Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulation of Distribution Regularities of Dust Concentration in Fully Mechanized Top-Coal Caving Face

According to characteristics of fully mechanized top-coal caving face and related survey date, a mathematical model of dust movement was derived from gas-solid two-phase flow theory. Numerical simulation of the dust concentration was made with CFD software FLUENT. The result matches well with the related survey date and shows that most of the dust move with the wind and little disperses at random. Coal cutting is the most important source of dust. Advancing support and top-coal drawing is of the second and third importance. Dust control in fully mechanized top-coal caving face should focus on the place downwind the coal mining machine between 5 and 10m.
Characterization of Trap States Distribution in Poly-Si TFTs Using OEMS

Opto-Electronic Modulation Spectroscopy (OEMS)technique is applied on polycrystalline silicon thin-&#64257;lm transistors (poly-Si TFTs) to investigate the distribution of bandgap states at grain boundary (GB). Both the current and the phase response spectrums are obtained by analyzing the position and characteristic of gap states at GB. Four discrete bulk trap states in 0.25eV, 0.45eV, 0.59eV, 0.76eV below conduction band and one continuous interface state in band tail between 1.04eV and 1.2eV are determined. All of them are donor-like state except the state in 0.25eV is acceptor-like. The obtained results are in good agreement with known results by other measurements, both the state location and the property of the state. The present work shows that OEMS technique is a comprehensive and direct way to characterize GB gap states distribution in poly-Si TFTs.
The Environmental Impacts of Tourism— Whose Responsibility Is It Anyway? The Case Study of Mykonos

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differential perceptions of residents, entrepreneurs, and tourists toward the negative environmental impacts of tourism on the Greek island of Mykonos. The authors interviewed 115 residents, entrepreneurs, and tourists in Hora, the capital of Mykonos, during the beginning of the 1993 summer season. It was hypothesized that each of the three groups would consider the other two more responsible for the creation of negative environmental impacts caused by tourism. The results only par tially supported this hypothesis. Perceptual gaps were found between tourists and the other two groups. Tourists considered both residents and entrepreneurs to be more responsible than themselves for the negative environmental impacts of tourism. No gaps were found between residents' and entrepreneurs' responses. Both entrepreneurs and residents perceived the environmental impacts to be lower than tourists did. The most interesting finding was that all three groups — including the residents themselves — considered the residents to be more responsible than anyone else for the creation of tourism's negative environ mental impacts.
North American Soil Degradation: Processes, Practices, and Mitigating Strategies

Soil can be degraded by several natural or human-mediated processes, including wind, water, or tillage erosion, and formation of undesirable physical, chemical, or biological properties due to industrialization or use of inappropriate farming practices. Soil degradation occurs whenever these processes supersede natural soil regeneration and, generally, reflects unsustainable resource management that is global in scope and compromises world food security. In North America, soil degradation preceded the catastrophic wind erosion associated with the dust bowl during the 1930s, but that event provided the impetus to improve management of soils degraded by both wind and water erosion. Chemical degradation due to site specific industrial processing and mine spoil contamination began to be addressed during the latter half of the 20th century primarily through point-source water quality concerns, but soil chemical degradation and contamination of surface and subsurface water due to on-farm non-point pesticide and nutrient management practices generally remains unresolved. Remediation or prevention of soil degradation requires integrated management solutions that, for agricultural soils, include using cover crops or crop residue management to reduce raindrop impact, maintain higher infiltration rates, increase soil water storage, and ultimately increase crop production. By increasing plant biomass, and potentially soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations, soil degradation can be mitigated by stabilizing soil aggregates, improving soil structure, enhancing air and water exchange, increasing nutrient cycling, and promoting greater soil biological activity.
The Link Between Teacher Classroom Practices and Student Academic Performance

Quantitative studies of school effects have generally supported the notion that the problems of U.S. education lie outside of the school. Yet such studies neglect the primary venue through which students learn, the classroom. The current study explores the link between classroom practices and student academic performance by applying multilevel modeling to the 1996 National Assessment of Educational Progress in mathematics. The study finds that the effects of classroom practices, when added to those of other teacher characteristics, are comparable in size to those of student background, suggesting that teachers can contribute as much to student learning as the students themselves.
Impact of biodiesel blend mandate (B10) on the Malaysian palm oil industry

