Determinants of capital structure : evidence from Malaysian SMEs

This paper aims to investigate the determinants of capital structure of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from manufacturing sector in Malaysia. Specifically, this study wants to examine the effect of asset structure, profitability, quality of information, size and age on leverage. Multivariate regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation analysis were used to investigate the most significant factors that affect the capital structure choice of Malaysian SMEs during the year 2013. In the first model, both results find a negative and significant relationship for profitability and size with leverage while asset structure, quality of information and age show negative but not significant relationship with leverage. However, using a second model, asset structure shows a significant positive relationship with leverage, while quality of information shows significant negative relationship with leverage. The analysis indicates that firstly; the results are consistent with some capital structure theories such as trade-off theory and pecking order theory. Secondly, quality of information, asset structure, profitability and size are important factors that affect capital structure choice of Malaysian SMEs

The Evolution of the Literary Neo-Hasid

Depictions of Hasidim changed drastically around the turn of the century in Yiddish literature. This thesis tracks this change from the early Haskalah until the Holocaust. In general, depictions of the Hasid in the nineteenth century tended to be quite negative; however, the first chapter will establish a counter-narrative of maskilim who defended Hasidism, or even discerned in it positive qualities. These maskilim set the stage for the blossoming of neo-Hasidism in Yiddish literature. The second chapter is devoted to I. L. Peretz, who appropriated the Hasidic genre and transformed it into a neo-Romantic vehicle for preserving and building national identity. Peretz inspired several generations of Yiddish writers with his tales, including Aaron Zeitlin, whose Hasidic-themed poetry was a synthesis of modernism and mysticism and is the subject of the third chapter. Finally, the fourth chapter examines how Fishl Shneyerson used Hasidic concepts to create a new theory of psychology and a universal springboard for transcendence

Development of Polyetherimide-Zeolite 4A Mixed Matrix Membrane for CO2/CH4 separation

The monetization of natural gas having high carbon dioxide content (>20mol %) post technological issues and challenges. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) removal unit should be installed at offshore to reduce CO2 content before sending to onshore. It has been found that membrane technology is the best technology for CO2 removal at offshore due to its simplicity, small size and environmental friendly. However, selection of the suitable material for membrane fabrication still a big problem and Many previous research show that Polyetherimide and zeolite 4A have good properties that can be fabricated a membrane that have high efficiency for CO2 removal. The main objective of the current study was to develop Polyetherimide-zeolite 4A mixed matrix membrane. Mixed matrix membrane is the membrane which has polymer as a based and inorganic material as a filter. The membranes were casted using solution casting method. The physicochemical properties were evaluated using FESEM, FTIR, TGA and DSC

Electronic Medical Records and E-Discovery: With New Technology Come New Challenges

Electronic medical records have created new challenges for lawyers because all of the digitized information is printed on reams of paper during discovery. This makes the record both voluminous and difficult to interpret. This Note examines potential solutions that would allow lawyers to view electronic medical records in a digital format while preserving patient privacy. Two solutions are explored: 1) accessing the electronic medical record remotely by adapting tools that are already in place for doctors to remotely access patient records and 2) detailing a method to export an electronic medical record to a common, interoperable format

Determining Salt Tolerance Among Sunflower Genotypes

Crop lands around the world are becoming more salt-affected due to natural processes and agricultural practices. Due to this increase of salinization, acquisition of saline tolerant germplasm for breeding purposes is becoming a priority. Although cultivated sunflower is classified as a moderately salt tolerant crop, highly tolerant germplasm may be of value. The goal of this study was to screen Helianthus spp. in order to determine the salt tolerance of different genotypes. To accomplish this goal, a novel method of rapid screening was developed. Screening for tolerance at initial growth stages was accomplished by germinating seeds in varying concentrations of NaCl solution in petri dishes. Radicle lengths were measured as an indicator of tolerance. This method identified genotypes that are more tolerant than others during germination. Greenhouse trials were also conducted to ascertain morphological measurements during vegetative stages. Two field locations were chosen to screen germplasm for tolerance through physiological maturity; College Station, TX with low salt concentrations and Pecos, TX with high concentrations of salt in the soil and water. Vegetative growth measurements showed a significant genotype by environment interaction. Due to insect infestation in both locations, yields could not be accurately measured and thus compared between sites in 2010. Yields between locations in 2011 showed significant differences and identified germplasm more suited for cropping in salt affected soil. Seed oil content was determined with Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. Seed oil content was not significantly different between locations, but was highly significant between genotypes. These screenings identified genotypes that are more salt tolerant than others

