Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Emergence of For-Profit Higher Education Institutions

This paper examines the market conditions that facilitate the entry of for-profit institutions into the higher education market. I show how, despite significant government financial support for public institutions, for-profit institutions may still find it profitable to enter the market. They do so by spending large amounts of money on advertising campaigns in order to attract students who are relatively more influenced by the persuasive effect of advertising. I show that entry is more likely the more government subsidies are targeted directly toward students, as opposed to institutions. Even if it decreases social welfare, the introduction of market conditions that are friendly to for-profit universities will allow a government to fulfill its objective of increasing participation in the higher education system.
Photocatalytic oxidation of trichloroethylene in water using a porous ball of nano-ZnO and nanoclay composite

The presence of nondegradable organic compounds and xenobiotic chemicals in water is a great concern for the general public because of their polar properties and toxicity. For instance, trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widely used solvent in the chemical industry, and it is also a contaminant of soil, surface water, and groundwater. Recent studies on new treatment technologies have shown that photocatalyst-based advanced oxidation processes are appropriate for removing these polar and toxic compounds from water. The objective of this study was to remove TCE from water using novel nano-ZnO-laponite porous balls prepared from photocatalyst ZnO with nanoscale laponite. These nano-ZnO-laponite porous balls have a porosity of approximately 20%. A lower initial concentration of TCE resulted in high removal efficiency. Moreover, the removal efficiency increased with increasing pH in the photocatalytic degradation experiments employing UVC light with nano-ZnO-laponite. The optimal dosage of nano-ZnO-laponite was 30 g and the use of UVC light resulted in a higher removal efficiency than that achieved with UVA light. In addition, the removal efficiency of TCE significantly increased with increasing light intensity. We think that TCE's removal in water by using porous ball of nano-ZnO and nanoclay composite is a result of degradation from hydroxide by photons of nano-ZnO and physical absorption in nanoclay.
Capital Budgeting Management Practices in Japan : A Focus on the Use of Capital Budgeting Methods

porate decision-making. Data from numerous previous studies show that managers prefer the simple payback period method (non-discounted payback model) over the net present value method (discounted cash flow model), which academics consider as superior. In particular, almost all investigative research in Japan has shown that the managers of Japanese firms tend to prefer a non-discounted cash flow model, such as a simple payback period method. This interesting gap between business practice and academic theory has long been a puzzle to the academic community. From October, 2008, to January, 2009, I conducted a survey in the form of a questionnaire sent to 225 people in charge of capital budgeting at firms listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with a focus on capital budgeting practices. This paper presents the results of the questionnaire survey and evaluates the capital budgeting practices in Japanese firms. The results show that Japanese firms manage their decision-making by a combination of payback period method and net present value method. While most financial managers utilize multiple tools in the capital budgeting process, these results reflect a better alignment of views between academia and business.
Managerial Incentives Behind Fixed Asset Revaluations: Evidence from New Zealand Firms

This study investigates the underlying management incentives of the upward fixed asset revaluation behaviour of New Zealand listed companies over the period 1999 to 2003. Prior research conducted in Australia (e.g. Whittred and Chan, 1992; Brown et al., 1992) and the U.K. (e.g. Lin and Peasnell, 2000a and 2000b) provided empirical evidence that upward fixed asset revaluation decisions were used to reduce contracting costs, political costs and information asymmetry. This study provides evidence to support the findings of earlier research with regard to the political costs only. That is, larger firms are found to be more likely to revalue their assets in order to mitigate political costs. In addition, this study finds that most revaluation activities of New Zealand companies were conducted regularly by independent valuers. It also finds that some companies choose to disclose current values of fixed assets in notes to their accounts rather than recognising them in their financial statements. It is argued that a perceived benefit of disclosing rather than recognising these current values is a more conservative and, therefore, more credible balance sheet (Cotter, 1999).
Effect of n-Butanol Blending with a Blend of Diesel and Biodiesel on Performance and Exhaust Emissions of a Diesel Engine

Experimental work was conducted to evaluate the effect of using n-butanol (normal butanol) in conventional diesel fuel–biodiesel blends on the engine performance and exhaust emissions of a single cylinder direct injection compression ignition engine with the engine working at a constant engine speed and at different three engine loads. A blend of biodiesel and diesel fuel known as B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% diesel in volume) was prepared, and then n-butanol was added to B20 at a volume percent of 10% and 20% (denoted as B20Bu10 and B20Bu20, respectively). Fuel consumption; regulated exhaust emissions such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and total unburned hydrocarbons; and smoke opacity were measured. The brake specific fuel consumption of fuel blends was found to be higher when compared to that of conventional diesel fuel. On the other hand, the addition of n-butanol to the B20 fuel blend caused a slight increase in the brake specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency in comparison to th.
Contribution of Farmer-to-Farmer Video to Capital Assets Building: Evidence from Bangladesh

