Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of ultraviolet B irradiation on accumulation of catechins in tea ( Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze

Effect of UV-B irradiation time on accumulation of foliar catechins in two tea cultivars was investigated. Low influence rate and short term irradiation of UV-B stimulated accumulation of major tea catechins, resulting in an increase in level of total catechins. Excessive irradiation of UV-B supressed the accumulation of tea catechins. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) increased more quickly than the other catechins under appropriate UV-B irradiation. The difference in response of different tea cultivars to UV-B is discussed.
What E ¤ ect Has Bond Market Development in Emerging Asia Had on the Issue of Corporate Bonds ?

This paper investigates the determinants of the rms decision to issue corporate bonds in emerging Asian economies, using a novel database covering the period 1995 to 2004. We use comparable micro level panel data for 4 countries Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand to explore the inuence of rmssize and growth prospects, nancial health and indicators of bond market development on the decision to issue corporate bonds. Our results show that the likelihood of bond issuance increases with size and growth prospects and with creditworthiness in all countries; there is evidence of rmlevel heterogeneity across rm size classes. Importantly, there is no e¤ect from bond market development on the likelihood of bond issuance. We conclude that the bene ts of bond market development are yet to spillover to corporate bond markets. JEL classi cation: F32, F34, G32 Key words: Bond nancing, nancial variables, development, emerging Asian markets This paper was prepared for the 6th INFINITI Conference on International Finance. The authors acknowledge the support of the Hong Kong Institute of Monetary Research, Hong Kong and their generous hospitality during the period that this paper was written. We are grateful to Steve Fazzari, Alessandra Guariglia and John Tsoukalas for helpful comments. We thank Kenneth Chow for excellent research assistance. Any remaining errors are our own.
PatchMatch-Based Content Completion of 3D Images

This thesis presents a method for completing target regions (“hole ﬁlling”) in RGB stereo pairs. It builds upon the state of the art for completing single images by matching to and then blending source patches drawn from the rest of the image. A method is introduced for ﬁrst completing the respective disparity maps using a coupled partial differential equation based on that of Bertalmio, et al. extended to create mutual disparity consistency. Estimated disparities are then used to guide completion of the missing color image texture. An extension to the coherence-based objective function introduced by Wexler, et al. is then introduced, which not only encourages coherence of the respective images with respect to source images but also stereoscopic consistency between the two. The PatchMatch algorithm of Barnes, et al. is extended to cross-image searching and matching. This matching is capable of automatically copying from corresponding unoccluded portions of the other image without requiring an explicit preliminary warping step. Stereoscopic consistency is produced by giving preference to matches with cross-image consistency when blending source patches. Additionally, the PatchMatch algorithm is extended to draw from scaled texture in a directed fashion based on the 3D structure of the scene estimated from the stereo image pairs. Results demonstrate that this method produces better completion than either single-image completion or previous methods for stereo completion.
Tone assignment in Hong Kong English

This article provides an argument for Hong Kong English being a tonal language and informs the growing literature on word- and phrase-level prosody interactions. By teasing apart tonal effects that come from intonation and those that come from the word boundary, a clear picture emerges that H tones are assigned in all combinations to HKE di- and trisyllabic words. Tone spreading and blocking across words can also be seen in HKE, but syllables lexically specified for H never give up their tones. Complexity in HKE tone patterns arises when the H tones interact with boundary tones, such as the declarative final L% and the word-initial M.
False detection of dangerous and neutral substances in commonly used materials by means of the standard THz Time Domain Spectroscopy

Essential limitations of the standard THz Time Domain Spectroscopy (TDS), which lead to false detection of dangerous and neutral substances in commonly used materials, are demonstrated using the physical experiment with chocolate under real conditions as well as with semiconductors under laboratory conditions. To overcome this disadvantage, we propose using the time-dependent spectrum of the THz pulse, transmitted through or reflected from a substance. For quality assessment of the standard substance absorption frequency presence in the signal under analysis, we use time-dependent integral correlation criteria. The influence of aperture placed in front of the sample on spectral properties of silicon wafers with different resistivity is demonstrated as well.
Experts and laymen grossly underestimate the benefits of argumentation for reasoning

Many fields of study have shown that group discussion generally improves reasoning performance for a wide range of tasks. This article shows that most of the population, including specialists, does not expect group discussion to be as beneficial as it is. Six studies asked participants to solve a standard reasoning problem—the Wason selection task—and to estimate the performance of individuals working alone and in groups. We tested samples of U.S., Indian, and Japanese participants, European managers, and psychologists of reasoning. Every sample underestimated the improvement yielded by group discussion. They did so even after they had been explained the correct answer, or after they had had to solve the problem in groups. These mistaken intuitions could prevent individuals from making the best of institutions that rely on group discussion, from collaborative learning and work teams to deliberative assemblies.
Learning approaches, personality and concepts of knowledge of first-year students: mature-age versus school leaver

