Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peer Group Choice and Chief Executive Officer Compensation

We examine the selection of peer groups that boards of directors use when setting the level of CEO compensation. This choice is controversial because it is difficult to ascertain whether peer groups are selected to (i) attract and retain top executive talent or (ii) enable rent extraction by inappropriately increasing CEO compensation. In contrast to prior research, our analysis utilizes the degree to which the observed compensation level of peers in the portfolio is unusual relative to all potential portfolios of peers the board of directors could have reasonably selected. Using a sample of 10,235 firm-year observations from 2008 to 2014, we estimate roughly 33% of board of directorsâ€™ choices appear to be associated with rent extraction, whereas the remaining 67% are associated with attracting and retaining high-quality CEO talent. Relative to firms that appear to select peers for aspirational labor market reasons, we find rent extraction firms have more structural governance concerns and realized negative governance outcomes. Over our sample period, we estimate the aggregate excess pay for rent extraction firms is approximately $5.4 billion, or 38% of their total pay.
The Efficacy of a Mediterranean Diet in Reducing the Risk of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease Incidence and Mortality in Patients with Known Risk Factors

Background: Heart disease and stroke are two leading causes of disability and death in the United States. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce recurrent cardiovascular events and decrease inflammatory biomarkers that contribute to atherosclerotic progression. Should the Mediterranean diet be recommended to patients with known risk factors for cardiovascular disease to reduce risk of first incident or mortality associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease? Methods: An exhaustive search of available medical literature was conducted using Medline-OVID, CINAHL and EBSCO-Host. The key words that were used individually and in combination included: Mediterranean diet, vascular inflammation, cardiovascular disease treatment, cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, CRP and IL-6. Relevant articles were assessed for quality using GRADE. Results: Three studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were used in this review. The first is a large prospective Greek-population cohort study, which found a decrease in mortality from coronary heart disease with greater Mediterranean diet adherence. The second is a large prospective Manhattan-population cohort study, which found no association for diet adherence and ischemic stroke and a reduced risk of myocardial infarction and vascular death up to a score of four. The third is a large prospective Mediterranean-population based cohort study, which found a reduction in cerebrovascular incident with diet scores greater than four. Conclusion: The Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. There is conflicting evidence regarding reduction of cerebrovascular disease incidence and mortality. The overall study quality is very low due to design and follow up time, however, a dose response gradient is evident in each study. Providers should advise patients without disease but with known risk factors to implement complete adherence to the Mediterranean diet for best risk reduction.
3 D mixing in hot Jupiter atmospheres I : application to the day / night cold trap in HD 209458 b

Context. Hot Jupiters exhibit atmospheric temperatures ranging fro m hundreds to thousands of Kelvin. Because of their large day night temperature di fferences, condensable species that are stable in the gas phas e on the dayside—such as TiO and silicates—may condense and gravitationally settle on the nightside. Atmo spheric circulation may counterbalance this tendency to gr avitationally settle. This three dimensional (3D) mixing of chemical spec ies has not previously been studied for hot Jupiters, yet it i s crucial to assess the existence and distribution of TiO and silicates i n the atmospheres of these planets. Aims. We investigate the strength of the nightside cold trap in hot -Jupiter atmospheres by investigating the mechanisms and s trength of the vertical mixing in these stably stratified atmosphere s. We apply our model to the particular case of TiO to address t he question of whether TiO can exist at low pressure in su fficient abundances to produce stratospheric thermal inversi ons despite the nightside cold trap. Methods. We perform 3D global circulation models of HD 209458b includ ing passive tracers that advect with the 3D flow, including a source/sink on the nightside to represent condensation and gravita tional settling of haze particles. Results. We show that global advection patterns produce strong verti cal mixing that can keep condensable species lofted as long as they are trapped in particles of sizes of a few microns or le ss on the night side. We show that vertical mixing results not from small-scale convection but from the large-scale circulati on driven by the day-night heating contrast. Although this v ertical mixing is not diffusive in any rigorous sense, a comparison of our results with idealized di ffusion models allows a rough estimate of the e ff ctive vertical eddy di ffusivities in these atmospheres. The value Kzz = 5×10 4 √ Pbar m 2 /s can be used in 1D models of HD 209458b. Moreover, our models exhibit strong spatial and temporal variability n the tracer concentration that could result in observable variations during either transit or secondary eclipse measurements. Finally , we apply our model to the case of TiO in HD 209458b and show tha t the day-night cold trap would deplete TiO if it condenses into pa rticles bigger than a few microns on the planet’s night side, making it unable to create the observed stratosphere of the planet.
Low-loss integrated photonics for the blue and ultraviolet regime

