Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Price Behaviour of Major Cereal Crops in Bangladesh

The key concern of this research is to analyse the extent of the seasonal price fluctuation and spatial price relationship of major cereal crops viz., Boro paddy and wheat in different markets in Bangladesh. This study was entirely based on secondary data from the period of 1986-87 to 2009-10 from different sources. In estimating seasonal price fluctuation of selected crops it was found that crops prices fluctuated in different months within the year. The difference between peak and trough prices was higher for Boro paddy than wheat. Coefficient of variation was also higher for Boro paddy than wheat but these figures are decreasing gradually. The results of empirical evaluation of spatial price linkage through Engle-Granger co-integration method among regional selected markets of Bangladesh using harvest price of Boro paddy and wheat indicate that these markets were well integrated. That means, information about price changes are fully and instantaneously delivered to the other markets in Bangladesh. Price analysis and formation of policy at the aggregate level will be pertinent for policy implementation. Keywords: Price behaviour, Cereal crops, Market integration, Unit root, Engle-Granger
Observation Analysis on Microphysics Characteristics of Long-lasting Severe Fog and Haze Episode at Urban Canopy Top

A field experiment based in a 255 m meteorological tower in Tianjin was conducted from Dec. 29, 2016 to Jan. 8, 2017, to study microphysical characteristics of the urban canopy top and their effect on a long-lasting severe Haze and Fog (HF) episode. The results show that the gradients of the PM2.5 concentration in the vertical direction varied greatly during the clean days but less so during HF days, which was consistent with the variation in the PBL height and turbulent activity. During HF1-1, PM2.5 concentrations at 120 m were obviously higher than those at the surface and at 200 m. Wind shear was one of the important factors due to the accumulation of pollutants at 120 m. During HF1-2, PM2.5 concentrations at the three levels declined with a mode of “cliff. ” The vertical gradient of concentrations between 120 and 200 m was small, but it was larger between the surface and 120 m. The wet scavenging effect of the fog, the damaged inversion layer, and the strengthened turbulence were closely related to the “cliff” decline in concentration. When the fog transformed into haze during HF1-3, the turbulent energy rapidly decreased, and the atmospheric layer again became stable, with the height of the PBL being nearly 120 m.
Modeling the Nukiyama Curve for Water-Cooled Fusion Divertor Channels

A conclusive safety assessment of a fusion reactor requires that the thermal response of the divertor assembly is known with a high degree of accuracy. Such accuracy is mandated because the divertor assembly is subjected to the highest levels of incident heat flux within the reactor. In order to accurately predict the thermal response of the divertor's cooling channels, it is necessary to have a complete model of the Nukiyama boiling curve for the water conditions of interest. Currently published models of the Nukiyama curve for fusion divertor channels have only included the regimes of forced convection, partially and fully developed nucleate boiling, and the local CHF. This paper presents a model that includes these pre-CHF regimes and the post-CHF regime of transition boiling. The model is unique because (1) it tightly integrates the respective heat transfer correlations and makes heat transfer predictions for the water conditions and incident heat fluxes that are fusion-specific, (2) predicts post-CHF heat transfer properties for a swirl tape divertor channel, and (3) validates its predictions via comparison with experimental data. Based on these three points, this model is considered as one of the best available methods for predicting the Nukiyama curve for a water-cooled fusion device.
Tax officials' attitudes and perceptions: performance indicators and the efficiency of tax collection

The attitudes and perceptions of tax officials can have important effects on the efficiency and effectiveness of tax administration but is often relatively neglected in the development of performance indicators. This paper therefore examines these issues. It also reports the results of a new survey of Thai excise officials conducted with the kind permission of the Thai Excise Department in 2005. Questionnaires were sent to 1,175 excise staff and, after reminders, achieved a final response rate of 47.7 per cent. This was followed up by a second survey consisting of 25 semi-structured interviews with excise staff and also entrepreneurs and tax advisers. Preliminary results derived by January 2006 revealed a wide range of positive attitudes but there are also areas where tax officials do not feel so positive and this might impact on the work of the organisation. However the relationship between attitudes and productivity is not a simple one. The region with the highest productivity had the lowest recorded rates of satisfaction among the staff and regions with low productivity had relatively high rates of satisfaction. Acknowledgements The authors are very grateful for helpful comments from those attending the IAREPSABE Joint Meeting Paris on the 5-8 July 2006. Contact: Simon James: email S.R. James@ex.ac. uk School of Business and Economics, University of Exeter, Streatham Court, Exeter, EX4 4PU, United Kingdom
Cost Allocations in Combinatorial Auctions for Bilateral Procurement Markets

