Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The exponential transform : A renormalized Riesz potential at critical exponent

For an arbitrary domain in R n we consider the ex- ponential of a suitably normalized Riesz potential of first nonin- tegrable index. This gives a positive function, with certain mono- tonicity properties, defined in the complement of the domain, and vanishing on its boundary. In two dimensions this func- tion, polarized into two complex variables, has previously been studied and proved to be useful within operator theory, moment problems and other problems of domain identification, and for proving regularity of free boundaries. Even in the absence of a natural polarization there are note- worthy properties of the higher dimensional exponential trans- form. For instance we show that this function is superharmonic and that it tends to zero at smooth points of the boundary, with slope bounded from above and below by constants depending solely on the local curvature. The analytic continuation configu- ration of the exponential transform of a convex polyhedron shows that it is indeed a natural defining function of its boundary. In addition, computations of this transform are carried out in full detail for some domains bounded by lower degree algebraic sur- faces. There is also an inner exponential transform, defined inside the domain. If the domain is convex then the ordinary Newto- nian potential of it can, for points inside the domain, be inter- preted is an arithmetic meanvalue with respect to the solid angle of the squared distance to the boundary. The interior exponential transform is then the corresponding geometric meanvalue.
Community Matters: How the Volunteering of Others Affects One's Likelihood of Engaging in Volunteer Work

We investigate the effect of the volunteering of others on the likelihood that an individual will also engage in volunteering activities. The theoretical part of our analysis is based on a sequential signaling framework, in which the decisions of others to volunteer are informative as to the benefit from volunteering. In this framework, the interaction between one's private information and the public belief when she is called upon to act makes it more likely that she will volunteer, given a higher average level of contributions by her predecessors. To test this empirically, we measure the effect of average volunteering in the community on the likelihood that an individual will volunteer, controlling for individual and community characteristics. We use Census 2000 Summary File 3 and Current Population Survey (CPS) 2004-2007 September supplement files. Our results are robust to various choices of sample, by years analyzed, working status, and whether or not the volunteering included religious activities. We account for reflection bias by means of an instrumental variables strategy which further verifies the pattern of our results.
Applications of Optical Fibers to Spectroscopy: Detection of High Explosives and Other Threat Chemicals

Natalie Gaensbauer1, Madeline Wrable-Rose1, Gabriel Nieves-Colon2, Migdalia Hidalgo-Santiago2, Michael Ramirez2, William Ortiz2, Oliva M. Primera-Pedrozo2, Yahn C. Pacheco-Londono2, Leonardo C. Pacheco-Londono2 and Samuel P. Hernandez-Rivera2 ALERT DHS Center of Excellence for Explosives 1Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 2Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, 1USA 2Puerto Rico
The Geography of Consumer Prices

We argue that the underlying width of the border in international price determination is a trivial fraction of the corresponding Engel and Rogers (1996) reduced form estimate. We develop a two-country, multi-region, dynamic, stochastic equilibrium model of monopolistic competition with costly price adjustment and cross-location shopping. The optimal price is proportional to a weighted average of market prices, with weights negatively related to shopping costs. We calibrate structural distance and border parameters to a unique panel of store-level prices, and conclude that price adjustment costs directly account for about a quarter of the reduced form border width.
Cellulase activity of isolated fungus from spent straw mushroom substrate

Hasanah N, Saskiawan I. 2015. Cellulase activity of isolated fungus from spent straw mushroom substrate. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 1110-1115. Microbial cellulase plays an important role in the hydrolysis of cellulolytic materials and it is applied at several industrials field. The aim of this experiment was to screen the activity of microbial cellulose of isolated fungus from the spent mushroom substrate. The cellulolytic index of fungus was determined by 0.1% Congo Red staining method with CMC media. The isolates number of JMF 6, JMF 11, and JMF 12 showed the highest cellulolytic index among 20 isolated fungi. The CI value of these isolated number were 0.50, 0.66, and 0.50 respectively. Furthermore, the specific activity of cellulase from selected fungi was determined by measurement of reducing sugar using 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method. The protein content was determined by the Bradford method. The results showed that the JMF 12 has the highest cellulase activity of 0.77 U/mL and specific activity of 2.78 U/mg. The cellulase activity of the JMF 6 and JMF 11 were 0.48 U/mL and 0.52 U/mL respectively. The specific activity of the JMF 6 and JMF 11 were 1.44 U/mg and 1.83 U/mg respectively.
Increasing Air Traffic Control simulations realism through voice transformation

