Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental globalization

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an alternative viewpoint to better manage the global natural resources using the case of soybean international market as a baseline and water as the natural resource, although the product and natural resource could be any other.Design/methodology/approachThe case of Brazilian soya production and the international soybean market was used to illustrate the commodities and agricultural use of water, a global and finite natural resource. The water footprint analysis was applied to balance the international water trade associated to soybean exportation.FindingsThe net water balance indicates that Brazil is more efficient in the water use to soybean production considering water origin (types of water) and availability. That implies a benefit for soybean importers from Brazil who does not internalize this natural input in the cost of their products.Research limitations/implicationsThe alternatives proposed and discussed in this essay are far from being complete and definitive. The details of their implications are beyond the scope and purpose of this essay. However, it may be the starting point for a wider academic and political debate.Practical implicationsThere are externalities in the soybean market that are generating environmental and social costs. Those costs could be minimized by a fair international market that internalizes the costs of using finite natural resources. For that, adequate public policies should be designed, implemented and maintained. The monetary funds obtained from internalization of costs in water use could be addressed to research devoted to enlarge the water saving practices.Originality/valueFrom a discussion about the fundamental role of natural resources in the maintenance of mankind life and the implications of its irrational use, a global governance of natural resources is being proposed. As practical actions for global governance, a green soybean, marketed under a water seal, has been discussed.
Idea Rejected, Tie Formed: Organizations’ Feedback on Crowdsourced Ideas

When organizations crowdsource ideas, they select only a small share of the ideas that contributors submit for implementation. If a contributor submits an idea to an organization for the first time (i.e., newcomer), and the organization does not select the idea, this may negatively affect the newcomer’s relationship with the organization and willingness to submit ideas to the organization in the future. We suggest that organizations can increase newcomers’ willingness to submit further ideas by providing a thus far understudied form of feedback: rejections. Though counterintuitive, we suggest that rejections encourage newcomers to bond with an organization. Rejections signal contributors that an organization is interested in both receiving their ideas and developing relationships with them. To test our theory, we examine the crowdsourcing of 70,159 organizations that receive ideas from 1,336,154 contributors. Using text analysis, we examine differences in how rejections are written to disentangle the mech.
Assessment of IS‐innovation strategic alignment factors among universal banks in Ghana

There is a widespread acceptance of information system (IS) strategic alignment. How and whether IS strategic alignment creates value especially in developing countries remains a major challenge for most banks. Additionally, alignment scope is often general making it difficult to identify specific important strategic alignment factors. We explored factors perceived to influence IS‐innovation strategic alignment, their interrelationships, and consequential effects among six universal banks in Ghana. Primary data were obtained through interviews. The two‐dimensional solution accounted for 85.4% of the total variance with P value of 0.000 indicating strong dependency in the data. The findings indicate IS and innovation of the banks are well aligned, and innovative performance is an output of successful IS‐innovation alignment. Collaboration and IS strategic projects factors contributed strongly to the successful alignment. The findings provide bank managers with more reliable and actionable insights to determine the dimensions of alignment that contribute more or less to firm performance.
On-line signature verification with hidden Markov models

This paper addresses the problem of online signature verification based on hidden Markov models (HMM). We use a novel type of digitizer tablet and pay special attention to the use of pen-tilt. We investigate the verification reliability based on different forgery types. We compare the discriminative value of the different features based on a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and show that pen-tilt is important. On the basis of home-improved, over-the-shoulder and professional forgeries, we show that the amount of dynamic information available to an imposter is important and that forgeries based on paper copies are easier to detect. The results obtained with a database of almost 5000 signatures of 51 persons with highly skilled forgeries include equal-error rates between 1% and 1.9%.
Geographical origin of durum wheat studied by 1H‐NMR profiling

