Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Does Advertising Affect Market Performance? The Case of Generic Advertising

The effect of advertising on market performance has been a long-standing debate. Advertising that increases the dispersion of consumers’ valuations for advertised goods raises the market power of firms, while advertising that decreases the dispersion of consumers’ valuations leads to narrower price-cost margins and superior performance in markets for advertised goods. Numerous challenges confound the empirical identification of advertising effects on market performance. This paper proposes a simple method that relies on the revealed preferences of firms participating in generic advertising programs. Generic advertising programs provide a unique window through which to observe advertising effects on market performance, because changes in the dispersion of consumers’ valuations systematically redistributes rents among firms according to observable characteristics on producer size. We examine producer attitudes towards generic advertising in the “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” campaign of the U.S. Beef Checkoff program and find the likelihood a producer favors an expansion of the advertising program increases in operating scale. This finding is consistent with advertising effects that have led to a decrease in the dispersion of consumers’ valuations for beef products and a commensurate increase in market performance.
Myopic versus Far-Sighted Behaviors in Dynamic Supply Chain Coordination through Advertising with Reference Price Effect

To better understand the different effects of the myopic and far-sighted behaviors on the advertising coordination in dynamic supply chain, this paper takes the reference price effect into consideration and formulates four differential game models for the two-level supply chain composed of a manufacturer and a retailer in the situation of Stackelberg game. In our models, the market demand is assumed to be affected by the goodwill, reference price, and the advertising investment, in which the advertising investment can promote the construction of goodwill and such goodwill can further enhance the reference price. The results show that the participating members in the supply chain should invest more in advertisement to improve the goodwill and the relative reference price reflected in the minds of consumers. A far-sighted manufacturer will invest more in the advertisement and charge a higher wholesale price regardless of the behavior choice of the retailer. However, such kind of ignorance leads to different results on the retail pricing strategies of the retailer. The numerical analyses are given in the end to verify the effectiveness of the conclusions which provide the theoretical support to the dynamic supply chain coordination in practice.
Asymmetric Monotone Comparative Statics for the Industry Compositions

Within a standard model of international trade with heterogeneous firms and two asymmetric countries, we derive sufficient conditions for monotone comparative statics (MCS) for the industry composition. This model outcome is defined as first-order stochastic dominance shifts in the equilibrium distributions of all activities across active firms. MCS for the industry composition occurs in a country which experiences a decline in its costs of serving the foreign market and meanwhile experiences an increase in its level of competition. In the other country, the industry-level implications are exactly opposite. These clear industry-level results hold while firms respond asymmetrically to the trade shock
Assessment of Waste Management Practices among Residents of Owerri Municipal Imo State Nigeria

Poor waste management has been a major problem to human existence and it affects both rural and urban areas. Various methods of waste disposal exist and this study assessed the waste man-agement practices among residents of Owerri Municipal, Imo state, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross sectional study in which a total of 282 residents of Owerri Municipal were selected by multistage sampling technique and studied using self and interviewer administered questionnaires. The results showed that 90% of respondents were aware of waste management while 97.5% had posi-tive attitude towards it. The major types of waste generated from households were food residues (97.1%) and vegetable products (95.4%). Also poor waste management practices among residents include open dumping, practiced by 66.3% of the residents and burning as practiced by 62.4% of respondents. The commonest means of waste transport to final disposal site was by wheel barrow. Gender and educational status of respondents significantly influenced their knowledge, attitude and practice of waste management (p < 0.05). Good waste management is pivotal to sustainable healthy living conditions in any environment. The residents of Owerri need health education, reg-ular supply of refuse collection facilities and designated final dump sites. These will encourage strict adherence to proper and appropriate waste management practices among them.
A unique variant of reverse segond fracture: A case report and review of literature

The case is a variant of reverse segond fracture which involves injury to the anterior tibial condylar region in addition to the usually involved posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. It further highlights the importance of recognizing a variation in the mechanism of injury required to produce such a rare fracture pattern and effective management in order to improve functional outcome.
VEGF-Mediated Signal Transduction in Tumor Angiogenesis

The vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF) plays a crucial role in tumor angiogenesis. Through its primary receptor VEGFR-2, VEGF exerts the activity of a multitasking cytokine, which is able to stimulate endothelial cell survival, invasion and migration into surrounding tissues, proliferation, as well as vascular permeability and inflammation. The core components of VEGF signaling delineate well-defined intracellular routes. However, the whole scenario is complicated by the fact that cascades of signals converge and branch at many points in VEGF signaling, thus depicting a complex signal transduction network that is also finely regulated by different mechanisms. In this chapter, we present a careful collection of the best-characterized VEGF-induced signal transduction pathways, attempting to offer an overview of the complexity of VEGF signaling in the context of tumor angiogenesis.
Every Entangled Stuff Has Its Own Avatar

