• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.63-84
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• 2021

The present study was conducted to understand the turmoil effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the Malaysian stock market during the different periods of the Movement Control Order (MCO). The present study was based on the secondary data extracted from the DataStream and Bloomberg from 2nd January 2020 to 29th May 2020 to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the Malaysian stock market. The findings suggested that during the different periods of the Movement Control Order (MCO) from the 1st January to 29th May 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the performance of KLCI index and all sectoral indices. The weakest performance indices were energy, property, and finance while the least affected indices were healthcare, technology, telecommunications, and media. This paper provides a review of the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the Malaysian stock market throughout the different periods of MCO.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.126-142
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• 2021

Purpose - This study discusses the effects of human capital in the formation of GVC linkages. We also investigate GVC intensity between Korea and ASEAN. Design/methodology - To solve the doubling-counting problem in evaluating comparative advantage, RCA has been re-computed using domestic value-added (henceforth RCA_VA) at the country-sector level instead of value of trade. The impact of human capital on GVC intensity was empirically analyzed by establishing a panel data set with four industries (ISIC Rev. 4) in eight ASEAN countries from 2005 to 2015 from OECD-TiVA and WDI. Findings - The empirical results show that human capital has a negative effect on GVC intensity in the agriculture and manufacture industries, while it has a positive effect in the service and information industries. The results do not mean that low human capital is a barrier and inefficient to GVC linkages. Low Value-added activities may be more profitable to some emerging countries. These findings suggest that it is important to accurately identify the competitive elements to increase gains from trade under the GVC. Also, it shows that comparative advantages can be misled by an RCA index evaluated in trade volume under the GVC. Originality/value - This study highlights the importance of human capital as a factor for the efficient formation of Global Value Chain (GVC). This study has different from the literature in analyzing the role of human capital in formation of linkage of the GVC. And we clarify the changing patterns of trade by removing the double-counting problem under the GVC.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.669-676
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different Hydraulic Retention Times (HRTs) on the contaminant removal efficiency using Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS). A laboratory-scale experiment was performed using a sequencing batch reactor, and the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), nitrogen, orthophosphate removal efficiency, AGS/MLSS ratio, and precipitability in accordance with the HRT were evaluated. As a result, the COD removal efficiency was not significantly different with the reduction in HRT, and at a HRT of 6 h, the removal rate was slightly increased owing to the increase in organic loading rate. The nitrogen removal efficiency was improved by injection of influent division at a HRT of 6 h. As the HRT decreased, the MLSS and AGS tended to increase, and the sludge volume index finally decreased to 50 mL/g. In addition, the size of the AGS gradually increased to about 1.0 mm. Therefore, the control of HRT provides favorable conditions for the stable formation of AGS, and is expected to improve the contaminant removal efficiency with the selection of a proper operation strategy.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.719-727
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• 2019

In this study, the effect on the stability of Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) with different Carbon/Nitrogen (C/N) ratios was investigated. The C/N ratios were controlled to 10.0, 7.5, 5.0, and 2.5 using the sequencing batch reactor, and the results showed that the removal efficiency of organic matter and total nitrogen decreased simultaneously with the decrease of C/N ratio. The removal efficiency of organic matter and total nitrogen at C/N ratio of 2.5 was 70.7% and 52.3% respectively. In addition, the AGS/mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) ratio showed a tendency to decrease from 85.7% to 73.7%, while the sludge volume index showed a tendency to increase from 82 mL/g to 102 mL/g as the C/N ratio decreased. At the same time, the apparent deviation of polysaccharide (PS) content in extracellular polymeric substances was observed, and polysaccharides/protein (PS/PN) ratio decreased from 0.62 to 0.31 as the C/N ratio decreased. Optical microscope observations showed that the reduction in C/N ratio caused the growth of filamentous bacteria and significantly affected the stability of AGS.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.341-346
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• 2019

