Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DIFFERENTIATION OF PERIPHYTON AND PHYTOPLANKTON ASSEMBLAGES IN ANTHROPOGENICALLY TRANSFORMED CONDITIONS OF THE LITTORAL ZONE IN A SHALLOW URBAN LAKE (LAKE JEZIORAK MAËY, POLAND)

This study of periphyton (periphyton in separator pipes, epilithon and epiphyton) and phytoplankton (pelagial) assemblage differentiation was conducted in Lake Jeziorak May within an anthropogenically transformed littoral zone. Analysis was conducted on the differences in abundance and biomass of these assemblages in relationship to the physico-chemical water parameters, species' similarity, diversity and environmental requirement s of these assemblages, from April to October of 1997-2003 and in 2005. The periphyton in the pipes and epilithon were foun d to be the most similar assemblages . Despite similar substratum characteristics, changes in the physico-chemical water parameters, and especially those in PO 4, Si and Cl, were found to affect these assemblages ' development. This was supported by correlations between the char acteristic species and nutrients. While the growth of epiphyton was mainly related to changes in calcium and nitrogen concentration, phytoplankton depended more on conductivity, pH and Fe. The presence of se ven algal groups with different environmental requirements indicated considerable differentiation of the studied assemblages resulting from anthropogenic transformation of this littoral zone. The installation of separators and a lso stone accumulations in this zone contributed to the creat ion of new habitats for periphytic algae which utilized the common pool of nutrients. It may therefore have indirectly influenced phytoplankton dominated by cyanobacteria.
The Impact of Loss Incidence on Analyst Forecast Dispersion: Uncertainty or Information Asymmetry

In this study we examine the effect of loss incidence on the analyst earning’ forecast dispersion, using annual data for US firms over the period 1986-2011. We find strong positive relationship between the loss incidence and forecast dispersion even when controlling for financial distress. We argue that the significant impact of losses on the analysts’ earnings forecast dispersion is due to a combination of both higher information asymmetry and higher uncertainty regarding the future value of the firm. As such, our study provides a possible reconciliation for the different results provided by Ertimur (2004) and Ciccone (2001) about the incidence of losses.
Effect of Proanthocyanidin-Rich Extract from Grape Seeds on Human Fecal Flora and Fecal Odor

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of proanthocyanidin-rich extracts from grape seeds on human fecal flora and fecal odor. Proanthocyanidin-rich extract containing 38.5% proanthocyanidin was administered to nine healthy adults at a dose of 0.5 g/day (0.19 g/day as proanthocyanidin) for 2 weeks, and proanthocyanidin-rich extract containing 89.3% proanthocyanidin was administered to eight elderly inpatients at a dose of 0.43 g/day (0.38 g/day as proanthocyanidin) for 2 weeks. Green tea extract and/or champignon extract, both of which have been found to have a deodorant effect on fecal odor, were administered in a similar manner as controls. In healthy adults, marked decreases in fecal odor and concentrations of methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide in feces were observed during proanthocyanidin-rich extract intake, but the effects of green tea extract and champignon extract were weak. After 2 weeks of proanthocyanidin-rich extract intake, the number of Bifidobacterium had increased significantly (p<0.05), whereas the number of Enterobacteriaceae tended to decrease (p=0.121). The level of putrefactive substances, including ammonia, phenol, p-cresol, 4-ethylphenol, indole, and skatols tended to decrease after proanthocyanidin-rich extract intake, and fecal pH also tended to decrease. Nurses and hospital aides performed organoleptic evaluations that showed less fecal odor in elderly inpatients with proanthocyanidin-rich extract intake than with champignon extract intake. In an in vitro study, the proanthocyanidin-rich extract reduced methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide release from the feces of healthy adults, and also reduced methyl mercaptan release from methyl mercaptan solution. The absorptive ability of methyl mercaptan was stronger in procyanidin oligomers larger than decamer than procyanidin dimer to tetramer. These results suggest that proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seed intake induces a reduction in the level of putrefactive products in the intestine, which may be linked to the modest change in the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Enterobacteriaceae. They also suggest that the strong deodorant effect of proanthocyanidins on fecal odor is due to the decrease of putrefactive products and the absorption of malodorous compounds from feces by the larger molecular procyanidin oligomers in the proanthocyanidins.
Payment Habits as a Determinant of Retail Payment Innovations Diffusion: the Case of Poland

