writing therapy via online-based mediums. As the Internet continues to proliferate throughout the world, the potential of Facebook as a medium for intervention should be further tapped into. This study would elicit increased awareness of the applicability of Facebook to help shape the future in the field of psychotherapy and counselling in Malaysia. A sample plan for an exploratory implementation study was established for future research use.

The state of Penang, including city councils for island Pulau Pinang (with urban-core George Town) and mainland Seberang Perai, has negotiated at least a degree of political marginalisation since independence. Ruled previously by a secondary partner in the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front), and since 2008, by the Democratic Action Party and its coalition partners, the economically powerful state has negotiated constrained autonomy and resources. While to some extent, these governing challenges are common to all states in Malaysia's highly centralised federation, in other ways, they reflect Penang's specific political position. Penang's leadership has sought in particular ways to circumvent inertia or divided loyalties among bureaucrats from the federal, rather than a state-level, civil service. Central to that solution has been reliance on an array of state government-linked corporations, facilitating administration, but at possible cost to clear accountability, transparency, and promised empowerment of civil society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) data for the chronic heart failure (HF) population in Malaysia are lacking. Using EQ-5D-5L, this study intended to describe their HRQoL, identify predictors of worse HRQoL, and derive EQ-5D-5L index scores for use in economic evaluations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and September 2023 to collect EQ-5D-5L, sociodemographic, and clinical data from outpatients with HF across seven public specialist hospitals in Malaysia. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to identify independent predictors of reported problems in the EQ-5D-5L dimensions, and predictors of index scores and EQ-VAS, respectively. Results: EQ-5D-5L data from 424 outpatients of multi-ethnic background (mean age: 57.1 years, 23.8% female, mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 35.7%, 89.7% NYHA class I-II) were collected using either Malay, English, or Chinese, achieving a 99.8% completion rate. Nearly half of the respondents reported issues in the Mobility, Usual Activities, and Pain/Discomfort dimensions. Mean EQ-5D-5L index was 0.820, lower than the general population, and significantly lower with NYHA class III-IV (0.747) versus NYHA class I (0.846) and NYHA class II (0.805). Besides NYHA class, independent predictors of worse HRQoL included Indian ethnicity, living alone, lower education, unemployment due to ill-health, and proxy-reported HRQoL, largely aligning with existing literature. Conclusion: Community-dwelling Malaysians with HF reported poorer HRQoL compared to the general population. The observed disparities in HRQoL among HF patients may be linked to specific patient characteristics, suggesting potential areas for targeted interventions. HRQoL assessment using EQ-5D-5L proves feasible and should be considered for routine implementation in local clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A plethora of studies showed the effectiveness of game-based learning (GBL) in enhancing students' learning and motivation. There has been increasing academic interest in GBL. However, a review of past literature in this context shows that teachers' attitudes, in general, toward GBL and the actual adoption of GBL in teaching physics by secondary school teachers in Malaysia have not been addressed in-depth or addressed only to a minor extent in past studies. This article sheds new light on secondary school physics teachers' perceptions of GBL usage, the implementation level of GBL in teaching physics, and teachers' involvement in educational games design. A total of 211 secondary school physics teachers participated in this study. Quantitative data were collected via survey, and the main findings show that only 29.9 percent of teachers designed educational physics games and adopted the games in teaching physics. The implementation level of GBL in teaching physics at the secondary school level is relatively low, even though teachers showed high interest in the involvement of educational game design. The main reason for not adopting GBL is inadequate technical infrastructure in schools, followed by a lack of knowledge and skills as well as time constraints. The findings of this study can be a cornerstone for related stakeholders to build a more efficient paradigm of GBL in physics education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a comprehensive framework using Google Earth Engine to efficiently generate a forest fire inventory dataset, which enhanced data accessibility without specialized knowledge or access to private datasets. The framework is applicable globally, and the datasets generated are freely accessible and shareable. By implementing the framework in Peninsular Malaysia, significant forest fire factors were successfully extracted, including the Keetch–Byram Drought Index (KBDI), soil