Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavioral Intention to Use Knowledge Sharing Tools: Positive and Negative Affect on Affective Technology Acceptance Model

This study examines the affective aspect of the technology acceptance by extending TAM with positive and negative affect as external construct.This research attempts to study on the Knowledge workers that work in the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)-status organizations to understand their behavioral intention to use the knowledge sharing tools (KS tools) in their day-to-day tasks based on several motivators. KS tools in this research includes collaborative and communicative functions such as email, blog and Facebook. This research proposes Affective Technology Acceptance (A.T.A) Model that hypothesizes Positive and Negative Affect (PA and NA) have impact on Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and Behavioral Intention to accept (BI) KS tools among knowledge workers in MSC organizations.Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) are defined as the perception of employees on KS tools that induce positive or negative affective states when they interact and evaluate these tools when execute their tasks.
Calibration of Stochastic Volatility Models: An Optimal Control Approach

We aim to calibrate stochastic volatility models from option prices. We develop an optimal control approach to recover the risk neutral drift term of stochastic volatility. An efficient numerical algorithm is given. Numerical results and empirical studies are presented to demonstrate our algorithm. In contrast to existing literature, we do not assume that the stochastic volatility model has special structure, so our algorithm applies to calibration of general stochastic volatility models. In addition, our empirical results reveal that the risk neutral process of volatility recovered from market prices of options on S&P $500$ index is indeed linearly mean-reverting.
Climate impact of idealized winter polar mesospheric and stratospheric ozone losses as caused by energetic particle precipitation

Abstract. Energetic particles enter the polar atmosphere and enhance the production of nitrogen oxides and hydrogen oxides in the winter stratosphere and mesosphere. Both components are powerful ozone destroyers. Recently, it has been inferred from observations that the direct effect of energetic particle precipitation (EPP) causes significant long-term mesospheric ozone variability. Satellites observe a decrease in mesospheric ozone up to 34 % between EPP maximum and EPP minimum. Stratospheric ozone decreases due to the indirect effect of EPP by about 10–15 % observed by satellite instruments. Here, we analyze the climate impact of winter boreal idealized polar mesospheric and polar stratospheric ozone losses as caused by EPP in the coupled Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI-ESM). Using radiative transfer modeling, we find that the radiative forcing of mesospheric ozone loss during polar night is small. Hence, climate effects of mesospheric ozone loss due to energetic particles seem unlikely. Stratospheric ozone loss due to energetic particles warms the winter polar stratosphere and subsequently weakens the polar vortex. However, those changes are small, and few statistically significant changes in surface climate are found.
Molecular characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from a ready-to-eat fermented milk and cereal product, Fura-de-Nunu

This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of Listeria (L.) monocytogenes in Fura-de-Nunu, a ready-to-eat (RTE) fermented milk (Nunu) and cereal (Fura) blend, the serogroups as well as the virulence of the isolates. A total of 75 Fura and 75 Nunu samples were examined. Listeria species were isolated on PALCAM medium and Listeria chromogenic agar, and identified phenotypically according to International Standardization Organization (ISO) procedures. Identification of L. monocytogenes, serogrouping and detection of virulence genes were carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Listeria spp. were recovered from 23 (30.67%) and 41 (54.67%) samples of Fura and Nunu, respectively. The bioloads of Listeria ranged from 103 to 105 CFU/ml. Six presumptive species of Listeria were identified from the samples, with L. monocytogenes accounting for 21.00 and 20.64% of isolates from Fura and Nunu, respectively. Out of the three major serogroups (1/2a, 1/2b and 4b) associated with human disease, only 1/2a and 4b were identified among the isolates. Some of the isolates tested positive for the presence of virulence genes, hlyA and iap. Results from this study show that Fura-de-Nunu, may represent a risk for transmission of listeriosis to consumers. Key words: Listeria monocytogenes, Fura-de-Nunu, fermented milk, ready-to-eat, Listeriosis.
Age and petrogenesis of the Qassiarsuk carbonatite-alkaline silicate volcanic complex in the Gardar rift, South Greenland

