Transportation of a product from multi-source to multi-destination with minimal total transportation cost plays an important role in logistics and supply chain management. Two of the key issues in this supply chain management are the transportation and the inventory costs. To achieve significant savings, these two issues should be integrated instead of treating them separately. In this research first the transportation problem is considered and it has been followed by the integrated transportation-inventory system. In Chapter 3, we design a C++ computational program of Vogel's Approximation Method (VAM) for finding an initial feasible solution to unbalanced TP by adding and without adding a dummy column. Then we carry out a comparative study on solutions of 10 numerical problems obtained by these two methods. In 4 out of 10 problems, better results are found by the method using a dummy column while the method without adding a dummy column led to better results in 5 out of 10. Thus the method in finding an initial feasible solution (IFS) without using dummy column is found to be useful in some cases. In Chapter 4, we demonstrate a deficiency of an existing method in obtaining the minimal total cost solution to the TP. Then a better polynomial time heuristic solution technique to obtain a better IFS to the TP is developed and coded using C++ programming language. Comparative studies of this heuristic with the best available ones in the literature on results of numerical problems are carried out to show better performance of the current one. Our heuristic is found to lead to the minimal total cost solution in most cases (92%) of the studied numerical problems. In Chapter 5, we study transportation problem with varying demands and supplies (PVDS). This type of TP has received attention of only one researcher, who formulated the problem and solved it by LINGO. We demonstrate that this method fails to obtain the correct upper bound solution always. Then we extend this model to include the inventory costs during transportation and at destinations. Although the lower bound solution of this extended model can be obtained methodologically, determination of the upper bound solution for this model becomes an NP hard problem. Here we carry out theoretical analyses on developing the lower and the upper bound heuristic solution techniques to the extended model denoted by ITIM (integrated transportation-inventory model). A comparative study on solutions of numerical problems shows promising performance of the current upper bound technique. Another comparative study on results of numerical problems demonstrates the effect of inclusion of the inventory costs. In Chapter 6, this ITIM is further extended to include variation in lead time. Then a better heuristic solution technique is presented to solve this extended ITIM. Results of the proposed heuristic on some numerical examples are reported. Further, a sensitivity analysis on the arrangement of lots transferring (from suppliers to buyers) is performed. Finally, conclusion by highlighting the limitations of the current research and indicating the future research scope on the topic is drawn.

The interminable ‘Malay vs. English’ debate is ubiquitous in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore – the Malay World. Although Malay is the national language, a cultural and identity marker for the Malays, the globalization and increasing importance of English has prompted concerns on the decline of the Malay language among scholars and the general public. By implementing a modified triangulation model with Baker’s Language and Attitudes Model (1992), Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (Lewis & Simons, 2010) and Language Vitality and Endangerment (UNESCO, 2011a) frameworks, this study addresses: (1) the current language attitudes and the vitality of Malay; (2) the psychological/sociological factors influencing Malay attitudes; and (3) the prospect of Malay decline based on analytical evidence. Investigation is undertaken in Brunei involving Malay experts and Malay speakers’ observed and self-reported attitudes and competence. The analyses of the situation in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore rely mainly on scholars’ reports. This study aims to break new ground by investigating the ‘Malay vs. English’ issues using multi-modal approaches and sociolinguistic perspectives of language use and society, not only viewing Malay as a language system. This includes eliciting overt and covert language attitudes, while incorporating attitudes-based language competence and professional-based expert interviews. Empirical data are used to compare the sociolinguistic situations in the four Malay countries. This study offers new insights by using Baker’s Model to study language attitudes in post-colonial settings. This study found that the language attitudes towards the standardised varieties of Malay are positive and standard varieties are maintained through top-down approaches by the national governments. However, this does not restrict their preference towards English. Language attitudes among the Malays do not demonstrate extreme binary responses but are adaptive to contexts and audiences. This is due to the complementarity of both languages as they play different roles in the respective Malay societies. English will never replace Malay as the language of solidarity and of Malay culture and identity due to the ii awareness of the Malay speakers. Therefore, Malay is far from being endangered and English does not threaten Malay, as previously claimed. This study found that there are misconceptions on the decline of Malay due to the misunderstanding of language contact issues involving Malay and English and the legacy left from the Western colonial period. Furthermore, the situation is exacerbated by the politicization of sociolinguistic issues. The investigation also found themes including purism, religion and security that play major roles in influencing Malay attitudes towards bilingualism and Malay vitality. The belief that English has a negative effect on Malay is found to be an exaggeration and another language myth in the Malay World. There is no evidence of a zero-sum game between the use of English and Malay. However, there are differences of attitudes towards embracing Malay-English bilingualism between the Malay countries, challenging the notion of a ‘Malay World’ based on historical kinship. Also, there is a strong connection between reviewing language attitudes and vitality towards ‘Malay vs. English’ with the modern political associations of each nation

Kajian ini adalah kajian kualitatif analisis kandungan dengan menggunakan pendekatan teknik Delphi dua pusingan dan teknik Fuzzy Delphi. Kajian ini melalui empat peringkat kajian. Peringkat pertama analisis kandungan kitab Usul al-Tarbiyah al-Islamiah wa asalibuha fi al-Bayti wa al-Madrasah wa al-Mujtama’ untuk tujuan menganalisis pemikiran pendidikan al-Nahlawi dari segi sumber, asas, tujuan, institusi dan metode pendidikan Islam. Peringkat kedua ialah terjemahan kitab “al-Tarbiyah bi al-Targhĩb wa al-Tarhĩb” daripada bahasa Arab ke dalam bahasa Melayu. untuk meneroka dan meneliti metode pendidikan targhîb dan tarhîb seperti mana yang diterangkan oleh al-Nahlawi. Manakala pada peringkat ketiga ialah mendapatkan persetujuan 12 orang pakar terhadap item-item yang dibentuk daripada kitab yang telah diterjemahkan dan disahkan oleh tiga orang pakar. Objektif bagi peringkat ini ialah mengenal pasti kesahihan pendapat al-Nahlawi dan cara penggunaan metode metode targhîb dan tarhîb dalam pendidikan Islam. Sementara itu pada peringkat akhir, pengkaji menggunakan teknik Fuzzy Delphi untuk mengemukakan satu pola pendidikan metode targhîb dan tarhîb al-Nahlawi Proses menentukan kebolehpercayaan kajian melibatkan semakan antara pakar penilai (indeks Cohen Kappa = 0.83 dan 0.81) dan statistik Deskriptif iaitu peratus, median, mod dan julat antara kuartil. Dapatan daripada analisis kandungan menghasilkan satu set pola pendidikan metode targhĩb dan tarhĩb yang dijadikan asas bagi pembentukan instrumen teknik Delphi. Hasil teknik Delphi dua pusingan menunjukkan wujud konsensus persetujuan yang sangat tinggi di antara panel pakar terhadap item-item metode targhĩb dan tarhĩb yang diuji. Hasil utama kajian ialah penghasilan pola pemikiran al-Nahlawi mengenai metode targhĩb dan tarhĩb yang meliputi semua aspek daripada makna, konsep, tujuan, akibat, cara mengaplikasi serta saranan yang dicadangkan oleh al-Nahlawi. dalam menggunakan metode targhĩb dan tarhĩb yang boleh menjadi panduan kepada para pendidik.

