Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Technology Diffusion, Nominal Wage Rigidity, and the “New Normal” in China

This paper is based on a growth model that is consistent with salient features of the recent “New Normal” growth experience in China: slowdown of growth rate, low level of inflation and unemployment, decreasing returns on capital investment, extensive reallocation among agriculture, manufacturing and modern service sectors, rising share of consumption, improvement of wealth distribution, and reduced foreign surplus. The building blocks of the theory are asymmetric technology diffusions from FDI firms among various sectors and nominal wage rigidity in the labor market. Due to the asymmetric technology diffusion among different sectors, manufacturing firms enjoy a more rapid productivity progress via the process of learning by doing in a processing on order economy. Thus manufacturing sectors serve as the engine in the past years’ economic growth in China. Through the competition in labor market, trends of wage equalization drive the migration of residents from agriculture to manufacturing and modern service sectors. Moreover, with a larger share of processing on order firms, China tends to further enlarge her foreign surplus in a faster pace. However, the result of this paper shows that since the exchange rate reform on July 21st 2005, RMB has appreciated accumulatively by 35%, combined with the wage rigidity in labor market, FDI firms in manufacturing sectors face an increasing level of cost in terms of increasing wage expenditure. Incumbent low profitable firms exit and potential entrants with new technology no more settle down. Thus, rapid productivity progress ceases in manufacturing sector. Not only the growth rate slows down, but also large number of unemployed population reallocates back to modern service and agriculture sectors. Dwindling share of manufacturing sectors reduced the foreign surplus by the drops of processing on order infra-firm trade of FDI firms.
The Italian Unlisted Companies’ Earnings Management Practices: The Impacts of Fiscal and Financial Incentives

This study explores the Italian unlisted companies’ earnings management practices. Adopting the earnings distribution approach and the logit analysis, it shows that, as in other countries where there is a close alignment between accounting and tax rules, fiscal incentives encourage companies with negative earnings to manage them upward to overcome the threshold of zero decreasing the probability of tax authorities’ investigations and those with positive earnings to manage them downward to bring them close to zero minimizing tax payments. As a result, they tend to report slightly positive earnings. The Italian unlisted companies’ earnings management practices are not limited by financial incentives, here intended in terms of levels of bank loans. Rather, companies with higher level of bank loans are more likely to manage earnings. This study contributes to better understand earnings management practices in unlisted companies and not English-speaking contexts that are little explored in literature. Moreover, it contributes to better understand the nature and consequences of the impacts of fiscal and financial incentives on earnings management practices. The findings should be beneficial to stakeholders and auditors of unlisted companies and tax authorities. Keywords: Earnings management, Earnings distribution approach, Avoidance of losses, Minimization of tax payments, Fiscal incentives, Financial incentives, Unlisted companies, Italy
Electrojet control of ambient ionization near the crest of the equatorial anomaly in the Indian zone