Improving realism in simulations is a critical issue. In some air traffic control (ATC) simulations we use a pseudo-pilot which pilots up to fifteen aircraft. Thus, having the same voice for different aircraft in the case of pseudo-pilot decreases the realism of the simulation and may be confusing for the controllers especially in study context. In research context, a virtual aircraft piloted in a flight simulator is sometime needed in addition to the pseudo pilot. For simulation needs, the flight simulator aircraft must be merged with pseudo-pilot's one. This is not possible without voice modification since the controller can distinguish the pilot voice. In this paper we propose a method for transforming the voices of the pilot and the pseudo-pilot in order to have one particular voice and cabin noise for each aircraft. The two experiments that have been conducted show that, through our voice modification algorithm, the realism of the simulation is enhanced and the voice biases disappear.
The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Student ’ s Academic Performance : A Study on Malaysian Tertiary Institution

Emotional intelligence combines the important aspects of interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships, adaptability, moods and stress management skills, which have an effect on students’ academic performance. Thus, this study was carried out with the aim of examining the impact of emotional intelligence on students’ academic performance of information technology and business management students. The independent variable includes self-awareness, self-motivation, empathy, emotional management and interpersonal skills while the depended variable is academic performance. This research adopted descriptive and explanatory research design. It also employ the use of cross sectional survey method using a survey questionnaires that contains 40 items with Likert Scale (Disagree-1 and 5 for Agree). The sample of 123 students from FTMS College, Cyberjaya and Erican College were selected using convenient sampling. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive means and regression via SPSS19. The Pearson’s correlation coefficients of the five dependent variables have significant positive correlation with students’ academic performance. However, using the regress analysis only two variable were significant and they include; empathy and self-motivation. Hence, the study concluded that only the independent variable of empathy and motivation has a strong influence on academic performance of KEY TERMS: Emotional Intelligence, Academic performance, self-awareness, self-motivation, empathy, emotional management and interpersonal skill, information technology, business management.
Impact of urban expansion on potential flooding, storage and water harvesting in the city of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

The work presented in this article is an extension of an earlier study [1] in which runoff in the city of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), was assessed for the period 1967–2010. In this study, the impacts of urban expansion on potential flooding, storage and water harvesting were assessed for the period 1976–2016 using rainfall data recorded during the same period. Sharjah is a generally a flat coastal city that is located in a dry hot region average rainfall of approximately 100 mm/y. Remote sensing and GIS techniques were used to assess the expansion of built areas in the city using multi-temporal Landsat satellite images. The built areas in the city increased during the study period by approximately four folds while the population increased by more than 10 folds. The study results demonstrate the historical increase in runoff potential, flooding potential and runoff coefficient and decline in water storage potential. The results are consistent with the observed incidence of significant local flooding episodes in urban areas during rainfall events. Furthermore, an assessment of potential urban water harvesting based on expansion of built areas in the city is provided and appropriate urban storm water management practices for the city are recommended.
Calibrating bead displacements in optical tweezers using acousto-optic deflectors

Displacements of optically trapped particles are often recorded using back-focal-plane interferometry. In order to calibrate the detector signals to displacements of the trapped object, several approaches are available. One often relies either on scanning a fixed bead across the waist of the laser beam or on analyzing the power spectrum of movements of the trapped bead. Here, we introduce an alternative method to perform this calibration. The method consists of very rapidly scanning the laser beam across the solvent-immersed, trapped bead using acousto-optic deflectors while recording the detector signals. It does not require any knowledge of solvent viscosity and bead diameter, and works in all types of samples, viscous or viscoelastic. Moreover, it is performed with the same bead as that used in the actual experiment. This represents marked advantages over established methods.
Assessment of microbial biota associated with rhizosphere of wheat (Triticum aestivum) during flowering stage and their plant growth promoting traits.

Microbial biota associated with wheat rhizosphere during flowering-stage and their plant growth promoting traits was investigated. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed of the isolates, which were obtained on selective media. Isolates belonged to: alpha-proteobacteria, beta-proteobacteria, gamma-proteobacteria; Actinobacteria; Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Bacillus was the most dominant genus (34.7%) followed by Pseudomonas (14.4%). Among diazotrophs, Arthrobacter sp. (n=3), Cupriavidus sp. (n=3) and Stenotrophomonas sp. (n=4) occurred more frequently. Most of the isolates produced indole acetic acid. Ac. baumannii , Ps. lini, Ser. marcescens, C. respiraculi and Ag.tumfaciens solubilized phosphate. Two Acinetobacter strains, five Pseudomonas srains and four Bacillus strains produced siderophore. Strains of Ps. aeruginosa, Ps. lini and Ps. thivervalensis exhibited in vitro fungal growth inhibition. Arthrobacter globiformis Y2S3 exhibited indole acetic acid production, siderophore production and antifungal activity. Plant growth promoting traits of these rhizobacteria indicated beneficial relationship between rhizobacteria and wheat plants. Several of the strains could be further developed as an effective bio-inoculant.
Several New Aspects of the Foraging Behavior of Osmia cornifrons in an Apple

