This study aimed to examine the performance of the Siegel-Tukey and Savage tests on data sets with heterogeneous variances. The analysis, considering Normal, Platykurtic, and Skewed distributions and a standard deviat...This study aimed to examine the performance of the Siegel-Tukey and Savage tests on data sets with heterogeneous variances. The analysis, considering Normal, Platykurtic, and Skewed distributions and a standard deviation ratio of 1, was conducted for both small and large sample sizes. For small sample sizes, two main categories were established: equal and different sample sizes. Analyses were performed using Monte Carlo simulations with 20,000 repetitions for each scenario, and the simulations were evaluated using SAS software. For small sample sizes, the I. type error rate of the Siegel-Tukey test generally ranged from 0.045 to 0.055, while the I. type error rate of the Savage test was observed to range from 0.016 to 0.041. Similar trends were observed for Platykurtic and Skewed distributions. In scenarios with different sample sizes, the Savage test generally exhibited lower I. type error rates. For large sample sizes, two main categories were established: equal and different sample sizes. For large sample sizes, the I. type error rate of the Siegel-Tukey test ranged from 0.047 to 0.052, while the I. type error rate of the Savage test ranged from 0.043 to 0.051. In cases of equal sample sizes, both tests generally had lower error rates, with the Savage test providing more consistent results for large sample sizes. In conclusion, it was determined that the Savage test provides lower I. type error rates for small sample sizes and that both tests have similar error rates for large sample sizes. These findings suggest that the Savage test could be a more reliable option when analyzing variance differences.展开更多
Surat city is continuously expanding with industrial development. Despite several flyovers, traffic congestion continues in the heart of city. Therefore, fresh transportation planning is at anvil. Simultaneously, furt...Surat city is continuously expanding with industrial development. Despite several flyovers, traffic congestion continues in the heart of city. Therefore, fresh transportation planning is at anvil. Simultaneously, further expansion plan is under consideration to create yet another, the 10th industrial zone. Purpose of this paper is to explore lean management based sustainable transport system for meeting the increasing needs of people and supply-chain. The research examines different mode of transportation like; vehicles on road, rail on the land, and steamers through the sea route to provide connectivity. This study may support the planners of the smart city. The study intends to find how lean management can be integrated to sustainable transport system meeting objectives of lean and sustainability both. Lean management system claims to be capable of eliminating all type of wastes including those associated with transport system. On the other hand, sustainable transport claims to meet the needs of people in personal economic lives, importantly respecting the need of future generations. Therefore, this applied research aims to find a lean and sustainable transport solution. This research work can be seen as descriptive type as it includes survey of location and fact finding enquiries.展开更多
In Uganda, there is still insufficient comprehension of malaria as a lethal disease especially in rural areas despite universal bed-net distribution coverage and effective anti-malarial treatment. <strong>Aim:&l...In Uganda, there is still insufficient comprehension of malaria as a lethal disease especially in rural areas despite universal bed-net distribution coverage and effective anti-malarial treatment. <strong>Aim:</strong> To get evidence-based knowledge to establish the contribution of an individuals’ knowledge from various health communications that could increase their active involvement in health care especially seeking timely appropriate treatment for malaria or suspected malaria. <strong>Method:</strong> A cross-sectional survey using a correlational design was employed on a clustered sample of 380 rural households in 05 sub-counties of Kanungu district. Data were corrected between October 2016-January 2017 using researcher-administered questionnaires, key-informant interviews and focus group discussions. Correlation analysis was done. <strong>Result:</strong> There is a significant positive relationship between knowledge of health communications and treatment-seeking behavior (r = 0.312;<em>p</em> ≤ 0.01). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Exposure to consistent Behavioral Change Communications messages influences treatment-seeking behaviour. Thus, in malaria-prone communities, it appears that other factors including sufficient targeted persuasive health communication are lacking in influencing personal orientations towards treatment-seeking behaviour. Therefore, proper Health Communications management supplements efforts from other disciplines and players, against malaria in Uganda.展开更多
In order to provide an appropriate context for the current state of the heritage product in tourism industry, semiotic knowledge become an important role to know deeply the identity, philosophy, and also the meaning o...In order to provide an appropriate context for the current state of the heritage product in tourism industry, semiotic knowledge become an important role to know deeply the identity, philosophy, and also the meaning of behind the actual product. Scott (2000) stresses the requirement of aesthetic and semiotic content in a creative product, instead of creativity. But, how many of retailers and salespersons in heritage product believe the semiotic as knowledge to present the product and opportunities in their selling? According to Kotler (2000) a good personal selling will provide a detailed explanation or demonstration of the product. The message can be varied by the salesperson to fit the motivations and interests or each prospective customer. So, the purpose of this paper is to closely examine the level of awareness among retailers and salesperson toward the important of semiotic knowledge as part of strategic persuasion in a selling process. This survey study will develop a sample among retailers and salesperson in Kuala Terengganu as a respondent who give the feedback to fulfill the research questions.展开更多
