Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Capital Structure Determinants of Small and Medium Enterprises in Croatia

Most of the research about capital structure is focused towards two theories: trade off theory (TOT) and pecking order theory (POT). The idea is to explore which theory works better in certain conditions and identify the key determinants that affect the capital structure of the company. However, in different countries different determinants with opposite relation to the leverage are found to be significant. Besides, most of the previous researches are oriented on listed companies. The aim of this paper is to analyse the capital structure of small and medium enterprises in Croatia through the analysis of the fundamental determinants of the capital structure. The research was conducted on a data sample of 500 SMEs in Croatia in the period of 2005–2011. On the unbalanced panel data set a linear regression is applied. Influence of determinants on leverage is estimated by a static panel model with random effect and with fixed effect estimation. Four capital structure determinants are analysed: growth, size, profitability and tangible assets. The results of this research support the pecking order theory confirming that SMEs in Croatia are primarily financed frominternally generated funds that affect profitability, growth, tangible assets and enterprise size.
Detection and Molecular Identification of Salmonella Strains Isolated from an Industrial Ostriches farm

Poultry salmonellosis, one of the most prevalent diseases and major source of food-borne infections to humans due to consumption of poultry products is worldwide in distribution. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of salmonellosis in ostriches by culture and PCR , determination of antibiotic resistance pattern of the iso-lates and the infected ostriches antibody level. 87 fecal samples from one industrial ostrich farm with clinical signs of diarrhea, weight loss, mortality and reduced hatchability were collected and evaluated for presence of the Salmonella . Salmonella was isolated according to standard culture and biochemical tests. The Salmonella positive samples were serotyped with O and H antisera based on slide and tube agglutination tests. PCR was done for detection of serovars Infantis and Enteritidis. Then the antibiotic resistance against 14 antimicrobial agents were tested. The antibody level of the infected ostriches were measured by WIDAL agglutination test. Results indicated 9.1% (8 of 87) of ostriches were positive for Salmonella . Serotyping results showed 3 samples were serovar Infantis and 5 samples were serovar Enteritidis and PCR confirmed the serotyping results. All 8 samples were resistant to tetracyclin and ampicillin but sensitive to other antibiotics including . ciprofloxacin, kanamycin, sultrim, cephalothin, norfloxacin, chloramphenicol, flumequine, nitrofurantoin, coamoxiclav, gentamicin, enrofloxacin and cefotaxime The results of WIDAL agglutination test indicated that all ostriches were negative except 8 Salmonella positive ostriches with the titres 1/80 to 1/360 for the O and 1/80 to 1/640 for the H antigens. To our knowledge this is the first study which reports the peresence of Salmonella Infantis in ostriches in Iran and more studies should be done to investigate this pathogen in ostriches herds of Iran.
ESBL Detection and Comparison of Antibiotics Resistance Pattern of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Isolated from Healthy and Acute Respiratory Tract Infected Camels

| Emerging antibiotic resistance is a global problem which interfere with effective disease management in animals. Although antibiotic susceptibility screenings are frequently conducted in human practice, its use in veterinary is very limited and very few literatures are available on antibiotic resistance pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from respiratory tract infections of camels. In this investigation, total 65 PCR (16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer region) confirmed K. pneumoniae isolates were included. Among those, 47 were from diseased and 18 were from healthy camels. All isolates were screened for 26 antibiotics of various groups and found 100 % isolates were multidrug resistant, any single isolate from diseased camels was at least resistant to 9 antibiotics and isolate from healthy camel was resistant to more than 6 antibiotics. Out of 26 antibiotics, 100% (65) isolates were susceptible to imepenem but resistant to bacitracin, clindamycin, rifampicin and sulfadiazine. 15 (31.9%) isolates from diseased camels showed Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL) phenomena while none of the isolate from healthy camels exhibited this activity. Antibiotics susceptibility pattern was found significantly different for seven antibiotics that is cefepime, ciprofloxacin, oxacillin (p≤0.05), erythromycin, norfloxacin, tetracycline and trimethoprim (p≤0.01) whereas nonsignificant difference for susceptibility pattern was observed for remaining 19 antibiotics. It has established pointer to a correlation between natural and acquired antibiotic resistance and substantial information of occurrence of ESBL activity in K. pneumoniae from camels. Further suggested molecular characterization of these isolates in regards of antibiotic resistance and also the genes responsible for ESBL activity.
Vertical integration, foreclosure, and productive efficiency

type="main"> We analyze the consequences of vertical integration by a monopoly producer dealing with two retailers (downstream firms) of varying efficiency via secret two-part tariffs. When integrated with the inefficient retailer, the monopoly producer does not foreclose the rival retailer due to an output-shifting effect. This effect can induce the integrated firm to engage in below-cost pricing at the wholesale level, thereby rendering integration procompetitive. Output shifting arises with homogeneous and differentiated products. Moreover, we show that integration with an inefficient retailer emerges in a model with uncertainty over retailers' costs, and this merger can be procompetitive in expectation.
Strain localization at the margins of strong lithospheric domains: Insights from analog models

