Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
General Perceived Self-Efficacy of Iranian College of Agriculture Students

This exploratory descriptive study examined the utility of the social cognitive theory in assessing generalized perceived self-efficacy of agricultural students at Razi University. Two hundred college students majoring in agricultural extension, plant science, animal science, water engineering, and crop science participated in the descriptive survey. Agricultural students were efficacious in handling challenging tasks in diverse situations. Male students were more efficacious than the female students. There were no significant differences in general self-efficacy scores across student classifications and majors. Implications of gender differences are discussed.
Situations for innovation management: towards a contingency model

The need for firms to become more innovative has probably never been greater. Today concepts such as the new economy, new technologies, hyper‐competition and clock speed are used to explain that the dynamics of competition and markets has never been greater. Thus, there is a large focus on the concept of innovation management in firms. Discusses innovation management, understood as being the activities that firms undertake in order to yield new solutions within products, production and administration. The main contribution is a discussion of how a general framework for innovation management can be tailored to individual situations/different firms.
Language management in multinational companies

The importance of language management in multinational companies has never been greater than today. Multinationals are becoming ever more conscious of the importance of global coordination as a source of competitive advantage, and language remains the ultimate barrier to aspirations of international harmonisation. The article reviews the solutions open to multinational companies in term of language management. Before that, however, it discusses the aforementioned trend to globalisation outlines the dimensions of the language barrier and illustrates its consequences.
Business service firms, service space and the management of change

The growth of business service firms represents the latest stage in a continuing twentieth century process of technological and organizational restructuring of production and labour skills. It is associated with the rising information intensiveness of production and the development of an economy of signs. Business service activities located in service spaces drive innova.tions both in production technology and in management systems. The co-presence of business service firms with their clients as well as other business service firms shapes the possibilities of trust between them. A detailed case study of the way in which large client firms utilize the services of independent business service companies is provided. This is followed by an examination of the relationship between small firms and business service expertise. A dual information economy may be developing in which large firms are able to search for specialist business service expertise irrespective of its location, while SMEs are tied into local providers of more generalist expertise.
Genetical investigations in dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a specific developmental disorder which manifests itself in difficulty in learning to read despite educational instruction, adequate intelligence, and sociocultural opportunity. This disorder, which is frequently constitutional in origin, depends on fundamental cognitive disabilities. By means of the differential diagnosis we can separate those defects in reading and writing which can be explained by sensory disorders or by other somatic defects; by different grades of mental defect, lack of training caused by disease, and absence from school; by change in the teaching language; by a bilingual education, wrong teaching methods, a bad relationship between the pupil and the teacher etc. These cases are regarded as secondary disorders of reading or pseudodyslexia. The aetiopathogenesis of dyslexia has not been clearly elucidated up to this time. Some authors mention the defect in connection with central lesions in the region of the gyri angularis and supramarginalis. Bender (1938) localizes the lesion in the temporal lobe, regarding dyslexia as a functional disorder of the speech region. Rabinovitch (1954) differentiates primary and secondary affected cases and regards the defect as a developmental deficiency rather than the result of acquired cerebral damage. Orton (1937) takes the disorder to be a genetically conditioned functional variant in the development of the dominance of the hemispheres. Bronner (1917) connected congenital dyslexia with disorders of intrauterine development, birth injury, infections, and disorders of postnatal development. Gesell and Amatruda (1947) include reading disorders in the sequelae of minor cerebral damage. Kawi and Pasamanick (1959) proved that the appearance of dyslexia was influenced by factors which are genetically held to cause encephalopathies in children. Kucera et al (1961) estimated that disorders of reading and writing were the principal symptoms in 10% of cases of postnatal infective lesions (pertu'ssis, encephalitis, morbillosa,
Ketonuria may be associated with low serum amylase independent of body weight and glucose metabolism

Abstract Context: Ketonuria, which reflects a preferential combustion of lipids relative to carbohydrates, is often observed in lean rather than obese people. Clinical studies have shown that individuals with diabetes and/or obesity predispose to have low serum amylase (LSA). Objective: To investigate the association between ketonuria and LSA. Methods: We examined ketonuria assessed by dipstick urinalysis and clinical parameters including serum amylase in 3638 Japanese people aged 25–79 years who underwent a health-screening checkup. Results: There was an inverse relationship between body mass index (BMI) and serum amylase. The lowest serum amylase was observed in obese subjects (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2) with positive ketonuria. Logistic regression analysis showed that ketonuria was significantly associated with LSA (<50 IU/L), which was not altered by the adjustments for relevant confounders including age, sex, BMI, and HbA1c. Conclusions: Current results suggest a relative unavailability of carbohydrates for energy production in individuals with LSA.
The proper ratio of FtsZ to FtsA is required for cell division to occur in Escherichia coli

