Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Benefits of Lending Relationships: Evidence from Small Business Data

This paper empirically examines how ties between a firm and its creditors affect the availability and cost of funds to the firm. The authors analyze data collected in a survey of small firms by the Small Business Administration. The primary benefit of building close ties with an institutional creditor is that the availability of financing increases. The authors find smaller effects on the price of credit. Attempts to widen the circle of relationships by borrowing from multiple leaders increases the price and reduces the availability of credit. In sum, relationships are valuable and appear to operate more through quantities rather than prices. Copyright 1994 by American Finance Association.
The role of the zonal E◊B plasma drift in the low-latitude ionosphere at high solar activity near equinox from a new three-dimensional theoretical model

Abstract. A new three-dimensional, time-dependent theoretical model of the Earth's low and middle latitude ionosphere and plasmasphere has been developed, to take into account the effects of the zonal E×B plasma drift on the electron and ion number densities and temperatures, where E and B are the electric and geomagnetic fields, respectively. The model calculates the number densities of O+(4S), H+, NO+, O2+, N2+, O+(2D), O+(2P), O+(4P), and O+(2P*) ions, the electron density, the electron and ion temperatures using a combination of the Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches and an eccentric tilted dipole approximation for the geomagnetic field. The F2-layer peak density, NmF2, and peak altitude, hmF2, which were observed by 16 ionospheric sounders during the 12–13 April 1958 geomagnetically quiet time high solar activity period are compared with those from the model simulation. The reasonable agreement between the measured and modeled NmF2 and hmF2 requires the modified equatorial meridional E×B plasma drift given by the Scherliess and Fejer (1999) model and the modified NRLMSISE-00 atomic oxygen density. In agreement with the generally accepted assumption, the changes in NmF2 due to the zonal E×B plasma drift are found to be inessential by day, and the influence of the zonal E×B plasma drift on NmF2 and hmF2 is found to be negligible above about 25° and below about –26° geomagnetic latitude, by day and by night. Contrary to common belief, it is shown, for the first time, that the model, which does not take into account the zonal E×B plasma drift, underestimates night-time NmF2 up to the maximum factor of 2.3 at low geomagnetic latitudes, and this plasma transport in geomagnetic longitude is found to be important in the calculations of NmF2 and hmF2 by night from about –20° to about 20° geomagnetic latitude. The longitude dependence of the night-time low-latitude influence of the zonal E×B plasma drift on NmF2, which is found for the first time, is explained in terms of the longitudinal asymmetry in B (the eccentric magnetic dipole is displaced from the Earth's center and the Earth's eccentric tilted magnetic dipole moment is inclined with respect to the Earth's rotational axis) and the variations of the wind induced plasma drift and the meridional E×B plasma drift in geomagnetic longitude. The study of the influence of the zonal E×B plasma drift on the topside low-latitude electron density is presented for the first time.
Voltammetric Determination of Paracetamol with Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

This study describes the preparation and application of a poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) modified glassy carbon electrode for paracetamol determination in pharmaceutical samples. The PEDOT modified electrode was prepared by electropolymerizing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) on a glassy carbon electrode in a non-aqueous medium. The best performance of the PEDOT modified electrode in 0.1 mol L -1 phosphate buffer obtained at pH 7.0. Under these conditions, an oxidation potential of paracetamol was observed at 0.37 V versus Ag/AgCl/sat'd KCl. The cyclic voltammetric study indicates that the PEDOT modified electrode shows a very good electrocatalytic activity by reducing the overpotential by 200 mV for paracetamol oxidation. The modified electrode showed a linear response range between 2.5 and 150 µmol L -1 , a sensitivity of 90.03 A/mmol L -1 , quantification and detection limits of 2.5 µmol L -1 and 1.13 µmol L -1 , respectively. Finally, the proposed method was applied for paracetamol determination in commercial tablets with a mean recovery of (1016) %.
Internationalisation of MNCs from Developing Economies: Case of Malaysia

