Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Analysis on the Impact of Participatory Budgeting and Procedural Fairness toward Manager’s Commitment and Performance

This study aims to test the effect of participatory budgeting and procedural fairness on the manager's commitment and performance either have simultaneous or partial effect. The method of the research used was a survey method that conducted at the pawnshop in North Sumatra with the respondents of the managers in branch offices. The data used is primary data by collecting data through questionnaires. The analysis method used is descriptiveanalytical verification. The effect model analyzed by using a structural equation model to analyze the pattern of causal relationships between variables and determine the direct, indirect and total effect of some variables. The results showed that participatory budgeting and procedural fairness simultaneously have a significant and positive effect on the manager’s commitment; participatory budgeting has a significant and positive effect on the manager’s commitment; procedural fairness has a significant and positive effect on the manager’s commitment; participatory budgeting, procedural fairness and manager’s commitment simultaneously has a significant and positive effect on the manager’s performance; the effect of participatory budgeting has a significant and positive effect on the manager’s performance; the procedural fairness has a significant and positive effect on the manager’s performance; the manager’s commitment has a significant and positive effect on the manager’s performance.
Elevator Traffic Pattern Recognition Based on Fuzzy BP Neural Network with SOM Algorithm

Elevator traffic pattern recognition (ETPR) is the prerequisite for effectively implementing the strategies of elevator group control system (EGCS). In view of the time-varying, nonlinear and uncertain characteristics of elevator traffic, an ETPR method based on fuzzy BP neural network with self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm is proposed, in which the fuzzy logic (FL) is introduced into BP neural network and, the SOM algorithm is employed to both determine the membership functions and merge the fuzzy rules. Thus as a result, the network structure is optimized, at the same time, the self-learning function of BP neural network enables the weighting coefficients of the FL membership functions to vary with different traffic patterns (TPs) and, the elevator traffic demand information is processed by fuzzy reasoning to realize ETPR and, therefore, to provide effective support to scheduling EGCS. Simulation experiments show the validity of the proposed method.
CHAPTER 308 Stabilizing Beaches Downcoast of Harbor Extensions

In geomorphological terms, the sandy shoreline of a bay downcoast of a harbor may be stable or in static equilibrium, or could be in dynamic condition, if sediment is still being supplied from upcoast or from downcoast to form a salient predicted by a static bay shape equation. Should commercial expansion demand a larger port, the general solution is to run a breakwater from the headland or existing structure. This has the potential to create a new static equilibrium beach, often with accretion in the lee which is at the expense of beach erosion downcoast. It is strongly recommended that geomorphic approach be incorporated to stabilize downcoast beaches early in the planning stage of a harbor, or as remedial measures. By creating bay beaches in static equilibrium, the potential beach erosion downcoast of a harbor will be kept to a minimum or may be prevented completely.
The Speed of Convergence in a Two-Sector Growth Model with Health Capital

In this paper we will show that for empirically plausible parameter values, a two-sector growth model contained health capital can yield a slow speed adjustment process. Calibrating the model, we demonstrate that in the case of a capital deepening externality in the health sector has relatively weak impact on additional health capital production and income tax rates which finance public health expenditure are at realistically reasonable levels, a slower speed of convergence occurs. Such slower adjustment process is consistent with the standard empirics on convergence. Consequently, we stress the good harmonization between a calibration-based theoretical prediction and the corresponding evidence.
Comparing the Effects of Aquatic and Land-based Exercises on the Bio-motor Abilities of Elderly Men

Background: Physical activity, whether in water or on land, can improve motor disorders in the elderly. However, the more effective type of exercise remains inconspicuous. Aim: To compare the effects of aquatic and land-based exercises on the bio-motor abilities of elderly men. Method: This clinical trial was performed on 60 elderly men visiting Imamat and Daneshamuz health centers in Mashhad, Iran, in 2016. The eligible volunteers were randomly assigned to two groups (n=30 each). In one group, the subjects attended aquatic exercise sessions for six weeks, while the other group participated a land-based exercise program. Bio-motor abilities of the subjects including motor ability, flexibility, and general endurance were evaluated before and immediately after the intervention and recorded in a researcher-made checklist. Data were analyzed in SPSS, version 16, using the independent t-test, paired t-test, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and exact Chi-square test. Results: The mean ages of the aquatic exercise and land-based exercise groups were respectively 69.9±5.1 and 68.0±5.0 years. Post-intervention, the aquatic exercise group showed significantly higher motor ability (P=0.01) and general endurance (P=0.02) than did the other group. However, the difference in final flexibility of the groups was not significant (P=0.252). Paired t-test showed a significant improvement in bio-motor abilities of both groups post-intervention (P<0.001). Implications for Practice: Since the aquatic exercise program had a greater impact on bio-motor abilitiesthan did the land-based program, it is recommended for achieving better results among elderly men.
X-Ray Observations of VY Scl-Type Nova-Like Binaries in the High and Low State

