A Note on Determination of Sample Size from the Perspective of Six Sigma Quality

In most empirical studies (clinical, network modeling, and survey-based and aeronautical studies, etc.), sample observations are drawn from population to analyze and draw inferences about the population. Such analysis is done with reference to a measurable quality characteristic of a product or process of interest. However, fixing a sample size is an important task that has to be decided by the experimenter. One of the means in deciding an appropriate sample size is the fixation of error limit and the associated confidence level. This implies that the analysis based on the sample used must guarantee the prefixed error and confidence level. Although there are methods to determine the sample size, the most commonly used method requires the known population standard deviation, the preset error and the confidence level. Nevertheless, such methods cannot be used when the population standard deviation is unknown. Because the sample size is to be determined, the experimenter has no clue to obtain an estimate of the unknown population standard deviation. A new approach is proposed to determine sample size using the population standard deviation estimated from the product or process specification from the perspective of Six Sigma quality with a goal of 3.4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO). The aspects of quality improvement through variance reduction are also presented. The method is effectively described for its use and is illustrated with examples

Mixed Reality Applications for Safety Trainings in Wind Energy Sector: A Case Study

The international renewable energy agency (IRENA) forecast that the wind industry will grow at an exponential rate in the coming decades. This enormous growth has created the need and demand for qualified workforce which includes engineers, technicians, and managers in the wind energy sector. Thus, the wind energy training sector needs to implement some innovative technologies in both safety and technical trainings to meet the growing industry demands and to create a qualified workforce. However, before finalizing on any innovative solution for safety training, the challenges that the wind energy training sector faces need to be analyzed. The biggest challenges for the wind energy training sector is to train the workers to work safely with large scale wind turbine structure and its components, working safely with high voltage and working in harsh marine environments. Wind power workers are often exposed to hazards that can result in fatalities or serious injuries due to these challenges. Therefore, the implemented innovative technology must ensure safety and improve efficiency of operations by being aware of the risks associated. However, the wind energy training sector is searching for cost effective solution especially related to remote training, when the technician is not able to attend the training physically. Moreover, the wind energy training sector is also looking for technology that can reduce human error and also reduce cognitive workload. Therefore, the use of innovative technology like mixed reality (MR) might provide potential benefits.MR includes the use of both the virtual reality (VR) which is a simulated immersive experience and the use of augmented reality (AR) which allows the person to see the real world, additionally overlaid with digital graphics and information in real time. However, there is a lack of clarity on how to effectively design mixed reality technologies in safety training of wind sector. There are technical challenges and gaps to identify the suitable hardware platform, suitable software platform and the associated tracking techniques. The purpose of this thesis is to develop: (1) the workflow, (2) the framework which will help to design mixed reality technologies in safety training of wind sector. Also to develop, (3) flowchart and (4) worksheet which will help to identify the critical training modules/scenarios and to identify the suitable type of technology (AR/VR/MR) needed for a particular scenario along with the suitable hardware platform, suitable software platform and associated tracking technique. Finally, to develop (5) demo MR model to demonstrate and validate the developed workflow and to understand the associated practical challenges like complexity of such mixed reality technologies and user familiarity. In order to achieve the purpose of this thesis, a six-step methodology was applied which includes: (1) system analysis, (2) use case analysis, (3) conceptualize, (4) computerize, (5) construct and (6) verify, validate and visualize. The case study started with system analysis which mainly deals with extracting the industrial needs and requirements. The system analysis includes two sub steps. First, is to perform a detailed systematic literature review (SLR) to understand the state of art in VR/AR/MR in the wind industry and other relevant industry. Second, an empirical exploration were the author attended a 5day GWO wind safety training at the Eigersund energy hub to personally experience and understand the training scenarios which will be crucial and beneficial to have a mixed reality application from both technician and company perspective. The use case analysis deals with the creation of the case context which includes selecting the critical training module based on accident data from literature review and to identify one similar framework in other engineering industry. The conceptualize step involves in classifying the selected critical module into training tasks and to identity the risk associated with each training tasks. It also involves in performing the concept study before building the MR model and to develop the scenario modelling chart. The computerize step involves in developing the actual 3D model and the demo MR model. The construct step involves the creation of the flowchart, worksheet, workflow and the framework and the sixth step is to validate and verify the research outputs. Consequently, as the result of the six-step methodology this thesis has provided new knowledge regarding four concepts: (1) sequence or workflow (2) the need for continuous and iterative process to design mixed reality (3) the logic and the rules for the selection of technical specifications (4) worksheet to classify the scenarios and to define training complexity. The thesis concludes that the safety training provider needs to rigorously follow the developed (1) mixed reality analysis (MRA) workflow, (2) mixed reality analysis (MRA) framework, (3) mixed reality technical specification (MRTS) flowchart and the (4) mixed reality technical specification (MRTS) worksheet. The MRA workflow provides the sequence that can enable the industrial practitioner to design MR application in a cost-effective and fit for purpose manner which includes screening out low risk scenarios. The MRA framework clearly indicates that the design to implement MR is an iterative process based on user needs and user level of familiarity. The MRTS flowchart provides the logic to identify the suitable type of technology for a particular scenario, along with the suitable hardware platform, suitable software platform and associated tracking technique. The MRTS flowchart must be used along with the MRTS worksheet which can help to identify the critical training modules/scenarios and further classify them to check if implementation of mixed realities is needed or not. In future, the complexity associated with such technologies must be studied after implementing in real-time. Based on the case study AR/VR should be designed to make work simpler and error free. However, in some cases if using the technology is creating unintended consequences and complexity, then the technology might not be used in such cases

A PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON EUPATORIUM GLANDULOSUM

Objective: Eupatorium glandulosum is a useful medicinal plant belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is traditionally used to treat various diseases such as wound healing, antioxidant, and antiproliferative. The present study was aimed to investigate the physicochemical and phytochemical properties of various extracts of aerial parts of E. glandulosum. Methods: The E. glandulosum plant materials were extracted using the solvents alcohol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform by Soxhlet method. The extracts were screened for physiochemical constants, preliminary phytochemical analysis for carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and saponins. The quantitative phytochemical analysis was carried out for total flavonoid and total phenols using standard procedures. Results: The physiochemical constituents such as total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and water-soluble ash were found to be 14.25% (w/w), 5% (w/w), and 7.30% (w/w), respectively. The preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and saponins. The flavonoid content of the plant extracts was found to be in the descending order ethyl acetate ˃alcohol ˃chloroform and the phenolic content was found to be alcohol ˃ethyl acetate ˃chloroform. Conclusion: The result showed the presence of phytochemical constituents and higher values of phenolic and flavonoid content make the plant useful for the formulation of the different drugs for human uses for treating various diseases

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL OINTMENTS FROM EUPATORIUM GLANDULOSUM HORT. EX KUNTH

Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of an ointment prepared from alcohol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform extracts of Eupatorium glandulosum Hort. ex Kunth. Methods: The dried plant materials of E. glandulosum were individually extracted using alcohol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform by Soxhlet method. These three different types of extracts were used for the preparation of ointment and evaluated for the phytochemicals, pH, homogeneity, spreadability, tube extrudability, stability, and antimicrobial activity. The activity of prepared ointments was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and the in vitro antimicrobial activity of ointments of plant extracts was performed by cup plate methods. The most effective antimicrobial ointment was determined by comparing the results of the zone of inhibition of all the ointments of each solvent extract. Results: The antimicrobial activity of optimized formulation was showed significant activity against the tested bacterial pathogens. Conclusion: The present study confirmed the antimicrobial activity of the formulations. Furthermore, it can use as a potential dosage form for clinical utility. The results are the justification for the use of the plant in folk medicine. &nbsp

