Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pyrolysis gas chromatographic studies on polyphosphate esters of bisphenol A

SUMMARY: Pyrolysis gas chromatographic studies were carried out on two polyphosphate esters of bisphenol Ab). The gaseous pyrolysis products were found to be mainly phenols and a few phosphate compounds. The identification of phosphorus compounds in the gas phase proves a gas phase mechanism of flame retardant action for polyphosphates. The presence of phosphoric acid in the char residue supports the existence of the conventional condensed-phase mechanism. Thus, the study demonstrates that both condensed-phase and gas-phase mechanisms are operative in the flame-retardant action of polyphosphates.
A New Adaptive Hybrid Recommender Framework for Learning Material Recommendation

Recommender system is a promising technology in online learning environments to present personalized offers for supporting activity of users. According to difficulty of locating appropriate learning materials to learners, this paper proposes an adaptive hybrid recommender framework that considers dynamic interests of learners and multi-attribute of materials in the unified model. Since learners express their preference based on some specific attributes of materials, learner preference matrix (LPM) is introduced that can model the interest of learners based on attributes of materials using historical rating of accessed materials by learners. Then, the approach uses collaborative filtering and content based filtering to generate hybrid recommendation. In addition, a new adaptive strategy is used to model dynamic preference of learners. The experiments show that our proposed method outperforms the previous algorithms on precision, recall and intra-list similarity measure and also can alleviate the sparsity problem.
Searching for the Sustainably Profitable Stocks: Evidence on S&P 500 Companies

Using a balanced panel dataset of 214 firms from S&P 500 during 2001-2012, the main purpose of this study is to search for the possibility of the sustainably profitable stocks by utilizing a nonlinear panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model. We document three important empirical findings on this study. First, we show that the concurrent total asset growth rate and the change in EPS positively correlate with the market adjusted stock returns, while one-year lagged market-to-book asset ratio (MBA) had negative impact on market adjusted stock returns. Second, we find that most value stocks remained in the same regime over the sample period and the annual average market-adjusted return of these value stocks is 7.80%, approximately 10.56% higher than growth stocks. Third, we further report that 116 valued firms in our sample are most likely to be sustainably profitable stocks over the entire sample period and the annual average market-adjusted return of these stocks is 6.53%. Especially now, with an investment environment that has been somewhat ungenerous in offering returns, we expect these interesting findings provide rich implications for institutional investors to design profitable and effective investment strategies.
TIF film, substrates and nonfumigant soil disinfestation maintain fruit yields

A 5-year project to facilitate the adoption of strawberry production systems that do not use methyl bromide initially focused on fumigant alternatives and resulted in increased use of barrier films that reduce fumigant emissions. The focus shifted in year 3 to evaluating and demonstrating nonfumigant alternatives: soilless production, biofumigation, anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) and disinfestation with steam. In the 2010–2011 strawberry production season, fruit yields on substrates were comparable to fruit yields using conventional methods. Anaerobic soil disinfestation and steam disinfestation also resulted in fruit yields that were comparable to those produced using conventionally fumigated soils. Additional work is in progress to evaluate their efficacy in larger-scale production systems in different strawberry production districts in California.
Role of National Culture of Foreign Investors in the Area of Credit Risk Management: Case Study of Polish Banking Industry

Among the researches dedicated to the risk management in banks, there are not many analyses made from cultural point of view. The author attempts to assess the attitude to credit risk in the Polish banking system, in terms of cultural factors influencing the approach to this issue. The purpose of this paper is focused on testing the hypothesis that foreign owners of banks (headquarters) transfer elements of their national culture to its subsidiaries operating in Poland. It is done by analysis of statistical correlations between the indexes defining the main characteristics of national cultures and the actual financial performance indicators reached by selected banks in the period from 2004 to 2010 in Poland. The study objectives are the following: Firstly, whether the owners from different countries transfer their cultural attitude to risk to subordinate daughter-banks in Poland. The second question concerns the relevance of uncertainty avoidance and individualism/collectivism concepts of two, to some extent, competing approaches. The findings say that the regularity of the transfer of the cultural attitude to credit risk from the parent banks to their subsidiaries is confirmed by interviews with senior managers, but it is only partially reflected in the statistics. Main outcomes of the study propose that the cultural factors of bank risk management policy shouldn’t be ignored and developed in other cross-cultural research areas, e.g. ethnocentrism. Generally, these studies are present lessons for companies, investors, and policymakers, but the usefulness of these implications varies.
Effect of environmental conditions on the genotypic difference in nitrogen use efficiency in maize

