Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elastic wave propagation through a random array of dislocations

A number of unsolved issues in materials physics suggest there is a need for an improved quantitative understanding of the interaction between acoustic (more generally, elastic) waves and dislocations. In this paper we study the coherent propagation of elastic waves through a two dimensional solid filled with randomly placed dislocations, both edge and screw, in a multiple scattering formalism. Wavelengths are supposed to be large compared to a Burgers vector and dislocation density is supposed to be small, in a sense made precise in the body of the paper. Consequently, the basic mechanism for the scattering of an elastic wave by a line defect is quite simple ("fluttering"): An elastic wave will hit each individual dislocation, causing it to oscillate in response. The ensuing oscillatory motion will generate outgoing (from the dislocation position) elastic waves. When many dislocations are present, the resulting wave behavior can be quite involved because of multiple scattering. However, under some circumstances, there may exist a coherent wave propagating with an effective wave velocity, its amplitude being attenuated because of the energy scattered away from the direction of propagation. The present study concerns the determination of the coherent wavenumber of an elastic wave propagating through an elastic medium filled with randomly placed dislocations. The real part of the coherent wavenumber gives the effective wave velocity and its imaginary part gives the attenuation length (or elastic mean free path). The calculation is performed perturbatively, using a wave equation for the particle velocity with a right hand side term, valid both in two and three dimensions, that accounts for the dislocation motion when forced by an external stress. In two dimensions, the motion of a dislocation is that of a massive particle driven by the incident wave; both screw and edge dislocations are considered. The effective velocity of the coherent wave appears at first order in perturbation theory, while the attenuation length appears at second order.
partialCI: An R package for the analysis of partially cointegrated time series

Partial cointegration is a weakening of cointegration, allowing for the residual series to contain a mean-reverting and a random walk component. Analytically, the residual series is described by a partially autoregressive process. The partialCI package provides estimation, testing, and simulation routines for PCI models in state space. We illustrate the functionality with two examples: A financial application in the context of pairs trading and a macroeconomic application, i.e., the relationship between GDP and consumption. For both examples, we show that the variables are not cointegated in the classic sense, but can be modeled with partial cointegration.
Wooden Household Furniture: Does Brand Matter?

Consumers evaluate a product based on various attributes when making a purchase decision. The attributes considered and their importance varies among individuals and differs between products. This paper reports the findings from an exploratory study on the importance of brands in wooden household furniture purchase decision among Malaysian consumers. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Results indicated that the respondents are not concerned about brands, but are instead price-conscious and placed more importance on the tangible attributes ofthe wooden household furniture items. Brand familiarity among the respondents was low. This paper discusses how the wooden household furniture manufacturers can brand their product in an effective way.
Finland Olympiad Studies: What Factors Contribute to the Development of Academic Talent in Finland?.

AUTHOR Tirri, Kirsi TITLE Finland Olympiad Studies: What Factors Contribute to the Development of Academic Talent in Finland? PUB DATE 2000-04-00 NOTE 22p. ; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (New Orleans, LA, April 24-28, 2000). PUB TYPE Numerical/Quantitative Data (110) Reports Research (143) Speeches/Meeting Papers (150) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Academic Achievement; Comparative Analysis; Comparative Education; Educational Research; Foreign Countries; *Parent Attitudes; Secondary Education; Socioeconomic Influences; *Student Attitudes; *Student Development; Student Surveys IDENTIFIERS Academic Olympiad; *Finland; Parent Surveys
Perceived diversity and organizational performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between employee perceptions of diversity within the senior management, management and non‐management levels of their organizations and their perceptions of organizational performance.Design/methodology/approach – Surveys were administered to 391 managers or professionals in 130 organizations located in the southeastern United States to determine their perceptions of diversity and performance within their organizations.Findings – Regression analysis found strong support for the hypothesis that employee perceptions of diversity at the senior management level of an organization is positively related to perceptions of organizational performance. Likewise, there was support for the hypothesis that employee perceptions of diversity at the non‐manager level were positively related to perceptions of organizational performance.Research limitations/implications – The current study was based strictly on perceptual measures. Future research could.
Determining the full halo coronal mass ejection characteristics

