Comparison of alertness levels in ship crew. An experiment on rotating versus fixed watch schedules

A short pilot study was conducted during a shipboard training deployment to compare alertness levels in the same crew members while working a fixed watch schedule, and then a rotating watch schedule. Alertness levels were assessed before and after each duty watch using measurements of oculomotor function (Fitness Impairment Tester). Saccadic velocity was shown to have the greatest correlation with duration of sleep deprivation and was significantly slower (indicating decreased alertness) in the crew working the rotating watch schedule than the crew working the fixed watch schedule. This pilot study corroborates previous studies’ recommendations that fixed watch schedules allow better acclimatization of sleep patterns, thus minimizing fatigue and increasing operational alertness

RECOGNITION OF FONT AND TAMIL LETTER IN IMAGES USING DEEP LEARNING

This paper proposes a deep learning approach to recognize Tamil Letter from images which contains text. This is recognition process, the text in the images are divided to letter or characters. Each recognized letters are sending to recognition system and filter the text using deep learning algorithms. Our proposed algorithm is used to separate letter from the text using convolution neural network approach. The filtering system is used for identifying font based on that letters are found. The Tamil letters are test data and loaded in recognition systems. The trained data are input which contains filtered letter from image. For example, Tamil letters such as are available in test dataset. The trained data are applied into deep convolution neural network process. The two dataset are created which contains test data with Tamil letter and second one for recognized input data or trained data. 15 thousands of letters are taken and 512 X 512 X 3 size deep convolution network is created with font and letters. As the result, 85% Tamil letters are recognized and 82% are tested using font. TensorFlow is used for testing the accuracy and success rate

How Integrated is Integrated Reporting? From a Malaysian Perspective

The lack of coherence, transparency and accountability in traditional financial reporting, led the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) to developed Integrated Reporting (IR) in 2010. This study draws the attention towards the top 50 public listed companies listed in Malaysian Stock Exchange as per asset size, and their fulfilment towards voluntary IR disclosures. This study was also conducted to examine the organisational characteristics that foster the IR initiative. A comparison was made with ISO 26000, GRI G4 and IR framework against the annual reports. This study was qualitative and descriptive in nature. The findings revealed that although there were traces of the fulfilment of all requirements with regard to ISO 26000, GRI and IR respectively, there were much to be done to encourage PLCs to incorporate such reporting guidelines. It was also found that, government-linked companies have greater fulfilment of these requirements

Structural plasticity of peanut lectin: an X-ray analysis involving variation in pH, ligand binding and crystal structure

Until recently, it has only been possible to grow crystals of peanut lectin when complexed with sugar ligands. It is now shown that it is possible to grow peanut lectin crystals at acidic pH in the presence of oligopeptides corresponding to a loop in the lectin molecule. Crystals have also been prepared in the presence of these peptides as well as lactose. Low-pH crystal forms of the lectin-lactose complex similar to those obtained at neutral pH have also been grown. Thus, crystals of peanut lectin grown under different environmental conditions, at two pH values with and without sugar bound to the lectin, are now available. They have been used to explore the plasticity and hydration of the molecule. A detailed comparison between different structures shows that the lectin molecule is sturdy and that the effect of changes in pH, ligand binding and environment on it is small. The region involving the curved front β-sheet and the loops around the second hydrophobic core is comparatively rigid. The back β-sheet involved in quaternary association, which exhibits considerable variability, is substantially flexible, as is the sugar-binding region. The numbers of invariant water molecules in the hydration shell are small and they are mainly involved in metal coordination or in stabilizing unusual structural features. Small consistent movements occur in the combining site upon sugar binding, although the site is essentially preformed

Prospective study of post-operative hyponatremia in patients undergoing lower-limb orthopedic surgery

Background: Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte imbalance in hospitalized patients, including those undergoing orthopedic surgery. It is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Early symptoms of hyponatremia are often vague and can be mistaken for normal post-operative sequelae. Therefore, it is important to be aware of hyponatremia’s risk factors and symptoms in post-operative orthopedic patients, especially in older patients. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives are to study the incidence of post-operative hyponatremia in patients undergoing lower-limb orthopedic surgery. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was done on 140 elective and emergency lower-limb surgery patients. The patients were divided into two groups based on their age. Group A comprised 70 patients under 65, and Group B comprised 70 patients over 65. The patients underwent pre-operative assessments, including complete physical and systemic examinations and routine pre-operative workups, including checking serum sodium and potassium levels. Results: In a study of 140 post-operative orthopedic patients, 55 (39%) had low serum sodium levels on post-operative day 1. Of these, 46 had mild hyponatremia, 7 had moderate hyponatremia, and 2 had severe hyponatremia. Elderly patients were more likely to develop hyponatremia than younger patients (27% vs. 12%, P=0.003). The most common symptoms of hyponatremia were headache (8.6%), nausea (3.6%), lethargy (7.1%), confusion (6.4%), and disorientation (1.4%). Hyponatremic patients had longer hospital stays than normal patients (13 days vs. 5–11 days). Conclusion: The elderly population had a higher incidence of post-operative hyponatremia and was more vulnerable to developing symptoms. Although hyponatremia following surgery is common after orthopedic surgeries, it is primary, temporary, and easily treatable

Critical factors influencing Firms' risk-taking behaviour: CEO characteristics and the moderating role of the audit committee

This paper aims to explore the effects of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) characteristics on managerial risk-taking behaviour and the moderating impact of Audit Committee (AC) ownership and ethnicity in this relationship. The underlining theory employed in this study is the Upper Echelons Theory (UET). Data were hand-collected from annual reports of the top 100 Malaysian PLCs over 2015-2020 and were analysed through multiple regression analysis and Hayes’ Process moderation analysis. The findings suggest that CEO age negatively affects risk-taking. The results, however, do not support the use of CEO tenure and gender as proxies for managerial risk-taking behaviour. AC ownership has a significant positive moderating effect on the relationship between CEO age, tenure, gender and risk-taking. Contrarily, AC ethnicity only significantly moderates the association between CEO gender and risk-taking. This study further adds to the existing literature considering these independent variables. Implications for Central European audience: This study serves as a good yardstick for exploring the effects of CEOs’ characteristics. While this study is within the Malaysian context, it is undoubtedly useful within the Central European context. The risk-taking behaviour can be dispersed over all sectors, especially when this study employs the UET theory. The findings would set a comparison for those corporates in Central European countries

Structural basis for centromere maintenance by Drosophila CENP-A chaperone CAL1

Centromeres are microtubule attachment sites on chromosomes defined by the enrichment of histone variant CENP‐A‐containing nucleosomes. To preserve centromere identity, CENP‐A must be escorted to centromeres by a CENP‐A‐specific chaperone for deposition. Despite this essential requirement, many eukaryotes differ in the composition of players involved in centromere maintenance, highlighting the plasticity of this process. In humans, CENP‐A recognition and centromere targeting are achieved by HJURP and the Mis18 complex, respectively. Using X‐ray crystallography, we here show how Drosophila CAL1, an evolutionarily distinct CENP‐A histone chaperone, binds both CENP‐A and the centromere receptor CENP‐C without the requirement for the Mis18 complex. While an N‐terminal CAL1 fragment wraps around CENP‐A/H4 through multiple physical contacts, a C‐terminal CAL1 fragment directly binds a CENP‐C cupin domain dimer. Although divergent at the primary structure level, CAL1 thus binds CENP‐A/H4 using evolutionarily conserved and adaptive structural principles. The CAL1 binding site on CENP‐C is strategically positioned near the cupin dimerisation interface, restricting binding to just one CAL1 molecule per CENP‐C dimer. Overall, by demonstrating how CAL1 binds CENP‐A/H4 and CENP‐C, we provide key insights into the minimalistic principles underlying centromere maintenance

The liquidity impact on bond calculation on credit losses : a Malaysian banks’ perspective

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to empirically determine the stance of the Nigerian financial sector in absorbing or intensifying trade shocks. Design/Methodology/Approach: Towards achieving this objective, the study uses Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique to analyse annual data from 1981 to 2017. Data used in this study were sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin and Statista. Findings: Major finding from the long-run result shows that financial development intensifies trade-led shocks, there by yielding to output volatility. Practical implication: Based on findings, the study recommends the Nigerian government to focus on the achievement of greater and more inclusive financial development. This can be achieved through; increasing the availability and affordability of financial services, easing access to loans, improving soundness of banks and fostering legal traditions that protect creditors and investors. Originality/Value: In addition to the lack of available literature with focus on this subject in the Nigerian sphere, understanding the role of Nigerian financial sector in absorbing trade-led shocks is fundamental in optimizing Nigeria’s benefits from trade. This is of utmost importance, particularly in a time where the nation just signed the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.peer-reviewe

The impact of working capital management on manufacturing firms' profitability - an emerging market perspective

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of working capital management on firm profitability of listed manufacturing companies in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses account payables, inventory turnover, account receivables, cash conversion cycle, firm size, growth, leverage and current ratio as accounting information variables. Secondary data was collected for all variables over a ten-year period, i.e. 2009 to 2018 and was obtained from the annual report published via Bursa Malaysia (Malaysian Stock Exchange) official website. Data was analyzed by using IBM SPSS Statistics Subscription software. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were utilized in this study. Findings: The results revealed that inventory turnover in days, account receivables and firm size have a positive significant relationship with manufacturing firms’ profitability, while account payables and cash conversion cycle have a positive insignificant relationship. Research limitations/implications: The sample size is too small for any generalization. A mixed method approach in the future could contribute to a holistic finding. Practical implications: Since these variables contained significant influence on firm profitability, it is recommended that listed manufacturing companies should prepare a complete and timely manner of accounting information based on the regulation context in Malaysia. Social implications: It provides an empirical evidence on the importance of working capital management amongst the manufacturing concerns in Malaysia and its impact on its business sustainability. Originality/value: This study contributes to the limited research on working capital management involving manufacturing companies in Malaysia