Background: Although the concept of workload is important to nursing practice, only a few nursing researchers have focused on the issue of workload within the nursing context. Knowledge of how the dynamics of workload affects the job stress of nurses working in a specific unit or department in a hospital setting, and the influence of coworker support on this relationship, still remains limited. This study, therefore examined the effect of workload on job stress of Ghanaian outpatient department nurses and the moderating effect of coworker support on this relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used, and questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 216 outpatient department nurses from four major hospitals in Ghana. The data collected measured workload, job stress, and coworker support using National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Task Load Index, job stress scale, and coworker support scale, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and hierarchical regression. Results: High levels of workload were associated with high levels of job stress of the nurses. Also, higher levels of workload were related to higher levels of job stress for nurses who received high levels of coworker support, but this was not the case for those who received low levels of coworker support (reserve buffering effect). Conclusion: The finding reiterates the adverse effect of workloads on employees' health, and the reverse buffering effect implies that supporting a colleague at work should be conveyed in a positive manner devoid of negative appraisal.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.607-615
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to biological treatment of high salinity wastewater using Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS). In laboratory scale's experiments research was performed using a sequencing batch reactor, and evaluation of the denitrification reaction in accordance with the injection condition of salinity concentration, surface properties of microorganisms, and sludge precipitability was performed. The results showed that the salinity concentration increased up to 1.5%, and there was no significant difference in the nitrogen removal efficiency; however, it showed a tendency to decrease gradually from 2.0% onward. The specific denitrification rate (SDNR) was 0.052 - 0.134 mg $NO_3{^-}-N/mg$ MLVSS (mixed liquor volatile suspended solid)${\cdot}day$. The MLVSS/MLSS (mixed liquor suspended solid) ratio decreased to 76.2%, and sludge volume index ($SVI_{30}$) was finally lowered to 57 mL/g. Using an optical microscope, it was also observed that the initial size of the sludge was 0.2 mm, and finally it was formed to 0.8-1.0 mm. Therefore, salinity injection provides favorable conditions for the formation of an AGS, and it was possible to maintain stable granular sludge during long-term operation of the biological treatment system.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.629-637
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-salinity wastewater on the microbial activity of Aerobic Granule Sludge (AGS). Laboratory-scale experiments were performed using a sequencing batch reactor, and the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), nitrogen removal efficiency, sludge precipitability, and microbial activity were evaluated under various salinity injection. The COD removal efficiency was found to decrease gradually to 3.0% salinity injection, and it tended to recover slightly from 4.0%. The specific nitrification rate was 0.043 - 0.139 mg $NH_4{^+}-N/mg$ $MLVSS{\cdot}day$. The specific denitrification rate was 0.069 - 0.108 mg $NO_3{^-}-N/mg$ $MLVSS{\cdot}day$. The sludge volume index ($SVI_{30}$) ultimately decreased to 46 mL/g. The specific oxygen uptake rate decreased from an initial value 120.3 to a final value 70.7 mg $O_2/g$ $MLVSS{\cdot}hr$. Therefore, salinity injection affects the activity of AGS, causing degradation of the COD and nitrogen removal efficiency. It can be used as an indicator to objectively determine the effect of salinity on microbial activity.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.643-655
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• 2021

This study investigated the effect of the Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) microfinancing on the economic, social, and household empowerment of women borrowers in Malaysia. The study used a quantitative approach based on primary data. For this study, the participants comprised 384 AIM borrowers from Terengganu, Kelantan, and Pahang in the east coast region of Malaysia. Purposive stratified random sampling was used as well as the Krejcie and Morgan method to count the number of samples. Descriptive statistics and the Women Empowerment Index (WEI) were used in the analysis. The study findings reveal that AIM microfinancing affects the economic, social, and household empowerment of women borrowers in Malaysia. However, in comparing the three categories, women enjoyed more freedom in social and household decision-making than in economic decision-making. The present study recommends policies for the successful and effective operation of microfinance programs by providing the necessary guidelines for the control of AIM loan for women borrowers; increasing income-generating activities, sufficient access of credit, and proper education for the borrowers; and giving economic freedom of choice with necessary skill training policymaking options for the government and NGOs with the aim to improve the total household income and empowerment of the microcredit borrowers in Malaysia.

• Asian Journal of Business Environment
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2021

Purpose: This study extends previous empirical work on the threshold effects of institutions on the relationship between infrastructure and economic growth. It does so by using three sub-indices of institutions as the threshold variable in place of aggregate index. This is with a view to determining the roles of the sub-indices in the nexus between infrastructure and economic growth. Research design, data and methodology: The analysis is based on a dynamic panel threshold regression model using a panel data set comprising 41 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa over the sample period of 1996-2015. Data are obtained from Ogbaro (2019). Results: The study finds that infrastructure exerts significant positive effects on economic growth below and above the threshold values of the three sub-indices, with higher effects above the threshold values. Results also show that on average, the Sub-Saharan African countries are not able to satisfy any of the threshold conditions, which accounts for their poor growth experience. Conclusion: The study concludes that countries with weak institutions do not benefit maximally from infrastructure development policies. The paper, therefore, recommends that countries in Sub-Saharan Africa need to focus on improving their institutional patterns if they are to reap the optimum benefits from their infrastructure development efforts.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.763-767
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• 2021

Accounting information is essential for users. Useful information helps users to make appropriate investment-related decisions. Segment reporting disclosure plays a practical role for an investor in a business. The article data was surveyed by ordinary least squares to test the effects of corporate governance on the segment reporting disclosure. The article employed time-series data with 136 observations of the top 100 non-financial Vietnamese enterprises listed on the stock exchange in the period of 2018-2019. The research used two popular theories related to stakeholder and agency to explain the effects of factors on segment reporting disclosure. The results have identified two factors that have a positive impact on segment reporting disclosure, namely, the size of the board and the ratio of foreign members to the total number of the board. Accordingly, the managers of the top 100 Vietnamese listed enterprises should increase the number of board members as well as pay attention to the number of foreign members to contribute to improving the information disclosure on the segment reporting. It is the basis to improve the quality of information to ensure completeness and transparency. It contributes to attracting foreign investment to meet the trend of international economic integration.