Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A structured assessment on the perceived attributes of sustainable agricultural practices: a study for the Malaysian vegetable production sector

Individual farmers subjectively perceive the attributes of green agricultural innovations and their subsequent benefits. Qualifying this knowledge is important, but past efforts have largely been unsystematic. This systematic study assesses the structure of perceived attributes of sustainable agricultural practices. Through a survey of Malaysian vegetable farmers, the results of confirmatory factor analysis indicate that the most robust structure consists of four attributes. The four important attributes are relative advantage, compatibility, complexity and trialability. Among them, measures are required to link non-economic benefits to profitability to the attribute of relative advantage. Our work represents a guide to assist change agents to evaluate farmer perceptions at different locations systematically. This structured method will help effectively to design and promote sustainable agriculture and other green agricultural innovations.
Is Production and Operations Management a Discipline?: A citation/co-citation Study

For the past 20 years, the field of production and operations management (POM) has tried to establish itself as a discipline distinct from operations research (OR), management science (MS) and industrial engineering (IE). Sceptics argue that POM has failed to develop its own body of literature, lacks a distinct intellectual structure and that there is little appreciation of what it stands for. In this paper we use bibliometric techniques (a factor analysis of co‐citations) to investigate the intellectual pillars of the POM literature and explore whether these are distinct from those commonly associated with its rival fields. We also use simple non‐parametric techniques to show that the research agenda of European POM scholars differs substantially from that of their North American counterparts, and argue that such transatlantic differences may have exacerbated the difficulties POM has experienced in developing as a respected academic discipline.
Guest editorial: perspectives on sustainable consumption

The typical guest editorial within a special issue of a journal will explain the theme of the special issue, introduce the different contributions that follow, outline the contributions that each makes and identify the common threads that connect them. By contrast, this editorial article seeks to provide an overview which explores the broader context for the challenges that are presented by the pursuit of ‘sustainable consumption’ as a field of scholarship, a form of behaviour and a public policy goal. It explores some of the complexities involved in understanding sustainable consumption, and the ways in which conventional approaches to understanding consumption and consumer behaviour may be insufficient to understand and promote sustainable consumption.
Industrial Agglomeration and Employer Compliance with Social Security Contribution: Evidence from China

type="main"> This paper, by using annual surveys of Chinese manufacturing firms from 2001 to 2007, investigates the relationship between industrial agglomeration and employer compliance with required pension contributions. The result of panel fixed-effect estimation shows that in the more agglomerated industrial areas, firms comply with pension mandates at a higher level. Our finding is robust to various specifications and estimations employing instrumental variables.
Chronic ingestion of a low dose of caffeine induces tolerance to the performance benefits of caffeine

ABSTRACT This study examined effects of 4 weeks of caffeine supplementation on endurance performance. Eighteen low-habitual caffeine consumers (<75 mg · day−1) were randomly assigned to ingest caffeine (1.5–3.0 mg · kg−1day−1; titrated) or placebo for 28 days. Groups were matched for age, body mass, V̇O2peak and Wmax (P > 0.05). Before supplementation, all participants completed one V̇O2peak test, one practice trial and 2 experimental trials (acute 3 mg · kg−1 caffeine [precaf] and placebo [testpla]). During the supplementation period a second V̇O2peak test was completed on day 21 before a final, acute 3 mg · kg−1 caffeine trial (postcaf) on day 29. Trials consisted of 60 min cycle exercise at 60% V̇O2peak followed by a 30 min performance task. All participants produced more external work during the precaf trial than testpla, with increases in the caffeine (383.3 ± 75 kJ vs. 344.9 ± 80.3 kJ; Cohen’s d effect size [ES] = 0.49; P = 0.001) and placebo (354.5 ± 55.2 kJ vs. 333.1 ± 56.4 kJ; ES = 0.38; P = 0.004) supplementation group, respectively. This performance benefit was no longer apparent after 4 weeks of caffeine supplementation (precaf: 383.3 ± 75.0 kJ vs. postcaf: 358.0 ± 89.8 kJ; ES = 0.31; P = 0.025), but was retained in the placebo group (precaf: 354.5 ± 55.2 kJ vs. postcaf: 351.8 ± 49.4 kJ; ES = 0.05; P > 0.05). Circulating caffeine, hormonal concentrations and substrate oxidation did not differ between groups (all P > 0.05). Chronic ingestion of a low dose of caffeine develops tolerance in low-caffeine consumers. Therefore, individuals with low-habitual intakes should refrain from chronic caffeine supplementation to maximise performance benefits from acute caffeine ingestion.
Tbx1 regulation of myogenic differentiation in the limb and cranial mesoderm

