Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparative analysis of the effect of board characteristics and governance indices on companies’ costs of financing: the Canadian evidence

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of board of directors’ characteristics compared to that of governance indices that measure board quality, on the costs of financing Canadian firms. We find that the majority of board characteristics have an important and significant effect on the cost of equity capital, the cost of debt and the average cost of capital. On the other hand, in the case of the financing costs studied, we find that the effect of governance indices that assess the quality of boards of directors is not clearly established. Particularly, our results reveal that individual measures of the characteristics of boards of directors allow for a better explanation of companies’ costs of financing than do multi-factor commercial and academic governance indices.
The effect of primrose oil on the premenstrual syndrome among the female students in Lorestan University of Medical Sciences: A triple blind study

Background and Purpose: The premenstrual syndrome is the emergence of a set of symptoms before menstrual which results in imbalance in individual’s life and daily activities. Today the prescription of herbals is recommended for the treatment of the illnesses. The present study aimto pinpoint the effect of primrose oil on the premenstrual syndrome. Methods: The study was a triple blind clinical-trial which was conducted with 80 female university students residing in Lorestan Medical University hostels. The samples were selected based on the DSMIV-TR criterion for the premenstrual syndrome. Using block-randomization method, they were categorized into two groups (each 40), one treated with primrose oil and the other with placebo. The dose of the primrose oil is 1500 mg per day for the first group. The total score for sever symptom (for each from 0 to 10) was assigned at first monthly and then for three months. For the data analysis χ2 and repeated measures were deployed. Results: The score for symptom severity before the intervention for the primrose group was 31
Subjects of the State within the Russian Federation: Constitutional and Legal Framework

The purpose of this study is to analyze the modern problems of federalism in the Russian Federation. In particular, the article examines the main provisions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which regulate the legal status of subjects in the Russian Federation, their rights and responsibilities, limits of autonomy and differentiation principles of conducting and mutual delegation of powers between the Federal bodies and regional bodies of state power and administration. The study is based on methods, such as systematic, formal-logical, concretehistorical method of comparative legal analysis. The complexity of the provisions’ implementation of the Constitution of Russia is dictated by several factors, one of which is the feature of formation and development of government forms. In our state, there are a lot of subjects with their national and cultural characteristics and distinctive history, significantly distinguishing the current situation economic, political, and legal – of some subjects from others. This work deals with the topic of the legal status of republics (States) in Russia from the point of view of their characteristics as a state, relying primarily on provisions of the Russian Constitution and the constitutions of several subjects in Russia.
Analysis of Cacao and Coconut Intercrop Farming on Production Centers in Central Sulawesi Province

The title of the research is Analysis of Cocoa and Coconut Intercrop Farming on Production Centers in Central Sulawesi Province. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the benefits of Intercrop Cocoa and Coconut for farmers. Central Sulawesi government has divided four centers of cocoa and purposive sampling researches, focused on two (2) superior centers, i.e Sentra I, includes: Donggal, and Sigi. Meanwhile, Sentra II includes: Moutong Parigi District, Poso District, and Tojo Una-Una District. Results of research descriptively explained that Cocoa and Coconut Intercrop Farming indicates good intercrop, measured from the distance between coconut – cocoa, i.e approximately 3.5m in average. However, some overlaps are still found in some locations. There are still other crops found among Cocoa and Coconut Intercrop, thus the growth of Cocoa and Coconut is not maximum. Another benefit of the cultivation of cocoa under coconut trees is it can improve the efficiency in the use of land and sunlight. In addition, Coconut can indirectly help to control Helopeltis palm plant biologically as black ants (Dolichoderus thoracicus) prefer to nest in palm tree, which will destroy Helopeltis.
Determination of bee spacing and comb cell dimensions for Apis mellifera Scutellata honeybee race in western Ethiopia

