Digital Commons Network^™

From Operations To Outcomes: The Role Of Industry 4.0 In Customer Management And Financial Performance, Hong Long Chen

Management Dynamics

Despite extensive research on Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies, relatively little attention has been given to their impact on financial performance at the firm level. This study proposes a model to investigate the links between I4.0 implementation level (I4.0IL), supply chain management performance (SCMP), customer management performance (CMP), and company financial outcomes using bootstrap-based structural equation modeling (SEM) with data from 91 companies across various sectors. The results of the bootstrap-based SEM with 1,000 resamples show that SCMP significantly influences both CMP and company financial performance, and CMP also significantly impacts financial performance. While I4.0IL does not significantly amplify the effects …

Fuzzy Pi Controller For Frequency Control Of A Diesel-Pv-Battery-Based Islanded Ac Microgrid, M. S. Elborlsy, Ramadan M. Mostafa, Hossam E. Keshta, Mohamed A. Ghalib

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Effective management of modern electrical grids requires intelligent and adaptable control mechanisms to effectively balance power supply and demand, particularly in times of significant disturbances. Microgrids predominantly harness renewable energy sources (RES), which are inherently variable, for electricity generation. However, due to these fluctuations, conventional control systems often struggle to optimize performance under diverse operational conditions. This study addresses the need for improved frequency regulation in isolated AC microgrids (MGs) by proposing a fuzzy PI (FPI) controller capable of dynamically adjusting control strategies to accommodate disturbances such as three-phase faults, sudden changes in load, and variations in solar irradiance. A …

The Influence Of Rotating Savings And Credit Associations Dynamics On Local Trade Flows In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Fred Phanuel Okangi, Theresia E. Busagara

Business Management Review

This study examines the influence of Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) on local trade flows in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Using a structured questionnaire, data were gathered from 107 ROSCA members to assess three key areas: the operational dynamics of ROSCAs, the socio-economic profiles of ROSCA members, and the accessibility of financial resources among ROSCA members. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between the effective management of ROSCAs and increased local trade flows, underscoring that well-organized associations can facilitate smoother financial transactions. Furthermore, the diverse socio-economic profiles of ROSCA members were shown to promote knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities, …

Abundance Of Free-Living Cyanobacterial Nitrogen Fixers On The West Florida Shelf, Ashley Gielazyn, Emma Graves, Christa Baranowski, Kristen Buck, Salvatore Caprara, P. Dreux Chappell

Making Waves REU

• Bio-available nitrogen is scarce in the ocean. An important source of bioavailable nitrogenisnitrogen fixation, which can only be done by select organisms.
• Trichodesmium is a cyanobacterial nitrogen fixer.
• T. thiebautii and T. erythraeum are considered the representative species of the two major clades of Trichodesmium.
• Trichodesmium can be found on the West Florida Shelf, which is a highly productive, yet oligotrophic environment.
• There is limited research on the abundance of nitrogen fixers such as Trichodesmium on the WFS, especially at the clade level.
• This project looks at where and in what quantities the two major clades of Trichodesmium can be …

What Matters To Residential Long-Term Care Residents: Contextualizing Perceptions Of Person-Centered Care, Luis J. Cordero, Sarah Dys, Diana White

Institute on Aging Publications

This study combines the CRITIC and DEMATEL methods and introduces a new hybrid scenario analysis approach that identifies cross-scenario strategies. We use Taiwan's wind energy industry as a case study to validate the process. Although scenario analysis has been applied across various fields and organization types—including strategic planning, education, training, and recent environmental issues—scholars have highlighted problems such as the subjectivity of qualitative analysis and the lack of quantitative evidence. To address this, this study integrates scenario analysis with quantitative multi-criteria decision analysis to support decision makers in conducting scenario evaluations. We achieve this by applying a multi-criteria approach to …

Sglt2 Inhibitors In Diabetes Management: Mechanisms, Clinical Benefits, And Expanding Therapeutic Frontiers, Naiyer Shahzad, Nahla Ayoub

Saudi Toxicology Journal

The kidneys play a vital role in renal glucose reabsorption, with the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) in the proximal renal tubules performing a crucial function in reabsorbing glucose into the bloodstream. SGLT2-selective inhibitors are a new class of oral antidiabetic drugs that enhance glycemic control in diabetic patients by blocking glucose reabsorption. These drugs are primarily developed to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This review summarizes the latest preclinical and clinical trials on SGLT2 inhibitors. These new oral antidiabetic agents effectively and selectively block SGLT2, leading to a reduction in blood glucose levels and HbA1c in both diabetic animal models …