1H‐Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to detect metabolic profiles of wheat flour samples of different geographical and botanical origin. The NMR profiles were analyzed by multivariate statistical techniques in order to establish the origin of the samples. A linear model, able to discriminate among three different locations, was built achieving a prediction level of about 80% of correctly assigned samples. The principal classes of compounds responsible for the geographic origin discrimination were individuated in aromatic compounds and amino acids. The statistical modeling also indicated that botanical origin information is very poor in the NMR profiles of the analyzed wheat samples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Test-retest relative and absolute reliability of knee extensor strength measures and minimal detectable change

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the test-retest reliability of the isokinetic strength at 90 ◦ /s and the isometric parameters for knee extensors. OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability of isokinetic and isometric parameters of knee extensors, and to determine the smallest real difference between the test-retest measures. METHODS: Knee extensor strength was measured twice, 4 to 5 days apart, using a Biodex dynamometer in forty subjects (12 men, 28 women). The protocols consisted of 5 concentric contractions at 90 ◦ /s and 5 isometric contractions. RESULTS: For women, test-retest reliability was very high for isometric and isokinetic peak-torque (ICCc,1 > 0.9 ), moderate for work (ICCc,1 = 0.82) and questionable for angle of peak torque (Angle-PT), mean Angle-PT and rate of torque development (RTD0−100 ms) (ICC < 0.67). The measurement errors were small for all variables, the SEM% ranged between 3.1% to 7.4%, and SRD% from 8.6% to 19.9%, except for RTD0−100 ms that was the most variable (SEM% = 16.4%; SRD = 47.5%). No differences were found in Angle-PT and RTD0−100 ms with regard to sex. CONCLUSIONS: The isokinetic values obtained at 90 ◦ /s and isometric peak-torque for knee extensors are highly repeatable with a standardized test protocol and the SRD values can be used to detect real changes. Alternative strategies of analysis should be developed to improve reliability of Angle-PT and RTD0−100 ms. Angle-PT and RTD0−100 ms do not appear affected by gender
Dissection of IncP conjugative plasmid transfer: definition of the transfer region Tra2 by mobilization of the Tra1 region in trans

We constructed a transfer system consisting of two compatible multicopy plasmids carrying the transfer regions Tra1 and Tra2 of the broad-host-range IncP plasmid RP4. In this system, the plasmid containing the Tra1 region with the origin of transfer (oriT) was transferred, whereas additional functions essential for the conjugative process were provided from the Tra2 plasmid in trans. The Tra2 region, as determined for matings between Escherichia coli cells, maps between coordinates 18.03 and 29.26 kb of the RP4 standard map. The section of Tra2 required for mobilization of the plasmid RSF1010 (IncQ) and the propagation of bacteriophages Pf3 and PRD1 appears to be the same as that needed for RP4 transfer. Tra2 regions of RP4 (IncP alpha) and R751 (IncP beta) are interchangeable, facilitating mobilization of the plasmid carrying the RP4 Tra1 region. The transfer frequencies of both systems are similar. Transcription of Tra2 proceeds clockwise relative to the standard map of RP4 and is probably initiated at a promoter region located upstream of trbB (kilB). From this promoter region the trfA operon and the Tra2 operon are likely to be transcribed divergently. A second potential promoter has been located immediately upstream of trbB (kilB). Plasmids encoding the functional Tra2 region can only be maintained stably in host cells in the presence of the RP4 regulation region carrying the korA-korB operon or part of it. This indicates the involvement of RP4 key regulatory functions that apparently are active not only in the control of replication but also in conjugation.
The effect of sleep‐specific brain activity versus reduced stimulus interference on declarative memory consolidation

Studies suggest that the consolidation of newly acquired memories and underlying long‐term synaptic plasticity might represent a major function of sleep. In a combined repeated‐measures and parallel‐group sleep laboratory study (active waking versus sleep, passive waking versus sleep), we provide evidence that brief periods of daytime sleep (42.1 ± 8.9 min of non‐rapid eye movement sleep) in healthy adolescents (16 years old, all female), compared with equal periods of waking, promote the consolidation of declarative memory (word‐pairs) in participants with high power in the electroencephalographic sleep spindle (sigma) frequency range. This observation supports the notion that sleep‐specific brain activity when reaching a critical dose, beyond a mere reduction of interference, promotes synaptic plasticity in a hippocampal‐neocortical network that underlies the consolidation of declarative memory.
Structural integrity and expression of the L3MBTL gene in normal and malignant hematopoietic cells

