Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fiscal Priorities for Canada: Building on the Legacy of David Dodge

It is often said that political realities preclude governments of the day from undertaking sound economic measures, especially when the gains are long term and the sacrifices occur now. Indeed, the constraint of politics is often invoked as an excuse for enacting bad policy compromises or restricting consideration of policy options, and the 2008 federal election campaign might be exhibit number one in support of that view. There are, however, notable exceptions, of which recent Canadian experience is exemplary. Canada underwent a bold and far-sighted period of fiscal policy innovation in the waning years of the twentieth century, implementing significant, but less than universally popular, policies that addressed a number of important fiscal concerns and gave us something to build on as new issues emerge. The question is whether the next generation of policy-makers will be up to the task or whether they will be deterred by political populism.
Technologies That Support Marketing and Market Development in SMEs—Evidence from Social Networks

This study builds on previous research on information technology implementation and usage in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and applies a special focus on social networks. Specifically, this research investigates antecedents of social network usage in SMEs and respective performance outcomes. The results show that entrepreneurial orientation is positively related to social network usage in SMEs, whereas responsive market orientation shows no effect. Social network usage is not directly related to SME growth; yet it mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and SME growth. Interestingly, large firms show the opposite effects regarding antecedents and performance‐related consequences of social network usage.
Janus ’ orbital swap and the edge of Saturn ’ s A ring

We present a study of the behavior of Saturn’s A ring outer edge, using images and occultation data obtained by the Cassini spacecraft over a period of 8 years from 2006 to 2014. More than 5000 images and 150 occultations of the A ring outer edge are analyzed. Our fits confirm the expected response to the Janus 7:6 Inner Lindblad resonance (ILR) between 2006 and 2010, when Janus was on the inner leg of its regular orbit swap with Epimetheus. During this period, the edge exhibits a regular 7-lobed pattern with an amplitude of 12.8 km and one minimum aligned with the orbital longitude of Janus, as has been found by previous investigators. However, between 2010 and 2014, the Janus/Epimetheus orbit swap moves the Janus 7:6 LR away from the A ring outer edge, and the 7-lobed pattern disappears. In addition to several smaller-amplitudes modes, indeed, we found a variety of patterns speed with different azimuthal wave numbers, and many of them may arise from resonant cavities between the ILR and the ring edge, also we found some other signatures consistent with tesseral resonances that could be associated with inhomogeneities in Saturn’s gravity field. Moreover, these signatures do not have a fixed pattern speed. We present an analysis of these data and suggest a possible dynamical model for the behavior of the A ring outer edge after 2010.
Prestige Brands or Luxury Brands ? An Exploratory Inquiry on Consumer Perceptions

An interpretative analysis of in-depth consumer interviews explores the relationship between the concepts of "luxury" and "prestige" as applied to brands. Prestige is based on unique human accomplishment inherent to the brand whereas luxury referts to benefit stemming from refinement, aesthetics and a sumptuous lifestyle. Results indicate that prestige can be achieved independently of luxury in many categories. At a symbolic level, consumers can interpret luxury as the symbol of brand prestige. A discussion of managerial insights and future research directions ends the paper.
Diagnostics of seismic time-lapse effects of sandstones based on laboratory data

We evaluated a viscoelastic modeling of P- and S-wave velocity dispersion, attenuation, pressure, and fluid effects for a set of siliciclastic rock samples. Our analysis used a published laboratory data set of 63 sandstones with a wide range of compositional heterogeneities. We observed a notable correlation between the (velocity and attenuation) pressure sensitivity and the abundance/lack of quartz in the samples. We included compliant pores (low-aspect ratio) proportionally to the content of secondary minerals to account for the differential sensitivity to pressure. The observed velocity and attenuation were well reproduced by the applied viscoelastic modeling. We found that pores of significantly different scale required pore fluid relaxation time constants of proportionally different magnitudes to reproduce the velocity and attenuation measurements. The relaxation time constant of crack-sized pores can be one order of magnitude smaller than the constant of mesopores. Moreover, the velocity dispersion and attenuation signatures revealed that a pore textural model dependent on lithological composition is critical in the prediction of time-lapse fluid and pressure responses.
Methylxanthine and catechin content of fresh and fermented cocoa beans, dried cocoa beans, and cocoa liquor

