Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Capabilities and

: The purpose of this study is to enhance our understanding of how macro (country) - level dynamic capabilities, such as government environmental policies, legal and market requirements, and technological advances, and micro (firm) -level dynamic capabilities, such as organizational size, culture, and managerial characteristics, are related to emerging economies multinationals’ environmantal sustainability policies and practices. Limited studies explore linkages between macro-and micro-level dynamic capabilities and environmental sustainability, which urge emerging economies’ multinationals to reconsider their environmental policies and practices in order to compete with enterprises from developed countries. We develop a theoretical framework and offer propositions about the fundamental links between macro and micro dynamic capabilities and emerging economies environmental sustainability efforts. The propositions can be empirically tested in subsequent studies using country-level and firm-level data to examine the interactions between macro-and micro-level capabilities, in relation to sustainable polices and procedures, for multinationals in emerging economies.
Choosing the Carrot or the Stick? Endogenous Institutional Choice in Social Dilemma Situations

We analyze an experimental public goods game in which group members can endogenously determine whether they want to supplement a standard voluntary contribution mechanism with the possibility of rewarding or punishing other group members. We find a large and positive effect of endogenous institutional choice on the level of cooperation in comparison to exogenously implemented institutions. This suggests that participation rights enhance cooperation in groups. With endogenous choice, groups typically vote for the reward option, even though punishment is actually more effective in sustaining high levels of cooperation. Our results are evaluated against the predictions of social preference models.
On the Scaling and Ordering of Columnar Joints

On the scaling and ordering of columnar joints Lucas Allan Ziola Goehring Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Physics University of Toronto 2008 Columnar jointing is a fracture pattern, best known from locations such as the Giant’s Causeway, or Fingal’s Cave, in which cracks self-organize into a nearly hexagonal arrangement, leaving behind an ordered colonnade. In this thesis observations of columnar jointing are reported from both a controlled laboratory setting, and in cooled lava flows. Experiments were performed in slurries of corn starch and water, which form columnar joints when dried. This drying process is examined in detail, and it is shown how desiccation leads to the propagation of a sharp shrinkage front. In general, but with some significant exceptions, the size of columnar joints is inversely dependent on the speed of this shrinkage front during their formation. The exceptions, which include sudden jumps in column scale, show that hysteresis is also important in choosing the column scale. Novel observations of the 3D structure of joints in starch show that columnar joints do not settle down to a perfect hexagonal pattern, but rather mature into a continuously evolving dynamic pattern. This pattern is scale invariant, and the same statistical distribution of column shapes applies equally to joints in both starch and lava. Field work was performed to study columnar jointing in the basalts of the Columbia River Basalt Group and the island of Staffa, and the more heterogeneous lava flows of Southwestern British Columbia. The widths of columns and the heights of striae (chisellike markings that record details of cooling) were examined in detail, and these length scales are shown to be inversely proportional to each other. An additional length scale, that of wavy columns, is also first reported here. Based on these measurements, empirical advective-diffusive models are developed to describe the transport of water in a drying
TACKLING THE EMOTIONAL VAMPIRES AT WORKPLACES: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ON MAJOR REASONS OF EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION IN ORGANIZATIONS AND SOLUTIONS

This study aims to examine the main reasons of the emotional exhaustion that cause job dissatisfaction and loss of motivation in organizations and which finally lead to emotional exhaustion of the both leaders and employees at workplaces. Emotional exhaustion, which decreases the job performance, motivation, creativity and satisfaction of the employees, often arises after a period of stress because of experiencing uncivil behaviors from the leaders or coworkers and organizational factors. Therefore, this conceptual study focuses on the main reasons of emotional exhaustion at workplace and outlines the certain types of personalities such as the dark triad of personality organizational factors or work-family conflict that lead to drain every ounce of other individuals’ emotional energy in organizations. And in the conclusion section, the recommendations will be made and solutions will be offered in order to avoid and reduce the negative effects of the individuals and reasons that drain emotional energy of their employees in organizations.
The Roles of Tumor Endothelial Cells in Cancer Metastasis