Undifferentiated Blast Crisis In Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia: A Rarest-Of-The-Rare Complication In A Patient On Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Priyanka Mishra, Sanjeevan Sharma

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

A Transferable Force Field For Simulating Adsorption In Metal–Organic Frameworks With Open Metal Sites Based On The 12–6–4 Lennard-Jones Potential, Meng Du, Alan Rodriguez, Matthew Z. Lin, Haoyuan Chen

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that contain coordinatively unsaturated open metal sites (OMSs) provide strong host–guest interactions, making them promising sorbents for low-concentration gas adsorption applications such as direct air capture and atmospheric water harvesting. However, accurately modeling host–guest interactions involving OMSs remains challenging for classical force fields (FFs) based on the 12–6 Lennard–Jones (LJ) potential, as the polarization effect of the guest molecule induced by the positively charged OMS is not considered. Here, we introduce an FF based on the 12–6–4 LJ potential, which incorporates charge–induced dipole interactions and is parametrized against a diverse set of host–guest potential energy surfaces (PESs) …

Antibacterial Activities Of Methylating Cowpea Globulins, Seham Abdel-Shafi, Ali Osman, Eman Tartour, Mahmoud Sitohy, Gamal Enan

Al-Farahidi Biomedical Journal

Background: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a nutritionally important legume rich in storage proteins, mainly 7S and 11S globulins. These proteins have gained recent attention due to their potential bioactive properties, including antimicrobial effects. Chemical modification such as methylation may enhance their functional and biological activities.

Objectives: This study aimed to extract and characterize cowpea protein isolate (CPI) and its globulin fractions (7S and 11S), evaluate their antibacterial activities, and investigate the effect of methylation on enhancing their potency.

Materials and Methods: CPI was extracted from cowpea seeds, and 7S and 11S globulins were purified and designated as P7S …

Statistical Analysis Of Log Transformation Effectiveness In Air Traffic Movement Forecasting During Covid-19 In South Africa, John Lehlaka Masekoameng

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This study evaluates the effectiveness of log transformation in enhancing multiple regression models used to forecast air traffic movements (ATMs) in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using 60 monthly observations from October 2016 to September 2021, the analysis incorporates variables such as revenue, lockdown levels, COVID-19 metrics, exchange rates, gross domestic product, and population. Two models are compared: one using raw ATMs and another with log-transformed ATMs as the dependent variable.

While the untransformed model shows stronger explanatory power (R² = 0.904, adjusted R² = 0.891) compared to the log-transformed model (R² = 0.772, adjusted R² = 0.741), the …

Climate Change Impact On Cooling Energy Demand Of Major Airports In Nigeria, Abdullah C. Salihu, Yahaya Z. Ibrahim, Rukayyat Abdulkarim, Emmanuel I. Aruya

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Rising global temperatures due to climate change are intensifying the cooling energy demands of critical infrastructure, including airports. This study assesses the impact of climate change on the cooling energy needs of five major international airports in Nigeria (Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, and Port Harcourt) using cooling degree days (CDDs) derived from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) multi-model ensemble climate projections. Monthly and annual CDD calculated with a base temperature of 18°C were obtained from the World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP) at a spatial resolution of 25 km × 25 km. Percentage changes in CDD were analyzed …

Advanced Qualification Program Assessments In Aviation Higher Education: A Theoretical Framework, Jorge L. D. Albelo Ph.D., Victor M. Fraticelli Rivera Ph.D.

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This study investigates the integration of an Advanced Qualification Program (AQP)-centered approach into aviation higher education, aiming to refine assessment methods and enhance the educational experience of future aviation professionals. Guided by research questions exploring the strengths, limitations, key characteristics, and potential improvements of AQP-centered assessments, the study reveals a strong consensus among students and faculty. The AQP model, traditionally an alternative to conventional pilot training under 14 CFR Parts 121 and 135, offers a structured, industry-relevant framework emphasizing clear evaluation processes, multilevel knowledge and skill assessments, and high academic performance. Findings indicate that effective AQP assessments balance theoretical knowledge, …

Killer Heat: The Disaster Fema Refuses To Own, Robert R.M. Verchick

University of Chicago Legal Forum

Extreme heat, also known as a “heatwave,” is by far the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States.1 In 2023, extreme heat took 2,300 lives—more than all the deaths attributed to hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, droughts, wildfires, winter storms, and floods combined. Harms from extreme heat, which are especially severe in disadvantaged communities, will only increase as the climate continues to break down. Despite these facts, in more than 70 years of comprehensive disaster response, no president has ever declared a “major disaster” based on extreme heat, nor has the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ever recommended he do …

Integrating Human Factors, Technology, And Mental Health: A Mixed-Methods Framework For Aviation Maintenance Safety In The Philippines, Arthur Dela Peña