New and innovative methods for electronic funds transfer are emerging globally. These new payment tools include extensions of the established payment systems as well as new payment methods that are substantially different from traditional transactions. They have made the retail payments faster, cheaper, easier and more convenient for customers. Simultaneously, these payment innovations influence retail payment market around the world. During the last few decades it has changed remarkably and has become a very competitive one. Financial institutions are increasingly in competition with technology companies and other organizations to be the preferred providers of consumer payment services. There are huge differences between retail payment markets in developing countries and those in the mature markets. Payment habits are mostly influenced by local cultural drivers, so global trends are few and far between. Nevertheless, as consumer expectations and habits are becoming more homogenized and financial institutions start to be interested in new markets, the opportunities to learn from the experiences of other economies appear. The paper discusses theoretical and empirical foundation of retail payment innovations diffusion, presents the retail payment taxonomy and the results of a survey held in Poland in 2013. It is concluded that Polish experience can be assessed as a benchmark for searching determinants of retail payment markets development. However, copying success factors for sustainable market development is rather impossible with regard to payment culture, experiences and habits.
The Relationship between Human Capital Development and University's Business Performance

The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of Human Capital on Middle East University's business performance. Practical data were collected from 167 participants out of about 3217 elements, by means of a questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA test, correlation, multiple regressions and stepwise regressions were employed. To confirm the suitability of data collection instrument, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test, Cronbach’s Alpha and factor analysis were used. The result of the study indicated a positive significant relationship between human capital and Middle East University's business performance. The data is also limited to Jordanian organizations. Extending the research to other settings represent future research opportunities. Human capital is an important source of organizations’ wealth and therefore it should be taken into serious consideration when formulating the MEU’s strategy. The data suggested that a similar set of HC indicators could be developed for other organizations and industries whether government, public or private, profitable or non-profitable organizations. Key Words: Human Capital (HC), Learning and Education (L&E), Experience and Expertise (E&E), Innovation and Creation (I&C), Middle East University (MEU), Business Performance (BP).
Medical treatment of the complication of first trimester pregnancy loss with misoprostol

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of misoprostol in patients with complication of first trimester pregnancy loss. After the departmental approval, a total of 102 women with first trimester pregnancy failure were recruited for treatment with misoprostol. The inclusion criteria were gestational age of less than 12 weeks and hemodynamically stable. The exclusion criteria were patients with history of hypersensitivity to prostaglandin, bronchial asthma and hemoglobin less than 9 g. Main outcome measures were the successful resolution of miscarriages without surgical intervention; secondary outcomes were incidence of pain, vaginal bleeding, infection, pyrexia and gastrointestinal side effects. A total of 102 women were included in the study. Age ranged from 16 to 40 years and parity ranged from 0 to grand multipara. Women were not selected according to parity but parity was a random occurrence. No relationship was found between parity and response to treatment with misoprostol. Incomplete abortion was found in 82 (80.39%), an embryonic pregnancy in 7 (6.86%) and early fetal demise in 13 (12.74%). 62.74% women completely expelled the conceptual products on treatment with misoprostol alone, while 38 (37.25%) patients required surgical evacuation due to incomplete expulsion of conceptual products. Mean induction to expulsion interval was 15.66 h. Main side effects noted were pain, pyrexia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. More than one side effect was noted in 7 (22.54%) patients. Treatment of early pregnancy loss with misoprostol is efficient, acceptable and cost effective for patients with complications of first trimester pregnancy loss. Key words: Misoprostol, medical treatment, miscarriage.
Priming in Recognition Memory for Categorized Lists

Previous research on primed recognition of categorized lists has shown two discrepant patterns of results, for which there has not been a conclusive explanation. Sometimes rejection of negative recognition test items (lures) was inhibited as a consequence of semantic priming, whereas at other times processing of negative test items was facilitated. This article investigates the reasons for that discrepancy by focusing on the differences between the tasks used to effect priming in the various previous studies. The first two experiments in this paper showed that lure processing is facilitated when priming is achieved through another recognition test item, whereas inhibition is obtained if a semantic category judgment task is performed on the priming items. Thus, both patterns can be reproduced under nearly identical circumstances, with the type of prime processing being the only difference. Two additional experiments are reported that served to generalize the inhibition found in the second experiment to other semantic priming tasks. The data show that the type of processing done on the prime determines whether inhibition or facilitation of lure rejection is obtained. Inhibition is obtained when a semantic task is used to prime a recognition judgment, whereas facilitation results from priming with an episodic task. The results are interpreted in the framework of the semantic/episodic distinction.
Corrosion Fatigue characterization of a Ti-6 Al-4 V alloy in a corrosive environment – experiments and numerical models