Abstract In this paper we determined the parameters of 45 full halo coronal mass ejections (HCMEs) for various modifications of their cone forms (“ice cream cone models”). We show that the CME determined characteristics depend significantly on the CME chosen form. We show that, regardless of the CME chosen form, the trajectory of practically all the considered HCMEs deviate from the radial direction to the Sun-to-Earth axis at the initial stage of their movement.
Tax costs and tax compliance behaviour in Kenya

This study examines the influence of measures of tax compliance costs on tax compliance behaviour among medium and large corporate taxpayers in Kenya. It uses a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique to establish the key cost drivers built using survey data, while controlling for key attributes of the tax system as well as firm characteristics. The results indicate that tax compliance in Kenya significantly declines with increase in tax compliance costs, particularly those related to understanding of the existing complex tax laws, changes in tax rules as well as general costs of meeting the compliance and regulatory requirements. The model constructs account for about 40% of variations in tax compliance behaviour in Kenya, which is above the empirically accepted minimum for exploratory studies. From the results, the study recommends a focus by tax authority and policymakers on measures to reduce these identified tax compliance costs. In addition, greater emphasis should be put on investing in opportunities that reduce financial pressure on firms thus encouraging tax compliance. Key words: Tax costs, tax compliance behaviour, income tax, corporate taxpayers, Kenya.
Potential pollinator of Vanda falcata (Orchidaceae): Theretra (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) hawkmoths are visitors of long spurred orchid

Vanda falcata is a species of orchid native to China, Korea and Japan. While it is arguably one of the most celebrated orchids in Japan there is no information on its pollinators. Although most species of the subtribe Aeridinae, to which V. falcata belongs, have a short spur, V. falcata has a long spur. The results of the current study provide strong evidence that V. falcata is pollinated by long-tongued hawkmoths (Theretra spp.), which indicates that the evolution of long spurs in V. falcata could be an adaptation to pollination by long-tongued moths.
A Preliminary Investigation of the Reproductive Biology of the Blind Shark, Brachaelurus waddi (Orectolobiformes: Brachaeluridae)

Although the focus on shark conservation has increased in recent years, small, economically unimportant species are often overlooked. The blind shark, Brachaelurus waddi , is endemic to eastern Australia and is commonly encountered in commercial ﬁ sheries. However, this is the ﬁ rst study of the species’ reproductive biology. Males were sexually mature at 520-540 mm total length (TL) and all females ≥ 563 mm TL were sexually mature. Only the right ovary was functional and two distinct groupings in follicle size indicated that the reproductive cycle is at least biennial. Reproductive output may be smaller than previously suggested, with an average of four pups per gravid female in this study.
Street children in Tehran and risk factors for substance abuse

Background: Economy, lack of welfare and social services, AIDS and civil war, and also substance abuse are predominant factors that attributes with street children. Methods: 576 street children of 10-19 years were evaluated. Data were gathered by demographic and substance use check list. Theses check lists were designed by the researchers and included some simple question about type and duration of substance use. Several psychiatrists confirmed the content of check list. Results: 36.7% of the children had lifetime smoking of cigarette. The frequency of smoking in boys was significantly higher than girls (P<0.05). The mean age of the girls with smoking habit was significantly lower than the boys (P<0.05). Conclusion: It should be noted that street children are at high risk group for using tobacco. Theses children are also exposed to the dangerous behaviors and sexually transmitted diseases.
The Iniquitous Influence of Family Ownership Structures on Corporate Performance

This study investigates the issue of family ownership for Indonesian companies through a detailed analysis of the ‘ultimate’ share control. A key finding in this study is that ownership type directly impacts on economic performance for Indonesian companies. There are distinct and dramatic differences between the higher return on assets (7.37%) for non-family firms as compared to the far lower profit (1.56%) figures by family-controlled firms. The evidence raises concerns about possible profit manipulation and the entrenchment of profits.
EffEcTivEnEss Using hiErarchical linEar ModEls : sTUdEnT-and classrooM-lEvEl prEdicTors and cross-YEar sTabiliTY in ElEMEnTarY school

