Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Assessment of Islamic Equity Fund Returns

Islamic Equity Funds (IEFs) differ fundamentally from conventional equity funds since Muslims are limited in their ability to invest in certain companies and are prohibited to pay or receive interest. The amount of academic research has lagged behind the popularity of these new and interesting funds. This paper aims to fill this gap somewhat by applying common statistical procedures as well as other mainly used performance measures to asses the performance of IEFs for the past five years. The results indicate that IEFs are relatively safe investment vehicles that do not significantly under or outperform their Islamic as well as conventional benchmarks under normal market conditions. During the bear market of 2002 IEFs did however significantly outperform the Islamic and conventional market. Furthermore IEFs seem most attractive as part of a larger fully diversified portfolio like a fund of funds, since they have good systematic risk-to-return ratios. There also seems to be a difference between the abilities of IEF managers, with the managers of Malaysian IEFs having relatively better market timing abilities and the managers of globally invested IEFs having better stock picking abilities. Interestingly, Malaysian IEFs seem to contain a discount on their returns based on their low downside risk. The results furthermore indicate the validity of the CAPM and point in the direction of efficient markets.
OF PARADJIDAUMO BURKE ( RODENTIA , EOMYIDAE ) FROM THE EOCENE AND OLIGOCENE ( DUCHESNEAN-WHITNEYAN ) OF NORTH AMERICA

The eomyid rodent Paradjidaumo Burke, 1934, is reviewed. Eight species are recognized for the genus ranging from the Duchsnean (late Eocene) to the Whitneyan (middle Oligocene). Paradjidaumo disjunctus new species from the Chadronian (late Eocene) of Montana is described. The Orellan (early Oligocene) species P. hypsodus Setoguchi, 1978, is considered a junior synonym of the type species, P. trilophus (Cope, 1873). Two distinct subgenera can be recognized, Paradjidaumo (Macroadjidaumo), including the species P. (M.) alberti Russell, 1954 and P. (M.) reynoldsi Kelly, 1992, which is distinguished by having lower molars longer than wide with highest crown-height for the genus, and Paradjidaumo (Paradjidaumo), which includes P. (P.) nanus Emry and Korth, 2013, P. (P.) trilophus, P. (P.) spokanensis White, 1954, P. (P.) validus Korth, 1980, and P. (P.) disjunctus, diagnosed as having lower molars wider than long and increases through time in size, relative length of p4, and crown-height (never attaining the crown-height of Macroadjidaumo). Paradjidaumo (P.) hansonorum (Russell 1972) is unique among species of the genus, although it is retained in the subgenus Paradjidaumo, because of its derived feature of disproportionately long premolars and retained primitive molar morphology (unattached anterior cingulid on lower molars in early stages of wear).
Probabilistic Study for Single Pile in Cohesionless Soil Using Monte Carlo Simulation Technique

The single pile capacity is mainly considered as a corner stone in the design of pile foundation system. The determination of more precise value of pile capacity will make a safe and economic design of pile foundation. The deterministic approaches are used for this purpose. The uncertainty associated with soil properties are taken into account by safety factor. In this paper, a probabilistic approach is used with the Monte Carlo simulation technique to consider the effect of uncertainty due to soil properties (unit weight and angle of internal friction). A single pile embedded in cohesionless soil has been analyzed. The results of the work reveal that the use of probabilistic approach will give more accurate results for prediction of pile capacity. Also, the statistical properties for the angle of internal friction are considered as the most effective on the statistical properties of the output results.
Running head : MINDFUL LEGAL PRACTICE 1 Mindfulness and Legal Practice : A Preliminary Study of the Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Stress Reduction in Lawyers

