Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beyond Compliance – Below Expectations? Cross-Border CSR, Development and the UN Global Compact.

The aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the actual developmental impact in the South that this new mode of governance can potentially unfold. Following a brief overview of recent academic work on the strengths and limitations of Corporate Social Responsibility in the light of international development as well as specific studies on the Global Compact, the results of a quantitative analysis of the Compact are presented. Particular emphasis is placed on a set of 416 descriptive case studies published by corporate Compact members. Although these cases cannot be viewed as representative of the Compact in general, they can illustrate which kinds of projects are deemed appropriate as best practice examples within the Compact network, and therefore indicate the direction in which the Compact in its current form is at best evolving. The results of the analysis raise doubts regarding the general suitability of contemporary CSR initiatives to tackle some of the most pressing developmental challenges. Instead, only certain topics are commonly addressed, while a number of issues such as anti-corruption measures or labour rights are underrepresented in the case study sample. Furthermore, a strong bias towards large Northern MNCs within the Compact can be identified, raising questions about the Compact’s ability to meaningfully embrace SMEs as well as companies from the South.
Development, Optimization, and Characterization of Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems of Valsartan Using Porous Carriers

The present studies entail formulation development of novel solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (S-SNEDDS) of valsartan with improved oral bioavailability, and evaluation of their in vitro and in vivo performance. Preliminary solubility studies were carried out and pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed using blends of oil (Capmul MCM), surfactant (Labrasol), and cosurfactant (Tween 20). The SNEDDS were systematically optimized by response surface methodology employing 33-Box–Behnken design. The prepared SNEDDS were characterized for viscocity, refractive index, globule size, zeta potential, and TEM. Optimized liquid SNEDDS were formulated into free flowing granules by adsorption on the porous carriers like Aerosil 200, Sylysia (350, 550, and 730) and Neusilin US2, and compressed into tablets. In vitro dissolution studies of S-SNEDDS revealed 3–3.5-fold increased in dissolution rate of the drug due to enhanced solubility. In vivo pharmacodynamic studies in Wistar rats showed significant reduction in mean systolic BP by S-SNEDDS vis-à-vis oral suspension (p < 0.05) owing to the drug absorption through lymphatic pathways. Solid-state characterization of S-SNEDDS using FT-IR and powder XRD studies confirmed lack of any significant interaction of drug with lipidic excipients and porous carriers. Further, the accelerated stability studies for 6 months revealed that S-SNEDDS are found to be stable without any change in physiochemical properties. Thus, the present studies demonstrated the bioavailability enhancement potential of porous carriers based S-SNEDDS for a BCS class II drug, valsartan.
The relationship between stress and retention within science undergraduates, their use of support and the potential remedial effect of stress education

style overview of the content, and results chapters are concluded by a summary section which details key findings and results taken forward for further clarification in subsequent studies. Results from this research project have been reported, in part, in the following peer reviewed publication and conference proceedings: Harris, P.J., Campbell Casey, S.A. , Westbury, T. and Florida James, G. (2015). Assessing the link between stress and retention and the existence of barriers to support service use within HE. Journal of Further and Higher Education, UK DOI:10.1080/0309877X.2015. 1014316 Harris, P. J. (2014). ‘Effect of stress on retention and potential consequences for teaching and learning within higher education. ’ Paper presented at Higher Education Academy STEM Conference, Edinburgh, UK, 30 April -1 May. Harris, P.J. (2014). ‘Stress in the student population and its effect on retention within higher education. ’ Paper presented at the Scottish Federation of University Women, Postgraduate Research Conference, Dundee, UK, 26 April. 1 Journal of Further and Higher Education paper reports only on undergraduate data. 1 Chapter One: Introduction Chapter overview It has been well documented that students within higher education (HE) experience stress and given the current economic climate, the competitive job market and the substantial financial outlay associated with tertiary education, successful progression is of utmost importance to both universities and the students themselves. The potential for stress to influence decisions of persistence within HE could open an avenue for new methods of identifying at-risk students and allow the development of interventions to simultaneously tackle two issues of great significance to the HE setting: student wellbeing and retention.
CXCR4-Targeted Therapy Inhibits VEGF Expression and Chondrosarcoma Angiogenesis and Metastasis

