Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aerosol characteristics in Phimai, Thailand determined by continuous observation with a polarization sensitive Mie–Raman lidar and a sky radiometer

Distributions and optical characteristics of aerosols were continuously observed with a polarization-sensitive (532 nm), Mie-scattering (532 and 1064 nm) and Raman-scattering (607 nm) lidar and a sky radiometer in Phimai, Thailand. Polarization lidar measurements indicated that high concentration plumes of spherical aerosols considered as biomass burning smoke were often observed in the dry season. Plumes of non-spherical aerosols considered as long-range transported soil dust from Africa, the Middle East, or Northeast Asia were occasionally observed. Furthermore, low-concentration non-spherical aerosols were almost always observed in the atmospheric mixing layer. Extinction coefficient profiles of spherical aerosols and non-spherical dust exhibited different diurnal variations, and spherical aerosols including smoke were distributed in higher altitudes in the mixing layer and residual layer. The difference can be explained by hygroscopic growth of smoke particles and buoyancy of the smoke. Analysis of seasonal variations of optical properties derived from the Raman lidar and the sky radiometer confirmed that the lidar ratio, aerosol optical depth, and Angstrom exponent were higher in the dry season (October–May) and lower in the wet season (June–September). The single scattering albedo was lower in the dry season. These seasonal variations are explained by frequent biomass burning in the dry season consistent with previous studies in Southeast Asian region. At the same time, the present work confirmed that soil dust was a major aerosol component in Phimai, Thailand.
Monitor strategies for variability reduction considering correlation between power and timing variability

As CMOS technology scales, Process, Voltage and Temperature (PVT) variations have an increasing impact on, performance and power consumption of the electronic devices. Variability causes an undesirable dispersion of performance parameters and a consequent reduction in parametric yield. Monitor and control techniques based on BB and VS can be used to reduce variability. This paper aims to determine which type of sensor provides a better overall variability reduction by taking into account the correlation between different performance magnitudes: static power, dynamic power and delay.
Definition of Compassion-Evoking Images in a Mexican Sample

To assemble a calibrated set of compassion-eliciting visual stimuli, 60 clinically healthy Mexican volunteers (36 women, 24 men; M age = 27.5 yr., SD = 2.4) assessed 84 pictures selected from the International Affective Picture System catalogue using the dimensions of Valence, Arousal, and Dominance included in the Self-assessment Manikin scale and an additional dimension of Compassion. Pictures showing suffering in social contexts and expressions of sadness elicited similar responses of compassion. The highest compassion response was reported for pictures showing illness and pain. Men and women differed in the intensity but not the quality of the compassionate responses. Compassion included attributes of negative emotions such as displeasure. The quality of the emotional response was not different from that previously reported for samples in the USA, Spain, and Brazil. A set of 28 pictures was selected as high-compassion-evoking images and 28 as null-compassion controls suitable for studies designed to ascertain the neural substrates of this moral emotion.
Impact of Foreign Monetary Developments on Demand for Money: Regression Estimates and Forecast Results

The empirical estimates for the money demand function reported here are based on quarterly time series for Thailand for the period 1973:1 to 1985:4. The money demand function estimated is novel in that it takes into account the potential effect of external monetary developments on domestic money demand in the open economy of Thailand. The empirical results show that foreign interest rates do play an important role in the Thailand money demand function. Hence the Thailand monetary authorities should not ignore the response of domestic money demand to external factors in formulating their stabilisation policies.
Integrated Risk Management with a Filtered Bootstrap Approach

We present a multi-period risk model to measure portfolio risk that integrates market risk, credit risk and, in a simplified way, liquidity risk. Thus, it overcomes the major limitation currently shared by many risk models that are unable to give a complete picture of all portfolio risks according to a single, coherent framework. The model is based on the Filtered Bootstrap approach; hence, it captures conditional heteroskedasticity, serial correlation and non-normality in the risk factors, that is, most of the features of observed financial time series. Being a simulation risk model, it copes in a natural way with derivatives as it allows the full valuation of the probability density function of the contracts. In addition, it is a suitable and flexible way to generate future scenarios on medium-term horizons, so this model is particularly appropriate for asset management companies. Copyright Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, 2004
On the stability of the long-run money demand in Greece

