Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microfoundations of dynamic capabilities: Insights from circular economy business cases

Circular economy is a key strategy to achieve corporate sustainability. However, so far, most firms are unable to translate the concept of circular economy into their corporate strategies, business models, and operations. Some scholars have argued that firms need to develop new (and dynamic) capabilities for circular economy implementation. Yet there is a little discussion on how firms can develop such capabilities. Notably, there is a paucity of research on specific skills, processes, and organizational activities (microfoundations of dynamic capabilities) that may facilitate circular economy implementation. To address this knowledge gap, using a multiple‐case studies approach, we explore microfoundations of dynamic capabilities in successful circular economy business cases. Our findings indicate that dynamic capabilities positively contribute to circular economy implementation. Our case studies show that case firms identified circular economy opportunities by using four microfoundations of sensing capability. Further, case firms acted on the identified opportunities by using simultaneously three microfoundations of seizing capability and four microfoundations of reconfiguring capability. This paper contributes to the literature on the relations between dynamic capabilities and corporate sustainability by providing insights on how sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring dynamic capabilities act in successful operationalization of circular economy strategies.
SIRA - reversão anaglífica utilizando técnicas de análise de séries temporais

KUNZE, L. F. SIRA anaglyph reversion using time series analysis techniques. 2019. 136 p. Dissertação (Mestrado em Ciências – Ciências de Computação e Matemática Computacional) – Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos – SP, 2019. In the last years, the visualization of the so-called three-dimensional (3D) images is highlighted again, especially stereoscopic images. Such a highlight is due to the generation of content and devices that support such technology and wide acceptance by the public using a variaty of viewing modes. To mimic three-dimensional perception, there are so-called stereoscopic images, which are formed by a pair of images slightly shifted in space relative to each other, one being sent to the right eye and the other to the left eye. One of the simplest stereoscopic visualization methods is obtained by generating an anaglyph, which is based on the separation of color components (RGB), allowing any permutation between them without repetition, such that a color component is sent to one eye and two components to the other eye. The anaglyphic method is interesting for two main reasons, namely the low processing and visualization cost, since it can be viewed through simple glasses with color filters, and the use of half the data volume compared to other visualization methods. Thus, applications and systems can benefited from using anaglyphic images for storage and transmission purposes. However, as existing viewing methods are incompatible with each other, such images cannot be viewed by more robust viewing methods. In this context, this master’s work proposes an automatic anaglyphic reversal technique SIRA (Stereo Images Retrieving from Anaglyphs), which uses techniques employed in time series analysis. Reverting implies producing approximations of the information discarded for anaglyph generation, thus obtaining an approximation of the original stereo pair, wich is compatible with any viasualization method. Objective and subjective results achieved in the experimental evaluation indicate that the proposed technique presents quality comparable to considered state-of-the-art works, but with significantly lower computational cost.
COP1 destabilizes DELLA proteins in Arabidopsis

Significance DELLA proteins are plant-specific transcriptional regulators that act as signaling hubs at the interface between the environment and the transcriptional networks that control growth. The growth-promoting hormone gibberellin destabilizes DELLAs. Here we describe an alternative pathway to destabilize these proteins. We show that DELLAs are substrate of COP1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that increases its activity to promote growth in response to shade or warmth. Our results show that COP1, and not changes in gibberellin levels, mediates the rapid destabilization of DELLAs in response to environmental cues. DELLA transcriptional regulators are central components in the control of plant growth responses to the environment. This control is considered to be mediated by changes in the metabolism of the hormones gibberellins (GAs), which promote the degradation of DELLAs. However, here we show that warm temperature or shade reduced the stability of a GA-insensitive DELLA allele in Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, the degradation of DELLA induced by the warmth preceded changes in GA levels and depended on the E3 ubiquitin ligase CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1). COP1 enhanced the degradation of normal and GA-insensitive DELLA alleles when coexpressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. DELLA proteins physically interacted with COP1 in yeast, mammalian, and plant cells. This interaction was enhanced by the COP1 complex partner SUPRESSOR OF phyA-105 1 (SPA1). The level of ubiquitination of DELLA was enhanced by COP1 and COP1 ubiquitinated DELLA proteins in vitro. We propose that DELLAs are destabilized not only by the canonical GA-dependent pathway but also by COP1 and that this control is relevant for growth responses to shade and warm temperature.
Kinetic studies on the synthesis of fuel additives from glycerol using CeO2–ZrO2 metal oxide catalyst