Four VY Scl-type nova-like systems were observed in X-rays during both the low- and the high-optical states. We examined Chandra, ROSAT, Swift and Suzaku archival observations of BZ Cam, MV Lyr, TT Ari and V794 Aql. The X-ray flux of BZ Cam is higher during the low state, but there is no supersoft X-ray source (SSS) as hypothesized in previous articles. No SSS was detected in the low state of the any of the other systems, with the X-ray flux decreasing by a factor between 2 and 50. The best fit to the Swift X-ray spectra is obtained with a multicomponent model of plasma in collisional ionization equilibrium. The high-state high-resolution spectra of TT Ari taken with Chandra Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS-S) and the Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) shows a rich emission line spectrum, with prominent lines of Mg, Si, Ne and S. The complexity of this spectrum seems to have origin in more than one region, or more than one single physical mechanism. While several emission lines are consistent with a cooling flow in an accretion stream, there is at least an additional component. We discuss the origin of this component, which is probably arising in a wind from the system. We also examine the possibility that the VY Scl systems may be intermediate polars, and that while the boundary layer of the accretion disc emits only in the extreme ultraviolet, part of the X-ray flux may be due to magnetically driven accretion.
Assessment of occupational exposure of dental professionals to mercury in dental offices of a public primary health care in Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil - 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v34ispec.13428

In order to evaluate the occupational exposure of dental professionals to metallic mercury in dental offices of a public primary health care in the city of Maringa, Brazil, samples of blood and urine were collected from 149 dental professionals (group exposed), and 51 healthy adults similar for age and gender of the exposed group (control group) in September and October, 2008. Urinary mercury was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, urea and creatinine in blood and urine by UV/VIS spectrophotometry and analysis of physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of the urine by reactive bands. The program ‘Statistic’ version 7.1 and the software R version 2.6. 2 were used for the statistical calculations. Urinary mercury was 2.08 ± 2.11 µg g -1 creatinine in workers exposed to mercury and 0.36 ± 0.62 µg g -1 creatinine in the control group (p < 0.05). Urinary levels of mercury were below the maximum allowed by the biological index established in Brazil (35 µg g -1 creatinine); 11% of these professionals (n = 16) had mercury levels above the reference value (5.0 µg g -1 creatinine), whereas the maximum value found was 13 µg g -1 creatinine. The dental professionals of public primary health care in the city of Maringa was exposed to metallic mercury at levels 5.8 times higher than the non-exposed subjects.
The Board and IT Governance: A Replicative Study

The challenge of the corporate environment has been and remains one of competitive advantage. To address this challenge information technology (IT) is playing an ever-increasing role. Nowadays it is not uncommon to find IT entrenched in all business processes in the corporate environment, as it has become pervasive in nature. With this high dependence on IT, literature is paying a renewed attention to those responsible for the well-being of the organisation, namely the board, and its role in providing proper governance over IT. Earlier research indicated that complete control over IT was lacking since there was a general shortcoming of IT expertise or ability at board-level within the corporate environment. The question then that can rightfully be asked is whether any progress has taken place over the past few years in this regard. Hence, do boards today still lack IT expertise or ability in addressing their IT governance obligations in the corporate environment. Accordingly, this paper reports on a replicative study conducted in this area to answer this question. The results of this study suggest that certain progress has been witnessed, indicating that some improvement has taken place; nevertheless, much work still remains to be done in this area. Key words: board of directors, board-level IT ability, board-level IT involvement, chief information officers, IT governance, IT oversight committees.
Banking sector strength and the transmission of currency crises

We show that, complementary to trade and financial linkages, the strength of the bankingsector helps explain the transmission of currency crises. Specifically, we demonstrate thatthe Mexican, Thai, and Russian crises predominantly spread to countries with weaknesses intheir banking sectors. At the same time, the role of banking sector strength varies per crisis;where the Mexican crisis spread to countries with a strong presence of foreign banks indomestic credit provision, the Thai crisis disproportionately contaminated countries wherethe banking sector was most sensitive to currency realignments, wh ile the Russian crisisspread to countries with inefficiencies in the banking sector.
Ocean warming and long-term change in pelagic bird abundance within the California current system

