Restructuring Foreign Worker Policy and Community Transformation in Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most rapidly growing economies in Asia and is blessed with foreign workers inflow to sustain the economic growth process. However, the strong national sentiments among the local community, which harbors ill perception towards the foreign workers, lead to regrettably vague policies concerning foreign workers. As far as this issue is concerned, Malaysia needs to reform the policy regulations so that foreign workers will be able to integrate into the economic transformation of the country. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the current regulations regarding foreign workers policy in Malaysia. Arguably, foreign worker regulations can be improved by referring to Malaysia’s past experience and copy the models of other foreign-workers-friendly countries. A process-oriented methodology was adopted in this study to understand the issues associated with foreign workers, community transformation, and policy implementation. The result of this study shows that superior implementation and enforcement of foreign labor regulations would lead to harmonization and transformation of the community

The Contribution of Localization Management System on Zakat Institution Performance

This paper attempts to analyze the concept of localization and its relationship with the psychological performance of zakat. It argued that localization could produce development opportunities from the management decentralization of supply chain in zakat institution. In this study, localization is treated as the mediator, while property rights of zakat and asset specificity performed as the independent factors in determining the performance of zakat. Data from 428 samples of zakat payers reveal that localization was performed as the complementary partial mediation toward the performance of zakat. This is due to the property rights of zakat and the asset specificity have the direct impact on the psychological performance. Hence, further exploration of the innovation in supply chain management, especially on the aspect of decentralization of zakat is needed. This study suggested that development opportunities could be met by applying the concept of localization in the zakat institution

The contribution of localization management system on zakat institution performance

This paper attempts to analyze the concept of localization and its relationship with the psychological performance of zakat.It argued that localization could produce development opportunities from the management decentralization of supply chain in zakat institution. In this study, localization is treated as the mediator, while property rights of zakat and asset specificity performed as the independent factors in determining the performance of zakat. Data from 428 samples of zakat payers reveal that localization was performed as the complementary partial mediation toward the performance of zakat. This is due to the property rights of zakat and the asset specificity have the direct impact on the psychological performance. Hence, further exploration of the innovation in supply chain management, especially on the aspect of decentralization of zakat is needed. This study suggested that development opportunities could be met by applying the concept of localization in the zakat institution

Exploring Socio-Cultural Network, Open Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Theoretical Integration

The socio-cultural network has provided an important theoretical contribution toward the understanding of the concept of actors and cultural elements to be nodes together, and consequently affect the entrepreneurial activity. However, the socio-cultural network theory seems to be less concern and remain understudied in the respect of the innovation perspectives. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to integrate, from a theoretical perspective, the socio-cultural network and open innovation altogether for explaining the entrepreneurial orientation. In this sense, this paper points out that the open innovation approach could be apt in the socio-cultural network framework to develop future research in analyzing the decisions of entrepreneurial orientation

Liquid slosh control by implementing model-free PID controller with derivative filter based on PSO

Conventionally, the control of liquid slosh system is done based on model-based techniques that challenging to implement practically because of the chaotic motion of fluid in the container. The aim of this article is to develop the tuning technique for model-free PID with derivative filter (PIDF) parameters for liquid slosh suppression system based on particle swarm optimization (PSO). PSO algorithm is responsible to find the optimal values for PIDF parameters based on fitness functions which are Sum Squared Error (SSE) and Sum Absolute Error (SAE) of the cart position and liquid slosh angle response. The modelling of liquid slosh in lateral movement is considered to justify the design of control scheme. The PSO tuning method is compared by heuristic tuning method in order to show the effectiveness of the proposed tuning approach. The performance evaluations of the proposed tuning method are based on the ability of the tank to follow the input in horizontal motion and liquid slosh level reduction in time domain. Based on the simulation results, the suggested tuning method is capable to reduce the liquid slosh level in the same time produces fast input tracking of the tank without precisely model the chaotic motion of the fluid

Self-tuning fuzzy PID controller using online method in essential oil extraction process

During the extraction process, the temperature plays the major effect on the quality and output yield.Numerous studies on this domain mention that excessive heat during the extraction process will degrade the quality of oil and produced poor output.Recently, researchers take efforts to fix this problem by develop intelligent control technique in order to regulate the temperature. This study proposed the self-tuning fuzzy PID (STFPID) controller using online method. The STFPID controller will regulate the steam temperature below 100OC where very little publication so far discussed on that range.The robustness of STFPID controller was test using load disturbance and set point tracking.The performance effectiveness was evaluated based on rise time, settling time, percent overshoot, and steady stare error.From the simulation result, the STFPID controller shows good performance in both transient and steady state dynamics.The STFPID controller also has the ability to track the set point change and curb the load disturbance

Route Planning Analysis In Holes Drilling Process Using Magnetic Optimization Algorithm For Electronic Manufacturing Sector

Electronic manufacturing sector uses computer numerical controlled machines for drilling holes. Most of the computer numerical controlled machines used nearest neighbour algorithm to plan the route for the drill bit to travel. Based on this motivation, this paper proposes an approach which is based on the experimentation of Magnetic Optimization Algorithm. In this implementation, each magnetic agent or particle in Magnetic Optimization Algorithm represents a candidate solution of the problem. The magnitude of the magnetic force between these particles is inversely proportional to the distance calculated by the solution they represented. Particles with greater magnetic force will attract other particles with relatively smaller magnetic force, towards it. The process is repeated until the stopping condition meets and the solution with lowest distance is taken as the best-found solution. Result obtained from the case study shows that the proposed approach managed to find the optimal solution. With this method, electronics manufacturing sector can optimize the drilling process hence will increase the productivity of the manufacturer. This study can be extended further by tuning the parameters of MOA in order to enhance the drilling route process

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

The roles of property rights and transaction costs on the institutional zakat performance

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and is regarded as the social security system for the development of Muslim communities. Currently, however, the performance of the zakat institution, especially in Malaysia, is still considered to be below the expected level. The zakat institution seems to only perform as a charity organisation instead of as a social security institution. This study is conducted to investigate the structures of the zakat institution and how these ‘structures’ could determine 'zakat institution performance'. Two aspects of the institutional structures are measured in this study, namely property rights and transaction costs. In terms of zakat performance, it is estimated based on two types of performance, which are socio-economic and psychological performance. With regard to the institutional structures, three objectives have emerged. The first is to examine to what extent securing the property rights of zakat and transaction costs could produce an impact on zakat institution performance. Secondly, this study endeavours to investigate whether the transaction costs perform as mediators when referring to the relationship between property rights and zakat performance. Third, this study is attempted to develop an institutional innovation for zakat through an open innovation strategy. A total of 428 respondents among zakat payers agreed to participate in this study, and the data was analysed using partial least square – structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach. The results of the analysis found that property rights and transaction costs produce a moderate impact on the zakat institution’s performance. Transaction costs performed as the ‘complementary partial mediation’ between property rights and socio-economic performance and as ‘full-mediation’ between property rights and psychological performance. Based on the results and with the combination of the open innovation strategy, the institutional innovation of zakat was developed, so then it could perform as the social security institution. Seven elements have been proposed to be integrated into the zakat institution. The integration of the elements under the wings of zakat would be able to reduce the costs involved in the processes of the zakat transaction, as well as to ensure that the category of asnaf’s rights on zakat will be protected