Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in the usefulness of communication channels, as experienced by gender and ethnic groups during their university selection process

Abstract Recruiting students to enrol at a particular institution is becoming a competitive and challenging process for higher education institutions. Therefore, institutions should create efficient and effective ways of providing relevant information to prospective students during their process of selecting an institution. The major communication channels that prospective students consult during their selection process, and the usefulness thereof for students, are important knowledge imperatives for higher education institutions. In this study, 12 different channels of communication, considered by students during a typical higher education institution selection process, were investigated. A non-probability convenience sample of 1 241 first-year students from six higher education institutions in South Africa was drawn. Findings suggest that female students attach a significantly higher value to nine of the 12 communication channels, compared to their male counterparts. There were also differences between the ethnic groups in terms of the usefulness of events on campus, high school teachers, open days and campus visits, as well as university publications. Higher education institutions can use the results to develop communication strategies that are more student oriented, in order to reinforce their image and to reach students more effectively through the appropriate communication channels.
Evolution and Rationality: Decisions, Co-Operation and Strategic Behaviour

This monograph is a collection of conference contributions chosen by the editors who led a three-year project on evolution, cooperation, and rationality. The collected works are held together by a six-page introduction identifying common strands and differences of positions in the different chapters. Since no two chapters have a common author, the chapters do not build on each other. Rather, they offer a variety of perspectives on a number of different aspects of rationality and evolution. The monograph thus does not offer a unified account of evolution and rationality despite the possibly somewhat misleading title, nor is there a clearly identifiable overarching theme that runs through the entire book
Impacts of compound extreme weather events on ozone in the present and future

Abstract. The Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) was used to study the effect of extreme weather events on ozone in the US for historical (2001–2010) and future (2046–2055) periods under the RCP8.5 scenario. During extreme weather events, including heat waves, atmospheric stagnation, and their compound events, ozone concentration is much higher compared to the non-extreme events period. A striking enhancement of effect during compound events is revealed when heat wave and stagnation occur simultaneously as both high temperature and low wind speed promote the production of high ozone concentrations. In regions with high emissions, compound extreme events can shift the high-end tails of the probability density functions (PDFs) of ozone to even higher values to generate extreme ozone episodes. In regions with low emissions, extreme events can still increase high-ozone frequency but the high-end tails of the PDFs are constrained by the low emissions. Despite the large anthropogenic emission reduction projected for the future, compound events increase ozone more than the single events by 10 to 13 %, comparable to the present, and high-ozone episodes with a maximum daily 8 h average (MDA8) ozone concentration over 70 ppbv are not eliminated. Using the CMIP5 multi-model ensemble, the frequency of compound events is found to increase more dominantly compared to the increased frequency of single events in the future over the US, Europe, and China. High-ozone episodes will likely continue in the future due to increases in both frequency and intensity of extreme events, despite reductions in anthropogenic emissions of its precursors. However, the latter could reduce or eliminate extreme ozone episodes; thus improving projections of compound events and their impacts on extreme ozone may better constrain future projections of extreme ozone episodes that have detrimental effects on human health.
Removal of Cadmium and Lead from Aqueous Solution by Hydroxyapatite/Chitosan Hybrid Fibrous Sorbent: Kinetics and Equilibrium Studies

Hydroxyapatite (HAp)/chitosan composites were prepared by a coprecipitation method, dropping a mixture of chitosan solution and phosphoric acid solution into a calcium hydroxide solution. Using the HAp/chitosan composites prepared, HAp/chitosan hybrid fibers with various HAp contents were prepared by a wet spinning method. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed that HAp particles were coated onto the surface of the fiber, and the surface roughness increased with increasing the HAp contents in the fiber. In order to evaluate the heavy metal removal characteristics of the HAp/chitosan hybrid fiber, adsorption tests were conducted and the results were compared with those of bare chitosan fibers. The results showed better performance in heavy metal ion removal for the HAp/chitosan hybrid fiber than the chitosan fiber. As the HAp content in the hybrid fiber increased, the removal efficiency of heavy metal ions also increased due to the increase of the specific surface area of the HAp/chitosan hybrid fiber. Adsorption kinetic and isotherm tests revealed that Pb2
Oral signs in juvenile dermatomyositis

1 DDS MSc. Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School (PhD student), Unicamp, Piracicaba, Brazil. 2 DDS, MSc.Oral Pathology Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Natal, Brazil. Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit (PhD student), University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. 3 DDS, PhD. Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School (Professor), Unicamp, Piracicaba, Brazil.
The (A)symmetry of Shocks in the EMU

