Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loss Aversion and Regulatory Focus Effects in the Absence of Numbers: Qualitatively Framing Equivalent Messages on Food Labels

Examining effects of qualitatively framing information as nonloss and gain is important because not all messages can be communicated quantitatively to consumers. This is especially the case with many food labels addressing farming methods. Research on loss aversion cognitive bias has shown people react more strongly to messages framed negatively (loss/nonloss) than equivalent information framed positively (nongain/gain). A few studies, however, have shown an opposite reaction when comparing equivalent nonlossto gain-framed information and offered regulatory focus theory as an explanation. Most studies have relied on quantitative descriptors to frame information as gains or nonlosses, but are the cognitive biases explained by loss aversion or regulatory focus still powerful using qualitatively framed information? The purpose of this study was to compare effects of qualitatively framed gain and nonloss messages within food labels on people’s attitudes. Sixhundred-sixty subjects were assigned randomly to one of two treatment groups: nonlossor gain-framed information about environmental impact and animal welfare on a package of chicken or a control group. Results showed no difference between the frames in the effect on subjects’ attitudes toward the product. Marketers and others crafting persuasive messages who attempt to use nonloss or gain framing of information to appeal to consumers’ cognitive biases may be compromising their efforts without using numbers or quantifiable information.
Calibration of hydrological models using TOPEX/Poseidon radar altimetry observations

This paper describes an approach for calibrating hydrological models using satellite radar altimetric observations of river water level at the basin outlet, aiming at providing a new direction for solving the calibration problem in ungauged basins where streamflow observations are unavailable. The methodology is illustrated by a case study in the Upper Mississippi basin. The water level data are derived from the TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) satellite. The Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) method is employed for model calibration and uncertainty analysis. The Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency of averaged simulated streamflow by behavioural parameter sets is 64.50%. And the uncertainty bounds of the ensemble simulation embrace about 65% of daily streamflow. These results indicate that the hydrological model has been calibrated effectively. At the same time, comparison with traditional calibration using streamflow data illustrates that the proposed method is only valuable for applications in ungauged basins.
Lean Engineering Education : bridging-the-gap between academy and industry

This paper presents Lean Engineering Education (LEE) as an curricular innovation in the Engineering courses. It provides a discussion, mainly based on literature and informal dialogues, about the disconnected world of academy and industry and the demands for new educational methods and strategies. Additionally, it defines LEE as also the principles inherent to this and describes how LEE addresses two complex challenges faced by Higher Education Institutions: the globalized marketplace and the right skills from industry perspective for engineering graduates. Keywords—Lean Engineering Education; systems thinking; sustainability; ethics; competencies
A review of sheep wool quality traits

The commercial value of unprocessed wool is determined by its intrinsic quality; an indication of capacity to meet both processor and consumer demands. Wool quality is evaluated through routine assessment of characteristics that include mean fibre diameter, coefficient of variation, staple characteristics, comfort factor, spinning fineness, fibre curvature and clean fleece yield. The association between these characteristics with wool quality stems from their correlation with raw wool processing performance in terms of speed, durability, ultimate use as apparel or carpet wool, and consumer satisfaction with the end-product. An evaluation of these characteristics allows wool quality to be objectively quantified prior to purchase and processing. The primary objective of this review was to define and explore these aforementioned key wool characteristics, focusing on their impact on quality, desirable parameters and methodology behind their quantification. An in-depth review of relevant published literature on these wool characteristics in sheep is presented.
An Improved Memristive Diode Bridge-Based Band Pass Filter Chaotic Circuit

By replacing a series resistor in active band pass filter (BPF) with an improved memristive diode bridge emulator, a third-order memristive BPF chaotic circuit is presented. The improved memristive diode bridge emulator without grounded limitation is equivalently achieved by a diode bridge cascaded with only one inductor, whose fingerprints of pinched hysteresis loop are examined by numerical simulations and hardware experiments. The memristive BPF chaotic circuit has only one zero unstable saddle point but causes complex dynamical behaviors including period, chaos, period doubling bifurcation, and coexisting bifurcation modes. Specially, it should be highly significant that two kinds of bifurcation routes are displayed under different initial conditions and the coexistence of three different topological attractors is found in a narrow parameter range. Moreover, hardware circuit using discrete components is fabricated and experimental measurements are performed, upon which the numerical simulations are validated. Notably, the proposed memristive BPF chaotic circuit is only third-order and has simple topological structure.
The Multi-Sector Business Cycle Model and Aggregate Shocks: An Empirical Analysis

