Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Fast, Very Sensitive Calorimetric Power Meter for Millimeter to Submillimeter Wavelengths

A calorimetric power meter is now commercially available having sensitivity and stability sufficient to measure a power level well below 1 1.1W. The Erickson model PM1B sensor has an input in WR10 waveguide, with a very well matched termination. The frequency response is believed to be fiat throughout the submillimeter wave region. The response time of the sensor is 7 sec, but this time can be reduced through the use of thermal feedback, at the price of higher noise. An effective time constant of I sec is achieved with 0.15 t.tW rms noise, and 0.25 sec with 1 . 1,\V noise. The maximum input power is 200 mW, making the instrument useful with a wide variety of sources. The sensor head is quite small, yet well insulated from its environment.
Environmental Stewardship and Corporate Social Responsibility: Implication for Consumers’ Resistance to Negative Information. The Case of Apple in China

There are several studies that have investigated the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on consumer behavior. However, these studies demonstrate conflicting results on how CSR influences consumer purchasing behavior and retention; for example, in event of negative information about a firm. Therefore, the effectiveness of CSR in advancing the core business of firms remains unresolved. This research uses a qualitative approach to examine how CSR affords firms greater levels of goodwill with consumers. The study focuses on the case of Apple in China. Both primary and secondary data were collected through interviews, review of literature, newspaper reports, blogs, social media, and official websites of institutions and corporate entities. A deductive analytical approach was used to examine how consumers perceive CSR, and how that impacts on their attitude towards a firm when confronted with negative information. The study found low level of awareness of CSR in consumers. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that consumers tend to attach more importance to CSR when they identify with the problems associated with the actions or inactions of a firm. The study shows that firms can only enjoy the full benefits of CSR by creating public awareness of such endeavours.
The influence of nickel loading on reducibility of NiO/Al 2 O 3 catalysts synthesized by sol-gel method

The sol-gel method was used to synthesize nickel-alumina catalysts with various nickel loadings. Chemical and physical properties of support and supported nickel were characterized by TGA, DTA, EDX, SEM, BET, XRD and TPR techniques. Calcination temperature (500°C) was determined by performing thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis on the samples. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) was used to determine the actual content of nickel on alumina. N 2 adsorption test revealed that the specific surface area varied between 550 and 223 m 2 /g for pure alumina and 30%Ni/Al, respectively. X-ray diffraction patterns showed no peaks due to NiO species and NiO species were well dispersed on the support by formation of NiAl 2 O 4 phase. Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) indicated that the nickel species mainly presented in NiAl 2 O 4 phase and small amount of NiO. In the 20 percent nickel loading, the surface NiAl 2 O 4 phase, which is between NiO and bulk NiAl 2 O 4 phases in terms reducibility, was formed considering as a successful result. Keywords: Nickel-alumina catalysts; sol-gel method; thermogravimetric analysis; dispersion of NiO; reducibility DOI = 10.3329/cerb.v14i2. 5052 Chemical Engineering Research Bulletin 14 (2010) 97-102
Mindfulness-Based Approaches to Impulsive Behaviors

The ability to think and act quickly and effectively may have some evolutionary benefits, in which immediate response has important consequences for survival. In our modern world, impulsive behavior may even allow some individuals to express desires in a healthy-albeit defiant-manner. Jetting off on an unplanned vacation, going on a shopping spree, or taking a day off work may represent welcome relief in the quotidian life. However, impulsive actions also have consequences, and impulsiveness has been linked to a variety of high-risk behaviors and a number of psychiatric illnesses. Impulsivity is considered an important element of suicidal behaviors, substance abuse, aggression, personality disorders, attention deficit problems, and criminal behavior (Moeller, Barratt, Dougherty, Schmitz, & Swann, 2001). Although impulsivity is directly mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV; APA, 1994) criteria for several disorders, little research has attempted to uncover the role of impulsivity in psychiatric disorders (Moeller et al., 2001).
Light Field Retrieval In Compressed Domain

