Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biodegradable Junctionless Transistors With Extremely Simple Structure

Biodegradable junctionless transistors with extremely simple structure are fabricated at room temperature. The free-standing sodium alginate membrane is used as both a substrate and a dielectric layer for the transistors. The source/drain electrodes and the channel region are made of one single patterned Al:ZnO (AZO) thin film. The proposed transistors can be operated at a low voltage of 1 V. Dissolution tests of those transistors in deionized water demonstrate their completely physical transience within 60 min. The operation mode of such transistors can effectively be tuned from the depletion mode to the enhancement mode by varying the thickness of the AZO film. Moreover, a resistor-loaded invertor was demonstrated by connecting those transistors in series with a 3 MΩ resistor.
Economic growth: should policy focus on investment or dynamic competition?

Purpose – Societies highly value economic growth because economic growth results in increase in societal standards of living. This paper addresses the issue of why economies grow and what public policy makers should favor in order to increase economic growth.Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews and contrasts the two major, rival ways to account for economic growth: the neoclassical model, which maintains that growth results from increases in investment, and the dynamic competition model, which maintains that growth results from the innovations that stem from the process of competition.Findings – The paper finds that the dynamic‐competition model, as represented by resource‐advantage (R‐A) theory, best explains economic growth.Practical implications – Public policy should focus on promoting R‐A competition in order to foster economic growth.Originality/value – This issue of which approach best accounts for economic growth is important because the two approaches imply very different decisions in.
A Vindication of Responsible Parties

Electoral platform convergence is perceived unfavorably by both the popular press and many academic scholars. This paper provides a formal account of these perceived negative effects. We show that when parties do not know voters’ preferences perfectly, voters prefer some platform divergence to the convergent policy outcome of competition between opportunistic, office-motivated, parties. We characterize when voters prefer responsible parties (which weight policy positively in their utility function) to oppor- tunistic ones. Voters prefer responsible parties when office benefits and concentration of moderate voters are high enough relative to the ideological polarization between parties. In particular, with optimally-chosen office benefits, responsible parties improve welfare.
Employees' involvement and quality improvement in manufacturing small and medium enterprise (SME): A comparative analysis

The research focused on specific human resource management (HRM) issues, driven at raising employees’ awareness, and fostering employees’ full involvement in quality programs. Moreover, the research tested if general HRM initiatives directed at quality improvement, and quality training programs, in particular, assumed different preponderances in small and medium enterprise (SME), according to firms’ size. For this purpose, a survey was mailed to a random sample of Portuguese SME. From the sample, around 16% of questionnaires were completed and returned. The results suggest clear concerns from SME in raising employees’ awareness about the importance of quality improvement issues, and fostering employees’ involvement in quality improvement programs. Furthermore, regarding quality improvement, differences in attitude towards HRM initiatives, in general, and training, in particular, are attributed to organizational size.
Functional capacities and the adenylate energy charge in Escherichia coli under conditions of nutritional stress

Functional capacities in Escherichia coli cells starved for glucose were examined by comparing protein synthesis, utilization of new substrates, and maintenance of viability with the adenylate energy charge of the culture. When growth ceased because of glucose exhaustion in an E. coli culture, the energy charge dropped from 0.90 to about 0.80. During this time, the viable-cell count and the capacity for protein synthesis and for induction of new enzymes were maintained only if other substrates were available in the medium. The culture could be maintained for many hours without growth or death if glucose was added slowly; the energy charge in this case stabilized at about 0.80. A consistent transient decrease in the energy charge to around 0.80, accompanied by a decrease in protein synthesis, was also observed during the adaptation from glucose to other substrates during diauxic growth on glucose and glycerol or lactose.
The Force Field of Tourism

The literature on tourism development has focused on a one dimensional relationship between tourism development and quality of life. The impact of shock events on the relationship tourism development and quality of life seems ignored. Rather less attention has been paid to the multi-dimensional aspects of the relationship between tourism development and quality of life, and the potential impact of shock events on shaping this relationship. This study proposes a conceptual framework describing a triad of relations between tourism development (TD), quality of life (QoL) and shock events, and advocates that a bilateral relation exists between these three constructs. The framework also integrates three types of theories, each of which with the potential to explain tourism growth from a different perspective. The study analyzes a number of challenges facing tourism and discusses how these challenges interact and affect the interconnectedness between TD, QoL and shock events. The dynamic interplay of all these forces shapes tourism development patterns and will determine the nature of tourism development. The present study contributes to the tourism literature by identifying and structuring core elements that are responsible for the dynamics of tourism. In essence, it advances the understanding of this complex phenomenon, while providing building blocks for an anticipated view on the future of tourism.
What is the Influence of Context and Incentive on Mobile Commerce Adoption? A Case study of a GPS-based Taxi Dispatching System

