Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barriers to participation: financial, educational and technological: a report into the barriers to societal participation among low-income Australians

This report compiles the findings from several important research projects that were either commissioned or undertaken by The Smith Family. The report contains three main chapters that focus respectively on aspects of the financial, educational and technological barriers to participation in Australian society. Chapter one, ‘The spending patterns and other characteristics of low-income households’ by Ann Harding, Rachel Lloyd & Harry Greenwell (p. 17-45), draws on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Household Expenditure Survey (HES). The data reveal that low-income households devoted proportionately more of their total budget to the necessities of life and that spending on schooling increased steadily with household income. Chapter two, ‘Attitudes towards school and learning among students from low-income households’ by Ian Watson & Gillian Considine (p. 47-62), compares the learning experiences of The Smith Family’s ‘Learning for life’ (LFL) students with students from the general population. The findings reveal that students from low socio-economic backgrounds require a diverse range of programs to alleviate some of the negative educational outcomes of financial disadvantage. In chapter three, ‘Patterns of computer and Internet access and usage among low-income households’ by Gianni Zappala & Jennifer McLaren (p. 63-82), research suggests that people from higher socioeconomic backgrounds have greater access to information and communications technology (ICT) compared to those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Finding ways to increase the home access of low-income families to the Internet is recommended as a policy priority.
A Collaborative Framework for Collaborative Commerce

This article proposes a collaborative framework for the process of collaborative commerce (c-commerce) through which prospective partners could employ and configure c-commerce technologies according to the needs of different stages to realize potential benefits promised by the next generation of enterprise application software. This framework details pre-conditions that lead prospective partners to establish a collaborative relationship, including structural, social-psychological, and technological factors. This framework also describes how collaboration in c-commerce is unfolded following a teamwork problem-solving model. Furthermore, the framework discusses a variety of possible outcomes resulting from an initiative of collaborative commerce. Those components of collaborative commerce are structured in the format of the input-process-output model.
Violations of uncovered interest parity: are they widespread, and are they a money tree?

This study contributes to the literature by casting a wider net in, and adopting a novel approach to, examining violations of uncovered interest parity (UIP). Relative to its predecessors, the analysis presented in this paper is based on a larger number of exchange rates, a wider range of tests, and also includes a simple real-world trading experiment assessing whether strategies designed to exploit the breakdown of UIP have been profitable. The paper is presented in a fashion likely to appeal equally to both the academic and practitioner communities. The study reveals a host of intriguing results, based largely on cross exchange rates not previously examined in this context. First, forward rates of industrialized countries are unambiguously biased predictors of future spot rates, as they consistently overestimate the resulting change in the spot rate. This indicates violations of UIP are ubiquitous and not simply restricted to the key currency blocks which have already been studied. Second, contrary to popular belief, the forward puzzle anomaly  where high yielding currencies appreciate, not depreciate as UIP predicts is not a pervasive phenomenon. Third, regression results and the trading experiment demonstrate that deviations from UIP are both size and time dependent. For instance, during points in time where interest differentials have been relatively large, UIP correctly predicts the sign, but not the magnitude, of exchange rate changes. More recently, the breakdown of UIP has become increasingly severe as interest differentials have converged around the world. Finally, results from the trading experiment demonstrate that in contrast to US dollar based findings presented in earlier studies, strategies exploiting the forward bias have in fact been something of a money tree deviations from UIP have been large and consistent enough to generate impressive profits and risk-return tradeoffs for simple multi-currency trading strategies. JEL Classification: F30, F31, G15
The characteristics of rabbit and rat mesenchymal stromal cell growth and attachment to mesh used in hernia repair

The goal of this project is to create an optimal environment for wound healing. Preliminary results from a rabbit model suggest that the addition of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) to a repaired incision improves the biomechanical properties of the wound. To increase sample size and reproducibility, these studies will be repeated in an inbred rat model. A review of the literature shows a wide variety of culture conditions used for rat MSCs. This study compares proliferation of rabbit and rat MSCs when grown in ten different growth medias. The Cell Titer 96 ® Cell Proliferation Assay and direct cell counts were used to measure the proliferation of MSC's. Rabbit and rat MSC growth was optimal in alpha MEM + 20% FCS or Hams F12 + 10% FCS. To prepare for the extension of these studies into the rat model, four mesh materials commonly used in hernia repair were tested to determine the best vehicle for the addition of MSCs. MSCs were incubated with the mesh for 30 min at 37oC. Non‐adherent cells were removed and the remaining cell number determined by incubation with Cell Titer 96 ® solution and comparison to an MSC standard curve. Optimal adherence was seen with Bard ® CollaMend (38% of added cells). Future studies will use Bard ® CollaMend as a vehicle when adding MSCs to a repaired abdominal incision. Supported by St. Elizabeth Health Center and Youngstown State University.
Influence of Rainfree Period After Asulam Application on Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) Control