Sustainable agriculture requires suitable group learning approaches that trigger capital assets building. Drawing mainly on face-to-face extension, methods and approaches used in sustainable agricultural projects aim at triggering learning and capital assets building. To target and to reach out to a large number of resource-poor households the potential role of media, such as video, has received less attention. In Bangladesh, videos on sustainable rice seed practices were developed with farmers and then shown in multiple villages. This study reports on the contribution of farmer-to-farmer video-mediated group learning to capital assets building of women in resource-poor households. Data were collected using structured interviews with 140 randomly selected women in 28 video villages and 40 women in four control villages in north-west Bangladesh. Video-mediated group learning enhanced women's ability to apply and experiment with seed technologies. It also stimulated reciprocal sharing of new knowledge and skills between them, other farmers and service providers. Rice yields increased by 15%, which improved the women's social and economic status and intra-household decision-making. Over 20% of the households attained rice self-sufficiency, with no changes observed in control villages. This study has provided insights into the potential use of farmer-to-farmer video in sustainable agriculture to strengthen human, social and financial capital and to reduce poverty.
Evaluation of complementary foods from blends of roasted rice and soybean flours

Objective: The study was carried out to evaluate the chemical and functional properties of complementary food produced from blends of rice and soybean flours. Methods: Rice and soybean grains were cleaned, de-hulled, roasted, winnowed and milled. The flours were used to formulated 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 rice:soybean complementary food. The various blends of the rice:soybean complementary food were analysed for their proximate composition, vitamin and mineral content, anti-nutrient composition and sensory properties. Results: Moisture, protein, fat, fibre, ash and carbohydrate content of the blends ranged from 6.98-7.87, 5.70-19.15, 4.83-13.76, 0.41-1.39, 0.77-5.52 and 50.09-83.45% respectively. Mineral and vitamin contents of the rice-soybean complementary food blends ranged from 0.88-2.82 mg/100 g for Zn, 1.93-4.15 mg/100 g for Fe, 5.94-12.78 mg/100 g for Ca, 0.35-0.96 mg/100 g for vitamin B 1 and 0.49-0.81 mg/100 g for vitamin B 2 . Bulk density, water absorption capacity and swelling capacity of the samples ranged from 0.83-0.89 g/cm 3 , 147.75-207.40% and 4.0-6.9 g/g respectively. Protein, fat, ash, mineral and vitamin contents of the rice-soybean complementary food blends showed an increase with increase in soybean addition. Anti-nutrient composition of the complementary food blends showed oxalate, phytate, haemagglutinin and tannin to be within safe levels. Conclusion: Blending of rice with soybean in various ratios for production of complementary food, affected the chemical, functional and sensory properties of the blends. Roasting of the grains before milling were instrumental in reducing the various anti-nutrients that are associated with rice and soybean to a minimum no- risk level.
The Moderating Effects of Independent Directors ’ Human Capital on the Relationship between Related Party Transactions and Firm Performance : Evidence from Malaysia ( Kesan Pemoderat Modal

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of related party transactions (RPTs) on firm performance and whether this effect is moderated by independent directors’ (INEDs) presence and their human capital (i.e. functional and firmspecific knowledge). Based on a sample of 300 non-financial firms listed on Bursa Malaysia for 2013, this study found that RPTs in general, have a positive effect on firm performance and this effect varies according to the parties involved in RPTs. Specifically, this study found that firm performance is higher for RPTs involving subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures. The findings support the efficient transactions hypothesis that RPTs can create value to the firm. INEDs’ presence and INEDs’ functional and firm-specific knowledge are found not to have any moderating effects on the RPTsfirm performance relationship. Therefore, the agency, resource dependence and human capital theories that stress on the importance of INEDs as corporate monitor and advisor are not supported. This study, perhaps the first, explains the interaction effects of INEDs’ functional and firm-specific knowledge on RPTs-firm performance relationship.
Optimal foraging and information gathering: how should animals invest in repeated foraging bouts within the same patch?

