Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Business Ethics, Cost of Capital, and Valuation

The study examines company business ethics as one of the important factors of corporate valuation. It looks into the causal relations between the level of a company’s ethical commitment and risk measures, and their association with the cost of equity capital. The link between business ethics and firm value is examined by investigating (1) the degree of companies’ ethical commitment, (2) implied costs of capital, and (3) valuation of companies listed on the Korean stock market. To measure the level of companies’ ethical behavior, the study introduces the Ethical Commitment Index. The results of the paper prove the existence of a significant negative association between the level of commitment to business ethics and the implied cost of equity capital (COC), which supports the idea that ethical commitment increases firm valuation through lowered COC.
Strain‐specific regulation of intracellular Wolbachia density in multiply infected insects

Vertically transmitted symbionts suffer a severe reduction in numbers when they pass through host generations, resulting in genetic homogeneity or even clonality of their populations. Wolbachia endosymbionts that induce cytoplasmic incompatibility in their hosts depart from this rule, because cytoplasmic incompatibility actively maintains multiple infection within hosts. Hosts and symbionts are thus probably under peculiar selective pressures that must shape the way intracellular bacterial populations are regulated. We studied the density and location of Wolbachia within adult Leptopilina heterotoma, a haplodiploid wasp that is parasitic on Drosophila and that is naturally infected with three Wolbachia strains, but for which we also obtained one simply infected and two doubly infected lines. Comparison of these four lines by quantitative polymerase chain reaction using a real‐time detection system showed that total Wolbachia density varies according to the infection status of individuals, while the specific density of each Wolbachia strain remains constant regardless of the presence of other strains. This suggests that Wolbachia strains do not compete with one another within the same host individual, and that a strain‐specific regulatory mechanism is operating. We discuss the regulatory mechanisms that are involved, and how this process might have evolved as a response to selective pressures acting on both partners.
An On-Chip CDMA Communication Network

An on-chip packet-switched communication network which applies code-division multiple access (CDMA) technique has been developed and implemented in register-transfer level (RTL) using VHDL. In order to support globally-asynchronous locally-synchronous (GALS) communication scheme, the proposed CDMA on-chip network combines both synchronous and asynchronous circuits together. In a packet-switched network-on-chip (NoC) which applies point-to-point connection scheme, the data transfer latency varies largely if the packets are transferred to different destinations or to a same destination through different routes in the network. The proposed CDMA NoC can make the data transfer latency become a constant value by multiplexing the data transfers in code domain instead of in time domain. Therefore, the data transfer latency can be guaranteed in the proposed CDMA network by avoiding communication media sharing in time domain.
Critical success factors for an outsourcing strategy in a multi-campus university setting: A case of University for Development Studies, Ghana

The objective of the research is to explore why some Higher Educational Institutions fail to get the benefits of outsourcing. The research aimed to achieve this by first establishing the critical success factors for outsourcing in a University and then discovering how well universities implement these factors. Respondents from the University for Development Studies, Wa campus were requested to rank on a Likert Scale the importance of and their performance on these critical factors. The importance and performance on these factors were ranked based on the means and standard deviations of their responses. Findings include a list of the most critical success factors for outsourcing in the University for Development Studies (UDS), Wa Campus. It was also discovered that the amount of effort going into these factors was disproportional to the level of importance of the factors. Only 25% of the respondents said outsourcing was a success. A framework was recommended to be used by the university to improve their outsourcing.
A statistical model of the natural history of cervical carcinoma based on a prospective study of 557 cases.

The authors statistical model for the natural history of cervical dysplasia was developed through an investigation of smears obtained by aspiration from the external cervical os from 557 patients at the Medical College of Virginia in Charlottesville and the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. No patient was admitted to the study without 3 abnormal smears. Follow-up was 1-4 months after admission diagnosis. Smears were classified according to a modification of the system presented by McKay et al. and Okagaki et al. The model assumes based on the data that a dysplastic lesion rarely spontaneously reverts to normal. The model further assumes that the probability of a lesion transiting from 1 stage to another is constant over time and that the behavior of a lesion during some time interval is independent of its behavior during a previous state. Transit (from 1 smear class to another) probabilities and rates (predicted mean times in months spent in each smear class having started in the given admission class before transit to the next higher smear class) are calculated. Thus the model seeks to provide predictive power to the physician presented with an abnormal smear. The predictions were consistent with the observed data and also with various studies of cervical dysplasia carcinoma in situ and invasive cervical carcinoma. The change from 1 stage in the natural history to another can be thought of as a process that is a function of 1) the probability of transition and 2) the induction time between the initiation of a stage and its ascertainment or transition to the next stage.
Roles of the cytoskeleton in regulating EphA2 signals