During the last century, entanglement was the bone of contention between the two main pillars of Physics: General Relativity (GR) and Quantum Mechanics (QM). This began in 1935 with the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox (EPR paradox) which concluded that although Quantum Mechanics is not wrong, it is an incomplete theory to represent physical reality. In this paper it is demonstrated that some byproducts resulting from entanglement and which we will call avatars act as a hinge that link both theories making the completeness of QM clear. Moreover, a thorough analysis of the non-locality of this effect will be carried out. Besides, it is demonstrated that entanglement is an instantaneous phenomenon and that it does not require the use of a superluminal signaling for this purpose. Finally, the avatars will also appear in each wormhole resulting from an entanglement process (WREP) demonstrating that they are traversable with an equivalent path of null length which can be crossed in a null time with all that this implies in Quantum Communications.
The Distribution of Legal Traditions around the World: A Contribution to the Legal-Origins Theory

The distribution of the common law was conditioned by a colonial strategy sensitive to the colonies’ level of endowments, exhibiting a more effective implantation of the legal system in initially sparsely populated territories with a temperate climate. This translates into a negative relationship of precolonial population density and settler mortality with legal outcomes for common-law countries. By contrast, the implantation of the French civil law was not systematically influenced by initial conditions, which is reflected in the lack of such a relationship for this legal family. The common law does not generally lead to legal outcomes superior to those provided by the French civil law when precolonial population density and/or settler mortality are high. The form of colonial rule in British colonies is found to mediate between precolonial endowments and postcolonial legal outcomes.
Improving empirical aftershock modeling based on additional source information

[1] Several mechanisms are proposed to underlie earthquake triggering including static stress interactions and dynamic stress transfer. Significant differences of these mechanisms are particularly expected in the spatial distribution of aftershocks. However, testing the different hypotheses is challenging because it requires the consideration of the large uncertainties involved in stress calculations as well as the appropriate consideration of secondary aftershock triggering which is related to stress changes induced by smaller pre- and aftershocks. In order to evaluate the forecast capability of different mechanisms, we take the effect of smaller-magnitude earthquakes into account by using the epidemic type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model where the spatial probability distribution of direct aftershocks, if available, is correlated to alternative source information and mechanisms. We test surface shaking, rupture geometry, and slip distributions. As an approximation of the shaking level, we use ShakeMap data which are available in near real-time after a main shock and thus could be used for first-order forecasts of the spatial aftershock distribution. Alternatively, we test the use of empirical decay laws related to minimum fault distance and Coulomb stress change calculations based on published and random slip models. For comparison, we analyze the likelihood values of the different model combinations in the case of several well-known aftershock sequences (1992 Landers, 1999 Hector Mine, 2004 Parkfield). Our test shows that the fault geometry is the most valuable information for improving aftershock forecasts. Furthermore, we find that static stress maps can additionally improve the forecasts of off-fault aftershock locations, while the integration of ground shaking data could not upgrade the results significantly.
Glacier shrinkage and climatic change in the Russian Altai from the mid-20th century: An assessment using remote sensing and PRECIS regional climate model

individual areas not less than 0.5 km 2 in 1952 revealed a 19.7 ± 5.8% reduction. The observed glacier retreat is primarily driven by an increase in summer temperatures since the 1980s when air temperatures were increasing at a rate of 0.10–0.13°C a �1 at the glacier tongue elevation. The regional climate projections for A2 and B2 CO2 emission scenarios developed using PRECIS regional climate model indicate that summer temperatures will increase in the Altai in 2071–2100 by 6–7°C and 3–5°C respectively in comparison with 1961–1990 while annual precipitation will increase by 15% and 5%. The length of the ablation season will extend from June–August to the late April–early October. The projected increases in precipitation will not compensate for the projected warming and glaciers will continue to retreat in the 21st century under both B2 and A2 scenarios.
Role of mean platelet volume (MPV) in diagnosing categories of thrombocytopenia

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia (TCP) is a common clinical problem and its etiology varies widely. Automated hematology analyzers have contributed to more accurate, precise, and faster results. Platelet indices including mean platelet volume (MPV) offer valuable information about the morphology and maturity of platelets. But MPV has not been used commonly for diagnosing the cause of TCP. Thus we undertook this study to ascertain the correlation between MPV and the cause of TCP. Methods: 510 cases of thrombocytopenia and 500 cases of Control group with normal platelet count were included in the study. TCP was defined as platelet counts below 1.5 lacs/cumm. Hematological analysis was done on Mindray BC-3000 plus automated hematology analyzer with blood collected in K-EDTA blub. All cases were reevaluated by peripheral examination. Only those cases were included in the study which showed platelet count and platelet volume parameters with graph both in cases and control group. Result: Group A with hyperdestruction showed increased value of MPV (10.46 fl) when compared with hypoproduction Group B (8.7 fl) and abnormal pooling Group C (8.15 fl) and with the control group (9.5 fl). All the three groups showed statistically significant difference in comparison to control. There was no significant difference between the mean platelet count between the control group and the three groups. Conclusion: MPV is a sensitive and reliable indicator for diagnosis of thrombocytopenia due to various causes. More attention should be paid to MPV along with other platelet indices to differentiate between hyperdestructive TCP from hypoproductive and abnormal pooling TCP.
Effect of Cavity Vacuum Pressure Diminution on Thermal Performance of Triple Vacuum Glazing

