On Bootstrap Methods in Orthogonal Regression Model

This paper discusses the nonparametric bootstrap method for evaluating the standard errors of the parameter estimates of orthogonal regression. The percentile, bias-corrected, the bias-corrected and accelerated (BCA) , and the calibrated or iterated BCA method were considered for confidence intervals for the parameters of the model. Based on simulation studies, it was found that the iterated BCA method produced a more reliable confidence interval than the other methods

On Robust Alternatives to the Maximum Likelihood Estimators of a Linear Functional Relationship

This paper discusses a number of candidates for robust estimator TS of a simple linear functional relationship (SLFR). The classical maximum likelihood estimators of the SLFR can be affected by the presence of possible outliers. This is due to the fact that they are mean-based estimators. Some median-based estimator of the SLFR are examined. Among those considered Their-type estimators and the modified LI-norm estimator are found to be most robust (i.e insensitive to the outliers)

Addressing demographic differences in servicescape influence among department stores’ patrons in Malaysia / Zuraini Alias, Mokhtar Abdullah

While numerous published works have extensively examined servicescape models and its linkage to loyalty, not many have systematically examined the influence of demographic factors specifically on servicescape in the context of department stores. The purpose of this study is to examine whether servicescape of department stores have specific influence on six demographic characteristics (age, gender, income, race, education and occupation). A mall intercept method was conducted by administering 560 questionnaires across 5 regions in Malaysia. The results indicate that age and income are strongly associated with servicescape (differences in perception as well as experiences on servicescape), while gender, race, occupation, education and occupation are not. Additionally, it was found that older consumers possess different motives on servicescape implications compared to the younger consumers. The results indicated that patrons to department stores have different perception on servicescapes especially among the high income and younger age groups. The findings will enable retailers to understand the implications of customers’ experiential values and personality in line with the demographic characteristics affecting the servicescape offerings. This could lead to better servicescape development strategies to create unique in-store environments to enhance shopping experiences and therefore, result in more satisfied shoppers

On Robust Environmental Quality Indices

This paper discusses a formulation of new environmental quality indices, which can be used for monitoring environmental as well as meteorological parameters. The formulation of the indices is based on conventional and robust principal component analysis, which gives the linear combination of environmental parameters. Comparisons are made between the conventional principal component analysis (PCA) indices and robust principal component analysis (RPCA) indices. The results show that the RPCA gave a better alternative linear combination. A numerical example on air quality was used to illustrate the application of the robust environmental indices

Pengurusan laporan penyelidikan : Pusat Gedung Data Hidraulik Kebangsaan Malaysia

Bidang penyelidikan air dan persekitaran di Malaysia telah menghasilkan pelbagai jenis maklumat melalui penerbitan buku, laporan, jurnal dan majalah. Maklumat-maklumat yang diperoleh melalui bidang penyelidikan ini adalah pelbagai dan ia merupakan aset kepada para penyelidik dalam menjalankan aktiviti penyelidikan sama ada sebelum, semasa dan selepas penyelidikan dilakukan. Maklumat-maklumat yang diperoleh melalui aktiviti penyelidikan juga digunakan oleh pelbagai pihak untuk pelbagai tujuan. Menyedari kepentingan perkongsian dan penggunaan maklumat daripada laporan penyelidikan, pengurusan maklumat penyelidikan tersebut secara berhemah dan sistematik adalah penting, NAHRIM telah mengambil inisiatif membangunkan sebuah aplikasi yang bertindak sebagai platform yang menyimpan semua maklumat laporan penyelidikan yang telah dihasilkan di Malaysia. Fokus pembangunan platform ini adalah untuk membolehkan maklumat-maklumat tersebut diakses, diguna dan dimanipulasi untuk kepelbagaian penggunaan. Platform ini membolehkan maklumat daripada pelbagai penyelidikan berkaitan air dan persekitaran dari pelbagai sumber dikumpul dan dikategorikan mengikut subject matters bagi memudahkan proses pencarian maklumat yang lebih efisen serta pembinaan maklumat yang lebih komprehensif. Pembangunan platform ini bermanfaat kepada banyak pihak dalam usaha mendapatkan maklumat penyelidikan air dan persekitaran di Malaysia dengan merujuk kepada platform yang disediakan. Selain itu, melalui pembangunan platform ini, maklumat-maklumat penyelidikan telah diperkaya dan diperkasakan dengan menggunakan semula maklumat-maklumat penyelidikan yang sedia ada disimpan di dalam platform ini

Age and sequence of eruption of permanent teeth in children and adolescents in North-eastern Malaysia

