Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global Management Conference – Bali , Indonesia April-May 2010 TOWARDS A MORE EFFECTIVE HEALTH PROMOTION CAMPAIGN FOR DIABETES IN MAURITIUS

Over the past 2 decades, the prevalence of diabetes in Mauritius has remained one of the highest in the world with no recent significant improvement. Mauritius ranked 2nd in 2002 and 4th in the world in 2009 with nearly one in five of its adult population above the age of 30 years being affected. Nearly half of those affected do not know that they have the disease and this adversely influences quality of life, risks of complications as well as morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of free health services, over 50% of diabetes patients are poorly controlled and the risk of complications from diabetes such as cardiovascular diseases, renal failure, blindness, peripheral vascular and neurological diseases leading to lower limb amputations, remain very high. Despite continued efforts from the MOH & QOL to provide easily accessible diabetes care to all patients, the outcome remains poor. Most of the outpatients and primary health care centres are overcrowded and the setup does not provide optimal care and attention. Diabetes care is very much medical-orientated and the health promotion campaigns have had little impact so far. Prevention and control of diabetes although difficult and challenging must become a priority. There is an urgent need for enhanced heath promotion and education, as evidence suggests that a change in diet and lifestyle can bring about significant improvement in the incidence and prevalence of diabetes. This paper examines the health promotion campaigns and discusses key strategies to make the campaign much more effective. Focused leadership and commitment, evidence from research, health literacy, psychology, marketing and the need for an evaluation are explored.
Does Poverty Research in Russia Follow the Scientific Method?

This paper presents the first critical review of literature on poverty published in Russia between 1992 and 2006. Using a dataset of about 250 publications in Russian scientific journals, the authors assess whether the poverty research in Russia satisfies the general criteria of a scientific publication and if such studies could provide reliable guidance to the Russian government as it maps out its anti-poverty policies. The findings indicate that only a small proportion of papers on poverty published in Russia in 1992-2006 follow the universally-recognized principles of the scientific method. The utility of policy advice based on such research is questionable. The authors also suggest steps that could, in their view, improve the quality of poverty research in Russia.
Implementation of buffer zone in industrial area

Malaysia is one of the emerging countries in the main sectors such as economic, educational and social. These positive developments have lead to the development in manufacturing, construction, and various other industries that contribute to the country's revenue. The research will focus on the level of compliance of the buffer zone guideline among the developer. Failure to comply with the buffer zone guidelines will contribute to noise pollution. A buffer zone is created as noise abatement in the noise polluted areas which could be designed in various forms such as a recreational park and a barrier wall. Normally, buffer zone will be developed in order to separate the source of noise from the affected region. This paper reports on the findings from data collection which is investigating the implementation of buffer zone guidelines. As a precursor to this work, this paper reviews the implementation of buffer zone guidelines in the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council. The data or information on implementation regarding the buffer zone guidelines will be gathered by conducting interview session with the Local Authority Officers. The finding of the study will help to ensure the implementation of buffer zone guidelines among the construction industry. Findings from interviews showed that the buffer zone implementation is very useful especially in the development area such as Pasir Gudang. Buffer zone can reduce the noise pollution and other pollutions produced by industrial area. As conclusion, this paper provides greater awareness of the construction industry players to improve the usage of buffer zone implementation guidelines.
Do FDI, Trade Deficit Matter for Gross Domestic Product in Bangladesh? An Econometric Investigation

The basic aim of this paper is to investigate the relation between trade deficit and economic growth of Bangladesh. A time series data has been used for the period of 1980 to 2013 for our analysis. GDP is treated as dependent variable while trade deficit and foreign direct investment as independent variables. Augmented Dickey Fuller test has been used to check the unit root and there is unit root in both dependent and independent variables at 5% level of significance. The results of Johansen co-integration show that foreign direct investment has significant and positive relation with GDP of Bangladesh in the long run while trade deficit has insignificant relation with economic growth in the long run. The results of Granger Causality test show that there is uni-directional causality between GDP and FDI and TD has no statistically relation with Gross Domestic Product of Bangladesh. Key words : GDP, FDI, Trade Deficit, Bangladesh. JEL Classification: F10; F21; F43; O10; O40; O53
THE USE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PARAMETERS METHOD TO CALCULATE THE CONCENTRATIONS OF ELEMENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES USING XRF PORTABLE SYSTEMS