: Tumor metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related deaths. Tumor metastasis is orchestrated by a complex network of biological events. One such event is the formation of new blood vessels, termed as tumor angiogenesis. Tumor angiogenesis is essential for tumor progression. Without tumor angiogenesis, most solid tumors remain dormant. Apart from supplying tumors with nutrients and oxygen, tumor blood vessels provide a route for metastasis. Endothelial cells are key players in the formation of neovessels. Tumor endothelial cells that line tumor blood vessels differ from normal endothelial cells in many aspects. Tumor endothelial cells are irregular monolayers, have a higher expression of proangiogenic factors, and impaired endothelial barrier function when compared with their normal counterparts. The basement membrane thickness of tumor blood vessels is uneven and the association between pericytes and tumor endothelial cells is weak, leading to vascular leakiness. In this chapter, we highlight the role of endothelial cells in the initial steps of tumor metastasis.
A re-evaluation of conflicting taxonomic structures of Eurasian Triaenophorus spp. 1 (Cestoda, Bothriocephalidea: Triaenophoridae) based on partial cox1 mtDNA gene 2

31 Cestodes of the genus Triaenophorus are one of the most common parasites of esocids, percids, 32 salmonids and fish of a number of other fish families in the Holarctic. Taxonomic models of 33 different authors, based on morphological and ecological-biogeographic characters, suggest the 34 presence of two to five species of this genus in Eurasia. The genetic variation of Eurasian 35 Triaenophorus spp. was evaluated using DNA barcoding ( cox1 gene). It confirmed the validity 36 of five Triaenophorus species: T. amurensis, T. crassus, T. meridionalis, T. nodulosus and T. 37 orientalis . Through this analysis, we have demonstrated concordance between traditional 38 taxonomic criteria and DNA sequence data, while at the same time raising new hypotheses to be 39 tested. Phylogenetic reconstructions support the monophyletic origin of the group of species with 40 a long basal plate of the scolex hook ( T. crassus, T. meridionalis and T. orientalis ). T. crassus is 41 represented by two haplogroups, associated to Siberia and North-Western Russia. Our results 42 show differences between T. nodulosus , T. amurensis and T crassus in terms of the haplotype 43 diversity level, which are probably related to the Quaternary history of the development of their 44 ranges, as well as the degree of euryxeny to the second intermediate host.
Multimode Rayleigh wave inversion for shear wave speed heterogeneity andazimuthal anisotropy of the Australian upper mantle

We present an azimuthally anisotropic 3-D shear-wave speed model of the Australian upper mantle obtained from the dispersion of fundamental and higher modes of Rayleigh waves. We compare two tomographic techniques to map path-average earth models into a 3-D model for heterogeneity and azimuthal anisotropy. Method I uses a rectangular surface cell parametrization and depth basis functions that represent independently constrained estimates of radial earth structure. It performs an iterative inversion with norm damping and gradient regularization. Method II uses a direct inversion of individual depth layers constrained by Bayesian assumptions about the model covariance. We recall that Bayesian inversions and discrete regularization approaches are theoretically equivalent, and with a synthetic example we show that they can give similar results. The model we present here uses the discrete regularized inversion of independent path constraints of Method I, on an equal-area grid. With the exception of westernmost Australia, we can retrieve structure on length scales of about 250 km laterally and 50 km in the radial direction, to within 0.8 per cent for the velocity, 20 per cent for the anisotropic magnitude and 20° for its direction. On length scales of 1000 km and longer, down to about 200 km, there is a good correlation between velocity heterogeneity and geologic age. At shorter length scales and at depths below 200 km, however, this relationship breaks down. The observed magnitude and direction of maximum anisotropy do not, in general, appear to be correlated to surface geology. The pattern of anisotropy appears to be rather complex in the upper 150 km, whereas a smoother pattern of fast axes is obtained at larger depth. If some of the deeper directions of anisotropy are aligned with the approximately N-S direction of absolute plate motion, this correspondence is not everywhere obvious, despite the fast (7 cm yr-1) northward motion of the Australian plate. More research is needed to interpret our observations in terms of continental deformation. Predictions of SKS splitting times and directions, an integrated measure of anisotropy, are poorly matched by observations of shear-wave birefringence.
Distribution, écologie et évolution de l'hyperaccumulation des éléments en traces par Noccaea caerulescens

