Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Product Choice and Price Discrimination in Markets with Search Costs

In a seminal paper, Champsaur and Rochet (1989) showed that competing firms choose non-overlapping qualities so as to soften price competition at the cost of giving up profitable opportunities to price discriminate. In this paper we show that an arbitrarily small amount of search costs is enough to give rise to an equilibrium with overlapping qualities. In markets with search costs, competing firms face the monopolist's incentive to price discriminate, which induces them to offer the full quality range even if this forces them to compete head-to-head. Hence, even though search costs increase prices and reduce consumers surplus for given quality choices, search costs can also lead to lower prices and higher consumer surplus whenever they induce firms to offer broader and overlapping product lines. Our analysis also provides predictions regarding pricing by multi-product firms in markets with search costs under various retail market structures. Product choices and pricing by online bookstores motivate our findings.
Chemical dispersants and pre-treatments to determine clay in soils with different mineralogy

Knowledge of the soil physical properties, including the clay content, is of utmost importance for agriculture. The behavior of apparently similar soils can differ in intrinsic characteristics determined by different formation processes and nature of the parent material. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of separate or combined pre-treatments, dispersion methods and chemical dispersant agents to determine clay in some soil classes, selected according to their mineralogy. Two Brazilian Oxisols, two Alfisols and one Mollisol with contrasting mineralogy were selected. Different treatments were applied: chemical substances as dispersants (lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and hexametaphosphate); pre-treatment with dithionite, ammonium oxalate, and hydrogen peroxide to eliminate organic matter; and coarse sand as abrasive and ultrasound, to test their mechanical action. The conclusion was drawn that different treatments must be applied to determine clay, in view of the soil mineralogy. Lithium hydroxide was not efficient to disperse low-CEC electropositive soils and very efficient in dispersing high-CEC electronegative soils. The use of coarse sand as an abrasive increased the clay content of all soils and in all treatments in which dispersion occurred, with or without the use of chemical dispersants. The efficiency of coarse sand is not the same for all soil classes.
Endogenous Time-Varying Volatility and Emerging Market Business Cycles

Time-varying volatility plays a crucial role in understanding business cycles in emerging market economies. However, the literature treats volatility as an exogenous process. This paper endogenizes time-varying volatility in the debt premium and total factor productivity into a standard small open economy model and assesses the quality of the model by comparing it to emerging market data. An additional volatility channel that operates through the debt premium on the interest rate faced by a small open economy can generate countercyclical net exports and excess volatility in consumption as observed in data on emerging market business cycles.
The effect of shearing on the onset and vigor of small‐scale convection in a Newtonian rheology

As an oceanic plate cools with time, the bottom part of the plate may undergo gravitational instabilities and lead to sub‐lithospheric small‐scale convection (SSC). While numerous previous studies have examined the dynamics of SSC below a fixed top boundary, in this study we investigate the effects of shearing due to plate motion on the onset and time evolution of SSC with 2‐D and 3‐D finite element models with a prescribed surface plate motion and a Newtonian rheology. Our 3‐D models show that plate motion moderately enhances the SSC that displays plate‐motion‐parallel convective roll‐structures. However, plate motion significantly hinders SSC in 2‐D models with plate motion that produces plate‐motion‐perpendicular convective roll‐structures. In spite of moderate influences of plate motion on the dynamics of SSC, our results suggest that for Newtonian rheology the onset time of SSC predicted from previous studies with a fixed top boundary is to the first order valid.
The Effect of a Course of cope modeling intervention on re - concentration and the Performance of Teenager Female Taekwondo Athletes of Iranian National Team

The purpose of current study is to consider a course of doing cope modeling intervention on re-concentration and the performance of teenager female taekwondo athletes of Iranian national team in 2009. The current study is in tentative type and pre and post test design with control group. To do this 22 people (female) among invited people to the camp of taekwondo national team in teenager level for participation in Asian competition of Kish were randomized and then were separated into two groups of control (10) and experimental(12). Then both of them completed the OMSAT-3 questionnaires in pre-test stage, so that to be evaluated from the view of re-concentration skill and making check list for performance evaluation. After 4 months cope modeling intervention of both groups was performed. Collected data was considered by independent statistical t-test. The results of this study showed that there is a significant difference between control and experimental groups in skills of re-concentration after doing a course of cope modeling intervention (P < 0.05). At last the results showed that there is a significant difference between control and experimental groups in performance after doing a course of cope modeling intervention (P < 0.05). It seems that constant and regular practice of psychological skills to coping with stress during in the period before the tournament, has a positive effect on the national athletes when they are in the pressure condition.
Brinch Non-parametric identication of the mixed proportional hazards model with interval-censored durations