Internationalisation is a process that MNCs have to engage in becoming global players. This process enables them to be mature in their operations in foreign markets and strengthen their competitive position abroad. The current trend has witnessed the surge of MNCs not only from developed nations but also from developing nations that actively involve in the global economy. The process of internationalisation take place among MNCs from developed economies are also experienced by firms from developing economies, however the pattern of the process is slightly different.This study explored the internationalisation process of MNC from Malaysia, namely TM Berhad, a leading telecommunication company in the country. Its motives, expansion strategies and entry mode chosen in setting up its operations abroad are deeply analyzed. This study discovered that internationalisation process that Malaysian firm experienced is not similar to the internationalisation process that are discussed in the literature which were based on firms from developed economies. TM as a government linked firms internationalise by utilizing its ownership advantages as other MNCs, but the efforts were more driven by opportunities and government linkages rather than other factors.
Polytropic dark matter flows illuminate dark energy and accelerated expansion

Currently, a large amount of data implies that the matter constituents of the cosmological dark sector might be collisional. An attractive feature of such a possibility is that, it can reconcile dark matter (DM) and dark energy (DE) in terms of a single component, accommodated in the context of a polytropic-DM fluid. In fact, polytropic processes in a DM fluid have been most successfully used in modeling dark galactic haloes, thus significantly improving the velocity dispersion profiles of galaxies. Motivated by such results, we explore the time evolution and the dynamical characteristics of a spatially-flat cosmological model, in which, in principle, there is no DE at all. Instead, in this model, the DM itself possesses some sort of fluidlike properties, i.e., the fundamental units of the Universe matter-energy content are the volume elements of a DM fluid, performing polytropic flows. In this case, together with all the other physical characteristics, we also take the energy of this fluid’s internal motions into account as a source of the universal gravitational field. This form of energy can compensate for the extra energy, needed to compromise spatial flatness, namely, to justify that, today, the total energy density parameter is exactly unity. The polytropic cosmological model, depends on only one free parameter, the corresponding (polytropic) exponent, Γ. We find this model particularly interesting, because for Γ ≤ 0.541, without the need for either any exotic DE or the cosmological constant, the conventional pressure becomes negative enough so that the Universe accelerates its expansion at cosmological redshifts below a transition value. In fact, several physical reasons, e.g., the cosmological requirement for cold DM (CDM) and a positive velocity-of-sound square, impose further constraints on the value of Γ ,w hich is eventually settled down to the range −0.089 < Γ ≤ 0. This cosmological model does not suffer either from the age problem or from the coincidence problem. At the same time, this model reproduces to high accuracy the distance measurements performed with the aid of the supernovae (SNe) Type Ia standard candles, and most naturally interprets, not only when, but also why the Universe transits from deceleration to acceleration, thus arising as a mighty contestant for a DE model.
On the static and dynamic response of electrostatic actuators

A systematic approach for analyzing the static and dynamic electromechanical response of electrostatic actuators is presented. The analysis is based on energy methods. An analysis approach for extracting dynamic response parameters of electrostatic actuators, while only considering static states of the system, is presented. This is an efficient method for extracting the dynamic pull-in parameters because it does not require time integration of momentum equations.
Managerial Entrenchment and Firm Value: A Dynamic Perspective

We examine the impact of managerial entrenchment on firm value using a dynamic model with firm fixed effects. To estimate the model, we employ the long-difference technique, which is shown by our simulation to deliver the least biased estimates. Based on a large sample of U.S. companies, we document a significantly negative and causal effect of managerial entrenchment on firm value after taking into account omitted variables, reverse causality, and highly persistent endogenous variables. Additional analysis suggests that the causality running from managerial entrenchment to firm value is more pronounced than that for reverse causality.
Reproductive biology of Etroplus suratensis (Bloch) from the Vembanad wetland system, Kerala

