Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Demystifying Horizontal/Vertical Cultural Difference in Green Consumption: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study

Abstract To understand green consumption in cross-cultural context, this study examines the influence of horizontal individualism (HI-Finnish) and vertical collectivism (VC-Pakistani) cultural values on consumers’ attitude toward green products and purchase intentions. Besides, the mediating role of environmental responsibility is examined for the relationship between these cultural values and consumers’ attitude toward green products. Partial Least Square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis are performed to measure the significance of the hypothesized model and to assess differences between these two countries. This study empirically validates that these cultural variations can determine green consumption by consumers in each country. The results show an insignificant influence of horizontal individualism and vertical collectivism cultural values on consumers’ attitude toward green products, but a positive influence on environmental responsibility. The impact of environmental responsibility on consumers’ attitude toward green products and of their attitude toward green products on purchase intention was also positive. Environmental responsibility plays the role of a full mediator between cultural values and consumers’ attitude toward green products. The findings of this study may help practitioners in the development of culturally appropriate green marketing and advertising strategies.
Designing a tool for evaluating programs for environmental education

Abstract Persons in the field of Environmental Education (EE) often have difficulty identifying and selecting educational programs that have the potential to best maximize needed resources to implement and achieve desired outcomes due, in part, to their lack of expertise in evaluation knowledge and practice. This article presents an approach for using a set of criteria and a process to evaluate the potential of an EE program. For this purpose, the proposed approach uses a combination of two multicriteria decision-making techniques to implement a front-end evaluation of available projects and rank them in order to help instructors select one. The proposed approach has been applied to evaluate the Environmental Education programs in Greece. As a result, we discuss the results and make useful conclusions about the quality of these programs available to the school community in Greece.
Investigations of Fermi Level Pinning and Dipole Formation in TiN/HfO2/SiO2/Si Stacks

Fermi level pinning (FLP) and dipole formation in TiN/HfO2/SiO2/Si stacks are investigated. The magnitude of FLP at TiN/HfO2 interface is estimated to be ~0 V based on dipole theory using concepts of interfacial gap states and charge neutrality level (CNL). The dipole amount at HfO2/SiO2 interface is experimentally extracted to be +0.33 V. These results show that dipole formation at HfO2/SiO2 interface is important for tuning flatband voltage of the TiN/HfO2/SiO2/Si stacks. Possible origin of dipole formation is demonstrated and attributed to be lower CNL of HfO2 compared with that of SiO2/Si stacks.
An investigation of the atmospheric HNO 3 -NH 3 -NH 4 NO 3 equilibrium relationship in a cool, humid climate

Simultaneous measurements of gaseous nitric acid and ammonia were made during summer. autumn and winter months in North-West England. Concentrations of HNO 3 and NH 3 lav within the ranges 0.03-0.36 ppb and 0.9-5.1 ppb respectively, gaseous HNO 3 accounting for only about 12% of total nitrate. Under the high humidity conditions prevalent during the work. the concentration data are consistent with the equilibrium of gaseous HNO 3 and NH 3 with solution droplets of NH 4 NO 3 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.1983. tb00019.x
Experimental Analysis of Simultaneous Non-Harmonically Related Unstable Modes in a Swirled Combustor

The present study investigates combustion instabilities generated in a turbulent swirled combustor featuring two non-harmonically related unstable modes. Sound pressure and chemiluminescence spectra show the presence of two peaks located around 180 Hz and 280 Hz during unstable operation. The low frequency acoustic response of the test-rig is then analyzed using a two-coupled-cavity model including a realistic impedance of the system at the premixer inlet. This analytical approach is used to link the two observed frequencies to the first chamber and premixer modes respectively. Analytical predictions are compared with acoustic pressure measurements to determine the structure of these modes. The Rayleigh source term in the energy balance is also computed and shows that the two modes feed acoustic energy simultaneously in the system. High-speed PIV data gathered under unstable operation are filtered around these two frequencies to obtain phase conditioned images. Results show that the unsteady flow in the flame region features distinct dynamics associated to a bulk longitudinal oscillation of the flow in the flame arms at 180 Hz and large wrinkles in the radial direction at 280 Hz. © 2011 ASME
Una revisión de las teorías materialistas-postmaterialistas a partir de una clasificación generacional

O artigo realiza uma analise empirica das teorias do Materialismo-Pos-materialismo por meio da elaboracao de um indice, com os 12 itens tomados a literatura. A analise e aplicada a uma estrutura de quatro geracoes, para observar o grau de Materialismo ou Pos-materialismo de uma sociedade. Observa-se uma similitude geracional relativa entre diversos paises, economica e geograficamente, o que reforca a tese geracional e contraria as teses classicas, como a da socializacao e a da escassez. As variaveis relevantes para explicar o Pos-materialismo sao os niveis de vida, o interesse pela politica e a formacao. Os valores geracionais oscilam entre o Pos-materialismo elevado entre os Millennials e o Materialismo dos mais velhos. Os resultados tem varias consequencias para a economia, a sociologia e a politica, especialmente em sociedades que tendem ao envelhecimento.
A New Fluorescence Quantum Yield Efficiency Retrieval Method to Simulate Chlorophyll Fluorescence under Natural Conditions

Chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) is a useful indicator of plant photosynthesis and stress conditions. ChlF spectra can be simulated with the Fluspect model, which is a radiative transfer model that simulates leaf reflectance, transmittance, and fluorescence; however, it has never been used or validated under natural conditions. In this paper, a new fluorescence quantum yield efficiency of photosystem (FQE) retrieval method based on the Fluspect model is proposed for use in simulating ChlF in two healthy varieties of soybeans grown under natural conditions. The parameters, Chlorophyll a + b content (Cab), carotenoid (Cca), dry matter content (Cdm), indicator of leaf water content (Cw) and leaf mesophyll structure (N) and the simulated fluorescence from the experiment were compared with the measured values to validate the model under natural conditions. The results show a good correlation (coefficient of determination R2 = 0.7–0.9) with the measured data at wavelengths of 650–880 nm. However, there is a large relative error (RE) that extends up to 150% at the peak of the fluorescence curve. To improve the accuracy of the simulation, an inversion code containing the emission efficiency parameters for photosystems I and II was added, which retrieves FQE I and II from the measured fluorescence spectra. The evaluation results for all wavelengths and two peaks demonstrated a significant reduction in the error at the peak of the curve by the Fluspect model with the FQE inversion code. This new method reduced the overestimation of fluorescence from 150% to 20% for the RE, and the R2 value was higher than 0.9 at the spectra peaks. Additionally, the original plant parameter information remained mostly unchanged upon the addition of the inversion code.
Parametric retrieval of effective constitutive parameters of split-ring resonator metamaterial

ABSTRACT Metamaterials are periodic artificial composite materials structured on a sub-wavelength scale. The most interesting physical characteristic of these materials is the negative refractive index. In ordinary materials, permittivity and permeability are positive, while metamaterials may have negative permittivity or permeability or both. In this article, a method for recovering with certain accuracy the effective parameters based on the determination of transmission and reflection S-parameters are presented. The studied structure consists of a dielectric substrate and several metallic split-ring metal resonators arranged periodically. These S-parameters allow to determine all the effective parameters by using retrieval analytical models. The variation of the resonance frequency and the amplitudes of the effective parameters according to geometrical parameters of two metal rings of the SRR cell, of the dielectric constant of substrate or of the rotation of the outer ring relative to the inner ring are illustrated. We noted that the structure has a bi-anisotropic character. The results also show that a tuning metamaterial can be implemented by simply changing the dimensions or orientation of metal inclusions or substrate properties. The accurate Tailoring and retrieving of effective constitutive parameters of the analysed metamaterial slabs are of extreme importance for further development of new microwave antennas and filters.
Cuticle Secretion Duration in the Uterus Is One of the Major Factors Affecting Eggshell Cuticle Deposition in White Leghorn Laying Hens

Background: The cuticle formed in the uterus is the outermost layer as the first defense line of eggshell against microbial invasions in most avian species, and analyzing its genetic regulation and influencing factors are of great importance to egg biosecurity in poultry production. The current study compared the uterine transcriptome and proteome of laying hens producing eggs with good and poor cuticle deposition (GC and PC, the top and tail of the cuticle deposition distribution), and identified several genes involved with eggshell cuticle deposition.Results: Overall, transcriptomic analysis identified 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PC vs GC group hens, among which 25 were up-regulated and 28 were down-regulated. No differences were found in the uterine proteome. Several up-regulated DEGs of PC vs GC hen uterus, including PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR related to uterine functions and reproductive hormones, were validated by qPCR analysis. Phenotypic measurements for verification between GC and PC hens showed GC hens had longer laying interval between two consecutive ovipositions (25.64 ± 1.23 vs 24.94 ± 1.12 h), thicker eggshell thickness (352.01 ± 23.04 vs 316.20 ± 30.58 μm) and more laying days (20.67 ± 2.58 vs 18.48 ± 2.46) within 27 laying days (P < 0.05). Apart from eggshell traits, other egg quality traits didn’t differ. The results above suggested that the expression patterns of PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes in the uterus regulated the muscular activity rhythm and secretion function, which ensured the eggshell and cuticle formation duration, and lead to the good eggshell and cuticle quality of the GC hens.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated eggshell and cuticle secretion duration in the uterus is one of the major factors affecting eggshell cuticle deposition in laying hens. PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes were discovered and might play crucial roles in cuticle deposition by regulating the uterine muscular activities and secretion function. Moreover, the cuticle is associated with the eggshell quality and laying performance, implying the importance of selection to the cuticle trait in laying hens. The findings in present study provide new insights into the genetic regulation of cuticle deposition in laying hens and establish a foundation for further investigations.
Analyzing the spatial-temporal influence of built environment on taxi ridership

