Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VALUE CREATION IN HETEROGENEOUS COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS Criação de valor em redes colaborativas heterogêneas

Consumer research has examined the process of value creation in brand communities and similar collectives. Nevertheless, extant research falls short of explaining value creation that happens in heterogeneous collaborative networks, where a variety of participants, including consumers, entrepreneurs, and companies interact. Drawing from data collected through a blended ethnography and netnography of the collaborative network of geocaching, this study examines value creation in heterogeneous collaborative networks. Findings suggest that value creation initiates with value propositions negotiated by participants in use, across contexts, through time, and within relationships. These findings challenge arguments that co-created value is achieved by social consensus among beneficiaries, rather indicating that ongoing negotiation among participants may replace social consensus as the ultimate determinant of value. This study provides insight on the formation of cultures of co-creation, and explains how different moments in the process of collaborative value creation can be leveraged by marketers, entrepreneurs, and consumers who participate in value-creating networks.
Stimulating Denitrification in a Marine Recirculating Aquaculture System Biofilter Using Granular Starch as a Carbon Source

Maintaining superior water quality in intensive recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) by controlling levels of inorganic nitrogenous waste— ammonia, nitrate and nitrite—derived from uneaten food and fecal excretion is often a challenge. In most systems, solids are removed mechanically and ammonia is oxidized to nitrate by nitrifying biological filtration; nitrate is subsequently eliminated through numerous water exchanges. Alternatively, nitrate removal is achieved using a bacterialmediated denitrification component that reduces nitrate to nitrogen gas under anoxic conditions, a process that depends on the application of external or endogenous electron and carbon donors, e.g. carbohydrates or organic alcohols. In this study, we compared the capacity of acetate, glucose, soluble starch, and granular starches to promote the denitrifying activity of heterotrophic bacteria in biofilm-coated polyethylene beads International Journal of Recirculating Aquaculture 9 (2008) 23-41. All Rights Reserved © Copyright 2008 by Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA USA
Radio-frequency characterization of varactors based on carbon nanotube arrays

Arrays of carbon nanotubes were reversibly actuated by applying a bias voltage. The actuation results in a variable capacitance between the arrays, which can be used to build a varactor. The capacitances were evaluated by simulating the scattering parameters in an equivalent electrical circuit while using the capacitance between the arrays as a fitting parameter. These simulations were compared with radio-frequency (RF) measurements on devices. A very good agreement between measurement and model was obtained. The capacitance could be varied by more than 20 per cent before the arrays were pulled into contact.
Models of low-mass helium white dwarfs including gravitational settling, thermal and chemical diffusion, and rotational mixing

A large number of extremely low-mass helium white dwarfs (ELM WDs) have been discovered in recent years. The majority of them are found in close binary systems suggesting they are formed either through a common-envelope phase or via stable mass transfer in a low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) or a cataclysmic variable (CV) system. Here, we investigate the formation of these objects through the LMXB channel with emphasis on the proto-WD evolution in environments with different metallicities. We study, for the first time, the combined effects of rotational mixing and element diffusion (e.g. gravitational settling, thermal and chemical diffusion) on the evolution of proto-WDs and on the cooling properties of the resulting WDs. We present state-of-the-art binary stellar evolution models computed with MESA for metallicities between Z=0.0002 and Z=0.02, producing WDs with masses between 0.16-0.45 M$_{\odot}$. Our results confirm that element diffusion plays a significant role in the evolution of proto-WDs that experience hydrogen shell flashes. The occurrence of these flashes produces a clear dichotomy in the cooling timescales of ELM WDs, which has important consequences e.g. for the age determination of binary millisecond pulsars. Rotational mixing is found to counteract the effect of gravitational settling in the surface layers of young, bloated ELM proto-WDs and therefore plays a key role in determining their surface chemical abundances. We predict that these proto-WDs have helium-rich envelopes through a significant part of their lifetime, a crucial ingredient for understanding the newly observed ELM proto-WD pulsators. The hydrogen envelope at detachment, although small compared to the total mass of the WD, contains enough angular momentum such that the spin frequency of the resulting WD on the cooling track is well above the orbital frequency.
Orofasial Yarıklar: Prenatal Tanı ve Postnatal Tedavi

OZET Orofasiyal yariklar, uzun donem morbidite ve saglik maliyetleri acisindan onemli sonuclar doguran ve oldukca sik gorulen dogumsal anomaliler arasinda yer alir. Orofasiyal yariklarin genel gorulme sikligi 10.000 dogumda 9,92 olarak tahmin edilmektedir. Bu derlemede orofasial yariklarin etiyopatogenezi, prenatal tanisi ve tedavisi ozetlenecektir
The Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) Experiment Supports Organic Yields, Soil Quality, and Economic Performance in Iowa

The Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) experiment, at the Iowa State University (ISU) Neely-Kinyon Farm in Greenfield, IA, was established in 1998 to compare the agronomic, ecological, and economic performance of certified organic cropping systems to conventional counterparts. Cropping systems were designed based on local farmer input and practices. In the second LTAR phase (2002 to 2010), equivalent organic and conventional corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) yields were achieved in the organic corn-soybean-oat (Avena sativa)/alfalfa (Medicago sativa) (C-S-O/A) and corn-soybean-oat/alfalfa-alfalfa (C-S-O/A-A) rotations compared to the conventional corn-soybean rotation (C-S). Organic oat and alfalfa yields, at 103 bu/acre and 4.4 tons/acre, respectively, exceeded county averages of 73 bu/acre and 3.3. tons/acre, for the same period. Similar plant protection occurred in organic crops, without the use of petrochemicals, compared to conventional crops maintained with synthetic pesticides. In Fall 2009, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and extractable K and Ca were 5.7%, 9.5%, 14.2%, and 10.8% higher in organic soils, respectively. Soil properties related to biologically active organic matter were up to 40% higher in organic soils. Economic returns to land and management in 2010 were $510/acre in the organic C-S-O/A-A rotation compared to $351/acre in the C-S rotation. The LTAR experiment will be continued as a valuable demonstration of the potential for organic crops to achieve comparable yields while increasing carbon sequestration and economic returns compared to conventional corn and soybean rotations.
The polybasic region of cytohesin-2 determines paxillin binding specificity to mediate cell migration

The intracellular signaling pathways through ADP-ribosylation factors (Arfs) of the small GTPase family control cell morphological changes by regulating membrane components and/or cytoskeletal protein dynamics. We previously reported that cytohesin-2 (CYTH2), an Arf-guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), binds to the cytoskeletal scaffold protein paxillin through C-terminal region of CYTH2 and promotes the migration of mouse 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. In mammals, CYTH family GEFs are composed of four subfamilies. Among them, CYTH2 and CYTH3 are widely expressed in tissues and it remains to be clarified to determine whether they have specific biochemical and cellular functions or are redundant. Here, we show that the C-terminal short polybasic region of CYTH2 is necessary and sufficient for binding to paxillin to mediate cell migration. Although 3T3-L1 cells primarily express CYTH2 and CYTH3 of four CYTH family members, neither knockdown of CYTH3 by the specific siRNA nor expression of its C-terminal region inhibits migration. Importantly, replacing the C-terminal region of CYTH3 with that of CYTH2 adds the ability of paxillinbinding and mediating migration to CYTH3. Conversely, replacing the C- terminal region of CYTH2 with that of CYTH3 leads to loss of these abilities of CYTH2. These results reveal that paxillin is a unique binding partner with CYTH2 in migrating cells, presenting the first CYTH family GEF’s region that is involved in the selectivity of the binding protein.
Engagement of Facilities Management in Design Stage through BIM: Framework and a Case Study

Considering facilities management (FM) at the early design stage could potentially reduce the efforts for maintenance during the operational phase of facilities. Few efforts in construction industry have involved facility managers into the design phase. It was suggested that early adoption of facilities management will contribute to reducing the needs for major repairs and alternations that will otherwise occur at the operational phase. There should be an integrated data source providing information support for the building lifecycle. It is envisaged that Building Information Modelling (BIM) would fill the gap by acting as a visual model and a database throughout the building lifecycle. This paper develops a framework of how FM can be considered in design stage through BIM. Based on the framework, the paper explores how BIM will beneficially support FM in the design phase, such as space planning and energy analysis. A case study of using BIM to design facility managers’ travelling path in the maintenance process is presented. The results show that early adoption of FM in design stage with BIM can significantly reduce life cycle costs.
On Meritocratic Inequality Indices

We establish a Theorem on Structural Inequality Indices which provides fundamental link between inequality measurement and a concept of social justice embedded in meritocracy framework by taking axiomatic approach and redefining standard properties of inequality indices in a way that incorporates meritocracy, in particular equality of opportunity concept of Roemer (1998). Taking into account recent proof Benabou(2000) that meritocracy contributes positively to growth, which break the conventional trade off between equity and efficiency, the theorem provides for their connection with the theory of inequality measurement. If an index is to be both an inequality index and meritocratic it has to be of a form given in our theorem. We then propose a two-dimensional measure of meritocratic inequality index and discuss its advantages over standard Gini index and in reflecting better the nature of inequality in a society.
Experimental Study and Analysis of Antenna Effects for UWB Radio Transmission

