Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The moderating effects of corporate social responsibility assurance in the relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure and corporate performance

The aim of this research is to analyze the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure on corporate performance. Likewise, it also contributes and analysis of the moderating effect of CSR assurance on the association between CSR disclosure and corporate performance. The theoretical framework of the study is based on stakeholder theory and legitimacy theory. The sample used consists of 9,861 international firm-year observations collected from the Thomson Reuters database between 2009 and 2018. Our model has been estimated using the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator. The findings show that CSR disclosure is positively associated with corporate performance, as we had proposed in our hypothesis. Additionally, our evidence also shows that CSR assurance plays a positive moderating role between CSR disclosure and corporate performance.
Long-term monitoring and performance of ground source heat pumps

The results of a full annual cycle of detailed monitoring of ten domestic ground source heat pump systems installed in similar properties are presented. The monitoring scheme used was designed to allow full characterization of the system, including monitoring of the heat supplied by the pump to both space-heating and domestic hot water, and also monitoring of the energy consumption of the various heat pump constituents. This approach is contrasted with a more commonly adopted approach where seasonal performance factors (SPF) are obtained without invading the heat pump enclosure. A number of issues are discussed which can lead to significant inconsistencies in the latter approach. Quantitative differences in the SPF obtained by the two methods are calculated or estimated for the monitored systems. Generally, the simpler approach leads to underestimation of the SPF by an amount which is variable and dependent on factors such as domestic hot water usage, pump settings and precise meter locations. Sont présentés les résultats d'un cycle annuel complet de suivi détaillé de dix systèmes de pompes à chaleur géothermiques domestiques installés dans des propriétés similaires. Le plan de suivi utilisé a été conçu de façon à permettre une caractérisation complète du système, ceci incluant le suivi de la chaleur fournie par la pompe à la fois pour le chauffage des locaux et pour l'eau chaude à usage domestique, ainsi que le suivi de la consommation d'énergie des divers éléments des pompes à chaleur. Cette approche est mise en opposition avec une approche plus couramment adoptée dans laquelle les valeurs du coefficient de performance saisonnier (CSP) sont obtenues sans pénétration de l'enceinte de la pompe à chaleur. Il est discuté d'un certain nombre de problèmes qui peuvent conduire à des incohérences significatives dans la seconde approche. Les différences quantitatives du CSP obtenu selon les deux méthodes sont calculées ou estimées pour les systèmes suivis. En règle générale, l'approche la plus simple conduit à une sous-estimation du CSP dans une proportion qui est variable et dépend de facteurs tels que l'utilisation de l'eau chaude domestique, les réglages de la pompe et l'emplacement précis du compteur. Mots clés: performances énergétiques pompe à chaleur géothermique suivi coefficient de performance saisonnier (CPS) performances technologiques
Capacitor placement in radial distribution systems for loss reduction

Reduction of I/sup 2/R loss in distribution systems is very essential to improve the overall efficiency of power delivery. The I/sup 2/R loss can be separated into two parts based on the active and reactive components of branch currents. The paper presents a method of minimising the loss associated with the reactive component of branch currents by placing shunt capacitors. This method first determines a sequence of nodes to be compensated by capacitors. The size of the optimal capacitor at the compensated nodes is then determined by optimising the loss saving equation with respect to the capacitor currents. The performance of the proposed method was investigated on two distribution systems consisting of 15 and 33 buses and it was found that a significant loss saving can be achieved by placing optimal capacitors in the system.
0.6-V-VIN 7.0-nA-IQ 0.75-mA-IL CMOS Capacitor-Less LDO for Low-Voltage Micro-Energy-Harvested Supplies

A capacitor-less (CL) low-dropout (LDO) regulator suitable to be incorporated in an on-chip system with low-voltage micro-energy-harvested supply, is proposed in this contribution. The differential input stage of the error amplifier includes bulk-driven MOS transistors, thus providing the LDO with an output voltage range that extends from the negative rail up to a level very close to the input voltage without the need of using a resistive feedback network. The circuit parameters relying on the feedback factor, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\beta $ </tex-math></inline-formula>, are maximized thanks to the use of a unitary value for this parameter. The CL-LDO has been designed and fabricated in standard 180-nm CMOS technology and optimized to operate with an input voltage equal to 0.6 V and a reference level of 0.5 V. The experimental characterization of the fabricated prototypes shows that, under these operating conditions, the LDO is able to deliver a load current above 0.75 mA with a total quiescent current of only 7.0 nA. Furthermore, the proposed voltage regulator is able to operate from input voltages as low as 0.4 V, delivering in this case a maximum load current of 30 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{A}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>.
Role Of Service Quality On Organizational Performance Among Telecommunication Employees In Southwestern States In Nigeria

