Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in Persistence Patterns Between Life and Physical Science Majors: The Role of Grades, Peers, and Preparation

Using longitudinal administrative data from a large elite research university, this paper separately analyzes the determinants of persistence for life and physical science majors. My results confirm much of the previous research on major persistence in the sciences, but I document that many findings are solely driven by persistence patterns in the physical sciences. For example, I show that the previously documented gender gap in science major persistence is due entirely to a large gap in the physical sciences. Despite large differences in persistence patterns between physical and life science, persistence in both fields is similarly influenced by grades. I provide suggestive evidence that students in both fields are “pulled away” by their high grades in non-science courses and “pushed out” by their low grades in their major field. In the physical sciences, analyses using within course and cohort variation show that peer quality in a student’s introductory courses has a lasting impact on the probability of persisting. ∗I would like to thank Ron Ehrenberg, George Jakubson, Joshua Price, Mirinda Martin, Doug Webber, Ken Whelan, and Carrie Ost for very helpful comments. I thank the Sloan Foundation for financial support. Also, I am indebted to the entire Institutional Research and Planning Department at Cornell University, and in particular Marin Clarkberg and Dan McGough for invaluable help with data.
Measurement of serum bile acids concentrations for diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease in cats.

Serum bile acid concentrations were measured after food had been withheld for 12 hours (fasting serum bile acid [FSBA] concentration) and 2 hours after a meal (post-prandial serum bile acid [PSBA] concentration) using a direct enzymatic procedure in 108 cats clinically suspected of having hepatobiliary disease. In all cats, liver tissue was examined histologically to confirm the diagnosis. Twenty-six cats did not have histologic evidence of hepatobiliary disease and served as controls. The remaining 82 cats had hepatobiliary disease including hepatic lipidosis (n = 20), portosystemic vascular anomaly (n = 24), hepatic necrosis (n =13), hepatic neoplasia (n = 8), or cholestatic hepatic disease(n = 17). Sensitivity and specificity of measuring FSBA and PSBA concentrations were calculated for each test alone and when results were interpreted in combination (ie, in series and in parallel), and were compared with sensitivity and specificity of routinely used serum biochemical tests, including measuring serum activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase, and measuring serum concentrations of cholesterol, BUN, and total bilirubin. When tests were considered individually, determination of FSBA and PSBA concentrations had higher specificity than did the other tests (using a cutoff of 15 mumol/L for FSBA concentration and of 20 mumol/L for PSBA concentration). Determination of PSBA concentration had the highest sensitivity of all single tests in cats with hepatic lipidosis, portosystemic vascular anomaly, or cholestasis; determination of alanine aminotransferase activity or PSBA concentration had the highest sensitivity for cats with hepatic necrosis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
First-principles calculations of electronic structure of rhodochrosite with impurity

The electronic structure of rhodochrosite containing impurity defects is studied by using the first principles density functional theory. The energy band structure, density of states and electronic distribution are calculated for rhodochrosite crystal models with various impurities (e.g., Cu, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe). This paper discusses the effects of such defects on the electronic structure of rhodochrosite. The calculation results show that the impurity defects have a great impact on the surface electrical properties of rhodochrosite. For example, Ca and Mg impurities reduce the semiconductor width of rhodochrosite. Both Ca and Mg atoms in orbital bonding act as electron donors in which Ca3p and Mg2p orbits provide electrons while O2p orbits receive electrons. Moreover, the more number of valence electrons of Mn is the weaker covalent interaction between Mn and O atoms will be. Meanwhile, decrease of the total energy of rhodochrosite, makes the structure more stable. When Fe, Zn and Cu impurities are contained, the forbidden gap becomes narrower, which improves the conductivity of rhodochrosite. In addition, impurity bands will be formed in the 3d orbits of rhodochrosite as shown in its density of states, and the number of electrons in 3d orbits will increase. This weakens the covalence of O atoms, decreases the population values of O-Mn, increases the bond length, and enhances the ionicity of O-Mn bonds. The impurity of all defects considered in this study have shown an improved conductivity of rhodochrosite, and increased hole concentration of Mn atoms, which will be of great benefit to the adsorption of anionic collectors and enhance the electrochemical properties for rhodochrosite flotation process.
Performance of Heuristic Algorithms in Designing Deformation Monitoring Networks

