Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stimulating E-Learning in Europe: A Supply Chain Approach

This 'research in progress' paper examines a supply chain approach to stimulate e-learning in Europe. It builds on a recent study (van der Linden and van Baalen 1998), which found that it is possible to add a new dimension through distance learning to traditional pedagogical techniques. One of the unexpected side effects reported when using electronic mail was the disappearing of cultural boundaries. From a socio-cultural perspective within an increasingly international setting optimal e-learning requires a supply chain approach, in which face-to-face meetings play a critical complementary function to ensure that important clues such as body language and tone of voice are not filtered out (Lee 1994:143). A relevant issue for institutions of higher learning is whether or not it is desirable for ICT applications to complement or substitute traditional forms of management education (van der Linden and van Baalen 1998:15). There is an increasing need to interact in the complex international environment, which implies that students must obtain the skills to bridge five identified gaps in the polycontextual learning environment (Fenema, 2001). In the early 1990s the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University internationalized its curriculum. It is currently responding to the challenge of applying digital learning techniques to deliver management education. The diffusion of knowledge plays an important role in innovation processes. (Hertog and Bilderbeek (2000:222). This paper concludes with a summary and research agenda for higher education in the global knowledge economy.
The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Co-Integration Relationship between Reit and Stock Markets: A Dynamic Co-Integration Approach

The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on the co-integration relationship between the REIT and stock market indices using a sample of 10 developed countries. The main tool employed for this purpose is the dynamic co-integration approach. The empirical results strongly suggest that the stock and REIT markets were deeply affected by two successive crises. The first crisis was related to the U.S. subprime problems while the second shock emanated from the European insolvency problems. The shocks led to serious structural breaks in the financial data during the 2007-2012 period. As a result of this and the highly variable nature of the co-integration structure during this period, the conventional and static Johansen tests cannot detect the strong co-integration between the REIT and stock markets which were the result of common negative response of both markets to the successive shocks. Dynamic co-integration approach seems to be a more valid tool to capture the dynamics of the co-integration structure after the GFC. The dynamic approach implies that the destruction of diversification benefits between the REIT and stock markets was essentially a shock related outcome which also implies that the diversification potential between these two markets may still be valid in the absence of shocks.
Risk factors for opioid-induced respiratory depression in surgical patients: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the risk factors associated with postoperative opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD). Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources PubMed-MEDLINE, MEDLINE in-process, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov (January 1946 to November 2017). Eligibility criteria The inclusion criteria were: (1) adult patients 18 years or older who were administered opioids after surgery and developed postoperative OIRD (OIRD group); (2) all studies which reported both OIRD events and associated risk factors; (3) all studies with reported data for each risk factor on patients with no OIRD (control group) and (4) published articles in English language. Data analysis We used a random effects inverse variance analysis to evaluate the existing evidence of risk factors associated with OIRD. Newcastle-Ottawa scale scoring system was used to assess quality of study. Results Twelve observational studies were included from 8690 citations. The incidence of postoperative OIRD was 5.0 cases per 1000 anaesthetics administered (95% CI: 4.8 to 5.1; total patients: 841 424; OIRD: 4194). Eighty-five per cent of OIRD occurred within the first 24 hours postoperatively. Increased risk for OIRD was associated with pre-existing cardiac disease (OIRD vs control: 42.8% vs 29.6%; OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2 to 2.5; I2: 0%; p<0.002), pulmonary disease (OIRD vs control: 17.8% vs 10.3%; OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3 to 3.6; I2: 0%; p<0.001) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OIRD vs control: 17.9% vs 16.5%; OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.7; I2: 31%; p=0.0003). The morphine equivalent daily dose of the postoperative opioids was higher in the OIRD group than in the control; (24.7±14 mg vs 18.9±13.0 mg; mean difference: 2.8; 95% CI: 0.4 to 5.3; I2: 98%; p=0.02). There was no significant association between OIRD and age, gender, body mass index or American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status. Conclusion Patients with cardiac, respiratory disease and/or obstructive sleep apnoea were at increased risk for OIRD. Patients with postoperative OIRD received higher doses of morphine equivalent daily dose.
Growth and Self-Assembly of One-Dimensional Magnetic Particles Chain of Polycrystalline Nickel by Chemical Reduction in the Presence of a Magnetic Field

