COVID-19 No Match for the Forces of Global Trade: It Is Too Early to Declare the End of the Current Era of Globalization

COVID-19 is not only causing worldwide economic decline, it is also feeding the world-view of those who favor more isolationist policies. While de-globalization captures more than trade, economic integration is at its core. In this article, the not-so-well-known operational underpinnings of trade globalization are explored. The basic reasons why international trade has skyrocketed in the recent past point to our economic future as well

Examining the Experiences of First-Generation College Students Attending a Christian University in the Southwestern United States

First-generation college students (FGCS) face unique challenges that could negatively impact their college success. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of FGCS attending a Christian university in the southwestern United States. A second purpose of this study was to assess whether differences exist between White and non-White FGCS regarding racial and cultural inclusion, academic resources, socioeconomic status, isolation and loneliness, life experiences, sufficient academic resources and financial concerns. An independent sample t-test was conducted to compare the scores of gender and ethnicity of FGCS, and Levene’s test was conducted to assess the equality of variances of the scores. Findings from this study showed that White FGCS reported that they were more likely to feel racially and culturally included while attending ACU. Implementing policies and plans to address mentorship would likely give non-White FGCS a sense of belonging and connection on campus

History of Offshoring Knowledge Services

The offshoring of knowledge services has become the stuff of newspaper headlines and U.S. presidential debates. Here, we view the antecedents of the current state of affairs. In the 1980s services offshoring was a trivial portion of the economy, but the seeds of today’s situation were planted then. A combination of U.S. government neglect, foreign government activism, a culture change among business people concerning service processes, technological advances, and cultural relationships among countries have created the specific services offshoring configuration of today

Managing Across or Within a Culture? Comparing Hotel Workers From China and Taiwan Using Hofstede’s Scales

Potential cultural differences between China and Taiwan are explored using Hofstede’s Values Survey Module (VSM94). The focus is on workers in hotels that cater to Western visitors. Hofstede’s VSM was administered to hotel workers in Tainan, Taiwan, and Shanghai, China.  A comparison shows worker attitudes to be, in general, highly similar.  Differences, however, on some scales, especially Power Distance, indicate that different managerial styles will be successful in the two countries. Qualitative data from industry stakeholders corroborate and elaborate on our findings

Ligand-mediated controlled drug delivery

Disclosed are systems and methods that can be utilized to define and control the delivery rate of a biological agent from a carrier matrix such as a biocompatible hydrogel. The carrier matrices of the present invention can include ligands incorporated within the matrix at a predetermined concentration level (C.sub.LT). In addition, the ligands within the matrix can display a particular, predetermined affinity for the biologically active agents to be delivered by the system. In particular, the affinity between the ligand and the biologically active agent can have a known predetermined dissociation constant (K.sub.D). When utilizing the system, the agent can be incorporated within the matrix due to association of the agent with the ligand. In addition, the agent can be protected from side reactions due to the association of the agent with the ligand. Through particular selection of the parameters C.sub.LT and K.sub.D, the rate of release of the biologically active agent from the matrix can be controlled. The disclosed methods and systems can be advantageously used in both in vivo clinical settings and ex vivo settings, such as tissue engineering applications