Deformation monitoring is a kind of continuous recording positions (horizontal and vertical coordinates) precisely regardless the deformation pattern and instrument used. In general, a deformation monitoring network can be designed using the trial and error method or analytical methods such as linear programming and nonlinear programming. Recently, a deformation monitoring network may also be designed by heuristic optimization algorithms such as Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Simulated Annealing (SA). In this paper, heuristic optimization algorithms such as SA and PSO are investigated to design the deformation monitoring networks. The results proved that both SA and PSO are able to determine an optimal design of deformation monitoring and these can used as alternative methods in place of the traditional optimization techniques with high efficiency.
Structure determination, vibrational bands and chemical shift assignments of 3-(4-(3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-3-methylcyclobutyl)thiazol-2-yl)-2-(o-tolyl)thiazolidin-4-one: A combined experimental and quantum chemical density-functional theory studies

This paper report is an analysis of the title compound by means of X-ray crystallography, FT-IR, NMR and DFT calculations, in the context of structural and spectral characterization. The crystal and molecular structures of the compound were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum was recorded in the range from 400 cm –1 to 4000 cm –1 . The 1 H and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were also recorded. DFT calculations were employed to support X-ray molecular geometry and calculate IR and NMR ( 1 H and 13 C) spectral bands. The structural (bond lengths, bond angles, torsion angles) and spectral (vibrational modes and chemical shifts) parameters obtained from DFT levels (B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-31G+(d,p)) were compared with experimental findings, and an excellent harmony between the two data was ascertained.
The Relationship of Brand Image and Service Quality on Student Loyalty of A University Shop

The study aimed is to examine the relationship of brand image and service quality towards student loyaltyin purchasing at a university shop, namely UniShop, in the southern state of Malaysia. By understandingstudent loyalty, the university management might encourage students to shop at the UniShop and generaterevenues within the campus. The decreasing sales of UniShop are affected by a hypermarket located withinwalking distance to the university in August 2017. From the literature, the entrance of multinationalcompanies might affect the small companies surrounding them, including UniShop which is a smallenterprise. Thus, the research examined student loyalty in purchasing at UniShop by distributingquestionnaires to the students of the university. The researchers used proportionate stratified randomsampling to generalize the finding across all semester students in the university. The findings showed thatbrand image and service quality played an important role in student loyalty. Students were the maincustomers of a university shop, contributed most of the shop’s business sustainability, and generate indirectincome to the university. In order to maintain student loyalty, UniShop has to take some initiatives includingto increase the scale of products, focuses on student-centered services, improve the shop layout, and sellexclusive university merchandise to increase the student's self-belonging to the university products. Keywords: brand image, service quality, student loyalty, university shop
Interactive comment on “On the social dynamics of moisture recycling” by Patrick W. Keys and Lan Wang-Erlandsson

RC Summary comments: This is a noble effort to develop and demonstrate a more substantial conceptual linkage between atmospheric water cycle research (based in the "precipitationshed" concept of the lead author) and the social and economic factors in the regions linked by these hydrologic connections. However, I feel there is quite a bit of room for improvement, even in this first attempt, in terms of clarity, consistency, and organization in the presentation. While the choice of the case studies is fine to illustrate the range of archetypes defined in the MRSES structure, the presentation is uneven, as I describe
Further Specifying the Cognitive Model of Depression: Situational Expectations and Global Cognitions as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms

Objectives: The cognitive model of depression assumes that depressive symptoms are influenced by dysfunctional cognitions. To further specify this model, the present study aimed to examine the influence of different types of cognitions on depressive symptoms, i.e., situational expectations and global cognitions. It was hypothesized that situational expectations predict depressive symptoms beyond global cognitions.Design: The present study examined a clinical (N = 91) and a healthy sample (N = 80) using longitudinal data with a baseline assessment and a follow-up five months later. Although the study was not designed as an interventional trial, participants from the clinical study received nonmanualized cognitive-behavioral treatment after the baseline assessment.Methods: We examined situational expectations, intermediate beliefs, dispositional optimism, and generalized expectancies for negative mood regulation as predictors of depressive symptoms. Hypotheses were tested using multiple hierarchical linear regression analyses.Results: Results indicate that, although there were significant correlations between the cognitive factors and depressive symptoms, in both samples neither global cognitions, nor situational expectations significantly predicted depressive symptoms at the five-month follow-up.Conclusions: The present study could, contrary to the hypotheses, not provide evidence for a significant impact of cognitive vulnerabilities on depressive symptoms, presumably due to high drop-out rates at follow-up. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are critically discussed.
The origin of oil palm social conflict in Laman Satong, Ketapang, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia

This research aims to describe the process and reveal the origin of social conflict in the incoming oil palm investment. Twelve Subjects are involved in this research, located in Laman Satong Village, Ketapang District, Kalimantan Barat Province, Indonesia in February-May 2019. The results showed that a threat to society's identity meaning which depends on the forest was an origin of social conflict. The incoming of oil palm investment was considered as a threat because of the limited formal communication channel, through socialization meetings This limitation indicated to slow down their stock of knowledge renewal, that related to their future fate. Thus, it creates worries that caused resistance and internal community conflict itself. Academically this research contributes to establishing the social conflict theory and stock of knowledge concept in terms of conflict in the incoming of oil palm investment.
Independent Cinema in the Digital Age: Is Digital Transformation the Only Way to Survival?

