Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Innovation and e-commerce in clusters of small firms: The case of a regional e-marketplace

This paper goes into the black box of a Regional Electronic Marketplace (REM) and studies it from a multiplicity of points of view. It identifies the critical success factors for the establishment of an REM and its evaluation, analyses the determinants of firms’ satisfaction and economic performance inside the REM and proposes policy suggestions. The analysis is based on micro-level data collected via a questionnaire submitted to firms, on interviews with relevant agents and accountancy data. Results show that REMs deserve support as an instrument of territorial development in the establishment and in the adoption phase. Policy makers should promote policies aimed at financing the acquisition of know-how and technical infrastructure but also work as ‘territorial animateurs’, identifying possible pilot enterprises characterised by high export orientation, commercial vision and linkages inside and outside the cluster, and then encouraging its adoption amongst less innovative firms.
2D-NMR demonstration of lignin removal from wood and non-wood plant feedstocks by fungal versatile peroxidase

E.F. -F. and J.R. thank Junta de Ampliacion de Estudios of CSIC for a JAE PhD fellowship and a JAE-DOC contract (co-funded by the European Social Fund). M.A.B. acknowledges an FPI fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. This work was supported by the Spanish HIPOP (BIO2011-26694) and LIGNOCELL (AGL2011-25379) projects (co-financed by FEDER funds) and the European projects PEROXICATS (KBBE-2010-4-265397) and INDOX (KBBE-2013-7-613549).
Yoga to Decrease the Stress Response: Gentle Yoga Encourages Faster Decline in Salivary Cortisol Concentrations Following Participation in TSST

Short-term, activation of the human stress response system is beneficial as it prepares the body to deal with stressors at hand (McEwen & Stellar, 1993). If this system is overactive or chronically active however, it can negatively impact health and longevity (Cohen, Janicki-Deverts, & Miller, 2007). According to a review conducted by Ross & Thomas (2010) implementation of a yoga practice has been shown to down-regulate the stress response system. The present study aimed to expand on current research involving yoga for stress reduction by exploring whether participation in gentle yoga could decrease the stress response more quickly than naturally occurs after psychological stress exposure. Participants were exposed to a psychological stress test, then randomly assigned to take part in a gentle yoga sequence or watch a neutral video. Analyses through independent sample t-tests indicated faster decline in salivary cortisol concentrations from initial stress response for participants that took part in gentle yoga. Results suggest participation in a gentle yoga practice helps decrease the stress response more quickly than occurs naturally following psychological stress exposure.
PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY AMONG GROWERS OF NEW RICE FOR AFRICA IN THE SAVANNA ZONE OF NIGERIA

The technical, allocative and economic efÞ ciencies of farmers who grow the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) were examined empirically in this study. The probabilistic frontier production function was used to predict the farm level technical efÞ ciency which serves as basis for estimating the economic efÞ ciency. Results showed that rice output is inelastic with respect to herbicide (0.04), land (0.25), fertilizer (0.31), seed (0.33), labour (0.46) and statistically signiÞ cant (P < 0.01). Rice farms in the study area exhibits increasing positive return to scale (1.3), indicating that farmers were not efÞ cient in allocating their resources. The average technical, allocative and economic efÞ ciency indices of 0.65 (±0.059), 0.59 (±0.111) and 0.39 (±0.094) respectively, indicate considerable room for increase productivity of rice farmers through improvement in their production efÞ ciencies. EfÞ ciency indices were signiÞ cantly (P < 0.05) affected by age of farmer, farming experience, extension contact and credit use. Improvement of those factors that signiÞ cantly affect efÞ ciency indices is recommended.
Optimal Placement of Phasor Measurement Units for Full Observability of the Power System Using Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Minimum Spanning Tree

An improved genetic algorithm named MST-GA is proposed to minimize amount of PMUs for fully observing huge scale power grid. It adopts minimum spanning tree algorithm to repair unfeasible solutions, and makes use of the topology of power grid in the process of mutation. The simulation results of IEEE30 and IEEE39-bus system show that the algorithm can balance the quality and diversity of solutions better than others.
A semi-infinite hydraulic fracture driven by a shear-thinning fluid