There is considerable interest in how students study and what skills best facilitate their academic performance. This paper reports on some of the key outcomes of a large individual differences study of student learning profiles at a regional Australian university. It examines how students’ conceptions of knowledge, approaches to learning, and personality relate to academic success measured using grade point average (GPA). A total of 1078 students, 706 mature-age and 372 school leaver students, completed an online survey during their first semester of study at the University of Southern Queensland. The data were summarised using multivariate techniques (e.g., correlation and regression analyses) and first-year student profiles were built using standard descriptive statistics. Univariate analyses showed that mature-age students obtained higher GPAs and scored higher on the Deep and Strategic learning approaches than did school leavers. Conversely, school leavers scored higher on the Surface approach to learning. Regression analyses indicated that the Strategic approach positively predicted GPA. Intellect and Conscientiousness were each found to positively predict the Deep approach to learning; Conscientiousness was found to positively predict the Strategic approach to learning; and Emotional Stability and Intellect were each found to negatively predict the Surface approach to learning. These findings provide implications for curriculum design and delivery and for transition programs for both school leaver and mature-age students.
Determination of Mobility and Charge Carriers Concentration from Ionic Conductivity in Sodium Germanate Glasses above and below

The ionic conductivity and viscous flow data of , , have been collected in a large temperature range, below and above their glass transition temperatures (). A microscopic model is proposed, assuming that the ionic displacement would result from the migration of interstitial positively charged cationic pairs whose concentration is an activated function of temperature. Below , their migration is also an activated mechanism, but a “free volume” would prevail above this temperature. This discontinuity in the migration mechanism justifies a Dienes-Macedo-Litovitz (DML) relationship to be representative of conductivity data above and an Arrhenius law below. According to this model, the enthalpy deduced by the fit of high temperature data using a DML equation would correspond to the charge carrier formation, whose migration enthalpy, below , could be deduced by the difference between the activation energy measured in the Arrhenius domain and the charge carrier formation enthalpy. To reduce the number of adjustable parameters numerical values were physically justified. We also applied a complete test for conductivity below , using the so-called weak electrolyte model, splitting activation enthalpy into formation and migration enthalpies and also explaining the variation of pre-exponential term of conductivity with composition.
Board Structure, CEO Tenure, Firms’ Charactersitics and Performance of Financial Institutions in Kenya

The broad objective of this research was to determine the effect of board structure on the performance of financial institutions in Kenya and also to find out what the intervening and mediating influence of the tenure of the CEO and firm’s characteristics on this relationship might be. The specific objectives included; to examine the influence of board structure on performance of financial institutions in Kenya; to determine the intervening influence of CEO tenure on the association among board structure and performance of financial sector firms in Kenya; to examine the moderating effect of the firms’ characteristics on the association among board structure and performance of financial institutions in Kenya; and to ascertain the joint effect of board structure, CEO tenure and firms’ characteristics on performance. Secondary data was collected for a ten-year period from 2006 to 2015. Moderated and stepwise regression models and correlation analysis were adopted for the investigation of the association among the variables. The results showed that board structure had independent significant influence on performance of financial institutions; there was no significant intervening effect of CEO tenure on this relationship; there was a significant moderating effect of firms’ characteristics on the relationship; and the joint effect of board structure, CEO tenure and firms’ characteristics was significant. Through this study, the formulation of managerial policies and practices which will promote better governance practices and also appropriate the characteristics of firms and that will improve performance of financial institutions will be enhanced.
Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome

Objective To identify risk factors in patient with metabolic syndrome(MS). Methods Multistage cluster sampling method was used to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Jiangxi Province,and unconditional logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of MS. Results Family economy,alcohol intake,age,father's metabolic syndrome and meat intake entered the logistic equation by statistic significance(P0.05). OR value of family economy was 1.19,OR value of alcohol intake was 1.26,OR value of age was 1.65,OR value of father's metabolic syndrome was 1.50,and OR value of meat intake was 0.89. Conclusions Family economy,alcohol intake,age and father's metabolic syndrome are all the risk factors,while meat intake is the protective factor for MS.
Deep level transient spectroscopy on as-grown and electron-irradiated p-type 4H-SiC epilayers

