Knowledge management practices (KMP) and academic performance in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Terengganu, Malaysia

Knowledge management is one of the significant fields in the current organization in order to improve the performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between knowledge management practices and academic performance in public institution of higher learning. A questionnaire was used as the main instrument for the data collection. A total of 100 respondents answered the questionnaires which represented 54% of response rate. It was found that knowledge management practices namely knowledge generation, knowledge codification, knowledge sharing and knowledge utilization had positive and significant relationship with academic performance. Thus, in order to achieve higher academic performance, UiTM Terengganu has to ensure that the knowledge management practices were excellent

The relationship between Knowledge Management Practices (KMP) and academic performance: A Case study in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Terengganu

Knowledge management is one of the significant fields in the current organization in order to improve the performance.The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between knowledge management practices and academic performance in public institution of higher learning.A questionnaire was used as the main instrument for the data collection.A total of 100 respondents answered the questionnaires which represent 54% of response rate.It was found that knowledge management practices namely knowledge generation, knowledge codification, knowledge sharing and knowledge utilization have positive and significant relationship with academic performance

Lutetium (III) Oxide Film As Passive Mode Locker Device For Erbium-Doped Fibre Laser Cavity

We reported a newly fabricated saturable absorber (SA) namely Lutetium oxide (Lu2O3) thin film for generating a stable and compact mode-locked Erbium-doped fibre laser (EDFL) operating at 1564 nm. The film SA was synthesized by embedding Lu2O3 into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) host film. By incorporating the film SA along with 200 m long single mode fibre (SMF) into an EDFL cavity, the mode-locked laser with 0.97 MHz repetition rate stably emerged at an increasing pump power, ranging within 145-187mW. The pulse width was measured to be 2.12 ps. The highest pulse energy and peak power were measured as 7.64 nJ and 3.61 kW respectively and were obtained at 187 mW pump power. The fundamental frequency was examined to have a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 61 dB. These laser performances suggest that the Lu2O3 film SA is feasible for becoming an alternative passive SA in the 1.55 μm region

Lutetium Oxide Film As A Passive Saturable Absorber For Generating Q-Switched Fiber Laser At 1570 nm Wavelength

We report for the first time, the application of Lutetium oxide (Lu2O3) thin film as a saturable absorber (SA) in generating a stable and compact Q-switched Erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) operating at 1570 nm. The film SA was prepared by embedding the Lu2O3 particles into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) host film. By integrating the film SA in a laser cavity, a stable pulsed laser appeared when the input pump power hit the threshold at 26.3 mW. The frequency of the pulsed laser rose from 18.4 kHz to 30.4 kHz, matching the increase of pump power from 26.3 mW to 71.6 mW. The shortest pulse width of 8.47 µs and the highest peak power of 8.98 mW were obtained at the maximum available pump power of 71.6 mW. Meanwhile, the maximum output power and pulse energy were measured at approximately 2.32 mW and 76 nJ, respectively. In addition, the signal to noise ratio (SNR) was 40 dB. These indicators suggest that Lutetium oxide film is a good passive SA that can be used to generate pulsed laser operating at1.55 µm region

Prevalence and characteristics of e-cigarette users among Malaysian current and ex-smokers

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are new devices that have been accepted widely by both smokers and non-smokers. However, the evidence on EC used in Malaysia is scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of EC use and the socio-demographic and smoking characteristics associated with current EC use among Malaysian current and ex-smokers. Methods: This was a sub-analysis of data from a cross-sectional, national-population- based EC study conducted from May to June in 2016 in Malaysia. A detailed description of the sampling methods can be found in the National E-cigarette Survey (NECS) 2016 report. Briefly, data were obtained from 1396 individuals who had ever been smokers, i.e., 957 (68.6%) current smokers and 439 (31.4%) ex-smokers. Results: Current EC use was found predominantly among current smokers (8.0%) as compared with ex-smokers (4.3%). Among current smokers, the main reasons given for smoking ECs were wanting to try it (44.7%), followed by intention to quit tobacco smoking (15.8%) and to reduce tobacco smoking (10.5%). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that among current smokers, current EC users were more likely to be younger, i.e., 18-44 years (aOR= 4.83, 95% CI= 1.97-11.86, p=0.001), urban residents (aOR= 1.89, 95% CI= 1.15-3.11, p=0.012), single/ divorced/ widowed (aOR= 2.11, 95% CI= 1.24-3.61, p=0.006) and students (aOR= 2.25, 95% CI= 1.01-5.01, p=0.048). Among ex- smokers, only younger respondents (18-44 years old) was reported as being more likely to be current EC users (aOR= 3.81, 95% CI= 1.14-12.76, p=0.030). Conclusion: This study showed that currently using and ever having used ECs were more prevalent among current smokers. The reasons given for initiating EC use among current smokers were mainly wanting to try it, followed by intention to quit and to reduce tobacco smoking. Current EC use appears to be common among current smokers who are younger, urban residents, single/divorced/widowed and students. Therefore, EC cessation intervention strategies and policies should target these high-prevalence groups

