Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of the Voluntary Formation of a Company Audit Committee: Evidence from Palestine

Drawing on agency theory, this paper investigates the determinants of voluntary audit committee (AC) formation among non-bank firms listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange (PSE). We used the annual reports of nearly all non-bank companies listed on the PSE as well as the company guides issued by the PSE for the period between 2010 and 2012. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the influence of a set of corporate governance mechanisms, ownership structures and company characteristics on the voluntary formation of ACs among non-bank Palestinian firms. The result of the analysis demonstrated that the AC is influenced by foreign ownership, institutional ownership, board diligence and external auditor type. This paper adds to the limited AC literature in Middle Eastern countries in general and in the Arab World in particular. This paper not only examines the determinants of the voluntary formation of ACs but also attempts to theorise about this formation.
The Return of Perennial Perspectives? Why Transpersonal Psychology Should Remain Open to Essentialism

In reply to Hartelius’s (2016) response to my paper “From Philosophy to Phenomenology: The Argument for a ‘Soft’ Perennialism” (Taylor, 2016a), I provide arguments in support of my model from contemporary scholars of mysticism, who advocate a move from a philosophically-based perennialism to a phenomenologically-based essentialism. This discussion illustrates that perennialist perspectives are far from outmoded.
Transactional Sex and HIV Incidence in a Cohort of Young Women in the Stepping Stones Trial

Background: Structural drivers of the HIV epidemic are increasingly recognised, and cross-sectional research has shown an association between transactional sex and HIV prevalence, but evidence on the impact of transactional sex on HIV incidence in young women remains limited. Methods: We tested hypotheses that transactional sex predicted incident HIV infections in a dataset of 1077 HIV negative women aged 15-26 enrolled in a cluster randomised controlled trial. Incidence rate ratios were derived from multivariable Poisson models which included terms for age, HSV2, relationship power, condom use, intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure, treatment, stratum and person years of exposure to HIV. Results: 127 sexually active women acquired HIV during the study. HIV incidence was greater among women having transactional sex with a once off partner (IRR 3.29 95% CI 1.02, 10.55, p=0.046) and those having transactional sex with an on-going, concurrent partner (IRR 2.05 95% CI 1.20, 3.52, p=0.009). An analysis was performed to distinguish between the effects of a transactional sexual encounter or relationship and having a higher number of sexual partners or older partners, which are usually entailed in transactional sex. Women having transactional sex with a casual partner (on-going or once off) and two or more partners during follow up had an elevated risk of HIV acquisition (IRR 2.23 95% CI 1.28, 3.88, p=0.005), where as those just having two or more partners did not (IRR 1.20 95% CI 0.81, 1.77, p=0.368). Women with partners 5 or more years older did not have an elevated risk of HIV. Conclusions: Transactional sex with an on-going or once off partner elevates young women’s risk of HIV infection. This finding is independent of partner number or age. These findings support the need for structural interventions in HIV prevention, with a stronger focus on reducing transactional sex.
The Acquisition of Phrasal Verbs through Cognitive Linguistic Approach: The Case of Iranian EFL Learners

Cognitive Linguistics has been applied in SLA in order improve the learning/acquisition process of foreign/second language. This quasi-experimental study was conducted to find the impact of the Cognitive Linguistics on learning/ acquiring the Phrasal Verbs among EFL learners at intermediate level. In this study the orientational metaphors were chosen because of their most- frequent usages. These particles were taught through Cognitive Linguistics for the experimental group and the results of the treatment were analyzed by the independent-samples t test. The findings showed that through Cognitive Linguistics the acquisition of Phrasal Verbs were facilitated both in the exposed and unexposed ones. The results showed the positive effect of the Cognitive Linguistics. And finally this paper proposes some pedagogical implications for further study so as to crystalize the other features by means of Cognitive Linguistics. Keywords: Cognitive Linguistics, phrasal verbs, metaphors, prototype theory, particles
Evaluation of socio-economic factors influencing exploitation of non-timber forest products in Tanzania

