Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
When expectations become aspirations: reference-dependent preferences and liquidity constraints

A large body of literature suggests that consumers derive utility from gains and losses relative to a reference point. This paper shows that such reference dependence can affect savings in opposite directions depending on whether people face liquidity constraints. Existing models for wealth and intertemporal choice predict that reference dependence reduces savings, but these models abstract from liquidity constraints. Introducing a liquidity constraint, I find that reference dependence can increase optimal savings for people without access to credit. Ex post, after reference points have been formed, liquidity constraints force consumers to take part of an income loss in early periods, inducing those who are reference dependent to concentrate the full loss in early periods and save in order to eliminate future losses. Further, anticipating a liquidity constraint raises the expected level of future consumption and thus the expectations-based reference point for future periods, creating an ex-ante savings motive. These findings underscore that it is important to account for financial market imperfections when applying or testing reference-dependent models in low-income settings, and potentially explain heterogeneity in how much the poor save when facing binding liquidity constraints.
The Nose Tells it to the Eyes: Crossmodal Associations between Olfaction and Vision

Crossmodal linkage between the olfactory and visual senses is still largely underexplored. In this study, we investigated crossmodal olfactory – visual associations by testing whether and how visual processing of objects is affected by the presence of olfactory cues. To this end, we explored the influence of prior learned associations between an odour (eg odour of orange) and a visual stimulus naturally associated with that odour (picture of orange) on the movements of the eyes over a complex scene. Participants were asked to freely explore a photograph containing an odour-related visual cue embedded among other objects while being exposed to the corresponding odour (subjects were unaware of the presence of the odour). Eye movements were recorded to analyse the order and distribution of fixations on each object of the scene. Our data show that the odour-related visual cue was explored faster and for a shorter time in the presence of the congruent odour. These findings suggest that odours can affect visual processing by attracting attention to the possible odour source and by facilitating its identification.
Decreasing dietary particle size of lupins increases apparent ileal amino acid digestibility and alters fermentation characteristics in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of lupin particle size on amino acid (AA) and energy digestibility and fermentation characteristics in pigs. Expt 1 examined the effects of lupin variety (cv. Tanjil and Mandelup) and lupin particle size (746, 888, 1099 and 1136 μm) on the total-tract apparent digestibility of dietary components in 63·5 (sd 7·28) kg pigs. While variety had no effect on total-tract apparent digestibility, decreasing particle size of lupins linearly increased total-tract apparent digestibility of crude protein of diets containing 350 g lupins per kg (P < 0·01). Expt 2 examined the effect of lupin particle size (567, 995, 1198, 1250 and 1304 μm) on digestion and fermentation characteristics in 29·8 (sd 2·9) kg pigs. Pigs were fed the respective diets ad libitum for the first 2 weeks and fed at three times maintenance energy level in the third week. Pigs were euthanised under sedation at 46·7 (sd 4·21) kg to collect digesta samples along the intestinal tract. Decreasing particle size increased apparent ileal and total-tract digestible N (P < 0·01) and the apparent and standardised ileal digestible AA content (P < 0·05– < 0·001) of lupins. Decreasing particle size of lupins linearly decreased the molar proportion of straight-chain volatile fatty acids (sum of acetic, propionic and butyric acids; VFAAPB), while branched-chain fatty acids (sum of valeric, caproic, isobutyric and isovaleric acids) were linearly increased (P < 0·001). The results demonstrated that particle size of lupins is a critical factor influencing nutrient, especially AA, utilisation efficiency and fermentation characteristics in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs.
Fluid-property discrimination with AVO: A Biot-Gassmann perspective

This analysis draws together basic rock physics, amplitude variations with offset (AVO), and seismic amplitude inversion to discuss how fluid‐factor discrimination can be performed using prestack seismic data. From both Biot and Gassmann theories for porous, fluid‐saturated rocks, a general formula is first derived for fluid‐factor discrimination given that both the P and S impedances are available. In essence, the two impedances are transformed so that they better differentiate between the fluid and rock matrix of the porous medium. This formula provides a more sensitive discriminator of the pore‐fluid saturant than the acoustic impedance and is especially applicable in hard‐rock environments. The formulation can be expressed with either the Lame constants and density, or the bulk and shear moduli and density. Numerical and well‐log examples illustrate the applicability of this approach. AVO inversion results are then incorporated to show how this method can be implemented using prestack seismic data. Fi.
Habit and hedonic motivation are the strongest influences in mobile learning behaviours among higher education students in Malaysia