The T‐box transcription factor Tbx1 has been implicated in DiGeorge syndrome, the most frequent syndrome due to a chromosomal deletion. Gene inactivation of Tbx1 in mice results in craniofacial and branchial arch defects, including myogenic defects in the first and second branchial arches. A T‐box binding site has been identified in the Xenopus Myf5 promoter, and in other species, T‐box genes have been implicated in myogenic fate. Here we analyze Tbx1 expression in the developing chick embryo relating its expression to the onset of myogenic differentiation and cellular fate within the craniofacial mesoderm. We show that Tbx1 is expressed before capsulin, the first known marker of branchial arch 1 and 2 muscles. We also show that, as in the mouse, Tbx1 is expressed in endothelial cells, another mesodermal derivative, and, therefore, Tbx1 alone cannot specify the myogenic lineage. In addition, Tbx1 expression was identified in both chick and mouse limb myogenic cells, initially being restricted to the dorsal muscle mass, but in contrast, to the head, here Tbx1 is expressed after the onset of myogenic commitment. Functional studies revealed that loss of Tbx1 function reduces the number of myocytes in the head and limb, whereas increasing Tbx1 activity has the converse effect. Finally, analysis of the Tbx1‐mesoderm‐specific knockout mouse demonstrated the cell autonomous requirement for Tbx1 during myocyte development in the cranial mesoderm. Developmental Dynamics 236:353–363, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Model based classification of mine-like objects in sidescan sonar using the highlight information

This paper presents a model-based approach to perform underwater target classification. Very high resolution imaging sonar has increased the opportunities to use highlight information contained in the target acoustic signature whereas underwater target classification is still mainly based on the analysis of geometrical properties of the acoustic shadows. Supervised classifiers generally use experimental or simulated samples of target acoustic signature in the training stage but when the testing set is different from the training set the performance can be altered. Here the classification method consists in comparing the A-scan of the detected target with a set of simulated A-scans generated by our Sonar Image Simulator (SIS) in the same operational conditions. The used simulator relies on acoustical ray tracing techniques and takes into account complicated underwater physical process to simulate an accurate time response of underwater targets (A-scan). Practically the classifier is made of a cascade of matched filters. Each is built by simulating the A-scan for a given object in a given orientation (and /or for a given size). The resulting scores can be used to rank likelihood of belonging to object classes. The result is flexible and gives a percentage match for each class. With this approach the training set can be extended increasingly to improve classification when classes are strongly correlated. This classification process is assessed on a few real sidescan sonar data. These first results are finally discussed and further work is deduced to improve the general classification task.
Flavonoids intake and risk of prostate cancer: a meta‐analysis of observational studies

The aim of the study was to assess the association between total flavonoids/flavonoid subclasses intake and prostate cancer risk. Several databases were searched to select eligible studies with predefined criteria. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the effect size. Publication bias and sensitivity analysis were performed. A total of five studies including four prospective cohort studies and one case–control study were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled result demonstrated a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer with higher intake of total flavonoids (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.23, P = 0.013). However, sensitivity analysis indicated that there lacked a significant association after removing the study of Wang et al. (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.94–1.46). Subgroup analysis stratified by flavonoids subclasses found that higher intake of anthocyanidins and flavan‐3‐ols were significantly associated with increased prostate cancer risk (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03–1.21, P = 0.011; RR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.10–1.32, P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis also indicated that after removing Wang's study, no significant association between anthocyanidins intake and prostate cancer risk was detected (RR = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.97–1.54). In conclusion, higher intake of flavonoids may not be associated with prostate cancer risk.
A formative evaluation of Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC): institutional entrepreneurship for service innovation

CLAHRCs are a time-limited funded initiative to form new service and research collaboratives in the English health system. Their aim is to bring together NHS (National Health Service) organisations and Universities to accelerate the translation of evidence-based innovation into clinical practice. In this study, we draw on ideas from institutional theory and institutional entrepreneurship to examine how actors may engage in reshaping existing institutional practices in order to support, and help sustain efforts to close the second translational gap. The second translational gap can be described as the disconnect between the introduction and implementation of new research and products into clinical practice.
A 100Gb/s quad-rate transformer-coupled injection-locking CDR circuit in 65nm CMOS

This paper presents an injection-locking clock and data recovery circuit (CDR) for serial link receivers. A transformer-coupled injection-locking scheme with all passive components is proposed to lock the quadrature voltage controlled oscillator (QVCO) to align the received data. The quad-rate CDR successfully regenerates the serial 100 Gb/s PRBS 231-1 data into 4 parallel data streams at 25 Gb/s. The fabricated chip occupies 1.92 mm2 in 65 nm standard CMOS process with recovered data peak-to-peak jitter of 0.84ps and consumes 130 mW power with 1.0-V supply.
Living in an Imaginary World that Looks Real