The purpose of this study is to explore how business organizations could effectively promote positive environmental norms among a larger section of the community. This study hypothesized that the development of a feel...The purpose of this study is to explore how business organizations could effectively promote positive environmental norms among a larger section of the community. This study hypothesized that the development of a feeling of high involvement among employees of organizations implementing the Environmental Management System (EMS) could result in the spillover phenomena of other environmentally responsible behavior in different domains such as, consumer preferences for environment-friendly products. The study also confirms the effects of environmental attitude (EA) and concrete knowledge (CK) as a mediator; acting not only as an axis to the spillover phenomenon but is also found to be the crucial factor in determining the strength of the whole spillover process.展开更多
In the paper an axiomatic approach to express rates of growth is presented. The formula is given of rate of growth at a point as the limit case of rate of growth on an interval and the inverse formula is derived to co...In the paper an axiomatic approach to express rates of growth is presented. The formula is given of rate of growth at a point as the limit case of rate of growth on an interval and the inverse formula is derived to compute present and future value of capital for an integrable rate of growth. Incidentally some inconsistencies in currently used formulas are pointed out.展开更多
A ship's crew plays an important role in the maritime transportation sector and their performance is paramont in the shipping industry. On this account, an impartial evaluation of the crew's performance is an import...A ship's crew plays an important role in the maritime transportation sector and their performance is paramont in the shipping industry. On this account, an impartial evaluation of the crew's performance is an important issue. In this paper, the ship officer's performance evaluation problem is studied. The performance evaluation criteria that shipping companies take into account are determined and a performance evaluation process is modelled by using the FAHP (Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process) based on Chang's Algorithm. Linguistic variables and fuzzy numbers are used in the assessment process. The results of the proposed model demonstrate that the FAHP method is effective and helps managers make better and more reliable decisions under fuzzy circumstances.展开更多
Integrated basin management approach has been applied in Nyangores River sub-catchment basin, since the year 2009 but with minimal success. Sub catchment degradation, organizational weakness, the flow and quality of w...Integrated basin management approach has been applied in Nyangores River sub-catchment basin, since the year 2009 but with minimal success. Sub catchment degradation, organizational weakness, the flow and quality of water had started to diminish, creating challenges for local livelihoods, wildlife in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, and in maintaining biodiversity and healthy ecosystem functioning. Water resources can be successfully managed only if the natural, social, economic and political environments, in which water occurs and used, are taken fully into consideration. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of institutional structures influence on sustainability of projects in Nyagores river sub-catchment basin in Bomet County, Kenya. The research designs used were descriptive survey and correlational research design. Stepwise and purposive sampling formed the sampling procedure. The results are presented descriptively using Tables while for qualitative data, narrative statements were used. Questionnaires, Interview guide and document analysis were used for data collection. The sample size was 371, from a targeted a population of 56,508 household heads and 10 informants, purposively selected from the water concerned institutions and ministries of Water and Agriculture. Total of 371 questionnaires were given out to the respondents and only 321, were duly filled and returned representing (86.5%). The objective was to establish the extent to which institutional structures influence sustainability of projects in Nyangores River sub-catchment Basin. The results indicated that there was a positive correlation r = 0.552, (p is was rejected and concluded that there is a significant relationship between the institutional structures and sustainability of projects in Nyangores river sub-catchment basin. R<sup>2</sup> was 0.304;hence, 30.4% of changes in sustainability of projects are explained by institutional structures. Recommendations are;ensure a stringent policy for robust planning and management, and more robust forum for the stakeholders to complement the efforts of WRUA. It is suggested for further research, similar studies are done for the other adjacent river basins and to investigate ways of raising the level of community participation in the basin.展开更多
It is estimated that only 15 percent of Kenyans have made plans for retirement, and many people fall into poverty once they retire. A 2018 survey by the Unclaimed Property Asset register found that insurance companies...It is estimated that only 15 percent of Kenyans have made plans for retirement, and many people fall into poverty once they retire. A 2018 survey by the Unclaimed Property Asset register found that insurance companies hold 25 percent of unclaimed funds with 10 percent belonging to pensioners. This was attributed to a lack of effective information flow between insurance companies and the customers and also between various departments in the insurance companies. Further, there were numerous cases of loss of documents and files and certain files were untraceable in the departments. This paper investigates ways in which mobile technology influences dissemination of information for processing pension claims in the insurance industry. An improvement in dissemination of information for processing of pension claims can carry out a key function in increasing percentage of Kenyans making plans for retirement. The study deployed a descriptive study design. The target population in this study was 561 pensioners