Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of the Internal Audit Function in Thailand

There is a dearth of research and absence of any research model which identifies and examines the effectiveness of IAF in the Kingdom of Thailand (Thailand). Accordingly, the research conducted culminated in the construction of conceptual and empirical IAF models, which should prove useful to internal audit practitioners and academic researchers in Thailand. The purpose of this dissertation is to identify, measure, and evaluate factors that influence the effectiveness of the internal audit function in Thailand. Understanding the factors which influence internal audit function effectiveness will help Thai internal auditors at all levels (e.g. junior, senior, manager, and executive) improve the efficiency, efficacy, and value of the function to their companies and constituents. Main statistic tests were used such as multiple regression, exploratory factor analysis, and structural equations modeling (SEM). This study found that three new factors (compliance with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) standards, use of a risk-based audit plan, and presence of a quality assurance and improvement program) have high influence to the internal audit function effectiveness in Thailand
THE COSTS OF AUTOMOBILE DEPENDENCY AND THE BENEFITS OF BALANCED TRANSPORTATION

Automobile dependency is defined as high levels of per capita automobile travel, automobile oriented land use patterns, and reduced transport alternatives. Automobile dependency increases many costs: higher vehicle expenses, reduced travel choices, increased road and parking facility costs, congestion, accident damages, and a variety of environmental impacts. Beyond an optimal level, excessive automobile dependency may reduce economic productivity and development. A more balanced transportation system can provide many benefits to consumers and society. The Costs of Automobile Dependency
Conformation of phosphatidylserine in bilayers as studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

The 13C labeled lipid 1[1'-13C]DPPS-NH4+ and its metal salts were used to unambiguously assign all carbonyl vibrations in the infrared spectrum of phosphatidylserines. It is shown that the C=O stretching band at 1741 cm-1 of phosphatidylserines previously assigned to the sn-1 C = O vibration contains contributions from both the sn-1 and the sn-2 carbonyls. The C=O stretching band at frequencies between 1715 and 1730 cm-1 previously assigned to the sn-2 C=O vibration also contains contributions from both carbonyl groups. The frequency dependence observed with the ester carbonyls primarily reflects hydrogen bonding and the polarity of the immediate vicinity. Conformational changes are accounted for in terms of frequency shifts if the conformational change involves the disposition of the C=O groups and in turn the hydrogen bonding properties. The infrared spectra of phospholipids dispersed in aqueous medium in the liquid crystalline state are inconsistent with a simple phospholipid conformation, e.g., with a conformation as found in the single-crystal structure of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine and 1,2-dilauroyl-rac-phosphatidylethanolamine. The spectra support the hypothesis proposed earlier (Hauser et al., Biochemistry, 1988) on the basis of existing single-crystal phospholipid structures and NMR evidence. The hypothesis states that several conformations are present in liquid crystalline phospholipid dispersions. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The efficacy of preventive parasternal single injection of bupivacaine on intubation time, blood gas parameters, narcotic requirement, and pain relief after open heart surgery: A randomized clinical trial study

BACKGROUND: Postsurgical pain usually results in some complications in the patients. This study has tried to investigate the effects of parasternal single injection of bupivacaine on postoperative pulmonary and pain consequences in patients after open heart surgery. METHODS: In a prospective double blind clinical study, 100 consenting patients undergoing elective open heart surgery were randomized into two groups. In case group, bupivacaine was injected at both sides of sternum, immediately before sternal closure. In the control group, no intervention was performed. Then, the patients were investigated regarding intubation period, length of ICU stay, arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters, morphine requirement, and their severity of postoperative pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS) device. RESULTS: No differences were found between the two groups regarding to age, sex, pump time, operation time, and body mass index and preoperative cardiac ejection fraction. Mean intubation length in case group was much shorter than that in control group. Mean PaO2 in case group was lower in different checking times in postoperative period. The patients in the case group needed less morphine compared to those in the control group during the 24-hour observation period in the ICU. Finally, mean VAS scores of pain in case group were significantly lower than those in control group at 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients’ pain relief by parasternal single injection of bupivacaine in early postoperative period can facilitate earlier ventilator weaning and tracheal extubation after open heart surgery as well as achieving lower pain scores and narcotic requirements.
ALLERTON AND TIVEY : MAGNETIC STRUCTURE OF THE LOWER OCEANIC CRUST