The X-ray fluorescence method is known as a laboratory method and one of the few atomic spectroscopy methods used in many fields. The process of emission of the characteristic X-rays is called “X-ray fluorescence” (XRF). The objectives of this research study are optimization of the XRF portable system geometry and the use of the fundamental parameters method to calculate the concentrations of elements in environmental samples using portable systems. Since this method is quick in getting results and does not destroy the sample, it is widely used both in research and in the analysis of industrial products for materials in the field of mineralogy, geology, environmental analysis of water, air, etc. Various experiments have led to the optimization of the geometry system, as the distances’ minimization, angles optimization, and the assessment of the beam spot in the position of the sample. Most of the data collected are used as initial data in the ADMCA program that uses fundamental parameters (FP-XRF) for calculating the concentrations of elements in environmental samples. Errors in calculating the concentrations of the sediment and soil samples when we introduce the approximate content of light elements can be eligible for geochemical studies. During the research, several areas that can be used in the future to improve the results are identified.
Soil trace gas fluxes along orthogonal precipitation and soil fertility gradients in tropical lowland forests of Panama

Abstract. Tropical lowland forest soils are significant sources and sinks of trace gases. In order to model soil trace gas flux for future climate scenarios, it is necessary to be able to predict changes in soil trace gas fluxes along natural gradients of soil fertility and climatic characteristics. We quantified trace gas fluxes in lowland forest soils at five locations in Panama, which encompassed orthogonal precipitation and soil fertility gradients. Soil trace gas fluxes were measured monthly for 1 (NO) or 2 (CO2, CH4, N2O) years (2010–2012) using vented dynamic (for NO only) or static chambers with permanent bases. Across the five sites, annual fluxes ranged from 8.0 to 10.2 Mg CO2-C, −2.0 to −0.3 kg CH4-C, 0.4 to 1.3 kg N2O-N and −0.82 to −0.03 kg NO-N ha−1 yr−1. Soil CO2 emissions did not differ across sites, but they did exhibit clear seasonal differences and a parabolic pattern with soil moisture across sites. All sites were CH4 sinks; within-site fluxes were largely controlled by soil moisture, whereas fluxes across sites were positively correlated with an integrated index of soil fertility. Soil N2O fluxes were low throughout the measurement years, but the highest emissions occurred at a mid-precipitation site with high soil N availability. Net negative NO fluxes at the soil surface occurred at all sites, with the most negative fluxes at the low-precipitation site closest to Panama City; this was likely due to high ambient NO concentrations from anthropogenic sources. Our study highlights the importance of both short-term (climatic) and long-term (soil and site characteristics) factors in predicting soil trace gas fluxes.
3D-simulation of topology-induced changes of effective permeability and permittivity in composite materials

We have performed 3D simulations of complex effective permittivity and permeability for random binary mixtures of cubic particles below the percolation threshold. We compare two topological classes that correspond to different spatial particle arrangements: cermet topology and aggregate topology. At a low filling factor of f=10%, where most particles are surrounded by matrix material, the respective effective material parameters are indistinguishable. At higher concentrations, a systematic difference emerges: cermet topology is characterized by lower effective permittivity and permeability values. A distinction between topological classes might thus be a useful concept for the analysis of real systems, especially in cases where no exact effective-medium model is available.
Using shape complexity to guide simplification ofgeospatial data for use in Location-basedServices

A Java-based tool for determining if polygons require simplification before delivery to a mobile device using a Location-based Service (LBS) is described. Visualisation of vector-based spatial data on mobile devices is constrained by: small screen size; small data storage on the device; and potentially poor bandwidth connectivity. Our Java-based tool can download OpenStreetMap (OSM) XML data in real-time and calculate a number of shape complexity measures for each object in the data. From these measures an overall complexity score is calculated. If this complexity score is above a pre-defined threshold, specific to LBS, then the data is passed to a related software component which generalises (simplifies) the data. Our experimental results with actual OSM data confirm our expectations that some OSM polygon features can undergo simplification before delivery to an LBS with a significant reduction in the amount of data exchanged. The tool is completely web-based and runs free and open source software; all XML data processing is performed “on-the-fly” and the tool can be used for OpenStreetMap data anywhere in the world. This tool can become part of a very useful and efficient pre-processing step in the delivery of OSM data to mobile devices accessing LBS.
Nonconvex Production Technology and Price Discrimination

