Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Group Support Systems Through the Lens of Action Research: Experiences in Organisations

Abstract In recent years, Group Support Systems (GSS) have been increasingly employed in organisational settings and a variety of task environments. In this paper we demonstrate how GSS can be embedded within an action research intervention, with research informing practice and vice-versa. This form of direct intervention in an organisational problem context stimulates participation in group interaction, with all stakeholders contributing, learning and benefiting. Five cases from different geosocial environments on three continents are used to illustrate the challenges and opportunities that arise. Benefits for organisational researchers and practitioners are identified and recommendations made for future work.
Regional house price cycles in the UK, 1978-2012: a Markov switching VAR

Purpose – This paper aims to use Markov switching vector auto regression (MSVAR) methods to examine UK house price cycles in UK regions at NUTS1 level. There is extensive literature on UK regional house price dynamics, yet empirical work focusing on the duration and magnitude of regional housing cycles has received little attention. The research findings indicate that the regional structure of UK exhibits that UK house price changes are best described as two large groups of regions with marked differences in the amplitude and duration of the cyclical regimes between the two groups. Design/methodology/approach – MSVAR principal component analysis NUTS1 data are used. Findings – The housing cycles can be divided into two super regions based on magnitude, duration and the way they behave during recession, boom and sluggish periods. A north-south divide, a uniform housing policy and a monetary policy increase the diversion among the regions. Research limitations/implications – Markov switching needs high-freq.
Public and Private Investment and Economic Growth in Mexico

This paper analyzes the impact on economic growth of public and private investment spending in Mexico. Public investment expenditures had a positive and significant effect on output growth. Public investment's impact on economic growth was statistically identical to the impact of private capital spending. The contribution of public investment to output expansion came at the expense of private investment as indicating a significant crowding out effect.
Theoretical approaches to segmented labour markets

In neo-classical economic theory labour is a commodity and the ultimate value of the employer's services is determined by the sales value of the product of these services: the cost of supply reflects both the disutility of work for the recruit and his equalisation of net advantages between jobs. For modern labour economists the assumption that entrepreneurs require identical inputs of labour and the new recruits will therefore possess similar skills (the conditions of free competition) is an unrealistic one. Hence segmental labour market theory has grown out of the need to explain differences between shared needs and commonalities within each group of consumers (employers) on the one hand and suppliers (employees) on the other. In this way it has been possible to carry on assuming the existence of perfect competition on both sides of the market within the boundaries of labour markets thus defined.
Framework for Traffic Pattern Identification: Required Step for Short-term Forecasting

In the world of transport management, the term lanticipationr is gradually replacing lreactionr. Indeed, the ability to forecast traffic evolution in a network should ideally form the basis for many traffic management strategies and multiple ITS applications. Real-time prediction capabilities are therefore becoming a concrete need for the management of networks, both for urban and interurban environments, and todayrs road operator has increasingly complex and exacting requirements. Recognising temporal patterns in traffic or the manner in which sequential traffic events evolve over time have been important considerations in short-term traffic forecasting. However, little work has been conducted in the area of identifying or associating traffic pattern occurrence with prevailing traffic conditions. This paper presents a framework for detection pattern identification based on finite mixture models using the EM algorithm for parameter estimation. The computation results have been conducted taking into account the traffic data available in an urban network.
The Information Content of Orders on the Saudi Stock Market

Using order data for the Saudi Stock Market (SSM), we employ a new specification of an existing vector autoregressive (VAR) model to assess the information content of a newly submitted order. As predicted by the asymmetric information models, we find that larger and more aggressive orders are more informative. Private information is more important for infrequently traded stocks. Compared with previous findings, our findings imply the presence of a large quantity of asymmetric information on the SSM. The correlation between a relative measure of informativeness and the spread provides further support for the previous empirical observation that these two variables measure different things and should not be used interchangeably.
Strategies For Financing Public University Libraries In Tanzania

The objective of this study was to identify feasible strategies for financing public university libraries in Tanzania in response to the growing criticism of public universities in relation to government funding as competition becomes stiffer in the face of other equally demanding government responsibilities. The research design involved a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Primary data for this study were collected through survey method. The findings of the study indicate that all categories of respondents appreciate the costs involved in funding libraries. This is reflected by acknowledgement of paying for the services directly through charging user fees or indirectly through paying library fees and using part of the fees for library development. The study has also noted that resourcing of libraries is dependent on various sources and involves various stakeholders. It is recommended that diversification of funding sources should be taken seriously in financing library services and that this requires concerted efforts by stakeholders. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal Vol. 9 (2) 2007: pp. 1-19
Japanese security policy formation: assessing the Koizumi revolution

