Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding the adoption of Pay-for-performance in state governments: A diffusion theory approach

As various private sector practices have been introduced into the public sector, some were adopted without careful assessment of potential policy and management implications. One such example is the adoption of pay-for-performance (PFP). While previous research has corroborated that this performance incentive mechanism was implemented without thorough assessment, the diffusion process of PFP has not been empirically tested or evaluated. This study applies a regional diffusion model among American (U.S.) states to examine the diffusion process. Findings show that state governments tend to adopt PFP plans when they become aware of their neighbouring states adopting them, but the marginal probability of adoption decreases as the numbers of neighbours adopting such plans
Investigation of Particulate Matter Regional Transport in Beijing Based on Numerical Simulation

The frequent occurrence of regional air pollution makes it challenging to control. Based on source sensitivity research performed with the Chinese Unified Atmospheric Chemistry Environment (CUACE) model and dispersion simulation performed with the Flexible Particle dispersion model (FLEXPART), the regional transport of particulate matter (PM), potential source regions, and transport pathways were investigated for Beijing in summer (July) and winter (December) 2013. The mean near-surface trans-boundary contribution ratio (TBCR) of PM2.5 in Beijing was 53.4% and 36.1% in summer and winter 2013, respectively, and 51.8% and 35.1% for PM10. Regional transport in summer was more significant than that in winter. Seasonal difference of meteorological condition combined with the distribution of emission is responsible for seasonal difference of TBCR. The secondary aerosol is mostly contributed by regional transport. The transport of PM is mostly from Hebei province and Tianjin municipality. Based on backward trajectories analysis, the air mass source occurred from different directions in summer, while occurred from northwest in winter. The pollution level and the TBCR were closely related to the transport pathways and distance, especially in summer.
Economic Growth and Patent Policy: Quantifying the Effects of Patent Length on R&D and Consumption

Is the patent length an effective policy instrument in stimulating R&D? This paper develops a generalized variety-expanding growth model and then calibrates the model to the aggregate data of the US economy to analyze the effects of extending the patent length. The numerical exercise suggests that at the empirical range of patent-value depreciation rates, extending the patent length beyond 20 years leads to only a very small increase in R&D despite R&D underinvestment in the market economy. On the other hand, shortening the patent length can lead to a significant reduction in R&D and consumption. This paper also makes use of the dynamic general-equilibrium framework to examine the fraction of total factor productivity (TFP) growth that is driven by R&D, and the calibration exercise suggests that about 35% to 45% of the long-run TFP growth in the US is driven by R&D. Finally, this paper identifies and analytically derives a dynamic distortion of the patent length on saving and investment in physical capital that has been neglected by previous studies, which consequently underestimate the distortionary effects of patent protection.
Eigenvalue calculator for Islanded Inverter-Based Microgrids

The stability analysis of islanded inverter-based microgrids (IBMGs) is increasingly an important and challenging topic due to the nonlinearity of IBMGs. In this paper, a new linear model for such microgrids as well as an iterative method to correct the linear model is proposed. Using the linear model makes it easy to analyze the eigenvalues and stability of IBMGs due to the fact that it derives the eigenvalues directly and the linearization around an operating point to study the small signal stability and also use the newton-raphson method or other load flow solutions to solve these systems are no longer needed. An effective eigenvalue calculator is developed which is able to calculate the eigenvalues of IBMGs in the first few iterations of the proposed method. The proposed method provides the superior performance considering the simulation time compared to the conventional methods. The validation and comparison of the results show the performance of the proposed method.
Female Sexual Dysfunction and its Associated Risk Factors: An Epidemiological Study in the North-East of Iran

