This paper aims to investigate the extent to which Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） adopted corporate governance （CG） principles and their effects on firm performance. The principles examined i...This paper aims to investigate the extent to which Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） adopted corporate governance （CG） principles and their effects on firm performance. The principles examined included： establishing clear roles and responsibilities; strengthening composition; and reinforcing independence. The paper is based on a questionnaire survey study among 113 SMEs that consisted of 35% （39） of manufacturing and related services and 65% （74） from services including information and communication technology （ICT）, primary agriculture, construction, mining, and quarrying. The analysis of the data indicates that 32% of the respondents said that the primary reason why they have their own business is to have control over their own working life. This fmding appears to confirm the f＇mancing theory that SMEs owners have other goals than profitability. In addition, 30% of SMEs perceived that the most important role played by the board is risk management; hence, these boards have a greater control over financial risks that may lead to better financial performance. The analysis also shows that 81% of the respondents＇ board consisted of internal board members only. These enterprises need to see the important role of external board members as a source of advice providers and experts to them. For policies relating to clear roles and responsibilities of board, only 28% of the respondents established clear functions reserved for the board and those delegated to management; substantial respondents did not draw up policies relating to reinforce board independency （between 75% and 79%） and to strengthen board composition （46%）. Besides, 68% of the respondents have the position of chairman and CEO held by same individuals and 81% of the chairman is an executive member of the board. These findings suggest that SMEs cannot see the importance of strengthening board and having independent board members. Regression analysis also indicates that board independence has a significant and positive impact on firm performance. Hence, SMEs need to appreciate networking advantages, competency, and strategic knowledge that the right board can offer. The governmental ministries and agencies in Malaysia need to take active measures to encourage SMEs to strengthen their board governance, because SMEs are the important economic powers for stimulating national economic growth. This paper contributes to the empirical literatures on the adoption of CG principles and their effects on SMEs＇ firm performance in emerging markets.展开更多
Scientic Workow Applications(SWFAs)can deliver collaborative tools useful to researchers in executing large and complex scientic processes.Particularly,Scientic Workow Scheduling(SWFS)accelerates the computational pro...Scientic Workow Applications(SWFAs)can deliver collaborative tools useful to researchers in executing large and complex scientic processes.Particularly,Scientic Workow Scheduling(SWFS)accelerates the computational procedures between the available computational resources and the dependent workow jobs based on the researchers’requirements.However,cost optimization is one of the SWFS challenges in handling massive and complicated tasks and requires determining an approximate(near-optimal)solution within polynomial computational time.Motivated by this,current work proposes a novel SWFS cost optimization model effective in solving this challenge.The proposed model contains three main stages:(i)scientic workow application,(ii)targeted computational environment,and(iii)cost optimization criteria.The model has been used to optimize completion time(makespan)and overall computational cost of SWFS in cloud computing for all considered scenarios in this research context.This will ultimately reduce the cost for service consumers.At the same time,reducing the cost has a positive impact on the protability of service providers towards utilizing all computational resources to achieve a competitive advantage over other cloud service providers.To evaluate the effectiveness of this proposed model,an empirical comparison was conducted by employing three core types of heuristic approaches,including Single-based(i.e.,Genetic Algorithm(GA),Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO),and Invasive Weed Optimization(IWO)),Hybrid-based(i.e.,Hybrid-based Heuristics Algorithms(HIWO)),and Hyper-based(i.e.,Dynamic Hyper-Heuristic Algorithm(DHHA)).Additionally,a simulation-based implementation was used for SIPHT SWFA by considering three different sizes of datasets.The proposed model provides an efcient platform to optimally schedule workow tasks by handing data-intensiveness and computational-intensiveness of SWFAs.The results reveal that the proposed cost optimization model attained an optimal Job completion time(makespan)and total computational cost for small and large sizes of the considered dataset.In contrast,hybrid and hyper-based approaches consistently achieved better results for the medium-sized dataset.展开更多
This study investigates the mechanism of formation of convection plumes of mushroom shape in sub-solidus mantle and their prediction. The seismic-tomographic images of columnar structures of several hundreds kilometer...This study investigates the mechanism of formation of convection plumes of mushroom shape in sub-solidus mantle and their prediction. The seismic-tomographic images of columnar structures of several hundreds kilometers in diameter have been reported by several researchers, while the much cherished mushroom-shaped plume heads could only be found in computational geodynamics （CGD） models and simple small-scale laboratory analogue simulations. Our theory of transient instability shows that the formation of convection plumes is preceded by the onset of convection caused by unsteady-state heat conduction at the boundaries, from which filamentous plumes first appear. The plumes generated at the Core Mantle Boundary （CMB） and lithosphere rising and falling through the mantle have been pre- dicted simply with our theory for various heat fluxes and viscosities, which still remain uncertain amongst geoscientists. The sizes of mushroom plumes in the sub-solidus mantle caused by heat fluxes of 20 and 120 mW/m2 at the CMB are found to be 1842 km and 1173 km with critical times over 825 Myr and 334 Myr respectively. They are comparable to some large continental flood basalt provinces, and they number between 17 and 41. The thickness of the thermal boundary layers at the CMB from which convection plumes evolved are found to be 652 km and 415 km for 20 and 120 mW/m^2 respectively. Top cooling may produce plunging plumes of diameter of 585 km and at least 195 Myr old. The number of cold plumes is estimated to be 569, which has not been observed by seismic tomograpby展开更多
