Performance comparison of the exact run-length distribution between the run sum X and EWMA X charts

The run sum (RS) X and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) X charts are very effective in detecting small and moderate process mean shifts. The design of the RS X and EWMA X charts based on the average run length (ARL) alone, can be misleading and confusing. This is due to the fact that the run-length distribution of a control chart is highly right-skewed when the process is in-control or slightly out-of-control; while that for the out-ofcontrol cases, the run-length distribution is almost symmetric. On the other hand, the percentiles of the run-length distribution provide the probability of getting a signal by a certain number of samples. This will benefit practitioners as the percentiles of the run-length distribution give comprehensive information regarding the behaviour of a control chart. Accordingly, this paper provides a thorough study of the run-length properties (ARL, standard deviation of the run length and percentiles of the run-length distribution) for the RS X and EWMA X charts. Comparative studies show that the EWMA X chart outperforms the RS X charts for detecting small mean shifts when all the control charts are optimized with respect to a small shift size. However, the RS X charts surpass the EWMA X chart for all sizes of mean shifts when all the control charts are optimized with respect to a large shift size

Examining factors affecting employee performance with the mediation of employee learning: Malaysian SME businesses context

The small and medium enterprise (SME) is the backbone of the nation’s economy and government is indeed playing a rigorous role to develop this industry. Most SME businesses are competing to survive in this volatile and fierce market environment. The performance of the employee is one of the success factors in SME businesses. Plenty of research has been conducted on this topic, however, very limited research was conducted on employee learning as the mediator towards employee performance in the Malaysian SME industry. Hence, this research intends to fill the gap. The literature review showed the effects of several factors such as employee learning, employee motivation, working environment, employee work engagement, self-efficacy, employee ability, job satisfaction, and organization support towards employee performance. A theoretical framework was then developed based on the Social Learning Theory which consists of three (3) main aspects, namely Personal Factors, Environmental Factors and Behavioural Factors. 14 hypotheses were developed based on the research framework. This research used the quantitative methodology. A total of 390 valid responses were received for this research. The multiple regression technique was used to test the hypotheses. The results of this research showed that there is a positive and direct relationship between employee motivation, employee ability, self-efficacy, employee work engagement, and employee performance respectively within the Malaysian SMEs. Besides, this research also discovered three (3) new relationships. Firstly, it confirmed that employee learning has the full significant role of a mediator in the relationships between employee motivation and employee performance. Secondly and thirdly, employee learning is found to be a partial mediator in the relationship between employee ability, self-efficacy and employee performance respectively. These newly discovered relationships represent new contributions to the body of knowledge. The findings of this research contribute towards the theoretical and practical aspects

Effect of cigarette smoking and physical activity on the severity of primary angle closure glaucoma in Malay patients

INTRODUCTION Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with Asians accounting for approximately half of the world’s glaucoma cases. Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma but Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG) constitute a higher number of cases in Asia. Progression of glaucoma is common; despite good control of intraocular pressure (IOP). Risk factors associated with progression of glaucoma can be nonmodifiable or modifiable. Research on identification of modifiable risk factors are scarce. Modifiable risk factors include cigarette smoking and physical activity. There are limited evidences on the potential association between cigarette smoking and physical activities on the development, progression, and severity of PACG. OBJECTIVE To determine the association between cigarette smoking and physical activity on the severity of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in Malay patients. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2014 and August 2016 involving five ophthalmology clinics in Malaysia: Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (HRPZ II), Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (HSB) and Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ). Only Malay patients who were able to provide two consecutive reliable and reproducible Humphrey Visual Field (HVF) 24-2 analyses were included. Severity of glaucoma was based on modified Advanced GlaucomaIntervention Study (AGIS) scoring system on HVF and categorised into mild, moderate and severe glaucoma. Face to face interview was conducted to assess their smoking habits and physical activities. Their smoking status was obtained using validated questionnaires from Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES). Cigarette smoking was divided into active smoker, ex-smoker, passive smoker and non-smoker. Duration of smoking and number of cigarette smoked per day was documented. Physical activity status was assessed using validated Bahasa Malaysia version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Based on their physical activities over the past 7 days, PACG patients was categorised into mild, moderate and heavy physical activity. The duration of physical activity and measurement of energy requirement (METs) was also calculated. Univariate analysis was conducted to examine other risk factors for severity of glaucoma and AGIS score. The association of smoking and physical activity with AGIS score was analysed using multiple linear regression (MLR). RESULTS A total of 150 Malay patients were recruited (50 with mild, 50 with moderate and 50 with severe glaucoma). There was significant association between cigarette smoking and severity of glaucoma (p = 0.038). A significant association was also seen between the number of cigarette smoked and severity of glaucoma (p = 0.044). However, there was no significant association in duration of smoking (in years) with severity of glaucoma. Smoking do not appear to increase the AGIS score significantly but every increase in number of cigarette smoked increases the AGIS score by 0.7 (adjusted b 0.65, 95% CI 0.27, 1.03, p = 0.001). There was significant inverse relationship between physical activity and AGIS score. Every increase in physical activity reduces the AGIS score by 3.4 (adjusted b -3.41, 95% CI -5.23, - 1.59, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Cigarette smoking and physical activity are potential modifiable risk factor for severity of PACG. Cessation of cigarette smoking may help in halting the progression of glaucomatous visual field defect. Physical activity may protect against having more severe glaucoma. It is recommended that PACG patients practice healthier lifestyle to prevent progression of PACG