Abstract. A long-term (1978–1990) database of total electron content (TEC) from a location (Calcutta: 22.58° N, 88.38° E geographic, dip: 32° N) near the northern crest of the equatorial ionization anomaly has extensively been studied to characterize the contribution of fountain effect in the maintenance of ambient ionization. The equatorial electrojet (EEJ) data obtained from ground magnetometer recording are used to assess the contribution of equatorial fountain. Analysis made with instantaneous values, day's maximum values and time-integrated values of EEJ strength exhibit more or less similar features. When instantaneous values of EEJ are considered TEC variations exhibit two maxima in correlation, one around 10:00–12:00 IST and the other around 18:00–20:00 IST. The later maximum in correlation coefficient is conspicuously absent when integrated values of EEJ are considered. An impulse-like feature is reflected in the diurnal TEC variation during the time intervals (09:00–10:00 IST) and (18:00–19:00 IST). The statistical analysis reveals greater correspondence with high level of significance between diurnal TEC and EEJ in the descending epoch of solar cycle than in the ascending one. On the seasonal basis, TEC in the summer solstitial months are observed to be more sensitive to the changes in EEJ strength than in the equinoctial and winter solstitial months. Combining the effects of solar flux, season, local time and EEJ an empirical formula for monthly mean diurnal TEC has been developed and validated using observed TEC data. An estimation of the relative contributions of the several terms appearing in the formula reveals much more solar flux contribution (~50–70%) in the maintenance of ambient ionization around the present location than the EEJ effects (maximum~20%).
ASSESSMENT OF PRESCRIPTION PATTERN AND PRESCRIPTION ERRORS USING THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DRUG USE INDICATORS IN LADY READING HOSPITAL PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVES: To assess and evaluate prescription pattern and prescription errors using World Health Organization (WHO) drug use indicators in the medical ward of Leady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan.METHODS: This retrospective study of 200 in-patient’s prescriptions was conducted to investigate the WHO drug use indicators (average number of drugs prescribed per prescription, percentage of prescriptions encounter with an injection(s) prescribed, percentage of prescriptions encounter with an antibiotic(s) prescribed, percentage of drugs prescribed with generic names, percentage of drugs prescribed from the WHO’s Essential Drug List (EDL), drugs prescribed from the National Essential Drug List (NEDL) and prescriptions errors.RESULTS: Drugs prescribed for 200 admitted patients were 1410 and average number of drugs prescribed per prescription were 7.05 (n=1410). Prescriptions with an injection(s) prescribed were 704/1410 (49.9%), prescriptions with an antibiotic(s) prescribed were 241/1410 (17.1%), prescriptions with drugs prescribed by generic names was none. Number of drugs prescribed from the WHO EDL were 704 (49.9%). NEDL was not available. A total of 572 (40.6%) errors in prescription writing were observed including 211/572 (36.9%) errors having absent strength of drugs, 267/572 (46.7%) contains an illegible hand writing prescriptions, 48(n=572; 8.4%) prescriptions have missing frequency of drugs and 46 (n=572; 8.04%) prescriptions had improper abbreviations. Decision errors were observed in 703 (n=1410;49.86%) cases for drug-drug interactions.CONCLUSION: Illegible hand writing, absence of strength of drugs, no mentioning of frequency of drugs and improper abbreviations were main types of prescription errors while error in drug-drug interactions was the main decision error in our study.KEY WORDS:Medical Errors (MeSH); Medication Errors (MeSH); Inappropriate Prescribing (MeSH); Prescription Errors (Non-MeSH); Prescription Pattern (Non-MeSH); Drug Use Indicators (Non-MeSH); Drug-Drug Interactions (Non-MeSH)
AN ELEMENTAL IRON REACTOR FOR ARSENIC REMOVAL FROM GROUNDWATER

A prototype in-situ flow-through reactor was constructed and operated to treat groundwater affected by arsenic at a former pesticide manufacturing site in New Jersey. Elemental iron is employed as the reactive medium. Perched groundwater beneath the site is affected by arsenic at concentrations of up to 10 mg/l. A series of field treatability tests using flow-through vessels packed with a mixture of iron and quartz sand were performed. Constant flow rate tests were conducted over periods of one to several days with residence times ranging from 1 minute to 5 hours. The mean influent arsenic concentration was 3.0 mg/l. Steady-state effluent concentrations were generally less than 0.01 mg/l for retention times greater than 40 minutes, and increased with decreasing residence time. In the treatability tests, more than 99.8% of the influent arsenic was removed. Arsenic removal in the reactors follows pseudo first-order kinetics, but actually depends on the rate of iron corrosion. A full-scale reactor was designed to treat up to 10 gallons per minute of shallow groundwater collected from railroad sub-drains at the site. An in-situ, passive (gravity flow) system was designed that is capable of isolating the flow stream from surrounding groundwater for performance monitoring. The reactor consists of a concrete-walled vessel in which a 1.8 cubic meter reactive zone is emplaced between upstream and downstream gravel chambers. The reactor also is equipped with an influent-side CO 2 injection system for pH control. The treatment unit was operated between July and November 2001. More than 280,000 gallons of perched groundwater were treated and 3 kg of arsenic were removed over a 16 week period. Arsenic removal, initially greater than 99%, began to decline after the first month, eventually leveling off at 94% removal by the third month.
Explicit approximations to estimate the perturbative diffusivity in the presence of convectivity and damping. III. Cylindrical approximations for heat waves traveling inwards

