Unique Assets Research Articles

Annual Research Review: Universal and targeted strategies for assigning interventions to achieve population impact.

This article proposes that universal and targeted preventive interventions should be compared and evaluated in terms of their benefit-cost ratio in achieving population-wide impact on mental disorders and related outcomes. Universal approaches attempt to affect every individual in a population, whereas targeted approaches select candidates for intervention based on screening of demographic or behavioral characteristics. Unique assets and challenges of each approach in achieving population impact in a cost-efficient way are discussed, along with spillover effects, sensitivity and specificity, developmental processes, timing of intervention, and the relation between severity of risk and plasticity. A general targeted-efficiency framework is proposed as a heuristic to evaluate the collective merits of universal and targeted approaches in specific cases. A tiered approach that combines universal and targeted identification strategies is proposed, and examples are described. Issues for high-priority research are identified.

Model systems for regeneration: planarians.

Planarians are a group of flatworms. Some planarian species have remarkable regenerative abilities, which involve abundant pluripotent adult stem cells. This makes these worms a powerful model system for understanding the molecular and evolutionary underpinnings of regeneration. By providing a succinct overview of planarian taxonomy, anatomy, available tools and the molecular orchestration of regeneration, this Primer aims to showcase both the unique assets and the questions that can be addressed with this model system.

How We Talk about Assessment: A New Framework for Digital Libraries

ABSTRACTIn 2017, six institutions received an Institute of Museum and Library Services National Forum Grant to conduct a year-long comprehensive needs assessment. Through various survey instruments and outreach methods, the digital library community’s input revealed the need for reuse assessment practices and requirements of digital assets held by cultural heritage and research organizations. While the current literature outlines traditional library metrics and assessment, the authors focused on the ways in which users utilize and transform unique assets from digital collections. The needs assessment found that the digital library community wants to more deeply understand how digital assets are reused and repurposed. This article examines the initial qualitative and quantitative analysis of a community needs assessment that showcases the current and anticipated landscape of digital library reuse assessment.

Training and Development Techniques and Employee Performance in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Nairobi City County, Kenya

Employees are major assets of any organization. The active role they play towards a company’s success cannot be underestimated. As a result, equipping these unique assets through effective training becomes imperative in order to maximize the job performance. Despite the fact that training and development is well planned and systematic in the ministry of labour and social protection it still have issues of employees still not performing up to standard operating procedure in the work environment and labour turn over. Therefore, this study sought to determine the influence of training and development techniques on the performance of employees in the Ministry of labour and social protection. This study was guided by the following specific research objectives; to examine the influence of coaching, job rotation, role playing and apprenticeship on employee performance in the ministry of labour and social protection. This study was guided by goal setting theory and social exchange theory. The study used a descriptive design. The target population was 60 respondents comprising of 5 HRM managers and 10 supervisors and 45 Support staff. A census of 60 respondents was carried out. The study used questionnaires for the support staff and interviews for the HRM managers and supervisors. The qualitative data collected from the interviews was analysed using content analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation and presented using charts, figures, table and graphs. The study conducted a multiple regression analysis to test the relationship between independent variables and dependent variable. The study examined that coaching, job rotation, role playing and apprenticeship had a positive significant influence on employee performance. The study concludes that Coaching positively impacted employees careers as well as their lives by helping them to establish and take action towards achieving goals, Job rotation increased job satisfaction because employees were exposed to various work tasks that reduced constant physical or mental stress, which could create more motivation to continue in the position and reduce turnover, role playing brought together employees and or created a positive relationship among the employees in the work environment and apprenticeships are structured training programmes offered by the Ministry which gives their trainees a chance to work towards a qualification and offers them a vast experience that enable them to work elsewhere. The study recommends that The Ministry should devise clear goals that include benchmarks and deadlines, be prepared to help with time management, frame feedback in a forthright and positive manner, follow up on feedback, emphasize effort over ability and celebrate accomplishments. The Ministry should determine the critical positions or functions to include in the program, conduct a job analysis to determine the components of the job that are most important to learn during the job rotation, determine the ideal bench strength for each role, create job readiness assessments and an evaluation process, orient the employees, measure and reward success. The Ministry should identify the objective, need, experience of trainee, the issue or task for which role play method is selected. The focus should be on maximum involvement of individuals as participants so that an overall exposure and that The Ministry should have apprenticeship programs in every section which is in line the current needs of the organization and which comply with the ever changing organizational environment.
 This is an open-access article published and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License of United States unless otherwise stated. Access, citation and distribution of this article is allowed with full recognition of the authors and the source.

