2821 research outputs found
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Entrepreneurial leadership skills and competencies: a systematic literature review
No full textEntrepreneurial leadership (EL) is a relatively new paradigm of enquiry. The research on entrepreneurial leadership skills and competencies and their development is dispersed. This study, following an evidence-based approach, aims to address this issue by applying a systematic literature review. The findings of the SLR show that entrepreneurial leadership skills and competencies are critically important for the success of organisations regardless of their nature, size and contexts. Results of the review identify that proactiveness, innovativeness, risk taking propensity, articulating vision, motivation, communication, influence, teamwork, creativity, and risk-taking are important skills of entrepreneurial leaders. Whilst personal, functional, technological, and interpersonal competencies were identified as essential competencies for entrepreneurial leaders; entrepreneurship education and courses, as well as experiential, socially interactive and project-based learning approaches are regarded as processes of EL competencies’ development. Drawing on extant literature, this research identified various research gaps and proposes future research streams on entrepreneurial leadership skills and competencie
SCBC: Smart city monitoring with blockchain using Internet of Things for and neuro fuzzy procedures
Full text linkThe security of the Internet of Things (IoT) is crucial in various application platforms, such as the smart city monitoring system, which encompasses comprehensive monitoring of various conditions. Therefore this study conducts an analysis on the utilization of blockchain technology for the purpose of monitoring Internet of Things (IoT) systems. The analysis is carried out by employing parametric objective functions. In the context of the Internet of Things (IoT), it is imperative to establish well-defined intervals for job execution, ensuring that the completion status of each action is promptly monitored and assessed. The major significance of proposed method is to integrate a blockchain technique with neuro-fuzzy algorithm thereby improving the security of data processing units in all smart city applications. As the entire process is carried out with IoT the security of data in both processing and storage units are not secured therefore confidence level of monitoring units are maximized at each state. Due to the integration process the proposed system model is implemented with minimum energy conservation where 93% of tasks are completed with improved security for about 90%
Investigating challenges and opportunities to achieve SDG 6: a study of Benin City, Nigeria
Full text linkAccess to clean water and adequate sanitation improve sound health, enhance socio cultural development, and promote economic
balance. This study focuses on investigating the challenges and opportunities to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 by
2030: a case study in Benin City, Nigeria. Three local government areas in Benin City (Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, and Oredo) were selected
for this study. The survey involved the use of 150 structured questionnaires administered to the people from the local government areas
(LGAs). A total of 127 responses were received and processed for analysis. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 27.0) software application. Although the Federal Government has put in measures such as
the National Action Plan (NAP) to ensure that the objectives of SDG 6.1 and 6.2 are achieved, the findings of the study however have
shown that there are still problems of accessibility, acceptability, availability, affordability, and quality. Seventy-eight percent of the
respondents indicated to spend over 2,000 naira monthly on water while 86% indicated to pay extra changes to acquire water. 48.8%
residents have to cover a long distance of 3 km in order to get water. 61.4% found water not to be safe for drinking while 84.3% indicated
that the quality of water and sanitation in public places are of bad quality. 63.8% indicated to have challenges to availability of water
and sanitation. A large percent of the residents indicated to have felt discriminated regarding water and sanitation because of their
socio level. However, the study found lack of water and sanitation to be gender neutral, as both men and women are affected
Pneumothorax: Lung segmentation and disease classification using deep neural networks
