Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Espiritu R, Mamlouk M, Scott K. Study on the Effect of the Degree of Grafting on the Performance of Polyethylene-based Anion Exchange Membrane for Fuel

Alkaline anion exchange membranes (AAEM) are fabricated using polyethylene as the base polymer offering a low cost AAEM. This study focuses on the synthesis and characterisation of AAEM with controlled degree of grafting (DOG) and ion-exchange capacity (IEC) with the following parameters investigated: LDPE film thickness 30e130 mm, gamma radiation dose and monomer concentration. The corresponding IEC, water uptake (WU) and degree of swelling (DS) are reported. The performance of 74.6% DOG membrane in a hydrogen fuel cell shows high OCV of 1.06 V with peak power density of 608 mW cm 2 at 50 C under oxygen. The use of membrane with high DOG does not impact fuel cross-over significantly and provides improved fuel cell performance due to better conductivity, water transport and resilience to dehydration. The AAEM shows long term stability at 80 C exhibiting a conductivity of ca. 0.11 S cm 1 over a period of 7 months under nitrogen. The membrane shows a degradation rate of 4 and 17 mS month 1 under nitrogen and oxygen, respectively. The estimated life time of the membrane is 2 years under nitrogen and 5.5 months under oxygen operating at 80 C. Copyright © 2015, The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Incentives to Research Activities in European Public Universities

In this paper we study the implementation of policy incentives aimed at increasing the research output at European public universities by university managers and public administrations. Although public universities are subject to significant management rigidities, we provide some interesting policies aimed at increasing their research output. We pay special attention to the principal agent problem between professors and university managers due to the career options that professors face outside the university.
Speculation, Trading and Bubbles Third Annual Arrow Lecture

The history of financial markets is strewed with periods in which asset prices seem to vastly exceed fundamentals - events commonly called bubbles. Nonetheless, there is very little agreement among economists on what are the economic forces that generate such occurrences. Numerous academic papers and books have been written explaining why the prices attained in a particular episode can be justifed by economic actors rationally discounting future streams of payoffs. Some proponents of efficient-markets even deny that one can attach any meaning to bubbles.
Using geomorphometry for hydro-geomorphological analysis in a Mediterranean research catchment

The aim of the paper is to apply an object-based g eomorphometric procedure to define the runoff contr ibu ion areas and support a hydro-geomorphological analysis on a 3-km2 Mediterranean research catchment (southern Italy). Daily and subhourly discharge and electrical conductivity data w ere collected and recorded based on three-year moni toring activity. Hydrochemograph analyses on these data revealed a strong easonal hydrological response in the catchment th at were different from 10 the stormflow events that occurred in the wet perio d and in dry periods. This analysis enabled us to d efine the hydrochemograph signatures related to increasing flood m agnitude, which progressively involves various runo ff c mponents (base flow, subsurface flow and surficial flow) and an in creasing contributing area to discharge. Field surv eys and water table/discharge measurements carried out during a s elected storm event enabled us to identify and map specific runoff source areas with homogeneous geomorphological units previ ously defined as hydro-geomorpho-types (spring poin ts, diffuse seepage 15 along the main channel, seepage along the riparian corridors, diffuse outflow from hillslope taluses a nd concentrate sapping from colluvial hollows). Following the procedures p reviously proposed and used by authors for object-b ased geomorphological mapping, a hydro-geomorphologically-oriented segmen tation and classification was performed with an e-C ognition (Trimble, Inc) package. The best agreement with the expert-ba sed geomorphological mapping was obtained with weig ht d profile and plane curvature sum at different-size windows. Comb ining the hydro-chemical analysis and object-based hydro-geomorpho20 type map, the variability of the contribution areas was graphically modelled for the selected event wh ich occurred during the wet season by using the log values of flow accumula tion that better fit the contribution areas. The r esults enabled us to identify the runoff component on hydro-chemograph for each t ime step and to calculate a specific discharge cont ribution from each hydro-geomorpho-type. This kind of approach could b e useful applied to similar, rainfall-dominated, fo rested and no-karst catchments in the Mediterranean eco-region. 25
Genetic Basis of Heterosis and Prediction of Hybrid Performance

