Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Customer Perceived Value on Tourist Satisfaction and Revisit Intention: A Study on Guesthouses in Maldives

This study attempts to examine the customer perceived value associated with guesthouse services in tourism in local islands of Maldives. Also this study attempts to examine the relationship associated between CPV, tourist satisfaction and revisit intention. The study has been conducted on the Island of Maafushi, Maldives. Based on literature, a questionnaire was developed based on Seth, Newman and Gross (1991) Consumption Value Framework and sub variables are selected using past literature. Questionnaire was distributed among the tourist stayed in the guesthouses. The questionnaire consisted of 2 dependent variables (Satisfaction and Revisit Intention) measured the direct impact from the 5 variables and satisfaction to revisit intention. The 5 independent variables (functional value, emotional value, epistemic value, social value and conditional value) measured the direct influence and mediating effect on customer satisfaction and revisit intention. The Likert Scale (Disagree -1 and 5 for Agree) was used to answer the questionnaire consisting of 35 questions. 263 questionnaires were being distributed using convenient sampling method and a sample of 203 tourists was used in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis and followed by Structural Equation Modelling was conducted using AMOS 22 to analyse the impact of CPV on satisfaction and revisit intentions. The findings shows that only functional and emotional values have a positive and significant impact on tourist satisfaction. Social Value is the only CPV that has a positive and significant impact on Tourist intention to revisit. We found tourist satisfaction has direct positive and significant influence on their intention to revisit. The effect on revisit intention is directly mediated by satisfaction and social value while social value and satisfaction indirectly mediate revisit intention. Therefore it is important that the island council and the managements of guesthouses work together and resolve the issues that affect customer satisfaction and also to educate the locals of the importance of tourism in the island which supports the island economy. Future research may be focused on some other islands providing guest house tourism to confirm and generalise the findings throughout the country
Block and Graft Copolymers Made of 16‐Membered Macrolactones and
 l
 ‐Alanine: A Comparative Study

Block and graft poly(macrolactone)-poly(α-amino acid) copolymers made of Lalanine and pentadecalactone or globalide respectively, were prepared. A sequential ROP copolymerization route consisting of two stages, the first devoted to the preparation of the amino-functionalized poly(macrolactone) and the second to the amino-initiated polymerization of Ala-NCA, was followed for the synthesis of both types of copolymers. Poly(L-alanine) segment lengths were accurately controlled by adjusting the macroitiator/Ala NCA ratio used for reaction in the second stage. Block copolymers were semicrystalline with the poly(pentadecalactone) block well crystallized in a separate phase and the poly(α-amino acid) block arranged in either the α-helical or β-sheet structure in a ratio that was depending on composition and temperature. Graft copolymers were amorphous but with the poly(α-amino acid) side chains arranged in a more or less regular conformation. Nanoparticles with a diameter of around 300 nm and moderate positive Zpotential could be obtained from the block copolymers by self-assembling in water whereas graft copolymers were unable to render recognizable objects of nanometerdimension under similar conditions.
Competitive Pressure and Corporate Policies

This paper examines the impact of increased product market competition on corporate investment and financing decisions. Using reductions in import tariff rates as a source of variation in competitive pressure, we find that firms simultaneously reduce capital and R&D investment, increase cash reserves and equity, and decrease debt in response to intensified product market competition. These adjustments are especially strong among industry followers, non-diversified and non-exporting firms, and in more competitive markets. Also, the impact of competition turns out to be magnified when firms are exposed to greater financing risk. Overall, the results highlight that competitive pressures play a considerable role in driving the allocation of resources within firms.
Growth modeling and factors affecting growth traits in Madras red Sheep

Sheep rearing is an important livelihood for a large number of small and marginal farmers in India. Growth is a trait of interest in domestic animals. Information about growth model parameters is very useful for selection studies. In this paper, the growth of Madras Red sheep, a native breed of Tamil Nadu state in India, is studied through nonlinear growth models using data on average monthly body weight measurements of 1424 sheep from birth to 2 years of age born during 1996 to 2010. Sex of lamb, dam weight at lambing and year of birth were the significant non-genetic factors affecting body weight at birth, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th month. The birth weight and 9th month weight showed significant difference between the seasons. Average daily weight gain showed significant difference between sex of lamb, season of birth and year of birth while it showed significant difference between dam weight at lambing only for the period 3-6 months. Brody’s growth model described the average monthly growth remarkably well in males and females suggesting its usefulness in growth monitoring of Madras Red sheep.
An audio-visual approach to teaching the social aspects of sustainable product design