A newly developed rock drill was used to take the first fully oriented samples from in-situ gabbros exposed on Atlantis Bank, which formed 11 m.y. ago on the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). These paleomagnetic data locate the seabed outcrop of a normal polarity magnetic lineation within an outcrop of lower crust that correlates with overlying deeptowed and sea-surface magnetic field measurements. A systematic lateral offset between the seabed boundary and measured anomalies implies that the reversal boundary dips ~25 ° to the south, away from the ridge axis. Paleomagnetic results suggest that following magnetization acquisition, the platform tilted south by ~20 ° (range: 33° south to 7° north), implying an original reversal boundary dip of only ~5 °.
Empirical Study on Knowledge Sources in Project-Intensive Organisations

In today’s globalised world, knowledge management is becoming increasingly important although the history of knowledge management dates back to ancient Greece and rome383, it was only in the 90’s of the XXth century when the concept of Knowledge economy emerged according to the OecD definition, Ke is the economy based on the production, distribution and use of knowledge and information384 as the importance of tangible assets declines, the business success is increasingly determined by the degree of effectiveness of the use of knowledge and innovation385 according to the current state of theory and practice knowledge is seen as an effec‐ tive use of information in action386, as a mean to resolve problems and issues387, a thorough cognition of a phenomenon through experience, education, observation or research388 Study by M Polyani presents knowledge that can be tacit (unwritten, unspoken, based on one’s emotions, experiences, intuition, insights observations, integral to the entirety of a person’s consciousness) or explicit (structured, written and stored in form of documents, procedures and knowledge systems)389 according to I Nonaka
Variance Risk Premia

Using a relatively model-free approach to extract the risk-neutral expected variance from an extensive set of traded options on 29 single stocks and eight stock indices, I derive the variance risk premium defined as the difference between the actually realized variance and the expected variance under the risk-neutral measure. The analysis reveals that variance risk premia are persistently negative for the majority of underlyings and show a clear link to the underlying’s exposure to systematic market variance. Moreover, I find that both the risk associated with continuous as well as discontinuous price movements contribute to observed variance risk premia. Keywords: Variance risk premium, Volatility premium, Jumps, Risk-neutral, Model-free
Metatarsalgia and rheumatoid arthritis--a randomized, single blind, sequential trial comparing 2 types of foot orthoses and supportive shoes.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of semi-rigid and soft orthoses worn in supportive shoes, and supportive shoes worn alone, on metatarsal phalangeal (MTP) joint pain. MTP joint synovitis, and lower extremity function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS Twenty-eight subjects referred to occupational therapy received in random order 3 interventions for 12 week trials, separated by 2 week washouts. A crossover design compared effectiveness of interventions. RESULTS Twenty-four subjects completed the study. A reduction in mean pain scores from baseline to final visits showed that semi-rigid orthoses had a highly significant effect on pain. Soft orthoses did not show a significant effect on pain from baseline to final visit, nor did shoes worn alone. None of the interventions had a significant effect on synovitis or function. CONCLUSION Semi-rigid orthoses worn in supportive shoes were an effective treatment for metatarsalgia. Supportive shoes worn alone or worn with soft orthoses did not provide pain relief for metatarsalgia.
Identification of the parental origin of polysomy in two 49,XXXXY cases