Abstract The Qassiarsuk (formerly spelled Qagssiarssuk) complex is located in a roughly E−W trending graben structure between Qassiarsuk village and Tasiusaq settlement in the northern part of the Precambrian Gardar rift, South Greenland. The complex comprises a sequence of alkaline silicate tufts and extrusive carbonatites interlayered with sandstones, and their subvolcanic equivalents, which represent possible feeders for the extrusive rocks. The Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd and Pb isotopic characteristics of 65 samples of extrusive carbonatite- and silicate tufts and carbonatite diatremes have been determined by mass spectrometry. The Qassiarsuk complex can be dated to c. 1.2 Ga by Rb-Sr and Pb-Pb isochrons on whole-rocks and mineral separates, agreeing with previous isotopic ages for the volcanic rocks of the Eriksfjord formation in the Eriksfjord area of the Gardar rift, but not with previous, indirect age estimates of >1.31 Ga for assumed Eriksfjord equivalents in the Motzfeldt area further east. Recalculated isotopic compositions at 1.2 Ga indicate that the Qassiarsuk carbonatite- and alkaline-silicate magmas were comagmatic and derived from a depleted mantle source (ƐNd>4, Ɛsr<-13, time-integrated, single- stage 238U/204 Pb< 7.4). The mantle-derived magmas were contaminated with crustal material, equivalent to the local, pre-Gardar granites and gneisses and sediments derived from these. The crustal component has a depleted mantle Nd model age of 2.1-2.6 Ga; at 1.2 Ga it was characterized by Ɛsr= +76, end = -8.4, time-integrated, single- stage 238u/Z~ = 8.2-8.3. Strong decoupling of the Pb from the Sr and Nd isotopic systems suggests that the contamination happened only after carbonatitic and alkaline-silicate magmas had evolved from a common parent, by processes such as liquid immisicibility and/or fractional crystallization. Post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration (oxidation, hydration of mafic silicates, carbonatization of melilite) may have contributed further to the contamination of the carbonatite and alkaline silicate rocks of the Qassiarsuk complex.
Optimizing Sparse Matrix-Vector Multiplication on GPUs using Compile-time and Run-time Strategies

We are witnessing the emergence of Graphics Processor units (GPUs) as powerful massively parallel systems. Furthermore, the introduction of new APIs for general-purpose computations on GPUs, namely CUDA from NVIDIA, Stream SDK from AMD, and OpenCL, makes GPUs an attractive choice for high-performance numerical and scientific computing. Sparse Matrix-Vector multi- plication (SpMV) is one of the most important and heavily used kernels in scientific computing. However with indirect and irregu- lar memory accesses resulting in more memory accesses per float- ing point operation, optimization of SpMV kernel is a significant challenge in any architecture. In this paper, we evaluate the various challenges in develop- ing a high-performance SpMV kernel on NVIDIA GPUs using the CUDA programming model and propose a framework that employs both compile-time and run-time optimizations. The compile-time optimizations include: (1) exploiting synchronization-free paral- lelism, (2) optimized thread mapping based on the affinity towards optimal memory access pattern, (3) optimized off-chip memory ac- cess to tolerate the high latency, and (4) exploiting data reuse. The runtime optimizations involve a runtime inspection of the sparse matrix to determine dense non-zero sub-blocks, which facilitate the reuse of input vector elements while execution. We propose a new blocked storage format for storing and accessing elements of a sparse matrix in an optimized manner from the GPU memories. We evaluate our optimizations over two classes of NVIDIA GPU chips, namely, GeForce 8800 GTX and GeForce GTX 280, and we compare the performance of our approach with that of existing parallel SpMV implementations such as the one from NVIDIA's CUDPP library and the one implemented using optimal segmented scan primitive. Our approach outperforms the other existing imple- mentations by a factor of 2 to 4. Using our framework, we achieve a peak SpMV performance that is 70% of the performance observed for SpMV computations using dense matrices stored in sparse for- mat.
Detection of metals by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) in pollen collected from a fragment of the atlantic forest in Piracicaba/SP

Detection techniques of trace elements have high costs for routine analysis while differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) has low operational costs and few structural requirements. This technique was considered a good alternative for pollen analysis. In the analyses, Zinc, Copper and Lead showed concentrations higher than the threshold established for human daily intake of food; however, Cadmium concentrations did not exceed the limits. The high concentrations found may be explained by the geographical locality of the apiary, which is located near the main road to access the city and a water and sewage treatment plant. In addition, other anthropogenic processes, namely agricultural, industrial and residential activities may have influenced. The technique of voltammetry can be considered a good alternative for pollen routine analysis, providing accuracy at lower costs. The study provides information about the contamination of the matrix of bee pollen.
The Relationship between Ownership Structure and Firms' Performance in Tehran Stock Exchange

Abstract: The purpose of present research is to investigate the ownership structure and the performance evaluation indices in listed companies of Tehran Stock Exchange. In this study, the relationship among research’s variable using multiple mean comparison tests and variance analysis (ANOVA) is investigated and the relationship between research’s variables together with the past data is analyzed. Surveyed companies include 102 listed companies in Tehran Stock Exchange over the five year period from 2007 to 2011. The results show that the main research hypothesis regarding the performance evaluation criteria has significant differences in different ownership structures, was confirmed. Research subsidiary hypothesis test also showed that Return On Asset (ROA), Return On Equity (ROE), Market to Book Value (MBV) and Market Value Added (MVA) has significant differences in the different ownership structures. Moreover the final hypothesis regarding the ownership structure of companies in various industries creates significant difference in performance evaluation indexes, was confirmed. The research provides useful information on the impact of ownership structure on criteria for evaluating the performance of listed companies on Tehran Stock Exchange.
Ambiguity-Based Classification of Phase Modulated Waveforms

