This working paper aims to conduct an empirical study to examine the relationship between industry performance and consumer well-being. We adopt the holistic view of consumer well-being which is measured using multiple dimensions (economic, socio-cultural variables). This paper proposes the model to test the effect on industry performance on well-being. Findings could benefit practitioners and academics.

This research develops an under-investigated aspect of the business literature regarding firm-created and user-generated social media communication and their influence on purchase intention of endorsed fashion products. The results indicate that (i) brand equity mediates the relationship between social media communication and purchase intention of endorsed fashion products, and (ii) the mediational role of brand equity is further moderated by the consumer’s self-congruity with fashion brands.

Introduction Theoretical Development Research Design Result and Conclusion

The carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs–COOH) were used as adsorbent for the separation of flavonoids (naringin and rutin) from bitter orange peel. The influence of the parameters such as, pH values, contact time, and desorption conditions was investigated. The samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, derivative thermogravimetric, scanning electron microscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography. After separation and desorption process, the eluent was injected for chromatography analysis. Under the optimal conditions, experimental results showed that the extraction efficiency of rutin was higher than naringin and other compounds. Moreover, the desorption percentage of flavonoids was calculated 83.6% after four cycles. This research confirmed that this method for separation of flavonoids is simple and less cost. In addition, the separated flavonoids can be used as antioxidant for the future applications.

Self Organizing Map (SOM) is a neural network that is effective in classifying patterns that form the feature map by extracting characteristics of the input data. In this study, we propose an algorithm to determine the cell formation and the machine layout within the cell for the cell formation problem with operation sequence using the SOM. In the proposed algorithm, the output layer of the SOM is a one-dimensional structure, and the SOM is applied to the parts and the machine in two steps. The initial cell is formed when the formed clusters is grouped largely by the utilization of the machine within the cell. At this stage, machine cell are formed. The next step is to create a flow matrix of the all machine that calculates the frequency of consecutive forward movement for the machine. The machine layout order in each machine cell is determined based on this flow matrix so that the machine operation sequence is most reflected. The final step is to optimize the overall machine and parts to increase machine layout efficiency. As a result, the final cell is formed and the machine layout within the cell is determined. The proposed algorithm was tested on well-known cell formation problems with operation sequence shown in previous papers. The proposed algorithm has better performance than the other algorithms.

A typical Mathematics class is comprised of a heterogeneous group of students in terms of academic ability, learning styles, intelligence quotient, home background and the likes. The inability of the teachers to effectively manage these differences usually leads to poor academic achievement among the learners, especially the weak ones. This study therefore determined the effectiveness of Cooperative Learning Technique on low learning ability students in Mathematics. Quasi-experimental research design was adopted. The sample size purposively selected consisted of 137 students from four schools in Education District II and IV, Lagos State, Nigeria. Two hypotheses were raised and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The collected data were analyzed using t-test. The result of the analysis revealed that cooperative learning strategy enhanced the low ability students’ achievement in Mathematics. Also, cooperative learning strategy enhanced low learning abilities students in understanding mathematics irrespective of their gender. It is therefore, recommended that teachers should adopt the cooperative learning strategy to teach Mathematics. For teachers to be more conversant with the use of cooperative learning strategy, as well as other interactive methods of teaching mathematics, workshops and conferences should be organized for secondary schools on the use of different methods of teaching learners from different ability levels, especially cooperative learning strategy.

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore is without hesitation, a vital sea lane of communication with the geographical advantage of linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Geographically, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore is shallow and fairly narrow on its eastern part and has created one of the most important traffic choke points in the world. Being a crucial sea-lane has experience the Straits with high density of vessel traffic. The increase in shipping activities has risen the challenge in safety of navigation and marine environmental protection problem which generally end up with huge financial losses for the seafarers and damages to the marine environment. Owing significant limitations in the geographical landscape, this article has primary objectives to examine how navigational safety and marine environment can be effectively protect using existing regulatory instruments. This article provides a review and analysis of existing laws and regulations to assess the status of navigational safety for marine environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The article also evaluates potential strategies to this problem using insights from literature. The article finds out that the littoral States to the Straits of Malacca and Singapore should adopt more forward-looking perspective in the formulation of legal measures to enhance navigational safety for marine environmental protection. The article finally suggests the potential strategies for navigational safety and marine environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. This will help in setting priorities for future efforts in improving navigational safety for marine environmental protection with regard to international and regional initiatives.

The study examined the impact of single parenthood on adolescents’ academic performance in secondary schools in Owode Local Government Area of Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria. In this study, relevant and extensive literatures were reviewed under relevant sub-headings. The descriptive research survey was used to assess the respondents’ opinions using the questionnaire. In this study, 130 (one hundred and thirty) respondents were selected through simple random technique and used as samples to represent the population of the study. A total of three (3) null hypotheses were formulated and tested in this study. Also, the independent t-test statistical tool was used to test and analyse the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The three hypotheses were tested and accepted to have significant importance on adolescents’ academic performance.