in Jubilee Insurance and 8 heads of pensions business, finance, legal services, internal audit, operations, information and communication technology, actuary, business development and strategy and business development departments. The sample size of this study was obtained by use of Krejcie and Morgan formula of determining sample size. As a result of the small number of heads of departments, they were not sampled. Through systematic sampling a sample of 288 pensioners was selected from the list of pensioners in Jubilee Insurance. The findings from the study led to a conclusion that mobile application has a positive and significant association with dissemination of information for pension claims processing in Jubilee Insurance. It was further revealed that text messages have a positive and significant influence on dissemination of information. Concerning unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) it was concluded that it has a positive and significant influence on dissemination of information. The study findings also revealed that voice calls have a positive and significant influence on dissemination of information for pension claims processing in Jubilee Insurance.展开更多
The Republic of Azerbaijan is home to several ethnic groups, religious communities, and nationalities that coexist in a diverse society. Understanding one of the core aspects of Azerbaijani social identity, such as it...The Republic of Azerbaijan is home to several ethnic groups, religious communities, and nationalities that coexist in a diverse society. Understanding one of the core aspects of Azerbaijani social identity, such as its Turkic component, sheds light on this theme. There is a common sentiment widely shared in society, which assumes that ethnic and religious diversity in Azerbaijan is purely superstructural, while Turkophone is regarded mostly as something inevitable and essential, a result of historical destiny and the outcome of location. In contrast, contemplating the phenomenon of the “Turkophone identity of Azerbaijan” is paramount both in terms of contemporary assessment and with respect to historical depth and cultural relevance. Moreover, it demonstrates that the Turkic ideological context is not only crucial to articulating the Azerbaijani national mythology, but also constitutes an economic realm of today’s politics of statistics and architectonic ethnic folklore. Ethnicity, as primarily a cultural phenomenon, opens the path for the identification of the intelligentsia and small cultural elite with the upper-class elements and for the detection of the indifference of other social strata or sections to any ethnic group. Yet the Turkic mythology could not operate like a traditional integration in a thoroughly stratified Oriental society because the Caucasus societies were, and are predominantly so, underdeveloped, preclassical, or lowest-class, semi-nomadic. The Turkic identity should, in the first instance, be examined conceptually and empirically in all these layers before and rather than in small networks stretched over the whole region. Turkic heritage operates today as a necessary component of national identification in scholarly literature and in everyday policy, the Turkic ideology has become a part of the first line of national country report writing in Azerbaijan. This will be an attempt to scrutinize these links not as separate issues but as more or less dialectic contours of the same dynamic identity.展开更多
Corporate governance mechanisms emerge to tackle agency problems in ensuring that shareholders' funds are not expropriated or wasted on unprofitable activities. The issue arises as to whether these improvements have ...Corporate governance mechanisms emerge to tackle agency problems in ensuring that shareholders' funds are not expropriated or wasted on unprofitable activities. The issue arises as to whether these improvements have been effective in reducing agency costs, and therefore enhancing firm value. The objectives of this paper is to examine the effects of governance mechanisms of dividend, types of ownership structure, and board governance on firm value. This paper utilises a panel data analysis of 403 firms listed on the Bursa Malaysia over a four-year period from years 2002 to 2005. A hierarchical regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses and the data is analysed using the generalized least square (GLS) estimation technique. Overall, the results highlight the importance of moderating role played by board governance variables with types of ownership structure to influence firm value. However, the benefits of better corporate governance through enhanced board governance are not the same across all firms since their incentives vary with respect to dividend and different types of ownership structure mechanisms.展开更多
An accurate prediction of crude palm oil (CPO) prices is important especially when investors deal with ever-increasing risks and uncertainties in the future. Therefore, the applicability of the forecasting approaches ...An accurate prediction of crude palm oil (CPO) prices is important especially when investors deal with ever-increasing risks and uncertainties in the future. Therefore, the applicability of the forecasting approaches in predicting the CPO prices is becoming the matter into concerns. In this study, two artificial intelligence approaches, has been used namely artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). We employed in-sample forecasting on daily free-on-board CPO prices in Malaysia and the series data stretching from a period of January first, 2004 to the end of December 2011. The predictability power of the artificial intelligence approaches was also made in regard with the statistical forecasting approach such as the autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) model. The general findings demonstrated that the ANN model is superior compared to the ANFIS and ARFIMA models in predicting the CPO prices.展开更多