SUMMARY Overview and scope of the presentation: Efficient exploitation of heterosis is central for successful hybrid breeding in sunflower. Here we discussed important genetic hypotheses of the phenomenon of heterosis including dominance, overdominance, and epistasis. Moreover, we presented different approaches suggested for prediction of hybrid performance. Outline of recent major discoveries: Several experimental designs have been proposed to study the causes of heterosis. Among them, QTL analyses based on triple test cross in combination with the immortalized F2 design or the use of triple test cross designs based on near-isogenic lines are of particular interest. Several approaches have been used to predict hybrid performance using phenotypic, genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data. Prediction accuracies have been studied using experimental data of maize, which clearly points towards the large potential for knowledge-based hybrid breeding. Perceived significant gaps in research, current debates, and perspectives for future directions of research: Experimental design and quantitative genetic theory is ready to be applied in sunflower to study the genetic basis of heterosis. Furthermore, we speculate that genomic selection possesses great potential to revolutionize hybrid prediction in sunflower.
Factors affecting to select Islamic Credit Cards in Pakistan: The TRA Model

This study investigates the factors affecting intentions to select Islamic credit cards in Pakistan by employing the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) model. In general, bank customers generally aware of credit card facility, but the leading factors to select Islamic credit cards are particularly unexplored. Due to this fact, the study examined the effect of Subjective norm, Attitude and Perceived financial cost on the customers’ intention of Pakistani banks to select Islamic credit cards. The study uses a survey of 466 respondents. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multiple regression were used to attain the study objectives. Findings from regression analysis suggest that subjective norms (SN) and attitudes (ATT) show positive and significant impact on intentions to select an Islamic credit card, while perceived financial cost (PFC) has a negative impact on intentions to select Islamic credit cards. On the other hand, subjective norms were found to be the most influential factor to predict the selection of an Islamic credit card. It is recommended that, Islamic bank should educate their customers about Islamic credit cards to compete with conventional credit cards and develop marketing strategies through social media and other marketing channels to change consumer’s attitude in favor of Islamic credit cards. The TRA model applicability extends into Islamic credit cards context while perceived financial cost is integrated on the intention to select Islamic credit cards. The present study also offers an insight view of one’s decision to select Islamic credit cards.
SHOCK WAVE CAPTURING WITH MULTI-GRID ACCELERATED, SOLUTION ADAPTIVE, CARTESIAN GRID BASED NAVIER STOKES SOLVER

Cartesian grids employ specially designed algorithms to generate automatic grids for complex geometries and to simulate flows around such geometries regardless of the body shape and number of bodies. The main advantage of Cartesian methods over the body-conformal approach is that without regard to drawbacks of the geometric complexity of the embedded boundaries, the computational grid does not alter except close to all boundaries where cutcells are employed. In this study, implementation of generated two-dimensional adaptive refinement/coarsening scheme codes is appended to the developed compressible flow solver by using special Cartesian-based algorithms. Cartesian grids are generated by constructing a quadtree based data structure in two-dimensional flows. By means of solution adaptation, a finer grid is obtained around a shock wave. Convergence rate is increased with multi-grid method. Thus, a “hands-off”, Cartesian grid generator based flow solver is implemented in object-oriented FORTRAN programming language. The solutions are validated by comparing the results with experimental and numerical data available in literature for the supersonic flow around NACA 0012 airfoil. Employing the solution adaptation techniques, Mach contours of the flow around the wing have verified and captured the shock wave by the developed GeULER-NS (cartesian-Grid-generator-with-eULER-and-Navier-Stokes-flow-solver) code.
Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing endemic and exotic wild mammals in the Esteros del Iberá wetlands, Argentina

Abstract Five species of ticks belonging to the genera Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis and Rhipicephalus were recorded from endemic and exotic wild mammals in the Esteros del Iberá wetlands, Argentina. Adults and immature stages of Amblyomma dubitatum were found on Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Sus scrofa, Axis axis and Myrmecophaga tridactyla. Larvae and nymphs of A. dubitatum were collected on Bubalus bubalis, Lepus europaeus, Monodelphis dimidiata and on the rodents Cavia aperea, Scapteromys aquaticus, Oligoryzomys flavescens and Akodon azarae. One male of Amblyomma nodosum was associated with M. tridactyla; specimens of Haemaphysalis juxtakochi were found on A. axis, S. scrofa and Mazama gouazoubira; and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was detected on Blastocerus dichotomus. Adults of Amblyomma triste were collected on B. dichotomus, S. scrofa and H. hydrochaeris, while immatures of this tick were recorded on M. dimidiata, A. azarae, S. aquaticus, O. flavescens and H. hydrochaeris. In addition to elucidating tick-host associations, the findings of this survey are biomedically important. Although the tick fauna of Esteros del Iberá is limited, some species, such as A. triste and R. (B.) microplus, are recognized vectors of pathogenic agents infecting humans and animals. Also, a large number of the Esteros del Iberá collection records were for ticks from exotic (S. scrofa, A. axis, B. bubalis, L. europaeus) or reintroduced (M. tridactyla) mammals, suggesting that the introduction of these mammals may result in the amplification of tick populations in the study area, with potential deleterious effects on the endemic fauna.
The Relationship among Student Psychological Need Satisfaction , Approaches to Learning , Reporting of Avoidance Strategies and Achievement

