‘Bag for Life’ – using multidisciplinary approaches in design pedagogy to develop global citizenship

As the need to integrate approaches to sustainable thinking and global citizenship becomes ever more pressing, a multi disciplinary project has been initiated at Northumbria University's School of Design to address these issues. Students from different design subject areas worked together in order to develop a set of artefacts and clothing to deal with the challenges of a seemingly pessimistic future scenario. this paper considers the learning outcomes of this pilot, presents a critical reflection on the methodology underpinning the approach and raises some fundamental questions about perspective in design pedagogy and design activism

Bayesian forecasting and scalable multivariate volatility analysis using simultaneous graphical dynamic models

The recently introduced class of simultaneous graphical dynamic linear models (SGDLMs) defines an ability to scale on-line Bayesian analysis and forecasting to higher-dimensional time series. This paper advances the methodology of SGDLMs, developing and embedding a novel, adaptive method of simultaneous predictor selection in forward filtering for on-line learning and forecasting. The advances include developments in Bayesian computation for scalability, and a case study in exploring the resulting potential for improved short-term forecasting of large-scale volatility matrices. A case study concerns financial forecasting and portfolio optimization with a 400-dimensional series of daily stock prices. Analysis shows that the SGDLM forecasts volatilities and co-volatilities well, making it ideally suited to contributing to quantitative investment strategies to improve portfolio returns. We also identify performance metrics linked to the sequential Bayesian filtering analysis that turn out to define a leading indicator of increased financial market stresses, comparable to but leading the standard St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index (STLFSI) measure. Parallel computation using GPU implementations substantially advance the ability to fit and use these models.Comment: 28 pages, 9 figures, 7 table

Randomized sham-controlled, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial on the effect of percutaneous radiofrequency at the ramus communicans for lumbar disc pain

__Background:__ Investigate the effect of percutaneous radiofrequency compared to a sham procedure, applied to the ramus communicans for treatment of lumbar disc pain. __Methods:__ Randomized sham-controlled, double-blind, crossover, multicenter clinical trial. Multidisciplinary pain centres of two general hospitals. Sixty patients aged 18 or more with medical history and physical examination suggestive for lumbar disc pain and a reduction of two or more on a numerical rating scale (0-10) after a diagnostic ramus communicans test block. Treatment group: percutaneous radiofrequency treatment applied to the ramus communicans; sham: same procedure except radiofrequency treatment. Primary outcome measure: pain reduction. Secondary outcome measure: Global Perceived Effect. __Results:__ No statistically significant difference in pain level over time between the groups, as well as in the group was found; however, the factor period yielded a statistically significant result. In the crossover group, 11 out of 16 patients experienced a reduction in NRS of 2 or more at 1 month (no significant deviation from chance). No statistically significant difference in satisfaction over time between the groups was found. The independent factors group and period also showed no statistically significant effects. The same applies to recovery: no statistically significant effects were found. __Conclusions:__ The null hypothesis of no difference in pain reduction and in Global Perceived Effect between the treatment and sham group cannot be rejected. Post hoc analysis revealed that none of the investigated parameters contributed to the prediction of a significant pain reduction. __Significance:__ Interrupting signalling through the ramus communicans may interfere with the transition of painful information from the discs to the central nervous system. Methodological differences exist in studies e

Information and voting power in the proxy process

We document shareholder support for wealth-decreasing changes in corporate governance in the form of antitakeover charter amendments. the enactment of these amendments is shown to be related to ownership structure. This gives rise to a sample selection bias that contaminates traditional event-study results and explains the discrepancy between our findings and those reported in previous studies. We also provide evidence that strategic behavior by managers plays a role in the adoption of these amendments.Stockholders ; Consolidation and merger of corporations

The Financial Feasibility of Anaerobic Digestion for Ontario's Livestock Industries

This report is an investigation of the financial feasibility of farm based anaerobic digestion investments under Ontario's Standard Offer Contract electricity prices. Using Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Agricultural Anaerobic Digestion Calculation Spreadsheet (AADCS) anaerobic digestion inputs, outputs, cost and revenues were estimated and used to conduct a financial analysis on the feasibility of four sized farm base anaerobic digestion investments. The results suggest investment in an anaerobic digestion system smaller than 300 kilo-watts is not financially feasible under the chosen base model assumptions and Ontario's Standard Offer Contract. The efficiency of the anaerobic digestion systems,discussed in the report as electricity yield, was found to have the largest impact on the investments financial feasibility. Incorporating off-farm organic material improved financial feasibility by increasing biogas production and offering the potential for tipping fee revenue.Livestock Production/Industries,