This paper considers the impact of audio-visual resources in enabling students to develop an understanding of the social aspects of sustainable product design. Building on literature con­cern­ing the learning preferences of ‘Net Generation’ learners, three audio-visual workshops were developed to introduce students to the wider social aspects of sustainability and encour­age students to reflect upon the impact of their practice. The workshops were delivered in five universities in Britain and Ireland among undergraduate and postgraduate students. They were designed to encourage students to reflect upon carefully designed audio-visual materials in a group-based environment, seeking to foster the preferences of Net Generation learners through collaborative learning and learning through discovery. It also sought to address the perceived weaknesses of this generation of learners by encouraging critical reflection. The workshops proved to be popular with students and were successful in enabling them to grasp the complexity of the social aspects of sustainable design in a short span of time, as well as in encouraging personal responses and creative problem solving through an exploration of design thinking solutions.
Effect of jet‐cooking and hydrolyses with amylases on the physicochemical andin vitrodigestion performance of whole chickpea flours

Whole chickpea flours were subjected to a pilot plant process aimed to understand the effects of jet‐cooking followed by α‐amylase or isoamylase hydrolyses in terms of physicochemical and the in vitro digestion performance of starch and proteins. Jet‐cooked flours generated lower viscosities and had lower gelatinisation temperatures when compared with their raw counterparts; furthermore, the amylolytic enzymes improved both starch and protein in vitro digestion rates (HI of 85.33 and relative digestion of 88.92%, respectively) that were strongly correlated with the amylose content (P < 0.05). By means of principal component analyses (PCA) is concluded that the changes in granular architecture, reflected by lower ΔH values and new linear structures after isoamylase hydrolysis (treated = 44.36% vs. raw = 26.43%) as well as protein denaturation promoted similar glycemic responses in raw flours compared with jet‐cooked counterparts (83.12 and 84.77, respectively). The combination of a thermal‐enzymatic method could be a useful alternative to produce novel pulse flours.
VERIFICATION OF ZERO-DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF SOFC WITH INTERNAL FUEL REFORMING FOR COMPLEX HYBRID ENERGY CYCLES

The article presents a zero-dimensional mathematical model of a tubular fuel cell and its verification on four experiments. Despite the fact that fuel cells are still rarely used in commercial applications, their use has become increasingly more common. Computational Flow Mechanics codes allow to predict basic parameters of a cell such as current, voltage, combustion composition, exhaust temperature, etc. Precise models are particularly important for a complex energy system, where fuel cells cooperate with gas, gas-steam cycles or ORCs and their thermodynamic parameters affect those systems. The proposed model employs extended Nernst equation to determine the fuel cell voltage and steadystate shifting reaction equilibrium to calculate the exhaust composition. Additionally, the reaction of methane reforming and the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen have been implemented into the model. The numerical simulation results were compared with available experiment results and the differences, with the exception of the Tomlin experiment, are below 5%. It has been proven that the increase in current density lowers the electrical efficiency of SOFCs, hence fuel cells typically work at low current density, with a corresponding efficiency of 45–50% and with a low emission level (zero emissions in case of hydrogen combustion).
Mineral Composition of Red Clover under Rhizobium Inoculation and Lime Application in Acid Soil

In the present study the effects of Rhizobium inoculation and lime application on the mineral composition (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B) of red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.), in very acid soil were evaluated. Inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii significantly increased shoot dry weight (SDW) of red clover plants (three times greater), as well as N, Mg, Fe, Mn and Cu contents in plants compared to the control. Application of lime and Rhizobium together, depending on the lime rate (3, 6 or 9 t ha -1 of lime) and the cut, increased SDW significantly, but decreased the contents of N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Zn and B in plants. Regardless of the changes, in all treatments in both cuts, contents of N, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn in plants were among sufficiency levels (Mg content was elevated in the second cut), while Fe content was mainly high, as well as Cu (in the second cut). Contents of P and B in plants were somewhat lower than sufficiency levels, but above critical level. Therefore, red clover can be grown with satisfactory yield and mineral composition in acid soil with Rhizobium inoculation only, but the application of P and B fertilization is desirable.
Integrating place-specific social values into forest planning : case of UPM-Kymmene forests in Hyrynsalmi, Finland