In the present study, data on sex ratio, maturity, Gonadosomatic index, fecundity and oocyte distribution of the pearlspot, Etroplus suratensis, were evaluated. Samples were collected from the landings of Vembanad lake during 2002 - 2004. Male-female ratio was found to be 1:0.8. Maximum GSI in male and female was 1.45 and 4.43 respectively. L50 was 19.5 cm in case of males and 20.0 cm in case of females. Absolute fecundity, varied between 874 and 7554 with an average of 2748. Fish is an asynchronous spawner with different clutches of ova, varied between 0.25 to 2.75 mm.
A comparison of nonlocal continuum and discrete dislocation plasticity predictions

Discrete dislocation simulations of two boundary value problems are used as numerical exper-iments to explore the extent to which the nonlocal crystal plasticity theory of Gurtin (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 50 (2002) 5) can reproduce their predictions. In one problem simple shear of a constrained strip is analyzed, while the other problem concerns a two-dimensional model composite with elastic reinforcements in a crystalline matrix subject to macroscopic shear. In the constrained layer problem, boundary layers develop that give rise to size e5ects. In the composite problem, the discrete dislocation solutions exhibit composite hardening that depends on the reinforcement morphology, a size dependence of the overall stress–strain response for some morphologies, and a strong Bauschinger e5ect on unloading. In neither problem are the quali-tative features of the discrete dislocation results represented by conventional continuum crystal plasticity. The nonlocal plasticity calculations here reproduce the behavior seen in the discrete dislocation simulations in remarkable detail.
PbS Infrared Detectors: Experiment and Simulation

The present work deals with the characterization and simulation of lead sulfide (PbS) photoconductors infrared detectors growth by Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) method. Three different solutions bath are used in order to explore the doping effect and oxidant agent on detection capabilities. Photoelectrical characterization indicates that detectors performances depend strongly on oxidant and doping agents. A simulation study with surface state model is also presented. The physical parameters are deduced and are found to be in agreement with those published in the literature. Copyright © 2015 IFSA Publishing, S. L.
Haematological reference for red-browed parrot ( Amazona rhodocorytha , Salvadori, 1890) captive in the Atlantic Forest in Eastern Brazil

To conduct the survey were used 35 (thirty-five) red-browned parrots (A. rhodocorytha), adults, captive, of both genders and clinically healthy, belonging to the live collection of the Museum of Biology Teacher Mello Leitao, located in Santa Teresa, Espirito Santo, Brazil. Harvests were performed in the morning, by puncture of the brachial vein getting 0.5mL of blood stored in EDTA for a period no longer than 6 hours. Blood smears of fresh material were made at collection, stained using the method of May-Grunwald-Giemsa. Analysis of blood elements was done by cell counting in a mirrored Neubauer chamber using Natt and Herrick solution at a ratio of 2:200 as diluent. For the analysis of the methodology, homoglobinometry cyanide hemoglobin using commercial kits by colorimetry on a semi-automatic biochemical analyzer was used. After completion of the statistical data the following parameters were obtained (mean±standard deviation): Erythrocytes (x106/μl): 2.68±0.56; Hemoglobin (g/dl): 14.27±0.69; Hematocrit (%): 53±3.38; Mean corpuscular volume (fl): 206.7±45.82; Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (pg): 56.4±14.46; Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (%): 27.5±1.19; Thrombocytes (x3/μl): 25.8 ± 10.5; Total plasma protein (g/dl) 5.4±0.5; Leukocytes (x103/dl): 3.1±2; Heterophile (/uL): 1937±1676; Lymphocytes (/uL): 1144±599; Monocytes (/uL): 24.4 ± 28.2; Basophils (/uL): 42.2±46.2; Eosinophils (/uL): 11.7±19.9. In the relation between males and females, no significant differences were found in any hematological parameter evaluated.
The impact of women's schooling on fertility and contraceptive use : a study of fourteen Sub-Saharan African countries

