Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incrementalism of environmental innovations versus paradigmatic change : a comparative study of the automotive and chemical industries

The purpose of this article is to analyse and to characterize sectoral patterns of environmental innovation, with a focus on the question of incrementalism and paradigmatic changes. The presentation of the case study of the automotive industry emphasizes a tendency towards incrementalism linked to the persistence of a strong dominant design, i.e. the internal combustion engine, which is continuously improved and creates lock-in effects. We argue that this tendency is mainly due to the difficulty to combine environmental objectives with non-environmental criteria, particularly the price of vehicles and their primary functionalities. The comparison with the chemical industry enables us to concentrate on the question of paradigmatic changes by focusing on green chemistry which opens radically new directions of research. We emphasize that the science-based character of the chemical industry, in particular the role of public-private partnerships in research, as well as the stringency of regulation with product bans, and the public pressure create favourable conditions to a transition towards a new green paradigm. It also shows that the definition of common selected principles by a community of scientific researchers and experts, which combine environmental and economic objectives, is a necessary condition to the development of radical environmental innovations and paradigmatic changes.
Integration of Project-Based Learning Strategy with Mobile Learning: Case Study of Mangrove Wetland Ecology Exploration Project

Technologies, such as mobile learning and online inquiry, would be used to create virtual versus real learning effects. In order to enhance the quality of the ecological environment learning projects in school settings, we integrate Project-based learning (PBL) strategy to develop an e-learning platform, and help students exploring their outdoor learning tasks with mobile learning technology. The main idea about the design and development of e-learning platform integrated PBL strategy, how to use mobile learning technology in the PBL learning tasks, and the feedback about PBL exploration from students are discussed in this study.
SGRs and AXPs: Evidence for Delayed Amplification of Magnetic Field after Neutron Star Formation?

We present new analysis of the birth rate of AXPs and SGRS and their associated SNRs. Using Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics together with parametric fits based on a robust estimator, we find a birth rate of ~1/(1000 years) for AXPs/SGRs and their associated SNRs. These high rates suggest that all massive stars (greater than ~(23–32)) give rise to remnants with magnetar-like fields. Observations indicate a limited fraction of high magnetic fields in these progenitors; thus our study is suggestive of magnetic field amplification. Dynamo mechanisms during the birth of the neutron stars require spin rates much faster than either observations or theory indicate. We propose that massive stars produce neutron stars with normal (~ G) magnetic fields, which are then amplified to - G after a delay of hundreds of years. The amplification is speculated to be a consequence of color ferromagnetism and to occur with a delay after the neutron star core reaches quark deconfinement density (i.e., the quark-nova scenario). The delayed amplification allows one to interpret simultaneously the high birth rate and high magnetic fields of AXPs/SGRs and their link to massive stars.
Empirical biomass models of understorey vegetation in boreal forests according to stand and site attributes

In the early phases of succession, the proportion of biomass comprising understorey vegetation may be considerable and, therefore, it plays a significant role in the annual nutrient and carbon cycling of forest ecosystems. The aim of our study was to identify the most significant forest-site attributes affecting the above-ground biomass of understorey vegetation and to develop models that can be used to predict this biomass in the boreal zone using readily available variables. The study was based on vegetation data consisted of percentage coverage observations collected from a network of permanent sample plots established by the National Forest Inventory in Finland. The coverage data were transformed to biomass with previously published models. According to our results, above-ground biomass can be predicted by such forest stand and site attributes as stand age and site nutrient level. In Scots pine, Norway spruce and broad-leaved forests growing on upland soil, the relative RMSE of predicted above-ground biomass of all understorey vegetation was 16.6%, 22.3% and 31.6%, respectively. In hardwood-spruce mires and paludified forests, the relative RMSE predicted above-ground biomass of all understorey vegetation was 12.2%. In pine mires it was 9.9%. The modelled relationship between biomass and forest site attributes can be used in ecosystem and carbon cycle modelling as a rapid non-destructive method to predict the above-ground biomass of understorey vegetation.
The impact of technological changes on incentives and motivations to work hard

The diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) associated with the diffusion of new work practices since fifteen years has raised concerns about the impact of these changes on productivity. Some recent studies underline a positive impact of ICT and of new work practices on firms' productivity. But as well known in the principal-agent literature agents are predisposed to shirking, so, in order to obtain productivity gains firms need to provide workers with sufficient incentives and to encourage motivations. Our main results, obtained with data collected in Luxembourg in 2004-2005, indicate that ICT permit to create a team spirit and an enriching work environment that influences positively pure intrinsic motivations of workers. These motivations, associated with positive incentives, can be substitutes for the direct monitoring introduced usually to obtain the effort of employees, but hard to be used in a context of increasing autonomy.
Parametric and Semiparametric Estimation in Models with Misclassified Categorical Dependent Variables