Over the last ten years biofuels production has increased dramatically. One of the main factors is the rise in world oil prices, coupled with heightened interest in the abatement of greenhouse gas emissions and concerns about energy security. The increment in production has been driven by governmental interventions. In the US, the world’s largest fuel ethanol producer, strong financial incentives are guaranteed for biofuel manufacturers. In the European Union, the world’s largest biodiesel producer, biofuel consumption is mostly driven by blending mandates in both France and Germany. In the case of Malaysia, biodiesel started to be exported since 2006. The policy mandate of B5 blend of palm oil based biodiesel into diesel in all government vehicles was implemented in February 2009 and it is expected to be implemented nationwide by 2013. It is expected that the blend of B5 will be increased to B10 in future. This paper seeks to examine the impact of B10 on the Malaysian palm oil market. A structural econometric model consisting of eight structural equations and four identities was proposed in this study. The model has been estimated by two stage least squares method using annual data for the period 1976-2011. The specification of the structural model is based on a series of assumptions about general economic conditions, agricultural policies and technological change The study indicates that counterfactual simulation of an increase from B5 to B10 predicts a positive increase (12.05 per cent) in palm oil domestic consumption, 76.36 per cent decrease in stock, 156 per cent increase in domestic price of palm oil and a marginal (1.48 percent) increase in production. An increase in domestic demand would make Malaysia more competitive regionally and globally with benefits accruing to all Malaysians.
Spreading the Word: Price Discovery and Newswire Dissemination of Management Earnings Guidance

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the impact of dissemination on the efficiency of the price discovery process with respect to management earnings guidance disclosures. I first identify firm and guidance characteristics associated with the likelihood that guidance receives coverage in the Dow Jones Newswires. Using propensity score, within-firm, and returns-based matched control samples of guidance, I find that newswire dissemination is associated with larger initial price reactions and, more importantly, an increase in the speed with which guidance information is incorporated into price. I also find that newswire coverage affects the market's reaction to stand-alone versus bundled guidance and good versus bad news guidance. This study is the first to provide evidence of systematic variation, both across and within firms, in the breadth of guidance dissemination, and it shows that this variation has a substantial effect on how investors respond to guidance. JEL Classifications: G14; M41; L82.
Do African Manufacturing Firms Learn from Exporting?

We use firm-level panel data for the manufacturing sector in four African countries to investigate whether exporting impacts on efficiency, and whether efficient firms self-select into the export market. Based on simultaneous estimation of a production function and an export regression, our preferred results indicate significant efficiency gains from exporting, which can be interpreted as learning by exporting. We show that modelling unobserved heterogeneity by a flexible approach is important for deriving this conclusion. A policy implication of our results is that Africa would gain from orientating its manufacturing sector towards exporting.
Effects of Steroidal Antiandrogen or 5‐alpha‐reductase Inhibitor on Prostate Tissue Hormone Content

The effects of a steroidal antiandrogen (AA) and 5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitor (5ARI) on prostate tissue hormone content and metabolism are not fully elucidated. The objective of this study is to investigate the hormone content and metabolism of the prostate tissues of patients treated with AA or 5ARI using the ultra‐sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method.
Strategic Revenue Recognition to Achieve Earnings Benchmarks

I examine whether managers use discretion in revenue recognition to avoid three earnings benchmarks. I find that managers use discretion in both accrued revenue (i.e., accounts receivable) and deferred revenue (i.e., advances from customers) to avoid negative earnings surprises, but find little evidence that discretion is used to avoid losses or earnings decreases. For a common sample of firms with both deferred revenue and accounts receivable, I find evidence that managers do not prefer to exercise discretion in either account. However, further tests show that managers preferred to use discretion in deferred revenue before the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 went into effect, consistent with them choosing to manage an account with the lowest real costs to the firm (i.e., future cash consequences). My results suggest that the revenue recognition joint project undertaken by the FASB and IASB to reduce managerial estimation in revenue recognition may have the unintended consequence of leading to greater real costs imposed on shareholders as firms are likely to use even greater discretion in accounts receivable.
Discrete-Time Nonlinear Filtering Algorithms Using Gauss–Hermite Quadrature

In this paper, a new version of the quadrature Kalman filter (QKF) is developed theoretically and tested experimentally. We first derive the new QKF for nonlinear systems with additive Gaussian noise by linearizing the process and measurement functions using statistical linear regression (SLR) through a set of Gauss-Hermite quadrature points that parameterize the Gaussian density. Moreover, we discuss how the new QKF can be extended and modified to take into account specific details of a given application. We then go on to extend the use of the new QKF to discrete-time, nonlinear systems with additive, possibly non-Gaussian noise. A bank of parallel QKFs, called the Gaussian sum-quadrature Kalman filter (GS-QKF) approximates the predicted and posterior densities as a finite number of weighted sums of Gaussian densities. The weights are obtained from the residuals of the QKFs. Three different Gaussian mixture reduction techniques are presented to alleviate the growing number of the Gaussian sum terms inherent to the GS-QKFs. Simulation results exhibit a significant improvement of the GS-QKFs over other nonlinear filtering approaches, namely, the basic bootstrap (particle) filters and Gaussian-sum extended Kalman filters, to solve nonlinear non- Gaussian filtering problems.
Aggressive Political Participation

