Abstract Efficiently assigning lecturers to courses is a critical aspect of ensuring both faculty satisfaction and optimal teaching outcomes in Higher Education Institutions. This study introduces an innovative Modified Hungarian Method (MHM) optimization model to address this challenge by incorporating lecturers’ competency scores and preference levels. While previous studies have primarily utilized the traditional Hungarian Method, limited attention has been given to its modified counterpart. Additionally, the application of competency and preference-based criteria in lecturer-to-course assignments remains unexplored. To address these gaps, this research develops a mathematical programming approach to enhance the formulation of the MHM model. The proposed model, referred to as the Competency-Preference Multi-Objective MHM (CP MO-MHM), seeks to achieve two main objectives, maximizing lecturers’ competencies and maximizing their preferences in course assignments. Competency is evaluated through three dimensions that are knowledge, skills and teaching motivation. Data for this study were collected via an online survey of Mathematics lecturers teaching undergraduate courses at UiTM Shah Alam, Malaysia. Using the gathered competency scores and preference levels, the CP MO-MHM model was implemented in MATLAB’s intlinprog function to generate an optimal lecturer-to-course assignment plan, with a maximum limit of three courses per lecturer. The results demonstrate that the CP MO-MHM model effectively identifies the most suitable course assignments for lecturers based on their competencies and preferences. By adapting the MHM framework to integrate these multidimensional inputs, this study contributes a practical tool for improving educational planning. The model not only enhances teaching quality but also minimizes mismatches between lecturers and courses, promoting better academic performance and greater satisfaction among faculty members. This research offers significant advancements in lecturer assignment processes, paving the way for more efficient and effective resource management in academia.

Abstract This study proposes an improved conjugate gradient (CG) method—the Tao-Rivaie-Hamizah (TRH) method and applies it to regression analysis of China's per capita disposable income over the past fifteen years. Unlike previous CG variants, TRH combines the numerator of the Hybrid Polak–Ribière–Polyak (HPRP) method with the denominator of the Hamoda–Rivaie–Mamat (HRM) method, thereby achieving faster convergence and enhanced robustness. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the TRH method generally outperforms several representative CG methods in terms of convergence speed and robustness. In economic applications, the TRH method yields smaller total relative errors and superior forecast values compared to Least Squares and Trend Line methods. These results validate the innovation and efficacy of the TRH method, providing a stable and effective solution for linear regression forecasting while further enriching and advancing the CG method.

Abstract Rubus fraxinifolius is one of the wild berries (Rogimot) species native to the highland regions of Southeast Asia, including Sabah, Malaysia. Despite their ethnobotanical significance, studies on its phytochemistry and antioxidant potential remain limited. This study compares the antioxidant activity and phytochemical content of fruit extracts from Rubus fraxinifolius using, 80% methanol, 70% acetone and distilled water. Antioxidant properties were evaluated using DPPH and FRAP assays, while total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total anthocyanin content (TAC) were also quantified. The results showed that the methanolic extract of R. fraxinifolius had the highest TPC (36.70±0.56 ± 0.44 mg GAE/g), TFC (12.15 ± 0.13 mg QE/g), and TAC (76.41± 71 mg C3G/ 100g) values. Antioxidant analysis showed 80% methanol exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity, IC50 = 64.47±5.55 μg/mL, and highest FRAP activity, 71.69±2.88 (μg TE/mL) compared to 70% acetone and distilled water. These findings showed significant variation in phytochemical content and antioxidant activity based on the solvent used, highlighting the importance of solvent selection in optimising bioactive compound extraction. Further research to evaluate its detailed phytocompound components and bioactivity is strongly warranted.

Abstract Intercropping of sweet corn and groundnut is often practiced in young durian orchards to generate income while waiting for durian trees to reach maturity. Groundnut, being a short-duration legume with nitrogen-fixing ability, is commonly paired with corn in such systems. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different intercropping arrangements on groundnut yield and dry matter distribution. The field trial was conducted at the Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments: monoculture of sweet corn (T1), monoculture of groundnut (T2), mixed relay intercropping with groundnut planted two weeks before corn (T3), and mixed relay intercropping with groundnut planted three weeks before corn (T4). Only treatments T2, T3, and T4 were considered for analysis of groundnut performance. Results showed that monoculture groundnut (T2) gave significantly higher yield in terms of both fresh and dry weight of marketable pods and seeds compared to the intercropping treatments. The lower yield in T3 and T4 was mainly due to shading from the corn canopy, which reduced light availability to the groundnut plants. While the findings indicate that groundnut performs better as a monocrop, this should be seen as a component-level result. In practice, intercropping with corn in durian orchards may still provide farmers with overall benefits through early cash income, efficient use of land, and soil fertility improvement, even though groundnut yield is reduced.

Abstract The electrical power demand in Pakistan is tremendously increasing due to fast increase in population, industrialization and construction sectors. This leads to various solutions and quick fixes. In this paper a retrospective study and analysis has been done for the quick fixes to cope with the electrical load shedding by various means such as installations of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) at the main utility connection with backup batteries, generators which were powered by the utility gas connection to produce electricity and gas extractor / concentrator to increase the gas pressure. The severity of the electrical energy crises increased several folds with tremendous loss of capital / investment and foreign exchange. The energy efficient devises and appliances in combination with renewable resources, mainly solar photovoltaic and energy efficient products, are discussed in order to optimize the solutions and policies to benefit the end-user at the retail level rather than favoring big investors, importers and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).