The performance of the skeleton-based human activity recognition (HAR) system heavily relies on robust datasets. Due to the time-intensive process of manual segmentation and annotation, researchers often face challenges in creating a flawless dataset. Consequently, there are a limited number of publicly accessible skeleton-based HAR datasets, which are limited in scope, impacting research progress. In order to overcome these limitations this work suggests an automatic segmentation technique that effectively determines activity start and end points leveraging reconstruction error between frames. This method significantly simplifies the dataset preparation process eliminating the need for manual segmentation. In contrast to traditional PCA-based methods that fail to recreate the original data, the proposed method integrates an autoencoder-based framework, which preserves original feature embeddings. Following segmentation, a novel HAR system was developed that enhances overall HAR efficiency by combining activity segmentation and recognition. In order to identify segmented but unlabelled actions and facilitate subsequent analysis without the need for human intervention, a deep learning-based clustering technique is presented. The proposed method for activity segmentation was evaluated on three publicly accessible unsegmented HAR datasets, while the recognition method was tested on five datasets. The proposed segmentation method achieved an accuracy of over 88% on all datasets, which is a significant improvement over the existing method. On a large-scale HAR dataset, activity recognition accuracy is improved by 2%, and the clustering method demonstrated a remarkable 24% performance improvement compared to existing traditional clustering techniques while performance gain over existing deep learning-based clustering methods was over 11%. These advancements demonstrate the robustness of the proposed approach. As part of this research, two real-world systems were developed which further contributed to practical applications. Firstly, a cost-effective social distance monitoring system that used 3D skeleton data to estimate the distance between individuals in real time was developed. The system achieved over 98% detection accuracy, effectively identifying social distancing violations, and providing a scalable solution to assist enforcement agencies. The second method is an athlete performance evaluation system utilizing 3D skeleton joint tracking to analyse dynamic movements such as jumping jacks. Through the quantification of joint movement over 500 frames, the method offered comprehensive insights into performancevariation and consistency between athletes, which has significant potential applications in sports science, biomechanics, and rehabilitation. This research addresses critical obstacles in dataset preparation and activity recognition by introducing innovative approaches to the HAR domain. A comprehensive solution that enhances the efficiency and accuracy of HAR systems is presented in this work, through the integration of automatic segmentation, clustering and recognition, into a unified framework, while demonstrating impactful applications in public health and sports performance analysis. The findings of the work have practical implications for large-scale HAR applications, particularly in areas such as healthcare, sports analysis, and surveillance, where automated and accurate activity recognition is essential.

Islam has a long history as the way of life of the population. However, current literature concerning Islam in Brunei Darussalam had focused more on historical, theological, and anthropological studies, mainly taking a qualitative approach. These studies noted that Islam cannot be separated from the society, even more so now that the country has now implemented Islamic law as part its legal system. However, does this mean the influence of Islam is highly prevalent among the population? Is their level of religiosity high? Are their religious beliefs associated with their religious practices? Are there any religiosity differences among groups? These are the questions that are addressed by surveying Malay Muslim teachers from mainstream and religious schools in Brunei Darussalam. Another question is that can beliefs and Islamic religiosity predict Islamic ethical work behaviour using the theory of planned behaviour? Several models were constructed and tested. Results showed the influence of Islam is prevalent among the population. Religious beliefs were found to be positively associated with religious practices. Variables under the theory of planned behaviour are positively associated with religiosity. There is no religiosity difference between genders, but there are differences between groups based on age, length of work experience, and work institution. In terms of the level of Islamic ethical work behaviour, however, differences were detected when these groups were compared. Out of all the models tested in this research, Model 3.1 was found to be a better model than other models I proposed when analysed with the collected data. This model suggested that the predictive power of the theory of planned behaviour can be improved by including dominant cultural factors, such as religiosity, that affect a person's belief. Six main findings are noted. Firstly, Islam is a significant factor in influencing individuals and society in Brunei Darussalam. Secondly, the population of the country values collectivism slightly more than they do individualism, especially if it involves others and public behaviour. Thirdly, the population emphasizes more on the aspect of what should be done as instructed by Islam and doing their best in relation to this rather than focusing too much energy on capability and ability. Fourthly, the influence of Islam is significantly strong and that it thoroughly pervades the society, regardless of gender, age group, work experience, and work institution. The fifth finding is that the level of religiosity does not predict the intention to act ethically according to Islam. Finally, the sixth finding is that a favourable or unfavourable view of the behaviour does not at all directly predict it. In conclusion, it can be said that religion is indispensable in exploring and understanding how the people in Brunei think and behave in their workplace and society.

