Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Compact Dual-Band Antenna for Wireless Body-Area Network Applications

A novel compact dual-band antenna for wireless body-area network (WBAN) is presented. The miniaturization is realized by bisecting a quadrant circular microstrip antenna along the fictitious magnetic wall, while the electric field distribution at 2.45 GHz is preserved. By slitting an open-ended quarter-wavelength slot, a second resonant mode at 5.8 GHz is excited. The proposed antenna is fabricated and measured both in free space and on-body. Enhancement in bandwidth and radiation patterns is observed for on-body performance compared to that in free-space. Measured fractional bandwidths of 1.2% and 2.0% are obtained at the two bands, respectively, when the antenna is mounted on-body, along with the corresponding simulated radiation efficiency values of 60% and 76%. The robust on-body performance reveals the proposed antenna as a good candidate for low-data-rate WBAN applications.
The effects of ownership structure on asset restructuring performance

This study examined the relationship between firm characteristics such as board of directors' ownership (BODOWN), institutional ownership (INSOWN), concentrated ownership (CONOWN), debt ratio and levels of diversification which had been identified in the literature as the determinants of corporate restructuring and corporate performance before and after restructuring. Ninety six asset restructuring (AR) firms listed on the Bursa Malaysia (formerly known as Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchanges) between 1990 and 2002 were selected as the final samples. Prior to AR, BODOWN had significant negative relationship while INSOWN had significant positive relationship with performance. The findings also revealed that the ownership structure had significant relationship with performance following AR. However, only BODOWN had significant positive relationship with performance in post restructuring period. In conclusion, in Malaysia, the firm's ownership structure played a role in determining performance following AR.
An Optimal Cost Effectiveness Study on Zimbabwe Cholera Seasonal Data from 2008–2011

Incidence of cholera outbreak is a serious issue in underdeveloped and developing countries. In Zimbabwe, after the massive outbreak in 2008–09, cholera cases and deaths are reported every year from some provinces. Substantial number of reported cholera cases in some provinces during and after the epidemic in 2008–09 indicates a plausible presence of seasonality in cholera incidence in those regions. We formulate a compartmental mathematical model with periodic slow-fast transmission rate to study such recurrent occurrences and fitted the model to cumulative cholera cases and deaths for different provinces of Zimbabwe from the beginning of cholera outbreak in 2008–09 to June 2011. Daily and weekly reported cholera incidence data were collected from Zimbabwe epidemiological bulletin, Zimbabwe Daily cholera updates and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Zimbabwe (OCHA, Zimbabwe). For each province, the basic reproduction number () in periodic environment is estimated. To the best of our knowledge, this is probably a pioneering attempt to estimate in periodic environment using real-life data set of cholera epidemic for Zimbabwe. Our estimates of agree with the previous estimate for some provinces but differ significantly for Bulawayo, Mashonaland West, Manicaland, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North. Seasonal trend in cholera incidence is observed in Harare, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Manicaland and Matabeleland South. Our result suggests that, slow transmission is a dominating factor for cholera transmission in most of these provinces. Our model projects cholera cases and cholera deaths during the end of the epidemic in 2008–09 to January 1, 2012. We also determine an optimal cost-effective control strategy among the four government undertaken interventions namely promoting hand-hygiene & clean water distribution, vaccination, treatment and sanitation for each province.
Uncovering the Benefit of High-Frequency Data in Portfolio Allocation

In previous studies, high-frequency data has been used to improve portfolio allocation by estimating the full realized covariance matrix. In this paper, we show that strategies using high-frequency data for measuring and forecasting univariate realized volatility alone can already generate statistically significant and economically tangible benefits compared to low-frequency strategies. Most importantly, however, high-frequency data also allow us to separate realized volatility into different components and construct realized higher moments. Strategies using upside and downside volatility components as well as realized skewness are shown to reveal additional information and deliver incremental economic benefits over strategies using total realized volatility alone.
Real Balance Effects and Monetary Policy

This article presents a dynamic stochastic new Keynesian model with real balance effects. I find a number of results that would not appear in the traditional framework. It is shown that the real balance effect makes the so-called Taylor principle not necessary for determinacy of rational expectations equilibrium and that "passive" monetary rules may be feasible. In addition, within a class of policy rules constrained to be a linear function of state variables, "active" interest rate rules are more likely to be optimal under commitment rather than under discretion. (JEL E52, E58) Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
The Social and Organizational Consequences of the Implementation of Electronic Data Interchange Systems: Reinforcing Existing Power Relations or a Contested Domain?

