Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Firm export market performance: the case in Uganda

Firm export performance is declining across industries and economies around the world. Despite numerous researches to explain the decline, there are controversies and lack of consensus as to what determines firm export performance. This paper was developed to identify and explain determinants of, and propose a firm export performance model from a developing economy perspective. A quantitative cross-sectional survey of 250 firm export executives from selected firms and industries was conducted. Psychometric analyses of descriptive statistics, reliability, exploratory, confirmatory, and validities were performed. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the hypothesised relationships and validate the proposed firm export performance model. The results identified export market orientation, market environment, organizational learning, market information system, export market strategy and organizational innovation capability as determinants of firm export performance. This implies that an export development strategy needs implementation and practice of these predictors. This would consequently enable the firm to gain competitiveness, achieve its strategic growth objectives and transform the national economy into a more desirable one.
Insecure Attachment to Parents and Depressive Symptoms in Early Adolescence: Mediating Roles of Attributions and Self-esteem

This study examined the association of attachment style with mother and father with depressive symptoms among early adolescent boys and girls (N= 140), and whether this association was mediated by attributional styles and/or self-esteem. As expected, adolescents more anxiously attached to both mother and father reported the most depressive symptoms. Anxious attachment to mother was associated with depressive symptoms for girls only and this association was fully mediated by both maladaptive attributions for negative events and by self-esteem. These findings indicate the importance of negative attributions and self-esteem as pathways through which girls’ anxious attachment to mother might lead to depressive symptoms.
TO IDENTIFY LEAD TIME REDUCTION OPPORTUNITIES FOR A COMPLEX HIGHLY ENGINEERED PRODUCT ASSEMBLY A Thesis in Industrial Engineering

This work focuses on overcoming and evaluating actual manufacturing challenges in mass customization processes. The production flow data oriented approach presented in this thesis identifies and supports lead time reduction e↵orts leading to on-time-delivery improvement for complex, highly engineered and customized product assemblies. The need for building this data oriented approach arises from a significant growth in product demand for Subsea BOP Stacks and company focus on improving its on-time-delivery. Previous work that was completed earlier by research team members regarding the process of building a BOP Stack included the definition of a SIPOC for the main departments involved in this process, the development of BOP Stack information process flows for both pre-assembly and final assembly processes, and a cause-e↵ect diagram that identified the general causes impacting delays and late deliveries of Stack Assemblies. The current methodology includes: a) Final assembly process analysis based on information available in the company’s information systems b) The definition of a standard final assembly sequence with standard operations and precedence constraints, c) The development and implementation of a delay tracking tool to identify major components causing critical delays during the final assembly of the BOP Stacks, and d) The implementation of a formal Engineering Change Request system at the final assembly department. As a result of this work, a Downstream Project Management tool was created to link component delivery and assembly operations at the final assembly to operations in the upstream processes, and primary and secondary critical assembly paths and components were identified. Moreover, with the development and implementation of the Delay Log, it was possible to identify the major late components that were causing 80 % of the delays during final assembly and estimate the cost of these component delays.
Interactive comment on “ Continental mo sture recycling as a Poisson process ” by

At the moment, the Poissonian nature of the recycling events is presented only as “falling out” of the analytical framework, as the solution of the differential equations. It would be nice to discuss the relevance of the underlying stochastic process properties (namely the memorylessness, the fact that the recycling events are independent, the exponential distribution of interarrival times). Furthermore, it should be explicitly stated how these stochastic process properties are altered if the number of events are not Poisson distributed. These considerations might not be obvious to many readers but important for the hydrologic interpretation of the results.
A coarse grained model for DNA and polymer packaging: statics and dynamics

We present a numerical characterization of the statics and dynamics of the packaging of a semi-flexible polymer inside a sphere. The study is motivated by recent experiments on the packaging of DNA inside viral capsids. It is found that the force required to confine the coarse-grained polymer is in fair agreement with that found in experiments for the packaging of the phi29 bacteriophage genome. Despite its schematic nature, the model is capable of reproducing the most salient dynamical features of packaging experiments such as the presence of pauses during individual packaging processes and the trend of the resisting force as a function of chain packed fraction.
Comparative anatomy of ovules in Galinsoga, Solidago and Ratibida (Asteraceae)