We investigated the foraging behavior of Osmia cornifrons Radoszkowski, which is a useful pollinator in apple orchards consisting of only one kind of commercial cultivars such as “Fuji”, and of different types of pollinizers, such as the red petal type, “Maypole” or “Makamik”. It was confirmed that, in terms of the number of foraging flowers per day, visiting flowers during low temperatures, strong wind, and reduced sunshine in an apple orchard, O. cornifrons were superior to honeybees. We indicated that O. cornifrons seemed to use both petals and anthers as foraging indicator, and that not only female, but also males contributed to apple pollination and fertilization by the pollen grains attached to them from visiting flowers, including those at the balloon stage. It was confirmed that O. cornifrons acts as a useful pollinator in an apple orchard consisting of one kind of cultivar with pollinizers planted not more than 10 m from commercial cultivars.
Design and implementation of an automatic condition‐monitoring expert system for ball‐bearing fault detection

Purpose – This paper aims to improve the performance and speed of artificial neural network (ANN)‐ball‐bearing fault detection expert systems by eliminating unimportant inputs and changing the ANN structure.Design/methodology/approach – An algorithm is used to select the best subset of features to boost the success of detecting healthy and faulty ball. Some of the important parameters of the ANN are also optimized to make the classifier achieve the maximum performance.Findings – It was found that better accuracy can be obtained for ANN with fewer inputs.Research limitations/implications – The method can be used for other machinery condition‐monitoring systems which are based on ANN.Practical implications – The results are useful for bearing fault detection systems designers and quality check centers in bearing manufacturing companies.Originality/value – The algorithm used in this research is faster than in previous studies. Changing ANN parameters improved the results. The system was examined using experi.
Is Fortification or Bio Fortification of Staple Food Crops will Offer a Simple Solution to Complex Nutritional Disorder in Developing Countries

Large segment of global populations, especially in developing countries is currently at risk from one or more micronutrient deficiency, so called malnutrition. This could be due to our current food systems are fail to provide enough balanced dietary nutrients to meet all the nutritional requirements of every individual, especially resource-poor women and children in the developing countries. A variety of interventions have been used to address micronutrient malnutrition so far such as pharmaceutical supplementation, industrial fortifications and dietary diversification. However, success of supplementation and fortification in developing countries remains challenges due to poor infrastructure, delivery system, more often it need sustained investment year-after-year. Of course dietary diversity is an immediate issue of diverse food affordability since a sharp increase in food prices will have a large impact on rural-poor households’ who’s represent the most segment of malnourished population. Researchers now focusing an food based intervention so called biofortification (developing a cultivars with elevated micronutrients in their edible parts through convetional breeding or biotechnology) is found to be sustainable intervention, even if external support fails, biofortification will continue to combat multiple micronutrient deficiency simultaneously generation after generations. Though this strategy is not an Einstein idea but it was a pessimistic view for longtime among the community, however, with the advent of modern and advanced technology we deliberately believes it can be made successful in optimistic way by transforming the dynamic results into reality. Therefore, present view and optimism are more towards the biofortification of staples for better human nutrition to acieve appropriate nutrient level in the biofortifed cultivars and further research is required to upscale at the global level to prove as an effective strategy.
A Comparative Study of Boosting in Academic Texts: A Contrastive Rhetoric

Boosting, an authorial commitment, and hedging, a authorial mitigating, are two issues interconnected one another with a gaining importance in the last decades (for detail see Gillaerts & Velde, 2010). However, boosting has remained as an issue needing to be studied from different aspects; for instance, cross-linguistic, cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural or comparative while hedging gains a great deal of attention from researchers. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the corpora in terms of statistical inclusion of certainty markers in the research articles written in English by Turkish, Japanese and Anglophonic authors, and then to explain the results obtained through statistical tests in the sense of linguistic and cultural factors. A corpus of total 60 research articles written by 20 Anglophonic authors, 20 Japanese authors, and 20 Turkish authors of English constituted the data for the present study. The data were scanned by researchers of the present study. Having completed the scanning, the words functioning as boosters were categorized in line with the taxonomy created for the present study. Then, the total certainty markers for each group of scholars were calculated and analyzed through ANOVA test. The test results provided whether there were any statistically significant differences among the groups in terms of including boosters in the research papers. Furthermore, the present study formed a boosting list as a result of dictionary scanning, which may be a reference for further studies, and the most and the least used boosters of authors were gathered in the tables.
A Linear Regressional Analysis of With-PPs in English