Teacher effectiveness and evaluation using student growth measures is a popular reform strategy in education. Teachers can make a difference in student academic growth, but a question that begs an answer is how to go about measuring this impact. This study examines models of teacher effectiveness and the development of hierarchical linear models (HLM) using fourth grade end-of-year state accountability reading test scores as the outcome variable. An extensive review of literature was conducted to assess the use of HLM in educational settings, particularly as related to teacher effectiveness analyses. Although multiple student variables were explored, previous reading test scores was the most significant student-level variable while teachers’ years of experience was used as a classroom-level variable. This model produced a classroom effectiveness index that was notably consistent across three years of data for the same teachers. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.
Are DSGE Approximating Models Invariant to Shifts in Policy?

Bayesian and maximum-likelihood estimates of structural parameters in DSGE approximating models are invariant to shifts in policy only when the model is correctly specified. Since DSGE models are approximations, strict invariance is unattainable. Despite that, DSGE models might be useful for policy analysis provided that structural parameters are approximately invariant. We discuss this issue in the context of an example involving a pair of new Keynesian DSGE models in which the central bank's policy model includes a misspecified Phillips curve. In our example, the approximating model is a useful guide for policy despite the failure of strict invariance.
Mercury fluxes over an Australian alpine grassland and observation of nocturnal atmospheric mercury depletion events

Abstract. Aerodynamic gradient measurements of the air–surface exchange of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) were undertaken over a 40 ha alpine grassland in Australia's Snowy Mountains region across a 3-week period during the late austral summer. Bi-directional GEM fluxes were observed throughout the study, with overall mean value of 0.2 ± 14.5 ng m −2 h −1 and mean nocturnal fluxes of − 1.5 ± 7.8 ng m −2 h −1 compared to diurnal fluxes of 1.8 ± 18.6 ng m −2 h −1 . Deposition velocities ranged from − 2.2 to 2.9 cm s −1 , whilst ambient GEM concentrations throughout the study were 0.59 ± 0.10 ng m −3 . Cumulative GEM fluxes correlated well with 24 h running mean soil temperatures, and one precipitation event was shown to have a positive impact on diurnal emission fluxes. The underlying vegetation had largely senesced and showed little stomatal control on fluxes. Nocturnal atmospheric mercury depletion events (NAMDEs) were observed concomitant with O 3 depletion and dew formation under shallow, stable nocturnal boundary layers. A mass balance box model was able to reproduce ambient GEM concentration patterns during NAMDE and non-NAMDE nights without invoking chemical oxidation of GEM throughout the column, indicating a significant role of surface processes controlling deposition in these events. Surface deposition was enhanced under NAMDE nights, though uptake to dew likely represents less than one-fifth of this enhanced deposition. Instead, enhancement of the surface GEM gradient as a result of oxidation at the surface in the presence of dew is hypothesised to be responsible for a large portion of GEM depletion during these particular events. GEM emission pulses following nights with significant deposition provide evidence for the prompt recycling of 17 % of deposited mercury, with the remaining portion retained in surface sinks. The long-term impacts of any sinks are however likely to be minimal, as cumulative GEM flux across the study period was close to zero.
The Convective Precipitation Experiment (COPE)