The theobromine and catechin content can affect the quality of cocoa liquor and is influenced by cacao variety, production area (PA), and fermentation, as well as the method of drying beans (FDB) and cocoa liquor production (CLP). This study examined variations in methylxanthine and catechin levels in fresh and fermented cocoa beans, dried cocoa grains, and in cocoa liquor from Trinitario, Criollo, and Forastero cacao varieties. A total of 123 cocoa bean samples from three Peruvian PAs at different altitudes, Tingo Maria (TM), San Alejandro (SA), and Curimana (CU), were evaluated. The theobromine (Tb) and caffeine (Cf) contents in fresh cocoa beans were affected by both cocoa type and PA. The caffeine content was higher in Trinitario cacao than in Criollo and Forastero varieties (p ≤ 0.05). The Tb and CF contents decreased in dry cocoa grain and was affected by FDB (p ≤ 0.05) (1.449 ± 0.004 to 1.140 ± 0.010 and 0.410 ± 0.03 to 0.165 ± 0.02 g Tb and C, respectively, per 100 g dry weight). Cocoa beans from Tingo Maria, which has the highest altitude, had higher Tb and CF contents than those from other PAs. The catechin (C) and epicatechin (EC) contents were affected by the FDB and CLP, and were highest in fresh cocoa beans from the Tingo Maria area (range: 0.065 ± 0.01 to 0.020 ± 0.00 g C/100 g). The C and EC contents decreased during FDB and CLP (0.001 g C/100 g of cocoa liquor). Taken together, these results show that higher concentrations of Tb, Cf, C, and EC are present in fresh cocoa beans. Moreover, the cocoa variety influenced cocoa liquor quality. Overall, cocoa from the Tingo Maria PA had the most desirable chemical composition.
Systematic Continuous Adjoint Approach to Viscous Aerodynamic Design on Unstructured Grids

DOI: 10.2514/1.24859 A continuous adjoint approach to aerodynamic design for viscous compressible flow on unstructured grids is developed. Sensitivity gradients arecomputed using tools ofshapedeformation of boundaryintegrals. Theresulting expressions involve second-order derivatives of the flow variables that require numerical solvers with greater than second-order accuracy. A systematic way of reducing the order of these terms is presented. The accuracy of the sensitivity derivatives is assessed by comparison with finite-difference computations, and the validity of the overall methodology is illustrated with several design examples.
You Go, Girl: Shrinking Gender Gap Paves Way for Female Superintendents

Does gender affect leadership in education? Why are there disproportionately fewer female superintendents? Does the glass ceiling still exist in its original form? Research shows that, while challenges exist for female superintendents, the gender gap has closed significantly since the 1990s. However, there is still a large disparity between the number of male and female superintendents and school leaders.
The Evolution of Schoenberg's Klangfarbenmelodie: The Importance of Timbre in Modern Music

Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg is viewed today as one of the most influential and controversial figures of the twentieth-century musical landscape. Though Schoenberg’s fame and infamy are mainly concerned with his groundbreaking compositional innovation the twelve-tone method, Schoenberg also developed other concepts which would become important aspects of modern music, one of these being the idea of Klangfarbenmelodie. Klangfarbenmelodie or tone-color-melody is often associated not only with Schoenberg himself, but also with one of his pupils, Anton Webern. The term itself has developed two different yet interrelated meanings, one being associated with Schoenberg, the other with Webern. The similarities and differences between these two definitions will be the subject of this study, which will also include an assessment of the musical environment which allowed for the concept to be created. The continued use of the concept of Klangfarbenmelodie in modern music will also be discussed, culminating in an examination of a contemporary compositional approach to timbre which incorporates aspects of both Schoenberg’s and Webern’s use of Klangfarbenmelodie.
Integrated Optimization on Train Control and Timetable to Minimize Net Energy Consumption of Metro Lines

Energy-efficient metro operation has received increasing attention because of the energy cost and environmental concerns. This paper developed an integrated optimization model on train control and timetable to minimize the net energy consumption. The extents of train motoring and braking as well as timetable configurations such as train headway and interstation runtime are optimized to minimize the net energy consumption with consideration of utilizing regenerative energy. An improved model on train control is proposed to reduce traction energy by allowing coasting on downhill slopes as much as possible. Variations of train mass due to the change of onboard passengers are taken into account. The brute force algorithm is applied to attain energy-efficient speed profiles and an NS-GSA algorithm is designed to attain the optimal extents of motoring/braking and timetable configurations. Case studies on Beijing Metro Line 5 illustrate that the improved train control approach can save traction energy consumption by 20% in the sections with steep downhill slopes, in comparison with the commonly adopted train control sequence in timetable optimization. Moreover, the integrated model is able to significantly prolong the overlapping time between motoring and braking trains, and the net energy consumption is accordingly reduced by 4.97%.
Global Quantum Key Distribution using CubeSat-Based Photon Sources

The future of secure communication networks relies on the secure distribution of symmetric encryption keys. Current methods of distributing keys are either vulnerable (public key encryption has the capability of being cracked with quantum computers) or are expensive (couriers physically delivering keys to remote locations). The most secure method is to distribute keys from small satellites using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). S15 Space Systems is a spin-off company that is developing space-based, quantum-safe communications built on research performed at the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) at the National University of Singapore. The team is developing technologies such as QKD which harness unique properties of quantum physics to enable highly secured encryption services. QKD can generate encryption keys that are secure against computational hacks and that can be distributed to remote parties with solid guarantees that they have not been intercepted by man-in-the-middle eavesdroppers. Quantum light source hardware is being developed that fits on a 3U CubeSat, and a small constellation of these satellites can effectively service thousands of users.
The Bigger Picture: The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Aboriginal Women's Mental Health