The lateral variation of the mechanical properties of continental lithosphere is an important factor controlling the localization of deformation and thus the deformation history and geometry of intraplate mountain belts. A series of three‐layer lithospheric‐scale analog models, with a strong domain (SD) embedded at various depths, are presented to investigate the development of topography and deformation patterns by having lateral heterogeneities within a weak continental lithosphere. The experiments, performed at a constant velocity and under normal gravity, indicate that the presence or absence of the SD controls whether deformation is localized or distributed at a lithospheric scale. Deformation and topography localize above the edges of the SD, while the SD region itself is characterized by minor amounts of surficial deformation and topography. The depth of the SD (within the ductile crust, ductile mantle lithosphere, or both) controls the pattern of deformation and thus the topography. The presence of a SD in the ductile crust or in the mantle results in limited surficial topographic effects but large variations in the Moho topography. Strong Moho deflection occurs when the SD is in the ductile crust, while the Moho remains almost flat when the SD is in the mantle. When the SD occupies the ductile lithosphere, the SD is tilted. These analog experiments provide insights into intraplate strain localization and could in particular explain the topography around the Tarim Basin, a lithospheric‐scale heterogeneity north of the India‐Asia collision zone.
Apatitic Deposition in Osteoblasts Cultured on Micropatterned Silicon

In this study, the osteogenic differentiation of murine pre-osteoblasts cultured on patterned silicon was investigated. Specifically, micropatterns were fabricated in orientation silicon wafers to create linear gratings with a width of either 2 μm (2 μm depth, 10 μm pitch) or 20 μm (2 μm depth, 30 μm pitch). Two subclones (4, 24) of the MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cell line were seeded on the micropatterns and cultured in osteogenic induction medium for 28 days. Cells cultured on planar silicon served as the controls. Apatite formation was examined using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Deposition of [002] and [211]/[112] apatite-like material was clearly observed in subclone 4 (strongly mineralizing) osteoblasts cultured on both micro patterns.
Effect of cassava peels and palm kernel cake (PKC) on the heamatological and serum biochemical of grower pigs in Nigeria

Received: 14 September 2018 Revised received: 20 October 2018 Accepted: 10 November 2018 The research was carried out for a period of ten weeks at the piggery unit of the teaching and research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of cassava peels and palm kernel cake (PKC) at 50:50 ratio on the heamatological and serum biochemical of grower pigs. Forty (40) grower pigs of large white were used; pigs were divided into 5 groups based on average initial weights (20-25kg) and each group of grower pigs were respectively allocated to each of the five treatment diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). At the end of the ten (10) weeks feeding trial, the animals were starved of feed for 12 hours before blood samples were collected from two pigs each per treatment from the ear vein using a sterilized disposable syringe and needle. The parameters determine were red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), total protein, albumin, and globulin and serum cholesterol. The result indicated that heamatological and serum biochemical parameters assessed fall within the normal range and is an indication of good nutrition and adequate nutrient intake. Therefore, the animals did not suffered muscular wastage but efficient utilization of cassava peels and palm kernel cake, ultimately resulted in high tissue deposition across treatment groups.
Does Board Structure Affect Financial Distress? A Study with Reference to Family Firms in Lebanon

This study offers to regulators and pr actitioners evidence on the role of the board of directors’ composition in the financial distress of family businesses in an emerging economy such as Lebanon. The paper examines the role of outside directors, insiders’ equity ownership, and CEO-board chair duality on the financial distress of non-listed family-owned firms. Between the periods of 2007-2010, the authors investigate 276 firms that were equally divided between a control and an experimental group, using a multiple logistic regression between a proxy ratio of financial distress and three exogenous variables of corporate governance. Empirical results based on a longitudinal sample indicate that (1) the presence of outside directors on the board of directors has no effect on financial distress; and (2) insiders’ equity ownership reduces the likelihood of financial distress; whereas, (3) the CEO-board chair duality increases the probability of financial distress of Le banese family businesses. The findings may well urge Lebanese invest ors and regulators towards a selective implementation of governance practices, to enha nce the performance of one of the pillar of the Lebanese economy. The replacement of an inside director by an outsider will not increase the chance of survival of familyowned firms. In contrast, equity ownership held by insiders and the separ ation of the CEO-Chairperson position can be used as a tool to reduce agency costs, and as a result, enhance the financial performance.
Explaining the Off-the-Books Enterprise Culture of Ukraine: Reluctant or Willing Entrepreneurship?