We consider both a parametric and a semiparametric method to account for classification errors on the dependent variable in an ordered response model. The methods are applied to the analysis of self-reported speaking fluency of male immigrants in Germany. We find that a parametric model which explicitly allows for misclassification performs better than a standard ordered probit model and than a model with random thresholds. We find some substantial differences in parameter estimates and predictions of the different models.
A comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of IT based education and the implications upon students.

There are a number of changes which have taken place within Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE) over the past decade, political, social and economic. Certainly within the UK, increasing numbers of people are being encouraged to apply to study at universities and colleges via a variety of formats, Scottish National Committee (1998). Research also suggests that more students are choosing to study online, Meyer (2003). There are many views that suggest this method of learning is suited to a variety of students. For instance, the increased flexibility it provides in terms of study time and location. There are also opposing views that suggest that online learning is only an option to those in society fortunate to be able to afford it financially, and that even those who are able to partake in IT based education are faced with the threat of isolation caused by reduced levels of interaction in the online environment. The aim of this study is to compare both the advantages and disadvantages that online learning can offer to students. The study will consider how online education is increasing the accessibility of higher education to many previously denied, as well as allowing for any evidence that may provide a link between performance levels of online students compared with their classroom counterparts. Providing an insight to how online graduates may potentially benefit the workforce and society. Opposing views, for example lack of face to face interaction, threats of isolation, and the potential creation of a social divide will also be covered, whilst considering how educational institutions may be able to reduce or even prevent these issues and aid the development of online education
Business Strategies and Disruptive Technologies: An Overview Within the Disruptive Innovation Theory

This chapter presents key issues taken from the review of existing literature on disruptive technologies and their importance for successful business strategies. The review is done within the framework of the disruptive innovation theory. The chapter covers an historical overview of the topic from the precursors to the most recent developments as well as an analysis of its predictive side. It also finds out whether the theory allows for the development of business models. Last section is devoted to the identification of strategies that are applicable in technological disruptive innovations and discusses relevant issues to develop such strategies. Disruptive innovations are widely recognized as key engines for competitive advantage, so it is important for companies to recognize the opportunities that emerge from developing disruptive technological innovations. Business Strategies and Disruptive Technologies: An Overview Within the Disruptive Innovation Theory
FOR BANKRUPTCY OF NATURAL PERSONS IN LITHUANIA

In Lithuania, bankruptcy of natural persons is a relatively new subject that has been scientifically only randomly dealt with. The bill of Bankruptcy of Natural Persons in Lithuania was proposed as early as in spring 2009 (No.XIP-450, 24.03.2009). The bill met with a considerable amount of criticism and was postponed for further improvement. By decree No. 413 of April 7, 2010, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the concept of the bankruptcy of natural persons of the Republic of Lithuania. The principal goal of the concept was to consolidate the main provisions of the future law. The Law of Bankruptcy of Natural Persons of the Republic of Lithuania has come into effect since March 1, 2013. The authors of the article overview the concept and models of bankruptcy of natural persons and introduce the advantages and shortcomings of the institute of bankruptcy of natural persons. Based on scientific sources of Lithuanian and foreign authors, the article offers a theoretically systemized version of the main reasons determining the bankruptcy of natural persons. The reasons fall into two categories – economic and social. The article is mainly targeted at defining the reasons that determine the bankruptcy of natural persons in Lithuania. To achieve this goal, a quantitative survey of the questionnaires of natural persons affected by bankruptcy has been taken for the basis. In their questionnaires, the natural persons affected by bankruptcy have been asked to evaluate the reasons of bankruptcy. The results have been analyzed with the help of factor analysis and statistically processed using the SPSS statistical software package.
SMALL SCALE MAIZE PRODUCTION IN NORTHERN GHANA: STOCHASTIC PROFIT FRONTIER ANALYSIS