The present study examined the role of service quality on organisational performance among telecommunication employees. A survey research design was used to conduct this study with a sample of 123 employees selected using a two-stage sampling technique in Lagos (62 participants and Oyo state (61 participants). Data collection was through a self-reported questionnaire that measured service quality and organisational performance. Results indicate that there exists a significant positive relationship between service quality and organizational productivity of the Nokia telephone company (r = .34; P<.01). service quality had significant joint influence on organizational productivity [R = . 54; R² = . 29; F (1, 121) = 13.21; P<. 01]. The study concluded that service quality predicts organisational performance. The study, therefore, recommended that quality in service delivery be boosted by adding more value-added extra services to customers. This will give the customers the view that Nokia management values their customers.
Affordances for Sense-Making: Exploring Their Availability for Users of Online News Sites

Abstract Each medium of news delivery has a unique set of attributes that facilitate or impede consumption and learning. In this article, we examine what affordances of digital news sites are present or absent. Based on the perspectives of Gibson’s ecological psychology and his conceptualizations of affordances, as well as Norman’s theorizing of signifiers, we conducted an exploratory study with loyal digital news readers to query their reliance on a number of affordances. We compared those findings to the affordances realized in print and argued that many signals supporting sense-making of the print news are attenuated in digital. Implications are discussed.
Design of a broadband dual circularly polarized square slot antenna

In this article, a new design of a broadband dual circularly polarized square slot antenna loaded with metallic strips is presented. The proposed dual circular polarization (CP) radiations are achieved by loading the square slot with a T‐shaped strip and two microstrip T‐junctions. The designed antenna is implemented and measured. The experimental results show that the proposed antenna has good dual CP characteristics and a 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidth is more than 19%. The isolation between two ports is better than 20 dB within the CP operating band. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 2639–2642, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23741
Carbon composition effects on wear behaviour and wear mechanisms of metal-on-metal hip prosthesis

Wear debris has long been a major concern in the performance and longevity of artificial hip joint. Metallic wear is broken down into metal ions, which present isolated observations of adverse effects (carcinogenic, immunologic, metabolic and bacteriologic) (Black 1984). The clinical implications of these elevated ion levels remain imprecise. However, efforts today focus on the tribological behaviour of metal-on-metal (M-O-M) bearings to reduce even wear. It has been reported to show 20–100 times lower wear rates than polyethylene on metal bearings and even substantially lower wear rates than polyethylene on ceramic bearings (Brown et al. 2007). This was related to the better understanding of role of carbon and diameter clearances (Rieker et al. 2004). We postulate that high carbon (HC) composition of heads would reduce wear debris in M-O-M bearings. The aim of this study in vitro was to evaluate the wear behaviour and to compare the wear mechanisms of low carbon (LC) heads and HC cups in M-O-M hip implants.
Network Meta-analysis on the Molecular Mechanisms of Palmitic Acid in Liver Fibrosis

Elevated levels of free fatty acids have been suggested as the main factors contributing to the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. This study conducted network meta-analysis using the QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to examine the roles of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and n-3 unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) in the activation of Hepatic Fibrosis Signaling Pathway and collagen accumulation. Our analysis identified the shortest paths from palmitic acid (PA), a SFA, to the Hepatic Fibrosis Signaling Pathway, and found that elevated level of PA may increase the activities of transcription factors, such as CEBPβ, JUN/FOS, NFκB, and PPARγ, cytokines/chemokines/growth factors, such as TNF, IL1, CCL2, CCN2, LEP, and TGFβ1, oxidative stress mediators, such as NOX, and fibrinolysis regulators, such as SERPINE1, which may in turn activate the Hepatic Fibrosis Signaling Pathway. Our analysis also identified the shortest paths from PA to collagen accumulation and found that elevated level of PA may increase the activities of signaling mediators, such as ERK1/2, cytokines/chemokines/growth factors, such as TNF, IL6, CCL2, CCN2, LEP, and TGFβ1, which may in turn increase the accumulation of collagens. In contrast, the increased levels of n-3 UFAs inhibited the activities of PDGFA, PDGFB, TNF, IL1, and CCL2. Our analysis also identified seven PAand liver fibrosis-associated molecules mapped to the shortest paths from PA to Hepatic Fibrosis Signaling Pathway and from PA to collagens. Mapping of these seven molecules, TNF, IL1A, CCL2, TGFβ1, CCN2, LEP, and SERPINE1, to the Hepatic Fibrosis Signaling Pathway showed that these molecules may lead to proinflammatory response in the liver, J Food Sci Nutr Res 2021; 4 (4): 286-301 DOI: 10.26502/jfsnr.2642-11000081 Journal of Food Science and Nutrition Research Vol. 4 No. 4 December 2021. [ISSN 2642-1100] 287 reduced ECM degradation, and enhanced ECM accumulation. Our studies shed light on the molecular mechanisms by which PA contributes to liver fibrosis and the key mediating molecules that may be used for further research and therapeutic intervention.
Global Wave Velocity Change Measurement of Rock Material by Full-Waveform Correlation