Highly stable and active CeO2-ZrO2 metal oxide catalyst was synthesized via the combustion method and was further functionalized with sulphate (SO42-) groups. The morphology, surface functionalities, and composition of the metal oxide catalyst were determined by scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption and desorption measurement, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized catalyst was used for esterification of glycerol with acetic acid. Effects of the process parameters including acetic acid to glycerol molar ratios (3-20), catalyst loadings (1-9 wt.%) and reaction temperatures (70–110°C) on the glycerol conversion and glycerol acetates selectivity were studied. Excellent catalytic activity was observed by using the sulphated metal oxide catalyst resulting in a glycerol conversion as high as 99.12%. The selectivity towards the di and triacetin (fuel additive) formed stood at 57.28% and 21.26% respectively. The reaction rate constants and activation energies were also estimated using a Quasi-Newton algorithm, namely Broyden’s method and Arrhenius equations at 80-110℃. The calculated values were in accordance with the experimental values which confirmed the model. Finally, the developed catalyst could be reused for three consecutive cycle without major loss of its activity. Overall, the findings presented here could be instrumental to drive future research and commercialization efforts directed toward biodiesel glycerol valorisation into fuel additives.
Small airways in asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by reversible obstruction of airways and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. In recent years there has been a growing interest in the role of the small airways in asthma and there is increasing evidence that they contribute significantly to the clinical expression of asthma. Numerous studies have shown that inflammation is present in the small airways of patients with asthma and that it may be more intense than that found in the large airways, particularly in severe asthma, nocturnal asthma, coexisting asthma and obesity and asthma in smokers. Currently there is no accepted single lung function parameter to detect small airways dysfunction. Recent data show that impulse oscillometry is a promising diagnostic tool to assess the involvement of the small airways. The use of corticosteroids in extrafine formulation, whether alone or in fixed combinations with long-acting b2 agonists, improves drug distribution throughout the bronchial tree, enhancing the therapeutic effect with lower doses of drugs.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN MORPHINE ANALGESIA AND THE ROLE OF MICROGLIA IN THE PERIAQUEDUCTAL GRAY OF THE RAT

Morphine has been and continues to be one of the most potent and widely used drugs for the treatment of pain. Clinical and animal models investigating sex differences in pain and analgesia demonstrate that morphine is a more potent analgesic in males than in females; indeed, we report the effective dose of morphine for female rats is twice that of male rats. In addition to binding to the neuronal mu opioid receptor, morphine binds to the innate immune receptor toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on microglia. Morphine action at TLR4 initiates a neuroinflammatory response and directly opposes morphine analgesia. Our recent studies demonstrate that administration of chronic morphine activates microglia within the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), a critical brain region for the antinociceptive effects of morphine, while blockade of vlPAG microglia increases morphine analgesia and suppresses the development of tolerance in male rats. Despite increasing evidence of the involvement of microglia in altering morphine efficacy, no studies have examined sex differences in microglia within the PAG. The present experiments seek to characterize the distribution and activity of vlPAG microglia in males and females using behavioral, immunohistochemical and molecular techniques, while demonstrating the sufficiency and necessity of vlPAG microglia to produce sex differences in morphine analgesia using site-specific pharmacological manipulation of TLR4. We also investigate a novel pharmacokinetic mechanism underlying the sexually dimorphic effects of morphine administration on microglial activity. Here, we address a fundamental gap in our current understanding of sex differences in morphine analgesia and establish a mechanistic understanding of how the activation of vlPAG microglia sex-specifically influences morphine analgesia. INDEX WORDS: Opioids, Toll-Like Receptor 4, Glucuronide, Pain, Glia SEX DIFFERENCES IN MORPHINE ANALGESIA AND THE ROLE OF MICROGLIA IN THE PERIAQUEDUCTAL GRAY OF THE RAT
Non-constrained elbow arthroplasty for mutilans deformity in rheumatoid arthritis: A report of six cases

