Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A compact antipodal Vivaldi antenna with metamaterial half-lens for beam control

A compact antipodal Vivaldi antenna (AVA) with metamaterial half-lens (MHL) for beam control is proposed. The proposed AVA has three different beam forms in the operating frequency band, including end beam from 3 GHz to 9 GHz, beam splitting at 12.2 GHz, and 30∘ beam deflection at 13 GHz. Furthermore, it can perform 18∘ beam scanning by adjusting operating frequency from 12.7 GHz to 13.5 GHz. The simulation indicates that the proposed AVA has a −10 dB impedance bandwidth of 143.6% (2.3–14.0 GHz) and a −3 dB gain bandwidth of 100% (4.5–13.5 GHz), which is consistent with the experimental results. Besides, the gain of the proposed AVA has an improvement of about 2 dB in the working band. As a new method to control the beam, the loading of MHL realizes the design of a small size and multi-function antenna, which can be widely used in wireless communication systems.
What Characteristics Do the Firms Have That Go Beyond Compliance with Regulation in Environmental Protection? A Multiple Discriminant Analysis

This paper is focused on analyzing the characteristics of firms that have environmental performance beyond the requirements of regulation in environmental protection. To identify such characteristics, we propose a value and context model building on environmental paradigms as conceptualized by Dryzek’s environmental discourse theory. Using multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) to analyze data collected from a multi-respondent survey of Argentinean polluting firms, we identify distinctive characteristics of firms going beyond regulation and firms that do not comply with regulation. In particular, comparing with other five environmental discourses, endorsement of green growth is evaluated in its connection with compliance patterns. We find that supporting green growth discourse (also known as ecological modernization) is one of the characteristics of those firms that go beyond compliance in their environmental performance.
Unraveling bulk defects in high‐quality c‐Si material via TIDLS

The current trend in silicon photovoltaics moving towards high‐quality thin mono‐crystalline silicon substrates sets a new challenge for the understanding of recombination mechanisms limiting the final performance of solar cells. Temperature‐ and injection‐dependent lifetime spectroscopy (TIDLS) has been shown to be a promising method for studying of high‐quality material with lifetime above 10 ms where the concentration of electrically active defects is well below the sensitivity of the most well‐known characterization techniques. In particular, when coupled with the Shockley–Read–Hall lifetime recombination model, TIDLS is capable of providing the most important defects' parameters including their energy level and concentration. In this contribution, we show that for a high‐quality silicon material, a thorough evaluation of the surface recombination velocity (SRV) temperature‐ and injection dependence is crucial for an accurate identification of the defects contained in the bulk. A new methodology for the analysis of TIDLS data, called defect parameters contour mapping, is introduced for the first time. By applying it to high‐quality n‐type float zone c‐Si samples passivated by a‐Si:H(i) or an a‐Si:H(i)/a‐Si:H(n) stack, we are able to assert the presence of defects in high lifetime materials in a range of concentration unachievable by any other characterization technique thus far. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Taking one for the team: Partisan alignment and planning outcomes in England

Does partisan alignment affect sub-national political units’ performance? When testing for a partisan alignment effect, local authority planning processes represent a ‘hard case’. Formally, decision-making processes are insulated against political considerations, and there is a mis-match between national party commitments to expand house-building on the one hand, and pressure on local councillors from residents opposing new developments on the other. I find that, in general, partisan alignment brings an increased propensity to approve large residential planning applications. This suggests councillors’ willingness to ‘take one for the team’ by prioritising national over local interests. Consistent with ‘party politics of housing’ insights, inter-party variation sees an altered effect in left-wing constellations, which display lowered approval propensities. In addition to these substantive extensions to scholarship on partisan alignment effects, the insights presented into the drivers of variation in local authority planning outcomes contribute to the pressing tasks of understanding and addressing the chronic under-supply of new housing within the English housing system.
Partners, Not Providers: A Collaboration Typology for Congregations and Community