Utilizing data from a survey of attitudes and behavior of more than 2,500 residents of selected rural, urban, and university communities in the Federal Republic of Germany, Edward Muller attempts to formulate and to test a general multivariate theory about what motivates individuals to participate in aggressive political action. Since this kind of political behavior is infrequent in addition to being difficult to measure, it rarely has been subjected to rigorous scientific investigation at the micro-level. Professor Muller's study is an attempt to understand the causes of aggressive political participation using quantitative techniques.Originally published in 1979.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.
Semiparametric Regression with Kernel Error Model

Abstract. We propose and study a class of regression models, in which the mean function is specified parametrically as in the existing regression methods, but the residual distribution is modelled non‐parametrically by a kernel estimator, without imposing any assumption on its distribution. This specification is different from the existing semiparametric regression models. The asymptotic properties of such likelihood and the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) under this semiparametric model are studied. We show that under some regularity conditions, the MLE under this model is consistent (when compared with the possibly pseudo‐consistency of the parameter estimation under the existing parametric regression model), is asymptotically normal with rate and efficient. The non‐parametric pseudo‐likelihood ratio has the Wilks property as the true likelihood ratio does. Simulated examples are presented to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed semiparametric MLE method.
Pharmacokinetics of plasma enfuvirtide after subcutaneous administration to patientswith human immunodeficiency virus: Inverse Gaussian density absorption and 2‐compartment disposition *

Enfuvirtide (T‐20) is the first of a novel class of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drugs that block gp41‐mediated viral fusion to host cells. The objectives of this study were to develop a structural pharmacokinetic model that would adequately characterize the absorption and disposition of enfuvirtide pharmacokinetics after both intravenous and subcutaneous administration and to evaluate the dose proportionality of enfuvirtide pharmacokinetic parameters at a subcutaneous dose higher than that currently used in phase III studies.
Growth, Stagnation or Retrogression? On the Accuracy of Economic Observations, Tanzania, 1961–2001

Statistics on African economic growth are widely known to be inaccurate, but the extent and nature of these inaccuracies and their implications for the users of the data have not been rigorously assessed. This article investigates measurement issues of economic growth in post-colonial Tanzania. It is shown here that conclusions on Tanzania's development performance are conditioned by selection of the source of growth evidence. The article argues for an agnostic perspective on Tanzanian economic growth. Modelling efforts of African growth are more sophisticated than the quality of the data justifies. The policy implications are clear. For producers, there needs to be stronger investment into data collection in African economies, and for users, greater caution utilised in quantitative macro studies. Copyright 2011 , Oxford University Press.
The Strengths and Challenges of Implementing EBP in Healthcare Systems.

BACKGROUND Multihospital healthcare system leaders and individual nurses are challenged to integrate standardized evidence-based practices that support continuous performance improvement in their systems. AIM This study was undertaken to evaluate the strength of and the opportunities for implementing evidence-based nursing practice across a diverse 9-hospital system located in the mid-Atlantic region. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 6,800 registered nurses (RNs), with a 24% response rate, was conducted to learn about their attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions toward organizational readiness and implementation of EBP. RESULTS Although respondents' beliefs about EBP were positive, they reported their ability to implement EBP as extremely low. More than one third (36%) of the respondents worked at two of the system's Magnet designated hospitals. Magnet RNs reported more resources and held more positive beliefs about their hospital's organizational readiness for EBP. Nurses who possess advanced nursing degrees, certification, and who serve in leadership roles were favorable toward EBP. Younger RNs with fewer years in practice were more likely to have positive beliefs toward EBP and embedding it into the organizational culture. LINKING EVIDENCE TO PRACTICE Findings mirror previous research where nurses internationally favor EBP yet struggle with similar barriers for implementation. Strategies to link this evidence to action can be taken at local and global levels. Locally, transformational nurse leaders within each hospital can share the vision for implementing EBP and embrace Magnet principles. At the system level, transformational nurse leaders can collectively allocate resources to create a system-wide online EBP education plan with EBP competencies and tool kit to increase RN exposure to EBP and standardize practice. Globally, promoting free and accessible EBP massive open online courses (MOOC) and sharing best practices online and at international forums such as Magnet conferences will help to lead, educate, and mentor nurses with strategies to systematically increase EBP uptake.
Rheologic behavior of sickle and normal red blood cell mixtures in sickle plasma: implications for transfusion therapy