Noccaea caerulescens est la principale Brassicacee hyperaccumulatrice de Cd, Ni et Zn, candidate pour la phytoremediation des sols contamines. La distribution de l'espece se caracterise par une importante heterogeneite des facteurs environnementaux, et plus particulierement en ce qui concerne la nature des sols. En outre, des variations importantes de la capacite d'hyperaccumulation entre les populations de l'espece ont deja ete observees. Des lors, a partir d'un vaste echantillonnage en France et ses regions limitrophes, l'objectif de cette these etait de : i) mieux apprehender l'ecologie de N. caerulescens notamment les composantes edaphiques de son habitat, iii) comparer les capacites d'accumulation en Cd, Ni et Zn et, iii) determiner les relations genetiques entre les populations. Nos resultats montrent que N. caerulescens est largement repandue dans les massifs montagneux et que l'espece n'est pas infeodee aux sites metalliferes vu le nombre de stations en milieu non minier. Par ailleurs, les stations se caracterisent par une tres large amplitude des parametres edaphiques conduisant a proposer une nouvelle classification des stations. Concernant l'accumulation des elements en traces in situ, nous avons demontre que la biodisponibilite ne permettait pas d'expliquer seule les concentrations observees dans la plante. Par ailleurs, des cultures en hydroponie ont mis en evidences un compromis entre l'allocation du carbone et l'accumulation des elements en traces en particulier chez les populations sur serpentines. Enfin, l'analyse de la structure genetique neutre a fait ressortir trois zones geographiques fortement differenciees, sans coherence avec le type de milieu
Speglingar av rum - om könskodade platser och sammanhang

Vem talar samhallet till genom utformningen av staden och arbetsdelningen mellan konen? Hur framstalls konsumenten i kopcentrumet? Hur tar sig utsatthet uttryck i staden och hur upplever kvinnor stadens rum nattetid? Speglingar av rum – om konskodade platser och sammanhang samlar aktuell forskning om rummet som konskodat. Utgangspunkten ar platsens och rummets betydelse som en fysisk materiell verklighet for hur kon skapas och reproduceras, samt hur kulturella forestallningar, social praktik och maktrelationer medverkar i denna process. Forfattarna har varierande disciplinar bakgrund, men har studerat den materiella verkligheten som en aspekt av hur kvinnors och mans erfarenheter skiljer sig at. Trafikstrukturer och museer bidrar exempelvis till hur kon definieras och skapas, omvant visar homosexuella motesplatser och hemlosa kvinnor att kon aven skapar rum. Artiklarna spanner over fragor om konkret planlaggning och utformning av platser, liksom anvandande och upplevelse av rum och transporter.
Fast algorithms for histogram matching: Application to texture Fast algorithms for histogram matching: Application to texture synthesis synthesis

Texture synthesis is the ability to create ensembles of images of similar structures from sample textures that have been photographed. The method we employ for texture synthesis is basedonhistogrammatchingofimagesatmultiplescalesandori-entations.Thispaperreportstwofastandinonecasesimplealgo-rithmsforhistogrammatching.Weshowthatthesort-matchingand theoptimalcumulativedistributionfunction(CDF)-matching(OCM)algorithmsprovidehighcomputationalspeedcomparedtothatpro-videdbytheconventionalapproach.Thesort-matchingalgorithmalsoprovidesexacthistogrammatching.Resultsoftexturesynthe-sisusingeithermethodshownosubjectiveperceptualdifferences.Thesort-matchingalgorithmisattractivebecauseofitssimplicity andspeed,howeverasthesizeoftheimageincreases,theOCMalgorithmmaybepreferredforoptimalcomputationalspeed.
Vertical Integration of Engineer Education in K-12 Rural Schools