In the paper we show – using standard approaches, general equilibrium modeling and the assumption of complete rationality – that the macroeconomic environment is endogenous and is indeterminate. Specifically, it is argued – without resorting to sunspot type arguments – that microeconomic fundamentals do not suffice to characterize the economy at the macro level. In particular, we show how perceptions of rational agents of the workings of the economy (a) shape the environment, (b) affect the environment sufficiently to ensure that rational economic agents find the observed environment consistent with their beliefs even though it is not. As a by-product, we illustrate that endogenous macro uncertainty can arise as an outcome if rational economic agents whose expectations are anchored on endogenous variables expect them to arise. Finally, we show that systematic errors can persist indefinitely under rationality.
Molecular modeling of the human sperm associated antigen 11 B (SPAG11B) proteins

Abstract Antimicrobial proteins and peptides are ubiquitous in nature with diverse structural and biological properties. Among them, the human beta-defensins are known to contribute to the innate immune response. Besides the defensins, a number of defensin-like proteins and peptides are expressed in many organ systems including the male reproductive system. Some of the protein isoforms encoded by the sperm associated antigen 11B (SPAG11) gene in humans are beta-defensin-like and exhibit structure dependent and salt tolerant antimicrobial activity, besides contributing to sperm maturation. Though some of the functional roles of these proteins are reported, the structural and molecular features that contribute to their antimicrobial activity is not yet reported. In this study, using in silico tools, we report the three dimensional structure of the human SPAG11B proteins and their C-terminal peptides. web-based hydropathy, amphipathicity, and topology (WHAT) analyses and grand average of hydropathy (GRAVY) indices show that these proteins and peptides are amphipathic and highly hydrophilic. Self-optimized prediction method with alignment (SOPMA) analyses and circular dichroism data suggest that the secondary structure of these proteins and peptides primarily contain beta-sheet and random coil structure and alpha-helix to a lesser extent. Ramachandran plots show that majority of the amino acids in these proteins and peptides fall in the permissible regions, thus indicating stable structures. The secondary structure of SPAG11B isoforms and their peptides were not perturbed with increasing NaCl concentration (0-300 mM) and at different pH (3, 7, and 10), thus reinforcing our previously reported observation that their antimicrobial activity is salt tolerant. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, results of our study provide vital information on the structural features of SPAG11B protein isoforms and their contribution to antimicrobial activity.
Snipe bidding behaviour in eBay auctions

Our research investigates what factors make snipe bidding more likely, whether sniping pays, and how an auction can be designed to minimise sniping. We estimate sniping probability in eBay auctions using multivariate models to examine novel datasets compiled from auctions of the Norelco electric razor and the Sony PlayStation2. Our main results reveal that the winner of an auction is more likely to be a snipe bidder and that a lower ending price increases the likelihood that the winner of an auction is a snipe bidder; everything else held constant. We find that experienced bidders are more likely to engage in sniping behaviour. In addition, we find that an auction designer or a seller can discourage snipe bidding by setting a longer duration and/or a lower (or no) reserve price.
Bistability and Non-Gaussian Fluctuations in Spontaneous Cortical Activity

The brain is widely assumed to be a paradigmatic example of a complex, self-organizing system. As such, it should exhibit the classic hallmarks of nonlinearity, multistability, and “nondiffusivity” (large coherent fluctuations). Surprisingly, at least at the very large scale of neocortical dynamics, there is little empirical evidence to support this, and hence most computational and methodological frameworks for healthy brain activity have proceeded very reasonably from a purely linear and diffusive perspective. By studying the temporal fluctuations of power in human resting-state electroencephalograms, we show that, although these simple properties may hold true at some temporal scales, there is strong evidence for bistability and nondiffusivity in key brain rhythms. Bistability is manifest as nonclassic bursting between high- and low-amplitude modes in the alpha rhythm. Nondiffusivity is expressed through the irregular appearance of high amplitude “extremal” events in beta rhythm power fluctuations. The statistical robustness of these observations was confirmed through comparison with Gaussian-rendered phase-randomized surrogate data. Although there is a good conceptual framework for understanding bistability in cortical dynamics, the implications of the extremal events challenge existing frameworks for understanding large-scale brain systems.
The role of international tourist perceptions of brand equity and travel intention in culinary tourism

Brand equity is becoming increasingly important, and research has started to examine the brand equity of tourist destinations. However, little research has studied the inter-relationship between the dimensions of brand equity in culinary tourism. The purpose of this study is to examine the roles of the three aspects of brand equity in culinary tourism. The Sobel test in line with Baron and Kenny's procedure was used to test the hypotheses in a sample of 407 international tourists from 10 regions. The empirical evidence supports the process-oriented view and indicates that brand loyalty could mediate the effects of brand image and perceived quality on travel intention. The findings of this study contribute to the theoretical development of a conceptual model and fill the gap in the literature.
Politics, Society and Financial Liberalization: Turkey in the 1990s

