¡@¡@With high liquidity and operating flexibility, futures can not be held for long term and must be restricted by margin requirement. This makes many futures traders prefer day trading to avoid the risk of the price gap of the next trading day. ¡@¡@Day traders tend to operate a trend-following strategy based on technical analysis and actively manage their holding positions. They take stop-loss strategy in the wrong direction to limit the damage, while take raise-stake strategy in the right direction to increase profits. A program trading system can even be utilized to carry out the strategy immediately and mechanically. ¡@¡@This study use Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index Futures as our sample. It simulates the performance of trend-following strategy of day traders by using moving average as basic signals, combined with the trading volume and Bollinger Band. ¡@¡@We found that, in medium-term and long-term time frame (30-60 minutes), active management of stop-loss and overweight strategy can still change the distribution of performance and earn positive returns, even if moving average technical analysis is not as effective as expected.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Dustin L. Pendell / Sachse Family Angus is both a commercial and registered Angus cow-calf operation in Northeast Kansas and has been in operation since 1935. The end goal in mind is to provide quality female breeding seedstock to other beef producers with the hopes of improving their herds. Successful selection and development of beef replacement heifers have major long term effects on stayability in any herd and can even have a positive impact on the whole herd. The objective of this study is to create a decision tool to determine best heifer selection strategies. Specifically, taking a look at the cost of heifer development under a range of scenarios as it applies to more traditional heifer development. The depth of literature addressing the issue of buying or raising replacement heifers is vast, providing various degrees of analysis to help a producer make the best informed decision. Some economists would argue that no single aspect of beef production management is as complicated, or has such an economic impact as cow culling and replacement heifer decisions (Melton, 1980). Procedures and methods were created to analyze whether a producer should raise or develop their own replacement heifers. One method used in creating a decision tool is an enterprise budget. Enterprise budgeting is the systematic determination and listing of expected outputs, revenues, and costs due to the production processes required to produce one unit of an enterprise for a specified time period. To take this one step further, it is assumed a producer makes choices with respect to the combinations of productive factors and products. Partial budgets include an analysis of net returns from small changes or refinement to a ranch. It focuses on parts that change while building upon an enterprise budget. In essence, it fine tunes current operations while holding all else constant. The benefits of partial budgeting take a look at what will be the new or added revenue if a change is implemented on the ranch and what costs will be reduced or eliminated if taken place. What will be the new or added costs and what revenues will be reduced if a change takes place are also things to keep in mind. Therefore, the result will show a producer the net benefit of the change. In turn, Sachse Family Angus will use this information to build their registered and commercial replacement heifers either by developing their own or purchasing from other breeders. Overtime, this decision will be critical as it will impact their herd for years to come. In conclusion, maintaining a good sound, high functioning beef cow herd means selecting and developing quality replacement heifers to retain in the herd each year. An estimated 20% of heifers born each year at Sachse Family Angus are kept as replacement heifers. When managing home raised heifers or purchased heifers, maintaining costs and keeping them in check is crucial because they represent a large up-front investment. The bottom line of this research is to give the managers at Sachse Family Angus and other operations across the country a decision tool that can be used to analyze their current resources and the resources it will take to develop their own heifers successfully and in the most cost effective way or help them analyze if purchasing their heifers makes the most financial sense.