In this paper, we present a novel approach for light field retrieval in the transformed domain. The light field data set is characterized with low wavelet transform coefficients. Our algorithm first applies a wavelet transform on 20 key images of the light field structure. The low wavelet transform coefficients are then quadtree decomposed, into a set of homogeneous blocks. Each set of homogeneous blocks represent an object in the considered image. We use texture and color features to characterize the object image; the similarity between two images is measured by matching their histograms. The experimental results and comparisons show the performance of the proposed technique.
Impact of instructional approach on students' epistemologies about experimental physics

Student learning in undergraduate physics laboratory courses has garnered increased attention within the PER community. Considerable work has been done to develop curricular materials and pedagogical techniques designed to enhance student learning within laboratory learning environments. Examples of these transformation efforts include the Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE), Modeling Instruction, and integrated lab/lecture environments (e.g., studio physics). In addition to improving students' understanding of the physics content, lab courses often have an implicit or explicit goal of increasing students' understanding and appreciation of the nature of experimental physics. We examine students' responses to a laboratory-focused epistemological assessment -- the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey for Experimental Physics (E-CLASS) -- to explore whether courses using transformed curricula or pedagogy show more expert-like student epistemologies relative to courses using traditional guided labs, as well as how this trend varies based on student major or gender. Data for this study are drawn from an existing data set of responses to the E-CLASS from multiple courses and institutions.
Robust estimation in the errors-in-variables model

SUMMARY Orthogonal regression analogues of M estimates of regression, called here orthogonal regression M estimates, are defined. These estimates are shown to be consistent at elliptical errors-in-variables models and robust, if the corresponding loss function is bounded. The orthogonal regression analogues of regression scale estimates, called here orthogonal regression S estimates, are considered as well. In particular, they provide a robust estimate for the scale of the orthogonal residuals, a crucial quantity in the computation of orthogonal regression M estimates. Finally we present an algorithm for computing orthogonal regression S and M estimates and the results of a small Monte Carlo experiment.
Fiscal Policy and Private Investment in Less Developed Countries

This paper analyses the impact of fiscal policy on private investment for a sample of thirty-three LDCs. The paper makes a number of important contributions to the existing empirical literature. Its main contribution is that it is the first attempt to analyse the existence of a non-linear relationship between fiscal policy variables and investment. Moreover, we explicitly focus on different aspects of fiscal policy and their influence on investment, instead of only looking at aggregate fiscal policy variables.
Petrogenetic implications of garnets associated with lithium pegmatites from SE Ireland

Abstract Spodumene pegmatites, aplites and schists from the Aclare Li prospect of SE Ireland host sporadically developed, small, red, euhedral garnets. Chemical data indicate that the pegmatite- and aplite-hosted garnets are rich in spessartine and are similar to garnets in many African Li-rich pegmatites. Partial melting as a source of the garnets is unlikely due to the large spessartine component, the abundance of inclusions within the garnets and the general P-T-X evolution of the pegmatite body. It is suggested that an aqueous fluid was exsolved during pegmatite crystallisation and complexed available Mn. Movement of this fluid to the intermediate zone of the pegmatite body produced areas of high Mn concentrations which permitted the crystallisation of spessartine-rich garnets at low pressures (<3 kbar).
Cognitive Algebra Underlying High School Student´s Self-Efficacy Judgment to Solve Mathematical Problems in the Classroom or Online