Choi, Hye-Won. 2012. A Linear Regressional Analysis of With-PPs in English. Linguistic Research 29(1), 21-44. Building up on Choi's (2011) research that identifies the features of the instrument-taking predicates that influence the presence of instrument with-PPs, the current study explores to analyze the BYU-BNC corpus data of instrument with-PPs with a linear regression model. By building a multiple linear regression model which can deal with identified predictor variables simultaneously, this paper tries to explain the frequencies of instrument with-PPs and their nature of argumenthood by combinations of predictor variables. This modeling analysis can be a useful step toward studying gradient argumenthood via a more complex evaluation of a variety of morphological, syntactic, and semantic factors. (Ewha Womans University)
Fish Market Segmentation Based on Consumers' Motives, Barriers and Risk Perception in Belgium

This study's objective was to segment Belgian fish consumers based on their motives, perceived barriers, and their risk perception corresponding with fish consumption. Cross-sectional consumer data were collected in November 2004 through a self-administered questionnaire (n = 852). Cluster analysis distinguished between three consumer segments. Uncertain fish consumers indicate strong motives and a low risk perception, but experience some barriers to increase their fish consumption. Fish Lovers do not perceive any risk from eating fish and express strong motives and low barriers. Finally, Concerned fish consumers perceive few barriers, and they score relatively moderate on fish consumption motives, but express some doubts with respect to potential risks from eating fish. Profiling the clusters yields opportunities for targeted marketing strategies and product orientation.
Bandwidth Improvement of a Compact Quadrature Hybrid Coupler with Harmonic Rejection Using Lumped Elements

A compact quadrature hybrid coupler with harmonic suppression using lumped-element band-stop resonator is proposed for bandwidth improvement. Conventionally, harmonic rejection is realized by three band-stop resonators in lumped hybrids. The using of three band-stop resonators realizes better harmonic suppression while exhibiting narrower frequency response. So as to improve operation bandwidth behavior, the number of band-stop resonator applied in the proposed topology is minimized to one. Trading ofi with acceptable reduction in harmonic rejection, the proposed hybrid enlarges working bandwidth with fewer numbers of lumped devices. Detailed design and theoretical analysis are presented and the expressions of lumped elements with dependence of rejected frequency are obtained. To validate the analysis, three 2.45GHz couplers are fabricated on an FR-4 printed circuit board. The experimental results exhibit 27.3%, 26.9% and 23.3% operation bandwidth with better than 16dB, 17dB, and 21dB harmonic suppressions at 4.9GHz, 6.1GHz, and 7.35GHz, respectively. Less than 0.8dB amplitude imbalance and 2 - phase error are achieved for all the three couplers, which are matched well with theoretical analysis.
The role of tax incentives in encouraging energy efficiency in the largest listed South African businesses

Background: South Africa is faced with a significant challenge of securing the supply of electricity as well as reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. The implementation of energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) measures by energy consumers, especially businesses, is becoming increasingly important and a number of tax incentives have been introduced to promote EE and RE. Objective: The objective of this preliminary study was to determine the role that the available tax incentives play in the decision making of South African businesses regarding investment in RE or EE projects. Aim: To determine this role, the largest South African businesses were selected from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Top 40 Index. Method: The study contained both empirical and non-empirical elements. A literature review was conducted to determine the role of tax incentives globally, while questionnaires were distributed to determine the role in South Africa. Results: Findings highlighted that, while tax incentives do play a role in decision making, various other non-tax factors drive South African businesses’ decisions to invest in EE and/or RE projects. These businesses do not perceive the available tax incentives as effective, nor do they regard them as sufficiently motivating for businesses to change their environmental behaviour. They also feel that the government should reduce the burden of complying with the requirements of Section 12L (the EE allowance). Conclusion: Improving the available RE and EE tax incentives in South Africa might result in more businesses considering the implementation of RE or EE projects. It is therefore recommended that the available tax incentives are expanded and/or the qualifying criteria simplified.
Small four-manifolds without non-singular solutions of normalized Ricci flows

Abstract. It is known [6] that connected sums X#K3#(Σg ×Σh)#l1(S 1 ×S)#l2CP 2 satisfy the Gromov-Hitchin-Thorpe type inequality, but can not admit non-singular solutions of the normalized Ricci flow for any initial metric, where Σg × Σh is the product of two Riemann surfaces of odd genus, l1, l2 > 0 are sufficiently large positive integers, g, h > 3 are also sufficiently large positive odd integers, and X is a certain irreducible symplectic 4-manifold. These exmples are closely related with a conjecture of Fang, Zhang and Zhang [10]. In the current article, we point out that there still exist 4-manifolds with the same property even if l1 = l2 = 0 and g = h = 3. The topology of these new examples are smaller than that of previously known examples.