Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Business success and psychological traits of housing developers

Although the issues on entrepreneurship in the real estate industry are disparaging and have received little interest from global researchers, the significant roles played by the industry players warrant further investigation. The personal traits of the owners/managers are deemed to be the key factors to the business success of housing development firms. This paper examined the main determinants of successful business in the housing development sector under the lens of psychological traits of the owners/managers. To identify the success factors of housing development firms, interviews were conducted on 10 housing developers in Peninsular Malaysia. The study shows the significant psychological traits that distinguish the business success of housing developers compared with those in the existing literature. These factors are (1) high confidence and ambition, (2) vision and foresight, (3) industriousness, (4) perseverance and (5) integrity. As housing development is a risky industry, developers can use these findings as a guideline in managing their business toward superior performance.
Influence of the North Equatorial Current on the population genetic structure of Tridacna crocea (Mollusca: Tridacnidae) along the eastern Philippine seaboard

Tridacna crocea populations were sampled from 15 locations throughout the eastern Philippine seaboard and screened for allozyme variation at 7 polymorphic loci in order to examine the influence of the North Equatorial Current (NEC) bifurcation on population genetic structure. Signif- icant genetic differentiation among all populations was detected (FST = 0.065). Ordination methods and cluster analysis revealed 2 regional groups and a north-south spatial genetic structure broadly concordant with the bifurcation of the NEC into the Kuroshio and Mindanao current branches. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated greater partitioning of genetic variance among groups (FCT = 0.049) than among populations within groups (FSC = 0.029). An isolation-by-distance signal across the entire Philippine seaboard and marked geographical variation of allele frequencies between Kuroshio and Mindanao Current regions suggested that genetic differentiation is likely due to limited larval exchange and genetic drift. The Mindanao current populations are characterized by greater genetic diversity and differentiation (observed heterozygosity, HO = 0.298; FST = 0.056) than the Kuroshio populations (HO = 0.152; FST = 0.025), attributable to variable atmospheric and hydro- graphic regional conditions. Weaker connectivity among Mindanao current populations are attrib- uted to complex patterns of hydrographic circulation south of the NEC bifurcation, which may translate to greater entrainment potential, in turn influencing dispersal and recruitment of planktonic propagules at varying spatial and temporal scales. Fine-scale genetic differentiation was also detected within Kuroshio and Mindanao current populations, indicating the influence of small-scale temporal and spatial physical processes that affect larval dispersal and recruitment along the eastern Philippine seaboard.
Active Inductive Logic Programming for Code Search

Modern search techniques either cannot efficiently incorporate human feedback to refine search results or cannot express structural or semantic properties of desired code. The key insight of our interactive code search technique ALICE is that user feedback can be actively incorporated to allow users to easily express and refine search queries. We design a query language to model the structure and semantics of code as logic facts. Given a code example with user annotations, ALICE automatically extracts a logic query from code features that are tagged as important. Users can refine the search query by labeling one or more examples as desired (positive) or irrelevant (negative). ALICE then infers a new logic query that separates positive examples from negative examples via active inductive logic programming. Our comprehensive simulation experiment shows that ALICE removes a large number of false positives quickly by actively incorporating user feedback. Its search algorithm is also robust to user labeling mistakes. Our choice of leveraging both positive and negative examples and using nested program structure as an inductive bias is effective in refining search queries. Compared with an existing interactive code search technique, ALICE does not require a user to manually construct a search pattern and yet achieves comparable precision and recall with much fewer search iterations. A case study with real developers shows that ALICE is easy to use and helps express complex code patterns.
Quantitative comparisons of maternal transcripts related to cell division between good and poor quality eggs from artificially matured Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

The current method of artificial egg production in Japanese eel does not always yield good quality eggs, but the molecular basis for the decrease in egg quality remains unclear. In this study, we compared the levels of 74 maternal transcripts related to cell division among good quality eggs, developing poor quality eggs (i.e., those producing a viable morula embryo without hatching), and non-developing poor quality eggs (i.e., developmentally incompetent eggs) to determine the molecular characteristics of poor quality eggs produced by artificially matured Japanese eel. Only one transcript (lsm7) had a lower level in developing poor quality than in good quality eggs, with the others being present at similar levels between the two types of egg. The levels of 11 transcripts (e.g., cdc26, psma7) were lower in non-developing poor quality than in good quality eggs. These results suggest that insufficient or reduced levels of maternal mRNA related to cell division are associated with the loss of egg quality in artificially matured Japanese eel, and that maternal characteristics other than quantity may affect the developmental competence of poor quality eggs.
The relationship between bank efficiency and stock returns : evidence from Asia and Latin America