Selection for nitrogen (N) efficient cultivars is typically conducted under favorable field conditions with only difference in soil N availability. However, in practical field conditions, variation in soil types and/or seasonal weather conditions may have a strong influence on plant growth and therefore, N use efficiency. In the present study, a set of 3 genotypes (JD209, JD180 and SM25) were compared for their response to N inputs in two locations with different soil types in 2004 and 2005. It was found that maize yield in Xin-Li-Cheng with black soils was significantly higher than that in Qian-an with light chernozem soil. At the same location, maize yield in 2005 was higher than in 2004 because there was more rainfall in 2005. With sufficient N supplies (150 to 300 kg/ha), no difference in yield potential was observed among the 3 hybrids under the favorable soil and weather conditions. Nevertheless, genotypic difference in maize yield in response to N inputs was observed under varied soil types and rainfall conditions. N-efficient JD209 only showed low-N tolerance under unfavorable soil (light chernozem) and water shortage condition (in 2004). It is concluded that, identification of N-efficient cultivars should be conducted under multiple environments. Key words: Maize, N efficiency, soil, precipitation.
PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND IN VIVO PHARMACODYNAMIC EVALUATION OF LYOPHILIZED MELOXICAM: β-CYCLODEXTRIN INCLUSION COMPLEXES

Objective: The objective of the present work was to enhance solubility, in vitro dissolution and in vivo pharmacodynamic activity of meloxicam (MLX) by preparation of lyophilized inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin. Methods: Phase solubility studies were conducted to analyze the influence of βCD on solubility of MLX. Inclusion complexes (ICs) of MLX & βCD were prepared in 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2M ratio followed by in vitro dissolution studies. The amorphous nature of the optimized IC and interaction of MLX with CD was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). The in vivo anti-inflammatory ability of optimized IC was evaluated by carrageenan induced rat paw edema method while the analgesic study was conducted using acetic acid induced writhing test in mice. Results: Solubility of pure MLX in water at 25°C was found to be only 9.4 µg/mL. The AL type of phase solubility curve of MLX with β-CD confirmed the solubility enhancement capability of CD. Based on the in vitro dissolution studies, 1:1M IC was found to be optimum for further studies. The in vivo anti-inflammatory ability of optimized IC was significantly higher and faster (edema inhibition of 63.36 ± 6.43% at the end of two hours) as compared to plain MLX (39.75 ± 4.73% at the end of four hours). Analgesic studies revealed rapid onset of action from optimized IC (73.9% inhibition of writhes in 20 minutes) as compared to that of plain MLX (38.14% inhibition of writhes in 40 minutes). Conclusion: These results prove that inclusion of MLX in βCD enhances not only the in vitro dissolution of the drug, but also improves its in vivo pharmacodynamic activity.
Rough Terrain Mobile Robot Localization Using Stereovision

Mobile robots are increasingly being used in high-risk rough terrain situations, such as reconnaissance, planetary exploration, safety and rescue applications. Conventional localization algorithms are not well suited to rough terrain, since sensor drift and the dynamic effects occurring at wheel-terrain interface, such as slipping and sinkage, largely compromise their accuracy. In this paper, we follow a novel approach for 6-DoF ego-motion estimation, using stereovision. It integrates image intensity information and 3D stereo data within an Iterative Closest Point (ICP) scheme. Neither a-priori knowledge of the motion and the terrain properties nor inputs from other sensors are required, while the only assumption is that the scene always contains visually distinctive features, which can be tracked over subsequent stereo pairs. This generates what is usually referred to as visual odometry. The paper details the various steps of the algorithm and presents the results of experimental tests performed with an all-terrain rover, proving the method to be effective and robust.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Package Tour for Chinese Tourists in Kathmandu

Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu Tampere University of Applied Sciences Degree Programme in Tourism Suraj K.C. : Package Tour for Chinese Tourists in Kathmandu Bachelor's thesis 41 pages April 2015 Chinese outbound tourism is currently the single second largest source of tourism in the world and is well on the road to becoming the largest in a few years. Despite being a destination in a neighboring country, Kathmandu, a destination voted one of the top 25 destinations of 2014 by trip advisor is however yet to capitalize on this. The aim of this thesis was to develop a package tour for Chinese tourists by doing a thorough research on their consumer behavior and consumer trend. The research in this thesis was implemented using secondary data from wide scale researches from multiple sources. This data was first analyzed using a theoretical framework and then eventually the outcomes were utilized in the product development. The results from the research showed the general expectation from Chinese holiday makers, booking process, their choice of activities while in destination and most importantly some growing trends in the Chinese outbound tourism sector. Moreover, this outcome of the research further proved that there are some trends and similarities among Chinese tourist and thus this can be applied in product development for a more desirable and satisfying product. Hence, based on this results two package tour options were developed.
Caracterización de Klebsiella pneumoniae CP1 aislada de bulbos de cebolla (Allium cepa L.)

Las bacteriosis de cebolla ( Allium cepa L.) que producen podredumbre en el bulbo son causadas por varias especies de los generos Xanthomonas, Pantoea, Enterobacter y Burkholderia . El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar el micro- organismo causante de la podredumbre blanda observada en bulbos de cebollas obtenidas de supermercados locales. La caracterizacion bioquimica fue realizada mediante la galeria API 20E y la identificacion molecular secuenciando el gen ARN-ribosomal 16S, amplificado por PCR. Adicionalmente se determino la susceptibilidad a diferentes antibioticos y la capacidad de formacion de biopelicula. Los resultados de la caracterizacion bioquimica y molecular del aislado CP1, que reprodujo los sintomas de patogenicidad en cebolla, confirmo una identidad con Klebsiella pneumonia e en un 97,9% y 99% respectivamente. Â CP1 mostro resistencia a antibioticos Â ampicilina,Â gentamicina, Â tobramicina, Â estreptomicina, kanamicina, trimetoprim y tetraciclina, asi como la produccion de una biopelicula fuertemente adherente. Estos resultados podrian sugerir un origen no ambiental de dicho aislado. Klebsiella pneumoniae es un importante patogeno de humanos y animales con una amplia distribucion en el ambiente y en plantas, donde se la ha aislado como endofita por su capacidad de fijar nitrogeno. Este seria el primer reporte de Klebsiella pneumoniae como patogeno en cebolla por lo que se recomienda hacerle un seguimiento a la incidencia de esta bacteriosis en cultivos de cebolla del pais y en caso de ser un problema recurrente en los cultivos, buscar el origen de la contaminacion.
Diversity and the Composition of Fatty Acids of Lipolytic Bacteria Isolated from Soil and Aquatic Sediment in a Forest and on an Oil Palm Plantation

The specific bacteria in forests and on oil palm plantations are lipolytic bacteria. Their enzymes have been applied in the agro-aquaculture, food, detergent, pharmaceutical, dairy, and biodiesel-biokerosene industries. This study describes the diversity of cultivable lipolytic bacteria from soil and aquatic sediment in a forest and on an oil palm plantation and their fatty acid products. Soil samples used in this research were obtained from topsoil in a lowland forest and on an oil palm plantation and from sediments in fresh water near these sites. The forest is located in Bukit Duabelas National Park, and the oil palm plantation is near the forest in Sarolangun District, Jambi Province, Indonesia. Twenty-two isolates of lypolitic bacteria were selected from 32 isolates grown in lipolytic selective medium. The 22 consisted of 11 isolates from topsoil and 11 from aquatic sediment from the forest and plantation area. These isolates were identified by 16S rRNA-sequence data analysis. Taxonomically, they belonged to five genera: Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, Serratia, Acinetobacter, and Kurthia. The maximum likelihood tree showed that they are phylogenetically distributed in three clusters. They were clustered into three groups: the Burkholderia-Cupriavidus group, the Serratia-Acinetobacter group, and the Kurthia group. Their lipolytic enzymes formed various fatty acids after analysis by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Some isolates formed essential fatty acids, such as linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic, eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), and docosahexanoic acid (DHA).
Adapting Epic Theatre Principles for the Design of Games for Learning