This paper present the transmission gain of UWB system based on the extended Friis' transmission formula. The template waveform is considered at the receiver side to maximize the SNR for evaluation. An experimental evaluation of the antenna transfer function needs the three types of broadband antennas. The technique gives very accurate results and is very useful for design and evaluation of UWB impulse radio transmission systems, especially for the evaluation of waveform distortion effects.
Idea Grou p Inc . Copy right Idea Grou p Inc . Copy right Idea Grou p Inc . Copy right Idea Grou p Inc . Chapter IV Ateleological Development of Design-Decisions-Independent Information Systems

This chapter introduces ateleology as a new paradigm for developing information systems (IS). It argues that the user should be able to modify the information systems behaviour at run-time, unlike contemporary IS. Such information systems, called tailorable, are able to evolve together with their context to adapt to the constantly changing requirements of their users. Ateleology provides a sound theoretical basis for explaining tailorable IS (TIS) development. Using an innovative software architecture made up of dynamic object-oriented software components, it is shown how an IS can be design-decisions-independent and, thus, tailorable, by empowering the user to control the systems behaviour at run-time. By abolishing design decisions that unnecessarily and irreversibly restrict the ISs behaviour and by deferring them at run-time, TIS is the first and only breed of IS that evolve and adapt to their context, to achieve constant systems development.
Socio-demographic variables" relationships in choosing between travel agencies and the Internet for leisure travel arrangements: the case of South Africa

Traditionally, travel agents have been seen as the key intermediary between suppliers of travel services and the traveller. Consumers of travel services can plan and arrange holidays themselves (online or directly through the supplier) or use the services of a travel organiser, such as a travel agent. Travellers will seek to optimise choices by selecting a distribution channel which will provide them with the greatest perceived value. The goal of this study is to investigate the role of socio-demographic variables in influencing consumer behaviour when making travel decisions, with specific reference to choosing between bookings through a travel agent or online. 408 South African residents were surveyed using a structured questionnaire, in examining possible relationships between travellers‟socio-demographic characteristics and preferences in booking holiday flights or accommodation through a travel agent or Internet.Travellers were sampled using a non-probabilistic convenience sampling method. Descriptive andBivariate analyses of the data collected were done. Pearson Chi-Square test checked for relationships between variables. This study made an interesting finding that unlike popular belief; the age of travellers does not relate to choice of booking via the Internet or travel agent. However statistically significant relationships were found between travellers‟ income level and race, on the one hand; and booking domestic flights online or through a travel agent, on the other hand.
Improving the Growth and Yield of Canola (Brassica napus L.) With Seed Treatment and Foliar Sprays of Brassica (Brassica naups L.) And Moringa (Moringa olifera L.) Leaf Extracts

A field trial to assess the role of brassica and moringa water extracts in increasing the growth and yield of canola was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad Pakistan, during winter 2010-11. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). There were seven treatments that were replicated thrice. The net plot size was maintained at 2.7 × 5.0 m. All seeds except that of control treatment were soaked in 2% brassica, moringa and their combined solution for an hour as a seed treatment. The experimental treatments were comprised of two and three foliar sprays of 2% brassica, moringa and brassica + moringa at 15, 30 and 45 DAS respectively. The maximum seed yield (2942 kg ha ), 1 biological yield (13721 kg ha ) and harvest index (21.44%) were given by T (Three sprays of 2% brassica + 1 7
Neighbourhood Reputation and the Intention to Leave the Neighbourhood

Moving intentions are likely to be affected not only by whether or not residents are satisfied with their neighbourhood, but also by how they think that other city residents assess their neighbourhood: the perceived reputation of the neighbourhood. The place where one lives is a reflection of one's position in society and therefore people may want to leave neighbourhoods with a poor reputation even if they are satisfied with their residential environment. Using data from a specifically designed survey in twenty-four Dutch neighbourhoods we tested the hypothesis that, in addition to neighbourhood satisfaction, perceived neighbourhood reputations are an important predictor of the intention to leave a neighbourhood. The results show that perceived neighbourhood reputation is indeed a significant predictor of moving intentions, even after controlling for neighbourhood satisfaction and neighbourhood attachment. This finding suggests that neighbourhood regeneration policy should focus not only on improving residents' neighbourhood satisfaction, but also on improving the perceived reputation of neighbourhoods.
Motivation and Confidence of Indonesian Teachers to Use English as a Medium of Instruction.

