Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON OF THE PROFITABILITY OF GROUNDNUT PRODUCTION IN WEST MAMPRUSI AND BUNKPURUGU-YUYOO DISTRICTS IN NORTHERN GHANA

The study compared the profitability of groundnut production between Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo and West-Mamprusi districts in Northern Ghana. A Cobb -Douglas production function and gross income analysis were used in the analysis to determine the effect of “VAPAP” project on the profits of farmers in the two districts. It revealed that land size, capital, labour, experience and gender significantly influenced the output of groundnuts in the study area. The mean output per acre in Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo was 456.86kg of unshelled groundnuts whilst West-Mamprusi was 412.98kg with a mean difference of 43.89kg higher output in Bunkpurugu than West-Mamprusi at 1% significance level. A mean amount of Gh¢ 52.47 and Gh¢ 59.52 per acre were the cost of production in Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo and West-Mamprusi respectively. There was a mean difference of Gh¢7.0 higher cost of production per acre in West-Mamprusi than Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo at 1% significant level. A mean profit of Gh ¢ 77.25 and Gh¢ 42.50 were realized from Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo and WestMamprusi respectively. The mean difference of the profit was Gh¢ 34.71 at 1% significance level.
The Media In Britain

British newspapers -- The Times, The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, and Financial Times -- have long been considered among the best in the world, and the BBC has become the world's most venerated television and radio organization. In this book Jeremy Tunstall, author of The Media are American, surveys British media since 1945, including television, radio, films, newspapers, and magazines, with the purpose of studying how they operate and what the future holds for them. In the course of the book he discusses such issues as the relationship of politics to the media, media audiences, media biases, control of the media by conglomerates, and policies for the future.
Reduction of out-of-band radiation in OFDM systems by insertion of cancellation carriers

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) suffers from high out-of-band radiation. In this letter, we investigate a new method for sidelobe suppression characterized by the insertion of a few so-called cancellation carriers (CCs) at both sides of the OFDM spectrum. These special carriers are modulated with complex weighting factors which are optimized such that the sidelobes of the CCs cancel the sidelobes of the transmit signal. With this technique a significant reduction of out-of-band radiation is achieved at the cost of a small degradation in system performance
Significant Life Experience: Exploring the Lifelong Influence of Place-Based Environmental and Science Education on Program Participants.

Current research provides a limited understanding of the life long influence of nonformal place-based environmental and science education programs on past participants. This study looks to address this gap, exploring the ways in which these learning environments have contributed to environmental identity and stewardship. Using Dorothy Holland’s approach to social practice theory’s understanding of identity formation, this study employed narrative interviews and a close-ended survey to understand past participants’ experience over time. Participants from two place-based environmental education programs and one scienceinquiry program were asked to share their reflections on their program experience and the influence they attribute to that experience. Among all participants, the element of hands-on learning, supportive instructors, and engaging learning environments remained salient over time. Participants of nature-based programs demonstrated that these programs in particular were formative in contributing to an environmental stewardship identity. Social practice theory can serve as a helpful theoretical framework for significant life experience research, which has largely been missing from this body of research. This study also holds implications for the fields of place-based environmental education, conservation psychology, and sustainability planning, all of which look to understand and increase environmentally sustainable practices. The form and content of this abstract are approved. I recommend its publication. Approved: Louise Chawla
Radar target classification of commercial aircraft

With the increased availability of coherent wideband radars there has been a renewed interest in radar target recognition. A large bandwidth gives high resolution in range which means target discrimination may be possible. Coherence makes cross-range resolution and radar images possible. Some of the problems of classifying high resolution range profiles (HRRPs) are examined and simple preprocessing techniques which may aid subsequent target classification are investigated. These techniques are applied to HRRP data acquired at a local airport using the Microwave Radar Division (MRD) mobile radar facility It is found that Boeing 727 and Boeing 737 aircraft can be reliably distinguished over a range of aspect angles. This augers well for future target classification studies using HRRPs.
A forecast of the performance of China in the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 and the underlying performance management issues

This paper is concerned with making a forecast of the number of gold medals that China will win as host nation at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Historical data reveal that China's achievement in the Olympic Games has shown considerable improvement by all commonly used performance measures. However, China's success is heavily dependent upon four key sports and the performance of its women athletes who significantly outperform their male counterparts. A review of previous research reveals that reliance on population and gross domestic product as predictors of Olympic success underestimated the performance in Athens 2004 of some nations taking a strategic approach to elite sport development. For these nations, regressing gold medals won over time produced more accurate predictions of actual gold medals won in 2004 than a multivariate regression based on macro-economic variables. Based on our analysis, we forecast that China will win 46 gold medals in Beijing 2008. In making our forecast, we sound a note of caution that in some sports China has little room for improvement and in others with high number of medals available, notably athletics and swimming, there is no current evidence of China developing significant gold medal winning capability. However, China's ambitions are underpinned by strong central government support, the extensive use of performance management principles, and seemingly little concern for the issue of value for money. Under these conditions, China's approach to developing medal winning capability suggests that the strategies of priority and diversity are not mutually exclusive. For nations which have stated ambitions about the level of success they wish to achieve in the future, the principles raised in this case study of China are equally applicable.
Role of sodium-calcium exchange in regulation of intracellular calcium in nerve terminals.