Introduction. This study examines the relationship between student psychological need satisfaction (autonomy, competence, relatedness and belonging), their reporting of approaches to learning (deep and surface), their reporting of avoidance strategies (avoidance of effort and challenge, avoidance of help seeking and preference to avoid novelty) and achievement in subject-matter domains. Method. The sample was composed of 157 Spanish undergraduate students. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure the construct selected for this study and their interrelationships were examined using structural equation procedures. Results. In general terms, we have proved that basic needs satisfaction, when satisfied, encourage the use of the deep approach to learning and, in turn, the decrease of students’ avoidance strategies. In contrast, when these needs are not satisfied, the use of the surface approach to learning is encouraged, consequently, leads to an increase in students’ avoidance strategies and achievement. Conclusions. The results suggest that approaches to learning and avoidance strategies may play a mediator role between student psychological needs and student achievement. Implications for pedagogical practice are discussed.
Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression in Giant Cell Tumor of Bone and Its Clinical Application

Objective: To provide a better prognosis after the treatment of giant cell tumor of bone which is a common benign aggressive bone tumor by the use of thermoablation, Hsp70 expression of the tumor was explored and the relationship between the relative amount of expression of this protein and tumor recurrence was studied. Methods: Avascular parts of tumor tissues were collected from 11 patients, 3 male and 8 female with an average age of 32.27 years and were sent for the analysis of protein contents by the use of Western blot. A comparative protein analysis was used for the detection of Hsp70 and beta-actin. Monoclonal antibody was used for the identification of Hsp70. The measurement was carried out two times in one patient. The relationship between ratios of Hsp70/beta-actin and tumor recurrence during 3-year follow-up was carried out. Results: Tumor recurrence was found in 4 patients, 36.6% and none had lung metastasis. Significant HSP expression was found in all specimens. No patient with the ratio of HSP70/beta-actin expression lower than 0.66 had tumor recurrence. Sensitivity of the test was 75% and specificity was 100%. Conclusion: Expression of Hsp70 was found in giant cell tumor of bone and high relative expression of this protein related to tumor recurrence.
Financial flexibility and the speed of target adjustment of capital structure: Panel data analysis

This study aims at investigating the impact of financial flexibility on the speed of target adjustment of capital structure. For this purpose, the partial adjustment model with interaction dummy term is used and tested using panel data analysis for a sample of 47 industrial firms listed in Amman Stock Exchange over the period of 1996 to 2014. The results of Random and fixed effects models showed that the target reversion of capital structure occurs slowly. The results also revealed that financial flexible firms adjust their leverage ratio much faster than less flexible firms. The tendency of making target reversion increases when inflexible firms have leverage above its target level, while inflexible firms with above-target leverage ratio adjust their leverage faster than flexible firms. These findings suggest that financial flexibility plays an important role on determining the financing decisions in Jordanian industrial firms. Moreover, they suggest how large bankruptcy risk is critical for industrial Jordanian firms. Hence, Industrial Jordanian firms should take into consideration the financial flexibility when they set their financial decisions to avoid the loss of profitable investment opportunities or experience the financial distress.
Perceptions of Advertising and Celebrity Endorsement in Malaysia

The purpose of this paper is to examine the overall perceptions of Malays, Chinese, and Indian consumers towards advertising by celebrities, and the influence of celebrity advertising towards customer purchasing behavior. The results showed that the Malays and Chinese were most familiar with certain celebrities than others. There were also significant differences between the Malays, Chinese, and Indian consumers on their attitudes towards advertising by celebrities, consumers' perceptions of product endorsement by celebrities. the celebrity's credibility, and brand selection. Overall, the respondents agreed that advertising by celebrities influenced them in making decisions to purchase a product. The implications of the research are discussed.
Geochemical character of glacial to interglacial sediments at site 1017 southern Californian margin: Minor and trace elements