moisture, temperature, windspeed, land surface temperature (LST), Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI), landcover, and precipitation, among others. Additionally, this study also adopted large language models, specifically GPT-4 with the Noteable plugin, for preliminary data analysis to assess the dataset's validity. Although the plugin effectively performed basic statistical analyses and visualizations, it demonstrated limitations, such as selectively dropping or choosing only relevant columns for tests and automatically modifying scales. These behaviors underscore the need for users to perform additional checks on the codes generated to ensure that they accurately reflect the intended analyses. The initial findings indicate that factors such as KBDI, LST, climate water deficit, and precipitation significantly impact forest fire occurrences in Peninsular Malaysia. Future research should explore extending the framework's application to various regions and further refine it to accommodate a broader range of factors. Embracing and rigorously validating large language model technologies, alongside developing new tools and plugins, are essential for advancing the field of data analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognition is the way we use mental skills to acquire knowledge, manipulate ideas, and process new information and beliefs. The Strategic Thinking Questionnaire (STQ), which measures three such skills--systems thinking-reframing-reflection, was used to collect data from students preparing for school leadership roles at four universities in the United States (USA), Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. It was thought that the use of these skills might vary from country to country because of western and eastern cultural norms. Based on self-reported data from 328 educators preparing for school leadership roles we concluded that the use of strategic thinking skills were found in all locations but the variance in their use is more a function of age of respondents, and gender rather than location. These findings have implications for training, professional development, and selection of aspiring leaders.

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

This document provides information about the distributional range extensions of two fish species, Onigocia grandisquama and Soleichthys siammakuti, in the South China Sea. It discusses the first recorded instances of Onigocia grandisquama in Malaysia and Soleichthys siammakuti in Malaysia and the Philippines. The document describes the characteristics of Soleichthys siammakuti, including its unique color pattern and variations in count and measurement values among the specimens. It also acknowledges the need for further research and identification based on voucher specimens. [Extracted from the article]

Nipa palm hispid beetle (Octodonta nipae) is an insect species that is native to Malaysia but has spread to southern China and beyond, seriously threatening palm production. A lack of high-quality genome resources has hindered understanding of the insect's invasive characteristics and ecological adaptations. Here, we combined Illumina short read, PacBio long-read, and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) sequencing technologies to generate a high-quality, chromosome-scale genome assembly of nipa palm hispid beetle. The genome assembly was 1.31 Gb in size, consisting of nine chromosomes. The contig and scaffold N50 values were 1.022 Mb and 148.6 Mb, respectively. The genome assembly completeness was estimated at 99.1%. Annotation revealed 16,305 protein-coding genes and 62.16% repeat sequences. This high-quality genome assembly is a valuable resource that will contribute to understanding of the genetic factors underlying the invasive characteristics of nipa palm hispid beetle, ultimately promoting development of efficient control policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally and in Malaysia, there are increasing rates of HIV infection among older adults but a corresponding decline in other younger age groups. We aimed to investigate the HIV-related knowledge, perceived risks, attitudes, and risk behaviours among multi-ethnic urban-dwelling older adults in Malaysia. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 320 adults aged 50 years and above residing in urban Klang Valley, Malaysia. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling in the community and in the outpatient clinics and pharmacy of University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia, from April 2021 to January 2022. The median (IQR) age of participants was 58 (55–64) and 42.5% were males. The median (IQR) knowledge score was 10 (8–12) out of 14. Significant knowledge gaps were noted and ethnic Chinese, higher education levels and better HIV-related attitudes were associated with better scores. The median (IQR) attitude score was 49 (41–55) out of 65. Ethnic Chinese and Indian, knowing people living with HIV (PLHIV), and better HIV-related knowledge were associated with better attitude scores. Many (43.8%) older adults were sexually active however rates of consistent condom use was low (19%) and the majority (89.9%) of participants had low self-perceived risk of HIV. These findings highlight underlying drivers for HIV transmission and delayed