Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling supply chain costs in the automotive manufacturing industry: The case of Valmet Automotive

This thesis examines mathematical modeling as a means to improve profitability. The research is focused on studying supply chain cost drivers and their potential in regard to cost reduction in the automotive manufacturing industry, where the role of supply chain management is significant because of the capital intensive, fast paced, and high volume nature of the business. Hence, supportive tools for decision making are highly valuable. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a total supply chain costing model that can be used to add value to business primarily in the automotive manufacturing sector. Despite its significance, surprisingly little research has been published on the subject of supply chain costs in manufacturing in general, let alone modeling of supply chain costs in the automotive manufacturing industry. Research into costing has been published in management accounting literature, but supply chain management is rarely represented. Simulation and optimization models have been developed, even in the automotive sector, but they are usually very case specific, and discuss mostly manufacturing or distribution related modeling problems. Therefore, this thesis aims to contribute to filling the research gap in modeling total supply chain costs in automotive manufacturing by extending the knowledge of both modeling methods and supply chain cost drivers in the automotive sector. This research is conducted as a case study of a Finnish automotive contract manufacturer, Valmet Automotive Inc., that expressed the need to develop a supply chain costing model to streamline its supply chain processes and generate cost savings through improved understanding and control of its supply chain cost drivers. A literature review of the topic informs the theoretical basis for constructing the costing model. In addition to theory, the mechanics and mathematical formulas of the model are developed based on participant observations and informal interviews with supply chain professionals at the case company. Moreover, verification and validation of the costing model is carried out together with the case company’s supply chain managers. The output of this thesis is a validated total supply chain costing model that was taken into use at the case company. Experimentation proved that the developed model can be used to add value to the case company’s business in forms of cost saving, supply chain process streamlining and performance follow up. Moreover, supply chain managers can utilize the costing model as a strategic planning tool and as a supportive tool for decision making. Lastly, by providing an innovative case study of modeling supply chain costs in the automotive manufacturing industry, this thesis has contributed to the research into supply chain cost drivers and their modeling in the automotive manufacturing context.
Current Perspectives on the Treatment of Nasal Polyposis: A Swedish Opinion Report

This Swedish study group has examined the current knowledge of nasal polyposis with emphasis on different treatment modalities. Polyposis is a multifactorial disease that exists for decades in the majority of cases. Different types of treatment must be considered, focusing on the underlying disease. However, as we only know the specific origin of polyposis in a minority of cases, treatment is usually symptomatic. When making a thorough evaluation of different treatment strategies, it is obvious that there is a real need for more controlled treatment studies which would make the scientific ground more stable when it comes to suggesting medical, surgical or combined treatments.
Semi-Strong Market Efficiency Studies of the Nigerian Capital Market Using Dividend Announcements

The study applies simple regression model to know the impact of dividend on share prices using software packages such as E-views and MS-Excel 2007 model in investigating to find out if the Nigerian stock market reacts efficiently to dividend announcements in terms of price adjustments. In capturing reactions around the 3-day, 21-day and 61-day windows before and after the announcements, the study considered the level of the speed of adjustment of share prices to the announcement of dividend payments. In so doing earnings and dividend announcements are found to concurrently announced unlike in developed capital markets. Since the studies indicate a drift in share prices 30 days after announcements The CERs for the 3-day, 21-day and 60-day event windows are positive and statistically significant for dividend announcements. This shows that the Nigerian Stock Market does not react efficiently to dividend announcements in terms of prices adjustments and also does not adjust to announced changes in dividend policies by the Nigerian companies. Overall, this provides evidence that the Nigerian stock market is not semi-strong efficient, that dividend policy matters and that share prices do react to dividend announcements. The findings support semi-strong market inefficiencies found by Olowe (1998) and Oludoyi (1999) from stock splits and earnings announcements, respectively.
The job embeddedness-turnover intentions relationship: Evidence from Thailand.

This study responds to calls for further job embeddedness research in a wider range of national, cultural and organisation contexts. In particular there is a paucity of research on job embeddedness in Thailand and in smaller enterprises. Data collected from 181 employees in small and medium size enterprises located in two provinces of Thailand were analysed. Results suggest that organisation embeddedness, but not community embeddedness, predicts turnover intentions in the sample studied. Only a handful of studies have examined the three sub-dimensions of organisation embeddedness: links, fit and sacrifice. Our results showed that each of these sub-dimensions was significantly and negatively associated with turnover intentions. Practical implications of the results and directions for future research are outlined in the paper.
Aberrant expression of CDX2 in metaplastic and inflammatory epithelium of the urinary bladder.