We analyzed selected minor and trace element contents to examine the sources and transport paths of sediments deposited at Ocean Drilling Program Site 1017 during the last 25 k.y. Elements are subsequently classified as being of diagenetic, biogenic, and/or terrigenous origins. Re, U, Mo, and As are diagenetically enriched within sediments, reflecting millennial-scale variability in bottom-water oxygenation and/or the sedimentary redox boundary depth. Sr variation is largely controlled by the input of biogenic carbonate. Using Q-mode factor analysis, variations in the 12 elements of detrital origin that remain can be explained by three factors (end-members) attributable to sand- and silt-sized detritus (Factor 2), and fine fractions with mafic (Factor 3) and felsic (Factor 1) characteristics. Elimination of the influence of grain size, temporal variations in the relative contribution from mafic materials shows that more detritus from the mafic Franciscan Complex was transported to the site during marine isotope Stage 2 than during the Holocene. This was probably due to enhanced southward littoral transport of detritus along the California margin during the latest Pleistocene.
SlamTracker Accuracy under Static and Controlled Movement Conditions

Abstract Accelerometry is the de facto standard in objective physical activity monitoring. However traditional accelerometer units undergo proprietary pre-processing, resulting in the ‘black-box’ phenomenon, where researchers are unaware of the processes and filters used on their data. Raw accelerometers where all frequencies related to human movement are included in the signal, would facilitate novel analyses, such as frequency domain analysis and pattern recognition. The aim of this study was to quantify the mean, standard deviation and variance of the SlamTracker raw accelerometer at a range of speeds. Four tri-axial accelerometers underwent a one minute static condition test nine movement condition tests. Accelerometers were assessed for mean, standard deviation, sample variance and coefficient of variation throughout in all axes for all experimental conditions. The sample variance was <0.001g across all speeds and axes during the movement condition tests. In conclusion, the SlamTracker is shown to be an accurate and reliable device for measuring the raw accelerations of movement.
Determinants of Subjective Well-Being: A Systematic Review

In recent years, there has been increasing in number of research focusing on subjective well-being issues in many countries all over the world. Subjective well-being concerning with people happiness and overall life satisfaction towards their own day-to-day life experience. This systematic review is conducted to explore and highlight the determinants of subjective well-being on 33 articles obtained from academic search engines and online databases which are Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Scopus within a period from September 2017 until January 2018. From the review, it was found that beside personality factors, health and religion, the socio-economic attributes such as income, financial and employment status are the most focusing determinants of subjective well-being among the society.
A new gamma-ray source unveiled by AGILE in the region of Orion

Context. Diffuse galactic γ-ray emission is produced by the interaction of cosmic rays (CRs) with the interstellar environment. The study of γ-ray emission is therefore a powerful tool that can be used to investigate the origin of CRs and the processes through which they are accelerated. Aims. Our aim is to gain deeper insights into the nature of γ-ray emission in the region of Orion, which is one of the best studied sites of ongoing star formation, by analysing data from the AGILE satellite. Because of the large amount of interstellar medium (ISM) present in it, the diffuse γ-ray emission expected from the Orion region is relatively high. Its separation from the galactic plane also ensures a very small contribution from foreground or background emission, which makes it an ideal site for studying the processes of particle acceleration in star-forming environments. Methods. The AGILE data are modelled through a template that quantifies the γ-ray diffuse emission expected from atomic and molecular hydrogen. Other sources of emission, such as inverse Compton (IC) scattering in interstellar radiation fields (ISRF) and extragalactic background, can be modelled as an isotropic contribution. Results. Gamma-ray emission exceeding the amount expected by the diffuse emission model is detected with a high level of significance. The main excess is in the high-longitude part of Orion A, which confirms previous results from the Fermi Large Area Telescope. A thorough analysis of this feature suggests a connection between the observed γ-ray emission and the B0.5 Ia star κ Orionis. Conclusions. We present the results of the investigation of γ-ray diffuse galactic emission from the region of Orion. The comparison between modelled and observed emission points towards the existence of higher-than-expected γ-ray flux from a 1° radius region centred in κ Orionis, compatible with the site where stellar wind collides with the ISM. Scattering on dark gas and cosmic-ray acceleration at the shock between the two environments are both discussed as possible explanations, with the latter hypothesis being supported by the hardness of the energy spectrum of the emission. If confirmed, this would be the first direct detection of γ-ray emission from the interaction between ISM and a single star’s stellar wind.
Measurement of GEM parameters with X-rays

The gas electron multiplier (GEM)-based detectors have been widely developed in past years and have been proposed for many different applications. In this paper, we report on a method able to provide information on the characteristic parameters of a GEM. A single-GEM detector is illuminated with a high-intensity flux of low energy (5.9 keV) photons and all the electrode currents are measured simultaneously. From the analysis of these measurements we extracted a phenomenological and analytical model able to describe the currents induced on the electrodes as a function of electric fields and GEM voltages when the detector is exposed to a continuous ionizing radiation. This model provides information on the characteristic GEM parameters. In conclusion we briefly describe other methods able to extract in a more direct way GEM parameters.