Aboriginal women's accounts of intimate partner violence are much more severe and frequent. This, along with the many other challenges Aboriginal women face (such as poverty, discrimination, a lack of resources and accessibility), cause the experiences of violence to be magnified. This is clearly demonstrated in the high rates of mental health problems for Aboriginal women. This paper outlines how all of these factors connect, and encourages researchers and health professionals to adopt more holistic approaches to mental health. While intimate partner violence is not unique to Aboriginal 1 peoples, some of the root causes and experiences are (Royal Commission on Aboriginal People, 1996). The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of Aboriginal women, focus on in- timate partner violence, discuss the associated men- tal health effects of these experiences, and highlight the need for a holistic approach to mental health. This paper is a first step to demonstrate the interconnectedness of experiences of violence and oppression on mental health. Research has dem- onstrated that Aboriginal women experience high- er rates of intimate partner violence (Brownridge, 2003), but the factors that often contribute to violence (such as poverty, substance abuse, etc.), are often considered in isolation from each other. While it is impossible to undergo an investigation of all connecting factors, several factors seem to be more prominent than others — this paper highlights some of these. Researchers and clinicians should use this to better understand such experiences, and refer to the literature cited within this paper for a more in-depth understanding of such relationships.
Easy Communicator: una experiencia de aprendizaje-servicio para el parendizaje de todos

Desde la Catedra de Accesibilidad de la Universidad Politecnica de Cataluna se coordina el proyecto Easy Communicator con la doble finalidad de proporcionar a los estudiantes de ingenieria experiencia en el desarrollo de un proyecto real en e-learning y ofrecer a personas con dificultades en el aprendizaje una herramienta de comunicacion alternativa y aumentativa. En el articulo se plantean la metodologia de trabajo y las primeras conclusiones del desarrollo de la aplicacion para tabletas Android.
The Lead Debate: The Environment, Toxicology and Child Health

This book has three sections dealing with epidemiology, aetiology, and treatment, each with an introduction by the authors. These introductions summarise the previously published papers that follow and amount to an expanded review of the published works. Of the list of references to the authors' own papers in the collection, half also appear as papers in the book. The overall introduction defines self injurious behaviour as 'any behaviour, initiated by the individual, which directly results in physical harm to that individual'. This is contrasted with stereotypes that cause incidental injury. No mention is made of parasuicide or self mutilation, such as wrist cutting. The subsections reflect the behavioural orientation of the authors. For example, there are only two papers under the heading 'Side effect of minor illness hypothesis', while there are seventeen under the subheading 'Behavioural treatments'. Psychiatric illness is not mentioned at all in the sections on aetiology and treatment, and social factors are not considered. It is disappointing that the authors' introductions do little more than precis the papers. They do not adequately discuss the difficulties of epidemiology in relation to heterogeneous groups of intermittent behaviours. The discussion of 'diagnostic categories' is rather narrow. They explain that the papers were chosen for a variety of reasons and are not an exhaustive review. I was surprised that the AABT Task Force paper' was not only omitted but not even mentioned. The authors' sections are easily readable, with a few printing errors. The list of references is useful, but the index is not very detailed and is too similar to the list of contents. Most of the papers are useful, and the book as a whole is good value. This book will be used as a review of the published reports and source of seminal papers by practitioners and trainees in most disciplines who work with mentally handicapped people. It should be available in professional libraries in every district and in residential and day units dealing with mental handicap.
How to cut costs in a recession – with help from employees

Purpose – The economic downturn requires prudent cost reductions, yet only 10 percent of companies sustain cost reductions after three years. Some of the most successful cost cutters have learned to engage their workforce to embrace both the rational and emotional arguments for taking action and to focus on what the company is and will become. This paper aims to investigate this issue.Design/methodology/approach – The task of securing employee commitment to cost reductions is not easy, and requires paying close attention to six principles which this paper introduces. This is referred to as the motivating cost discipline (MCD) approach.Findings – In the example application of the MCD approach, costs were cut by 30 percent with employee satisfaction and price lifted 20 percent.Research limitations/implications – The six principles offered are collected from observing best practice in the field.Practical implications – This paper shows that beyond the mandate to an immediately lower cost structure, it is als.
WORKING PAPER SERIES Watching alone : Relational Goods , Television and Happiness