Background: Female sexual function (FSD) is a multifactorial phenomenon. Sexual function is influenced by different personal and environmental factors. This study aimed to evaluate FSD and its contributing factors using female sexual function index (FSFI). Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 264 women referring to 11 health centers of Sabzevar, Iran during October 2012 to January 2013 using a convenience sampling. Data were collected using a validated Persian version of FSFI containing six domains of sexual desire, lubrication, sexual arousal, sexual satisfaction, orgasm and sexual pain as well as demographic questionnaire. Results: The mean age of women enrolled in this study was 32.2±10.27 years . Considering the cut-off point of sexual dysfunction at 28, 62.1% of the study population had FSD. Highest rate of FSD was estimated at 49.2%, Age was associated with a significant decline in total scores of FSFI (P=0.042). Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between duration of marriage and total scores of FSFI (p <0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, sexual desire was the most frequent contributing factor among FSD domains, and the majority of women ageing 21-26 years had at least one of the risk factors of FSD. In addition, our findings indicated that despite conventional beliefs, issues such as educational level has no significant effect on FSD in young women.
Thymic size at birth in preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome can be used to predict the likelihood of survival: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective. To determine whether the thymic size in preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) can be used to predict survival. We also set out to determine which antenatal and postnatal factors have an influence on, or correlation with, thymic size. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted on 55 consecutive preterm infants who were ventilated for RDS. A chest X-ray (CXR) was taken within the first 24 hours, and the cardiothymic/thoracic ratio (CT/T ratio) calculated. This ratio was then correlated with outcome, as well as antenatal maternal and postnatal factors. Results. Of the 49 infants included in the study (6 were excluded), 15 died and 34 survived. There was a statistically significant correlation between the CT/T ratio and survival (p=0.029) . In those infants above 1 030 g, the CT/T ratio was more significant (p=0.038) than birth weight in predicting survival. The severity of RDS did not influence the CT/T ratio. The only maternal and postnatal factors influencing CT/T ratio were the presence of pre-eclamptic toxaemia (PET) and birth by caesarean section (CS), but these factors did not influence likelihood of survival. Factors found to be not associated with thymic size were antenatal steroid administration, maternal HIV status, clinical chorio-amnionitis, gender, gestational age (small or appropriate weight) and lymphocyte count. Conclusions. A small thymus measured in the first 24 hours can be used to predict likelihood of survival in infants weighing more than 1 030 g, but not in smaller infants. Prenatal stress associated with PET and indication for CS may cause the thymus to shrink.
An experimental investigation of the independent effect of suction and degree of saturation on very small-strain stiffness of unsaturated sand

The paper presents an experimental investigation of very small strain stiffness of unsaturated sand. A triaxial test apparatus was equipped with bender elements and compression discs in order to assess the stiffness at very small strains by measuring the velocity of propagation of shear and compression waves through an unsaturated sample. The negative water column method was adopted to apply suction at the base of the sample. The experiments were designed to investigate the independent effect of suction and degree of saturation on the wave propagation velocities. This was achieved by testing the sand sample on both the drying and wetting path.
Reactions to Organizational Change From the Institutional Perspective: The Case of Estonia

Purpose: This paper is an attempt to find out how different environments in history influence the expectations of employees and their reactions to organizational changes. Methodology: In 2001 and 2005 structured interviews about the implementation of organizational changes were conducted with members of top management teams from more than 200 Estonian companies. Findings: There were two waves of organizational change in Estonian companies: first, changes taking place before 2000, during the period of social transience and reinstitutionalization. The second wave of change started from 2000 in the context of more stable institutions. Unexpectedly, during the second wave of changes in the 21 century, when the free market economy had already been established, fear of the unknown and the need to unlearn were even greater. The main conclusion: reactions to change depend on the previous institutional stage. Research limitations/implications: In future it could be helpful to conduct the similar study in some other country with different history. It could be useful to consider cultural differences as well. Practical implications: This knowledge about reactions to change obtained from studying Estonian organizations could also be useful to managers and owners of companies in other countries that have experienced a similar radical transformation. It could also assist companies to plan acquisitions in these countries more carefully so they can achieve success more quickly. Originality/value of paper: The author has put forward institutionalism in order to explain how employees have reacted to organizational changes in Estonian companies. A model is provided, which relates people's expectations with institutional environments.
Emerging Spaces and Governance

There are interesting STI Policy phenomena that are characterized as ‘spaces’, with the European Research Area as a prime example, and there are policy instruments related to the structuring of spaces rather than directly to knowledge production, organisations, or institutions, like the creation of European Technology Platforms. Actually, a language has emerged which refers to spaces in the metonymic expressions that are used, as when “round table” is used to indicate a multi-stakeholder dialogue, or when “platform” refers to a grouping of actors deliberating and pushing an idea or a domain or system. This is a prima facie reason to consider ‘spaces’ as a topic for STI Policy studies: we need to understand what is going on. However, in this position paper we want to make a further step and argue that ‘spaces’ are an opportunity for STI Policy studies by considering it as a topic in its own right, to be studied in depth, so as to improve present policies and suggest new approaches.
Mesoscale Energy Spectra of Moist Baroclinic Waves

AbstractThe role of moist processes in the development of the mesoscale kinetic energy spectrum is investigated with numerical simulations of idealized moist baroclinic waves. Dry baroclinic waves yield upper-tropospheric kinetic energy spectra that resemble a −3 power law. Decomposition into horizontally rotational and divergent kinetic energy shows that the divergent energy has a much shallower spectrum, but its amplitude is too small to yield a characteristic kink in the total spectrum, which is dominated by the rotational part. The inclusion of moist processes energizes the mesoscale. In the upper troposphere, the effect is mainly in the divergent part of the kinetic energy; the spectral slope remains shallow (around −) as in the dry case, but the amplitude increases with increasing humidity. The divergence field in physical space is consistent with inertia–gravity waves being generated in regions of latent heating and propagating throughout the baroclinic wave. Buoyancy flux spectra are used to diagn.
Status of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Escherichia Coli and Klebsiella species in urinary tract infection