A study was conducted at Assosa and Mao-komo districts of Benishangul-gumuz regional state, western Ethiopia, aiming to determine the bee spacing and cell dimensions of honeybee race Apis mellifera scutellata. The measurement of bee spacing and cell dimensions were taken from 20 traditional hives at each agro-ecology. Assosa and Mao-komo districts were purposively selected to represent mid-altitude and highland agro-ecologies respectively. Data collected were analyzed in descriptive statistics, t-test, correlation and General Linear Model (GLM) procedures using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer software. The present results revealed that bee space in naturally built combs of A. mellifera scutellata honeybee race in highland areas was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that of mid-altitude areas. Cell depths and comb thickness were significantly different (P < 0.001) between the agro-ecologies. Larger cell depth and comb thickness were recorded in combs from mid-altitude than highland areas. On the contrary, cell diameter of naturally built combs in mid-altitude was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than cell diameter in highland areas. Type of comb did not affect the bee space, comb thickness or cell dimensions. Dimensions of traditional hives were not different between the two agro-ecologies except hive length. Traditional hives in highland areas were significantly longer (P < 0.05) than hives in mid-altitude areas. In conclusion, there were variations in bee space and comb cell dimensions within the same honeybees race in different agro-ecologies but this needs designing of new casting molds and box hives pertinent to the agro-ecologies. Key words: Benishangul-gumuz, cell diameter, comb thickness, hive dimension, natural combs.
Non-stoichiometric Cu–In–S@ZnS nanoparticles produced in aqueous solutions as light harvesters for liquid-junction photoelectrochemical solar cells

A direct “green” aqueous synthesis of mercapto acetate-stabilized copper indium sulfide (CIS) nanoparticles (NPs) and core/shell CIS@ZnS NPs of a varied composition under ambient conditions and a temperature lower than 100 °C is reported. The CIS@ZnS NPs can be anchored to the surface of nanocrystalline FTO/TiO2 films without additional purification or ligand exchange steps yielding visible-light-sensitive heterostructures ready for using as photoanodes in the liquid-junction solar cells. The highest photoelectrochemical activity in a three-electrode cell was demonstrated by a TiO2/CIS@ZnS heterostructure with atomic Cu : In : S and Zn : Cu ratios of 1 : 5 : 10 and 1 : 1. The optimized TiO2/CIS@ZnS photoanodes were tested in two-electrode solar cells with aqueous polysulfide electrolyte and TiO2/Cu2S heterostructures produced by a photo-assisted method as counter-electrodes. Under illumination by a 30 mW cm−2 xenon lamp, the optimized cells showed the average light conversion efficiency of 8.15%, the average open-circuit voltage of −0.6 V and the average fill factor of 0.42. The cells revealed excellent stability and reproducibility of photoelectrochemical parameters with around one percent variation of the light conversion efficiency around an average value for six identical solar cells.
Antimicrobial resistance among commensal Escherichia coli from cattle faeces and beef in Ibadan, Nigeria

Commensal bacteria contribute to the distribution and persistence of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. This study monitored antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli from the faeces of on-farm and slaughter cattle and beef. A total of 342 (89.5%) E. coli isolates were obtained from 382 samples. Isolation rate of E. coli was 90.0% in on-farm cattle, 87.1% in slaughter cattle and 92.2% in beef. Overall, the isolates showed resistance to amoxicillin (97.9%), ampicillin (97.9%), cefuroxime (25.1%), chloramphenicol (69.3%), ciprofloxacin (11.7%), cotrimazole (45.9%), erythromycin (59.4%), gentamycin (36.5%), nalidixic acid (27.2%), nitrofuratoin (54.9%), norfloxacin (21.1%), ofloxacin (14.0%), streptomycin (78.9%) and tetracycline (33.9%). There were no significant differences in antimicrobial resistance of E. coli from the different sample types. Only four (1.2%) of the 342 isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents, while 338 (98.8%) were resistant to at least one of the tested antimicrobial agents. Multi-drug resistance to three or more antimicrobials was observed in 321 (93.9%) of all the isolates. Forty-one resistance groups were observed in on-farm cattle, 30 in slaughter cattle and 34 in beef. All the 30 resistance groups found in slaughter cattle were also present in on-farm cattle and beef. ‘AmoAmpChlEryNitStr’ and ‘AmoAmpChlStr’ were the predominant resistant patterns. This study confirmed on-farm and slaughter cattle as important sources of antimicrobial resistant E. coli transmissible to humans through beef. Key words : Antimicrobial resistance, beef, Escherichia coli , on-farm cattle, slaughter cattle,
MUTUAL FUND INVESTMENT CHOICE CRITERIA: A STUDY IN MALAYSIA

