Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integration Methods Used in Numerical Simulations of Transient Electromagnetic

This paper made an analysis of some numerical integration methods that can be used in electromagnetic transient simulations. Among the existing methods, we analyzed the trapezoidal integration method (or Heun formula), Simpson's Rule and Runge-Kutta. These methods were used in simulations of electromagnetic transients in power systems, resulting from switching operations and maneuvers that occur in transmission lines. Analyzed the characteristics such as accuracy, computation time and robustness of the methods of integration.
Intimate Partner Violence Within a Cohort of Pacific Mothers Living in New Zealand

Maternal reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) were obtained from a cohort of Pacific mothers living in New Zealand. The Conflict Tactics Scale was completed by 1,095 women who had given birth in the past 12 months, and who were married or living with a partner as married. The 12-month prevalence of “victimization” through verbal aggression was 77%, 21% for “minor” physical violence, and 11% for “severe” physical violence. The 12-month prevalence of “perpetration” of verbal aggression against a partner was 90%, 35% for “minor” physical violence, and 19% for “severe” violence towards their partner. The experience of social inequality and acculturation are associated with IPV, albeit differentially across the experience of victimization and perpetration. Factors significantly associated with victimization are ethnicity, maternal education, social marital status and household income. Factors significantly associated with perpetration are ethnicity, cultural alignment, maternal birthplace and alcohol consumption since the birth of the child.
L’impact de la présence des comités d’audit sur la performance financière des entreprises tunisiennes

The Audit Committee plays a crucial role in protecting the interests of shareholders and other stakeholders. In fact, its effectiveness is dependent on its characteristics that relate primarily to the independence of its members, the size of the committee, the frequency of meetings and the expertise of the members of the audit committee. Indeed, we have tried to capture the effect of the characteristics of the audit committee on financial performance measured by Return On Assets (ROA) and Return On Equity (ROE). To test the validity of our hypothesis, which states the existence of a certain determinism characteristic of the audit committee on financial performance measured by ROA and ROE, we have developed two models of linear regressions. In the same furrow, we examine the effect of audit committee characteristics at each of the endogenous variables taking into account the impact of firm size and the level of debt. Our empirical validation was conducted on a sample of 26 Tunisian firms listed on the stock exchange in Tunis (Tunis Stock Exchange) over a period which lasts 4 years (2007-2010). The estimated models show satisfactory results showing the importance of the impact of the characteristics of the audit committee on the financial performance of Tunisian companies.
Chronic respiratory symptoms, bronchial responsiveness and dietary sodium and potassium: a population-based study.

A possible relationship between Na+ intake and increased prevalence and mortality from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been suggested but not clearly proven for several reasons (difficulty in assessing Na+ and K+ both by 24 h excretion and dietary recall, too small an effect of these ions on the pathology, and the role of potential confounders). We wanted to determine the relationship of Na+ and K+ intake, assessed by means of a 7 day recall, with chronic respiratory symptoms and bronchial responsiveness in a sample of the general population. Two hundred and five subjects were studied, with complete dietary and respiratory questionnaires, and baseline respiratory function tests, together with a subsample of 146 subjects who underwent histamine challenge. The 7 day recall consisted of two parts: the first assessed discretionary Na+; and the second assessed Na+ and K+ contained in food. The whole sample was split into two groups based on the levels of consumption, and the statistical analysis was performed contrasting the three lower quartiles vs the highest. Smoking habit, social economic status, age and body mass index (BMI) were not confounders for Na+ and K+ intake. The prevalence of symptomatic subjects and baseline respiratory function values were not significantly different in the two groups of quartiles for Na+ and K+. Baseline respiratory values and dose-response slope of the subsample were also not significantly different. We did not prove a relationship between these dietary factors and either bronchial responsiveness or chronic respiratory symptoms. Although we consider that our questionnaire is more reliable than other methods for Na+ and K+ assessment, several potential biases still remain. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Taxonomy of IT Usage to Support the Implementation of Environmental Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Sustainability, in recent years, has become a major concern for businesses worldwide. Many forward looking businesses have thus begun implementing sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices. Although there exists rich viewpoints and theoretical deliberations on the merits, enablers, and barriers of implementing SSCM practices, little discussion has so far been reported in the scholarly literature on how IT systems can be used to provide support for effective implementation of these practices. In this research-in-progress paper, we propose a taxonomy of IT usage sophistication to help organisations understand the roles of IT and the required IT capabilities for supporting the implementation of SSCM practices. The taxonomy is built on six distinct dimensions drawn from SSCM literature analysis. Finally, some implications for management are highlighted and the current status of our ongoing research involving the progress we are making in organising interviews with senior managers from large Australian organisations to evaluate the proposed taxonomy is reported.
The Performance of Initial Public Offerings in an Emerging Market: The Case of the Istanbul Stock Exchange