This study challenges understandings on the‘redundancy effect’of cognitive load theory and visual/verbal classifications of dual-coding theory.Current understandings assert that a multimedia mix of narration and tex...This study challenges understandings on the‘redundancy effect’of cognitive load theory and visual/verbal classifications of dual-coding theory.Current understandings assert that a multimedia mix of narration and text displayed during e-learning leads to cognitive overload,thus,impeding learning[1,2].Previous research suggests that for optimal learning to occur,the most effective multimedia mix for e-learning presentation is the use of graphics and narration[3-6].The current study was undertaken with 90 undergraduate students at a British University.Participants were allocated to one of three groups.Each group used a different multimedia mix of a music e-learning program.Participants received learning material electronically,which involved either a mix of narration and text,graphics and text,or graphics and narration.Learning was measured by differences in music knowledge scores obtained before and after receiving the learning material.Results indicate that the combination of text and narration is most effective for learning,compared to combinations of graphics and text and graphics and narration.These findings challenge the currently accepted stance on the redundancy effect in e-learning design.展开更多
The focus of this research is to know the effect of tariff policy of automobile demand before and after World Trade Organization (WTO). Analysis method used in this research is quantitative analysis with simultaneous ...The focus of this research is to know the effect of tariff policy of automobile demand before and after World Trade Organization (WTO). Analysis method used in this research is quantitative analysis with simultaneous model and estimated using Two Stage Least Square (TSLS) approach, and the next analysis is a test of hypothesis using partial and simultaneous test. Based on the result of the estimation, it can be concluded that the independent variable in the first model, car price and PDB per capita is positive and dummy variable of economic crisis is negative to Japanese automobile demand. And independent variable in the second model, demand and tariff (the first dummy) is positive but fuel price and tariff (the second and the third dummy) are negative to Japanese automobile price. In other words, the influence of tariff policy in 1980-1994 is positive, and those in 1995-1997 and 1998-2005 are negative to Japanese automobile demand.展开更多
Case Based Reasoning(CBR)is one of the artificial intelligent methodologies that is widely used in problem solving by reusing the most similar previous experiences stored in the library.A framework of ECO-CBR for Life...Case Based Reasoning(CBR)is one of the artificial intelligent methodologies that is widely used in problem solving by reusing the most similar previous experiences stored in the library.A framework of ECO-CBR for Life Cycle Assessment data collection has been used and the process was carried out using SolidWorks program.The practicality of the tool has been validated using case study,which then provides solution.The output enable researchers to determine forecast error and forecast accuracy,by valuing the calculation from Total Carbon Footprint,Energy Consumption,Air Acidification,and Water Eutrophication.ECO-CBR is able to assist designers in product design.Due to the limitation of environmental impact consideration in product sustainability,there is a demand to propose a tool that can assist designers to reduce environmental impact of product design at early stage.The model works as an essential guideline to lessen repeated mistakes in the product development process and help designers measure the risks before concluding ideal decisions.Minor errors that occur through the study showed that ECO-CBR is reliable to be implemented in order to find a better solution.展开更多
This study explores the rationale why some countries fare better in resolving social problems such as poverty and the COVID-19 pandemic.The simple model introduces the term of resident viability and points out that th...This study explores the rationale why some countries fare better in resolving social problems such as poverty and the COVID-19 pandemic.The simple model introduces the term of resident viability and points out that the solution to a social problem with a large ratio of nonviable to viable residents requires the mobilisation of more societal resources,and the affordable price ratio of societal to individual resources is determined by country characteristics such as the cultural background,political regime,ideology towards the free-market mechanism,government efficiency and social trust.This study also makes between-country comparisons and conducts preliminary regression analyses with cross-country data,and all the results are consistent with the model predictions on the relationship between country characteristics and country performances in fighting poverty and handling the COVID-19 pandemic.展开更多
As the adoption of Electric Vehicles(EVs)intensifies,two primary challenges emerge:limited range due to battery constraints and extended charging times.The traditional charging stations,particularly those near highway...As the adoption of Electric Vehicles(EVs)intensifies,two primary challenges emerge:limited range due to battery constraints and extended charging times.The traditional charging stations,particularly those near highways,exacerbate these issues with necessary detours,inconsistent service levels,and unpredictable waiting durations.The emerging technology of dynamic wireless charging lanes(DWCLs)may alleviate range anxiety and eliminate long charging stops;however,the driving speed on DWCL significantly affects charging efficiency and effective charging time.Meanwhile,the existing research has addressed load balancing optimization on Dynamic Wireless Charging(DWC)systems to a limited extent.To address this critical issue,this study introduces an innovative eco-driving speed control strategy,providing a novel solution to the multi-objective optimization problem of speed control on DWCL.We utilize mathematical programming methods and incorporate the longitudinal dynamics of vehicles to provide an accurate physical model of EVs.Three objective functions are formulated to tackle the challenges at hand:reducing travel time,increasing charging efficiency,and achieving load balancing on DWCL,which corresponds to four control strategies.The results of numerical tests indicate that a comprehensive control strategy,which considers all objectives,achieves a minor sacrifice in travel time reduction while significantly improving energy efficiency and load balancing.Furthermore,by defining the energy demand and speed range through an upper operation limit,a relatively superior speed control strategy can be selected.This work contributes to the discourse on DWCL integration into modern transportation systems,enhancing the EV driving experience on major roads.