This study aims to investigate factors that are considered important in selecting a mutual fund. This study utilised two sets of survey involving 440 individual EPF members and 561 unit trust consultants. Analysis of the members’ survey indicated significant differences in the ranking of fund selection criteria between Muslim and non-Muslim members. Past performance and the fund’s commitment to Islamic principles were considered as the most important selection criteria among non-Muslim and Muslim members respectively. Likewise, analysis of the consultants’ survey indicated significant differences in the ranking of fund selection criteria among Muslim and non-Muslim consultants. Both Muslim and non-Muslim consultants considered the fund’s commitment to Islamic principles and the fund’s past performance as the most important criteria respectively. Several theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.
Syntactic Indeterminacy, Perceived Message Sensation Value-Enhancing Features, and Message Processing in the Context of Anti-Tobacco Advertisements

Fast-paced and arousing anti-drug ads, considered to have high perceived message sensation value (PMSV), enhance message processing and reduce drug use among young adults. Studies have yet to explore the relationship between specific, PMSV-enhancing message features and outcomes related to persuasion. Messaris’ (1997) concept of syntactic indeterminacy provides one plausible explanation for why message features contained in high PMSV ads might enhance message processing and subsequent changes in attitudes and behavior. The study explored this explanation by coding specific anti-tobacco ads for PMSV-enhancing features, merging these codes to a telephone survey among teens, and testing the relationship between message features and processing. The number of unrelated cuts and the use of suspenseful features (intense imagery and a second-half punch) increased message processing among older teens. An additive index comprised of these features was associated with message processing among both younger and older teens. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
The Out-of-sample Performance of Robust Portfolio Optimization

Robust optimization has been receiving increased attention in the recent few years due to the possibility of considering the problem of estimation error in the portfolio optimization problem. A question addressed so far by very few works is whether this approach is able to outperform traditional portfolio optimization techniques in terms of out-of-sample performance. Moreover, it is important to know whether this approach is able to deliver stable portfolio compositions over time, thus reducing management costs and facilitating practical implementation. We provide empirical evidence by assessing the out-of-sample performance and the stability of optimal portfolio compositions obtained with robust optimization and with traditional optimization techniques. The results indicated that, for simulated data, robust optimization performed better (both in terms of Sharpe ratios and portfolio turnover) than Markowitz's mean-variance portfolios and similarly to minimum-variance portfolios. The results for real market data indicated that the differences in risk-adjusted performance were not statistically different, but the portfolio compositions associated to robust optimization were more stable over time than traditional portfolio selection techniques.
In-Silico Analysis & In-Vivo Results Concur on Glutathione Depletion in Glyphosate Resistant GMO Soy, Advancing a Systems Biology Framework for Safety Assessment of GMOs