This paper is based on a survey of UK firms making use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), and deals with the social and organizational consequences stemming from the adoption of these systems. It was found that a major factor impelling the adoption of EDI systems was pressure from major customers rather than a desire to streamline work organization. However, they do represent a capital intensification of work in the areas of purchasing and supply. This may ultimately erode the position of the less skilled incumbents of the lower job bands, standardizing functions, and, over the medium and long terms, may facilitate downsizing. It is concluded that, above all, EDI represents a strengthening of existing power relationships and imbalances between organizations, a process which opens up few opportunities for the empowerment of the rank-and-file within them.
Global socioeconomic carbon stocks in long-lived products 1900–2008

A better understanding of the global carbon cycle as well as of climate change mitigation options such as carbon sequestration requires the quantification of natural and socioeconomic stocks and flows of carbon. A so-far under-researched aspect of the global carbon budget is the accumulation of carbon in long-lived products such as buildings and furniture. We present a comprehensive assessment of global socioeconomic carbon stocks and the corresponding in- and outflows during the period 1900–2008. These data allowed calculation of the annual carbon sink in socioeconomic stocks during this period. The study covers the most important socioeconomic carbon fractions, i.e. wood, bitumen, plastic and cereals. Our assessment was mainly based on production and consumption data for plastic, bitumen and wood products and the respective fractions remaining in stocks in any given year. Global socioeconomic carbon stocks were 2.3 GtC in 1900 and increased to 11.5 GtC in 2008. The share of wood in total C stocks fell from 97% in 1900 to 60% in 2008, while the shares of plastic and bitumen increased to 16% and 22%, respectively. The rate of gross carbon sequestration in socioeconomic stocks increased from 17 MtC yr−1 in 1900 to a maximum of 247 MtC yr−1 in 2007, corresponding to 2.2%–3.4% of global fossil-fuel-related carbon emissions. We conclude that while socioeconomic carbon stocks are not negligible, their growth over time is not a major climate change mitigation option and there is an only modest potential to mitigate climate change by the increase of socioeconomic carbon stocks.
Causality and Feedback Between Institutional Measures and Economic Growth

Recent cross-section studies have demonstrated a strong link between measures of corruption, bureaucratic quality, property rights, and other institutional variables, and economic growth. In this paper we build on previous research and present some empirical evidence on the direction of causality between institutional measures and growth. It appears that the poorer the country, and the longer the wait, the higher the influence of institutional quality on economic growth. However, we also show the existence of reverse causality. Indeed, it appears that economic growth also causes institutional quality. Copyright 2000 Blackwell Publishers Ltd.
Romantic Relationships among Young Adults: An Attachment Perspective

The present study used adult attachment as a theoretical framework to investigate individual differences in young adults’ romantic relationships. Emphasis was put on studying the relational aspects of the self and coping strategies in an attempt to better understand how romantic partners feel about themselves and how they subsequently behave in periods of conflict. The sample comprised undergraduate university students (N=377) who responded to a self report questionnaire in English. Most findings were consistent with the proposed hypotheses. Results indicated that anxious individuals tend to report an ambivalent coping style and that fearful individuals were most vulnerable to health risks such as depression. Gender differences were also explored and results showed for instance that women generally tend to seek more support, and men might be more dismissing than women.
Interaction between price, quality and country of origin when estimating automobile demand: the case of Turkey

We estimate the demand for new automobiles in Turkey immediately following its entry to Custom Union with the European Union in 1996. We use quarterly data on price, quantity, quality, country of origin and product characteristics of the new automobile sales market and macroeconomic variables to estimate market demand during 1996–1999 using dynamic Generalized Least Squares Estimation method. In addition to including quality, we also include country of origin, to serve as another proxy for quality and to capture differences in cost-increasing and demand-reducing trade restrictions imposed on cars from certain countries as well as taste differences. Our results indicate that country of origin as well as quality matter for automobile demand in Turkey. Consistent with other aggregate automobile demand models for other countries, the demand for new automobiles is found to be price inelastic in the short run.
Examining the role of job resources on work engagement in the academic setting

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between job resources, namely autonomy, social support andperformance feedback and work engagement. Data were gathered through questionnaire from a sample ofacademicians (n = 532) who worked in four public universities (Mu’tah University, The University of Jordan,The Hashemite University and Yarmouk University) located in the southern, middle and northern region ofJordan. Results indicate that autonomy, social support and performance feedback were a significant factor ininfluencing academicians work engagement. These findings generally supported past findings, which suggestedthat employees are more likely to engage with their work if they are given the autonomy, social support andperformance feedback. The findings were discussed and implications were also put forward.
Human capital in Spain: an estimate of educational attainment