In this paper, a number of new explicit approximations are introduced to estimate the perturbative diffusivity (χ), convectivity (V), and damping (τ) in cylindrical geometry. For this purpose, the harmonic components of heat waves induced by localized deposition of modulated power are used. The approximations are based on the heat equation in cylindrical geometry using the symmetry (Neumann) boundary condition at the plasma center. This means that the approximations derived here should be used only to estimate transport coefficients between the plasma center and the off-axis perturbative source. If the effect of cylindrical geometry is small, it is also possible to use semi-infinite domain approximations presented in Part I and Part II of this series. A number of new approximations are derived in this part, Part III, based upon continued fractions of the modified Bessel function of the first kind and the confluent hypergeometric function of the first kind. These approximations together with the approximations based on semi-infinite domains are compared for heat waves traveling towards the center. The relative error for the different derived approximations is presented for different values of the frequency, transport coefficients, and dimensionless radius. Moreover, it is shown how combinations of different explicit formulas can be used to estimate the transport coefficients over a large parameter range for cases without convection and damping, cases with damping only, and cases with convection and damping. The relative error between the approximation and its underlying model is below 2% for the case, where only diffusivity and damping are considered. If also convectivity is considered, the diffusivity can be estimated well in a large region, but there is also a large region in which no suitable approximation is found. This paper is the third part (Part III) of a series of three papers. In Part I, the semi-infinite slab approximations have been treated. In Part II, cylindrical approximations are treated for heat waves traveling towards the plasma edge assuming a semi-infinite domain.
FORMATION VELOCITY AND DENSITY—THE DIAGNOSTIC BASICS FOR STRATIGRAPHIC TRAPS

A multiplicity of factors influence seismic reflection coefficients and the observed gravity of typical sedimentary rocks. Rock velocity and density depend upon the mineral composition and the granular nature of the rock matrix, cementation, porosity, fluid content, and environmental pressure. Depth of burial and geologic age also have an effect. Lithology and porosity can be related empirically to velocity by the time‐average equation. This equation is most reliable when the rock is under substantial pressure, is saturated with brine, and contains well‐cemented grains. For very low porosity rocks under large pressures, the mineral composition can be related to velocity by the theories of Voigt and Reuss. One effect of pressure variation on velocity results from the opening or closing of microcracks. For porous sedimentary rocks, only the difference between overburden and fluid pressure affects the microcrack system. Existing theory does not take into account the effect of microcrack closure on the elasti.
Dimensionality of the UWES-17: An item response modelling analysis

Orientation: Questionnaires, particularly the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17), are an almost standard method by which to measure work engagement. Conflicting evidence regarding the dimensionality of the UWES-17 has led to confusion regarding the interpretation of scores. Research purpose: The main focus of this study was to use the Rasch model to provide insight into the dimensionality of the UWES-17, and to assess whether work engagement should be interpreted as one single overall score, three separate scores, or a combination. Motivation for the study: It is unclear whether a summative score is more representative of work engagement or whether scores are more meaningful when interpreted for each dimension separately. Previous work relied on confirmatory factor analysis; the potential of item response models has not been tapped. Research design: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design approach was used. Participants, 2429 employees of a South African Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company, completed the UWES-17. Main findings: Findings indicate that work engagement should be treated as a unidimensional construct: individual scores should be interpreted in a summative manner, giving a single global score. Practical/managerial implications: Users of the UWES-17 may interpret a single, summative score for work engagement. Findings of this study should also contribute towards standardising UWES-17 scores, allowing meaningful comparisons to be made. Contribution/value-add: The findings will benefit researchers, organisational consultants and managers. Clarity on dimensionality and interpretation of work engagement will assist researchers in future studies. Managers and consultants will be able to make better-informed decisions when using work engagement data.
The impact of inventory management practice on firms’ competitiveness and organizational performance: Empirical evidence from micro and small enterprises in Ethiopia

Abstract This study aimed to empirically examine the impact of inventory management practice on firms’ competitiveness and organizational performance. Data for the study were collected from 188 micro and small enterprises (MSEs) operating in the manufacturing sub-sector and the relationships and hypothesis proposed in the conceptual framework were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicate that higher levels of inventory management practice can lead to an enhanced competitive advantage and improved organizational performance. Also, competitive advantage can have a direct, positive impact on organizational performance. Therefore, it is recommended that policy makers, universities, NGOs and any concerned party who are engaged in supporting of MSEs need to work on providing the necessary training and resource to promote the inventory management practice of MSEs which will result in increasing their competitiveness and organizational performance. That would enhance their contribution to the economic development of the country. Note that, the conclusion obtained from this study may not be used to generalize to large and medium scale as well as overall sectors since its focus is only from the MSEs’ manufacturing sub-sector points of view.
Characterization of antimicrobial films containing basil extracts