Innovation in Product Promotions: A Case of Intended Use of Characters in the Chinese Market

Four categories of endorsers often used in advertising i.e. celebrities, employees, customer and spokes – characters (Stafford 2002). Not all over the world but also in China, spokes – characters have long been used and considered as a star of their commercials (Bell, 1992). Most of the literature in past focused only on recognition (e.g., Callcott and Phillips,1996; Garretson and Niedrich 2004) and comparisons of the created spokes characters with human spokes – person (e.g. Heiser, Sierra and Torres 2008) and failed to combine created spokes – character credibility with attitude and behavior. This study tries to fill this gap, by investigating the impact of created spokes – character credibility (trustworthiness, attractiveness and expertise) on attitude towards the advertisement, attitude towards brand and purchase intention by conducting an experiment. Questionnaires were administered on a sample of 300 respondents. Correlation analysis was significant, and after that multiple regressions was used to test the impact on attitude towards the advertisement, attitude towards brand and purchase intention. Implications of advertising strategy, limitations of this research and future research were discussed. Key words: Created spokes – characters, Credibility, Attitude towards Brand, Attitude towards Advertisement and Purchase Intention

Trust Worthiness of Promotional Schemes W.R.T Customers’ Perception: An Empirical Study in the Context of UAE

Current marketing strategies have always aimed at understanding the consumer decision making style based upon the marketers’ perception. However, there exists a research gap to understand the trustworthiness and role of promotional schemes and its contribution from the customers’ point of view. This research study aims to fill that important gap and enable the marketers’ to make informed decisions about their customers.Irrespective of the recession and downturn in the market, the businesses and trading activities across the countries are enhanced because of changing life styles, culture, income, technology and employment opportunities etc. Especially, in the retail markets in UAE are heavily crowded throughout the year given that the habitual of shopping becomes customary and passion. And in UAE, the most of the population belongs to the category of expatriates and it’s inevitable to substantial shopping at least whenever they make visit to their home country. The marketers’ major way of promoting the goods and services, always through promotional schemes, specifically: the heavy discounts, offers and sweepstakes etc. Hence the current study focuses on the customer’s opinion towards promotional activities offered by marketers in UAE as a primary objective. The select product/service category was analyzed with descriptive statistical tools. The methodology includes the sample size of 250 respondents from UAE by deploying convenience sampling method. In-depth interview technique is also used to collect the primary data. For analyzing the data, necessary statistical tools like correlation, chi square, ranking method and factor analysis are used. Based on the findings of the study, essential suggestions were made at the end to improvise the marketer’s approach that leads to win –win situation for the both marketers and customer satisfaction. This particular study, definitely contributing insight into the literature of marketing domain and there is a potential for further research in these areas. Keywords: Consumer, Behavior, Perception, Promotional schemes

A THERMALLY RESPONSIVE SHORT ELASTIN LIKE POLYPEPTIDE-DRUG CONJUGATE: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION FOR TARGETED DELIVERY OF ANTICANCER DRUGS

Introduction: Among the several new strategies explored today to avoid the side effects in cancer chemotherapy. The concept of polymer-drug conjugates has shown considerable promise. In this context, genetically engineered long elastin like polypeptides (ELPs) have been examined recently as drug carriers. These ELPs, however, have certain limitations. Objective: It is our hypothesis that short synthetic ELPs can also be used as drug carriers so as to overcome these limitations. The purpose of this investigation was, therefore, to synthesize, characterize and evaluate a thermally responsive short ELP-Doxorubicin conjugate for targeted delivery. Methods: The ELP-Doxorubicin conjugate of molecular weight 1280 Da was synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS, FTIR and NMR studies. Turbidimetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and circular dichorism (CD) studies were carried out to evaluate its structural transition behavior. Cellular uptake and intracellular localization studies of the conjugate and the free drug were carried out by flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscopy, respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity of the conjugate was evaluated by the MTT assay method and compared with that of the free drug. Results: The results reveal that the short ELP synthesized exhibits structural transition behavior similar to naturally occurring long ELPs and delivers more drug molecules to intracellular space compared to the free drug. This structural transition behavior can also be exploited for targeting drugs to solid tumors using hyperthermia. Conclusion: As hypothesized our investigations clearly demonstrate that short thermally responsive ELPs are good carrier for targeting anticancer drugs to the intracellular space

