Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring and Managing Credit Risk for Chinese Microfinance Institutions

Chinese microfinance institutions need to measure and manage credit risk in a quantitative way in order to improve competitiveness. To establish a credit scoring model (CSM) with sound predictive power, they should examine various models carefully, identify variables, assign values to variables and reduce variable dimensions in an appropriate way. Microfinance institutions could employ both CSM and loan officer’s subjective appraisals to improve risk management level gradually. The paper sets up a CSM based on the data of a microfinance company running from October 2009 to June 2014 in Jiangsu province. As for establishing the model, the paper uses Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) method, selects 16 initial variables, employs direct method to assign variables and adopts all the variables into the model. Ten samples are constructed by randomly selecting records. Based on the samples, the coefficients are determined and the final none-standardized discriminant function is established. It is found that Bank credit, Education, Old client and Rate variables have the greatest impact on the discriminant effect. Compared with the same international models, this model’s classification effect is fine. The paper displays the key technical points to build a credit scoring model based on a practical application, which provides help and references for Chinese microfinance institutions to measure and manage credit risk quantitatively.
The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Customer Satisfaction, Relationship Maintenance and Loyalty in the Shipping Industry

This paper aims to examine the impact of perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR), with a focus on ethical and environment questions related to the constructs of customer satisfaction (CS), relationship maintenance (RM) and customer loyalty (CL), on determining the attitudinal and behavioural loyalty and maintenance of customers in the shipping industry. For this purpose, this study enhances its empirical validity by collecting data from 214 respondents in South Korea and testing the hypothesis using structure equation modelling. It was found that (1) CSR is an effective relationship marketing tool that requires further research to investigate its benefits; (2) systemic investigation in CSR activities in the shipping industry finds publishing CSR reports the most preferred tool among major shipping companies; and (3) there is a strong empirical evidence which supports that values have a significant impact on the customers' perception of CSR performance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Spatial Inequality and Development in Central Asia

This paper focuses on inequality in living standards across oblasts and regions within Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Regional inequality is an important area of research and policy development. Inequality in income and consumption are logical outcomes in a market-based economic system. If inequality within countries exists because of barriers to competition, then inequality can foment internal tension, and economic and social development within countries is negatively affected. We examine Living Standards Measurement data from Tajikistan, Kyrgystan, and Kazakhstan and additional survey data from Uzbekistan. We find that the most important explanations for the variation in expenditures per capita in the region are household location, household composition, and education. We find large variation in per capita expenditure by location within each country, and the differences go beyond the simple rural-urban distinction. Family structure is also important, and in all. /…
Susceptibility of locally cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) varieties to aflatoxin accumulation in Homa Bay County, Kenya

Groundnut is one of the staple foods in many parts of the world. Due to its high nutrient content, the nuts are liable to colonization by aflatoxigenic fungi and subsequent aflatoxin accumulation. This study was aimed at determining susceptibility of locally grown groundnut varieties to Aspergillus flavus in Homa Bay County, Western Kenya. A pretested questionnaire was used to survey agronomic practices on groundnut cultivation in 75 randomly selected households in the study site. From each household farm, 100 g soil samples and 500 g of groundnuts were collected at harvest and A. flavus isolated on Modified Rose-Bengal Agar and identified. Aflatoxin was then extracted from each of the groundnut samples and quantified using direct competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Red Valencia was the most cultivated among the 8 varieties identified. Farmers (66%) obtained the planting seeds from the local market and most (92%) did not use fertilizers with majority (94%) having no knowledge of aflatoxins. There was no significant inter-variety difference in aflatoxin accumulation (p=0.744, F=0.581, Df=6, 61). A highly significant association (t = 2.652; P = 0.010) was found between storage state of the groundnuts and aflatoxin levels, with 94% of the samples stored unshelled having aflatoxin levels below 10 ppb. Overall, only 6.7% of kernels sampled from all the divisions did not meet the EC aflatoxin limit of ≤4 ppb while 4% did not meet the KEBS limit of ≤10 ppb. Though the agronomic practices were poor, aflatoxin levels were predominantly low in the region suggesting that the aflatoxin accumulation is likely influenced by agro-ecological zoning as other studies have also been indicated. Key words: Groundnuts, Aflatoxins, Aspergillus flavus.
On the Equivalence between Orthogonal Regression and Linear Model with Type-II Constraints *

Orthogonal regression, also known as the total least squares method, regression with errors-in variables or as a calibration problem, analyzes linear relationship between variables. Comparing to the standard regression, both dependent and explanatory variables account for measurement errors. Through this paper we shortly discuss the orthogonal least squares, the least squares and the maximum likelihood methods for estimation of the orthogonal regression line. We also show that all mentioned approaches lead to the same estimates in a special case.
Effect of annealing on conductivity in XLPE mid-voltage cable insulation