The paper examines the existence and the stability of the long-run demand for narrow money balances (M1) in Greece over the deregulated period 1986:Q1–1995:Q4 using time series techniques. Cointegration tests have revealed the existence of a systematic long-run relationship between real money balances, real income, and the interest rate. An interesting aspect of the stability analysis is the evidence that the long-run money demand equation is stable over the sample period, implying that the narrow money aggregate could have been used as an intermediate target of monetary policy in Greece.
Nonstereotyped Lymphoma B Cell Receptors Recognize Vimentin as a Shared Autoantigen

Ag activation of the BCR may play a role in the pathogenesis of human follicular lymphoma (FL) and other B cell malignancies. However, the nature of the Ag(s) recognized by tumor BCRs has not been well studied. In this study, we used unbiased approaches to demonstrate that 42 (19.35%) of 217 tested FL Igs recognized vimentin as a shared autoantigen. The epitope was localized to the N-terminal region of vimentin for all vimentin-reactive tumor Igs. We confirmed specific binding to vimentin by using recombinant vimentin and by performing competitive inhibition studies. Furthermore, using indirect immunofluorescence staining, we showed that the vimentin-reactive tumor Igs colocalized with an anti-vimentin mAb in HEp-2 cells. The reactivity to N-terminal vimentin of IgG FL Igs was significantly higher than that of IgM FL Igs (30.4 versus 10%; p = 0.0022). However, vimentin-reactive FL Igs did not share CDR3 motifs and were not homologous. Vimentin was expressed in the T cell–rich regions of FL, suggesting that vimentin is available for binding with tumor BCRs within the tumor microenvironment. Vimentin was also frequently recognized by mantle cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma Igs. Our results demonstrate that vimentin is a shared autoantigen recognized by nonstereotyped FL BCRs and by the Igs of mantle cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma and suggest that vimentin may play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple B cell malignancies. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the biology and natural history of FL and other B cell malignancies.
Migrants and their overseas travels: A psychographic segmentation of Australia's Vietnamese community

This study profiled the travel patterns of Australia's Vietnamese community, with particular reference to travel back to Vietnam. Using a variety of analytical techniques including analysis of variance, factor analysis and regression analysis, the study identified four discrete psychographic groups. These were the ‘home‐sick,’ the ‘suspicious,’ the ‘culture seekers’ and the ‘price sensitive. ’ Major contrasts were evident between the various segments. The ‘home‐sick’ appeared to be experiencing difficulties in adapting to their adopted country. In the case of the segment referred to as the ‘suspicious’ we cannot assume that they were experiencing more actual difficulties, but they expressed greater reluctance to consider return trips to their former homeland. The ‘culture seekers’ and ‘price sensitives’ exhibited more of the characteristics of regular leisure travellers and their travel attitudes were less obviously distinguishable as migrant attitudes. The study concluded that psychographic analyzes can l.
Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure on Ascorbic Acid, Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Pera Rio Orange Juice

Orange juice is the most popular juice in the world, representing an important source of bioactive compounds in diet. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is an alternative technology that does not use high temperature, being able to preserve flavor and nutritional characteristics of the juice. The influence of HHP treatment conditions, pressure (100-600 MPa), temperature (30- 60°C) and time (30-360 s), on ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of orange juice was investigated using response surface methodology. Analysis of variance showed that quadratic polynomial models fitted well with the experimental data for ascorbic acid (R²=0.92, p<0.01) and antioxidant activity using the ABTS*+ assay (R²=0.91, p<0.01). The increase in time and temperature of HHP treatment promoted the reduction of ascorbic acid content and antioxidant activity in orange juice. HHP treatment reduced the ascorbic acid content and antioxidant activity of orange juice. The HHP treatment conditions of 100 to 250 MPa, 30 to 40°C and 30 to 125 s were able to produce orange juice with more than 70% of the initial ascorbic acid content and 80% of the antioxidant activity.
Performance analysis of coalition formation algorithms based on matching theory for cognitive radio networks

