The study of expatriates ‘motivation towards job performance in semiconductor industry in Melaka based on McClelland’s theory of needs / Abdul Razak Abdul Mutalib

This research was conducted for the purpose of “Motivation as Expatriates in Semiconductor Industry in Melaka based on McClelland’s Theory of Needs”. The main objective of this research was to identify the relationship of McClelland’s Theory of Needs towards expatriates. It is part of researcher’s intention to provide a few suggestions for expatriates on how the McClelland’s Theory of Needs would impact their motivation as expatriates in host-country. This research paper is supported by primary and secondary data. As for the primary data, the researcher used questionnaire as a medium to collect information from expatriates in semiconductor industry in Melaka. On the other hand, reliable sources have been used by the researcher as secondary data which main gained from journals and articles. The researcher used Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) as a platform to analyzed data gained from the respondents. This research will provide the proof of whether all the independent variables have significant relationship with motivation as expatriates

A digital platform to (re) link heritage of Malaysia : co-producing information concerning ICH / Irfan Ullah, Mokhtar Saidin and Abdul Mutalib

Since its implementation, the UNESCO’s Convention for the Protection and safeguarding of Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) remains a field of co-operation in what concerns its application in community and nation-wide strategies for the countries that approved the document. One of its the tangible influences has been the consciousness that new creativities must take place to recognise and document the living tradition of each region. Consequently, identifying Intangible Cultural Heritage is a keyword for the expansion of safeguarding and protection strategies, as it remains a dominant issue when it comes to pleasing to action any plan in this arena. The “Repository of Penang Cultural Diversity” is a working process project designed as a digital platform to enhance the broadcasting of knowledge and information about ICH in the Penang region (West Malaysia). It imagines a comprehensive approach to cultural heritage: material (buildings, objects, museum collections), intangible (know-how, cultural practices) and natural (cultural landscapes). Also, highlights a historical perception as well a modern view of how folk practices are taking place these days and highlights the active and developing nature of ICH. This short paper deliberates the concepts that guide the project, objectives and methodologies

Religious education and training in developing future human resource professionals : views from experts and teachers

The development of human capital focuses not only on acquiring technology and economic knowledge but also focuses on acquiring spiritual, social and political knowledge. Human capital development (HCD) processes relate closely to education and training. An individual who is exposed with technology and economic knowledge infused or integrated with religious education and training would be able to function productively, ethically, able to provide justice and tolerant to diversity of needs, problems and challenges facing a society and/or organization in a borderless competitive markets. The role of Islamic education and training is complementary in developing all-round professionals who are able to balance the demands and challenges of technology, economy, spirituality and quality of life in a developed nation. The main purpose of this study was to explore Islamic religious experts and excellent Islamic teachers’ views on developing future human resource professionals. A qualitative design was employed to explore themes related to the focus of the study among Islamic experts and excellent Islamic teachers. Participants of the study comprised eight (8) Islamic religious experts and 12 excellent Islamic teachers. In-depth interviews with the participants were conducted to gather the data. The findings indicated that Islamic religious experts and excellent Islamic teachers viewed the process and practices of HRD would be greatly strengthened through understanding and application of the contents of the al-Quran and Hadiths and able to apply and practice Islamic concepts and ethics in carrying out HRD functions. Implications that can be drawn from the findings suggest that religious concepts and ethics should be integrated or infused in the pre-service curriculum to prepare for a “balanced” HRD professional. In-service training programs for HRD professionals, on the other hand, should also include religious concepts and ethics to fortify them with the foundations of integrity, professionalism and accountability

Malaysian graduates of Middle-Eastern universities: perspectives on human capital development

Malaysian youth who graduate from Middle-Eastern Universities are important and suitable human capital for Malaysia as they are equally knowledgeable and skilful as any local or western university graduates. In fact, the additional components in their study programmes such as Islamic philosophy, principles and ethics based on the al-Quran and Hadith form the foundation for integrity and accountability. Science, technology and Islamic knowledge are critical ingredients of human capital development in any organisation to ensure high productivity embedded with integrity, professionalism and accountability. The main purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting human capital development among Malaysian graduates of Middle-Eastern universities. The factors identified were their preparation before leaving for their studies, their studying practices, their academic achievements, their personality development and their experiences (good and bad) while they were in Middle-Eastern universities. This study used the quantitative design on 386 Malaysian graduates who graduated from Middle-Eastern universities; these graduates were serving in several government and private-sector agencies. The findings indicated that all the independent variables had significant positive relationship with the dependent variable, that is, the process of human capital development with r values ranging from .280 (preparation before going to Middle- Eastern universities) to .546 (personality development). The findings of this study suggest that Malaysian graduates of Middle- Eastern universities are an important source of human capital that can steer the future development of the nation alongside their peers who graduate from local and western universities