Educational games are primarily developed for use in formal education, which limits both their typical audience and the subject matter they may address. This paper presents recommendations for designing games for learning to be played outside the context of formal education, which explore the ways complex systems influence real human lives. Existing work from within the field and epic theatre principles form the basis for these guidelines. In this framework, the context of educational game play is considered alongside game content as essential to encouraging reflective play behaviour. Educational aims are made explicit throughout game involvement, and each aspect of the game directly contributes to stimulating reflection on the topics at hand. Complex subject matter — for example, the ways systems such as economics affect players in real life — may be fruitfully explored using this approach.
Analysis and Partial Purification of Heat Stable Proteins in Sheep Liver Homogenate by Salt Fractionation Using Ammonium Sulfate

Heat stability refers to the fraction of proteins that remain soluble when heated to 90°C thus greatly facilitating their enrichment subsequent purification. Under these conditions approximately 95% of the total cell protein (heat stable) fraction from sheep liver homogenate was thus prepared and analyzed to meet the objectives of the study.The thermolabile proteins were removed by centrifugation and supernatant containing soluble proteins were stored until processed further. At least proteins were purified to homogeneity using conventional biochemical techniques of salt fractionation with ammonium sulfate, followed by DEAE-Cellulose chromatography and the purity analyzed by SDS-page.
Electro-acustic influence of the measuring system on the photoacoustic signal amplitude and phase in frequency domain

The paper discusses the most common impacts of the measuring system on the amplitude and phase of the photoacoustic signals in the frequency domain using the opencell experimental set-up. The highest signal distortions are detected at the ends of the observed modulation frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The attenuation of the signal is observed at lower frequencies, caused by the electronic filtering of the microphone and sound card, with characteristic frequencies of 15 Hz and 25 Hz. At higher frequencies, the dominant signal distortions are caused by the microphone acoustic filtering, having characteristic frequencies around 9 kHz and 15 kHz. It has been found that the microphone incoherent noise, the so called flicker noise, is negligibly small in comparison to the signal and does not affect the signal shape. However, a coherent noise originating from the power modulation system of the light source significantly affects the shape of the signal in the range greater than 10 kHz. The effects of the coherent noise and measuring system influence are eliminated completely using the relevant signal correction procedure targeting the photoacoustic signal generated by the sample.
WAVE INTERACTIONS AND NUMERICAL APPROXIMATION FOR TWO-DIMENSIONAL SCALAR CONSERVATION LAWS

This paper is concerned with the interplay of the spatial splitting and high resolution schemes for the approximation of solutions to multidimensional scalar conservation laws. We first review the general theory for two–dimensional wave interactions of “Riemann– type”. This is followed by a detailed discussion of two cases: The Burgers equation and the Guckenheimer equation. We then utilize the explicit, analytic structure of solutions to test the adaptivity of the one–dimensional Godunov scheme and GRP (Generalized Riemann Problem) scheme to “Strang spatial splitting” and the geometric complexity of the problem. The results demonstrate that both schemes produce a correct approximation to complex 2–D wave–interaction patterns. However, they differ at “fine” points of the solutions, leading to various conclusions concerning the accuracy of numerical schemes.
Eficacia comparativa en el tratamiento quirúrgico de pacientes con el síndrome del túnel del carpo