Chondrosarcoma is notable for its lack of response to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, propensity for developing lung metastases, and poor survival. Therefore, a better understanding of angiogenic and metastatic pathways is needed. Multiple pathways regulate angiogenesis and metastasis, including chemokines and their receptors. In this study, we investigated chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) signaling in chondrosarcoma and tested the hypotheses that CXCR4 inhibition suppresses tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. CXCR4 expression, analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blot, was increased in human chondrosarcoma cell line JJ compared with normal chondrocytes and was further increased in JJ by hypoxia (2% O2), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA; 10 ng/mL), and in xenograft tumors in nude mice. The CXCR4 ligand CXCL12 (10 ng/mL) doubled secreted VEGFA, measured with ELISA, under hypoxic conditions and this conditioned media increased human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation. These effects were inhibited by CXCR4 siRNA or AMD3100 (5 μg/mL). In a xenograft mouse model, four weeks of AMD3100 treatment (1.25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally twice daily) inhibited tumor angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. VEGFA content in tumor extracts was decreased (7.19 ± 0.52 ng/mL control vs. 3.96 ± 0.66 treatment) and bioimaging of angiogenesis was decreased by 56%. Tumor volumes averaged 4.44 ± 0.68 cm3 in control compared with 2.48 ± 0.61 cm3 in the treatment group. The number of lung metastatic nodules was 23 ± 9 in control compared with 10 ± 6 in the treatment group (N = 8/group). Therefore, CXCR4-targeted therapy may be a treatment strategy for chondrosarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(7); 1163–70. ©2013 AACR.
On Efficiency of Semantic Relation Extraction through Low-dimensional Distributed Representations for Substrings

By virtue of recent developments in machine learning techniques, higher-level information can now to be extracted from big data. To analyze big data, efficient and smart representations of data achieved by using sufficiently fast algorithms, as well as highly accurate results, are important. In this paper, we focus on extracting multiple semantic relations using light-weight processing through the efficient low-dimensional expression of substrings in text data. We propose an approach to build features for relation classification consisting of only low-dimensional vectors representing substrings between two words, called substring vectors. The experimental results show that, using efficient low-dimensional representations of data and at a small computational cost, our approach achieves a sufficiently high accuracy that is better than most existing approaches. In addition, through experiments, we ensured that mapping substrings to a sufficiently low dimensional space yields better results in terms of both accuracy and efficiency.
Did you say a BLUE banana? the prosody of contrast and abnormality in bulgarian and dutch

In a production experiment on Bulgarian that was based on a previous study on Dutch [1], we investigated the role of prosody when linguistic and extra-linguistic information coincide or contradict. Speakers described abnormally colored fruits in conditions where contrastive focus and discourse relations were varied. We found that the coincidence of contrast and abnormality enhances accentuation in Bulgarian as it did in Dutch. Surprisingly, when both factors are in conflict, the prosodic prominence of abnormality often overruled focus accentuation in both Bulgarian and Dutch, though the languages also show marked differences. Index Terms: prosody, semantic abnormality, contrast, Bulgarian, Dutch
Bridge estimation of the probability density at a point

Bridge estimation, as described by Meng and Wong in 1996, is used to estimate the value taken by a probability density at a point in the state space. When the normalisation of the prior density is known, this value may be used to estimate a Bayes factor. It is shown that the multi-block Metropolis-Hastings estimators of Chib and Jeliazkov (2001) are bridge estimators. This identification leads to more efficient estimators for the quantity of interest.
The role of moderating factors in ERP systems usage

The purpose of this study was to report on the impact of moderating effect of the users' demographics and situational factors to enterprise resource planning systems (ERPs) usage. Multi-group analysis, measurement invariance approach and confirmatory factor analysis were used as a methodology to determine the impacts of the moderating effects. Results indicated that gender had no significant interacting effect in the use of ERP systems whereas users' level of education was found more significant across all levels of comparison. Theoretically, this study contributes to the scanty literature of the impact of moderating factors in the technological innovations' acceptance and use. Methodologically, this study gives a systematic step by step approach in the determination of the impacts of the moderating effects on the independent variables' influence to the mediating and dependent variables that is being evaded by many researchers. With the notorious failures of ERPs, this study significantly contributes to practice and management by highlighting the moderating factors that needs mitigation during ERPs usage.
QUANTITATIVE ENERGY-FILTERED CONVERGENT BEAM ELECTRON DIFFRACTION - MATCHING THEORY TO EXPERIMENT

Quantitative Convergent Beam Electron Diffraction (CBED) is now established as a means of accurate loworder structure factor determination. Using energy-filtered zone-axis CBED patterns it has been demonstrated that the 111 structure factor at the zone-axis in Si can be measured to better than 0.1%. In order to achieve this accuracy, it is essential to have a full understanding of the zone-axis pattern matching technique (ZAPMATCH) and the microscope system on which the data is acquired. Before any patterns can be analyzed, the effects of the detector system [in our case a Gatan Imaging Filter (GIF)] on the recorded intensities must be understood. Consideration must also be given to the number of structure factors that can be refined from any given data set. Our recent implementation of ZAPMATCH on a Topcon 002B with GIF provides an illustrative example of the former. Measurements of the low-order structure factors of nickel serve to demonstrate the latter.
Total Factor Productivity and Cross-Border FDI Flows in OECD Countries - A Panel Data Econometric Analysis

