Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing a Production Function for Small-Scale Farm Operations in Central Minnesota

Local food advocates promote direct-to-consumer food sales, arguing that such sales yield a variety of positive effects, including that smaller, direct-to-consumer producers have a greater economic impact compared to larger producers selling via wholesale channels. In this research study, we examine this claim by exploring the relative economic contribution of small-scale, direct-to-consumer vegetable operations versus larger-scale, direct-to-wholesale vegetable operations in Central Minnesota. In this article, we detail the methods used to define the project, gather primary data, and construct the two production functions following the methods developed for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service’s Eco­nomics of Local Foods Systems Toolkit. In our analysis, we constructed two production functions for vegetables. The first was the default production function of vegetable operations from the input-output model IMPLAN. The second production function was constructed from detailed farm finan­cial data on the purchasing patterns of 11 small vegetable operators in a 13-county area of Central Minnesota. Our results illuminate variations in relative impacts, but also in specific aspects of operational expenditures. The production function for the sampled farms predicted a higher per dollar economic impact than the default IMPLAN production function. Our findings indicate that the small-scale, direct-to-consumer vegetable operations may have a greater positive impact on regional businesses than larger-scale, direct-to-wholesale operations, per dollar of output. Our results inform both farm business planning and economic development decision-making in rural regions.
Power assisting control for electric bicycles using an adaptive filter

This paper considers controller synthesis problem of power assisting system for periodic motions. Most commercial electric power assisting bicycles are using proportional assist to human pedaling torque. However, human pedaling motion is almost periodic and it can be shown that such a strategy is not optimal in the sense of energy efficiency. In our previous work, we observed that pedaling frequency of human fluctuates to some extent. Thus, an adaptive compensation is introduced here. In particular, we propose a power assisting control with adaptive notch filter to suppress the velocity deviation. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through numerical simulations.
Decreasing prevalence of helicobacter antibodies in Finland, with reference to the decreasing incidence of gastric cancer

Time trends and geographical variation of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in Finland were investigated by enzyme immunoassay in 20- to 34-year-old randomly selected females from six localities during 1969–73 (n = 375), and 15- to 45-year-old females representing nine communities and four geographical areas in 1983 (n = 882) and 1995 (n = 842). In the six communities investigated at three different time points, the overall prevalence declined from 38 to 12%, with an emphasis on the latter 12 years. The regionally varying rate of decrease in helicobacter prevalence changed the pre-existing geographical variation, leaving northern Finland with the highest rate. A 10%-units higher local helicobacter prevalence seemed to predict a 23% (95% CI 3–44%) higher gastric cancer incidence 20 years later. The overall decline in helicobacter seropositivity is consistent with earlier reports from Finland and other developed countries, and supports the cohort theory as an explanation for the age-related increase in H. pylori seroprevalence.
MISE EN ŒUVRE ET OPTIMISATION DES PLANS DE CONTRÔLE DYNAMIQUE DANS LA FABRICATION DES SEMI-CONDUCTEURS

Dans cette these, nous avons travaille sur le probleme de la mise œuvre des plans de controle dynamique au sein d'un environnement semi-conducteur multi-produits. Nous nous sommes focalises sur le compromis entre le rendement et le temps de cycle, la reduction du nombre de controles sans valeur ajoutee, et l'optimisation de l'utilisation de la capacite de controle. Nous avons commence par formaliser et generaliser le probleme au travers d'une revue de la litterature. Ensuite, nous avons propose trois principales solutions pour supporter l'implementation industrielle des plans de controle dynamique. La premiere solution que nous avons proposee est basee sur un indicateur qui permet le traitement d'un tres grand volume de donnees et l'evaluation de plusieurs types de risques avec une tres faible consommation des ressources informatiques. La deuxieme solution est basee sur des algorithmes d'echantillonnage intelligents que nous avons developpes pour permettre le choix en dynamique des meilleurs produits ou lots a controler. Et la troisieme solution est un programme lineaire mixte en nombres entiers que nous avons developpe pour optimiser les parametres cles qui sont utilises dans les algorithmes d'echantillonnage dynamique.L'originalite des travaux de cette these se trouve dans l'industrialisation des differentes solutions que nous avons proposees. Toutes les solutions ont ete validees industriellement et certaines solutions ont ete etendues a d'autres sites de la compagnie. Plusieurs perspectives ont ete identifiees et offrent ainsi de nombreuses pistes de recherche.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI KEBIJAKAN DIVIDEN PADA PERUSAHAAN MANUFAKTUR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA

