Face and content validity for the special education leadership (Integration) questionnaire In Malaysia

The validity of the face and content of a constructed set of questionnaires is very important in determining its validity and applicability. Each questionnaire that is constructed needs to go through this validity process to strengthen the strength of the questionnaire. The need in carrying out this validity is to meet the requirements ofthe objectives of the study as well as the integrity of an item constructed. This situation is very important in constructing a set of questionnaires related to special education leadership in scope in Malaysia. Therefore, this study was conducted to detail the face and content validity requirements conducted on the questionnaire related to special education leadership in Malaysia. The findings of this study can help subsequent researchers in determining the correct process in doing face and content validity

Numerical Assessment on Training Motivation, Syllabus and Instructor’s Roles in Military Training Program Using PLS

Training management literature emphasized the designing of training program consist of three important elements: (1) training syllabus; (2) instructors’ roles; and (3) superiors’ support, which may lead to a high impact of training transfer in organizations. However, the role of training motivation as a mediator is given less explanation in the training program. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate and quantify the effect of training motivation in the military training. The measurements were using 329 usable questionnaires gathered from Royal Malay Regiment personnel of Malaysian Army. The outcomes of hypotheses testing showed these interesting findings: training motivation does act as an important mediating variable between training syllabus and instructors’ roles in the relationship with training transfer, whilst there are no mediation effect in relationship between superiors’ support and training transfer. Further, discussion, implications and conclusion are elaborated

Current status of industrial accident learning in Malaysia

The accident rate in Malaysia is decreasing; however, statistically it is still high if compared with other developing nations. One of the reasons why accidents keep on happening is due to poor learning from accidents. This paper discusses the level of accident learning from accident reports submitted to the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia and the Society Security Organization (SOCSO) Malaysia involving 1,291 accident cases. Based on the quality and completeness of accident reports, their levels of learning were classified into five accident causation levels which are no, limited, fair, good and excellent learning

Occupational safety and health assessment in metal industry within small and medium enterprise

According to annual report from the Social Security Organization (SOCSO) between years 2009 and 2011, metal industry has the highest reported number of accidents compared to the other manufacturing industry in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the actual causes of problems that lead to the accidents involving metal industries within SMEs. In this study, checklist through site visits has been used to collect the data. The overall result reveals that the main causes of accident are due to organization failure, human factor, machine failure and surrounding environment

Statistical analysis of metalworking accidents within small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are known to be one of the major contributors to the national economy. However, in terms of occupational safety and health (OSH) implementation and performance, these SMEs, especially in the metalworking sector have yet to meet the necessary standard. This paper discusses the statistical analysis of accidents in metalworking industry by using accident reports submitted to the Department of Safety and Health (DOSH) and Social Security Organization (SOCSO) which involved 1635 accident cases. The main objective is to identify the real causes of accidents and recommend an appropriate action plan for accidents prevention at the workplace

Global, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

This online publication has been corrected. The corrected version first appeared at thelancet.com on September 28, 2023BACKGROUND : Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and affects people regardless of country, age group, or sex. Using the most recent evidentiary and analytical framework from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD), we produced location-specific, age-specific, and sex-specific estimates of diabetes prevalence and burden from 1990 to 2021, the proportion of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in 2021, the proportion of the type 2 diabetes burden attributable to selected risk factors, and projections of diabetes prevalence through 2050. METHODS : Estimates of diabetes prevalence and burden were computed in 204 countries and territories, across 25 age groups, for males and females separately and combined; these estimates comprised lost years of healthy life, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; defined as the sum of years of life lost [YLLs] and years lived with disability [YLDs]). We used the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) approach to estimate deaths due to diabetes, incorporating 25 666 location-years of data from vital registration and verbal autopsy reports in separate total (including both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) and type-specific models. Other forms of diabetes, including gestational and monogenic diabetes, were not explicitly modelled. Total and type 1 diabetes prevalence was estimated by use of a Bayesian meta-regression modelling tool, DisMod-MR 2.1, to analyse 1527 location-years of data from the scientific literature, survey microdata, and insurance claims; type 2 diabetes estimates were computed by subtracting type 1 diabetes from total estimates. Mortality and prevalence estimates, along with standard life expectancy and disability weights, were used to calculate YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs. When appropriate, we extrapolated estimates to a hypothetical population with a standardised age structure to allow comparison in populations with different age structures. We used the comparative risk assessment framework to estimate the risk-attributable type 2 diabetes burden for 16 risk factors falling under risk categories including environmental and occupational factors, tobacco use, high alcohol use, high body-mass index (BMI), dietary factors, and low physical activity. Using a regression framework, we forecast type 1 and type 2 diabetes prevalence through 2050 with Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and high BMI as predictors, respectively. FINDINGS : In 2021, there were 529 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 500–564) people living with diabetes worldwide, and the global age-standardised total diabetes prevalence was 6·1% (5·8–6·5). At the super-region level, the highest age-standardised rates were observed in north Africa and the Middle East (9·3% [8·7–9·9]) and, at the regional level, in Oceania (12·3% [11·5–13·0]). Nationally, Qatar had the world’s highest age-specific prevalence of diabetes, at 76·1% (73·1–79·5) in individuals aged 75–79 years. Total diabetes prevalence—especially among older adults—primarily reflects type 2 diabetes, which in 2021 accounted for 96·0% (95·1–96·8) of diabetes cases and 95·4% (94·9–95·9) of diabetes DALYs worldwide. In 2021, 52·2% (25·5–71·8) of global type 2 diabetes DALYs were attributable to high BMI. The contribution of high BMI to type 2 diabetes DALYs rose by 24·3% (18·5–30·4) worldwide between 1990 and 2021. By 2050, more than 1·31 billion (1·22–1·39) people are projected to have diabetes, with expected age-standardised total diabetes prevalence rates greater than 10% in two super-regions: 16·8% (16·1–17·6) in north Africa and the Middle East and 11·3% (10·8–11·9) in Latin America and Caribbean. By 2050, 89 (43·6%) of 204 countries and territories will have an age-standardised rate greater than 10%. INTERPRETATION : Diabetes remains a substantial public health issue. Type 2 diabetes, which makes up the bulk of diabetes cases, is largely preventable and, in some cases, potentially reversible if identified and managed early in the disease course. However, all evidence indicates that diabetes prevalence is increasing worldwide, primarily due to a rise in obesity caused by multiple factors. Preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes remains an ongoing challenge. It is essential to better understand disparities in risk factor profiles and diabetes burden across populations, to inform strategies to successfully control diabetes risk factors within the context of multiple and complex drivers.Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.http://www.thelancet.comam2024School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Product Optimization of a Fed-batch Fermentation Process