We consider the problem of increasing the throughput in cognitive radio networks by forming coalitions among cognitive radio user in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. For coalition formation using matching theory, we analyze two algorithms, namely Gale-Shapely algorithm and one-sided stable matching algorithm. For the first algorithm for coalition formation, well-known gale shapely algorithm is used to achieve cooperation among the cognitive radios for spectrum detection and sharing. Each cognitive radio prepares a preference list of other radios in the vicinity for cooperation and hence to form a coalition formation. The second algorithm is based one-sided matching theory which is a variant of the Gale-Shapely algorithm, however, to achieve a stable cooperation, certain criteria must be satisfied. The procedure is similar to the first algorithm (.i.e. formation of preference list and then making offers to other cognitive radio for cooperation) however the difference is in how the coalition formation takes place among the cognitive radios. Finally, using simulations we investigate various aspects of the algorithms and analyse their performance. The proposed algorithms result in improved spectrum detection as well as increasing the spectrum efficiency.
IMF Conditionality and the Intertemporal Allocation of Resources

This article analyzes the impact of IMF (International Monetary Fund) conditionality on the intertemporal allocation of resources in an emerging market economy. The study identifies a principal-agent problem between the government of the emerging market and its citizens and shows that conditionality has the potential to mitigate the resulting misallocation of resources. Nevertheless, the analysis indicates that if IMF lending were influenced by geopolitical motives then the suboptimal allocation of resources would remain notwithstanding IMF conditionality.
Suppression of Th17 cell differentiation by misshapen/NIK-related kinase MINK1

T helper type 17 cells (Th17 cells) are major contributors to many autoimmune diseases. In this study, we demonstrate that the germinal center kinase family member MINK1 (misshapen/NIK-related kinase 1) negatively regulates Th17 cell differentiation. The suppressive effect of MINK1 on induction of Th17 cells is mediated by the inhibition of SMAD2 activation through direct phosphorylation of SMAD2 at the T324 residue. The importance of MINK1 to Th17 cell differentiation was strengthened in the animal model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Moreover, we show that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl cysteine boosts Th17 cell differentiation in a MINK1-dependent manner and exacerbates the severity of EAE. Thus, we have not only established MINK1 as a critical regulator of Th17 cell differentiation, but also clarified that accumulation of ROS may limit the generation of Th17 cells. The contribution of MINK1 to ROS-regulated Th17 cell differentiation may suggest an important mechanism for the development of autoimmune diseases influenced by antioxidant dietary supplements.
COMPETITION IN REMANUFACTURING

We present a two‐period model of remanufacturing in the face of competition. In our model, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) competes with a local remanufacturer (L) under many reverse logistics configurations for the returned items. After establishing the Nash Equilibrium in the second period sub‐game, we use numerical experiments for comparative statics. OEM wants to increase L'S remanufacturing cost. Surprisingly, while L competes in the sales market, she has incentives to reduce oem's remanufacturing cost. A social planner who wants to increase remanufacturing can give incentives to the OEM to increase the fraction available for remanufacturing, or reduce his remanufacturing costs.
Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Imidacloprid on Osmia lignaria and Clothianidin on Megachile rotundata (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