In this article an alternative methodology is proposed for obtaining long time-series data for a human capital indicator based on the average number of years of education of the working-age population. In contrast to previous studies, we use Labour Force Survey microdata relating to the level of education actually completed, in order to construct temporal profiles of educational attainment and thus avoid the need to interpolate from censuses. To illustrate the method proposed, we evaluate the average number of years of education of the Spanish working-age population for the period 1910 to 2000.
Breast feeding and acute lower respiratory infection

The association between breast feeding and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) was studied in a case‐control study in southern Italy. Two groups of children were studied: the first group comprised 73 infants, aged 0–6 months, whose diagnosis was pneumonia or bronchiolitis; the second group included 88 infants less than 12 months of age with a diagnosis of pertussis‐like illness. Control infants were two groups of infants admitted to the same ward. Compared with controls, infants in the first group were less likely to have been breast fed (odds ratio 0.42, 95% CI 0.19–0.90). The protection conferred by breast feeding was stronger among infants who were receiving human milk at the time of admission (odds ratio 0.22, 95% CI 0.09–0.55) and was absent among those infants who had stopped breast feeding for two or more weeks before admission. Among infants who were severely ill, breast feeding was less likely than among those with milder illnesses. There was evidence in the stratified analysis of effect modification by the presence of other children in the family. Among the infants with pertussis‐like illness, the incidence and duration of breast feeding were not different compared with controls. The results suggest that breast feeding has a strong protective effect against ALRI in industrialized countries also. No protection seems to be conferred by human milk against pertussis‐like illness.
The relationships of high energy phosphates, tissue pH, and regional blood flow to diastolic distensibility in the ischemic dog myocardium.

Myocardial ischemia due to increased oxygen demand (pacing tachycardia plus critical coronary stenoses) alters diastolic distensibility and relaxation more than ischemia of comparable duration due to coronary occlusion. To investigate the relationship between myocardial diastolic function and metabolism, we compared myocardial high energy phosphate content, tissue pH, and regional blood flow for these two types of ischemia in anesthetized open-chest dogs. Myocardial biopsies were done with a high-speed air-turbine biopsy drill, permitting rapid (less than 1-second) freezing of tissue samples from both nonischemic and ischemic areas, while myocardial pH was measured with a hydrogen ion-selective polymer membrane implanted in the subendocardium. After 3 minutes of pacing tachycardia in dogs with critical coronary stenoses (demand-type ischemia, n = 14), regional systolic function (% segment shortening by ultrasonic crystals) was mildly depressed (from 19 +/- 2% control to 13 +/- 2% post-pacing, P less than 0.01), while left ventricular diastolic pressure-segment length relations shifted upward, indicating decreased distensibility of the ischemic myocardial segment. Associated with these changes in function, subendocardial adenosine triphosphate decreased (from 31.3 +/- 1.5 to 27.9 +/- 1.0 nmol/mg protein, P less than 0.01), as did creatine phosphate (53.8 +/- 2.1 to 39.6 +/- 2.5 nmol/mg protein, P less than 0.01), while myocardial pH declined slightly (delta pH = -0.14 +/- 0.02, P less than 0.01). In contrast, at 3 minutes of coronary artery occlusion (primary ischemia, n = 14), regional segment shortening was replaced by systolic bulging (% shortening decreased from 17 +/- 2% to -2 +/- 1% during occlusion, P less than 0.01), while left ventricular pressure-segment length relations were not shifted upward, and there was no decrease in diastolic distensibility of the ischemic segment. With coronary artery occlusion, subendocardial adenosine triphosphate declined slightly (33.2 +/- 0.5 to 29.2 +/- 2.0 nmol/mg, P less than 0.05), while creatine phosphate decreased substantially (51.1 +/- 2.3 to 7.8 +/- 1.4 nmol/mg protein, P less than 0.01). Myocardial pH fell strikingly (delta pH = -0.33 +/- 0.03, P less than 0.01), and the decline was 236% of that seen with demand-type ischemia. Regional myocardial blood flow (microsphere technique) showed a decreased endocardial:epicardial (endo:epi) ratio (1.04 +/- 0.04 control vs. 0.40 +/- 0.05 during pacing, P less than 0.01) and absolute subendocardial flow (1.02 +/- 0.47 to 0.47 +/- 0.05 ml/min per g, P less than 0.01) with demand-type ischemia. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Nicotinic acid timed to feeding reverses tissue lipid accumulation and improves glucose control in obese Zucker rats[S]