Users may use a mobile service in various contexts. It is critical to study how users' perceptions and intentions are affected by context. At the same time, incentives such as financial rewards or mandatory usage policies may also affect users' behavior. We propose an acceptance model of mobile commerce with a consideration of context and incentive. We apply this model to the case of a GPS- based taxi-dispatching system. Preliminary data analysis illustrates that context and incentive have significant impacts on uses' behavior.
Comparative efficacy of cefotiam, cefmenoxime, and ceftriaxone in experimental endocarditis and correlation with pharmacokinetics and in vitro efficacy

To determine the influence of in vitro activity, pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic regimen on the antibacterial effect in vivo, we compared three cephalosporins, cefotiam, cefmenoxime, and ceftriaxone, in a rabbit model of experimental Escherichia coli endocarditis after 4 days of treatment. The MBCs of cefotiam, cefmenoxime, and ceftriaxone for the E. coli strain were 0.5, 0.125, and 0.06 microgram/ml, respectively. Killing curves at 10 times the MBC were similar for the three cephalosporins. In serum, the elimination half-life of ceftriaxone was twice as much as the elimination half-life of cefotiam or cefmenoxime (2.8 +/- 0.45 versus 1.4 +/- 0.25 or 1.3 +/- 0.4 h, respectively). Ceftriaxone was much more effective than cefotiam. The bacterial titer in the vegetations (log10 CFU per gram of vegetation) was 7.56 +/- 1 with cefotiam and 2.41 +/- 2.6 with ceftriaxone, as their concentrations were 18 and 466 times higher, respectively, than their MBCs. Although ceftriaxone and cefmenoxime exhibited a similar rate of killing and percentage of protein binding, ceftriaxone was more effective than cefmenoxime at the same regimen of 15 mg/kg twice a day (3.08 +/- 1.1 versus 4.82 +/- 3.2 log10 CFU/g of vegetation). When antibiotic was given as a single daily injection of 30 mg/kg, the antibacterial effect persisted for ceftriaxone, but not for cefmenoxime. The longer elimination half-life and the higher local concentration/MBC ratio of ceftriaxone explained these results. The bacterial titer measured 24 h after the fourth injection of 30 mg of ceftriaxone per kg confirmed that this regimen prevented regrowth of bacteria. These results suggest that the local antibiotic level/MBC ratio roughly correlated with the antibacterial effect and could represent an adequate basis to explain the differences observed between the drugs in vivo. They also demonstrate that, provided that the dose is sufficient, a long-acting broad-spectrum cephalosporin may be effective in severe gram-negative infections, even when given at relatively long dosing intervals, in contrast with a rapidly cleared drug with the same intrinsic activity.
Non-audit services and auditor independence: some evidence from Ireland

This study reports the results of an investigation into the effects of the provision of non-audit services (NAS) on perceptions of auditor independence held within the Irish commercial environment, an environment not previously subject to a study of this nature. The methodology used in the study combined the use of a mail questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to allow both breadth of coverage and the opportunity to probe deeper into the nature of the perceptions held. The principal findings of the study were that perceptions of auditor independence were significantly diminished when NAS were provided to clients by personnel involved in the audit rather than by either a separate department within the audit firm or to non-audit clients only. The study highlighted that users of financial statements were willing to accept some reduction in auditor independence consequent upon the provision of NAS if this resulted in firms obtaining better or more cost-effective advice or if it resulted in a higher stan.
REGULATION OF THE SELF IN THE THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT (COMMENTARY ON MORIOKA)

In Morioka's paper "Voices of the self," self-other relationships are viewed as potentially problematic as a result of the other's lack of sensitivity to the tonus of a conversation. This presents a threat to an individual's sense of self, and can possibly lead to a breakdown of the self-regulatory processes. One possible way of reconstructing these processes is through the therapeutic interaction. This relationship is dependent upon the dialogical potential of the therapist to provide the basis of the relationship, so that the client is able to develop new hierarchies. By being attentive to the therapeutic relationship (as in interpersonal therapy) the therapist is able to help the individual reconstruct their regulatory mechanisms. This approach is compared to interpersonal psychoanalysis. This commentary is consistent with that of Eells and Stiles (2008) in its focus of bringing Morioka's Japanese concepts into conversation with already established concepts of contemporary psychoanalysis.
Clonidine in Opiate Withdrawal: Review and Appraisal of Clinical Findings