We present a low-loss integrated photonics platform in the visible and near ultraviolet (UV) regime. Fully etched waveguides based on atomic layer deposition (ALD) of aluminum oxide operate in a single transverse mode with <3 dB/cm propagation loss at a wavelength of 371 nm. Ring resonators with intrinsic quality factors exceeding 470 000 are demonstrated at 405 nm, and the thermo-optic coefficient of ALD aluminum oxide is estimated to be 2.75 × 10−5 (RIU/°C). Absorption loss is sufficiently low to allow on-resonance operation with intra-cavity powers up to at least 12.5 mW, limited by available laser power. Experimental and simulated data indicate that the propagation loss is dominated by sidewall roughness, suggesting that lower loss in the blue and UV is achievable.
What Drives the Interest Rates in the P2P Consumer Lending Market? Empirical Evidence from Switzerland

Traditionally, the lending of money in a bank-based financial system is controlled by banks. The rise of online Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending markets that unite non-institutional borrowers and lenders is challenging the classical bank loan. By using a unique data set on loan contracts between borrowers and investors from Switzerland, we analyze the determinants of the P2P consumer loan interest rates – a research question that has not yet been analyzed empirically. In addition to the loan-specific and macroeconomic factors that significantly affect the interest rates, we also find some discrimination by the lenders. Furthermore, our results reveal that borrower-specific factors such as its economic status significantly influence lender evaluations of the borrower’s credit risk and thus the interest rates, especially as the market for P2P consumer loans matures.
Implementation of the Pathfinding System for Autonomous Navigation of Mobile Ground Robot

Andrey V. Bokovoy*†, Maxim B. Fomin*, Konstantin S. Yakovlev*‡ * Department of Information Technologies, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya str. 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia † Institute for Problems of Artificial Intelligence, Federal Research Center "Computer Science and Control" of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova str. 44/2, Moscow, 119333, Russia ‡ Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 9 Institutskiy per. , Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
Characterizing the Natural System: Toward Sustained, Integrated Coastal Ocean Acidification Observing Networks to Facilitate Resource Management and Decision Support

Author Posting. © The Oceanography Society, 2015. This article is posted here by permission of The Oceanography Society for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Oceanography 28, no. 2 (2015): 92-107, doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015. 34.
Strain partitioning at the eastern Pamir-Alai revealed through SAR data analysis of the 2008 Nura earthquake

S U M M A R Y On 2008 October 5, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the eastern termination of the intermontane Alai valley between the southern Tien Shan and the northern Pamir of Kyrgyzstan. The shallow thrust earthquake occurred in the footwall of the Main Pamir thrust, where the Pamir orogen is colliding with the southern Tien Shan mountains. We measure the coseismic surface displacements using SAR (Synthetic Aperture RADAR) data; the results show clear gradients in the vertical and horizontal directions along a complex pattern of surface ruptures and active faults. To integrate and to interpret these observations in the context of the regional tectonics, we complement the SAR data analysis with seismological data and geological field observations. While the main moment release of the Nura earthquake appears to be on the Pamir Frontal thrust, the main surface displacements and surface rupture occurred in the footwall along the NE–SW striking Irkeshtam fault. With InSAR data from ascending and descending tracks along with pixel offset measurements, we model the Nura earthquake source as a segmented rupture. One fault segment corresponds to high-angle brittle faulting at the Pamir Frontal thrust and two more fault segments show moderate-angle and low-friction thrusting at the Irkeshtam fault. Our integrated analysis of the coseismic deformation argues for rupture segmentation and strain partitioning associated to the earthquake. It possibly activated an orogenic wedge in the easternmost segment of the Pamir-Alai collision zone. Further, the style of the segmentation may be associated with the presence of Palaeogene evaporites.
Performance Analysis of Hindi Voice for Speaker Recognition and Verification Using Different Feature Extraction

Hindi is the most common language in India and being spoken by about 80% and understanding rate is about 93% by Indians. Different region has many common languages and they pronounce according to their culture environment. Pronunciations may be different but the meaning of the word being spoken is same. So, we try through this paper with the help of different Hindi voice database taken from different part of India and focus to analyze the performance of voice using different feature extraction techniques. This will to identify the proper feature extraction method according to their voices and analyze the performance of these feature extraction techniques. The efficiency of these feature extraction techniques will also help to analyze recognize and verification of the speaker performance.
The Selection of Prior Distributions by Formal Rules