Development of digital technologies has resulted in the creative and cultural industries having to adapt business models in light of evolving consumer preferences. This paper aims to examine how independent cinemas can transform their delivery in light of the challenges posed by digital disruption, and more specifically, whether this has to focus entirely on digital transformation. This conceptual paper examines one independent cinema in Scotland, concluding that digitalisation should be used to complement existing activities, along with exploring other innovative business models. It is crucial to understand that the old-time patterns of running a business have irrevocably changed. DOI: 10.15458/ebr.88
World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist with Addition of Infection Control Items: Intervention Study in Egypt

BACKGROUND: Surgical team is in command of the operating room (OR) and takes decisions regarding various patient care procedures. Educational programs directed to them, should be creative, provocative and tailored to their specific needs and the expected outcomes. AIM: This study aims to design and conduct an educational program of patient safety and infection control for the OR team based on the WHO surgical safety checklist and to assess their post-intervention knowledge and practices. METHODS: This interventional study was conducted at the ORs of Port-said general hospital. It passed through three stages; baseline assessment of knowledge and practice regarding patient safety and infection control among OR team (surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses), intervention stage in which an educational program based on the WHO surgical safety checklist with modifications and additions of more infection control items was conducted, then re-assessment of their post-intervention knowledge and practices. RESULTS: All the studied participants showed improvement in both knowledge and practices of patient safety and infection control after the educational program based on the WHO surgical safety checklist with modifications and additions of more infection control items and including not only practices but also knowledge as well, than before. CONCLUSION: The modification of the WHO surgical safety checklist to fit local knowledge and practices created a comprehensive tool that led to an improvement in both knowledge and practices of patient safety and infection control among the OR team.
Watershed-Based Evaluation of Automatic Sensor Data: Water Quality and Hydroclimatic Relationships

Water is a fundamental resource and, as such, the object of multiple environmental policies requiring systematic monitoring of its quality as a main management component. Automatic sensors, allowing for continuous monitoring of various water quality variables at high temporal resolution, offer new opportunities for enhancement of essential water quality data. This study investigates the potential of sensor-measured data to improve understanding and management of water quality at watershed level. Self-organizing data maps, non-linear canonical correlation analysis, and linear regressions are used to assess the relationships between multiple water quality and hydroclimatic variables for the case study of Lake Mälaren in Sweden, and its total catchment and various watersheds. The results indicate water discharge from dominant watersheds into a lake, and lake water temperature as possible proxies for some key water quality variables in the lake, such as blue-green algae; the latter is, in turn, identified as a potential good proxy for lake concentration of total nitrogen. The relationships between water discharges into the lake and lake water quality dynamics identify the dominant contributing watersheds for different water quality variables. Seasonality also plays an important role in determining some possible proxy relationships and their usefulness for different parts of the year.
Using Precourse Formative Written Testing in a Pharmacology Class Greatly Increases Medical Students’ Performance in Final Written Summative Tests

We wanted to test the progress of medical students at our university in a pharmacology course. The formal teaching was given as lectures to the full class of students. We gave the very same written test of multiple-choice (MC) questions (single best choice) to third-year medical students before and after a one semester course of basic pharmacology. The initial voluntary test (containing 30 MC questions) was taken by 79% of the eligible students (n = 147), a week before pharmacology lectures had started. Defining a passing grade of 60% of right answers, only 2% of the students passed the test. The range was between 5 and 21 points. The final, now obligatory, written test at the end of the course (one week after the last lecture in pharmacology) was taken by all students in the semester (n = 179) and was passed by 95%, of students, again defined by the same passing score. Here, the points obtained ranged from 12 to 29. Over the time of the semester, the attendance in the lectures dropped dramatically to less than 10% of the students. Hence, progress tests are useful, but they hardly measure the gain in knowledge through attendance in the pharmacology lecture (the intervention); they also measure other sources of knowledge, such as textbook reading or memorizing only the initial questions and looking up the answers.
A Compact Dual-band MIMO Antenna for 5G Mobile Communications