Background: Production of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBLs) is an important mechanism of beta-lactam resistance in Enterobacteriaceae.And the occurrence of ESBL producing isolates has increased worldwide. Methods: The study was carried out in bacteriology laboratory of TUTH from March 2005 to May 2005 that included 371 midstream urine samples (msu). During these three months period, the MSU samples were investigated by conventional semi-quantitative culture technique, antibiotic susceptibility test and ESBL detection test. Results: Out of 98 significant positive cases, 60 cases were due to E. coli , 5 were due to Klebsiella oxytoca and 4 were due to Klebsiella pneumoniae . Multi-drug resistance (MDR, resistant to two or more than two classes of antibiotics) was observed in 61.7%(37/60) of Escherichia coli , 40%(2/5) of Klebsiella oxytoca and 75% (3/4) of Klebsiella pneumoniae . Out of total 69 cases of E. coli and Klebsiella species that were subjected to preliminary Ceftazidime ESBL screening test, 22 isolates were suspected of ESBL production. Finally 27.5% (19/69) were confirmed for production of ESBL by Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST). Out of 19 ESBL producing strains, 16 were found out to be E. col i, one was K. oxytoca and 2 were K. pneumoniae . All ESBL producing strains were found to be multi-drug resistant. Conclusion: There is a great need to conduct this type of study throughout the year to determine their seasonal variation and also for the study of increasing trends of MDR and ESBL. This type of study should also be conducted in other hospital as well. Keywords: UTI, Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL), Escherichia coli , Klebsiella species, DDST The full text of this paper is available at Journal of Institute of Medicine website
The Role of Private Universities in Higher Education of Bangladesh: An Empirical Investigation

An exploratory survey was conducted to the role of private universities in higher education of Bangladesh. This research paper examines that private universities in Bangladesh, no doubt have contributed to responding to social demand for higher education by absorbing a good number of students who otherwise could not have received university degrees. The sample was taken on a random basis from about six private universities in the Dhaka metropolitan area. The results of this study show that contribution or role of private universities for the task of nation-building and reforming the education sector.
Performance Pay and Credibility of Performance Measurement: Evidence from CEO Incentive Compensation

This paper investigates the credibility of performance measurement from the evidence of a link between CEO incentive compensation and CEOs’ overstatement of their firms’ earnings, measured by stock return sensitivities to firms’ earnings announcements. It empirically analyzes whether the stock market response to announced earnings is positively related to the CEO’s performance pay. It appears that stock return sensitivities to firms’ earnings announcements increased with CEO pay-performance ratio in all earnings categories. Using stock return sensitivities as indicators of a CEO’s overstatement of firm earnings, this suggests not only that such overstatements exist, but also that overstatements are more severe among CEOs with high incentive compensation. This suggests that performance measurements based on performance pay are not credible. In addition to tightening market monitoring, regulatory authorities should develop measures that can reduce overstatement, such as making CEO compensation better linked to long-term performance, which is more difficult to embellish.
Occurrence, population dynamics and winter phenology of spider mites and their phytoseiid predators in a citrus orchard in Syria

The present study aimed to clarify some bio-ecological aspects of phytoseiid and tetranychid mites in Syrian citrus orchard conditions. The main objective was to obtain preliminary data on diversity, population dynamics, and overwintering phenology of mites considered in a pesticide-free citrus orchard located in Latakia province. Mites were collected on citrus leaves, in Phyto traps attached to citrus twigs, and on wild plants within and around the orchard from mid-summer 2013 to early summer 2014. Panonychus citri was the main tetranychid species collected on citrus leaves, but in very low densities. Mobile stages of this phytophagous were absent during winter. Eight phytoseiid species were found on citrus leaves during all sampling dates, and their general mean density was four times higher compared to that of P. citri. Euseius stipulatus, Euseius scutalis and Amblyseius andersoni were the dominant species on citrus leaves and seemed to have different population dynamics, different overwintering sites and phenology in winter, apparently due to differences in climatic requirements (i.e. temperature and photophase). Some phytoseiid species were rarely observed on citrus leaves, but were collected in high number in Phyto traps. Others seemed to emigrate from wild plants to overwinter on citrus twigs. Several hypotheses were formulated to explain the results obtained.
The Dark Side of Global Integration: Increasing Tail Dependence

