Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE DETERMINANTS OF DIVIDEND POLICY IN EURONEXT 100

The theory of dividend policy is grounded in the research of Lintner (1956) and Modigliani and Miller (1961). The latter developed a theory of the irrelevance of dividend policy on firms’ value in perfect capital markets. Due to imperfect markets, this theory has been subject to significant research and conflicting conclusions. An alternative perspective on dividend policy emerged, claiming the relevance of dividend payouts on firms’ value. According to the asymmetric information theory, firms pay out dividends in order to reflect growth perspectives and therefore attract investors. The agency view on dividend policy claims that the payment of dividends might reduce conflicts of interest between stakeholders, and thus reduce the agency costs in a firm. Alternatively, several studies have considered the third imperfection in capital markets: taxation. Taxation on dividends and capital gains may influence firms’ dividend policy differently. To understand the determinants of dividend policy for the main firms listed on stock exchanges managed by the Euronext group, we select the constituents of Euronext 100, during the period 20072016. The sample is balanced and is composed of 440 firm-year observations of firms belonging to three stock exchanges managed by the Euronext group. The empirical analysis assumes the dividend yield as the outcome variable, and a set of controls are added, Abstract
ALTERNATIVE METHODS TO ESTIMATE ROUTE-LEVEL TRIP TABLES AND EXPAND ON-BOARD SURVEYS

Several estimation techniques of route-level trip tables are reviewed and tested. Current industry practice of simple expansion of an on-board survey by total boardings is compared with expansion by the iterative proportional fitting (IPF), constrained generalized least-squares, and constrained maximum-likelihood methods. An intervening-opportunity model, which does not use the on-board survey, is also tested. The more complex methods achieve better accuracy and reduced bias by combining the survey data with ride-check data. An empirical case study demonstrates that under the assumption of error-free ride-check data the IPF technique is preferred because of its computational ease without loss of accuracy. The IPF method should enable transit operators to obtain much more accurate trip tables and more reliable on-board survey results for a small additional computational cost.
Ovine ketosis. 6. The effect of starvation on the blood levels of ketones and glucose in pregnant ewes from the Karoo and the Highveld regions of South Africa.

It is generally recognised that hypoglycaemic ketosis of pregnant sheep is due to the combined operation of several factors, of which two, namely advanced pregnancy and sudden reduction of food intake, are essential. The number of animals which develop the disorder when only these two factors co-operate, has been shown to vary greatly. The incidence of the disease can, however, be increased by subjecting the animals to an additional stress factor such as either the onset of exceptionally cold weather (Dimmock, Healey & Bullard, 1928 ; Reid, 1960 a), or mechanical transportation (Reid, 1958). Previous work has shown that any of these factors acting independently has little or no effect on the le\els of blood ketones and glucose in Merino sheep. Adequately fed monoctocous ewes in an advanced state of pregnancy did not show increased blood ketone levels (Procos, 1962 a). Starvation (Procos, 1962 b) and temperature drop (Procos, 1961) were independently capable of inducing, at the most, a mild ketonaemia and hypoglycaemia. Evidence which indicates the participation of yet further factors in the production of pregnancy ketosis in South Africa is presented in this paper.
Effectiveness of Food Safety and Hygiene Training Program for Hospital Food Services Staff in Holly Makkah

