Current Trends and Practices in Human Resource Management: A Case Study in YTL Power Services Sdn. Bhd.

The challenging and changing role of human resource practitioners from merely administrative functions to strategic business partner calls for a more systematic and scientific approach as to how human resource should be practised. These practices have direct bearing on the performance of the human resources in an organization. Human resources play a vital role in the success of an organization. As such, there is a need to carry out studies on these practices which would enhance the potentials of the human resources in an organization. For the purpose of this study, YTL Power Services, an Independent Power Producer in our country has been selected. The current trends and practises in human resources management have been sought from contemporary literatures. These include articles from magazines such as HR Magazine from the United States. The review of related literatures provided the knowledge of the current trends and practices in human resources management. In this study, the findings from the review of related literature is called "what ought to be". On the other hand, the analysis on what is currently practised in YTL Power services is called "what is". The main objective of this study was to compare the existing human resource management practises in YTL Power Services and the current trends and practises recommended by the literatures. This study also intends to set a foundation for further research and study to more Malaysian companies on the human resource practises to further improve their human asset through current trend and practises in human resource management. The findings of this study are discussed by dividing it to seven sub - topics namely : • Reward and recognition • Career development and succession planning • Performance management • Recruitment and selection • Training and development • Communication and employees involvement • Corporate culture Finally, from the findings and review of related literature, this study makes some recommendations with the intention of closing or at least narrowing the gap between "what is" and "what ought to be"

Stability indicating HPTLC method for quantitative estimation of manidipine sihydrochloride API

A simple, selective, precise and stability indicating high performance thin layer chromatographic method has been established and validated for analysis of manidipine hydrochloride in bulk. The compound was analyzed on aluminium backed silica gel 60 F254 plates with methanol:water, 8.5:1.5 (v:v) as mobile phase. The system was found to give compact spots for manidipine dihydrochloride (RF=0.75). Densitometric analysis was performed at 230 nm. Regression analysis data for the calibration plot indicated good linear relationships between response and concentration over the range of 500-3000 ng/spot. The correlation coefficient, r2 was 0.998. The values of slope and intercept of the calibration plot were 2785.5 and 62.314, respectively. The method was validated for precision, recovery and robustness. The limits of detection and quantification were 20 and 50 ng, respectively. Manidipine dihydrochloride was subjected to acid, base, peroxide and sunlight induced degradation. In stability test the drug was susceptible to acid and base hydrolysis, oxidation and photodegradation. Statistical analysis proved that the method is repeatable, selective and accurate for manidipine. Because the method could effectively separate the drug from their degradation products, it can be used as a stability indicating method

Molecular and thermal studies of carbon fiber precursor polymers with low thermal-oxidative stabilization characteristics

In this investigation, terpolymers, copolymers, and homopolymer of acrylonitrile with dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPA), itaconic acid (IA) viz., poly(acrylonitrile‐ran‐3‐dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide‐ran‐itaconic acid) [P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA)], poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐3, dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide) [P(AN‐DMAPP)] were synthesized with varying amounts of comonomers using solution polymerization process. The chemical structure, composition, bonding network were determined employing infrared, 1H and, 13‐carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. Molecular characteristics of as‐synthesized polymers such as different kinds of average molecular weights, molecular weight distribution were estimated applying solution viscometry and size exclusion chromatography. The influence of comonomers (DMPAA, IA) on the thermal stabilization characteristics of acrylonitrile terpolymers in comparison with copolymers and homopolymers of acrylonitrile were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hyphenated thermal techniques (thermal gravimetry coupled with differential thermal analyzer).The DSC curves of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) exhibit a distinct broader bimodal peaks with thermal exotherm initiating at as low as 165 °C, and followed by two peaks with temperature difference of 42 °C, releasing the evolved heat at a release rate of 0.7–0.11 J g−1s−1over 10 min as compared to 1.2, 7.5 J g−1s−1 in 4.5, 2 min as observed in P(AN‐DMAPP), polyacrylonitrile, respectively. The thermal stability of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) and P(AN‐DMAPP), as evidenced by TGA‐DTA was found to be higher than PAN homopolymers. Specific heat capacity measurements confirmed the DSC results. Bulk densities of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) were in the range 0.31–0.35 g/cc. These results confirm the low‐temperature stabilization characteristics and suitability of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) as low cost carbon fiber precursor polymer

Towed Acoustic Countermeasures for Defending Acoustic Homing Torpedoes

The growing torpedo threat to ships and submarines demands effective countermeasures for defence. Detection, classification and localisation of an attacking torpedo is the first step towards launching effective countermeasures. Studies are on the rise to use the existing sonar systems to detect torpedoes and subsequently use countermeasures. The use of towed array sonar systems for torpedo detection and acoustic counter measures are the most recent and not reported much in open literature. This paper presents a modular acoustic counter measure approach using towed decoy against acoustic homing torpedoes. Describes the technologies and algorithms required for different modes of towed decoy, which is effective against both active and passive acoustic homing torpedoes. Towed decoy signal generation schemes and their realisation using digital signal processing hardware are outlined in this paper