Abstract Subjectivism has become the dominant philosophical foundation for Bayesian inference. Yet in practice, most Bayesian analyses are performed with so-called “noninformative” priors, that is, priors constructed by some formal rule. We review the plethora of techniques for constructing such priors and discuss some of the practical and philosophical issues that arise when they are used. We give special emphasis to Jeffreys's rules and discuss the evolution of his viewpoint about the interpretation of priors, away from unique representation of ignorance toward the notion that they should be chosen by convention. We conclude that the problems raised by the research on priors chosen by formal rules are serious and may not be dismissed lightly: When sample sizes are small (relative to the number of parameters being estimated), it is dangerous to put faith in any “default” solution; but when asymptotics take over, Jeffreys's rules and their variants remain reasonable choices. We also provide an annotated b.
Webapp Effort Estimation using Cosmic Method

Effort estimation is the important task in project planning phase in software industry. The process is complex as the complexity and size of software to be built. In the conventional software, there are many classical techniques have been used for effort estimation purpose. These techniques are not suitable to be applied on Webapp development because of the difficulty of sizing software in Webapp and the huge amount of data. In this work we proposed an algorithm for estimating the effort of Webapp software using COSMIC function point combined with the conceptual model of the software which is data based driven from Webapp. The method focuses on the extensive of data movement in the software which may be elicited from the conceptual model. For this purpose 19 Webapps with their conceptual models are used for effort estimation. Effort estimation model was built using cubic regression model and accuracy indicators such as MRE, MMRE, MdMRE, and Pred(0.25) were used to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Preparation and characterization of PEG-assisted growth of colloidal Ag nanoparticles

Colloidal Silver nanoparticles were prepared under mild conditions using poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) in the presence of PVA as surfactant. Ethylene glycol was used as a reducing agent for the preparation of metal particles at room temperature. Ag +1 can be smoothly reduced to silver nanoparticles at ambient condition in PEG 400. UV-visible studies demonstrated that the reducing rate of Ag +1 to nano-Ag was remarkably enhanced with the increased amount of the PEG. The transmission microscope images prove that the reduced Ag nanoparticles were spherical in shape. The pathway described here was considered as a green route for preparation of silver nanoparticles.
Beat to Beat Estimation of cosRT Angle and cosRT RR Hysteresis from Exercise ECG Measurement

Method for estimating beat-by-beat cosRT angle from the 12-lead exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement is presented. Method uses principal component regression to generate ECG waveform model, and uses this model to denoise QRS complexes and T-waves. In addition two different methods for synthetizing vector ECG from the conventional 12-lead measurement are compared. First method synthetize vector ECG by using inverse of the Dowers matrix and second method produces vector ECG by using singular value decomposition. Results indicate that vector ECG synthesized using Dowers matrix gives more comparable results for healthy subjects. Beat-by-beat cosRT estimation revealed that due to respiration angle values can vary as much as 70 degrees, because of changes to electrode positions and volume conduction model of the torso. Thereby presented method for beat-by-beat estimation of the cosRT angle can improve reliability of this parameter.
The Final Report Title : Permeability prediction of three-dimensional Woven Fabrics

Liquid molding processes are becoming more popular among the composite manufacturing industries due to their versatility and economy among other merits. In analyzing the flow during the process, permeability is the most important parameter. Permeability has been regarded as a property of the porous medium. However, in many practical cases, the value may vary depending on the flow conditions such as the flow rate. It is speculated that this deviation is caused by inhomogeneous microstructure of the medium. In this study, numerical simulations as well as experimental measurements have been done to investigate the cause of deviation. Microstructure of porous medium was modeled as an array of porous cylinders. Resin flow through the array was simulated numerically. Simulations were performed for two different flow conditions, namely saturated flow and unsaturated flow. Based upon the results, permeabilities were estimated and compared for the two flow conditions. In addition, a model was proposed to predict the permeability for different flow conditions. Results showed that experimental data were in agreement with the prediction by the model. Introduction Liquid composite molding processes are widely used for manufacturing fiber reinforced polymer composites. These processes offer advantages of low cost and high quality and versatility(Fig. 1). In case of liquid composite molding, understanding of the resin flow in a porous preform is very important[1]. To characterize the flow through a porous medium, using permeability is a conventional way. Permeability is defined by Darcy’s law which can be written as the following equation[2]. p A Q ∇ − = μ K (1) where Q is the volumetric flow rate, A is the normal cross-sectional area, p ∇ is the pressure gradient and μ is the viscosity of the resin. K represents the permeability tensor of the medium. (a) Geometric Complexity (b) Performance Figure 1 The tradeoff between cost and some factors provided by various processes[1] Permeability has been regarded as a value which is not affected by the flow conditions such as the viscosity of the fluid. However, in many practical cases, the value may vary depending on the flow situations[1,3]. In this study, numerical simulations were done to investigate the causes and tendency of the deviation in permeability.
Performance and Lipid Profile of Broilers Fed Two Medicinal Plants