treatment among older adults in Malaysia and indicate a need for targeted HIV prevention programs for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vector-borne infectious disease such as dengue fever (DF) has spread rapidly due to more suitable living environments. Considering the limited studies investigating the disease spread under climate change in South and Southeast Asia, this study aimed to project the DF transmission potential in 30 locations across four South and Southeast Asian countries. In this study, weekly DF incidence data, daily mean temperature, and rainfall data in 30 locations in Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand from 2012 to 2020 were collected. The effects of temperature and rainfall on the time-varying reproduction number (Rt) of DF transmission were examined using generalized additive models. Projections of location-specific Rt from 2030s to 2090s were determined using projected temperature and rainfall under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585), and the peak DF transmissibility and epidemic duration in the future were estimated. According to the results, the projected changes in the peak Rt and epidemic duration varied across locations, and the most significant change was observed under middle-to-high greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Under SSP585, the country-specific peak Rt was projected to decrease from 1.63 (95% confidence interval: 1.39–1.91), 2.60 (1.89–3.57), and 1.41 (1.22–1.64) in 2030s to 1.22 (0.98–1.51), 2.09 (1.26–3.47), and 1.37 (0.83–2.27) in 2090s in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, respectively. Yet, the peak Rt in Sri Lanka changed slightly from 2030s to 2090s under SSP585. The epidemic duration in Singapore and Malaysia was projected to decline under SSP585. In conclusion, the change of peak DF transmission potential and disease outbreak duration would vary across locations, particularly under middle-to-high greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Interventions should be considered to slow down global warming as well as the potential increase in DF transmissibility in some locations of South and Southeast Asia. Author summary: Climate change has a significant impact worldwide, including the proliferation of infectious diseases in tropical areas. While the warmer and more humid living conditions in these regions are generally considered favorable for the transmission of vector-borne diseases, we argue that the effects of climate change on DF infection may vary across different locations. Unlike previous studies focusing primarily on the disease incidence, this study aims to estimate changes in peak DF transmissibility and the duration of disease epidemics in the future. By analyzing data from 30 locations in four tropical countries, we have found that changes in DF transmissibility and epidemic duration exhibit variations both within and between countries, particularly under the scenarios of moderate to high greenhouse gas emissions. In light of these findings, we recommend conducting location-specific evaluations of DF transmissibility under the influence of climate change, as well as implementing targeted interventions to mitigate the potential increase in DF transmission rates in specific tropical locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the physical separation of lecturers and learners, many students have expressed dissatisfaction with their online learning experience. The growing prevalence of online education highlights the imperative to explore the factors influencing students' online experience. This study aims to explore the relationships between undergraduate students' perception, engagement and experiences in online learning. Employing a quantitative design, a cluster sampling technique was utilised to select a representative sample of 609 undergraduate students from various degree courses across four public and private universities in Malaysia. The survey questionnaires, derived from the Online Learning Perception Scale, Engagement in Online Learning Scale and Community of Inquiry Survey, were administered through internet survey. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. Findings revealed that students' perceptions of online learning and online engagements both directly affect their online learning experiences. The results also showed that students' perception of learning directly contributes to their online learning experience. Students' online engagement mediates the relationship between students' perception and their online learning experience. Recommendations for future studies and limitations of the study were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online learning is on the rise, and it is becoming an important mode of learning in higher education. However, there are limited models that explain the link between learners' characteristics, learning processes, and outcomes in an online learning environment. This study aims to examine the influence of online self-regulation on the experiences and engagement of students during online learning processes and their outcomes in terms of satisfaction and academic performance. A quantitative correlational design was used to achieve the objective of this study. Data collection was carried out using an online survey. A total of 609 undergraduates from four public and private universities in Malaysia were sampled. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was run to analyze the obtained data. The results showed that online self-regulation is a presage factor affecting online learning processes. It significantly and positively affects students' experiences and engagement in an online environment. These three factors explained more than two thirds of the variance in satisfaction, a key learning outcome of online learning. However, its predictive value for academic performance was weaker. The developed model can be used as a framework to promote positive online learning outcomes among undergraduate students. The implications of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to ascertain the thermal and acoustic impacts of introducing a vegetative roof layer on insulated and uninsulated metal roofs for tropical climates, through field measurements in Skudai, Johor, Malaysia, that were conducted for both dry and wet days. Four small-scale roof modules were tested, namely an uninsulated metal roof (uiMDR), an insulated metal roof (iMDR), and two identical corresponding modules with an additional vegetative component (uiGR and iGR, respectively). Outdoor ambient temperature (Tamb) was the most influential correlated variable affecting the roof outer surface temperature (RTOS) in 50% of the assessed scenarios. On the selected dry day, the inter-quartile ranges (IQR) of iGR, iMDR, uiGR, and uiMDR were 6.21 °C, 8.32 °C, 6.69 °C, and 1.66 °C, respectively; the IQRs were 1.6 °C, 4.11 °C, 2.59 °C, and 1.78 °C, respectively, on the selected wet day. Based on design U-value calculations, iGR was better than iMDR and uiMDR for both dry and wet days. The U-value of uiGR was also better than iMDR under dry-day conditions. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test also indicated a statistically significant difference in the roof inner surface temperature (RTIS) measurements (p-value = 0.00) during Malaysian daylight hours, between 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m., regardless of the weather. In terms of sound level reduction under dry-day conditions, the Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed statistically significant differences in sound level reductions, with iGR and uiGR performing better than iMDR and uiMDR (p-values = 0.00). The sound level reductions for iGR, iMDR, and uiGR were 51%, 32%, and 31%, respectively, while uiMDR experienced sound level amplifications by 6%, possibly due to the acoustic resonance effect. This proof of concept may encourage a broader application of extensive GRs in Malaysia using metal roofs, beyond the conventional RC base construction method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A lateral flow rapid diagnostic test (RDT) enables detection of measles specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody in serum, capillary blood, and oral fluid with accuracy consistent with enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The objectives of the study were: 1) to assess measles RDT inter-reader agreement between two clinic staff; 2) to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the measles RDT relative to standard surveillance testing in a low transmission setting; 3) to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of staff in clinics using the RDT; and 4) to assess the impact of RDT testing on the measles public health response in Malaysia. Materials and methods: The clinic-based prospective evaluation included all suspected measles cases captured by routine measles surveillance at 34 purposely selected clinics in 15 health districts in Malaysia between September 2019 and June 2020, following day-long regional trainings on RDT use. Following informed consent, four specimens were collected from each suspected case, including those routinely collected for standard surveillance [serum for EIA and throat swabs for quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)] together with capillary blood and oral fluid tested with RDTs during the study. RDT impact was evaluated by comparing the rapidity of measles public health response between the pre-RDT implementation (December 2018 to August 2019) and RDT implementation periods (September 2019 to June 2020). To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of RDT use, staff involved in the public health management of measles at the selected sites were surveyed. Results: Among the 436 suspect cases, agreement of direct visual readings of measles RDT devices between two health clinic staff was 99% for capillary blood (k = 0.94) and 97% for oral fluid (k = 0.90) specimens. Of the total, 45 (10%) were positive by measles IgM EIA (n = 44, including five also positive by RT-qPCR) or RT-qPCR only (n = 1), and 38 were positive by RDT (using either capillary blood or oral fluid). Using measles IgM EIA or RT-qPCR as reference, RDT sensitivity using capillary blood was 43% (95% CI: 30%–58%) and specificity was 98% (95% CI: 96%–99%); using oral fluid, sensitivity (26%, 95% CI: 15%–40%) and specificity (97%, 95% CI: 94%–98%) were lower. Nine months after training, RDT knowledge was high among staff involved with the public health management of measles (average quiz score of 80%) and was highest among those who received formal