Research has shown that lawyers often experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in their lives. Mindfulness meditation may be an effective way to reduce the many negative effects associated with work stress. We asked a group of 46 lawyers to participate in an eight week mindfulness meditation program that was designed for lawyers. The mindfulness program was based on ​The Anxious Lawyer ​by Cho and Gifford ​(2016) and guided audio meditations were made available online. Participants were assessed before beginning the program and again when the program was completed. The results indicated that the mindfulness meditation program significantly reduced self-described depression, anxiety, stress, and negative mood. The meditation program also increased positive mood and psychological resilience. As well, participants in the program viewed themselves as being more effective at their work. Despite the strong effects observed in this study, we argue that much more research is needed to understand these benefits.
Definition of a Beneficial Screening Test

Because lung cancer frequently presents in an advanced stage when it is incurable, there has been a sustained search for an early diagnosis approach that could detect lung cancer when curable, while having few secondary consequences. Decades of research have evaluated various approaches to lung screening, including routine chest radiograph, sputum cytology, and, most recently, computed tomography (CT) scanning. No study has suggested that any of these approaches will identify life-threatening lung cancers at an earlier disease stage and allow alteration of their natural history. Therefore, no recommending body or professional society recommends using any of these approaches to screen for lung cancer. This general recommendation could change if randomized trials examining CT screening suggest that its benefits outweigh its harms. (JNCCN 2008;6:271–275) Definition of a Beneficial Screening Test For a lung cancer screening test to be beneficial, it must not only be able to detect early cancers but also alter the natural history of the specific lung cancers that would otherwise progress to cause disease, disability, or death. A beneficial lung cancer screening test would therefore reduce the likelihood that screened individuals would die of lung cancer. Therefore, the standard for evaluating lung cancer screening tests is to determine whether the test lowers lung cancer mortality rates in screened populations. Surrogates of benefit, such as the frequency © Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Volume 6 Number 3 March 2008 JN063_Jrnl_60304bach. qxd 3/19/08 4:08 PM Page 271
Creative Culture , Risk-taking , and Corporate Decisions

I examine how creative culture affects corporate decisions. I show that firms have corporate risk-taking and policies consistent with variations in local risk-taking induced by creative culture. Firms located in areas with a strong creative culture have higher levels of risk exposure, investment, and growth. These firms accumulate more cash consistent with the precautionary motive. These firms also have lower levels of dividend payout in line with the geographically varying dividend demand induced by creative risk-taking. My findings remain robust after controlling for endogeneity. This paper introduces and highlights the role of creative culture and risk-taking in shaping corporate decisions. * California State University Fullerton, Mihaylo College of Business and Economics. SGMH-5113 , 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831. Email:erucar@fullerton.edu.
Experimental study of head shape effects on shear stress distribution around a single groyne

Accurate experimental measurements were conducted to investigate the head shape effects on bed shear stress distribution around single straight and T-shape groynes. A yaw type Preston tube with 0.1 Pascal accuracy and 100 Hz sampling rate was used to locally measure the bed shear stresses in a non-uniform refined grid around a single groyne. The analysis of the results indicates a considerable difference in the bed shear stress distribution between the two types. The extension of the high shear stress zone is smaller in T-shape groynes, and its intensity decays much faster towards downstream. Flow visualization shows that in term of transverse oscillations, the separated shear layer downstream of the straight groyne is more stable, than the T-shape groyne. In addition, the distribution of shear stress is more uniform downstream of the T-shape groyne. In the straight type, the region of shear stress amplification was adjacent to the upstream part of the separated shear layer, whereas in T-shape case this region shifts toward the channel centreline. On the other hand, the maximum amplification of the bed shear stress (ratio of local bed shear stress to approaching flow shear stress) in T-shape groynes is about 35% smaller than for the straight one.
Experimental investigation of surface pressure spectra beneath turbulent boundary layer over a flat plate with microphone