This study includes a sample of 112 high school students who provided self-efficacy judgments to solve math problems. Thirty-six experimental conditions called scenarios were created for this study by combining 4 factors regarding solving mathematical problems (modality, degree of difficulty, structuring, and relevance of the task). Each scenario described a hypothetical context that required the participant to imagine an activity to reinforce the learning of math skills in the scenario. Thus, the experimental task was to read each scenario and to judge how capable the participant felt to undertake each math task under the hypothetical context. Results showed two levels of self-efficacy judgment among participants. Students in the first level judged themselves as highly capable of performing math activities, while those in the second level, judged themselves as moderate capable. Regarding the first cluster factors regarding difficulty and the structure of the task had a greater weight whereas in the second cluster task difficulty and task relevance factors obtained the higher weight values. Finally, a cognitive summation rule used by participants to integrate information from the different study factors was identified. Results implications on education are discussed in this article.
Phenotypic Variation in Village and Wild Pigs in Sri Lanka

A study was carried out to evaluate and compare phenotypic characteristics of the two native pig populations in Sri Lanka as a part of a comprehensive study on characterization of native pigs, in order to assess the contribution of native populations in animal production. A total of 60 animals were randomly selected for phenotypic measurements of village pigs from Kalutara, Puttalam, Kurunegala and Chilaw, and the similar number of wild pigs was selected from Batticaloa, Polonaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Kandy areas according to their availability. Morphological characters were assessed to identify the phenotypic variation between village and wild pigs. The body shape, coat colour and presence of skin pigmentation of wild pigs differ from those characteristics observed in village pigs. Wild pigs predominantly showed an angular body shape and light brown coat colour without skin pigmentation. Both wild and village pigs showed similarities with respect to the length of hair, shape of the head and the size of the ear. The study further revealed that the village pigs were significantly different (P Key words: Phenotypic variation; village pigs; wild pigs. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v22i3.3705 Tropical Agricultural Research 22(3) (2011) 324-329
Experimental and Numerical Investigations on the Effect of Rectangular Openings’ Aspect Ratio on Outflow Discharge

Up to now, a few formulas have been suggested by scholars for the amount of discharge from openings, however, the effect of opening's geometry on the amount of discharge has not addressed thoroughly. In this study, to assess the effect of rectangular openings’ aspect ratio on the discharge amount, experimental and numerical investigations have been conducted on the discharge amount from rectangular openings at the bottom of tanks. In the experimental part of the study different water depths have been considered and the amounts of discharge have been measured for openings with identical area, but different aspect ratios. In the numerical part of the study the test results have been compared to those obtained from finite-volume-based numerical simulation. The experimental and numerical results are in good agreement, and both show that there is a trend of increase in the amount of discharge with increase of the opening’s aspect ratio. The amount of this increase is from 13% to 21% for hydraulic head varying between 0.3 to 0.6 meters. On this basis, the conventional orifice formula for calculation of the rectangular opening discharge needs modification.
Effect of modified eggs on metabolic syndrome-X induced stress in female wistar rats

Metabolic syndrome-X induced stress is prevalent world over and is being managed through pharmacological treatment. There are some dietary components such as Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, vitamin-E, C and omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to reduce the severity of stress associated with metabolic syndrome-X. But in the Indian staple diet, there is a big gap between requirement of these dietary components and their availability in food particularly in the patients of metabolic syndrome-X. Keeping this in mind, modified eggs were designed (Patent Application No.2264 Del-2005) and their efficacy on metabolic syndrome-X was studied in female wistar rats. The results of this study revealed that feeding on these eggs mixed diets to metabolic syndrome-X induced rats, a considerable reduction in stress hormone cortisol, total lipids, LDL-c and VLDL-c in the blood, improvement in the sensitivity of insulin leading to reduction in blood glucose and rise in HDL-c and improvement in the mineral status in blood serum and tissues were observed. This data suggests that these modified eggs are effective in reducing the metabolic syndrome-X induced stress.
A prospective examination of posttraumatic stress and alcohol use disorders among returning veterans