In participatory forest management planning, the perceived values of local inhabitants concerning the area under planning are collected. The results may, however, depend on the methods used. In this study, values of residents of Hyrynsalmi municipality concerning the nearby forests owned by UPM-Kymmene Ltd. were evaluated with a questionnaire consisting of general value questions and mapping of social values of forests. The data was collected from a public meeting and from a mailed survey from randomly sampled people and from members of municipal council. The aims of the study were to 1) test the social value mapping method in commercial forests in a rural-urban interface as well as to examine the benefits and drawbacks 2) in place-specific and non-specific data collection, and 3) in different data collection methods, from the viewpoint of forest management planning. We noted that while all respondents can claim to represent local values, different data collection methods produced statistically significantly different local values. This needs to be accounted for when planning a participatory process. In operational forest planning, place-specific information is more useful than questions concerning the general values, while the latter may help in defining forest policy goals. The social values mapping method is also relatively easy for the participants. However, in the studied case about one fifth of the area was delineated by the participants per each positive value. The answers were quite scattered, suggesting that most of the area had some social values for local people. This indicates that utilising a social values mapping method in planning needs further development in rural areas, where distinctive patches can not be easily detected.
Effects of training for inexperienced surveyors on data quality of tree diameter and height measurements

Due to the large number of sample plots and variables to be measured, inexperienced surveyors are expected to take field measurements in National Forest Inventories (NFIs). However, very little information exists on the data quality that can be expected from inexperienced surveyors given different levels of training. We evaluated the quality of data produced by inexperienced undergraduate students when measuring the most fundamental variables: tree diameter using a diameter tape and height using an ultrasonic Vertex III hypsometer. We found that a single training session on how to use the instruments and how to reduce measurement errors was insufficient for inexperienced surveyors to achieve measurement quality objectives (MQOs). Providing a single feedback of control team measurements significantly improved data quality, except in the measurements of tree height of broad-leaved trees, but additional feedback did not contribute to further improvement. We propose that field training courses for inexperienced surveyors incorporate a one-day exercise with feedback instruction.
CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL PROFILE OF CHILDREN EVALUATED FOR SUSPECTED UBERCULOSIS IN A RURAL MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL

Padma Kalyanaraman1, Sumathi S2 From 1Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, 2Professor, Department of Pathology, Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu, India Correspondence to: Padma Kalyanaraman, A2 New Doctors Quarters, Melmaruvathur 603 319, Tamil Nadu, India. E-mail: drpadmakalyan@yahoo.co.in Received 14 April 2019 Initial Review 07 May 2019 Accepted 26 June 2019
CONSUMER ETHNOCENTRISM: DOES IT REALLY MATTER FOR MALAYSIAN CONSUMERS

Studies on attitudes of local consumers towards foreign made products have getting more attention from researchers nowadays. There are many perspectives of study in this area. For example, consumer animosity, consumer ethnocentrism and consumer patriotism are among the topic that widely discussed in this area. Furthermore, this field of study also known as “made-in-foreign-origin” research has produced results pertinent to global marketers. In view of the growing internationalization of products and services, consumer ethnocentrism may play an important role in the global market place. Ethnocentric consumers are reluctant to make use of products and services provided by foreign companies, because of a sense of loyalty towards their home country. Researchers have previously examined the effect of demographic variables such as age, gender, education, income level, and foreign travel on consumer ethnocentrism. Additionally, previous researches also provide empirical evidence on the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism and foreign product judgment. Therefore, the focus of current study is on the profile of ethnocentric Malaysian consumers, comparison of consumer ethnocentrism among Malaysian consumers and others countries’ consumers as well as the effect of consumer ethnocentrism on foreign product judgment.
Destabilizing Impacts of Herding Behaviour in Portuguese Capital Market

The present work seeks to analyze the herding behavior phenomenon as a destabilizing factor of the capital market, while studying the relation between the herding behavior phenomenon and market profitability and volatility. The results allow us to verify the existence of a significant intensity of herding, especially when price variation occurs. Conversely, asymmetrical and elevated volatility levels ensue, with a higher probability of profit than losses of the same magnitude. However, results are less visible when one looks at the causality relation between herding and market volatility. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of herding behavior and its relation with market efficiency.
Feeding Biology of Diplodus sargus and Diplodus vulgaris (Teleostei, Sparidae) in Egyptian Mediterranean Waters