The lateral organizations of receptors in the cell membrane display a tremendous amount of complexity. In some cases, receptor functions can be attributed to specific spatial arrangements in the plasma membrane. We recently found that one member of the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), EphA2, is organized over micrometer length scales by the cell’s own cytoskeleton, and that this can regulate receptor signaling functions. Spatial organization of the receptor was found to be highly associated with invasive character, and mechanical disruption of receptor organization altered key down-stream events in the EphA2 signaling pathway. In this Addendum article, we put forth possible models for why EphA2 and other receptors may employ mechanical and spatial inputs mediated by the cytoskeleton. We speculate that this class of input may be common, and contributes to the intricacies of cellular signaling.
Etude mathematique et numerique de stabilite pour des modeles hydrodynamiques avec transition de phase

On etudie dans ce memoire le probleme de riemann pour le systeme de l'hydrodynamique muni d'une equation d'etat generale modelisant un materiau reel. Par equation d'etat generale, nous entendons que celle-ci satisfait des hypotheses peu restrictives, imposees seulement par des principes de la thermodynamique (proprietes de convexite, proprietes asymptotiques). Ce memoire est compose de trois parties. Dans la premiere on se place dans le cadre de la theorie standard, ou les isentropes sont supposees convexes dans le plan volume specifique-pression. Nous rappelons des resultats d'existence et d'unicite de la solution du probleme de riemann et portons une attention particuliere aux problemes de stabilite des chocs vis-a-vis des petites perturbations multidimensionnelles. Une methode numerique adaptee a l'etude de ces problemes est developpee. Dans la seconde partie, nous voyons comment sont affectes ces resultats lorsque l'on sort du cadre de cette theorie, ce qui est typiquement le cas en presence de transitions de phase. Nous montrons en particulier que pour certaines donnees initiales, le probleme de riemann admet une famille continue de solutions entropiques - que l'on retrouve numeriquement. La question de la stabilite de ces solutions est alors abordee (critere de lax, critere de viscosite, perturbations multidimensionnelles) des points de vue theorique et numerique. Dans la troisieme partie, nous validons le code de perturbations lineaires developpe dans la premiere partie sur deux problemes : l'etude de la stabilite des fronts de detonation et l'etude de l'instabilite de richtmyer-meshkov.
The TP53 Dependence of Radiation-Induced Chromosome Instability in Human Lymphoblastoid Cells

Abstract Schwartz, J. L. , Jordan, R. , Evans, H. H. , Lenarczyk, M. and Liber, H. The TP53 Dependence of Radiation-Induced Chromosome Instability in Human Lymphoblastoid Cells. Radiat. Res. 159, 730–736 (2003). The dose and TP53 dependence for the induction of chromosome instability were examined in cells of three human lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from WIL2 cells: TK6, a TP53-normal cell line, NH32, a TP53-knockout created from TK6, and WTK1, a WIL2-derived cell line that spontaneously developed a TP53 mutation. Cells of each cell line were exposed to 137Cs γ rays, and then surviving clones were isolated and expanded in culture for approximately 35 generations before the frequency and characteristics of the instability were analyzed. The presence of dicentric chromosomes, formed by end-to-end fusions, served as a marker of chromosomal instability. Unexposed TK6 cells had low levels of chromosomal instability (0.002 ± 0.001 dicentrics/cell). Exposure of TK6 cells to doses as low as 5 cGy γ rays increased chromosome instability levels nearly 10-fold to 0.019 ± 0.008 dicentrics/cell. There was no further increase in instability levels beyond 5 cGy. In contrast to TK6 cells, unexposed cultures of WTK1 and NH32 cells had much higher levels of chromosome instability of 0.034 ± 0.007 and 0.041 ± 0.009, respectively, but showed little if any effect of radiation on levels of chromosome instability. The results suggest that radiation exposure alters the normal TP53-dependent cell cycle checkpoint controls that recognize alterations in telomere structure and activate apoptosis.
Variable structure model reference adaptive control of unknown switched linear systems with relative degree greater than one

In this paper, we consider the model reference adaptive control (MRAC) problem of switched linear systems in which the parameters and switching time instants are all unknown. We apply the output feedback variable structure (VS) based adaptive controller to switched linear systems with general relative degrees and show error convergence and signal boundedness properties by multiple Lyapunov functions. Specifically, a sufficient condition on the switching signal is obtained to ensure stability and error convergence of the system. Incidentally, the robustness and performance of VS adaptive controllers of the systems with jump parameters, which are only seen by simulations in existing literatures, are shown by thorough theoretical analysis. Simulation results are provided to validate the analysis.
Stereotyping Based on Voice in the Presence of Individuating Information: Vocal Femininity Affects Perceived Competence but Not Warmth