Six highly unstable elbows with severe bone loss due to rheumatoid arthritis were replaced by a non-constrained, unlinked prosthesis. Bone defects were filled with autogenous bone grafts. The mean follow-up was 4.5 years (2 to 8). The clinical results were excellent in four elbows and good in two, with good varus-valgus stability in all. Radiological follow-up showed no appreciable signs of loosening, and the bone grafts had retained most of their original size, with minimal resorption. There were no major complications such as dislocation, skin necrosis, infection or ulnar neuropathy. The study has shown that the so-called mutilans elbow can be successfully replaced using a properly selected type of non-constrained, unlinked prosthesis with bone grafting of the major defects.
Studies of antibacterial effects of synthesized silver nanoparticles using a novel thermotolerant Isoptericola variabilis sp. IRSH1 against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background: Silver nanoparticles can consider as an alternative source for some antibiotic usages due to those effective antibacterial activity and eco-friendly characteristics. Objective: This in vitro study was done to evaluate the inhibitory effect of extracellular synthesized of silver nanoparticles using inexpensive cellulosic materials and supernatant culture of Isoptericola variabilis sp. IRSH1 against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: Silver nanoparticles were produced by extracellular biosynthesis using supernatant culture of a novel thermotolerant Isoptericola variabilis sp.IRSH1 and characterized. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized silver nanoparticles were examined by the standard Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Muller-Hinton agar plates. Findings: The silver nanoparticles were produced with an average size of 77 nm and 0.29 polydispersity index (PDI). The inhibition zones of AgNPs (1000 μg/ml) were 10 mm and 11 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. Conclusion: The biosynthesized AgNPs has good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results indicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa is more sensitive to silver nanoparticles. Keywords: Nanotechnology, Metallic nanoparticle, Anti-bacterial agents, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Variasi Teknik Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) untuk Rekonstruksi Geologi Kabupaten Pidie Jaya Provinsi Aceh

Geology information has an important role in development planning in Indonesia especially in physical development so that it needs to be well laid out in order to give the complete information. The objectives of the study are: First, integrating result of the SAR technique processing to image fusion technique to identify geological structure, landform and litology in Pidie Jaya region, Aceh province and Second, testing ability of SAR technique and image fusion technique in geology reconstruction in Pidie Jaya region. This study was done in most parts of Pidie Jaya and Pidie region using the main data that were Sentine-1A with VH polarization and Landsat 8 OLI with 567 composite. The methods used are digital image processing and field observation. Digital image processing uses some techniques including: SAR technique (calibration, multilook, deburst, median speckle filtering, geometric correction), InSAR tecnique to create DEM, HSV image fusion and directional spatial filter techniques (3x3 and 5x5 windows) to identify landform, geological structure and litology through visual interpretation. Field observation was done through strike and dip measuring with purposive sampling method. Results of HSV fusion technique visual interpretation can identify structural landform, volcanic landorm, fluvial landform, drainage patterns and litology. Results of directional filter visual interpretation can identify lineament, fault and fold. Geological structure in study region has dominant direction South West – North East or 42.4 o – 223.63 o . The study region is dominated by structural landform with an area of 555.39 km 2 or 59.56 % of study area total with accuration 86.04 %. Litology which dominates in study area is sandstone with an area of 571.78 km 2 or 61.31 % of study area total with accuration 82.93 %.
Moving Through the Policy Window:

Cite as: Maranga, S. (2019). Moving through the policy window: Women in constitution making in Kenya. In: Van Reisen, M. , Mawere, M. , Stokmans, M. , & Gebre-Egziabher, K. A. (eds), Roaming Africa: Migration, Resilience and Social Protection. Bamenda, Cameroon: Langaa Research & Publishing CIG, pp. 557–576. Book URL: https://www.researchgate. net/publication/336956357_Roaming_A frica_Migration_Resilience_and_Social_Protection
The color appearance of three-dimensional, curved, transparent objects

Studies on the perceived color of transparent objects have elucidated potential mechanisms but have mainly focused on flat filters that overlay a flat background. However, studies with flat filters have not captured all aspects of physical transparency, such as caustics, specular reflections/highlights, and shadows. Here, we investigate color matching experiments with three-dimensional transparent objects for different matching stimuli: a uniform patch and a flat filter overlaying a variegated background. Two different instructions were given to observers: change the color of the matching stimulus until it has the same color as the transparent object (for the patch and flat filter) or until it has the same color as the dye that was used to tint the transparent object (for the patch). Regardless of instruction or matching element, observers match the mean chromaticity of the glass object, but the luminance of matches depends on the backgrounds of the test image and the matching element, indicating that a color constancy-esque discounting operation is at work. We applied three models from flat filter studies to see if they generalize to our stimuli: the convergence model and the ratio of either the means (RMC) or standard deviations (RSD) of cone excitations. The convergence model does not generalize to our stimuli, but the RMC generalizes to a wider range of stimuli than the RSD. However, there is an edge case where RMC also breaks down and there may be additional features that trade-off with RMC when observers match the color of thick, curved transparent objects.
What predicts the malnutrition among a select group of Filipino older persons in institutionalized setting? A partial least square study