Mobile learning has become a common experience in higher education and in the professional workforce. However, the readiness of accounting students to engage in such learning appears to be weaker than in other disciplines. Therefore, this study set out to identify the factors affecting accounting students’ behavioural intention (BI) to accept mobile learning. The participants of this study were 358 accounting students of public universities in Malaysia. The study was anchored in the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) (Venkatesh, Thong & Xu, 2012), which has been employed by researchers in various research areas such as mobile payments, e-learning, mobile banking, and online shopping. The study revealed that habits have the most influence on accounting students’ intention to adopt mobile learning through an investigation of technology acceptance in the domain of mobile learning. From the perspective of universities, the study posits that consistent usage of mobile learning could be encouraged through processes to nurture students’ habits when using mobile learning system as a tool to complete tasks. Findings provide a reference for the future UTAUT2 and mobile learning related studies.
Creativity for sustainable development? Creative input of consumers in the zero-waste brand community on Facebook: manifestation of online environmental citizenship and means of self-expression

Environmental degradation is one of the main challenges facing the modern world. Transition to sustainable development is often cited as a strategy to contain the situation. Arguably, nation-states cannot manage this shift alone. Therefore, individuals are urged to participate in the process of transition to sustainable development by acting sustainably in their capacity as consumers and citizens. Sustainable consumption is an essential way for consumers to contribute to sustainable development. This article examines the roles that the creative input of consumers in the zero-waste brand community on Facebook might play for consumers. The focus is placed on the two theoretical possibilities: manifestation of environmental citizenship and means of self-expression. Drawing on the ideas of individualisation of responsibility and political consumerism, the article explores the creative input of consumers in the zero-waste brand community as a potentially political form of advocacy for sustainable consumption and development. The article concludes that the creative input of consumers in the zero-waste brand community might be viewed as an impact-oriented pro-environmental behaviour, whose role is a combination of manifestation of environmental citizenship and means of self-expression. As such, it fits better with the framework of depoliticised alternative hedonism than political consumerism.
Acoustic evidence for the emergence of tonal contrast in contemporary Korean

Acoustic evidence suggests that contemporary Seoul Korean may be developing a tonal system, which is arising in the context of a nearly completed change in how speakers use voice onset time (VOT) to mark the language's distinction among tense, lax and aspirated stops. Data from 36 native speakers of varying ages indicate that while VOT for tense stops has not changed since the 1960s, VOT differences between lax and aspirated stops have decreased, in some cases to the point of complete overlap. Concurrently, the mean F0 for words beginning with lax stops is significantly lower than the mean F0 for comparable words beginning with tense or aspirated stops. Hence the underlying contrast between lax and aspirated stops is maintained by younger speakers, but is phonetically manifested in terms of differentiated tonal melodies: laryngeally unmarked (lax) stops trigger the introduction of a default L tone, while laryngeally marked stops (aspirated and tense) introduce H, triggered by a feature specification for [stiff].
Dynamic Capabilities and Performance

This study tests Teece's conceptualization of dynamic capabilities in the context of small and medium-size firms competing in creative industries, in particular the European audiovisual production industry. This industry is characterized by immature and evolving markets where firms' dynamic capabilities are expected to lead to superior innovative performance. Using survey data from audiovisual producers in ten European countries we find that both sensing and seizing capabilities have a positive effect on firms' innovative performance. The effect, however, is curvilinear, and positive effects appear after when capabilities overcome a threshold level.
Treatment experience, burden, and unmet needs (TRIBUNE) in Multiple Sclerosis study: the costs and utilities of MS patients in The Netherlands

Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important, highly disabling neurological disease, common among young adults in The Netherlands. Nevertheless, only a few studies to date have measured the burden imposed by MS on society in The Netherlands. Objectives: To estimate the cost and quality-of-life associated with MS in The Netherlands, while focusing on the burden of relapses and increasing disease severity. Methods: MS patients in The Netherlands (n = 263) completed a web-based questionnaire which captured information on demographics, disease characteristics and severity (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS]), co-morbidities, relapses, resource consumption, utilities, fatigue and activities of daily living (ADL). Results: Most patients included in the study were receiving treatment for MS (76% of the sample). The mean cost per patient per year increased with worsening disability and was estimated at €30,938, €51,056, and €100,469 for patients with mild (EDSS 0–3), moderate (EDSS 4–6.5), and severe (EDSS 7–9) disability, respectively. The excess cost of relapses was estimated at €8195 among relapsing-remitting patients with EDSS score ≤5. The quality-of-life of patients decreased with disease progression and existence of relapses. Conclusions: The cost of MS in The Netherlands was higher compared to the results of previous studies. The TRIBUNE study provides an important update on the economic burden of MS in The Netherlands in an era of more widespread use of disease-modifying therapies. It explores the cost of MS linked to relapses and disease severity and examines the impact of MS on additional health outcomes beyond utilities such as ADL and fatigue. Conclusions: Study limitations:
Mountain Building in Taiwan: Insights From 3‐D Geodynamic Models

