Critical Factors Impacting the Implementation of Environmental Protection Strategies among Malaysia Industries

Environmental protection is a heavily debated topic along with development. Uncontrolled development will sacrifice our environmental and causing issues such as pollution, land slide, flash flood, etc. The objective of this study is to understand drivers of the implementation of environmental protection strategy among industries in Malaysia. Questionnaire was designed and tested with 130 Malaysian organizations. The framework consisted of independent variables such as Client’s Requirement, Corporate Social Responsibility, Government Grants and Subsidy versus the dependent variable Environmental Protection Strategy. From the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), it was found out that only client’s requirement and corporate social responsibility are relevant towards implementation of environmental protection strategy. One of the important findings is that government regulation is no longer a mandatory driver for organizations to implement environmental protection strategy. This could be a positive sign that organizations are working the self-regulatory direction than instrumental enforcement. This is in par with department of environment’s latest focus to implement guided self-regulation through environmental mainstreaming tools. The outcome of the study can help the policy makers, regulatory bodies,, and non-government organizations (NGOs) to shape their direction to form strategies that are most effective

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie

Pan-cancer analysis of whole genomes

Cancer is driven by genetic change, and the advent of massively parallel sequencing has enabled systematic documentation of this variation at the whole-genome scale(1-3). Here we report the integrative analysis of 2,658 whole-cancer genomes and their matching normal tissues across 38 tumour types from the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We describe the generation of the PCAWG resource, facilitated by international data sharing using compute clouds. On average, cancer genomes contained 4-5 driver mutations when combining coding and non-coding genomic elements; however, in around 5% of cases no drivers were identified, suggesting that cancer driver discovery is not yet complete. Chromothripsis, in which many clustered structural variants arise in a single catastrophic event, is frequently an early event in tumour evolution; in acral melanoma, for example, these events precede most somatic point mutations and affect several cancer-associated genes simultaneously. Cancers with abnormal telomere maintenance often originate from tissues with low replicative activity and show several mechanisms of preventing telomere attrition to critical levels. Common and rare germline variants affect patterns of somatic mutation, including point mutations, structural variants and somatic retrotransposition. A collection of papers from the PCAWG Consortium describes non-coding mutations that drive cancer beyond those in the TERT promoter(4); identifies new signatures of mutational processes that cause base substitutions, small insertions and deletions and structural variation(5,6); analyses timings and patterns of tumour evolution(7); describes the diverse transcriptional consequences of somatic mutation on splicing, expression levels, fusion genes and promoter activity(8,9); and evaluates a range of more-specialized features of cancer genomes(8,10-18).Peer reviewe

The Reaction Of Female Consumer In Klang Valley For The Age Group 15 To 25 Years Old Towards The Products Endorsed By Celebrities

Today companies choose to utilize celebrity as endorsers in their marketing campaigns. The purpose of this research project is to gain a deeper understanding of the degree of influence that a celebrity wields on the female consumers

Modeling Resilience with Mindfulness for Youth Well-Being in The Age of Disruption