ABSTRACT The overall intent of this study is to examine the relationship among several factors that influence the malnutrition of a select group of Filipino elderly in institutionalized setting. A total of 102 residents were purposively recruited from three different institutionalized care settings at the national capital region of the Philippines. A multi-aspect questionnaire was used to characterize the demographic and nutrition profiles of the participants. Data were treated statistically using the partial least square design. Notably, the study showed that 48.0% of the elderly residents in institutions were at risk of malnutrition, 36.3% were malnourished, and 15.7% have normal nutritional status. Malnutrition was found to be prevalent among the female group, aged >70 years old, functional impairment (p = <0.01), poor eating habits (p = 0.01), lower dietary intake (p = 0.01), and eating difficulties (p = 0.04). However, statistically significant relationships between eating habits (p = 0.08) and dietary intake and comorbidities (p = 0.32) and malnutrition were not established. Impliedly, administrators of homecare institutions are invited to pay greater attention to the nutritional status of the elderly by institutionalizing nutrition assessment and evaluation practices and nutrition care planning that respond to the identified nutritional needs and concern of the elderly.
Implementation of Manifold Learning Algorithm Isometric Mapping

In dealing with high-dimensional data, such as the global climate model, facial data analysis, human gene distribution and so on, the problem of dimensionality reduction is often encountered, that is, to find the low dimensional structure hidden in high-dimensional data. Nonlinear dimensionality reduction facilitates the discovery of the intrinsic structure and relevance of the data and can make the high-dimensional data visible in the low dimension. The isometric mapping algorithm (Isomap) is an important algorithm for nonlinear dimensionality reduction, which originates from the traditional dimensionality reduction algorithm MDS. The MDS algorithm is based on maintaining the distance between the samples in the original space and the distance between the samples in the lower dimensional space; the distance used here is Euclidean distance, and the Isomap algorithm discards the Euclidean distance, and calculates the shortest path between samples by Floyd algorithm to approximate the geodesic distance along the manifold surface. Compared with the previous nonlinear dimensionality reduction algorithm, the Isomap algorithm can effectively compute a global optimal solution, and it can ensure that the data manifold converges to the real structure asymptotically.
Nucleation and growth dynamics of vapour bubbles

The nucleation of vapour bubbles in stretched or overheated (metastable) liquids is a complex phenomenon with a wide spectrum of applications. Several models, with different levels of detail, have been proposed to predict the key features of bubble dynamics from bubble formation up to its growth, transport and deformation. Most of them focus separately on a few of these aspects. Here, we present a thorough model based on an isothermal diffuse interface description of a two-phase liquid–vapour system endowed with thermal fluctuations, exploiting Landau and Lifshitz’s fluctuating hydrodynamic theory. The stochastic forcing allows for the spontaneous appearance of vapour clusters inside the liquid; the diffuse interface approach provides the hydrodynamic description of the subsequent growth and transport dynamics. In this work we focus on a coarse-grained version of this model, obtained through the averaging of the complete three-dimensional equations on spherical shells: the resulting stochastic equations will spatially depend on the radial distance from the vapour cluster centre. The numerical simulations give access to the mean first passage time, i.e. the time until, on average, the formation of a supercritical bubble. A rough estimate shows that the computational effort is reduced by four orders of magnitude with respect to brute-force atomistic simulations and by two orders of magnitude with respect to the full three-dimensional fluctuating model. The simulations extend up to the very long time scales, allowing us to analyse inertially driven bubble oscillations in confined systems with perfect agreement with available theoretical predictions.
Effect of Nutrition Education on Knowledge Level of Farm women

The study was conducted in five villages namely Sainji, Sakanayana, Dhulet, Dhor and Simkhet of block Pabou, in Pauri Garhwal district. Twenty farm women from each village were randomly selected and socio-economic profile was recorded. Nutritional education regarding four selected topics was imparted. Scores for pre test knowledge and after imparting education, scores for gain in knowledge and retention of knowledge were recorded. Maximum gain (65.5%) and retention (51%) was observed for the message related to importance of nutrition garden followed by message on nutrition for children. For all the formulated messages, post test scores after one week and one month was higher. Significant increase in gain and retention of knowledge was recorded. Findings indicated that nutritional education intervention was helpful in gaining knowledge in the selected topics.
Determining optical constants of 2D materials with neural networks from multi-angle reflectometry data

Synthetically generated multi-angle reflectometry data is used to train a neural network based learning system to estimate the refractive index of atomically thin layered materials in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike previously developed regression based optical characterization methods, the prediction is achieved via classification by using the probabilities of each input element belonging to a label as weighting coefficients in a simple analytical formula. Various types of activation functions and gradient descent optimizers are tested to determine the optimum combination yielding the best performance. For the verification of the proposed method’s accuracy, four different materials are studied. In all cases, the maximum error is calculated to be less than 0.3%. Considering the highly dispersive nature of the studied materials, this result is a substantial improvement in terms of accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional approaches.