Downsizing Older Employees : A Study of India’s Public Sector Banks

Premilla D’Cruz 한국고용노사관계학회 2005 産業關係硏究 Vol.15 No.2

Downsizing in the form of a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) was introduced in various public sector banks in India as part of the financial sector reforms initiated under the macroeconomic stabilization and structural adjustment programmes. Using van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenological approach, the impact of VRS on separated employees and their families was studied in a South Indian city. Data collected through in-depth interviews were subject to holistic and sententious thematic analysis. The findings of the present study stand in contrast to previous studies on the impact of downsizing. That is, whereas earlier inquiries describe the adverse effects of downsizing, participants in the present study spoke in terms of fulfillment, relaxed pace of life, time to pursue various interests (and in some cases, alternate careers), better family life, ability to manage health-related needs and unchanged quality of life and economic position. Contextual factors, especially developmental stage and financial status, play a critical mediating role over here. Further, the nature of the severance package, the opportunity to choose to take VRS and the level of preparedness about the introduction of VRS in public sector banks served as facilitators of a smooth transition.

Does Membership in Agricultural Cooperatives Improve Marketing Efficiency?: Insights from Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Selected Provinces of the Philippines

Liezel S. Cruz(Liezel S. Cruz ),Agham C. Cuevas(Agham C. Cuevas ),Jan Danica S. Asma(Jan Danica S. Asma ),JP Roma D. Duque(JP Roma D. Duque ),Beah M. Orlina(Beah M. Orlina ) The International Academy of Global Business and T 2023 The International Academy of Global Business and T Vol.19 No.1

Purpose - Cooperatives are people-centric organizations that are organized to meet the common needs of their members. One key goal for the establishment of agricultural cooperatives is to help improve the marketing efficiency of their members. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between cooperative membership and marketing efficiency among coffee farmers in the provinces of Cavite, Benguet, and Mountain Province, Philippines. Design/Methodology/Approach - Primary and secondary data were gathered in the study. Linear regression with endogenous treatment was used to analyze the data which examined both observable and unobservable factors affecting the treatment, cooperative membership, potential outcome, and the marketing efficiency. Findings - The results of the study revealed that the average farmer generated USD0.85 more farm income for every peso spent on marketing activities if he/she was a member of an agricultural cooperative. This implied that membership positively improved the marketing efficiency of coffee farmers. Moreover, farmers who sold their processed coffee to cooperatives and who had price access were observed to have higher marketing efficiency. Farmers who were females, adopted more processing technologies, took longer to search for price information, sold to cooperatives, had more coffee experience, and whose farms were located away from technology sources were more likely to become cooperative members. Research Implications - The study recommended the promotion of cooperative membership among farmers to improve their marketing efficiency and capacity-building activities related to the technology adoption and management of cooperatives.

The Relationship Between Self-confidence and Academic Commitment of AB-ELS Students in Learning Korean Language in an Online Class Setting

Jeremy C. DeGuzman,Tarlac State University,Kyla Niicole G. Cruz,Jiyoung Lee 국제인문사회연구학회 2022 Studies on Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSC) Vol.4 No.1

The Relationship Between Self-confidence and Academic Commitment of AB-ELS Students in Learning Korean Language in an Online Class Setting Jeremy C. DeGuzman,* Kim M. andrea Reyes,** Kyla Niicole G. Cruz,*** & Jiyoung Lee**** Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the Self-confidence and Academic Commitment of students learning Korean online. The subjects of this study were 86 4th year students of AB ELS who participated in online Korean language classes. In this study, analysis data were collected through an online questionnaire of self-confidence and academic commitment. For analysis, using SPSS 23.0, descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were performed. The research results are as follows. First, the students’ self-confidence was found to be neither agree nor disagree. Second, students’ academic commitment was slightly disagreed. Third, it was found that there was a significant positive correlation between students’ self-confidence and academic commitment. Based on the results of this study, methods to enhance the academic commitment of students learning Korean online were discussed. Key Words: AB English Language Studies Students, Academic Commitment, Correlation, Foreign Language Learning, Korean language, Online Classroom, Self-confidence □ Received: June 1, 2022, Revised: June 28, 2022, Accepted: June 30, 2022 * First Author, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Tarlac State University, Philippines, Student ** Co-author 1, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Tarlac State University, Philippines, Student *** Co-author 2, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Tarlac State University, Philippines, Student **** Corresponding Author, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Tarlac State University, Philippines, Lecturer The Relationship Between Self-confidence and Academic Commitment of AB-ELS Students in Learning Korean Language in an Online Class Setting Jeremy C. DeGuzman,* Kim M. andrea Reyes,** Kyla Niicole G. Cruz,*** & Jiyoung Lee**** Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the Self-confidence and Academic Commitment of students learning Korean online. The subjects of this study were 86 4th year students of AB ELS who participated in online Korean language classes. In this study, analysis data were collected through an online questionnaire of self-confidence and academic commitment. For analysis, using SPSS 23.0, descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were performed. The research results are as follows. First, the students’ self-confidence was found to be neither agree nor disagree. Second, students’ academic commitment was slightly disagreed. Third, it was found that there was a significant positive correlation between students’ self-confidence and academic commitment. Based on the results of this study, methods to enhance the academic commitment of students learning Korean online were discussed. Key Words: AB English Language Studies Students, Academic Commitment, Correlation, Foreign Language Learning, Korean language, Online Classroom, Self-confidence □ Received: June 1, 2022, Revised: June 28, 2022, Accepted: June 30, 2022 * First Author, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Tarlac State University, Philippines, Student ** Co-author 1, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Tarlac State University, Philippines, Student *** Co-author 2, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Tarlac State University, Philippines, Student **** Corresponding Author, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Tarlac State University, Philippines, Lecturer