No full textMedical imaging is crucial in detecting pneumothorax, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by air accumulation in the pleural cavity. Chest X-Rays (CXR) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans are vital tools for diagnosing pneumothorax, offering detailed insights into the chest cavity. The accurate delineation of lung regions and the detection of lung diseases pose significant challenges. Variations in patient anatomy, limited training data, and the complexity of lung diseases contribute to the difficulty of the task. Recent approaches, such as advanced U-Net architectures with residual connections and 3D U-Net variants for lung nodule segmentation, are enhancing the precision and efficiency of lung image analysis. This research presents a novel approach that combines Deep Learning (DL) based segmentation and disease detection techniques to enhance accuracy in CXR image analysis. The proposed methodology comprises two core components: A U-Net-inspired segmentation model with residual connections for precise lung region extraction and a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)for disease detection
Quantum dynamics-aided learning for secure integration of body area networks within the metaverse cybersecurity framework
No full textThe seamless integration of Body Area Networks
(BAN) poses several cybersecurity challenges within the
continuously developing metaverse. This research proposes a
novel technique that combines Quantum Dynamics, especially
Quantum Metaverse (Q(MV)), with the conventional dynamics
of the BAN system (S(BAN)). The aim is to enhance security and
facilitate the learning process. In order to guarantee the secure
integration of personal and biometric data acquired via Body
Area Networks (BANs), the authors propose the utilization of a
Quantum Dynamics-Aided Learning framework. This model
serves as a connection between the realm of swiftly
advancing quantum computing and the growing demands of
the metaverse. The enhancement of intrusion detection
capabilities is just one aspect of our methodology that
demonstrates its effectiveness in mitigating the dangers
associated with integrating BAN data inside intricate virtual
environments. The effectiveness of the model in mitigating
diverse cyber threats has been demonstrated through rigorous
evaluation in simulated environments as well as real-world
scenarios. The findings indicate an initial stride towards
establishing a safer and more immersive setting for metaverse
users, while also addressing the pressing demand for enhanced
cybersecurity protocols
An application of bootstrap Data Envelopment Analysis: measuring the trade-off between sustainability and outreach of Islamic microfinance institutions and conventional microfinance institutions in Bangladesh
Full text linkMicrofinance (MF) has achieved tremendous success in improving socio-economic conditions
all over the world, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. Although, interest-based
Conventional Microfinance Institutions (ConMFI’s) have been operating successfully in the
majority of developing countries, there are still some Muslim people who are reluctant to
receive financial support from ConMFI’s, due to their religious prohibitions on interest. To
meet the demand for non-interest-based financing alternative, Islamic Microfinance
Institutions (IsMFI’s) have emerged and are now operating alongside ConMFI’s. Moreover,
rapid expansion and recent commercialisation of this sector introduced new challenges for
Microfinance Institutions (MFI’s) i.e., financial self-sustainability and social outreach. Now
both IsMFI’s and ConMFI’s in Bangladesh, with their unique dual objectives, operate in the
same marketplace facing the same challenges. This makes it imperative to assess the
performance of both type of MFI’s, using identical theoretical and methodological assessment
frameworks, to improve their performance and realise their full potential towards economic
development and improving socio-economic conditions of the poor.
The main aims of this study are to provide an empirical performance comparison between
IsMFI’s and ConMFI’s and to examine the trade-off between financial sustainability and social
outreach objectives, in the Islamic microfinance sector of Bangladesh. This study uses non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method, to measure and compare the efficiency
of 384 MFI’s in Bangladesh over the period 2017-2020. Additionally, this research estimates
bias corrected efficiency scores, utilising the Bootstrap DEA method, to overcome the
limitations of the Standard DEA method and to provide a more accurate analysis of the MF
and Islamic MF sectors of Bangladesh. Furthermore, separate assessment frameworks have
been used for each dimension of performance, which gives a better understanding of the
challenges on each aspect of performance, for IsMFI’s and ConMFI’s in Bangladesh.
The first contribution of this study is towards MF and Islamic MF literature of Bangladesh by
developing dedicated assessment models, with specific focus on the dual objectives, both
simultaneously and in isolation. The methodological contribution of this study is towards the
empirical performance comparison of IsMFI’s and ConMFI’s, by developing a methodology
to overcome the contrast between 8 IsMFI’s and 376 ConMFI’s in the sample. The final
contribution of this study is towards the unsettled debate on the trade-off between sustainability
and outreach objectives of MFI’s, by providing an objective measurement of both dimensions
of performance.