دییامن هدافتسا لیذ ترابع زا هلاقم نیا هب عاجرا یارب : Please cite this article using: A. Afshari, A. A. Dehghan, V. Kalantar, M. Farmani, Experimental investigation of surface pressure spectra beneath turbulent boundary layer over a flat plate with microphone, Modares Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 263-272, 2017 (in Persian) راشف فیط یبرجت یسررب حطس تخت هحفص یور هتفشآ یزرم هیلا نوفورکیم زا هدافتسا اب
USING GIS IN ESTIMATING SEIMIC HAZARD STATISTICS IN CRETE ISLAND , SOUTHERN GREECE

Nowadays, Several seismic safety regulations across the globe, such as IBC, NEHRP, EC-8 etc. has adopted seismic hazard as basic parameter for engineering design of buildings and other structures. Hence, a reliable seismic hazard assessment is imperative towards an effective anti-seismic policy. In this study a probabilistic approach is followed, that intends to estimate seismic hazard in a GIS environment for the area of interest that is Crete Island. The key in this effort is to attain the experienced PGA, over a control period, for the entire region in question, utilizing seismic data that derive from a respective homogenous earthquake catalogue. In this effort, various geospatial analysis tools are put to use, in order to project the aforementioned calculations and to apply the necessary statistical analysis. The outcome is then presented in thematic maps and further more is set against the Greek seismic Code provisions.
Economic Determinants and Trade Potential of Bilateral Trade Flows : A Panel Data Analysis

This study analyzes the economic determinants of bilateral trade flows and trade potential of Pakistan with ECO member countries by using panel data for years 2003-2014. Gravity trade model is estimated through panel least squares technique and trade potential is calculated through Predicted to Actual trade ratio method. The results show that Pakistan’s bilateral trade flows with ECO member countries are positively correlated with GDP, trade openness, and border while negatively correlated with distance, per capita GDP, exchange rate, inflation rate, and landlocked. The study also reveals that Pakistan has potential to expand its trade with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Supportive measures are needed to exploit the unrealized potential of trade in ECO region. Trade should be further liberalized through reduction in tariff barriers and non-tariff barriers.
A novel rat model combining surgical vein grafting with type 2 diabetes

Background: Diabetes is a risk factor for vein graft failure after bypass surgery with coronary artery disease (CAD). We first developed a vein grafting model in rats with a type 2 diabetes mellitus-like (T2DM) condition to provide animal models for relevant clinical research. Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high-fat (T2DM group) or normal food (CON group) for one month and then injected (T2DM group) with streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) to induce T2DM. Insulin or glucose tolerance tests were performed to verify the T2DM models. All rats subsequently underwent surgical vein grafting, and the morphology of their grafts at 0, 14, and 28 days was analyzed under microscope. Results: The T2DM group exhibited significantly increased glucose, insulin, free fatty acids, and cholesterol levels (all, P < 0.05), and also exhibited significant hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic responses to an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test compared to that in the CON group. Furthermore, the insulin sensitivity of the T2DM group was significantly reduced as the CON group gained little change according to an insulin tolerance test (P < 0.05). Additionally, the number of cell nuclei of the intima and media on the 14th and 28th day in the T2DM group approximately doubled as compared to that in the CON group (both, P < 0.05). Conclusion: We successfully developed a model of surgical vein grafting in type 2 diabetic rats. This novel rat model may facilitate in vivo mechanistic studies of the increased neointimal formation in type 2 diabetes mellitus-related vein graft failure.
Effects of Optimal Antipredator Behavior of Prey on Predator Prey Dynamics : The Role of Refuges

The influence of optimal antipredator behavior of prey on predator prey dynamics in a twopatch environment is studied. One patch represents an open habitat while the other is a refuge for prey. It is assumed that prey maximize their fitness measured by the instantaneous per capita growth rate. In each patch population dynamics is described by the Lotka Volterra time continuous model. The refuge is characterized by its protectiveness which is inversely related to the predation risk for prey, and the dependence of population dynamics on protectiveness is studied. It is shown that adaptive behavior of prey changes qualitative properties of the underlying Lotka Volterra model due to the appearance of a bounded attractor. Adaptive prey behavior does not lead to a stable equilibrium but to the reduction of population fluctuations. Dynamic consequences of a limited carrying capacity of the refuge are also considered. Low refuge carrying capacity leads to stability of predator prey dynamics while stability is lost when the carrying capacity of the refuge is high. Lastly, it is shown that optimal antipredator behavior of prey leads to persistence and reduction of oscillations in population densities. ] 1998 Academic Press
Tobacco price elasticity in Serbia : using the micro data from Household Budget Survey and Deaton demand model