Interactions among cell division genes in Escherichia coli were investigated by examining the effect on cell division of increasing the expression of the ftsZ, ftsA, or ftsQ genes. We determined that cell division was quite sensitive to the levels of FtsZ and FtsA but much less so to FtsQ. Inhibition of cell division due to an increase in FtsZ could be suppressed by an increase in FtsA. Inhibition of cell division due to increased FtsA could be suppressed by an increase in FtsZ. In addition, although wild-type strains were relatively insensitive to overexpression of ftsQ, we observed that cell division was sensitized to ftsQ overexpression in ftsI, ftsA, and ftsZ mutants. Among these, the ftsI mutant was the most sensitive. These results suggest that these gene products may interact and that the proper ratio of FtsZ to FtsA is critical for cell division to occur.
Second generation hepatitis C virus assays: Performance when testing african sera

Sera were collected from 426 volunteers in Uganda at high and low risk for acquisition of hepatitis C virus (HCV). All samples were tested by the Ortho HCV second generation ELISA (S1) and by the INNOTEST HCV Ab second generation enzyme immunoassay, (S2), (Innogenetics, Antwerpen, Belgium). Sera that were repeatedly reactive by either screening assay were further tested by each of two different HCV supplemental/confirmatory assays: a second generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA, Ortho Diagnostics), (C1), and a line immunoassay (INNO‐LIA HCV‐Ab, Innogenetics), (C2).
THE INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION AND THE MAKING OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY POLICY

: The Industries Assistance Commission has been a new ingredient to the policymaking process for Australian primary industry. The traditional process contained a number of features — close association with the Country Party, Federal/State bargaining, a powerful Department of Primary Industry and myriad non-departmental authorities — which together led to policies which were ad hoc, complicated and often based on social rather than economic criteria. The Whitlam government, with the support of the Liberal Party, but against the opposition of the Country Party, included the examination of assistance to primary industry within the scope of the IAC. Advising on primary industry was a special challenge for the IAC. The Commission devoted considerable energies to expanding its own resources into this field and establishing working relations with other institutions working in this area. Since 1974 about a sixth of the IAC's resources have been devoted to inquiries into primary industries, though the workload has decreased in recent years. The consequence of the IAC's entry into the field has meant primarily that other actors in the process, such as State departments and industry organisations have had to supplement their own resources by the employment of professional agricultural economists to write their submissions. The style of debate has been indelibly altered. This, rather than the direct impact of the IAC's recommendations on assistance to primary industries, stands as the new institution's greatest achievement.
An Investigation of the Socio-Economic Aspects of Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation

ABSTRACT In some regions of the United States, there is a growing concern with the development of farmlands for residential and commercial purposes. Where land becomes a precious commodity, many decisions about whether to preserve or sell are being made. This study investigates whether the decision to preserve is being made using insufficient criteria, in particular with the omission of socio-economic aspects. Using county-level data, regression analysis is used to determine whether significant relationships may exist between the amount of land preserved and socio-economic indicators. The results indicate that the amount of land preserved as a percentage of total county acreage is positively related to high incomes, high housing values, population growth, farmland prices, and the number of farms. In addition, the amount of land preserved as a percentage of total county acreage is negatively related to the county unemployment rate, the age of residents, and the percentage of African American residents. These results suggest that the socio-economic impacts associated with land preservation programs should be further investigated in net preservation benefits calculations. In particular, whether open space and farmland preservation programs should consider if they pose potential adverse impacts on minority and low-income residents.
Risk factors for childhood obesity in a transitional society in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with childhood obesity among the population of Hat Yai municipality, a transitional society in Thailand. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS 2161 primary schoolchildren, aged 6-13 completed years. MEASUREMENTS Weight-for-height of children by measurement, parental weight and height, parental income, family history of disease and children's activities by questionnaire. RESULTS Prevalence of obesity was 14.1%. Using polytomous logistic regression, statistically significant associations with obesity were found for family history of obesity (relative rate ratio, RRR = 3.1), low exercise level (RRR = 2.6 vs normal), obesity in mother and father (RRR = 1.9 and 2.2, respectively vs normal weight status). Significant trends of increased risk were associated with higher family income and smaller family size. The highest population attributable fraction was that for family history of obesity (34%), followed by those for low exercise level (12%) and an obese or overweight mother (10%). CONCLUSION As the parental and family factors identified in this study cannot be readily modified, increasing exercise may be the most appropriate intervention to prevent obesity in childhood.
Price Pressure: Evidence from the "Dartboard" Column