The outcome of the research suggests that IsMFI’s are not as efficient as ConMFI’s, but they
are not as inefficient either. ConMFI’s get the highest and lowest efficiency estimation
according to the analysis, although IsMFI’s, on average, get higher efficiency estimates, from
all three perspectives (social, financial, and double bottom-line) of performance analysis. There
is no consistent pattern of change in efficiency over the year from financial and double bottom line perspectives, whilst social efficiency improves overtime. MFI’s are better at attaining their
social goals than financial goals, according to the analysis. Research outcomes regarding the
second aim suggest that there is a trade-off between most of the IsMFI’s and ConMFI’s in
Bangladesh. However, 1 MFI in 2017, 2018 and 2020 and 9 MFI’s in 2019 do not show trade-off between their social and financial objectives which suggests that it is possible to maintain
both dual objectives simultaneously for IsMFI’s and ConMFI’s in Banglades
Assaying of p53 Autoantibodies in saliva for the detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma. A road not taken.
Full text linkAutoantibody detection is a promising approach to cancer screening. Serum p53 antibodies have been time tested in various cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study is aimed to detect and determine the level of p53 autoantibodies (p53-AAbs) in saliva. The association of clinicopathological features among patients with and without OSCC was also explored as a novel method for the detection of autoantibodies. One hundred preoperative saliva samples from patients with histologically confirmed OSCC and a hundred from normal healthy individuals were collected. Anti p53 detection kit assessed levels of salivary p53-AAbs. The cut-off value was 1.3 U/mL by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The p53-AAb levels were expressed in terms of the median and interquartile range (IQR). Fischer's exact test and Chi-square test were used to determine the association with clinicopathological features among patients with OSCC and healthy controls with tobacco consumption habits. Median level of p53-AAb is 0.234 U/mL (IQR 0.18-0.37U/mL) in healthy controls and 0.285U/mL (IQR 0.16-0.58U/mL) in OSCC. p53-AAbs was positive in 15% of 100 patients with OSCC, which was statistically higher (P < 0.001) among OSCC, and controls were negative for p53-AAb. No significant correlation of p53-AAbs with the patient's age, gender, site, clinical staging (TNM), and pathologic grade was observed. However, a significant association was seen between the node involvement and salivary p53-AAbs. Salivary p53-AAb positivity was seen in a higher proportion in OSCC patients than in healthy controls with tobacco consumption, and the levels did differ significantly among OSCC and healthy controls. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2023 Copyright: © 2023 Indian Journal of Cancer.
Comparison of the effects of antimony trioxide and zinc, calcium and copper stannates on the thermal degradation of polyamide-6,6
Full text linkThermal and thermo-oxidative decompositions of polyamide 6.6 (PA66) in the presence and absence of zinc
(ZnSt), calcium (CaSt) and copper stannates (CuSt), and in the presence of antimony trioxide (ATO), have been
studied by TGA-FTIR and pyrolysis GC/MS. It is shown that whilst ATO has a negligible effect on the rate of
decomposition and products of pyrolysis under both slow heating on a TGA and rapid heating on a pyrolysis/GC/
MS apparatus, the stannates have a catalytic effect in the order ZnSt ≈ CaSt > CuSt, evident through release of
volatiles at a lower temperature and in a different product distribution following rapid high temperature pyrolysis. In particular, rapid pyrolysis at high temperature in the presence of the stannates promotes formation
amongst the pyrolysis products of, for example, 6-aminohexanenitrile. 1,6-hexanediamine, 1-methyl-3-formylindole and 1,2,3,7-tetramethylindole, whilst yields of others are reduced, e.g., hexanedinitrile, caprolactam,
diaminomethylidene(2-hydroxypropyl)azanium, prop‑2-enenitrile (acrylonitrile) and azacyclodecan-5-ol. We
suggest that these effects arise from complexation of the electropositive metal in the stannate (Zn, Ca or Cu) with
the C=O groups of PA66, thus weakening the C(O)-C and C-N bonds adjacent to the C=O groups. The fact that
ZnSt has the most pronounced effect on the pyrolysis product distribution and CuSt the least, we explain in terms
of the order of electropositivity of the metal (Zn>Ca>Cu)
GREAT Case Study Plan. Deliverable 4.2
Full text linkThis deliverable provides details of the Case Study Design to be
applied in the GREAT project. The design is framed in the
Methodology Interdisciplinary Research (MIR) Framework (Tobi
and Kampen 2018) and this document provides detail of the
implementation methods. This consists of an eight-step process
of tasks incorporating planning, evaluation and reporting
instantiated in a timeline for the GREAT case study programme