Background - According to the 2015 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 29.9% of Malaysian teenagers, or 4.2 million persons, suffer from mental illness. In the past decade, problems have doubled. Urgent action is needed to prevent devastating consequences for the youngsters and their neighbours. The findings will enrich research on mindfulness and psychological resiliency. Mindfulness can promote pleasant emotions and positive feelings, reducing melancholy and stress. All these wonderful feelings help establish individual reserves to strengthen one's appreciation of life and build a shield against future hardship. Mindfulness helps people respond quickly to shifting environments and ambiguous situations. It improves mental agility and helps people turn inward to discover answers by inspecting and adapting behaviours in short cycles of relaxation, allowing for the rewiring of existing attitudes and the ability to think clearly to manage overwhelming crises. Mindfulness improves health. As well-being is addressed, resilience is fostered to prepare the next generation to lead via meaningful employment. This aligns with the 11th Malaysian Plan's Strategic Thrusts - Improving Wellbeing for All – and Sustained Growth Aim 3 – Health and Wellbeing for All. Purpose - The purpose of this research is to improve resilience, which includes psychological well-being. Regularly cultivating positive feelings and responding to unfavorable life circumstances provides a buffer against adversity and increases crisis-handling skills. Design/methodology/approach - This study is quantitative and deductive in nature. The respondents and participants for the course are Millennial. This is because this category of people will be facing the effect and outcome of the adversity. So, the unit of analysis is individuals. The first part is administering of the questionnaire to gauge the current well-being of the youth prior to the mindfulness intervention. The second part is introducing and provide guidance to the youth on the mindfulness intervention for 4 weeks (1 month). Once completed the practice successfully, progress to the third part, administering the questionnaire again to the youths to be completed. The questionnaire will provide inputs the experience of the youths after the mindfulness intervention. Findings/Expected Contributions - This research findings will add to research on mindfulness and resilience. Mindfulness may improve mental health, happiness, and well-being. Mindfulness boosts pleasant feelings that correct bad emotions including worry, regret, rumination, and anxiety. These good feelings can help create personal reserves, leading to a stronger appreciation for life and a protective screen against future adversity. The study's improved theoretical model can be applied to increase youth resilience in Malaysia. This will protect youngsters and teach them to be more resilient in the face of adversity. NGOs and learning institutions can apply the improve theoretical model to construct resilient youth curriculum. Research limitations - As psychology and resilience is an extensive subject and human perspective is different than each other so it is not possible to come up with the framework that is workable for everyone. It is considered as a limitation of this research. Originality/value - The value of this research is that it addresses how mindfulness and psychological wellbeing can enhance the resilience to the youth. Mindfulness helps people adjust swiftly to changing and unclear situations and learn faster. It encourages mental agility and introspection. Mindfulness helps agility projects and agile transformation with these benefits. It helps youth analyse and adapt their habits in short cycles to relax, rewire mindsets, and think rationally under adversity. Mindfulness eases uncertainty and ambiguity. Malaysian Youth who practice mindfulness will witness great benefits on individual youth welfare, societal progress, and country growth. Youth will carry the country forward, thus they need resilience to handle adversity

A Synthesized Framework Explaining Job Application Among IT Graduates in Malaysia

This empirical research paper investigates the determinants of job application among IT graduates in Malaysia by applying Impression Management Theory and Signaling Theory. The primary objective of the study is to propose solutions to address the challenges faced by employers in the Malaysian IT industry when it comes to attracting high-quality talent to their organizations. The factors under investigation include employer brand and organizational attractiveness. The employer brand factor consists of sub-factors, such as the enthusiasm dimension, capabilities dimension, and digital branding. On the other hand, the organizational attractiveness factor comprises sub-factors including development value, application value, economic value, and social value. The study also explores the role of social networking sites, which are internet-based platforms facilitating various networking activities, in the job application process. By conducting statistical tests using SPSS, the empirical findings indicate that employer brand capabilities and the digital brand dimension positively influence jobseekers' intention to apply for vacant positions. Furthermore, social networking websites moderate the relationship between the employer brand and the intention to apply. The study also reveals that development value, application value, social value, and economic value significantly impact the intention to apply. However, no significant relationship was found between employer brand enthusiasm and the intention to apply for vacant positions. Additionally, the study concludes that social networking websites do not moderate the relationship between organizational attractiveness and the intention to apply for vacant positions. The utilization of social networking sites is highlighted as highly beneficial for employers seeking to advertise job vacancies and for job seekers searching for opportunities. The results of this study can assist recruiting organizations in enhancing their employer brand and organizational attractiveness by effectively utilizing social networking sites. This enables employers to advertise job vacancies more successfully, while graduates gain access to comprehensive and competent job opportunities more efficiently. In summary, this research contributes valuable insights into the factors influencing job application behavior among IT graduates in Malaysia. The study emphasizes the importance of employer brand, organizational attractiveness, and social networking sites in attracting and matching quality talent with available job vacancies. The findings can guide recruiting organizations in improving their recruitment strategies, ultimately benefiting both employers and job seekers alike

Research On the Formation Mode and Operation Management of China’s Higher Vocational Education Group (Alliance)