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding garlic powder and dried thyme leaves on the performance, digestibility, dressing percentage, carcass and non carcass cuts and lipid profile of broilers. A total of 216 day-old Cobb500 chicks were used in this experiment. Birds were divided into nine experimental treatments of 24 birds in each. Each treatment was composed of 4 replicates with 6 birds in each replicate. The control group was fed a commercial starter and finisher diet. The second and third groups were supplemented with garlic at the rate of 0.2 and 0.4%, respectively. Birds in fourth and fifth groups were supplemented with thyme at the rate of 0.02 and 0.04%, respectively. The birds in the last four experimental groups were supplemented with a mixture of the supplements at the two levels (0.2%+0.02% for the sixth group, 0.4%+0.04% for the seventh group, 0.2% + 0.04% for the eighth group and 0.4% + 0.02% for the ninth group). In the last week of experiment, three birds from each experimental unit were used in metabolic and slaughter trials. Blood samples from all groups were collected on 3rd, 4 and 5th weeks of age from wing vein for lipid profile studies. Total cholesterol (TCHO), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were determined. Results of this study showed that both garlic powder and the dried thyme leaves when fed separately had no significant effects on broilers weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass cuts, visceral organs. However, both plants decreased (P<0.05) the levels of serum cholesterol (CHO), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and the high density lipoprotein (HDL) compared to the control birds. The digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) was improved by feeding garlic powder and dried thyme leaves individually. Diets supplemented with mixture of garlic powder and dried thyme leaves caused a significant improvement (P<0.05) in final body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, dressing percentages, carcass weight, EE and the digestibility of DM, CP and EE compared to other treatments and the control chicks. These mixtures at different levels and separately caused a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the levels of CHO, TG, and LDL, and cause improvement in (HDL). The mixtures used had no effect on carcass cuts and visceral organ weight. It can be concluded that garlic powder and dried thyme leaves supplements can provide positive advantages in broilers performance.
Modelling inflation with a power-law approach to the inflationary plateau

A new family of inflationary models is introduced and analyzed. The behavior of the parameters characterizing the models suggest preferred values, which generate the most interesting testable predictions. Results are further improved if late reheating and/or a subsequent period of thermal inflation is taken into account. Specific model realizations consider a sub-Planckian inflaton variation or a potential without fine-tuning of mass scales, based on the Planck and grand unified theory scales. A toy model realization in the context of global and local supersymmetry is examined, and results fitting the Planck observations are determined.
Review of dielectric drying of foods and agricultural products.

Dielectric drying methods with microwave (MW) and radio frequency (RF) energy as emerging drying technologies have drawn much attention from both research community and industry over the past decades. When properly applied, MW and RF drying can be energy efficient and of great potential to be used for a wide range of materials. However there are few reviews that cover both MW and RF drying technologies. Such a review is timely considering the ever increasing interest of the food industry in adapting energy efficient new drying technologies. This paper attends to provide a comprehensive review on uses of MW and RF energy in drying of foods and agricultural products. It provides a brief discussion on the fundamental theory of MW and RF heating and gives a general overview of the works of the most active research groups on modeling of drying kinetic, energy control strategy and the influence of MW and RF drying conditions on quality and structural changes of the final products. Finally, it proposes possible solutions to main challenges facing the industrial adaptation of the
An Aboriginal Worldview of Helping: Empowering Approaches

Euro-Canadian interventions have not successfully addressed the socio-economic problems experienced in Aboriginal communities as a result of years of colonization. Leading up to the new millennium, cultural forces have started to shift, and Euro-Canadian counsellors, therapists, and other helpers began to respond more effectively to the needs of Aboriginal peoples. A number of Aboriginal groups and communities took leadership by developing their own holistic approaches to healing/wellness, based on their worldviews. A reflection on this process with an awareness of Aboriginal worldviews and cultural imperatives offers possible approaches which facilitate empowerment in working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal clients.