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for transfusion in sickle cell disease usually define an upper hematocrit (Hct) limit of 0.30 to 0.35 to avoid blood hyperviscosity. In vitro viscosity studies of normal (AA) and sickle (SS) red blood cell (RBC) mixtures in buffer appear to confirm that this Hct limit is optimal for oxygen delivery to vascular beds as judged by the ratio of Hct to viscosity, with this ratio often termed “oxygen or RBC transport effectiveness. ” In the absence of plasma, however, effects due to RBC‐RBC interactions mediated by plasma proteins cannot be assessed.
Hf isotope ratio analysis using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: an evaluation of isobaric interference corrections

From measurements of Hf–Yb mixtures, we have found that the correction of isobaric interferences involving accepted Yb isotope ratios and reasonable estimates of mass bias result in a significantly under-corrected 176Hf, which is proportional to the amount of Yb added. This can be explained by (1) a significant difference in the instrumental mass bias between Hf and Yb, and (2) that the accepted values for isotopic ratios within the Yb and/or Hf systems are incorrect. We have evaluated these possibilities by measuring mixed solutions of Yb and Hf on two MC-ICP-MS instruments and undertaking a series of REE fractionation experiments using a thermal ionisation mass spectrometer (TIMS). Our results indicate that the presently accepted abundances of the Yb isotopes are not appropriate. We present new values for Yb isotopic abundances based on the TIMS and MC-ICP-MS results. Using the newly defined Yb values, we demonstrate that Yb and Hf have similar levels of mass bias in plasma ionisation instruments, and that Hf isotope ratios can be used to correct Yb mass bias before subsequent correction of isobaric interference. A laser ablation comparison of Yb and Hf indicates that similar relationships exist, and can be applied to micro-analytical techniques where chemical separation is not possible.
Expression of thyroid hormone receptor (cid:1) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; triiodothyronine increases the expression of lipogenic enzyme and triglyceride accumulation

Thyroid hormone receptors (TR) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. There are at least two TR isoforms, TR (cid:1) and TR (cid:2) , which act as mediators of thyroid hormone in tissues. However, the relative expression of each TR isoform in target tissues is still elusive. Herein, we have developed an RT-PCR and restriction enzyme digestion method to determine the expression of TR (cid:1) 1 and TR (cid:2) 1. We analyzed the expression of TR isoforms in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes induced to di ﬀ erentiate by an adipogenic cocktail in the presence or absence of 100 nM triiodothyronine (T 3 ). The TR (cid:1) 1 isoform was predominantly expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and its expression was increased at the stage of development concomitant with the emergence of lipid droplets. Little, if any, TR (cid:2) 1 mRNA was detected in adipocytes. Administration of T 3 to the di ﬀ erentiating 3T3-L1 cells enhanced the accumulation of triglyceride. The expression proﬁle of TR (cid:1) 1 in T 3 -treated adipocytes was similar to that in non-treated cells. The transcripts of adipogenic factors, CCAAT/ enhancer binding protein (cid:2) (C/EBP (cid:2) ) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (cid:3) (PPAR (cid:3) ), were not altered by T 3 . Lipid binding protein, aP2, that is downstream of these transcription factors was also una ﬀ ected by T 3 . In contrast, the lipogenic enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA was signiﬁcantly increased in the presence of T 3 . Therefore, T 3 appears to be a hormone capable of modulating the expression of lipogenic enzyme and augments the accumulation of lipid droplets. We conclude that the TR (cid:1) isoform might play an important role in the generation and maintenance of the mature adipocyte phenotype, regulating the expression of lipogenic enzymes.
Organizational resources and intrapreneurial activities: an international study

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of resources and capabilities on the probability of becoming an intrapreneur, using resource‐based theory as a conceptual framework.Design/methodology/approach – The research uses a logistic regression analysis and data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) for 39 countries and 36,325 individuals.Findings – Results show that companies' resources and capabilities are a key factor in the development of intrapreneurship. Entrepreneurial resources and capabilities, such as previous entrepreneurial experience, entrepreneurial competences and the ability to detect business opportunities, influence intrapreneurial behaviour.Research limitations/implications – The contributions of this research are both conceptual (advancing corporate entrepreneurship theory) and practical (relating to the design of policies to foster intrapreneurial activities). Originality/value – The importance of entrepreneurship for social and economic growth is gen.
Embodied and Operational Energy Consumption in the City

This study shows how estimates of energy consumption can be extracted from existing data sets and efficiently related to characteristics of the real property making up the discrete areas of the city. The study suggests that embodied energy consumption may be more significant than previously thought and suggests how estimates of embodied and operational energy may be used as a development control tool in the planning system.