The parental origin and mechanism of formation of polysomy X were studied in two polysomic cases, using four X‐linked restriction fragment length polymorphisms, three (CA)n dinucleotide repeat sequences and one variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) locus as genetic markers. A nonradioactive technique based on the hybridization of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product was developed for the analysis of dinucleotide repeats. Segregation analysis using different nonradioactive approaches based on the PCR, revealed that all four X chromosomes were of maternal origin. These data provide additional evidence of an identical mechanism of successive nondisjunctions in maternal meiosis I and II.
Communicating corporate social responsibility and its impact on poverty alleviation (the case of safaricom csr programme in mukuru slum

The study was a survey o f slum dwellers within Mukuru area. The objectives of the study were to establish the level of knowledge and attitude about Safaricom’s CSR activities; to identify sources of information among target group; to determine the level of community involvement in CSR; and to establish the relationship between CSR activities and growth in household income. The population o f interest consisted of residents o f Mukuru slums that were targeted beneficiaries of Safaricom’s CSR activities. The sample size consisted o f 100 members of CSR targeted beneficiaries. The sample was drawn from a sample frame obtained from Mukuru Slums Development Project. Data was collected through structured questionnaires. Results were analyzed using mean scores, standard deviations, and cross tabulations. Fifty four percent were aware about Safaricom’s CSR activities. Awareness level was closely linked to respondent’s age. Younger and older respondents displayed low levels o f awareness while respondents aged between 30 and 39 had the highest level of awareness. The study found that people’s sex had no influence on their choice of channel o f communication. Results showed that radio, television and newspapers in that order were the most appropriate and preferred sources of CSR information by slum dwellers. The use o f websites was the least preferred channel by poor people. Coincidentally, it was established majority of slum dwellers owned radio, television and mobile phones. Respondents had access to channels of communication used by Safaricom. UNIVERSITY OF MAIROC& r CAST AFRICANA COLLECTION t Even though Safaricom implemented CSR in Mukuru, it did not involve beneficiaries in identifying interventions leading to poor participation. Communicating CSR activities had insignificant contribution to improving children’s education and security o f target beneficiaries. CSR activities did not contribute to reduced medical bills incurred by respondents. In addition, there was no relationship in communicating CSR and reduction on house rents, water and medical bills. The study concluded therefore, that communicating Safaricom’s CSR activities did not contribute to reduction of poverty in Mukuru slums.
The role of trust in the primary adoption stage of management accounting innovations

ABSTRACT A narrative inquiry grounded in interpersonal trust is advanced to examine the primary adoption stage of management accounting innovations in a Portuguese public sector organisation, where the adoption processes were promoted by management accountants. We studied the ways in which management accountants (trustees) built up trust in themselves in relation to the adoption of management accounting innovations (object of trust) with the intention of convincing top-level managers (trustors) to authorise their adoption. We gathered evidence to show that, through time, management accountants built up increasing levels of contractual trust, competence trust, and goodwill trust as a means of convincing top-level managers, to authorize the adoption of management accounting innovations.
Seasonal Variation in Vitamin D in Association with Age, Inflammatory Cytokines, Anthropometric Parameters, and Lifestyle Factors in Older Adults

Vitamin D deficiency is present even in sunny regions. Ageing decreases pre-vitamin D production in the skin and is associated with altered cytokine profile. We performed a multivariate analysis considering lifestyle factors, anthropometric, and inflammatory markers according to seasonal variation in Mexican healthy older adults. The same cohort was followed during 12 months. Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was found in 91.3% of the subjects despite living in appropriate latitude (25°40′0″N). 25(OH)D levels remained below <30 ng/mL through all seasons. Vitamin D deficiency did not correlate to sun exposure or dietary intake. Gender was the strongest associated factor, explaining a variance of 20%. Waist circumference (WC) greater than 88 cm was a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency. Age (>74 years) combined with WC (>88 cm) and BMI (>32.7) showed a high probability (90%) of vitamin D deficiency. Remarkably, an increase in one centimeter in WC decreased 25(OH)D by 0.176 ng/mL, while an increase in one point BMI decreased 25(OH)D by 0.534 ng/mL. A cutoff point of 74 years of age determined probability of vitamin D hipovitaminosis. Vitamin D deficiency was correlated with TNF-α serum levels, possibly increasing the susceptibility of older adults to a proinflammatory state and its related diseases.
Circuits of the mind