The purpose of this study is to obtain an empirical evidence about the factors that affect debt policy of manufacture companies in Indonesia. Independent variables used in this research are profitability, liquidity, market to book value, firm size, leverage, collateral asset, net profit margin, and operating cash flow per share to dividend policy. Population in this research is manufacture companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange for three years (2012-2014). Samples are obtained through purposive sampling method. Only 105 companies meet the criteria and taken as the samples. To test the hypothesis, this research use multiple regression analysis. Result of this research showed that profitability, firm size, collateral asset, and operating cash flow per share have influence to dividend policy, but liquidity, market to book value, and leverage have no influence to dividend policy.
Significance of Cervical Gland Area in Predicting Preterm Birth for Patients with Threatened Preterm Delivery: Comparison with Cervical Length and Fetal Fibronectin

Background/Aims: Absent cervical gland area (CGA) has been considered a predictor of preterm delivery (PTD) for women at low risk. Predictive efficacy was analyzed in women at high risk for PTD and compared with cervical length (CL) <20 mm and fetal fibronectin (fFN) in cervicovaginal secretions. Methods: Case notes were reviewed for 108 subjects with gestation of 22–33 weeks who had been admitted to hospital with threatened PTD. The uterine cervix was observed by vaginal sonography and fFN was sampled on admission. Relationships between findings and outcome of PTD at <34 weeks’ gestation were analyzed. Results: Delivery at <34 weeks’ gestation occurred in 14.8% of patients. Absent CGA (68.8%), short CL (75.0%), short CL without CGA (62.5%) and positive fFN (62.5%) were more frequent in these patients than in patients undelivered at <34 weeks’ gestation (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified positive fFN and short CL with absent CGA as independent predictors for PTD (p < 0.0001). The mean interval from admission to delivery was 2.9 weeks in cases with fFN and both sonographic findings, compared to 9.3 weeks in cases with fFN but both sonographic finding (p = 0.0005). Conclusion: Short CL with absent CGA represents an independent predictor for PTD, as does fFN.
The role of initial trust on intention to use branchless banking application: case study of jenius

Branchless banking app is considered new technology in Indonesia. Thus, the initial trust is among the critical factors that may influence people to adopt branchless banking app. Many people feel that making transaction in branchless banking app is risky and unsafe. Therefore, the number of active users in the app still below target in its first year. This study examines the factors that affecting users’ initial trust towards branchless baking apps. Using Jenius, the first branchless banking app in Indonesia, this study combines several IT adoption theories such as Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Initial trust building theory. Survey was conducted to obtain data and PLS-SEM is utilized to test the overall correlation pattern between the proposed construction variables. It is found that information quality, customer support quality, and bank reputation are among factors that influence users’ initial trust. Meanwhile, users’ initial trust affects their perception towards easiness, usefulness and intention to use branchless banking app.
Identification of vaginal group B streptococcus carriage in a West of Scotland general practice