We use the Carreau rheological model which properly accounts for the shear-thinning behaviour between the low and high shear rate Newtonian limits to investigate the problem of a semi-infinite hydraulic fracture propagating at a constant velocity in an impermeable linearly elastic material. We show that the solution depends on four dimensionless parameters: a dimensionless toughness (function of the fracture velocity, confining stress, material and fluid parameters), a dimensionless transition shear stress (related to both fluid and material behaviour), the fluid shear-thinning index and the ratio between the high and low shear rate viscosities. We solve the complete problem numerically combining a Gauss–Chebyshev method for the discretization of the elasticity equation, the quasi-static fracture propagation condition and a finite difference scheme for the width-averaged lubrication flow. The solution exhibits a complex structure with up to four distinct asymptotic regions as one moves away from the fracture tip: a region governed by the classical linear elastic fracture mechanics behaviour near the tip, a high shear rate viscosity asymptotic and power-law asymptotic region in the intermediate field and a low shear rate viscosity asymptotic far away from the fracture tip. The occurrence and order of magnitude of the extent of these different viscous asymptotic regions are estimated analytically. Our results also quantify how shear thinning drastically reduces the size of the fluid lag compared to a Newtonian fluid. We also investigate simpler rheological models (power law, Ellis) and establish the small domain where they can properly reproduce the response obtained with the complete rheology.
The effects of a single bout of circuit resistance exercise on metabolic syndrome risk factors: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: The concept of metabolic syndrome includes a number of metabolic disturbances linked by insulin resistance, which increase cardiovascular and diabetes risk. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a single bout of circuit resistance training on metabolic syndrome risk factors in men with type 2 diabetes. Material & Methods: 30 men (age: 36.3 ± 4.7 yr; BMI: 27.7 ± 0.9 kg/m) with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to an exercise group (n = 15) that performed a single bout of circuit resistance training or a control group (n = 15) that 56 J. Mehrabani, A. Tammanadar, M. Mehdizadeh Haghighi did not perform any type of physical exercise over the same period. Body composition, blood pressure, and blood sample measurements were performed before and after intervention. Results: No significant differences were observed in fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance index determined by HOMA-IR, total cholesterol [TC], triglyceride [TG], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL], systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP and DBP] in the exercise group compare to the control group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that a single bout of circuit resistance training had no significant effect on metabolic syndrome risk factors in the healthy young men.
Availability of DMB channels for EV charging

This paper addresses the availability of digital multimedia broadcasting to provide better charging services to electric vehicles. Through the advertisement framework which has been implemented by an extended TPEG frame and is capable of updating current waiting time in each charging station within a few second, the broadcast can eliminate multiple information retrieval requests from a lot of vehicles. The in-vehicle application first selects the candidate stations based on remaining battery and its current location. The uplink channel can be connected by either the cellular network or WiFi interface, if necessary. Then, the charging time estimation and time overhead for detour is evaluated to select the best one. Due to the delay in information posting, there can be inconsistency between the posted and the actual waiting time. The experiment shows that the inconsistency ratio is not so significant if charging stations are sufficiently available.
Modern Business Methods of Idea Generation in the Banking Sector

The issue of developing an effective idea generation model has preoccupied business leaders more and more in modern businesses. The literature shows that there are many models that are in use and that differ substantially in both style and application. The idea generation methods can be divided into three groups: group work, individual approach and schematic techniques. After analyzing all the methods belonging to each group, a total of nine methods were selected (three for each category). This study tries to identify whether or not there is a connection between the number of ongoing projects from a company and the three groups of methods. In order to perform this analysis, the banking sector was chosen, using a sample of nine banks.
Cloning of a Transglutaminase Gene from Streptomyces thioluteus TTA 02 SDS 14

Microbial Transglutaminase (MTGase, EC 2.3.2.13) is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of acyl group. Many microbial strains that produce MTGase belong to Streptomyces members. This research was aimed at cloning of a MTGase gene. PCR–based screening of ten MTGase-producing streptomyces isolates from soil in West Nusa Tenggara led to detection of one potential isolate, designated as TTA 02 SDS 14. The partial MTGase-encoding gene (470 bp) was amplified by PCR and sequenced. The sequence result indicate its similarity of 93 % with that of Streptomyces cinnamoneus . The 16S rRNA gene analysis showed its identity as Streptomyces thioleteus . Fosmid - based construction of a genomic library from the isolate and subsequent screening led to the isolation of a ~40-Kb fosmid harboring a MTGase gene.
Primordial non-Gaussianity in the bispectra of large-scale structure

The statistics of large-scale structure in the Universe can be used to probe non-Gaussianity of the primordial density field, complementary to existing constraints from the cosmic microwave background. In particular, the scale dependence of halo bias, which affects the halo distribution at large scales, represents a promising tool for analyzing primordial non-Gaussianity of local form. Future observations, for example, may be able to constrain the trispectrum parameter gNL that is difficult to study and constrain using the CMB alone. We investigate how galaxy and matter bispectra can distinguish between the two non-Gaussian parameters fNL and gNL, whose effects give nearly degenerate contributions to the power spectra. We use a generalization of the univariate bias approach, making the hypothesis that the number density of halos forming at a given position is a function of the local matter density contrast and of its local higher-order statistics. Using this approach, we calculate the halo-matter bispectra and analyze their properties. We determine a connection between the sign of the halo bispectrum on large scales and the parameter gNL. We also construct a combination of halo and matter bispectra that is sensitive to fNL, with little contamination from gNL. We study both the case of single and multiple sources to the primordial gravitational potential, discussing how to extend the concept of stochastic halo bias to the case of bispectra. We use a specific halo mass-function to calculate numerically the bispectra in appropriate squeezed limits, confirming our theoretical findings.
Classification based Knee Bone Detection using Context Information