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) constitute an important source of livelihood for millions of people from forest fringe communities across the world. This study was conducted to identify main NTFPs used by local communities around Nyanganje Forest Reserve (NFR) which is within the Eastern Arc Mountains in Kilombero district, Tanzania. Furthermore, the study aimed at determining socio-economic factors influencing extraction of NTFPs in the study area. The study involved questionnaire survey in Signali, Sagamaganga and Lungongole villages which surround NFR. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) whereby inferential analysis was applied to show the relationship between NTFPs collected and socio-economic factors while Chi square test (c2) was used to determine the significance in dependency of certain socio-economic factors on extraction and use of NTFPs in the study area. It was observed that, socio-economic factors such as income level, education level, age distribution, household size, occupation, distance, and residence duration influenced the extraction and use of NTFPs by local communities in the study area. It was however recommended that, for sustainability of the NTFPs in NFR, the government has to initiate and emphasize the extraction and utilization of NTFPs resources in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. Key words: Extraction, Nyanganje Forest Reserve, socio-economic factors.
The evolution of an intra-cluster and intra-group stellar population: Their contribution to the stellar mass, their age, and their dynamics

Aims. We investigate the properties of an intra-cluster stellar population (ICSP) and an intra-group stellar population (IGSP) as a function of time. We apply different criteria to separate between the stellar components residing in the galaxies and in the intergalactic spaces. In addition we investigate the rate of SNIa events in the ICSP/IGSP and the amount of 56 Fe produced by these events. Finally we compare the dynamics of the ICSP/IGSP with the stellar component residing in the galaxies. Methods. By applying a combined N-body/hydrodynamic description (GADGET-2) with radiative cooling and a recipe for star formation and stellar feedback two different sized systems were calculated, i.e. galaxy cluster and galaxy groups. From these simulations extended halo catalogues were extracted with AHF: Amiga’s Halo Finder. Together with the full information of all particles in the simulation several separation criteria between the ICSP/IGSP and the stellar component in the galaxies were investigated in detail. Results. Applying different criteria to distinguish the stellar components inside and outside clusters/groups reveals different amounts of stellar mass present in the ICSP. We find that 7% to 40% of all stars belong to the ICSP in the galaxy cluster simulation depending on the applied separation criteria at redshift z = 0. The same separation criteria applied on a group simulation results in a 3% to 30% IGSP component compared to the total stellar mass in the system at redshift z = 0. Our investigation reveals a major difference between the gradient in the evolution of the ICSP and IGSP; the stellar mass present in the ICSP is increasing, whereas the fraction of stellar mass in the IGSP is decreasing in the same redshift regime. Applying simple SNIa rate estimates yields SNIa rates for the ICSP/IGSP of the order of 0.05 SNIa events per year in the ICSP and one order of magnitude lower for the IGSP, reflecting the different stellar masses in the ICSP/IGSP. The amount of 56 Fe-mass produced by the ICSP/IGSP SNIa is nearly two orders of magnitudes lower than observed values. The mean age of the stellar component populating the ICSP/IGSP is younger than the mean age of the stellar component in the galaxies. The maximum in the velocity distribution of the ICSP is shifted to lower velocities compared to the maximum in the velocity distribution of the stellar component in the galaxy cluster simulation. This reflects the high galaxy interaction rate present in the galaxy clusters. The difference gives us a measure for the dynamical state of the galaxy cluster/group.
Using Baclofen to Explore GABA-B Receptor Function in Alcohol Dependence: Insights From Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Measures