Polyethylene (PE) is a non-polar polymer. It is found in semi-crystalline form at room temperature. The crystalline fraction is formed when the material is cooled down from the melt. The lamellae structure formed during solidification depends on the characteristics of the thermal treatment and the conditions of crystallization. In the usual conformation, lamellae grow radially, resulting in spherulites, which are composed of both crystalline and amorphous regions. Due to the non-polar character of PE, conduction processes should be associated with the presence of free
Task-related high frequency connectivity in DMN 1 Title : Spectral diversity in default mode network connectivity reflects behavioural state

Author Affiliations: 1) Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom 2) Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom 3) Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
DOPAMINE TRANSPORTER AND TRANSMISSION OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL RISK. A REVIEW OF GENE- ENVIRONMENT INTERPLAY

Research underlines that intergenerational transmission of psychopathological risk results from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental risk factors which predispose child to develop emotionalbehavioral problems. Mechanisms of transmission are poorly understood, but few studies have focused on the role played by dopamine transporter (DAT) gene. This review aims to examine mediating mechanism of DAT genotype-environmental interaction (GxE), DAT genotype-environmental correlation (rGE), and methylation status involved in transmission of psychopathological risk. The review of literature was made through researches in university libraries on paper material, and telematics systems research. Studies have evidenced that DAT is implicated in intergenerational transmission of psychopathological risk. Results are mixed regarding its genetic variants, but mechanisms through which this gene can affect both quality of parenting and child development are partially established. Only few studies have examined methylation mechanisms that can be implicated. Findings suggest to involve an improved focus on DAT genotypes, methylation status associated, and their relationship with environment to better understanding child’s vulnerability and resilience following exposure to contextual risk factors associated with parental psychopathological symptoms. © 2017 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.UK
Generation of Isometries of Certain Z-Lattices by Symmetries☆☆☆

Korea Institute for Advanced Study, Seoul 130-012, KoreaE-mail: bkohmath.kias. re.krCommunicated by J. S. HsiaReceived April 29, 1999It is well known that every isometry of a quadratic space is generated bysymmetries. Although this is not true in general for isometries of lattices, there arecertain Z-lattices whose isometries are generated by &1 and symmetries. In thispaper, we prove that positive Z-lattices with determinant an odd prime p (or 2p ifp is not possible), which we call primal lattices, have this property if the rank is nottoo big. More precisely, we prove that every isometry is generated by &1 andsymmetries with respect to minimal vectors of length 2 for primal even (or odd)Z-lattices of rank less than 16 (or 13, repectively) provided that the minimal lengthis at least 2, and that the bound of rank in each case is extremal. The most impor-tant ingredient in this work is the behavior of the maximal root sublattice which,we found, plays an essential role in shaping the isometry group of a given lattice.
Performance and Persistence in Norwegian Mutual Funds

Using a dataset free of survivorship bias, we investigate the performance and performance persistence of Norwegian mutual funds in the period 2000-2010. To evaluate mutual fund performance we apply a multi-period version of the Carhart 4-factor model to obtain Jensen's alpha. We assess the statistical significance of the alpha point estimates by comparing them to alpha distributions generated from bootstrap simulations. We find that mutual fund investors in aggregate realize risk-adjusted net returns that underperform the benchmark by approximately the fund fees. Additionally, the evidence implies that the managers of the funds that lie in the right tail of the cross-section of mutual fund alpha estimates inhabit stock-picking skills, while the managers of the worst performing funds are both mistiming the market and picking bad stocks. Depending on various statistical methodologies we find different levels of performance persistence. When we reevaluate performance on a monthly basis, our evidence indicates short-term persistence among superior funds. Moreover, the performance of inferior funds strongly persists up to one year.
Relative importance of the different negative effects of the toxic haptophyte Prymnesium parvum on Rhodomonas salina and Brachionus plicatilis