In recent years, there has been a growing realisation that beyond the realm of legitimate entrepreneurship is a large, hidden enterprise culture composed of entrepreneurs conducting some or all of their trade off-the-books. Until now, however, few have evaluated how many entrepreneurs start-up their ventures trading off-the-books and why they do so. Reporting face-to-face interviews conducted in Ukraine during 2005-2006 with 331 entrepreneurs, the finding is not only that the vast majority (90%) operate partially or wholly off-the-books, but also that they are not all driven by necessity, as a last resort and as a survival strategy into entrepreneurship. Revealing how many are willing rather than reluctant entrepreneurs; and that even those who were initially reluctant and ventured into it out of necessity, became more willing entrepreneurs over time as their business became established – the paper concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for both further research and public policy.
Competition for light and water play contrasting roles in driving diversity–productivity relationships in Iberian forests

Mixed‐species forests generally sequester and store more carbon in above‐ground woody biomass compared to species‐poor systems. However, the mechanisms driving the positive relationship between diversity and above‐ground wood production (AWP) remain unclear. We investigate the role of competition for light and water as possible sources of complementarity among Iberian pine and oak species. Using tree core data from permanent plots, we test the hypotheses that (i) contrasting abilities of pines and oaks to tolerate shade will promote AWP in mixtures, while (ii) drought stress results in less room for complementarity. We found that pine species receive more light, develop larger crowns and grow 138–155% faster when in mixture with oaks. However, this positive effect of species mixing on growth was severely reduced under drought conditions due to increased competition for water with neighbouring oaks. In contrast to pines, oak trees were less responsive to mixing, primarily as a result of their ability to tolerate shade and water shortage. Mixed pine‐oak forests produce an average 48% more above‐ground woody biomass compared to monocultures each year. However, the magnitude of the diversity effect on AWP fluctuates with time, decreasing noticeably in strength during drought years. Synthesis. Complementary light use strategies among neighbouring trees are critical in explaining why above‐ground wood production (AWP) increases in mixed‐species stands. In contrast, drought causes trees in mixture to compete more fiercely for below‐ground resources, leaving less room for complementarity and causing positive diversity effects to lessen in strength. Together, these two mechanisms provide much needed context for AWP–diversity relationships in Mediterranean forests. Whether or not managing for mixed pine‐oak forests proves to be beneficial for AWP is likely to depend on how climate changes in the Iberian Peninsula.
Postharvest Biology and Handling of Banana Fruit

Banana (Musa sp.) is one of the most economically important fruit crops in the world. The banana fruit is generally harvested and stored in a mature green state. Fruit ripening involves a transient burst in ethylene production that coordinates ripening-associated process. These processes include the respiratory climacteric, pulp softening, peel de-greening, and production of aroma compounds. Avoidance of exposure to ethylene and control of endogenous ethylene synthesis are key measures for banana storage. Other important factors that influence banana fruit storage life are pathogen development, mechanical damage, and variable maturity. The interaction of these factors can lead to uneven and unpredictable ripening that has adverse implications for marketability. Low temperature storage is highly effective in reducing decay and extending the storage life of harvested banana. However, banana fruit are chilling sensitive and storage at suboptimal temperatures results in injury symptoms that include peel discoloration and abnormal ripening. These symptoms are common when banana fruit are stored at temperatures below about 13°C. Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage or modified atmosphere (MA) packaging constitute adjunct or alternative technologies to extend the green life of harvested fruit. These technologies can be effective at ambient temperatures, particularly in combination with the use of ethylene absorbing compounds and/or treatments that prevent ethylene action or inhibit rots. However, if CO2 concentrations become too high, the fruit may fail to ripen normally. The relatively recently introduced ethylene binding site blocker, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), can effectively inhibit ethylene action on banana fruit. Applied as a gas, like ethylene, 1-MCP has demonstrated potential for the modulation of ripening and senescence processes in banana fruit. Overall, postharvest research on banana fruit remains focused on control of ethylene synthesis and action and on suppression of disease development, including by chemical-free means.
TARGET AND NON-TARGET IMPACTS FROM DIAZINON APPLIED AGAINST DASINEURA MALI IN A CANTERBURY APPLE ORCHARD