This research paper investigates the motivation and confidence of Indonesian teachers of non-English to learn English and to use it as a medium of instruction resulting from their participation in a blended learning course. The purpose of the English learning for this particular group of teachers was to enable them to create English-speaking teaching and learning environment. Such environment is perceived as necessary to enhance English language learning and acquisition in some Indonesian vocational schools. The levels of motivation and confidence have been an issue because they potentially either contribute to or hinder English language learners to learn and use English for interactions. This qualitative research was undertaken using an interpretive research paradigm and a case study approach. Qualitative research data were collected from multiple sources such as indepth interviews, observation notes, online interaction script, and reflective journals of the participants. Quantitative data were collected through surveys to add meaning to the qualitative data. The research revealed varying increase in the levels of motivation and confidence of the participants. Transformation of extrinsic to intrinsic motivations appeared to occur. Contributing factors to the increase of the motivation and confidence are discussed in this paper.
The Effects of Fiscal Policy in Italy: Evidence from a VAR Model

This paper studies the effects of fiscal policy on private GDP, inflation and the long-term interest rate in Italy using a structural vector autoregression model. To this end, a database of quarterly cash data for selected fiscal variables for the period 1982:1-2004:4 is constructed, largely relying on the information contained in the Italian Treasury Quarterly Reports. The main results of the study can be summarized as follows. A shock to government purchases of goods and services has a sizeable and robust effect on economic activity: an exogenous one per cent (in terms of private GDP) shock increases private real GDP by 0.6 per cent after 3 quarters. The response goes to zero after two years, reflecting with a lag the low persistence of the shock. The effects on employment, private consumption and investment are also positive. The response of inflation is positive but small and short-lived. In contrast, public wages, which in many studies are lumped together with purchases, have no significant effect on output, while the effects on employment turn negative after two quarters. Shocks to net revenue have negligible effects on all the variables.
The relationship between BMI and asthma is a significant health concern among pre-adolescent and adolescent children

The Relationship Between BMI and Asthma Is a Significant Health Concern Among Pre-Adolescent and Adolescent Children. (August 2007) Jennifer Leah Furman, B.A., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. W. Alex McIntosh In the U.S., the prevalence rates of obesity and asthma have increased over the past 20 years and led to speculation that a correlation exists between them. Most of the research that has been conducted on the association between obesity and asthma has been done so in adults. Little data are available on this association in children. Obesity and asthma are associated with significant morbidity and mortality risk. Concern that the prevalence of overweight and asthma in children will persist and/or worsen in adulthood has prompted the current study. This study analyzed the association between asthma and allergy prevalence and measures of overweight, dietary intake, supplement use, ethnicity, child’s guardian, mother’s education level, and whether the mother smokes among children aged 9 to 11 years and 13 to 15 years. This study also analyzed the association between the use of prescription asthma and allergy medication and asthma and allergy diagnosis, measures of overweight, dietary intake, supplement use, ethnicity, guardian, mother’s education level, and whether the mother smokes. The findings of this study revealed that non-White children had greater odds of asthma diagnosis and were more likely to use asthma medications. A positive
Use of index analysis to evaluate the water quality of a stream receiving industrial effluents

In this paper, the water quality of a stream that receives industrial effluents is evaluated through the analysis of two indices. Data (dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, pH, turbidity, colour, temperature and thermotolerant coliforms) were collected from five stations in the Mussure Stream, located in Joao Pessoa (Northeast of Brazil), between January 1992 and December 2004. Spatial and temporary changes were recorded. The quality indices used, Objective Water Quality Index (WQIOBJ) and Bascaron Adapted Water Quality Index (WQIBA), presented similar trends and were considered adequate for evaluating the impacts of industrial effluent on water bodies. The flexibility of these indices relative to the parameters utilised in the calculations facilitates water quality evaluation in developing countries, where high cost and lack of necessary structure for analysis of other parameters are current deterrents to appropriate water quality evaluation. Keywords: water quality indices; water bodies; industrial effluents
A Review on Synthesis of Silicon Nanowires by Laser Ablation

Silicon (Si) is the most widely used semiconductor since many decades. Due to the developments in the synthesis and manufacturing technology new semiconductor materials have been introduced in semiconductor industry. Along with the newly developed semiconductors, Si is still considered the most reliable and durable semiconductor. The synthesis techniques of the Si have also been affected by the technological revolution and different Si based materials engineered at the nano-scale have been synthesized. Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are one of the newly developed semiconductors of Si. SiNWs have interesting features due to their high aspect ratio and small size. The chemical, mechanical and electrical properties of SiNWs have opened new ways for the research in this field. Especially the charge carrying abilities and quantum confinement effects have gathered much attention of the scientific community. Different efforts have been made to synthesize SiNWs over the course of few years. Synthesis of SiNWs by laser ablation is one of the methods widely used due to its simplicity and good control over the parameters of the process. Different modifications have been made in this synthesis process by different researchers. The variations in laser ablation synthesis process and its outputs have been analyzed in this review paper. And effect of different parameters on the properties of SiNWs has been discussed. Keywords: Laser ablation, Nanowires, Supersaturation, Vapor liquid solid mechanism, Lithography, Catalyst