In this paper we use Deaton’s (1988, 1977) demand model and Household Budget Survey (HBS) data for the years 2012 – 2016 to estimate the price elasticity for Serbia. Previous research has suggested that the price elasticity of tobacco products is typically negative and inelastic. The price elasticity of cigarettes is estimated at -0.45 and its statistical significance is confirmed via bootstrapping procedure, therefore confirming the previous findings. Estimated negative and inelastic cigarettes price elasticity for Serbia demonstrates that tobacco tax policy can be used effectively to reduce cigarette consumption and their harmful effects, while preserving or increasing the level of government revenue collected through taxes. JEL Classification: D12 I18 H20
Calving site selection by moose ( Alces alces ) along a latitudinal gradient in Sweden

In this research I examined the factors determining calving site selection by moose ( Alces alces) across a latitudinal gradient in Sweden. Data from 112 individual moose between the years 2004 and 2011 was used. In total 156 calving and 800 random sites from six different study areas (Hemavan, Hällnäs, Nordmaling, Misterhu lt, Öster Malma and Växjö) were used for the analysis. A use versus availability approac h was used. Therefore, the characteristics of the calving sites were compared with the characteri stics of the random sites to identify habitat selection at a countryand area-scale. The used va riables were related to the trade-off between acquiring forage, water and safety. Linear mixed-ef fects models (LME) were used to distinguish the used from the random sites. The results of the country-scale (all areas were an alysed together) often differed from the results of the area-scale (each area was analys ed separately). At the countryscale, calving sites were located further away from water, at high er elevation and closer to roads and houses compared to the random sites. The calving sites wer e located more often in the land cover class broad leaved forest on mires compared to the random sites. Calving sites were less often located in several other land cover classes. At the area-scale, calving sites were located at higher elevations in two study areas. In one study area, the calving sites were located at steeper slopes, whereas in another study area, calv ing sites were located at lower slopes. Calving sites were further away from roads in Nordm aling (63° 34' N, 19° 30' E), further away from houses in Misterhult (56° 28' N, 13° 37' E) and further away from water in Växjö (56° 52' N, 14° 48' E) compared with random sites. As a wide variety of land cover classes were used, moose might not have preferences for some special land cover class. However, most of the calving sites were located not on mires. This could indicate that moose prefer dry gr ound as calving sites. Both, the among-area and the within-areas models showed that the calving s tes were further from water and at higher elevation than random sites. Moose might avo id water to reduce risk of predation, as predators often walk along rivers, which might work as lead lines. As a variety of land cover classes were used, safety seems to play a key role. Altogether, this indicates that moose need to make a trade-off between water, forage and safet y, whereof safety seems to be more essential than forage and water. Additionally, as contradictory results were found, when analyzing the data at the country-scale and at the area-scale, the suggestion will be to include local habitat characteristics as well as the characteristics of t he surrounded area.
Increasing Wavelength ( a ) 50 GHz Ge Waveguide Electro-Absorption Modulator Integrated in a 220 nm SOI Photonics Platform

S. Gupta, S. A. Srinivasan, M. Pantouvaki, H. Chen, P. Verheyen, G. Lepage, D. Van Thourhout G. Roelkens, K. Saraswat, P. Absil, J. Van Campenhout Imec, Kapeldreef 75, Leuven B-3001, Belgium Photonics Research Group , Dept. of Information Technology, Ghent University – Imec, St. Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States Author e-mail address: jvcampen@imec.be
Chapter 11. HILLSLOPE EROSION COMPONENT

