Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS: RELATING FUNCTIONALITY TO RESOURCE-BASED COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Performance management information systems (PMIS) have been a ‘hot topic’ for Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) for close to a decade. PMIS range from low-functionality spreadsheet-based solutions through to high-functionality business intelligence solutions. As yet, this area has not yet received sufficient academic enquiry. Our research questions concern: what are PMIS functionalities, and whether and how do they contribute to competitive advantage? We conceptualize functionality as reflected by system usability and data multi-dimensionality. We examine functionalities of the two types of PMIS: performance planning systems (for budgeting and forecasting) and performance reporting systems (for reporting results information to management). We apply resource-based theory. We hypothesize mediation chains, in which the two PMIS functionality constructs link to competitive advantage, mediated by performance management capabilities and mediated by a resource-base of organizational culture. We use partial least squares path modelling using survey data collected from senior managers of 264 Australian firms. We find support for the hypotheses. We also unexpectedly find that the two types of PMIS functionality operate in sequential, rather than parallel, mediation. The findings have implications for CIOs, CFOs and other managers responsible for development of PMIS.
LEACHING OF 14C-LABELLED ATRAZINE IN LONG, INTACT SOIL COLUMNS

A leaching study was undertaken with 14C-labelled atrazine in intact soil columns, 115 cm long and 19.1 cm diameter, to investigate the fate and transport of atrazine in a St. Samuel sandy loam soil. Results indicated a large variation in atrazine concentration in soil solution at various depths and in the leachate. The maximum levels in the leachate ranged from 0.0 to 11.2 mg/L. Higher solution concentrations in the top 5 cm were correlated with higher moisture contents, suggesting desorption of atrazine with new water inputs. Deisopropylatrazine, one of the metabolites of atrazine, was detected near the soil surface but did not leach beyond the 15 cm depth. A large percentage of bound residues was found at various depths in three of four soil columns. A general trend towards increase in bound residues at lower atrazine concentrations was also observed.
The Cross-Correlations between Foreign Flows in Chinese A-Share Markets and Uncertainties in Home Markets

This paper investigates the cross-correlations between the foreign flows in A-share market and the uncertainties of market, economy, and policy in home markets, namely, the VIX index and the US EPU index. By employing the cross-correlation statistics and MF-DCCA method, we find the existence of the cross-correlations between the foreign flows and the VIX index, the foreign flows, and the US EPU index from qualitative and quantitative perspectives, respectively. For the cross-correlation between the foreign flows and VIX, small fluctuations are persistent, while large fluctuations are antipersistent. In contrast, the cross-correlation between the foreign flows and US EPU is antipersistent and steady. These results are robust by dividing the foreign flows into two parts in Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges, respectively, and by shortening the periods to after the implementation of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect.
Dance the Night Away: How Automatic TikTok Use Creates Pre-Sleep Cognitive Arousal and Daytime Fatigue

TikTok is one of the most popular apps. TikTok's endless stream of content, the lack time stamps or notifications of ever being “all caught up,” and concealing the phone's clock make it easy to lose track of time on TikTok. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how TikTok use may therefore interfere with our circadian rhythms, particularly our sleep hygiene. By focusing on pre-sleep cognitive arousal, this study aimed to close this knowledge gap by investigating the association between automatic TikTok use and daytime fatigue. We also investigated how individual preferences for sensation seeking and delayed gratification moderated this relationship. Within a sample of 1,050 TikTok/Douyin users in China, automatic TikTok use was associated with increased daytime fatigue that was mediated by higher levels of cognitive arousal before sleep. This relationship was aggravated by a preference for sensation seeking, and attenuated by a preference for delayed gratification. Above and beyond these early empirical insights, we also provide an early explanatory framework that is meant to systematize both existing and future knowledge about the use of TikTok.
Suppliers' contributions to product development: an exploratory study

Many managers are trying to leverage the skills and resources of key component suppliers to develop high-quality new products faster and at a lower cost. In this exploratory study, we surveyed product-development engineers in 79 small- to medium-sized firms to determine if three techniques commonly used to integrate suppliers into product development increase the supplier's perceived contributions to product development in the eyes of its customer. The techniques studied are: (1) timing of a supplier's involvement; (2) supplier's design responsibility; and (3) communication frequency. Of these, only early supplier involvement was significantly related to the perception of an increased contribution by the supplier. In addition, we found that the supplier's contributions to product development had little practical influence on the overall project technical success. The findings suggest that more research is needed to understand how to use suppliers effectively to improve product-development outcomes.
Voltage stability analysis using generic dynamic load models