Maternal genital tract colonisation with group B streptococci (GBS) is vertically transmitted in approximately 50% of pregnancies. Life-threatening neonatal infection develops in 1 – 2%. Intra-partum administration of intravenous penicillin prevents transmission (Boyer and Gotoff 1986; CDC 2002). Maternal colonisation estimates vary between 15 and 40%, depending on the population studied and isolation methods used. Pregnancy does not seem to have any effect (Baker and Edwards 2000). A MEDLINE literature search yielded no recent UK data, although a 1985 study estimated rates of 28% (Easmon 1985). Optimal detection of GBS requires low vaginal and anal swabbing and subsequent culturing using selective antibiotic-containing broth (Baker and Edwards 2000). Most UK hospitals do not have resources to provide universal maternal GBS screening as recommended by the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) (CDC 2002). Current Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) guidelines recommend intra-partum chemoprophylaxis be offered to women based on risk factors for vertical transmission. Antenatal GBS are usually incidentally isolated from single high vaginal swabs (HVS), and cultured using non-selective techniques (RCOG 2003). We estimated the percentage of vaginal GBS that could be isolated from reproductive age women in our community using non-selective collection and laboratory techniques at the time of routine smear.
Importance of Bacteriophage in Combating Hospital-Acquired Infection (HAI)

Bacteriophages have a potentially important role to play in reducing the global incidence of Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI). Their use should be focused on reducing the use and over-use of antibiotics as part of integrated control measures in conjunction with various vaccination, sanitation procedures and prophylactic and treatment regimens. Bacteriophages offer exquisite specificity and efficacy in killing target bacterial strains, a phenomenon known for almost 100 years. However, their efficacy with respect to broad-spectrum antibiotics is poor due to the highly strain-selective nature of their killing and their rapid elimination from the body. Bacteriophage killing is a naturally-occurring process capable of limiting and eliminating bacterial populations in humans. This is achieved through exponential amplification of their number, if and when, they encounter a target bacterium. Unfortunately, processes employed for their commercial production today do not meet the same rigour as dictated for pharmaceutical products. Batch-to-batch reproducibility and molecular definition of target and phage strains must be demanded before their clinical use can become widespread. Elsewhere, historical data have demonstrated safety in humans beyond any doubt. Because patients continue to die in our healthcare centers internationally, the use of bacteriophage to help fight HAI should be reassessed. Here, relevant literature is reviewed.
Treatment Outcomes for Severe Feeding Problems in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

There is abundant research to support that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit challenging feeding behaviors. Despite increase in empirical evidence supporting the role of behavior analysis in treating severe feeding problems, evaluation of the short- and long-term effects of these treatments for a large group of children with ASD is warranted. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate treatment outcomes of an interdisciplinary feeding program for 46 children with ASD. A retrospective chart analysis indicated these children were treated successfully overall and follow-up data suggest gains were maintained following discharge from the program.
PowerDAC: a single-chip audio DAC with a 70%-efficient power stage in 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS

The path from digital (audio) input to analog output power normally consists of a D/A converter, a low-pass filter and a class AB amplifier (having low overall power efficiency). Generally this is a two-chip solution with a D/A converter and an amplifier implemented in different technologies. This paper presents a single-chip digital amplifier combining bitstream D/A conversion with a power-efficient switching output stage (class D) without intermediate filtering. The circuit is implemented in 0.5 /spl mu/m standard CMOS technology.
Rociletinib: has the TIGER lost a few of its stripes?

In this issue of Annals of Oncology, Yver et al. [1] chronicle the history of the development of osimertinib (AZD9291), an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor designed to target T790, a common mutation associated with resistance to firstand second-generation EGFR-targeted small molecule drugs. A commendable time of 32 months from first human dose to first approval was achieved through a combination of thoughtful clinical development strategy, close interaction with regulatory authorities and timely development of companion diagnostics. A number of other T790 targeted drugs are also in development. The most advanced amongst these is rociletinib, being developed by Clovis Oncology. There are numerous lessons to be learnt by comparing and contrasting the development of these two drugs. This brief perspective is an attempt to shed light on the clinical data on rociletinib and the lessons it provides for biotechnology companies, academic investigators (who often play a leadership role in the development of these drugs), regulators, and investors who choose to bet on the success (or failure) of oncology drugs.
Do E-books Enhance the Reading Experience: An Affordance Theory Perspective