Long-term durability of the vacuum edge seal plays a significant part in retrofitting triple vacuum glazing (TVG) to existing buildings in achieving progress towards a zero-energy building (ZEB) target. Vacuum pressure decrement with respect to time between panes affects the thermal efficiency of TVG. This study reports a 3D finite element model, with validated mathematical methods and comparison, for the assessment of the influence of vacuum pressure diminution on the thermal transmittance (U value) of TVG. The centre-of-pane and total U values of TVG are calculated to be 0.28 Wm−2 K−1 and 0.94 Wm−2 K−1 at the cavity vacuum pressure of 0.001 Pa. The results suggest that a rise in cavity pressure from 0.001 Pa to 100 kPa increases the centre-of-pane and total U values from 0.28 Wm−2 K−1 and 0.94 Wm−2 K−1 to 2.4 Wm−2 K−1 and 2.58 Wm−2 K−1, respectively. The temperature descent on the surfaces of TVG between hot and cold sides increases by decreasing the cavity vacuum pressure from 50 kPa to 0.001 Pa. Nonevaporable getters will maintain the cavity vacuum pressure of 0.001 Pa for over 20 years of life span in the cavity of 10-mm wide edge-sealed triple vacuum glazing, and enable the long-term durability of TVG.
A Critical Meta-analytic Exploration of Birth Order Effect on L1 Onset Time of Speaking and Language Development Progression; Is the Pointer towards First or Later Borns?

Among the various underlying issues behind First Language (L1) acquisition processes, child Birth Order (BO) effect is one of the recent revitalized enquires of research of the 1900s but is confounding with many contradictory results in the literature. In this research, the intention was to elucidate if first-born or later-born children typically outperform in their language development processes. To this end, a systematic meta-analytic examination of child BO from 1970 to 2014 was undertaken in major related databases including TIRF, CHILDES, John Wiley, Taylor & Francis, PubMed and Science Direct. Studies in which language development had been mapped on BO effect and published from 1970 were included and the rest excluded from initial data collection. Finally, the research outcomes in which BO effects had been claimed to have caused delayed language development among either of the groups mentioned above have been discussed critically to explicate the existing contradictory findings.
Probing Dirac Fermions in Graphene by Scanning Tunneling Probes

Graphene is a two dimensional system which can be studied using surface probe techniques such as scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Combining the two, one can learn about the surface morphology as well as about its electronic properties. In this chapter we present a brief review of experimental results obtained on graphene supported on substrates with varying degrees of disorder. In the first part we focus on the electronic properties of single layer graphene without a magnetic field as well as in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. The second part focuses on twisted graphene stacks and the effects of rotating away from the equilibrium Bernal stacking on the electronic properties.
What’s the Story with Children’s Literature? A Content Analysis of Children’s Literature Courses for Preservice Elementary Teachers

Developing knowledge and understandings related to children’s literature among preservice elementary teachers is a vital component of teacher preparation that should be addressed in a required course. The purpose of the present study was to identify essential learning outcomes addressed in children’s literature courses that were required coursework among elementary teacher preparation programs located in Texas. The goal was to determine to what extent current teacher preparation practices aligned with professional recommendations from recognized experts in the field. The present study employed a qualitative, directed content analysis approach that used purposeful sampling methods. Content analysis techniques identified codes and established themes that resulted in the identification of 306 distinct essential learning outcomes, which were categorized into nine themes. A discussion of findings was presented, and four implications for teacher educators and teacher preparation program stakeholders were described. Limitations of the present study were also noted, along with recommendations for future studies.
EFFECTIVENESS OF AMPHIBIAN MONITORING TECHNIQUES IN A TAIWANESE SUBTROPICAL FOREST