In two experiments the authors examined the effect of vocal cues on warmth and competence judgments when other competing information was concurrently available. In Experiment 1, using male and female speakers posing as job applicants, the authors investigated how applicants' vocal cues and résumé information impacted judgments of competence and warmth. Results showed competence was solely affected by vocal femininity—applicants with masculine voices were rated as more competent than applicants with feminine voices, regardless of applicant gender or résumé information. Warmth was predominantly affected by résumés—applicants with feminine résumés were rated as warmer than applicants with masculine résumés. In Experiment 2, the potent effect of vocal femininity on competence was replicated even under conditions where the competing background information was directly diagnostic of warmth and competence. Furthermore, the authors found that the impact of vocal femininity on competence was largely due to the overlap between perceptions of vocal femininity and babyishness.
ANALISIS PENGARUH CAR, FDR, NPF, BOPO, DAN SIZE TERHADAP PROFITABILITAS PADA BANK UMUM SYARIAH DI INDONESIA (Studi Kasus Pada Bank Umum Syariah di Indonesia Periode 2011-2014)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), Financing to Deposit Ratio (FDR), Non Performing Financing (NPF), Operating Expenses to Operating Income (BOPO), and Size toward Profitability in Islamic Banks in Indonesia wich were proxied Return on Assets (ROA). The sampling technique used in this study is purposive sampling technique with the criteria of Islamic Banks who publish quarterly financial reports periodically during 2011-2014. The data used in this study was obtained from quarterly financial reports on the website of Islamic Banks with a sample of five Islamic Banks. Methods of data analysis in this study with Multiple Regression Analysis, which previously performed classical assumption test. Hypothesis testing using F-statistic test, t-statistical test and the determination of coefficients Adjusted with a significance level of 5%. The results of the study are the independent variables simultaneously (F test) effect on ROA with a significance level of 0.000. While partially (t test) showed that the variable CAR has negative significant effect on ROA. FDR and NPF variables has no significant effect on ROA. While BOPO and Size has significant negative effect on ROA. Adjusted is 0.767 which means that the ability of the five independent variables can explain ROA amounted to 76.6%, while the rest is explained by other factors.
Demand for Micro Life Insurance in Sri Lanka: Impact of Social Capital and Religion

Micro-life insurance provides protection against small premiums to low-income people in developing countries. Demand, however, is very moderate. The aim of this empirical work is to explain, how social capital and religion affect life insurance demand in developing countries using the example of Sri Lanka. Social networks allow for access to information, money, or innovation in an environment where infrastructure is not well functioning or less developed. Thus, social networks shape both, the consumption and the risk management behavior of individuals. In addition, cross-country studies show that the religion of Islam has a negative impact on life insurance consumption. This research follows a mixed-method research approach to study the role of social capital and religion on micro life insurance demand. The qualitative focus group discussions and the quantitative household surveys were conducted in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka in 2013. This work identifies three mechanisms through which social capital influences the demand for micro-life insurance: imitation, information exchange, informal risk sharing. People buy a micro-life insurance if they know an insured person. Informal risk management practices crowd-out formal micro-life insurance and the exchange between friends, family members or neighbors can reduce consumption if prior negative experiences weaken the confidence in the insurance promise. Regarding religion, the qualitative study shows that Muslims are reluctant to buy conventional insurance as they perceived it as a financial product contradicting with their religion. This study confirms that the financial situation contributes significantly to the purchase decision. It further found, that people are motivated to sign-up for micro life insurance by the perception to support other people in need with their purchase.
GC-MS ANALYSIS, ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OIL OF PINUS ROXBURGHII FROM KASHMIR, INDIA

This work was carried out to evaluate chemical composition, antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer activity of Pinus roxburghii essential oil. The oil was extracted by hydro-distillation which was analysed through GC-MS. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion method and antioxidant activity was evaluated through DPPH assay while as anticancer activity was evaluated through MTT method. Alpha-pinene and beta-pinene were the major constituents present in the oil. This oil showed significant antibacterial and anticancer activity.
Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the 5' and 3' ends of the osteopontin gene contribute to susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To test the association of osteopontin (OPN) polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS The coding 5' and 3' flanking regions of the OPN gene were scanned for polymorphisms by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography. A case-control association study was performed in 394 Italian SLE patients and 479 matched controls. OPN serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 40 patients and 124 controls, and the mean levels were compared between the different OPN genotypes. RESULTS Among the 13 detected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), alleles -156G (frequency 0.714 versus 0.651; P = 0.006, corrected P [P(corr)] = 0.036) and +1239C (0.377 versus 0.297; P = 0.00094, P(corr) = 0.0056) were significantly increased in the SLE patients compared with the controls. The presence of the associated allele in single or double dose conferred an odds ratio (OR) of 2.35 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.38-4.02) for SNP -156 and an OR of 1.57 (95% CI 1.16-2.13) for SNP +1239. These effects were independent of each other, i.e., not a consequence of linkage disequilibrium between the 2 alleles. The risk associated with a double dose of susceptibility alleles at both SNPs was 3.8-fold higher (95% CI 2.0-7.4) relative to the complete absence of susceptibility alleles. With regard to individual clinical and immunologic features, a significant association was seen between lymphadenopathy and -156 genotypes (overall P = 0.0011, P(corr) = 0.046). A significantly increased OPN serum level was detected in healthy individuals carrying +1239C (P = 0.002), which is indicative of an association between the SLE susceptibility allele and OPN levels. CONCLUSION These data suggest the independent effect of a promoter (-156) and a 3'-untranslated region (+1239) SNP in SLE susceptibility. We can speculate that these sequence variants (or others in perfect linkage disequilibrium) create a predisposition to high production of OPN, and that this in turn may confer susceptibility to SLE.
Reducing the Racial Achievement Gap: A Social-Psychological Intervention