INTRODUCTION: Coupling in the distal foot may be due, at least in part, to the foot's windlass mechanism. This mechanism has been demonstrated passively, but its role in dynamic movement is still unclear. A systematic manipulation of metatarsophalangeal (MTP) mechanics may help determine to what extent distal foot coupling during dynamic and active movement is due to the windlass mechanism versus active muscle contractions or springlike ligaments. Furthermore, exploring the windlass mechanism in feet with varying foot structure may aid our understanding of the relationship between foot structure and foot function. PURPOSE: The overall purpose of this study is to investigate the kinematic and kinetic coupling between the MTP and midtarsal joints through a systematic manipulation of the windlass mechanism (achieved through methodical changes to MTP motion). Additionally, we aimed to explore the relationship between foot structure and the efficacy of the windlass mechanism during passive, active, and dynamic movement. METHODS: First, arch height and flexibility were measured using the Arch Height Index Measurement System. Next, participants performed four order-randomized conditions where MTP extension was isolated: 1) Seated Passive MTP Extension, 2) Seated Active MTP Extension, 3) Standing Passive MTP Extension, and 4) Standing Active MTP Extension. Lastly, participants performed three heel raise conditions that manipulated the starting position of the MTP joint: 1) Neutral: normal heel raise, 2) ToeExt: heel raise with the toes placed on an inclined surface of 30 degrees to put the MTP joint into extension, and 3) ToeFlex: heel raise with the toes placed on a declined surface of 30 degrees to put the MTP joint into flexion. All conditions were performed to a metronome of 40 beats per minute to control angular velocity. A kinetic multisegment foot model was created in Visual 3D software and used to calculate ankle, midtarsal, and MTP joint angles, moments, powers, and work. RESULTS: Kinematic coupling was approximately six times greater in the heel raise conditions compared to the isolated MTP extension conditions and suggests that the windlass mechanism only plays a small role in dynamic tasks. This is likely due to the greater involvement of active muscle contractions during heel raises. As the starting position of the MTP joint became increasingly extended, the amount of negative work at the MTP joint increased concomitantly with increased positive work done at the midtarsal joint, while net distal-to-hindfoot work remained unchanged. Our combined results suggest that there is substantial coupling within the distal foot, but this coupling is likely attributed to more than simple passive energy transfer from the windlass mechanism. Future investigations into the intrinsic foot muscle activation and biarticular muscle effects are likely needed to determine the source of this coupling. Lastly, the relationship between foot structure and function is still unclear and our results suggest that arch height or arch flexibility alone may not be adequate predictors of dynamic foot function.

No description available.

This exploratory research is a case study of a public university in Thailand. The research examines whether gender inequality exists in the pay raise process at Khon Kaen University over a two-fiscal year period (FY2002 and 2003). It also considers what factors might account for differences between male and female faculty in pay raises at this university, looking at factors such as productivity and family responsibilities. The research develops and tests measures of the Southeast Asian concepts of kinship, patronage, turn-taking and seniority systems. Three data sources are used, university personnel records, self-administered surveys and the annual evaluation report. Results show that raises tend to be equitable and faculty are equally productive, regardless of gender, discipline, academic rank, or position cluster. When significant differences are identified in this study, female faculty frequently reported that they received higher pay raises than their male colleagues. The well-established rules and regulations regarding pay raises (minimum requirements for productivity and pay raise steps) at this university prohibit any kind of systematic bias in pay raises. One of the other goals of this research was to test the Southeast Asian concepts of kinship, patronage, turn taking and seniority, and the extent to which each may be a factor in performance and pay raises. The research indicates these four may play a role, but their actual influence is not entirely clear and will require additional study. To address some of these issues, future research would explore the same public university with a longer time frame and then compare the result at KKU with other universities in Thailand and other universities in Southeast Asia. Interviewing both male and female faculty members in terms of their actual workloads, productivity, assigned tasks, and their perceptions of the impact of age and administrative position is recommended. Interviewing only female faculty members in different disciplines (female-dominated, male-dominated and balanced disciplines) concerning their experiences of inequality and how they deal with family responsibilities that affect productivity is also important for future research. / Ph. D.

Tese de mestrado integrado. Mestrado Integrado em Engenharia Civil. Especialização em Hidráulica. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 2012

A major challenge facing parent educators and professionals who provide prevention and early intervention programs/services for people of colour, specifically Black families in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), is the lack of culturally relevant programs. An Afrocentric approach that incorporates concepts from the Empowerment and Ecological Systems theories will bridge this gap because it provides a framework for examining the impact of culture and race on Black family life and parenting. Reflecting on the African proverb, "it takes a village to raise a child", the study emphasizes the role of Black communities in supporting families for enhancing the healthy development of their children. The study examines Black parents' beliefs and goals about using racial socialization as a parenting strategy to address issues of race and discrimination that impact Black parenting. Findings indicate that parents in HRM are currently practicing some form of racial socialization, and are receptive to this model.