Measuring accurate wave velocity change is a crucial step in damage assessment of building materials such as rock and concrete. The anisotropy caused by the generation of cracks in the damage process and the uncertainty of the damage level of these building materials make it difficult to obtain accurate wave velocity change. We propose a new method to measure the wave velocity change of anisotropic media at any damage level by full-waveform correlation. In this method, the anisotropy caused by the generation of cracks in the damage process is considered. The accuracy of the improved method is verified by numerical simulation and compared with the existing methods. Finally, the proposed method is applied to measure the wave velocity change in the damage process of rock under uniaxial compression. We monitor the failure process of rock by acoustic emission (AE) monitoring system. Compared with the AE ringing count, the result of damage evaluation obtained by the proposed method is more accurate than the other two methods in the stage of increasing rock heterogeneity. These results show that the proposed method is feasible in damage assessment of building materials such as rock and concrete.
The Epidemiology of Faecal incontinence: A National Study of Definition, Prevalence, Ethnicity and Related Risk Factors

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Identification of duplicates in cassava germplasm banks based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)

Genetic redundancy in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) presents a challenge to efficient management of genetic resources. This study aimed to identify and define the genetic structure of duplicates in cassava germplasm from various Embrapa research units, using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. We evaluated 2,371 accessions with 20,712 SNPs. The identification of duplicates was performed based on multilocus genotypes (MLG), adopting a maximum genetic distance threshold of 0.05. The population structure was defined based on discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC). A total of 1,757 unique and 614 duplicate accessions were identified. The redundancy of the collections ranged from 17 % (Belem, PA – Brazil) to 39 % (Petrolina, PE – Brazil), with an average of 21 %. This redundancy between different research units is probably due to the historical sharing of accessions, as well as collections carried out in the same region, or even to the intense germplasm exchange between farmers with different genotype names. In terms of genetic structure, the 250 principal components explained 88 % of the genetic variation of the SNP markers and defined the hierarchical structure of the duplicate cassava germplasm in 12 groups. Since heterotic groups have not yet been identified for cassava, crosses between accessions of the 12 DAPC groups may be promising. All MLGs were allocated within the same DAPC group, corroborating duplicate analyses yet still revealing high variability between groups that were quite distinct based on the first two discriminant functions. Our results contribute to optimizing the conservation of genetic resources, together with understanding diversity and its use in crop improvement.
Epidemiologic, Clinical and Immunological Consequences of Co-Infections during Canine Leishmaniosis

Simple Summary Canine leishmaniosis (CanL), the most severe, visceralizing form of disease caused by Leishmania infantum transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. CanL is frequently diagnosed in the Mediterranean basin and South America, although it is also found in other regions, including the United States (U.S.). Dogs in these regions are at risk for co-infections, prominently tick-borne diseases. Our review examines epidemiologic, clinical, and immunologic mechanisms found during the most common eight CanL co-infections reported in published literature. Co-infections alter immunologic processes and disease progression impacting CanL diagnosis, therapeutic responses, and prognosis. Abstract Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a vector-borne, parasitic disease. CanL is endemic in the Mediterranean basin and South America but also found in Northern Africa, Asia, and the U.S. Regions with both competent sand fly vectors and L. infantum parasites are also endemic for additional infectious diseases that could cause co-infections in dogs. Growing evidence indicates that co-infections can impact immunologic responses and thus the clinical course of both CanL and the comorbid disease(s). The aim for this review is to summarize epidemiologic, clinical, and immunologic factors contributing to eight primary co-infections reported with CanL: Ehrlichia spp. , Anaplasma spp. , Borrelia spp. , Babesia spp. , Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, Dirofilaria immitis, Paracoccidioides braziliensis. Co-infection causes mechanistic differences in immunity which can alter diagnostics, therapeutic management, and prognosis of dogs with CanL. More research is needed to further explore immunomodulation during CanL co-infection(s) and their clinical impact.
An improved method for the wave propagation constant ? estimation in broadband uniform millimeter-wave transmission line