In this paper, we propose a method that automatically detects organs having similar appearances in medical images by learning both context and appearance features. Since only the appearance feature is used to learn the classifier in most existing detection methods, detection errors occur when the medical images include multiple organs having similar appearances. In the proposed method, based on the probabilities acquired by the appearance-based classifier, new classifier containing the context feature is created by iteratively learning the characteristics of probability distribution around the interest voxel. Furthermore, both the efficiency and the accuracy are improved through 'region based voting scheme' in test stage. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, we detect femur and tibia which have similar appearance from SKI10 knee joint dataset. The proposed method outperformed the detection method only using appearance feature in aspect of overall detection performance.
The Reality and Difficulties of Employing ICT in Teaching from the Perspective of Math Teachers of Middle Stage in Riyadh

The present study aims to identify the reality and difficulties of employing Information Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching from the perspective of female Mathematics teachers of middle stage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study sample consisted of (165) female Math teachers of middle stage in Riyadh. The tool utilized is a questionnaire; and in order to answer the study questions and verify the validity of its hypotheses, the author used frequencies, arithmetic means, standard deviations, ANOVA, and the Tukey Test. The results showed that the degrees of the availability of most of the domains of using devices and applications in teaching of Math were (often and sometimes). The results also showed that the availability of most of indicators of ICT employment in the teaching of Math for the middle stage was (often), the degree of the difficulties that limit the employment of ICT in the teaching of Math from the perspective of Math teachers was high and medium. The results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences (α ≤ 00.05) between the means of responses of the participants due to both scientific qualification and specialization. The results also showed statistically significant differences (α ≤ 00.05) between participants’ responses due to years of experience. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences (α ≤ 00.05) between the means of responses of the participants on each domain of the questionnaire due to years of experience.
The instability transition for the restricted 3-body problem - III. The Lyapunov exponent criterion

Aims. We establish a criterion for the stability of planetary orbits in stellar binary systems by using Lyapunov exponents and power spectra for the special case of the circular restricted 3-body problem (CR3BP). The criterion augments our earlier results given in the two previous papers of this series where stability criteria have been developed based on the Jacobi constant and the hodograph method. Methods. The centerpiece of our method is the concept of Lyapunov exponents, which are incorporated into the analysis of orbital stability by integrating the Jacobian of the CR3BP and orthogonalizing the tangent vectors via a well-established algorithm originally developed by Wolf et al. The criterion for orbital stability based on the Lyapunov exponents is independently verified by using power spectra. The obtained results are compared to results presented in the two previous papers of this series. Results. It is shown that the maximum Lyapunov exponent can be used as an indicator for chaotic behaviour of planetary orbits, which is consistent with previous applications of this method, particularly studies for the Solar System. The chaotic behaviour corresponds to either orbital stability or instability, and it depends solely on the mass ratio μ of the binary components and the initial distance ratio ρ0 of the planet relative to the stellar separation distance. Detailed case studies are presented for μ = 0.3 and 0.5. The stability limits are characterized based on the value of the maximum Lyapunov exponent. However, chaos theory as well as the concept of Lyapunov time prevents us from predicting exactly when the planet is ejected. Our method is also able to indicate evidence of quasi-periodicity. Conclusions. For different mass ratios of the stellar components, we are able to characterize stability limits for the CR3BP based on the value of the maximum Lyapunov exponent. This theoretical result allows us to link the study of planetary orbital stability to chaos theory noting that there is a large array of literature on the properties and significance of Lyapunov exponents. Although our results are given for the special case of the CR3BP, we expect that it may be possible to augment the proposed Lyapunov exponent criterion to studies of planets in generalized stellar binary systems, which is strongly motivated by existing observational results as well as results expected from ongoing and future planet search missions.
Cellular and Synaptic Organization of the Human Olfactory Bulb

