Empirical forecasting practices of a British university

This article is based on a single case study aimed at examining behavioral issues of forecasting, in particular the role and practice of forecasting in a British university settings. Key variables were identified in establishing associations between the variables that provide suitable criteria for the purpose of this study. Data collection was based on questionnaires distributed to people involved and interviews which were held with prominent staff of the University. Fisher-exact tests were performed to identify significant associations between variables. Results indicated the various levels of perceptions and practices of forecasting produced by the people involved at the University. The study implies that useful insights can be gathered through forecasting from a different perspective of the non-profit making service industry

Nondestructive and noncontact dielectric measurement methods for transformer oil using free-space microwave measurement system in 19 25 GHz frequency range

Nondestructive, noncontact and real time evaluation of dielectric properties of low-loss liquids are important for applications such as service-aged transformer oil, biomedical, remote sensing and design of radar absorbing material. Free-space methods were developed to measure dielectric properties of low-loss liquids at microwave frequencies. Metal-back method was developed for Freespace Microwave Measurement system (FSMM). The purpose of this research is to measure the dielectric properties of transformer oil by using free-space microwave measurement system between 18 – 26 GHz (K-band), to compare measured results with published results for transformer oil and to collect the variation values of dielectric properties in microwave frequency between 18GHz to 26GHz (k-band). FSMM system consists of spot focusing horn lens antennas, mode transitions, coaxial cables and vector network analyzer (VNA). Dielectric constants and loss factors were measured for new transformer oil and all results close agreed with published data. It is observed that metalback method is suitable for dielectric measurement of transformer oil

The 21st century accounting career from the perspective of the Malaysian university students

Using questionnaire setting, this study examines the perception of the Malaysian public university students on the accounting career in Malaysia. This study seeks to identify the respondents’ preferred accounting career, their career exposure, the factors perceived to be important for an accountant and the acquisition qualities of an accountant. The results of this study provide interesting responses from the respondents. More respondents prefer to become a public accountant rather than holding a management post. The respondents obtained their career exposure mostly from the professional accounting bodies and the factors perceived to be most important in an accountant are work performance and self confidence. Salary is also one of the factors perceived to be important for an accountant. The respondents also perceived the essential qualities of an accountant are acquired through education. The results of this study provide insights to the bodies of accounting profession, employers and academics on the nature and relative importance of the factors deemed important for the accounting students in their employment decision and their preferences to employment opportunities

Pharmaceutical patents and access to essential medicines in sub-Saharan Africa

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) has reawakened old arguments over the impact of the intellectual property (IP) system on public access to essential medicines. As used here, essential medicines are those needed in symptom management, palliative care, and in the treatment of infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), malaria, tuberculosis, and sleeping sickness in places like sub-Saharan Africa. Some argue that patents will further inhibit access to these medicines in sub-Saharan Africa. Others, however, argue the opposite. The latter maintain that patent protection under TRIPS can promote the growth of the pharmaceutical industry in places like sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, they assert that pharmaceutical patents are not responsible for the limited access to essential medicines in sub-Saharan Africa. Instead, they trace the problem of access to non-patent factors, such as poverty, the lack of supportive infrastructure, and poor governance. This paper set out to assess these contrasting arguments, with a view to determining the actual impact that pharmaceutical patents may be having on access to essential medicines in sub-Saharan Africa. Keyword search of electronic databases was conducted, in addition to a review of relevant literature from print sources. A manual analysis then followed. It was found that, rather than a single set of factors, both patent and nonpatent factors combine to inhibit access to essential medicines in sub-Saharan Africa. It is imperative for sub-Saharan African countries to review current tariff and taxation policies, take steps to improve the supply of vital infrastructure, and strengthen their overall healthcare systems. They should also ensure that their IP systems are supportive of public healthcare needs. Equally important, is that TRIPS and the IP system should be more supportive of sub-Saharan Africa’s struggle to bear its disease burden, rather than focusing narrowly on profit maximisation for pharmaceutical companies. Sub-Saharan Africa also needs increased international financing, private-public collaboration in research, and the sharing of benefits in order to cater effectively for the health needs of its citizens.Key words: Trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (trips), essential medicines, sub-Saharan Africa, pharmaceutical, patents, access, malaria, human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)

Historical and current legislations of Taman Negara National Park Peninsular Malaysia

The study was conducted to discuss the historical and current legislation pertaining to the establishment and administration of the Taman Negara National Park, Peninsular Malaysia. Established in 1938 and 1939 as King George V National Park, the park was named Taman Negara National Park after independent in 1957. Estimated to be 130 million years old and with an area of 4,343 sq kilometers, the highest mountain in the peninsular, Gunung Tahan (2,187 meter) is allocated in the area. Taman Negara National Park is a combination of three protected areas in three states, Taman Negara Pahang National Park, Taman Negara Kelantan National Park and Taman Negara Terengganu National Park. Currently all the three states has its own legislation, namely Taman Negara Enactment (Pahang) No.2, 1939 [En.2 of 1938], Taman Negara Enactment (Kelantan) No.14, 1938 [En.14 of 1938] and Taman Negara Enactment (Terengganu) No.6, 1939 [En.6 of 1358]. In Malaysia, some laws are federal legislation. Others are state enactments. Not all legislation enacted will apply to the whole Peninsular, the state of Sabah and Sarawak. To provide for the establishment and control of National Parks and for matters connected herewith, the Federal National Parks Act (Act 226) was introduced in 1980. This federal act shall not apply to the three states. Since this is the constitutional position, constraints especially on uniformity of laws either to promote or enforced, particularly in respect matters stated and List 1 Federal List (Ninth Schedule of Article 74, 77 Legislative Lists), List II – State List (Article 95B (1) (a) and List III – Concurrent List (Article 95B (1) (b) often exists. Thus, there are some matters which the National Parks fall under the legislative authority of both the Federal and State Governments. However, forestry and land fall under the jurisdiction and legislative authority of the state in accordance with the Concurrent List of the Ninth Schedule. The areas of jurisdiction of Federal and State Governments as defined in the Constitution lead to non-uniform implementation of rules and regulations between states. The objective of this paper is to review the laws and legislation pertaining to the management of the National Park in Peninsular Malaysia. Specifically the constraints arises between the federal and states jurisdiction toward the management of land and conservation of the protected area