This note presents identication results for the mixed proportional hazards model when duration data are interval-censored. Earlier positive results on identication under intervalcensoring require both parametric specication on how covariates enter the hazard functions and assumptions of unbounded support for covariates. New results provided here show how one can dispense with both of these assumptions. The mixed proportional hazards model is non-parametrically identied with intervalcensored duration data, provided covariates have support on an open set and the hazard function is a non-constant continuous function of covariates.
The GRISLI ice sheet model (version 2.0): calibration and validation for multi-millennial changes of the Antarctic ice sheet

Abstract. In this paper, we present the GRISLI (Grenoble ice sheet and land ice) model in its newest revision (version 2.0). Whilst GRISLI is applicable to any given ice sheet, we focus here on the Antarctic ice sheet because it highlights the importance of grounding line dynamics. Important improvements have been implemented in the model since its original version (Ritz et al., 2001). Notably, GRISLI now includes a basal hydrology model and an explicit flux computation at the grounding line based on the analytical formulations of Schoof (2007) or Tsai et al. (2015). We perform a full calibration of the model based on an ensemble of 300 simulations sampling mechanical parameter space using a Latin hypercube method. Performance of individual members is assessed relative to the deviation from present-day observed Antarctic ice thickness. To assess the ability of the model to simulate grounding line migration, we also present glacial–interglacial ice sheet changes throughout the last 400 kyr using the best ensemble members taking advantage of the capacity of the model to perform multi-millennial long-term integrations. To achieve this goal, we construct a simple climatic perturbation of present-day climate forcing fields based on two climate proxies: atmospheric and oceanic. The model is able to reproduce expected grounding line advances during glacial periods and subsequent retreats during terminations with reasonable glacial–interglacial ice volume changes.
STABILITY AND ACTIVITY PROFILE OF ALKALINE PROTEASE, PRODUCED FROM BACILLUS SUBTILIS

The present study gives an insight into the effect of different activators and inhibitors on the activity and stability of alkaline proteases produced by Bacillus subtilis IH-72. The alkaline protease was strongly activated both by bivalent and monovalent cations such as Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ , Na + and K + . The enzyme activity was considerably enhanced in the presence of fructose, galactose, glucose and mannitol. The enzyme was stabilized up to 10 days by immobilization on activated charcoal and was efficiently stabilized up to 2 months by lyophilization. The enzyme remained stable up to 19 days both at 4 o C and 30 o C in the presence of Mn 2+ . However, it exhibited significant stability up to 22 days at 4 o C and 30 o C in the presence of fructose, galactose and polyethylene glycol.
Why is mast seeding in Chionochloa rubra (Poaceae) most extreme where seed predation is lowest?

Abstract Mast seeding (highly variable population seed crops among years) is common in the New Zealand flora, and is especially evident in high elevation populations of Chionochloa (snow tussocks). However, mast seeding is less pronounced at low elevations in New Zealand plants, including C. rubra. Past studies of high elevation Chionochloa populations showed that the main benefit of mast seeding is the satiation of pre‐dispersal insect seed predators. We therefore predicted that, to be able to set seed regularly, either C. rubra should suffer less predation than other Chionochloa species, or low elevation populations of C. rubra should experience lower seed predation than higher elevation populations. To test these predictions we surveyed seed predation in C. rubra and neighbouring C. pallens and C. flavescens at 22 New Zealand sites spanning over 1000 m in altitude. Total seed predation was not significantly lower in C. rubra (48%) than in C. pallens (22%) and C. flavescens (54%). Seed predation significantly increased with decreasing altitude, in direct contradiction to our prediction. This reveals a reproductive paradox: why do low elevation populations of C. rubra not show more pronounced mast seeding? We discuss three possible answers: (1) C. rubra has not formed altitudinal ecotypes with different critical temperatures for heavy floral induction; (2) the seed predators at low elevation are harder to satiate; or (3) low elevation populations suffer stronger disadvantages from masting through high intraspecific competition and or density dependent seedling mortality. We suggest that this paradox may also occur in many other masting plants with wide altitudinal ranges, that predator satiation will often break down at the lower altitudinal limit of the plant, and that seed predation may limit the lower elevational range of some masting plant species.
Motor Imagery during Action Observation: A Brief Review of Evidence, Theory and Future Research Opportunities

Motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) have traditionally been viewed as two separate techniques, which can both be used alongside physical practice to enhance motor learning and rehabilitation. Their independent use has largely been shown to be effective, and there is clear evidence that the two processes can elicit similar activity in the motor system. Building on these well-established findings, research has now turned to investigate the effects of their combined use. In this article, we first review the available neurophysiological and behavioral evidence for the effects of combined action observation and motor imagery (AO+MI) on motor processes. We next describe a conceptual framework for their combined use, and then discuss several areas for future research into AO+MI processes. In this review, we advocate a more integrated approach to AO+MI techniques than has previously been adopted by movement scientists and practitioners alike. We hope that this early review of an emergent body of research, along with a related set of research questions, can inspire new work in this area. We are optimistic that future research will further confirm if, how, and when this combined approach to AO+MI can be more effective in motor learning and rehabilitation settings, relative to the more traditional application of MI or AO independently.
Working Paper Series Department of Economics University of Verona Cognitive ability , stereotypes and gender segregation in the workplace

We carried out a survey among undergraduate students to investigate the role of gender stereotyping in the perception of female work and its consequences in terms of wage differential. Traditional female-oriented and male-oriented jobs are evaluated in terms of compensatory factors related to objective job’s characteristics and wages are then assigned to jobholders. We find that males assign lower wages to jobs thought to be carried out by women while women do not assign different wages to male and female workers but, in general, assign lower wages to both genders. Further, we find that even though males with high scores in a cognitive reflection test attribute, in general, higher wages they still assign lower wages to women. Finally, we decompose the wage differential using the classical BlinderOaxaca decomposition and find that the wage gap can not be explained by differences in the productive characteristcs of the workers.
Performance Evaluation of Three-Phase Induction Motor Fed by unbalanced voltage Combined with Over- or Under Voltage Using Finite Element Method

Unbalanced voltages can exist anywhere in a three-phase power distribution system. Thus, investigation of their effects on power system equipments, especially three-phase induction motors as most commonly used type of electric motors, is vital. This paper presents performance evaluation of a three- phase squirrel cage induction motor under unbalanced voltage combined with over- or undervoltage based on Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation. To achieve this purpose , number of unbalanced voltages with averages equal to 90, 100 and 110% of rated voltage is applied to FEM simulation model of the motor and its steady state operating performance has been analyzed and the resulted input/output power, losses, efficiency and torque have been discussed. The employed measure for voltage unbalance in the present work is complex voltage unbalance factor (CVUF) that consists of voltage magnitude and angle.
Dispersion of tsunamis: does it really matter?

Abstract. This article focuses on the effect of dispersion in the field of tsunami modeling. Frequency dispersion in the linear long-wave limit is first briefly discussed from a theoretical point of view. A single parameter, denoted as "dispersion time", for the integrated effect of frequency dispersion is identified. This parameter depends on the wavelength, the water depth during propagation, and the propagation distance or time. Also the role of long-time asymptotes is discussed in this context. The wave generation by the two main tsunami sources, namely earthquakes and landslides, are briefly discussed with formulas for the surface response to the bottom sources. Dispersive effects are then exemplified through a semi-idealized study of a moderate-strength inverse thrust fault. Emphasis is put on the directivity, the role of the "dispersion time", the significance of the Boussinesq model employed (dispersive effect), and the effects of the transfer from bottom sources to initial surface elevation. Finally, the experience from a series of case studies, including earthquake- and landslide-generated tsunamis, is presented. The examples are taken from both historical (e.g. the 2011 Japan tsunami and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami) and potential tsunamis (e.g. the tsunami after the potential La Palma volcanic flank collapse). Attention is mainly given to the role of dispersion during propagation in the deep ocean and the way the accumulation of this effect relates to the "dispersion time". It turns out that this parameter is useful as a first indication as to when frequency dispersion is important, even though ambiguity with respect to the definition of the wavelength may be a problem for complex cases. Tsunamis from most landslides and moderate earthquakes tend to display dispersive behavior, at least in some directions. On the other hand, for the mega events of the last decade dispersion during deep water propagation is mostly noticeable for transoceanic propagation.
The Bond We Share: Experiences of Caring for a Person with Mental and Physical Health Conditions

The purpose of this chapter is to improve service providers’ understanding of how to work with, include and understand the experience and expertise of mental health carers. This in‐ formation is useful for service providers in clinical mental health, psychosocial rehabilitation across government and non-government, and primary health care settings, and also for managers of services, to help determine training offered to their employees. It may also be useful for carers and carer support organisations, as well as for those who teach undergrad‐ uate and postgraduate health professional students. After reading this chapter, readers will be able to:
Students’ attitudes to lecturers’ English in English-medium higher education in Denmark