This paper discusses the development of constrained optimization strategies for a fed- batch penicillin fermentation process. To facilitate the study, a mathematical model of the system is developed based on published materials, and simulated using MATLAB software. Good agreement is obtained when the results are validated against published work. To provide on-line estimates of the difficult to measure penicillin concentration, Partial Least Squares model is employed. Using these estimates, good control of product concentration is established thus enabling it to be implemented as part of product concentration control loop. Further improvements are introduced using dynamic optimization aiming at increasing the achievable product concentration while satisfying all process constraints. Two strategies are considered. These are optimal control policy using direct-shooting algorithm and unconstrained Dynamic Matrix Control (DMC). From this two optimization approaches, it is possible to estimate the optimal operating conditions as substrate feed rate so that the systems presents high performance within threshold value limit. The result also revealed that the use of DMC approach is superior the direct shooting method in term of the penicillin concentration as well as penicillin purity. Results obtained in this study have exposed the potentials of dynamic optimization schemes in improving the product purity in a fed-batch fermentation process

Measuring Value - Based Productivity: A Confirmatory Factor Analytic (CFA) Approach

Productivity affects many organisations to survive in the rapidly progressing business environment. In this paper, productivity is viewed from the other side of coin which is through values as intangible enabler in fuelling it. Values play significant role for this reason. Therefore, this paper expounds the value-based productivity that is related to the performance of the organisation based on the literature review and expert’s view. This study aimed at testing the psychometric properties of the questionnaire of value-based productivity items of performance measurement based on the Value-based Total Performance Excellence Model. 600 questionnaires were distributed to the selected Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) i.e the public university of Malaysia. The data collected was analysed using predictive analytics software (PASW) and AMOS, both version 18. Structural Equation Modeling technique i.e. the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach was employed to test the 6-factor hypothesized model of the value-vased productivity which consisted values of efficiency, collectiveness, non-exploitative, economy of scale, frugality, timeliness. The result of the CFA suggested that the 6-factor hypothesised model to be revised and yielded a 4-factor measurement model of productivity values. The revised CFA measurement model indicated fit statistics that are adequate with normed chi-square = 2.190, CFI = 0.990, TLI = 0.974. GFI = 0.969 and RMSEA = 0.080. In conclusion, the revised model fitted the data well and there is no proof that the 4-factor measurement model is incorrect. Implications of the study was significant to the university for empowering value-based productivity approach. This is vital in ensuring that university is gearing up for achieving total organisational excellence as emphasized in 1Malaysia concept – ‘performance first’ i.e. to prioritize the organisational achievement

The Impact of Culture and Employee-Focused Criteria on Productivity: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Culture and employee-focused criteria are important factors for the success of any organization. These factors have to be aligned with the productivity initiatives in the organization in order to gear ahead for excellence. Therefore, this article investigated the impact of culture and employee-focused criteria on productivity in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia using intangible indicators through core values. The hypothesized relationship was tested the target population. The results of the modelling revealed that the PLS estimation confirmed all the hypotheses tested as in the hypothesized model. The results generally support significant relationships between culture values, employeefocused values and productivity-focused values. The study also confirmed the mediating role of employee-focused values for the relationship between culture values and productivity-focused values. In conclusion, the empirically validated results supported the adequacy of the hypothezised model of the impact of culture and employee-focused criteria on productivity in HEI through value-based indicators