Blockchain’s Unsuitability for Real Property Transactions

This paper attempts to bypass the hyperbole that invariably attends any discussion of the blockchain concept, and focus on its suitability for transfer of high-net-worth items which have a unique identity, or a long shelf life. Real property falls within this classification. As recognised by the World Bank, a stable land tenure system is a necessary ingredient for economic development. Clearly, such a system should not be introduced for such a significant transactional area as land without a proper understanding of the ‘real life’ implications of how it will work. This article concludes that the blockchain concept is, at heart, no more than a medium for transfer of value without third-party intervention. It undoubtedly has its uses, but it is unsuited for transactions of many high-value or unique assets that do not have a limited shelf life. The blockchain construct (at least in terms of what is called its ‘coloured coin’ application) fails to address issues such as the need for independent third-party verification and control of transactions. For ease of reference, the following discussion is separated into sections. Section 1 introduces the blockchain construct, and discusses what makes a system a ‘blockchain’ system. Section 2 applies the blockchain construct to transfer of tangible and intangible property rights at common law, enabling us to understand issues that emerge in terms of introduction of a credible system. Section 3 develops this discussion in terms of a registry for transfer of real property rights under a common law system. This enables us in Section 4 to better understand the verification and control problems that emerge. Finally, in Section 5, the issues of risk and liability through implementation of a blockchain system are raised for discussion.

Zlato u portfolio investicijama iz ugla evropskog ulagača

Gold is a unique asset, highly liquid, but scarce and limited. It is a luxury good and can be considered an investment opportunity. Gold is an asset which does not carry counterparty risk - there is no associated credit risk. Due to these characteristics, gold represents a significant asset, and has a fundamental role in investment portfolios. These circumstances increase the interests of investors to include gold in investment portfolios, especially during times of financial crisis. If an investor decides to include gold in investment portfolio, it is necessary to evaluate the portion of gold in the portfolio considering risk aspect, return and diversification. In this research, a hypothesis was tested and confirmed that gold offers good diversification for the investment portfolio, which implies that gold is a desirable asset in the investment portfolio. This research is focused on developing an optimal portfolio that combines the Eurozone bond index with the investment grade rating from 1 to 10 years (EG05), the stock index Euro Stoxx50 and gold using the Markowitz methodology. The result showed that optimal portfolio should include gold with a share between 1% to 9%, depending on the risk that the investor is willing to accept.

A Comparative Analysis of Non-Performing Financing in Islamic and Conventional Banks of Pakistan.

This paper seeks to identify the determinants of the non-performing loans of conventional banking and non-performing financing of the Islamic industry. Data of ten (10) year i.e. from 2008 to 2017 of Eight (8) conventional banks and four (4) Islamic banks were taken. The methods of’ T test’ was conducted to ascertain the difference in means of non-performing portfolios, whereas Multiple Regression Analysis using panel data was done to assess the relationship of critical variables with non-performing portfolios of both set of banks. The results suggests that the non-performing loans of conventional banks are greater than non-performing financing of Islamic banks of Pakistan. Moreover, in line with expectation, loan volume have positive effect. However, financing volume-the counterpart of load volume- have negative but more significant effect. Number of branches have inverse but insignificant effect on non-performing portfolios of both set of banks. Another interesting findings is that the staff strength is having negative and significant impact on non-performing portfolios loans whereas in case of Islamic banks, this effect is positive and significant. This might suggest that lack of staff is enforcing the Islamic banks to utilize the services of existing human resource who have conventional banking experience which may result in increasing of non-performing financings of Islamic banks. Furthermore, the relationship of capital adequacy ratio of Islamic banks is inversely and significantly related to non-performing financing of Islamic bank, whereas this relationship is directly and significantly related to non-performing loans of conventional banks. The effect of interest income on Non-performing loan/ Financing was found to be positive as expected however insignificant in case of Islamic banks. This further suggested that conventional lending system is effected by adverse selection problem while Islamic banks having unique asset back position transfer mechanism effectively mitigate that problem. Overall finding suggests that there are significant structural differences between interest base lending and asset backed financing of Islamic banks, the latter being more stable due to lack of adverse selection and moral hazard problems that arise due to interest base lending. Secondly, institutions, learning centers and skill development centers should be established to provide skilled human resources to Islamic banking and finance industry of Pakistan.

