Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Post-acquisition organizational and portfolio restructuring and performance: Empirical evidence of acquired companies in the Republic of Serbia

This paper examines the impact of post-acquisition restructuring on performance, based on a sample of Serbian acquired companies during the period 2002-2011. Using exploratory factor analysis, two new factors of post-acquisition restructuring on performance were identified: the first one refers to organizational restructuring, and the second factor refers to portfolio restructuring (divestitures). By using multiple regression analysis, we tested the impact of organizational and portfolio restructuring on post-acquisition performance. The results of analysis indicate that organizational and portfolio restructuring do not have statistically significant impact on post-acquisition performance. Additionally, the results have shown that there are statistically significant differences on implemented activities of organizational restructuring between manufacturing and service sectors. Organizational restructuring was implemented to a greater extent in companies belonging to manufacturing sector than in companies belonging to service sector.
Service Quality asa powerful tool in the Management of Organization

Services now constitute a major share of the economy. Following the trends observed in the Manufacturing sector, service companies are now preoccupied with quality because of the growing competition from globalization. The paper aims to explore quality status of automated banking service of the five Automated Service Quality components: ATM, internet banking, telephone banking, core service, and customer perception of price in bank industry and improve the conceptualization of Automated Service Quality. In this study to evaluate of Automated Service Quality, the measuring tools suggested by by AL- Hawari, Ward, and Hartley, regarding local circumstances and Persian bank specifications, is used. The present research is a descriptive study by using a sample of 266 actual customers from 7 branches in north provinces Saman bank of Iran was used to t-test. The data indicate that there is a significant difference between the important and satisfaction all dimensions of Automated Service Quality.
Speaking Strategies Used by BA ELT Students in Public Universities in Mexico 1

This article reports the speaking strategies used by students who were studying for a BA in English Language Teaching (ELT) in five public Mexican universities. Students from these universities were given questionnaires concerning their use of speaking strategies. The results show that the strategies used most by students are: asking for repetition; use of paraphrasing or synonyms for unknown words; and asking for message clarification. Although there is a wide range of strategies in use, students tend to select strategies according to their level of language proficiency. Resumen Este articulo reporta el uso de las estrategias al hablar en ingles utilizadas por estudiantes de licenciaturas en la Ensenanza del Idioma Ingles en cinco universidades mexicanas y publicas. Estudiantes de estas universidades fueron encuestados sobre las estrategias que aplican al hablar en ingles. Los resultados demuestran que las estrategias mas usadas por estos estudiantes son: pedir que el mensaje sea repetido, el uso de parafraseo o sinonimos para palabras desconocidas y la clarificacion del mensaje. A pesar de la amplia gama de estrategias utilizadas, los estudiantes tienden a seleccionar las estrategias de acuerdo con su nivel de lengua.
Fire response of a 3 D multi-storey building with buckling restrained braces 1

This paper investigates the performance of a three-dimensional multi-storey structure with Buckling Restrained Brace system (BRBs) under fire condition, using a sequentially coupled nonlinear thermal stress analysis. Efficiency of using BRBs in enhancing the strength and stiffness of a structural frame is compared with that of Ordinary Concentrically Bracing system (OCBs) under various fire scenarios. The proposed numerical model is verified by a series of full-scale fire tests carried out on an 8-storey structure at Cardington. The results indicate that the vertical movement of heated (buckled) column in the structural frame with BRBs is lesser than that with OCBs. Consequently, the tensile force and bending moment of the beam adjacent to the buckled column in the former is lesser than the latter. Also, BRB elements can perform better in redistributing the load sustained by heated columns without any buckling occurrence in the bracing member, in comparisons to the ordinary system. In general, it is observed that BRBs manifest an improved performance in re-stabilization of structural frame against fire for a longer period of heating time, such that a better fire resistance is offered to the whole building as compared to OCBs, due to a higher restraint provided onto the structure.
Identification of the exo loci required for exopolysaccharide synthesis in Agrobacterium radiobacter NCIB 11883

We initiated a genetic analysis of Agrobacterium radiobacter NCIB 11883 with particular reference to the (exo) genes required for exopolysaccharide synthesis. Following mutagenesis with nitrosoguanidine, several exo mutant strains were isolated and several of the mutations were corrected by DNA cloned in a newly constructed cosmid library. Analysis of various complementing cosmids by genetic and physical criteria indicated that exo loci were quite widely dispersed in the bacterial genome. Certain exo mutations were corrected by different cosmids that shared no homologous DNA; possible explanations for this are presented. Using phoA fusions, it was shown that some exo genes were, or were closely linked to, genes that specified polypeptides associated with the bacterial cell surface. By introducing the cloned exo genes of Rhizobium meliloti it was found that only one out of thirty exo mutants of A. radiobacter was corrected by a defined exo locus of the former species; further analysis indicated that this particular exo gene corresponded to exoB of R. meliloti. Finally, it was found that several A. radiobacter exo mutants were non-mucoid on media with dicarboxylic acids as sole carbon source but appeared to be wild-type when sugars were the source of carbon.
Stearic acid: a possible substitute for trans fatty acids from industrial origin