Abstract We examined lethal and sublethal effects of imidacloprid on Osmia lignaria (Cresson) and clothianidin on Megachile rotundata (F.) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). We also made progress toward developing reliable methodology for testing pesticides on wild bees for use in pesticide registration by using field and laboratory experiments. Bee larvae were exposed to control, low (3 or 6 ppb), intermediate (30 ppb), or high (300 ppb) doses of either imidacloprid or clothianidin in pollen. Field experiments on both bee species involved injecting the pollen provisions with the corresponding pesticide. Only O. lignaria was used for the laboratory experiments, which entailed both injecting the bee’s own pollen provisions and replacing the pollen provision with a preblended pollen mixture containing imidacloprid. Larval development, emergence, weight, and mortality were monitored and analyzed. There were no lethal effects found for either imidacloprid or clothianidin on O. lignaria and M. rotundata. Minor sublethal effects were detected on larval development for O. lignaria, with greater developmental time at the intermediate (30 ppb) and high doses (300 ppb) of imidacloprid. No similar sublethal effects were found with clothianidin on M. rotundata. We were successful in creating methodology for pesticide testing on O. lignaria and M. rotundata; however, these methods can be improved upon to create a more robust test. We also identified several parameters and developmental stages for observing sublethal effects. The detection of sublethal effects demonstrates the importance of testing new pesticides on wild pollinators before registration.
Long-term results of the Lothrop operation

With continued surgical instrument advancement, endoscopic sinus surgery techniques continue to evolve with an overall improvement of our ability to offer surgical treatment for a variety of surgical disorders of the sinuses and anterior skull base. Frontal sinusitis and the extent of surgery performed in the frontal recess once medical management fails are constantly debated in the literature. It seems that even though instrumentation has greatly improved, surgical management of frontal sinusitis remains a frustrating endeavor for otolaryngologists. Open approaches to the frontal sinus, including the osteoplastic flap with frontal sinus obliteration using adipose tissue, have been the gold standard, but require external incisions and complete removal of sinus mucosa with destruction of the frontal sinus. The endoscopic modified Lothrop technique involves removal of the frontal sinus floor bilaterally with frontal septectomy and resection of the nasal septum to create a large nasofrontal communication. Recent postoperative results of this technique rival the results after frontal sinus obliteration in selected patients while avoiding the morbidity associated with the open destructive approach.
Cultural and structural issues affecting Japanese tourist shopping behaviour

This paper identifies and examines the various cultural issues that affect Japanese tourist shopping. The paper looks beyond the concept of omiyage and at some of the deeper issues that influence Japanese shopping patterns. Apart from looking at cultural issues that influence the tourist, the paper also examines the tripartite relationship between the tourist, tour operators and retailers that service the overseas Japanese tour market. Finally the paper proposes a model to explain how these relationships interact to influence Japanese tourist shopping behaviour.
Development of a New Low-Cost 3-D Flux Transverse Flux FSPMM With Soft Magnetic Composite Cores and Ferrite Magnets

In this paper, a new 3-D flux transverse flux flux switching permanent magnet machine (3-DFTFFSPMM) is proposed. The cost of this machine is very low since both the soft magnetic composite (SMC) cores and ferrite magnets are very cheap, and the performance of this machine is good due to the special designed topology. For the qualitative analysis and initial design, the simplified power equation is developed to find the optimal design, and the 3-D finite-element method is applied for the quantitative analysis. Considering it is very difficult to obtain a special ferrite magnet in the current market, the 3-DFTFFSPMM for prototyping in the workshop is improved with a new design. For the prototyping, the SMC cores are made by using the manual die compacting technology. Last, the efficiency map of these two machines is obtained to judge the operational performance.
Tourism development and the backpacker market in Highland Scotland

Backpacking is an emerging market within the tourism sector. Despite its growth limited research has been conducted in Scotland, or even Europe, in relation to this form of travel. Qualitative data were gathered utilising a combination of interviews and focus groups to help achieve the aim of understanding backpackers’ motivations for visiting Scotland. It emerged that the primary push factors were escape and knowledge seeking. Both of which can be related to the optimal arousal theory; those seeking escape as experiencing over stimulation in their normal lives, and those who were seeking knowledge as experiencing under stimulation. Pull factors for visiting Scotland included: Scotland’s scenery, positive word of mouth recommendations, geographic location, genealogy, the English language, job opportunities, outdoor activities and tangible aspects including cultural and natural features. Results suggest that the backpacker market is highly heterogeneous regarding motivations and there is a necessity for more research in this area so that backpackers’ needs are fulfilled which will help facilitate destination loyalty.
Impact of Damping on 50 Gbps 4-PAM Modulation of 25G Class VCSELs