In the present article, a review of the complete characterization in different aggressive media of a Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy, performed by the Structural Mechanics Laboratory of the University of Bergamo, is presented. The light alloy has been investigated in terms of corrosion fatigue, by axial fatigue testing (R = 0.1) of smooth and notched flat dogbone specimens in laboratory air, 3.5% wt. NaCl–water mixture and methanol–water mixture at different concentrations. The first corrosive medium reproduced a marine environment, while the latter was used as a reference aggressive environment. Results showed that a certain corrosion fatigue resistance is found in a salt water medium, while the methanol environment caused a significant drop – from 23% to 55% in terms of limiting stress reduction – of the fatigue resistance of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, even for a solution containing 5% of methanol. A Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) experimental campaign at different methanol concentrations has been conducted over slightly notched dog-bone specimens (Kt = 1.18), to characterize the corrosion resistance of the alloy under quasi-static load conditions. Finally, crack propagation models have been implemented to predict the crack propagation rates for smooth specimens, by using Paris, Walker and Kato-Deng-Inoue-Takatsu propagation formulae. The different outcomes from the forecasting numerical models were compared with experimental results, proposing modeling procedures for the numerical simulation of fatigue behavior of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy.
The elasticity of corporate taxable income: new evidence from UK tax records

We use the population of UK corporation tax returns between 2001 and 2008 to estimate the elasticity of corporate taxable income with respect to the statutory corporation tax rate. We do so by analysing bunching in the distribution of taxable income at two kinks in the marginal rate schedule. We find a relatively small elasticity of between 0.14 and 0.18 for companies with profits around the £ 300k kink and a small marginal deadweight cost of 8% of the revenue that would have been generated by a marginal increase in tax, ignoring behavioural responses. We find a much higher elasticity of between 0.54 and 0.57 for companies around the £10k kink. By matching the corporate tax return data with accounting records and analysing joint bunching in the corporate and personal tax system, we decompose the overall elasticity of corporate taxable income into two parts: an elasticity of total income with respect to the net of tax rate of between 0.2 and 0.3, and an elasticity of the share of income taken as profit with respect to the difference between the personal and corporate tax rates of between 0.04 and 0.07. With these estimated elasticities, we find that the marginal deadweight cost of the tax around £10k is around 25% of the increase in tax revenue, absent any behavioural responses.
Spatial Dependence Structure of Total Factor Productivity in Polish Local Administrative Districts

The interaction between space (location) and the processes of accumulation (growth) is one of the most interesting and at the same time the most difficult areas of modern economic theory. The up till now empirical research on determinants of regional productivity in the case of Poland is however relatively scarce. Most studies focus on explaining the variation in regional income per capita mostly at NUTS–2 and NUTS–3 levels, and only a few take into account a highly spatially disaggregated NUTS–4 level. We aim to fill this important gap. The present article has several objectives. We try to explain the spatial patterns of productivity, to identify the spatial range of productivity spillovers empirically and to identify the determinants of the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth in Poland with the use of spatial econometric modeling and the extended version of the Nelson‑Phelps (1966) model. The study adopts an NUTS-4 level of local administrative districts (powiats) which we find superior on both theoretical (market closing) and empirical grounds (spatial modeling). TFP in Poland assumes the highest values in the metropolitan centers and spreads out on their nearest surroundings with the maximum value for Warsaw. The secondary local hills in TFP are located in cities or towns with county rights. TFP, in general, shows a downward trend as one moves from the west to the east with the lowest values observed in the south‑eastern part of Poland. The range of TFP spillover is found to be of roughly 175–200 km and is nonlinearly decreasing from the local productivity hills. Furthermore, the rate of growth of TFP shows spatial autocorrelation and is found to depend positively on the rate of increase in human capital endowment and on the gap from the leader under certain assumptions. We find no evidence of the channel through imports. However, the FDI channel is found to be robust and strong.
Personality and Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus in Parkinson's Disease

Aims: Certain personality features and psychiatric symptoms are often observed in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) but the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) on psychiatric aspects of PD remain largely unclear. We aimed to evaluate changes in personality and psychiatric symptoms before and after STN-DBS in patients affected by PD. Moreover, motor symptoms and L-dopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) were also investigated. Methodology: Eighteen PD patients consecutively admitted at the San Giovanni Battista Hospital of the University of Turin to undergo STN-DBS were recruited. Participants were neurologically assessed using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and the Hoehn and Yahr scale. They were also psychiatrically evaluated with both self-report and clinician-rated instruments: Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory ‐ Y form (STAI-Y), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA).
Bifurcating Nodoids in Hyperbolic Space