Questions: How much should animals invest in information gathering when they have no prior information about the present state of the foraging patch, and does the ability to use information have an effect on the size of the investment? Mathematical method: Optimization of the size of investment when animals use the same foraging patch repeatedly. Key assumptions: Animals determine the size of their foraging investment before each foraging bout. They make a first investment without having any prior information. They then use information gained from the experience of the first bout to estimate patch profitability. (The larger the investment during the first bout, the more accurate the estimate.) Predictions: When patch profitability can be correctly estimated irrespective of the size of investment, animals should invest as if they were at a patch of average profitability. If larger investments do produce more accurate estimates, animals should make a greater investment than that for average profitability in the environment. The more likely it is that information proves to be invalid, the smaller the optimal investment in gaining that information. Therefore, it is expected that the species that relocates its foraging patch frequently makes a relatively smaller investment in its first foraging bout, whereas the species that exhibits strong patch tenacity makes a relatively greater investment in its first bout. Animals should pay the cost of the non-maximized gain for information that will help them to estimate foraging patch profitability more accurately and to enhance their future foraging.
Environmental Sustainability: Assessing the Impact of Air Pollutants Due to Gas Flaring - Qua Iboe Estuary Case

This study presents physicochemical characteristics (NO3-, SO42-, CO32-, suspended particulate matter, CO and pH) in air from Qua Iboe Estuary investigated as a result of the gas flare site located in Mkpanak, Ibeno in coastal area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Air and rainwater samples were collected during the dry and wet seasons in (2011-2012) and analyzed for the above physicochemical species using standard methods. Mean and standard deviation were used to assess the impact of these species in the region. Results obtained revealed that the mean concentrations of NO3- (44.77mg/m3 and 19.95 mg/m3) and SO42- (7.54 mg/m3 and 4.53 mg/m3) in dry and wet seasons were very low and were within the safety limits, suggesting minimal or no adverse effects on the environment. However, the mean concentrations of CO32-(2777.46 mg/m3 and 2859.69 mg/m3, CO(60.29 mg/m3 and 32.65 mg/m3) and pH (5.98 and 6.68) in dry and wet seasons respectively, were higher than the acceptable ambient air limits specified by the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigeria. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that within the studied region, the activity of constant gas flaring is one of the major sources of high concentration of these physicochemical species, with significant implications for the sustainability of the environment and life forms in this area. Recommendations are made to address these issues as best practices are presented.
Impact of Boards Gender Diversity on Firms Profitability: Evidence from Banking Sector of Pakistan

Gender diversity within senior management teams has become an increasingly topical issue. Good corporate decision-making requires diversity of thoughts, which comes from diverse people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Women hold just a small number of corporate board seats. The importance of gender diversification in the context of Pakistan is at its initial stage. Therefore this paper attempts to find out the relationship between the Board’s gender diversity and the firm’s performance particularly in the banking sector of Pakistan. Firm’s performance is measured by Return on Assets (ROA). Our sample size comprises of 6 banks and panel studies are conducted for the period from 2008 till 2012. Analysis is done through descriptive statistics, Correlation and Regression Analysis. Findings of the research show that number of women on board has a significant impact on firm’s performance while percentage of women on board and presence of female CEO has no significant impact on firm’s performance. Keywords - Corporate Governance, Gender Diversity, Women on Board Number, Women on Board percentage, Female CEO, Firm’s performance.
Transferring from the poor to the rich: Examining regressive redistribution in Chinese social insurance programmes

Liu J., Liu K. , Huang Y. Transferring from the poor to the rich: Examining regressive redistribution in Chinese social insurance programmes Social insurance promotes progressive redistribution through risk pooling and cross-subsidy. However, in China, risks and protection are mismatched, with benefits and protection accruing to the privileged while high-risk groups are inadequately protected. This article reports on a study of the sources of regressive redistribution in Chinese pension, health and unemployment insurance programmes, and discusses the possible cause of this redistribution paradox. It argues that the government has adopted different strategies for welfare reform towards different socioeconomic groups. For the core groups, such as public employees, reform has been characterised by replacing old programmes with new (i.e., a replacement strategy). For marginal groups, the government has handed off its responsibilities to individuals and the market (a retrenchment strategy). This political pecking order of welfare reform is the cause of distorted distributional outcomes. As social policy programmes continue to spread in developing countries, China’s case illustrates that they may reinforce existing disparities rather than realise progressive redistribution, risk management and social inclusion.
Decomposition of Measure for Marginal Homogeneity in Square Contingency Tables with Ordered Categories

For the analysis of square contingency tables with ordered categories, Tomizawa et al. (2003) considered a measure to represent the degree of departure from marginal homogeneity (MH). Tomizawa (1993) considered an extended marginal homogeneity (EMH) model. This paper (i) proposes a measure to represent the degree of departure from EMH, (ii) proposes a measure from equality of marginal means (E), and (iii) gives a theorem that the value of measure for MH is equal to the sum of the value of measure for EMH and that for E.
An Empirical Test of the Propositions by Gray and Tannen Relating to Gender Communication in Malaysia