The authors have investigated deep levels in as-grown and electron-irradiated p-type 4H-SiC epilayers by deep level transient spectroscopy. In as-grown epilayers, the D center and four deep levels are observed. In p-type 4H-SiC, reactive ion etching followed by thermal treatment (at 1150 °C) induces the HK0 (EV+0.79 eV) and HK2 (EV+0.84 eV) centers. By the electron irradiation, two deep levels at 0.98 eV (EP1) and 1.44 eV (EP2) are observed in all the samples irradiated at 116–400 keV, while two additional deep levels (EP3 and EP4) are observed only in the samples irradiated at 400 keV. After annealing at 950 °C, these centers are annealed out, and the HK4 (EV+1.44 eV) concentration is increased. By the electron irradiation at more than 160 keV followed by annealing at 950 °C, three deep levels are always observed at 0.30 eV (UK1), 0.58 eV (UK2), and 1.44 eV (HK4). These centers may be defect complexes including carbondisplacement-related defects. All the centers except for the D center are reduced to bel.
Reduced salinity, but not estuarine acidification, is a cause of immune-suppression in the Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata

Acid sulfate soils (ASS) are a major problem around the world. Oxidation of these sulfide-rich sediments by anthropogenic disturbance results in production and release of sulfuric acid. Subsequent rise in the water table due to rain may result in sulfuric acid and heavy metal ions leaching out of the sediments into nearby estuaries, leading to their acidification. Anecdotal evidence exists that flood waters containing ASS leachate may cause adult Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata to become immune-suppressed, leading to higher mortality rates from the paramyxean parasite Marteilia sydneyi (aetiological agent of QX disease). In the current study, adult S. glomerata were exposed to a seawater matrix of varying salinity, sulfuric acid and Al 3+ for 48 h, and the expres- sion of 7 genes involved in immunity were measured by quantitative reverse-transcription poly- merase chain reaction. A change in salinity from 35 to 15 ppt caused a 1.7-fold down-regulation in the expression of peroxiredoxin 6 gene (p 0.05). The effects of salinity, sulfuric acid and Al 3+ on the ability of immune genes to respond to microbial inva- sion were also investigated by exposing oysters to the seawater matrix for 40 h, followed by injection with heat-killed Vibrio alginolyticus bacteria. A drop in salinity coupled with V. alginolyticus injec- tion resulted in down-regulation of peroxiredoxin 6 and C1q-like protein (p 0.05). These results support that reduced salinity, and not estuary acidification, is the main environmental stressor resulting in S. glomerata becoming immuno- compromised during the QX disease risk period.
The empirical performance of a new inter-industry technology spillover measure

This paper investigates whether a new, easy to construct measure of interindustry knowledge spillovers could be used as an alternative to the existing more sophisticated but rather inflexible (especially with respect to the number of industries that can be distinguished) methods already in use. First, the method is shown to measure pure knowledge spillovers, contrary to earlier input-output based measures picking up with rent spillovers. Second, the measure is computed for the U.S. in 1987 to identify a number of technological clusters. Finally, using a database for American firms, the new measure is shown to yield estimates of spillover impacts similar to the existing knowledge spillover measures, but sometimes strongly different from rent spillover measures. A further novel aspect is the eldi me-5(f). 27 Tm -28003 Tc 05(t,2175(tgle-4(sG)5(e)1(aa75(tger-4(sYosimiledgetinaper in)eps)0()4(sedm)5(e)1(as) siob4(s)a)-10( m)5(n an)3)-6(3 )-10(eshowaperim)5( t2(es)6(t)f(b)4(lpil om)5()-1) B)-5(a)4 of
Establishment of Some Biochemical Parameters and their Variation in West African DonkeysÃ¢ÂÂ Breed

The aim of the study was to determine some biochemical parameters of clinical importance in donkeys in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal). For this purpose, 690 donkeys were sampled from 14 different localities in the West African region. Serum samples from animals were analyzed by using commercial kits to determine biochemical parameters. The reference values of parameters obtained from donkeys in West Africa were in the same order of magnitude as those found in European and Latin American donkeys or donkeys in the Middle East except for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Creatinine. There were significant (p<0.05) variations in parameter values according to geographic locations, nutritional status (body condition score), and age of donkeys. However, the values of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and AST varied by sex. This study provided reference values of the biochemical parameters which will be very useful to the clinicians whose interpretation will allow a good veterinary healthcare and the welfare of the donkeys like all the working animals.
Maize response to nitrogen fertilization timing in two tillage systems in a soil with high organic matter content