This study examines the evaluative reactions of university students to their non-native lecturers’ English skills in English-medium instruction, i.e. when English is used as a lingua franca in an academic context. In particular, we examine the relationship between perceptions of English language proficiency and perceptions of general lecturing competence (defined here as knowledge of subject and teaching skills). Statistical analyses of 1,700 student responses to 31 non-native English-speaking lecturers at a major business school in Denmark revealed that the students’ perceptions of the lecturers’ English language proficiency is a significant predictor of their perceptions of the lecturers’ general lecturing competence and vice versa. We interpret this as a two-way relationship caused by speech stereotypes similar to those which have been demonstrated in social-psychological experiments. This effect should be addressed when universities use student ratings to evaluate teaching in English-medium content courses.
Processing discrete-return profiling lidar data to estimate canopy closure for large-area forest mapping and management

We performed a series of empirical experiments designed to refine the processing of discrete-return profiling light detection and ranging (lidar) data for the purpose of estimating canopy closure across a broad range of forest conditions in west-central Alberta, Canada. The following three methodological conclusions were obtained: (i) a new line-segment method based on the ratio of overstory segment distance to total distance outperformed alternative point-count techniques described previously in the literature; (ii) an absolute overstory–understory threshold of 1.4 m generated the best models overall and appeared to extend well across a range of forest types; and (iii) stratification by species composition (hardwood, softwood, and mixedwood) or moisture regime (upland and wetland) was of little influence in alternate models, suggesting good portability of these methods across a broad variety of forest conditions. A k = n cross-validation approach produced an average root mean square error (RMSE) of 7.2% for the best model with no systematic bias. In addition to contributing to the identification of sound methodological practices, these results successfully reconciled the conceptual differences between canopy closure, measured through the use of ground-based optical tools, and canopy cover, captured remotely with lidar, revealing a direct linear relationship between the two attributes.
Employees’ Job Satisfactions and Organisational Commitment in Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited, India

Job satisfaction has been described as an output of a work environment. The agreement between the environment and the workers’ expectations result in job satisfaction. Organizational commitment maximized innovative and spontaneous behavior which implied that organizations need not go beyond attracting and holding people in the system to achieve better efficiency. Organizational commitment may be related to the morale of the work force, it has come to be considered a desirable goal in itself and the characteristic of effective healthy organization. An attempt is made in this study to identify the various parameters for employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment in Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (NFCL), Kakinada, India to measure the level of employees’ job satisfaction and organizational commitment in the selected organization based on the selected factors, and to examine the relationship between employees’ socio-economic character and the factors of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Around ten per cent of the sample (out of 1940 employees, 200 respondents are selected i.e., 35 executive cadre, 55 junior executive cadre and 110 non executive cadre employees) is selected based on the stratified random sampling and used Mean, Standard Deviation, ANOVA and t-tests analysis. The study revealed that Employees are found to have a positive inclination in their intensity of commitment towards their organization. Age, Education, Nature of the job, length of service and income have negatively relations with the employee job satisfaction as well as organizational Commitment. Employees having very active participation in trade union are found to have more job satisfaction and high degree of organizational commitment compared to other groups of employees.
Optical, thermal, electrical, damage, and phase-matching properties of lithium selenoindate

Lithium selenoindate (LiInSe2) is a new nonlinear chalcogenide biaxial crystal, related to LiInS2 and transparent from 0.54 to 10 μm at the 50% level (10 mm thickness), which has been successfully grown in large sizes and with good optical quality. We report on what we believe to be new physical properties that are relevant for laser and nonlinear optical applications and summarize all relevant characteristics, both from the literature and as measured in the present work. With respect to AgGaS(e)2 ternary chalcopyrite materials, LiInSe2 displays a nearly isotropic thermal expansion behavior with three- to five-times-larger thermal conductivities associated with high optical damage thresholds, and low intensity-dependent absorption, allowing direct high-power downconversion from the near-infrared, especially 1064 nm, to the deep mid-infrared. Continuous-wave difference-frequency generation (5.9–8.1 μm) of Ti:sapphire laser sources is reported for the first time as well as nanosecond optical parametric oscillation with a Nd:YAG laser as the pump source at 100 Hz and idler tuning between 4.7 and 8.7 μm.