We measure stock market co-exeedances using the methodology of Cappiello, Gerard and Manganelli (2005, ECB Working Paper 501). This method is based on quantile regressions and enables us to measure comovement at each point of the return distribution. First, we construct an annual co-exeedance probability for the 5, 10, 25, 75, 90 and 95 percent return quantiles using daily data from 1974-2006. Next, we explain these probabilities in a panel gravity model framework. This analysis shows that macroeconomic events asymmetrically in uence comovement of upper and lower tail returns. Financial liberalization has a positive impact on comovement across the return distribution, but its e ect is strongest on the left tail quantiles. Trade competition weakly impact the 5%, 10% and 95% quantiles, but has a stronger in uence on the other quantiles. Industrial dissimilarity has a strong e ect on both tails, but not on the 25% and 75% quantiles. Exchange rate volatilities have a strong e ect only on the 5% and 10% quantiles. However, the introduction of the euro has its most pronounced e ect on upper quantile comovement.
Phenotypic Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains-Producing Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) Enzymes

The primary objective of this study was to detect by in vitro phenotypic method the occurrence of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes from Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, and to buttress the growing need to detect these all important pathogens in hospital laboratories across Nigeria. Our study included 50 clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae from urine specimens of patients that attended a tertiary hospital in Enugu state, Nigeria. A total of 21 strains of K. pneumoniae were isolated from male patients, while 29 strains were isolated from female patients. The antibiogram and the production of ESBL enzymes from the test organism were evaluated by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and double disk synergy test method respectively. ESBL was detected in 13 out of 50 K. pneumoniae isolates employed in our study. Of all the strains of K. pneumoniae isolated from the male patients, only 5 were confirmed to be ESBL positive, while 8 strains of K. pneumoniae from those isolated from female patients expressed ESBL. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the distribution of ESBL-producing and non ESBL-producing strains of K. pneumoniae among the male and female patients. K. pneumoniae isolates produced varied range of susceptibility and resistance towards the tested antibiotics with imipenem and meropenem showing the best antibacterial activity. Sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim was the least active agent. Overall, ESBL production was detected in 26% of the K. pneumoniae isolates, and these were multidrug resistant. The presence of an ESBL complicates treatment option; hence their prompt detection is critical to patient’s wellbeing.
Long wavelength limit of the current convective instability. Memorandum report

A linear theory is presented of the current convective instability in the long wavelength limit, i.e., kL ≪ 1 where k is the wave number and L is the scale length of the density inhomogeneity. A relatively simple dispersion equation is derived that describes the modes in this limit. Analytical solutions are presented in both the collisional (νin ≫ ω) and inertial (νin ≪ ω) limits where ω is the wave frequency and νin is the ion-neutral collision frequency. It is shown that the growth rate scales as k in the collisional limit and as k2/3 in the inertial limit. The analytical solutions are compared to exact numerical solutions, and very good agreement is found. Applications to the auroral ionosphere are discussed.
CLIMATICALLY INDUCED CHANGE IN FIRE FREQUENCY IN THE SOUTHERN CANADIAN ROCKIES

The purpose of this study was to partition the components of a mixed fire frequency, and empirically relate these components to temporal and spatial differences in fire frequency. The method of reconstructing the fire frequency was to build a stand-origin map, from this estimate the mixed time-since-fire distribution, and then use a graphic technique to partition the mixed distribution into two homogeneous fire-frequency distri- butions. The fire frequency for the last 380 yr in the 495-km2 Kananaskis Watershed showed a temporal change in fire frequency at - 1730. This change in fire frequency is related to a change from a warmer and drier climate before 1730 to a cooler and moister climate since then. When the fire-frequency data were partitioned by a graphic technique, the two resulting fire frequencies fit negative exponential distributions. For the period 1730-1980 the fire cycle (the time required to burn an area equal to the area of study, or one divided by the scale parameter of the exponential distribution) was 90 yr. For the period before 1730 the fire cycle was 50 yr. The Watershed could not be subdivided into smaller, spatially ho- mogeneous fire-frequency units. The negative exponential distribution of fire frequencies suggests a constant hazard function (mortality force). This constant hazard was corroborated by a spatial correlation (Moran's I) test which found no spatial pattern other than ones expected by chance between forest ages on either side of all fire boundaries. Thus, there was no tendency for young stands to be associated either with only younger- or only older- aged stands. Other studies on fire behavior in the Watershed corroborate the short fire cycle, constant hazard, and lack of spatial fire-frequency differences, and suggest thai the regional climate control of the temporal fire frequency is related to a characteristic synoptic weather pattern and the resulting high intensity and high rate-of-spread of fires.