This paper examines the relationship between bank efficiency change and stock price returns. We first estimate the cost and profit efficiency of a sample of Asian and Latin American listed banks over the period 2000-2006 while controlling for cross-country differences such as regulations and the macroeconomic environment. We then regress the annual efficiency changes on stock returns. The results indicate a positive and robust relationship between profit efficiency changes and stock returns. However, we find no evidence that cost efficiency changes are reflected in stock returns. We also find that profit efficiency better explains bank stock returns compared to traditional accounting profits measures (ROE). Overall, we conclude that profit efficiency measures include useful information for shareholders wishing to explain bank stock returns.
Mechanical and fracture behaviors of elastomer-rich thermoplastic polyolefin/SiCp nanocomposites

Elastomer-rich thermoplastic polyolefin (ETPO) resin containing 70wt% maleated styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBSg-MA) and 30wt% polypropylene and its nanocomposites filled with 1-5wt% SiC nanoparticles (SiCp) were fabricated using extrusion and injection molding techniques. The mechanical and thermal behaviors of ETPO and its nanocomposites were investigated. Tensile measurements showed that the SiCp additions lead to reductions in both tensile stiffness and strength of ETPO. However, Izod impact and EWF measurements indicated that the impact strength and fracture toughness of ETPO improve substantially with increasing SiCp content. This demonstrated that SiC nanoparticles toughen the ETPO blend effectively. Furthermore, SiCp additions were found to improve the thermal resistance of ETPO blend considerably.
Morphological and biochemical comparison of two allopatrid populations of Hypostomus margaritifer (Regan, 1907) (Osteichthyes, Loricariidae) from the upper Paraná River basin, Brazil

Two allopatrid populations of armoured catfishes, both referred to as Hypostomus margaritifer (Regan, 1907) (Osteichthyes, Loricariidae), were collected in the Corumba reservoir (State of Goias) and in the Itaipu reservoir (State of Parana), Brazil. Differences in colour pattern, arrangement of abdominal platelets and maximum length of specimens were observed between these populations. Their taxonomic status was investigated through two different approaches: morphological and allozyme analysis. Morphometrics showed no expressive differences between these two populations and the holotype of H. margaritifer. A unique difference in allelic frequencies was observed in the sAat-A locus; nevertheless conspecificity of the two populations was confirmed by a high identity value (0.988). A complementary description of H. margaritifer is given as well as a discussion of the most important studies.
IFRS Adoption And Earnings Management In Brazilian Publicly Traded Companies

In 2007, Brazil adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Studies involving publicly traded companies in different countries around the world indicate that these new standards tend to improve the information quality and make it more comparable and transparent. This study was aimed at verifying any changes in the earnings management levels after 2010 and whether this happened in function of the full adoption of the IFRS by the Brazilian publicly traded companies (except for financial institutions). The data were extracted from the threemonthly financial statements of the databases from Economatica and the Brazilian Securities Commission for the period from 2006 till 2011. To achieve the research objectives, two tests were applied. The first showed that the average discretionary accruals, calculated through the Modified Jones Model, were lower after 2010. Next, the regression analysis was elaborated, using panel data with Newey-West’s correction. The results did not confirm the hypothesis that the adoption of the IFRS affected the earnings management level in the period under analysis, but showed that the size and indebtedness significantly explain the discretionary accruals, independently of the adoption of the IFRS. The results suggest that larger companies with a large proportion of own capital tend to produce higher quality reports, independently of the adoption of the IFRS.
Influence of organic compound functionality on aerosol hygroscopicity: dicarboxylic acids, alkyl-substituents, sugars and amino acids

Abstract. Hygroscopicity data for 36 organic compounds, including amino acids, organic acids, alcohols and sugars, are determined using a comparative kinetics electrodynamic balance (CK-EDB). The CK-EDB applies an electric field to trap-charged aqueous droplets in a chamber with controlled temperature and relative humidity (RH). The dual micro dispenser set-up allows for sequential trapping of probe and sample droplets for accurate determination of droplet water activities from 0.45 to > 0.99. Here, we validate and benchmark the CK-EDB for the homologous series of straight-chain dicarboxylic acids (oxalic–pimelic) with measurements in better agreement with Universal Quasichemical Functional Group Activity Coefficients (UNIFAC) predictions than the original data used to parametrise UNIFAC. Furthermore, a series of increasingly complex organic compounds, with subtle changes to molecular structure and branching, are used to rigorously assess the accuracy of predictions by UNIFAC, which does not explicitly account for molecular structure. We show that the changes in hygroscopicity that result from increased branching and chain length are poorly represented by UNIFAC, with UNIFAC under-predicting hygroscopicity. Similarly, amino acid hygroscopicity is under-predicted by UNIFAC predictions, a consequence of the original data used in the parametrisation of the molecular subgroups. New hygroscopicity data are also reported for a selection of alcohols and sugars and they show variable levels of agreement with predictions.
Young adults' perceptions of online service quality