Trans isomers, contained in partially hydrogenated oils, which are used in the food industry, have been questioned and nowadays trends are heading towards reducing their consumption. The food industry is facing a dilemma, since in order to remove trans fatty acids, hydrogenated fats should be eliminated and replaced by fats rich in saturated fatty acids. Scientific research has shown that saturated fatty acids have negative effects on the lipid profile and its consumption is associated with a higher cardiovascular risk. Therefore it is recommended to avoid their consumption. Nevertheless, not all fatty acids behave in the same way, with stearic acid (18:0) the exception. Stearic acid has a low level of intestinal absorption and its intake does not negatively modify the lipid profile. For this reason, it is considered a “neutral” fatty acid with regard to cardiovascular health. B-100 apolipoprotein, whose levels determine plasma VLDL and LDL concentration (triglycerides and cholesterol carriers, respectively), is not modified by diets which provide up to 7% of the energy as stearic acid. Markers of cardiovascular risk, such as activation of platelet aggregation factors or C-reactive protein levels, are not modified by diets providing stearic acid, as occurs with other saturated fatty acids. The confirmation of the “neutral” effect of stearic acid represents a perspective for the development of fats with high contents of this fatty acid to replace hydrogenated fats containing trans isomers. The present review discusses these aspects.
Recovery of Lake Geneva from eutrophication : quantitative response of phytoplankton

During the seventies Lake Geneva (Switzerland-France) became eutrophie. Measures to reduce phosphorus inputs into the lake have been successful as the concen- tration of phosphorus has progressively decreased since 1981. This paper describes the long-term quantitative response of phytoplankton (primary production, total phytoplankton biomass, and chlorophyll-a) with regard to the decline in soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration. The annuaI means of phytoplankton parameters do not show the expected decrease. The long-term trends of annual means appeared to be the resultant of compensating trends which occurred in each season. SRP concentrations indicate that phytoplankton may be phosphorus limited only during summer which appears to be the most appropriate season to study the quantitative response of phytoplankton. From 1981 to 1992, the summer algal biomass and chlorophyll-a have been correlated to the late winter concentration of SRP. However, in the recent years, algal biomass and chlorophyll-a increased while phosphorus remained at low concentrations. This paradoxal increase in total biomass was due to the accumulation of inedible filamentous algae. The observed resilience of phytoplankton is a problem in terms of lake management. These results stress the importance of an appropriate time scale study and bring back into question the use of parameters such as primary production, total phytoplankton biomass, and chlorophyll-a for lake management.
TiO2 nanotube coating on stainless steel 304 for biomedical applications

The present study describes the anodic growth of TiO2 nanotube thin layer on stainless steel 304 in ethylene glycol/water/ammonium fluoride electrolyte. In this regard, pure titanium was coated on stainless steel 304 substrates by a physical vapor deposition magnetron sputtering (PVDMS) technique. The adhesion strength of the coating to the substrate was investigated. TiO2 nanotubes were generated on the top of the Ti coated substrates by means of anodization technique at a 25 V potential and times of 20, 40, and 60 min in an ammonium fluoride electrolyte solution. The anodized Ti-coated samples were heat-treated at 280 1C, 430 1C and 620 1C in a N2 gas furnace to attain diverse phases. The mechanical properties of TiO2 nanotube arrays coated substrate were explored by a nanoindentation apparatus. The results illustrate that the Young's modulus and surface hardness of TiO2 nanotube-coated substrates are increased with increasing annealing temperatures (280 1C, 430 1C and 620 1C). The scratch test results show that heat treatment at 430 1C and 620 1C can improve the adhesion strength of Ti/TiO2 coated samples by up to 2860 and 3140 mN, respectively. & 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r. l. All rights reserved.
Community-Based Approach in the Prevention and Management of Flood Disasters in Babessi Sub-Division (Ndop Plain, North West Cameroon)