Many Asteraceae species have been introduced into horticulture as ornamental or interesting exotic plants. Some of them, including Solidago and Galinsoga , are now aggressive weeds; others such as Ratibida are not. Special modifications of the ovule tissue and the occurrence of nutritive tissue have been described in several Asteraceae species, including invasive Taraxacum species. This study examined whether such modifications might also occur in other genera. We found that the three genera examined – Galinsoga ( G. quadriradiata ), Solidago ( S. canadensis , S. rigida , S. gigantea ) and Ratibida ( R. pinnata ) – differed in their nutritive tissue structure. According to changes in the integument, we identified three types of ovules in Asteraceae: “Taraxacum” type (recorded in Taraxacum , Bellis , Solidago , Chondrilla ), with well-developed nutritive tissue having very swollen cell walls of spongy structure; “Galinsoga” type (in Galinsoga ), in which the nutritive tissue cells have more cyto- plasm and thicker cell walls than the other integument parenchyma cells, and in which the most prominent character of the nutritive tissue cells is well-developed rough ER; and “Ratibida” type (in Ratibida ), in which the nutritive tissue is only slightly developed and consists of large highly vacuolated cells. Our study and future investigations of ovule structure may be useful in phylogenetic analyses.
Complementarities between organizational changes, R&D activity and technological cooperation for the French manufacturing firms

This article analyzes the determinants of the French companies’ innovation activity while highlighting the importance and the complementarities of the organizational and technological practices’impact. Our results suggest on one hand, that the product or process innovation is determined by the internal and external attributes of the company (size, demand pull and technological class). On the other hand, the complementarities tests between the technological (R&D activity and technological partnership) and organizational practices showed that these strategies are interconnected and that they have complementary effects which call for their simultaneous adoption. Accordingly, to be able to benefit completely from the positive effect of the partnership and the R&D efforts on innovation, they must be accompanied by certain organizational practices related to a good skills management and the implementation of an organizational architecture facilitating the knowledge creation and sharing.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Biomarkers and Liver and Kidney Function Are Not Altered in Postmenopausal Women after Ingesting an Elderberry Extract Rich in Anthocyanins for 12 Weeks 1 , 2

Growing evidence supports a cardio-protective role for anthocyanins; however, there is limited evidence on their efficacy and safety following the consumption of relatively high but dietarily achievable doses in humans. We conducted a paralleldesigned, randomized, placebo-controlled study to examine the effect of chronic consumption of anthocyanins on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and liver and kidney function in 52 healthy postmenopausal women (n = 26 in treatment and placebo groups). Volunteers (BMI, 24.76 3.6 kg/m; age, 58.26 5.6 y) consumed 500mg/d anthocyanins as cyanidin glycosides (from elderberry) or placebo for 12 wk (2 capsules twice/d). At the beginning (wk 0) and end of the 12-wk intervention, levels of anthocyanins and biomarkers of CVD (inflammatory biomarkers, platelet reactivity, lipids, and glucose) and liver and kidney function (total bilirubin, albumin, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and g-glutyl transferase) were assessed in fasted blood. Anthropometric, blood pressure, and pulsemeasurements were also taken. In addition, postprandial plasma anthocyanins were measured (t = 1, 2, 3 h) following a 500-mg oral bolus dose. After 12 wk of chronic exposure to anthocyanins, there was no significant change in biomarkers of CVD risk and liver and kidney function remained within clinically acceptable ranges. We observed no plasma accumulation of anthocyanins; however, postprandial metabolism increased (P = 0.02). In conclusion, these data suggest that chronic consumption of 500 mg/d of elderberry extract for 12 wk is apparently safe, but ineffective in altering biomarkers of CVD risk in healthy postmenopausal women. J. Nutr. 139: 2266–2271, 2009.
Evidence for renoxification in the tropical marine boundary layer

Abstract. We present 2 years of NOx observations from the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory located in the tropical Atlantic boundary layer. We find that NOx mixing ratios peak around solar noon (at 20–30 pptV depending on season), which is counter to box model simulations that show a midday minimum due to OH conversion of NO2 to HNO3. Production of NOx via decomposition of organic nitrogen species and the photolysis of HNO3 appear insufficient to provide the observed noontime maximum. A rapid photolysis of nitrate aerosol to produce HONO and NO2, however, is able to simulate the observed diurnal cycle. This would make it the dominant source of NOx at this remote marine boundary layer site, overturning the previous paradigm according to which the transport of organic nitrogen species, such as PAN, is the dominant source. We show that observed mixing ratios (November–December 2015) of HONO at Cape Verde (∼ 3.5 pptV peak at solar noon) are consistent with this route for NOx production. Reactions between the nitrate radical and halogen hydroxides which have been postulated in the literature appear to improve the box model simulation of NOx. This rapid conversion of aerosol phase nitrate to NOx changes our perspective of the NOx cycling chemistry in the tropical marine boundary layer, suggesting a more chemically complex environment than previously thought.
M&As in the Greek Industrial Goods and Services Sector: Are Really Profitable Investments or Not?

