National University of Malaysia

About: National University of Malaysia is a education organization based out in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Heat transfer. The organization has 26593 authors who have published 41270 publications receiving 552683 citations. The organization is also known as: NUM & Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

What factors influence online brand trust: evidence from online tickets buyers in Malaysia

Abstract: This study examines online brand trust and its influencing factors in the specific context of online air ticket buyers in Malaysia. Summarizing academic literature on online brand trust drivers, it was found that there is a need to conduct research on online brand trust. Accordingly our hypotheses is that word-of-mouth, online experience, security/privacy, perceived risk, brand reputation and quality information have significant influence on online brand trust. Our hypothesis is being tested in terms of mentioned variables, on online airline ticket buyers in Malaysia. Using survey methodology, data was collected from 289 online air ticket buyers through questionnaire; validity and reliability tests and causality analysis (multiple regression analysis) had been conducted. According to the findings of the study, security/privacy, word-of-mouth, online experience, quality information and brand reputation appear to have a significant and positive relationship with online brand trust. The results are compared with earlier findings and limitation and further research are discussed. This study provides insightful understanding of consumer's online brand trust.

A Low Cost and Portable Microwave Imaging System for Breast Tumor Detection Using UWB Directional Antenna array

Abstract: Globally, breast cancer is a major reason for female mortality. Due to the limitations of current clinical imaging, the researchers are encouraged to explore alternative and complementary tools to available techniques to detect the breast tumor in an earlier stage. This article outlines a new, portable, and low-cost microwave imaging (MWI) system using an iterative enhancing technique for breast imaging. A compact side slotted tapered slot antenna is designed for microwave imaging. The radiating fins of tapered slot antenna are modified by etching nine rectangular side slots. The irregular slots on the radiating fins enhance the electrical length as well as produce strong directive radiation due to the suppression of induced surface currents that radiate vertically at the outer edges of the radiating arms with end-fire direction. It has remarkable effects on efficiency and gain. With the addition of slots, the side-lobe levels are reduced, the gain of the main-lobe is increased and corrects the squint effects simultaneously, thus improving the characteristics of the radiation. For experimental validation, a heterogeneous breast phantom was developed that contains dielectric properties identical to real breast tissues with the inclusion of tumors. An alternative PC controlled and microcontroller-based mechanical MWI system is designed and developed to collect the antenna scattering signal. The radiated backscattered signals from the targeted area of the human body are analyzed to reveal the changes in dielectric properties in tissues. The dielectric constants of tumorous cells are higher than that of normal tissues due to their higher water content. The remarkable deviation of the scattered field is processed by using newly proposed Iteratively Corrected Delay and Sum (IC-DAS) algorithm and the reconstruction of the image of the phantom interior is done. The developed UWB (Ultra-Wideband) antenna based MWI has been able to perform the detection of tumorous cells in breast phantom that can pave the way to saving lives.

Microbial stress response to heavy metals in the environment

Abstract: Heavy metal contamination is a global environmental issue as it poses a significant threat to public health, and exposure to metals above a certain threshold level can cause deleterious effects in all living organisms including microbes To survive in such harsh environments, some microbes evolved a few defence mechanisms to metabolize and transform heavy metal into a less hazardous form, resulting in the formation of heavy-metal-resistant microbes Heavy-metal-resistant microbes can be used in bioremediation to remediate the contaminated areas Bioremediation uses natural biological activities, is relatively low-cost, and has high public acceptance Herein, we summarize the interactions and mechanisms that occur between the microbes and heavy metal, including stress responses and defence mechanisms, which involve aggregation and biofilm formation, production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and development of resistance genes and signalling pathways against heavy metals