1: The Approach. 2: Biological Constraints. 2.1: Introduction. 2.2: The Neocortex. 2.3: Pyramidal Neurons. 3: Computational Laws. 3.1: Introduction. 3.2: Three Sources of Complexity. 4: Cognitive Functions. 4.1: Introduction. 4.2: Boolean Functions. 4.3: Learning. 4.4: The Nature of Concepts. 4.5: Experimental Psychology. 5: The Neuroidal Model. 5.1: Programmable Models. 5.2: Neuroids. 5.3: Timing. 6: Knowledge Representations. 6.1: Positive Knowledge Representations. 6.2: Vicinal Algorithms. 6.3: Frontier Properties and Storing New Items. 6.4: Frontier Properties and Associations. 6.5: Hashing. 7: Unsupervised Memorization. 7.1: An Algorithm. 8: Superivsed Memorization. 8.1: Introduction. 8.2: A Simple Algorithm. 8.3: A Second Algorithm. 9: Supervised Inductive Learning. 9.1: Introduction. 9.2: Pac Learning. 9.3: Learning Conjunctions. 9.4: Learning Disjunctions. 9.5: Learning Linear Threshold Functions. 10: Correlational Learning. 10.1: An Algorithm. 10.2: Computing with Numerical Values. 11: Objects and Relational Expressions. 11.1: Multiple Object Scenes. 11.2: Relations. 11.3: Timed Conjunctions. 11.4: Memorizing Expressions Containing Relations. 11.5: Memorizing New Relations. 11.6: Discussion. 12: Systems Questions. 12.1: Introduction. 12.2: General Organizational Principles. 12.3: Compatibility of Mechanisms. 13: Reasoning. 13.1: Introduction. 13.2: Relfex Reasoning. 13.3: Simple Reflex Reasoning. 13.4: Compound Reflex Reasoning. 13.5: Nonmonotonic Phenomena. 14: More Detailed Neural Models. 14.1: Implementing Vicinal Algorithms. 14.2: A Laminar Model. 14.3: A Columnar Model. 14.4: Sparser Random Graphs. 14.5: Another Columnar Model. 15: Afterword. Notes. Exercises. References. Index of Notation. Index
Exposure-response relationships between occupational exposures and chronic respiratory illness: a community-based study.

Data from a random sample of 3,606 adults 40 to 69 yr of age residing in Beijing, China, were analyzed to investigate the association of reported occupational exposures to dusts and gases/fumes with the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and level of pulmonary function. The prevalence of occupational dust exposure was 32%, and gas or fume exposure, 19%. After we adjusted for age, sex, area of residence, smoking status, coal stove heating, and education, an increased prevalence of chronic phlegm and breathlessness was significantly related to both types of exposures. Chronic cough was significantly related only to dust exposure, and persistent wheeze only to fume exposure. The global estimates of the relative odds of the four symptoms were 1.30 (95% CI [confidence interval] 1.09 to 1.48) and 1.27 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.48), respectively, for dusts and for gases/fumes. These two occupational exposures are associated with chronic respiratory symptoms independent of smoking, gender, and each other. There was an increasing prevalence of each symptom with increasing dust and fume exposure, represented by the index of cumulative exposure duration and exposure intensity. Linear trends for increased prevalence of chronic bronchitis and breathlessness were significant for both exposures, while the linear trend for wheeze was only significant for gases/fumes. Among subjects who did not report using coal stove heating, dust exposure was a significant predictor for FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). There was also a significant decrease for FEV1 and FVC with increase of gas/fume exposure levels. Both current and former smokers appeared to be more susceptible to the effect of dusts than the never smokers. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF MACHILUS ODORATISSIMA