One-dimensional magnetic particles chain of polycrystalline nickel was prepared by chemical reduction in the presence of a magnetic field. Based on solution reduction reaction of Ni 2+ , metallic nickel was deposited and synchronously self-assembled into chains under magnetic field. The results show that the chain of polycrystalline nickel was several microns in length and approximately 500 nm in diameter. The formation mechanism of the wires was studied by taking samples at different time in the formation process of the nickel wires. It is suggested that the magnetic field be an effective and tunable way to the fabrication of one-dimensional chains of magnetic materials.
Intrapersonal Processes and Post-Abortion Relationship Challenges: A Review and Consolidation of Relevant Literature

While the study of the psychological effects of abortion has received increased research attention over the past few decades, scholarship devoted to the topic of post-abortion partner relationship quality has been minimal. In this report, existing empirical work on abortion and intimate relationships is analyzed in the context of related research and theory. Evidence indicating possible adverse effects of abortion on the quality of relationships is initially reviewed. Then several logical intrapersonal mediators of associations between abortion experience and relationship outcomes are explored. Finally, adult attachment dynamics are described as a theoretically plausible moderator of associations between abortion experiences and relationship difficulties. Throughout the paper, the most salient gaps in the literature on abortion and relationship quality are highlighted with suggestions for future research provided.
From quantum to thermal topological-sector fluctuations of strongly interacting Bosons in a ring lattice

Inspired by recent experiments on Bose–Einstein condensates in ring traps, we investigate the topological properties of the phase of a one-dimensional Bose field in the presence of both thermal and quantum fluctuations—the latter ones being tuned by the depth of an optical lattice applied along the ring. In the regime of large filling of the lattice, quantum Monte Carlo simulations give direct access to the full statistics of fluctuations of the Bose-field phase, and of its winding number W along the ring. At zero temperature the winding-number (or topological-sector) fluctuations are driven by quantum phase slips localized around a Josephson link between two lattice wells, and their susceptibility is found to jump at the superfluid-Mott insulator transition. At finite (but low) temperature, on the other hand, the winding number fluctuations are driven by thermal activation of nearly uniform phase twists, whose activation rate is governed by the superfluid fraction. A quantum-to-thermal crossover in winding-number fluctuations is therefore exhibited by the system, and it is characterized by a conformational change in the topologically non-trivial configurations, from localized to uniform phase twists, which can be experimentally observed in ultracold Bose gases via matter–wave interference.
Assessment of the impact of body fatness on functional performance in early stages of rehabilitation after knee replacement

Introduction: Obesity is generally considered a chronic metabolic disease which is characterised by excessive accretion of adipose tissue. This pathology of fat accretion may lead to creation of pathological units, including gonarthrosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of body weight on functional performance in early stages of rehabilitation after knee replacement. Material and methods: The research material comprised 35 patients. The Group included 26 women and 9 men who suffer from advanced degenerative changes of knee joint and qualified for the knee replacement. The patients were assigned to one out of three Groups depending on body mass index. To assess the functional status the following tools were used: the VAS scale, 100-point Lysholm-Gillquist scale, the TUG test, and the measurement of the range of joint mobility. Results: Statistically significant results were achieved by first and second Group in joints mobility measurement. All the Groups revealed statistically meaningful differences in pain measurement with the use of VAS scale and 100-point Lysholm-Gillquist scale. Only third Group proved statistically meaningful outcomes while TUG test was used in the assessment. Conclusion: High body mass index does not have a negative impact on the re-establishment of functional ability after knee replacement. In the assessment of selected parameters (ROM, TUG), people who had BMI >35,00 kg/ m2 got better results than people who had lower BMI.
Coordination and Cooperation between Internal and External Auditors

Effective coordination and cooperation between internal and external auditors leads to several benefits for them and also for the clients whom they serve. It increases both the efficient and effective of audit and decreases audit fees. Professional bodies have confirmed their importance and their potential contribution in improving auditors’ works. However, this issue has not been extensively studied yet and need more research especially in developing countries. This paper discusses the professional standards which relating to, the benefits of, and the role of corporate governance in enhancing coordination and cooperation between auditors. Issues are analyzed by providing recommendations that could enhance it. This paper has argued that coordination and cooperation between auditors in the organization are both affected in and affected by their relationship with other corporate governance parties, and depended on the support of both audit committee and senior management, which could provide insights for future research. Keywords: internal auditing, external auditing, coordination between auditors, cooperation between auditors.
Certifiable Analysis of Ad-hoc wireless Networks