Flood is a recurrent natural disaster that has caused enormous human and material damage in many places and continues to hit local committees at an alarming rate. The need to setup permanent committees to prevent and manage flood disasters by local communities is therefore indispensable. In rural areas, the creation of such a structure is always a welcome relief to flood victims but it is often marred by numerous management problems. This study aimed to analyze the community-based approach in the prevention and management of flood disasters in Babessi Subdivision (North West Cameroon), to identify the causes of flood disasters and the preventive strategies used by this local community. A total number of 300 questionnaires as well as structured interviews were used to collect data in the field and the data were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics. The main results revealed that the main cause of flood disasters is heavy and consistent rainfall. Also, poor refuse disposal and drainage system management contribute to floods. The identification of areas likely to be affected by floods and preventing the riparian population from constructing houses along these areas especially beside the main rivers are the flood preventive measures adopted by the local flood management committee. The flood victims are reluctant to relocate to the settlement site earmarked by the Government, meanwhile, the local flood committee do not have the legal tools to forcefully relocate them. The population of Babessi needs to be sensitized on the impending dangers of flood hazard and be encouraged to participate in implementing the adopted strategies to prevent and manage subsequent flood disasters.
A reexamination of value creation through strategic alliances

This paper uses a sample of 335 firms participating in strategic alliances in order to re-examine the value creation through strategic alliances. We show that the immediate positive response of stock markets to new strategic alliances is followed by negative abnormal returns. Twenty days after announcements, cumulative positive abnormal return is only evident for the firms with the highest stock market’s response to the announcement. We relate the positive abnormal returns reported in previous research to the presence of short-run over-reaction in stock markets and conclude in the market’s ability to identify the more valuable alliances.
First record of Alosa fallax (Lacépède, 1803) (Teleostei: Clupeiformes:Clupeidae) in the Azores Archipelago, Portugal (NE Atlantic).

This note reports the first record of Alosa fallax (Lacepede, 1803) in the Azores Archipelago (NE Atlantic, Portugal). Being an anadromous species, this occurrence is quite unexpected since there are no suitable breeding habitats for this species in these volcanic islands, isolated and river less. Although A. fallax is known to migrate offshore, it has never been previously reported in oceanic environments. We discuss this occurrence and theorize on the possibility of the species’ being found in Madeira, another Macaronesian Archipelago, albeit much older and closer to European coasts and thus more suitable to be crossed by A. fallax during their migration routes in pelagic environments. With this record, the number of Clupeid fishes for Azorean waters increases to two, the other being the well known and resident Sardina pilchardus.
The Effect of Knowledge Integration, Knowledge Innovation on New Product Performance: An Empirical Study in Saudi Arabia Firms

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of knowledge integration, knowledge innovation on new product performance in Saudi Aria firms. In this study, two hypotheses are developed: the relationship between knowledge integration and knowledge innovation; and the relationship between knowledge innovation and new product performance. Federation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) directory handbook was used as sampling frame for sample selection. A total of 500 firms from food and beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical, automotive, and electronic and telecommunication industry were chosen randomly. The questionnaires were posted along with a cover letter explaining the purpose of study and stressing the confidentiality of responses; a smaller envelop for reply purpose also attached. The majority of manufacturing companies are located in Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah as major industrial regions in Saudi Arabia. The results of this study suggest that the knowledge integration indicators have significant contributed in developing knowledge innovation. In fact, utilizing knowledge innovation, firms introduced new ideas, apply knowledge innovation in order achieve competitive advantage have significant effect in increasing the new product performance. In this context, firms should pay attention on those significant indicators in order to achieve competitive advantage in the global market.
COSTS AND BENEFITS OF BEEF CATTLE FATTENING SCHEMES IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF NORTH WEST TANZANIA

This study highlights the costs and benefits of indigenous beef cattle fattening schemes in Shinyanga Urban and Kishapu Districts in Tanzania. Specifically, in this study the net profit (NP) for fatteners between beef cattle fattening schemes has been determined. The schemes were divided into two main categories, scheme 1 in which the animals were fed on cottonseed hulls (CSHL) based diets and scheme 2 on cottonseed cake (CSC) based diets. The survey was carried out using a sample of 144 respondents. The tools for data collection were structured questionnaire, interview, personal observation, communication, documentary reviews (e.g. from internet, libraries) and key informants. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and quantitative statistics and standard procedure of the association of official analytical chemists. Results show that the positive net profit was relatively higher in scheme 2 (Tanzanian shilling (TAS) 119512.87 / USD 76.03 per fed animal per quarter a year) than that in scheme 1 (TAS 92993, 90 / USD 59.17 per fed animal per quarter a year). This implies that the fattening business is more feasible, profitable and efficient for sustainable implementation in scheme 2. Furthermore, the average daily gains (ADG) of 1.5, 1.3 and 1.0 for Tanzania Short Horn Zebu (TSHZ) males, steers and females were higher than the 1.2, 1.0 and 0.9 for TSHZ males, steers and females in scheme 1, respectively. Additionally, the feed conversion ratios (FCRs) of about 5.0, 5.5, 6.3 for TSHZ males, steers and females in scheme 2 were lower than 7.2, 8.6, 8.6 for TSHZ males, steers and females in scheme 1. Therefore, scheme 2 was economically feasible, profitable and therefore is recommended for implementation and monetary support for improved income, livelihoods, poverty reduction and commercialisation of the beef industry.
Length-weight relationship and condition factor of catfish Arius tenuispinis Day, 1877