The methanol extract of the bark of Machilus odoratissima was subjected to investigate its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The phytochemical screening demonstrated the presence of different types of compound like terpenoids, tannins, deoxy sugar, saponins and phenolic compounds. The methanol extract of the plant was tested for antioxidant activity using scavenging activity of DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil) radical method and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli & Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria using cup plate method. The extract exhibited high free radical scavenging activity. IC 50 was found to be 3. 37μg/ml. Antibacterial activity was observed against S. aureus in dose dependent manner DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/kuset.v8i1. 6045 KUSET 2012; 8(1): 73-80
Structural Services: A New Approach to Enterprise Integration

This chapter compares the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Representational State Transfer (REST) architectural styles and contends that both have advantages and limitations for enterprise integration. SOA, based on behavior, has a lower modeling semantic gap for complex applications but lacks support for structured resources common in lower-grained applications. REST is based on structure and hypermedia but has a higher semantic gap in complex applications and, as this chapter contends, does not entail a lower resource coupling than SOA. A new architectural style, Structural Services, is proposed to get the best of both worlds, while reducing coupling with structural interoperability based on the concepts of compliance and conformance. Unlike REST, resources are able to offer a variable set of operations, and unlike SOA, services are allowed to have structure and use hypermedia. A distributed service programming language is briefly described to illustrate how this architectural style can be instantiated.
'Low Cost' Shareholder Activism: A Review of the Evidence

In this study, I review the evidence on 'low-cost' tools of shareholder activism, such as shareholder proposals and shareholder votes in uncontested director elections, and make suggestions for future research. This form of activism contrasts with what I call 'activism via large ownership', which requires significant equity stakes (e.g. hedge fund activism, proxy fights). 'Activism via large ownership' is not an option for a large class of investors (e.g. diversified funds) and it is prohibitively costly to implement in large firms. Hence, it is important to understand the effectiveness of low-cost activism, also in view of recent regulatory reforms empowering shareholders, such as say on pay, proxy access and the elimination of broker non-votes.
Hemostatic Efficacy of Ankaferd Blood Stopper® in a Swine Bleeding Model

Objective: The purpose of this study was to show the hemostatic effect of spray, solution and tampon forms of Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS), a unique medicinal plant extract historically used as a hemostatic agent in Turkish folklore medicine, in a porcine bleeding model. Materials and Methods: Two 1-year-old pigs were used as bleeding models for superficial and deep skin lacerations, grade II liver and spleen injuries, grade II saphenous vein injury and grade IV saphenous artery injury. Spray, solution or tampon forms of ABS were applied after continuing bleeding was confirmed. The primary outcome was time to hemostasis. Volume of blood loss was not measured. The pigs were euthanized at the end of the experiment. Results: Spray or direct application of ABS solution resulted in instant control of bleeding in superficial and deep skin lacerations as well as puncture wounds of the liver. A 40-second application of ABS tampon was sufficient to stop bleeding of skin lacerations, while 1.5- and 3.5-min applications were used to control hemorrhage from the saphenous vein and artery, respectively. No rebleeding was observed once hemostasis was achieved. However, repeated applications of ABS solution and tampon were only temporarily effective in the hemostasis of spleen injury. Conclusions: The data showed that ABS was an effective hemostatic agent for superficial and deep skin lacerations and minor/moderate trauma injuries in a porcine bleeding model.
Tourism E-Booking and ’E-Purchasing’: Changes in a 5-Year Period

Information technology plays a significant role in tourism, but mainly as an informational tool. Ideally, the information search process on the Internet should try to encourage consumers to book and purchase travel services and products prior to leaving for their vacation, but cultural differences in booking on-line are found. The present study research problem is to understand the complex of e-booking and e-purchasing travel behaviors among Slovenes, since no research between Slovene tourists was done before. In details, the relationship between e-booking and paying travel accommodation and travel transportation on the Internet in the period of five years is investigated. The results show slow changes and an increase in booking and buying travel transportation, while booking and paying tourism accommodation gains greater interest during a five-year period.