Scholars have long been interested in nonprofits, religious congregations, and their collaborative activity. This research builds upon past large-scale studies of congregations to suggest a nuanced understanding of how clergy approach congregational partnerships and make decisions about collaborating with community organizations. Using qualitative data from a geographically bounded sample of 30 Protestant congregations and grounded theory methodology, we suggest that clergy view their congregations as serving a different purpose from nonprofit partners and navigate numerous tensions inherent in congregational life in their pursuit of collaborative activity. We introduce a new typology of congregational collaboration that posits collaboration as a strategy for providing material and spiritual resources, in and outside of their congregations.
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production from Diacids and Their Decomposition Over Mixtures of TiO2 and Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract The photocatalytic hydrogen production from aqueous solutions of two diacids, i.e., oxalic acid and fumaric acid, was performed using the mixtures of TiO2 and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) under UV light irradiation. The highest hydrogen evolution rates from aqueous oxalic acid and fumaric acid were found to be 15.7 and 2.6 μmol h-1, respectively. In the absence of SWNTs, however, a negligible amount of hydrogen gas was observed. The content of SWNTs was changed from 1 to 20 wt% and the optimum hydrogen production was observed around 5 wt% for fumaric acid and 7 wt% for oxalic acid. The experiment was also performed to find the pH effect on the hydrogen production. The highest hydrogen evolution rate was observed around pH 3.5 for both acids. The influence of added inorganic anions on the hydrogen production was also studied.
Investigation of designers' colour selection process

Although many design process studies and design theories have been developed and presented, in reality designers have rarely followed standard rules. A design process is often more a form of personal self-expression. The type of approach that designers use in their design work depends on their preference, experience and education background. Therefore, this work focused on understanding the design process and the colour selection method by collecting data from designers and their design process with the aim to summarise a general colour selection method. This work employs a semi-structured interview approach in a one-to-one interview format to investigate the process of design and collect their colour selection method. A total of twenty designers were interviewed from different design areas, working experience, age groups, cultural background and workplace around Korea, China, South Africa, Mexico and the United Kingdom. In the end, a three-step-method of colour selection was summarised and this highlighted the importance of colour association in the colour selection process. three topics:
Teaching to Self-Regulate in Mathematics: A Quasi-Experimental Study with Low-Achieving Elementary School Students

Teaching students to self-regulate enhances their mathematics performance, yet few studies have investigated the long-term differential impact of particular self-regulation strategies specifically for low-achieving students. This quasi-experimental study evaluates the effect of teaching different self-regulation strategies on mathematical problem solving in low-achieving students. The participants were 69 sixth-grade elementary school students randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups (and taught predominantly cognitive, metacognitive or volitional strategies, while verifying intervention fidelity) or a control group for 16 sessions. Mathematical problem-solving skills were evaluated prior to the intervention, upon completion, and two months later. While all three intervention groups obtained significantly better results compared to the control group immediately after the intervention, volitional and metacognitive strategies showed the strongest and most lasting positive effects. We conclude that low-achieving students could benefit from learning self-regulation strategies, particularly when these strategies take into account the affective and motivational dynamics of learning.
An Overview of the Geochemical Characteristics of Oceanic Carbonatites: New Insights from Fuerteventura Carbonatites (Canary Islands)

The occurrence of carbonatites in oceanic settings is very rare if compared with their continental counterpart, having been reported only in Cape Verde and Canary Islands. This paper provides an overview of the main geochemical characteristics of oceanic carbonatites, around which many debates still exist regarding their petrogenesis. We present new data on trace elements in minerals and whole-rock, together with the first noble gases isotopic study (He, Ne, Ar) in apatite, calcite, and clinopyroxene from Fuerteventura carbonatites (Canary Islands). Trace elements show a similar trend as Cape Verde carbonatites, almost tracing the same patterns on multi-element and REE abundance diagrams. 3He/4He isotopic ratios of Fuerteventura carbonatites reflect a shallow (sub-continental lithospheric mantle, SCLM) He signature in their petrogenesis, and they clearly differ from Cape Verde carbonatites, i.e., fluids from a deep and low degassed mantle with a primitive plume-derived He signature are involved in their petrogenesis.
Inoculation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase–producing bacteria along with biosurfactant application enhances the phytoremediation efficiency of Medicago sativa in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils

ABSTRACT Phytoremediation efficiency of Alfa alfa (Medicago sativa) was evaluated in hydrocarbon-contaminated soil with the combined application of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase–producing Bacillus sp. PVMX4 and an isolated biosurfactant from this strain. Results on the plant growth–promoting (PGP) traits of Bacillus sp. PVMX4 revealed that phosphate (P) solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and ACC deaminase activity were not affected by low-concentration hydrocarbon amendment in the form of crude oil. Bacillus sp. PVMX4 was able to utilize crude oil as a sole carbon source in mineral salt medium (MSM), and this strain synthesized significant quantities of biosurfactant in growth medium quantified by an emulsification index of 69.2 EI24% and surface tension reduction of 26.2 mN/m at the end of the experimental period. Biosurfactant, when partially purified and characterized by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), revealed it to be a lipopeptide-type biosurfactant. Pilot-scale phytoremediation studies conducted under growth chamber conditions in hydrocarbon-contaminated soil using Medicago sativa along with combined application of ACC deaminase–containing bacteria and biosurfactant recorded 76.4% hydrocarbon degradation.
Assessment of bronchial asthma among school children of urban area of Gujarat: A cross-sectional study