A disadvantage of EMU is the lack of national monetary policy to absorb country-specific shocks. The seriousness of this depends on the availability of alternative adjustment mechanisms, as well as on the asymmetry of the demand and supply shocks within EMU. Previous empirical research on the asymmetry of shocks mainly focused on correlation coefficients between the shocks for some specific period. Therefore, it does not give a proper picture of the development of the symmetry of shocks in the EMU. The aim of this paper is to analyse empirically whether shocks in EMU became more or less symmetric. By using a moving principal component analysis the development of the symmetry of shocks will be much clearer. The results suggest that within EMU the symmetry of demand shocks increased during the last two decades, whilst the symmetry of the supply shocks also rose slightly. This suggested convergence of shocks helps the ECB to determine its monetary stance for the entire Euro zone.
UNIVERSALITY OF THE DISCRETE SPECTRUM ASYMPTOTICS OF THE THREE-PARTICLE SCHRöDINGER OPERATOR ON A LATTICE

In the present paper, we consider the Hamiltonian H(K), K ∈ T := (−π;π] of a system of three arbitrary quantum mechanical particles moving on the three-dimensional lattice and interacting via zero range potentials. We find a finite set Λ ⊂ T such that for all values of the total quasi-momentum K ∈ Λ the operator H(K) has infinitely many negative eigenvalues accumulating at zero. It is found that for every K ∈ Λ, the number N(K; z) of eigenvalues of H(K) lying on the left of z, z < 0, satisfies the asymptotic relation
Near-IR imaging of Galactic massive clusters : Westerlund 2

Context. Most stars in the Galaxy were formed in massive clusters. To understand nature's favorite mode of star formation and the initial stages of the life of most stars one needs to characterize the youngest and resolved massive clusters in the Milky Way. Unfortunately young massive clusters are challenging observational targets as they are rare, hence found at large distances, are still embedded in their parental molecular cloud, and are swamped by relatively bright nebulae. Aims. In this paper we propose to use deep subarcsec resolution NIR data to derive the basic parameters of the unstudied population of massive cluster Westerlund 2. Methods. We present deep JHK s images (~$0.6''$ seeing) and photometry of Westerlund 2. This is the most complete photometric census of the cluster's population to date. Results. We detect a total of 4701, 5724, and 5397 sources in the J , H , and K s bands respectively. By comparison with main-sequence and pre-main-sequence model tracks, we determine an average visual extinction toward the cluster of 5.8 mag, a likely distance of 2.8 kpc, and an age of $2.0 \pm 0.3$ Myr for the core of the cluster. Although we have the sensitivity to reach beyond the hydrogen burning limit in the cluster, we are only complete to about 1 $M_\odot$ due to source confusion. We find no evidence for a top-heavy MF, and the slope of the derived mass function is $-1.20 \pm 0.16$. Based on the extrapolation of a field IMF, we roughly estimate the total mass of the cluster to be about $10^4~M_\odot$. We find compelling evidence for mass segregation in this cluster.
Valuing Financial Patents

This thesis is dedicated to the valuing of financial patents from the perspective of the assignee as well as its competitors. The focus is strictly on financial patents, which allows it to be put under the microscope to an extent that has not been done before. The data consists of financial patents and financial patent applications that can be found in the United States Patent and Trademark Office database. These patents and patent applications are classified according to the industry of the assignee, patent USPTO subclass, patent type according to commonly used terms, “closeness to market”, and by time of publication. Furthermore, competitors are identified by the assignee’s industry classification and by competing patent types (USPTO subclass and common words). These subsamples are then tested using event study methodology. Regarding the patent grants, many of the statistically significant results can be tied to credit related patents, which may indicate that such patents are considered valuable enough to justify a market reaction. The results even show signs of credit related patents leading to negative and statistically significant cumulative average abnormal returns for the competitors. In terms of the applications, it seems that investors may feel that patents in the banking and trading industries may be of value. It is important to point out that many of the subsamples generate statistically insignificant results, which may indicate that investors do not regard them as valuable assets for the firm. These empirical results, backed up by the contradicting effects of business method patents shown by many researchers (see e.g. Hall, 2009), may suggest that most financial patents cannot justify their patentability and may in fact be detrimental to the system.
Open circuit voltage recovery in quantum dot solar cells: a numerical study on the impact of wetting layer and doping

The authors present a numerical study on the influence of wetting layer states and doping on the photovoltage loss of InAs/GaAs quantum dot solar cells. Quantum-mechanical simulations are used to analyse how the reduction of wetting layer by Al(Ga)As overgrowth changes the quantum dot electronic states. Device-level simulations allow to correlate such changes with the achievable open circuit voltage. Almost full open circuit voltage recovery is predicted by combining wetting layer reduction, to realise thermal decoupling of barrier and quantum dot confined states, and doping to suppress radiative recombination through the quantum dot confined states.
Public Engagement, Public Consultation, Innovation and the Market