2 Abstract: This study aimed to determine the stomach contents of Diplodus sargus and Diplodus vulgaris and find their preferred food items in Abu Qir Bay. Stomach contents of 403 samples of D. sargus and 98 D. vulgaris were analyzed. The diet of the two species consisted of crustacea (amphipoda, isopoda and prawn), fish, polychaeta and echinoderms. In addition to those food items, the stomachs of D. sargus contained mollusca (bivalves and gastropods) and algae. Interspecific competition between the two species revealed that D. sargus is in search for bivalves, while D. vulgaris is in search of polychaeta and isopoda. Five indices were studied to determine the preferential food items for each species. Bivalves were the preferred food items for D. sargus, while polychaetes were the preferred for D. vulgaris . Seasonal variations studies on D. sargu s showed that echinoderms appeared in spring only, while amphipoda and isopoda appeared in spring and summer only. The diet of D. sargus varied with the fish size, the abundance of polychaeta decreased with increasing the fish size, while the highest occurrence in larger fish was for fish and prawn. The diet of D. sargus varied slightly with sex. Prawn had the highest values of occurrence in the stomachs of males and females, while polychaeta had the highest occurrence in the stomachs of hermaphrodite s. In conclusion, both Diplodus sargus and Diplodus vulgaris feed on the same food items and each species search for certain food item.
Optimal Malliavin Weighting Function for the Computation of the Greeks

This paper reexamines the Malliavin weighting functions introduced by Fournié et al. (1999) as a new method for efficient and fast computations of the Greeks. Reexpressing the weighting function generator in terms of its Skorohod integrand, we show that these weighting functions have to satisfy necessary and sufficient conditions expressed as conditional expectations. We then derive the weighting function with the smallest total variance. This is of particular interest as it bridges the method of Malliavin weights and the one of likelihood ratio, as introduced by Broadie and Glasserman (1996) . The likelihood ratio is precisely the weighting function with the smallest total variance. We finally examine when to use the Malliavin method and when to prefer finite difference.
Climate Change and Asset Prices: Are Corporate Carbon Disclosure and Performance Priced Appropriately?

This paper empirically assesses the value relevance of information on corporate climate change disclosure and performance to asset prices, and discusses whether this information is priced appropriately. Findings indicate that corporate disclosures of quantitative GHG emissions and, to a lesser extent, carbon performance are value relevant. We use hand-collected information on quantitative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for 433 European companies and build portfolios based on GHG disclosure and performance. We regress portfolios on Carhart (1997) four factor models extended for industry effects over the years 2005 to 2009. Results show that investors achieved abnormal risk-adjusted returns of up to 13.05% annually by exploiting inefficiently priced positive effects of (complete) GHG emissions disclosure and good corporate climate change performance in terms of GHG efficiency. Results imply that, firstly, information costs involved in carbon disclosure and management do not present a burden on corporate financial resources. Secondly, investors should not neglect carbon disclosure and performance when making investment decisions. Thirdly, during the period analysed financial markets were inefficient in pricing publicly available information on carbon disclosure and performance. Mandatory and standardised information on carbon performance would consequently not only increase market efficiency but result in better allocation of capital within the real economy.
Is There a Self-fulfilling Prophecy in Credit Rating Announcements? *

Although credit ratings are meant to foretell a firm’s risk of default, anecdotal evidence suggests that they actually influence the firm’s probability of default. This paper provides systematic evidence on this unintended effect of rating downgrades on future credit defaults. Based on complementary causality methodologies and using an exhaustive database of long-term corporate obligation ratings issued by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch , from 1990 to 2011, the paper shows that downgrades crossing the threshold between investment grade and speculative grade cause an increase of at least 3% in the 1-year probability of default. Naturally, the increase in the probability of default is stronger for deeper rating downgrades. The effect is also stronger for firms that already have a low initial rating.
Hot carrier effects in InGaZnO thin-film transistor

Photon emission and the electrical characteristics of a InGaZnO (IGZO) thin-film transistor (TFT) were evaluated to clarify the existence of hot carriers and their effects. The photon emission was observed from the drain edge of the IGZO-TFT and the capacitance–voltage characteristics indicated that a potential barrier was formed at the drain region when the device is driven by high drain voltage of 30 V. Based on these results, the photon emission phenomenon from the IGZO-TFT was induced by hot carriers that should be considered as a significant degradation mode for a high-performance oxide semiconductor device.