Aim: Current research was performed to evaluate the prevalence and allied aspects of bronchial asthma amongst school children of urban region of Gujarat. Methodology: Current research performed in the urban region of Gujarat, India. Least sample size was established to be 200 patients. A pretested and authenticated questionnaire was intended on the position of the International Study on Allergy and Asthma in childhood questionnaire. Results: Out of 200 children, 32 had account of wheeze several time in the past. Nine out of 200 children had wheezing history in the past one year. Wheezing was significantly connected with allergic rhinitis, relatives, and maternal history of asthma. Conclusions: Asthma amongst school children is a community health dilemma in urban area of Gujarat. Interference on revelation to passive smoking and stipulation of smoke passages may assist in the decrease of trouble of illness at the population level. Keywords: Allergy, Asthma, School children, Smoking.
Analysis and Detection of Evolutionary Malware: A Review

Malwares now a days has become a big threat to the digital world around the globe. It target the network, system and penetrate into it, get access to the computers, brings down the servers, steal confidential information, ask for ransom, harm the critical infrastructure etc. to deal with the threats from these malwares and attack many anti-malwares have been developed so far. Some of them are based on the assumption that malwares do not change their structure. But with the with the advancements second generation malwares can create their variants that’s why they are hard to detect. We present our survey on evolutionary malware and its detection techniques.
Pilot evaluation of a partner-supported online reading intervention for Grade 3–6 children

Information and communication technology (ICT)-based reading interventions have potential to help children with reading difficulties, especially those in resource-constrained environments who otherwise might not have access to support. This pilot study aimed to describe the impact of an online, partner-supported reading intervention designed for South African children with reading difficulties. Objectives were to qualitatively describe participants’ experience of the intervention, and quantitatively evaluate changes in reading accuracy, rate, comprehension and receptive vocabulary after intervention. Two studies were conducted: (1) A retrospective analysis using data from intervention in mainstream Cape Town schools with peers as reading partners; (2) A prospective study in a Cape Town school with special needs educational provision where speech-language therapists served as reading partners. Both studies used matched participant, pre/post intervention designs. A total of 40 children in grades 3 to 6 participated. In each study the intervention group (n = 20) received intervention 3 times per week (30 minutes per session) for 10 weeks, while the control group (n = 20) continued with regular school activities. Participants enjoyed the ICT-based intervention, valued the role of the reading partners, believed they had made literacy gains, and reported positive attitudinal and behavioural changes related to reading. Retrospective analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between intervention and control groups. The prospective study found a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups’ gains on one measure of reading rate, but no significant difference in reading accuracy, vocabulary or reading comprehension gains. The study provides a preliminary description of one ICT-based reading intervention. Although an intervention effect could not be demonstrated, the changes noted in reading rate together with qualitative findings suggest a need for further research.
Pricing double-barrier option with processes depending on various states of the economy

Abstract In this paper, we consider the pricing of double-barrier options under a Markov-modulated regime switching diffusion model. The proposed model incorporates structural changes in economic conditions and business and investment environments into the diffusion process, which captures some important stylized facts on asset returns such as asymmetry and heavy tail. Under the proposed model, we for the first time provide the closed-form approximation to double-barrier options, which can be also further improved systemically. The numerical results and the empirical example present that our pricing solution is highly effective and our work substantially extends the existed studies.
Applied nutritional investigation Effects of grape antioxidant dietary fiber in cardiovascular disease risk factors

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of a grape product rich in dietary fiber and natural antioxidants on cardiovascular disease risk factors. Methods: A randomized, controlled parallel-group trial was carried out. Thirty-four non-smoking (21 normocholesterolemic and 13 hypercholesterolemic) adults were supplemented for 16 wk with 7.5 g/d of grape antioxidant dietary fiber, a natural product containing 5.25 g of dietary fiber and 1400 mg of polyphenols. Nine non-supplemented non-smokers were followed as a control group. Fasting blood samples, blood pressure, and anthropometric readings were obtained at baseline and at week 16. Subjects were allowed to consume their regular diet, which was monitored weekly. Results: Grape antioxidant dietary fiber (7.5 g/d) reduced significantly (P 0.05) total cholesterol (9%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (9%), and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (6% and 5% respectively). Greater reductions in total cholesterol (14.2%) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (11.6%, P 0.05) were observed in hypercholesterolemic subjects. No changes were observed in the control group. There was a reduction of 2.5 points in the Framingham Global Risk Score in the supplemented group. A significant reduction in triacylglycerol concentration took place in the supplemented hypercholesterolemic subjects (18.6%, P 0.05). Conclusion: Grape antioxidant dietary fiber showed significant reducing effects in lipid profile and blood pressure. The effects appear to be higher than the ones caused by other dietary fibers, such as oat fiber or psyllium, probably due to the combined effect of dietary fiber and antioxidants. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Factors explaining the expenditure of sports event participants and spectators: evidence from the 2018 Asian Games