The digitisation of publishing has redefined the publishing industry and the reading experience for consumers. E-readers and smart devices are now part of the value proposition of e-books offering affordances ranging from overcoming the physical limitations of print books to providing the functionality of information systems to the reading experience. A gap exists in understanding the preferences of readers for print books and ebooks. Through an affordance theory lens this paper aims to go some way to fill the gap in understand the perception of reading e-books on smart devices as well as advancing the use of affordance theory in information systems research by demonstrating the use of a proposed theoretical model. Using netnography an appropriate sample is identified and thematic analysis is used to identify affordances, positive and negative. The theoretical model is illustrated in the context of e-books and e-readers. Disciplines Business Publication Details D'Ambra, J., Wilson, C. & Akter, S. (2016). Do E-books Enhance the Reading Experience: An Affordance Theory Perspective. Diffusion Interest Group In Information Technology (DIGIT) 2016 Proceedings (pp. 1-9). United States: Association for Information Systems. This conference paper is available at Research Online: http://ro.uow.edu.au/buspapers/1138 Proceedings of the Twenty-First DIGIT Workshop, Dublin, Ireland, December 2016 1 Do E-books Enhance the Reading Experience: An Affordance Theory Perspective Research-in-Progress John D’Ambra The University of New South Wales Sydney Australia j.dambra@unsw.edu.au Concepcion Wilson The University of New South Wales Sydney Australia c.wilson@unsw.edu.au Shahriar Akter University of Wollongong NSW Australia sakter@uow.edu.au
Online shopping experience in an emerging e-retailing market

While e-commerce has been widely cited as the new marketing frontier, thus necessitating the need to deliver seamless shopping experiences across various online channels to achieve success, very few firms have the well withal to clearly tie customer experience investments to marketing outcomes. Theoretically speaking, the understanding of the drivers and outcomes of online shopping experience especially group behavior is imprecise. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the drivers and outcomes of online shopping experience (OSE). ,A combination of netnography and conversation analysis was used on a pool of qualitative data generated from the Facebook page of a leading online retailer that has online presence in 11 African countries. ,Two broad categories of OSE under seven drivers and five distinct behavioral outcomes of OSE emerged from the study. The two categories of OSE drivers, though unique, widely fit into the existing frameworks of OSE. The study also indicates that shoppers seize other shoppers’ reviews as a suitable platform to engage in a wide range of behaviors. ,The main theoretical implications include the following: complaint handling is not only a behavioral construct but also a stimulator/driver of online shopping experience; consumer behavior is stimulated more by cognitive drivers; trust is an outcome of OSE which leads to not only electronic word of mouth but also external response to service failure; and shoppers perceive external response to service failure as the last resort and this last resort can be activated by regrets and poor internal response to service failure. The major limitation of this study is that the proposed conceptual model was not empirically tested. Future research is required to validate the model. ,The managerial implications of the findings are that in addition to providing superior shopping experience through enhancing the drivers of OSE identified in this study, online retailers must work assiduously to reduce incidents leading to service failures and promptly undertake service recovery actions whenever service failure occurs. Online retailers especially those operating in emerging markets will therefore benefit from their service recovery investments if they proactively install processes that enable them to promptly and satisfactorily recover failed services. ,This paper contributes to service science research by proposing a unique belief-attitude-intention model of the drivers and outcomes of OSE on a relatively underexplored field. The proposed conceptual model advances the stimulus-organism-response framework, theory of planned behavior, satisfaction theories and shopping behavior literature in several directions.
Suppression of Cytokine-induced Expression of Endothelin-1 by Dexamethasone in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