A rainfall simulator was used to deliver the equivalent of 1.3 cm of water in 0.25 h at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after POST applications of asulam to johnsongrass in greenhouse and field studies. Johnsongrass control responses were similar when asulam was applied with either a crop oil concentrate or a commercially blended organosilicone/crop oil concentrate premix. Rainfall 24 h after asulam application reduced johnsongrass control in greenhouse studies. Maximum visual johnsongrass control of 80, 69, and 69% was obtained in field studies when rainfall occurred 20, 14, and 8 h after asulam application, respectively. Based on reductions in johnsongrass dry weight, rainfree periods needed to insure maximum performance with asulam in field studies ranged from 3 to 16 h. Variation in critical rainfree periods was related to plant growth stage when asulam was applied and environmental conditions and is indicative of the inconsistency in johnsongrass control commonly observed with asulam.
Availability of humic nitrogen to phytoplankton

The chemical, physical, and biological factors affecting the bioavailability of humic nitrogen (N) to coastal phytoplankton were examined. Historically, humic substances have largely been considered biologically refractory, and humic-N is though to be unavailable biologically without prior oxidation via photochemical cleavage or remineralization by bacteria. This is due in part to the high aromaticity and low N content of humic substances. This dissertation investigates whether these assumptions are valid, and whether humic substances may be a more important source of N to the coastal phytoplankton community than previously believed. The research consisted of four main parts. First, changes in the structure and N content of humic substances were monitored by forming humics in the laboratory and following the changes in structure and chemical composition as they aged. It was found that as humics age, they become more aliphatic and fulvic-like. It was also determined that the commonly used XAD 8 extraction technique may underestimate the N content of aquatic humics by stripping ammonium (NH44) from the humic structure. Second, whether or not this underestimation of humic-N has an effect on previously reported rates of photochemical N liberation from humic compounds was investigated. It was found that while the potential for the underestimation of photochemical release exists, previously reported rates are close to correct, largely due to physical and chemical interactions o f humic substances with the surrounding environment. Third, the bioavailability o f humic-N was examined using a suite o f coastal phytoplankton strains. In short, all coastal strains exposed to humic substances could take up humic-N in short-term incubations; an open ocean strain tested did not take up humic-N. Furthermore, younger humics appeared to be more labile than those aged for time periods greater than three months. Finally, the significance of the salinity-mediated release was investigated and found to be a potentially important transport mechanism ofNFLt+ to the mid-saline regions o f the estuary. In conclusion, the combination of chemical, physical, and biological processes occurring in the estuarine and coastal ecosystems suggests that humic substances are highly dynamic, biologically active compounds and not the biologically recalcitrant molecules portrayed in current literature. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Comparison of Gökçeada, Maltese and Turkish Saanen goat genotypes for milk yield traits.

Milk is the most important output in goat production. This study aimed at comparing milk yield and milk components of local genotypes Gokceada and Maltese and crossbred Turkish Saanen. The study was carried out at the Technological and Agricultural research centre of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University for 2 years with 30 goats for each goat breed. Milk yield and milk components were recorded in monthly milking control days and were subjected to repeated measurements ANOVA. In the study, lactation milk yield in the first and the second year of goats was determined in the ascending order as 227.4 and 245.8 kg for Gokceada, 330.4 and 275.4 kg for Maltese and 521.6 and 408.6 kg for Turkish Saanen (P≤0.05). Although lactation progressed longer in the second year, lactation milk yield of Maltese and Turkish Saanen decreased significantly (P≤0.05). Average milk dry matter content for two years was 14.2, 14.4 and 12.4%, milk fat content was 5.3, 5.2 and 4.0% and milk protein content was 3.3, 3.4 and 3.2% for Gokceada, Maltese and Turkish Saanen, respectively. Turkish Saanen differed from other genotypes with the lowest milk component contents (P≤0.05). On the other hand, milk protein content of Maltese was higher than that of Turkish Saanen. Milk component yields were higher in Turkish Saanen than in other breeds (P≤0.05). This study demonstrated that variations exist in milk traits of Gokceada and Maltese genotype and that Turkish Saanen is a high yielding genotype.
Brand Equity Dilution

