Identifying And Understanding Factors Lead To Malaysian's Port Development : Technology Perspective

The study that has been conducted basically is related to the three main ports in Malaysia particularly Port of Klang, Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) and Port of Penang. The main objective of this study is researcher wanted to understanding the factors that lead to the development of Malaysian's port whereby the technology perspective is addressed. In order to reach this objective, a comprehensive and intensive reading has been done and it's followed by analyzing those sources in depth. This kind of method is also known as Content Analysis. Those data that have been analyzed is listed in the table in order to show and prove it is reliable. From the analysis that has been done, it is proved that those three ports in Malaysia use the sophisticated technology in order to develop their ports. From the finding also showed, that those three ports applied and used the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). However, only Port of Klang use and applied the EDI comprehensively compared to the other ports which is Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) and Port of Penang. Besides, this study also found that the other technology approaches are also being use and apply at those three ports along with the EDI system in order to ensure that the cargo handling can be done smoothly and properly

The competitiveness of ports on the periphery: what could be done?

There is abundant research into the competitiveness of maritime transportation and the port industry in general. In addition, previous and current researches apparently prone to investigate the competitiveness and performance of large size of ports that hold international and regional hub status. Of these studies, it is interesting to note that there is scarce study in the smaller size of ports, in particular the ones that have disadvantage in term of location. In the literature, the study of the small size of ports is more focusing on its development only. However, there is little research into how to make small size of port or ‘ports on the periphery’ more competitive although they face particularly strong threats in a highly competitive environment. Thus, gap is identified. More importantly, in enhancing the competitiveness and subsequently the performance of this category of ports, this study also proposing spatial characteristics, port supply chain integration and sustainability advantages are seen as the promising strategies that able to assist the ports to compete with other adjacent small or large ports

Preliminary study on new container stacking/storage system due to space limitations in container yard

Purpose:The purpose of this study is to introduce a new innovative means of container stacking/storage as a potential solution for overcoming the lack of container yard space. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative methodology that incorporates questionnaires and interview sessions as the tools is utilised together with an application of new innovation concept.Findings:The proposed system not only allows increased efficiency and effectiveness in handling containers, but also increases the profit margin of ports, as container stacking/storage is tripled in height. Research limitations/implications:This is just the beginning of a preliminary research study that proposes a new container stacking/storage system to address the lack of space in container yards. Therefore, much more work needs to be done in future studies before a solid and concrete decision on the application of this innovative system can be carried out.Practical implications:The practicality of the proposed model means that it can be easily implemented to address space limitation problems in ports. Social implications:The benefits of the results to the local community around ports are a healthier environment, with cleaner air, so that there will be less health issues of the residents and therefore reduced burden on the local health system. This is due to the use of technology that will prevent the expansion of ports that ultimately could lead to deforestation and environmental damage.This technology will also help to preserve the greenery of the area around ports.Originality/value:An innovative model of a container stacking/storage system is presented in this study as a possible solution to the problem

Factors contributing to the imbalances of cargo flows in Malaysia large-scale minor ports using a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) approach

Malaysian ports have been recording imbalances in cargo flows year after year, whether in the form of a deficit or surplus, and the condition is becoming significant. As such, it has raised concerns among port stakeholders about the impact of such a situation on the sustainability of port operations, as well as questions about the actual reasons behind the occurrence, which is still ambiguous with regard to large-scale minor ports in Malaysia. This study was aimed at identifying the main factors that are contributing to the imbalanced cargo flows at large-scale minor ports in Malaysia by ranking all the possible factors using a systematic decision-making technique known as FAHP. The results showed that “economic factors” are the main contributors to these imbalances, followed by several other factors. This study contributes a clear insight into the main factors that are causing the imbalances in cargo flows at large-scale minor ports in Malaysia. Also, it may assist decision-makers and policymakers in identifying the key factors that are affecting business operations at these ports as well as guide them into using a systematic analytical approach like the FAHP to evaluate other situations with regard to the business, operations and management of ports, where applicable

The sustainable port classification framework for enhancing the port coordination system

The port classification framework is not only beneficial for highlighting the background of the ports, but can also be utilized in the benchmarking and comparison of port coordination systems. In Malaysia, the lack of concrete justifications in the existing port classification process had resulted in a debatable framework of port classification development and consequently, confusion among the port stakeholders. As such, this study is conducted with the aim of revising the Malaysian ports’ classification framework according to the global perspective of a sustainable port classification framework through the enhancement of its national port coordination system. By using a qualitative approach of descriptive analysis, the background of the port classification systems was not only analysed according to the Malaysian and global perspectives, the segregation of three different ports classes was also emphasized in the enhancement of the country's port coordination system. Apart from being a comprehensive reference that aids the academicians and stakeholders in the improvement of the existing loopholes in the Malaysian port coordination system, this paper had also offered a sustainable classification framework guideline for decision and policy-makers in the expansion of port competitiveness through a reclassification of the national port operations