Abstract Consider in hyperbolic space ℍ3 the one parameter family of immersed (non embedded) constant mean curvature surfaces of revolution Dπ with constant mean curvature H > 1. The parameter π ∈ (−∞, 0) is the analogue of the “necksize” of the Delaunay surfaces in Euclidean space. It is proved that when π → -∞, there exists a branch of surfaces with constant mean curvature H which bifurcate from Dπ. Furthermore, we prove that these new surfaces have only a discrete group of symmetries. The proof consists in a detailed study of the behaviour of the eigenvalues of the Jacobi operator when π tends to − ∞, together the bifurcation theorem of Crandall-Rabinowitz.
A STUDY OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN THAILAND THROUGH THE LENS OF THE THREE-PILLARED MODEL

Inspired by Sabel’s and Schlicht’s theory of the firm, a new three-pillared theory of the firm (3Cs model) has been developed. Underlying it is the concept of the balance of power. The balance of power is the core of corporate governance that appears to have been referred to more by practitioners than scholars. This paper shows that corporate governance can actually find its root in economic governance in which the balance of power has been the dominant principle underlying all stable and prosperous economic systems from the past to present. The economic history of Europe shows this. More recent studies on modern organizational economics have shown two interacting thrusts inside the firm: to achieve the firm’s objective and to keep its activities efficient. Both streams of evidences lead this paper to synthesize the balance of power as the core of corporate governance. The balance of power concept, though much mentioned, never has been proposed in the past as a theoretical ground because of the firm’ subtlety. This theoretical framework argues that a firm can be understood and conceptualized in several realms. Whereas the legal realm of the firms is commonly used in theoretical analysis, its narrowly characterized nexus-of-contract hinders an understanding of the complexity of the governance realm which can be construed as the balance of power driven by three interacting components, namely Authoritative capability, Control power and Cultural consensus. Since a sizable portion of Thai listed companies are plausibly controlled by majority shareholders and their families, the companies represent the ideal subjects of study through the lens of the 3Cs model. Selected proxies of the three governance components are tested against the performance indices and significant relationships are found. The 3Cs model is proved to be a new effective tool of corporate
Terrestrial Laser Scanning Roughness Assessments for Infrastructure

Road roughness is a key parameter for controlling pavement construction processes and for assessing ride quality of both paved and unpaved roads. This paper describes algorithms used in processing three-dimensional (3D) stationary terrestrial laser scanning (STLS) point clouds to obtain surface maps of point wise indices that characterize pavement roughness. The backbone of the analysis is a quarter-car model simulation over a spatial 3D mesh grid representing the pavement surface. Two case studies are presented, and results show high spatial variability in the roughness indices both longitudinally and transversely (i.e., different wheel path positions). It is proposed that road roughness characterization using a spatial framework provides more details on the severity and location of roughness features compared to the one-dimensional methods. This paper describes approaches that provide an algorithmic framework for others collecting similar STLS 3D spatial data to be used in advanced road roughness characterization.
Genetic control of early grain darkening of carioca common bean

To obtain information on the genetic control of early darkening in common bean with carioca grain and verify the feasibility of selection by means of a grade scale, two contrasting parents were crossed, line VC-3 with cultivar BRSMG Majestoso. The seeds of F2 plants and F2:3 progenies were evaluated 30, 60 and 90 days after harvest for grain darkening, on a 1 - 5 grade scale. Genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated. The grade scale efficiently discriminated the progenies in terms of grain darkening. The heritability of the trait increases with the storage time and was high enough to ensure success with selection after 30 days. The genetic control seems to be monogenic with dominance of the allele for early darkening.
Identification of fungi from children ' s shoes and application of a novel antimicrobial agent on shoe insole

13 strains of fungi were isolated from 12 shoes worn by children aged 6 to12 for a period of more than half a year consisting of 5 strains of yeasts and 8 strains of molds. Through morphological observation and 18SrDNA sequence analysis, the 5 strains of yeasts were identified as follows: Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus albidus, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Candida utilis. While the 8 strains of molds characterized and classified by point cropping, insert method and imprint method were respectively Mucor (2 subspecies), Chain cell mold, Aspergillus (3 subspecies) and Penicillium (2 subspecies). In order to protect children's feet from being infected by the fungi, a novel nano antimicrobial composite containing nano ZnO and isothiazolinone was prepared and was used to treat the children’s insole by spraying. The inhibitory effects of the nano antimicrobial composite treated insole against yeasts and molds from children’s shoes were evaluated by the inhibition zone and the inhibition ratio method. The results show that the insole treated with 2% nano antimicrobial composite could inhibit the growth of tested microorganism effectively, which could also achieve more than 97% inhibition ratio against the entire tested fungi.