Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Fe–Nb–Cr–B Glassy Alloys With Low Curie Temperature and Enhanced Soft Magnetic Properties

Fe<sub>67.7</sub>Nb<sub>0.3</sub>Cr<sub>12</sub>B<sub>20</sub> glassy melt-spun ribbons and glass-coated microwires with T<sub>C</sub> around 310-320 K (~35-45°C) (the lowest ever reported for metallic glasses) have been prepared by rapid solidification. Excepting the thick melt-spun ribbons of 40 μm, all samples have a glassy structure in the as-quenched state, consisting of very small Fe-Cr and boride (Fe<sub>3</sub>B) clusters of sizes ranging from several nanometer up to several tens of nanometer, embedded within the residual amorphous matrix. The ferromagnetic behavior of the glassy materials deteriorates drastically with an increase in the temperature. The melt-spun ribbons become paramagnetic above 34-35°C, whereas the transition temperature for the glass-coated microwires is around 45°C, because of the very specific magnetic domain structure and magnetic anisotropy distribution. The observed stable behavior of low <i>T</i><sub>C</sub> Fe<sub>67.7</sub>Nb<sub>0.3</sub>Cr<sub>12</sub>B<sub>20</sub> glassy alloys up to very high frequencies (10 GHz) is another important feature for sensing and biomedical applications. The temperature sensor based on low <i>T</i><sub>C</sub> Fe<sub>67.7</sub>Nb<sub>0.3</sub>Cr<sub>12</sub>B<sub>20</sub> glassy melt-spun ribbons has a very good sensitivity in a narrow temperature range (about 1°C).
Demographic Change and Retirement Planning: Comparing Households’ Views on the Role of Housing Equity in Germany and the UK

Abstract As states across Europe come under pressure to meet the needs of ageing populations, there has been increasing interest in the potential role of housing equity in funding welfare provision. This paper draws on the findings of a European study, Demographic Change and Housing Wealth (DEMHOW), which set out to explore whether housing plays a role in retirement planning. This paper compares the views of homeowners in Germany and the UK. The former is a country where homeownership is the minority tenure and the preserve of affluent households, and where house prices have been stagnant for years. The latter is a country of homeownership where half the poor are home owners, and where real house price increases over many decades have served to establish the belief that homeownership is one of the best investments accessible to ordinary people. In addition, ‘equity release’ is more common, and related products better developed, in the UK than in Germany. Given these differences, it might be assumed UK homeowners would be more willing to consider utilising housing equity to supplement their income in retirement than their German counterparts. This paper sets out to explore whether this is the case.
Use of contract models to improve environmental outcomes in transport infrastructure construction

The type of contract model may have a significant influence on achieving project objectives, including environmental and climate change goals. This research investigates non-standard contract models impacting greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in transport infrastructure construction in Australia. The research is based on the analysis of two case studies: an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract and a Design and Construct (D&C) contract with GHG reduction requirements embedded in the contractor selection. Main findings support the use of ECIs for better integrating decisions made during the planning phase with the construction activities, and improve environmental outcomes while achieving financial and time savings.
Convergence in U.S. Productivity Growth for Agriculture: Implications of Interstate Research Spillovers for Funding Agricultural Research

State crop, livestock, and aggregate agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) data, 1950-82, are examined for evidence of convergence to a single TFP level (σ-convergence) or to a steady state rate of growth (β- or conditional convergence). Our empirical results do not support σ-convergence but do support β-convergence. The rate of β -convergence is variable and depends on research and development (R&D) spillins from other states, private R&D, and farmers' schooling. The finding of strong positive interstate spillover effects implies that independent state planning of agricultural research is inefficient and cooperation across states boundaries including establishment of new political jurisdictions for financing public agricultural research can enhance efficiency.
The Three Faces of Consumer Promotions

Sales promotions targeted at consumers (e.g., coupons, sweepstakes, free offers) are becoming a large and growing part of marketing budgets worldwide. This article presents a framework that examines the effect of managerially controllable actions—specifically, designing and communicating a sales promotion—on increasing the incentive for different segments of consumers to purchase a product. Sales promotions have three distinct aspects: an economic aspect that provides both incentives and disincentives to purchase a brand; an informational aspect that consumers use to make purchase decisions; and an affective aspect that influences how consumers feel about their shopping transaction, both positively and negatively. How a promotional offer is designed and communicated determines both its information value and its affective appeal, which then enhances or diminishes the attractiveness of the offer beyond the economic incentive it provides. Companies9 promotion strategies should attempt to maximize the positive informative and affective aspects, as these can lessen the need for a large economic incentive and thereby increase the promotions9 profitability.
Gender differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes among extremely preterm, extremely‐low‐birthweight infants