The aim of this study is to determine the age and sequence of eruption of permanent teeth as well as gender differences in children and adolescents in the state of Kelantan, north-eastern Malaysia. Cross-sectional data on permanent tooth eruption were collected by examining pre-school, primary and secondary school children of 5-17 years of age. The subjects were drawn by multistage random sampling from the school register. There were 2382 subjects in the sample, 1062 boys and 1320 girls. A tooth was considered erupted if any part of its crown was visible in the mouth. The data were subjected to probit analysis to compute the eruption time of each individual tooth in terms of median, 95th percentile and 99 percentile. The mean age of eruption of lower first molar is 6.0 years (5.8yr,6.2yr) at 95%CI and for lower canine is 10.2 years (10.0yr,l0.3yr) at 95%CI. The median age of eruption of each tooth was earlier in girls than in boys. Although the range of years during which the teeth erupted was similar in both sexes, the sequence of the individual teeth differed. All mandibular teeth, with the exception of first and second premolars in both males and females, tended to erupt earlier than their maxillary counterparts. The findings seem to correspond to earlier studies done in the other parts of the world, however the eruption time seems to be earlier compared to studies done in Thailand and Madras

Peranan Pengetua dalam Pembangunan Staf

The Principal is appointed by Ministry Of Education, Malaysia to be the head of teacher and non-teaching staff in a secondary school. Staff development in the school is part of the duty and responsibility of the principal. The objective of this study is to explore or identify the extent of principal’s role in staff development. This study will investigate: 1) Principal’s understanding of the concept, aim, objective and benefits in staff development; 2) Principal’s perception of the assisting and restricting factors in staff development; 3) Principal’s understanding in evaluation of staff development and the relation of staff appraisal with staff development; 4) Determine approach and strategy undertaken by the principal in implementing: (a) Need assesment of staff development; (b) Varied activities, technique and situation in staff development; (c) Selection of participants of staff development programs; and, (d) Evaluation of staff development. A random sampling of 65 principal from grade A and grade B secondary school in Pahang where six of the principal selected at random to be interviewed. The instruments of this study consist of non-structural question for interview and a set of self developed questionnaire. Major findings are: (1) Principal have a high level of: (a) Understanding of the aim, objective and benefits in staff development; (b) Understanding of the assisting and restricting factors in staff development; (c) Understanding in evaluation of staff development and the relation of staff appraisal with staff development; (2) Implementation of development is still at the moderate level and: (a) Need assesment is more towards informal approach; (b) Varied types of activities more on internal or in-house training, techniques used more on conventional or traditional approach and situation in SW development focusing to internal or school’s environment; (c) Selection of participants of staff development programs; and, (d) Evaluation of staff development focusing on informal observation and discussion; (3) Understanding and implementation of staff development are not statistically significant based on demographic factors such as school grade, principal grade and gender

Global positioning system (GPS) positioning errors modeling using Global Ionospheric Scintillation Model (GISM)

As technology advancement progresses throughout the years in this modern age, every technology has its part to play in that the world is moving towards a brighter future. GPS (Global Positioning System) has diverse application in current globalized world, its application has pervasive benefits not only to navigation and positioning, it is pivotal in industries like logistics, shipping, financial services and agriculture. Since the decision to shut down the Selectivity Availability (SA) by former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, ionospheric effect is now the primary concern of error contributing factors in GPS. Ionospheric scintillation induces rapid fluctuations in the phase and the amplitude of received GNSS signals. These rapid fluctuations or scintillation potentially introduce cycle slips, degrade range measurements, and if severe enough lead to loss of lock in phase and code. Global Ionospheric Scintillation Model (GISM) was used to compute amplitude scintillation parameter for each GPS satellite visible from Melaka, Malaysia (Latitude 2° 14' N, Longitude 102° 16' E) as its location has strong equatorial scintillation behavior. The output data from GISM was then used to calculate the positioning error. There are two schemes that were used. First, the positioning error was calculated for all the visible satellites. Secondly, the positioning error was calculated for those satellite that have amplitude scintillation index, S4 <;0.7. Comparison of results from the both schemes was then made

Conceptual framework of organizational knowledge management capabilities

Various efforts were attempted by companies to deploy knowledge management.The quest to move beyond information management and into the realm o undertaking involving the development of the structures of the firm.Therefore, the identification and assessment of precondition is necessary for the organization to have successful knowledge management initiatives.The paper provides a theoretical framework on assessing the capability of an organization towards successful knowledge management.The framework providestwo dimensions of organizational capabilities namely socio-technical and processes.Then, it leads to organizational effectiveness, and finally, leads to organizational performance