Since the turn of the century, Japanese security policy seems to have taken a more proactive, assertive turn. To what extent does this new security profile on Japan's part represent fundamental change in terms of security policy formation, security norms and security practice? This article analyses post-9/11 Japanese security policy formation by examining changes to policy-making processes and norms during and after Koizumi's tenure between 2001 and 2006, and assesses whether the Koizumi legacy is likely to endure. While there was a sea change in post-war Japanese politics in 2009, a government led by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will most likely represent essential continuity of twenty-first-century security policy trends and, indeed, will probably attempt a clearer and more determined articulation of these trends. The fact that the DPJ-led government promises revolutionary change to policy-making processes centred on the prime minister's office repackages the Koizumi era as one that is precedent-forming for a DPJ-led administration, particularly in the field of security policy. Developments in Japan's twenty-first-century security policy have become important indicators of deep structural change in Japanese politics, and are closely associated with the maturation of Japan's post-war democracy.
Rebels and parties: the impact of armed insurgency on representation in the Central African Republic

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the declining importance of political parties in the Central African Republic (CAR). The country can be considered an extreme example of the lack of viability of a state in general, and democracy in particular. However, the quality of elections has exceeded the average in the sub-region over a substantial time-span. Hopes for a democratic future only faded in recent years. The paper hypothesises that both political parties and rebel movements are failing to adequately represent (ethnoregional) interests, but that parties are suffering more in the course of the enduring war and the peace process. Patterns of elite behaviour are presented as the main explanation for the resulting crisis of representation, with international actors' preference for inclusionary power-sharing deals seen as the main aggravating factor.
Mood and Anxiety Disorders Following Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Study

Studies utilizing standardized instruments for assessing mood and/or anxiety disorders following pediatric traumatic brain injury have seldom been reported in the literature. Previous reports have largely focused on cognitive impairment, behavioral dysfunction, or adaptive functioning, and have typically relied on parental informants. In this study, children hospitalized for mild (N = 42) and moderate/severe (N = 19) brain injury were assessed 6-months postinjury using the Anxiety disorders Module A and the Mood disorders Module C of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children – IV Revision (DISC-IV). The data collected for the brain injury groups were compared to an orthopedic control group (N = 35). The relationship between a new onset mood and/or anxiety disorder (NOD) and injury severity indices was examined. Sequential logistical regression was also utilized to examine the impact of a brain injury, demographic variables, preinjury psychiatric disturbance, development disorders, litigation status and postinjury environmental stress on emotional outcome. Results indicated a relationship between brain injury and NOD. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that postinjury level of stress and severity of brain injury were the most robust predictors of NOD, accounting for 23% of the variance in the model. These results support the premise that the development of a mood and/or anxiety disorder following pediatric head injury is mediated by multiple determinants. The findings suggest that early psychosocial assessment and interventions aimed at increasing a child's coping may attenuate the emotional consequences of pediatric brain injury.
On Time Compression Overlap-Add Technique in Linear Frequency Modulation Pulse Compression Radar Systems: Design and Performance Evaluation

This paper introduces a novel approach to incorporate the time compression overlap-add (TC-OLA) technique used in communication systems into linear frequency modulation pulse compression (LFM-PC) radar systems. This technique significantly boosts the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and provides a robust processing gain compared with the traditional radar LFM-PC systems. In addition, TC-OLA provides a better immunity against powerful jamming techniques. At the transmitter side, we divide a digitized LFM chirp signal into a controlled number of overlapping segments. We then speed up each segment by increasing the sampling rate to account for the segment overlap. At the receiver side, we apply OLA to reconstruct the signal with a much higher gain. To simulate and evaluate the performance of the new system, we extend the conventional LFM-PC radar model, which includes matched filter (MF) processor, moving target detector (MTD), and two common constant false alarm rate (CFAR) algorithms, by suitably adding TC and OLA blocks at the transmitter and receiver, respectively. Using the TC-OLA-based LFM radar system, we have control over the SNR level and the spectrum spread while preserving the same Doppler shift and target time delay as the conventional LFM radar system. Furthermore, we transform LFM chirp signal into a novel TC signal that inherits LFM properties while possessing better immunity to jamming. Moreover, the proposed radar model relies on high sample rates only when needed and, therefore, does not require changing MF, MTD, and CFAR as is the case for a wideband LFM radar with the same processing gain. Detailed comparisons between the conventional LFM and the wideband LFM radars against the proposed model are also presented.
On enhancing the reliability of digital microfluidic biochips (DMFB) through electrode cells health classification