The main objective of the Water Erosion Prediction Project is to develop a new generation of erosion prediction technology. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the erosion model used in the WEPP hillslope profile technology. The governing equations for sediment continuity, detachment, deposition, shear stress in rills, and transport capacity are presented. The normalized forms of the equations and parameters, the means for characterizing downslope spatial variability, and solution methods are discussed. Information on the channel erosion routines is presented in Chapter 13.
Evaluating Factors for Controlling Sediment Connectivity of Landslide Materials: A Flume Experiment

Connectivity of landslide sediment to and within fluvial systems is a key factor affecting the extent of mobilization of hillslope material. In particular, the formation of landslide dams and the transformation into landslide-induced debris flows represent “end members” of landslide sediment mobility. To quantify sediment connectivity, we developed a two-segment flume representing tributary inflow and the main channel. Mobility of sediment was examined by combinations of various topographic factors, such as tributary inflow angle (0 to 90° in 30° increments) and main channel gradient (10° and 15°), as well as water content of sediment (0 to 100% in 20% increments). We also examined differences of mobility among sediments derived from various lithologies (sand and shale, pyroclastic sediment, weathered granite, and weathered sedimentary rock). Mobility of sediment differed, depending on the water content of sediment, particularly less than saturation or greater than saturation. When all types of unsaturated landslide sediments entered the channel at inflow angles of 60° and 90°, substantial deposition occurred, suggesting the formation of landslide dams. At low inflow angles (0° and 30°) in a steep channel (15°), >50% of landslide sediment was transported downstream, indicating the occurrence of a debris flow. The amount of sediment deposited at the junction angle was greater for pyroclastic sediment followed by weathered granite, weathered sedimentary rock, and finally, sand and shale. Our connectivity index suggests that a threshold exists between landslide dam formation and debris flow occurrence associated with topographic conditions, water content, and types of sediment.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN EMPIRICAL EQUATION TO PREDICT THE DISC FRICTION LOSSES OF A CENTRIFUGALLP PUMP

This paper deals with experimental investigations on fluid friction of rotational discs in real centrifugal pump casings. The results show that the disc friction loss depends on the side gap geometry, on the Reynolds number, on the width of the volute, and on the surface roughness. As a result of these investigations, an improved empirical equation to predict the disc friction losses is developed. This proposed empirical equation can predict the experimental results with a very good accuracy.
Investigating of Pre-Service Science Teachers ’ Beliefs on Education for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Behaviors * *

ISSN: 2146-0329 *E-mail: huseyinates_38@hotmail.com ** A part of this study was presented in II. International Congress Students Engagement in School: Perspectives of Psychology and Education – Motivation for Academic Performance hold in Lisbon/Portugal between 11th and 13th of July 2016. Investigating of Pre-Service Science Teachers’ Beliefs on Education for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Behaviors**
ENDOGENOUS GROWTH ACCOUNTING AND THE ASIAN GROWTH MIRACLE

The growth accounting exercise has played a major role in explaining growth in the Asian miracle economies. Using data for six Asian miracle economies over the period from 1953 to 2006, this paper extends the conventional growth accounting exercise by allowing for endogeneity of capital deepening, demographic transition and changes in hours worked. It is shown that growth has been predominantly driven by TFP growth, which is in turn driven by R&D, knowledge spillovers through the channel of imports, the interaction between distance to the frontier and research intensity, and human capital. The results indicate that R&D has played a leading role for growth in the miracle economies, thereby providing some insight into their growth prospects. JEL Classification: O30; O40; O53
Common Fixed Point for Generalized Weakly Contractive Maps

In this paper, first we prove a common fixed point theorem for a pair of weakly compatible maps under generalized weak contractive condition. Secondly, we prove common fixed point theorems for weakly compatible mappings along with E.A. and (CLRf) properties. At the end, we prove a common fixed point theorem for variants of R-weakly commutative maps.