The human L3MBTL gene is located in 20q12, a region that is commonly deleted in myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). L3MBTL is highly homologous to the D‐lethal(3) malignant brain tumor [D‐l(3)mbt] gene, which is a putative tumor‐suppressor gene (TSG) identified in Drosophila and which is closely related to the Drosophila sex combs on midleg (SCM) protein, a member of the Polycomb group (PcG) family of transcriptional repressors. To examine whether L3MBTL functions as a “classic” TSG in human hematologic malignancies, we screened a panel of 17 myeloid leukemia cell lines and peripheral blood or bone marrow samples from 29 MDS and 13 MPD patients for mutations in the entire L3MBTL coding sequence, including intron/exon splice junctions. No mutations were identified, although two single nucleotide differences were found (in intron 14 and in exon 15), which were interpreted as polymorphic changes. We used real‐time RT‐PCR to quantify the level of L3MBTL mRNA in various normal myeloid and lymphoid cell populations. L3MBTL is expressed in normal CD34+ bone marrow cells, and we found that the pattern of L3MBTL expression was similar to that of BMI1, a well‐studied PcG gene with oncogenic activity, suggesting that L3MBTL and BMI1 may be co‐regulated during hematopoiesis. The expression of L3MBTL mRNA in 30 of 35 cell lines and 13 of 15 AML samples was comparable to the level of L3MBTL expression in the normal cell populations. However, five leukemia cell lines showed no L3MBTL expression, and two of the AML samples showed aberrant L3MBTL expression. These data suggest that L3MBTL is not mutated in MDS or MPD. However, given the known dosage effects of PcG proteins in regulating gene expression, reduced or absent L3MBTL expression may be relevant in some cases of myeloid leukemia. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Making Use of Mobile Devices in E-Commerce - Overcoming Organizational Barriers through User Participation

Mobile devices offer great potentials for the design of business processes. However, realizing these potentials in practice is still problematic. While technologies are nowadays widely available, the problems still lie in the management of organizational change. In this paper, we analyze the contribution of user participation to the successful implementation of mobile business processes. We present the results of five case studies conducted in the IT-Service sector. The work gives empirical evidence that user participation (a) leads to reduced adoption and transition barriers and (b) improvements of business metrics.
Pump Uniformity and Temperature Profile Measurements in a Planar Waveguide Nd:YAG Laser by a Beam Deflection Method

A planar waveguide laser using a large-core Nd:YAG waveguide and face-pumping by diode bars has produced a multimode power up to 160 W, with direct-contact water-cooling across the largest faces of the waveguide in the lateral direction. A method is reported that measures the nonuniform heat dissipation in the waveguide core and nonuniform water-cooling through deflection of a helium-neon laser beam passing through the waveguide claddings. Temperature gradients resulting from the varying heat transfer coefficient to the coolant are quantified, together with lateral thermal lens effects associated with edge-cooling and nonuniform pumping. The heat flux in the claddings is compared for two different waveguide structures, giving information on multipass face-pumping efficiency and uniformity.
Current experiences in testing of Pseudomonas for susceptibility to carbenicillin.