Iron Oxide Nanoflowers @ CuS Hybrids for Cancer Tri-Therapy: Interplay of Photothermal Therapy, Magnetic Hyperthermia and Photodynamic Therapy.

Innovative synthesis routes revolutionized nanomaterial combination and design possibilities resulting in a new generation of fine-tuned nanoparticles featuring exquisite shape and constitution control. However, there is still room for improvement when it comes to the development of multi-functional nanoparticle agents merging a plurality of therapeutic functions to tackle tumors simultaneously by synergic mechanisms. Herein, we report the design of an optimized nanohybrid for cancer tri-therapy featuring a maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoflower-like multicore nanoparticle conceived for efficient magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) and a spiky copper sulfide shell (IONF@CuS) with a high near-infrared (NIR) absorption coefficient suitable for photothermal (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT).Methods: Spiky-like IONF@CuS nanohybrids were obtained through a straightforward and scalable water-based template sacrificial synthesis, which allows the shell shape control by tuning polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) concentration. A comprehensive characterization of nanohybrid size, shape and structural properties was carried out by combining complementary TEM, SEM, HR-TEM, EELS, XRD and NTA. The all-in-one therapeutic multi-functionality was assessed on cancer cells and on tumor-bearing nude mice.Results: Tests carried out on IONF@CuS nanohybrid aqueous dispersion demonstrated their impressive efficiency to convert light (conversion coefficient = 42 ± 6 %) and magnetic stimulation (SAR ~ 350 W g-1) into heat as well as to induce concurrent reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation upon laser irradiation. Such capabilities were further confirmed in cellular environment by in vitro tests and at the organism level by in vivo tests in a murine tumor model. Notably, complete tumor regression was obtained for the PTT mode at low Cu concentration. Overall, these results allowed determining windows of applicability for each therapy individually or in combination.Conclusions: Altogether, the obtained data evidence the successful synthesis of a unique tri-therapeutic nanoparticle featuring highly relevant assets for clinical translation such as reduced nanoparticle administered dose, reduced laser power exposure, reduced magnetic field frequency, and the possibility of serial heating cycles and therapy monitoring by photoacoustic (PA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Furthermore, the integration of the dual heating capability (MHT + PTT) with the PDT insult offers a unique asset to tackle tumors by multiple cytotoxic strategies in order to improve the therapeutic outcome in a broader spectrum of clinical conditions.

Returns to Initial Coin Offerings: An Empirical Examination

We conduct a systematic examination of the returns to initial coin offerings (ICOs) throughout the hype cycle using hand-compiled data on all trading ICOs from 2014 to 2019. We demonstrate that ICOs persistently outperform non-ICO cryptocurrencies during both the market boom and crash. We then uncover significant return determinants in the cross section along both informational and behavioral dimensions, and document significant differences in their return association in the post-hype period from late 2018 onward. Our results position ICOs as a unique asset class with features from both reward-based crowdfunding and equities, and the crowdfunding features become more dominant post-hype.

Astrophysics with New Horizons: Making the Most of a Generational Opportunity

The outer solar system provides a unique, quiet vantage point from which to observe the universe around us, where measurements could enable several niche astrophysical science cases that are too difficult to perform near Earth. NASA’s New Horizons mission comprises an instrument package that provides imaging capability from ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (near-IR) wavelengths with moderate spectral resolution located beyond the orbit of Pluto. A carefully designed survey with New Horizons can optimize the use of expendable propellant and the limited data telemetry bandwidth to allow several measurements, including a detailed understanding of the cosmic extragalactic background light; studies of the local and extragalactic UV background; measurements of the properties of dust and ice in the outer solar system; confirmation and characterization of transiting exoplanets; determinations of the mass of dark objects using gravitational microlensing; and rapid follow-up of transient events. New Horizons is currently in an extended mission designed to focused on Kuiper Belt science that will conclude in 2021. The astrophysics community has a unique, generational opportunity to use this mission for astronomical observation at heliocentric distances beyond 50 au in the next decade. In this paper, we discuss the potential science cases for such an extended mission, and provide an initial assessment of the most important operational requirements and observation strategies it would require. We conclude that New Horizons is capable of transformative science, and that it would make a valuable and unique asset for astrophysical science that is unlikely to be replicated in the near future.

