Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intellectual Capital and Its Effect on Service Quality of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia: Evidence from SNNPR District

The main purpose of this research is to examine intellectual capital performance of listed district of commercial bank of Ethiopia and its impact on service quality. The researchers used multiple regression analysis to ascertain the extent that intellectual capital components indices affect service quality of the targeted bank district. This study adopts a deduction approach and a quantitative method as the research methodology. Empirical findings of the study showed that human and customer capital have a positive and significant effect on service quality. However, structural capital has statistically weak relationship with service quality.
Study on the inhibitory effect of ulinastatin on caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in acinar cells of acute pancreatitis

Objectives Pyroptosis, a special kind of cell death, is generally believed to aggravate the inflammatory response. It has been found that the acinar cell pyroptosis exits in the course of pancreatitis. Ulinastatin has the function of inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators, thereby reducing the inflammatory reaction, which suggests that ulinastatin has potential inhibitory effect on pyroptosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ulinastatin on caspase-1-dependent acinar cell pyroptosis in acute pancreatitis. Methods Acute pancreatitis model was established by intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine. Rats in ulinastatin group were injected with ulinastatin intravenously after successful modeling. The pancreatic tissues of rats were subjected to pathological examination and detection of cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18. Serum samples were also collected for measurement of IL-1β, IL-18, amylase, and lipase. Results Slight pathological damage of pancreas was observed in the pancreatitis and the ulinastatin group. Compared with the blank control group (p < .05), the protein levels of cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18 were significantly increased in pancreatitis group but decreased in ulinastatin group (p < .05). The positive reaction of caspase-1 in pancreatitis group was significantly higher than that in the blank control group (p < .05). After administration of ulinastatin, the positive reaction of caspase-1 was significantly lower than that in pancreatitis group (p < .05). As for the levels of serum IL-1β and IL-18, they were significantly higher in pancreatitis group than those in the blank control group (p < .05). Administration of ulinastatin significantly decreased the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 (p < .05). And the serum amylase and lipase levels elevated in pancreatitis group, while significantly inhibited by ulinastatin (p < .05). Conclusions The results showed that the onset of acute pancreatitis was accompanied by obvious acinar cell pyroptosis. Ulinastatin could inhibit caspase-1-dependent acinar cell pyroptosis in acute pancreatitis.
Introduction to motion based design

This text provides a basis for the preliminary design of motion sensitive structures and bridges the gap between conventional structural design and the emerging field of motion based design. It contains an outline of basic concepts, computational procedures and behavioural issues for structural motion control. Examples illustrating the application of the motion based design paradigm to a range of buildings are also presented. Topics covered include optimal stiffness distributions, the role of damping in controlling motion, tuned mass dampers, base isolation systems and active control.
Development of functional chocobar and sensorial analysis

The present research focusses on developing functional chocobar incorporating pineapple fruit pulp and natural sweeteners viz. jaggery and palm sugar as two different products. Based on the sensory evaluation of chocobar, 15 per cent inclusion level of pineapple pulp was found to be ideal. For incorporating jaggery as a natural sweetener, 7.5 per cent attained higher sensory scores compared to 5 and 10 per cent jaggery in chocobar. Similarly, the overall acceptability projected 7.5 per cent as an ideal level for palm sugar incorporated functional chocobar. On cost analysis, the control chocobar had lower cost (Rs. 125.52/litre) than the functional chocobar prepared. The functional chocobar containing jaggery had lower cost of production (Rs. 137.52/litre) than the palm sugar admixed chocobar (Rs. 148.02/litre) due to the higher cost of palm sugar in the market.
A Novel Algorithmic Trading Framework Applying Evolution and Machine Learning for Portfolio Optimization