Taxi is an important component in urban transportation system, which covers wide area and maintains 24h available. Exploring the relationship of taxi and built environment is very important to manage taxi service and improve transportation system. The issue is addressed by capturing the influence of built environment on taxi ridership considering spatial and temporal non-stationarities. The grid cells are developed as analysis units and the global regression model is adopted for preliminary exploring. Then the GWR are implemented considering spatial heterogeneity and the GTWR is used to analyze the spatiotemporal influence of built environment on taxi ridership. An empirical study conducted in Hong Kong Island using one-week taxi’s GPS data demonstrates the effectiveness of the regression models. It’s verified that GWR performs better than OLS, and GTWR outperforms the rest two regression models, indicating both time and space are critical dimensions.
Design of elliptical-shaped reconfigurable patch antenna with shunt capacitive RF-MEMS switch for satellite applications

Abstract In this paper, non-uniform meandered line shunt capacitive RF-MEMS switch is presented at an elliptical patch etched with a split-ring resonator (SRR) for satellite communication applications. The non-uniform meander line shunt capacitive is a fixed-fixed type of RF-MEMS switch that is introduced in this model antenna. The proposed antenna design is resonated at 10.46 GHz with the return loss of −37.6 dB. The performance evolution of the proposed antenna design is evaluated with and without integrated RF-MEMS switch on the proposed antenna SRR. It is observed that the proposed model at the ON-state switch resonates at 10.57 GHz frequency with the return loss of −30 dB. Similarly, at the OFF-state switch, it resonates at 10.53 GHz frequency with the return loss of −43 dB. Al3N4 (aluminum nitride) is used for the switch as a dielectric material, hence the switch attains higher isolation. The actuation voltage of 7.9 V is required for the switch to actuate from ON to OFF state. The switch attains minimum insertion and return loss which is discussed in further sections. The proposed antenna is fabricated and tested by a vector network analyzer; there is a good agreement between the simulated and measured results.
Graphene Oxide as a Nanocarrier for Biochemical Molecules: Current Understanding and Trends

The development of an advanced and efficient drug delivery system with significant improvement in its efficacy and enhanced therapeutic value is one of the critical challenges in modern medicinal biology. The integration of nanomaterial science with molecular and cellular biology has helped in the advancement and development of novel drug delivery nanocarrier systems with precision and decreased side effects. The design and synthesis of nanocarriers using graphene oxide (GO) have been rapidly growing over the past few years. Due to its remarkable physicochemical properties, GO has been extensively used in efforts to construct nanocarriers with high specificity, selectivity, and biocompatibility, and low cytotoxicity. The focus of this review is to summarize and address recent uses of GO-based nanocarriers and the improvements as efficient drug delivery systems. We briefly describe the concepts and challenges associated with nanocarrier systems followed by providing critical examples of GO-based delivery of drug molecules and genes. Finally, the review delivers brief conclusions on the current understanding and prospects of nanocarrier delivery systems.
Prevention of cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting by seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil: Insights at the level of orexin-A in rats

Objective(s): Nausea and vomiting are perennial problems in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Orexin-A (OXA) has been shown to regulate feeding and gastric motility. Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil (SSO) has been proved to promote digestion and bowel movements. We investigated whether SSO alleviated cisplatin-induced vomiting and its possible mechanism involved in OXA. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NCG), cisplatin group (CG), SSO low-dose group (SLG), SSO middle-dose group (SMG) SSO high-dose group (SHG), and ondansetron group (OG). Rats were pretreated respectively with SSO (0.850, 1.675, and 3.350 g/kg·BW) and ondansetron (2 mg/kg·BW) in SLG, SMG, SHG, and OG for 6 days, and the same volume of saline in NCG and CG groups. On the 6th day, cisplatin (6 mg/kg, IP) was administered in all groups except NCG. The cumulative food and kaolin intake, gastric emptying, plasma OXA level, OX1R mRNA and protein expression in the hypothalamus and brainstem, and OXA expression in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) were observed, and the HPLC method was used to analyze the composition of SSO. Results: Kaolin intake in cisplatin-induced vomiting rats was significantly reduced (P<0.05) and gastric emptying delayed by cisplatin was improved (P<0.05-0.01) by pretreatment with SSO. Plasma OXA concentration, OX1R expression in the hypothalamus and brainstem increased significantly (P<0.05–0.01). Furthermore, OXA expression in LHA also increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: SSO prevents cisplatin-induced vomiting in rats, which is possibly involved in increasing peripheral and central OXA and the expression of OX1R in the hypothalamus and brainstem.
HARQ-Based Grant-Free NOMA for mMTC Uplink