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Pericampylus glaucus (Lam) Merr (P. glaucus) on biochemical parameters in high fats diets treated rats. Methods: The effect of P. glaucus extract on biochemica...Objective: To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Pericampylus glaucus (Lam) Merr (P. glaucus) on biochemical parameters in high fats diets treated rats. Methods: The effect of P. glaucus extract on biochemical parameters was studied in male Sprague Dawley rats. The high-fat diets along with standard normal laboratory rat's diets were given for a period of 28 days along with ethanolic extract of P. glaucus and standard drug. The standard group was treated with simvastatin at dose of 80 mg/kg and the tested groups were treated with ethanol extract of P. glaucus at 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg daily for 28 days of the experiment. The weight of animals in each group was measured weekly and the effect of extract and standard on serum lipids profile was evaluated at the end of the study. Results: The results showed that the ethanolic extract of P. glaucus at different doses of 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg and standard drug induced a significant reduction in the body weight (P< 0.001), total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and uric acid levels and increase (P < 0.001) in high density lipoproteins (HDL) as compared to untreated hyperlipidemic group. Conclusions: The present work indicates that the ethanolic extract significantly suppressed the biochemical parameters in high fats diet treated animals, suggesting the antihyperlipidemic potential of P. glaucus.展开更多
文摘This study aimed to examine the performance of the Siegel-Tukey and Savage tests on data sets with heterogeneous variances. The analysis, considering Normal, Platykurtic, and Skewed distributions and a standard deviation ratio of 1, was conducted for both small and large sample sizes. For small sample sizes, two main categories were established: equal and different sample sizes. Analyses were performed using Monte Carlo simulations with 20,000 repetitions for each scenario, and the simulations were evaluated using SAS software. For small sample sizes, the I. type error rate of the Siegel-Tukey test generally ranged from 0.045 to 0.055, while the I. type error rate of the Savage test was observed to range from 0.016 to 0.041. Similar trends were observed for Platykurtic and Skewed distributions. In scenarios with different sample sizes, the Savage test generally exhibited lower I. type error rates. For large sample sizes, two main categories were established: equal and different sample sizes. For large sample sizes, the I. type error rate of the Siegel-Tukey test ranged from 0.047 to 0.052, while the I. type error rate of the Savage test ranged from 0.043 to 0.051. In cases of equal sample sizes, both tests generally had lower error rates, with the Savage test providing more consistent results for large sample sizes. In conclusion, it was determined that the Savage test provides lower I. type error rates for small sample sizes and that both tests have similar error rates for large sample sizes. These findings suggest that the Savage test could be a more reliable option when analyzing variance differences.
文摘Surat city is continuously expanding with industrial development. Despite several flyovers, traffic congestion continues in the heart of city. Therefore, fresh transportation planning is at anvil. Simultaneously, further expansion plan is under consideration to create yet another, the 10th industrial zone. Purpose of this paper is to explore lean management based sustainable transport system for meeting the increasing needs of people and supply-chain. The research examines different mode of transportation like; vehicles on road, rail on the land, and steamers through the sea route to provide connectivity. This study may support the planners of the smart city. The study intends to find how lean management can be integrated to sustainable transport system meeting objectives of lean and sustainability both. Lean management system claims to be capable of eliminating all type of wastes including those associated with transport system. On the other hand, sustainable transport claims to meet the needs of people in personal economic lives, importantly respecting the need of future generations. Therefore, this applied research aims to find a lean and sustainable transport solution. This research work can be seen as descriptive type as it includes survey of location and fact finding enquiries.
文摘In Uganda, there is still insufficient comprehension of malaria as a lethal disease especially in rural areas despite universal bed-net distribution coverage and effective anti-malarial treatment. <strong>Aim:</strong> To get evidence-based knowledge to establish the contribution of an individuals’ knowledge from various health communications that could increase their active involvement in health care especially seeking timely appropriate treatment for malaria or suspected malaria. <strong>Method:</strong> A cross-sectional survey using a correlational design was employed on a clustered sample of 380 rural households in 05 sub-counties of Kanungu district. Data were corrected between October 2016-January 2017 using researcher-administered questionnaires, key-informant interviews and focus group discussions. Correlation analysis was done. <strong>Result:</strong> There is a significant positive relationship between knowledge of health communications and treatment-seeking behavior (r = 0.312;<em>p</em> ≤ 0.01). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Exposure to consistent Behavioral Change Communications messages influences treatment-seeking behaviour. Thus, in malaria-prone communities, it appears that other factors including sufficient targeted persuasive health communication are lacking in influencing personal orientations towards treatment-seeking behaviour. Therefore, proper Health Communications management supplements efforts from other disciplines and players, against malaria in Uganda.