The importance of small scale maize production to the development of Ghana is quiet clear however very little is known about their profit efficiency and its determinants. The study used the stochastic efficiency frontier model. A multistage random sampling method was used to obtain 144 small scale maize farmers across northern Ghana. The average measure of profit efficiency of 61% was recorded in the area with a minimum and maximum efficiency of 11% and 100% respectively. This implies there is an opportunity to increase profit by 40%. The inefficiency model showed that educational level, farming experience, and household size have negative coefficients, meaning that as these variables increases the profit efficiency of the farmer increases. Whiles the variables sex of farmer and age are positive and vice versa. This implies female farmers are more efficient than their male counterparts.
Giving And Receiving Brands As Valentine's Day Gifts

This study outlines the relationship between giving and receiving brands as gifts on Valentine’s Day. The occasion is a traditional time for declarations of love, adoration or intent that are expressed through a ritual of giving and receiving gifts or greeting cards. The exploratory research here attempts to remedy the shortcomings in the literature concerning brands and gift giving. The development of Valentine brand evaluation measure, when giving or receiving gifts is based on a factor analysis of 214 responses to a series of items in a survey completed by second year marketing students. Overall, the study contributes to the broad literature relating to consumer behaviour and increases the current understanding of the gift-giving phenomenon in general, and brands evaluation in particular. There is a significant, but small difference between giving and receiving brands as Valentine’s Day.
Comparative evaluation of organic formulations of Pseudomonas fluorescens based biopesticides and their application in the management of bacterial wilt of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

An experiment was conducted in the laboratory and farm of the Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, to explore the potentiality of various organic formulations of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf) and to manage bacterial wilt disease of brinjal ( Solanum melongena L.) under local conditions. Different organic materials and adhesives were used in the formulation of Pf based biopesticides and stored at room temperature (30°C) and 4°C to evolve a suitable substrate carrier-adhesive based bioformulation on the basis of comparative longer shelf life of the biocontrol bacteria. Storage condition of 4°C was found to be more suitable as it yielded higher viable count of the biocontrol bacteria in all the organic formulations studied. The formulation CVPf was found to give highest viable count of 890.33 x 10 8 cfu/g at 4°C and 45 x 10 6 cfu/g at room temperature, at 120 days after storage. Five best organic formulations of Pf were selected for application by different methods in pot and field experiments to study their effectiveness in the control of bacterial wilt of brinjal. CVPf formulation and seed + root + soil method of application performed significantly better than others with 83.33% control of bacterial wilt of brinjal in field experiment conducted by completely randomized block design. Effective management of bacterial wilt of brinjal by P. fluorescens under local conditions signifies its potentiality and scope as a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) when formulated using effective substrate carrier and adhesive. Key words: Bacterial wilt, substrate-carriers, bioformulation, biocontrol, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR).
Virtual Lab Based on Co-simulation to Include Impairments of Wireless Telecommunication Such as GSM-R in the Evaluation of ERTMS

The deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is mandatory along European railway corridors, but it will follow a long and expensive process. Thus, there is a need for faster roll-out and reduction in cost for the certification and authorization necessary to put equipment into service. One of the solutions to accelerate the process relies on making intensive use of lab-testing before real deployment. The ANR VEGAS project, labeled by i-Trans will design, develop and evaluate a virtual laboratory based on co- simulation by connecting an ERTMS functional simulator with a simulator dedicated to telecommunication technologies evaluation. In this way, the co-simulation will allow evaluating the functional subsystem behavior while taking into account the impairments related to the telecommunication subsystem (radio propagation impairments such as bad radio links and cuts, electromagnetic interferences or attacks). This paper presents the ongoing work on this virtual laboratory, the preliminary results and interesting prospective work in this context.
A self-consistent stellar and 3D nebular model of planetary nebula IC 418