The goal of this thesis is to implement an automated trading system able to outperform the benchmark uniform buy-and-hold strategy. Performance is measured in term of multiple risk and return measures. A comprehensive signal processing framework is built to facilitate rapid development and testing of multiple candidate trading systems. A subset of the most promising trading systems, 14 in total, are presented in this thesis. The trading systems are not only designed to function as decision support systems for human trader, but also to function as autonomous traders in their own right. They are built to be applicable in real life, any academic value is a welcomed side effect. Many of the trading systems are heavily influenced by machine learning methods, with a special focus on time series prediction. Support vector machines (SVM), artificial neural networks (ANN), and regression are the primary methods applied for low level machine learning. Evolutionary algorithms are applied as high level meta-parameter tuning. In addition to machine learning methods, classical portfolio optimization methods using modern portfolio theory are applied, some in combination with machine learning methods. The trading systems are tested by means of simulation on data from two stock markets -- the OBX index on Oslo stock exchange and Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow). Results indicate that the Dow index is highly efficient. No trading system was able to outperform the benchmark when using transaction costs. Results on the OBX index indicate some inefficiencies with potential for exploitation. Many trading systems manage to generate higher return than the benchmark. Some achieve excess return with the same level of risk. The efficient portfolio trading system yields highest return given the same level of risk as the buy-and-hold portfolio. In general results tend to support the efficient market hypothesis. Given the same risk level, experiments from this thesis finds that efficient portfolios can outperform uniform ones in inefficient markets as these are not efficient enough in themselves as in the case of OBX. No strategy was found that can substantially outperform an efficient portfolio. Support Vector Machines are identified to be the best time series predictors among the machine learning techniques used. Evolution is found to be a powerful tool in identifying and training trading systems. Future work will focus on evolution as an integral part of the trading systems.
Ice Shell Structure and Composition of Ocean Worlds: Insights from Accreted Ice on Earth.

Accreted ice retains and preserves traces of the ocean from which it formed. In this work, we study two classes of accreted ice found on Earth-frazil ice, which forms through crystallization within a supercooled water column, and congelation ice, which forms through directional freezing at an existing interface-and discuss where each might be found in the ice shells of ocean worlds. We focus our study on terrestrial ice formed in low temperature gradient environments (e.g., beneath ice shelves), consistent with conditions expected at the ice-ocean interfaces of Europa and Enceladus, and we highlight the juxtaposition of compositional trends in relation to ice formed in higher temperature gradient environments (e.g., at the ocean surface). Observations from Antarctic sub-ice-shelf congelation ice and marine ice show that the purity of frazil ice can be nearly two orders of magnitude higher than congelation ice formed in the same low temperature gradient environment (∼0.1% vs. ∼10% of the ocean salinity). In addition, where congelation ice can maintain a planar ice-water interface on a microstructural scale, the efficiency of salt rejection is enhanced (∼1% of the ocean salinity) and lattice soluble impurities such as chloride are preferentially incorporated. We conclude that an ice shell that forms by gradual thickening as its interior cools would be composed of congelation ice, whereas frazil ice will accumulate where the ice shell thins on local (rifts and basal fractures) or regional (latitudinal gradients) scales through the operation of an "ice pump. "
Sleeping with Your Smartphone: How to Break the 24/7 Habit and Change the Way You Work

Does it have to be this way? Can't resist checking your smartphone or mobile device? Sure, all this connectivity keeps you in touch with your team and the office--but at what cost? In Sleeping with Your Smartphone, Harvard Business School professor Leslie Perlow reveals how you can disconnect and become more productive in the process. In fact, she shows that you can devote more time to your personal life and accomplish more at work. The good news is that this doesn't require a grand organizational makeover or buy-in from the CEO. All it takes is collaboration between you and your team--working together and making small, doable changes. What started as an experiment with a six-person team at The Boston Consulting Group--one of the world's elite management consulting firms--triggered a global initiative that eventually spanned more than nine hundred BCG teams in thirty countries across five continents. These teams confronted their nonstop workweeks and changed the way they worked, becoming more efficient and effective. The result? Employees were more satisfied with their work-life balance and with their work in general. And the firm was better able to recruit and retain employees. Clients also benefited--often in unexpected ways. In this engaging book, Perlow takes you inside BCG to witness the challenges and benefits of disconnecting. She provides a step-by-step guide to introducing change on your team--by establishing a collective goal, encouraging open dialogue, ensuring leadership support--and then spreading change to the rest of your firm. If you and your colleagues are grappling with the "always on" problem, it's time to disconnect--and start reading.
Assessment of Physicochemical Properties and Comparative Pollution Status of the Dhaleshwari River in Bangladesh

The Dhaleshwari river which flows near Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is currently under threat due to the recent relocation of the Hazaribagh tannery to the Savar area. This study investigated the physicochemical parameters of water quality along with the heavy metal levels in the Dhaleshwari river and performed a comparative analysis among the peripheral rivers around Dhaka City. Surface water quality parameters such as total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) obtained for the Dhaleshwari river deviated by as much as 90% from World Health Organization (WHO) standards in certain instances due to direct discharge from untreated point sources. Concentrations of toxic metals such as chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) were above the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) standards for heavy metals in surface waters. Strong correlations among the heavy metals indicated significant linear dependences. Based on the physicochemical and toxicity-based characterization, the river system in Dhaka city can be termed as severely polluted with respect to organic and solids discharge, while ecological risk indices (ERI) indicated disastrously high risk in the Dhaleshwari and Buriganga rivers. The study outcomes emphasize the necessity of frequent investigation while controlling the point and nonpoint urban pollution sources discharging into the peripheral rivers of Dhaka city.
AN EXAMINATION OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF BUILDING COLLAPSE IN NIGERIA