Two randomized field experiments tested a social-psychological intervention designed to improve minority student performance and increase our understanding of how psychological threat mediates performance in chronically evaluative real-world environments. We expected that the risk of confirming a negative stereotype aimed at one's group could undermine academic performance in minority students by elevating their level of psychological threat. We tested whether such psychological threat could be lessened by having students reaffirm their sense of personal adequacy or “self-integrity. ” The intervention, a brief in-class writing assignment, significantly improved the grades of African American students and reduced the racial achievement gap by 40%. These results suggest that the racial achievement gap, a major social concern in the United States, could be ameliorated by the use of timely and targeted social-psychological interventions.
PENGARUH PROFITABILITAS TERHADAP NILAI PERUSAHAAN MELALUI KEBIJAKAN DIVIDEN SEBAGAI VARIABEL INTERVENING (Studi pada Perusahaan Manufaktur yang Terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia Periode 2012-2016)

This study aims to determine the effect of profitability on firm value through dividend policy as intervening variable. The population in this study were 133 manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2012-2016. The data used in this study is secondary data in the form of Corporate Financial Statements that have been published through the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The total sample that meets the criteria in this research is 17 manufacturing companies. The results showed that partially profitability has a positive and significant influence on firm value. Profitability has a positive and significant influence on dividend policy. Furthermore, dividend policy also has a positive and significant impact on company value. In stimulant, profitability variable and dividend policy have significant effect to firm value. Based on the sobel test, it is known that the dividend policy variable as the intervening variable can mediate the relationship between profitability variable and firm value.
Kyphosis recurrence after posterior short-segment fixation in thoracolumbar burst fractures.

OBJECT Recurrent kyphosis has been commonly seen after posterior short-segment pedicle instrumentation for a thoracolumbar fracture, but studies on this issue are relatively scarce, and the clinical significance of recurrent deformity is uncertain. No study has addressed the associations between the reduction of a burst fracture vertebra and the final recurrent kyphosis after implant removal. The aim of this study was to investigate the recurrent kyphosis after short-segment pedicle screw fixation in thoracolumbar burst fractures and to evaluate the effect of the degree of a vertebral reduction on the recurrent kyphotic deformity after implant removal. METHODS Twenty-seven patients who had undergone posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar junction burst fractures (T12-L2) were investigated retrospectively. The minimum follow-up period was 2 years (mean 2.7 years). Pain status was evaluated using the Denis pain scale. Changes in the anterior vertebral height ratio, vertebral wedge angle, upper intervertebral angle, lower intervertebral angle, Cobb angle, regional angle, and sagittal index were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, before implant removal, and at final follow-up. The correlation between the reduction of a fractured vertebra and the recurrent kyphotic deformity was also analyzed. RESULTS After the initial surgical correction, the reduced vertebral body (VB) height (anterior vertebral height ratio and vertebral wedge angle) remained stable until final follow-up, whereas the intervertebral disc space (the upper and lower intervertebral angles) collapsed, resulting in a progressive kyphotic deformity (Cobb angle, regional angle, and sagittal index). No significant correlation was found between the final kyphosis and pain scale, but the 8 patients with a sagittal index > 15 degrees showed a higher incidence of moderate to severe pain (P3-5 on the Denis pain scale) compared with the remaining 19 patients with a sagittal index < 15 degrees . Significant positive correlation was found between recurrent kyphosis and vertebral wedge angle (r = 0.850, p < 0.001) and the reduced vertebral height (r = -0.727, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Given that the correction loss occurs primarily through disc space collapse, the amount of the final kyphotic deformity was predictable by the degree of the fractured vertebral reduction as seen on the lateral x-ray study. Surgeons who perform posterior reduction and fixation procedures should pay more attention to reducing the fractured vertebral wedge angle to its intact condition, rather than the segmental angular parameters. If the wedge angle of the fractured VB is unacceptable after reduction, additional reconstruction of the anterior column may be necessary.