Ca efflux from rat brain presynaptic nerve terminals (synaptosomes) was examined after loading the terminals with 45Ca during a brief depolarization, usually in media containing 20 microM Ca labeled with 45Ca, to assure a small (physiological) load. Efflux of 45Ca was very slow in the absence of external Na and Ca (approximately 0.5% of the load/s) and was greatly accelerated by Na and/or Ca (presumably Na+-Ca2+ and Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange, respectively). The dependence of 45Ca efflux on external Na was sigmoid, with a Hill coefficient of approximately 2.5; this implies that more than two external Na ions are required to activate the efflux of one Ca ion. The external Na (Nao)-dependent Ca efflux was inhibited by 1 mM external La, by low temperature (Q10 congruent to 2.3), and by raising external K (to depolarize the synaptosomes). With small Ca loads, the mitochondrial uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP), had negligible effect on either Ca uptake or efflux; with large loads (greater than or equal to 5 nmol/mg protein), however, FCCP reduced the depolarization-stimulated Ca uptake and increased the Nao-dependent Ca efflux. These effects may be attributed to reduction of mitochondrial Ca sequestration. Mitochondria do not appear to sequester much Ca when the loads are smaller (and more physiological). Estimations of Ca efflux indicate that approximately 20% of a small 45Ca load (approximately 0.75 nmol Ca/mg protein) may be extruded via Na+-Ca2+ exchange within 1 s; this corresponds to a net Ca efflux of approximately 110 pmol Ca X mg protein-1 X s-1. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A temporal analysis of non‐executive director appointments to UK firms: 1990‐2000

Purpose – While existing UK studies conduct a cross‐sectional analysis, this paper seeks to argue that the ratio of Executive Directors to non‐executive director (NED) on the boards of UK firms, coupled with a gradual appointment process, motivated by firms’ desire to comply with the recommendations of the Cadbury report, has the potential to produce a temporal effect.Design/methodology/approach – Data for this study were collected from January 1990 to May 2000.Findings – The empirical analysis suggests that a temporal pattern does exist. Two distinct periods were identified. In the initial period, prior to March 1998 the market viewed NED appointments favourably. After March 1998 NED appointments were no longer significant economic events. Overall, it appears that the market viewed the appointment of NEDs to the boards of FTSE 350 firms favourably; suggesting that such appointees were viewed as a significant input by firms as they attempted to achieve an optimal corporate governance mix.Originality/value.
Mass Beach Tourism and Economic Growth: Lessons from Tunisia

This paper examines the relationship between tourism exports, imports of capital goods and economic growth, with special reference to Tunisia over the period 1975–2007. The dynamic interaction between these variables is examined within a vector error correction model using the Johansen technique of cointegration with structural changes and the multivariate Granger causality test. The authors consider that tourism may affect economic growth through two different channels, the TLG and TKIG mechanisms. Their findings reveal a complex picture of the relationship between these variables. There seems to be no TLG mechanism in Tunisia, while the TKIG mechanism appears as a short-run phenomenon only. In total, tourism exports have contributed significantly towards financing the country's imports of capital goods, but they have not been the principal engine of long-term growth. On the contrary, the results support the hypothesis of a growth-led tourism in this country. They also provide evidence of a strong unidirectional causality from economic growth to imports of capital goods.
Identification of cyclic peptides able to mimic the functional epitope of IgG1-Fc for human FcγRI