Studies in animals and humans have demonstrated that clonidine hydrochloride, an alpha‐2‐nor‐adrenergic agonist, significantly attenuates the opiate withdrawal syndrome. Inpatient and outpatient clinical studies have shown that clonidine is a reasonably safe, specific, and effective agent for detoxifying opiate addicts. Clonidine seems best suited for use as a transitional treatment between opiate dependence and induction onto the opiate antagonist naltrexone. Dosage regimens of clonidine must be individualized according to symptoms and side effects and closely supervised because of varying sensitivity to clonidine's sedative, hypotensive, and withdrawal‐suppressing effects. Clonidine is an important new treatment option for selected opiate addicts and may be the treatment of choice when detoxification using methadone is inappropriate, unsuccessful, or unavailable. Lofexidine, a structural analogue of clonidine, may be safer and more effective as an opiate detoxification treatment. It has similar withdrawal‐suppressing actions but causes little hypotension and sedation. Although clonidine and lofexidine may be highly effective in helping opiate addicts achieve initial abstinence, a multi‐modality aftercare treatment approach including naltrexone and psychotherapy may be necessary to maintain an abstinent state.
Dynamic High-Rise Moment Resisting Frame Dissipation Performances Adopting Glazed Curtain Walls with Superelastic Shape Memory Alloy Joints

This paper summarizes the results of a survey on smart non-structural element dynamic dissipation when installed in modern high-rise mega-frame prototypes. An innovative glazed curtain wall was designed using Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) joints in order to increase the energy dissipation and enhance the seismic/wind response of the structures. The studied buildings consisted of thirty- and sixty-storey planar frames, extracted from reference three-dimensional steel Moment Resisting Frame (MRF) with outriggers and belt trusses. The internal core was composed of a CBF system, whilst outriggers were placed every fifteen stories to limit second order effects and inter-storey drifts. These structural systems were designed in accordance with European rules and numerical FE models were developed with an open-source code, able to account for geometric and material nonlinearities. With regard to the characterization of non-structural building components, full-scale crescendo tests were performed on aluminium/glass curtain wall units at the laboratory of the Construction Technologies Institute (ITC) of the Italian National Research Council (CNR), deriving force-displacement curves. Three-dimensional brick-based inelastic FE models were calibrated according to experimental results, simulating the fac¸ade response. Since recent seismic events and extreme dynamic wind loads have generated the large occurrence of non-structural components failure, which causes sensitive economic losses and represents a hazard for pedestrians safety, a more dissipative glazed curtain wall was studied. Taking advantage of the mechanical properties of SMA, advanced smart joints were designed with the aim to enhance both the dynamic performance of the single non-structural unit and the global behavior. Thus, three-dimensional brick-based plastic FE models were produced, based on the innovated non-structural system, simulating the evolution of mechanical degradation in aluminium-to-glass and SMA-to-glass connections when high deformations occurred. Consequently, equivalent nonlinear links were calibrated to reproduce the behavior of both tested and smart designed units, and implemented on the thirty- and sixty-storey structural planar frame FE models. Nonlinear time history analyses (NLTHAs) were performed to quantify the potential of the new system, when considered in the lateral resisting frame system (LRFS) of modern high-rise MRFs. Sensitivity to the structure height was explored comparing the responses of the two prototypes. Trends in global and local performance were discussed to show that, if accurately designed, advanced materials in non-structural elements provide new sources of energy dissipation.
The Effect of Mandatory Seat Belt Laws on Seat Belt Use by Socioeconomic Position

We investigated the differential effect of mandatory seat belt laws on seat belt use among socioeconomic subgroups. We identified the differential effect of legislation across higher versus lower education individuals using a difference-in-differences model based on state variations in the timing of the passage of laws. We find strong effects of mandatory seat belt laws for all education groups, but the effect is stronger for those with fewer years of education. In addition, we find that the differential effect by education is larger for mandatory seat belt laws with primary rather than secondary enforcement. Our results imply that existing socioeconomic differences in seat belt use would be further mitigated if all states upgraded to primary enforcement. Language: en
Performance management: outsourcing and behavioural dynamics

Empirical research captured information from a multinational EU leader in the financial services sector during the early stage of outsourcing IT services and an action inquiry methodology surfaced the embedded web of meanings relating to changes and effects on working relationships. The results identified the importance of addressing strategic performance issues and inter/intra relationships between parent company team members and their outsource counterparts. Conclusions indicate that behavioural issues such as psychological contracts within inter/intra work groups, power and trust are highly significant managerial performance issues when perceiving the success or failure of an outsourcing strategy, such that they potentially outweigh economic factors and corporate performance imperatives specified in the service level agreement.
Source country differences in test score gaps: evidence from Denmark