The research investigated the causes and consequence of building collapse in Nigeria using historical data from 1974 to 2006 and also proffers appropriate solutions. Relevant books, seminar papers, workshop papers, articles, etc. were reviewed so as to examine the general view of individuals that have worked on similar study. Data for the study were obtained through historical data of past building collapse in Nigeria. The data were presented and analysed using tables, bar graphs, Pearson moment correlation coefficient (r) and linear regression analysis to generate a model. Sixty (60) buildings that collapsed in the country were gathered, upon which the analysis was carried out. The study revealed that poor maintenance culture, design error, poor quality of materials and workmanship, natural phenomenon and excessive loading contributed to about 7%, 15%, 52%, 7% and 20% respectively of building collapse in Nigeria with most of them being private residential buildings executed by indigenous contractors. The study finally recommended that Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) should increase their effort in sanitizing building materials in the market. More so, construction professionals should ensure proper supervision of workmen and efficient checking of materials before incorporation into building works.
Managing for World Class Safety

Foreword.Preface. Acknowledgments. Introduction. The Model of Safety Management. The Safety Questionnaire. Selection of Companies for Research. Research Methodology. Analysis of the Questionnaire Results. The Safety Management Approaches of Five Very Safe Companies. Conclusions -- How Companies Achieve Excellence in Safety. Applying the Results of the Research. Appendix A: References and End--Notes. Appendix B: Nomenclature. Appendix C: Questions for Interviews of Company Leaders. Appendix D: Statistical Analysis of Data. Appendix E: The Safety Questionnaire. Appendix F: Tables of Detailed Results. Appendix G: About the Author. Index.
FATIGUE LIFE OF PLAIN CONCRETE UNDER STRESS REVERSAL. FRACTURE OF CONCRETE AND ROCK: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS. PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, UNIVERSITY OF WALES, COLLEGE OF CARDIFF, SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, SEPTEMBER 20-22, 1989

In this paper, the effect of stress reversal on the fatigue life of plain concrete is studied through flexural fatigue tests on plain concrete beams. In the light of new experimental data, the fatigue equation containing loading frequency effects previously proposed by the first author is discussed, and a new fatigue equation including stress reversal effects is proposed. The conclusions from the work are that (1) the stress ratio significantly effects the fatigue properties of concrete; (2) stress reversal causes the fatigue life of concrete to decrease, and this effect can be expressed in the fatigue equation; and (3) a new fatigue equation containing the effect of stress reversal on the fatigue properties of concrete is proposed. It agrees well with test results of other researchers, and is suitable for many loading states other than bending. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 829348.
Strategic electronic monitoring and compliance of heavy commercial vehicles in the upper North Island

This research report on the strategic electronic monitoring of heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) was prepared by Traffic Design Group in 2011n2012. The aim of the research was to provide a conceptual framework within which technology systems could be operated at strategic, tactical and operational levels. The goal is to improve national productivity, by maximising efficiency for transport operators and enforcement staff alike, improving road safety, improving protection of road and bridge assets and creating a fairer economic environment through greater compliance with HCV legislation. Overloaded HCVs create significant additional wear and tear, damage and even reduce the economic lift of New Zealandrs roads and highways. Overloaded vehicles do not pay for the additional tonnes they carry, leaving the considerable extra maintenance and renewal costs to be unfairly borne by operators who pay their correct share of road user charges. Overloading of vehicles beyond the legally allowable weight can also compromise the vehiclers body, brakes, chassis, wheels and/or engine. Currently 84 per cent of freight travels by road within New Zealand and the volume is predicted to double. The aim and recurring theme throughout this research report is improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the fundamental enforcement process, which is to identify, process and release or escalate.
Exploiting opportunities in intra-regional trade in food staples in COMESA region