We read with great interest the article by Phillips et al, published 2003 in this journal and the letter to the editor by Osawa et al in the September 2004 issue. The authors reported that CDX2 was a sensitive marker of intestinal metaplasia in the esophagus as well as in the gallbladder. Transitional epithelium of the urinary bladder is also prone to metaplastic changes and intestinal metaplasia of the urothelium, often together with cystic changes, is resulting from chronic inflammation and other irritation of the mucosa. Extensive intestinal metaplasia in the urinary bladder is a significant risk factor for the development of adenocarcinoma. Werling et al found CDX2 staining in 100% of urinary adenocarcinomas, and Ortiz-Rey et al observed expression of CDX2 in intestinal metaplasia of the urinary bladder as well as in bladder adenocarcinoma but not in normal urothelium. We studied biopsies from the urinary bladder of three cases with marked chronic inflammation. In intestinal metaplasia of cystitis glandularis (Fig. 1a), we identified in goblet cells strong expression of CK20, MUC2, and nuclear staining of CDX2. Multiple foci of intestinal metaplasia could be observed. In nonmetaplastic inflammatory transitional epithelium, distinct nuclear expression of CDX2 was present (Fig. 1b) and, sometimes, fine granular cytoplasmic immunoreactivity could be seen in the vicinity. The staining intensity ranged from about 50% to 100%. The nonmetaplastic urothelium displaying CDX2 was mostly hyperplastic with cuboidal or columnar epithelium. Expression of CDX2 in this urothelium was multifocal and always associated with different degrees of inflammation. It was found adjacent to foci of intestinal metaplasia but also separate from it and within the epithelium of von Brunn’s nests. No positivity for CK20 and MUC2 was found in the inflamed urothelium. This observation is in accordance with reports that CDX2 emerges already at the stage of inflammation and induces the differentiation of goblet cell. Taken together, expression of CDX2 indicates, probably, the key molecular event that causes a distinct epithelial pathway to result. CDX2 may arise as the result of chronic injury and may be responsible for initiating the differentiation pathway of intestinal metaplasia in the urothelium.
Role of Yersinia Murine Toxin in Survival of Yersinia pestis in the Midgut of the Flea Vector

Transmission by flea bite is a relatively recent adaptation that distinguishes Yersinia pestis, the plague bacillus, from closely related enteric bacteria. Here, a plasmid-encoded phospholipase D (PLD), previously characterized as Yersinia murine toxin (Ymt), was shown to be required for survival of Y. pestis in the midgut of its principal vector, the rat fleaXenopsylla cheopis. Intracellular PLD activity appeared to protect Y. pestis from a cytotoxic digestion product of blood plasma in the flea gut. By enabling colonization of the flea midgut, acquisition of this PLD may have precipitated the transition ofY. pestis to obligate arthropod-borne transmission.
Influences of M-commerce and Social Media on Wine Purchases: A Multi-Cultural Study

Wine shoppers may transition effortlessly back and forth between the real an d digital worlds, using their mobile phones to research products, consult with friends near and far, compare prices, and order online. It may behoove wine marketers to engage with consumers in both the real and digital worlds. While the wine industry has been adopting online marketing and e-commerce, research into the potential of mobile (m)-commerce has not yet been undertaken. This exploratory study examines how consumer behavior is shaped by the use of mobile devices and social media and consumer expectations about m-wine purchasing. This study of 2853 respondents from six countries examines the characteristics of mobile users regarding several variables: use of mobile phone -wine purchase and consumption -m-wine purchasing. The survey research was conducted using both online and personal questionnaires. Our findings show that mobile phone usage and m-wine purchasing differed by country. Different ways of selling are observed and results show that small and medium sized winemaking companies may wish to consider mobile platforms in their strategy to advertise market, promote and sell more wine. Results show that m-commerce websites/applications using social media offer potential for wine marketers. Implications for the international wine industry are detailed. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed
Effects of Total Quality Management (TQM) on Firm's Operational Performance (South Korea)

This study investigated the effect of total quality management factors on firm's operational performance in Korea. We used a regression linear analysis to conduct this research study. The samples used to conduct this analysis were selected form World Bank's Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS) data. A total of 437 samples were selected from this business environment. This study has shown that few selected TQM factors were related to performance. The results revealed that the primary obstacles were based on some hypothetical assessment in the survey questionnaire. However, it is recommended that firms should continue implementing TQM with all variables to improve performance.
The Globalization and Financialization of Montreal Water:Network Procurement Practices for Commodifying a Commons