This study examines the impact of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) on the post-merger operating performance of merger-involved firms at industrial goods and services sector of the ASE (Athens Stock Exchange) in Greece. Using accounting data (financial ratios), the post-merger performance of a sample of Greek companies, listed on the Athens Stock Exchange that executed one merger or acquisition in the four-yearperiod from 2004 to 2007 as acquirers, is investigated. For the purpose of the study, a set of sixteen ratios is employed, in order to measure firms’ operating performance and to compare pre- and post-merger performance for three years before and after the M&A announcements (with accounting data analysis from 2001 to 2010). The results revealed that M&As had a negative impact on the post-merger performance of merger-involved firms as their debt (short-term liabilities and longterm liabilities) after M&As have increased significantly. Last, all the examined profitability ratios for the sample firms did not change significantly due to the M&As events.
FIELD EVALUATION OF A FOUR-QUADRANT GATE SYSTEM FOR USE AT RAILROAD-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSINGS

As part of research to identify and evaluate innovative active warning devices with the potential for improving safety at railroad-highway grade crossings, candidate devices were identified and developed, and the most promising devices were evaluated in detailed laboratory studies. Based on the results of the laboratory evaluation, three devices were evaluated in the field at actual crossings. One of the innovative active warning devices evaluated in the field was a four-quadrant gate and flashing light signal system with skirts. A before-and-after study approach was used to evaluate the four-quadrant gate system. Data were collected on measures of effectiveness (MOEs) at the existing crossing with the standard two-quadrant gate system and then again at the same crossing after the four-quadrant gate system had been installed to allow a direct comparison of the impact on the MOEs. With the installation of the four-quadrant gate system, MOEs such as speeds, perception-brake reaction times, and deceleration levels did not indicate a change in driver behavior. There were no measurable safety disadvantages to the four-quadrant gate system as measured by these MOEs. The four-quadrant gate system had no effect on the level of service at the crossing but had a positive effect on driver behavior at the crossing by eliminating risky and illegal behavior as well as violations at the crossing, thus producing superb improvements in safety MOEs. Such benefits are especially important at crossings with limited sight distance, high-speed trains, and multiple tracks.
Self-recruitment in a coral reef fish population in a marine reserve

Self-recruitment in a coral reef fish population in a marine reserve Marcela Herrera Sarrias Marine protected areas (MPAs) have proliferated in the past decades to protect biodiversity and sustain fisheries. However, most of the MPA networks have been designed without taking into account a critical factor: the larval dispersal patterns of populations within and outside the reserves. The scale and predictability of larval dispersal, however, remain unknown due to the difficulty of measuring dispersal when larvae are minute (~ cm) compared to the potential scale of dispersal (~ km). Nevertheless, genetic approaches can now be used to make estimates of larval dispersal. The following thesis describes self-recruitment and connectivity patterns of a coral reef fish species (Centropyge bicolor) in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. To do this, microsatellite markers were developed to evaluate fine-scale genetics and recruit assignment via genetic parentage analysis. In this method, offspring are assigned to potential parents, so that larval dispersal distances can then be inferred for each individual larvae. From a total of 255 adults and 426 juveniles collected only 2 parentoffspring pairs were assigned, representing less than 1% self-recruitment. Previous data from the same study system showed that both Chaetodon vagagundus and Amphiprion percula have consistent high self-recuitment rates (~ 60%), despite having contrasting life history traits. Since C. bicolor and C. vagabundus have similar characteristics (e.g. reproductive mode, pelagic larval duration), comparable results were expected. On the
Predicting the Specific Energy Consumption of Reverse Osmosis Desalination

Desalination is often considered an approach for mitigating water stress. Despite the abundance of saline water worldwide, additional energy consumption and increased costs present barriers to widespread deployment of desalination as a municipal water supply. Specific energy consumption (SEC) is a common measure of the energy use in desalination processes, and depends on many operational and water quality factors. We completed multiple linear regression and relative importance statistical analyses of factors affecting SEC using both small-scale meta-data and municipal-scale empirical data to predict the energy consumption of desalination. Statistically significant results show water quality and initial year of operations to be significant and important factors in estimating SEC, explaining over 80% of the variation in SEC. More recent initial year of operations, lower salinity raw water, and higher salinity product water accurately predict lower values of SEC. Economic analysis revealed a weak statistical relationship between SEC and cost of water production. Analysis of associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions revealed important considerations of both electricity source and SEC in estimating the GHG-related sustainability of desalination. Results of our statistical analyses can aid decision-makers by predicting the SEC of desalination to a reasonable degree of accuracy with limited data.
Subtypes of social withdrawal: an examination of differences in social status, social adjustment, and peer-reported behavior