This study advances previous efforts towards development of computational systems biology, in silico, methods for biosafety assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). C1 metabolism is a critical molecular system in plants, fungi, and bacteria. In our previous research, critical molecular systems of C1 metabolism were identified and modeled using CytoSolve? , a platform for in silico analysis. In addition, multiple exogenous molecular systems affecting C1 metabolism such as oxidative stress, shikimic acid metabolism, glutathione biosynthesis, etc. were identified. Subsequent research expanded the C1 metabolism computational models to integrate oxidative stress, suggesting glutathione (GSH) depletion. Recent integration of data from the EPSPS genetic modification of Soy, also known as Roundup Ready Soy (RRS), with C1 metabolism predicts similar GSH depletion and HCHO accumulation in RRS. The research herein incorporates molecular systems of glutathione biosynthesis and glyphosate catabolism to expand the extant in silico models of C1 metabolism. The in silico results predict that Organic Soy will have a nearly 250% greater ratio of GSH and GSSG, a measure of glutathione levels, than in RRS that are glyphosate-treated glyphosate-resistant Soy versus the Organic Soy. These predictions also concur with in vivo greenhouse results. This concurrence suggests that these in silico models of C1 metabolism may provide a viable and validated platform for biosafety assessment of GMOs, and aid in selecting rational criteria for informing in vitro and in vivo efforts to more accurately decide in the problem formulation phase whose parameters need to be assessed so that conclusion on “substantial equivalence” or material difference of a GMO and its non-GMO counterpart can be drawn on a well-grounded basis.
Differential Transformation Method for a Reliable Treatment of the Nonlinear Biochemical Reaction Model

In this paper, we present a numeric-analytic solution of the wellknown Michaelis–Menten nonlinear biochemical reaction system based on differential transformation method (DTM). We shall compare the DTM against the homotopy-perturbation method (HPM). The numerical results obtained from the DTM and HPM are in complete agreement.
Agronomic and biochemical evaluation of some ecotypes of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) walp. (Fabaceae)]Collected in Côte d’Ivoire

This work aims to propose to the peasants producing varieties of seeds, biomass and to determine some physico-chemical characteristics of these seeds. Thirteen agronomic parameters and 8 characters were evaluated. The got results showed an important variability between the ecotypes. The most relevant variables which make it possible to describe variability between the groups are the number of pod, the number of seeds, the weight of the hulls, the biomass, and the rate of filling, the height and the scale. Thus, the varieties N21DR, N10BBrp, N8BRcp, and N18ZRET N9BN produced more seeds whereas the varieties N15ZBoNg and N7BRc produced more air biomass. They can be selected at agronomic ends within the framework of the fertilization of the grounds. The results revealed that the seeds are energy foods, rich in proteins and glucids. On the other hand, they are low in lipids, ashes and have low moisture being able to facilitate their conservation over one relatively long period. The cultivar N1KBN which recorded the highest ash content could be used in the fortification of food. Cultivar white N1KBN recorded the highest content of proteins. Consequently, its seeds could be used to supplement traditional food and to be recommended in the sector of the made up flours. The use of seeds in these fields could contribute to reduce the protein deficits at certain poor populations, in the grip of protein-energy diseases.
Identification and characterization of three endophytic bacteria from Neesia altissima (Malvaceae) antagonistic to diarrhea-causing bacteria

Aims: Diarrheal disease is one of serious healthcare problems in developing countries. Endophytic bacteria have been known as a promising source of new antibiotics against susceptible and resistant forms of microorganisms. In this study, we identified three endophytic bacteria isolated from Neesia altissima and screened their antagonistic activity against diarrhea-causing bacteria in order to find new potential secondary metabolites. Methodology and results: Samples of N. altissima were collected from mount Halimun-Salak national park. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from roots, barks, and fresh leaves of N. altissima by surface sterilized method. Screening of antagonistics activity was conducted against five diarrhea-causing bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella flexneri, and Bacillus cereus using crude extract dilution and diffusion disc methods. Three endophytic bacteria showed antagonistic activity against the pathogenic bacteria. Identification of the three potential endophytic bacteria using molecular analysis showed that two isolates determined as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one isolate belongs to P. azotoformans. Conclusion, significance and impact study: Crude extract of P. aeruginosa (strain 1.4.1A and 1.2.7D) and P. azotoformans (strain 1.8.7KB) showed growth inhibition activity to the diarrhea-causing bacteria. This is the first report of P. azotoformans exhibited antagonistic activities against diarrhea-causing bacteria. This data suggested that bacterial endophytes from N. altissima provided potential sources for the discovery of new secondary metabolites to combat the diarrhea-causing bacteria. This finding highlights potential prospects of endophytic bacteria utilization from endemic medicinal plants for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds.
A Reexamination of the Agricultural Adjustment Problem in Japan