We have recently shown that retinal pigment epithelial cells secrete endothelin-1 (ET-1). In the present study, we studied effects of cytokines and dexamethasone on expression of ET-1 in two types of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells, ARPE- 19 cells and D407 cells. Treatment for 24 hours with a combination of three cytokines, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor- and interleukin-1β, induced expression of ET-1 in both cells. When treated with dexamethasone (10−7 mol/L) alone, the immunoreactive endothelin level in the medium increased about three-fold in D407 cells, but not in ARPE-19 cells. Dexamethasone (10−7 mol/L), however, suppressed the cytokine-mediated increases in ET-1 mRNA expression levels and immunoreactive endothelin levels in the medium. These findings raise the possibility that antiinflammatory effects of dexamethasone in eyes may be partly mediated or modulated by its effects on expression of ET-1.
Impact of service Environment and Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction and Behavioral Intentions in Hotels

الهدف من هذه الدراسة هو اقتراح نموذج متکامل لإختبار تأثیر بیئة وجودة الخدمة على رضاء العملاء ونوایاهم السلوکیة فی الفنادق. تم إستخدام إستمارة إستبیان لجمع بیانات هذه الدراسة من عینة من عملاء ثلاثة من الفنادق الفاخرة بولایة فیرجینیا بالولایات المتحدة الأمریکیة. تم تحلیل البیانات باستخدام البرنامج الإحصائى آموس (AMOS). وقد أوضحت نتائج الدراسة أن بیئة الخدمة تؤثر بشکل إیجابی على رضاء العملاء وجودة الخدمة وکذلک النوایا السلوکیة للعملاء؛ وقد وجد أیضا أن جودة الخدمات المقدمة فی الفنادق الفاخرة تؤدی إلى رضاء العملاء. ومن المثیر للإهتمام ، أن نتائج الدراسة أظهرت أن جودة الخدمة لا تؤثر على النوایا السلوکیة للعملاء. علاوة على ذلک، وجد أن رضاء العملاء یؤثر إیجابا على نوایاهم السلوکیة. من ناحیة أخرى، أکدت نتائج الدراسة أن جودة الخدمة ورضاء العملاء یعملان کمتغیر وسیط بین بیئة الخدمة والنوایا السلوکیة للعملاء. سوف تساعد نتائج الدراسة بشکل کبیر الباحثین ومدیریین الفنادق على فهم العلاقات المعقدة بین بیئة الخدمة وجودة الخدمة ورضاء العملاء ونوایاهم السلوکیة فی صناعة الفنادق.
Effects of Multiple Antennas and Imperfect Channel Knowledge on Secrecy Multiuser Diversity

In this letter, we investigate the effects of multiple antennas at a legitimate receiver and imperfect channel knowledge on secure user-scaling law in uplink multiuser wiretap networks. We generalize the conventional analysis of the secure user-scaling law for a single antenna system with perfect channel knowledge by considering multiple antennas at the receiver and the channel estimation errors.
The Basic Concept of the Resource-Potential Approach in Social Security in Russia and International Experience

This paper provides an overview of the resource-potential approach in the modern system of social security in Russia and examines its key development trends: the potential of the state to organize the social security work in accordance with the changing social conditions and needs of the population, development of mechanisms required to change social values and norms, enact legislation, build infrastructure, provide funding and human resources that correspond to the resource potential of the social security object (an individual, a social group, a community), inconsistencies in this process and techniques used to support the population in need.The results of the study confirm that the population protection system in Russia is built primarily on the principles of distribution, characterized by underdevelopment of social insurance mechanisms, as well as forms of self-sustainment of the population.One of the tools for alteration of the current situation in terms of resource-potential approach is a technology, which, on the one hand, increases the level of responsibility of state social security structures for creating the necessary conditions of economic, organizational, technological and social nature, among which financial assistance, consultations of specialists, education of family members, children's medical treatment, health improvement and rehabilitation, regular monitoring of the results of individual programs implementation are of particular importance.On the other hand, this technology promotes the increase in the degree of individual responsibility for a real change in the material and social status of the individuals and their families.