─ In this paper we propose a compact dualband MIMO antenna for 5G mobile communications. Its element is a dual-band monopole working at 3.4 GHz and 4.9 GHz. In order to cover the commercial 5G communication band of sub-6 GHz (3.3-3.6 GHz and 4.8-5.0 GHz), an inverted L-shaped strip is added on the ground of the monopole to achieve a band-notch of S11 at 3.4 GHz and a quasi-directional radiation pattern. The proposed MIMO antenna has a compact size of 50*50*0.8mm and it’s composed of four improved monopoles mentioned above with mutually orthogonal placement. Long strips are loaded on the ground layer and antenna layer to obtain a better port isolation at 3.33.6 GHz. The measured results show that the reflection coefficient (Sii) of the MIMO antenna is less than -10 dB at the lower band and less than -20dB at the higher band. Its -10dB-bandwidth covers the band of 3.3-5.8 GHz and the mutual coupling (Sij) between ports keeps lower than -20dB within the dual-band. The envelope correlation coefficients (ECC) of the MIMO antenna are also measured and they’re below 0.01. A channel model is used to calculate the MIMO channel capacity and the results show this MIMO channel performs best at 5 GHz. Index Terms ─ Channel capacity, dual-band monopole antenna, envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), fifth generation (5G) communication, multiple-input-multipleoutput (MIMO) antenna, mutual coupling.
Leadership Skills, Stakeholder Management and Execution of Fibre Optic Infrastructure

Abstract The main purpose of this study was to investigate how leadership skills and stakeholder management acting together to influence the execution of fibre optic infrastructure. The study adopted the pragmatism research paradigm, with a cross-sectional survey design. Census was used to select 187 respondents from a target population of 187 functional members of staff in fibre optic infrastructure departments of two mobile telecommunication and four internet service companies in Nairobi County, Kenya. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data while an interview guide and document review guide were used to collect qualitative data. Inferential statistical analysis was performed using multiple regression. It was demonstrated that leadership skills and stakeholder management act together to have a significant positive influence on the execution of fibre optic infrastructure. Therefore, there is a need for companies to ensure that stakeholders are involved in all phases of a project from inception to closure. Mobile telecommunication and internet service providing companies should also develop training programs to improve the leadership skills of project leaders and make use of conflict management strategies and communication skills to ensure appropriate management of change. It was suggested that similar and comparable studies should be conducted in other countries across the world.
Option Pricing on Commodity Prices Using Jump Diffusion Models

In this paper, we aim at developing a model for option pricing to reduce the risks associated with Ethiopian commodity prices ﬂuctuations. We used the daily closed Unwashed Lekempti grade 5 (ULK5) coffee and Whitish Wollega Sesame Seed Grade3 (WWSS3) prices obtained from Ethiopia commodity exchange (ECX) market to analyse the prices ﬂuctuations. The natures of log-returns of the prices exhibit asymmetric heavy tails and high kurtosis. We used jump diffusion models for modeling and option pricing on commodity prices. The method of maximum likelihood is applied to estimate the parameters under the models. The root mean square error (RMSE) is used to test the goodness of ﬁtting for the models to the data. This test indicates that the models ﬁt the data well. The techniques of analytical and Monte Carlo simulation are used to ﬁnd the call option pricing of the commodity prices. Based on the empirical results, we conclude that double exponential jump diffusion model is more efficient than Merton’s model for modeling and option pricing of the commodity prices.
The Comprehensibility of L2 Accented Speech in a Lexical Decision Task

Accentedness, defined by Munro and Derwing (1995) as “how strong [a] talker’s foreign accent is perceived to be,” plays a central role in the comprehension of nonnative speech (p. 291). A main factor that influences the accentedness of L2 speech is first language (L1) transfer, or “the incorporation of L1 elements into the learner’s language system.as a learning process” for the L2 (Ringbom, 1992, p. 87). While previous studies have tested the effects of transfer on the sound systems of bilingual speakers, none have compared multiple levels of accented speech when measuring listeners’ comprehension (Baker & Trofimovich, 2005; Flege et al., 1997; Flege et al., 1999; Kennedy & Trofimovich, 2008; Munro & Derwing, 1995; Peperkamp & Bouchon, 2011). This study, then, examined the role of L1 transfer on the comprehension of foreign-accented English. Specifically, the effect of L1 transfer was tested through the comprehension of two foreign-accented L1 Spanish L2 English speakers and one native English speaker in a lexical decision task.