Foodborne diseases have been increasing in recent years, with a greater impact on the health and economy of developing countries. Food can be a potential source of infection and disease, right from the point of procurement to the point of consumption. It is more likely in the food service establishments where mass food is prepared. Hygienic practices at procuring, preparing and serving are essential. Food handlers specially play a major role here. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of food service staff regarding food safety and hygiene, before and after food safety education program in hospital. A cross-sectional design was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices about food safety of the food services staff for the purpose of the study before and after a nutrition education program in a systemic sample of a hospital at holy Makkah were assessment by means of a questionnaire survey.After obtaining approval, the questionnaire was addressed to all food services staff. The study included 107 food handlers. Sixty of them (56.1%) were males and 47 were females (43.9%). Their age ranged between 22 and 56 years. Almost half of them (49%) were at least university graduated. Most of them (80.4%) were workers whereas (13.7%) were dieticians. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package of the Social Science (SPSS) version 20. Overall mean percentage of knowledge before an educational intervention was 56.1% and after an intervention it became 77.7%. This difference was statistically significant, p<0.001. It is concluded that the overall knowledge, attitudes and practices scores were higher regarding personnel hygiene, however, it need reconsideration regarding food-borne diseases and sanitation Since the education, training of those handling food would improve the status of food hygiene knowledge. Keywords : Food Safety, Hygiene, Training Program, Hospital Food Services and Services Staff.
Quality of attachment in abused and nonabused women

This study used attachment theory as a way of studying the experience of abused women. Twenty abused women were compared with 47 nonabused women on measures of attachment style, attachment dimensions, depressive symptomatology, silencing the self behaviours, relationship attributions, and relationship satisfaction. Results showed that abused women differ from nonabused women In depressive symptomatology, silencing the self behaviours, relationship attributions and relationship satisfaction. Abused women also rated themselves as being less secure and more fearful-avoidant than nonabused women and they feared losing the relationship to a greater degree, saw their partners as less available and used their partners for support to a lesser degree than did nonabused women. Results suggest that attachment theory is a useful perspective from which to view the experience of abused women.
Conceptualising the economics of plant health protection against invasive pests

Tulokaslajeista aiheutuva uhka lisaantyy kansainvalisenkaupan ja ihmisten liikkumisen kasvun myota. Tulokaslajien hallinta on kuitenkin julkishyodyke, jolle on tyypillista, etta sen kayttoon voi osallistua ja siita hyotya kuka tahansa, ja etta lisakayttajat eivat vahenna hyodykkeen arvoa muiden kayttajien nakokulmasta. Naiden ominaisuuksien vuoksi tulokaslajien hallintaa on vaikea markkinoida, ja asian ratkaisemiseksi tarvitaan usein yhteiskunnan panosta. Tama artikkeli hahmottaa kasvituholaisten torjuntapolitiikan suunnittelua ja arvioimista taloustieteen nakokulmasta. Esitamme aluksi muutamia yleisia vaihtoehtoja tulokaslajistrategiaksi. Yksinkertaistetussa matemaattisessa mallissa on kaksi strategiavaihtoehtoa: ennaltaehkaisy ja reaktiivinen sopeutuminen. Esitamme myos mallin numeerisen sovelluksen liittyen koloradonkuoriaisen torjuntaan Suomessa. Analyysin perusteella nayttaa silta, etta esimerkkitapauksessa suojajarjestelma on kustannustehokas strategia. Jalkikateista sopeutumista tulisi harkita vain, jos odotettu invaasio ei ole laaja ja tuho on pieni. Strategian valinta vaikuttaa kuitenkin myos tulonjakoon, mihin on syyta kiinnittaa huomiota. Lisaksi epavarmuus on usein merkittava tulokaslajeihin liittyva tekija. Tama artikkeli hahmottaa ongelmaan liittyvaa taloudellista ajattelua. Kasiteltyjen konseptien pohjalta on mahdollista suorittaa yksityiskohtaisempia ja todellisuuden paremmin huomioon ottavia laskelmia ja arvioita.
Inheritance and the Allelic Relationship of Resistance to Cowpea Aphid Borne Mosaic Virus (CABMV) in Two Cowpea Genotypes, KVX640 and KVX396-4-5-2D, in Burkina Faso

Cowpea is cultivated in all the agroecological zones of Burkina Faso. It plays an important role in human nutrition due to its richness in protein and it enormous agronomic, sanitary and economic potentialities. However, cowpea production is hampered by several constraints such as insect pests, parasitic weeds and diseases (fungal, bacterial and viral). Among the diseases, Cowpea Aphid-Born Mosaic Virus (CABMV) causes enormous yield losses ranged from 60 to 90 % in Burkina Faso International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 8 (2016) pp. 285-292 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Role of microfinance to support agricultural climate change adaptations in Indonesia: Encouraging private sector participation in climate finance