A modern firm often employs multiple production technologies based on distinct engineering principles, causing non-convexities in the firm's unit cost as a function of product quality. Extending the model of Mussa and Rosen (1978), this paper investigates how a monopolist's product line design may crucially depend on the non-convexities in the unit cost function. We show that the firm does not offer those qualities where the unit cost exceeds its convex envelope. Consequently, there are "gaps" in its optimal quality choice. When the firm is only permitted to offer a limited number of quality levels (due to possible fixed costs associated with offering each quality), the optimal location of quality levels still lies within those regions of the quality domain where the unit cost function coincides with its convex envelope. We further show that the firm's profit is a supermodular function of its quality levels, and characterize a necessary condition for the optimal quality location
Forecasting Financial Volatilities with Extreme Values: The Conditional Autoregressive Range (CARR) Model

We propose a dynamic model for the high/low range of asset prices within fixed time intervals: the Conditional Autoregressive Range Model (henceforth CARR). The evolution of the conditional range is specified in a fashion similar to the conditional variance models as in GARCH and is very similar to the Autoregressive Conditional Duration (ACD) model of Engle and Russell (1998). Extreme value theories imply that the range is an efficient estimator of the local volatility, e.g., Parkinson (1980). Hence, CARR can be viewed as a model of volatility. Out-of-sample volatility forecasts using the S&P500 index data show that the CARR model does provide sharper volatility estimates compared with a standard GARCH model.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING SYSTEM: A CASE STUDY OF THE TROPIC PLASTIC AND PACKAGING INDUSTRY (PTY) LTD, DURBAN

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have revolutionised the way organisations do business. It has integrated the different business functions into a single common database providing important information for top management to make effective business decisions. Although ERP systems can be extremely costly to implement and maintain the rewards that can be derived from the system are great and have benefited many organisations.
A pilot study of operating department practitioners undertaking high-risk learning: a comparison of experiential, part-task and hi-fidelity simulation teaching methods

Health care learners commonly rely on opportunistic experiential learning in clinical placements in order to develop cognitive and psychomotor clinical skills. In recent years there has been an increasing effort to develop effective alternative, non-opportunistic methods of learning, in an attempt to bypass the questionable tradition of relying on patients to practice on. As part of such efforts, there is an increased utilisation of simulation-based education. However, the effectiveness of simulation in health care education arguably varies between professions (Liaw, Chan, Scherpbier, Rethans, & Pua, 2012; Oberleitner, Broussard, & Bourque, 2011; Ross, 2012). This pilot study compares the effectiveness of three educational (or ‘teaching’) methods in the development of clinical knowledge and skills during Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI) of anaesthesia, a potentially life-threatening clinical situation. Students of Operating Department Practice (ODP) undertook either a) traditional classroom based and experiential learning, b) part-task training, or c) fully submersive scenario-based simulated learning.
Design of an Electronically-Interfaced Dispatchable Power Generation Source to Facilitate Islanding and Autonomous Operation of a Distribution Network

Planned islanding and autonomous operation of a medium voltage distribution system with high-penetration of renewable energy resources are examined in this paper. The intermittent nature and highly variable characteristics of renewable sources identify them as non-dispatchable sources that require a stiff grid and/or electric energy storages for continuous supply of electricity and reliable operation of a power distribution network. A design methodology based on characterization of the frequency-power relationship of all sources in the planned island is introduced and applied to the development of a fast- acting, dispatchable distributed energy resource (DER). The dispatchable DER is employed to quickly maintain power balance of a distribution system upon disconnection from the grid and stabilize the system operation following the islanding transients. The proposed DER is electronically-interfaced and composed of a slow-response primary source and a short-term energy storage. Design criteria aim to minimize the size of the storage while providing adequate power to compensate fluctuations of variable sources during an autonomous operation. Case studies based on the islanding of the distribution network with and without the dispatchable source are performed. The study results illustrate operating limits and power mismatch levels for which the islanded system can be sustained given specified acceptable voltage and frequency ranges.
The Amalgamation of Conventional Universities and Open/ Distance Learning and their Effects on Students’ performances

Conventional and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) are areas that have had major contradictions in relation to addressing the major issues of ensuring that quality of higher education has been retained and at the same time guaranteeing the improvement of human capabilities aimed at achieving an economy that is knowledge-based. Various researches have shown that ODL programs success is due to coordinated efforts among skilled and knowledgeable practitioners, committed learners and organizational systems (Owen and Demb, 2004; Yooon, 2003). The heightened setting up of conventional institutions across the Arab World and in various demographic regions has not fulfilled nor served the main objective of high education of ensuring quality over youths in different economic and social backgrounds. In addition, the high cost of expanding works in conventional higher education has been a major constraint. In such circumstances, the task of expanding quality higher education opportunities becomes the responsibility of conventional universities that are in existence, as well as those offering ODL. The increased number of conventional learning institutions around the Arab world has meant that there is a need to deviate out attention and embrace Open Distance Learning.
SOIL‐MOISTURE SAMPLING VARIATION AS AFFECTED BY VEGETATION AND DEPTH OF SAMPLING