As companies realize that brand names associated with their products or services are among their most valuable assets, creating, maintaining and enhancing the strength of their brands have become a growing management imperative. A key advantage of a strong brand is that it facilitates the acceptance of brand extensions ? that is, new products launched using that brand name. But what happens when brand extensions are not successful? Does a failed extension damage the parent brand? Kevin Keller and Sanjay Sood provide an overview of research aimed at better understanding how and why brand dilution occurs. The good news emerging is that, by and large, parent brands are not particularly vulnerable to failed brand extensions. The rule of thumb arising from early academic research and industry experience suggests that an unsuccessful brand extension is likely to damage the parent brand image only when a high degree of similarity or "fit" is involved. More-recent research, the authors point out, has examined the moderating factors or "boundary conditions" that provide qualifications to the earlier findings; it also has identified other circumstances leading to brand dilution. For example, a strong experience with a brand extension is required for a consumer to update his or her feelings and opinions about the parent brand. Subbranding strategies can thus alter whether consumers hold the parent brand directly responsible for failed extensions. An experimental study noted that sudden acceleration problems associated with the Audi 5000 automobile had greater spillover to the Audi 4000 model than to the Audi Quattro ? a phenomenon the researchers attributed to different branding and marketing for the latter model. The authors explain three factors in brand dilution that they believe the research suggests, and they advocate active management of consumers' brand knowledge. Creating a strong brand with powerful brand equity not only permits further growth opportunities but also helps to provide a defense against failed brand extensions. This review includes a comprehensive sidebar of all referenced and relevant research.
Starting an argument in science lessons

Starting from the viewpoint that questioning sessions in science lessons will be less motivating, inclusive or effective unless teachers have engaged pupils emotionally, this article discusses the use of structured arguments in science lessons. Methods for provoking, maintaining, directing and concluding spoken arguments between groups of pupils are outlined, with a particular emphasis on the exact words and phrases teachers can use to orchestrate the opinions towards the accepted scientifically correct view.
Hierarchies, Networks and Local Government in Viet Nam

This article explores how decentralization supports the policy commitments made by the Viet Nam government to increase citizen participation and accountability, and to reduce poverty and regional disparities. The article includes a review of basic definitions of decentralization that places the case study in an international context, a brief look at the unique, historical context in Viet Nam and its relevance, a brief comparison of policy intention vs implement ation reality, a preliminary analysis of the impact of decentralization during the period, and a concluding section on remaining challenges. The article examines the inter play between hierarchical and network organizations in Viet Nam, as stakeholders s to better define the respective roles and authority of the party, and other public, quasi-public and private organizations at different territorial levels. The success of East Asia at promoting economic growth and poverty reduction is well known. Since the early 1980s, sustained real growth of 6 per cent per capita has reduced poverty rates by half. But not all areas are equally well connected with newly expanding economies or regions, nor are basic public services accessible by all. As economic growth progressed, pockets of poverty were often accompanied by growing inequalities, both across the region and within countries, between urban and rural areas, uplands and lowlands, and rain-fed and irrigated farming land. Across Asia Pacific, and most marked in East Asia, one common feature of the approach of governments keen to foster growth alongside poverty reduction has been to assign state powers, responsibilities and resources to subnational authorities and to private and civil society agencies under various forms of contract, partnership or principal-agent relationship. Decentralization has become the catch-all term for what proves in practice to be a highly differentiated, and differently motivated, range of practices and institutional forms. Although many East Asian countries are moving toward a greater role for local government, the region's experience defies any single application of the concept 'decentralization'. At the same time, although central-local relations are being reconfigured in many different ways, it is quite clear that sub national areas are now regarded as important for effective governance. To this scale of governance is pinned the hopes of better service delivery and private enterprise promotion, and increasingly the sub national scale is seen as the site for the exercise of new forms of participation and citizenship emerging throughout the region. The case of decentralization in Viet Nam fits the regional pattern of policy intention tempered by eclectic experience. This article will explore how decentralization supports the policy commitment to increase public access to government affairs; brings about
Activity evaluation and characterization of recombinant human erythropoietin in pharmaceutical products

The identification of rhEPO in pharmaceutical products was carried out by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and detection with specific antibodies that revealed a typical single broad band similar to that obtained with the European Pharmacopoeia Biological Reference Preparation for erythropoietin. The isoelectric focusing with immunodetection revealed extensive heterogeneity with 5-6 isoforms, characteristic according to the manufacturer. The potency was assessed by the normocythaemic mouse assay with values within 67.6% and 119.4% calculated against the stated potency. The precision evaluated by the weight was within 200 and 389, for the combined assays. The toxicity, bacterial endotoxins, and pH gave variable results according to the batch. In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of the batch-to-batch tests and assays that would guarantee the quality and therapeutic efficacy of the pharmaceutical products.
Glass ceiling or Saran WrapTM? Women in gaming management.