Effect of Aspect Ratio on Electrical, Rheological and Glass Transition Properties of PC/MWCNT Nanocomposites

Cruz, Heidy,Son, Younggon American Scientific Publishers 2018 Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Vol.18 No.2

<P>Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNT), significant research works have focused on the application of CNT as conductive filler to polymer nanocomposites which can be used in several fields such as electrostatic dissipation (ESD), electrostatic painting and electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI-shielding). However, the main challenge in the large-scale manufacturing of this technology is the poor electrical conductivity of polymer nanocomposites produced by injection molding process. This study aims to investigate the effect of CNT aspect ratio in improving the electrical conductivity of injection molded nanocomposites. In this work, three types of multiwall carbon nanotubes with different lengths were melt-mixed with polycarbonate in a twin screw extruder followed by injection and compression molding. Results show that nanocomposites with higher CNT aspect ratio exhibit higher electrical conductivity. Longer nanotubes form a stronger conductive network during secondary agglomeration which can withstand the high shear forces during injection molding. Higher melt viscosity and storage modulus were observed in nanocomposites with higher CNT aspect ratio which is attributed to the effective constriction of polymer chains by longer nanotubes. It was also found that Tg of the composites increased with nanotube aspect ratio and the addition of CNT causes degradation which leads to the general Tg depression of polycarbonate.</P>

Ventilation inhomogeneities and mixed venous blood N₂in multibreath N₂washout

Cruz, Julio C.,Jeng, Duen-Ren,Han, Decai,Wu, Guoming,Flores, Xavier F. 江南大學校産學技術硏究所 1997 산학기술연구소논문집 Vol.- No.4

Photon Upconversion in Crystalline Rubrene: Resonant Enhancement by an Interband State

Cruz, Chad D.,Choi, Hyun Ho,Podzorov, Vitaly,Chronister, Eric L.,Bardeen, Christopher J. American Chemical Society 2018 The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C Vol.122 No.31

<P>Triplet-triplet exciton annihilation after sensitization of the triplet states by a near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing sensitizer enables rubrene to function as a photon upconversion (UC) material. In this paper, we demonstrate an alternate pathway to NIR upconversion in pristine rubrene crystals: resonantly enhanced two-photon absorption via a weakly allowed interband state. We find that all crystalline rubrene samples exhibit NIR-to-visible upconversion that can be easily observed by eye under low-intensity (20 W/cm<SUP>2</SUP>) continuous wave excitation. The amount of continuous wave photoluminescence (PL) is comparable to what is observed under femtosecond pulsed excitation with the same average intensity. A wide range of excitation intensities (<I>I</I>) for the PL power dependence are explored and careful fitting of the intensity dependence of the upconverted PL shows that it has an approximate <I>I</I><SUP>4</SUP> → <I>I</I><SUP>2</SUP> transition. Moreover, there is a pronounced dependence of the per-pulse upconverted PL signal on the laser repetition rate. A four-state kinetic model with a long-lived (∼1 μs) interband state that takes into account fission and fusion dynamics can reproduce both the <I>I</I><SUP>4</SUP> → <I>I</I><SUP>2</SUP> transition and the dependence of the PL on pulse repetition rate. The modeling suggests that this interband state arises from a low-concentration species, possibly a crystal defect or defective rubrene molecules. Several other polyacene crystals (tetracene, diphenylhexatriene, and perylene) measured under the same conditions did not exhibit similar behavior. The observation of resonantly enhanced upconverted PL without the addition of chemically distinct sensitizers suggests that interband states in organic molecular crystals can generate new and possibly useful photophysical behavior.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Analysis of Horizontal and Vertical Ring Structure based on Analytical Model and Satellite Data: Application to the North Brazil Current Rings

Cruz-Gómez Raúl,Salcedo-Castro Julio 한국해양과학기술원 2013 Ocean science journal Vol.48 No.2