As a result of repeated sampling of pelagic bird abundance over 3 X lo5 km2 of open ocean 4 times a year for 8 yr we report that seabird abundance within the California Current system has declined by 40"0 over the penod 1987 to 1994 This decline has accompanied a concurrent, long-term increase in sea surface temperature The decline In overall b ~ r d abundance is largely but not entirely, a consequence of the 90% decline of sooty shearwaters Puff~nus grlseus, the numeilcally dominant species of the California Current Seabirds of the offshore waters we sampled showed a different pattern from s e a b ~ r d s of the shelf and slope waters Leach s storm-petrels Oceanodroma leucorl~oa, the commonest species offshore, significantly ~ n c l e a s e d uring 1987 to 1994, while sooty shearwaters and other inshore specles declined Thus the clearest pattein that emerges from our data is one of gradual but persistent changes in abundance that transpire at time scales longer than 1 yr Nevertheless we did find evidence of change at shorter time scales (weeks and months) that may relate to the El Nino episode of 1992 to 1993 P~onounced positive anomalies of abundance of brown pelicans Pelecanus ocaden ta~ i s and Heeiman S gulls Larus heerman! In fall 1991, and black Oceanod~onia melania and least 0 in~c roson~a storm-petrels in late summer 1992 likely reflect northward d~spe r sa l following reproductive failure in the Gulf of California
Non-Carbohydrate Components on the Surface of Starch Granules According to the Hardness of Wheat

An attempt was made to demonstrate the usefulness of pre-knowledge of the quality and quantity analysis of non-carbohydrate components of starch surface, such as proteins and lipids, in starch isolated from wheat with varying degrees of hardness, for receiving glucose hydrolysates. The chemical composition of starches isolated from wheat grains of different hardness was examined. The amount of protein fraction (surface proteins, puroindolins and internal proteins), total and surface lipids, apparent amylose, phosphorous and pentosans contents were evaluated. It was found that starches, depending on the hardness of wheat grain, have a different chemical composition. A clear influence of wheat hardness on lipid and proteins content on the surface of starch grains and on apparent amylose was proved. It was showed that the presence of polar lipids (glyco and phospholipids) on the surface of starch was connected with their role in binding of surface proteins fraction (friabilins) to starch grains. There was a clear positive correlation between the amount of lipid fraction on starch surface and the amount of protein fraction, depending on wheat hardness. Starches from soft wheat varieties were characterized by higher amounts of proteins and lipids on their surface. In addition, it was determined that basing on the knowledge of mechanical properties of wheat grains, namely its hardness and initial starch chemical content analysis, one may predict its further directions of processing, including evaluation, whether the starch from a given wheat variety would be appropriate for obtaining hydrolysates with good physicochemical properties.
Resource-partitioning processes in the audit industry

This article argues that organizational ecology would benefit from comparative studies since the trajectories of organizational populations depend on the resource conditions under which these dynamics unfold. By comparing different settings, the boundary conditions of theories are determined and explanations sharpened. The article reports the results of a comparative study that starts from resource-partitioning processes that explain the counter-intuitive association between market concentration and the rise of specialist organizations. The authors set up an empirical study in the Belgian audit industry, comparing the findings with those of a study of the Dutch audit industry. Contrary to the Dutch setting, this study finds that the failure rate of small (large) organizations increases (decreases) with market concentration in the Belgian setting. The findings suggest that the shape of the resource space and the strength of exploitation economies mould market structure dynamics in predictable ways, and clarify the conditions necessary to trigger resource-partitioning.
M2-branes in M-theory and exact large N expansion

The purpose of this thesis is to present our recent studies on the exact large N expansion of the partition function of the N = 4 U(N) circular quiver superconformal Chern-Simons theories. These theories are known to describe the N stack of the M2-branes in the M-theory on various orbifold. With the help of the formal relation between the partition function and a quantum statistical system of N -particle ideal Fermi gas discovered by Marino and Putrov, we achieved to determine the all order perturbative corrections in 1/N to the partition function in large N expansion. We also analyzed the non-perturbative effects in 1/N . In the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence, these non-perturbative effects in 1/N can be interpreted quantitatively as the effects of fundamental M2-branes winding non-trivial three-cycles in the dual eleven dimensional background geometry, and thus called the instantons. We determined the explicit expression of several instanton coefficients and found the following interesting property. If the quantum number of two different kinds of instantons satisfy particular rational relation, they exhibit the same exponential suppression in 1/N . We discovered that the individual instanton coefficient is always singular at the coincidence, while the divergences are always precisely cancelled in the net coefficients. Restricting ourselves onto one particular theory among the N = 4 theories which describes the N stack of the M2-branes probing the orbifold (C/Z2×C/Z2)/Zk, we also achieved to determine the coefficients of all kinds of instantons and at arbitrary quantum numbers. We finally found that the instanton coefficients are completely reproduced by the free energy of the refined topological string theory.
Facilitating of Emotions in Sales Interactions May Hinder Performance