The role of FDI inflows and outflows to host countries and from the source countries emerged in the 1980s as the major vehicle technology transfer that accelerated the globalization or international integration of 25 leading OECD economies over a period of 25 years (1983-2007). Although neoclassical and endogenous growth theories provide unequivocal support for FDI flows because they generate positive externalities or spillover effects through channels of GDP growth, capital formation and R&D, the empirical evidence in support of these claims are mixed. The panel data econometrics performed using a new multiplicatively complete index of total factor productivity provide fresh insights on the cross-border FDI generated through technology transfer and other channels. The empirical findings for the OECD countries are markedly different from the spillover effects on developing countries that are plagued by technology absorptive capacity effects due to the operation of threshold effects of underdeveloped human capital resources. The empirics on cross-border FDI flows and the spillover effects that they generate in OECD countries will provide much needed information to design and implement policies to harness the net benefits from cross-border FDI flows and shed light on the design of policies to reconcile the conflicting policies of austerity and growth that are required to prevent the sovereign debt racked euro-zone countries from imploding the single currency union based on the euro.
Poor Glycemic Control of Diabetes Mellitus Is Associated with Higher Risk of Prostate Cancer Detection in a Biopsy Population

Objectives To evaluate the impact of glycemic control of diabetes mellitus (DM) on prostate cancer detection in a biopsy population. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 1,368 men who underwent prostate biopsy at our institution. We divided our biopsy population into three groups according to their history of DM, and their Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level: a no-DM (DM−) group; a good glycemic control (DM+GC) group (HbA1c <6.5%); and a poor glycemic control (DM+PC) group (HbA1c ≥6.5%). For sub-analyses, the DM+PC group was divided into a moderately poor glycemic control (DM+mPC) group (6.5≤ HbA1c <7.5%) and a severely poor glycemic control (DM+sPC) group (HbA1c ≥7.5%). Results Among 1,368 men, 338 (24.7%) had a history of DM, and 393 (28.7%) had a positive biopsy. There was a significant difference in prostatic specific antigen density (PSAD) (P = 0.037) and the frequency of abnormal DRE findings (P = 0.031) among three groups. The occurrence rate of overall prostate cancer (P<0.001) and high-grade prostate cancer (P = 0.016) also presented with a significantly difference. In the multivariate analysis, the DM+PC group was significantly associated with a higher rate of overall prostate cancer detection in biopsy subjects compared to the DM− group (OR = 2.313, P = 0.001) but the DM+PC group was not associated with a higher rate of high-grade (Gleason score ≥7) diseases detected during the biopsy (OR = 1.297, P = 0.376). However, in subgroup analysis, DM+sPC group was significantly related to a higher risk of high-grade diseases compared to the DM− group (OR = 2.446, P = 0.048). Conclusions Poor glycemic control of DM was associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer detection, including high-grade disease, in the biopsy population.
Does Culture Affect in the Financial Decision Making of Rational Man? Chinese vs. Anglo-Saxon Perspective

In traditional finance theory, models assume a rational man that is used to make decisions that always maximize his benefit. In this model, it does not matter if the rational man is German or Chinese because the decision making does not depend on a nationality or a culture. In this paper, we designed an experiment in which we polled individuals, from two different cultural schemes, about the same financial phenomenon.First, we take into account that the observed phenomenon is the same. If culture does not affect the making of financial decisions, the survey results from both groups will be quite similar. On the other hand, if culture is a variable to consider in the different models of the financial market behaviors, the results of the survey of both groups will be significantly different. Summarizing, in this paper we try to show evidences, so that we can prove that the variable culture is important and it should be considered in the different kind of financial models.
On the capacity of quasi orthogonal space-time block codes for MIMO systems

It is well known that the Alamouti scheme with two transmit antennas and one receive antennas is the only capacity-achieving complex orthogonal space-time block code (OSTBC). The rate of complex OSTBC for systems with more than two transmit antennas is always less than 1. Recently, a quasi orthogonal space-time block code (QSTBC) with four transmit antennas and one receive antenna was proposed, which has the ability to approach the capacity, although at the price of sacrificing part of the diversity gain. In this paper, we analyze the capacity of QSTBC with four transmit antennas and arbitrary number of receive antennas. We show that the portion of the capacity that the QSTBC can achieve decreases with the number of receive antennas, and the (4,1) configuration is the only capacity-approaching case. In the high signal-to-noise ratio regime, we calculate the limit portion of capacity of QSTBC, and find that it is fixed to 1/4 when the number of receive antennas is no less than four. Numerical simulations verify our conclusions.
Self-control inhibits aggression.