How Familial Is Family Social Capital? Analyzing Bonding Social Capital in Family and Nonfamily Firms

Family social capital (FSC) is acknowledged to be a unique asset that can provide firms with competitive advantages. Certain scholars, however, have questioned whether nonfamily firms can reproduce FSC and benefit from its advantages. If so, FSC may not be as unique as has been assumed. Our study analyzes three types of bonding social capital: capital held by nonfamily firms, and capital held by family and nonfamily members of family firms. We assess the effects that these types of bonding social capital exert on performance. Our empirical analysis of 400 firms suggests that FSC is unique and that nonfamily firms can only attempt to imitate it imperfectly.

Applying a Resource-Based View to the Competitive Advantage of Small and Micro-Sized Firms

Applying a Resource-Based View to the Competitive Advantage of Small and Micro-Sized Firms

Do Listed Clean Energy Infrastructure Shares Make Financial Sense for Investors?

Despite supportive government policies and rapid technological improvements, the participation of institutional investors in the clean energy sector remains relatively limited. One of the key challenges to increase capital flows to clean energy projects is a robust historical record of risk and financial return. Our paper helps to fill this knowledge gap by documenting the past financial performance of “Yieldcos,” publicly-listed equity vehicles holding multiple operational renewable energy projects. We document risk-adjusted returns for Yieldcos in North America and the United Kingdom. Over the period studied, a portfolio of UK Yieldcos generated risk-adjusted returns superior to the broad equity market and a range of sectoral indices. On the contrary, US Yieldco portfolio is characterized by high volatility and relatively poor financial returns. We provide evidence of diversification benefits from the UK Yieldco portfolio, indicating the potential for sustainable energy infrastructure to be characterized as a unique asset class whose risk/return characteristics cannot be replicated from within a diversified investment portfolio.

Potential of Iranian Wild Barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum) in Breeding for Drought Tolerance

The vast genetic resources of wild barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum, hereafter WB) may hold unique assets for improving barley (H. vulgare ssp. vulgare) cultivars for drought stress. To evaluate genetic potential and characterization of variation among a diverse collection of barley and WB genotypes, mostly originated from Iran, a field experiment was performed under three moisture environments (control, mild and intense drought stress) during two years (2012–2014). Considerable variation was observed among the wild and cultivated genotypes for drought tolerance and agronomic traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) grouped genotypes studied into three groups (WB, two-row barley and six-row barley groups). However, Iranian and foreign WB genotypes were not completely separated, showing a high variation within both gene pools. The high significance of genotype by environment interaction, confirms importance of using accurate target environments for drought stress breeding. A number of WB genotypes with the highest values of the number of tillers, number of seed per spike, seed weight, grain yield and yield stability index under stressed environments were identified as superior genotypes. Most of these genotypes originate from Iran, highlighting the importance of this germplasm in barley breeding.

Design and analysis of multi‐stage PID controller for frequency control in an islanded micro‐grid using a novel hybrid whale optimization‐pattern search algorithm

AbstractIn this research work, a maiden approach is made for the frequency control in an islanded AC Microgrid (MG) by considering a hybrid Whale Optimization Algorithm and Pattern Search (hWOA‐PS) algorithm based multi‐stage Proportional Integrator Derivative controller. A MG may be formed by combining some of the unique assets like renewable energy sources, wind electricity era, and the sun electricity irradiation. Variation in any of the source influences the system frequency, and thus frequency control issue in MG is always a challenge for the researchers. In light of these difficulties, this paper considers a multi‐stage PID controller for the secondary frequency control of the islanded MGs, and a novel hWOA‐PS algorithm is used to tune the controller parameters. The proposed hybrid controller is inspected on a MG test system, and the robustness and execution are assessed by considering different disturbances and parametric variations. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid algorithm based multi‐stage Proportional Integrator Derivative controller, it is being compared with some conventional controllers like Integral (I), Proportional Integral (PI), and Proportional Integral and Derivative (PID) controller.