This session is organized by members of the Agricultural Economics Society of Japan. This session explores analytical and policy framework through empirical examinations on key factors that are supposed to play a crucial role on the structural change for sustainable evolution of farm sector from a perspective of Japan and Korea. The session consists of four papers. These four papers provide empirical evidence and policy implications that will be effective in other parts of fast growing Asia. We take up two keywords: farm structural change and emerging new demands surrounding farm sector. The first and second papers shed light on farm structural change in Japan and Korea, which contrast the differences in farm behaviour between the two countries. The third and fourth papers address the emerging demands for farm sector in Japan: educational tourism in dairy farms and growing trade demand for japonica rice due to global Japanese food popularity.
The Linkages of Financial Liberalization and Currency Stability: What do we learn from Pre and Post Asian Financial Crisis?

The tendency of repeating history has made any financial crisis a valuable source to be explored and studied. It will make people be more prepared and ready to anticipate. This paper examined the nature of linkages between exchange rate and macroeconomic fundamentals over 1997-2004. It investigated the evidence on both the short- and long-run effects of exchange rate determinant factors using co-integration theory. It also explored the stability of rupiah during the pre and post economic crisis, seeking whether the Indonesian currency was overshooting or not. To test the stability of rupiah after monetary and fiscal liberalization, we employed the Chow test. The results revealed that the rupiah was overshooting during the crisis' period and there was a structural change of rupiah after 1998. Due to the significant effects of interest rate and exchange rate on the currency stability, it is important to the Indonesia’s monetary institution to be aware of these two variables, especially in stabilizing the economic performance after the financial liberalization. The elasticity obtained for relative money supply (m) is greater than unity indicating that this result consistent with overshooting hypothesis.
The Independence Condition in the Variety-of-Evidence Thesis

The variety-of-evidence thesis has been criticized by Bovens and Hartmann. This article points to two limitations of their Bayesian model: the conceptualization of unreliable evidential sources as randomizing and the restriction to comparing full independence to full dependence. It is shown that the variety-of-evidence thesis is rehabilitated when unreliable sources are reconceptualized as systematically biased. However, it turns out that allowing for degrees of independence leads to a qualification of the variety-of-evidence thesis: as Bovens and Hartmann claimed, more independence does not always imply stronger confirmation.
Preliminary Data on the Nanoscale Chemical Characterization of the Inter-Crystalline Organic Matrix of a Calcium Carbonate Biomineral

Chemical signatures of carbonate biominerals are important for understanding biomineral formation, and are a subject of great interest in geosciences for applications in paleoclimatology and paleoceanography. A prominent unknown factor is the chemistry of organic matrices, in particular that of the inter-crystalline fraction. Here, we use atom probe tomography (APT) for the nanoscale chemical characterization of the mineral-organic interface in calcite from mussel shells. Our findings indicate that the quality of APT bulk chemistry results is highly dependent on sample preparation, yet data on biogenic calcite could be geochemically interpreted with confidence. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of calcite tip specimens show the presence of organic matrix domains, characterized by the depletion of cations but enrichment in oxygen and carbon, and with at least 1% atomic increase in 16O relative to the surrounding mineral phase. This is the first relative, in-situ quantification of the chemical composition of the inter-crystalline organic matrix (IOM) for a carbonate biomineral, with implications for a better understanding of vital effects, proxy calibration, and the formation of these biocarbonates. Overall, our findings demonstrate the potential of nanoscale characterization of biominerals and their abiogenic counterparts to further advance our understanding of their chemistry.