We present an investigation into the effects of photon lifetime and the associated damping of the modulation response on 50 Gbps 4-pulse-amplitude modulation (4-PAM) signal generation with directly modulated 25G class vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). While 4-PAM benefits from higher slope efficiency and output power, it is shown that the greater impact of intensity noise and dynamic nonlinearities implies that a VCSEL with a longer photon lifetime and more damped response is needed when transitioning from existing 25 Gbps OOK to 50 Gbps 4-PAM using the 25G VCSEL technology.
The Effect of the Notional Interest Deduction on the Capital Structure of Belgian SMEs

In 2005 the Belgian government introduced a radically new measure into the corporate tax system: the notional interest deduction. This feature allows Belgian companies to deduct a fictitious interest cost on equity from their tax base and tackles the classical tax discrimination between debt and equity financing. We investigate whether changes in the debt ratios of Belgian small and medium-sized enterprises reflect changes in tax incentives induced by the notional interest deduction, up to three years after its introduction. To measure the tax incentives of the notional interest deduction, we incorporate the notional interest deduction into a simulation procedure of marginal tax rates. We find that (1) the notional interest deduction caused a significant decline in the average simulated marginal tax rates and (2) the change in simulated marginal tax rates due to the introduction of the notional interest deduction is significant in explaining the change in debt ratios.
Detection for Vehicle's Overlap Based on Support Vector Machine

In the paper, support vector machine is presented to detection for vehicle’ s overlap, which has stronger generalization ability than the algorithm based on the empirical risk, such as artificial neural network. In the process of detection for vehicle’ s overlap, principal component analysis is used to extract the features and reduce the dimension of features. Then, detection model for vehicle’ s overlap based on SVM is constructed. We collected the 220 vehicle images including the overlapped vehicle images and non-overlapped vehicle images as the experimental data. The experimental results indicate that the accuracy of detection the vehicle’ s overlap by SVM is higher than that of BP neural network.
Comparison of Carotid Plaque Ulcer Detection Using Contrast-Enhanced and Time-of-Flight MRA Techniques

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ulceration in carotid plaque is a risk indicator for ischemic stroke. Our aim was to compare plaque ulcer detection by standard TOF and CE-MRA techniques and to identify factors that influence its detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Carotid MR imaging scans were acquired on 2066 participants in the ARIC study. We studied the 600 thickest plaques. TOF-MRA, CE-MRA, and black-blood MR images were analyzed together to define ulcer presence (plaque surface niche ≥2 mm in depth). Sixty ulcerated arteries were detected. These arteries were randomly assigned, along with 40 nonulcerated plaques from the remaining 540, for evaluation of ulcer presence by 2 neuroradiologists. Associations between ulcer detection and ulcer characteristics, including orientation, location, and size, were determined and explored by CFD modeling. RESULTS: One CE-MRA and 3 TOF-MRAs were noninterpretable and excluded. Of 71 ulcers in 56 arteries, readers detected an average of 39 (55%) on both TOF-MRA and CE-MRA, 26.5 (37.5%) only on CE-MRA, and 1 (1.5%) only on TOF-MRA, missing 4.5 (6%) ulcers by both methods. Ulcer detection by TOF-MRA was associated with its orientation (distally pointing versus perpendicular: OR = 5.57 [95% CI, 1.08–28.65]; proximally pointing versus perpendicular: OR = 0.21 [95% CI, 0.14–0.29]); location relative to point of maximum stenosis (distal versus isolevel: OR = 5.17 [95% CI, 2.10–12.70]); and neck-to-depth ratio (OR = 1.96 [95% CI, 1.11–3.45]) after controlling for stenosis and ulcer volume. CONCLUSIONS: CE-MRA detects more ulcers than TOF-MRA in carotid plaques. Missed ulcers on TOF-MRA are influenced by ulcer orientation, location relative to point of maximum stenosis, and neck-to-depth ratio.