Taiwan is widely considered to be a typical example of an arc‐continent collision surrounded by two opposite dipping subduction zones. The manner by which the interaction of the two neighboring slabs caused plate collision and mountain building is insufficiently understood. Various hypotheses have been proposed, but the geodynamic feasibility of those remains to be tested. Here we present 3‐D thermomechanical models to study the geodynamic evolution process of a Taiwan‐like setting after an initial transform fault was consumed. In our model setup, the boundary between the Eurasian plate and the South China Sea is northeast trending. The results show that all simulations result in toroidal mantle flow around the slab edges and that slab breakoff as well as a small‐scale mountain belt with high topography and crustal exhumation occurs in most cases. The Eurasian continental crust is exhumed in a dome‐like manner exposing higher‐grade metamorphic rocks, facilitated by high erosion rates and a weak continental lower crust rheology, but inhibited by the presence of a weak arc. A high topography within the orogen, as well as continental slab detachment, can develop for the convergence direction of N307° and large convergence rates. Our modeling results are thus generally consistent with the Eurasian slab‐tearing model proposed for Taiwan based on seismic tomographic studies, and we suggest that the main characteristic features in Taiwan can be explained by the combined effects of fast erosion, a weak lower crust, fast convergence, and a small convergence azimuth.
No-residual baits and farmer perception to manage leaf-cutting ants

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to study the perception of farmers facing the occurrence of leaf-cutting ants of Acromyrmex and Atta and to evaluate the efficacy of neem oil and sesame seed baits in reducing forage activity of ants under farmer conditions. The interviewed farmers were highly receptive to use environment-friendly techniques in both situations, organic and conventional systems. The neem baits reduced 75.5 and 83.5% of ant foraging, respectively, of Atta sp. e Acromyrmex spp. after 9 daily applications. Sesame bait reduced 55.9 and 67.6% foraging of Atta sp. and Acromyrmex spp. , respectively.
Small Business Enterprise: An Economic Analysis.

This empirical analysis of a small firm database examines the role of the small business enterprise in a mature mixed market. A database was created using over 40,000 data points gathered from 70 to 80 small business enterprises (SBEs) in Scotland from 1985 and 1988. The data is both qualitative and quantitative, based on a questionnaire, interview, and a subsequent reinterview questionnaire, and including enterprise profiles of the firms. The study covers a range of research areas - including cost, sales and competition, innovation, and scale economies - so that conclusions are numerous and wide-ranging. Results indicate that SBEs are characterized by a kinked demand curve, price increases at economic booms, self-interest over ethical concerns, and a focus on competitive, as opposed to defensive, strategies. Consequently, intra-industry rivalry is a core construct of SBEs. The research also shows strong evidence for short-run scale economies. Small firms can be "large" in terms of market power, though cost controls tend to suffer when an SBE attempts to grow rapidly. Finally, SBEs have a sharp learning curve after inception, so that experience of competition translates into competitive advantage. The study concludes that the research on SBEs is significantly smaller and less mature than that of large firms, and that this is best combated by analysis of such relational databases, that combine and integrate evidence from a given population to be manipulated statistically in sophisticated ways. (CJC)
2-Bit/Cell Operation of Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 Based FeFET Memory Devices for NAND Applications

The multilevel memory performances of ferroelectric field effect transistor (FeFET) with Hf0.5Zr0. 5O2 (HZO) ferroelectric thin film are investigated. First, similar retention characteristics are observed for intermediate and saturated polarization states of HZO ferroelectric thin film, which enables memories for multi-bit data storage. And then, 2-bit/cell operation of HZO-based FeFET is demonstrated utilizing two NAND architecture compatible write schemes of varying program pulse amplitude and width. Low cycle-to-cycle variability, long retention to extrapolation of 10 years at 85°C, and endurance of 500 cycles are achieved for the both schemes. Moreover, the mechanism for multilevel memory operations of the FeFET is illustrated based on the polarization switching dynamics of HZO ferroelectric thin film.
Women for President: Media Bias in Nine Campaigns [Book Review]

Review(s) of: Women for President: Media Bias in Nine Campaigns, by Falk, Erica, 2nd ed., University of Illinois Press, Urbana, IL, 2010, ISBN 9 7802 5207 6916, 206 pp. A$39.95. Distributor: Footprint.
Inductance Properties of In Situ-Grown Horizontally Aligned Carbon Nanotubes