Buchenroth, Anthony H. M.S. Egr. , Department of Electrical Engineering, 2015. Ambiguity-Based Classification of Phase Modulated Waveforms. Accurate classification or recognition of phase modulated radar waveforms, typically accomplished via the combination of pulse parameter estimates and matched filtering, poses a simple problem in ideal conditions. Recognition of these waveforms aids in various spectrum management, surveillance, and electronic warfare (EW) applications. In less than ideal conditions, carrier frequency, time offset, pulse amplitude, initial phase, and bandwidth are unknown to the EW receiver rendering the application of a matched filter futile. This effort investigates the use of features extracted from the ambiguity function of an intercepted pulse. Specifically, this effort will expand upon the methodology of previous work done which uses the autocorrelation as a basis for extracting features. To test the efficacy of this work, extensive Monte Carlo testing employed. Simulation results prove that the methodology implemented herein achieves an overall correct classification rate of about 90% at a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of -2 dB on data similar to the training data.
Poverty in a South African township: The case of Kwakwatsi

South Africa’s world revered democratic transition lies more than a decade in the past, a period long enough to evaluate past achievements and challenges. The study reported here provides a snapshot like view of poverty in a South African township. The results are based on a household survey using questionnaires. Two poverty lines (lower and upper bound) developed by Statistics South Africa were used to measure poverty in the area; R322 per capita per month as the "lower-bound" poverty line and R593 per person per month as the "upper-bound" poverty line. Of the sampled households, 50% where found to be poor using the lower bound poverty line, and 77% when using the upper bound poverty line. On average, poor households have an income shortage of 56% of their poverty line when using the lower bound poverty line. From a policy perspective, developing an economy involves efforts that seek to improve the economic wellbeing and quality of life of all its inhabitants. A considerable number of people in the area fail to have a decent standard of living. Information provided through the study is at the household level and aims at highlighting poverty trends among urban residents in South Africa.
Energetics of the Global Ocean: The Role of Mesoscale Eddies

This article reviews the energy cycle of the global ocean circulation, focusing on the role of baroclinic mesoscale eddies. Two of the important effects of mesoscale eddies are: (i) the flattening of the slope of large-scale isopycnal surfaces by the eddy-induced overturning circulation, the basis for the Gent–McWilliams parametrization; and (ii) the vertical redistribution of the momentum of basic geostrophic currents by the eddy-induced form stress (the residual effect of pressure perturbations), the basis for the Greatbatch–Lamb parametrization. While only point (i) can be explained using the classical Lorenz energy diagram, both (i) and (ii) can be explained using the modified energy diagram of Bleck as in the following energy cycle. Wind forcing provides an input to the mean KE, which is then transferred to the available potential energy (APE) of the large-scale field by the wind-induced Ekman flow. Subsequently, the APE is extracted by the eddy-induced overturning circulation to feed the mean KE, indicating the enhancement of the vertical shear of the basic current. Meanwhile, the vertical shear of the basic current is relaxed by the eddy-induced form stress, taking the mean KE to endow the eddy field with an energy cascade. The above energy cycle is useful for understanding the dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. On the other hand, while the source of the eddy field energy has become clearer, identifying the sink and flux of the eddy field energy in both physical and spectral space remains major challenges of present-day oceanography. A recent study using a combination of models, satellite altimetry, and climatological hydrographic data shows that the western boundary acts as a “graveyard” for the westward-propagating eddies.
Species selection in secondary wood products: Implications for product design and promotion

This study investigated the perceptions that people have of several commercially important wood species and determined if word-based and specimen-based evaluations differed. Such knowledge can help secondary wood manufacturers better understand their products and develop more effective design concepts and promotional messages. A sample of more than 250 undergraduate students at a major midwestern university was split into two groups and asked to rate six wood species on several semantic-differential items, based either on word association or physical wood samples. The two methods of evaluation often produced different results that were more pronounced for certain species, especially oak. Some gender-based differences were also observed. Respondents generally had difficulty identifying the species that they were observing, particularly mahogany and maple, yet maintained definite perceptual images of these same species. It is suggested that species perception is an important and lasting component of the total product concept for secondary wood products, and can moderate appearance-based evaluations.
Teachers’ Perception of Principals’ Leadership Effectiveness in Public and Private secondary Schools in Ondo State