Engagement of the public regarding new science and technology is almost a routine feature of the innovation cycle in Canada. Recent examples include: the Health Canada-initiated consultation on xenotransplanation, public engagement in self-standing GE3LS research programs or projects embedded in scientific platforms, the launch of the National Research Council’s e-democracy laboratory, and the Canadian Biotechnology Secretariat’s rolling study of consumer attitudes toward biotechnology. The vast majority of research into the methods, effectiveness, and merits of public engagement is conducted by, or with the assistance of, university-based researchers, the major exception being opinion polls conducted by professional pollsters. In order to fulfill the requirements of university-based research, academics collect kudos from like-minded peers by presenting their results at conferences and publishing in academic journals and books. Often the research is also deliberately or derivatively disseminated into the grey literature for use by industry and the public service. In this dissemination mode, researchers are often regarded as consultants who provide nonacademic constituencies with expert advice on assessment of public attitudes toward new science and technology.
Information acquisition in auctions

OUR AIM IN THIS PAPER is to study the incentives to acquire information. We consider decision problems where the payoff has the single-crossing property and signals are affiliated with the unknown parameter. We introduce the notion of risk-sensitiity, and establish that the value of information is higher in decision problems that are more risk-sensitive. We apply this result to auctions: we are able to show that a first price auction induces more information acquisition than a second price auction. Consider a decision maker choosing an action a to maximize the expected value of a Ž. payoff function u , a . The decision maker does not observe , which he regards as a random variable V. Instead, he observes the realization of a random variable X ,a signal which conveys information about . W eassume that the decision maker can make X more informative, at a cost. Making X more informative increases the expected payoff. We analyze the returns to making X more informative. Ž. We focus on problems where X and V are affiliated, and u , a has the weak Ž. Ž .
The Custodial Remand System for Juveniles in Ireland: the Empirical Evidence

This paper documents the present system of custodial remands for children under sixteen years in Ireland. The research includes the entire population of children remanded into custody during the summer of 2000 (N=117). A flow chart model illustrates these young people’s experiences, and the paper highlights issues such as the number of non-offending children who are in custody (21%); the cycle of repeated remands and court appearances (up to 22 repeats); excessive periods of time spent in secure detention (up to 351 days); and the use of remand facilities for those awaiting a suitable residential placement (57%). It provides an important baseline from which to assess the impact of legislative reform in this area. Biographical Note Sarah Anderson graduated from the Dublin Institute of Technology with an MPhil by Research in November 2004. She has a joint honours degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Edinburgh. Her interest in juvenile justice developed through direct work with young offenders in secure custody. Gay Graham is a lecturer in professional practice at the School of Social Sciences and Legal Studies, Dublin Institute of Technology. Area of research interest is Residential Child and Youth Care.
Analyzing Issue of Organizational Commitment: Determining Mediating Factor of Islamic Work Ethic

Every employee must give his full commitment to the organization for it is the key to the success of an organization. As a Muslim, the religion factor became the basic guide during work because in Islam, as long as a job is done in a condition whereby that employment that does not contradict with Islam, that job can be regarded as a form of worship (Ibadah). Islam is the comprehensive religious in the world. Islamic cover all the aspects included economics, human behavior (akhlak), management, politic and many more. Islam is the comprehensive religious in the world. Islamic cover all the aspects included economics, human behavior (akhlak), management, politic and many more. One of the named aspect is the Islamic work Ethic. Islamic work ethic is the ethic that is stated in the Quran and Sunnah. The purpose of this research is to find out the influences of Islamic Work Ethic towards various issues of job quality, organizational motivational factors with job commitment among employees in Yayasan Islam Kelantan (YIK). In order to be clear on the issue, Islamic work ethics will be analyzed as a mediator variable. The sampling method used in this study is stratified random sampling in 9 places, including YIK and schools that registered under YIK. Personallyadministered questionnaires were distributed randomly among teachers and staff in secondary schools and YIK. This study uses SPSS (Scientific Package for Social Sciences). Overall, those specified in Frequencies Distribution, Descriptive Analysis, Reliability Analysis, T-Test, Anova, Correlation Coefficient (Pearson’s) and Regression Analysis. There is a significant difference between the genders and age with the organizational commitment. All the dimensions of independent variables are significantly correlated to the Organizational Commitment. However, the Islamic work ethic is a mediating variable in the relationship between deed and intention and salary with organizational commitment.
Knowledge processing and faculty engagement in multicultural university settings: A social learning perspective