Humanizing the Localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Education and Research at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Preliminary actions taken by the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) towards the value-added from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework that may relevant in the current indicators, elements, values and impacts, and the also constructive analysis by different sectors at High Educational Institutions (HEIs). Typically, the instrumentation on performances of each element (or indicator) in research and education portfolios are majorly defined as Key Performance Index (KPI) and/or Key Achievement/Amal Index (KAIs). All of instrumentations suitable at the vertical strategic plan to disseminate the workload across stakeholders in the HEIs. A strategic plan by each university will represent the core values and relevancy of niche area in academic and research sectors. However, UTM already is identifying the most critical element, far beyond the KPI/KAI successful story which focusses under the Pelan Global Universiti (PGU I-III) to outstanding values of inclusiveness, synergy and visibility with the important Desired State 2020. The UTM core values will serve Integrity, Synergy, Excellent and Sustainability (ISES) in all operation/services throughout trustworthy engagement with stakeholders. Meantime, the action plan for enVision 2025 institualized the pragmatic roadmaps align with the SDGs at the global benchmark, in order to horizontally manage the great grassroots improvement and further develop unique vision to UTM; named as UTMDNA. This paper describes the proactive strategic plan by UTM management to advocate the next roadmap altogether with high impact sustainable education and research works. Most of the concurrent achievement, action-plan and long-term Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) is emphasized in the life-balance strategy framework. The second wave (2020 - 2030) of SDGs in UTM is among the most recent thoughts towards the sustainability requirements specially to serve the UN SDG and enVision 2025 (UTM). Therefore, Malaysian higher education institutions should take proactive steps in culturing SDG initiatives – guided but not bounded by the specific measures set-out in the UN Conferenc

Production of Biodiesel using Tannery Fleshing as a Feedstock via Solid-state Fermentation

The objective of this study is to investigate solid state fermentation (SSF) mediated hydrolysis of tannery wastes to produce short and long chain fatty acids (SCFA and LCFA) followed by transesterification with methanol using alkali catalyst. Controlled inoculum which was isolated from soak liquor to be used in SSF, showed the maximum homology with the Microbacterium species by 16srDNA sequencing method. At 72 hours of Solid state fermentation (SSF), the maximum acidity and triglyceride hydrolysis were 39.46 % and 83.9% respectively. The predominant total fatty acids of the SSF samples were found to be oleic acid (C18:1n-9), palmitic acid (C16:0), and stearic acid (C18:0) and estimated to be 80 %. Transesterification rate was optimized at 3 hr reaction time with 1%NaOH (w/v %), 6% methanol to oil ratio (w/v %) to produce 89% conversion rate. C13 NMR confirmed the formation of fatty acid methyl esters group in the oil

Process Enhancement of Hydrogen And Methane Production from Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using Two-Stage Thermophilic and Mesophilic Fermentation

The present study investigates the technical possibilities of hydrogen and methane production from palm oil mill effluent (POME). The production was carried out in two stage (thermophilic and mesophilic) continuous phase with recirculation of the digestate sludge. The reactors used for the present study, up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) and continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) were operated under thermophilic and mesophilic conditions, respectively. The UASB reactor was operated at 2 days hydraulic retention time (HRT) and 75 kgCOD m3 d−1 organic loading rate (OLR) for hydrogen production. The effluents from UASB reactor containing mainly with acetate and butyrate were directly fed into CSTR for methane production and 5 days HRT was maintained. Both UASB and CSTR reactors were operated for 120 days continuously, and a stable production of the hydrogen and methane was obtained in the separate reactors. The maximum hydrogen and methane production rate achieved was 1.92 L H2 L−d−1 and 3.2 L CH4 L−1 d−1, respectively. The cumulative hydrogen and methane yields were 215 L H2/kgCOD−1 and 320 L CH4/kgCOD−1, respectively with the total COD removal efficiency of 94%. Thermoanaerobacterium species was dominant in hydrogen reactor, while methane reactor was dominated with Methanobrevibacter sp

Fermentative Hydrogen Production from Indigenous Mesophilic Strain Bacillus Anthracis PUNAJAN 1 Newly Isolated from Palm Oil Mill Effluent

In the present study, a new mesophilic bacterial strain, identified as Bacillus anthracis strain PUNAJAN 1 was isolated from palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge, and tested for its hydrogen production ability. Effect of physico-chemical factors such as temperature, initial pH, nitrogen source and carbon sources were investigated in order to determine the optimal conditions for hydrogen production. The maximum hydrogen yield of 2.42 mol H2/mol mannose was obtained at 35 °C and initial pH of 6.5. Yeast and mannose were used as the main carbon and nitrogen sources respectively in the course of the hydrogen production. Apart from synthetic substrate, specific hydrogen production potentials of the strain using POME was calculated and found to be 236 ml H2/g chemical oxygen demand (COD). The findings of this study demonstrate that the indigenous strain PUNAJAN 1 could be a potential candidate for hydrogen using POME as substrate