Hybrid memristor-CMOS implementation of logic gates design using LTSpice

In this paper, a hybrid memristor-CMOS implementation of logic gates simulated using LTSpice. Memristors' implementation in computer architecture designs explored in various design structures proposed by researchers from all around the world. However, all prior designs have some drawbacks in terms of applicability, scalability, and performance. In this research, logic gates design based on the hybrid memristor-CMOS structure presented. 2-inputs AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR are demonstrated with minimum components requirements. In addition, a 1-bit full adder circuit with high performance and low area consumption is also proposed. The proposed full adder only consists of 4 memristors and 7 CMOS transistors. Half design of the adder base on the memristor component created. Through analysis and simulations, the memristor implementation on designing logic gates using memristor-CMOS structure demonstrated using the generalized metastable switch memristor (MSS) model and LTSpice. In conclusion, the proposed approach improves speed and require less area

N-(2,6-Dimethylphenyl)-N′-propanoyl­thiourea

In the title compound, C12H16N2OS, an intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond forms an S(6) ring motif. The propionyl­thio­urea group is approximately planar [with a maximum deviation of 0.135 (2) Å] and forms a dihedral angle of 83.39 (7)° with the benzene ring. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by pairs of N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds, forming centrosymmetric dimers and generating R 2 2(8) ring motifs

Tuberculosis in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Peninsular Malaysia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from 10 January to 9 April 2012, to determine the seroprevalence of tuberculosis (TB) of all captive Asian elephants and their handlers in six locations in Peninsular Malaysia. In addition, trunk-wash samples were examined for tubercle bacillus by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For 63 elephants and 149 elephant handlers, TB seroprevalence was estimated at 20·4% and 24·8%, respectively. From 151 trunk-wash samples, 24 acid-fast isolates were obtained, 23 of which were identified by hsp65-based sequencing as non-tuberculous mycobacteria. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific PCR was positive in the trunk-wash samples from three elephants which were also seropositive. Conversely, the trunk wash from seven seropositive elephants were PCR negative. Hence, there was evidence of active and latent TB in the elephants and the high seroprevalence in the elephants and their handlers suggests frequent, close contact, two-way transmission between animals and humans within confined workplaces

Evidence and potential risk factors of tuberculosis among captive Asian elephants and wildlife staff in Peninsular Malaysia

Elephant tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an important re-emerging zoonosis with considerable conservation and public health risk. We conducted prospective cohort and cross-sectional studies in elephants and wildlife staff respectively in order to identify potential risk factors associated with TB in captive Asian elephants and their handlers in Peninsular Malaysia. Sixty elephants in six different facilities were screened for TB longitudinally using the ElephantTB STAT-PAK and DPP VetTB assays from February 2012 to May 2014, and 149 wildlife staff were examined for tuberculosis infection using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube (QFT) assay from January to April, 2012. Information on potential risk factors associated with infection in both elephants and staff were collected using questionnaires and facility records. The overall seroprevalence of TB amongst the elephants was 23.3% (95% CI: 13.8–36.3) and the risk of seroconversion was significantly higher among elephants with assigned mahouts [p = 0.022, OR = 4.9 (95% CI: 1.3–18.2)]. The percentage of QFT responders among wildlife staff was 24.8% (95% CI: 18.3–32.7) and the risk of infection was observed to be significantly associated with being a zoo employee [p = 0.018, OR = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.2–6.3)] or elephant handler [p = 0.035, OR = 4.1 (95% CI: 1.1–15.5)]. These findings revealed a potential risk of TB infection in captive elephants and handlers in Malaysia, and emphasize the need for TB screening of newly acquired elephants, isolating sero-positive elephants and performing further diagnostic tests to determine their infection status, and screening elephant handlers for TB, pre- and post-employment

Health risk assessment of heavy metal exposure to classroom dust in primary school, Serdang (Malaysia)

Investigation of indoor dust is one of the major pathways in children exposure to heavy metal. High concentration of heavy metal in dust will have significant unequivocal ecological impacts and pose a potential health hazard. Dust samples were collected from seven randomly selected classrooms using a clean plastic brush and shovel. The dust samples were digested using aqua regia method and analyzed for Cd, Pb and Cu using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Non-cancer effects due to heavy metal exposure from the classroom dust were also assessed. The heavy metal concentrates found on the floor, fan and windows were 0.17–6.14 μg/g for Cd, 0.34–454.86 μg/g for Pb and 12.63–185.82 μg/g for Cu, respectively. In comparison to other reported studies in the literature, the maximum levels of Cd, Pb and Cu were comparable or lower to those reported elsewhere. According to the calculation on Hazard Quotient (HQ) in the case of non-cancer effects, primary school children are experiencing no adverse effects since