Roles of NGOs and Military in Humanitarian Supply Chain

Between the years 2000 and 2012, natural disasters caused $1.7 trillion in damage and affected 2.9 billion people (dosomething.org). The military has been active in participating in many disaster areas using their unique assets. Although military involvement in relief operations is welcome, their participation has been perceived by some part of NGOs as suspicious and incongruent with relief missions practiced by NGOs. This article attempts to outline a framework with two relief organizations working together to provide comprehensive relief strategies.

Fully optical spacecraft communications: implementing an omnidirectional PV-cell receiver and 8 Mb/s LED visible light downlink with deep learning error correction

The large surface area of the photovoltaic (PV) cells on a spacecraft provides a significant sensor area, which can be used as an omnidirectional receiver on many solar panel layouts. Previous researchers have proposed the use of this unique asset as a backup communication system [1], realizing that a low-cost, low-power consumption uplink could be created by using the photovoltaics as a laser receiver. Such proposed systems have data rates of less than 10 Kb/s, allowing them to serve as effective emergency alternative- band communication systems, though not as an operational uplink.

Fiber optic sensors for sub-centimeter spatially resolved measurements: Review and biomedical applications

Abstract One of the current frontier of optical fiber sensors, and a unique asset of this sensing technology is the possibility to use a whole optical fiber, or optical fiber device, as a sensor. This solution allows shifting the whole sensing paradigm, from the measurement of a single physical parameter (such as temperature, strain, vibrations, pressure) to the measurement of a spatial distribution, or profiling, of a physical parameter along the fiber length. In the recent years, several technologies are achieving this task with unprecedentedly narrow spatial resolution, ranging from the sub-millimeter to the centimeter-level. In this work, we review the main fiber optic sensing technologies that achieve a narrow spatial resolution: Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) dense arrays, chirped FBG (CFBG) sensors, optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) based on either Rayleigh scattering or reflective elements, and microwave photonics (MWP). In the second part of the work, we present the impact of spatially dense fiber optic sensors in biomedical applications, where they find the main impact, presenting the key results obtained in thermo-therapies monitoring, high-resolution diagnostic, catheters monitoring, smart textiles, and other emerging applicative fields.

Benefits of Formal ERM Implementation and the Role of Risk Awareness

Corporate scandals and failures suggest that frameworks, formal processes and standards for risk management are often not enough to ensure that organizations reliably manage their risks to meet their strategic objectives. A company also needs to make sure that these formal risk management processes are known, used, and followed by all employees, which is at the center of a company’s risk culture. As part of risk culture, risk awareness is seen as a unique asset in an ERM system contributing to a firm’s successful performance. This study examines the role of risk awareness, which represents a critical part of risk culture, in the relationship of formal ERM implementation and a company’s performance. Most prior studies on ERM and performance or value use archival data and do not integrate the notion of risk cultural elements. This investigation is based on survey data obtained from 118 risk management leaders in non-financial companies. This study finds a positive association between formal ERM implementation and performance, mediated by the effect of risk awareness. The results suggest that risk awareness is strengthened by formal ERM implementation, and that risk awareness is vital for a firm’s performance advantage by ensuring that formal ERM processes do ultimately work. This research contributes to research on strategic ERM and risk culture by addressing the role of risk awareness in a formal ERM system. Furthermore, this empirical investigation takes a novel approach to measure the level of formal ERM implementation by developing a composite score based on risk management practices and processes.

Bitcoin an Asset Class Market Risk Assessment for Indian Investors

We address the issue of the financial risk that Bitcoin poses for the Indian investors and traders by comparing various risk measures, risk adjusted performance measures and the volatility behaviour for Bitcoin with those for INR/USD exchange rate, gold futures, Indian equity index (Nifty 50) and Indian bond index. We find Bitcoin to be a unique asset class with the safe haven property similar to that of gold, potentially offering diversification benefits but possessing high financial risk. In our two year sample, the standard deviation, Value at Risk (VaR) and expected shortfall (ES) for Bitcoin were - 5.5 times higher than those for the equity index but the corresponding mean returns were - 8 times higher too. Though the static ex-post risk performance measures such as Sharpe ratio, Sortino ratio, VaR ratio and the expected shortfall ratio could be superior for Bitcoin in a specified period, the usage of these measures in the investment decision making may prove to be erroneous. As the volatility analysis using sGARCH(1,1) – M and GJR-GARCH(1,1) - M indicates, the conditional standard deviation and VaR for Bitcoin could be higher in the first quarter of 2018.