Aim: To determine whether gender‐specific responses to perinatal and neonatal events and exposures explain the male disadvantage in early childhood outcomes. Methods: Infants were in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Neonatal Research Network, born 1/1/1997–12/31/2000, <28 wk, with neurodevelopmental follow‐up at 18–22 mo corrected age. We evaluated and compared univariate and multivariate associations of risk factors with neurodevelopmental outcomes for girls and boys. Neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) was one or more of the following: moderate–severe cerebral palsy (CP), Bayley Mental (MDI) or Psychomotor (PDI) Development Indices <70, deafness or blindness. Results: Boys (n=1216) were more likely than girls (n=1337) to have adverse outcomes (moderate–severe CP: 10.7% vs 7.3%; MDI<70: 41.9% vs 27.1%; NDI: 48.1% vs 34.1%). Major risk factors were also more common in boys. Independent multivariate associations of risk factors with outcome differed by gender, but not consistently in favor of girls. In multivariate models including both girls and boys, male gender remained an independent risk factor for MDI<70 (2.0, 95% CI 1.6–2.5) and NDI (1.8, 95% CI 1.5–2.2).
OUTCOME UNCERTAINTY and THE DEMAND FOR FOOTBALL: AN ANALYSIS OF MATCH ATTENDANCES IN THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

This paper examines the predictive outcome, for match attendance, of a new measure of outcome uncertainty. This is the probability of home success as measured by posted fixed betting odds. The analysis is based on cross-section data and involves a sing le-equation model. The inclusion and measurement of variables is expl ained. The significant results involve the identification of a home w in as being of importance in determining match attendance, as well as the distance factor between clubs for the third and fourth divisions . Copyright 1988 by Scottish Economic Society.
Representation, inference, and transcendent encoding in neurocognitive networks of the human brain

The anatomical basis of conscious experience has traditionally been linked to sensory‐fugal (inward) pathways that convey sensory information to progressively “higher” association cortices. Current thinking is emphasizing the importance of sensory‐petal pathways that run in the opposite (outward) direction. According to emerging views, many aspects of cognition may represent an iterative neural dialogue between sensory‐fugal connections, which reflect the physical nature of ambient events, and sensory‐petal connections, which infer the nature of the stimulus based on empirical accounts of past experience. These reciprocal pathways, embedded within the internally generated oscillations of the brain, are further modulated by top‐down projections from high‐order association cortices, most prominently located in prefrontal cortex. This set of top‐down projections has the capacity to transcend experience‐based representations and to insert internally generated priorities into the interpretation of ongoing events. The characteristically human capacity for resisting stimulus‐bound responses and favoring novel interpretations may be linked to the influence of these top‐down projections. The reciprocal sensory‐processing pathways and their top‐down modulations collectively define the conscious interpretation of experience. Ann Neurol 2008;64:367–378
Distributed Optimization using Ant Colony Optimization in a Concrete Delivery Supply Chain

The timely production and distribution of rapidly perishable goods such as ready-mixed concrete is a complex combinatorial optimization problem in the context of supply chain management. The problem involves several tightly interrelated scheduling and routing problems that have to be solved considering a trade-off of production and delivery costs. This paper applies a novel supply chain management paradigm, the distributed optimization, to a real-world case of a concrete delivery supply chain. The production of concrete in several production centers and the distribution of concrete are modeled as job shop problems, where each problem is solved using Ant Colony Optimization. The management methodology consists of allowing each system to exchange information concerning intermediate optimization results through pheromone matrices. In this way, each system finds its own optimization solution based on the information provided by the other systems. A simulation example shows that the proposed coordination mechanism improves the supply chain performance, when compared to another management approach, where both problems are optimized using hybrid methods combining meta-heuristics with constructive heuristics.
Self-reported adherence to therapeutic regimens among patients with hypertension