Method for recovering magnesium from seawater using industrial by-products (CKD, PSA)

본 연구에서는 해수에 용존되어 있는 마그네슘을 회수하기 위하여 3가지 단계를 진행하였다. 해수에 산업부산물을 주입하여 마그네슘을 침전시키는 단계, 산을 주입하여 침전된 마그네슘을 용출시키는 단계, 산에 용출된 마그네슘에 아세톤을 주입하여 마그네슘을 석출하는 단계로 진행하였다. 해수로부터 마그네슘을 농축하기 위하여 세 가지 침전제(NaOH, 시멘트 킬른 더스트, 제지슬러지소각재)를 이용하여 마그네슘을 침전시키고, 황산을 이용하여 마그네슘을 용출하는 실험을 진행하였다. 세 가지 침전제의 침전반응 효율은 100 %에 가까웠으며, 용출반응 효율은 77~89 %였다. 침전반응과 용출반응을 통해 해수의 마그네슘이 약 3.8~4.4배 농축되었으며 그 때 마그네슘 농도는 4975~5775 mg/L이었다. 본 연구에서 침전제로 사용한 산업부산물의 반응효율은 거의 100 %로 기존의 고가 침전제와 비슷하였다. 해수의 마그네슘이 4배 이상 농축된 용액에 아세톤을 첨가하여 황산마그네슘을 석출하였다. 용액의 pH가 높을수록, 그리고 아세톤의 비율이 높을수록 고체 황산마그네슘의 생성효율이 높아졌다. 용액의 pH가 1.0~1.5이고, 용액:아세톤=1:1.5(v:v)일 때 거의 100 %의 마그네슘이 황산마그네슘 수화물(MgSO4·6H2O)로 석출되었다. 석출 공정에 사용한 아세톤은 분별증류에 의해 100 % 회수되었다. 해수의 마그네슘 농도가 1300 mg/L 이므로, 해수 1 톤으로부터 황산마그네슘(MgSO4·6H2O 기준) 12.3 kg을 회수할 수 있다.Chapter 1. General Introduction 1. Background 1 2. Objective 3 References 4 Chapter 2. Production of concentrated magnesium solution from seawater using industrial by-products 1. Introduction 7 2. Materials and Methods 10 2.1 Materials and analyses 10 2.2 Methods 11 2.2.1 Magnesium precipitation 11 2.2.1.1 NaOH 11 2.2.1.2 CKD, PSA 12 2.2.2 Magnesium extraction 12 2.2.2.1 NaOH 12 2.2.2.2 CKD 132.2.2.3 PSA 13 3. Results and Discussion 13 3.1 Seawater and material analyses 13 3.2 Magnesium precipitation 15 3.2.1 NaOH 16 3.2.2 CKD 18 3.2.3 PSA 21 3.3 Magnesium extraction 22 3.3.1 NaOH 23 3.3.2 CKD 24 3.3.3 PSA 26 4. Conclusions 28 References 30 Chapter 3. Precipitation of magnesium sulfate from concentrated magnesium solution for recovery of magnesium in seawater 1. Introduction 34 2. Experiment 36 2.1 Materials and analyses 36 2.2 Methods 37 2.2.1 Recovering the magnesium sulfate from the artificial magnesium solution 37 2.2.2 Recovering the magnesium sulfate from the seawater 38 2.2.3 Collecting the used acetone 39 3. Results and Discussion 39 3.1 Material analyses 39 3.2 Recovering the magnesium sulfate from the artificial magnesium solution 40 3.3 Recovering the magnesium sulfate from the seawater 44 3.3.1 Using CKD as a precipitant of magnesium 44 3.3.2 Using PSA as a precipitant of magnesium 47 3.4 Collecting the used acetone 50 4. Conclusions 52 References 53 Acknowledgements 5

Human resource management practices and employee performance management in Nigerian higher educational institutions