This study explores women's representation in gaming management in the 24 highest gross revenue gaming establishments in America. While almost 54% of foodservice and lodging employees are women, and approximately 44% of the managers in foodservice and lodging are women, one area of hospitality seems to be lagging-gaming. Our data indicated that women held 123 of 496 positions or 24.8% of casino management positions. Almost 68% of these female managers were in nongaming positions. Our findings appear to support social closure theory since 11 of the 40 women in gaming management positions were in the cage department, and 4 of the 5 managers in Keno departments were women.
Federalism, decentralisation and conflict management in multicultural societies

Almost 95% of people in the world today live in multicultural states, fragmented into different cultural communities. 40% of these people live in federal states. The others are in unitary states with greater or lesser degrees of decentralisation. Multiculturalism has become a challenge for most states in our world with divided and fragmented societies. Particularly after the fall of the Berlin Wall they have to cope with problems and conflicts that were formerly overshadowed by the potential for conflict between capitalism and communism, which split mankind into two worlds. In a “glocalised” international order, the question that now confronts many states is how best to bring together and to hold together multicultural societies.
The use of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I(mt COI)gene sequences for the identification of biotypes of Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius)in China

Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase Ⅰ (mt COⅠ) (～830? bp) gene sequences were utilized as markers to identify biotypes of 5 populations of Bemisia tabaci in China. Of the 720 characters examined for COⅠ sequences, only 2 bases exhibited divergence and overall similarity was 99 7%. Examination of 423 characters in populations from Xian and Tulufan revealed that these two populations were of the same haplotype as AZB3. The results indicated that all 5 populations were of the B biotype.
Evaluation of blowfly (Chrysomya megacephala) maggot meal as an effective, sustainable replacement for fishmeal in the diet of farmed juvenile red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)

Fishmeal is the primary protein source used in farmed fish feed. However, the high price of fishmeal is a major contributor to high production costs in the aquaculture industry. Insect-based diets have been recognized as cheaper alternatives to fishmeal, but the nutritional quality and impact on fish growth remains in question. In this study, the potential of blowfly Chrysomya megacephala maggot meal as an alternative dietary protein source to fishmeal for red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) was evaluated. The protein and amino acid composition of the meal was assessed and a feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of varying percentages of fishmeal replacement on growth, feed efficiency, and survival of juvenile tilapia. Blowfly maggot meal contained all the essential amino acids needed by juvenile tilapia for normal growth, and equivalent protein content to fishmeal. Furthermore, diets with increased replacement of fishmeal by blowfly maggot meal improved the growth, feed efficiency and survival of juvenile tilapia with the total replacement diet giving the optimal results. Based on these results we suggest that blowfly maggot meal is an effective and sustainable protein source to replace fishmeal in the diet of farmed tilapia.
Economic, social, and cultural aspects of livestock ranching on the Española and Canjilon Ranger Districts of the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests: a pilot study

Raish, Carol; McSweeney, Alice M. 2003. Economic, social, and cultural aspects of livestock ranching on the Española and Canjilon Ranger Districts of the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests: a pilot study. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-113. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 89 p. The ranches of northern New Mexico, composed of land and livestock, are integral components of family and community life. This pilot study examines current economic, social, and cultural aspects of livestock operations owned by ranchers with Federal grazing permits (permittees) on the Canjilon and Española Ranger Districts of the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests. This research develops preliminary results and tests survey methods that will be used in a planned larger study. Information gathered from the study is intended to help agency managers administer forest lands with increased effectiveness by promoting greater cultural understanding. It will also be valuable as a public information tool because many residents of the State, especially those newly migrated to both urban and rural areas, are unfamiliar with the primarily Hispanic culture and traditions of northern New Mexico. The study focuses on both the economic and noneconomic contributions of livestock ownership to local families and communities. It explores the ways in which ranching maintains traditional values and connects families to ancestral lands and heritage. Acknowledging the importance of small livestock operations to area families and communities is crucial for understanding their way of life and resolving disputes over public land and resource use.