Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Open-ended Cases in Agroecology: Farming and Food Systems in the Nordic Region and the US Midwest

Abstract Our aim is to describe open-ended case studies for learning real-life problem solving skills, and relate this approach to conventional, closed-ended decision case studies. Teaching methods are open-ended cases in agroecology, an alternative to traditional strategies that lead students through prepared materials and structured discussions to determine an outcome already known to the instructor. Our method promotes a culture of curiosity. Multiple evaluation criteria show how this learning strategy provides students with practice in researching, envisioning and designing potential scenarios for clients in the field. In agroecology case studies, students and instructors are co-learners in a discovery process that includes gathering information from key clients, interviewing major stakeholders, and building an understanding of the current context of the local farming and food systems. Two agroecology courses in Norway, a field course in the US Midwest, and an experimental course in Sweden and Vietnam illustrate this learning strategy. Student evaluations of learning have been highly positive, and skills and methods from courses have been applied in their thesis projects and professional careers. Practical results reveal that students are well prepared for an uncertain, complex, multi-dimensional and dynamic future, have the capacity to develop alternative future scenarios, and have practiced methods to evaluate options based on production, economic, environmental and social criteria and impacts. This innovative strategy is offered as a complement or alternative to conventional decision case studies and evaluated as an approach to experiential learning, an important and effective method for adult learners.
Evolutionary trends in safety factors against wind-induced stem failure.

We explore the hypothesis that the safety factor against wind-induced stem failure remained high during early land plant evolution despite an evolutionary increase in height with concomitant increases in wind-induced drag forces, bending stresses, and moments. This hypothesis was examined for 17 Paleozoic plant species assuming that each (1) existed in a densely packed community of conspecifics with equivalent height, (2) coped with the same wind profile (where ambient wind speed decreased toward ground level), but (3) had different within-canopy wind speeds depending on plant height and general morphology. Drag forces, stresses, and moments were computed, and a safety factor was calculated for each taxon using the quotient of its stem-tissue breaking stress and maximum wind-induced bending stress.The highest factors of safety were calculated among the most ancient rhyniophyte and zosterophyllophyte species examined (e.g., Rhynia and Gosslingia), and, on average, decreased among the taller and geologically younger species. The tallest species examined (e.g., Archaeopteris and Diaphorodendron) had safety factors equal to or higher than those of some of their presumed ancestors (e.g., Psilophyton and Leclercqia). These trends were statistically more robust among rhyniophytes and their presumed descendants.Even though the results comply with the hypothesis, numerous limitations of our protocol exist (e.g., the requirement for reliable whole-plant reconstructions). These are discussed in terms of our theory. Nonetheless, we believe our theory and protocol afford a reasonable opportunity to explore the effects of wind on early plant evolution.
Holding the Reigns to Demonstrate the Key Features of a Teacher Learning Community in a South African School

Recent models of professional development of teachers focus on schools as teacher learning communities. This study is an attempt to investigate the vision of a principal and the way in which his actions brought about a teacher learning community in his school. A qualitative research design was gauged as most appropriate to illustrate the experiences of a school principal in creating and developing a collaborative learning environment for teachers in a South African primary school. Data were analysed using the six key features of a teacher learning community: leadership; focus and purpose; collaboration; relationships; inquiry; and support and building capacity. Although this study provides a basis for developing a teacher learning community, it requires contextualisation to meet a school’s specific needs and challenges. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n23p1331
An Evaluation of the Value Relevance of Consolidated versus Unconsolidated Accounting Information: Evidence from Quoted Spanish Firms

In this paper we investigate the value-relevance of consolidated versus parent company accounting information. In particular we investigate the value relevance of the minority interest components of net total assets and earnings as currently reported and under the full entity approach to consolidated reporting. An Edwards-Bell-Ohlson valuation framework is used to generate results. By this means we cast light on the suitability of accounting regulation being developed based upon the entity or parent company theories of consolidation. We carry out the analysis in the Spanish context and the sample contains 474 observations of non-financial firms quoted in the Madrid Stock Exchange for the period 1991–97. The results from this analysis not only have domestic relevance but provide guidance of a more international nature relating to the impact of group definition, concepts of control and the most value relevant method of consolidated disclosure. The results show that, from a valuation perspective, consolidated information dominates non-consolidated, or parent company, information. However, neither the currently reported minority interest components of net total assets and earnings, nor their values under the full equity method of consolidation, are found to be value relevant. These results raise the question of whether group definitions based on the equity theory of consolidation are the most useful to investors.
Morphine tolerance acquisition as an associative process.

The results of several experiments supported the proposal that morphine analgesic tolerance is a manifestation of an association between the drug administration ritual and the systemic effects of the drug: (a) Presenting environmental cues previously associated with morphine, but without the drug, attenuated established tolerance (i.e., morphine tolerance can be extinguished), (b) repeated presentations of the morphine administration procedure, prior to its pairing with the opiate, retarded the acquisition of tolerance (i.e., morphine tolerance is subject to "latent inhibition"), and (c) placebo sessions interspersed between morphine sessions deleteriously affected the development of tolerance (i.e., morphine tolerance is subject to the decremental effects of partial reinforcement). These findings appear inexplicable by most traditional theories of tolerance, which do not emphasize the role of drug-associated environmental cues in the development of tolerance. Additionally, it is suggested that the conditioning analysis of tolerance is congenial with a current view of habituation, and there may be a similar associative basis for the response decrement to both endogenous and exogenous iterative stimulation.
Application of Multiple Regressions in Development of an Employee Turnover Model

The life of the organizations has become more complex. Organizations had an enjoyable past but their future is not predictable. Believing in the past successes will not only lead to ‘unsuccessful organizations’, but also would be a case to learn ‘how not to manage an organization’. Today every organization, to be effective is required to be more concerned with the questions of ‘competitiveness’ and ‘continued existence’. A highly skilled workforce is the aorta of any organization. It is this work force that creates a sustainable competitive advantage to the organization. Innovation takes hold. New products and services are conceived. All these can only be achieved through a skilled work force. Employees are the vital and immediately available core-competency, which the organizations should capitalise and leverage them to achieve competitive advantage.
Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Electricity Generation

Published scientific literature contains many studies estimating life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of residential and utility‐scale solar photovoltaics (PVs). Despite the volume of published work, variability in results hinders generalized conclusions. Most variance between studies can be attributed to differences in methods and assumptions. To clarify the published results for use in decision making and other analyses, we conduct a meta‐analysis of existing studies, harmonizing key performance characteristics to produce more comparable and consistently derived results.
Buffer Stock Allocation in Serial and Assembly Type of Production Lines

The literature is reviewed on buffer stock allocation strategies in serial production lines. A number of experiments are conducted to analyse the behaviour of work‐in‐process inventory given that the objective is to maximise throughput. Both balanced and unbalanced lines are examined. The same analysis will be repeated for assembly type of production lines (merging lines). A key concept in this article is the “long pull” (or constant work‐in‐process inventory) Kanban system.
E-Service Quality: An Empirical Investigation

This study examines seven dimensions pertinent to e-service quality using 225 respondents conducted in Klang Valley. Results reveal that the efficiency of e-service quality mainly depends on the consumer's perception of the efficiency (which offers speedy and reliable responses) and trustworthiness of the e-service provider (which offers assurance of protection, security of the users' identity and personal information), and is not reliant on offers of convenience and personalization. Other than formulating policies and operating procedures based on customer needs, Websites should be well organized with succinct up-to-date, in-depth information and instruction because these are physical evidence of efficiency and trustworthiness.
Exchange-Rate Hedging: Financial versus Operational Strategies

Exchange-rate exposure is an important source of risk for multinational corporations. To mitigate the impact of exchange-rate fluctuations, it has been claimed that multinational corporations can employ risk-management strategies not only through financial derivatives, but also through operational hedges. For example, Schering-Plough in its 1995 annual report (p. 25) argues in support of exclusive use of operational hedges: “To date, management has not deemed it cost-effective to engage in a formula-based program of hedging the profitability of these operations using derivative financial instruments. Some of the reasons for this conclusion are: The Company operates in a large number of foreign countries; the currencies of these countries generally do not move in the same direction at the same time. ” Conversely, many corporations with large worldwide networks, such as IBM or Coca Cola, make extensive use of derivative financial instruments. This paper investigates both financial and operational exchange-rate risk-management strategies of multinational firms. While several studies have examined either firms’ financial hedging or firms’ operational hedging activities, no study thus far has examined financial and operational hedging simultaneously for a large cross section of firms. To the extent that the decision to use financial hedging strategies is related to (and affected by) the operational strategies that a firm employs, it is important to examine how each strategy contributes to the overall goal of mitigating risk and improving shareholder value. Using a sample of U.S. multinational nonfinancial firms during 1996–1998, we find that operational hedging is not an effective substitute for financial risk management. However, we find that the more geographically dispersed a firm is, the more likely it is to use financial hedges. The end result on firm value is that operational hedging strategies benefit shareholders only when used in combination with financial hedging strategies.
The role of the α-synuclein gene mutation in patients with sporadic Parkinson’s disease in the United Kingdom

Parkinson’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder of unknown aetiology. A pathogenic point mutation within the α-synuclein gene has recently been identified in one Italian-American kindred and three families of Greek origin with parkinsonism. DNA from 70 patients with Parkinson’s disease was screened for this G209A mutation. No samples were positive for the mutation, suggesting that it is not relevant for most patients with sporadic idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
Price discovery and volatility spillovers in the DJIA index and futures markets

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is the most widely quoted stock index worldwide. This article examines the minute‐by‐minute price discovery process and volatility spillovers between the DJIA index and the index futures recently launched by the CBOT. The Hasbrouck (1995) cointegrating model suggests that most of the price discovery takes place at the futures market. However, by examining the volatility spillovers between the markets based on a bivariate EGARCH model, a significant bidirectional information flow is found. That is, innovations in one market can predict the future volatility in another market, but the futures market volatility‐spillovers to the stock market more than vice versa. Both markets also exhibit asymmetric volatility effects, with bad news having a greater impact on volatility than good news. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 19: 911–930, 1999
Immigrant Integration and Policy in the United States: A Loosely Stitched Patchwork

Immigrant Integration and Policy in the United States: A Loosely Stitched Patchwork Irene Bloemraad (UC-Berkeley) Els de Graauw (Baruch College, CUNY) 1 A. Introduction The United States is known, in the collective imagination of its citizens and by many around the world, as the quintessential immigrant nation, one that has successfully integrated millions of newcomers over its history. Today, the descendants of the massive waves of 19 th and early 20 th century European migrants are part of the American mainstream. Their incorporation was symbolized in the 1960s by the election of President John F. Kennedy, a Catholic Irish-American, over a hundred years after the Know Nothing movement advanced political candidates opposing Irish Catholic immigration. Some might read the 2008 victory of President Barack Obama, the son of a Kenyan-born father and Kansas-born mother, as a new chapter in the integration story, extended to non-white immigrants and their descendants. Given that the United States is often held up as a model, how does integration work? We argue that the dominant view of the American public and the prevailing policy stance of the U.S. government is one of laissez-faire integration: immigrants are largely expected to use their own resources, family, friendship networks, and perhaps the assistance of local community organizations to survive and thrive in the United States. 2 There is no coordinated national integration policy, which also means that there is no Our thanks to Tomas Jimenez and Helen Marrow for their helpful feedback on an earlier draft of this paper. Schmidt (2007) also describes the U.S. approach to immigrant integration as “laissez-faire. ”
Corruption Around the World: Causes, Consequences, Scope, and Cures

Corruption is attracting a lot of attention around the world. This paper surveys and discusses issues related to the causes, consequences, and scope of corruption, and possible corrective actions. It emphasizes the costs of corruption in terms of economic growth. It also emphasizes that the fight against corruption may not be cheap and cannot be independent from the reform of the state. If certain reforms are not made, corruption is likely to continue to be a problem regardless of actions directly aimed at curtailing it.
Terms-of-Trade Disturbances and Fiscal Policy in a Small Open Economy

This paper examines the dynamic and steady-state effects of shifts in the terms of trade and the level of government debt in a small open economy. The study is based on a simulation model that is loosely calibrated to the Canadian economy. There are three goods in the model: nontradables, importables, and exportables. Consumers optimize over their expected lifetime and do not care about the well-being of future generations, so Ricardian equivalence does not hold. Profit-maximizing firms use inputs of capital, labor, and an intermediate good and face costly adjustment of capital. Copyright 1993 by Royal Economic Society.
Echinoderms don’t suck: evidence against the involvement of suction in tube foot attachment*