by DaviD C. Leon, Jeffrey r. frenCh, Sonia LaSher-Trapp, aLan M. bLyTh, STeven J. abeL, SuSan baLLarD, anDrew barreTT, LinDSay J. benneTT, KeiTh bower, barbara brooKS, phiL brown, CriSTina CharLTon-perez, ThoMaS ChouLarTon, peTer CLarK, ChriS CoLLier, JonaThan CroSier, zhiqiang Cui, SeonaiD Dey, DaviD DufTon, ChLoe eagLe, MiChaeL J. fLynn, MarTin gaLLagher, CaroL haLLiweLL, KirSTy hanLey, Lee hawKneSS-SMiTh, yahui huang, graeMe KeLLy, MaLCoLM KiTChen, aLexei KoroLev, huMphrey Lean, zixia Liu, John MarShaM, DanieL MoSer, John niCoL, eMiLy g. norTon, DaviD pLuMMer, JereMy priCe, hugo riCKeTTS, nigeL roberTS, phiL D. roSenberg, DaviD SiMonin, JonaThan w. TayLor, roberT warren, pauL i. wiLLiaMS, anD giLLian young
Intellectual Property in Mexican Small Business: An Empirical Research

Intellectual property is an important topic that has been usually analyzed in big enterprises from developed countries but it has been overlooked a lot in its analysis and discussion within the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from both developed and economically emergent countries even when they represent more than 98% of all enterprises, provide jobs to more than 50% of the labor force and produce more than 50% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any country. Thus, the main goal of this empirical research is the measurement of intellectual property in small and medium-sized enterprises through three factors: patents, brand registration and image investment by considering a sample of 125 enterprises established in Aguascalientes State (Mexico). The results obtained show that patents, brand registration and image investment seem to be good measurements of intellectual property in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Gender Perspectives On The Optimization Of The Interdisciplinary Course Curriculum “Introduction To Electrical Engineering For Non Majors”

This paper is the outcome of a project that evaluates and improves the curriculum and teaching approach to the interdisciplinary course “Introduction to Electrical Engineering (EE) for non-EE majors” that is taught as a service course at Michigan Technological University, and has equivalents in almost all engineering schools nationally. In order to specify the general and special needs of all non-EE majors and form a curriculum, a comprehensive survey was designed and distributed to universities and industry. This paper analyses the survey in detail to compare the perspectives of female and male respondents. Specifically, we analyze the impact of prior experience such as research and coop/internship on how women rate the importance of different curriculum topics. The results show that there are statistically significant differences on 22% of the curriculum topics surveyed. These differences are more critical for females than men. The results will help the development of curriculum content and instructional strategies that are responsive to gender differences. The topic is of crucial importance because of the national concern about the recruitment, retention, and performance of women in the engineering fields.
The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of angelica (Heracleum persicum) fruit on performance, immune responses, small intestine histology, haematological parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of hydroalcoholic extract of Heracleum Persicum fruit (HPE) on performance, immune responses, small intestine morphology, haematological parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 300 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates of 12 chicks each. The treatments were comprised of a corn-soybean meal base diet supplemented with five levels of HPE at 0(control), 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg diet. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was increased by 100 mg/kg of HPE comparing to control group during 11–24 d (p < 0.05). HPE at the levels of 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg, decreased (p < 0.05) serum cholesterol comparing to control group and showed a linear response to different levels of HPE (p = 0.0007). Also, LDL was decreased by 300 mg/kg of HPE (p < 0.05). The villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) was increased by 400 mg/kg of HPE, comparing to control group at 42 d (p < 0.05). Also, this ratio showed a linear response to different levels of HPE (p = 0.007). The results of this study indicated that HPE improves performance and intestine morphometrical and haematological parameters of broiler chickens.
Choice Between Two Discrimination Tasks in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of cognitive effort on a chimpanzee's choice between discrimination tasks. The tasks were of the matching-to-sample type. In Experiment 1, the chimpanzee was required to choose between a task providing a high reinforcement rate with high cognitive effort and a task providing a low reinforcement rate with low cognitive effort. Her choice depended on the reinforcement rate more than the cognitive effort. Experiments 2, 3, and 4 examined whether the kind of cognitive effort influenced the chimpanzee's choice. Experiment 2 manipulated the sample-choice relationship, so-called symmetry in the matching-to-sample tasks. Experiment 3 manipulated the number of comparison stimuli. Experiment 4 manipulated the delay interval between the sample and the comparison stimuli. In Experiments 2 and 3, the effects of the cognitive effort were confounded with those of the reinforcement rates. However, in one condition of Experiment 4, the chimpanzee preferred the simultaneous task to the delayed task, despite the lack of a significant difference in reinforcement rates between the two tasks. The present study demonstrated that the chimpanzee's choice of discrimination task depended on the cognitive effort involved, in addition to the reinforcement rate.
Multiscale chemical heterogeneities beneath the eastern Southwest Indian Ridge (52°E–68°E): Trace element compositions of along‐axis dredged peridotites