This article focuses on the political economy of Turkey in the 1990s to illustrate the importance of analysing economic variables that intersect with the quality of political democracy. In 1989, the debt-ridden state moved to systematically and completely deregulate Turkey’s financial markets. Together with the ongoing processes of liberalizing commodity markets and integrating with global capital markets, financial liberalization was expected to achieve fiscal and monetary stability, stimulate business confidence to invest in productive sectors, produce stable growth, encourage privatization and control inflation. However, the new hegemony of the capital markets has gone hand-in-hand with deteriorating macroeconomic performance, a worsening income distribution, the discrediting of politics and its isolation from society. The authors examine several key dynamics which are helping to legitimate the neoliberal agenda of the 1990s. These include the distribution of state largesse to manipulate electoral capitalism; the rise of an informal sector in the ‘Anatolian Tigers’; promotion of the seductive attractions of the market; and an antipolitical reform populism adopted by political actors to exploit popular disillusionment with the political system.
Dynamic network rewiring determines temporal regulatory functions in Drosophila melanogaster development processes

The identification of network motifs has been widely considered as a significant step towards uncovering the design principles of biomolecular regulatory networks. To date, time‐invariant networks have been considered. However, such approaches cannot be used to reveal time‐specific biological traits due to the dynamic nature of biological systems, and hence may not be applicable to development, where temporal regulation of gene expression is an indispensable characteristic. We propose a concept of a “temporal sequence of network motifs”, a sequence of network motifs in active sub‐networks constructed over time, and investigate significant network motifs in the active temporal sub‐networks of Drosophila melanogaster. Based on this concept, we find a temporal sequence of network motifs which changes according to developmental stages and thereby cannot be identified from the whole static network. Moreover, we show that the temporal sequence of network motifs corresponding to each developmental stage can be used to describe pivotal developmental events.
Effect of inoculum size on the phenotypic characterization of Campylobacter species

The type strains of six Campylobacter species or subspecies were examined in eight tests used for the identification of such organisms. False-positive results were obtained in certain tests (growth on 1% bile, brilliant green, selenite, trimethylamine-N-oxide, 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride, and minimal media) when an inoculum yielding 10(7) to 10(8) CFU/ml was used. Each tolerance test was examined with blood, nutrient, and brucella agars as basal media. The type of basal medium used could also affect the test outcome. With the inoculum standardized to a density yielding approximately 10(6) CFU/ml, reproducible and pertinent results were obtained, provided an appropriate basal medium was used. However, 95% confidence limits for viable counts done on these basal media indicated that blood agar may yield more consistent results than the other agars examined.
Innovations and Issues in Monetary Policy: Panel Discussion

Martin Feldstein:1 Chairman Alan Greenspan's remarks today give us an opportunity to understand his thinking about monetary policy and about the Federal Reserve's actions during the past 15 years. It was a period of substantial accomplishment that no doubt reflects in considerable measure the views of the Chairman himself. The Fed's primary goal, price stability, has been achieved, with inflation down from 4 percent at the end of the 1980's to about 1.5 percent now. The 2-percentage-point difference between the interest rate on conventional Treasury bonds and on inflation-indexed bonds (TIPS) shows that financial markets expect inflation will remain at about 2 percent for at least the next decade.
KLEIP deficiency in mice causes progressive corneal neovascular dystrophy.

PURPOSE The BTB-kelch protein KLEIP/KLHL20 is an actin binding protein that regulates cell-cell contact formation and cell migration. The aim of our study was to characterize KLEIP's function in ocular health and disease in mice. METHODS KLEIP(-/-) mice were generated, and corneas were examined histologically and stained for keratin-1, loricrin, keratin-12, keratin-14, CD31, LYVE-1, F4/80, E-cadherin, and Ki67. Corneal abrasions were performed after eyelid opening. RESULTS Corneas of KLEIP(+/+) and KLEIP(-/-) mice were indistinguishable at birth. After eyelid opening corneal epithelial hyperplasia started to manifest in KLEIP(-/-) mice, showing a progressive epithelial metaplasia leading to total corneal opacity. In KLEIP(-/-) mice the initial stratified squamous corneal epithelium was altered to an epidermal histo-architecture showing several superficial keratinized cells, cell infiltrations into the stroma, and several apoptotic cells. Skin markers keratin 1 and loricrin were positive, and surface disease was accompanied by deep stromal vascularization. Expression analysis for E-cadherin in KLEIP(-/-) corneas showed acellular areas in the squamous epithelium, indicating a progressive fragile corneal integrity. Removal of the virgin epithelium accelerated strongly development of the epithelial and stromal alterations, identifying mechanical injuries as the major trigger for corneal dystrophy formation and scarification in KLEIP(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS The data identify KLEIP as an important molecule regulating corneal epithelial integrity.