This article analyzes the relationship between facilitating of emotions, a branch of emotional intelligence, and salesperson performance. We employ an ability-based measure of facilitating of emotions on a sample of salespeople from Croatia (N = 245), and use structural equation modelling to test a linear versus non-linear relationship. We find that facilitating of emotions and salesperson performance share a relation that is modeled by a downward turning parabola. These findings contradict a linear relationship assumed in the conventional literature, and suggest that too little or too much facilitating of emotions may be detrimental to salesperson performance. These results provide new insights for sales personnel selection, the development of training agendas, and add an international dimension to the literature on personal selling from the point of view of an emerging market. The implications that emanate from our results have the potential of being useful for those interested in sales training.
The value of market access and national treatment commitments in services trade agreements

This paper looks at market access and national treatment commitments for services in the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and in 95 regional trade agreements (RTAs) involving the countries that are covered in the OECD Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI). The objective is to quantify the impact of legal bindings on trade in services that result from a reduction in the uncertainty faced by exporters. Bilateral bindings indices are created for five broad service sectors (professional services, computer services, telecoms, financial services and transport services). They indicate how close the sector is from a fully bound regime with no possibility to introduce any new trade barrier, by comparing commitments with the actual trade regime. These bilateral indices are then tested over the period 2000-2014 in a structural gravity model. Despite differences across sectors, the results confirm that the legal bindings typically found in services trade agreements tend to have a positive impact on exports even if no actual liberalisation takes place.
18 MICROBIAL RISK ASSESSMENT FOR DRINKING WATER

Infectious microbes can be transmitted through the drinking water supply. Recent research indicates that infection transmission dynamics influence the public health benefit of water treatment interventions, although some risk assessments currently in use do not fully account for those dynamics. This chapter models the public health benefit of two interventions: improvements to centralized water treatment facilities, and localized point-of-use treatments in the homes of particularly susceptible individuals. A sensitivity analysis indicates that the best option is not as obvious as that suggested by an analysis that ignores infection dynamics suggests. Deterministic and stochastic dynamic systems models prove to be useful tools for assessing the dynamics of risk exposure.
Former eating disorder impairs 3rd person but not 1st person perspective taking: does dance training help? 1

The mental ability to take the perspective of another person may depend on one’s own bodily awareness and experience. In the present study, bodily awareness was defined as having a history of an eating disorder, and experience was defined as formal experience with dance. The study used a design in which reaction times in two mental perspective-taking tasks were compared between female dancers and non-dancers with and without a former eating disorder. Participants were asked to imagine two perspectives: (i) the position of front-facing and back-facing figures (3rd person perspective-taking task) and (ii) that these same figures are a self reflection in a mirror (1st person perspective-taking task). In both tasks, a particular hand was indicated in the presented figures, and the participants had to decide whether the hand represented their own left or right hand. Overall, responses were slower for front-facing than back-facing figures in the 3rd person perspective-taking task, and for back-facing than front-facing figures in the 1st person perspective-taking task. Importantly, having a former history of an eating disorder related to a decreased performance in the 3rd person perspective-taking task, but only in participants without dance experience. Results from an additional control group (a history of exercise but no dance experience) indicated that dance is particularly beneficial for mental bodily perspective taking. Dance experience, more so than exercise in general, can benefit 3rd person or extrapersonal perspective taking, supporting the favourable effect this exercise has
Making Sense of the Fractal Urban Form and Function: an Agent-Based Modelling Approach

). )III) ACKNOWLEDGMENT)). )IV) TABLE)OF)CONTENT)). )V) LIST)OF)FIGURES)). )VIII) LIST)OF)TABLES)). )X) CHAPTER)1:))INTRODUCTION). )1) CHAPTER)2:))LITERATURE)REVIEW). )8) 2.
The Membrane-Type Matrix Metalloproteinases (MT1-MMP and MT2-MMP) of the umbilical cord

Background: Turnover of matrix proteins including collagen and proteoglycans depends on their the novo synthesis and cleavage. The latter is performed by huge number of enzymes. Among them metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role not only in initialization of that process but also in enzyme activation. Methods: We used Western Immunoblot method and immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) for detection of membrane-type metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs). Results: The umbilical cord arteries, vein and Wharton’s jelly of control and preeclamptic newborns contained MT1-MMP (MMP-14) and MT2-MMP (MMP-15). Both enzymes existed in a form of high molecular complexes. Furthermore, a distinct increase in the amount of MT1-MMP in preeclamptic umbilical cord vessel walls and significant decrease in preeclamptic Wharton’s jelly was found. All preeclamptic tissues contained twice higher amount of MMP-15 in comparison to controls. Conclusions: Free latent form of both investigated MT-MMPs was not detected in all investigated tissue extracts. Indicated molecular weight of about 54 kDa corresponded to free active form of respective MMP. High molecular weight complexes detected in all umbilical cord tissues contained these metalloproteinases bound to tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases and/or other extracellular components. Both MT-MMPs can activate gelatinases, which may be one of the mechanisms of extracellular matrix remodelling in the umbilical cord of preeclamptic newborns.