Development and Validation of an Attitudinal-Profiling Tool for Patients With Asthma

This study was supported and funded by Mundipharma Pte Ltd. Online survey and statistical analysis were performed by Pei-Li Teh, Rachel Howard, Tsin-Li Chua and Jie Sun of Research Partnership Pte Ltd. Medical writing support was provided by Sen-Kwan Tay of Research2Trials Clinical Solutions Pte Ltd. The authors received honoraria from Mundipharma for their participation in the REALISE Asia Working Group meetings and discussions. Prof Price has Board membership with Mundipharma; and had received consultancy and speaker fees, grants and unrestricted funding support from Mundipharma; and payment for manuscript preparation and travel/accommodations/meeting expenses from Mundipharma. Profs Liam and David-Wang are members of the Asia-Pacific Advisory Board of Mundipharma. Profs Cho and David-Wang had received speaker fees from Mundipharma in the past. Dr Neira was an employee of Mundipharma Pte Ltd, Singapore. Ms Teh is an employee of Research Partnership Pte Ltd which conducted the REALISE Asia survey for Mundipharma. Prof Cho is a member of the Editorial Board of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A Comparison on the MRL Performances of Optimal MEWMA and Optimal MCUSUM Control Charts

The MEWMA (called the multivariate exponentially weighted moving average) chart and the MCUSUM (called the multivariate cumulative sum) chart are used in process monitoring when a quick detection of small or moderate shifts in the mean vector is desired. The primary objective of this study is to compare the performances of the optimal MEWMA and optimal MCUSUM charts based on their median run length (MRL) profiles. The number of quality characteristics considered is p = 2. Two cases are studied, i.e., Case 1 (a shift in only one variable) and Case 2 (a shift in two variables). A Monte Carlo simulation is conducted using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) to study and compare the MRL performances for various magnitudes of mean shifts when the process is normally distributed. Overall, the results show that the MRL performances of the MEWMA and MCUSUM charts are comparable

Simple net rainfall partitioning equations for nearly closed to fully closed canopy stands

Many net rainfall models have been developed, but they are often complex, data demanding and usable only for a specific vegetation type. The focus of this study was to develop and validate two simple equations (a two- and a three-coefficient equation) for nearly full canopies of oil palm, rubber and pine trees. Throughfall and stemflow data from seven past studies were used to determine the best-fit coefficients for the two equations. The three-coefficient equation was Pn = Pg x exp [- {0.3443 – (Pg / (58.9748 + Pg)} x 0.1639)] and the two-coefficient equation was Pn = 0.7724 x Pg – 0.5845 (R2 = 0.91), where Pn and Pg are the net and gross rainfall, respectively. To validate these two equations, field data collections were started. Thirteen rain gauges fit with data loggers were used for rainfall measurement. Three sampled trees were selected randomly for stemflow measurement and one rain gauge was installed at a nearby open area. Two error indices were used as a goodness-of-fit measure for equation accuracy: index of agreement and normalised mean absolute error. The results showed that the two- and three-equation equations performed nearly equally well. They predicted the net rainfall with an error of between 12 to 23% (ranked as "Fair" to "Good" in terms of overall equation accuracy) and with an index of agreement of more than 90%. The results showed that these two equations can be used fairly accurately to estimate throughfall and net rainfall, and, to a lesser degree, stemflow. Estimation errors occurred most probably because canopy and rainfall characteristics were not taken into account in the two equations

A study on the performance of Malaysian Real Estate Investment Trusts from 2005-2010 by using Net Asset Value approach

This paper is to understand the definition and the development of REIT in Malaysia and further examine performance of Malaysia REIT based on the Net Asset Value approach (NAV). This study also assesses the noise theory and explains why Malaysia REIT trade at NAV premium and NAV discount. Annual data series for annual closing price of the thirteen listed real estate investment trusts (ARREIT, AXREIT, TWREIT, AMFIRST, BSDREIT, AHP, AHP2, ALAQAR, HEKTAR, UOAREIT, QCAPITAL, ATRIUM and STAREIT) are obtained from the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, also called Bursa Malaysia for the study period from 2005 to 2010. Information about total asset, total liabilities and number of shares outstanding are getting from the 13 MREIT’s respective annual financial report. The result showed that AHP2 has the lowest NAV value among the thirteen listed REIT in Malaysia and traded at NAV discount. This was compatible with the NAV discount in NAV approach. NAV discounts below the current stock prices are reflection of poor current and future prospects for firm earnings, mistakes in financing and operations decision. AXREIT is traded at NAV discount due to the irrational behaviour of investors in noise trader theory and not because it’s poor performance. Investors are overly optimistic about AXREIT according to noise theory. Overall, MREIT are traded at NAV premium. In conclusion, MREIT are generally much better companies in terms of disclosure, transparency, share liquidity, corporate democracy and depth of management