Reliability of digital microfluidic biochips (DMFB) emerges to be a critical issue, as they are becoming a popular alternative for laboratory experiments like DNA analysis, immunoassays and safety critical clinical diagnostics. To improve DMFB reliability, the key is to know the possible points of failure of its electrode cells. In this paper, a novel test methodology is introduced to monitor the health of the DMFB by classifying its individual cells into weak, faulty and fault-free. The emphasis is on identifying physically degraded cells in the DMFB array and reducing their over-use, thus saving those cells from becoming faulty during operation. Degradation in cell health is measured by the change in its capacitance via a capacitance measurement circuit that can be integrated with the DMFB. The paper also presents the circuit to classify the cells as weak, faulty and fault free, implemented using 180nm technology.
Epilithic Cyanobacterial Communities of a Marine Tropical Beach Rock (Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef): Diversity and Diazotrophy

ABSTRACT The diversity and nitrogenase activity of epilithic marine microbes in a Holocene beach rock (Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia) with a proposed biological calcification “microbialite” origin were examined. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences from the dominant mat (a coherent and layered pink-pigmented community spread over the beach rock) and biofilms (nonstratified, differently pigmented microbial communities of small shallow depressions) were retrieved using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and a clone library was retrieved from the dominant mat. The 16S rRNA gene sequences and morphological analyses revealed heterogeneity in the cyanobacterial distribution patterns. The nonheterocystous filamentous genus Blennothrix sp. , phylogenetically related to Lyngbya, dominated the mat together with unidentified nonheterocystous filaments of members of the Pseudanabaenaceae and the unicellular genus Chroococcidiopsis. The dominance and three-dimensional intertwined distribution of these organisms were confirmed by nonintrusive scanning microscopy. In contrast, the less pronounced biofilms were dominated by the heterocystous cyanobacterial genus Calothrix, two unicellular Entophysalis morphotypes, Lyngbya spp. , and members of the Pseudanabaenaceae family. Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides and Alphaproteobacteria phylotypes were also retrieved from the beach rock. The microbial diversity of the dominant mat was accompanied by high nocturnal nitrogenase activities (as determined by in situ acetylene reduction assays). A new DGGE nifH gene optimization approach for cyanobacterial nitrogen fixers showed that the sequences retrieved from the dominant mat were related to nonheterocystous uncultured cyanobacterial phylotypes, only distantly related to sequences of nitrogen-fixing cultured cyanobacteria. These data stress the occurrence and importance of nonheterocystous epilithic cyanobacteria, and it is hypothesized that such epilithic cyanobacteria are the principal nitrogen fixers of the Heron Island beach rock.
Bioeconomics of Spatial Exploitation in a Patchy Environment

Abstract This paper presents a model of renewable resource exploitation that incorporates both intertemporal dynamics and spatial movement. The model combines the H. S. Gordon–Vernon Smith hypothesis of a rent dissipation process with Ricardian notions that resources are exploited across space in a pattern dependent upon relative profitabilities. The population structure is characterized in a manner consistent with modern biological ideas that stress patchiness, heterogeneity, and interconnections among and between patches. Generally, we find the equilibrium patterns of biomass and effort across the system to be dependent upon bioeconomic conditions within each patch and the nature of the biological dispersal mechanism between patches. We use simple examples to illustrate how the distribution of effort throughout the system reflects the heterogeneity and the spatial biological linkages.
The Ultimate Frisbee Injury Study: The 2007 Ultimate Players Association College Championships

Objective: To quantify and characterize the injuries incurred by ultimate players during the 2007 Ultimate Players Association College Championships. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: The Ultimate Players Association College Championships in Columbus, Ohio, in May 2007. Participants: Athletes who left the field of play due to injury time-outs (ITOs). There were 107 recorded ITOs. Interventions: During the 3 days of the 2007 College Championships, 86 games were observed by the research staff. Athletes calling an ITO were interviewed. Sex, activity at time of injury, type of injury, and associated contact, if any, were recorded. Main Outcome Measures: Return to play, injury type, and injured body part. Results: One injury prevented return to play in each of the 2 sex divisions, equivalent to 1.66 per 1000 athlete-exposures in championships bracket games. The majority of ITOs were related to contact, 53% in the men's division and 68% in the women's division. The lower extremities were injured in 53% and 51% of cases in the men's and women's divisions, respectively. Laying out was one of the most common activities at time of ITO (29% and 22% in men's and women's divisions, respectively) and accounted for all of the men's closed head injuries and 2 of the 3 women's closed head injuries. Conclusions: There was a low rate of play-ending injuries. There were no statistically significant associations. Physical contact and laying out were frequently linked with ITO.
A Test of the Unitary and Collective Models of Household Labour Supply