The City of Montreal describes its water as a public service. This thesis complicates if not challenges such a designation by showing how emergent water-related infrastructure procurement practices are introducing global and financial markets into Montreal water. Indeed, Montreal’s Green Economy is arguably valuing all water-related infrastructure with the intention of commodifying it fully. While such commodification is diluting Montreal’s Water Commons with private actors and private decision-making, away from democratic procedures. The following actor network analysis shows multiple and heterogenous actors, relations and processes that are implicated in this transformation.
Oral Care Assistance at Private and Municipal Swedish Geriatric homes-A Questionnaire survey

Oral health among elderly people is commonly debated, and correlations between oral and general health are shown. The increase of life expectancy in our population causes changes in the need of oral health care. The requirements of performing the oral hygiene increase and cause higher demands on the staff working at the geriatric homes. Both private and communal geriatric homes were included in this study. Two different questionnaires were distributed, one to nursing staff and one to staff managers. A geographical distribution to four big city’s; Umeå, Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö were selected. The hypothesis is that the knowledge of the daily needs of oral care for elderly people among geriatric nursing staff and the manager, are insufficient and more education are needed. Results do not differ when comparing private and municipal management. Nursing assistants indicated that their basic education included none or minor theoretical knowledge (61 %) and practical training in oral care (67 %). Part of the staff (30%) felt that they needed more education to help the residents with the daily oral care. Half of the staff members answered that they had not received any in-service education in oral health. The results did not differ comparing private and municipal geriatric homes. Conclusions of this study are that it is common that caretakers in geriatric homes are in need of assistance when performing daily oral care. The staffs appear to be well aware of the fact that maintaining a good oral health is of big importance. More education about oral health are both wanted and needed.
LONG DURATION FLARE EMISSION: IMPULSIVE HEATING OR GRADUAL HEATING?

Flare emissions in X-ray and EUV wavelengths have previously been modeled as the plasma response to impulsive heating from magnetic reconnection. Some flares exhibit gradually evolving X-ray and EUV light curves, which are believed to result from superposition of an extended sequence of impulsive heating events occurring in different adjacent loops or even unresolved threads within each loop. In this paper, we apply this approach to a long duration two-ribbon flare SOL2011-09-13T22 observed by the Atmosphere Imaging Assembly (AIA). We find that to reconcile with observed signatures of flare emission in multiple EUV wavelengths, each thread should be heated in two phases, an intense impulsive heating followed by a gradual, low-rate heating tail that is attenuated over 20–30 minutes. Each AIA resolved single loop may be composed of several such threads. The two-phase heating scenario is supported by modeling with both a zero-dimensional and a 1D hydrodynamic code. We discuss viable physical mechanisms for the two-phase heating in a post-reconnection thread.
Utilizing Corporate Governance in Strategy Formulation and Execution

Utilizing Corporate Governance in Strategy Formulation and Execution by Oladayo Babatunde Ojo MA, The College of St. Scholastica, 2005 BA, The College of St. Scholastica, 2002 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2017 Abstract Ineffective corporate governance is a leading cause of financial crises. Ineffectual corporate governance is mainly due to the lack of prudential and efficient supervision, which is symptomatic of board composition and the selection criteria of board members. The purpose of this single case study was to explore the strategies that banking leaders used to identify board selection criteria that ensures effective governance. The sampleIneffective corporate governance is a leading cause of financial crises. Ineffectual corporate governance is mainly due to the lack of prudential and efficient supervision, which is symptomatic of board composition and the selection criteria of board members. The purpose of this single case study was to explore the strategies that banking leaders used to identify board selection criteria that ensures effective governance. The sample consisted of 4 business leaders at a bank located in California that remained profitable and did not have losses during the recent recession. The conceptual framework used for the study was agency theory. The data sources were publicly available archival documents, semistructured interviews, member checking, and extant literature on the topic. Using methodological triangulation, 4 themes emerged from data analysis: select independent, experienced, and knowledgeable business leaders as board members; recognize the importance of the choice of the CEO and other senior executives; acknowledge cooperation is key to sustainable growth; and promote integrity and ethics as key executive and board membership criteria. The application of the findings in this study may contribute to social change when banks operate under effective governance that can lead to improved well-being for all corporate stakeholders, including investors, employees, customers, and the bank’s community, through the continued employment and the economic stability of the community. Utilizing Corporate Governance in Strategy Formulation and Execution by Oladayo Babatunde Ojo MA, The College of St. Scholastica, 2005 BA, The College of St. Scholastica, 2002 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2017 Dedication I dedicate this study to Wuraola Janet Yetunde Ojo, my wife of 32 years for her love and steadfast support. To God be the glory, great things he hath done. Acknowledgments I acknowledge and thank my mentor and doctoral study chair, Dr. Diane Dusick, for her help in completing this study. I also thank my second committee member, Dr. Ify Diala and my URR, Dr. Neil Mathur. I acknowledge the glory of almighty God, whose mercies endure forever.
Alterations in electrolyte equilibrium in patients with acute leukemia