The aim of this study was to determine the relative importance of the different pro- cesses/mechanisms by which the toxic haptophyte Prymnesium parvum, cultured under different nutrient conditions, affects non-toxic phytoplankton competitors and microzooplankton grazers. P. parvum was cultured under steady-state growth in different nutrient conditions: nitrogen depleted (-N), phosphorus depleted (-P) and balanced nitrogen and phosphorus (+NP). Cells from each nutri- ent condition and culture cell-free filtrates, alone and combined with non-toxic prey (Rhodomonas salina), were used as food for the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. An additional experiment was carried out to test the effect of P. parvum cells and culture cell-free filtrate on R. salina. The highest haemolytic activity values were achieved by -P P. parvum cultures, followed by -N. However, the negative effect of P. parvum on R. salina and rotifers did not correlate with haemolytic activity but with the number of P. parvum cells. -N-cultured P. parvum were the most toxic for both R. salina and rotifers, followed by +NP. Therefore, haemolytic activity is not a good indicator of the total potential toxicity of P. parvum. The growth rate of R. salina was negatively affected by cell-free filtrates but the effect of P. parvum predation was greater. Rotifers fed on both toxic and non-toxic algae, indicating that they did not select against the toxic alga. The P. parvum cell-free filtrate had an effect on B. plicatilis, although this was weak. B. plicatilis was also indirectly affected by P. parvum due to the negative effects of the toxic alga on their prey (R. salina). However, the greatest negative effect of P. parvum on the rotifers was due to ingestion of the toxic cells. Therefore, the phytoplankton com- petitor R. salina is more affected by P. parvum predation and the grazer B. plicatilis is more affected by ingestion of the toxic cells, the effects of excreted compounds being secondary.
Title Robust Density Matrix Simulation of Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers

A common setback to electron transport models for quantum cascade laser active regions is the inability to freely simulate widely varying designs. One solution to this problem is to use a density matrix formalism with a generalized treatment of scattering, wherein the well-defined energy eigenbasis is used, and the relative simplicity of the density matrix can be taken advantage of for rapid simulations. We have developed such a model from first principles in the past, and now built a simulator for terahertz quantum cascade lasers that calculates a fully selfconsistent solution to the coupled problem of bandstructure, lasing field strength, and space charge. This level of depth enables us to examine the model’s performance across much of the design space and operating temperatures, for which we find generally good agreement. Areas for future improvement of the model are discussed, particularly the treatment of electron-electron scattering and continuum leakage. The model also enables us to make qualitative insights into the microscopic workings of the active regions, such as the non-equilibrium subband distributions and their response to the optical field, and the possibility for using two sequential optical transitions. Keywords—terahertz, quantum cascade, density matrix, electron transport, III-V quantum wells.
Title Correlating context-awareness and mutation analysis forpervasive computing systems

Pervasive computing systems often use middleware as a means to communicate with the changing environment. However, the interactions with the context-aware middleware as well as the interactions among applications sharing the same middleware may introduce faults that are difficult to reveal by existing testing techniques. Our previous work proposed the notion of context diversity as a metric to measure the degree of changes in test inputs for pervasive software. In this paper, we present a case study on how much context diversity for test cases relates to fault-based mutants in pervasive software. Our empirical results show that conventional mutation operators can generate sufficient candidate mutants to support test effectiveness evaluation of pervasive software, and test cases with higher context diversity values tend to have higher mean mutation scores. On the other hand, for test cases sharing the same context diversity, their mutation scores can vary significantly in terms of standard derivations. Keywords—context diversity; mutation analysis; pervasive
Profile of Growth Firms: A Summary of Industry Canada Research

The pioneering work of Birch (1989) demonstrated that employment growth in the United States was predominately created by small fi rms. As a result, attention has concentrated on the growth potential of small fi rms and since the mid-1990s, the federal government’s small business policy framework has focused on ensuring that the business environment is conducive to small business growth and enhancing competitiveness in the economy. However, basic information and analysis on Canadian growth fi rms has generally been lacking, concentrated only in certain sectors or based on small select samples of growth fi rms.
Optimal investment , consumption and life insurance in a Lévy market by Calisto Justino Guambe

Optimal investment, consumption and life insurance in a Lévy market Author: Calisto Justino Guambe Supervisor: Dr Rodwell Kufakunesu Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Degree: MSc (Mathematics of Finance) October 2015 The purpose of this dissertation is to solve an optimal investment, consumption and life insurance problem described by jump-diffusion processes in two settings. First, we consider a problem with random parameters of a wage earner who wants to save to his beneficiary for his death. Using one risk-free asset and one risky asset price given by a geometric jump-diffusion process, we obtain the optimal strategy via the dynamic programming approach, combining the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation with a backward stochastic differential equation with jumps. Secondly, we discuss the optimal investment, consumption and life insurance problem with capital constraints. The problem consists of one risk-free asset and two risky asset prices defined in an independent Brownian motion and Poisson process. We derive the optimal strategy of the unconstrained problem via martingale approach, from which, the problem with capital constraint is solved applying the option based portfolio insurance method. Acknowledgement I would like to express my very great appreciation to Dr R Kufakunesu my research supervisor, for his patient guidance, enthusiastic encouragement and useful critiques of this research work. I would also like to thank him for his valuable and constructive recommendations on this dissertation. I am also grateful to my parents for their unmeasurable support in my life.
Accurate First Impressions Leave a Lasting Impression

