Borneo Science | The Journal of Science and Technology

A Hybrid Network Governance for the National Response Framework: A Real-Time Decision-Making Model for Post-Katrina Disaster Resilience

Foster Nyasha — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0800

The National Response Framework (NRF) has faced persistent coordination challenges since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, where rigid hierarchical command structures struggled with the distributed, dynamic nature of modern crises. This paper proposes the Hybrid Network Governance Model (HNGM) as a transformative approach to disaster response. HNGM replaces static Incident Command System (ICS) hierarchies with a decentralized Multi-Agent Decision Network (MADN) that dynamically adjusts decision weights based on situational context. It integrates a Real-Time Information Fusion Layer (RTIFL) for synthesizing heterogeneous data streams into a unified operational picture and a Dynamic Incentive Mechanism (DIM) that aligns stakeholder priorities through real-time reward allocation using adapted Shapley values. Empirical diagnostics across post-Katrina exercises (2012 National Level Exercise, 2017 Hurricane Harvey, 2020 COVID-19) demonstrate that HNGM reduces coordination gaps by 41–42%, improves decision speed by 33%, stakeholder satisfaction by 28%, and resource utilization by 19% compared to traditional ICS implementations. The model shifts disaster governance from prescriptive top-down directives to emergent, mathematically optimized coordination while preserving compatibility with legacy NRF protocols through federated learning. Ethical safeguards (equity audits, human oversight loops, transparency protocols) address potential biases and power asymmetries. HNGM offers a scalable blueprint for modernizing national preparedness, turning reactive systems into proactive, resilient networks capable of navigating 21st-century cascading crises.

Keywords: Hybrid governance, National Response Framework, real-time decision-making, disaster coordination, multi-agent systems, dynamic incentives, federated learning, Hurricane Katrina

STUDENTS’ LEARNING PERFORMANCE EVALUATION USING FUZZY LOGIC

SURIANA LASARAIYA, SUZELAWATI ZENIAN — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0800

In Malaysia, students' performance at school, foundation, and university levels is traditionally assessed using a classical evaluation method, which aggregates scores from various assessments, such as assignments and exams, and assigns grades based on predefined thresholds (e.g., A, A-, B+, B). This study introduces fuzzy logic as an alternative approach to evaluating students' performance at the foundation level, focusing on 49 students from the Preparatory Centre for Science and Technology (PPST), University Malaysia Sabah (UMS). Input data includes scores from assignments, midterm exams, and final exams, which are used to compare the classical grading system with a fuzzy logic-based approach. While the classical method uses fixed grade cutoffs, it may not fully capture the subtleties of students’ abilities or learning progress. In contrast, fuzzy logic incorporates degrees of truth, enabling a more nuanced assessment. This study aims to analyze the differences between the classical and fuzzy logic methods, highlighting the potential benefits or limitations of adopting fuzzy logic in educational assessments.

IMPACT OF SORGHUM GRAIN INCLUSION IN PELLET ON FEED INTAKE, GROWTH PERFORMANCE, AND BLOOD METABOLIC PROFILE OF MUSCOVY DUCKS

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0800

The rising cost and limited availability of conventional feed have driven the search for sustainable and economical alternatives. Sorghum grain (Sorghum bicolour), with a nutritive value comparable to maize, is considered a suitable substitute in poultry diets. This study evaluated the effects of sorghum grain inclusion in duck pellets on feed intake, growth performance, and blood profile. Thirty unsexed ducks, approximately 21 days old, were assigned to two groups: one fed sorghum-based pellets (treatment) and the other fed commercial pellets (control). Over six weeks, feed intake, growth, and blood parameters were assessed. Ducks fed the sorghum-enriched pellets showed significantly (p<0.05) better growth, with higher body weight (1298.0 vs. 953.3 g/bird) and daily weight gain (30.9 vs. 22.7 g/day/bird). They also had a lower, though not significant (p>0.05), feed conversion ratio (4.9 vs. 6.9). Blood biochemistry indicated higher haemoglobin (11.2 vs. 10.37 g/dL), red blood cell counts (2.3 vs. 2.2×10¹²/L), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (49.7 vs. 49.3 pg), and white blood cell counts (111.4 vs. 69.1×10⁹/L) in the treatment group, though differences were not significant (p>0.05). In conclusion, incorporating sorghum grain into duck pellets improves growth performance and positively influences blood profiles.

EFFECT OF DENSIFIED COMPLETE FEED USING ASYSTASIA GANGETICA ON FEED INTAKE AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF GOAT

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Densified complete feed (DCF) combining concentrates and roughages is a potential strategy to meet the nutritional requirements of goats. This study aimed to formulate DCF using Asystasia gangetica and evaluate its effects on feed intake and growth performance in Boer crossbred goats. The DCF was prepared through weighing, grinding, mixing, molding, and drying, producing cubes with an average body weight (BW) of 45.1 g, dimensions of 4 cm × 4 cm × 4 cm, and hardness of 1.93 kg/cm². Chemical analysis showed 91.7% dry matter, 18.7% crude protein, 7.3% ether extract, and 13.9% ash. Six female goats (16.6 kg BW) were assigned to control and treatment groups. The control group received a conventional concentrate diet with six hours of grazing, while the treatment group was fed DCF ad libitum for 14 days. Average daily feed intake was higher in the treatment group (672.4 g) than in the control group (217.2 g plus 6 hours of grazing). Although body weight gain did not differ significantly, goats fed DCF gained more weight (433.3 g) compared to the control (133.3 g) during the experimental period. These findings suggest that DCF can enhance feed intake and support growth in goats. Further studies with longer feeding periods and larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm these results.