Previous studies on performance management system focus on one or two of its dimensions with little insight in the public sector, so also studies on human resource management practices did not attempt to use all the practices comprehensively. This study examined both individually and comprehensively the relationship between the six human resource management practices and all the four dimensions of performance management system among academics in higher educational institutions in Nigeria. The dimensions of performance management system as operationalized by this study are, organizational objective, individual objective, performance development and employee satisfaction. Human resource management practices also as operationalized by this study are procurement, development, compensation, integration, maintenance and separation. Furthermore, this study also investigated the mediating effects of employee behavior and information and communication technology (ICT) adoption on the relationship between human resource management practices and performance management system among academics in higher educational institutions in Nigeria. Data was collected from five Federal universities in the North Western Nigeria using a cross sectional study design and multimode survey strategy. 800 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents who were sampled using a multi stage sampling technique. SmartPLS SEM was used in testing the study hypotheses. The results obtained indicated that majority of the hypothesized relationships thirteen (13) out of twenty (20) direct relationships were supported. Additionally, the results of the mediation tests provided that five (5) mediating hypotheses out of twelve were significant. The outcome of this study provides a very sound insight of the study on performance management system in the public sector particularly higher educational institutions. It will also benefit the government, the policy makers and other concerned agencies in Nigeria. More so, information and communication technology and employee behaviors have been proven by this study as strategic tools that could be efficiently used by managers to effectively manage performance of their employees. This study encountered limitations such as inability to include other types of higher educational institutions like the polytechnics and colleges of education, unable to cover all the six regions in Nigeria instead focused on only one region the North West region

Investment Thesis for Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MHK)

The Studies in Applied Finance series is under the general direction of Professor Steve H. Hanke ([email protected]), Co-Director of The Johns Hopkins Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health, and the Study of Business Enterprise and Dr. Hesam Motlagh ([email protected]), a Fellow at The Johns Hopkins Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health, and the Study of Business Enterprise. This working paper is one in a series on applied financial economics, which focuses on company valuations. The authors are mainly students at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore who have conducted their work at the Institute as undergraduate researchers.This working paper is an in-depth financial analysis of Mohawk Industries, a US-based flooring company. Our analysis examines the economic factors that impact Mohawk’s underlying business and how Mohawk has adapted to these ever-changing factors. This economic analysis is then combined with our proprietary, Hanke-Guttridge Discounted Cash Flow (HG-DCF) model to determine Mohawk’s financial position. The HG-DCF model will be presented along-side Monte-Carlo simulations to reveal the distribution of probable free cash flows and the likelihood of future earnings. In addition to these quantitative factors, we also examine the compensation plans of Mohawk’s executives to assess alignment with shareholders. At the conclusion of this analysis, it is our intention for readers to understand Mohawk’s business plan and the company’s financial standing to arrive at a sound investment decision

Flame Retardant Mattress Pads

Focus of this research is on developing cotton-based nonwoven mattress pads with flame retardant (FR) properties by blending cotton with other commercially available fibers, binders, and followed by chemical treatments; offering a cost-effective recipe to meet the upcoming flammability standards. Furthermore this research explores the opportunities taking advantage of possible synergistic effects to achieve maximum performance. Recent changes in the flammability regulations require improvements in the flame resistance of cotton-containing consumer goods such as upholstered furniture, mattresses, and pillows. Cotton, synthetic fibers, fabrics, and foam are the basic constituents of these goods that are often the first to be engulfed by fire. Hence there is a need to impart certain degree of flame resistance based on their end use. In case of real fires, these improvements in flame retardancy would provide more time for people to escape from a fire with fewer injuries, and result in savings of life as well as property. Cotton being a highly flammable fiber, to achieve higher degree of flame resistance, it is necessary to incorporate additional fibers and chemicals into cotton products. Choice of appropriate materials can help to achieve a synergistic role in the combustion process to slow down burning, reduce flame spread, or even extinguish the fire. Many of these chemicals are expensive and lead to a spike in the product cost. Moreover there are certain FR chemicals that are likely to pose environmental and health hazards. The FR chemicals used in this research are halogen free and have been considered safe. Finally, a cost effective recipe for constructing mattress pads that passes the latest flammability tests was developed. As planned, these nonwoven pads were produced by blending cotton with other commercially available fibers, binders, and followed by chemical treatments that take advantages of various synergistic effects to achieve maximum performance at low cost. The product of this research is a good candidate for mattress pads as well as other products such as upholstered furniture, mattress ticking, and pillows, which are required to comply with the open flame standards