Abstract: Background and aim: A wide array of disturbances in electrolyte equilibrium is commonly seen in patients with acute leukemia (AL). These abnormalities present a potential hazard in these patients, as that of enhancing the cardiotoxic effects of certain chemotherapeutic regimens. The literature dealing with AL‐related electrolyte abnormalities and their interactions in leukemic patients was reviewed. Data synthesis: Sources included MEDLINE and EMBASE. The search strategy was based on the combination of ‘acute leukemia’, ‘electrolyte abnormalities’, ‘acid‐base disorders’, ‘potassium’, ‘sodium’, ‘magnesium’, ‘calcium’, and ‘phosphorus’. References of retrieved articles were also screened. A decrease in serum potassium, mainly owing to lysozyme‐induced tubular damage, appears to be one of the most frequent and potentially hazardous abnormalities. Other clinically significant metabolic perturbations include hyponatremia and hypercalcemia. Conclusion: A broad spectrum of electrolyte abnormalities is encountered in the clinical setting of AL, which are related to the disease process per se and/or to the therapeutic interventions. Clinicians should be vigilant for early detection and appropriate management of these disorders before the initiation of chemotherapy regimens as well as during treatment.
Pine Tree Substrate, Nitrogen Rate, Particle Size, and Peat Amendment Affect Poinsettia Growth and Substrate Physical Properties

'Prestige' poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Ex Klotzsch) were grown at different fertilizer rates in three pine tree substrates (PTS) made from loblolly pine trees (Pinus taeda L.) and a peat-based control. Pine tree substrates were produced from pine trees that were chipped and hammer-milled to a desired particle size. Substrates used in this study included peat-lite (PL), PTS produced with a 2.38-mm screen (PTS1), PTS produced with a 4.76-mm screen (PTS2), and PTS produced with a 4.76-mm screen and amended with 25% peatmoss (v/v) (PTS3). Initial and final substrate physical properties and substrate shrinkage were determined to evaluate changes over the production period. Poinsettias were grown in 1.7-L containers in the fall of 2007 and fertilized at each irrigation with 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg.L -1 nitrogen (N). Shoot dry weight and growth index were higher in PL at 100 mg.L -1 N but similar for all substrates at 300 mg.L -1 N. Bract length was generally the same or longer in all PTS-grown plants compared with plants grown in PL at each fertilizer rate. Postproduction time to wilting was the same for poinsettias grown in PL, PTS1, and PTS3. Initial and final air space was higher in all PTSs compared with PL and container capacity (CC) of PTS1 was equal to PL initially and at the end of the experiment. The initial and final CC of PTS2 was lower than PL. The incorporation of 25% peat (PTS3) increased shoot dry weight and bract length at lower fertilizer rates compared with 4.76 mm PTS alone (PTS2). Substrate shrinkage was not different between PL and PTS1 but greater than shrinkage with the coarser PTS2. This study demonstrates that poinsettia can be successfully grown in a PTS with small particles (2.38-mm screen) or a PTS with large particles (4.76-mm screen) when amended with 25% peatmoss, which results in physical properties (CC and air space) similar to those of PL.
Fusion of Intelligent Agents for the Detection of Aircraft in SAR Images

Receiver operating curves are used in the analysis of 20 images using a novel automatic target recognition (ATR) fusion system. Fuzzy reasoning is used to improve the accuracy of the automatic detection of aircraft in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images using a priori knowledge derived from color aerial photographs. The images taken by the two different sensors are taken at different times. In summarizing the results of our experiments using real and generated targets with noise for a probability of detection of 91.5 percent using the ATR fusion technique, we have improved our false alarm rates by approximately 17 percent over using texture classification.