An Empirical Investigation of Big Data Analytics: The Financial Performance of Users versus Vendors

In the age of digitisation and globalisation, businesses have shifted online and are investing in big data analytics (BDA) to respond to changing market conditions and sustain their performance. Our study shifts the focus from the adoption of BDA to the impact of BDA on financial performance. We explore the financial performance of both BDA-vendors (business-to-business) and BDA-clients (business-to-customer). We distinguish between the five BDA-technologies (big-data-as-a-service (BDaaS), descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics) and discuss them individually. Further, we use four perspectives (internal business process, learning and growth, customer, and finance) and discuss the significance of how each of the five BDA-technologies affect the performance measures of these four perspectives. We also present the analysis of employee engagement, average turnover, average net income, and average net assets for BDA-clients and BDA-vendors. Our study also explores the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on business continuity for both BDA-vendors and BDA-clients

Effect of polydispersity and bubble clustering on the steady shear viscosity of dilute bubble suspensions in Newtonian media

This work examines the steady shear viscosity of dilute polydisperse bubble suspensions generated in a mixture of mineral oil and span 80. We proved theoretically that, in polydisperse bubble suspensions, the shear-thinning behavior spans a capillary number (Ca) range between 0.01 and 100, instead of occurring at Ca~1, which is the case for monodisperse suspensions. However, for the effect of polydispersity to become apparent, the bubble size distribution should be bimodal, with very small and very large bubbles having similar volume fractions. In any other case, we can consider the polydisperse suspension as monodisperse, with a volume-weighted average diameter (d43). To confirm the theoretical results, we carried out steady shear rheological tests. Our measurements revealed an unexpected double power-law decay of the relative viscosity. To investigate this behavior further, we visualized the produced bubble suspensions under shear. The visualization experiments revealed that bubbles started forming clusters and threads at average capillary number around 0.01, where we observed the first decay of viscosity. CFD simulations confirmed that under the presence of bubble clusters and threads the fluid streamlines distort less, thus resulting in a decrease of the suspension viscosity. Consequently, we can attribute the first decay of the relative viscosity to the formation of bubble clusters and threads, proving that the novel shear-thinning behavior we observed is due to a combination of bubble clustering and deformation

Investigating the Validity of the Australian Early Development Census

This article continues evaluation of the construct validity of the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) through comparison with linked data from a sample of 2216 4–5 year old children collected as part of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). This builds on the construct validity assessment of Brinkman et al. (Early Educ Dev 18(3):427–451, 2007) based on a smaller sample of linked Australian Early Development Instrument (AvEDI) and LSAC children, in which moderate to large correlations were apparent between teacher-rated AvEDI domains and subconstructs and LSAC measures, with lower levels apparent for parent reported LSAC measures. In the current study, the data showed moderate to low correlations between the domains and subdomains from the AEDC and teacher reported LSAC data. Diferences in testing times, data sources (e.g. teachers versus carers) and levels of exposure to formal schooling at the time of testing are all discussed to account for the observed outcomes.Sarah Howells, Ha Trong Nguyen, Sally Brinkman, Francis Mitro

On X-ray Optical Depth in the Coronae of Active Stars

We have investigated the optical thickness of the coronal plasma through the analysis of high-resolution X-ray spectra of a large sample of active stars observed with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer on Chandra. In particular, we probed for the presence of significant resonant scattering in the strong Lyman series lines arising from hydrogen-like oxygen and neon ions. The active RS CVn-type binaries II Peg and IM Peg and the single M dwarf EV Lac show significant optical depth. For these active coronae, the Lya/Lyb ratios are significantly depleted as compared with theoretical predictions and with the same ratios observed in similar active stars. Interpreting these decrements in terms of resonance scattering of line photons out of the line-of-sight, we are able to derive an estimate for the typical size of coronal structures, and from these we also derive estimates of coronal filling factors. For all three sources we find that the both the photon path length as a fraction of the stellar radius, and the implied surface filling factors are very small and amount to a few percent at most. The measured Lya/Lyb ratios are in good agreement with APED theoretical predictions, thus indicating negligible optical depth, for the other sources in our sample. We discuss the implications for coronal structuring and heating flux requirements. For the stellar sample as a whole, the data suggest increasing quenching of Lya relative to Lyb as function of both L_x/L_bol and the density-sensitive MgXI forbidden to intercombination line ratio, as might generally be expected.Comment: Accepted for publication on the Astrophysical Journa

Adjusting for under-identification of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander births in time series produced from birth records: Using record linkage of survey data and administrative data sources