Above and beyond the benefits of biases such as positivity and assumed similarity, does the accuracy of our first impressions have immediate and long-term effects on relationship development? Assessing accuracy as distinctive self-other agreement, we found that more accurate personality impressions of new classmates were marginally associated with greater liking concurrently, and significantly predicted greater interaction throughout the semester and greater liking and interest in future interactions by the end of the semester. Importantly, greater distinctive self-other agreement continued to promote social interaction even after controlling for Time 1 liking, suggesting that these positive effects of accuracy operate independently of initial liking. Forming positively biased first impressions was a strong predictor of both initial and longer term relationship development, while assumed similarity showed strong initial but not long-term associations. In sum, independent of the benefits of biased impressions, forming accurate impressions has a positive impact on relationship development among new acquaintances.
Susceptibility of Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema diaprepesi (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) under laboratory conditions

Spodoptera frugiperda Smith and Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Dyar) are important agricultural pests of several crops. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the susceptibility of larvae of both insects to an isolate of Steinernema diaprepesi Nguyen & Duncan under laboratory conditions, as well as the capacity of the nematode to multiply on these lepidoterans. Larvae (n = 15) were exposed to 0 (control), 50, and 100 infective juveniles (IJs) per Petri dish. Mortality was evaluated every 24 h during 6 d, and emerging IJs were counted. Mortality of S. frugiperda was 93% and 100% with 50 and 100 IJs dosage, and 87% and 93% in H. gelotopoeon, respectively. The production of IJs was significantly different between doses (P ≤ 005) for S. frugiperda (11 329 with 50 IJs vs. 27 155 with 100 IJs) but not for H. gelotopoeon (19 830 vs. 26 361, respectively). This is the first study evaluating the susceptibility of these lepidopterans to S. diaprepesi. These results encourage the possibility of using this nematode for biological control of both pests.
Description of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from canine pyoderma in Minas Gerais state , Brazil

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) is of worldwide concern in veterinary medicine. The identification of resistant strains is necessary for proper treatment and the prevention of its propagation among animals. This study aimed to identify S. pseudintermedius isolated from canine pyoderma and evaluate their resistance profiles. Lesions from 25 dogs with pyoderma were sampled. Bacterial isolates were subjected to phenotypic and genotypic analysis for identification of the causative agent. S. pseudintermedius isolates were subjected to SmaI macrorestriction analysis and PFGE for genetic grouping, and PCR to identify the presence of the mecA gene. Their resistance profiles against 12 antimicrobials were also assessed. According to the microbiological analysis, 70 of the 75 isolates obtained were S. pseudintermedius. The isolates presented PFGE patterns, with similarity varying between 84.6 and 100%, and were grouped into 19 clusters. Despite a high frequency of mecA-positive isolates (66 out 70), only 12 presented resistances to oxacillin. Multi-resistance was identified in 29 isolates. The high frequency of MRSP isolated in this study highlights the relevance of identifying resistant strains to lead proper clinical treatment.
Malaria infection and socioeconomic status of some residents of Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

The study investigated the prevalence of malaria and socioeconomic status of subjects in part of Port Harcourt metropolis. Following ethical clearance which was obtained from the University of Port Harcourt and the parents of the subjects who gave their written consents, blood samples were collected and analysed following standard parasitological method from 200 subjects within the age bracket of 0-17years. The demographic characteristics of 200 subjects showed that more males, 105 (52.5%), were examined compared with females, 94 (47.5%). The socioeconomic status of subjects were grouped into higher class with 144 (72.0%), middle class with 22 (11.0%) and lower class with 34 (17.0%). Overall prevalence of 71 (35.5%) was recorded. Sex related prevalence showed that more males were infected with 42 (40.0%) and parasite density of 91120 μl than females with 29 (30.5%) and parasite density of 62480 μl. The differences in prevalence between males and females was not significant (P>0.05). The prevalence of malaria infections based on socioeconomic status showed that greater percentage of infection of 55 (38.2%) was recorded among the higher class with parasite density of 112880 μl followed by infection of 12 (35.3%) and parasite density of 29120 μl in the lower class with the least percentage of 4 (18.2%) and parasite density of 11600 μl recorded in the middle class. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in infection rate on the basis of socioeconomic status. In Conclusion, malaria infection does not respect individual’s socioeconomic status. There is need to sustain the current intervention measures and awareness campaign among Port Harcourt residents for prevalence rate to be reduced to the desired zero level. Keywords : Malaria infection, prevalence, Parasite intensity, Socio-economic status,