In retesting pseudomonas isolates that had been designated by hospital laboratories as resistant to carbenicillin, 64% were found to be susceptible to carbenicillin by both the disk and broth-dilution techniques, 6% were intermediate, and 30% were resistant. The reasons for the variation in results were not readily identified in every instance but probably included deviations from the standardized disk technique, misidentification of bacterial isolates, and the use of antibiotic disks with diminished potency. The distribution pattern of sensitivity to carbenicillin of these supposedly resistant isolates studied in 1972 was surprisingly similar to that of an unselected population of Pseudomonas studied in 1968.
A System for Recognizing Online Handwritten Mathematical Expressions and Improvement of Structure Analysis

This paper presents a system for recognizing online handwritten mathematical expressions (MEs) and improvement of structure analysis. We represent MEs in Context Free Grammars (CFGs) and employ the Cocke-Younger-Kasami (CYK) algorithm to parse 2D structure of on-line handwritten MEs and select the best interpretation in terms of symbol segmentation, recognition and structure analysis. We propose a method to learn structural relations from training patterns without any heuristic decisions by using two SVM models. We employ stroke order to reduce the complexity of the parsing algorithm. Moreover, we revise structure analysis. Even though CFG does not resolve ambiguities in some cases, our method still gives users a list of candidates that contain expecting result. We evaluate our method in the CROHME 2013 database and demonstrate the improvement of our system in recognition rate as well as processing time.
Typology of Scientific Contestation and Consensus in Indonesian Community of the Social Studies for Building a Shared Paradigm

One of the important milestones in epistemological discourse is the emergence of the idea that reality is not merely the result of a psychological and personal construction of an expert, but it rather a result of social construction that is built on a shared commitment among members of scientific discipline community. At this point, contestation towards a consensus on the scientific paradigm becomes an important and decisive part in any dynamics occurring within a discipline. It is a sociological prerequisite for the achievement of normal science, genesis and sustainability of a particular scientific tradition. This article examines and describes the typology of contestation-consensus in Indonesian community of social studies to establish a shared paradigm of the social studies as a "synthetic discipline". Based on the Shwed and Bearman’s model on "the temporal structure of scientific consensus formation,” this article shows that contestations in Indonesian community of social studies towards a consensus about social studies as a synthetic discipline is benign or flats, a typology of contestation and consensus in which there is no really scientific contestation or competition, and more likely to reflect of scientist’s ambition personally to exhibit the same exponential growth of papers but with flat (and low) contestation levels.
Understanding Performance Differences in Small Family Firms: A Resource-Based View.

This dissertation examined the resource-based view of the firm to explain performance differences among family businesses. How do resources impact strategy and performance in the family firm and what resources are important to strategy and performance in the family firm were the primary research questions. Hypothesized relationships between reputation and financial resources, between human resources, financial resources, and physical resources and strategic perspective, and between strategic perspective and performance were tested in sample of family owned/operated retail jewelry stores. Structural equation modeling (LISREL 8) was used to develop to develop a measurement model and structural model to test the patterns of relationships between the study’s constructs. Although indirect effects of resources on performance were the primary focus of the study, both direct and indirect effects were tested. Support was found for hypotheses linking human resources, measured as information processing capacity, and strategic perspective and strategic perspective and performance. In the nested model comparison process, an additional linkage, between reputation and performance, found support. Results generally supported the resource-based view of the firm, thus validating its usefulness as a theoretical base for the study of family firms. For this sample, results indicated that some resources are more critical to firm performance than others, suggesting that successful firms can profit from configuring resources to exploit key resources. Further, family firms that use their information processing capacity to
The role of frugal innovation and collaborative ecosystems

This article examines the product innovation management strategy of a developed economy multinational corporation case in India. Drawing on institutional theory, the analysis indicates that product innovation for emerging markets is essentially built on the frugal innovation capabilities of a firm. The findings show that through frugal engineering, bricolage, and modularity, it is possible to implement frugal innovation that creates value with less resource and at low costs. Further, the analysis shows how developing a collaborative ecosystem along with a deep embeddedness in the local economy facilitates frugal innovation. The article has important implications for theory and management practice.
The Surgical Anatomy of the Neck in Relation to Septic Lesions: An Investigation of the Cervical Connective Tissue.