Background: Statistical time series derived from administrative data sets form key indicators in measuring progress in addressing disadvantage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Australia. However, inconsistencies in the reporting of Indigenous status can cause difficulties in producing reliable indicators. External data sources, such as survey data, provide a means of assessing the consistency of administrative data and may be used to adjust statistics based on administrative data sources. Methods. We used record linkage between a large-scale survey (the Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey), and two administrative data sources (the Western Australia (WA) Register of Births and the WA Midwives Notification System) to compare the degree of consistency in determining Indigenous status of children between the two sources. We then used a logistic regression model predicting probability of consistency between the two sources to estimate the probability of each record on the two administrative data sources being identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin in a survey. By summing these probabilities we produced model-adjusted time series of neonatal outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander births. Results: Compared to survey data, information based only on the two administrative data sources identified substantially fewer Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander births. However, these births were not randomly distributed. Births of children identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin in the survey only were more likely to be living in urban areas, in less disadvantaged areas, and to have only one parent who identifies as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin, particularly the father. They were also more likely to have better health and wellbeing outcomes. Applying an adjustment model based on the linked survey data increased the estimated number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander births in WA by around 25%, however this increase was accompanied by lower overall proportions of low birth weight and low gestational age babies. Conclusions: Record linkage of survey data to administrative data sets is useful to validate the quality of recording of demographic information in administrative data sources, and such information can be used to adjust for differential identification in administrative data

Aboriginal life pathways through multiple human service domains; administrative data linkage for policy

Aboriginal children and families face the highest levels of disadvantage of any population group in Australia across health, education, child protection, justice and other human service domains, but longitudinal data to inform policy is scant. The Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey (WAACHS) is a population representative cross-sectional child development study of over 5,000 randomly selected children aged 0-17 years, plus their families and schools, conducted between 2000 and 2002. This project seeks to leverage the WAACHS by linking the survey data for all participants with State administrative human services data registers from the previous 30+ years, to develop a major program of work in Aboriginal Human Development that would be unique in the world. This presentation describes the project history, novel survey linkage methodology, and project aims in the policy domain

The Structure of Stellar Coronae in Active Binary Systems

A survey of 28 stars using EUV spectra has been conducted to establish the structure of stellar coronae in active binary systems from the EMD, electron densities, and scale sizes. Observations obtained by the EUVE during 9 years of operation are included for the stars in the sample. EUVE data allow a continuous EMD to be constructed in the range log T~5.6-7.4, using iron emission lines. These data are complemented with IUE observations to model the lower temperature range. Inspection of the EMD shows an outstanding narrow enhancement, or ``bump'' peaking around log T~6.9 in 25 of the stars, defining a fundamental coronal structure. The emission measure per unit stellar area decreases with increasing orbital (or photometric) periods of the target stars; stars in binaries generally have more material at coronal temperatures than slowly rotating single stars. High electron densities (Ne>10^12 cm^-3) are derived at ~10 MK for some targets, implying small emitting volumes. The observations suggest the magnetic stellar coronae of these stars are consistent with two basic classes of magnetic loops: solar-like loops with maximum temperature around log T~6.3 and lower electron densities (Ne>10^9-10.5), and hotter loops peaking around log T~6.9 with higher electron densities (Ne>10^12). For the most active stars, material exists at much higher temperatures (log T>6.9) as well. However, current ab initio stellar loop models cannot reproduce such a configuration. Analysis of the light curves of these systems reveals signatures of rotation of coronal material, as well as apparent seasonal changes in the activity levels.Comment: 45 pages, 9 figures (with 20 eps files). Accepted for its publication in ApJ

Hyperthyroidism from autoimmune thyroiditis in a man with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The presentation, diagnosis, clinical course and treatment of a man with hyperthyroidism secondary to autoimmune thyroiditis in the setting of type 1 diabetes mellitus has not previously been described.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 32-year-old European-American man with an eight-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus presented with an unintentional 22-pound weight loss but an otherwise normal physical examination. Laboratory studies revealed a suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration and an elevated thyroxine level, which are consistent with hyperthyroidism. His anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were positive, and his thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin test was negative. Uptake of radioactive iodine by scanning was 0.5% at 24 hours. The patient was diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis. Six weeks following his initial presentation he became clinically and biochemically hypothyroid and was treated with thyroxine.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This report demonstrates that autoimmune thyroiditis presenting as hyperthyroidism can occur in a man with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Autoimmune thyroiditis may be an isolated manifestation of autoimmunity or may be part of an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome. Among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who present with hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease and other forms of hyperthyroidism need to be excluded as autoimmune thyroiditis can progress quickly to hypothyroidism, requiring thyroid hormone replacement therapy.</p

Detection of X-ray Resonance Scattering in Active Stellar Coronae

An analysis of Lyman series lines arising from hydrogen-like oxygen and neon ions in the coronae of the active RS CVn-type binaries II Peg and IM Peg, observed using the {\it Chandra} High Resolution Transmission Grating Spectrograph, shows significant decrements in the Ly$\alpha$/Ly$\beta$ ratios as compared with theoretical predictions and with the same ratios observed in similar active binaries. We interpret these decrements in terms of resonance scattering of line photons out of the line-of-sight; these observations present the first strong evidence for this effect in active stellar coronae. The net line photon loss implies a non-uniform and asymmetric surface distribution of emitting structures on these stars. Escape probability arguments, together with the observed line ratios and estimates of the emitting plasma density, imply typical line-of-sight sizes of the coronal structures that dominate the X-ray emission of $10^{10}$ cm at temperatures of $3\times 10^6$ K and of $10^8$ cm at $10^7$ K. These sizes are an order of magnitude larger than predicted by simple quasi-static coronal loops models, but are still very small compared to the several $10^{11}$ cm radii of the underlying stars.Comment: Accepted for publication on ApJ Letters. 14 pages, 2 figure