The control of apple leafcurling midge (Dasineura mali) with diazinon was investigated as part of an Integrated Fruit Production programme. A soil drench was applied against the emerging adults of the first generation (pre-flowering), and compared with a foliar application against the second generation (early December). Nontarget effects on the biodiversity of ground dwelling arthropods were examined using pitfall traps before and after diazinon applications, and on arboreal diversity using brushed leaf samples. Drench, foliar spray, and a combination of these treatments, all reduced percentage of damaged shoots compared to untreated plots. Drench and foliar applications gave similar results. Little impact on ground-dwelling arthropod biodiversity was detected following the drench or foliar applications. The biodiversity of foliage-dwelling (mainly beneficial) arthropods showed a significant reduction after foliar treatment.
NONREPLICATION OF OPTIONS

In this paper, we study the replication of options in security markets X with a finite number of states. Specifically, we prove that in security markets without binary vectors, for any portfolio, at most m − 3 options can be replicated where m is the number of states. This is an essential improvement of the result of Baptista where it is proved that the set of replicated options is of measure zero. Additionally, we extend the results of Aliprantis and Tourky on the nonreplication of options by generalizing their condition that markets are strongly resolving. Our results are based on the theory of lattice‐subspaces and positive bases.
Biological control of Macrophomina phaseolina on cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ) under dry conditions by bacterial antagonists

Macrophomina phaseolina, the causative agent of charcoal rot of cowpea and many other crops, is a devastating pathogen in many regions worldwide. Single control measures are ineffective or not feasible under farmers’ conditions. In order to promote biological control as a component of an integrated management approach under arid ecological conditions, 20 bacterial antagonists were isolated from soil samples collected from the rhizosphere of healthy as well as M. Phaseolina-infected cowpea from fields located in the dry savannah zone of West Africa. In dual culture tests with four media, antagonistic activity was variable and depended on the medium used. Growth inhibition was generally good on tryptic soy agar on which two antagonists also inhibited microsclerotia production by M. phaseolina. Effective antagonists were identified as Bacillus subtilis, B. sphaericus and Paenibacillus polymixa. In greenhouse experiments, seed treatment with B. subtilis strain A11 reduced the incidence of M. phaseolina by 89.29% over the untreated control plants, and lower pathogen quantities in plants were confirmed by DAS-ELISA. Bacillus subtilis A11 was rhizosphere competent and maintained high population densities of up to 6 Log10 CFU/g fresh weight on the roots and 5.73 Log10 CFU/g fresh weight on the hypocotyls of cowpea plants over three weeks after inoculation. This antagonist is recommended for seed treatment in combination with other cultural practices for the management of M. phaseolina under arid conditions. Keywords : Bacillus subtilis, charcoal rot, rhizosphere colonization, seed treatment.
Soil attributes and wood quality for pulp production in plantations of Eucalyptus grandis clone

The soil attributes can affect the wood quality of eucalypt, which may result in considerable effect on cellulose production. This study evaluated the effect of different physical and chemical soil attributes on wood quality of Eucalyptus grandis for cellulose production. Five sites were selected at the Western Plateau of the State of Sao Paulo, planted with one clone of Eucalyptus grandis, with ages ranging between 6.5 and 7.0 years. Four soil types, with texture ranging from sandy to very clayey were found. At each site, three experimental plots were allocated with 100 trees each. Trees representative of each class frequency of diameter at breast height were harvested. Their biomass and wood components were characterized. The wood productivity and quality was affected by physical attributes of soil, mainly clay content, which is directly related to the amount of available water. Basic wood density did not changed at different soil types. Total lignin content decreased and holocellulose content exponentially increased as soil clay content increased (until about 350 to 400 g kg-1 of clay). The wood extractives content was not affected by soil attributes. Screened cellulose yield exponentially increased with soil clay content.
Farmer perceptions of bird damage and control in arable crops.

One hundred arable farmers from across New Zealand were randomly selected and interviewed in summer 2000, to assess their perceptions of the nature and extent of bird damage to their crops, the bird species involved, the factors affecting the level of damage, and the type and cost of any bird control undertaken. Most farmers considered birds caused serious damage to their crops, with wheat, barley, peas and some speciality seed crops, such as brassicas, borage and evening primrose, most at risk. Damage was rarely perceived to exceed 5% in cereals but was often higher in speciality crops. It was most severe at seed maturation. The birds responsible for most of the damage were house sparrows and greenfinches. Most farmers undertook some form of bird control to protect their crops, with shooting, gas guns and avicides most commonly used. The overall expenditure on bird control was far less than the value of the damage reported.