This paper discusses the role of relational goods and television viewing for individual happiness. Using individual data from the World Values Survey, we find evidence of a positive effect of relationality on life satisfaction, and a negative effect of television viewing on relational activities. Both relationships are strongly significant and robust to the use of alternative indicators of relationality. The results are also robust to estimation by instrumental variables to deal with possible simultaneity. We interpret these findings as an indication that the pervasive and increasing role of television viewing in contemporary society, through its crowding out effect on relational activities, contributes to the explanation of the income-happiness paradox. JEL Classification: A12, D12, I31
Exploring the effect of carbon dioxide demand controlled ventilation system on air humidity

Earlier studies have indicated that elevated or inadequate levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in indoor air impairs users in the performance of decision-making. For this reason and also for potential energy consumption reduction carbon dioxide based regulated demand controlled ventilation (DCV) systems are used. Although DCV systems use less electrical energy than conventional ventilation systems, there is a problem in colder climates with the lowered humidity of air. It has been discovered in earlier studies that even brief exposure to relatively dry air has an impact on voice control parameters. In the current article, the humidity gains from ordinary usage of a faculty building, where a DCV system and room based temperature control is utilised, are examined. For that, the changes in the specific indoor humidity were compared to the changes in the specific ambient humidity.
A 2GHz, 17% tuning range quadrature CMOS VCO with high figure–of–merit and 0.6° phase error

This paper presents a quadrature VCO implemented in a standard 0. 35µm CMOS process. The VCO draws 16mA from a 1.3V power supply, can be tuned between 1.91 GHz and 2.27GHz, and displays a phase noise of -140dBc/Hz or less at 3MHz offset frequency from the carrier, for a minimum phase-noise figure-of-merit of 184 dB. The maximum departure from quadrature between the VCO phases is 0.6°.
Sparse Online Learning for Collaborative Filtering

With the rapid growth of Internet information, our individual processing capacity has become over-whelming. Thus, we really need recommender systems to provide us with items online in real time. In reality, a user’s interest and an item’s popularity are always changing over time. Therefore, recommendation approaches should take such changes into consideration. In this paper, we propose two approaches, i.e., First Order Sparse Collaborative Filtering (SOCFI) and Second Order Sparse Online Collaborative Filtering (SOCFII), to deal with the user-item ratings for online collaborative filtering. We conduct some experiments on such real data sets as Movie- Lens100K and MovieLens1M, to evaluate our proposed methods. The results show that, our proposed approach is able to effectively online update the recommendation model from a sequence of rating observation. And in terms of RMSE, our proposed approach outperforms other baseline methods.
Urban vegetable farming : Anthropic level , bioavailability , and health implication associated with bioaccumulated trace metals in selected vegetables in Ilorin , Nigeria

Urban horticulture is of growing importance in developing and developed countries around the world; however, contamination of urban horticultural products can exceed the precautionary values, posing significant human health risks due to dietary exposure to high levels of the pollutants. In this study, samples of rhizosphere soil and corresponding vegetables have been collected from an urban garden in Ilorin, Nigeria, to assess the contamination level of trace metals as well as the health risk, associated with dietary intake of contaminated vegetables, in adult sub-population. The range of Cu, Pb, and Cd in garden topsoil was 14.0-52.50, 33.00-121.40, and 1.00-4.50 mg/kg, respectively. The metals sources were both anthropogenic and lithogenous, though the long-term accumulation of trace metals in the soil led to significant soil-plant transfer as evident in the levels of metals in some of the vegetables. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) of Cu and Pb through vegetable consumption were far below the recommended tolerable daily intakes (TDI) and the hazard quotient (HQ) values were within the safe zone for the adult population. In contrast, the EDI of Cd for the vegetables was several folds greater than the TDI, thus greatly contributing to a high hazard index (HI>1.0), observed in all vegetables. Therefore, risk assessment of trace metal ingestion through consumption of the vegetables in the adult sub-population depicts serious health hazards with Cd, mainly contributing to vegetable contamination in the studied area.
University of Birmingham Derivation of Birmingham's summer surface urban heat island from MODIS satellite images

: This study investigates the summer (June, July, August) night urban heat island (UHI) of Birmingham, the UK’s second most populous city. Land surface temperature remote sensing data is used from the MODIS sensor on NASA’s Aqua satellite, combined with UK Met Ofﬁce station data to map the average variation in heat island intensity over the Birmingham conurbation. Results are presented of average UHI events over four Pasquill-Gifford stability classes D, E, F, and G between 2003 and 2009, as well as a speciﬁc heatwave event in July 2006. The results quantify the magnitude of the Birmingham surface UHI as well as the impact of atmospheric stability on UHI development. During periods of high atmospheric stability, a UHI of the order of 5 ° C is evident with a clear peak in the central business district. Also identiﬁed, are signiﬁcant cold spots in the conurbation. In one city park, recorded surface temperatures are up to 7 ° C lower than the city centre. Copyright  2010 Royal Meteorological Society