This study investigates the online purchasing experiences of young adults aged between 16 and 30 in the Malaysian context. Specifically, we examine the relationship between the perceived quality of pure service online retailers (e-tailers) with the satisfaction (e-satisfaction) and loyalty (e-loyalty) of young consumers. In an online context, service quality is measured using Wolfinbarger and Gilly's (2003) eTailQ method. To test the relationships being investigated, data from a sample of 385 undergraduate and postgraduate students with high probability of online purchasing experience was collected from public and private universities located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The results of multiple regression analysis show that all dimensions of eTailQ (website design, reliability, privacy/security, and customer service) are significant predictors of e-satisfaction and e-loyalty among young adults in Malaysia. Reliability had the highest impact, while website design had the lowest impact on both e-satisfaction and e-loyalty. It may be conjectured that firms need to deliver their services accurately and promptly, as promised to customers, to treat customers' data with the utmost confidentiality, to provide excellent customer service, and to offer user-friendly and attractive web interfaces in order to increase satisfaction and loyalty among customers.
A possible correlation between the high-energy electron spectrum and the cosmic ray secondary-to-primary ratios

Recent observations of high-energy cosmic ray electrons by the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) and the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) experiments between 20 GeV and 5 TeV have found that the energy spectrum closely follows a broken power law with a break at around 1 TeV. On the other hand, measurements of cosmic ray secondary-to-primary ratios like the boron-to-carbon ratio seem to indicate a possible change in the slope at energies around 100 GeV n−1. In this paper, we discuss one possible explanation for the observed break in the electron spectrum and its possible correlation with the flattening in the secondary-to-primary ratios at higher energies. In our model, we assume that cosmic rays after acceleration by supernova remnant shock waves, escape downstream of the shock and remain confined within the remnant until the shock slows down. During this time, the high-energy electrons suffer from radiative energy losses and the cosmic ray nuclei undergo nuclear fragmentations due to their interactions with the matter. Once the cosmic rays are released from the supernova remnants, they follow diffusive propagation in the Galaxy where they further suffer from radiative or fragmentation losses.
Economic evaluation of nurse-led multifactorial care to prevent or postpone new disabilities in community-living older people: results of a cluster randomized trial

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The Dynamics of Poverty in Urban Ethiopia

The paper examines poverty in urban Ethiopia using household survey data for 1994 and 2000. Consumption poverty is found to be high, with an overall head count of 47 per cent, in 1994, and 40 per cent, in 2000. As monetary measures may not appropriately capture welfare in non-monetary dimensions of life, non-monetary indicators, such as, subjective welfare status, nutritional status of children and housing characteristics are also examined. The findings indicate that there is a significant association between consumption poverty and subjective welfare status, but a weak agreement in ranking of households. Non poor households, in terms of consumption, are found to enjoy better housing amenities. However, the association between consumption poverty and child nutritional status is not strong. Poverty dynamics is also analysed using transition matrices and multivariate regression techniques. It was found that over 58 per cent of panel households had experienced poverty at least once during the period. Of these, over half had been chronically poor. The poverty transition was also quite significant with over a quarter of households experiencing a change in their poverty status. The results also showed that households with higher dependency ratio and whose heads are self employed, casual workers, pensioners and unemployed have a lower probability of exiting poverty. Those that are educated and belong to major ethnic groups have a higher probability of exit. Similar factors are significant in affecting the probability of entry.
Structural, morphology and ionic conductivity studies on compositeP(S-MMA)-ZrO 2 Polymer electrolyte for Lithium Polymer battery

In the present study, the composite material ZrO 2 has been prepared using NH 3 and Na 2CO 3 as precipitation agents, via co-precipitation techniqu e. The as prepared ZrO 2 has been characterized using XRD, FE-SEM, FTIR analyses. The ZrO 2composites were used as filler in the parent polyme r electrolytes based on P(S-MMA)-LiClO 4by solution casting techniques. Electrical, structu ral and functional analyses of P(S-MMA) based polymer electrolytes comprising ZrO 2 were studied and the results are reported. The inc orporationZrO 2 filler greatly enhanced the ionic conductivity and other electrochemical properties of P(S-MMA) based polymer electrolytes.
The safety and efficacy of biphasic insulin aspart 30 ( BIAsp 30 ) in Iranians with type 2 diabetes : an open-label , non-randomised , multi-centre observational study — the Iran subgroup of the IMPROVE TM study