The demands of mitigation and adaptation policies are important to understanding a country’s climate change preparation by providing microfinance in the agricultural sector. This could be seen as a strategy to fight against the challenges of future food security. In 2014, Indonesia established climate change adaptation policies. This legislation aims to pave the way for making actions on climate change adaptation mainstream in national and local development planning. Public and private finance have supported the implementation of the climate actions. However, most funding is still used for mitigation. Adaptation finance needs support, especially in agriculture. This research paper studies opportunities for microfinance to play a role together with existing resources in supporting climate change adaptation in Indonesia. The data was acquired and analysed through a literature review, analysis of case studies and interviews with stakeholders in the climate change-related financial sector. The central findings regarding the opportunity for microfinance to contribute to the existing schemes in Indonesian climate change adaptation finance for agriculture are worthy of the result. This study found that adaptation finance is mostly used for indirect activities. Meanwhile, local communities, and farmers in particular, need directly targeted measures to adapt to climate change. An alternative approach is providing microfinance, insurance and capacity development for farmers to produce high quality agricultural products. This would contribute to optimizing the agri-food value chain, which supports socio-economic development of stakeholders, especially farmers. Hence, microfinance appears to be one potential solution to support direct climate change adaptation actions for the agricultural sector. However, this may not be strong enough to finance the entire needs for agricultural climate actions. Adaptation is contextual, so it has to be grounded in the needs of local communities. Microfinance needs public sectors support as well as other resources from the private sector. In the case of rapid response to disasters, which often destroy the agricultural sector, microfinance should be advantageous in supporting adaptation. However, in reality, it does not work, as it is prevented by regulations. So, this can be an area the public sector can support as a risk-taker as well as by providing initial funds and resources for scaling up efforts. Key words: Adaptation, Agriculture, Climate change, Farmers, Indonesia, Microfinance Data of the article First received : 11 April 2016 | Last revision received : 23 November 2016 Accepted : 03 December 2016 | Published online : 23 December 2016 URN:nbn:de:hebis:34-2016112951608
Wavelets Application in Prediction of Friction Stir Welding Parameters of Alloy Joints from Vibroacoustic ANN-Based Model

This paper analyses the correlation between the acoustic emission signals and the main parameters of friction stir welding process based on artificial neural networks (ANNs). The acoustic emission signals in Z and Y directions have been acquired by the AE instrument NI USB-9234. Statistical and temporal parameters of discomposed acoustic emission signals using Wavelet Transform have been used as input of the ANN. The outputs of the ANN model include the parameters of tool rotation speed and travel speed, and tool profile, as well as the tensile strength. A multilayer feed-forward neural network has been selected and trained, using Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for different network architectures. Finally, an analysis of the comparison between the measured and the calculated data is presented. The model obtained can be used to model and develop an automatic control of the parameters of the process and mechanical properties of joint, based on the acoustic emission signals.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Predicts Motor Functional Outcome after Acute Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Early evaluation of the corticospinal tract (CST) is critical for patients with acute hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) to predict long-term motor functional outcome. Therefore, we investigated motor functional outcome of an ICH using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with hypertensive ICH. Thirty six patients with hemiparesis due to hypertensive ICH underwent DTI within 3 days after onset. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured within the CST at levels of the posterior limbs of the internal capsules, and motor impairment was assessed on admission and 8 weeks after ICH by manual muscle test. The correlation between FA ratio and improvement of motor function was analyzed by Pearson’s correlation analysis. The FA ratio from the initial DTI showed a correlation with motor function improvement. The amount of hematoma correlated with motor function on admission, but did not show correlation with the degree of motor recovery. Therefore, FA ratio analysis calculated from FA values of DTI could be a prognostic factor of motor function improvement in patients with hypertensive ICH.
CORRELATION BETWEEN PHOSPHATE LEVEL AND PERITONEAL EQUILIBRATION TEST (PET) CHARACTERISTICS AMONG CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL DIALYSIS (CAPD) PATIENTS