This paper investigates the dynamic nature of voltage stability. Using a generic load model representing the dynamic behaviour of aggregate loads, the mechanism of voltage collapse is revealed by examining the interaction of load dynamics with the supply network. The relationship between power flow based static techniques and time simulation based dynamic techniques for voltage stability analysis is established. Guidelines for voltage stability control are developed. >
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN MICROWAVE BEAM-POSITION MONITORS AT SLAC*

Summary The design, installation and performance of beam position monitors initially installed at SLAC are reviewed briefly. The use of receiver systems to improve the sensitivity of switchyard monitors is described. Two position-monitoring systems developed especially for polarized electron-beam experiments are described : the first is a homodyne system capable of detecting 10 ~m beam displacements at 100 ~A beam currents, and the second is a traveling­ wave monitor with a limiter-normalized output which can be used down to ZO ~A.
Sporadic E signatures revealed from multi-satellite radio occultation measurements

Abstract. Radio occultation measurements performed by the satellites CHAMP, GRACE and FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC provide a huge data set for atmospheric and ionospheric investigations on a global scale. The data sets are used to extract information on sporadic E layers appearing in the lower ionospheric E region. This is done by analyzing signal amplitude variations of the GPS L1 signal. Sporadic E altitudes in northern midlatitudes found from radio occultation measurements are compared with ground-based ionosonde soundings. A large correlation of sporadic E altitudes from these two techniques is found.
Effect of Irrigation Intervals and Inter- row Spacing on the Vegetative Growth Characteristics in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) hybrids in Shambat Soil

Irrigation interval and plant density play an important role in the proper stand establishment of the growing crop, which ultimately affect the productivity and quality at the end of the growing season. A field experiment was conducted at the Demonstration Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum, Shambat, Sudan, to find out the effect of different irrigation intervals(7,14 and 21days) and two inter- row spacing (15 and 30cm) on the vegetative growth of two hybrids sunflower (Helianthus annuus L), nam ely: Seed tech 1224 and Sunwheat 101. The present study indicated that, frequent irrigation interval (7days) improved the vegetative growth structures produced i.e. plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index and shoot dry weight of sunflower. The inter-row spacing of 30cm resulted in high performance of vegetative growth. Among the hybrids, Seed Tech 1224 gave high growth performance than the rest variety.
Comparison of organic acid-based organosolv lignins extracted from the residues of five annual crops

Organosolv lignins were extracted from corn stover, wheat, rice straw, reed straw, and sugarcane bagasse using a mixture of acetic and formic acids, at relatively low temperature and atmospheric pressure. Lignin content, residual carbohydrates, ash levels, proteins, and molecular weights were determined in each extracted lignin. The lignin content of all samples was relatively high, confirming the performance of the pretreatment process. The low molecular weights were in a narrow range, in accordance with the organosolv lignin molar masses. However, some differences between studied lignins were highlighted, in particular in rice straw lignin, which contained the highest silica, calcium, and nitrogen contents. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies (31P and semi-quantitative Heteronuclear Single Quantum Correlation) underlined the structural similarities and differences between these organosolv lignins. Corn stover and sugarcane bagasse lignins were rich in non-methoxylated (H-Unit) or mono-methoxylated (G-Unit) phenolic units, making them the best promising candidates for production of phenolic resins. Wheat straw lignin was richer in aliphatic OH than in phenolic OH. This is an advantage for use as polyol substitute in polyurethane synthesis. Reed straw lignin was less specific, with a balanced content of OH groups. However, it contained a high concentration of β-O-4 linkages, which is favorable for depolymerization.
Sustainable or a Butterfly Effect in Global Tourism? Nexus of Pandemic Fatigue, COVID-19-Branded Destination Safety, Travel Stimulus Incentives, and Post-Pandemic Revenge Travel