Dr. Gary Mayer is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. His research emphasizes formal model composition between disparate subsystem models. Other research interests include robotics and artificial intelligence. Dr. Mayer regularly teaches courses in software engineering, robotics, and modeling and simulation. He is a Botball Educational Robotics Program instructor and coordinator for the Greater St Louis Region. Dr. Mayer was awarded his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Arizona State University in 2009, his M.Sc. in Computer Science from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2004, and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace Interest from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1992. He has ten years experience in program management and aeronautical engineering as an active duty U.S. Air Force officer.
MiR-21 Regulating Distribution of Intestinal Flora Through TNF-α Promotes Progression of Ulcerative Colitis

Background: To study the changes in intestinal flora in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and to explore its correlations with micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-21 and serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Methods: A total of 150 patients with UC were selected and divided into remission group and seizure group according to the severity of disease. At the same time, 150 healthy people receiving physical examination in the hospital during the same period were selected as control group. The levels of fecal miR-21 and TNF-α in all subjects were determined via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The correlation between miR-21 and TNF-α and their associations with the changes in intestinal bacteria in UC were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. The risk factors affecting the occurrence of UC were explored via multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The levels of fecal miR-21 and TNF-α in patients with UC were significantly higher than those in control group, and they were also significantly higher in seizure group than those in remission group. There was a positive correlation between the levels of miR-21 and TNF-α. The number of fecal intestinal flora (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterobacterium and Enterococcus) was different in patients with varying degrees of disease. MiR-21 and TNF-α were negatively correlated with the content of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, but positively correlated with the content of Enterobacterium and Enterococcus. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, miR-21 and TNF-α were risk factors for the seizure of UC. Conclusion: MiR-21 can promote the expression of TNF-α, and lead to the alteration of intestinal flora, thereby enhancing the occurrence and development of UC.
Evolutionary Algorithms

Evolutionary algorithm (EA) is an umbrella term used to describe population‐based stochastic direct search algorithms that in some sense mimic natural evolution. Prominent representatives of such algorithms are genetic algorithms, evolution strategies, evolutionary programming, and genetic programming. On the basis of the evolutionary cycle, similarities and differences between these algorithms are described. We briefly discuss how EAs can be adapted to work well in case of multiple objectives, and dynamic or noisy optimization problems. We look at the tuning of algorithms and present some recent developments coming from theory. Finally, typical applications of EAs to real‐world problems are shown, with special emphasis on data‐mining applications. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2014, 4:178–195. doi: 10.1002/widm.1124
The South East Asian Journal of Management The South East Asian Journal of Management

The adoption of innovative information systems (IS) by small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across heterogeneous culture, locales, and markets are a critical and an ongoing challenge. Such challenge requires more than just good ideas and extensive resources. It requires organisational capabilities that can be labelled as “enacted capabilities”. This study defines enacted capabilities as the firm’s ability to mobilise and deploy IS-based resources in combination or co-present with other capabilities within SMEs. Consequently, the aim of this study is to make a contribution by empirically examining the enacted capabilities of SMEs in developing countries that may influence the success of innovative IS adoption. In line with this objective, an innovative IS adoption behaviour investigation is conducted particularly as to why some SMEs are able to be enabled for use and utilise innovative IS, while others fail to do so. A survey of 206 of the CEOs/owners from Malaysian SMEs was conducted. The innovative IS examined was the government’s electronic procure - ment systems. The findings are consistent with the notion that all SMEs have enacted capabilities. Some SMEs integrate and coordinate them in a different way, depending on the context of each organisation. The findings also indicate that strong enacted capabilities and perceived net benefits affect the SMEs’ ability to perform or assimilate IS related strategic change.
Brotherly Advice: Learning from Hurricanes Georges and Ivan, Louisiana avoids Katrina Massacre