The properties of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)‐based films containing either linalool or methylchavicol as antimicrobial (AM) additives were evaluated. Slight decreases in transparency, water vapour and oxygen transmission rates were found in the extruded films containing 0.34% w/w linalool or methylchavicol. The infrared (IR) spectra of the AM films were similar to that of additive‐free LDPE film. However, carbonyl peaks could also be observed in the spectra of the AM films. There was no significant difference in the degree of crystallinity and the melting temperature range of the different films. Derivative thermogravimetry mass‐loss curves showed that the thermal decomposition temperatures of the AM films were marginally lower than that of LDPE film. Electron micrographs indicated that AM LDPE‐based films exhibited no evidence of changes in microstructure to suggest that linalool and methylchavicol were not evenly distributed in the film. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation into Bacillus anthracis Spore in Soil and Analysis of Environmental Parameters Related to Repeated Anthrax Outbreak in Sirajganj, Bangladesh

The study was conducted for the isolation and detection of Bacillus anthracis spores from soil collected from Sirajganj district (a north-western district of Bangladesh), and to assess the parameters that may relate to the repeated anthrax outbreak. A total of 48 soil samples were collected from the study area during January to November 2012. Endospores were extracted from soil and the Bacillus anthracis was identified using conventional bacteriological, biochemical and sensitivity test against Penicillin-G. The viable B. anthracis spores could be detected from 14 (29.17%) soil samples. Moisture content, pH, calcium and organic carbon contents of the soils were measured and the values of the endospore positive samples ranged from 6.31-28.37%, 5.17-7.22, 484.35-1372.35 ppm and 0.15-2.35%, respectively. All the endospore positive soil samples were of loamy type, while none of the clay type soil was found to be positive for B. anthracis, suggesting the influence of soil type on the occurrence of anthrax endospore in studied area. The mean pH of anthrax positive soil was weakly acidic (6.38±0.15), indicating that a suitable pH range for anthrax spore was present in the soil of Sirajganj. During the disease outbreak period (May and June) the average temperature of this area was 320C and the average rainfall was 158 mm and 90 mm, respectively. Although the temperature variation had no significant influence on the occurrence of anthrax spore, rainfall was found to be significant.
On-Chip Integrated Silicon Photonic Thermometers

The fundamental limitations of resistance-based thermometry and the desire to reduce sensor ownership cost have produced considerable interest in the development of photonics-based temperature sensors as an alternative to resistance thermometers. Photonic temperature sensors have the potential to leverage advances in frequency metrology to provide cost effective measurement solutions. We report on the fabrication and characterization of photonic-based nanoscale thermometers. Two types of temperature sensors, described in this work, a silicon photonic Bragg grating cavity and photonic crystal cavity devices, were fabricated using silicon-on-insulator CMOS-technology. The devices have built-in Fabry-Perot cavities, resonance’s wavelength of which shifts systematically with temperature. The sensitivity of photonic nanoscale thermometers can be tuned by a top-cladding material. When cladded with a poly (methyl methacrylate) thin layer, the sensitivity is ≈ 70 pm/°C, on the other hand, cladding with a silicon dioxide layer gives an improved sensitivity of ≈ 80 pm/°C. The described photonic thermometers have a temperature sensitivity that is at least seven to eight times better, compared to the sensitivity of conventional fiber Bragg grating sensors. We demonstrate that silicon photonic nanoscale thermometers are a viable temperature sensing solution. Copyright © 2015 IFSA Publishing, S. L.
Youth online participation in government decision making

Online participation in government decision making using the Internet and social networking technologies are expected to advance democracy, improve government decisions, increase citizens’ trust in government, and enhance government accountability and transparency. Technologically savvy, immersed in the Internet and social networking, young citizens are creating new opportunities for governments to engage them online in consultative and decision making processes. However, not much is known about how to encourage young people to participate and engage online in these processes on a large scale. Their motivations for, and impediments to, participation are not well understood (Coleman, 2008). This paper contributes to better understanding of online youth participation and challenges of increasing participation by i) proposing a framework to explore levels of e-participation (the ‘engagement ladder’), ii) presenting a field study of youth (aged 9-18) online participation in government decision making on public spending, and iii) by discussing field study results, including some practical problems and theoretical concerns for climbing the engagement ladder. The study confirmed young people’s willingness to participate in government consultation then they believe in its authenticity and when they are engaged in their natural habitat – social networking spaces. The paper discusses features of consultation that motivated increasing participation and those that impeded it.