The number of children suffering from stress and anxiety in Malaysia is on the rise. Evidence shows that mind-body therapies such as mindfulness therapy, meditation and yoga have been practiced in many other countries...The number of children suffering from stress and anxiety in Malaysia is on the rise. Evidence shows that mind-body therapies such as mindfulness therapy, meditation and yoga have been practiced in many other countries to reduce and/or manage the psychological effects of stress and anxiety. This review arti- cle looks at the intervention of yoga as a meditative movement practice in helping school children man- age stress and anxiety. Articles were retrieved using a combination of databases including PubMed/ MEDLINE, and PsyclNFO. Not only peer-reviewed articles, but also those written in English language were included in this review. All studies reviewed had incorporated some form of meditative movement exer- cise. The intervention encompassed asanas （postures）, pranayama （expansion of life force）, dharana （con- centration） and dhyana （meditation）, which are the different paths in yoga. A total of eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The findings of this review reveal that the practice of yoga has brought about, among other things, improvement in managing and reducing stress and anxiety. Despite the limitations in most, if not all of the studies reviewed, in terms of heterogeneity and sample size, yoga appears to be an effective modality for helping children cope with stress and anxiety. It appears that if schools in Malaysia can incorporate yoga as part of the physical education curriculum, it will definitely benefit the students.展开更多
Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major public health concerns worldwide. Developing a TBI registry could facilitate characterizing TBI, monitoring the quality of care, and quantifying the burden of ...Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major public health concerns worldwide. Developing a TBI registry could facilitate characterizing TBI, monitoring the quality of care, and quantifying the burden of TBI by collecting comparable and standardized epidemiological and clinical data. However, a national standard tool for data collection of the TBI registry has not been developed in Iran yet. This study aimed to develop a national minimum data set (MDS) for a hospital-based registry of patients suffering from TBI in Iran. Methods: The MDS was designed in 2 phases, including a literature review and a Delphi study with content validation by an expert panel. After the literature review, a comprehensive list of administrative and clinical items was obtained. Through a two-round e-Delphi approach conducted by invited experts with clinical and research experience in the field of TBI, the final data elements were selected. Results: A MDS of TBI was assigned to 2 parts: administrative part with 5 categories including 52 data elements, and clinical part with 9 categories including 130 data elements. Conclusion: For the first time in Iran, we developed a MDS specified for TBI consisting of 182 data elements. The MDS would facilitate implementing a TBI’s national level registry and providing essential, comparable and standardized information.展开更多
文摘This paper aims to investigate the extent to which Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） adopted corporate governance （CG） principles and their effects on firm performance. The principles examined included： establishing clear roles and responsibilities; strengthening composition; and reinforcing independence. The paper is based on a questionnaire survey study among 113 SMEs that consisted of 35% （39） of manufacturing and related services and 65% （74） from services including information and communication technology （ICT）, primary agriculture, construction, mining, and quarrying. The analysis of the data indicates that 32% of the respondents said that the primary reason why they have their own business is to have control over their own working life. This fmding appears to confirm the f＇mancing theory that SMEs owners have other goals than profitability. In addition, 30% of SMEs perceived that the most important role played by the board is risk management; hence, these boards have a greater control over financial risks that may lead to better financial performance. The analysis also shows that 81% of the respondents＇ board consisted of internal board members only. These enterprises need to see the important role of external board members as a source of advice providers and experts to them. For policies relating to clear roles and responsibilities of board, only 28% of the respondents established clear functions reserved for the board and those delegated to management; substantial respondents did not draw up policies relating to reinforce board independency （between 75% and 79%） and to strengthen board composition （46%）. Besides, 68% of the respondents have the position of chairman and CEO held by same individuals and 81% of the chairman is an executive member of the board. These findings suggest that SMEs cannot see the importance of strengthening board and having independent board members. Regression analysis also indicates that board independence has a significant and positive impact on firm performance. Hence, SMEs need to appreciate networking advantages, competency, and strategic knowledge that the right board can offer. The governmental ministries and agencies in Malaysia need to take active measures to encourage SMEs to strengthen their board governance, because SMEs are the important economic powers for stimulating national economic growth. This paper contributes to the empirical literatures on the adoption of CG principles and their effects on SMEs＇ firm performance in emerging markets.
基金sponsored by the NWO/TTW project Multi-scale integrated Trafc Observatory for Large Road Networks(MiRRORS)under Grant Number 16270.