Background: The role of GABA-B neurotransmission in addiction has recently received increased attention, with clinical trials indicating that baclofen, a GABA-B receptor agonist, may reduce alcohol consumption, craving and promote abstinence. However, the optimal dose to treat alcohol dependence is unclear with patients requesting and tolerating much higher doses of baclofen, compared with other clinical uses. We assessed the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of baclofen to provide insight into GABA-B sensitivity in this patient group, relative to controls. Methods: Male healthy volunteers (controls, n = 12) and abstinent alcohol dependent individuals (AD, n = 8) received single oral doses of baclofen or placebo in a 3-way crossover design. Controls received placebo/10 mg/60 mg baclofen in a randomized, double-blind design, AD received placebo/60 mg/90 mg baclofen in a single-blind design. PK/PD measures were recorded at baseline and multiple time-points up to 6 h post-dosing, including plasma baclofen, plasma growth hormone (GH), Subjective High Assessment Scale (SHAS) and biphasic alcohol effects scale (BAES). Repeated measures ANOVA analysis explored “change from baseline” dose, time, group, and interaction effects, t-tests compared peak effects. Results: Dose-dependent effects of baclofen on PK and PD measures were observed in both control and AD groups. Whilst there were no significant group differences in any baclofen PK parameters (t1/2, tmax, Cmax, AUC), marked differences in PD effects were clearly evident. In controls, 60 mg baclofen significantly increased total SHAS and BAES scores, and significantly increased plasma GH levels compared with placebo, with peak effects at 60–120 min, in line with its PK profile. In AD, 60 mg baclofen had limited effects on these parameters; SHAS scores, BAES scores and plasma GH levels were significantly blunted compared with controls (significant group*time interactions P = 0.0014, 0.0015 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: Our study shows blunted sensitivity to baclofen in AD relative to controls, with no difference in PK suggesting a lower GABA-B receptor sensitivity. This may explain why higher baclofen doses are requested and tolerated in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Our data has implications for choice of dose in future clinical trials in AD and possibly other substances of dependence.
Assessing the Structural Change of Strategic Mobility Determinants Under Hypercompetitive Environments

The primary purpose of this exploratory empirical study is to examine the structural stability of a limited number of alternative explanatory factors of strategic change. On the basis of theoretical arguments and prior empirical evidence from two traditional perspectives, we propose an original empirical framework to analyse whether these potentia l explanatory factors have remained stable overtime in a highly turbulent environment. This original question is explored in a particular setting: the population of Spanish private banks. The firms of this industry have experienced a high level of strategic mobility as a consequence of fundament al changes undergone in their environmental conditions over the last two decades (mainly changes related to the new banking and financial regulation process). Our results consistently support that the effect of most explanatory factors of strategic mobility considered did not remain stable over the whole period of analysis. From this point of view, the study sheds new light on major debates and dilemmas in the field of strategy regarding why firms change their competitive patterns over time and, hence, to what extent the ‘context- dependency’ of alternative views of strategic change as their relative validation can vary over time for a given population. Methodologically, this research makes two major contributions to the study of potential determinants of strategic change. First, the definition and measurement of strategic change employing a new grouping method, the Model-based Cluster Method or MCLUST. Second, in order to asses the possible effect of determinants of strategic mobility we have controlled the non-observableheterogeneity using logistic re gression models for panel data.
Dynamics of a hybrid thermostat model with discrete sampling time control

The dynamics of a simple thermostat model is described. In the model the control system samples the temperature at regular but discrete time intervals rather than by continuous monitoring. The model exhibits quasi-periodic oscillations and banding, where the response falls into two or more bands of phase space representing either better or poorer control. A return circle map is derived which explains the observed dynamics. Some extensions of these results to the case where the flow is non-linear are also given.
How Chinese Semantics Capability Improves Interpretation in Visual Communication

A visual representation involves delivering messages through visually communicated images. The study assumed that semantic recognition can affect visual interpretation ability, and the result showed that students graduating from a general high school achieve satisfactory results in semantic recognition and image interpretation tasks than students graduating from a vocational high school. Twenty students with low semantic recognition performance participated in our study and completed 24 hours of an intensive Chinese semantics-training course after the design foundation course. The results revealed that the Chinese intensive training improved their semantic recognition in design performance, thereby is confirming the assumption. Our study results suggest that design teachers must not only provide strong practical design training, but also develop skills such as semantic comprehension and object interpretation in young designers.
External Interventions and the Duration of Civil Wars