Identification of short, structured peptides able to mimic potently protein‐protein interfaces remains a challenge in drug discovery. We report here the use of a naive cyclic peptide phage display library to identify peptide ligands able to recognize and mimic IgG1‐Fc functions with FcyRI. Selection by competing off binders to FcyRI with IgG1 allowed the isolation of a family of peptides sharing the common consensus sequence TX2CXXØPXLLGCΦXE (Ø represents a hydrophobic residue, Φ is usually an acidic residue, and X is any residue) and able to inhibit IgG1 binding to FcγRI. In soluble form, these peptides antagonize superoxide generation mediated by IgG1. In complexed form, they trigger phagocytosis and a superoxide burst. Unlike IgG, these peptides are strictly FcγRI‐specific among the FcγRs. Molecular modeling studies suggest that these peptides can adopt 2 distinct and complementary conformers, each able to mimic the discontinuous interface contacts constituted by the Cγ2‐A and ‐B chains of Fc for FcγRI. In addition, by covalent homodimerization, we engineered a synthetic bivalent 37‐mer peptide that retains the ability to trigger effector functions. We demonstrate here that it is feasible to maintain IgG‐Fc function within a small structured peptide. These peptides represent a new format for modulation of effector functions. — Bonetto, S. , Spadola, L. , Buchanan, A. G. , Jermutus, L. Lund, J. Identification of cyclic peptides able to mimic the functional epitope of IgG1‐Fc for human FcγRI. FASEB J. 23, 575–585 (2009)
Intertemporal Relation Between The Expected Return And Risk: An Evaluation Of Emerging Market

This paper explores the intertemporal relationship between the expected return and risk in Chinese exchange market. We investigate the characterization of time-series variation in conditional variance and capture the cross-sectional correlation among equity portfolios by incorporating multivariate GARCH-M model with dynamic conditional covariance (DCC). Restricting the slope to be the same across risky assets, the risk-return coefficient is estimated to be positive and highly significant. In addition, the estimates of portfolio-specific slopes provide evidence to support the robustness across different portfolio formations. Our findings, in the Intertemporal Capital Asset Pricing Model (ICAPM) framework, reveal that the risk premium induced by the conditional covariation of equity portfolio with the market portfolio remain positive after controlling for risk premia induced by conditional covariation with Fama French benchmark factors (HML and SMB). The SMB factor might provide a significant predictive power to hedge against market risk. However, four indices of alternative investments are not consistently priced in the ICAPM framework.
Reduce Simulator Sickness by Overwritten Symbol in Smartphone-Based VR System

The aim of this paper is to reduce simulator sickness caused by the low refresh rate of display in smartphone-based VR system. Without regard to the improvement of hardware, the method proposed in this paper reduces simulator sickness by adding static symbol on the screen of the smartphone. A series of user-participation experiments were done to validate the effectiveness of the method. Participants' responses to the symbol with different textures (cross or Minion logo) and in different positions (the center or near the corners) were assessed by Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). The preliminary results demonstrate that the existence, the position and complexity of the symbols can be factors in relieving symptoms of simulator sickness.
Computing education in K-12 schools: A review of the literature

During the last few years, the focus of computer science education (CSE) in primary and secondary schools (shortly K-12) have reached a significant turning point. This study reviews the published papers on the field of K-12 computing education in order to summarize the findings, guide future studies and give reflections for the major achievements in the area of CSE in K-12 schools. 47 peer-reviewed articles were collected from a systematic literature search and analyzed, based on a categorization of their main elements. Programming tools, educational context, and instructional methods are the main examined categories of this research. Results of this survey show the direction of CSE in schools research during the last years and summarized the benefits as well as the challenges. In particular, we analyzed the selected papers from the perspective of the various instructional methods aiming at introducing and enhancing learning, using several programming tools and educational context in K-12 CSE. Despite the challenges, the findings suggest that implementing computing lessons in K-12 education could be an enjoyable and effective learning experience. In addition, we suggest ways to facilitate deep learning and deal with various implications of the formal and informal education. Encouraging students to create their own projects or solve problems should be a significant part of the learning process.
Service offering, perceived value and value driver in semiconductor foundry industry: An exploratory study

Semiconductor manufacturing service providers, or foundries, have been playing a more and more important role in the industrial value network. However, little research has focused on service content and value. Based on service-dominant logic thinking, this study identifies major service offerings by focus group research and conducts a large-scale survey to explore the value and value drivers perceived by customers. Research results reveal that perceived value and key value drivers are quite different among service offerings. Results also suggest that foundry companies tailor value propositions for customers in different region when designing their service-offering portfolio.
Europeanization from below: the influence of individual actors on the EU integration of social policies

European political integration has largely been described as a process that is driven by elites rather than citizens. This does not apply to the field of European social policy, which is often influenced by individual actors and their particular interests. This specific involvement of individuals is based on politically created roles, such as European Consumer, European Worker and European Citizen, and the rights related to them. EU citizens now adopt these roles and actively refer to entitlements that emerge for them from EU Law, especially when asserting their rights in court. As an unintended effect we can indeed observe a transfer of competences from the national to the European level in the field of social policy – even against the expressed will of national governments. The evolution of European social policy can therefore only be explained by including the individual citizen in the analysis.
Contestability and contested stability: Life and times of CSIRO’s New Zealand cousins, the Crown Research Institutes