An ad hoc community includes some of Wi-Fi hosts that briefly shape a dynamic LAN and are able to operate without the help of any constant infrastructure like get right of entry to factor Wi-Fi routers and so on. Effective dynamic routing is a project in this kind of networks. To allow conversation between hosts, each host must feature as a Wi-Fi router and probably ahead statistics traffic on behalf of others. At some point of the last few years more than 30 special ad hoc routing protocols have been proposed, broadly speaking as compared primarily based on simulation studies. The majority ad hoc routing implementation has been accomplished using simulation equipment. In simulation the code is contended in single logical factor on different hand at the same time as imposing real phrase required system with many components such as many who have little or no documentation. For researcher need to understand no longer most effective the routing protocol, but all of the gadget components and their complex interactions additionally. Simulation research is simply supplement no longer getting real result like real global experiments. In this paper summarized attempt and experiences to set up actual global wireless ad hoc network infrastructure. Mentioned the demanding situations and survey the field of ad hoc routing and associated actual global experiment. Its miles beneficial to aid researchers for growing on-call for ad hoc routing protocols environment and assist customers in figuring out the implementation design that first-class fits their desires. In this paper mentioned the socket primarily based mechanism substantially once
Projections for the Latvian dairy and beef sector

Milk production is the second most important agricultural sector in Latvia with 17.7 % in the distribution of agricultural final products in 2015. However, the proportion of milk production decreased by 5.3 percentage points in comparison with 2014, reaching the lowest proportion recorded. The agriculture of Latvia depends on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that continuously changes and is reformed. The European Union (EU) decision makers have traditionally used the results of a wide range of quantitative tools in framing their choices among alternative policy instruments. To do it, it is necessary to make long-term projections for the sector. Modelling is a way of solving problems that occur in the real world. There are two important motivations for agricultural model development; 1) scientific understanding; 2) decision making or policy support. In 2016, the Latvia University of Agriculture developed the Latvian Agricultural Sector Analysis Model to simulate the development of agriculture and its key sectors for the period until 2050. The present paper reflects part of the research results – a simulation of dairy farming and a projection made for it. The following factors were taken into account when simulating the dairy sector of Latvia: commercial sales of milk, consumption of milk for food, consumption of milk for feed, milk prices, milk yields, the number of dairy cows, costs (total, as well as feed, labour and investment costs and depreciation expense), and the produced projection is useful for making policies and applying special support instruments.
Magnetic activity of F stars observed by Kepler

Context. The study of stellar activity is important because it can provide new constraints for dynamo models when combined with surface rotation rates and the depth of the convection zone. We know that the dynamo mechanism, which is believed to be the main process that rules the magnetic cycle of solar-like stars, results from the interaction between (differential) rotation, convection, and magnetic field. The Kepler mission has already been collecting data for a large number of stars during four years allowing us to investigate magnetic stellar cycles.Aims. We investigated the Kepler light curves to look for magnetic activity or even hints of magnetic activity cycles. Based on the photometric data we also looked for new magnetic indexes to characterise the magnetic activity of the stars.Methods. We selected a sample of 22 solar-like F stars that have a rotation period shorter than 12 days. We performed a time-frequency analysis using the Morlet wavelet yielding a magnetic proxy for our sample of stars. We computed the magnetic index Sph as the standard deviation of the whole time series and the index ⟨ Sph ⟩, which is the mean of standard deviations measured in subseries of length five times the rotation period of the star. We defined new indicators, such as the contrast between high and low activity, to take into account the fact that complete magnetic cycles are not observed for all the stars. We also inferred the Rossby number of the stars and studied their stellar background.Results. This analysis shows different types of behaviour in the 22 F stars. Two stars show behaviour very similar to magnetic activity cycles. Five stars show long-lived spots or active regions suggesting the existence of active longitudes. Two stars in our sample seem to have a decreasing or increasing trend in the temporal variation of the magnetic proxies. Finally, the last group of stars shows magnetic activity (with the presence of spots) but no sign of cycle.
Do People’s Perceptions of Neighborhood Bikeability Match "Reality"?

Do people perceive the built environment the same as one objectively measures it? If not, what are the relative roles of the objective versus the perceived environment on bicycling behavior? This study, based on data from Portland Oregon, explored the match or mismatch between the objective and perceived bicycling environment, and how it affects people’s bicycling behavior. The descriptive analysis indicated a fair agreement between perceived and objective measures. Older adults, women having children, less-educated and lower-income persons, and those who bicycle less tended to perceive their high-bikeable environment (measured objectively) as low- bikeable. In addition to the socio-demographics, this study also found social environment can play a role in the relationship between objective and perceived environment. Finally, results of this study indicated that actual and perceived built-environment both are associated with the bicycling behavior, particularly for utilitarian bicycling. For recreational bicycling, the objective environment attributes measured in this study are not significant factors, while the perceptions do matter.
Efficiency of Macedonian Insurance Companies: A DEA Approach