This study uses the Markov chain model to examine the behavior of 189 initial public offerings on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) over the 1990-1999 periods. The non-linear estimation results suggest that Turkish IPOs do not follow a random walk but may instead follow a first-order Markov chain process. It may be possible to predict excess returns conditioned on the observation of the returns in the previous period. Furthermore, the findings are particularly interesting because, unlike what is found for most other markets; IPOs on the ISE over perform the market several years beyond when firms go public. The results add to our understanding of the behavior of equities in emerging markets.
The Critical Few: Anticonformists at the Crossroads of Minority Opinion Survival and Collapse

To maintain stability yet retain the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, social systems must strike a balance between the maintenance of a shared reality and the survival of minority opinion. A computational model is presented that investigates the interplay of two basic, oppositional social processesâ€”conformity and anticonformityâ€”in promoting the emergence of this balance. Computer simulations employing a cellular automata platform tested hypotheses concerning the survival of minority opinion and the maintenance of system stability for different proportions of anticonformity. Results revealed that a relatively small proportion of anticonformists facilitated the survival of a minority opinion held by a larger number of conformists who would otherwise succumb to pressures for social consensus. Beyond a critical threshold, however, increased proportions of anticonformists undermined social stability. Understanding the adaptive benefits of balanced oppositional forces has implications for optimal functioning in psychological and social processes in general.
Augmentation and impulsivity in restless legs syndrome patients

Impulse control disorders (ICDs), such as gambling disorder, compulsive sexual behavior, compulsive shopping, binge eating, and punding, are potentially devastating side effects of dopaminergic medication. There is an estimated prevalence of 14% in dopamine replacement therapy (DRT)–treated Parkinson disease (PD). 1 Risk factors for ICDs in PD include younger age at disease onset, a history of alcohol or illicit substance abuse, smoking, and novelty-seeking personality traits.1,2 The use of DRT may be the greatest risk factor for the development of ICDs in PD, with dopamine agonist treatment associated with a 3.5-fold increased risk, although the effect was not dose-dependent.1 In patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) without PD, augmentation and ICDs are increasingly recognized as serious side effects of DRT.
The effect of temperature and wing morphology on quantitative genetic variation in the cricket Gryllus firmus, with an appendix examining the statistical properties of the Jackknife–manova method of matrix comparison

We investigated the effect of temperature and wing morphology on the quantitative genetic variances and covariances of five size‐related traits in the sand cricket, Gryllus firmus. Micropterous and macropterous crickets were reared in the laboratory at 24, 28 and 32 °C. Quantitative genetic parameters were estimated using a nested full‐sib family design, and (co)variance matrices were compared using the T method, Flury hierarchy and Jackknife–manova method. The results revealed that the mean phenotypic value of each trait varied significantly among temperatures and wing morphs, but temperature reaction norms were not similar across all traits. Micropterous individuals were always smaller than macropterous individuals while expressing more phenotypic variation, a finding discussed in terms of canalization and life‐history trade‐offs. We observed little variation between the matrices of among‐family (co)variation corresponding to each combination of temperature and wing morphology, with only one matrix of six differing in structure from the others. The implications of this result are discussed with respect to the prediction of evolutionary trajectories.
Finding Novel Genes by Testing G × E Interactions in a Genome‐Wide Association Study

In a genome‐wide association study (GWAS), investigators typically focus their primary analysis on the direct (marginal) associations of each single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with the trait. Some SNPs that are truly associated with the trait may not be identified in this scan if they have a weak marginal effect and thus low power to be detected. However, these SNPs may be quite important in subgroups of the population defined by an environmental or personal factor, and may be detectable if such a factor is carefully considered in a gene–environment (G × E) interaction analysis. We address the question “Using a genome wide interaction scan (GWIS), can we find new genes that were not found in the primary GWAS scan? ” We review commonly used approaches for conducting a GWIS in case‐control studies, and propose a new two‐step screening and testing method (EDG×E) that is optimized to find genes with a weak marginal effect. We simulate several scenarios in which our two‐step method provides 70–80% power to detect a disease locus while a marginal scan provides less than 5% power. We also provide simulations demonstrating that the EDG×E method outperforms other GWIS approaches (including case only and previously proposed two‐step methods) for finding genes with a weak marginal effect. Application of this method to a G × Sex scan for childhood asthma reveals two potentially interesting SNPs that were not identified in the marginal‐association scan. We distribute a new software program (G×Escan, available at http://biostats.usc.edu/software) that implements this new method as well as several other GWIS approaches.
Extracellular matrix regulation of cell-cell communication and tissue-specific gene expression in primary liver cultures.

Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are effected, in part, by extracellular matrix components. We have spent many years analyzing the influence of extracellular matrix, both as extracts of matrix and as purified matrix components, on the growth and differentiation of normal and neoplastic liver cells. Currently we are focused on analyzing the influence of the extracellular matrix components, glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. We have found that these factors induce dramatic morphological changes, are potent inducers of gap junction synthesis and can regulate tissue-specific gene expression. With respect to gap junctions: intercellular communication via gap junctions, as measured by dye and electrical coupling, disappears within 12 hrs in primary rat hepatocytes cultured in serum supplemented media or within 24 hrs in cells in a serum free, hormonally defined medium designed for hepatocytes. Glucagon and linoleic acid/BSA were the primary factors in the HDM responsible for the extended life span of the electrical coupling. Addition of proteoglycans or glycosaminoglycans to hormonally defined medium after 24 hrs resulted in reexpression of electrical and dye coupling when assayed at 96 hrs of culture. The incidence of coupling was less than 5% in hormonally defined medium alone. Coupling incidence increased to 10-30% with the addition of 10 micrograms/ml of glycosaminoglycans (i.e., hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin 4- or 6-sulfate, and iota- or kappa-carrageenan) to hormonally defined medium. By contrast, the same concentrations of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, dermatan sulfate proteoglycan, or lambda-carrageenan resulted in dye coupling in more than 70% of the cells, with numerous cells showing dye spread from a single injected cell (in the case of the proteoglycans). The greatest effect of those tested was elicited by the dermatan sulfate proteoglycans, which induced cell-cell communication in 90-100% of the cells. Heparins gave intermediate responses (30-50%). Western blots demonstrated that the amounts of the main intrinsic gap junction polypeptide (27 KDa) extractable from cells correlated with the degree of electrical and dye coupling. Thus, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans appear to elicit the formation and function of gap junctions and may thus play a role in the regulation of intercellular communication under normal and pathological conditions. With respect to gene expression: normal rat hepatocytes maintained in culture on tissue culture plastic and in serum supplemented medium lose their tissue-specific functions within hours to a few days due to loss of synthesis and to rapid degradation of tissue-specific mRNAs. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Property rights, collective action, and agribusiness

The authors state that "governments and research and development organizations are increasingly interested in understanding and promoting rural agroenterprises as a way to combat rural poverty. " They look at the implications of market orientation for small-scale agricultural producers and the implications of integration for small farms and firms. They conclude that agroindustrialization, which is changing agriculture and rural communities in developing countries, forces farmers and entrepreneurs to change the way they do business. Collective action and networking, a better understanding of how to develop and support those networks, and less traditional forms of organization, such as agricultural cooperatives, is necessary for the development of an "efficient and equitable agribusiness sector. " from Text
Lekking Behavior in Kafue Lechwe

The Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) exhibits lekking behavior in which a number of males occupy small territories clustered together in discrete areas where females go for mating. Similar behavior in antelope is known only in the Uganda kob (Kobus kob thomasi). Lechwe lekking occurs only during a main rutting season although some breeding occurs throughout the year.
Monolithically Integrated MESFET Devices on a High-Speed Silicon Photonics Platform

We present the design and fabrication of complimentary metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs) monolithically integrated on a high-speed silicon photonics platform. The transistors were built in an existing silicon photonics process without any additional process steps or modifications to maintain consistent photonics performance. The MESFETs showed a threshold voltage of -1.4 and 2.0 V for NMES and PMES, respectively. The NMES transconductance was measured to be 46.4 μS/μm, and the cutoff frequency was shown to be 2.2 GHz. Transistors of this design can be simply integrated into silicon photonics platforms for on-chip feedback circuits.
PENGARUH KUALITAS PELAYANAN TERHADAP KEPUASAN PELANGGAN, CITRA PERUSAHAAN DAN LOYALITAS PELANGGAN Survei padaTamu Pelanggan yang Menginap di Hotel Pelangi Malang