The authors combine an empirical model of external intervention, with a theoretical model of civil war duration. Their empirical model of intervention allows them to analyze civil war duration, using"expected"rather than"actual"external intervention as an explanatory variable in the duration model. Unlike previous studies, they find that external intervention is positively associated with the duration of civil war. They distinguish partial third-party interventions that extend the length of war, from multilateral"peace"operations, which have a mandate to restore peace without taking sides - and which typically take place at war's end, or at least when both sides have agreed to a cease-fire. In a future paper, the authors will examine whether partial third-party interventions - whatever their effect on a war's duration - increase the risk of war's recurrence. If that proves true, then even if interventions reduce the length of civil war, they may do so at the cost of further destabilizing the political system, and sowing the seeds of future rebellion.
Effects of different starch types on retardation of staling of microwave-baked cakes

Different types of starches (corn, potato, waxy corn, amylomaize and pregelatinized starches) were added to cake formulations to retard staling of microwave-baked cakes. As a control, cake formulated without any starch addition was used. Weight loss, firmness, volume index, specific gravity, soluble starch and amylose content of cakes were used as the indicators of staling and/or quality criteria. Variation of staling parameters during storage of cakes followed zero-order kinetics. Cakes were baked in a microwave oven for 1.5 min at 100% power. Control cakes were also baked in a conventional oven at 175°C for 25 min. Pregelatinized starch helped to decrease moisture loss during baking and storage. Cakes containing amylomaize starch were firmer than the control cake. Starches, except amylomaize, were effective in reducing firmness during storage. The most effective starch type, in terms of retarding the staling of microwave-baked cakes, was chosen as pregelatinized starch. More amylose was leached in control cakes during microwave baking than conventionally baked cakes.
An analytical approach for the nonlinear forced vibration of clamped-clamped buckled beam

Analytical solutions are attractive for parametric studies and consideration of the problems physics. In addition, analytical solutions can be employed as a reference framework for verification of numerical results. In this paperHomotopy analysis method and Homotopy Pade technique which are approximate analytical methods, are used to obtain nonlinear forced vibration response of Euler-Bernoulli clamped-clamped buckled beam subjected to an axial force and transverse harmonic load for the first time. Analytical solutions for nonlinear frequency are derived via Homotopy analysis method, Homotopy Pade technique and Runge Kutta method and the results are compared with experimental results of literature. Also the time response of the beam is obtained for free and forced vibration via analytical and numerical methods. In addition, the frequency response is drawn. Comparison of analytical results with numerical results and literature results reveals that Homotopy analysis method and Homotopy Padetechnique have excellent accuracy for wide range of nonlinear parameters and predict system behavior precisely.
Teacher perspectives on inclusive education in rural Alberta, Canada

The results of 123 elementary- to secondary-level teacher surveys and 14 in-depth qualitative interviews examining the teachers’ perspectives regarding inclusion in a rural school district are reported. Four features of inclusive education from the perspective of teachers are revealed: (1) attitudes toward inclusion; (2) supportive communication and cooperation; (3) classroom community; and (4) support and training. The results of this study corroborate existing research and indicate significant differences between elementary and secondary teachers’ perceptions for some of the factors. Future research in this study will examine teachers’ instructional practices providing a more complete picture of inclusive teaching in rural Alberta, Canada.
Affective and cognitive aspects of aesthetic evaluations in design, art, faces and abstract patterns