Aggression brings tremendous costs to individuals, relationships, and society. Yet, people behave aggressively toward strangers and close others at alarmingly high rates. The current article seeks to unlock part of the mystery of why people behave aggressively. We review evidence that self-control failure plays an integral role in many acts of aggression and violence. We begin by reviewing theoretical models that emphasize the importance of self-control processes in understanding aggressive and other criminal behaviors. We also discuss how a theoretical model that originally neglected self-control processes can be extended to incorporate self-control theorizing. We then discuss recent empirical evidence (a) showing that self-control failure is a crucial predictor of aggression toward strangers and romantic partners and (b) identifying the neural processes relevant to the self-control of aggression. Finally, we review evidence that self-control processes can also explain why people engage in displaced aggression toward bystanders. By appreciating the importance of self-control processes, researchers and laypersons can gain a better understanding of why people behave aggressively – and how aggression can be prevented.
Meta-Analysis of the Curvilinear Relationship between Rate of Delivery and Message Persuasiveness

For five decades researchers investigated whether increasing the speed of the delivery of a persuasive message produces more message comprehension and attitude change. The experimental literature on this issue appears inconsistent, with many mediating variables introduced in an effort to reconcile disparate findings. This meta-analysis seeks to determine how persuasion is influenced by the rate of message delivery. The data provide support for a curvilinear model, indicating that persuasion is maximal for moderate speech rates. Results are discussed in terms of source credibility and mechanisms of message processing.
Introduction to Experimental Economics

This is the first comprehensive treatment of laboratory experiments designed to evaluate economic propositions under carefully controlled conditions. While it acknowledges that laboratory experiments are no panacea, it argues cogently for their effectiveness in selected situations. Covering methodological and procedural issues as well as theory, Experimental Economics is not only a textbook but also a useful introduction to laboratory methods for professional economists. The emphasis is on organizing and evaluating existing results. The book can be used as an anchoring device for a course at either the graduate or advanced undergraduate level. Applications include financial market experiments, oligopoly price competition, auctions, bargaining, provision of public goods, experimental games, and decision making under uncertainty. The book also contains instructions for a variety of laboratory experiments.
What drives U.S. banking mergers: Misvaluation, gambling or envy?

WHAT DRIVES U.S. BANKING MERGERS: OVERVALUATION, GAMBLING OR ENVY? Wenjia Zhang Old Dominion University, 2011 Director: Dr. John A. Doukas The thesis consists of three essays that examine whether U.S. bank mergers are motivated by market inefficiency and managerial psychology biases. Essay I investigates equity misvaluation as a possible driver for United States banking mergers from the perspective of market inefficiency, and finds that bidders tend to use overvalued equity to buy undervalued targets. Essay II, motivated by the cumulative prospect theory of Tversky and Kahneman (1992), tests whether managerial gambling attitudes are linked with lottery characteristics of target banks (i.e., high skewness, high volatility, and low price). The evidence shows that banking acquisitions are influenced by gambling attitudes rooted into house money effects. Essay III examines whether managerial envy plays a key role in shaping merger waves. The empirical evidence shows that envy influences bank merger waves.
Dissipativity based fault detection and diagnosis for linear systems

The increasing complexity of modern industrial processes can make the plants susceptible to faults (e.g. sensor and actuator failures). In this paper, the dissipativity theory is used to develop a fault detection and diagnosis scheme for process systems. The dissipativity properties represent the features of process dynamics, which will change when certain faults occur. Moreover, the dissipativity property of a system is not unique, and can be shaped to capture the process dynamic features that are sensitive to the faults. The proposed fault diagnosis scheme is constructed based on a number of dissipativity inequalities, which are quadratic functions of the input and output trajectories of the process (in the Quadratic Difference Form). These inequalities are checked in real time for online fault detection and diagnosis. The proposed fault detection and diagnosis approach is illustrated using a heat exchanger case study.
A double complex for computing the sign-cohomology of the universal ordinary distribution

We give a new method for solving a problem originally solved about 20 years ago by Sinnott and Kubert, namely that of computing the cohomology of the universal ordinary distribution with respect to the action of the two-element group generated by complex conjugation. We develop the method in sufficient generality so as to be able to calculate analogous cohomology groups in the function field setting which have not previously been calculated. In particular, we are able to confirm a conjecture of L. ~S. ~Yin conditional on which Yin was able to obtain results on unit indices generalizing those of Sinnott in the classical cyclotomic case and Galovich-Rosen in the Carlitz cyclotomic case. The Farrell-Tate cohomology theory for groups of finite virtual cohomological dimension plays a key role in our proof of Yin's conjecture. The methods developed in the paper have recently been used by P.~Das to illuminate the structure of the Galois group of the algebraic extension of the rational number field generated by the roots of unity and the algebraic $\Gamma$-monomials. This paper has appeared as Contemp. Math. 224 (1999) 1-27.