This paper discusses the applicability of a multi-sector business cycle model to the Japanese economy. Through dynamic factor analysis, output fluctuations are broken down into aggregate and sectoral shocks. It is shown that independent sectoral shocks are more significant than common shocks, which is consistent with the model proposed by Long and Plosser (1983). In addition, the paper reveals that the importance of aggregate shocks increased during the so-called "Bubble" period in the late 1980s.
Increased evaporation following widespread tree mortality limits streamflow response

A North American epidemic of mountain pine beetle (MPB) has disturbed over 5 million ha of forest containing headwater catchments crucial to water resources. However, there are limited observations of MPB effects on partitioning of precipitation between vapor loss and streamflow, and to our knowledge these fluxes have not been observed simultaneously following disturbance. We combined eddy covariance vapor loss (V), catchment streamflow (Q), and stable isotope indicators of evaporation (E) to quantify hydrologic partitioning over 3 years in MPB‐impacted and control sites. Annual control V was conservative, varying only from 573 to 623 mm, while MPB site V varied more widely from 570 to 700 mm. During wet periods, MPB site V was greater than control V in spite of similar above‐canopy potential evapotranspiration (PET). During a wet year, annual MPB V was greater and annual Q was lower as compared to an average year, while in a dry year, essentially all water was partitioned to V. Ratios of 2H and 18O in stream and soil water showed no kinetic evaporation at the control site, while MPB isotope ratios fell below the local meteoric water line, indicating greater E and snowpack sublimation (Ss) counteracted reductions in transpiration (T) and sublimation of canopy‐intercepted snow (Sc). Increased E was possibly driven by reduced canopy shading of shortwave radiation, which averaged 21 W m−2 during summer under control forest as compared to 66 W m−2 under MPB forest. These results show that abiotic vapor losses may limit widely expected streamflow increases.
Asymptotic optimality of adaptive importance sampling

Adaptive importance sampling (AIS) uses past samples to update the \textit{sampling policy} $q_t$ at each stage $t$. Each stage $t$ is formed with two steps : (i) to explore the space with $n_t$ points according to $q_t$ and (ii) to exploit the current amount of information to update the sampling policy. The very fundamental question raised in this paper concerns the behavior of empirical sums based on AIS. Without making any assumption on the allocation policy $n_t$, the theory developed involves no restriction on the split of computational resources between the explore (i) and the exploit (ii) step. It is shown that AIS is asymptotically optimal : the asymptotic behavior of AIS is the same as some "oracle" strategy that knows the targeted sampling policy from the beginning. From a practical perspective, weighted AIS is introduced, a new method that allows to forget poor samples from early stages.
Preliminary accident analysis of Flexblue® underwater reactor

Flexblue® is a subsea-based, transportable, small modular reactor delivering 160 MWe. Immersion provides the reactor with an infinite heat sink – the ocean – around the metallic hull. The reference design includes a loop-type PWR with two horizontal steam generators. The safety systems are designed to operate passively; safety functions are fulfilled without operator action and external electrical input. Residual heat is removed through four natural circulation loops: two primary heat exchangers immersed in safety tanks cooled by seawater and two emergency condensers immersed in seawater. In case of a primary piping break, a two-train safety injection system is actuated. Each train includes a core makeup tank, an accumulator and a safety tank at low pressure. To assess the capability of these features to remove residual heat, the reactor and its safety systems have been modelled using thermal-hydraulics code ATHLET with conservative assumptions. The results of simulated transients for three typical PWR accidents are presented: a turbine trip with station blackout, a large break loss of coolant accident and a small break loss of coolant accident. The analyses show that the safety criteria are respected and that the reactor quickly reaches a safe shutdown state without operator action and external power.
Radially extended kinematics in the S0 galaxy NGC 2768 from planetary nebulae, globular clusters and starlight

There are only a few tracers available to probe the kinematics of individual early-type galaxies beyond one effective radius. Here we directly compare a sample of planetary nebulae (PNe), globular clusters (GCs) and galaxy starlight velocities out to approximately four effective radii, in the S0 galaxy NGC 2768. Using a bulge-to-disc decomposition of a K-band image we assign PNe and starlight to either the disc or the bulge. We show that the bulge PNe and bulge starlight follow the same radial density distribution as the red subpopulation of GCs, whereas the disc PNe and disc starlight are distinct components. We find good kinematic agreement between the three tracers to several effective radii (and with stellar data in the inner regions). Further support for the distinct nature of the two galaxy components comes from our kinematic analysis. After separating the tracers into bulge and disc components we find the bulge to be a slowly rotating pressure-supported system, whereas the disc reveals a rapidly rising rotation curve with a declining velocity dispersion profile. The resulting V rot/σ ratio for the disc resembles that of a spiral galaxy and hints at an origin for NGC 2768 as a transformed late-type galaxy. A two-component kinematic analysis for a sample of S0s will help to elucidate the nature of this class of galaxy.
A Tryptophan Hydroxylase Inhibitor Increases Hepatic FGF21 Production and Decreases Hepatic Gluconeogenesis Independently of Insulin in db/db Mice