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess Jordanian hypertensive patients’ adherence rate to hypertension therapeutic regimen (HTR) and to identify the strongest predictors of adherence rate among such patients. Design and sample: A descriptive comparison design and convenience sampling were used. The sample comprised 192 participants who came to their regular appointments in a public healthcare center. Measurement: The Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale and the Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale were used to assess adherence to HTR and knowledge of hypertension, respectively. Results: The mean total score for adherence to HTR was 87.3, and 82.8% of participants reported good adherence overall. Adherence scores were significantly higher among women, less educated, unemployed participants, those with comorbidities, those with a negative family history of hypertension, and those who visited their physicians regularly. To identify the most significant predictors of adherence to HTR, multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Results indicated that good adherence to HTR was predicted by greater knowledge about hypertension and regularly visiting a physician. Conclusions: Adherence to taking antihypertensive medications was good overall among the study participants; these participants, however, were less interested in adherence to reduced sodium intake and keeping up with medical appointments. Hypertensive patients appear to follow instructions related to pharmacological management and are less likely to comply with other elements of HTR.
Critical role for intracellular calcium in tight junction biogenesis

Using the Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell “calcium switch,” we have previously demonstrated that, as MDCK cells establish contact and ultimately form tight junctions, there are marked global and localized changes in intracellular calcium at the sites of cell‐cell contact (Nigam et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:6162–6166). We have now examined whether intracellular Ca++ is critical to the biogenesis of tight junctions by chelating this ion and monitoring the formation of junctions by electrical, immunocytochemical, and biochemical criteria. Intracellular Ca++ was chelated with the cell‐permeant chelators, dimethyl‐BAPTA‐AM and BAPTA‐AM. By digital imaging of fura‐2 loaded cells, it was demonstrated that both agents efficiently chelated Ca++ during the “switch” in a dose‐dependent manner which paralleled their respective in vitro affinities for Ca++. Chelation of Ca++ during the switch markedly attenuated the development of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), a measure of tight junction assembly. Immunofluorescent staining of the tight junctional protein, zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1), revealed that chelation of intracellular Ca++ retarded the movement of ZO‐1 from intracellular sites to the plasma membrane during the switch. During the development of tight junctions, a fraction of ZO‐1 redistributed from the Triton X‐100 soluble to the Triton X‐100 insoluble pool; chelation of Ca++ during the induction of cell–cell contact prevented this stabilization into the Triton X‐100 insoluble fraction. Taken together, these data indicate an important role for intracellular Ca++ in tight junction biogenesis and suggest a specific role for calcium in the early sorting and possible cytoskeletal association of tight junction components. © 1994 wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Financing under Extreme Uncertainty: Evidence from PIPEs

Prior work on capital raising consistently finds that firms raising external capital experience good performance prior to fund raising events. By contrast, financially constrained firms – those faced with operating problems or informational asymmetries – frequently encounter difficulty raising capital through traditional financing instruments. This study examines the use of private investments in public equities (PIPEs), an increasingly common form of financing that can be structured to provide investors with varying degrees of asymmetric exposure to an issuer’s equity. The PIPE market has evolved to fill in a gap left by traditional forms of financing. In contrast to more traditional forms of capital, nearly 80 percent of companies issuing PIPEs have negative operating income and more than 60 percent have falling stock prices in the two years prior to issue. Although PIPE issuers realize negative returns following a PIPE issue on average, there is a large amount of cross sectional variation in these returns. Consistent with investors’ ability to rationally choose contracting terms, this variation is associated with the degree of the investors’ asymmetric exposure to the issuer’s equity. Financing under Extreme Uncertainty: Evidence from PIPEs
The Forward Market in Emerging Currencies: Less Biased than in Major Currencies

Many studies have replicated the finding that the forward rate is a biased predictor of the future change in the spot exchange rate. Usually the forward discount actually points in the wrong direction. But, at least until recently, those studies applied only to advanced economies and major currencies. We apply the same tests to a sample of 14 emerging market currencies. We find a smaller bias than for advanced country currencies. The coefficient is on average positive, i.e., the forward discount at least points in the right direction. It is never significantly less than zero. To us this suggests that a time-varying exchange risk premium may not be the explanation for traditional findings of bias. The reasoning is that emerging markets are probably riskier; yet we find that the bias in their forward rates is smaller. Emerging market currencies probably have more easily-identified trends of depreciation than currencies of advanced countries.
Changing to more efficient irrigation technologies in southern Alberta (Canada): an empirical analysis

Results from an irrigator survey in southern Alberta (Canada) indicate that more than half of irrigators changed irrigation technologies during the five-year period (crop years 2007/08–2011/12) and this potentially improved application efficiency. Changes were made from flood irrigation to wheel-move sprinklers to high- and then low-pressure pivot systems. The intended future rate of change is lower than that experienced over the previous five years. Important factors causing these changes were identified: reducing irrigation application, labour and energy inputs, and increasing crop yields and quality. Econometric modelling shows that irrigators who have commenced the process of adopting more efficient sprinklers are full-time farmers, operate their farm as corporations or partnerships, obtain information from extension agencies, and are more likely to upgrade their technologies in future.
Time Consistent vs. Time Inconsistent Dynamic Asset Allocation: Some Utility Cost Calculations for Mean Variance Preferences