This article examines the relationship between female schooling and two behaviors, cumulative fertility and contraceptive use, in fourteen Sub-Saharan African countries where Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) have been conducted since the mid-1980s. Average levels of schooling among women of reproductive age are very low, from less than two years to six. Controlling for background variables, the last years of female primary schooling have a negative relation with fertility in about half the countries, while secondary schooling is associated with substantially lower fertility in all countries. Female schooling has a positive relationship with contraceptive use at all levels. Among ever-married women, husband's schooling exerts a smaller effect than doe's female schooling on contraceptive use and, in almost all cases, on fertility. Although the results suggest commonalities among these Sub-Saharan countries, they also reveal intriguing international differences in the impact of female schooling, which might reflect differences in the quality of schooling, labor markets, and family planning programs, among others.
Hepcidin TH1-5 Induces Apoptosis and Activate Caspase-9 in MCF-7 Cells -

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and leading cause of cancer deaths among women globally. In continuation of our investigation into the cytotoxicity of the antimicrobial peptide, hepcidin TH1-5, on human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), we further affirm the apoptosis induction effect of the cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide in the present study. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide (annexin V-FITC/PI) apoptosis assay was carried out after treatment of the cells. In the determination of caspase activity and pathway of apoptosis, luminescence assay was also performed where caspase-3/7, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were evaluated at time 12, 24 and 48 hours. Results of annexin V-FITC/PI staining showed that 44.33%, 34.33%, 9.67% of the cell were in the early apoptosis, late apoptosis and necrotic stages respectively after 72 hours of treatment. Based on the data from the luminescence test, hepcidin TH1-5 activates caspases-3/7 and -9 which suggests that the apoptosis induced may be due to the peptide treatment. Hepcidin TH1-5 may have induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells via the activation of caspase-9 of the intrinsic pathway. These results support our previous findings of the cytotoxicity of hepcidin TH1-5 and indicated that the peptide may be a potential agent for breast cancer therapy.
The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Factors and Food Security in Pregnant Women

Background: Food security is among the phenomena that have influenced the worldwide policy-making in the recent years. Furthermore, recent studies have reported extensive food insecurity in Iran. Objectives: The present study aimed at defining the levels of food security and investigating its correlation with socioeconomic factors among pregnant women in city of Rasht (Iran) in 2014. Methods: The present cross sectional study included 420 pregnant women in their 14 to 42 weeks of pregnancy. The sampling method was convenience, and the data were collected using demographic-obstetrics, socioeconomic factors, and food security status questionnaires through face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19. Results: The results revealed that 30.9 of the pregnant women had food insecurity (19.6 had food insecurity without hunger, 8.9 had moderate hunger, and 2.4 had severe hunger), while 69.1 had complete food security. Food security was significantly correlated with socioeconomic status of the family, residence area, husbandâ��s occupation, number of employed family members, monthly income, and monthly food cost (P value < 0.001). The results of the logistic regression analysis revealed that husbandâ��s occupation (OR = 1.28), economic status (OR = 1.53), and residence area (OR = 1.43) had increasing effects on food insecurity. Conclusions: Considering the high prevalence of food insecurity among pregnant women and its adverse impact on the mother and the fetus, it seems necessary to investigate the level of food security in women during prenatal care and to support pregnant women with food insecurity in particular. Â© 2017, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
Steam Methane Reforming Using an Anodic Alumina Supported Nickel Catalyst (Ni/Al2O3/Alloy): Analysis of Catalyst Deactivation

A plate-type metal-monolithic anodic alumina supported nickel catalyst (Ni/Al2O3/Alloy) was employed to investigate the reactivity and the catalyst deactivation in the SMR reaction, and several methods of activation treatments were proposed. After H2 reduction, a fresh Ni/Al2O3/Alloy catalyst only provided a short-term SMR activity, and then quickly deactivated. The oxidation of metallic nickel with steam into oxidation state was believed to be the most serious reason for the catalyst deactivation. After the second H2 reduction, a deactivated catalyst (or a catalyst with the treatments of H2 reduction and subsequent air oxidation) was observed to provide a more favorable SMR stability, compared a reduced fresh catalyst.
Long-term Survival of Good Risk Germ Cell Tumor Patients following Post-chemotherapy Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection: A comparison of BEPx3 vs. EPx4 and treating institution