The research aim s to: (1) influence of service quality on customers satisfaction; (2) influence of service quality on corporate image; (3) influence of service quality on customers loyalty; (4) influence of customers satisfaction on corporate image; (5) influence of customers satisfaction on customers loyalty; (6) influence of corporate image on customers satisfaction. The research method used is explanatory research with quantitative approach. The total sample is 112 customers that stay in Pelangi Hotel Malang at least two times. The sampling technique used is accidental sampling and data collection method using questionnaire. Data analysis using descriptive analysis, and path analysis. The result of path analysis shows that: (1) service quality has significant influence on customers satisfaction; (2) service quality has significant influence on corporate image; (3) influence of service quality has not significant influence on customers loyalty; (4) customers satisfaction has significant influence on corporate image; (5) customers satisfaction has significant influence on customers loyalty; (6) corporate image has significant influence on customers satisfaction Keywords : Service Quality, Customers Satisfaction, Corporate Image and Customers Loyalty. ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui: (1) pengaruh kualitas pelayanan terhadap kepuasan pelanggan; (2) pengaruh Kualitas Pelayanan terhadap Citra Perusahaan; (3) pengaruh Kualitas Pelayanan terhadap Loyalitas Pelanggan; (4) pengaruh Kepuasan Pelanggan terhadap Citra Perusahaan; (5) pengaruh Kepuasan Pelanggan terhadap Loyalitas Pelanggan; (6) pengaruh Citra Perusahaan terhadap Loyalitas Pelanggan. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian penjelasan (eksplanatory reseach) dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Sampel sebanyak 112 orang responden yang menginap di Hotel Pelangi Malang minimal dua kali. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan adalah accidental sampling dan metode pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner. Analisis data yang digunakan analisis deskriptif, dan analisis jalur (path analysis). Hasil analisis jalur (path analysis) dapat diketahui bahwa: (1) variabel kualitas pelayanan memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap variabel kepuasan pelanggan; (2) variabel Kualitas Pelayanan memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap variabel Citra Perusahaan; (3) variabel Kualitas Pelayanan tidak memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap variabel Loyalitas Pelanggan; (4) variabel Kepuasan Pelanggan memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap variabel Citra Perusahaan; (5) variabel Kepuasan Pelanggan memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap variabel Loyalitas Pelanggan; (6) variabel Citra Perusahaan memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap variabel Loyalitas Pelanggan. Kata Kunci: Kualitas Pelayanan, Kepuasan Pelanggan, Citra Perusahaan dan Loyalitas Pelanggan.
The use of oral herbal medicine by women attending antenatal clinics in urban and rural Tanga District in Tanzania.

A prospective study on the use of oral herbal medicine was conducted on 214 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in urban and rural Tanga district, which is well-known for traditional healers. There is a perception that traditional healers are very respected locally, and should be cooperated with. However herb effects range from therapeutic to dangerous. The overall prevalence rate of use of herbal medicine was 42%. The prevalence in urban and rural areas was 43.3% and 40.2% respectively. The highest use rate was towards the end of the 1st trimester and during labor, for a total of 87.7%. Of the users, 54% did so to relieve pregnancy-associated symptoms, while the rest used it as a consequence of beliefs, possibly superstitious, circumstantial constraints, and combinations of these. Significant differences were found between women delivering at home (55% used herbal medicine) and in a modern health facility (38.8%), P=0.038, between Moslems (44.4%) and Christians (32.2%), P=0.22, and among tribes. It seems that oral herbal medicines are commonly used in pregnancies and childbirth in Tanga, as well as in other areas, Bagamoyo being an example. Fear of the health facility eivironment as being a place for dying is an interesting factor. A form of Koranic medicine known as Kombe, which included the use of Quranic inscriptions, was used widely. It is recommended that immediate and long-term outcomes of herb-tested pregnancies be evaluated. Phytochemical, toxicological, and pharmacological studies are necessary to enable health workers to warn against inappropriate and dangerous usage.
Africa - Incentives, exports and international competitiveness in sub-Saharan Africa : lessons from the apparel industry

This country-level analysis of international trading patterns examines all sub-Saharan (SSA) countries for which trade data exist. Firm-level analysis is restricted to five countries: Kenya, Mauritius, Madagascar, Swaziland, and Lesotho, for which enterprise surveys are available from the period just before or after the elimination of the final quotas in 2005, under the Agreement for Textiles and Clothing (ATC). Comparators were selected from Asia (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam), and North Africa (Morocco, Egypt), as benchmarks for the SSA countries, and also to examine their performance relative to normal world trading patterns and volumes. The findings, along with corresponding policy recommendations, are summarized, and key issues are addressed, including which countries adjusted to this with lowest cost; what lessons can the SSA countries draw from this episode in their negotiation and exploitation of trade preferences offered by the US, EU and other potential markets; and how does an SSA country create or attract an export-ready apparel firm. Does the poor performance of sub-Saharan African (SSA) exporters in the period since the removal of quotas in 2005, imply that SSA countries do not have a comparative advantage in apparel, and thus should focus development efforts on other sectors? This report focussed on the evolution of the apparel trade with the removal of ATC quotas. It is important, though, to recognize that African apparel exporters have now been through two negative shocks, the end of trade diversion with the ending of the ATC quota system, and the trade elimination through demand reduction in the US and EU in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008.