Purpose: This research tests the propositions relating to gender communication by Gray (1992, 2002) in his two books titled “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” and “Mars and Venus in the Workplace” and a third book written by Tannen (1990) “You just don’t understand: Women and Men in Conversation. ” These three books have been the source of gender-related controversy since their publication. Design/methodology/approach: The questionnaire was divided into three parts and contained statements or views of the authors of each of the three books. The sample was selected by stratified random sampling and consisted of 182 executives and non-executives (73 males and 109 females) in the post office organisation in Malaysia. Findings: T-test results show that out of 23 statements made by Gray (1992), only 8 were supported, 10 were not supported, and 5 were actually true for the opposite gender. 6 out of 10 pairs of statements derived from Gray (2002) were supported, and 4 were not supported. Research, practical and social implications: Results from this sample suggest that men are more likely than women to agree with Gray (2002). Results also showed very weak support for Tannen’s (1990) research. Interestingly, the results from this sample suggest that men have a greater tendency to gender-stereotype other men and women. Originality/Value: This is the first research in Malaysia, to test propositions relating to gender communication, from the three books. The two books by Gray are found in most big bookstores in Malaysia, and the third book is less easily available. However, results suggest that most of the principles in all the three books, which were written as a guide to gender communication, are in fact, not applicable to this sample in Malaysia.
METACOMMUNITY STRUCTURE: SYNERGY OF BIOTIC INTERACTIONS AS SELECTIVE AGENTS AND DISPERSAL AS FUEL

The relative importance of regional and local processes in determining com- munity structure is a long-standing problem in community ecology. This is especially problematic in communities from highly connected habitats, which undergo two opposing forces: differences in environmental conditions of the habitats lead to divergence of the communities, while the dispersal of individuals leads to convergence of the communities. Using a transplant experiment, we experimentally showed that biotic interactions have a predictable, deterministic impact on zooplankton community structure in a metacommunity of highly interconnected shallow ponds. Fish predation and presence of abundant macro- phyte cover rapidly structured regional communities of zooplankton, both in terms of relative abundances and of cladoceran species richness. Moreover, we could use the relations between the experimentally manipulated environmental conditions and the observed ex- perimental communities to successfully classify the contrasting local communities found in the original neighboring ponds, thus directly relating the experimental results to the actual field situation. Notwithstanding the observed strong impact of local biotic conditions, we also showed that dispersal had an influence on community structure and species richness. Dispersal increased species richness of cladocerans by three species and influenced zoo- plankton community structure. Moreover, dispersal actually made the response to local conditions more deterministic.
Dimensions in Expressed Music Mood

Mood is an important aspect of music and knowledge on mood can be used as a basic ingredient in music recommender and retrieval systems.A music experiment was carried out establishing ratings for variousmoods and a number of attributes like valence and arousal. The analysis of these data is presented in this paper covering the issues ofthe number of basic dimensions in music mood, their relation to valence and arousal, the distribution of moods in the valence-arousal plane, distinctiveness of the labels, and appropriate (number of) labels for full coverage of the plane. It is also shown that subject-averaged valence and arousal ratings can be predicted from music features by a linear model.
A Field Method for Determining the Firmness of Colonized Sediment Substrates

ABSTRACT Substrate firmness influences the erodibility, remobilization, and topographic expression of that substrate. Sediment distribution patterns, remobilization of sediment, and the architecture of biogenic sedimentary structures are strongly affected by the firmness and cohesiveness of the sediment. Given the potentially important role sediment firmness plays in different depositional settings it is important to have a consistent means of evaluating it. This paper demonstrates that a modified metallurgical technique, the Brinell hardness test, can be used to produce accurate and consistent firmness data in modern depositional settings. In this method a glass or metal sphere (the indentor) is dropped from a fixed height into a cohesive medium; the size of the indent produced is inversely proportional to the firmness of the media. Firmness values can be reported as a pressure exerted by the substrate (kPa). This method has some advantages over standard penetrometers, such as: ease of use, portability and simplicity of equipment, testing a large area, and flexibility of calculation. Field tests show that this method is accurate if the indentation diameter is between 10% and 80% of the indentor diameter. The method is inappropriate for dry, unconsolidated sand and thixotropic mud. It is, however, extremely useful for assessing the firmness of a wide range of soft to firmground sediments that are composed of clay through coarse sand.