Evaluation of delay factors on dry bulk cargo operation in Malaysia: a case study of Kemaman Port

There are various types of delay factors that could affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the dry bulk cargo operation, especially in port. Hence, it raises the concerns of the stakeholders, as some of them can significantly affect their actual transport plans and cost them extra money to handle the cargo. Due to uncertainty of the most significant delay factor in some Malaysia's dry bulk ports, therefore, this study aims to evaluate the most significant delay factors that causing delays in dry bulk cargo operation by using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method. This study found that the factor of ‘Miscellaneous’ is the most significant factor that contributed to the most of delay creations in dry bulk cargo operation in Kemaman port. Meanwhile, sub-criterion of ‘Foul weather and tide prediction’ is selected as the most significant sub-cause of delay creation in similar port. This study contributes the practical technique and valuable findings to the port and its stakeholders, where it may alert the them to measure the factors that affect their operational performance and business. Also, it introduces the usage of practical and systematical analysis technique for assisting the seaport operator or interested parties in analyzing the potential contributors of a condition in the port settings

Evaluation of warehousing productivity performance indicators by the FAHP method

A warehouse is an important component in logistics operation as it is a huge contributor to speed up and cost the supply chain management.To monitor the performance of the warehouse operation, management will analyse the measurement of warehousing productivity. The basis of measuring productivity performance in the warehouse is based on how much it cost to perform an operation by utilising the warehouse resources. The purpose of this paper is to rank the most important warehouse productivity indicator for improving the warehouse operation efficiency. By indicating the main warehouse resources and its sub-criteria, a hierarchy structure of ratio-based warehousing productivity performance indicators is constructed. It presents an empirical methodology of the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) method, an integration between the fuzzy logic method with an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method. The results indicate that Warehouse Management System scores the highest weight value which followed by Storage Space Utilisation and Throughput accordingly. This contributes to grab more attention on the utilization of technologies into the warehouse operation. This article also identifies several additional research opportunities on warehouse performance evaluation assessment

Results of the COVID-19 mental health international for the general population (COMET-G) study.

INTRODUCTION: There are few published empirical data on the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, and until now, there is no large international study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, an online questionnaire gathered data from 55,589 participants from 40 countries (64.85% females aged 35.80 ± 13.61; 34.05% males aged 34.90±13.29 and 1.10% other aged 31.64±13.15). Distress and probable depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analyses and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested relations among variables. RESULTS: Probable depression was detected in 17.80% and distress in 16.71%. A significant percentage reported a deterioration in mental state, family dynamics and everyday lifestyle. Persons with a history of mental disorders had higher rates of current depression (31.82% vs. 13.07%). At least half of participants were accepting (at least to a moderate degree) a non-bizarre conspiracy. The highest Relative Risk (RR) to develop depression was associated with history of Bipolar disorder and self-harm/attempts (RR = 5.88). Suicidality was not increased in persons without a history of any mental disorder. Based on these results a model was developed. CONCLUSIONS: The final model revealed multiple vulnerabilities and an interplay leading from simple anxiety to probable depression and suicidality through distress. This could be of practical utility since many of these factors are modifiable. Future research and interventions should specifically focus on them

Contributions of mean and shape of blood pressure distribution to worldwide trends and variations in raised blood pressure: A pooled analysis of 1018 population-based measurement studies with 88.6 million participants

© The Author(s) 2018. Background: Change in the prevalence of raised blood pressure could be due to both shifts in the entire distribution of blood pressure (representing the combined effects of public health interventions and secular trends) and changes in its high-blood-pressure tail (representing successful clinical interventions to control blood pressure in the hypertensive population). Our aim was to quantify the contributions of these two phenomena to the worldwide trends in the prevalence of raised blood pressure. Methods: We pooled 1018 population-based studies with blood pressure measurements on 88.6 million participants from 1985 to 2016. We first calculated mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and prevalence of raised blood pressure by sex and 10-year age group from 20-29 years to 70-79 years in each study, taking into account complex survey design and survey sample weights, where relevant. We used a linear mixed effect model to quantify the association between (probittransformed) prevalence of raised blood pressure and age-group- and sex-specific mean blood pressure. We calculated the contributions of change in mean SBP and DBP, and of change in the prevalence-mean association, to the change in prevalence of raised blood pressure. Results: In 2005-16, at the same level of population mean SBP and DBP, men and women in South Asia and in Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa would have the highest prevalence of raised blood pressure, and men and women in the highincome Asia Pacific and high-income Western regions would have the lowest. In most region-sex-age groups where the prevalence of raised blood pressure declined, one half or more of the decline was due to the decline in mean blood pressure. Where prevalence of raised blood pressure has increased, the change was entirely driven by increasing mean blood pressure, offset partly by the change in the prevalence-mean association. Conclusions: Change in mean blood pressure is the main driver of the worldwide change in the prevalence of raised blood pressure, but change in the high-blood-pressure tail of the distribution has also contributed to the change in prevalence, especially in older age groups

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely