Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Store brand vs. national brand prices: Willingness to pay ≠ willingness to accept

ABSTRACT Determining the appropriate price for store brands relative to national brands is important. When setting the price, consumers’ perceptions of price and quality need to be considered. Two past approaches employed by store brand researchers to reveal consumers’ value of store brands include asking either: (1) the price discount they would need to be offered to switch from a national brand to a store brand (a measure of “willingness-to-accept”); or (2) the price premium they would be willing to pay to switch from a store brand to a national brand (a measure of “willingness-to-pay”). Research in other domains reveals that willingness-to-accept (WTA) and willingness-to-pay (WTP) estimates can diverge. We formally tested whether WTA estimates differ from WTP estimates elicited from consumers with respect to store and national brand prices. As predicted, WTA price estimates exceeded those of WTP. This pattern held regardless of whether product-quality equivalence of store and national brands was explicitly provided to respondents or whether respondents were free to make their own assumptions of product quality. Implications for private label researchers and product brand managers are discussed.
Examining the effect of absorptive capacity in information system development project team in Taiwan

ABSTRACT Information system development (ISD) is knowledge-intensive and contains a series of problem-solving activities. Insufficient knowledge stock is a major risk factor in ISD and results in low performance by undermining problem-solving competence. By taking an absorptive capacity perspective, this study proposes that potential absorptive capacity can directly increasing available knowledge on project performance. This study further uses the mediated moderating concept and proposes that realised absorptive capacity benefits project performance indirectly on problem-solving competence. Survey data collected from 194 ISD teams were used to validate these assumptions. The results indicated that ISD project teams can enrich knowledge stock by offering training, accessing external resources, and selecting the right members. Moreover, interrelating knowledge of individual team members can benefit project performance on problem-solving competence.
High Canopy Cover of Invasive Acer Negundo L. Affects Ground Vegetation Diversity

We assessed the link between canopy cover degree and ground vegetation diversity under alien ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo) and other (native or alien) tree species. We investigated urban and suburban forests in the large city of Yekaterinburg, Russia. Forests were evaluated on two spatial scales. Through an inter-habitat comparison we recorded canopy cover and plant diversity among 13 sample plots of 20 × 20 m where A. negundo dominated and 13 plots where other tree species dominated. In an intra-habitat comparison, we recorded canopy cover and ground vegetation diversity among 800 sample plots measuring 1 m2 in the extended urbanised forest, which featured abundant alien (308 plots) and native trees (492 plots). We observed decreased diversity among vascular ground plant species by 40% (inter-habitat) and 20% (intra-habitat) in areas dominated by A. negundo compared to areas dominated by native tree and shrub species. An abundance of A. negundo was accompanied by increased canopy cover. We found a negative relationship between canopy cover and the number of understory herbaceous species. Thus, the interception of light and the restriction of its amount for other species is a main factor supporting the negative influence of A. negundo on native plant communities.
Order–disorder transitions in a minimal model of active elasticity

We introduce a new minimal model for self-propelled agents that attract, repel, and align to their neighbors through elastic interactions. This model has a simple mechanical realization and provides an approximate description of real-world systems ranging from active cell membranes to robotic or animal groups with predictive capabilities. The agents are connected to their neighbors by linear springs attached at a distance R in front of their centers of rotation. For small R, the elastic interactions mainly produce attraction-repulsion forces between agents; for large R, they mainly produce alignment. We show that the agents self-organize into collective motion through an order–disorder noise-induced transition that is discontinuous for small R and continuous for large R in finite-size systems. In large-scale systems, only the discontinuous transition will survive, as long-range order decays for intermediate noise values. This is consistent with previous results where collective motion is driven either by attraction–repulsion or by alignment forces. For large R values and different parameter settings, the system displays a novel transition to a state of quenched disorder. In this regime, lines of opposing forces are formed that separate domains with different orientations and are stabilized by noise, producing locally ordered yet globally disordered quenched states.
Seasonal surface refractivity patterns in the part of Lagos-Nigeria

The surface refractivity(SF) is essential in estimating the performance of terrestrial radio links. In the troposphere, there are lots of meteorological updraft and downdraft that influence the refractive index. In this study, we examine the seasonal variation of an emerging community in Lagos to design a reliable and efficient radio communication system based on the meteorological parameters.Thirty-nine years dataset between 1980-2018 was used to examine both the surface refractivity and the meteorological drivers that determine the SF patterns. It was observed that early wet season and late dry season were seen to have higher SF values, i.e., 262.03 N-unit and 262.07 N-unit respectively, while early dry and late wet had lower SF, i.e., 261.71 and 261.76 respectively. It is now possible to use the weather forecast to predict the likely SF pattern over the tropics.
Adventure Tourism in the Spanish Population: Sociodemographic Analysis to Improve Sustainability

In recent decades, tourism is an activity in continuous growth and generates a significant impact in the social, economic, and environmental fields. Adventure tourism mainly takes place in natural settings, where tourist immersion will generate, in addition to profits, an impact on nature and the conservation of natural areas. The purpose of this work is to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics of tourists who choose to carry out adventure activities, as well as the means of transport used. For this, we have carried out this study through analysis of the 2019 data file of tourists from the National Statistics Institute with a sample of adventure tourists of 380 people. The results of the analysis show that the type of tourist who does adventure sports is single people with a higher educational level and a stable professional situation. The most frequently used means of transport to a destination is private transport, and lodging accounts for the majority of accommodation. It should be noted that significant gender differences were found in the level of studies, professional status in the job performed, and type of accommodation. Finally, the profile of the adventure tourist will be very useful for planning sustainable tourism.
Enhancing training effectiveness for organizations through blockchain-enabled training effectiveness measurement (BETEM)

Due to technology advancement or transparency in system, there is a constant inflow and outflow of technology in the business for transparency and efficiency. To seize a competitive advantage, companies have emerged new technological solutions to respond to the change in the organization environment. There is a surge in the requirement of learning opportunities and effective training programs in the organization. The current study has been an effort to understand the potential of blockchain technology that can create better training evaluation. ,The electronic-Delphi (e-Delphi) method has been conducted by recording the final consensus and to find a balance for implementation of blockchain technology and measuring training effectiveness. The current research is one of its new types where blockchain-enabled training effectiveness measurement (BETEM) model has been formulated using a qualitative approach. ,The study has considered human resource (HR) professionals as the experts and based on their responses, the formulation of theoretical network model has been structured using e-Delphi–BETEM (e-DLH–BETEM) approach. By critically examining the experts’ responses and comments, the study formulated the four major themes and 11 subthemes for the smooth functioning of the BETEM for an organization. ,The research aims to aid innovations in BETEMs model for training evaluation. The model will contribute incrementally toward the complete transformation of the training development programs of employees. The goal of BETEMs is to ensure that organizations, specifically HR personals can prepare themselves to have competitive advantage by using blockchain technology. ,The application of blockchain technology in measuring the training effectiveness is an addition to existing literature as majority of existing studies have studied the use of technology for measuring training effectiveness.
Understanding the effects of system quality on continuance intention to use student’s information system management: An empirical evidence from Malaysia

This paper examines the role of system quality on continuance intention to use e-campus. The scale used in this study is adapted from previously validated instrument derive from the relevant literature. using a paper-and-pencil self-administered questionnaire survey, data was collected from 315 undergraduate and post graduate students from private higher learning institution in East Coast Malaysia. The results suggest that users’ continuance intention to use e-campus is determined by system quality. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Outcomes of Kidney Donors With Impaired Fasting Glucose

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background. Many kidney donor candidates with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and all candidates with diabetes are currently excluded from kidney donation, fearing the development of an accelerated course of diabetic kidney disease in the remaining kidney. Methods. We studied mortality, proteinuria, and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in 8280 donors who donated between 1963 and 2007 according to donation fasting plasma glucose (FPG): <100 mg/dL (n = 6204), 100–125 mg/dL (n = 1826), and ≥126 mg/dL (n = 250). Results. Donors with IFG and those with FPG ≥126 mg/dL were older, less likely to be non-Hispanic White, had a higher body mass index, and were more likely to be related to their recipient. After 15.7 ± 10.5 y from donation to study close, 4.4% died, 29.4% developed hypertension, 13.8% developed proteinuria, and 41 (0.5%) developed ESKD. In both the logistic and Cox models, IFG was associated with a higher diabetes risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-2.30) and hypertension (aHR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.10-1.65; P = 0.003 for both), but not higher risk of proteinuria or ESKD. The multivariable risk of mortality in donors with ≥126 mg/dL was higher than the 2 other groups, but risks of proteinuria, cardiovascular disease, and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate were similar to those with FPG <126 mg/dL. Three cases of ESKD developed in the 250 donors with FPG ≥126 mg/dL at 18.6 ± 10.3 y after donation (aHR, 5.36; 95% CI, 1.0-27.01; P = 0.04). Conclusions. Donors with IFG and the majority of donors with ≥126 mg/dL do well and perhaps should not be routinely excluded from donation.
Cybotactic nematic phases of photoisomerisable hockey-stick liquid crystals

ABSTRACT New five-ring hockey-stick liquid crystalline materials with 4-bromoresorcinol as the central core unit and an azobenzene-based side arm were synthesised and their mesophase behaviour was investigated by polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and under a triangular wave electric field. Additional structural modification was done by introducing a lateral fluorine atom in the terminal ring of one of the side arms. It is found that regardless of the alkyl chain length or the lateral fluorine substitution, all of the prepared materials are liquid crystalline exhibiting nematic phases composed of cybotactic clusters of the SmC-type (NCybC) in addition to a monotropic SmC phase for the longest homologue. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Extended release of 6-aminopenicillanic acid by silanol group functionalized vermiculite

Abstract The present study aimed to improve capability of vermiculite for extended release ofdrug such as: 6-Aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA). For this purpose, functionalization of vermiculite (VMT) was done by utilizing silanol through hydrolyzing of tetraethoxysilane. The synthesized samples characterized through the XRD, FTIR and BET analyses. The Maximum obtained 6-APA absorption capacity of VMT-Si was 243.9 mg/g, which was higher than other clays. The equilibrium studies demonstrate that drug absorption on VMT and VMT-Si is homogeneous and heterogeneous, respectively. Kinetic studies have been performed by applying reaction based models (such as: pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order) and diffusion based models (such as: Boyd, intra-particle diffusion and mass transfer models), which indicates the chemisorption interaction of both aforementioned compounds. The in-vitro release profile of VMT showed a release of about 52% after 5 hours. Whereas, the in-vitro release profile of 6-APA from VMT-Si showed substantially less release of 70% after 7 hours compare to VMT. The maximum obtained release amount of antibiotic (6-APA) per each gram of VMT-Si-6APA and VMT-6APA was 167 mg and 45 mg, respectively. Release kinetic studies show that the release mechanism of 6-APA is controlled by the diffusion process based on Fick's law. In conclusion, vermiculite functionalization with silanol, reduced the rate of drug release and increased the amount of released 6-APA. Graphical Abstract
The Strategies of Religious Leaders to Become Regional Heads in Indonesia

Religious leaders who took part in political contetstation are trapped in conditions of religious politicization and identity politics. But it also became a capital in gaining political support from their group. This study was conducted to analyze the strategies carried out by religious leaders to become candidates for regional heads which were then analyzed using motivation theory and rational choice theory. This study uses descriptive qualitative method with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews of various informants who directly interacted with religious leaders who ran for regional head. The data were collected by direct observation during the regional head election and when religious leaders are being regional heads. This study found that there are several strategies carried out by religious leaders to become regional heads in Indonesia such as by gaining support from businessmen who have money, joining the ruling party, switching to other party, making a coalition with party cadres that won the general election. Also, there are some who have a strategy of closing the opportunity of their rivals to compete in the election and became a single candidate or became a senior cadre in political parties.
Virtual intracranial electroencephalography for epilepsy surgery using ictal magnetoencephalography

Modelling the interactions that arise from neural dynamics in seizure genesis is challenging but important in the effort to improve the success of epilepsy surgery. Dynamical network models developed from physiological evidence offer insights into rapidly evolving brain networks in the epileptic seizure. A major limitation of previous studies in this field is the dependence on invasive cortical recordings with constrained spatial sampling of brain regions that might be involved in seizure dynamics. Here, we propose a novel approach, virtual intracranial electroencephalography (ViEEG), that combines non-invasive ictal magnetoencephalographic imaging (MEG), dynamical network models and a virtual resection technique. In this proof-of-concept study, we show that ViEEG signals reconstructed from MEG alone preserve critical temporospatial characteristics for dynamical approaches to identify brain areas involved in seizure generation. Our findings demonstrate the advantages of non-invasive ViEEG over the current presurgical ‘gold-standard’ – intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG). Our approach promises to optimise the surgical strategy for patients with complex refractory focal epilepsy.
Parameters Evaluation in 3D Spare Parts Printing

Future trends in maritime technology include the application of additive technology in spare parts management. Nowadays, 3D printing has become an integral technology in many fields. Maritime industry is one of the fields where 3D printing has become a focus of research. To prepare Electro-technical Officers (ETOs) for the future, it is necessary to investigate parameters which help with deciding whether to use additive technology or to order a spare part. This paper aims to research parameters influencing spare parts printing as a job carried out by ETOs aboard ships. Conclusions about the filament density and quality of the printed parts are derived and presented. Suggestions for future work and possible applications are given.
Novel method for the extraction and identification of microplastics in ocean trawl and fish gut matrices

This work presents alternative extraction and analysis techniques to identify microplastics in the environment. This study aims to address previously noted issues with methods that use aggressive extraction treatments or optical microscopy identification techniques alone. Pulsed ultrasonic extraction with ultrapure water was used to remove microplastics from fish stomachs without dissolving the stomach tissues or microplastics. The technique is relatively simple and minimizes issues with hazardous disposal and laboratory safety. Microplastics were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy plus energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) micro-spectroscopy, and Raman micro-spectroscopy (RMS). These methods were demonstrated successfully on laboratory fish exposed to reference microplastics and on ocean surface trawl and fish samples taken from subtropical gyres. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and blended PE + PP microplastics were detected in the stomachs of ocean-caught lanternfish, with the majority consisting of PE. One nearly empty lanternfish stomach contained a long PE fiber that appeared to block the digestive tract. Minor amounts of fat, proteins, and carbohydrates were detected by FTIR on many microplastic surfaces. The Pacific Ocean trawl samples yielded similar plastic compositions as the fish stomachs, plus one polystyrene particle. Of the 115 ocean particles analyzed by FTIR (15 μm to 5 mm), 25 particles were microplastics (600 μm to 5 mm). The microplastic PE + PP copolymer blends were the most visibly degraded of the four observed types. FTIR and SEM/EDS identified micro-shell pieces in the ocean fish stomachs that resembled microplastics by optical microscopy alone.
Physical activity, sleep and weight management in the covid-19 era: A case report

The evolving COVID-19 pandemic has caused community-wide lockdowns, resulting in social isolation Currently the routine physical activities (PA) of millions of people worldwide has been disrupted, while there is strong recommendation for individuals to remain physically active by taking short active breaks The case study reported aims at providing detailed information of a male individual who was physically active before the community-wide lockdown and attempted to remain physically active during the COVID-19 pandemic It presents data, over eight weeks in total (4 x 2-week periods), of daily PA (steps and outdoor workout sessions), sleep monitoring (total and deep sleep time), and body weight and composition, as well as a structured exercise programme developed and implemented during the quarantine period PA and sleep data were objectively measured with the use of a wearable PA monitor (i e Garmin Vivofit 4) The daily 30-min training programme included High Intensity Circuit Training (HICT) with the use of the 7 Minute Workout® app for Android, as well as body weight training (e g push-ups, squats) Results showed that PA based on step count has plummeted during self-isolation measures, however a home-based, individualized, app-driven HICT and body weight training programme, under the continuous monitoring of an exercise expert, has the potential to outweigh the detrimental effects of lack of movement In order to increase daily PA up to the level before the lockdown, active commuting is an indispensable factor Lastly, insufficient sleep quality and duration may undermine weight maintenance success and exercise performance Implications related to these themes are further discussed © JPES
The soft skills gap: a bottleneck in the talent supply in emerging economies

Abstract The purpose of this study is to identify the soft skills, relevant to the future talent pool in the information technology (IT) sector. Further, the study aims to investigate soft skills gaps among students which are hampering the availability of talent. Soft skills traits were first identified through a literature review. Then, using a structured questionnaire, we surveyed 269 IT professionals working in five IT companies and 329 students pursuing degrees in the IT/CS from 12 technical institutes. The analysis was performed using principal component analysis and an independent t test. We examined important soft skills such as personal traits, leadership, interpersonal skills, team skills, enterprising skills, and organizational skills. The independent t test results showed a perception gap between professionals and students regarding the importance of soft skills. This study contributes to the literature by adding to the understanding of critical soft skills in IT sector. It underlines the partnership between educational institutions and the IT industry to address this gap. This partnership will benefit all stakeholders. We argue that although talent management is dealt with at the industry level, academia play an important role in making this process easier and effective by developing the desired skills in students.
Weakly nonlinear analysis of mean flow generation for tidally locked exoplanets

We study a model developed by Showman and Polvani [Equatorial superrotation on tidally locked exoplanets. Astrophys. J. 2011, 738, 71–94] to study the behaviour of a thin, upper atmospheric layer of a tidally locked exoplanet; in particular, the behaviour of the atmospheres of “hot Jupiters”, gas giants orbiting close to their stars and tidally locked to them, having a dayside and a nightside. We are interested in trying to elucidate the mechanism found by Showman and Polvani for the generation on such planets of an equatorial superrotation, ie. a rapid easterly current in the region about the equator. We extend their analysis of the two simple linear cases studied in the appendices of their paper by including the (small) nonlinear terms which then interact to generate mean flows. In the first of these cases, we expand about the small radiative time scale and find that the mean flow at the equator is eastward, This case may be particularly relevant for the hottest of tidally locked exoplanets. In the other case, we use a multiple parameter asymptotic expansion where the drag time scale is very large but much less than the reciprocal of the small amplitude scale of the expansion. In this case, we again find that the nonlinear terms generate a mean flow that is eastward at the equator. These results may help to provide a possible explanation for the equatorial superrotation.