文摘In order to provide an appropriate context for the current state of the heritage product in tourism industry, semiotic knowledge become an important role to know deeply the identity, philosophy, and also the meaning of behind the actual product. Scott (2000) stresses the requirement of aesthetic and semiotic content in a creative product, instead of creativity. But, how many of retailers and salespersons in heritage product believe the semiotic as knowledge to present the product and opportunities in their selling? According to Kotler (2000) a good personal selling will provide a detailed explanation or demonstration of the product. The message can be varied by the salesperson to fit the motivations and interests or each prospective customer. So, the purpose of this paper is to closely examine the level of awareness among retailers and salesperson toward the important of semiotic knowledge as part of strategic persuasion in a selling process. This survey study will develop a sample among retailers and salesperson in Kuala Terengganu as a respondent who give the feedback to fulfill the research questions.
文摘The purpose of this study is to explore how business organizations could effectively promote positive environmental norms among a larger section of the community. This study hypothesized that the development of a feeling of high involvement among employees of organizations implementing the Environmental Management System (EMS) could result in the spillover phenomena of other environmentally responsible behavior in different domains such as, consumer preferences for environment-friendly products. The study also confirms the effects of environmental attitude (EA) and concrete knowledge (CK) as a mediator; acting not only as an axis to the spillover phenomenon but is also found to be the crucial factor in determining the strength of the whole spillover process.
文摘In the paper an axiomatic approach to express rates of growth is presented. The formula is given of rate of growth at a point as the limit case of rate of growth on an interval and the inverse formula is derived to compute present and future value of capital for an integrable rate of growth. Incidentally some inconsistencies in currently used formulas are pointed out.
文摘A ship's crew plays an important role in the maritime transportation sector and their performance is paramont in the shipping industry. On this account, an impartial evaluation of the crew's performance is an important issue. In this paper, the ship officer's performance evaluation problem is studied. The performance evaluation criteria that shipping companies take into account are determined and a performance evaluation process is modelled by using the FAHP (Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process) based on Chang's Algorithm. Linguistic variables and fuzzy numbers are used in the assessment process. The results of the proposed model demonstrate that the FAHP method is effective and helps managers make better and more reliable decisions under fuzzy circumstances.
文摘Integrated basin management approach has been applied in Nyangores River sub-catchment basin, since the year 2009 but with minimal success. Sub catchment degradation, organizational weakness, the flow and quality of water had started to diminish, creating challenges for local livelihoods, wildlife in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, and in maintaining biodiversity and healthy ecosystem functioning. Water resources can be successfully managed only if the natural, social, economic and political environments, in which water occurs and used, are taken fully into consideration. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of institutional structures influence on sustainability of projects in Nyagores river sub-catchment basin in Bomet County, Kenya. The research designs used were descriptive survey and correlational research design. Stepwise and purposive sampling formed the sampling procedure. The results are presented descriptively using Tables while for qualitative data, narrative statements were used. Questionnaires, Interview guide and document analysis were used for data collection. The sample size was 371, from a targeted a population of 56,508 household heads and 10 informants, purposively selected from the water concerned institutions and ministries of Water and Agriculture. Total of 371 questionnaires were given out to the respondents and only 321, were duly filled and returned representing (86.5%). The objective was to establish the extent to which institutional structures influence sustainability of projects in Nyangores River sub-catchment Basin. The results indicated that there was a positive correlation r = 0.552, (p is was rejected and concluded that there is a significant relationship between the institutional structures and sustainability of projects in Nyangores river sub-catchment basin. R<sup>2</sup> was 0.304;hence, 30.4% of changes in sustainability of projects are explained by institutional structures. Recommendations are;ensure a stringent policy for robust planning and management, and more robust forum for the stakeholders to complement the efforts of WRUA. It is suggested for further research, similar studies are done for the other adjacent river basins and to investigate ways of raising the level of community participation in the basin.
文摘It is estimated that only 15 percent of Kenyans have made plans for retirement, and many people fall into poverty once they retire. A 2018 survey by the Unclaimed Property Asset register found that insurance companies hold 25 percent of unclaimed funds with 10 percent belonging to pensioners. This was attributed to a lack of effective information flow between insurance companies and the customers and also between various departments in the insurance companies. Further, there were numerous cases of loss of documents and files and certain files were untraceable in the departments. This paper investigates ways in which mobile technology influences dissemination of information for processing pension claims in the insurance industry. An improvement in dissemination of information for processing of pension claims can carry out a key function in increasing percentage of Kenyans making plans for retirement. The study deployed a descriptive study design. The target population in this study was 561 pensioners in Jubilee Insurance and 8 heads of pensions business, finance, legal services, internal audit, operations, information and communication technology, actuary, business development and strategy and business development departments. The sample size of this study was obtained by use of Krejcie and Morgan formula of determining sample size. As a result of the small number of heads of departments, they were not sampled. Through systematic sampling a sample of 288 pensioners was selected from the list of pensioners in Jubilee Insurance. The findings from the study led to a conclusion that mobile application has a positive and significant association with dissemination of information for pension claims processing in Jubilee Insurance. It was further revealed that text messages have a positive and significant influence on dissemination of information. Concerning unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) it was concluded that it has a positive and significant influence on dissemination of information. The study findings also revealed that voice calls have a positive and significant influence on dissemination of information for pension claims processing in Jubilee Insurance.
