Using micro genetic algorithm for solving scheduling problems

Job Shop Scheduling Problem (JSSP) and Timetable scheduling are known to be computationally NP–hard problems. There have been many attempts by many researchers to develop reliable scheduling software, however, many of these software have only been tested or applied on an experimental basis or on a small population with minimal constraints. However in actual model JSSP, the constraints involved are more complicated compared to classical JSSP and feasible schedule must be suggested within a short period of time. In this thesis, an enhanced micro GA, namely micro GA with local search is proposed to solve an actual model JSSP. The scheduler is able to generate an output of a set of feasible production plan not only at a faster rate but which can generate a plan which can reduce the makespan as compare to those using manual. Also, in this thesis, the micro GA is applied to the timetabling problem of Faculty of Electrical Engineering Universiti Teknologi Malaysia which has more than 3,000 students. Apart from having more students, the faculty also offers various different type s of specialized courses. Various constraints such as elective subjects, classrooms capacity, multiple sections students, lecturer, etc have to be taken into consideration when designing the solution for this problem. In this thesis , an enhanced micro GA is proposed for timetable scheduling in the Faculty to overcome the problems. The enhanced micro GA algorithm is referred to as distributed micro GA which has local search to speed up the scheduling process. Comparisons are made with simple GA methods such that a more optimal solution can be achieved. The proposed algorithm is successfully implemented at the Faculty meeting a variety of constraints not achievable using manual methods

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement minus one and enhanced criminal penalty for online copyright piracy: Malaysia’s options

The burgeoning of online piracy enables copyright materials to be routinely downloaded and exchanged for free, without any deliberate intention to infringe copyright. These acts were done for the purpose of sharing and attract no commercial value, and, hence, may not be considered as culpable criminal conduct because of the lack of intention. The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) introduces enhanced criminal provisions which are much harsher than the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) with a view to fight online copyright piracy. Even though the United States of America (US) have withdrawn from the Agreement, the other eleven countries are attempting to revive the Agreement, minus the US. The possibility of the Agreement being eventually implemented by the eleven-member countries is still real. This article examines two new criminal provisions introduced by the TPPA. The first is the criminalization of wilful copyright infringement even if carried out on a non-commercial basis. The second is the culpability of aiding and abetting of copyright offences. As these provisions are already in place in US law, reported judgments from the US on corresponding provisions would be examined. The article concludes with choices that Malaysia could consider in the event these two new obligations are implemented

Trends in Seaweed Research

This is a letter on the evolution of trends in seaweed research with respect to the development of technology and generation of knowledge, as well as difficulties and future perspectives in seaweed research

Employees' pre-dismissal right to be heard: the Malaysian and the Islamic perspective

It seemed to be a settled principle of law that before an employee can be dismissed from his job for misconduct, he must have a notice of the allegation against him and accorded a reasonable opportunity of being heard. However, this principle should be revisited in the light of two conflicting Federal Court’s decisions pertaining to the mandatory issue of this right especially in the private sector employment in Malaysia. The curable principle as enunciated by Dreamland Corporation (M) Sdn. Bhd. v Choong Chin Sooi & Anor [1988] 1 MLJ 111 has watered down the right of the employee to be heard as it was held in that case that the irregularity in holding a domestic enquiry is not fatal to the employer. He may justify the dismissal at the Industrial Court. Despite the existence of this principle, it should be emphasised that the right to a pre-dismissal hearing should be interpreted to be mandatory and not discretionary as there are two statutory provisions and constitutionally recognised rules of natural justice which may support this proposition. The mandatory effect of the domestic enquiry should be consistently upheld. With a view to enhance the employee’s right and to ensure harmonious employer-employee relationship, it would be the purpose of this article to comparatively examine and learn how the same right is treated and regulated under the Islamic principle of justice and its application in two Islamic countries, namely Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Apart from narrowing down the gap in the Islamic knowledge on the administration of justice in dismissal cases, this article may also contribute in idea on how to harmonise the current employment laws and the Sharia

Sex differences in proteomic correlates of coronary microvascular dysfunction among patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction

Aims: Little information is available on sex differences in coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We investigated sex-specific proteomic profiles associated with CMD in patients with HFpEF. Methods and results: Using the prospective multinational PROMIS-HFpEF study (Prevalence of Microvascular Dysfunction in HFpEF; n = 182; 54.6% women), we compared clinical and biomarker correlates of CMD (defined as coronary flow reserve [CFR] <2.5) between men and women with HFpEF. We used lasso penalized regression to analyse 242 biomarkers from high-throughput proximity extension assays, adjusting for age, body mass index, creatinine, smoking and study site. The prevalence of CMD was similarly high in men and women with HFpEF (77% vs. 70%; p = 0.27). Proteomic correlates of CFR differed by sex, with 10 versus 16 non-overlapping biomarkers independently associated with CFR in men versus women, respectively. In men, proteomic correlates of CFR included chemokine ligand 20, brain natriuretic peptide, proteinase 3, transglutaminase 2, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 14. Among women, the strongest proteomic correlates with CFR were insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, phage shock protein D, CUB domain-containing protein 1, prostasin, decorin, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3, ligand growth differentiation factor 15, spondin-1, delta/notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor and tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 13B. Pathway analyses suggested that CMD was related to the inflammation-mediated chemokine and cytokine signalling pathway among men with HFpEF, and the P13-kinase and transforming growth factor-beta signalling pathway among women with HFpEF. Conclusion: While the prevalence of CMD among men and women with HFpEF is similar, the drivers of microvascular dysfunction may differ by sex. The current inflammatory paradigm of CMD in HFpEF potentially predominates in men, while derangement in ventricular remodelling and fibrosis may play a more important role in women

ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

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Intellectual Property Law In Malaysia

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