Revenge travel has globally emerged as a dominant touristic behavior, signaling a rapid return of global tourism, but with a greater temptation for spending more and staying longer. Despite the expanding focus on global sustainable tourism, there is a lack of empirical evidence on the potential factors that build momentum for revenge travel. The aim of the present study was to develop and test a conceptualized model of revenge travel under the influence of pandemic fatigue, COVID-19-branded destination safety, and travel stimulus incentives. Drawing on the study data of international expats (N = 422) and using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), the findings provide new evidence that revenge travel is significantly and positively influenced by pandemic fatigue. Interestingly, the empirical findings also support two positive moderations, highlighting that COVID-19-branded destination safety (CBDS) and travel stimulus incentives (TI) can significantly increase the impact of pandemic fatigue (PF) on revenge travel (RT). Based on prominent theories (i.e., theory of planned behavior, protection motivation theory, and incentive theory of motivation) and newly developed scales (i.e., RT, CBDS, and TI), the study highlights the dynamics of revenge travel as it sets the stage for global tourism to rebound stronger than ever. The implications include new challenges and ways forward through revenge travel as a stepping stone for global sustainable tourism.
Life-Cycle Risk Assessment of Spatially Distributed Aging Bridges under Seismic and Traffic Hazards

This paper presents a rational framework for the quantitative assessment of life-cycle risk of bridges within a transportation network. Bridge vulnerability is evaluated with respect to seismic and abnormal traffic hazards. The effects induced by seismic hazard are investigated by means of fragility analysis. Random earthquakes are generated using Latin Hypercube sampling technique, and probabilities of exceeding specific structural damage states are computed for each specific seismic scenario. Traffic hazard is assessed considering Weibull distributed time-to-failure of the bridge superstructure. Epistemic and aleatory uncertainties are accounted for in order to provide a rational assessment of life-cycle risk. Consequence analysis includes different levels of bridge serviceability (fully serviceable, partly serviceable, closed, and collapsed), and monetary values are used to evaluate direct and indirect consequences. Seismic risk, traffic-induced risk, and total risk are evaluated for a group of existing bridges located north of the San Diego metropolitan area.
Investigating the Role of Client Learning for Successful Architect–Client Relationships on Private Single Dwelling Projects

This research investigates the widening gap between architects and clients and the associated problems in the management of their relationship. Drawing theory from sociological and psychological perspectives, it demystifies the architect–client relationship by providing an account of how the profession's endeavour to maintain social distinction by creating silent boundaries around itself has led to an increased distancing between the architectural community and those clients not trained as professional architects. It raises several questions: to what extent can the boundaries between the architect and client be blurred? What is it about some relationships that are an enabler for success? Are there characteristics that underpin successful relationships? Using the narrative enquiry approach, eight in-depth interviews were conducted across five case studies of successful architect–client relationships, revealing ways in which clients effectively dealt with uncertainties on projects. The findings demonstrate that successful architect–client relationships are characterized by client learning and that over the course of the relationships architects supported clients to learn new skills, helping them overcome difficulties faced on projects. One of the most significant outcomes is that it demonstrates the potential of facilitating client learning to contribute to the development of successful architect–client relationships.
Antibody-Based Immunotoxins for Colorectal Cancer Therapy

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are included among the treatment options for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, while these mAbs effectively target cancer cells, they may have limited clinical activity. A strategy to improve their therapeutic potential is arming them with a toxic payload. Immunotoxins (ITX) combining the cell-killing ability of a toxin with the specificity of a mAb constitute a promising strategy for CRC therapy. However, several important challenges in optimizing ITX remain, including suboptimal pharmacokinetics and especially the immunogenicity of the toxin moiety. Nonetheless, ongoing research is working to solve these limitations and expand CRC patients’ therapeutic armory. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of targets and toxins employed in the design of ITX for CRC and highlight a wide selection of ITX tested in CRC patients as well as preclinical candidates.
Gene expression based inference of drug resistance in cancer

Inter and intra-tumoral heterogeneity are major stumbling blocks in the treatment of cancer and are responsible for imparting differential drug responses in cancer patients. Recently, the availability of large-scale drug screening datasets has provided an opportunity for predicting appropriate patient-tailored therapies by employing machine learning approaches. In this study, we report a predictive modeling approach to infer treatment response in cancers using gene expression data. In particular, we demonstrate the benefits of considering integrated chemogenomics approach, utilizing the molecular drug descriptors and pathway activity information as opposed to gene expression levels. We performed extensive validation of our approach on tissue-derived single-cell and bulk expression data. Further, we constructed several prostate cancer cell lines and xenografts, exposed to differential treatment conditions to assess the predictability of the outcomes. Our approach was further assessed on pan-cancer RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) archives, as well as an independent clinical trial study describing the treatment journey of three melanoma patients. To summarise, we benchmarked the proposed approach on cancer RNA-seq data, obtained from cell lines, xenografts, as well as humans. We concluded that pathway-activity patterns in cancer cells are reasonably indicative of drug resistance, and therefore can be leveraged in personalized treatment recommendations.
Virtual reality validation of naturalistic modulation strategies to counteract fading in retinal stimulation