Massive machine-type communication (mMTC) is one of the most rewarding and at the same time challenging components in the fifth-generation (5G) cellular solutions supporting the Internet of Things (IoT). The 5G mMTC is considering the use of a combination of two key mMTC enabling technologies—grant-free (GF) transmission and nonorthogonal multiple-access (NOMA), called GF-NOMA, which can potentially exploit the advantages of both schemes. A primary challenge in GF-NOMA is to reduce the packet drop rate. Owing to the decentralized nature of the GF schemes and the lack of control over user equipment, only hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) Type I has been employed for enhancing the reliability of GF-NOMA so far. In this article, uplink GF-NOMA transmission schemes using HARQ Type III are proposed. Two types of packet combining—1) chase combining and 2) incremental redundancy combining are considered. Moreover, we introduce a GF single-transmission (GFST) scheme where all redundancy versions of the packet are transmitted in one shot. We present a comprehensive evaluation of both the GF and the conventional grant-based methods in mMTC scenarios and demonstrate the superiority of our proposed methods over the existing ones.
Hybrid Modification of Unsaturated Polyester Resins to Obtain Hydro- and Icephobic Properties

Ice accumulation is a key and unsolved problem for many composite structures with polymer matrices, e.g., wind turbines and airplanes. One of the solutions to avoid icing is to use anti-icing coatings. In recent years, the influence of hydrophobicity of a surface on its icephobic properties has been studied. This solution is based on the idea that a material with poor wettability maximally reduces the contact time between a cooled drop of water and the surface, consequently prevents the formation of ice, and decreases its adhesion to the surface. In this work, a hybrid modification of a gelcoat based on unsaturated polyester resin with nanosilica and chemical modifiers from the group of triple functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) and double organofunctionalized polysiloxanes (generally called multi-functionalized organosilicon compounds (MFSC)) was applied. The work describes how the change of modifier concentration and its structural structure finally influences the ice phobic properties. The modifiers used in their structure groups lowered the free surface energy and crosslinking groups with the applied resin, lowering the phenomena of migration and removing the modifier from the surface layer of gelcoat. The main studies from the icephobicity point of view were the measurements of ice adhesion forces between modified materials and ice. The tests were based on the measurements of the shear strength between the ice layer and the modified surface and were conducted using a tensile machine. Hydrophobic properties of the obtained nanocomposites were determined by measurement of the contact angle and contact angle hysteresis. As the results of the work, it was found that the modification of gelcoat with nanosilica and multi-functionalized silicone compounds results in the improvement of icephobic properties when compared to unmodified gelcoat while no direct influence of wettability properties was found. Ice adhesion decreased by more than 30%.
Factors Affecting Consumers' Intention to Buy Foreign Brands - An Empirical Survey in Serbia

Abstract: Research question: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors that influence consumers' intentions when buying foreign brands, and then the purchase itself. Motivation: The business environment is experiencing an extensive change and it has become very demanding for companies to retain customers as well as market share. Companies must learn to adapt to changes in order to survive in the market, and therefore need to be aware of the needs of their customers and their purchasing decisions. The rise in consumer awareness has led consumers to opt for well-known and high-quality foreign brands. Hence, if companies hope to outperform their competitors, they need to persuade consumers to purchase their products and brands. Idea: The main objective of the research is to be based on previous research in this field to find out whether perceived quality, prestige, perceived value and environmental impact affect the intention of domestic consumers to buy foreign brands, and consequently the purchase of these foreign brands. Data: The survey was conducted on the territory of the Republic of Serbia by means of a questionnaire and included 158 respondents. Data were collected from the respondents electronically during a period of about one month. Tools: Statistical analyses of all collected data (utilizing linear correlation, multiple regression analysis, T-test of sample independence and ANOVA) were used to draw conclusions about the relationships between the observed variables and to determine differences in the mean values between individual categories of respondents in terms of buying foreign brands. Findings: Multiple regression analysis confirmed the statistically significant influence of perceived quality and perceived value on the intention of consumers in Serbia to buy foreign brands. Other factors do not have a statistically significant effect on consumer intention. Also, a simple regression analysis revealed a statistically significant influence of consumer intention on the act of purchase. At the very end of the paper, it was determined that statistically significant differences regarding the purchase of foreign brands existed when respondents were observed by gender and education levels, while age did not have a statistical significance. Contribution: This research has a scientific and practical contribution in terms of collecting information about the factors that influence the consumers` intension to buy foreign brands.