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether certain subtypes of withdrawn children show evidence of difficulties with social acceptance and negative feelings about their social situation. Additionally, differences between subtypes in terms of other social behaviors, such as aggression and prosocial behavior, were examined. Groups of each of three withdrawn subtypes, passive-withdrawn, active-isolate, and unsociable, were created based on peer nominations of withdrawn behavior, and were compared to one another and to a non-withdrawn control group. Results indicated that the active-isolate group showed evidence of poorer social acceptance and social adjustment, whereas the passive-withdrawn and unsociable groups did not differ from each other or the control group. Results demonstrate the need to determine subtypes of social withdrawal for both research and clinical purposes.
Interaction effects between cellulose and water in nanocrystalline and amorphous regions: a novel approach using molecular modeling

The hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of cellulose is based on its structural anisotropy. Cellulose chains are arranged in a parallel manner and are organized in sheets stabilized by interchain OH-O hydrogen bonds, whereas the stacking of sheets is stabilized by both van derWaals (vdW) dispersion forces and weak CH-O hydrogen bonds. Cellulose has a strong affinity to itself and materials containing hydroxyls, especiallywater. Based on the preponderance of hydroxyl functional groups, cellulose polymer is very reactive with water. Water molecular smallness promotes the reaction with the cellulose chains and immediately formed hydrogen bonds. Besides that, vdW dispersion forces play an important role between these two reactive entities. They stabilize the cellulose structure according to the considerable cohesive energy in the cellulose network. Hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and vdW dispersion forces play an important role in determining the cellulose crystal structure during the cellulose-water interactions. As a result of these interactions, the volume of cellulose undergoes a meaningful change expressed not only by an exponential growth in amorphous regions, but also by an expansion in nanocrystalline regions. In addition, the volume change is associated with the swelling material expressed as a weight gain of the cellulose polymer. Molecular modeling using Accelrys Materials Studio allowed us to open a new horizon and is helpful for understanding cellulose-water interactions.
Solving Models with Disappointment Aversion ∗

Asymmetric preferences have become an important ingredient to the empirical and theoretical asset pricing literature. Models with generalized disappointment aversion naturally incorporate downside risk into an axiomatic model of decision theory, but they cannot be solved anlytically without a state-space approximation of the economy. We propose a solution method to dynamic general equilibrium models with generalized disappointment averse preferences and continuous state endowment dynamics. We apply the framework to the term structure of interest rates and show that the model generates an upward sloping term structure of nominal interest rates, a downward sloping term structure of real interest rates, and that it accounts for the failure of the expectations hypothesis. The success comes from the ability of the model to endogenously generate strong countercyclical risk aversion. The key ingredients are disappointment averse preferences, preference for early resolution of uncertainty, and a parsimonious endowment economy with three state variables: time-varying macroeoconomic uncertainty, time-varying expected inflation and inflation uncertainty.
The MCM v 3 . 3 . 1 degradation scheme for isoprene 1 2

13 The chemistry of isoprene degradation in the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) has been 14 systematically refined and updated to reflect recent advances in understanding, with these 15 updates appearing in the latest version, MCM v3.3. 1. The complete isoprene degradation 16 mechanism in MCM v3.3. 1 consists of 1926 reactions of 602 closed shell and free radical 17 species, which treat the chemistry initiated by reaction with OH radicals, NO3 radicals and 18 ozone (O3). A detailed overview of the updates is provided, within the context of reported 19 kinetic and mechanistic information. The revisions mainly relate to the OH-initiated 20 chemistry, which tends to dominate under atmospheric conditions, although these include 21 updates to the chemistry of some products that are also generated from the O3and NO322 initiated oxidation. The revisions have impacts in a number of key areas, including HOx 23 recycling, NOx recycling and the formation of species reported to play a role in SOA24 formation mechanisms. The performance of the MCM v3.3. 1 isoprene mechanism has been 25 compared with those of earlier versions (MCM v3.1 and MCM v3.2) over a range of relevant 26 conditions, using a box model of the tropical forested boundary layer. The results of these 27 calculations are presented and discussed, and are used to illustrate the impacts of the 28 mechanistic updates in MCM v3.3. 1. 29 30
The Economics of Agri-Environment Scheme Design: An Irish Case Study

Efficient agri-environment schemes (AESs), the European Union’s main policy tool to improve the environmental performance of farms, address environmental concerns in a way which maximises the social benefit while minimising the cost. To design such schemes, policymakers are faced with a wide range of options. These include using voluntary or mandatory measures, top-down versus participatory approaches, collaborative versus coordinated participation, and whether to target the schemes or apply them horizontally. The efficiency of each of these options is dependent on the context and appropriateness of the application. Using Ireland as a case study, this paper assesses the evolving structure of AES design in the context of changing environmental targets, by creating an institutional framework to analyse past and current AESs and other measures. This is then compared to participation in AESs and the location of environmental public goods in order to determine the relative efficiency of policy.