文摘Scientic Workow Applications(SWFAs)can deliver collaborative tools useful to researchers in executing large and complex scientic processes.Particularly,Scientic Workow Scheduling(SWFS)accelerates the computational procedures between the available computational resources and the dependent workow jobs based on the researchers’requirements.However,cost optimization is one of the SWFS challenges in handling massive and complicated tasks and requires determining an approximate(near-optimal)solution within polynomial computational time.Motivated by this,current work proposes a novel SWFS cost optimization model effective in solving this challenge.The proposed model contains three main stages:(i)scientic workow application,(ii)targeted computational environment,and(iii)cost optimization criteria.The model has been used to optimize completion time(makespan)and overall computational cost of SWFS in cloud computing for all considered scenarios in this research context.This will ultimately reduce the cost for service consumers.At the same time,reducing the cost has a positive impact on the protability of service providers towards utilizing all computational resources to achieve a competitive advantage over other cloud service providers.To evaluate the effectiveness of this proposed model,an empirical comparison was conducted by employing three core types of heuristic approaches,including Single-based(i.e.,Genetic Algorithm(GA),Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO),and Invasive Weed Optimization(IWO)),Hybrid-based(i.e.,Hybrid-based Heuristics Algorithms(HIWO)),and Hyper-based(i.e.,Dynamic Hyper-Heuristic Algorithm(DHHA)).Additionally,a simulation-based implementation was used for SIPHT SWFA by considering three different sizes of datasets.The proposed model provides an efcient platform to optimally schedule workow tasks by handing data-intensiveness and computational-intensiveness of SWFAs.The results reveal that the proposed cost optimization model attained an optimal Job completion time(makespan)and total computational cost for small and large sizes of the considered dataset.In contrast,hybrid and hyper-based approaches consistently achieved better results for the medium-sized dataset.
文摘This study investigates the mechanism of formation of convection plumes of mushroom shape in sub-solidus mantle and their prediction. The seismic-tomographic images of columnar structures of several hundreds kilometers in diameter have been reported by several researchers, while the much cherished mushroom-shaped plume heads could only be found in computational geodynamics （CGD） models and simple small-scale laboratory analogue simulations. Our theory of transient instability shows that the formation of convection plumes is preceded by the onset of convection caused by unsteady-state heat conduction at the boundaries, from which filamentous plumes first appear. The plumes generated at the Core Mantle Boundary （CMB） and lithosphere rising and falling through the mantle have been pre- dicted simply with our theory for various heat fluxes and viscosities, which still remain uncertain amongst geoscientists. The sizes of mushroom plumes in the sub-solidus mantle caused by heat fluxes of 20 and 120 mW/m2 at the CMB are found to be 1842 km and 1173 km with critical times over 825 Myr and 334 Myr respectively. They are comparable to some large continental flood basalt provinces, and they number between 17 and 41. The thickness of the thermal boundary layers at the CMB from which convection plumes evolved are found to be 652 km and 415 km for 20 and 120 mW/m^2 respectively. Top cooling may produce plunging plumes of diameter of 585 km and at least 195 Myr old. The number of cold plumes is estimated to be 569, which has not been observed by seismic tomograpby
文摘The number of children suffering from stress and anxiety in Malaysia is on the rise. Evidence shows that mind-body therapies such as mindfulness therapy, meditation and yoga have been practiced in many other countries to reduce and/or manage the psychological effects of stress and anxiety. This review arti- cle looks at the intervention of yoga as a meditative movement practice in helping school children man- age stress and anxiety. Articles were retrieved using a combination of databases including PubMed/ MEDLINE, and PsyclNFO. Not only peer-reviewed articles, but also those written in English language were included in this review. All studies reviewed had incorporated some form of meditative movement exer- cise. The intervention encompassed asanas （postures）, pranayama （expansion of life force）, dharana （con- centration） and dhyana （meditation）, which are the different paths in yoga. A total of eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The findings of this review reveal that the practice of yoga has brought about, among other things, improvement in managing and reducing stress and anxiety. Despite the limitations in most, if not all of the studies reviewed, in terms of heterogeneity and sample size, yoga appears to be an effective modality for helping children cope with stress and anxiety. It appears that if schools in Malaysia can incorporate yoga as part of the physical education curriculum, it will definitely benefit the students.
基金This study was supported by grant number 43012 from Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
文摘Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major public health concerns worldwide. Developing a TBI registry could facilitate characterizing TBI, monitoring the quality of care, and quantifying the burden of TBI by collecting comparable and standardized epidemiological and clinical data. However, a national standard tool for data collection of the TBI registry has not been developed in Iran yet. This study aimed to develop a national minimum data set (MDS) for a hospital-based registry of patients suffering from TBI in Iran. Methods: The MDS was designed in 2 phases, including a literature review and a Delphi study with content validation by an expert panel. After the literature review, a comprehensive list of administrative and clinical items was obtained. Through a two-round e-Delphi approach conducted by invited experts with clinical and research experience in the field of TBI, the final data elements were selected. Results: A MDS of TBI was assigned to 2 parts: administrative part with 5 categories including 52 data elements, and clinical part with 9 categories including 130 data elements. Conclusion: For the first time in Iran, we developed a MDS specified for TBI consisting of 182 data elements. The MDS would facilitate implementing a TBI’s national level registry and providing essential, comparable and standardized information.