Analisis keperluan hidup: strategi untuk membangunkan kerangka kediaman hidup warga emas

Kajian ini bertujuan menganaiisis keperluan hidup warga emas mtuk membangunkan satu kerangka kedamaian hidup mereka Seramai 442 warga emas terpilih sebagai responden kajian. pemilihan responden menggunakan sampel nonprobality iaitu sampel yang tidak besar dan tidak 'memerlukan kebarangkalian sebagai sampel kajian. Data dan makiumat yang diperolehi adalah rnelalui kaedah soal selidik, pemerhatian dan temu bual. Dapatan kajian dilaporkan dalam statistik kekerapan, peratusan, min dan sisihan piawai dan laporan naratif. Kajian rnenmjukkan warga emas memerlukan kelima-lima keperluan hidup yang dikemukakan oleh Maslow untuk membahagiakan hidup mereka. Didapati 47.0% daripada responden memerlukan keperluan kesempurnaan kendiri, 20.3 % memerlukan keperluan fisiologi, 17.8% memerlukan keperluan kasih sayang, 11 -2% memerlukan keperluan keselamatan, dan 3.7% memerlukan keperluan penghormatan. Kajian juga mendapati perkara yang membahagiakan hidup warga emas pula ialah 46.4% menyatakan keperluan kesernpurnaan kendiri, 22.1% menyatakan keperluan penghormatan, 14.9% menyatakan keperluan keselamatan, 14.5% menyatakan keperluan fisiologi, dan2.13% menyatakan keperluan kasih sayang. Tahap kebahagiaan hidup warga emas adalah tinggi didapati 90.4% menyatakan bahagia, 8.1% menyatakan kurang bahagia dan 1.5% menyatakan tidak bahagia. Berdasarkan kepada ketinggian skor rnin yang meIebihi 4.21 dan sisihan piawai yang kurang daripada 1.00, didapati sembilan situaai dm aktiviti y k g diperlukan oleh warga emas untuk memperolehi kebahagiaan hidup iaitu, mematuhi ajaran agama, mendalami pengetahuan agama, berusaha untuk terus hidup ddam keadaan sihat. mendapatkan perhatian daripada anak, menjaga kesihatan fizikal, merehatkan diri, melakukan aktiviti yang menyihatkan badan, mendapatkan perhatian daripada pasangan hidup, dm menimbulkan~erasaan gembira.Tujuh faktor utama yang menyumbang-kepada kedamaian hidup warga emas ialah melaksanakan ajaran agama, sihat.fuika1, disayangi, menyayangi, perasaan gernbira, merehatkan diri dan tiada masalah. Sembilan punca tahap kedamaian warga emas rendah ialah tidak sihat, susah hati, perasaan sedii didatangi masalah, tersentuh perasaan, tidak dapat melepaskan perasaan yang terpendam, tidak berpeluang melakukan aktiviti yang dapat menyihatkan badan, tidak dapat tempat kediaman yang diinginkan dan tidak dapat pengetahuan dan kemahiran yang diinginka

Prevalence and factors associated with attempts to quit and smoking cessation in Malaysia

Smoking cessation significantly reduces risk of smoking-related diseases and mortality. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with attempts to quit and smoking cessation among adult current smokers in Malaysia. Data from the National E-Cigarette Survey 2016 were analyzed. Forty nine percent of current smokers had attempted to quit at least once in the past 12 months and 31.4% of the respondents were former smokers. Multivariable analysis revealed that current smokers with low nicotine addiction and aged below 45 years were more likely to attempt to quit smoking. Being married, older age group, and having tertiary education were significantly associated with smoking cessation. Only half of the current smokers ever attempted to quit smoking and only a third of smokers quit. Stronger tobacco control policies are needed in Malaysia to encourage more smokers to quit smoking. Improved access to cessation support for underprivileged smokers is also needed

Inducing Q-Switching Operation At 1-Micron All-Fiber Laser Via Lutetium Oxide Film Saturable Absorber

We demonstrated a rare-earth element of lutetium oxide (Lu2O3) as a passive saturable absorber (SA) for generating Q-switching operation laser at 1-micron region. The laser cavity is all-fiber ring configuration with a single-clad ytterbium-doped fiber as a gain medium. Under dropcasting fabrication method, the Lu2O3 film with a 20 μm thickness has a linear absorption of ∼ 5 dB. A stable pulse train with a typical pattern of repetition rate (26.25 kHz–46.68 kHz) and pulse width (9.36 μs to 4.59 μs) presence along the increment of pump power from 116 mW to 151 mW. At maximum pump power, the single pulse envelope has a pulse energy of 128.8 nJ with 42 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The maximum output power is 6 mW and the laser consistently has a peak wavelength at 1067.8 nm. Exploring a new alternative material for saturable absorber is one of direction for better pulse all-fiber laser development, especially at 1-micron region wavelengt