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A transparent poly(methyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) stone relics protective material was synthesized using one-pot method. The synthesized polymer was coated on the surface of the stone samples or glass plates. SEM was used to observe the micromorphology of pristine stone and stone covered polymer coating samples. Physical properties of polymer coatings were characterized by FTIR, XRD and TGA-DSC. The conservation properties of polymer coatings were investigated by testing adhesion, transparency, hydrophobicity, mass loss rate and appearance of the simulated stone relics after freeze–thaw, UV irradiation and acid aging processes. Results show that poly (MMA-BA-20.04 %HFMA) outperformed the others with water contact angle remained 108.23°, 109.34° and 106.96° as well as the change of chromaticity difference values of 0.79, 0.02 and 0.08, after freeze-thaw, UV-aging and acid-aging processes, respectively. All these data indicate that the as-synthesized polymer could potentially use in conservating the stone relics due to its superior hydrophobicity, transparency, anti-acid and anti-UV aging properties as well as durability for freeze–thaw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising number of elderlies has brought several issues forward, particularly pertaining to care and support. Children are expected to be the primary source of support for the elderly and provide them with physical, social, and financial support to show that they are indebted to their parents. This concept is called "kenang budi." The concept is prevalent in the Malay Muslim culture in Malaysia. This study examines the types of support given by the children in the practice of the "kenang budi" concept by analyzing the data gathered from 327 elderly in Pahang, Malaysia, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The results demonstrate that the concept is practiced by several acts of service, such as providing health support and care, aiding them financially, preparing daily necessities, maintaining good contact, and taking them to places such as mosques and festival shows. Since children's support is pertinent for the well-being of the elderly, the concept of "kenang budi" is appropriate in ensuring the children's continuous support and providing a chance for the children to care for and be responsible for the elderly. This article highlights the element of "kenang budi" (literally, in English, grateful) in the Malay community, especially in the context of doing a good or responsible attitude towards elderly parents, similar to the concept of filial piety practiced in Chinese society in Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-conflict recovery in underdeveloped and developing countries is always a challenge for political leadership. Liberia has been the victim of 14 years of civil war, due to which GDP experienced a downfall by over 90% making the economic growth process halted. This paper traces the extent of Liberia's collapse and examines the patterns of post-conflict recovery as an application complexity theory and a model which can be followed by other conflict confronting developing countries. The Paper explores challenges faced by Liberia in strengthening rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic growth and how these challenges were converted into opportunities through dynamic leadership and institutional process that had roots in complexity theory. It examines the policy framework and institutional reforms which set the pace for sustainable economic growth in Liberia. Because of visionary steps by leadership, the economic growth, which was very low before 1999, showed positive improvement after the election in 2005. It was concluded that from 2005 to 2014, the per capita GDP growth rate had been approximately 63% which indicated the remarkable performance of the Liberian Government. Paper presents theoretical perspective to understand challenges of socioeconomic growth and mechanism for its revival in poor conflict-hit underdeveloped and developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Malaysia has achieved economic development in various sectors, poverty still remains as a problem in many areas. One of the ways to eliminate poverty is through information and communication technologies (ICTs) which is often promoted as central to reviving and sustaining regional communities. In the context of Malaysia, however, a gap in access to ICTs exists between the level of communication in urban and rural areas. While various initiatives have been taken to close the digital gaps, more efforts are needed especially in rural areas. This paper intends to explore the extent to which ICTs in rural areas of northern Peninsular Malaysia can raise the socioeconomic development of the communities there. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used and focus is given to analyze the role of ICTs in poverty reduction processes upholding regional developments. Particular emphasis was given to explore the access to ICTs and the extent to which it affects daily activities and economic development of the communities. It was observed that solving common causes for the communities' access and socioeconomic growth needs strategic implementation of policies at the central core and pragmatic implementation of actions at the grass roots level. pragmatic implementation of actions at the grass roots level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp are often used by youths today to socialise, entertain themselves and to obtain the latest news. However, it has also led to rampant crimes. The objective of this paper is to investigate the perceptions of Malaysian female university students on social media crimes. Sixty female undergraduate students from Universiti Sains Malaysia were selected as respondents using simple random and convenient sampling. Meanwhile 10 of them were chosen for in-depth interviews. All respondents have social media accounts such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp. Majority of them were aware of crimes involving social media, however only 28% of them decided to limit their usage of social media due to concerns of becoming a potential victim. Meanwhile, 72 per cent use social media without any limitation. This study contributes to the knowledge of perceptions of young women at Malaysian universities and their vulnerability to social media crimes. It is suggested relevant bodies should take into account the possible dangers that can be generated from social media which can affect the psychological health of young women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]