Aims. We present a coherent stellar and nebular model that reproduces observations of the planetary nebula IC 418. We aim to test whether a stellar model found to provide an optimal description of the stellar observations is able to satisfactory ionize the nebula and reproduce the nebular observations, a finding that is by no mean evident. This allows us to determine all the physical parameters of both the star and the nebula, including chemical abundances and the distance. Methods. We used all the observational material available (FUSE, IUE, STIS and optical spectra) to constrain the stellar atmosphere model performed using the CMFGEN code. The photoionization model is developed by comparing solutions provided by Cloudy_3D, with results from CTIO, Lick, SPM, IUE, and ISO spectra as well as HST images. The aperture sizes and positions of the different observations are taken into account. More than 140 model nebular emission lines are compared to the observed intensities. The distance is determined using evolutionary tracks. Results. We reproduce all the observations for the star and the nebula. The 3D morphology of the gas distribution is determined. The effective temperature of the star is 36.7 ± 0.5 kK. Its luminosity is 7700 L� . No clumping factor is needed to reproduce the age-luminosity relation. We describe an original method for determining the distance of the nebula using evolutionary tracks. The distance of 1.25 kpc is found to be in very good agreement with recent determination using parallax method, and the age of the nebula is estimated to be 1400 years. The chemical composition of both the star and the nebula are determined. Both are carbon-rich. The nebula exhibits evidence of the depletion of elements Mg, Si, S, Cl (0.5 dex lower than solar), and Fe (2.9 dex lower than solar), which is indicative of a depletion of these elements onto grains. Conclusions. We develop the first self-consistent stellar and nebular model of a planetary nebula that reproduces all the available observations ranging from IR to UV, showing that the combined approach to the modeling process leads to more restrictive constraints and, in principle, more trustworthy results.
Chapter 4 Malignant Interaction between B Cells and T Helper Cells

Collaboration of T helper (T h ) cells with B cells is central for the generation of high-affinity antibodies with distinct effector function and thus for the establishment of effective immune responses. Physiological T cell help for B cells takes place in germinal centers (GC) in peripheral lymphoid organs, where follicular T helper (Tfh) cells interact with mature, antigen-stimulated B cells. Occasionally, B cells undergo malignant transformation, which may lead to the development of leukemia or lymphoma. Over the past decades, it has become increasingly clear that cancer cells depend on interactions with the tumor microenvironment for growth and survival. Since many B cell malignancies develop in GC—the place of physiological T h cell-B cell interaction—T h cells are a central part of the tumor microenvironment of B cell leukemia and lymphoma. Thus, while the interaction between T h cells and normal B cells is crucial for the development of an effective immune response, this interaction also contributes to the development and pathogenesis of malignancies. The present chapter discusses the mechanisms underlying T h cell-mediated support of malignant B cells contributing to the pathogenesis of leukemia and lymphoma. Research efforts aiming to elucidate such mechanisms are of high importance as therapeutic targeting of these malignant interactions may increase treatment efficiency and reduce disease relapse.
Firm characteristics and audit committees complying with ’best practice‘ membership guidelines

Abstract This study investigates demand and supply characteristics associated with firms that voluntarily established audit committees meeting ‘best practice’ membership guidelines. We focus on a set of best practice criteria rather than on the separate elements of the best practice criteria as in past studies. We conduct our tests using a sample of New Zealand listed companies that, relative to firms in other capital markets, are smaller and have more concentrated ownership. This setting differs from prior research because we expect the costs of voluntarily achieving best practice to be reasonably high. The results show that demand factors are not significantly related to the presence of an audit committee that conforms with best practice membership guidelines. However, supply factors (i.e. those firms with larger and more independent boards) are more likely to form audit committees that meet best practice. These results suggest that compliance costs will be greater for firms with smaller and less independent boards of directors if they are required to comply with best practice requirements.
Foraging performance of juvenile Atlantic cod Gadus morhua and profitability of coastal habitats

Overfishing and eutrophication affects coastal communities worldwide, leading to dwindling fish stocks and deteriorated habitats. Hence, attempts to rebuild overfished stocks to past fish productivities need to account for functional relations between habitat types and fish performance. Here we quantified resource availability, foraging performance, and anti-predator behavior of juvenile Atlantic cod Gadus morhua (hereafter ‘cod’) to assess the costs and benefits associated with different coastal habitats. In the laboratory, cod foraged more efficiently in sand habitats compared to the structurally more complex habitats of eelgrass Zostera marina and the canopy forming bladderwrack Fucus vesiculosus. Presence of chemical cues from a cannibal reduced cod consumption rates in all habitats, but most strongly in the sand habitat. Field observations in the 3 habitats showed highest resource density in the bladderwrack habitat and lowest in the sand habitat, irrespective of season. Habitat profitability, calculated by combining data from field estimates of prey density and experimental quantifications of foraging performance, re vealed the bladderwrack habitat to be the most profitable, independent of season. The difference in profitability between the complex habitats was relatively small, suggesting that cod in the field contributed to drive habitat profitability towards equalization. The results strengthen the view that the ongoing loss of seagrass and macroalgae habitats may have significant ramifications for juvenile cod performance, which ultimately may lower the productivity of entire stocks. Consequently, future and ongoing rebuilding of commercial fish stocks should revise the expectations of stock productivity (and hence harvesting intensity) accordingly.