Nicotinic acid (NiAc) is a potent inhibitor of lipolysis, acutely reducing plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations. However, a major FFA rebound is seen during rapid NiAc washout, and sustained exposure is associated with tolerance development, with FFAs returning to pretreatment levels. Our aim was to find a rational NiAc dosing regimen that preserves FFA lowering, sufficient to reverse nonadipose tissue lipid accumulation and improve metabolic control, in obese Zucker rats. We compared feeding-period versus fasting-period NiAc dosing for 5 days: 12 h subcutaneous infusion (programmable, implantable mini-pumps) terminated by gradual withdrawal. It was found that NiAc timed to feeding decreased triglycerides in liver (−47%; P < 0.01) and heart (−38%; P < 0.05) and reduced plasma fructosamine versus vehicle. During oral glucose tolerance test, plasma FFA levels were reduced with amelioration of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Furthermore, timing NiAc to feeding resulted in a general downregulation of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) genes in liver. By contrast, NiAc timed to fasting did not reduce tissue lipids, ameliorate glucose intolerance or dyslipidemia, or alter hepatic DNL genes. In conclusion, NiAc dosing regimen has a major impact on metabolic control in obese Zucker rats. Specifically, a well-defined NiAc exposure, timed to feeding periods, profoundly improves the metabolic phenotype of this animal model.
Token Frequency Effects in Homophone Production: An Elicitation Study

In natural production, adults differentiate homophones prosodically as a function of the frequency of their intended meaning. This study compares adult and child productions of homophones to determine whether prosodic differentiation of homophones changes over development. Using a picture-based story-completion paradigm, isolated tokens of homophones were elicited from English-learning children and adult native English speakers. These tokens were measured for duration, vowel duration, pitch, pitch range, and vowel quality. Results indicate that less frequent meanings of homophones are longer in duration than their more frequent counterparts in both adults and children. No other measurement differed as a function of meaning frequency. As speakers of all ages produce longer tokens of lower frequency homophones, homophone differentiation does not change over development, but is included in children’s early lexicons. These findings indicate that production planning processes alone may not fully account for differences in homophone duration, but rather that the differences could be learned and represented from experience even in the early stages of lexical acquisition.
Sulfur volatiles from Allium spp. affect Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), response to citrus volatiles

Abstract The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, vectors Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) and Candidatus Liberibacter americanus (Lam), the presumed causal agents of huanglongbing. D. citri generally rely on olfaction and vision for detection of host cues. Plant volatiles from Allium spp. (Alliaceae) are known to repel several arthropod species. We examined the effect of garlic chive (A. tuberosum Rottl.) and wild onion (A. canadense L.) volatiles on D. citri behaviour in a two-port divided T-olfactometer. Citrus leaf volatiles attracted significantly more D. citri adults than clean air. Volatiles from crushed garlic chive leaves, garlic chive essential oil, garlic chive plants, wild onion plants and crushed wild onion leaves all repelled D. citri adults when compared with clean air, with the first two being significantly more repellent than the others. However, when tested with citrus volatiles, only crushed garlic chive leaves and garlic chive essential oil were repellent, and crushed wild onions leaves were not. Analysis of the headspace components of crushed garlic chive leaves and garlic chive essential oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that monosulfides, disulfides and trisulfides were the primary sulfur volatiles present. In general, trisulfides (dimethyl trisulfide) inhibited the response of D. citri to citrus volatiles more than disulfides (dimethyl disulfide, allyl methyl disulfide, allyl disulfide). Monosulfides did not affect the behaviour of D. citri adults. A blend of dimethyl trisulfide and dimethyl disulfide in 1:1 ratio showed an additive effect on inhibition of D. citri response to citrus volatiles. The plant volatiles from Allium spp. did not affect the behaviour of the D. citri ecto-parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston). Thus, Allium spp. or the tri- and di-sulphides could be integrated into management programmes for D. citri without affecting natural enemies.
The gap between the environmental attitudes and the environmental behaviour of small firms

Small firms are facing serious difficulties responding to environmental pressures. Due to their unique characteristics, small firms cannot be expected to employ scaled down solutions that have been developed by, and for, larger organizations. The indications are that the typical owner–managers of manufacturing and service small firms are struggling to bridge the gap between their environmental attitudes (aspirations) and their environmental behaviour (practices). Part of the problem would appear to be the domination of an outmoded paradigm that has created a set of values, personal and corporate, that is unable to cope with the environmental problems of today. However, the prognosis need not be pessimistic. There is evidence to suggest there are driving forces promoting change toward a more sustainable small firms sector. A number of emerging solutions offer ways to tackle the problem at the level of the firm, such as industrial ecology, and at the level of the institution, such as ecological modernization. The message remains that support for more extensive environmental education and training programmes and a much stronger regulatory framework would help to counteract the imbalance between the resistant forces and driving force that are presently widening the gap between small firm environmental attitudes and behaviour. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.