The Southwest Indian Ridge is characterized by frequent outcrops of mantle rocks in a very slow spreading context. In situ measurements of trace element concentrations in pyroxenes of these rocks, and associated petrogenetic modeling, are reported. Overall, the measured compositions cover the whole range typically observed for abyssal peridotites. The greatest subkilometer‐scale compositional variability is observed in the region east of the Melville fracture zone. The best explanation for the observed variability is given by concurrent melting and migration of melts strongly enriched in the most incompatible rare earth elements, such as those produced by a garnet‐bearing source, or by refertilization with mixed garnet‐ and spinel‐derived partially aggregated melts. Because the regionally associated basalts bear no “garnet signature” in their chemical compositions, we conclude that the residual mantle preserves the signature of a mantle source component that does not appear in the erupted magmas. Comparison between along‐axis variations of basalt isotopic compositions and peridotite chemical compositions suggests that local isotopic enrichments displayed by some basalts can be associated with the “garnet signature” in the peridotite and that our sampling represents only a fraction of the global variability of the subaxial mantle. To the west of the Melville fracture zone, samples are more depleted and homogeneous at dredge scale. In addition to containing enriched components, petrologic modeling indicates that the peridotitic mantle beneath the entire section underwent (previous? ) partial melting in the garnet stability field before melting at lower pressures.
Evaluation of lower extremity perfusion in organ scintigraphy in patients who are planned for amputation

Giris: Alt ekstremitelerin amputasyonuna karar vermede tek bir yontem yeterli degildir. Bu nedenle, calismamizda, alt ekstermite degerlendirilmesinde Organ Perfuzyon Sintigrafisinin(OPS) katkisi arastirildi. Yontem: Calismamiz retrospektif olarak duzenlenmis olup klinigimize Ortopedi Klinigi tarafindan amputasyon oncesi degerlendirme amacli basvuran ve Tc-99m sestamibi organ perfuzyon sintigrafisi yapilmis hastalar incelendi. Arastirmaya total olarak 21 hasta (18 erkek ve 3 kadin, yas ortalamalari 67,2 ± 10,6) dahil edildi. Hastalarin Tc-99m sestamibi Organ Perfuzyon Sintigrafisi sonuclari ile diger inceleme yontemleri (Dopler USG ve BTAnjio) ile karsilik olarak degerlendirildi. Istatiksel olarak OPS'nin tani degeri diger inceleme yontemleri ile karsilastirildi. Bulgular: Her iki gruptaki hastalar arasinda demografik veriler, risk faktorleri ve eslik eden hastaliklar acisindan istatistiksel olarak anlamli fark yoktu. Yirmi bir hastaya hem OPS hem de DUSG uygulanirken, sadece onbir hastada CTA yapildi. Degerlendirmeler sonucunda, 21 hastanin 5'inde amputasyon gerceklestirildi. Ampute edilen hastalarin her uc testinde de sonuclar pozitif saptandi. Sonuc: Periferik arter hastaliginin fonksiyonel bir sorun oldugu goz onune alinirsa agirlikli morfolojik ve sinirli hemodinamik verilerin klinik degerlendirme acisindan yetersiz oldugu ve bu nedenle de fizyolojik ve fonksiyonel inceleme yontemlerine ihtiyac bulundugu anlasilmaktadir. Bu nedenle de OPS ozellikte alt ekstreme perfuzyonun degerlerlendirilmesinde ozellikle amputasyon planlanan hastalarda ilave olarak faydalanilabilecek degerli bir nukleer tip yontemidir.