The study investigated Teachers’ Perception of Principals’ Leadership effectiveness in the important salient aspects of school management: Pedagogical skill, Administrative skill and community relation skills effectiveness. Three hundred and sixty (360) teachers were selected from 10 public and 10 private secondary schools in Ondo State on the basis of proportionate stratification to reflect the varying degrees of their proprietorship, academic qualifications and local government areas. The instrument for data collection was a 30-item questionnaire tagged, Teachers’ Perception of Principals’ Leadership Effectiveness Questionnaire (TPPLEQ). Three hypotheses were formulated and tested for using t-test statistical tool. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the teachers’ perception of principals’ leadership effectiveness in public and private secondary schools, with the principals of public secondary schools having low level of leadership effectiveness in pedagogical and community relation skills effectiveness, but high administrative skill effectiveness while the reverse is the case in private secondary schools. The paper finally recommended that since the principals of public secondary schools are perceived to be less effective than principals of private secondary schools in school leadership, appointment as principal should not be based on seniority alone but also on capability as a change agent to influence others through collaborative problem solving strategies with students, staff, community and
Post fall-back evolution of multipolar magnetic fields and radio pulsar activation

It has long been unclear if the small-scale magnetic structures on the neutron star (NS) surface could survive the fall-back episode. The study of the Hall cascade by Cumming, Arras & Zweibel hinted that energy in small-scales structures should dissipate on short time-scales. Our new 2D magneto-thermal simulations suggest the opposite. For the first ∼10 kyr after the fall-back episode with accreted mass 10−3 M⊙, the observed NS magnetic field appears dipolar, which is insensitive to the initial magnetic topology. In framework of the Ruderman & Sutherland, vacuum gap model during this interval, non-thermal radiation is strongly suppressed. After this time, the initial (i.e. multipolar) structure begins to re-emerge through the NS crust. We distinguish three evolutionary epochs for the re-emergence process: the growth of internal toroidal field, the advection of buried poloidal field, and slow Ohmic diffusion. The efficiency of the first two stages can be enhanced when small-scale magnetic structure is present. The efficient re-emergence of high-order harmonics might significantly affect the curvature of the magnetospheric field lines in the emission zone. So, only after few 104 yr would be the NS starts shining as a pulsar again, which is in correspondence with radio silence of central compact objects. In addition, these results can explain the absence of good candidates for thermally emitting NSs with freshly re-emerged field among radio pulsars (), as NSs have time to cool down, and supernova remnants can already dissipate.
Link between western Arabian sea surface temperature and summer monsoon strength and high-latitude abrupt climate events

Sea surface temperature (SST) is modulated by the summer monsoon winds and the associated upwelling in the Arabian Sea. Here, I report the changes of summer and winter SST's in the western Arabian Sea reconstructed for the last 22 ka using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN's) based on quantitative analyses of planktic foraminifera. High seasonal SST contrast between winter and summer during the last glacial period indicates weak upwelling and strong cold northeasterly winds. Minimum seasonal SST contrast during the Holocene reflects strong upwelling. Contrast between summer and winter SST's documented here is in agreement with the other upwelling proxies recorded in the Arabian Sea sediments over the time span covered in the present study. This suggests that seasonal SST is a potential proxy to quantify the upwelling and the associated monsoon strength in the Arabian Sea. During an intense phase of monsoon in the Early Holocene a drastic reduction of annual summer and winter SST's is documented around 8.2 cal ka, which coincides with a decline of the monsoon upwelling strength. A similar cooling event around 8.2 cal ka was recognized in the north Atlantic as well as in the tropics. This suggests a link between high-latitude climate on the one hand and monsoon upwelling strength in the Arabian Sea and tropical climate changes on the other.
The role of customer experience in building brand loyalty within the service context

Customer experience theory, research, and practice represent an evolving area of study within the marketing discipline. Despite its importance, the customer experience concept remains vague and lacks a thorough theoretical foundation. This study addresses this gap in the literature and examines the antecedents and consequences of customer experience from customer perspectives. The study provides a conceptual framework building from a qualitative study and the existing literature. This article includes a formal test of the framework using a large-scale survey of British customers to examine their experience with resort-hotel brands. The results show price perception, core services, and word-of-mouth have a direct impact on how customers interpret their experiences with resort-hotel brands; perceived service quality plays a mediatory role in the relationship between servicescape, core service, and customer experience. Measuring validation strength of customer experience upon brand loyalty by best fit in combination with cross-sample predictive validity models is a valuable contribution of this study.
Efficiency and Productivity Growth in Indian Banking

This article attempts to examine technical efficiency and productivity performance of Indian scheduled commercial banks, for the period 1979–2008. We model a multiple output/multiple input technology production frontier using semi-parametric estimation methods. The endogeneity of multiple outputs is addressed by semi-parametric estimates in part by introducing multivariate kernel estimators for the joint distribution of the multiple outputs and correlated random effects. Output is measured as the rupee value of total loans and total investments at the end of the year. The estimates provide robust inferences about the productivity and efficiency gains due to economic reforms. JEL Classification: E23, G21, D24