The growing interest in plant-derived natural products for prostate cancer (CaP) treatment arises from the limitations of conventional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, which often cause significant side effects. This study therefore aimed to characterise two herbal plants, Gynura procumbens (GP) and Pandanus amaryllifolius (PA), and evaluate their potential anti-prostate cancer properties. The research comprised three phases: phytochemical characterisation, cytotoxicity evaluation and 5a-reductase type 2 (5aR2s) enzyme inhibition study. Ethanolic extracts of GP and PA (EEGP and EEPA) were prepared via an ultrasonic-assisted extraction, yielding 2.38% and 9.79%, respectively. Both extracts contained sterols, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, and steroids, where EEGP exhibited higher total phenolic and flavonol content, while EEPA showed greater total flavonoid content. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed the presence of stigmasterol in both extracts, with lauric and myristic acids detected exclusively in EEPA. Cytotoxicity investigation using 3-4, 4-dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on human prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) revealed dose-dependent effects for EEGP and both dose- and time-dependent effects for EEPA, with EEPA demonstrating greater potency. Western blotting blotting indicated that both extracts induced apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. To investigate the androgen-regulated mechanisms, a a 5aR2s-mediated Testosterone to dihydroTestosterone (DHT) conversion system was successfully established in LNCaP cells, with optimal DHT production achieved using 750 nM Testosterone over 6 hours of treatment. Finasteride, a synthetic 5aR2s inhibitor, reduced DHT levels by 32%, confirming the model's validity. EEGP showed no significant 5aR2s inhibition, whereas EEPA reduced DHT levels by 29%, comparable to Finasteride. Combination treatment with Finasteride and EEPA further decreased DHT levels by 53%, indicating a potential synergistic effect. In contrast, the combination of Finasteride with EEGP reduced DHT by only 3%. In conclusion. this study provides comprehensive nsights into the phytochemical profiles and anti-prostate cancer activities of GP and PA. EEPA, in particular, demonstrated significant cytotoxic and 5aR2s inhibitory effects, highlighting its potential as a plant-derived therapeutic candidate for prostate cancer treatment. These findings contribute to the growing evidence supporting the development of safer, plant-based alternatives for the management of prostate cancer.

Over the past few years, the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure has gained significant importance and recognition among diverse organisations, investors, and exchanges. It is increasingly acknowledged as a crucial determinant for a company's persistent expansion. The correlation between ESG factors and corporate governance factors is complicated. Although social interaction holds value, it might incur expenses for investors and require consent from shareholders. Prior research has investigated the impact of ESG disclosure and corporate governance factors, motivated by financial incentives and endeavours to mitigate reputation risk and respond to societal and regulatory demands. Nevertheless, inconclusive results have emphasised the methodological and data limitations and prompted us to inquire further regarding the genuine incentives underlying ESG disclosure. This study secks to address this knowledge gap by examining the underlying reasons for ESG disclosure, with a specific focus on determining if corporate governance (CG) serves as a driving force for non-financial companies to participate in ESG disclosure. The study centres on prominent non-financial companies in the United States, specifically those listed in the Fortune 500, to serve as a representation of ESG indicators. The study employs non-financial elements, spanning the time period from 2013 to 2022. Additionally, this study analyzes the rational and behavioural elements that impact the connection between CG (Corporate Governance) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) disclosure aspects. The analysis will focus on four ESG indices: ESG Index, Environment (E Index), Society (S Index), and Governance (G Index), which signifies the novelty of this thesis. The objective is to get insight into the intricate relationship between ESG disclosure and corporate objectives. The findings will be advantageous for managers who aim to synchronize their strategy with societal ideals and mitigate potential risks. Additionally, politicians with limited resources might utilize these findings to involve firms in accomplishing social objectives. This study examines the relationship between board gender diversity and ESG disclosure in non-financial Fortune 500 corporations in the United States. The research examines a dataset consisting of 342 non-financial firms and 2,160 firm-year observations from the Bloomberg database, covering the period from 2013 to 2022. The results indicate a clear correlation between the variety of board members in terms of gender and the disclosure of ESG information, encompassing environmental, social, and governance aspects. In addition, the study examines the effects of having a significant number of women on corporate boards. It reveals a favourable influence on the environmental and governance components of the ESG score. However, the effect on the social score is somewhat restricted. This study enhances the current body of knowledge on corporate governance and ESG disclosure and advocates for corporations, particularly those in emerging economies, to contemplate augmenting the presence of women on their boards. Additionally, another novelty of this study is to explore the moderating effect of board meeting attendance, highlighting a positive impact when female board members also hold the positions of CEO and Chairperson on the environmental and social components of the ESG score. However, their contribution to governance disclosure remains insignificant.