Suction has usually been regarded as the primary functional mean for attachment in sea star and sea urchin tube feet and this hypothesis has become widespread in the public knowledge. Yet, a few studies have suggested that adhesive secre­tions may also play a prominent role in tube foot attachment. Here we use a morphological and biomechanical approach to investigate the role of suction in asteroid and echinoid tube foot attachment. Microscopic observations of tube feet rapidly fixed while they were attached to a smooth substratum show that their distal surfaces are totally flat and lack a suction cavity. Detachment force and tenacity of a single tube foot appear to be independent of the pulling angle: i.e. , the introduction of a shear component in the pulling force does not decrease attachment strength as would be expected for a sucker. Moreover, sea urchin tube feet attach as strongly to perforated surfaces, which preclude pressure reduction, as to their unperforated counterparts. Taken together, these results clearly show that echinoderm tube feet rely on adhesive secretions and not on suction.
Voter Turnout in State Judicial Elections: An Analysis of the Tail on the Electoral Kite

I N CONTRAST TO THE ATTENTION lavished upon the processes by which executives and legislators are elected to office, the study of judicial elections has, until very recently, interested but few political scientists. ' It is not clear why this should be so. The lack of interest in judicial elections cannot be explained by the traditional view of courts and judges as uninvolved in the making of law or policy.
Distribution and Dynamics of Central-European Exchange Rates: Evidence from Intraday Data *

This paper investigates the behavior of the EUR/CZK, EUR/HUF and EUR/PLN spot exchange rates in the period 2002–2008, using 5-minute intraday data. We find that daily returns on the corresponding exchange rates scaled by model-free estimates of daily realized volatility are approximately normally distributed and independent over time. On the other hand, daily realized variances exhibit substantial positive skewness and very persistent, long-memory type of dynamics. We estimate a simple three-equation model for daily returns, realized variance and the time-varying volatility of realized variance. The model captures all salient features of the data very well and can be successfully employed for constructing point, as well as density forecasts for future volatility. We also discuss some issues associated with measuring volatility from the noisy high-frequency data and employ a simple correction that accounts for the distortions present in our dataset.
The Role of TV Commercial Visuals in Forming Memorable and Impressive Destination Images

Tourism TV commercials (TVCs) are one of the channels (or agents) used to form destination images, yet this channel is rarely researched.The objectives of this article are to identify the relations among visual elements,TVC effects, and destination image formation. University students who have never visited New Zealand nor watched New Zealand’s latest tourism TVCs were recruited to participate in a TVC recall test. The audience found video frames of snow and water, dolphins, and hongi (a traditional Maori greeting) to be most memorable and impressive. Findings suggest that something old (i.e., something familiar to viewers), something new (i.e., something that cannot be seen or done in the viewer’s immediate environment), and something white and something blue (i.e., clean and pristine) should be included when developing promotional tourism videos. Video frames showing people’s interaction among themselves and with the environment were positively related to audience desires to visit the depicted destination.
A Partially Magnetized Ferrite LTCC-Based SIW Phase Shifter for Phased Array Applications

The theory and design of a half-mode substrate-integrated waveguide ferrite low-temperature cofired ceramic-based phase shifter are presented in this paper. Unlike typical ferrite-based designs, the biasing is done through embedded windings in a multi-layer substrate that not only obviates the requirement of bulky electromagnets, but also prevents loss of bias fields at the air-to-ferrite interface. The phase shifter is operated in the partially magnetized state of ferrite substrate. Through the combined effect of embedded windings, half-mode waveguide operation, and partially magnetized state, the required bias fields have been reduced by 90% as compared with conventional ferrite-based designs employing electromagnets. A complete analytical model, backed up by electromagnetic simulations and measured results from a prototype, is presented in this paper. The fabricated prototype demonstrates a phase shift of 83.2° at a center frequency of 13.1 GHz and a figure of merit of 83.2°/dB. As a proof-of-concept, the proposed phase shifter design is monolithically integrated with a two-element antenna array to demonstrate a measured beam steering of 30°. The phase shifter design is highly efficient in terms of required bias fields, and it has a small form factor and can be easily integrated with other electronic components and systems.
The impact of generational cohorts on status consumption: an exploratory look at generational cohort and demographics on status consumption

Purpose – This paper aims to compare the levels of status consumption for Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y (Millennials). Design/methodology/approach – With an email sample of 220 adult consumers living in the southeast USA, this study measures status consumption, generational cohort, and demographics.Findings – The study finds significant differences in the level of status consumption by generational cohort. The average level of status consumption was highest for Generation Y, followed by Generation X and then Baby Boomers. In looking at the significance of these differences between individual cohorts, there was a significant difference between Generation Y and Baby Boomers. This suggests that while there are differences in the level of status consumption by generation, this difference is only significant between Generation Y and Baby Boomers. This paper then examines if this relationship between generational cohort and status consumption is impacted by demographic variables, such as gender, i.