Summary The progress of the Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) since their formation in 1992 from the dismantling of the centralised Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) is charted. Particular attention is paid to the funding environment, characterised by the concept of contestability, in which the CRIs have operated. In recent years, the CRIs have lobbied for more funding stability arguing that contestability has resulted in fickle funding decisions, eroding their ability to plan for the long-term and build human capital. Certainly recent changes in policy reflect a greater concern with CRI capability. When the Government moved to increase the amount of core funding for CRIs, however, the universities, concerned that this would reduce their access to funding, argued that this ‘stability’ would result in ossification and less than excellent science. The paper concludes with some reflections on the contrast between the CSIRO and CRI cousins, and on the future for CRIs.
Growth-Oriented SMEs in Unfavourable Regional Environments

VAESSEN P. and KEEBLE, D. (1995) Growth-oriented SMEs in unfavourable regional environments, Reg. Studies 29, 489–505. In this paper the research focus is on ‘counterfactual’ cases of growth-oriented SMEs in peripheral regions of Britain (Scotland, Northern England, Wales and Merseyside). These firms are systematically compared to three control groups, made up of growth-oriented SMEs in the South East, slow-growth firms in the Periphery, and slow-growth firms in the South East. Apart from some performance measures such as profits and exports, three key characteristics of the firms are analysed. These are the extent of competition in the markets served, levels of innovation and R & D, and work force and labour market characteristics. The analysis is conducted for manufacturing firms and professional and business services separately. Firms of the research group stand out against the other firms in the sample as businesses with a very favourable R & D input–output ratio and greater propensity for providing a.
Missense SLC25A38 variations play an important role in autosomal recessive inherited sideroblastic anemia

Background Congenital sideroblastic anemias are rare disorders with several genetic causes; they are characterized by erythroblast mitochondrial iron overload, differ greatly in severity and some occur within a syndrome. The most common cause of non-syndromic, microcytic sideroblastic anemia is a defect in the X-linked 5-aminolevulinate synthase 2 gene but this is not always present. Recently, variations in the gene for the mitochondrial carrier SLC25A38 were reported to cause a non-syndromic, severe type of autosomal-recessive sideroblastic anemia. Further evaluation of the importance of this gene was required to estimate the proportion of patients affected and to gain further insight into the range and types of variations involved. Design and Methods In three European diagnostic laboratories sequence analysis of SLC25A38 was performed on DNA from patients affected by congenital sideroblastic anemia of a non-syndromic nature not caused by variations in the 5-aminolevulinate synthase 2 gene. Results Eleven patients whose ancestral origins spread across several continents were homozygous or compound heterozygous for ten different SLC25A38 variations causing premature termination of translation (p.Arg117X, p.Tyr109LeufsX43), predicted splicing alteration (c.625G>C; p.Asp209His) or missense substitution (p.Gln56Lys, p.Arg134Cys, p.Ile147Asn, p.Arg187Gln, p.Pro190Arg, p.Gly228Val, p.Arg278Gly). Only three of these variations have been described previously (p.Arg117X, p.Tyr109LeufsX43 and p.Asp209His). All new variants reported here are missense and affect conserved amino acids. Structure modeling suggests that these variants may influence different aspects of transport as described for mutations in other mitochondrial carrier disorders. Conclusions Mutations in the SLC25A38 gene cause severe, non-syndromic, microcytic/hypochromic sideroblastic anemia in many populations. Missense mutations are shown to be of importance as are mutations that affect protein production. Further investigation of these mutations should shed light on structure-function relationships in this protein.
Stochastic Programming, Utility, and Sequential Decision Problems in Farm Management

This paper presents a further development of discrete stochastic programming, viewed within the context of Bayesian decision theory. Some probability models and information structures (with and without additional information) are discussed, followed by an indication of how the stochastic programming matrix may be set up to reflect the various information structures. Some expected utility theories are then reviewed, and their usefulness in allowing the specification of a wide variety of objective functions for the stochastic programming model is illustrated. Lastly, a method is presented for determining the money value of additional information, additional resources, and the expected cost of uncertainty.
Network reduction schemes for transmission cost allocation in multi-area systems

This work revisits two approaches to obtain the equivalent of a multi-area network. The first approach, widely adopted in the literature, computes an approximate equivalent network, while the second one reduces the system of power flow equations by Gauss elimination. To highlight the differences between the approximate and the exact approach, the equivalent networks are derived to allocate the transmission costs in multi-area systems. Here, five different allocation techniques are implemented. The performance of both approaches is validated on the IEEE Two Area Reliability Test System.