A theoretical analysis of the principal oceanic ring parameters (tangential and angular velocities, shape function, horizontal and vertical scale of the ring) is described. The theoretical model consists of a reduced gravity model of the lens-like vortices with solid body rotation. The application of this approach is tested by comparison with data from the North Brazil Current Rings Experiment and remote sensing data. Specifically, we used the data corresponding to the surfaceintensified North Brazil Current ring (R-3) surveyed in February-March 1999, using direct velocity and hydrographical measurements. The theoretical model was used for evaluating the geometrical structure of the surface-intensified rings that produce remarkable signals in satellite data. The principal ring parameters from the model were compared with those from satellite data (altimetry and drifter information), which were estimated by using the method of minimization of the multivariable objective functions. Although the proposed model is linear in its conception, a good agreement was observed between the model and the primary characteristics of the observed rings. The model, however, allows for improvement in its assumptions, since its application is rather limited to intense ocean rings.

Bivariate odd-log-logistic-Weibull regression model for oral health-related quality of life

Cruz, Jose N. da,Ortega, Edwin M.M.,Cordeiro, Gauss M.,Suzuki, Adriano K.,Mialhe, Fabio L. The Korean Statistical Society 2017 Communications for statistical applications and me Vol.24 No.3

We study a bivariate response regression model with arbitrary marginal distributions and joint distributions using Frank and Clayton's families of copulas. The proposed model is used for fitting dependent bivariate data with explanatory variables using the log-odd log-logistic Weibull distribution. We consider likelihood inferential procedures based on constrained parameters. For different parameter settings and sample sizes, various simulation studies are performed and compared to the performance of the bivariate odd-log-logistic-Weibull regression model. Sensitivity analysis methods (such as local and total influence) are investigated under three perturbation schemes. The methodology is illustrated in a study to assess changes on schoolchildren's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a follow-up exam after three years and to evaluate the impact of caries incidence on the OHRQoL of adolescents.

Use of traditional herbal medicine as an alternative in dental treatment in Mexican dentistry: a review

Cruz Martí,nez, Cindy,Diaz Gó,mez, Martha,Oh, Myung Sook SWETS AND ZEITLINGER 2017 PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY Vol.55 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>Context:</B> Herbal therapies are used worldwide to treat health conditions. In Mexico, generations have used them to treat gingivitis, periodontitis, mouth infections, and discoloured teeth. However, few studies have collected scientific evidence on their effects.</P><P><B>Objective:</B> This study aimed at searching and compiling scientific evidence of alternative oral and dental treatments using medicinal herbs from Mexico.</P><P><B>Methods:</B> We collected various Mexican medicinal plants used in the dental treatment from the database of the Institute of Biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. To correlate with existing scientific evidence, we used the PubMed database with the key term ‘(scientific name) and (oral or dental)’.</P><P><B>Results:</B> Mexico has various medical herbs with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, according to ancestral medicinal books and healers. Despite a paucity of experimental research demonstrating the antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiplaque effects of these Mexican plants, they could still be useful as an alternative treatment of several periodontal diseases or as anticariogenic agents. However, the number of studies supporting their uses and effects remains insufficient.</P><P><B>Discussion and conclusion:</B> It is important for the health of consumers to scientifically demonstrate the real effects of natural medicine, as well as clarify and establish their possible therapeutic applications. Through this bibliographical revision, we found papers that testify or refute their ancestral uses, and conclude that the use of plants to treat oral conditions or to add to the dental pharmacological arsenal should be based on experimental studies verifying their suitability for dental treatments.</P>

Viscum Album Var Hot Water Extract Mediates Anti-cancer Effects through G1 Phase Cell Cycle Arrest in SK-Hep1 Human Hepatocarcinoma cells

Cruz, Joseph Flores dela,Kim, Yeon Soo,Lumbera, Wenchie Marie Lara,Hwang, Seong Gu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Viscum album var (VAV) also known as mistletoe, has long been categorized as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In addition to its immunomodulating activities, mistletoe has also been used in the treatment of chronic hepatic disorders in China and Korea. There are numerous reports showing that VAV possesses anti-cancer effects, however influence on human hepatocarcinoma has never been elucidated. In the present study, hot water extracts of VAV was evaluated for its potential anti-cancer effect in vitro. SK-Hep1 cells were treated with VAV (50-400ug/ml) for both 24 and 48 hours then cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the proportion of SK-Hep1 in the different stages of cell cycle. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to measure expression of cell cycle arrest related genes and proteins respectively. VAV dose dependently inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep1 cells without any cytotoxicity with normal Chang liver cell (CCL-13). Flow cytometry analysis showed that VAV extract inhibited the cell cycle of SK-Hep1 cells via G1 phase arrest. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis both revealed that cyclin dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) and cyclin D1 gene expression were significantly down regulated while p21 was upregulated dose dependently by VAV treatment. Combined down regulation of Cdk2, Cyclin D1 and up regulation of p21 can result in cell death. These results indicate that VAV showed evidence of anti-cancer activity through G1 phase cell cycle arrest in SK-Hep1 cells.