Background: Patients with International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) good risk testicular cancer may receive either 4 cycles of etoposide and cisplatin (EP) or 3 cycles of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP). We sought to examine differences in survival following PC-RPLND between patients receiving EPx4 compared to BEPx3. Patients and Methods: The Indiana University Testis Cancer database was queried to identify IGCCCG good risk PC-RPLND patients who received either EPx4 or BEPx3 induction chemotherapy. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier plots were generated for the EPx4 and BEPx3 groups and compared using the log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was used to determine risk of mortality. Results: A total of 223 patients met inclusion criteria between 1985 and 2011. Induction chemotherapy consisted of EPx4 in 45 (20%) patients and BEPx3 in 178 (80%). Most patients (78%) received their chemotherapy at outside institutions and were subsequently referred for PC-RPLND. The location of treating institution did not influence outcomes significantly when comparing similar chemotherapy regimens in this good risk cohort. The 10-year OS for the EPx4 and BEPx3 groups were 91% and 98%, respectively (log-rank p<0.01). The adjusted risk of death in the EP x 4 group demonstrated a nonsignifcant trend of 3 times greater compared to the BEP x3 group, (HR 3.1, 95% CI 0.8-12.0, p=0.10). Conclusions: The regimen of BEPx3 resulted in a trend toward improved survival, however, this did not reach statistical significance. The location of treating institution seems less important in this risk group of patients.
Gene polymorphisms in gingivitis

1) We aimed to conduct a review of the literature for gene polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to gingivitis. We searched the studies in English language using the key words gingivitis and gene (mutation or polymorphism) and analyzed their results. (a) Firstly, in introduction, etiopathogenesis and clinical picture of gingivitis were discussed, the role of genetics in this disease was analyzed and different approaches for genetic studies described. (b) Secondly, candidate genes in relation to gingivitis were analyzed and discussed in relation to various carriage rates of the rare (R)-allele, different environmental and other risk factors. 2) In addition, new data (still unpublished) about the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene polymorphisms at positions -607C/A (rs1946518), -137G/C (rs187238) and -133C/G (rs360721) in relation to gingivitis and microbial pathogens in Czech children are presented in this chapter.
A comparison between PCR and Immunochromatography assay (ICA) in diagnosis of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis caused by Canine parvovirus.

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is one of the most common viruses responsible for acute hemorrhagic enteritis in dogs. A rapid and accurate diagnosis of CPV-2 infection is especially important in kennels in order to isolate infected dogs. The aim of the present study was to compare two laboratory tests i.e., Polymerase Change Reaction (PCR) and Immunochromatography assay (ICA) most commonly used for the diagnosis of canine parvovirus infection in companion dogs. Fecal samples were collected from fifty five dogs (50=hemorrhagic diarrheic and 5= healthy) between 2011 and 2012 in Ahvaz district, southwest of Iran. The studied dogs were divided into two age groups (6 months), four different breeds (Terriers, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers and Mixed) and based on environment into two groups (open and close) also. All samples were tested by ICA and PCR methods and the results were analyzed by using Kappa test, Mc Nemar and Chi-square analysis. ICA and PCR were able to detect CPV-2 antigen or nucleic acid in 33 and 50 of the hemorrhagic diarrheic samples, respectively. Samples of healthy dogs were negative by both tests. Although sensitivity of ICA compared with PCR method was determined to be 66% (PCR more sensitive than ICA), nevertheless statistical analysis showed that the difference between two techniques were not significant (P>0.05). Kappa test was obtained 0.38 between two techniques. CBC showed that most infected dogs had leucopenia, lymphopenia and neutropenia also (82%; 41 out of 50 samples). Obtained results of this survey showed that accurate standardization of laboratory tests is required to provide veterinarian with an effective tool for a precise etiological diagnosis of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis due to CPV infection. Although Immunochromatography is a simple and quick method for screening of fecal samples of dogs suspected of CPV infection, but PCR is more sensitive and reliable than ICA. Moreover, the subtypes of the virus determined by PCR test after verifying parvovirus. In this test 48 samples were CPV-2b and another 2 samples were CPV-2a. Our results showed that CPV-2b was the predominant subtype.