Background The aim of our study is to determine circulating fibroblast growth factor (FGF21) levels in obese and diabetic db/db mice, and role of serotonin (5-HT) in the regulation of hepatic FGF21 expression and circulating FGF21 levels in relation to hepatic gluconeogenesis in obese and diabetic db/db mice. Methods and Results Plasma FGF21 levels and expression of hepatic FGF21 were significantly decreased in obese and diabetic db/db mice compared with age-matched C57BL6J mice. Treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, for 3 days significantly increased plasma FGF21 levels, and decreased body weight and hyperglycemia in db/db mice while having no significant effect on plasma insulin levels. In addition, treatment with PCPA significantly increased expression of hepatic FGF21 and decreased expression of hepatic nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) in db/db mice, while having no significant effects on expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α, PPAR γ, and activating transcription factor 4. Moreover, treatment with PCPA significantly decreased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, glucose 6-phosphatase, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate1, Nur77, forkhead box protein O1 and peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor γ coactivator-1α, which are involved in hepatic gluconeogenesis, in db/db mice. Conclusions These findings suggest that hepatic FGF21 production is decreased in db/db mice, and that a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor increases expression of hepatic FGF21 production and decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis and hyperglycemia independently of insulin in db/db mice.
Three-Dimensional Transient Heat, Mass, Momentum, and Species Transfer in the Stored Grain Ecosystem: Part II. Model Validation

The 3D heat, mass, momentum, and species transfer model for the stored grain ecosystem was validated using data collected from bins filled with corn at West Lafayette, Indiana, and wheat at Stillwater, Oklahoma. Linear and quadratic elements were used in the validation of the finite element model. Input to the model was hourly weather data such as total solar radiation, wind speed, ambient temperature, and relative humidity. The predicted grain temperatures were in accordance with the observed data. The conduction plus natural convection model predictions had a lower standard error than the conduction model. For the two locations, the standard error of prediction of grain temperatures for the conduction plus convection model was in the range of 0.9°C to 3.6°C for wheat and 1.0°C to 3.1°C for corn. The linear heat transfer model predicted reasonably well compared to the quadratic model for wheat, whereas the quadratic model was more accurate for corn. The predicted moisture content followed the trends of observed data with a standard error in the range of 0.1 to 1.28 percentage points. The absolute difference between the predicted and observed species concentrations was in the range of 0 to 0.3 mg L-1. The 3D stored grain ecosystem model validated in this study can therefore be used to predict with confidence grain temperature, moisture content, natural convection, and species concentration changes in a stored mass of any type of grain in a cylindrical corrugated steel structure of any size at any geographical location.
Application of Yoga as an Effective Tool for Improving Postural Balance in Healthy Young Indian Adults

Since ages practicing Yoga is said to be a panacea and is assumed to play a multifaceted role in improving quality of human life even today. This study attempts to evaluate efficacy of short term Yoga training as a tool to improve postural balance in healthy young Indian adults. This was evaluated in terms of sway parameters during different standing postures expressed as Center of Pressure (COP), kinetic work and power responses of thirteen randomly selected healthy young adults, who participated in yoga training sessions for one-month involving five asanas viz., Suryanamaskar, Utkatasana, Brikshasana, Tuladandasana and Garurasana. A pair of Kistler Forceplates (model no. 9286 AA) and Bioware software were used to collect the COP, work and power data before initiation of yoga training (BY), after 15 days of yoga training (15D) and after 30 days of yoga training (30D) during five different standing postures i.e., normal standing while both feet placed as “V” shape (NS), no gap between feet (NG), both feet placed parallel with gap in between (PG), left leg stance (LS) and right leg stance (RS). It was observed from scatter plots that during experimental conditions NS, NG and PG, the COP (sway area) shifted towards midline. No such gradual changes were observed for both LS and RS but sway area increased for condition 30D. Both work and power responses either increased or remained same during different experimental conditions. Results indicate that yoga training could be used as an important tool for enhancing performances where postural stability is an important criterion, e.g., sports, agriculture and military operations.
Does Bitcoin follow the hypothesis of efficient market

Bitcoin has emerged as phenomenon of the financial markets as the currency without any central authority. Recent events of Bitcoin has risen question about its behavior and there is crucial question if the price of Bitcoin follows hypothesis of efficient markets. In this paper, there are introduced the main features of Bitcoin and analyzed its price behavior. We found out that price of the most famous cryptocurrency Bitcoin follows the hypothesis of efficient markets and it immediately react on publicly announce information. Furthermore, Bitcoin can be seen as standard economic good that is priced by interaction of supply and demand on the market. These factors can be driven by macro financial development or by speculative investors, but there weren? t found any significant impact of these factors on price of Bitcoin.
Combining high seed number and weight to improve seed yield potential of chickpea in India.