Kinetic inductance is an important property of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in high-frequency applications. However, disagreements exist in whether the kinetic inductance of CNTs is present in the diffusive transport regime. In this paper, we fabricated the horizontally aligned multiwalled nanotube (MWNT) arrays on silicon substrates and investigated the inductance properties of the MWNT arrays with different lengths using direct current and radio frequency characterizations. The experimental results show that the electron transport in the CNT arrays is diffusive and that the value of the kinetic inductance is proportional to the length of the CNT arrays. We have experimentally validated that the kinetic inductance theory is applicable to CNTs in the diffusive transport regime. This paper could quell the existing disagreements about the kinetic inductance and provide insights to the potential applications of CNTs as interconnects and on-chip inductors.
Trends in Elevated Blood Pressure Among US Children and Adolescents: 1999-2012.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of elevated blood pressure (BP) has been reported to increase significantly among the US children and adolescents from 1988-1994 to 1999-2008. We aimed to examine the recent trends in BP levels and prevalence of elevated BP, as well as related influencing factors among US children and adolescents. METHODS Data of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2012 were combined into 3 time periods (1999-2002, 2003-2008, and 2009-2012) for the analysis. A total of 14,270 US children and adolescents aged 8-17 years were included in the current analysis. The sex-, age-, and height-BP standards recommended by the US Fourth Report were used to define high BP and elevated BP (including pre-HBP and HBP). RESULTS Mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) decreased by 0.7 and 4.2mm Hg from 1999-2002 to 2009-2012, respectively. In 2009-2012, the prevalence of elevated BP and HBP in children and adolescents were 9.6% and 1.6%, with the absolute reduction of 2.8% and 1.3% from 1999-2002 to 2009-2012, respectively. In addition, daily intakes of total energy, carbohydrate, total saturated fatty acids, and caffeine decreased during the period between 1999-2002 and 2009-2012 (all P < 0.05), whereas daily intake of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber increased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Mean BP levels as well as the prevalence of elevated BP and HBP among US children and adolescents have declined during the past decade. In addition, there might be an associated change in dietary factors.
The SALM Family of Adhesion-like Molecules Forms Heteromeric and Homomeric Complexes*

Synaptic adhesion-like molecules (SALMs) are a newly discovered family of adhesion molecules that play roles in synapse formation and neurite outgrowth. The SALM family is comprised of five homologous molecules that are expressed largely in the central nervous system. SALMs 1–3 contain PDZ-binding domains, whereas SALMs 4 and 5 do not. We are interested in characterizing the interactions of the SALMs both among the individual members and with other binding partners. In the present study, we focused on the interactions formed by the five SALM members in rat brain and heterologous cells. In brain, we found that SALMs 1–3 strongly co-immunoprecipitated with each other, whereas SALMs 4 and 5 did not, suggesting that SALMs 4 and 5 mainly form homomeric complexes. In heterologous cells transfected with SALMs, co-immunoprecipitation studies showed that all five SALMs form heteromeric and homomeric complexes. We also determined if SALMs could form trans-cellular associations between transfected heterologous cells. Both SALMs 4 and 5 formed homophilic, but not heterophilic associations, whereas no trans associations were formed by the other SALMs. The ability of SALM4 to form trans interactions is due to its extracellular N terminus because chimeras of SALM4 N terminus and SALM2 C terminus can form trans interactions, whereas chimeras of SALM2 N terminus and SALM4 C terminus cannot. Co-culture experiments using HeLa cells and rat hippocampal neurons expressing the SALMs showed that SALM4 is recruited to points of contact between the cells. In neurons, these points of contact were seen in both axons and dendrites.
Financial Incentives and Physicians' Perceptions of Conflict of Interest and Ability To Arrange Medically Necessary Services

Summary:Many believe that physician payment mechanisms that include incentives to restrain utilization create conflicts of interest for physicians and result in the withholding of needed services. Pooled data from two rounds of the Community Tracking Study physician survey, a nationally representative telephone survey of physicians, are the basis of this analysis. We examine the association between explicit financial incentives linked to physician profiling and perceived conflict of interest, and the reported ability to obtain specific, medically necessary secondary services (referrals, hospitalizations and diagnostic imaging). Logistic regression models were employed to control for potentially confounding influences. After controlling for other factors, physicians subject to profiling linked with financial incentives were much less likely than physicians not affected by profiling to strongly agree that they can make clinical decisions in the best interests of their patients without the possibility of reducing their income. They were also less likely to report that they could always obtain selected medically necessary secondary services for their patients. Physicians subject to explicit financial incentives based on profiling are more likely than other physicians to perceive a conflict of interest. Physicians with financial incentives tied to profiling also experience greater difficulty obtaining medically necessary secondary services for their patients.