A new method is derived for computing the wave propagation constant γ of a uniform transmission line. The new method is based on the properties of a similar and unitary matrix, and allows us to minimize the errors due to connection repeatability. These matrices are obtained from the wave cascade matrices (computed from scattering parameter measurements) of two different length lines of identical but unknown characteristic impedance. The usefulness of the new method is demonstrated by assessing the dispersion of the dielectric constant eeff and the attenuation constant α of an ultra-low-loss transmission line in the frequency range of 0.040–65 GHz. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 22: 268–271, 1999.
Analysing construction project coalitions: exploring the application of social network analysis

The construction industry is currently in transition as a result of innovations in procurement and project management approaches, in particular, the utilization of supply chain management, and technology or work clusters in the context of partnering relationships between project coalition actors and the client organization. These new strategies require an analytical method that deals with actor interdependence and provides an appropriate level of detail and quantitative data in relation to the non‐linear, complex, iterative and interactive process that construction projects comprise. The construction project is conceptualized as a number information exchange networks, classified according to the principal project functions and supported by performance incentive and contractual relationship networks. The point centrality of the project actors within these various networks provides quantitative data and graphical representation of the governance of construction projects and the changes brought about by innovations in procurement and project management techniques. Social network analysis (SNA) provides an important new quantitative approach in the comparative analysis of procurement and project management of construction projects. SNA enables traditional project coalition management approaches to be compared with those associated with innovative management approaches. Quantitative analysis relates to the appropriateness and effectiveness of both financial incentives and contractual conditions involved in the governance of construction projects.
Monaural and binaural masking release with speech-like stimuli

Comodulated masking noise and binaural cues can facilitate grouping frequency components into the target sound and noise. This results in a decrease in detection thresholds, quantified as comodulation masking release (CMR) and binaural masking level difference (BMLD), respectively. However, their relevance to speech perception is unclear as most studies have used artificial stimuli different from speech. Here, we investigated the ecological validity of masking release by using stimuli with speech-like spectro-temporal dynamics. We designed stimuli reflecting formant changes in speech. Each stimulus consists of three masker bands centered at formant frequencies F1, F2, and F3 based on CV combination: /gu/, /fu/, and /pu/. Maskers were either uncorrelated or comodulated to estimate CMR. In addition, target tone was centered at F2 trajectories and presented either with no IPD or IPD of π to induce BMLD. We found that the CMR was small (< 3 dB) while BMLD was comparable to previous findings (~ 9 dB). To conclude, we suggest that features other than comodulation play a dominant role in grouping frequency components, such as the spectral proximity, the number of masker bands, and and formant trajectories.
The Relationship Between Persuasion Cues and Idea Adoption in Virtual Crowdsourcing Communities: Evidence From a Business Analytics Community

Building on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and absorptive capacity, this study develops a four-dimensional model of idea adoption in Virtual Crowdsourcing Communities (VCCs) and examines the influence of different persuasion cues on idea adoption. The research model was tested using hierarchical logistic regression based on a dataset from the Tableau community. The results show that both community recognition of users and community recognition of ideas are positively related to idea adoption. Proactive user engagement has a significant positive impact on idea adoption, while reactive user engagement has no significant impact. Idea content quality, represented by idea length and supporting arguments, has an inverted U-shaped relationship with idea adoption. Community absorptive capacity positively moderates the curvilinear relationship between idea content quality and idea adoption. These results contribute to a better elucidation of the persuasion mechanisms underlying idea adoption in VCCs, and thus provide important implications for open innovation research and practice.
Two-dimensional streaming flows in high-intensity discharge lamps

High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps embody a practical application in which acoustically generated streaming flows are used to significantly improve energy efficiency. Streaming in these lamps is examined using finite-element simulations in conjunction with available experimental results on the basis of the assumption that the streaming motion is excited by two-dimensional acoustic standing waves. Neither the magnitude nor the direction of the time-averaged flows is adequately explained by existing theory. Consequently, a modified streaming analysis is proposed in which the fluctuating flow is driven by an oscillating pressure field rather by a moving boundary and convective terms in both the instantaneous and streaming flows are included. Density variations are also shown to be important to the generation of the observed and simulated streaming. This analysis highlights the differences between streaming flows in HID lamps and those described in canonical problems appearing elsewhere in the literature.