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

A complex interaction of human factors, mental health, organizational dynamics, and emerging technologies influences aviation maintenance safety in the Philippines. This study aims to develop an integrated framework to address these aspects and reduce maintenance-related errors. Using a mixed-methods approach based on Creswell’s pragmatic paradigm, the research surveyed 200 participants, including aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs), supervisors, and managers, and conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups. Quantitative analysis revealed that fatigue was a significant contributor to maintenance errors, accounting for 45% of recorded incidents and exhibiting a strong correlation with error rates (r = 0.71, p = 0.005). Incorporating human factors …

Exploring The Reduction Of Runway Incursions Through Training, Vasilios (Billy) Constaintine Metallinos

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Runway incursions are prevalent aviation safety issues that result in adverse outcomes. The focus of this qualitative case study was exploring the reduction of runway incursions through training for pilots. Applying social cognitive theory (SCT) provided this study with a theoretical underpinning. Conducting interviews and a focus group with 17 participants allowed for the collection of enough data and resulted in identifying the importance of training in preventing runway incursions. Based on the thematic analysis conducted, it was identified that evidence-based, scenario-based, and continuous training can be used to reduce runway incursions caused by pilot deviations. The results contribute to …

Emergencies, Alien And Domestic, Samuel Issacharoff

University of Chicago Legal Forum

Democracies survive some emergencies, even emerging stronger after some crises despite temporary suspensions of liberty. Democracies die when faced with other emergencies. This Article explores why. It addresses the claimed need to limit rights of electoral participation in response to the rise of antidemocratic forces through the lens of militant democracy in Europe and the Insurrection Clause of Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment in the United States. When examined through the context of claimed exigency, the ability of democracies to survive or even thrive after emergencies turns heavily on whether the source of the perceived threat is foreign or …

Crisis And The Constitution: The Role Of Civil Liberties In Times Of National Security Threat, Michele Goodwin, Allison M. Whelan

University of Chicago Legal Forum

In this Article, we contribute to the unfolding debate around civil liberties and civil rights in times of political, cultural, and health crises. As this Article was drafted, the National Guard was deployed in Los Angeles, California and Washington, D.C. by the President of the United States. In Oregon, a federal judge issued a final order barring the Trump administration from deploying troops to Portland. These events renew questions related to federalism, states’ rights, individual civil rights, and civil liberties. As chaos unfolds, what is the rule of law and role of civil liberties in times of real or purported …

The Disaster Management Complex: Law’S Adaptations In Times Of Climate Disaster, Michael Burger, Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, Lucia Bragg

University of Chicago Legal Forum

The Anthropocene is marked by constant climate-related disasters and defined by the urgent need to foster and implement adaptations to future climate impacts that reduce disaster risk. The intensity, frequency, and severity of extreme weather events continue to rise even as nations and corporations alike miss their emissions targets, all promising a hotter, wetter, and more extreme future. A number of federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), have, at times, sought to adapt their own famously fragmented responses to these changing circumstances. However, federal disaster response is conducted against a backdrop of authorizing legislation that is designed …

In-House Lawyers And The Impact Of Crisis-Driven Financial Legislation: Evidence From Sarbanes-Oxley, Dhruv Chand Aggarwa

University of Chicago Legal Forum

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) entrusted the general counsel (GC) of public companies with overseeing a new system of internal controls and reporting misconduct at their firms. I use a hand-collected dataset tracking the backgrounds of in-house lawyers to argue that SOX increased the value of “experienced” GCs who had worked at the firm for longer as of the legislation’s enactment. I find that firms with experienced GCs exhibited positive abnormal returns around key legislative dates associated with the passage of SOX. Experienced GCs also saw larger increases in compensation immediately after the passage of SOX. Experienced GCs could …

Internal Communication In The Service Of An Image Policy, Or How To Promote The Company's Image Internally, Samira Ammor

Basamat

No abstract provided.

Knowledge, Power And Fear: Reflections On Exile, Edward Said And The 'Mainstreaming' Of Postcolonial Literary Thought, Valérie Orlando

Basamat

This article reflects on exile as a key lens in Edward Said’s thought and on the links between knowledge, power, and fear. It discusses how postcolonial literary theory became “mainstream” and examines what may be lost when critical ideas are institutionalized.