The author investigates whether analysts' recommendations in the 'Dartboard' column of the Wall Street Journal have an impact on stock prices and whether this impact is temporary or long-lived. He documents a significant two-day announcement effect that is reversed within fifteen days. This announcement effect is intertwined with the pros' track record. The author's study supports the price pressure hypothesis: abnormal returns and trading volumes around the announcement day are mainly driven by noise trading from naive investors. On average, investors following the experts' recommendations lose 3.8 percent on a risk-adjusted basis over a six-month holding period. Copyright 1999 by University of Chicago Press.
New genera, species and records of Phaneropterinae (Orthoptera, Phaneropteridae) from sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract The results of the study of many specimens preserved in different European museums are reported. The tribe Terpnistrini Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878 is resurrected. The distribution of the following species is enhanced: Pardalota asymmetrica Karsch, 1896, Diogena denticulata Chopard, 1954, Diogena fausta (Burmeister, 1838), Plangiopsis adeps Karsch, 1896, Poreuomena sanghensis Massa, 2013 and Tylopsis continua (Walker, 1869). Further, for their peculiar characteristics, two African representatives of the American genus Symmetropleura Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878 are included in two new genera: Symmetrokarschia africana (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878), comb. n. and Symmetroraggea dirempta (Karsch, 1889), comb. n. A new genus and species from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angustithorax spiniger gen. n. , sp. n. , and a new genus and species from Tanzania, Arostratum oblitum gen. n. , sp. n. are described. Finally Melidia claudiae sp. n. and Atlasacris brevipennis sp. n. are described and compared with related species.
Structural changes in mature Venture Capital industry: Evidence from Israel

Abstract This article deals with the penetration of Venture Capital (VC) industry to a new geographical market and the changes that took place during its transition from the growth to the mature stage of development. We suggest that when VC industry enters a new geographical market, it will initially include very few, but extremely innovative agents. As the industry grows more agents enter the market, and it becomes on one hand more conservative and on the other more competitive. The first effect has a significant negative side effect — a decrease in industry innovativeness and barriers to industry renewal. We illustrate this argument using the Israeli case and present detailed quantitative analysis of the Israeli VC industry development between 1991 and 2007.
The economics of work and pay

*Labour Force, Hours of Work and Hours of Effort *Supply of Skill *The Demand for Labour *Extensions of Labour Demand *Supply and Demand Together *Migration and Turnover *Vacancies *Effort, Wages and Job Structure *Job Amenities and Employee Benefits *Unions *Union Methods *Effects of Employment and Turnover *Effects of Race and Gender on Earnings *Inequality of Earnings and Income *The Labour Market over the Business Cycle
Institutions, Freedom, and Technical Efficiency

The impact of institutions on economic performance is currently the subject of much research. In this study we use panel data to estimate a stochastic production frontier and the sources of inefficiency for a broad set of countries. A maximum-likelihood procedure is used to estimate the parameters for the stochastic production frontier and the determinants of inefficiency simultaneously. Our results show that institutions that promote greater economic freedom in turn promote efficiency.
Stereoselective pharmacokinetics of desbutylhalofantrine, a metabolite of halofantrine, in the rat after administration of the racemic metabolite or parent drug

The main objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of desbutylhalofantrine (DHF), a metabolite of halofantrine (HF), in the rat. Rats received either intravenous (2 mg/kg) or oral (7 mg/kg) (±)‐DHF HCl, or (±)‐HF HCl intravenously (3 mg/kg). Enantiomer concentrations in plasma were determined by a stereospecific assay. In all rats, the plasma concentrations of (+)‐DHF exceeded those of (−)‐DHF. After (±)‐DHF, the mean (+):(−) ratios of AUC0–∞ after oral and intravenous dosing were 3.7 and 2.8, respectively. After intravenous doses of DHF, the (−):(+) enantiomeric ratios of Cl and Vdss were approximately 2.8. There were no significant differences between the enantiomers in t1/2 (mean 14–23 h) or tmax (mean 10–12 h) after intravenous or oral administration of DHF. Oral bioavailability estimates of DHF enantiomers (>59%) were higher than those previously estimated for HF in the rat. The stereoselectivity in HF kinetics was not as pronounced as for DHF. It was estimated that over 44% of the dose of HF is metabolized to DHF enantiomers. It was concluded that DHF possesses a pharmacokinetic profile similar to that of HF, each possessing low values of clearance and high volume of distribution. DHF differed from HF in its degree of stereoselectivity in pharmacokinetics, and in its extent of oral bioavailability. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collaborative Logistics from the Perspective of Road Transportation Companies