Shrinking productive land coupled with climate change has led to rising food insecurity in COMESA region. The situation has been exacerbated by the rise in food prices as witnessed in the vast majority of COMESA member countries and elsewhere in the world. Intra-regional trade in food staples offers prospects for enhancing food security through cross border trade and movement of food from surplus to deficit areas. The objective of the current study is to analyze the opportunities available in intra-regional trade in food staples in COMESA region. Using data for selected countries in COMESA region, the study finds that, while some countries, or even some regions within the same country, are food surplus, others are food deficit and literally lacking food to buy in some seasons. This creates a framework for a win-win situation—the food surplus countries/regions could get better prices for their products by selling to food deficit countries/regions while food deficit countries/regions could avoid food shortages and extreme food price volatility by allowing inflow of food staples from surplus countries/region. The regional diversity, differential rainfall patterns across the countries coupled with the phenomenon of staggered harvesting due to spatial climatic variability has and will continue to be major stimulus for cross-border trade from food surplus areas in one country to food deficit areas in neighboring countries. The study also finds that a more liberalized cross-border trade leads to reduced price volatility. Further, the analysis of the results shows that trade in staples has grown rapidly in the recent past in the COMESA region. Consequently the impacts of regional trade in food staples in the region cannot be debated. The region is also faced with numerous tariff/non-tariff barriers, poor infrastructure and lack of market information which translates to increased transaction costs. The study recommends a regional approach to enhance food security and agricultural growth, rather than a national isolated approach. There is need for a clear follow up and monitoring of the implemented COMESA commitment of eliminating NTBs and prevention of entry of new NTBs. Regional approach is highly advocated to elimination of the NTBs as they are similar across countries in addition to investment in improved infrastructure.
Management of Advanced Manufacturing Technology: Strategy, Organization, and Innovation

Advanced manufacturing technologies strategy - strategic implications of flexibility design and justification of AMT performance measurement evolutionary processes organization - organizational structure and the management of uncertainty sociotechnical systems and product-focused forms AMT at level of the individual innovation - the innovation process - adoption the preparation process the implementation process implications of the innovation theory lessons from the past decade.
Defining Driver Distraction

This paper discusses the various issues concerned with the precise definition of the term driver distraction. There has been growing interest in driver distraction in the research community due to the development of information and communication technologies for concurrent use whilst driving. Concern has been raised that such technologies may lead to an increase in accidents. In order to reliably monitor the driver distraction problem it is essential that cross study comparisons can be made. This is made difficult due to the lack of a comprehensive definition of the term. This paper reviews those definitions available in the literature and examines the necessary components of a reliable definition with support from accident statistics in a database of work-related road traffic accidents in the Midlands area of the UK. It is found that driver distraction should be discussed in terms of four components: the difference between distraction and inattention; the recognition that distraction can be internal and external to the vehicle; that distraction can be categorized into four types; and, the effect of distraction on the driving task. Finally, a proposed, comprehensive definition for driver distraction is provided along with other conclusions.
Mechanical Life Cycle Handbook: Good Environmental Design and Manufacturing

Part 1 General and introductory: introduction to the DFE/LCA life cycle assessment - a synopsis multi-lifecycle assessment - an extension of traditional LCA methodologies - design for the environment environmental laws - USA legislation and market driven requirements - European examples. Part 2 Product planning: ecodesign with focus on product structures decision support for planning eco-effective product systems the ECODESIGN checklist method - design assessment and improvements. Part 3 Design and manufacturing: holistic design for environment and market - methodology and computer support development of an integrated design environment for ecological product assessment and optimization the utilization phase as a critical element in ecological design modelling and control for environmentally conscious design and manufacturing environmental issues in collaborative design. Part 4 Industrial practice: life cycle assessment - discussion and industrial applications life cycle engineering - a tool for optimising technologies, parts and systems. (Part contents)
The nuclear renaissance and international security

Interest in nuclear energy has surged in recent years, yet there are risks that accompany the global diffusion of nuclear power-especially the possibility that the spread of nuclear energy will facilitate nuclear weapons proliferation. In this book, leading experts analyze the tradeoffs associated with nuclear energy and put the nuclear renaissance in historical context, evaluating both the causes and the strategic effects of nuclear energy development. They probe critical issues relating to the nuclear renaissance, including if and how peaceful nuclear programs contribute to nuclear weapons proliferation, whether the diffusion of nuclear technologies lead to an increase in the trafficking of nuclear materials, and under what circumstances the diffusion of nuclear technologies and latent nuclear weapons capabilities can influence international stability and conflict. The book will help scholars and policymakers understand why countries are pursuing nuclear energy and evaluate whether this is a trend we should welcome or fear.