Background - China's higher vocational education consortium has become a vibrant mode and the reform of higher vocational education has been deepening due to government support. Although governments gradually increased their investment in policies and funds for vocational education groups, problems in the development of vocational education groups, such as the lack of an independent legal person, a loose organizational structure, and a lack of in-depth cooperation, have been gradually exposed. Hence, vocational education groups are paying more and more attention to the construction of internal models and mechanisms. Purpose - To propose a model with the corresponding strategic management and operation mechanisms that are most effective for the establishment of the foundation of China's higher vocational education. Design/methodology/approach - The population used in this study was all individuals who have attended the vocational training programs. Telephone interviews and questionnaire surveys were used in this study to develop the model for the foundation of China's higher vocational education. This study began with telephone interviews with the relevant person in charge of the Secretariat of Vocational Education Group and was followed by a survey questionnaire. Findings/Expected Contributions - This study makes strategic recommendations to the Ministry of Education on how to effectively run vocation education programs while also contributing to the development of society and the economy by producing graduates who are marketable not only in their academic achievement but also in the required skills that are more relevant to the changing workplace environment of the twenty-first century. Research limitations - The study is geographically limited, and the model is better appropriate to the context of China, with strong local elements, and thus it must be modified in practice to representing the context of other studies. Originality/value - The theoretical substance, as well as the empirical study on the future development model of vocational education groups in China, clearly falls behind. The current research only covers modest changes to the actual development of current groups, which cannot totally resolve the challenge in today's vocational education group development. This study investigates vocational education groups by merging the theoretical research system and current vocational education group practice, and it eventually develops a sustainable model that is effective for the long-term development of vocational education groups in China

The study of mindfulness as an intervening factor for enhanced psychological well-being in building the level of resilience

By using a practice like mindfulness, people may become more adaptable and flexible in difficult situations, which lowers the levels of unfavorable experiences. Only a small number of research have examined the connection between mindfulness and resilience, with mindfulness as a source of PWB influencing millennials’ resilience when faced with adversity. This study sought to close this gap by exploring the role that mindfulness practice plays in millennials’ PWB and subsequent increases in resilience to adversity. Methods: In this study, key components linked to mindfulness, PWB, and resilience are combined with a thorough literature assessment. Millennials who are active members of the Ti-Ratana Youth in Malaysia and the Buddhist Missionary Society of Malaysia (BMSM) Youth Section make up the study’s sample population. Before completing the online survey form, each participant was instructed to engage in 4 weeks of supervised mindfulness practice. To assure the validity of the data gathered, it was crucial to secure the youth’s commitment. Only 231 of the 300 respondents who received the link to the online survey had replies that could be used for further research. To analyze the collected data and conduct hypothesis testing, Smart-PLS was used. Results: Academic research has shown that factors, such as a heavy workload, time constraints, lengthy workdays, work-related home conflicts, and an unstable and uncertain environment all lead to a drop in PWB. According to the findings, the two most significant variables promoting resilience are mindfulness and positive PWB. The outcomes of this experimental study confirmed earlier findings that millennials’ PWB and resilience are enhanced by mindfulness training. Conclusion: The study’s findings suggest that, in times of high uncertainty, mindfulness-based intervention programs should be expanded to include all young people. This study offers empirical support for the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in raising PWB and resilience

Effectiveness of E-Commerce Platform Among Millennials During Pandemic

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of e-commerce platforms among millennials during pandemics. A quantitative approach was employed, and the structural relationship of constructs was examined using PLS-SEM to determine the effectiveness of the ecommerce platform. Online questions were created using Google Forms to collect data, and the research constructs' scales were updated and adapted from earlier studies. The sample consisted of internet users who used the online marketplace during the Covid-19 epidemic from March to December 2021. A total of 226 respondents were asked to measure the effectiveness of the ecommerce platform during the pandemic. According to the study, customers relied more on the e-commerce platform for transactions involving trust-building and online protection. The study identified that customer service, trustworthiness, platform usability, and delivery service significantly affect e-commerce platform effectiveness. The Covid-19 pandemic caused a significant shift in the retail industry, indicating areas for improvement in e-commerce. This study contributes to developing e-commerce platforms by identifying significant avenues for millennials to perform their e-commerce transactions. This information can be useful for ecommerce platforms to improve their sites and services

Does workplace spirituality decrease the intention to job hop among the generation Y employees?

The concept of spirituality within workplace in an organization has the capacity and potential ability in retaining employees. Organizations is actively embarking in activities that enable employees to seek meaning in their work. Due to such intense effort by the organizations, this has change the way organizations run their operations from a profit orientated only focus, to an organization that emphasize on the wellbeing of their employee. With the enhancements and improvements of the spiritual environment within the organization, the retention of the employees can be effectively managed and ultimately leads to a higher overall performance. Theoretically, this conceptual paper may be helpful for the human resource management personnel to better understanding on the development of practices and regulations that aims at growing or improving spirituality within the workplace