training (88%), followed by those trained during supervisory visits (83%). During the RDT implementation period, the number of days from case confirmation until initiation of public response decreased by about 5 days. Conclusion: The measles IgM RDT shows >95% inter-reader agreement, high retention of RDT knowledge, and a more rapid public health response. However, despite ≥95% RDT specificity using capillary blood or oral fluid, RDT sensitivity was <45%. Higher-powered studies using highly specific IgM assays and systematic RT-qPCR for case confirmation are needed to establish the role of RDT in measles elimination settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Malaysia, the undiagnosed diabetes prevalence has increased. Socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional status play a crucial role in prediabetes development. Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to identify the socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional status of adults at risk of T2DM in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. Methods: A total of 30 participants at risk of T2DM aged 18 to 59 years old were recruited from Kuala Nerus using a convenience sampling method. Information on socio-demographic, anthropometric, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, clinical profile, Finnish Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (FINDRISC) score, dietary intake, and physical activity level were obtained. Results: The participants (mean age: 36.1 ± 8.7 years) were mostly female (76.7%), Malay (96.7%), married (43.3%), had a tertiary degree (60.0%), and were working (83.3%) with a monthly salary of less than RM 1000. Half of the participants were from the obese class I category. Their FPG level was 5.6 ± 0.5 mmol/L and half of them were classified as having optimal blood pressure. Also, they had a mean FINDRISC score of 6.3 ± 1.8. The participants consumed 2073 ± 247 kcal/day, which was comprised of 50.8% carbohydrate, 16.1% protein, and 33.1% fat. Most of them (63.3%) were minimally active. Conclusion: The participants had moderate T2DM risk with normal FPG level, blood pressure, and heart rate. They had excessive energy and fat intake with insufficient dietary fibre intake. It is vital to examine the socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional status, which can provide important information for planning future cost-effective T2DM preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to identify factors associated with participation in Phase II cardiac rehabilitation and to assess patient perceptions towards the usage of technologies in cardiac rehabilitation. Background: Despite efforts to promote utilisation of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), participation among patients remains unsatisfactory. Little is known of patient decision to participate Phase II CR in a multi‐ethnic country. Design: A cross‐sectional study design. Methods: A consecutive sampling of 240 patients with coronary heart disease completed Coronary Artery Disease Education Questionnaire (CADE‐Q) II, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS). Results: Seventy per cent of patients (mean age 60.5 [SD = 10.6] years, 80.8% male) participated in phase II cardiac rehabilitation. Self‐driving to cardiac rehabilitation centres, higher barriers in perceived need/health care and logistical factors were significantly associated with decreased odds of participation. Patients with more barriers from comorbidities/functional status, higher perceived social support from friends, and anxiety were more likely to participate. Chinese and Indians were less likely to participate when compared with Malays. More than 80% of patients used both home and mobile broadband internet, and 72.9% of them would accept the usage of technologies, especially educational videos, instant messenger, and video calls to partially replace the face‐to‐face, centre‐based cardiac rehabilitation approach. Conclusion: Several barriers were associated with non‐participation in phase II cardiac rehabilitation. With the high perceived acceptance of technology usage in cardiac rehabilitation, home‐based and hybrid cardiac rehabilitation may represent potential solutions to improve participation. Relevance to clinical practice: By addressing the barriers to cardiac rehabilitation, patients are more likely to be ready to adopt health behaviour changes and adhere to the cardiac rehabilitation programme. The high perceived acceptance of using technologies in cardiac rehabilitation may provide insights into new delivery models that can improve and overcome barriers to participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 44-item Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI-44) helps in simplify a wide range of complex personality features, including how personality affects breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of the Malay version of the BFI-44. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the convenience sampling of female respondents. A total of 96 female public university students participated in this study. Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient, limit of agreement, and standard error of measurement (SEM) were used in determining the reliability of the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha value for Extraversion subscale obtained the highest internal consistency (0.723) and the lowest internal consistency was obtained in the subscale of Openness to Experience (0.543). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value for all dimensions exceeded 0.70 (ICC= 0.792- 0.883). The Bland-Altman plots showed high reliability in all dimensions except Neuroticism. For SEM, Extraversion scored the lowest (0.773) while Neuroticism scored the highest (1.199). Overall, the BFI-44 in Malay version had moderate to good internal consistency and high test-retest reliability. These findings may give positive implications for the implementation of the questionnaire in future evaluation of Malaysians' personality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Malaysia is one of the hardest-hit countries by COVID-19 in Asia. The rapidly rising number of cases had sparked fear among healthcare providers. This study aimed to assess the determinants of fear towards COVID-19 among healthcare providers in primary care settings. Methods: This online-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1280 healthcare providers aged ≥18 years from 30 primary care clinics in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale was used to assess the level of fear, and the results were analysed using multiple linear regression. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 36 years, and the mean working experience was 11 years. The majority of the respondents were women (82.4%) and Malays (82.3%). The factors that were significantly correlated with higher levels of fear were underlying chronic disease (ß=1.12, P=0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.08, 3.15), concern about mortality from COVID-19 (ß=3.3, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.19, 7.22), higher risk of exposure (ß=0.8, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.14, 5.91), concern for self at work (ß=2.8, P=0.002, 95% CI=0.08, 3.10) and work as a nurse (ß=3.6, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.30, 7.52), medical laboratory worker (ß=3.0, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.12, 4.27) and healthcare assistant (ß=3.9, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.17, 5.73). The level of fear was inversely correlated with a higher work-related stress management score (ß=−0.9, P<0.001, 95% CI=−0.14, −5.07) and a higher sleep quality score (ß=−1.8, P<0.001, 95% CI=−0.28, −10.41). Conclusion: Family physicians should be vigilant and identify healthcare providers at risk of developing COVID-19-related fear to initiate early mental health intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global aquaculture production continues to grow to meet the high demand for fish food by the ever-increasing population worldwide. In particular, the Malaysian aquaculture sector produced approximately 411,781 tonnes of total aquaculture production with an estimated economic value of USD 700 million in 2019. However, this industry in Malaysia faces many challenges that hinder future development, especially in sustaining this industry. This is mainly due to the lack of motivation to meet the sustainability criteria. Therefore, the aquaculture industry is under immense pressure to embrace sustainability measures due to concerns about environmental impacts. Therefore, this article outlines the production and value of common cultivable species in Malaysia for freshwater and brackish water aquaculture and the intensification and development of the aquaculture industry in Malaysia. This review also thoroughly discussed various sustainable challenges such as waste generation, the use of chemicals and drugs, the outbreak of diseases, and others related to the aquaculture industry. In contrast, it also highlighted many opportunities, such as the expansion of extractive species aquaculture, the conversion of aquaculture waste into value-added products, and aquaculture tourism to pursue a sustainable aquaculture industry in Malaysia. Hence, this comprehensive review will positively impact the future development of the aquaculture industry in the global context, particularly in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaysia's event industry, notably in culturally diverse Sarawak, has thrived in recent years, becoming a significant economic driver. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the sector, resulting in event cancellations, economic losses, and reduced community engagement. This study investigates the role of event attachment in fostering local economic development in Sarawak. The research gathered data from 1,265 diverse event attendees and employed WarpPLS 8.0 to analyze the proposed model. Findings highlighted the substantial impact of place image, service quality, and community support on event attachment and, subsequently, economic development. Notable events like the Rainforest World Music Festival and Sarawak Regatta are analyzed. The study offers practical insights for event planners and policymakers to boost event attachment, emphasizing place image, quality services, and community support to drive economic development in Sarawak. This research highlights the pivotal role of event attachment in sustaining the region's economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]