This paper tests the unitary and the collective household labor supply models within a structural framework. A nonlinear unrestricted household labor supply system is postulated and the set of parametric restrictions imposed by each model is derived. The authors' results generally reject the income pooling restrictions embodied in the unitary model. Also, the symmetry of cross-wage effects is rejected. However, the collective model is not rejected for groups with no preschool children. Copyright 1997 by Royal Economic Society.
Optimization of residential property management

Purpose – The paper aims to provide an analysis of the principle‐agent relationship between owner (principal) and manager (agent) of investment properties by: developing an optimization model for the net profit scenario that any third party manager of properties in multiple locations faces; and describing the principal's (or owner's) problem and likewise developing an income optimization model. The model allows illustrating the misalignment of incentives and compensation arrangements common to the business of managing small investment properties.Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an in depth review of literature on the agency problem, both in general as well as in real estate research and compares the qualitative findings with analytical results provided by the model. The latter is developed by applying a transaction cost framework to the context of income structures in investment properties and their management.Findings – The optimization model shows that profit maximization for the manger .
The Kinetic Chain in Overhand Pitching

The overhead throwing motion is a coordinated effort of muscle units from the entire body, culminating with explosive motion of the upper extremity. The throwing motion occurs at a rapid pace, making analysis difficult in real time. Electromyographic studies and high-speed video recordings have provided invaluable details regarding the involved musculature, the sequence of muscle involvement, and associated kinematic variables. The goal of the present article is to provide an overview of the kinetic chain—that is, a detailed description of the muscular coordination during each phase of pitching—and to describe specific types of pitches. An enhanced understanding of the components of the kinetic chain and the phases of the throwing motion can provide important information for rehabilitation, performance enhancement, and injury prevention.
TRADE UNIONS AND THE STATE SINCE 1945: CORPORATISM AND HEGEMONY

In the British social formation, especially after 1960, there has been a tendency towards an external mode of control of industrial relations which is based upon the internal regulation of labour collectivities. The article argues that corporatism and hegemony are both inextricably linked facets of the same process — the ideological control of the IR system, embodying both corporate agencies and hegemonic relations, by a state which has various forms.
Effects of Aging and Training Status on Ventilatory Response During Incremental Cycling Exercise

Lenti, M, De Vito, G, Scotto di Palumbo A, Sbriccoli, P, Quattrini, FM, and Sacchetti, M. Effects of aging and training status on ventilatory response during incremental cycling exercise. J Strength Cond Res 25(5): 1326-1332, 2011-The aim of this study was to examine the effect of aging and training status on ventilatory response during incremental cycling exercise. Eight young (24 ± 5 years) and 8 older (64 ± 3 years) competitive cyclists together with 8 young (27 ± 4 years) and 8 older (63 ± 2 years) untrained individuals underwent a continuous incremental cycling test to exhaustion to determine ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and maximal oxygen uptake (&OV0312;o2max). In addition, the isocapnic buffering (IB) phase was calculated together with the hypocapnic hyperventilation. Ventilatory threshold occurred at similar relative exercise intensities in all groups, whereas RCP was recorded at higher intensities in young and older cyclists compared to the untrained subjects. The IB phase, reported as the difference between VT and RCP and expressed either in absolute (ml·min−1·kg−1 &OV0312;o2) or in relative terms, was greater (p < 0.01) in both young and older trained cyclists than in untrained subjects, who were also characterized by a lower exercise capacity. Isocapnic buffering was particularly small in the older untrained volunteers. Although young untrained and older trained subjects had a similar level of &OV0312;o2max, older athletes exhibited a larger IB. In addition, a higher absolute but similar relative IB was observed in young vs. older cyclists, despite a higher &OV0312;o2max in the former. In conclusion, the present study shows that aging is associated with a reduction of the IB phase recorded during an incremental exercise test. Moreover, endurance training induces adaptations that result in an enlargement of the IB phase independent of age. This information can be used for the characterization and monitoring of the physiological adaptations induced by endurance training.
Preparation of calcium phosphate nanocapsules including simvastatin/deoxycholic acid assembly, and their therapeutic effect in osteoporosis model mice

Simvastatin has recently been demonstrated to serve as a therapeutic agent for osteoporosis. However, it is hard to dissolve in water and has side effects such as rhabdomyolysis. Solubilization of the drug by deoxycholate was attempted, and the resulting simvastatin/deoxycholate assembly (DeCA/Sim) was coated by calcium phosphate (CaP) to reduce the side effects of simvastatin. The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic effects of the CaP‐coated deoxycholate micelle containing simvastatin in osteoporosis model mice.