The study deals with the total length-weight and standard length-weight relationship and condition factors of 184 fishes oi Arius tenuispinis collected from the Bay of Bengal. The total length-weight and standard length-weight relationship are expressed by Log W = -0.8772 + 2.2562 Log TL and Log W = -0.9850 + 2.4520 Log SL for male and Log W = -1.3234 + 2.5589 Log TL and Log W =0.7197 + 2.2796 Log SL for female. The mean values of condition factor (K) and relative conditon factor (K^) observed in male are, 1.0755 and 1.0144 in total length-weight and 1.7806 and 1.0005 in standard length-weight relationship and in the case of female, 1.0307 and 1.0025 in total lengthweight and 1.8148 and 1.0031 in standard length-weight relationship respectively
What can be deduced from open cluster metallicity measurements

The dependence of [Fe/H] on galactocentric distance, distance from the galactic mid-plane and age is studied. Both ordinary least-squares and non-parametric regression in the form of a ‘generalized additive model’ are used. The radial metallicity slope is found to be shallower than previously claimed in the literature, and there is a significant abundance gradient perpendicular to the galactic plane. There may be a tendency for metallicity to increase with cluster age.
Effects of Low Temperature and High Strain Rate on the Tensile Behaviors of High-Performance Energetic Composite

To further study the effects of low temperature and high strain rate on the tensile behaviors of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant, an INSTRON testing machine was applied for carrying out the uniaxial tensile tests at low temperatures and room temperature after storage at low temperatures. The strain rates are in the range of 0.40 to 85.71 s −1 . Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for examining the failure mechanisms of HTPB propellant under the test conditions. The results reveal that HTPB propellant is still capable of large deformation at lower strain rates and low temperatures in the glass transition and glass state. The characteristics of stress-strain curves at room temperature after storage at low temperatures are the same with that directly obtained at room temperature. The effect of strain rate on the elastic modulus E at various temperatures is almost the same. However, the effect of strain rate on the maximum tensile stress σ m becomes weak with decreasing temperature. Furthermore, the strain e m is nearly independence of the strain rate at higher strain rates and the lowest test temperature in glass state. Continuously decreasing temperature can more easily cause the extensive brittle fracture of AP particles, even at lower strain rates. The temperature changes from room temperature to low temperature and then from low temperature to room temperature in a short time cannot influence the failure mechanism of HTPB propellant at room temperature and high strain rate.
Productivity Growth in the Medium Size Malaysian-industry Level: Primal and Dual Approaches

This paper investigates the theoretical relationship between the primal and dual Total Factor Productivity (TFP) from the accounting measurement perspective and also assesses their accuracy in measuring unobserved TFP growth in the presence of market power (MP) and non constant returns to scale (NCRTS) in the case of the medium sized Malaysian industries. In support of this, this paper uses an empirical method to estimate TFP growth by using medium sized Malaysian manufacturing data at 5-digit SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) level. In order to achieve this objective, this paper first tests whether the sample of medium sized Malaysian industries have constant factor shares in total revenue. T-tests have been used to examine the hypothesis stating that factor shares in total revenue are constant over time. Finally, this paper compares the estimates of TFP growth to those of primal and dual TFP accounting measures.
Financial Information Related to Dynamic Capabilities : The Corporate Innovation Platform

The purpose of this paper is to suggest an empirically based model for identification, recognition and measurement of internally generated intangible assets (IIAs) that meets the fundamental qualitative characteristics of useful financial information. The paper sets out to empirically test observed relations reflecting new product development activities and their economic consequences in listed companies, by means of personal interviews with senior managers, selected on the basis of their knowledge in the specificities of the innovation process in their firm by means of a phenomenographic analysis the identified relations are conceptualized in terms of logically related categories. There seems to be a match between the identified observed relations and the recognition requirements that International Accounting Standard (IAS) 38.57 sets out, which indicates that the requirements are relevant and information meeting the requirements may faithfully represent what it purports to represent or reasonably can be expected to represent. By relating the recognition and measurement of IIAs to the proposed model the linkage between IIAs and related organizational mechanisms will be made more explicit which may improve the representational faithfulness of the financial information. One of the practical implications of this study is that an entity specific control system based on the recognition criteria presented in paragraph IAS 38.57 can improve the robustness of recognized IIAs arising from innovative activities. By building a bridge between the dynamic capability literature and the accounting literature the paper develops a new model of how to account for IIAs.