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the efficiency of the insurance sector of Republic of Macedonia for the period 2009-2013. Technical, pure technical and scale efficiency of 11 Macedonian insurance companies have been measured using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), both CCR and BCC output-oriented model. The results from the analysis indicate an increase of the average efficiency during the almost whole observed period. The scale efficiency follows the same trend. When estimating the BCC model, the number of efficient insurance companies and the average efficiency for the sector is higher than in the CCR case, implying that the main source of inefficiency is due to scale inefficiencies. The average technical efficiency score of Republic of Macedonia in 2013 of 0.84387 indicates relatively high efficiency of the insurance sector. The efficiency problem of each insurance company has been specified particularly
The impact of benchmarking and portfolio constraints on a fund managerÂ´s market timing ability

We study the effects that relative (to a benchmark) performance evaluation has on the provision of incentives for the search of private information when managers are exogenously constrained in their ability to sell short and purchase on margin. With these portfolio constraints we show that benchmarking the managerÂ´s incentive fee affect her timing ability and hence there exist an optimal benchmark, even without moral hazard between the investor and manager. In the presence of moral hazard, numerical results show that the optimal incentive fee is higher than the Pareto-efficient fee and the optimal benchmark is risky but less so than the no moral hazard benchmark.
Yield and Irrigation Water Productivity of Three Varieties of Buffel Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) in the Southern Coastal Plains of Yemen

Small stakeholder farmers in southern coastal plains of Yemen as in other Arabian Peninsula countries are fanciers and suffering from shortage of forages mainly during winter season. This study was carried out during three years (2012-2014) at farmers’ fields in the southern coastal plain in Bir Jabir, Lahej in Yemen on loamy-sand soil, to determine the best irrigation water productivity of two exotic and one indigenous (local) accessions of buffel grass ( Cenchrus ciliaris L.), cultivated at two farmer fields. Irrigation water has been added by the quantity and dates according to the farmer experience without any intervention of the researcher. The amount of added irrigation water was measured. Statistical analysis emphasized significant differences in the number of tillers per plant, in the forage fresh yield and in the irrigation water productivity (IWP) among buffel grass accessions. The highest number of tillers was recorded at Gayandah whereas the USA accession has showed the lowest one. The average forage fresh yields have reached 230.5, 208.9 and 181.4 kg/ha for Gayandah, USA and local respectively. The average irrigation water productivity (IWP) was 39.1 kg/m 3 . The significant difference (P = 0.048) was in favor of Gayandah accession which registered the highest IWP (43.7 kg/m 3 ). However, there was no significant difference observed in IWP between USA and the local accession, even though this latter has apparently produced the lowest value (36.2 kg/m 3 ).
Friction stir spot welding parameters for polypropylene sheets

The friction stir spot welding (FSSW) method has four welding parameters: the welding tool rotational speed, tool plunge rate, tool plunge depth, the dwell time and tool retract delay. The effects of these welding parameters on joint formation and weld strength of polypropylene friction stir spot of welds were investigated. The effects of welding parameters on welding joint formation were determined by metallographic studies. The strength of welds were determined by the lap-shear test. From the experiments, it was found that the tool plunge rate had no effect on FSSW of polypropylene sheets. The effects of other important welding parameters were clearly discovered. Key words: Polymer welding, friction stir spot welding, polymer friction stir spot welding, polypropylene welding.
Structuring Elements for the P300 Event-related Potential Detection

The paper presents a method to detect the P300 event-related potential based on its shape. The main tools for this purpose are two morphological operators, the closing and the opening, involving dedicated structuring elements. Several structuring elements were linked to the statistical properties of the signal by means of their parameters and a new aggregate operator was developed. In the end a criterion to detect the presence of the P300 event-related potential was presented.
Brucellosis knowledge and preventive practices among herders in Western Mongolia

Lack of knowledge regarding brucellosis may lead to highly risky practices. Among herders in Mongolia, little research was conducted assessing the extent of knowledge related to brucellosis, the type of preventive behaviours that were practiced, and the relationship between knowledge and behaviour regarding brucellosis. A cross‐sectional study was conducted in two provinces of Mongolia where herders were randomly selected to participate in the study. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. In total, 485 herders participated in the study. The results indicated that brucellosis preventive practices were significantly associated with sex, location, use of veterinary services, exposure to TV programs and knowledge of brucellosis. Regional disparities in knowledge and behaviour were observed in this research. Herders were more likely to engage in preventive practices if they had a higher level of knowledge of brucellosis. Findings from this research indicated that the effectiveness of incorporating health education through TV programs, as well as the importance of ensuring access to veterinary services in brucellosis prevention.