A simple checking algorithm with perturb and observe maximum power point tracking for partially shaded photovoltaic system

This paper presents a simple checking algorithm for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique for Photovoltaic (PV) system using Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm. The main benefit of this checking algorithm is the simplicity and efficiency of the system whose duty cycle produced by the MPPT is smoother and changes faster according to maximum power point (MPP). This checking algorithm can determine the maximum power first before the P & O algorithm takes place to identify the voltage at MPP (VMPP), which is needed to calculate the duty cycle for the boost converter. To test the effectiveness of the algorithm, a simulation model of PV system has been carried out using MATLAB/Simulink under different level of irradiation; or in other words partially shaded condition of PV array. The results from the system using the proposed approach prove to have faster response and low ripple. Besides, the results are close to the desired outputs and exhibit an approximately 98.25% of the system efficiency. On the other hand, the system with conventional P&O MPPT seems to be unstable and has higher percentage of error. In summary, the proposed method is useful under varying level of irradiation with higher efficiency of the system

Organizational Capabilities, Strategic Management Accounting and Firm Performance

From a resource-based view perspective, the paper provides empirical evidence on new emerging strategic management accounting (SMA), its association with organizational capabilities (market orientation, entrepreneurship, innovativeness and organizational learning) and the interlinkages among these four elements of organizational capabilities. Partial least squares (PLS) technique was used to test the contingency model. Using the mail survey data of 103 manufacturing strategic business units (SBUs) of public listed companies in Malaysia, the results found that the four organizational capabilities - market orientation, entrepreneurship, innovativeness and organizational learning - collectively give rise to positional advantage leading to enhanced firm performance. SMA techniques are found to support the internal organizational capabilities. However, SMA USAge is not associated with firm performance, indicating that the mediation role of SMA USAge on the relationship between organizational capabilities and firm performance is not supported. The results confirm that a firm can attain above average performance if it possesses and emphasizes the four organizational capabilities collectively and these four organizational capabilities collectively are also important to support the USAge of SMA techniques which can provide useful information for improvement of internal capabilities as well as resource allocation and utilization

Nurture Students Soft Skills Through Project-oriented Problem-based Learning Approach in Siswa@Fesyen

The quality of graduates should be strengthened to enhance their marketability after graduation. Unemployment issues among graduates in Malaysia are still reported to be high. Several factors have contributed to the occurrence of this situation including the lack of soft skills in graduates. This article discusses the role, implementation, and outcomes of Siswa@Fesyen programs that have been implemented to nurture student’s soft skills through Project-oriented Problem-based Learning (PoPBL). The Siswa@Fesyen program involves 40 final-year students from the Bachelor of Home Economics Education at Universiti Putra Malaysia. Qualitative studies involving observation and interviews were conducted to review the program’s outcomes in nurturing student’s soft skills and character development. Students’ feedback shows that this program has successfully achieved the main objective which is to nurture student’s soft skills as well as strengthening student’s sewing skills in producing fashion designs. Finally, the findings show that the Siswa@Fesyen program can be a significant platform to nurture soft skills and thus provide students with the opportunity to face the working environment and life after graduation.     Keywords: soft skills, PoPBL, fashion entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship outcome

A review on the performance measurement of big data analytics process

Abstract— one vital aspect of big data is the process which handles big data, mainly referred to as big data analytics process. Studying this process and measuring it for better performance can have enormous benefits for those who are willing to harvest the value of big data. The focus on processes is more common in other disciplines such as business and software development but in big data analytic, it is relatively new. The purpose of this paper is to investigate big data analytics (BDA) process and identify suitable performance measures for it. Existing BDA processes and performance measurement methods are studied and the results are presented in this paperKeywords: big data analytics process, measures, performance measurement, process performance dimension

Total Quality Management Practices and Technology Transfer in Malaysian Public University