Development of Polyetherimide-Zeolite 4A Mixed Matrix Membrane for CO2/CH4 separation

The monetization of natural gas having high carbon dioxide content (>20mol %) post technological issues and challenges. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) removal unit should be installed at offshore to reduce CO2 content before sending to onshore. It has been found that membrane technology is the best technology for CO2 removal at offshore due to its simplicity, small size and environmental friendly. However, selection of the suitable material for membrane fabrication still a big problem and Many previous research show that Polyetherimide and zeolite 4A have good properties that can be fabricated a membrane that have high efficiency for CO2 removal. The main objective of the current study was to develop Polyetherimide-zeolite 4A mixed matrix membrane. Mixed matrix membrane is the membrane which has polymer as a based and inorganic material as a filter. The membranes were casted using solution casting method. The physicochemical properties were evaluated using FESEM, FTIR, TGA and DSC

Molecular Mapping of Traits in Cowpea

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is a leguminous crop that many around the world rely on to meet their basic nutritional needs through the consumption of the protein and fiber rich grain and vegetative matter. Water and soil fertility stress affect this crop like many other crops; by reducing biomass and grain yield. Genotypes of cowpea have been identified that possess genes that confer tolerance to drought and resistance to interveinal chlorosis (IC) due to micronutrient deficiency. In order to map the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with these traits, a recombinant inbred line population (RIL) was created from the parental genotypes ‘IT98K-476-8’ and ‘Golden Eye Cream’ (GEC). This population was phenotyped for vegetative and yield traits and leaf chlorosis. The vegetative and yield data was used to calculate a drought susceptibility index (DSI) that was used in QTL mapping. The population was genotyped by restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq), and a linkage map spanning 1,084 cM was constructed from 4,154 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Mapping for additive QTL identified 78 QTL that met a LOD threshold of three and 13 QTL that met the permuted LOD threshold for various traits and one DSI. Epistatic mapping resulted in 95 QTL involved in digenic interactions. From correlative statistics and co-localizations of QTL, it can be concluded that many of the traits mapped here are regulated by the same genes and that there are pleiotropic tradeoffs between some traits

TANTANGAN GURU BAHASA ARAB MADRASAH ALIYAH DALAM PERSPEKTIF KOMPETENSI PEDAGOGIK DAN PROFESIONAL

Pedagogic & professional competence at the teacher is needed in the teaching & learning Arabic. Therefore it is needed a good preparation to support bath at competences in the teaching & learning Arabic. objectives of this study is to describe the important role of pedagogic and professional competence of Arabic teachers in Bandung, and their efforts to enhance both competences. The method used in this research is Naturalist Inquiry, by using Pedoman Penilaian Kinerja Guru Kemendiknas tahun 2010 for forty five Arabic teachers in Bandung. The result of the study showed that the degree of professional & pedagogic competence of Arabic teachers are normal (C). A caused by the linearity of their education. To be a Muallim Najih fi al-lughah Al-Arabiyah it needed a good professional and pedagogic competence.DOI: 10.15408/a.v2i1.151

A study on service quality and student satisfaction at Perpustakaan Sultanah Bahiyah, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) / Nor Syakiroh Ismail and Siti Shakinah Abu Masor

Student satisfaction is an important aspect for the successfulness of academic library services. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between service quality and students' satisfaction. In addition, service quality dimension is one of the dimensions that contribute to students' satisfaction at academic library. Service quality includes reliability, assurance, tangibility, empathy and responsiveness. A survey was conducted at Perpustakaan Sultanah Bahiyah, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 377 respondents using a stratified sampling technique. However only 279 responses with 74% response rate were deemed suitable for further analysis. The result of this study indicates that there is high level of students' satisfaction at PSB (UUM) and reliability is the most influential factor that contribute to students' satisfaction at PSB (UUM). This study reveals that all hypothesis on service quality dimensions listed were accepted