We propose a trading mechanism for bilateral markets that is based on combinatorial auctions. Unlike previous reported works, the market bilateral aspect is handled by considering one-sided reverse auctions rather than exchanges during the trading process. The bilateral component is then reconsidered at the end of the auction to decide on the price to be paid or received by each participant. The proposed approach takes advantage of the simplicity of one-sided auctions compared to exchanges, while exploiting combinatorial bidding as a mean to enforce collaboration between buyers. We propose, evaluate and compare different procedures for allocating costs to buyers during this post-auction pricing phase. These procedures are inspired by two key concepts in cooperative game theory: the nucleolus and the Shapley value.
Mechanisms of positive biodiversity–production relationships: insights provided by δ13C analysis in experimental Mediterranean grassland plots

We investigated the role of water use in a Mediterranean grassland, in which diversity was experimentally manipulated, and a positive relationship was observed between plant species richness and productivity. Soil moisture patterns and stable carbon isotope ratios (d 13 C) in leaves indicated greater water use by plants growing in species-rich mixtures compared to monocultures. These results suggest that complementarity or facilitation may be the mechanism responsible for the positive relationship between plant diversity and ecosystem processes.
Export Costs and Geographic Diversification: Does Experience Matter?

What drives …rms’geographic diversi…cation in international markets? If some export costs are sunk and shared between alike destinations, the decision by a …rm to enter a market is a function of its experience in a similar one. Using a rich …rm-level dataset for Argentina, I provide evidence on the role and nature of shared export costs. Product adaptation costs, associated to market similarities in geography and culture, and quality upgrading costs, associated to market similarities in income level, are found to be relevant. Also, the price charged by a …rm and the likelihood of holding a quality certi…cate are positively related to the income of the destination market, providing further evidence on the importance quality upgrading has for a …rm to export to high income destinations. Finally, the omission of these factors leads to an underestimation of the di¢ culty to enter export markets.
The effect of organizational climate on innovative work behavior

The capability to innovate is essential to the survival of most organizations. Several factors that affect innovative work behaviors have been discussed and explored by scholars. It is generally believed that innovative work behaviors are influenced by leadership. However; few studies have evaluated the climate for innovation in the Malaysian Research and Development (R&D) setting. The previous findings on links between organizational climate and innovative work behaviors are reported to be inconsistent with one another. Meanwhile, there are also critiques of the measurement of organizational climate and innovative work behaviors are believed to be biased towards the Western culture. Hence, this study is timely to fill the existing research gap. 97 scientists were involved as respondents, comprising research officers, assistant research officers and research assistants who were working in seven public agencies in the agriculture sector. The findings reported that there is a significant relationship between organizational climate and innovative work behaviors. This research has theoretical and practical implications. From the theoretical perspective, present research contributes a momentous proven theory to the existing body of knowledge in the field of predicting innovative work behaviors.
A Theoretical Omega-Square Model Considering Spatial Variation in Slip and Rupture Velocity. Part 2: Case for a Two-Dimensional Source Model

The theoretical basis of the x-squared model and the characteristics of near-source broadband strong ground motions are investigated using a 2D source model with spatial variations in slip and rupture velocity. This is an extension of a study by Hisada (2000a), who used 1D source models for the same purpose. First, Hisada's slip-velocity function (2000a) is modified by superposing scalene triangles to construct Kostrov-type slip-velocity functions with arbitrary combinations for the source-controlled f max and the slip duration. Then, it is confirmed that the Fourier amplitudes of these slip velocities fall off as the inverse of x at frequencies lower than f max (Hisada, 2000a). Next, the effects of 2D spatial distributions of slip and rupture time on the source spectra are investigated. In order to construct a realistic slip distribution, the hybrid slip model is proposed, which is the combination of the asperity model at lower wavenumbers and the k-squared model (Herrero and Bernard, 1994) at higher wavenumbers. The source spectra of the proposed 2D models, which have the k-squared distribution for slip and rupture time, fall off as the inverse of x, when the slip is instantaneous. This result also agrees with Hisada (2000a). Therefore, the x-inverse-squared model, which consists of the combination of the Kostrov-type slip velocity proposed here and the k-squared distributions for both slip and rupture time, is not only consistent with the empirical x-squared model, but also provides the theoretical basis for constructing realistic 2D source models at broadband fre- quencies. In addition, it is confirmed that the proposed source model successfully simulates most of the well-known characteristics of the near-fault strong ground motions at broadband frequencies, that is, permanent offsets in displacements, long- period pulses in velocities, and complex randomness in accelerations. The near- source directivity effects are also confirmed; the fault-normal components are dom- inant over the fault-parallel components, especially at the forward rupture direction. However, the ratio between the fault-normal and fault-parallel components is roughly independent of frequency, which is contradictory to empirical models. This suggests that a 3D faulting model is necessary to represent more realistic near-source strong motions at broadband frequencies.
CONCENTRATION OF THE SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATE AROUND DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION ELECTRODES DURING MRI

During Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the presence of an implant such as a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) lead in a patient's body can pose a signiflcant risk. This is due to the fact that the MR radiofrequency (RF) fleld can achieve a very high strength around the DBS electrodes. Thus the speciflc absorption rate (SAR), which is proportional to the square of the magnitude of the RF electric fleld, can have a very high concentration in the near-fleld region of the electrodes. The resulting tissue heating can reach dangerous levels. The degree of heating depends on the level of SAR concentration. The efiects can be severe, leading to tissue ablation and brain damage, and signiflcant safety concerns arise whenever a patient with an implanted DBS lead is exposed to MR scanning. In this paper, SAR, electric fleld, and temperature rise distributions have been found around actual DBS electrodes. The magnitude and spatial distribution of the induced temperature rises are found to be a function of the length and structure of the lead device, tissue properties and the MR stimulation parameters.
Mechanical Instability-driven Architecturing of Atomically-thin Materials

and delamination, are usually considered threats to mechanical integrity which are to be avoided or reduced in the design of materials and structures. However, if materials systems and applied stresses are carefully controlled, such mechanical instabilities can be tailored to deterministically create functional morphologies that can enable powerful new functions. In particular, in atomically-thin material systems with ultralow bending stiffness, such as graphene, mechanical deformations enable new structural properties and device-level functionalities which surpass the limits of bulk material systems. In this talk, I will present our work on controlled deformation and straining of atomically-thin materials, and the emergent materials properties and applications of such deformed and strained atomically-thin materials. First, I will introduce two unique fabrication approaches to enable controlled deformation of atomically-thin materials. Second, I will introduce a wide range of new material properties enabled by the new class of ‘architectured atomically-thin materials’. I will discuss the surface plasmonics enabled by crumpled topographies of graphene and will further discuss shape reconfi gurability which opens the door to tunable plasmonic resonance of crumpled graphene. In addition, I will share our ongoing research efforts on strained superlattice for the modulation of electronic properties and surface energy. Third and last, I will present our work on adaptive/conformal and multifunctional electronics based on mechanically deformed atomically-thin materials. Our optoelectronic sensor is based exclusively on graphene and transforms the two dimensional material into three dimensional (3D) crumpled structures. This added dimensionality enhances the photoabsorption of graphene by increasing its areal density with a buckled 3D structure, which simultaneously improves device stretchability and furthermore enables strain-tunable photoresponsivity. Our approach to forming architectured atomically-thin materials offers a unique avenue for enabling new materials properties and engineering of advanced device functions. Mechanical Instability-driven Architecturing of Atomically-thin Materials Where Shape Enables New Functions
Nonlinear Optical Properties, Optical Limiting and Optical Switching of Ag Nanoparticles Prepared by a Green Synthetic Method

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using an aqueous extract of cinnamon berks (cinnamon cassia) as a reducer and stabilizer. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectrometry and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), which revealed the nano nature of the particles. Nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction were measured using a Z-scan technique at different wavelengths with CW lasers. The third order nonlinear susceptibility was found to be between (1.5 to 22) × 10-14 m2/V2. The nonlinear property of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was used to demonstrate optical limiting and all-optical switching. An optical limiting threshold was found to be 0.1 mW at 632.8 nm.
Exploring the Relationship between Learners’ Aggressive Behaviour and Disrupted Family Life

Abstract This paper debates the assumption that the disrupted family life contributes to aggressive behaviour exhibited by learners. The literature review showed that some aspects of the disrupted family life contribute to aggressive behaviour in learners. A small-scale research study was conducted in the Free State province of South Africa to explore whether the framework and findings taken from the literature on learners’ aggressive behaviour are applicable in the context of South Africa. The data indicated that negativity in some families potentially results in learners’ aggressive behaviour. The paper recommends intervention strategies that target learners and family members in order to reduce learners’ aggressive behaviour. The inclusive intervention programmes outlined in the article are essential for reducing the negative effects on individuals, in the schools and in the family
Objective Method for Determination of Potato Cooking