文摘The Republic of Azerbaijan is home to several ethnic groups, religious communities, and nationalities that coexist in a diverse society. Understanding one of the core aspects of Azerbaijani social identity, such as its Turkic component, sheds light on this theme. There is a common sentiment widely shared in society, which assumes that ethnic and religious diversity in Azerbaijan is purely superstructural, while Turkophone is regarded mostly as something inevitable and essential, a result of historical destiny and the outcome of location. In contrast, contemplating the phenomenon of the “Turkophone identity of Azerbaijan” is paramount both in terms of contemporary assessment and with respect to historical depth and cultural relevance. Moreover, it demonstrates that the Turkic ideological context is not only crucial to articulating the Azerbaijani national mythology, but also constitutes an economic realm of today’s politics of statistics and architectonic ethnic folklore. Ethnicity, as primarily a cultural phenomenon, opens the path for the identification of the intelligentsia and small cultural elite with the upper-class elements and for the detection of the indifference of other social strata or sections to any ethnic group. Yet the Turkic mythology could not operate like a traditional integration in a thoroughly stratified Oriental society because the Caucasus societies were, and are predominantly so, underdeveloped, preclassical, or lowest-class, semi-nomadic. The Turkic identity should, in the first instance, be examined conceptually and empirically in all these layers before and rather than in small networks stretched over the whole region. Turkic heritage operates today as a necessary component of national identification in scholarly literature and in everyday policy, the Turkic ideology has become a part of the first line of national country report writing in Azerbaijan. This will be an attempt to scrutinize these links not as separate issues but as more or less dialectic contours of the same dynamic identity.
文摘Corporate governance mechanisms emerge to tackle agency problems in ensuring that shareholders' funds are not expropriated or wasted on unprofitable activities. The issue arises as to whether these improvements have been effective in reducing agency costs, and therefore enhancing firm value. The objectives of this paper is to examine the effects of governance mechanisms of dividend, types of ownership structure, and board governance on firm value. This paper utilises a panel data analysis of 403 firms listed on the Bursa Malaysia over a four-year period from years 2002 to 2005. A hierarchical regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses and the data is analysed using the generalized least square (GLS) estimation technique. Overall, the results highlight the importance of moderating role played by board governance variables with types of ownership structure to influence firm value. However, the benefits of better corporate governance through enhanced board governance are not the same across all firms since their incentives vary with respect to dividend and different types of ownership structure mechanisms.
文摘An accurate prediction of crude palm oil (CPO) prices is important especially when investors deal with ever-increasing risks and uncertainties in the future. Therefore, the applicability of the forecasting approaches in predicting the CPO prices is becoming the matter into concerns. In this study, two artificial intelligence approaches, has been used namely artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). We employed in-sample forecasting on daily free-on-board CPO prices in Malaysia and the series data stretching from a period of January first, 2004 to the end of December 2011. The predictability power of the artificial intelligence approaches was also made in regard with the statistical forecasting approach such as the autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) model. The general findings demonstrated that the ANN model is superior compared to the ANFIS and ARFIMA models in predicting the CPO prices.
文摘This study challenges understandings on the‘redundancy effect’of cognitive load theory and visual/verbal classifications of dual-coding theory.Current understandings assert that a multimedia mix of narration and text displayed during e-learning leads to cognitive overload,thus,impeding learning[1,2].Previous research suggests that for optimal learning to occur,the most effective multimedia mix for e-learning presentation is the use of graphics and narration[3-6].The current study was undertaken with 90 undergraduate students at a British University.Participants were allocated to one of three groups.Each group used a different multimedia mix of a music e-learning program.Participants received learning material electronically,which involved either a mix of narration and text,graphics and text,or graphics and narration.Learning was measured by differences in music knowledge scores obtained before and after receiving the learning material.Results indicate that the combination of text and narration is most effective for learning,compared to combinations of graphics and text and graphics and narration.These findings challenge the currently accepted stance on the redundancy effect in e-learning design.
文摘The focus of this research is to know the effect of tariff policy of automobile demand before and after World Trade Organization (WTO). Analysis method used in this research is quantitative analysis with simultaneous model and estimated using Two Stage Least Square (TSLS) approach, and the next analysis is a test of hypothesis using partial and simultaneous test. Based on the result of the estimation, it can be concluded that the independent variable in the first model, car price and PDB per capita is positive and dummy variable of economic crisis is negative to Japanese automobile demand. And independent variable in the second model, demand and tariff (the first dummy) is positive but fuel price and tariff (the second and the third dummy) are negative to Japanese automobile price. In other words, the influence of tariff policy in 1980-1994 is positive, and those in 1995-1997 and 1998-2005 are negative to Japanese automobile demand.
文摘Case Based Reasoning(CBR)is one of the artificial intelligent methodologies that is widely used in problem solving by reusing the most similar previous experiences stored in the library.A framework of ECO-CBR for Life Cycle Assessment data collection has been used and the process was carried out using SolidWorks program.The practicality of the tool has been validated using case study,which then provides solution.The output enable researchers to determine forecast error and forecast accuracy,by valuing the calculation from Total Carbon Footprint,Energy Consumption,Air Acidification,and Water Eutrophication.ECO-CBR is able to assist designers in product design.Due to the limitation of environmental impact consideration in product sustainability,there is a demand to propose a tool that can assist designers to reduce environmental impact of product design at early stage.The model works as an essential guideline to lessen repeated mistakes in the product development process and help designers measure the risks before concluding ideal decisions.Minor errors that occur through the study showed that ECO-CBR is reliable to be implemented in order to find a better solution.
文摘This study explores the rationale why some countries fare better in resolving social problems such as poverty and the COVID-19 pandemic.The simple model introduces the term of resident viability and points out that the solution to a social problem with a large ratio of nonviable to viable residents requires the mobilisation of more societal resources,and the affordable price ratio of societal to individual resources is determined by country characteristics such as the cultural background,political regime,ideology towards the free-market mechanism,government efficiency and social trust.This study also makes between-country comparisons and conducts preliminary regression analyses with cross-country data,and all the results are consistent with the model predictions on the relationship between country characteristics and country performances in fighting poverty and handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72201149)Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Green Mining of Coal resources,Ministry of Education(KLXGY-KB2420)Guangzhou Basic and Applied Basic Research(SL2023A04J00802).
文摘As the adoption of Electric Vehicles(EVs)intensifies,two primary challenges emerge:limited range due to battery constraints and extended charging times.The traditional charging stations,particularly those near highways,exacerbate these issues with necessary detours,inconsistent service levels,and unpredictable waiting durations.The emerging technology of dynamic wireless charging lanes(DWCLs)may alleviate range anxiety and eliminate long charging stops;however,the driving speed on DWCL significantly affects charging efficiency and effective charging time.Meanwhile,the existing research has addressed load balancing optimization on Dynamic Wireless Charging(DWC)systems to a limited extent.To address this critical issue,this study introduces an innovative eco-driving speed control strategy,providing a novel solution to the multi-objective optimization problem of speed control on DWCL.We utilize mathematical programming methods and incorporate the longitudinal dynamics of vehicles to provide an accurate physical model of EVs.Three objective functions are formulated to tackle the challenges at hand:reducing travel time,increasing charging efficiency,and achieving load balancing on DWCL,which corresponds to four control strategies.The results of numerical tests indicate that a comprehensive control strategy,which considers all objectives,achieves a minor sacrifice in travel time reduction while significantly improving energy efficiency and load balancing.Furthermore,by defining the energy demand and speed range through an upper operation limit,a relatively superior speed control strategy can be selected.This work contributes to the discourse on DWCL integration into modern transportation systems,enhancing the EV driving experience on major roads.
文摘Objective: To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Pericampylus glaucus (Lam) Merr (P. glaucus) on biochemical parameters in high fats diets treated rats. Methods: The effect of P. glaucus extract on biochemical parameters was studied in male Sprague Dawley rats. The high-fat diets along with standard normal laboratory rat's diets were given for a period of 28 days along with ethanolic extract of P. glaucus and standard drug. The standard group was treated with simvastatin at dose of 80 mg/kg and the tested groups were treated with ethanol extract of P. glaucus at 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg daily for 28 days of the experiment. The weight of animals in each group was measured weekly and the effect of extract and standard on serum lipids profile was evaluated at the end of the study. Results: The results showed that the ethanolic extract of P. glaucus at different doses of 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg and standard drug induced a significant reduction in the body weight (P< 0.001), total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and uric acid levels and increase (P < 0.001) in high density lipoproteins (HDL) as compared to untreated hyperlipidemic group. Conclusions: The present work indicates that the ethanolic extract significantly suppressed the biochemical parameters in high fats diet treated animals, suggesting the antihyperlipidemic potential of P. glaucus.