Risks and benefits of genetically modified foods

There are claims that fear towards new technology has been caused by the lack of information and education on the subject to the public. Modern biotechnology and its applications have been receiving the same criticism. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the trends and coverage of genetically modified food (GMF) related issues available in an online database. In order to achieve this, GMFrelated articles (n = 60) were retrieved from a database, Science Direct, from the year 2005 until 2010. These articles were then analyzed using the annotated bibliography and content analysis techniques. It was found that the highest number of articles was in the ’Technical/Progress’ theme with 22 counts followed by the ‘Attitude’ theme with 13 counts. Meanwhile, the ‘Social Risks and/or Benefits’ theme was the lowest with only 1 paper identified. This trend shows that the focus of the majority of papers published were on the progress of GMF technology followed by attitude studies (such as perceptions and willingness to buy) and only a few were discussing the risk and benefit aspects of GMF. These findings are useful in giving us an insight of what have been discussed on GMF in the existing literature.Key words: Genetically modified food (GMF), themes, risks and benefits, content analysis, biotechnology

Hybrid Topology of Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) Filter and Microstrip Patch Antenna for Wireless Communication System

This paper presents an analysis based upon the resonant circuit approach to develop hybrid system for integrating a microwave filter and an antenna in a single device. This technique is used to reduce the overall volume of RF/ microwave front-end device especially in wireless communication systems. This study focuses on the hybrid of rectangular Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) filter with rectangular microstrip patch antenna to produce filtering and radiating element in a single system. To prove the concept, the hybrid of microwave filter and antenna, the operating frequency of 2 GHz is demonstrated and validated through simulation and experimental. The experimental performance shows promising results which were in good agreement with the simulated results particularly in exhibiting return loss better than 10 dB in the passband region. This study is useful for any hybrid microwave system whereby it can reduce the complexity of the design, weight and cost as it is very important in base stations and multiplexer in any wireless communication systems

The geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor of mercury in mangrove sediment of Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Mangrove areas are important to the ecosystem. One of its crucial functions is as a sink of pollutants, especially metal ions. However, the accumulation of metals in mangrove sediment can generate negative impacts on plant growth, microbial activity, and soil fertility. Apart from that, the severity of the impact is highly influenced by the type of metal found in the sediment and the quality of sediment itself. One of the metals that have adverse effects on the environment is mercury. The objectives of this study are to determine the concentration and distribution of mercury and to assess the enrichment of mercury in Port Klang mangrove sediment by using geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor. Sediment samples were collected from 30 sampling points that cover Langat River and Klang River estuaries, Lumut Straits, Pulau Klang, and Pulau Indah. During sampling, water parameters such as pH, salinity, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids were measured in situ, whereas the total mercury in sediment samples was determined at the laboratory using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In this study, mercury was found to be concentrated along Lumut Strait especially in the mixing zone near the confluence of Langat River and at the jetty to Pulau Ketam. The geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor (calculated using logarithmized data of the reference element) found that three stations were enriched with mercury. In addition, geoaccumulation index was also observed to be more objective compared to enrichment factor whose results were influenced by the concentration of reference element used

Litterfall production in a tropical mangrove of Sarawak, Malaysia

Assessment of litterfall production is essential to ascertain the status of nutrient cycling and forest health. Sarawak, Malaysia, is endowed with numerous pristine and estuarine mangroves; however, research on primary productivity of these forests is scanty. Therefore, litterfall production in a pristine Sibuti mangrove of Sarawak was estimated using litter traps for one year (January–December 2013), and forest structure was studied through tree census. The forest was dominated by Rhizophora apiculata (relative density [RD] was 77.11%), followed by Xylocarpus granatum (RD was 16.92%) and other species (RD was only 5.97%). The annual dry weight of litterfalls was estimated to be 1640.82 g m−2, of which R. apiculata contributed 92.94%, followed by X. granatum (4.01%) and other species (3.05%). Leaves were the most abundant (57.21%) contributory component of litters, followed by propagules (11.89%), flowers (10.85%), twigs (8.56%), and stipules (8.45%). No significant correlations were found for total litterfall and its major components with climatic variables and forest structure. Total litterfall of R. apiculata and X. granatum did not show any seasonal variations. However, leaf litter of R. apiculata showed a significant seasonal variation between intermediate (January–April) and wet (September–December) seasons. The litterfall production of Sibuti mangrove forest is higher in comparison to other tropical mangroves of the world. The higher productivity of the forest could be due to nutrient availability, pristine nature, and stand maturity of the forest rather than climatic influences. The findings of the study suggest that litterfall production of the pristine Sibuti mangrove is not influenced by the variability of climatic factors