Dual Credit Enrollment And First-Year Undergraduate Experience In Texas: Insights From A Mixed Methods Study, Summer Pannell, Jennifer D. Goddard

School Leadership Review

There has been considerable expansion in the availability of dual credit coursework, however, there is still a lack of understanding regarding how effective these programs are in equipping students for success in post-secondary education (Struhl & Vargas, 2012). This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore the relationships between various components of dual credit programs and the experiences of first-time undergraduate students. The results of a hierarchical multiple regression indicated a statistically significant relationship between the modality of dual credit coursework and students’ first-year undergraduate GPAs but not between the setting of the two factors. Further, the results did not …

Yield-To-Maturity And The Reinvestment Of Coupon Payments

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This note addresses a common misconception, found in investment texts and popular investment education literature, that in order to earn the yield to maturity on a coupon bond an investor must reinvest the coupon payments. We identify a sample of text and professional sources making this claim, demonstrate that yield to maturity entails no assumption of coupon reinvestment, discuss a cause for this confusion and offer a possible remedy.

Yield To Maturity Is Always Received As Promised

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This note comments on a misconception that yield to maturity from holding a coupon bond until maturity is only promised, but not really received, unless coupon payments are reinvested at the same rate as the (original) yield to maturity. It shows that yield to maturity is always earned no matter how coupon payments are allocated – spent or reinvested at any rate. It illuminates that the realized compounding yield in fact measures the yield to maturity from a combination of two investments rather from simply holding the bond itself until maturity.

The Influence Of University Investment Education On Asset Allocation

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

Using survey data from students at three universities, we examine the influence of an Investments Analysis course on student perception of the ideal asset allocation for a retirement portfolio. Consistent with previous studies that examine financial education in the workplace, a critical outcome of university investment education is the apparent alleviation of a conservative bias that is typically prevalent among uninformed investors. This change results in an increasing willingness to take larger stock positions, which produces higher expected returns and larger portfolio betas. Most importantly, however, the net effect is more efficient portfolios, particularly for those students who begin with …

Math Skills And Everyday Problem Solving

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

Given the importance of mathematics to economic education, we administer a test of basic math skills to 696 students enrolled in various college economics courses in order to understand the factors influencing a student’s ability to apply basic math skills in practical settings. Students with strong elementary math skills perform significantly better in applied contexts and we find that taking more math classes in college improves a student’s ability to apply mathematics substantially. Interestingly, our results suggest that students with greater personal financial responsibility in funding their education do significantly better in understanding and applying basic math skills.

Financial Industry Certification Preparation And “Teaching To The Test”

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This paper addresses two aspects of offering finance certification training programs at the university level. During the spring term 2006, Southern New Hampshire University offered (in conjunction with a large, diversified financial services company) a finance elective course to prepare students to sit for the FINRA Series 7 General Securities Registered Representative Examination. Firstly, the paper provides a brief background on developing a specialized academic course working in cooperation with a corporate entity. Secondly, the paper explores the academic ramifications of delivering the course in a “teaching to the test” format instead of a more typical academic course delivery.

Collusion And Stock Offerings: A Classroom Exercise For Economics And Finance Classes

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

Collusion-based lawsuits surrounding initial and seasoned offerings have been a reoccurring phenomenon. This paper offers a classroom exercise for economics and finance courses that allows students to experience the collusion phenomenon. This is achieved through simulating how underwriters and preferred clients participate in schemes of buying and selling shares of a new stock issue in order to make exorbitant profits. Students experience the consequences when excessive investor demand is not tempered with an understanding of how earning fundamentals determine security value. Most importantly, students gain insight into the ethical responsibilities of those involved in the security issuance process.

Effects Of Student Response System In University Foundation Courses – Excerpts From A Doctoral Study, Grace M. Tuttle

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

This paper is an excerpt on the author's doctoral study titled “Effects of Student Response System in University Foundations (UF) Courses.” This quasi-quantitative study explored the effects of iClicker technology on students’ academic performance based on final course grades, participation, and attendance in university foundation courses. This study evaluated data from 7,812 participants between spring 2017 to autumn 2019. The logistic regression analysis showed that for students in the clicker group, the odds of earning a final grade of A or B increased by a factor of 1.28 for each one standard deviation increase in participation z-score, controlling for other …

Enhancing Creativity Through Systematic Teaching: A Case Study In Management Education, Uri Sternberg, Sarit Moldovan

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

This article presents a case study of an innovative teaching approach within an MBA course titled “Systematic Creative Thinking.” It demonstrates how the course applies the creativity principles it teaches to its own instructional design, embodying theory in practice. By utilizing ideation templates such as the Multiplication and Division, the course incorporates diverse teaching methodologies, including flipped classrooms, multimedia resources, and experiential group activities. This design fosters student engagement by addressing varied learning preferences and encouraging active participation. Qualitative and quantitative evidence indicate increased student satisfaction, improved performance, and deeper understanding, achieved through the synergy of theoretical instruction and …