In 1959 and 1960, a study was conducted on the western slope of the Cascade Range in Oregon to determine first-year effects of timber removal on soil moisture. Information concerning the sampling variation of soil moisture as affected by vegetation and depth of sampling represented a by-product of the investigation. Two conclusions were drawn: (a) during the period of vegetative growth, soil-moisture sampling variation is smaller in nonlogged areas than in undisturbed clearcuts; and (b) variation decreases with depth of sampling. This information is of interest in planning experiments in which soil moisture is one of the variables. Published data indicate that the presence of live vegetation is correlated with smaller soilmoisture sampling variation. Data of Slater and Bryant (4) show a smaller mean variance in rye grass plots than in bare plots; and Lull and Axley (3) report a smaller standard deviation in forested plots than in bare plots. Soils literature also reveals a correlation between soil-moisture sampling variation and depth of sampling. Broadfoot and Burke (1) report a smaller standard deviation for subsoils, in contrast to surface soils, when moisture content is at 3i atmosphere pressure, or moisture equivalent, or at "maximum recurring average moisture content. " Striffier (6) also reports that standard deviation decreases with depth. • AREA OF STUDY
Event structure and the meaning of verbs

1. During the last years a lot of research has been done on argument structure and the syntax of verbs. Some of these approaches have pointed out that a good deal of the syntactic behaviour of verbs can be explained by their aspectual properties. These properties, which manifest themselves e.g. in the modifiability of verbs by temporal adverbials, depend on the kind of events the verb can refer to. A consequence for lexical semantics should be: argument structure as part of the meaning representation of verbs has to be integrated in a lexical event description. Several approaches to event reference and to event complexity have influenced the ideas about event structure presented in the paper at hand. The assumption that verbs refer to events and therefore have a referential event argument in their semantic representation goes back to Davidson (1967). The question that arose in the ensuing discussion was: How do thematic roles or semantic relations fit in these representations? In the so-called "Neo-Davidsonian Systems of Thematic Roles" (cf. Dowty 1989) verbs are always one-place and thematic roles understood as being relations between events and event participants introduce the verb’s thematic arguments (1 b). In contrast, functional approaches following Chierchia (1984) assume an additional referential argument for events and represent thematic roles as functions from sets of events to sets of event participants (lc). I.e., according to (1 b) Jenny in (1 a) is standing in an agent relation to the event, and according to (lc) she is picked out by an agent function as the (only) agent of the fixing event. The differences between the two approaches will be discussed later.
INCIDENCE OF NEEDLE STICK AND SHARPS INJURIES AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL, SAUDI ARABIA

Introduction: Needle Stick Injuries are common and expected among health‑care workers during execution of their patient care services. Aim of work: To estimate annual incidence of needle stick and sharps injuries among health care workers and to describe the associated factors and type of injuries in a tertiary hospital in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The target group was all health care workers who obligatory reported for needle stick, sharp injuries during the period from January 2013 to December 2015. The occupational health specialist of the hospital interviewed them to take full documented history through standard questionnaire, performed examination if needed and requested for necessary investigations for the workers and the source patient if known. Results: about 30% of the injuries occurred in Emergency Rooms, followed by Operating Theater (about 20%). The commonest site of injury was fingers (70%). It was more common among female, especially nurses (33.3%). Investigating their Anti HBs antibody titre showed 90.6 % immune. The highest reported incidence occurs during blood sample collection (28.2%). Health care workers explained the cause of injury in form of being rushed (38.46%) or feeling fatigued (28.20%). Majority of them (58.12%) squeezed and cleaned the affected part with disinfectant as immediate actions following exposure. Conclusion: Occupational injuries with needles or other sharps are common among health care professionals especially nurses. It is more incident at emergency room due to high level of stress and rush at work. Training of workers and is recommended to increase their knowledge about the danger of injuries and the appropriate immediate action to be done after injury. Safety boxes, strict policy of reporting and follow up of the injured workers is mandatory for preventing further injuries and decreasing danger of blood borne diseases.