Cylindrical specimens of 15 mm in diameter and 25 mm in height were prepared from potato tubers by cutting and cooking in a special heating cell at constant temperature (75, 80, 85, 90 and 95°C). The cell was located on the table of an Universal Testing Instron Machine and arranged so that a cooked specimen could be tested repeatedly using non-destructive compression method during the entire cooking process. The sets of the obtained values of Youngs modulus form a basis for determination of the cooking depression coefficients and activation energies of the process that controls depression of Youngs modulus during cooking.
Technology-related peso problems in stock returns

Although empirical evidence suggests the contrary, many asset pricing models assume stock returns to be symmetrically distributed. In this paper it is argued that the occurrence of negative jumps in a firm's future earnings and, consequently, in its stock price, is positively related to the level of network externalities in the firm's product market. If the ex post frequency of these negative jumps in a sample does not equal the ex ante assessed probability of occurrence, the sample is subject to a peso problem. The hypothesis is tested for by regressing the skewness coefficient of a firm’s realised stock return distribution on the firm’s R&D intensity, i.e. the ratio of the firm’s research and development expenditure to its net sales. The empirical results support the technology-related peso problem hypothesis. In samples subject to such a peso problem, the returns are biased up and the variance is biased down.
On the estimation of hazard models with flexible baseline hazards and nonparametric unobserved heterogeneity

I present an alternative approach for estimating hazard models that include flexible baseline hazards and nonparametric unobserved heterogeneity, which avoids the computational difficulties encountered by other researchers who have used this sort of model specification. My method places restrictions on the differences of the parameters in a flexible baseline hazard specification, which permits information from other time periods to be used to estimate the parameters of a specific time period. This method is illustrated with an empirical example.
Enabling Usage Pattern-based Logical Status Inference for Mobile Phones

Logical statuses of mobile users, such as isBusy and isAlone, are the key enabler for a plethora of context-aware mobile applications. While on-board hardware sensors (such as motion, proximity, and location sensors) have been extensively studied for logical status inference, continuous usage typically requires formidable energy consumption, which degrades the user experience. In this thesis, we argue that smartphone usage statistics can be used for logical status inference with negligible energy cost. To validate this argument, we present a continuous inference engine that (1) intercepts multiple operating system events, in particular foreground app, notifications, screen states, and connected networks; (2) extracts informative features from OS events; and (3) efficiently infers the logical status of mobile users. The proposed inference engine is implemented for unmodified Android phones, and an evaluation on a four-week trial has shown promising accuracy in identifying four logical statuses of mobile users with over 87% accuracy while the average energy impact on the battery life is less than 0.5%.
Morphological and morphometric analysis of the distal branches of the rat brachial plexus

The rat brachial plexus has gained interest recently in neuro-regenerative research due to the advancement of neurosurgical equipment and techniques, but moreover in that it provides a model that can closely resemble the common peripheral nerve injuries seen in humans. The aim of this study was to provide a systematic baseline quantification for fibre type and morphology of the major terminal nerve branches of the rat brachial plexus (radial, ulnar and median) at four surgically accessible sites, through the forelimb. We applied a microstructural and immunohistological analysis of 12 rat brachial plexuses using three forms of micro-visualisation: electron microscopy; whole mount; and immunohistology. The three distal nerves studied showed a similar patterning in terms of the number and size of myelinated fibres, with all proportionally decreasing when moving distally. The fibre types of both the median and ulnar nerve appeared to be homogenously mixed throughout their trajectory, while the radial nerve had a more distinct patterning, especially distal to the elbow, with the entire nerve’s main branch appearing to consist of sensory fibres only. Our microstructural analysis of the rat brachial plexus provides important normative reference data for future peripheral nerve research using the forelimb of the rat.
A Fuzzy Multi-Objective Linear Programming Model: A Case Study of an LPG Distribution Network

Supply chain management is a subject that has an increasing importance due to the developments in the global markets and technology. In this paper, a fuzzy multi-objective linear programming model is developed for the supply chain of a company dealing with procurement, storage, filling, and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Turkey. The model intends to determine the quantities of LPG to be procured, stored, filled to cylinders, and transported between the plants and demand centers for six planning periods. In this model, which aims to minimize both total costs (sum of procurement, storage, filling, and transportation costs) and total transportation distances, demand quantities of the main demand centers and decision maker’s aspiration levels about objective functions are fuzzy. After comparing the results obtained from the model with those obtained by using different methods, it is concluded that the proposed method can be applied to real world problems practically and it may be used in this type of problems in order to generate an efficient solution.