A Coherent Tidal Datum for the Torres Strait

The Torres Strait is a complex waterway to the north of Australia linking the Arafura and Coral Seas. Sea level data from 13 islands were provided with the intention of validating the GPS extension of AUSGeoid98 to the Torres Strait. A comparison between the Australian Height Datum (AHD) determined from the AUSGeoid98 model and Mean Sea Level (MSL) identified differences of up to 1.57m. A coherent tidal datum was established with a seasonal adjustment to the long-term level from Thursday Island. The seasonally adjusted MSL from this study should be considered as an approximation of AHD in the Torres Strait.El Estrecho de Torres es un canal complejo al norte de Australia, que conecta los Mares de Arafura y Coral. Se proporcionaron datos del nivel del mar de 13 islas, con la intención de validar la extensión GPS de AUSGeoid98 al Estrecho de Torres. Una comparación entre el Plano de Referencia Australiano (AHD) determinado a partir del modelo AUSGeoid98 y el Nivel Medio del Mar (MSL) identificó diferencias de hasta 1,57m. Se creó un Datum de Mareas coherente con un reajuste de nivel estacional a largo plazo a partir de la Isla Thursday. El MSL reajustado estacionalmente a partir de este estudio debería ser considerado como una aproximación del AHD en el Estrecho de Torres.Le détroit de Torres est une voie navigable complexe au nord de l‘Australie, qui relie les mers d‘Arafura et de Coral. Les données sur le niveau de la mer de 13 îles ont été fournies dans l‘intention de valider l‘extension du GPS d‘AUSGeoid98 au détroit de Torres. Une comparaison entre le système de référence australien (AHD) déterminé à partir du modèle de AUSGeoid98 et le niveau moyen de la mer (MSL) a mis en évidence des différences allant jusqu‘à 1,57m. Un zéro des marées cohérent a été établi avec une correction saisonnière du niveau à long terme, à partir de Thursday Island. Le MSL corrigé des variations saisonnières de cette étude doit être considéré comme une approximation du AHD dans le détroit de Torres

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE USES OF MACHINE LEARNING FOR ELECTRONIC SOUND SYNTHESIS

This thesis presents an investigation into the uses of machine learning and artificial intelligence for electronic sound synthesis, specifically the creation of new synthesised sounds for composition and research. Using the Magenta Labs Neural Synthesizer (NSynth), a synthesis tool that uses deep neural networks to generate new sounds based on data input from electronic synthesizers, this research project aimed to produce a system where bespoke synthesizers could be used to produce interesting sound combinations consisting of approaches to electronic sound synthesis that would not conventionally be used together. Combinations of different approaches to electronic sound synthesis produced interesting results when choices were made based on sonic characteristics of individual synthesisers, such as the plucked timbres of a Karplus-Strong synthesizer and the smooth extended notes of a frequency modulation synthesizer. In this thesis, contextual information into both electronic sound synthesis including justification for the use of each synthesis method as well as an investigation into Artificial Intelligence(AI) and machine learning techniques relevant to the use of the NSynth has also been carried out with the intention of producing an informed and researched final product in the form of a composition. The summary of this research project culminated in a final composition utilising the sound samples produced by the NSynth, arranged into a piece inspired by computer music research compositions including John Chowning’s ‘Stria’ and ‘Switched on Bach’ by Wendy Carlos. The synthesizers in this research project were produced in Max and designed with specific sonic qualities of the instruments in mind, with versatility to produce more samples following the same process for further research and application by other composers inspired by the work. The resulting composition included a number of interesting sounds with plenty of variation in sonic qualities that resembled computer music composition as well as standard western composition, demonstrating the versatility of the concept of using AI and bespoke synthesisers to create new and interesting sounds

Digitization for Preservation and Effects on Intrinsic Value

Literature in the archives field has explored various facets of the preservation of value during the digitization process, but has not yet fully addressed the sacrifice of intrinsic value when an item is digitized. Little is known about the opinions of practicing archivists regarding intrinsic value's place in digitization and in preservation reformatting using digital formats. To explore these opinions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with practicing archivists and librarians. Responses were analyzed to assess how these professionals understand intrinsic value as it relates to items that could potentially be digitized. The responses indicate variability in definitions of intrinsic value and reluctance to rely on digital formats for preservation. These results will help archivists develop a more explicit understanding of the value components of analog items that should be preserved in digital preservation surrogates, and could generate discussion about the relevancy of intrinsic value to current preservation and digitization practices

New Issues and Opportunities in Service Design Research

In an era of intense high-speed competition, offering to the marketplace a sustainable and profitable value proposition that effectively leverages a firm’s financial, human, and operational resources is critical to both established and emerging businesses. To complicate matters further, in emerging industries such as e-services, customers often do not know what they want or need, consequently limiting a the company’s ability to engineer market-winning product–service solutions. While companies develop their own strategies to compete effectively in the “new” new economy, this competitive environment offers many opportunities to scholars interest in studying services. For example, should an enterprise merely try to adapt to the e-services marketplace? Should it keep juggling with the endless list of alternative service offerings? Or should it strive to shape the future of the business environment within which it operates by offering innovative product–service bundles