The distribution of cell types and synapses is well characterized in the rodent olfactory bulb (OB), and from that plausible models of odor processing have been constructed. Individual olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) express only 1 of ~1000 odorant receptors (ORs) and send their axons to specific synaptic targets in the OB glomerular neuropil. Each glomerulus is innervated exclusively by OSN axons expressing the same OR. The distribution of these glomeruli is conserved across animals, as is the numerical relationship between number of expressed ORs and number of glomeruli in the OB. Our objective is to extend such results to the level of the human OB to determine how its cellular and synaptic organization, and more specifically how the number and distribution of its glomeruli, compare to what has been elucidated in mice. As there are ~2,000 glomeruli for ~1,000 ORs in mice, we predicted ~700 glomeruli in humans based on the ~350 intact OR genes identified in the human through genomic studies. Using immunohistochemistry, the organization of cells and synapses in human OBs was evaluated and quantified. While the laminar structure of the OB is broadly conserved between species, in the human OB the laminar organization as well as additional structural features suggest a less rigorously organized OB than in rodents, perhaps suggesting that odor processing in the human OB may be less efficient than in mice. Of particular note, the total number of glomeruli in the human OB differs significantly from predicted and demonstrates a high degree of variability amongst specimens, thus far ranging from approximately 3000 9000/OB. These results indicate that the principles of OR-homotypic axon convergence developed from mouse studies may not be readily applicable to the human, and that central processing of odor signals in the human may differ from those characterized in the mouse.
Increase in home bias and sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone

One of the most striking consequences of the recent episode of sovereign debt market stress in the Eurozone has been the increase in the share of public debt held by the domestic sector in fragile economies. First, we identify the shocks that explain most of the variation in this share in an S-VAR model on a sample of 7 Eurozone countries between 2007 and 2012. Home bias in sovereign debt responds positively to fundamentals and expectations shocks but we find no evidence that the increase in home bias is destabilizing per se. Second, we theoretically model the impact of the previous shocks in a second-generation model of crisis with endogenous home bias in sovereign debt. We derive conditions under which a higher home bias is associated with a change in the government's decision. Finally, we discuss which case of the model best applies to the distinct countries in our sample during the recent sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone.
Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska

We compiled, summarized, and reviewed 269 incidents of bear-human conflict involving firearms that occurred in Alaska during 1883-2009. Encounters involving brown bears (Ursus arctos; 218 incidents, 81%), black bears (Ursus americanus; 30 incidents, 11%), polar bears (Ursus maritimus; 6 incidents, 2%), and 15 (6%) unidentified species provided insight into firearms success and failure. A total of 444 people and at least 367 bears were involved in these incidents. We found no significant difference in success rates (i.e., success being when the bear was stopped in its aggressive behavior) associated with long guns (76%) and handguns (84%). Moreover, firearm bearers suffered the same injury rates in close encounters with bears whether they used their firearms or not. Bears were killed in 61% (n = 162) of bear-firearms incidents. Additionally, we identified multiple reasons for firearms failing to stop an aggressive bear. Using logistic regression, the best model for predicting a successful outcome for firearm users included species and cohort of bear, human activity at time of encounter, whether or not the bear charged, and if fish or game meat was present. Firearm variables (e. g., type of gun, number of shots) were not useful in predicting outcomes in bear-firearms incidents. Although firearms have failed to protect some users, they are the only deterrent that can lethally stop an aggressive bear. Where firearms have failed to protect people, we identified contributing causes. Our findings suggest that only those proficient in firearms use should rely on them for protection in bear country. (C) 2012 The Wildlife Society. Language: en
Early Effects of the Trauma Collaborative Care Intervention: Results From a Prospective Multicenter Cluster Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the impact of the Trauma Collaborative Care (TCC) program's early intervention components on 6-week outcomes. TCC was developed to improve psychosocial sequelae of orthopaedic trauma and includes the Trauma Survivors Network and additional collaborative care services. DESIGN Prospective, multicenter, cluster clinical trial. SETTING Level I Trauma Centers. PATIENTS Individuals with high-energy orthopaedic injuries requiring surgery and hospital admission: 413 patients at 6 trauma centers implementing the TCC program and 374 patients at 6 trauma centers receiving usual care. INTERVENTION TCC early intervention: patient education, peer visits, and coaching calls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Pain rating scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, and self-efficacy for return to work and managing finances. For each outcome, a hybrid Bayesian statistical procedure, accounting for clustering within sites and differences in baseline characteristics between sites, was used to estimate the intention-to-treat (ITT) effect and the effect under full receipt of early intervention components. RESULTS Sites varied substantially in utilization of intervention components. The posterior estimates of the ITT (full receipt) effect favor TCC for 4 (5) of the 5 endpoints. The posterior probabilities of a favorable (ITT; full receipt) TCC effect were as follows: depression (89%-93%), pain (84%-74%), post-traumatic stress disorder (68%-68%), self-efficacy for return to work (74%-76%), and self-efficacy for managing finances (47%-61%). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest TCC may have a small positive effect on early outcomes, but use of the services was highly variable among sites. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.