Objective. Temporal resolution is a key challenge in artificial vision. Several prosthetic approaches are limited by the perceptual fading of evoked phosphenes upon repeated stimulation from the same electrode. Therefore, implanted patients are forced to perform active scanning, via head movements, to refresh the visual field viewed by the camera. However, active scanning is a draining task, and it is crucial to find compensatory strategies to reduce it. Approach. To address this question, we implemented perceptual fading in simulated prosthetic vision using virtual reality. Then, we quantified the effect of fading on two indicators: the time to complete a reading task and the head rotation during the task. We also tested if stimulation strategies previously proposed to increase the persistence of responses in retinal ganglion cells to electrical stimulation could improve these indicators. Main results. This study shows that stimulation strategies based on interrupted pulse trains and randomisation of the pulse duration allows significant reduction of both the time to complete the task and the head rotation during the task. Significance. The stimulation strategy used in retinal implants is crucial to counteract perceptual fading and to reduce active head scanning during prosthetic vision. In turn, less active scanning might improve the patient’s comfort in artificial vision.
Consumer Behavior for Health Services: A Psychological Approach

The objective of the research is to understand Psychographic aspect of Consumer Behavior for health services and accordingly effort to understand how proactive behavior can be inculcate amongst consumers. Data was collected from primary source which are Medical Practitioners, Medical Representatives and Patients. Research method is adaptive as it tries to influence present psychographic consumer behavior towards health and fitness and to measure responses likert scale is used. To do optimal health and financial outcomes to fitness the research method is both Qualitative as well as Quantitative. Structured and unstructured questionnaires are used for all primary sources and for measuring some responses tabulations are graphed for conclusive and descriptive findings. Consumers confidently choose products that provide the best value for the money. When it comes to choosing medicines and care, they often find themselves confused. Consumer organizations such as Consumers Union, Medical Organization can design program or medical aid campaign to help consumers select options that will provide optimal health and financial outcomes to fitness and health care so that Consumers can have information about medical care as well as financial solutions to acquire fitness and health care. This research has contributed in two ways, one to know consumer behavior for health services for medical service providers so that they can develop communication programs and secondly consumer awareness regarding medical care and financial aid.
Contribution of road traffic to ambient fine particle concentrations (PM10) in Switzerland

A multivariate receptor model was applied to estimate the contribution of road traffic to ambient levels of fine particles (PM10) at different locations in Switzerland. At two roadside sites with heavy local traffic, the road traffic was found to account for 46% and 64% of PM10. At an urban background site, the estimated average road traffic contribution was 34%, whereas a slightly higher value was obtained at a suburban site (36%). These results are in agreement with the findings of a recent study, where a conceptually different approach (dispersion modelling) was applied.
Determining the post-herbivore-exclusion effect on an intertidal community by the recovery response of a known dominant herbivore

Following a long-term herbivore-exclusion study (2003-2008) in the mid-eulittoral zone at Kalk Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, the post-herbivore-exclusion effect (12 years later) of the limpet Cymbula oculus, the dominant herbivore in the community, was examined after it had recolonised the area. Despite the limpet having recruited into all plots (previous exclusion plots and control plots), the species richness, percentage cover of sessile organisms, invertebrate densities and invertebrate biomass were all significantly higher in previous exclusion plots compared with in control plots. Cymbula oculus density was higher in previous exclusion plots (11.11 [SD 12.54] ind. m−2) than in control plots (9.26 [SD 7.97] ind. m−2) (p = 0.038); however, its biomass was similar between the previous exclusion plots and control plots (366.39 [SD 421.63] vs 367.96 [SD 285.44] g m−2, p = 0.179), indicating that limpets outside exclusion plots were generally larger. This was likely because of younger C. oculus individuals, heightened interspecific competition, or insufficient space in previous exclusion plots. The observed differences might be attributed to a combination of factors, including the persistence of species that have achieved a size refuge from grazing and bulldozing by C. oculus, as well as the establishment of invasive mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis which offer secondary substrates and microhabitats for the establishment of macroalgae and other invertebrates. The recruitment of M. galloprovincialis into the previous exclusion plots is likely to be the cause of the alternative community state observed. Unless some extreme disturbance event occurs, the community from which C. oculus was previously excluded is unlikely to revert to its pre-C. oculus exclusion state.