An analysis of the effect of bank management, market structure and economic conditions on nonmetropolitan bank lending performance in Tennessee: pre-and postderegulation

The primary objective of this thesis was to evaluate the effects of bank management, market and organizational structure and demand factors on bank lending behavior in pre~ and postderegulation periods. This study was composed of four separate but related models that described the total, agricultural, consumer and commercial/industrial lending practice of nonmetropolitan Tennessee banks. Multiple regression analysis based on eight years (1977-1984) of secondary data on nonmetropolitan Tennessee banks and counties was used to determine which factors (management, structure and demand) were significant in explaining bank lending. In addition, dummy variables were used to represent pre- and postderegulation periods and to test the hypothesis that the two periods represent separate structural models. Results indicated that bank management factors were significant in explaining lending practice in all four models. A banker\u27s attitude toward risk, measured by the amount of government securities held and the level of nonperforming loans, affected lending overall and in each specific loan category evaluated. Both market structure, i.e., concen-tration level and amount of nonbank competition, and organizational structure, i.e., whether an independent bank or one affiliated with a holding company, affected bank lending practice in all except the agricultural model. The demand factor, income per capita, was only significant in explaining total and consumer lending behavior. The null hypothesis was rejected, suggesting that there are a difference in bank lending practice between pre- and postderegulation periods. These results suggested that deregulation will have an impact on nonmetropolitan capital markets. Deregulation is likely to result in more competitive markets with more affiliated institutions. Such conditions, if they occur in nonmetropolitan counties, suggest that lending to most sectors is likely to increase as a result of deregula-tion. However, the study was limited in terms of the relatively few postderegulation years included in the study. In addition, results of the agricultural lending model were severely limited by a lack of relevant data

Embracing Safe Ground Test Facility Operations and Maintenance

Conducting integrated operations and maintenance in wind tunnel ground test facilities requires a balance of meeting due dates, efficient operation, responsiveness to the test customer, data quality, effective maintenance (relating to readiness and reliability), and personnel and facility safety. Safety is non-negotiable, so the balance must be an "and" with other requirements and needs. Pressure to deliver services faster at increasing levels of quality in under-maintained facilities is typical. A challenge for management is to balance the "need for speed" with safety and quality. It s especially important to communicate this balance across the organization - workers, with a desire to perform, can be tempted to cut corners on defined processes to increase speed. Having a lean staff can extend the time required for pre-test preparations, so providing a safe work environment for facility personnel and providing good stewardship for expensive National capabilities can be put at risk by one well-intending person using at-risk behavior. This paper documents a specific, though typical, operational environment and cites management and worker safety initiatives and tools used to provide a safe work environment. Results are presented and clearly show that the work environment is a relatively safe one, though still not good enough to keep from preventing injury. So, the journey to a zero injury work environment - both in measured reality and in the minds of each employee - continues. The intent of this paper is to provide a benchmark for others with operational environments and stimulate additional sharing and discussion on having and keeping a safe work environment

Time Frequency Analysis of Spacecraft Propellant Tank Spinning Slosh

Many spacecraft are designed to spin about an axis along the flight path as a means of stabilizing the attitude of the spacecraft via gyroscopic stiffness. Because of the assembly requirements of the spacecraft and the launch vehicle, these spacecraft often spin about an axis corresponding to a minor moment of inertia. In such a case, any perturbation of the spin axis will cause sloshing motions in the liquid propellant tanks that will eventually dissipate enough kinetic energy to cause the spin axis nutation (wobble) to grow further. This spinning slosh and resultant nutation growth is a primary design problem of spinning spacecraft and one that is not easily solved by analysis or simulation only. Testing remains the surest way to address spacecraft nutation growth. This paper describes a test method and data analysis technique that reveal the resonant frequency and damping behavior of liquid motions in a spinning tank. Slosh resonant frequency and damping characteristics are necessary inputs to any accurate numerical dynamic simulation of the spacecraft

Torque, power and muscle activation of eccentric and concentric isokinetic cycling

This study aimed to establish the effect of cycling mode and cadence on torque, external power output, and lower limb muscle activation during maximal, recumbent, isokinetic cycling. After familiarisation, twelve healthy males completed 6 × 10 s of maximal eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) cycling at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 rpm with five minutes recovery. Vastus lateralis, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris surface electromyography was recorded throughout. As cadence increased, peak torque linearly decreased during ECC (350-248 N·m) and CON (239-117 N·m) and peak power increased in a parabolic manner. Crank angle at peak torque increased with cadence in CON (+13°) and decreased in ECC (-9.0°). At all cadences, peak torque (mean +129 N·m, range 111-143 N·m), and power (mean +871 W, range 181-1406 W), were greater during ECC compared to CON. For all recorded muscles the crank angle at peak muscle activation was greater during ECC compared to CON. This difference increased with cadence in all muscles except the vastus lateralis. Additionally, peak vastus laterallis and biceps femoris activation was greater during CON compared to ECC. Eccentric cycling offers a greater mechanical stimulus compared to concentric cycling but the effect of cadence is similar between modalities. Markers of technique (muscle activation, crank angle at peak activation and torque) were different between eccentric and concentric cycling and respond differently to changes in cadence. Such data should be considered when comparing between, and selecting cadences for, recumbent, isokinetic, eccentric and concentric cycling

MIS Faculty Perceptions Regarding The Reengineered Organizational & End-User Information Systems Curriculum In Information Technology Education

The Office Systems Research Association’s recent revision of the Organizational End-User Information Systems (OEIS) curriculum model provides an opportune setting for determining the value of the model regarding undergraduate education in end-user information systems. This study follows an established method for examining IS curriculum perceptions by MIS faculty in hopes of providing a realistic snapshot of the model’s strengths and weaknesses to aid the actual decision and implementation process of end-user information systems undergraduate curricula. Key findings regarding the perceived importance of the curriculum objectives are reported as well as conclusions, implications and suggestions for future research in end-user information systems.  Feedback from MIS faculty regarding possible methods for integrating enterprise systems concepts (ERP) are also reported. MIS academicians have shown that the model curriculum and the associated content objectives do indeed have value and is of considerable importance. In addition to its importance, the faculty validated and solidified that the curriculum does have merit in preparing OEIS undergraduate students for participation, as end user support personnel, in a digital, knowledge-based economy of unbridled change