This article examines the mass evacuation implemented during Hurricane Katrina and other recent evacuations over the past decade to show how large-scale traffic management plans can be applied to other locations. Based on a review of traffic data recorded during the Katrina evacuation, the author states that it was largely successful given that some one million residents moved out of south Louisiana prior to the hurricane’s landfall. The author describes the evacuation plan used for Hurricane Katrina and how it was developed. Four important lessons learned from this and other evacuations are presented.
Kinect-Based Gait Recognition Using Sequences of the Most Relevant Joint Relative Angles.

This paper introduces a new 3D skeleton-based gait recognition method for motion captured by a low-cost consumer level camera, namely the Kinect. We propose a new representation of human gait signature based on the spatio-temporal changes in relative angles among different skeletal joints with respect to a reference point. A sequence of joint relative angles (JRA) between two skeletal joints, computed over a complete gait cycle, comprises an intuitive representation of the relative motion patterns of the involved joints. JRA sequences originated from different joint pairs are then evaluated to find the most relevant JRAs for gait description. We also introduce a new dynamic time warping (DTW)-based kernel that takes the collection of the most relevant JRA sequences from the train and test samples and computes a dissimilarity measure. The use of DTW in the proposed kernel makes it robust in respect to variable walking speed and thus eliminates the need of resampling to obtain equal-length feature vectors. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated using a Kinect skeletal gait database. Experimental results show that the proposed method can more effectively represent and recognize human gait, as compared against some other Kinect-based gait recognition methods.
The Journal of Extension The

A spatial analysis of variation in return on investment for crop insurance showed that West Coast wine grape growers are more inclined to use insurance to maximize short-term net returns than to protect against cash flow shortages. Growers would benefit from knowing that even if crop insurance does not maximize short-term net returns, it increases the revenue floor, thereby helping prevent cash flow shortages and vineyard failure. With crop insurance as the backbone of the U
Modélisation physique à échelle réduite pour l'adaptation de l'inversion des formes d'ondes sismiques au génie civil et à la subsurface

L'inversion des formes d'ondes (FWI) est une methode d'imagerie sismique quantitative multiparametre actuellement en plein essor. La prise en compte de l'ensemble des phenomenes de propagation enregistres, en particulier des ondes de surface, en font une technique prometteuse pour des applications de la subsurface sur des problematiques geotechniques ou environnementales. Cependant, l'adaptation au contexte de la subsurface d'une methode sismique validee numeriquement ou sur des applications d'imagerie profonde est une tâche difficile. Nous proposons ici une approche par modelisation physique a echelle reduite a l'aide d'un laboratoire de Mesures laser-Ultrasonore Sans Contact (MUSC) mis en place dans le cadre de cette these. Les differents elements du laboratoire ont ete caracterises pour la modelisation sismique a echelle reduite et une attention particuliere a ete portee a la simulation de la source. Les donnees acquises ont ete validees par confrontation avec des donnees obtenues par modelisation numerique a l'aide des codes fournis par Geoazur dans le cadre du projet ANR SEISCOPE. Dans un deuxieme temps, le potentiel de la FWI pour des applications de la subsurface a ete evalue par l'approche conjointe de la modelisation numerique et de la modelisation experimentale. Nous avons ainsi pu montrer par cette double approche que la FWI permet d'obtenir une information sur la morphologie de cavites souterraines grâce a la prise en compte des ondes de surface. Par ailleurs, sur les differents modeles multicouches etudies, l'information sur les zones les plus superficielles fournie par les ondes de surface dispersives a pu etre exploitee par la FWI.