We combine data from three studies for Denmark in the PISA 2000 framework to investigate differences in the native–immigrant test score gap by country of origin. In addition to the controls available from PISA data sources, we use student‐level data on home background and individual migration histories linked from administrative registers. We find that second‐generation students from Lebanon and Pakistan increase their reading scores substantially compared with the first generation, while there is no improvement for students from Turkey, the single largest immigrant group. Native–immigrant gaps in mathematics are generally smaller than in reading skills, suggesting that part of the native–immigrant gap is due to lower language proficiency of immigrant students.
Electronic human resource management and organizational innovation: the roles of information technology and virtual organizational structure

In the information age, firms increasingly incorporate information technologies (ITs) into human resource management (HRM) to cope with technological challenges. HR managers can achieve their goals with the analyzed information produced by IT. Besides, with the help of the evolving IT, HRM has entered into electronic-HRM (e-HRM) era with features of self-service and intranet based. Since e-HRM is gaining more attention nowadays, it is necessary to introduce e-HRM in the working organizations. From business theory and practice, this study demonstrated that e-HRM has two critical cornerstones: IT adoption and virtual organization (VO) adoption. On the basis of hierarchical regression analyses from 86 information and electronics companies in Taiwan, this study demonstrated that IT and VO adoptions positively affect organizational innovation. Furthermore, IT and VO adoptions also positively moderate the relationship between employees' creativity and organizational innovation. As mechanisms to strengthen creativity-innovation transformation processes in organizations, IT and VO thus become crucial core competences that build and maintain organizational competitive advantages. Coping with the changing environment and keen competition, HR managers should keep themselves informed regarding the latest developments in IT and VO to create winning companies.
Stationary organization of the actin cytoskeleton in Vallisneria: the role of stable microfilaments at the end walls.

In mesophyll cells of the aquatic angiosperm Vallisneria gigantea, bundles of microfilaments (MFs) serve as tracks for the rotational streaming of the cytoplasm, which occurs along the two longer side walls and the two shorter end walls. The stationary organization of these bundles has been shown to depend on the association of the bundles with the plasma membrane at the end walls. To identify the sites of such association, the effects of cytochalasin B (CB) on the configuration of the bundles of MFs were examined. In the case of the side walls, MFs were completely disrupted after treatment with CB at 100 micrograms/ml for 24 hours. By contrast, in the case of the end walls, a number of partially disrupted MFs remained even after 48 hours of treatment. After removal of CB, a completely normal arrangement of bundles of MFs was once again evident within 24 hours after a rather complicated process of reassembly. When reassembly had been completed, the direction of cytoplasmic streaming was reversed only in a small fraction of the treated cells, suggesting that bundles of MFs are anchored and stabilized at the end walls of each cell and that the polarity of reorganized bundles and, therefore, the direction of the cytoplasmic streaming is determined in a manner that depends on the original polarity of MFs that remained in spite of the disruptive action of CB. By contrast, the direction of reinitiated cytoplasmic streaming was reversed in 50% of cells in which the bundles of MFs had been completely disrupted by exogenously applied trypsin prior treatment with CB. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Electoral and Partisan Cycles in the Canadian Provinces

Abstract This study tests explanations of the growth of Canadian provincial governments that draw from the political budget cycle approach. The approach assumes that governments jointly respond to electoral and partisan goals. When the next election is not expected soon, the government uses its discretionary power to pursue its ideological target. When the next election is near, politicians in government, fearing electoral defeat, deviate from their normal behaviour and engage in a re-election effort by undertaking an expansionary policy. This study suggests that provincial governments behave in the opportunistic fashion described by the model. Moreover, there is no sign that this opportunistic behaviour has been affected by government cutbacks in the 1990s. Résumé Cette étude examine l'impact des facteurs politiques sur l'évolution des dépenses gouvermementales dans les provinces canadiennes en s'inspirant de l'approche des cycles électoraux et des cycles partisans. L'approche postule que les gouvernements manipulent les dépenses publiques pour des raisons opportunistes. Quand la date des prochaines élections est éloignée le gouvernement poursuit avant tout ses priorités idéologiques. Lorsque la date des prochaines élections se rapproche le gouvenement abandonne son comportement idéologique et met en oeuvre une politique d'expansion des défenses publiques déstinée à augmenter ses chances de gagner les élections. Cette étude suggère qu'il y a effectivement interaction entre cycles partisans et cycles électoraux dans les provinces. Par ailleurs, le comportement opportuniste des gouvenements provinciaux ne semble pas avoir été affecté par le récent mouvement de désengagement de l'État dans les années quatre-vingt-dix.