ABSTRACT This study aims to estimate the factors explaining the expenditure of the 2018 Asian Games’ international attendees, including athletes, officials, journalists, committees and spectators. During two weeks of the event, a survey was administered yielding valid responses from 1914 respondents. The findings suggest that spending compositions differ across age group, country of origins and types of participant. Furthermore, the total spending correlates with types of participants, age group, country of origins, length of stay, travelling experiences and internet provision. The respondents’ perception on host country’s safety and security is also an important aspect to be considered for future mega sporting event, especially after the global Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Recovery-oriented practices and role perceptions of healthcare staff providing community-based mental healthcare as team in Central and Eastern Europe: an observational study

Background: CMHTs deliver healthcare that supports the recovery of people with mental illness. They should achieve a sufficient level of good quality teamwork, composed of individual professional skills as well their adaptation within the clearly defined roles in teams in order to work efficiently. This paper analyses to what extent team members of five CMHTs newly implemented in five countries had introduced aspects of the recovery-oriented approach and evaluates what the team members’ perceptions on their collaborative care roles and their level of confidence with this role are.Method: A quantitative survey was administered among 66 professionals and peer worker including the Recovery Self-Assessment Tool Provider Version (RSA-P), the Team Member Self-Assessment Tool (TMSA), and demographic questions. Result: The RSA-P showed that all teams had the perception that they provide recovery–oriented practice to a moderately high degree after a training week on recovery-oriented care. Healthcare providers with fewer years of professional experience perceived more frequently that they operated in a recovery-oriented way (p=0.036, B -0.268). Nurses and peer workers did not feel confident or responsible to fulfil specific roles.Conclusion: Trainings on community-based practices and collaborative teamwork may facilitates recovery-oriented care and helps to improve team cohesion. Trial registration: Each trial was registered before participant enrolment in the clinicaltrials.gov database: Croatia, Zagreb (Trial Reg. No. NCT03862209); Montenegro, Kotor (Trial Reg. No. NCT03837340); Romania, Suceava (Trial Reg. No. NCT03884933); Macedonia, Skopje (Trial Reg. No. NCT03892473); Bulgaria, Sofia (Trial Reg. No. NCT03922425)
XAS and RIXS study of acetic acid and methyl formate in liquid

Structure of acetic acid (AA) and methyl formate (MF) in the liquid phase is studied using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) experimentally and theoretically. Two distinct XES spectra are observed by tuning photon energy for both molecules. Model structure in the liquid phase is constructed using the classical and first principle molecular dynamics simulations, and XES spectra are calculated using density functional theory. Calculated XES spectra are consistent with experimental ones. The effect of core-hole induced excited state molecular dynamics are discussed.
Determination of Molecular Structures of Condensed Tannins from Plant Tissues Using HPLC-UV Combined with Thiolysis and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

[Abstract] Condensed tannins extracted from plant tissues are suitable substitutes for phenolic resins. Their molecular structure, which might influence their chemical reactivity, can be assessed by the use of both HPLC-UV after acid thiolysis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Thiolysis of plant extracts in acidic methanol with cysteamine hydrochloride results in the release of the monomeric units of the condensed tannin oligomers that can be further quantified by reversed-phase HPLC-UV by comparison with analytical standards. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as matrix and K+ as cationization agent highlights the molecular structural characteristics (e.g., monomeric unit sequence) of the tannin oligomers. The methodologies permit the estimation of the mean and the maximum (observable) degree of polymerization, the type of monomeric units and the presence of glycosylation and/or esterification of the tannin oligomers.
The consequence of earnings management through discretionary accruals on the value relevance in Saudi Arabia

Abstract This study explores the relationship between company earnings management and the relative value relevance of book value and earnings. The differential effect on the value relevance of earnings management (EM) from 2014 to 2018 for all firms listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) is investigated by short-term versus long-term discretionary accruals. For firms whose EM is considered as an indication of its discretionary accruals, it is anticipated that earnings’ value relevance would be lower than firms that do not consider EM. The results show that EM discretionary accruals influence the value relevance of book value and earnings for the long-term compared to the short-term. The study’s finding is expected to shed light on applying the quality of firms’ financial reporting in protecting stakeholders’ interests by providing them with credible information free from earnings manipulations.