Syftet med denna studie är att genom kvalitativ metod och utifrån ett lednings-perspektiv, urskilja viktiga faktorer för kommuner i arbetet med att implementera och långsiktigt vidmakthålla Lean som metod. Studien har genomförts i två svenska kommuner. Vi har undersökt varför och hur kommuner arbetar med Lean samt vad de hittills har uppnått. Totalt har sex semistrukturerade intervjuer utförts med nyckelpersoner som innehar en ledande- eller stödfunktion. Resultatet påvisar att införandet av Lean grundas i att kommunerna vill förbättra kvalitén för kunden, minska slöserier samt effektivisera organisationen för att kunna möta framtidens ökade efterfrågan. Deras huvudsakliga fokus finns på att skapa en Lean-kultur. De främsta verktygen som används är värdeflödes-kartläggning, visuell styrning genom förbättringstavlor samt 5S. Vissa verksamheter använder även PDCA-hjulet. Det som Lean-arbetet hittills genererat är att vissa arbetsuppgifter och processer har förändrats och resultatet har därmed blivit minskat slöseri. I ett fall har värdet för slutkunden ökat genom minskad väntetid. Studien påvisar följande faktorer som avgörande för att skapa ett långsiktigt Lean-arbete: fokus skall vara på att skapa värde för slutkund, verksamheten måste inneha god kunskap om metoden samt stödjande ledarskap måste finnas på alla nivåer. Lean måste dessutom anpassas till varje enskild verksamhet, fokus bör finnas på kultur istället för verktyg samt ha ett sunt förhållningssätt för att minska motstånd. / The purpose of this study is to with a qualitative method and from a management perspective, identify important factors for municipalities in their work with implementing and maintain a long-term Lean methodology. The study was conducted in two Swedish municipalities. We have studied why and how municipalities are working with Lean and what Lean so far generated in. A total of six semi-structured interviews were conducted with key-people who has a managing- or supporting function. The result found that the aim of introducing Lean in the municipalities is to improve the quality for the customer, reduce waste, and make the organization more efficient so that it can meet future increased demand. Their main focus is to create a Lean culture where Lean is a natural part of the daily work. The main tools used are 5S, value stream-mapping, visual control. Some departments also use the PDCA wheel. What Lean work so far generated in is that some tasks and processes have changed which resulted in a reduced waste. In one case has the value for the end customer increased by reducing waiting time. The study establishes the following factors as crucial to creating a long-term Lean work: focus must be on creating value for the end customer, the organization must possess a great knowledge of Lean as a method, and the leadership must at all levels be engaged and supportive. Lean must be adapted to each individual organization, the focus should be on culture rather than tools, and have a reliable approach to reduce any resistance.

From an historic and demographic perspective, as well as the use of natural resources, we analyzed the relationship between human migrations and the economic activities of Los Andes Department, West of the Salta Province, in NW Argentina. Using the residual method, we calculated migratory balances between Argentinean population censuses carried out in 1947,1960, 1970, 1980 and 2001. The migratory balances were negative for all the periods studied. When the train started to run through Ramal C-14, the workers who built it have to find jobs somewhere else. At the same time, the railway made easier for the natives, to find better economicopportunities out of the Puna. The close of mine La Casualidad by the end of the 70’s, the low creation of jobs by the remaining mining operations, focused in to hire qualified technicians no available in Los Andes and the privatization of the railway in early 90’s, were important factors of emigration. Despite of cattle rising as the main economic activity in rural areas, it is practiced without any technology of management. The overgrazing caused for that reason, has reduced almost to the half the quantity of sheep by inhabitant between 1947 and 2001. That is why the local people have to press more on the wildlife, trading illegally with vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) fiber. Despite of a touristic development plan, a law promoting sheep rising and a census of vicuña population carried out by the provincial government, these recent actions should be part of a development project of regional scale, oriented to the sustainable use of the natural resources of Los Andes Department. That project would create jobs and discourage emigration. / Desde una perspectiva histórica, demográfica y del uso de los recursos naturales, analizamos la relación existente entre las migraciones humanas y las actividades económicas en el departamento Los Andes, ubicado al W de la provincia de Salta, en el Noroeste Argentino. Usando el método residual, calculamos los saldos migratorios entre los censos de 1947, 1960, 1970, 1980 y 2001, con resultados todos negativos. Al inaugurarse el Ramal C-14 en 1948, los obreros y técnicos que participaron en su construcción, tuvieron que buscar empleo en otra parte, mientras los habitantes locales vieron facilitada gracias al tren, la posibilidad de buscarmejores oportunidades económicas fuera de la puna. El cierre de mina La Casualidad a fines de los años setenta, la baja demanda de mano de obra de la minería remanente, concentrada en técnicos calificados extraños a la región y la privatización del ferrocarril a principios de los años noventa, fueron importantes factores de expulsión de población. Aunque la ganadería es la principal actividad económica en las áreas rurales, esta se practica sin ninguna tecnología de manejo y generan sobrepastoreo, el que redujo casi a la mitad la cantidad de ovejas por habitante entre 1947 y 2001. Esto obliga a los lugareños a presionar sobre la fauna para subsistir, lo que explica el comercio ilegal de fibra de vicuña (Vicugna vicugna). Aunque existe un plan de desarrollo turístico, una ley de reactivación de la ganadería ovina y se ha realizado un censo de las poblaciones de vicuñas en el nivel gubernamental, estas acciones recientes deberían formar parte de un proyecto de desarrollo de escala regional, orientado al uso sostenible de los recursos naturales, lo que crearía empleo y desalentaría la emigración.