Increasing seed size and seed weight is an important trait for trade, yield component and adaptation of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum ). Information on genetic control of such component traits has been generated in chickpea mostly based on germplasm/breeding lines. We studied three chickpea segregating populations to determine seed number and weight, as potential characters for yield improvement through correlation and path coefficients analysis. Three F2 populations, along with their four parents, were studied under irrigated conditions. Estimates of heritability varied from 19.84 to 98.51%, depending on traits and crosses. However, its magnitude was high (> 65%) in all the crosses for seed yield per plant, 100-seed weight, plant height and primary branches per plant. Seed yield per plant was correlated strongly with seeds per plant (r=0.84-0.91), pods per plant (r=0.64-0.79), 100-seed weight (r=0.50-0.66) and biological yield (r=0.50-0.68). Seeds per plant exhibited a significant positive association with pods per plat (r=0.73-0.83) and biological yield (r=0.41-0.64), Path analysis confirmed that the number of seeds per plant (0.672 to 0.821) and 100-seed weight (0.441 to 0.501) had the highest positive direct influence on grain yield per plant. Both traits also displayed a positive indirect effect considerably to biological yield per plant and harvest index. Thus, combined selection for seed number and weight would be fruitful to improve yield potential of chickpea. Key Words: Cicer arietinum, heritability, path coefficient
Values, Interests, and the Capacity to Act

This article uses a longitudinal, multimethod, comparative case study of teachers' behavioral and cognitive reactions to the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in two U.S. high schools to explore professionals' reactions to change in a highly institutionalized environment. Detailed analyses using the metathemes of teachers' values, personal interests, and capacity for change revealed that teachers held positive views about most aspects of the change initiative but that personal interests and capacity issues limited their implementation. The findings also suggest that in neither school have changes become cognitively institutionalized, or self-sustaining, despite different levels of coercion coming from multiple levels of the schools' complex institutional environments and different patterns of actual practice change across the schools. The results contribute to a variety of literatures interested in explaining stability and change in highly institutionalized settings (e.g., neoinstitutional, professions, identity).
Global Versus Local Brand: Perceived Quality and Status- Seeking Motivation in the Automobile Industry

The purpose of this research is to examine the influence of status-seeking motivation on perceived quality of a global versus local automobile brand in Malaysia. The data for this research was collected through 303 questionnaires from young working adults within the Klang Valley. Data was analysed using repeated measure t-test and results show that a global brand is generally preferred in terms of perceived quality in regards to wealth, achievement and enhance social standings. Likewise, regardless of high or low status-seeking motivation, a global brand is still preferred over a local brand.
The Impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) on the Cost of EquityCapital of S&P Firms

This study examines the impact of SOX on the cost of equity capital for small and large S&P firms. The provisions of SOX aim to improve internal control systems and reduce information asymmetry by improving corporate governance systems and increasing transparency. Using a fixed-effects regression model, our findings suggest that the cost of equity capital has decreased post-SOX for the overall sample of firms, but more specifically for the small firms, which are usually associated with poor internal control systems and high information asymmetry. Collectively, our results provide evidence that SOX has had a positive impact on firms.
Analysing tutor feedback to students: first steps towards constructing an electronic monitoring system

Virtual Learning Environments provide the possibility of offering additional support to tutors, monitors and students in writing and grading essays and reports. They enable monitors to focus on the assignments that need most attention. This paper reports the findings from phase one of a feasibility study to assist the monitoring of student essays. It analyses tutor comments from electronically marked assignments and investigates how they match the mark awarded to each essay by the tutor. This involved carrying out a category analysis of the tutors' feedback to the students using Bales's 'interactional categories' as a theoretical basis. The advantage of this category system is that it distinguishes between task-orientated contributions, and the 'socio-emotive' element used by tutors to maintain student motivation. This reveals both how the tutor makes recommendations to improve the assignment content, and how they provide emotional support to students. Bales's analysis was presented to a group of tutors who felt an electronic feedback system based on this model would help them to get the right balance of responses to their students. These findings provide a modest start to designing a model of feedback for tutors of distance education students. Future work will entail refining these categories and testing this model with a larger sample from a different subject domain. DOI:10.1080/0968776030110304