The traumatic effects of combat on psychological functioning have long been recognized. Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have amplified the need for a better understanding of the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorders (AUD). We prospectively examined PTSD and AUD symptoms and investigated relations between combat exposure (CE) and relationship status (RS) on these outcomes. We hypothesized that CE would have a main effect on both PTSD and AUD symptoms while RS would have a main effect on AUD symptoms but not PTSD. We also examined CE X RS interactions as well as hypothesized reciprocal prospective PTSD and AUD associations. Participants (N=238, 92% men) were National Guard and Reserve Soldiers returning from deployment, recruited as part of a larger study. Twelve month data were available for 66.8% of the initial sample with no evidence of differential attrition according to baseline AUD, PTSD or CE. We examined both PTSD and AUD symptoms for months one, six and 12 post-deployment, derived from initial and follow-up clinical interviews. Assessments consisted of the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE). We conducted separate (RS X CE X Time) mixed-design ANOVAs on our primary measures of interest (PTSD & AUD). RS was coded as single/divorced vs. married/cohabitating and CE was categorized according to “minimal”, “moderate” and “severe” levels. CE was significantly associated with PTSD but no other main or interaction effects emerged. To examine hypothesized reciprocal associations between PTSD and AUD we conducted cross-lagged panel path models with RS, CE and the RS X CE interaction as manifest exogenous variables. In separate models we examined alcohol abuse or dependence vs. dependence alone. CE consistently predicted Time 1 PTSD symptoms and RS predicted Time 1 alcohol dependence, but in contrast to our hypotheses no other main or interaction effects were observed including anticipated reciprocal relations between PTSD and AUD. In large part, this is due to strong (i.e., > .8) autoregressive effects across the three time points. Findings support hypothesized effects of CE on PTSD symptoms but the lack of observed hypothesized associations elsewhere suggests the need for longer measurement intervals in prospective research, as well as larger and more diverse samples. Supported by Department of Defense grant (W81XWH-06-1-0573).
Nutrient characterisation and in vitro digestibility of grass and legume/browse species - based diets for beef cattle in Vanuatu

Some grasses, Buffalo (Panicum Coloratum), Guinea (Panicum maximum), Setaria (Setaria sphacelata), Embu (Panicum maxum), Elephant (Pennisetum Purpureum), Koronivia (Brachiaria humidicola), and Signal (Brachiaria decumben); and legumes/browses Gliricidia sepium, Glycine wightii, Green desmodium and Leucaena leucocephala grazed by beef cattle in Vanuatu were characterized for crude protein (CP), fibre fractions, macro and micro minerals (phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc) and energy. Also in vitro digestibility study was carried out to predict the utilization of available nutrients. Data obtained were discussed in light of whether available nutrients would satisfy requirements of grazing beef cattle of different age and physiological function. The CP of grass and legume/browse species ranged from 7.9-17.8% and 10.5-23.9% respectively. L. leucocephala has a higher CP while Green leaf desmodium had the lowest CP content. DM and NDF were higher (P 0.05) from each other, however NDFD and ADFD were higher (P<0.05) in the grasses than in the legumes/browses. In conclusion, the results of these analyses and the in vitro digestibility study have provided information on nutrients that are adequate and/or inadequate in the grass and legume/browse species components grazed to sustain beef cattle production in Vanuatu. The very low concentration of Cu in both the grass and legume/browse species therefore demonstrates the need to supplement grazing beef cattle with mineral lick blocks to overcome its deficiency.
DETERMINANTS OF IPO SURVIVAL ON THE JOHANNESBURG SECURITIES EXCHANGE

The purpose of this paper was to establish the determinants of IPO survival on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE). Using the Kaplan-Meier test, this study established that firms less than five years prior to listing on the JSE have a significant smaller mean survival time; firms with a gross proceed less than the median have a significant shorter mean survival time; overpriced IPOs have a significant higher survival time; IPOs listed during the hot market period on the JSE have a significant smaller mean survival time and IPOs with return on asset, operating profit margin, and return on equity less than or equal to zero have a low mean survival time. Also, being in the internet industry significantly shortens the mean survival time of an IPO. Moreover, based on the Cox Proportional Hazard model, it was established that the determinants of IPO survivability on the JSE are the firms’ age, size, market period, return on equity and operating profit margin are. These findings provide investors and companies in the JSE with empirical evidence of the determinants of IPO survivability of the JSE. As such, investors are advised to consider these factors when selecting their portfolios.
Impact of climate change on food security in Malaysia: economic and policy adjustments for rice industry