Tesis para optar al grado de Magíster en Minería / La excavación de galerías subterráneas es una actividad fundamental en las minas explotadas por hundimiento, debido a que abre los frentes de trabajo para todas las actividades que se ejecutan posteriormente. Por tal razón, mejorar los tiempos de ejecución de esta tarea permitirá adelantar la entrada en producción de un proyecto de explotación de minería subterránea. Así mismo, la prefabricación de elementos de hormigón armado como solución a la construcción de infraestructura minera necesaria para la explotación de sectores en preparación, nace como una alternativa a la construcción de obras civiles convencionales. Este tipo de soluciones transforman la tarea de construcción in situ en una tarea de montaje, donde los elementos son fabricados en una planta por métodos de producción industrial quedando disponible para ser transportados a la obra y montados en el lugar definido. Sin embargo, su utilización en infraestructura minera aún es incipiente debido a la escasa información acerca de los beneficios, ventajas y mejoras en la productividad que se logran con este nuevo sistema. El presente trabajo de tesis tiene como objetivo principal reducir los costos y mejorar rendimientos de las actividades de Preparación Minera, estableciendo una metodología a través de la optimización de los procesos de Desarrollo y Construcción de infraestructura, con el fin de adelantar la disposición de mineral a la producción. Para llevar a cabo este estudio, del punto de vista técnico, se efectuó una revisión bibliográfica relacionada con la excavación de galerías subterráneas mediante la metodología Desarrollo Rápido (Rapid development) y la industrialización y prefabricación de elementos estructurales de hormigón, su aplicación en proyectos de infraestructura y tunelería civil. De la misma manera, desde el punto de vista de la gestión, se revisó detalladamente cómo se realiza funcionalmente la preparación minera a través del estudio en profundidad de la Dirección de Proyecto Preparación de Minas, entidad encargada de ejecutar los proyectos al interior de la División El Teniente. El diagnóstico integral de la preparación minera en la División El Teniente, donde se analiza cómo se ejecuta esta actividad del punto de vista de un proyecto operacional, permitió plantear una hipótesis sobre la optimización de los procesos de preparación minera basado en dos ámbitos: la gestión y las operaciones de desarrollo y construcción. En el ámbito de gestión se realizó un plan estratégico, basado en el plan de negocio divisional PND 2010, que entrega la cantidad de obra necesaria para sustentar la producción en el quinquenio 2011-2015, el que permitió establecer una mirada a mediano y largo plazo para la continuidad de esta actividad en la División El Teniente. En el ámbito de operaciones, se trabajó en las actividades más relevantes; por una parte la excavación de galerías o desarrollos horizontales y por otra dos tipos de obras civiles que representan la mayor inversión anual en la preparación minera, la construcción de puntos de extracción y muros de confinamiento. El resultado de este estudio, permite concluir que si bien es cierto, la aplicación de la metodología de desarrollo rápido es factible en el método de hundimiento por Block Caving de la mina El Teniente, ésta no es aplicable en su totalidad debido a las solicitaciones dinámicas asociadas a los eventuales estallidos de roca que impiden la eliminación de la malla como solución de fortificación y las interferencias que generan los distintos tipos de turnos y aislaciones por tronadura que se ejecutan en horarios definidos para las faenas de extracción de mineral, los que no son compatibles con los turnos de obras o preparación minera. En el caso de las obras civiles las pruebas se validaron con resultados superiores a las expectativas planteadas, es decir, ahorros de costos superiores al 20 % para los distintos elementos de infraestructura estudiados, donde además se obtuvieron mejoras intangibles como la descongestión de los portales de ingreso a la mina (ADIT) y la logística de abastecimiento de materiales.