In educational studies much attention has been directed to engagement as a precondition for positive student outcomes. Very few studies, however, have focused on the engagement of the faculty members. This is a regrettable omission because engagement has been argued to lead to more satisfied, more productive and healthier faculty members. In this study, based on a sample consisting of 489 members of multicultural university departments, we set out to investigate the relationship between internal knowledge processing – conceptualised as the ability to locate and share knowledge in the faculty group – and faculty engagement. Our hypotheses are based on social learning theory and social exchange theory predicting that increased knowledge sharing activities could facilitate an environment in which faculty engagement thrives. In order to test our hypotheses we use multiple regression analysis. We assessed indicators of behavioural, cognitive and emotional engagement. Results showed consistent positive associations between group knowledge processing and all the studied faculty engagement indicators. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed in detail.
Bioengineering Functional Copolymers. XVII. Interaction of Organoboron Amide-Ester Branched Derivatives of Poly(Acrylic Acid) with Cancer Cells

Novel bioengineering functional organoboron polymers were synthesized by 1) amidolysis of poly(acrcylic acid) (PAA) with 2-aminoethyldiphenyl borinate (2-AEPB), 2) esterification of organoboron PAA polymer (PAA-B) with a-hydroxy-methoxypoly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a compatibilizer and 3) conjugation of organoboron PEO branches (PAA-B-PEO) with folic acid (FA) as a targeting agent. Structure and composition of the synthesized polymers were characterized by FTIR-ATR and 1H (13C) NMR spectroscopy, chemical and physical analysis methods. Anti-tumor activity of organoboron functional polymer and its complex with FA (PAA-B-PEO-F) against cancer and normal cells were evaluated by using different biochemical methods such as cytotoxicity, statistical, apoptotic and necrotic cell indexes, double staining and caspase-3 immune staining, light and fluorescence inverted microscope analyses. It was found that citotoxicity and apoptotic/necrotic effects of polymers significantly depend on the structure and composition of studied polymers, and increase the following raw: PAA << PAA-B < PAA-B-PEO < PAA-B-PEO-F. Among them, PAA-B-PEO-F complex at 400 mg mL–1 concentration as a therapeutic drug exhibits minimal toxicity toward the nor-mal cells, but influential for HeLa cancer cells.
Where Do “Impatient” Mutual Funds Invest? A Special Attraction for Large Proximate Markets and Companies with Strategic Investors

Our study examines the investment determinants of worldwide mutual funds from the perspective of economic geography. In particular, we investigate the local preferences of “impatient” mutual funds for specific countries. By analyzing a sample of 22,996 worldwide mutual funds over the period from 2005 to 2009, we demonstrate that impatient mutual funds are favorable to 1) large stock markets, 2) markets with a high level of protection for shareholders, 3) markets with familiar institutional practices, and 4) markets dominated by the presence of “strategic” investors as main shareholders of large listed companies.
Optical pulse Self-compressor combined the Nonlinear coupler with Backward Raman fiber amplifier

Based on the nonlinearity of the nonlinear optical coupler (NOC) and the amplifying capacity of the backward Raman fiber amplifier (PBRFA), two new optical systems to compress the optical pulse (Optical Pulse Self-Compressor: OPSC) are proposed. Using the expressions describing relationship between input and output intensities from ports of the NOC and the derived expression describing the amplification of the PBRFA, the compressing process of the optical pulse propagating through the OPSC is simulated. The results show that the peak of the optical pulse will be enhanced and the duration of the optical pulse will be reduced significantly. Consequently, the shape of input pulse is completely compressed with the certain efficiency. It means the optical pulse is self-compressed without the external pump pulse by proposing the OPSC.
Maximising resource allocation in the teaching laboratory: understanding student evaluations of teaching assistants in a team-based teaching format

ABSTRACT Minimal research papers have investigated the use of student evaluations on the laboratory, a learning medium usually run by teaching assistants with little control of the content, delivery and equipment. Finding the right mix of teaching assistants for the laboratory can be an onerous task due to the many skills required including theoretical and practical know-how, troubleshooting, safety and class management. Using larger classes with multiple teaching assistants, a team-based teaching (TBT) format may be advantageous. A rigorous three-year study across twenty-five courses over repetitive laboratory classes is analysed using a multi-level statistical model considering students, laboratory classes and courses. The study is used to investigate the effectiveness of the TBT format, and quantify the influence each demonstrator has on the laboratory experience. The study found that TBT is effective and the lead demonstrator most influential, influencing up to 55% of the laboratory experience evaluation.
CAIS Paper : Gender Differences in Inquiry-Based Learning : an Exploration of Information Seeking Behaviour of Middle School Students

This in progress research presents empirical findings on gender differences during an inquirybased learning history project at the middle school level. Weekly surveys, demographic surveys and exit surveys designed to solicit affective, cognitive and physical responses from 1314 year old students were conducted. Overall the results show that gender analysis is essential to understanding how early teenagers seek information.