ABSTRACT To survive under the ever increasing competitive and global pressures to operate more efficiently, transportation companies are obliged to adopt a collaborative focus. Various types of cooperative supply chain relationships have been discussed in both professional and academic literature over the last decades. However, research on horizontal cooperation in logistics remains scarce and scattered across various research domains. Companies operating at the same level of the supply chain and performing comparable logistics functions may cooperate horizontally to increase their productivity, improve their service level and enhance their market position. In this paper, the focus is on the operational planning of horizontal cooperations between road transportation carriers. Following a scientific literature review, a distinction may be made between two operational approaches to horizontal logistics collaboration: order sharing and capacity sharing. For both research streams, a detailed overview of solution techniques proposed in literature is presented. Moreover, some interesting opportunities for future research are identified.
A Cross-Correlation Technique for Vehicle Detections in Wireless Magnetic Sensor Network

Vehicle detections are an important research field and attract many researchers. Most research efforts have been focused on vehicle parking detection (VPD) in indoor parking lot. For on-street parking, strong noise disturbances affect detection accuracy. To deal with vehicle detections in on-street environment, we propose two vehicle detection algorithms based on a cross-correlation technique in wireless magnetic sensor networks. One is for VPD, and the other one is for vehicle speed estimation (VSE). The proposed VPD algorithm combines the state-machine detection and the cross-correlation detection. In the VSE, speed estimation is based on the calculation of the normalized cross correlation between the signals of two sensors along the road with a certain spacing. Experimental results show that the VPD has an accuracy of 99.65% for arrival and 99.44% for departure, while the VSE has an accuracy of 92%.
Consumer response to brand renaming as part of an international standardisation strategy

This article deals with the problem of changing names of fast moving consumer products as it is often inevitable when pursuing international brand standardisation. The authors focus on the crucial question of how customers cope with such brand name changes and present a new model of consumer reactions. In order to gain a better understanding of the underlying psychological processes when consumers are confronted with name changes, annoyance about the name change is introduced as an intervening variable, with perceived fit between original and new brand name and attachment to the brand as determinants. An empirical investigation in two fast moving consumer good categories in Germany, using structural equation modelling, largely supports the hypotheses. On the basis of the empirical findings, practical implications and future research directions are presented.
Energy Lifecycle Inputs in Food Systems: A Comparison of Local versus Mainstream Cases

Abstract There is increasing interest from consumers in local food systems (LFS) in which consumers purchase their food from predominantly local sources. This paper investigates the claim that LFS use less energy and emit less greenhouse gasses than mainstream food systems (MFS), such as supermarkets. We calculated the energy required during part of the lifecycle of a selected number of food items sourced by different food supply systems and their resulting greenhouse gas emissions. Data were collected from literature, interviews with producers and suppliers of food, experts, and internet. Our results show that in the base simulation of full summer season and only inland, open-air production, energy uses and carbon dioxide emissions are slightly higher in LFS compared to the MFS, but in the same order of magnitude. LFS can be more sustainable by optimizing their transport and storage through minimizing the transport distance and by increasing the stored and traded quantities. Supermarkets could be more sustainable through choosing in-season food products that are homegrown in open air as well and by minimizing distances and storage times. Also consumers could have a large impact through a consistent choice for these in-season, inland products and through their shopping trips.
Nowcasting quarterly GDP growth in a monthly coincident indicator model

This paper presents an extension of the Stock and Watson coincident indicator model that allows one to include variables available at different frequencies while taking care of missing observations at any time period. The proposed procedure provides estimates of the unobserved common coincident component, of the unobserved monthly series underlying any included quarterly indicator, and of any missing values in the series. An application to a coincident indicator model for the Portuguese economy is presented. We use monthly indicators from business surveys whose results are published with a very short delay. By using the available data for the monthly indicators and for quarterly real GDP, it becomes possible to produce simultaneously a monthly composite index of coincident indicators and an estimate of the latest quarter real GDP growth well ahead of the release of the first official figures. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Son, Ltd.