We compared the effectiveness of three techniques for surveying frogs in four different habitats in a subtropical area of Taiwan. We conducted surveys biweekly from July 2000 to July 2001 employing three sampling techniques (nocturnal line-transects, automated recording systems, and side-flap pail-traps) concurrently in each of four habitats (temporary pond, permanent pond, ephemeral stream, and permanent marsh). We detected 22 species of anurans from five families, representing 76% of the anuran species found in Taiwan. Line-transect sampling and automated recorders detected 22 and 20 species respectively, with an average of 12.3±3.2 (mean±SD) and 10.4±3.5 species per survey. In contrast, traps only captured 11 species, with an average of 2.1±1.5 species per survey. Automated recorders were most effective at detecting hylids, rhacophorids, and microhylids that have loud calls and/or prolonged periods of calling. Recorders were less effective at detecting ranid and bufonid species that have relatively quiet calls.Traps were good at capturing most of the ranids, species that were usually missed with automated recorders. The combination of recorders and traps was equivalent to linetransect sampling, suggesting that these two techniques are a good alternative to nocturnal linetransect sampling, a technique that is difficult to use in remote areas and/or habitats that are inaccessible at night.
Social networking’s peril: Cognitive absorption, social networking usage, and depression

Social networking has become commonplace in today’s always-connected world. Due to this ubiquity, researchers have sought to explore the positive and negative effects that can result from usage of social networking. This research has shown many effects on an individual's psychological well-being, with one of the most concerning being mixed results of how usage relates to depression. In this study, we further examine the relationship between usage and depression for social networking users. In addition, we posit that aspects of cognitive absorption, namely temporal dissonance, focused immersion, and heightened enjoyment, have a direct effect on the amount of usage. A survey of 251 social networking users reveals that temporal dissociation and heightened enjoyment are associated with increased usage, and usage was found to be associated with greater levels of depression. Further, prior research has shown a significant difference between genders in Internet usage and social networking. Therefore, we report our findings as an overall analysis and as a gender-based between-groups analysis. This analysis shows that more variance is explained for females than males in most relationships. Implications for research and society are discussed along with future research directions.
PALEOECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF BENTHIC RECOVERY AFTER THE LATE PERMIAN MASS EXTINCTION EVENT IN EASTERN LOMBARDY, ITALY

Abstract The late Permian mass extinction was the most severe biotic crisis of the Phanerozoic, with associated environmental changes that included the expansion of hypoxic and anoxic conditions in shallow shelf settings. It has been hypothesized that wave aeration promoted oxygen transport to the seafloor providing a ‘habitable zone' in the shallowest marine environments that allowed the survival and rapid recovery of benthic invertebrates during the Early Triassic. We test this hypothesis by studying the rock and fossil records of the Lower Triassic Servino Formation, Italy. We also provide the first δ13Ccarb isotope curve, and present new occurrence data of stratigraphically important fossils (i.e., cf. Tirolites cassianus), to improve the stratigraphic framework of the Servino Formation. The low-diversity fossil assemblages of the Servino Formation have similar compositions to other western Paleotethyan localities. Facies analysis demonstrates that benthic invertebrates were restricted to wave-aerated settings, supporting the proposed ‘habitable zone' hypothesis. However, there is no evidence for rapid recovery in the ‘habitable zone' prior to the Spathian, which may indicate additional environmental stresses. In the lower Spathian Myophoria Beds Member, an increase in taxonomic and functional richness, the appearance of stenohaline, erect taxa, significant turnover, and increased heterogeneity in the composition of benthic assemblages indicate significant benthic recovery, which is attributed to reduced environmental stress. Prior to the late Spathian “Upper Member”, bioturbation is poorly developed and restricted to only a few thin horizons, but in the “Upper Member” the intensity of bioturbation and proportion of bioturbated rock increase. This change can be attributed to climatic cooling and a related decrease in environmental stress. This upper Spathian recovery pulse can now be traced across the western Paleotethys, in both nearshore and deep offshore (below wave base) settings.
Characteristics of a carbon nanotube field-effect transistor analyzed as a ballistic nanowire field-effect transistor

A general expression of the current–voltage characteristics of a ballistic nanowire field-effect transistor (FET) is derived. At T=0, the conductance, which is equal to the quantum conductance multiplied by the number of channels at zero bias, decreases stepwise toward current saturation as the drain bias is increased. The current–voltage characteristics of a single-wall carbon nanotube FET in ballistic conduction are discussed based on the band structure of the nanotube. When both the gate overdrive and the drain bias are equal to 1V, the device made of a (19,0) nanotube and a 2-nm high-k gate insulator (e=40e0) flows a current of 183μA, which amounts to a current density 48 times as large as the counterpart of a silicon device. The high performance originates from a high carrier density due to the enhanced gate capacitance, and a large carrier velocity caused by the large group velocity of the original graphene band. Quantum capacitance also plays an important role in the device’s characteristics.
The Orbit of the Visual Binary ADS 8630

Abstract Using the 35 speckle measurements performed with PISCO in Merate between 2004 and 2006, and some complementary new astrometric measures, we present a new orbit for the visual binary ADS 8630 = γ Vir. This new series of measurements was essential for constraining the 169 year-period orbit since it covers an arc of 130° in the apparent orbit and includes the periastron passage of 2005.