We solve for the time consistent dynamic asset allocation of an investor with a mean variance objective function in a multiple assets affine setting. We use as a benchmark the pre-commitment strategy widely used in the literature and assess the potential welfare gains from pre-commitment by comparing the time consistent strategy to the pre-commitment, time inconsistent, strategy. The gains from pre-commitment are simply considerable since, in some cases, at the 5 years horizon the yearly certainty equivalent of the pre-commitment strategy is 48% compared with 9% for the time consistent strategy. However, these welfare gains result from huge and unrealistic positions in the risky assets; in some cases, the pre-commitment strategy is more than 60 times the time consistent strategy. We thus looked for alternative time inconsistent strategies that improve relative to the time consistent strategy while still involving reasonable risky asset positions. To identify these strategies, we explore an original aspect of the time consistent mean variance strategy: the presence of intertemporal hedging in such a strategy reflects welfare degradation. Therefore, a natural candidate is the time consistent strategy without the intertemporal hedging component. The second component of the time consistent strategy is the traditional myopic component discounted. We show that this component could be seen as a standard myopic strategy which is marked to market and the discount factor acts as a tailing factor. This marked to market myopic (MMM) strategy is shown to yield reasonable risky assets positions and substantial welfare gains at long horizons relative to the time consistent strategy. We also show that it dominates the standard myopic strategy as well as the equally weighted strategy.
Rules, Roles and Rights: Gender, Participation and Community Fisheries Management in Cambodia's Tonle Sap Region

In the Tonle Sap Region, Community Fisheries (CFs) have been recently constituted by the Cambodian Government to address the needs for local and sustainable management of fisheries resources. Local women are being urged to participate in these institutions by various state and non-state programmes. However, actual social conditions and practices of people demonstrate that women are not actively involved in de facto fisheries management with its complex mosaic of rules, rights and roles. Inserting women into this programme by only addressing poverty reduction and conservation goals without recognizing actual gender/social inequalities, may inadvertently reproduce existing gender hierarchies instead of actually transforming them.
The young tourist: a case of neglected research

This paper reviews the state of the young tourist population and the research that has been conducted on the young tourist. It shows that despite the number of young people taking vacations they have generally been neglected by researchers. The separate and heterogeneous nature of this market segment is described. Its current size, economic significance, and potential for the future is highlighted. The lack of a standardised definition of what constitutes a young tourist and the implications of this for research are also discussed. Finally, it is suggested that a wide variety of research on the young tourist is still required. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tackling transition: the value of peer mentoring

This paper is aimed at those interested in the promotion of student retention in higher education; particularly those with an interest in peer mentoring as a means of student support. It critically discusses the results of an exploratory study analysing the perceptions of peer mentors and mentees within five universities in the United Kingdom. The aim of the study was to analyse how student peer mentoring can aid transition into university by focusing specifically on how senior students can support their junior counterparts in their first year at university. The paper discusses the results of a survey which was completed by 329 student peer mentors and mentees. Focusing on the benefits and outcomes of participation in Mentoring Programmes, the survey was distinctive in that it asked mentors and mentees similar questions. From a theoretical perspective, the paper contributes to debates about peer support in higher education showing that participation in such programmes can have positive outcomes from both social and pedagogic perspectives. Practically speaking, the results have important implications for Higher Education Institutions as the research highlights the importance of putting into place formally structured Peer Mentoring Programmes which facilitate student support at a time when new students are most at risk of ‘dropping out’.
Simulation study for harmonic compensation system with synchronous machine based on Park transformation

Based on the Park transformation method, the harmonic compensation theory of synchronous machine is analyzed, the d-q-0 mathematical model and the equivalent circuits are proposed to represent the harmonic compensation system with synchronous machine, on which the working status of the reactive harmonic compensation system with synchronous machine is researched. To study the effect caused by resonance capacitor in field circuits on 5th and 7th harmonic compensation, a 4-pole synchronous machine is selected as a part of harmonic compensation system, which is convenient to calculate the optimal values of resonance capacitors when harmonic compensation reaches electric standard. By means of MATLAB, the simulation model, based on the reactive harmonic compensation system with synchronous machine, is built to obtain simulation results. The simulation results illustrate that the proposed model is valid on the basis of harmonic compensation theory of synchronous machine, and harmonic compensation is to come true by modulating the value of resonance capacitor.