Abstract Rice paddies production in Malaysia, as in other parts of the world, is extremely vulnerable to weather changes and extreme conditions such as drought and flooding. Such situations forced Malaysia to maintain a protectionist regime with respect to its rice industry to better ensure food security for the country. In this study, a crop simulation model (DSSAT) and system dynamics approach were used to assess the impact of climate change on future rice production, self-sufficiency level of rice, and farmers’ gross income in Malaysia. Results from the DSSAT model show that during the main and off growing seasons, increase in temperature and changes rainfall pattern can be expected to reduce the rice yield by 12 and 31.3%, respectively, until the year 2030. Based on the system dynamics’ results, the reduction in rice yield was expected to reduce farmers’ gross income and the rice self-sufficiency level of the country. The study suggested two different policy scenarios to overcome these adverse effects. The overall policy implication is that the Malaysian rice industry cannot be sustained if government takes no action to change its current policies.
Mimetic Gravity: A Review of Recent Developments and Applications to Cosmology and Astrophysics

Mimetic gravity is a Weyl-symmetric extension of General Relativity, related to the latter by a singular disformal transformation, wherein the appearance of a dust-like perfect fluid can mimic cold dark matter at a cosmological level. Within this framework, it is possible to provide a unified geometrical explanation for dark matter, the late-time acceleration, and inflation, making it a very attractive theory. In this review, we summarize the main aspects of mimetic gravity, as well as extensions of the minimal formulation of the model. We devote particular focus to the reconstruction technique, which allows the realization of any desired expansionary history of the universe by an accurate choice of potential or other functions defined within the theory (as in the case of mimetic gravity). We briefly discuss cosmological perturbation theory within mimetic gravity. As a case study within which we apply the concepts previously discussed, we study a mimetic Hořava-like theory, of which we explore solutions and cosmological perturbations in detail. Finally, we conclude the review by discussing static spherically symmetric solutions within mimetic gravity and apply our findings to the problem of galactic rotation curves. Our review provides an introduction to mimetic gravity, as well as a concise but self-contained summary of recent findings, progress, open questions, and outlooks on future research directions.
Diagnostic Value Of CEA, CA-19-9, CA 125 And CA 15-3 Levels In Malignant Pleural Fluids

Aim: Pleural effusion is a common diagnostic problem. Tumor marker levels in pleural effusion may be help to distinguish pleural malignancy, but the precise diagnostic value of these markers remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of CEA, CA15-3, CA 19-9 and CA-125. Methods: Pleural fluid and serum levels of these markers were assayed prospectively in 89 patients with pleural effusion (35 malignant and 54 benign) and 25 healthy individuals. The patients were separated as benign or malignant. Results: All pleural and serum tumor markers levels were statistically higher in malignant group than in the benign and control groups. CEA was the marker which had the highest sensitivity (41.6%), specificity (100%) and accuracy (74.1%). CA 15-3 had also similar sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (38.8%, 100% and 73.0%, respectively). CA 19-9 and CA 125 sensitivity, specificity and accuracies were lower. CEA+CA 15-3+ CA-125 combination elevated the diagnostic value to 100% specificity and 78.3% accuracy. The highest diagnostic value was observed in CA 15-3+CA-125 combination (100% specificity and 80.9% accuracy). Moreover, pleural CEA and CA 15-3 levels were significantly higher in patients with primary lung cancer compared to those of patents with extrapulmonary cancer. Conclusion: In conclusion our results suggest that evaluation of tumor marker combinations may be useful in order to differentiate malignant pleural fluids.