This study empirically examined the effect of female director on tax aggressiveness of listed insurance firms in Nigeria. The main objective of this research was to empirically investigate the effect of female board members on tax aggressiveness, determine the composition and representation of female directors on the board of insurance companies, find out how tax aggressive are listed insurance firms and apply the BLAU (1977) index method to measure female director representation as a departure from conventional approaches specifically in the Nigerian context in the reference period, 2014 to 2018. The population of the study consists of all the quoted insurance firms as at 31st December, 2016. A sample of twenty eight (28) quoted insurance firms was selected and data were collected over the period. Inferential statistic consisting of the General Method of Moment was used for the data analysis. The results obtained reveal that board size is negative and exerts significant impact on tax aggressiveness in insurance firms in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that the Federal government has to come up with a policy to respond to the marginalization of female on the insurance firm corporate board in Nigeria. The aim of this policy thrust should be targeted at reducing politics and biasness against women on the corporate boards of listed insurance firms.

The purpose of this paper is to compare seafarers’ behavior according to traffic conditions of a road and an onshore locations. Behaviors are classified into three categories: Skill-, Rule- and knowledge-based mode. Experimental data were collected using the questionnaires for navigators, working in a merchant ship. To compare the behaviors, we used the four analysis method; the degree of frequency, reliability test, correlation and linear regression. As a result of the study, it was found that Skill-based behavior shows more higher in the road traffic than the maritime traffic, and rule-based behavior shows more higher in the maritime traffic than the road traffic. Also, the behavior in the navigation situation showed statistical significance. Especially, in the case of Rule-based behavior, a high correlation between road and maritime was found. This study can be expected to apply to complementary system utilization between error management system of onshore and maritime traffic.

A triple-layered PMMA/Ni64Zr36/PDMS hydrogen gas sensor using hydrogen permeable alloy and flexible polymer layers is fabricated through spin coating and DC-magnetron sputtering. PDMS(polydimethylsiloxane) is used as a flexible substrate and PMMA(polymethylmethacrylate) thin film is deposited onto the Ni64Zr36 alloy layer to give a high hydrogenselectivity to the sensor. The measured hydrogen sensing ability and response time of the fabricated sensor at high hydrogen concentration of 99.9 % show a 20 % change in electrical resistance, which is superior to conventional Pd-based hydrogen sensors, which are difficult to use in high hydrogen concentration environments. At a hydrogen concentration of 5 %, the resistance of electricity is about 1.4 %, which is an electrical resistance similar to that of the Pd77Ag23 sensor. Despite using low cost Ni64Zr36 alloy as the main sensing element, performance similar to that of existing Pd sensors is obtained in a highly concentrated hydrogen atmosphere. By improving the sensitivity of the hydrogen detection through optimization including of the thickness of each layer and the composition of Ni-Zr alloy thin film, the proposed Ni-Zr-based hydrogen sensor can replace Pd-based hydrogen sensors.

One- and two-dimensional carbon nanomaterials were tested as adsorbents for the elimination of two anionic dyes, reactive red 2 and methyl orange, and the cationic dye methylene blue from aqueous solutions under the same conditions. Carbon nanomaterials performed well in the removal of dyes. Surface oxygenated groups in the nanomaterials improved the cationic dyes’ adsorption, but not the adsorption of the anionic dye. The interactions between nanomaterials and dyes were verified by infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The pseudo-second order kinetic model was better fitted to the kinetic experimental data than the Elovich and pseudo-first order models. The equilibrium adsorption data were best fitted by the Langmuir model. The dimensions and morphology of the carbon nanomaterials play an important role in the adsorption of the three dyes. The main mechanism of adsorption of anionic dyes is by the interactions of the aromatic rings of the dye structures and π delocalized electrons on carbon nanostructures; the adsorption of cationic dye is mainly due to electrostatic interactions.

Lignocellulosic materials such as agricultural residues have been identified as potential sustainable sources that can replace petroleum-based polymers. This study focused on the conversion of lignin extracted from bagasse to carbon fiber (CF) and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC). The highest extraction of lignin yield was achieved at 100 °C using 10% NaOH for 12 h. Carbon fibers were obtained by electro-spinning of bagasse lignin blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (11 wt/v %) followed by thermo-stabilization (250 °C) in an oxidizing atmosphere and further carbonization in an inert atmosphere (850 °C). Conventional hydrolysis process was used to extract cellulose nanocrystal from bagasse pulp. Morphological (scanning electron microscopy, SEM), spectral (Fourier transform infrared, FTIR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermal characterization and surface area measurements have been carried out. Figures originated by SEM showed that CF ranges from 145 to 204 nm, while stabilized bagasse cellulose nanocrystal (SCNC) appeared as rod-shape like structure in the range of length 600–800 nm and diameter 5.33–19 μm. Characterization results revealed that CF exhibits microporous structure, while bagasse lignin and SCNC display mesoporous structure. In addition, the results proved that SCNC exhibits a percentage removal 71.56% for methylene blue dye in an aqueous solution.