Hyperphosphatemia is the key abnormality that sets off a cascade of metabolic events in chronic kidney disease (CKD). End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients that undergo PD modalities - Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) uses the peritoneal membrane for solutes filtration and clearance. The differences on the evaluation of peritoneal membrane transport status can affect the rate of toxin removal – serum phosphorus, from the systems. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of CAPD patients presented with high phosphate level after starting the treatment, to identify the risk factors associated with hyperphosphatemia and to find the significant correlation between the phosphate level and the PET characteristics. A retrospective study was applied for this research where the medical records of patients were reviewed and analyzed between January 2011 to December 2016. Data were collected successfully from 74 adult CAPD patients (41 male, 55.4% and 33 female, 44.6%), with mean age of 51.34 ± 13.75 year old. In this study, Malays (n= 65, 87.8%) are the largest subjects recruited, while Chinese (n= 6, 8.1%) and Indians (n= 3, 4.1%) made the rest of the subjects. PET characteristics of CAPD patients showed 11 patients had high characteristic (14.9%), 24 high average (32.4%), 26 low average (35.1%) and 5 low (6.8%). There were 37 CAPD patients (50%) presented with high phosphate level after starting the treatment. Simple linear regression revealed that age (p = 0.0052), serum calcium (p = 0.0090), serum albumin (p = 0.0244), normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) (p = 0.0126), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (p = 0.0012), total creatinine clearance (p = 0.0470), residual renal creatinine clearance (p = 0.390) and 24-hours urine volume output (p = 0.0060) were risk factors associated with hyperphosphatemia. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed there was no significant correlation between phosphate level and PET characteristics (r = -.232, p = 0.070) while there was significant correlation between PET characteristics and peritoneal solute clearance (r = 0.4748, p < 0.001). In conclusion, serum phosphate level may be associated with daily dietary intake, metabolism and dialysis adequacy. There was no correlation between serum phosphate level and PET characteristic suggesting the rate of the toxin removal might not been affected by the differences on peritoneal membrane characteristics suggesting a further understanding on transport status in terms of its mechanism of toxin removal.
Quantifying Grizzly Bear Selection of Natural and Anthropogenic Edges

Understanding the use of edges by threatened species is important for conservation and management. Whereas the effects of anthropogenic edges on threatened species have been studied, the effects of natural edges are unknown. We studied grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) habitat selection in relation to different landscape-level measures of edge, both natural and anthropogenic. We used a database of global positioning system telemetry data collected from 26 grizzly bears from 2005 to 2009 in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in west-central Alberta, Canada. We quantified grizzly bear locations relative to natural edges extracted from satellite-derived land cover data and anthropogenic edges from existing vector datasets (roads, pipelines, and forest harvests). To compare edge distance from observed telemetry points statistically, we generated a distribution of expected points through a conditional randomization of an existing resource selection function describing grizzly bear habitat use without respect to edges. We also measured the density of edges within home ranges and compared this to the overall population to create an edge selection ratio. In general, females selected anthropogenic edges, whereas males selected natural edges. Both sexes selected the natural transition (edge) of shrub to conifer. Females had a greater selection ratio for road edges than males in all seasons, and males had a greater selection ratio for roads in the fall than in other seasons. Only females selected for pipeline edges. Our results indicated that edge habitat was selected by both males and females, mostly in the fall. Given human access to bear habitat is often facilitated by anthropogenic edges (e.g., roads), improved management of these features may minimize human conflicts. In particular, we highlight the importance of the natural transition of shrub to conifer to grizzly bears. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Fractional Newton-Raphson Method Accelerated with Aitken's Method