No-tillage systems, associated to black oat as preceding cover crop, have been increasingly adopted. This has motivated anticipated maize nitrogen fertilization, transferring it from the side-dress system at the stage when plants have five to six expanded leaves to when the preceding cover crop is eliminated or to maize sowing. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil tillage system and timing of N fertilization on maize grain yield and agronomic efficiency of N applied to a soil with high organic matter content. A three-year field experiment was conducted in Lages, state of Santa Catarina, from 1999 onwards. Treatments were set up in a split plot arrangement. Two soil tillage systems were tested in the main plots: conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT). Six N management systems were assessed in the split-plots: S1 - control, without N application; S2 - all N (100 kg ha-1) applied at oat desiccation; S3 - all N applied at maize sowing; S4 - all N side-dressed when maize had five expanded leaves (V5 growth stage); S5 - 1/3 of N rate applied at maize sowing and 2/3 at V5; S6 - 2/3 of nitrogen rate applied at maize sowing and 1/3 at V5. Maize response to the time and form of splitting N was not affected by the soil tillage system. Grain yield ranged from 6.0 to 11.8 t ha-1. The anticipation of N application (S2 and S3) decreased grain yield in two of three years. In the rainiest early spring season (2000/2001) of the experiment, S4 promoted an yield advantage of 2.2 t ha-1 over S2 and S3. Application of total N rate before or at sowing decreased the number of kernels produced per ear in 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 and the number of ears produced per area in 2001/2002, resulting in reduced grain yield. The agronomic efficiency of applied N (kg grain increase/kg of N applied) ranged from 13.9 to 38.8 and was always higher in the S4 than in the S2 and S3 N systems. Short-term N immobilization did not reduce grain yield when no N was applied before or at maize sowing in a soil with high organic matter content, regardless of the soil tillage system.
Analysis strategy issues for the maintenance of the ICRF axes

In preparation for the evolution of the definition of the VLBI-based International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF), various elements of the analysis strategy are investigated, such as reference source selection and the impact of the status of the terrestrial reference frame in the data analysis model. We conclude that including the determination of both the celestial and the terrestrial reference frames in the analysis does not affect the quality of the celestial reference frame. The determination of precession and nutation components is not affected by the status of the terrestrial reference frame but it is affected by the selection of reference radio sources. Extending an earlier study, three lists of reference sources based on progressively larger tolerances are proposed. They include 181, 225 and 247 objects, respectively.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Approaching Factors and Dimensions with Explanation-Based Argumentation

Current research in legal argumentation theory tries to bridge the gap between representations of the arguments brought by parties, and representations of factors and dimensions, as used in case-based reasoning frameworks. The present paper targets the same objective, but taking an alternative approach. Instead of reasoning in terms of attack or support relationships between claims, we consider the relation of the collected messages with alternative interpretations of the case, thus referring to explanation-based argumentation (EBA). This shift of perspective allows us to start an alternative investigation into some of the questions raised in the literature. A prototype application is presented along with the paper.
The solar-like ‘Second Spectrum’ and polarized metal lines in the emission of the post-AGB binary 89 Herculis

We studied the polarized spectrum of the post-AGB binary system 89 Herculis on the basis of data collected with the high-resolution Catania Astrophysical Observatory Spectropolarimeter, HArps-North POlarimeter and Echelle SpectroPolarimetric Device for the Observation of Stars. We find the existence of linear polarization in the strongest metal lines in absorption and with low excitation potentials. Signals are characterized by complex Q and U morphologies varying with the orbital period. We rule out magnetic fields, continuum depolarization due to pulsations and hot spots as the possible origin of this ‘Second Solar Spectrum’-like behaviour. The linear polarization we detected in the Caii 8662-Å line is clear evidence of optical pumping polarization and rules out scattering polarization from free electrons of the circumbinary environment. In the framework of optical pumping due to the secondary star, the observed periodic properties of the spectral line polarization can be justified by two jets, with a flow velocity of a few tens of km s−1, at the basis of that hourglass structure characterizing 89 Herculis. We also discovered linear polarization across the emission profile of metal lines. Numerical simulations show that these polarized profiles could be formed in an undisrupted circumbinary disc rotating at ≤10 km s−1 and with an orientation in the sky in agreement with optical and radio interferometric results. We conclude that the study of aspherical envelopes, the origin of which is not yet completely understood, of PNe and already present in post-AGBs can benefit from high-resolution spectropolarimetry and that this technique can shape envelopes still too far away for interferometry.
Food pricing, competition, and the emerging supercenter format

Much previous research has examined the role of concentration, level of service, and entry barriers on U.S. food retailing profits and prices. Despite the rapid advancement of food supercenters, public policy research evaluating their price impacts remains quite limited. The purpose this study is to examine the price impacts from supercenter entry, growing supercenter market share, and supermarket consolidation from 1993-2003. Findings were that both the market share of supercenter food sales and the marginal impact of supercenter entry did not have a significant impact on food prices in the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) analyzed. These are important findings in light of claims that supercenters entry causes a procompetitive effect. Futhermore, changes in market concentration was significantly and positively related to price changes. Therefore, it appears consolidation led to higher prices and any merger-related cost gains during this period were not passed on to consumers. lEconLit Classifications: D400, L130, L660r. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 23: 295-312, 2007.