Introduction: To evaluate the clinical profile of BIAsp 30 (30% soluble insulin aspart, 70% protamine-crystallized insulin aspart) (NovoMix®30) in type 2 diabetes patients in routine clinical practice in Iran. Material and methods: IMPROVETM was a 26-week, multinational, open-label, non-randomized study in patients with type 2 diabetes. The safety and efficacy of BIAsp 30 were assessed at baseline and at 13 and 26 weeks. The titration of BIAsp30 was at the physician’s discretion. Results: In Iran, 478 patients (47% male) previously treated with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) (N = 159, 33.3%) and/or insulin other than BIAsp30 (N = 317, 66.3%) or a few who were treatment-naïve (N = 2, 0.4%) participated in the study. After 26 weeks of treatment with BIAsp 30, the rate of reported major hypoglycaemic episodes was reduced by 88.1% from baseline (baseline v. Week 26: 0.303 v. 0.037 episodes/pt-year; p < 0.001). No significant differences in minor hypoglycaemic episodes between baseline and Week 26 were found. Glycaemic control was significantly improved from baseline to Week 26 with a mean HbA1c reduction of 1.2 ± 1.9%. Patients’ quality of life as measured by the DiabMedSat questionnaire significantly improved from baseline (58.1) to the end of the study (75.4, p < 0.001). Conclusions: BIAsp 30 therapy appeared safe and effective and improved quality of life in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes after 26 weeks of treatment. (Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (4): 364–370)
Swell And Compressibility of Fiber Reinforced Expansive Soils

This paper presents an experimental study evaluating the effect of polypropylene fiber on swell and compressibility of expansive soils. The initial phase of the experimental program includes the study of the effect of polypropylene fiber on maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) with different fiber inclusions. Static and dynamic compaction tests have been conducted on an expansive soil sample with different percentages of 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% polypropylene fiber additions (by dry weight of the soil). The second phase of the experimental program focuses on the compressibility and hydraulic characteristics of the soils. The unreinforced and reinforced specimens have been prepared statically and the swell and compressibility behavior of the samples have been analyzed. Finally it is concluded that mitigation of expansive soils using polypropylene fiber might be an effective method in reducing the swell potential and compressibility of subsoils on which roads and light buildings are constructed.
MEDIUM-PRESSURE METAMORPHISM IN THE CENTRAL SANTANDER MASSIF, EASTERN CORDILLERA, COLOMBIAN ANDES

ABSTRACT The Central Santander Massif exposes its metamorphic basement, which mainly consists of medium- to high-grade pelitic schists, paragneisses, migmatites and orthogneisses. For delineating its metamorphic evolution, we have examinated mineral assemblages, metamorphic reactions and P-T conditions of metamorphic rocks of this region. Metamorphism has occurred under conditions of high-temperature and medium-pressure (Barrovian type metamorphism), and three metamorphic zones were developed: staurolite-kyanite, sillimanite and migmatite zones. Pressure and temperatura conditions, estimated by TWQ program, are in the range of 5.0-9.5 kbar and 630-727oC. The P-T path of the metamorphic units is clockwise suggesting a collision model for this region of the Colombian Andes. Keywords : Metamorphism; Santander Massif; Barrovian type; P-T path; collision METAMORFISMO DE PRESION INTERMEDIA EN LA REGION CENTRAL DEL MACIZO DE SANTANDER, CORDILLERA ORIENTAL, ANDES COLOMBIANOS RESUMEN La region central del Macizo de Santander expone su basamento metamorfico, el cual consiste de esquistos peliticos, paraneises, migmatitas y ortoneises de medio a alto grado. Para delinear su evolucion metamorfica, hemos examinado las paragenesis minerales, reacciones metamorficas y condiciones de P-T de las rocas metamorficas de esta region. El metamorfismo ocurrio bajo condiciones de alta temperatura y presion intermedia (metamorfismo tipo Barroviano), con el desarrollo de tres zonas metamorficas: estaurolita-cianita, silimanita y migmatita. Las condiciones de presion y temperatura, estimadas mediante el programa TWQ, estan en el rango de 5.0-9.5 kbar y 630-727oC. La trayectoria de PT de las unidades metamorficas es en sentido horario sugiriendo un modelo de colision para esta region de los Andes Colombianos. Palabras claves : Metamorfismo; Macizo de Santander; tipo Barroviano; trayectoria de P-T; colision.
Achieving equity in education in Kenya: some preliminary thoughts

Education has historically been viewed as an effective way of reducing socioeconomic disadvantage (Oloo, 2010). This is because quality education is capable of empowering and creating more opportunities for less advantaged children and improving their chances for success in life as adults. While access to primary education has been enhanced in Kenya since the introduction of free primary education, achievement gap between students from rich and poor families in the standardized Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination has persisted. Using extended literature review, this study explores education inequity in Kenya. It recommends that the government of Kenya promote early childhood learning among children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, overhaul its admission policies to secondary schools, and revise its education funding formula.