In the following paper, we present a way to accelerate the speed of convergence of the fractional Newton–Raphson (F N–R) method, which seems to have an order of convergence at least linearly for the case in which the order α of the derivative is different from one. A simplified way of constructing the Riemann–Liouville (R–L) fractional operators, fractional integral and fractional derivative is presented along with examples of its application on different functions. Furthermore, an introduction to Aitken’s method is made and it is explained why it has the ability to accelerate the convergence of the iterative methods, in order to finally present the results that were obtained when implementing Aitken’s method in the F N–R method, where it is shown that F N–R with Aitken’s method converges faster than the simple F N–R.
COMPARISON OF PERSONALITY DISORDERS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WITHOUT MARITAL INFIDELITY

The purpose of this study was to examine personality disorders differences in determination of infidelity behaviors. The subjects were 41 individuals with infidelity 37 ones without infidelity who completed MCMI-III questionnaire. MANOVA was used in order that compare the mean scores of two groups in the subscales of MCMI-III. Results suggest that those who had infidelities in their marital life different from ones without infidelities in Clinical personality patterns, Severe personality pathology, Clinical syndromes and Severe clinical syndromes. Further, the individuals with infidelity had high score in Negativistic, Compulsive, Sadistic, Antisocial, Narcissistic, Dependent, Avoidant, Schizotypal and Paranoid. The results indicate that the likelihood of marital infidelity may be realized by personality patterns of these people.
Mentoring pre-service teachers on school students’ differentiated learning

This Australian study explores the mentoring of preservice teachers in selecting and implementing teaching strategies to meet students’ learning needs (i.e., differentiated learning). Two case studies involving 28 mentor teachers in a professional development program and a mentor-mentee partnership during four week practicum provided data about mentoring teaching strategies for differentiated learning. Findings showed that contexts for learning about differentiation occurred at the pre-action, in-action, and post-action stages. Central to each stage were pedagogical knowledge practices (e.g., planning, preparation, classroom management, assessment) with problem solving (reflection-in-action to present solutions to problems) as key to in-action strategising and the mentoring processes. Mentoring preservice teachers on how to devise teaching strategies for differentiated learning needs to be researched with a wider range of mentors and preservice teachers, including those at different stages of development.
International Co-operation between Firms on Innovation and R&D: Empirical Evidence from Argentina and Spain

This paper examines co-operative innovation and Research and Development (R&D) behaviour between Argentine and Spanish firms. Based on theoretical perspectives from the literature, we present empirical evidence obtained from 104 firms of patterns of cooperation in several processes and out-puts, highlighting firm characteristics, the motives of the collaborating parties, types of partners, R&D and innovation activities, leadership, and obstacles to cooperation. Our results reveal that the determinants of success differ considerably among countries depending on the sector, the firm specific characteristics and funding. These differences have important implications for public policy and instruments to support R&D and innovation activities.
Biosolids affect the growth, nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen leaching of barley

Arduini I. , Cardelli R. , Pampana S. (2018): Biosolids affect the growth, nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen leaching of barley. Plant Soil Environ. , 64: 95–101. Biosolids are organic fertilisers derived from treated and stabilised sewage sludge that increase soil fertility and supply nitrogen to crops over a long period, but can also increase the risk of nitrogen (N) leaching. In this work, spring barley was grown in lysimeters filled with soil amended with biosolids, and with and without mineral N fertilisation. Biomass and the N concentration and content of shoots and roots were determined at flowering and maturity, and the N remobilization was calculated during grain filling. Drainage water was collected and analysed for N leaching. Biosolids increased soil porosity and soil nitrate, and positively affected the growth and N uptake of barley. Compared to mineral fertilisers, biosolids produced 18% higher vegetative biomass and 40% higher grain yield. During grain filling, both N uptake and N remobilization were higher with biosolids, which increased the grain N content by 32%. Nitrogen loss in leachates was 1.2% of plant uptake with mineral fertilisers and 1.7% with biosolids. Thus, soil fertilisation with biosolids greatly benefits spring barley, only slightly increasing N leaching.