Menschen haben einen ausgepragten Sinn fur asthetische Wahrnehmung sowohl bei naturlichen (z.B. Gesichter) als auch bei kunstlichen Objektklassen (z.B. Design, Kunstwerke, abstrakte Muster). Die asthetische Wahrnehmung fur diese verschiedenen Objektklassen wird durch ein komplexes Zusammenspiel von kognitiven und emotionalen Faktoren bestimmt. Um dieses Zusammenspiel besser zu verstehen, werden sieben Studien vorgestellt, die grob in drei teilweise uberlappende Gruppen eingeteilt werden konnen – 1) Studien, die sich mit emotionalen Reaktionen bei asthetischer Wahrnehmung beschaftigen, indem emotionale Reaktionen mittels physiologischer Methoden gemessen werden (Gerger, Leder, Faerber, & Carbon, eingereicht) – 2) Studien, die dynamische Veranderungen von asthetischer Wahrnehmung durch Bekanntmachungsprozesse (Tinio, Gerger, & Leder, in Vorbereitung) oder mittels wiederholter Stimulusevaluationen (Gerger, Leder, Faerber, & Carbon, in Druck; Leder, Faerber, Gerger, Forster, & Carbon, in Vorbereitung; Gerger, Leder, Faerber, & Carbon, in Vorbereitung; Faerber, Leder, Gerger, & Carbon, 2010) untersuchen und – 3) Studien, die die Interaktion von kognitiven und emotionalen Variablen bei asthetischer Wahrnehmung untersuchen (Gerger et al., in Vorbereitung; Leder, Gerger, Dressler, & Schabmann, in Druck). Zusammengenommen zeigen diese Studien, dass die asthetische Wahrnehmung durch ein komplexes Zusammenspiel von vielen Faktoren bestimmt wird – unterschiedliche Objektklassen, unterschiedliche kontextuelle Bedingungen, unterschiedliche Stimulusdimensionen, unterschiedliche Personlichkeitsmerkmale, sowie unterschiedliche Arten der Bekanntmachung beeinflussen diese. Die Befunde werden in Relation zur empirischen Asthetik im Speziellen und zur empirischen Psychologie im Allgemeinen diskutiert.
Imaging coherent scatter radar, incoherent scatter radar, and optical observations of quasiperiodic structures associated with sporadic E layers

[1] During June and July 2002, a 30-MHz imaging coherent scatter radar was installed and operated on the island of St. Croix, to view the E region ionosphere above Arecibo, Puerto Rico. During the observing period, 10 events with discernible quasiperiodic echo structure were observed with the coherent scatter radar. In six of those events, simultaneous measurements were made with the Arecibo 430-MHz incoherent scatter radar. The imaging coherent scatter radar allows us to locate and track the echo structures within the volume illuminated by the transmitter, which shows structures that are generally aligned along wavefronts. A slight preference for motion of the structures toward the southwest is evident throughout the period, but the propagation directions and speeds vary greatly. The incoherent scatter radar measurements show a close correspondence between the occurrence of the coherent echoes and the location of the enhanced electron density structures. In particular, the coherent echoes occur when the electron density layers show uplifts.
The Determinants of Banks¡¯ Profitability under Basel Regulations: Evidence from Lebanon

The purpose of this study is to shed some lights on the determinants of banksi¯ profitability operating in Lebanon. Through applying Panel i°EGLS period SURi± technique, for the period spans from 2000 to 2015. We have used a set of micro factors that might affect the banksi¯ profitability such as; asset quality, liquidity, and capital adequacy, on a sample of twenty four banks operating in Lebanon. Net Interest Margin (NIM) has been used to measure the profitability. The results indicate that most positive powerful effects on NIM are Equity to Liability, and Interest rate on Deposits (on Average), and to a lower extent Loan Loss Reserve to Impairment Loans, the Impaired Loans to Equity, Liquid Assets to Total Deposits and Borrowings, whereas, Capital Funds to Liability, loan loss provision to net interest revenue, are the most significant but with a negative effect; and to lower extent Net charge Off to Average gross loans, Net loans to deposits and short term borrowing affect the NIM negatively. Our findings revealed that banks perform better when they maintain higher level of equity relative to their Liabilities, and then can achieve a higher level of profitability.