IT is, perhaps, still insufficiently recognised that the presence of pus within the neck calls for the exercise of the utmost skill and judgment based upon a sound knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the part. Pus may collect in the neck from a variety of primary foci, and spread of sepsis is apt to occur uninterpreted or even unnoticed. The "wooden" oedematous neck frequently presents a baffling picture no less difficult of diagnosis than that in which deep pus reveals little or no external evidence of its presence. The purpose of this paper is to emphasise the importance of a subject which, it is felt, has received insufficient attention, and to place on record the results of certain anatomical investigations designed to elucidate the problem of the routes taken by and the limitations of infective processes. The scope of the enquiry is confined to a study of surgical anatomy and was prompted by Kanavel's(i) and Koch's(2) work on the hand. As a result of clinical experience, injection experiments and serial sections, these workers were able to place the surgery of the hand on a sound footing. As to the present work, nothing revolutionary and little that is new is claimed, for Mosher(3, 4), Beck(5), Ford(6), and others have already tackled the subject from the clinical point of view and have drawn attention to certain major principles which the writer has, in the main, been able to confirm experimentally, although with certain modifications. Mosher, in 1920 and later in 1929, drew attention to the importance of the cervical fascia in limiting and directing the spread of pus, and from Woolsey's Applied Anatomy briefly described three layers as follows:
Flux couplés d'eau et d'oxygène dans les supports de culture organiques : analyse et modélisation

Les proprietes de retention et de circulation de l'eau et de l'oxygene dans les supports de culture presentent de fortes particularites qui sont liees a un volume reduit de substrat (pot, conteneur), dans lequel les biodisponibilites hydrique et gazeuse fluctuent fortement et rapidement au cours de la journee. Afin d'optimiser les apports d'intrants aux besoins de la plante, tout en limitant les rejets vers l'environnement, il est necessaire d'ameliorer la comprehension des processus de transfert de matiere dans les substrats au voisinage des racines. Dans cette optique, nous nous sommes tout d'abord attaches a mesurer et a comprendre l'impact des proprietes physiques de deux materiaux organiques modeles (tourbes blondes et ecorces de pin compostees) sur les processus de transfert de matiere, au cours d'un cycle de dessiccation-rehumectation. Cette etude prealable, a permis de proposer un modele de fonctionnement hydrostructural des materiaux organiques. Nous avons pu notamment mettre en evidence que l'hysterese des proprietes de surface des materiaux organiques (variation de la mouillabilite en fonction de l'etat hydrique) pouvait expliquer l'hysterese des caracteristiques hydrique et hydrodynamique de ces milieux poreux. La deformation des materiaux va egalement influencer les proprietes de retention et de transfert d'eau et d'air dans le milieu. Ces modifications, qui se deroulent dans les etats hydriques les plus forts, vont faire intervenir des processus hydrostructuraux differents suivant que l'on s'interesse a la tourbe (deformation elastique totalement reversible) ou aux ecorces (deformation plastique partiellement reversible). Nous avons pu egalement definir des gammes “optimales” de potentiel hydrique ou de teneurs en eau (ou les flux d'eau et d'oxygene dans ces deux substrats sont tres eleves) bien differentes des seuils empiriques de -1 kPa et -10 kPa, encore aujourd'hui utilises pour la gestion de l'irrigation dans les cultures en pots et conteneurs. Afin de representer l'effet des proprietes prealablement definies sur les biodisponibilites en eau et en oxygene reliees aux besoins de la plante, nous avons ensuite integre ces proprietes dans un modele monodimensionnel de transfert couples d'eau et d'oxygene au voisinage des racines (fonction puits racinaire) et a l'echelle journaliere. Cette approche modelisatrice a permis de mettre en evidence qu'il etait difficile de reunir sur une journee de culture, et sur une gamme apparemment optimale de potentiel hydrique, en meme temps des conditions de teneurs en eau et en oxygene non limitantes pour la racine. Ces resultats ont ete obtenus quels que soient le substrat considere et les etats hydriques initiaux fixes