RESUMEN. Introduccion: El sindrome del tunel del carpo es la neuropatia periferica de atrapamiento nervioso mas frecuente, causada por la compresion del nervio mediano en la muneca. El tratamiento conservador tiene 75% de exito. Existen tres tipos de procedimientos quirurgicos: abierto, endoscopico y minimamente invasivo. Todos son altamente efectivos. Existe gran controversia para establecer el metodo mas beneficioso. Objetivo: Determinar las ventajas, desventajas, complicaciones de los procedimientos quirurgicos, utilizando escalas validadas. Resultados: 48 pacientes con sindrome del tunel del carpo confirmado por electromiografia tratados quirurgicamente: a) Liberacion abierta, b) Liberacion endoscopica (tecnica de Agee). Durante el transoperatorio por el metodo endoscopico se hallo disminucion del espacio carpal y presencia de abundante tejido fibroadiposo. Se dio seguimiento, se evaluaron los resultados teniendo en cuenta: CSTC, DASH, dolor, signo de Phalen, sensibilidad, fuerza muscular, movilidad de la muneca. Conclusiones: Ambos procedimientos son seguros, ninguna complicacion. Los pacientes tratados por liberacion endoscopica, evolucionaron significativamente mejor durante el postoperatorio inmediato p = 0.001 hasta los 3 meses p = 0.0001, siguieron siendo mejores hasta los 6 me
Local spin-flip spectral distribution obtained by resonant x- ray Raman scattering

We show that resonant x-ray Raman ~RXR! scattering can be used to study the local spin-flip excitation spectral distribution in magnetically ordered 3 d transition-metal compounds. We demonstrate with realistic calculations on the 3 p x-ray absorption edge of a Cu 21 compound and the 2p edge of a Ni 21 compound that the scattered x-ray energy and intensity distribution contains the excitation spectrum resulting from a single local spin flip, as well as dd excitations accompanied by local spin flip satellites. We develop the theory describing this effect and discuss the polarization conditions that can be used to observe these effects. @S0163-1829~98! 02320-0# Recent advances in synchrotron radiation sources highresolution monochromators and x-ray detection techniques have made high-resolution x-ray scattering techniques useful in the study of phonons and crystal field excitations in
Comparative Study on the Economic Efficiency of Rapeseed Culture in Conventional and Organic Systems

From an economic point of view, efficiency implies the use of resources, of any kind, at maximum efficiency, or else the relation between effect and effort is over unit. In any kind of activity economic efficiency is the basis for its start. In the present paper, the level of economic efficiency for rape crops will be determined, according to two technological systems: conventional and organic. The revenue structure, and especially the expenditure, will be found in the income and expenditure budget of the culture. We will compare the value of production, production costs, but also yield or rate of return. In the continuation of the study, a set of indicators of economic efficiency will be calculated for each crop system, which will be subjected to a mirror analysis, to determine the feasibility of rapeseed crops as accurately as possible. Finally, the results will be presented, the profitability of the crop according to the system, the level of the profit and the recommendations regarding the future way of growing the rapeseed.
COLONIZERS, WAIFS, AND STOWAWAYS: ARRIVAL OF NEW PLANT SPECIES ON SANTA BARBARA ISLAND OVER A 30-YEAR PERIOD

Santa Barbara Island is a small island with an extensive history of botanical exploration. We report on floristic studies on the island that have spanned the last three decades, covering the period since the removal of introduced European rabbits from the island. In aggregate, these studies have surveyed this small island thoroughly, and have recorded a significant percentage of additions to the island flora. Over the course of this period, 32 plant species have been recorded that are new to Santa Barbara Island. Just over half of these are non-natives. A few of the new species, such as Baccharis emoryi, have only been found on the island as single, non-persisting individuals. Most of the non-natives were first recorded in the Landing Cove area of the island, along trails, or in other locations that suggest they were inadvertently transported to the island by people. Of the native species, nine are composites (family Asteraceae), and all appear to have arrived on their own. Particularly noteworthy is the genus Pseudognaphalium, previously unknown from Santa Barbara Island, but which is now represented by four species there (three native and one non-native). These results have implications both for management of invasive weeds, and in furthering our understanding of island biogeography. From the management standpoint, understanding where and how non-native plants arrive is an important step to limiting future, unwanted colonizers.