It is widely accepted that the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) as a management philosophy has significantly contributed to good management practice in business organization particularly in the manufacturing and service sectors. The applications of that concepts, techniques and tools have been successfully tailored to non-profit service or government-based organization. In the context of higher education institution, it has been seriously debated by the TQM scholars and academicians on the issue of to what extent TQM can be applied and how relevant its practices are to higher education\u27s core business i.e. teaching and research. Despite having sufficient knowledge and research on TQM implementation in the scope of manufacturing practices and administration-related services, it is hard to find a research on TQM, which focuses on the scope of R&D at a university. This gap has to be filled because the management of research is a critical topic for universities worldwide. For developing countries such as Malaysia the need to have good management practice in R&D is even greater. Without effective research management, the task of becoming significant players in the global knowledge market will become harder. Thus, the first part of this paper will discuss the applicability of TQM and propose a theoretical framework or model of TQM to suit the need of R&D context. The constructs for the TQM framework are based on previous empirical studies and the evaluation criteria of world standard criteria such as MBNQA, EFQM, and QMS ISO 9000. The TQM constructs that will be proposed are leadership, strategic planning, student/stakeholder & industry focus, data & information management, staff management, process & system approach, partnership & resource and continuous improvement. The second part of the paper will discuss the performance indicators of R&D activities particularly in the context of public university. The review of International literatures stressed that the performance of R&D activities have to be measured. The current issue related to research performance at university is the level the research output that can be transferred to the stakeholders. Therefore, this study will use technology transfer framework to measure research performance such as publication, patents, royalty and Spin-off Company. Finally, this paper will conceptually develop a model that would show the relationship between the TQM practices in the area of research and the level of technology transfer

THERMAL COMFORT IN TECHNICAL SCHOOL: PHYSICAL MEASUREMENT APPROACH

A field study on the relationship between thermal comfort and students’ performance was carried out in a technical school in Selangor. The buildings were mechanically ventilated by fans. The measured environmental parameters were air temperature (ºC), mean radiant temperature (ºC), relative humidity (%) and air velocity (m/s) of the surrounding classroom area. The environmental factors were measured using Thermal Comfort Equipment, which is capable to measure simultaneously all the environmental factors. All the windows were left open for natural ventilation. Subjective measurements were also conducted using survey questionnaire on the same days when the environmental factors were measured. The Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) was calculated using ASHRAE Thermal sensation scale which has been proposed earlier by Fanger (1970) for the measured data. Further Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD) was used to estimate the thermal comfort satisfaction of the occupant. The study revealed that 70% of the students’ population at the classroom is dissatisfied with the thermal comfort

A CASE STUDY OF OCCUPANT ENVIRONMENTAL COMFORT AT AUTOMOTIVE ASSEMBLYWORKSTATION

The environmental factors assessment in the building has become a popular research area over the past decade. However, how the service life of a building affects the results of the environmental assessment of a building has not been emphasized previously. The aim of this study is to analyze how structural solutions and building design affect the results of the environmental assessment. Furthermore, how the environmental factors affects the productivity is analyzed. The environmental assessments in building were calculated for this study by Environment Factors Equipment. The current situation and the future of the environmental assessment of buildings are discussed. In addition, topics for further research are suggested which is the environmental impact of an occupant should be studied. The research concludes that comfort and productivity in the workplace is related more to design factors

N-[(2,4-Dimethyl­phen­yl)carbamothio­yl]-2-methyl­benzamide

The title compound, C17H18N2OS, adopts a trans–cis geometry of the thio­urea group which is stabilized by intra­molecular hydrogen bonds between the O atom of the carbonyl group and the H atom of the thio­amide group. A C—H⋯S intramolecular hydrogen bond is also present. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are linked by inter­molecular N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds to form centrosymmetric dimers

Study on Effect of Human Metabolic Rate on Skin Temperature in Office Environment

The motivation of this study is to get better understanding about the real thermal sensation of people in office environment who undertake moderate activities. All measurements were conducted in a climate chamber. In total, fifteen subjects were participated in three kinds of activities, their skin temperatures and thermal sensation were measured. Skin temperatures (eleven locations) were measured using thermocouple sensors. The results showed that the temperature is the one of factors which affect metabolic rate. There is a strong linear relationship between these three tasks of metabolic rate with skin temperature. Furthermore, the results indicate that there was a greater increase thermal sensation when the metabolic rate 1.6