Brand Influence on Buying FMCG Products in UAE: An Empirical Study

Fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) constitute a large part of consumers’ budget in all countries. Retail trade in these products, that is, their supply to households, has attracted considerable interest from consumers and policy-makers because a well-functioning retail sector is essential for daily provision of these essential products at high quality and low cost.Fast Moving consumer Goods are products that have a quick shelf turnover, at relatively low cost and don't require a lot of thought, time and financial investment to purchase. The margin of profit on every individual FMCG product is less. However the huge number of goods sold is what makes the difference. Fast Moving Consumer Goods is a classification that refers to wide range of frequently purchased consumer products including: toiletries, soaps, cosmetics, teeth cleaning products, shaving products, detergents, and other non-durables such as glassware, bulbs, batteries, paper products and plastic goods, such as buckets. Hence this study focus on to what extent the brand influences on consumer purchase decision in UAE, where the maximum populations are expatriates. FMCG industry, alternatively called as CPG (Consumer packaged goods) industry primarily deal with the production, distribution and marketing of consumer packaged goods. The study found that many respondents attribute towards purchase Fast moving consumer goods based on price and quality. Based on the findings the research study recommends the marketers to focus on brand building exercises and to allocate increased budget for the same. Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) is those consumables which are normally consumed by the consumers at a regular interval. Some of the prime activities of FMCG industry are selling, marketing, financing, purchasing, etc. The industry also engaged in operations, supply chain, production and general management. Key words: FMCG, Brand, Consumer, Marketin

The Therapeutic Potential of Nelumbo nucifera: A Comprehensive Review of Its Phytochemistry and Medicinal Properties

Nelumbo nucifera generally known as ‘sacred lotus’ is a plant with high medicinal value in traditional medicine system especially in Chinese medicine system which is having a wide distribution worldwide in Asian, Western European, American and Australian continent. All the parts of the plant have different medicinal value, as their extract contains various valuable chemical constituents which yield desired remedial effects against many diseases. The plant is used traditionally more compared to its commercial usage. It has also been used for dental and skin care products in many herbal formulations. In this review, data about its general description, its distribution, chemical constituents and therapeutic effects has been provided. The plant has various uses against many diseases and the review focus on anti-epileptic, antiviral, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anthelmintic, anxiolytic & antidepressant, anti-cariogenic, analgesic, hepatoprotective, vasorelaxant, anticoagulant, anti-obesity, anti-neurodegenerative, anti-aging, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties of the plant

Impacts of e-banking on performance of banks in a developing economy: empirical evidence from Bangladesh

E-banking has become one of the most popular methods of banking that has experienced a considerable expansion during the last few years. However, there is relative dearth of empirical studies examining the impact of e-banking on performance of banks. Though e-banking is gaining acceptance in Bangladesh, impact of e-banking on bank’s performance is yet to be established. This paper fills this gap. Using panel data of 13 banks over the period of 2003–2013, this study empirically investigated the impact of e-banking on the performance of Bangladeshi banks measured in terms of Return on Equity, Return on Assets and Net Interest Margin. Results from pooled ordinary least square analysis show that e-banking begins to contribute positively to banks’ Return on Equity with a time lag of two years while a negative impact was found in first year of adoption. Empirical findings of this study is of greater significance for the developing countries like Bangladesh because it will invoke the attention of the bank management and policy makers to pursue such policies to expand e-banking. This study also contributes to empirical literatures by reconfirming (or otherwise) findings of previous studies