Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adoption of Innovations in Bottled Water at the Bottom of the Pyramid : Who Adopts First ?

While adoption and diffusion of innovations is an established field, research on adoption and diffusion in an emerging market or Bottom of the Pyramid setting is less established and mostly conceptual or qualitative. With the increasing focus of western firms on entering BoP markets, research on adoption of BoP innovations is warranted. This paper examines the possible heterogeneity of BoP consumers with a study on adoption of low cost bottled water on the Kenyan coast. Using Rogers’ five categories of adopters, a framework for consumer categories of adoption was developed and empirically tested with a sample of around 300 bottled water consumers in Kenya. The results suggest that wealth is not the main factor in time of adoption of low cost bottled water. Consumers with a higher level of education were more likely to be later adopters. Earlier adopters were more likely to be financially included (measured by having access to a bank account). Additionally, word of mouth information played a role for later adopters. The research also contributes to the larger BoP innovation debate by suggesting that wealth is not most important factor in adoption of innovations. Additionally, the results from DWL suggest that they may not be reaching their targeted low income consumers but rather middle class consumers.
Machine Learning Methods To Identify Hidden Phenotypes In The Electronic Health Record

Patient interactions with health care providers result in entries to electronic health records (EHRs). EHRs were built for clinical and billing purposes but contain many data points about an individual. Mining these records provides opportunities to extract electronic phenotypes, which can be paired with genetic data to identify genes underlying common human diseases. This task remains challenging: high quality phenotyping is costly and requires physician review; many fields in the records are sparsely filled; and our definitions of diseases are continuing to improve over time. Here we develop and
Inquiry into the decomposition view of lexical competence

Psycholinguists are interested in how words are stored in human memory. The question as to whether words are stored as single root words or whether they are stored along with the affixes still remains a controversial issue. Aitchison (1987) believes that each word has a separate entry. Mackay (1978) and Taft (1981) hold that words are made of constituent morphemes. When we listen, we decompose the morphemes and when we speak, we combine them to make multimorphemic words. The decomposition view claims that only the root is stored in memory. To test this claim, a group of 50 intermediate level students at the preparatory department of a state university situated on the western coast of Turkey were selected. They were taught 10 pseudo root nouns and verbs and 10 psuedo complex nouns and verbs. To see how the morphological complexity affected lexical access and which type of words were better remembered, they were tested on these words. Then the same group was given 10 root and 10 complex words in their mother tongue and their answer times were compared. Students recalled the root words more easily and accurately.The results shed light on the validity of the decomposition theory, showcasing we remember the words in roots better.
OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE AND THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ROLE

This paper reviewed the theoretical and empirical literature on the relationship between ownership structure and dividends. Agency theory suggested that dividend was served to reduce agency problems between owners (or large controlling shareholders) and managers (or minority shareholders) by reducing the amount of free cash flow and increasing monitoring by external parties. It also proposed that ownership concentration and composition might mitigate or exacerbate agency problems. We might expect substitutability or complementary relationship existed between dividend and ownership concentration/composition. Empirical evidence showed that the relationship between dividend and managerial or large shareholdings could be negative (i.e., consistent with substitute argument), positive (i.e., consistent with complementary argument) or non-linear (i.e., consistent with entrenchment hypothesis). In addition, the literature suggested that family controlled firms might expropriate minority shareholders by paying lower dividends or mitigate moral hazard conflicts by distributing more cash. Empirical research on this issue, however, provided mixed findings.
The Pennsylvania State University

Understanding interactions within complex biological systems is essential to study protein function and transport, and to enable design of biocompatible devices. Studying such complex systems through experiment encounters many challenges, including availability and resolution of experimental data, and control over system parameters to be studied. Computer models are frequently employed to explore such systems. Many biological systems of interest, such as protein surface adsorption, cannot be effectively simulated at the atomistic level. In order to simulate these large systems for the durations required for the desired behavior to evolve, atomistic structure is often represented approximately by “coarse-grain” techniques. Dissipative particle dynamics is one simulation technique which makes large sizeand time-scales accessible. Current DPD simulations typically represent two surfaces for adsorption, even when the second surface merely serves to bound the opposite one end of the simulation box. To eliminate the computational demand of such a redundant system, here we use a specular reflecting boundary condition as an alternative. This boundary inverts bead Z-velocity at the box ceiling to bounce them back into the simulation. We identify requirements for a successful reflecting boundary. This boundary is validated by comparison with results of a reference system with a second surface and no reflective boundary. Simulation results including surface adsorption, fluid bead density and temperature are used to confirm the equivalence of the results with both boundary methods. Simulation data are evaluated to assess the adsorption behavior of model protein chains of varying geometry onto simulated surfaces of varying hydrophilicity. It is found that such efficient systems with precise parameter control can prove ideal to evaluate a wide range of surface adsorption behavior which may otherwise be impractical to study in detail.
Financial Incentives can be Counterproductive in Non-Pro t Sectors: Evidence from a Health Experiment

Financial incentives for service providers are becoming a common strategy to improve service delivery. Using a eld experiment in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we show that introducing a performance-based nancing mechanism in the health sector was detrimental because motivated health workers implemented counterproductive strategies: perceived bene t of health services decreased, demand and workers' revenue dropped, and child health deteriorated. We also nd a shift in worker motives from intrinsic to material motives. Finally, post-incentive worker attendance was lower than postxed payment one. Management tools used in for-pro t sectors may thus be inappropriate in non-pro t sectors such as health. JEL Codes: H51, I18, 012
PREVALENCE OF DENTAL CARIES IN BIBI ASEEFA DENTAL COLLEGE, LARKANA AREAS

The study was conducted for the first time in Bibi Aseefa Dental College (BADC), Larkana from April 2012 to March 2013 to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries in Larkana city and its adjoining areas, and to know the effect of age, gender, socioeconomic status, oral hygiene status and attitude towards dental awareness to caries prevalence. It was a Cross-sectional study. Six hundred patients between 13-20 and 21-30 years of age were selected from dental OPD, BADC, Larkana. The dentition was examined using WHO 1997 guidelines. The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Chi-square test was used to evaluate results. The overall caries prevalence in 13-20 years and 21-30 years old groups in Larkana city and adjoining areas determined was 100%. The mean DMFT value was higher i.e. 3.42 in age group 13-20 years. Besides age, the gender, socioeconomic status, oral hygiene status and attitude towards dental awareness were significantly related to dental caries prevalence. It was concluded that prevalence of dental caries in Larkana city and its adjoining areas was found considerably higher, and it was significantly related to bad oral hygiene and socioeconomically deprived patients which indicates lack of awareness and motivation. Prevalence of dental caries decreased with increasing age.
Examining the relationship between a hospital ’ s IT infrastructure capability and digital capabilities : a resource-based perspective Completed Research

Hospitals increasingly make use of information technology (IT) infrastructures to enhance their services. However, it remains unclear how IT infrastructures affect clinical and operational excellence. We examine the relationship among hospitals’ IT infrastructure capability and their so-called digital capabilities, i.e., IS competences regarding information processing, digitally enabled clinical decision making, health information exchange, and telehealth. We conceptualize a research model taking a resource-based lens, and we propose two hypotheses. First, we argue that hospitals that invest in their IT infrastructure capability will outperform other hospitals regarding their digital capabilities. Furthermore, as many hospitals receive financial incentives for professionalizing digital services, we hypothesize that the strength of this particular relationship is dependent on such incentives. Findings—based on an SEM-PLS analysis on a sample of 1143 European hospital—suggest that there is a positive relationship between an IT infrastructure capability and digital capabilities, and, surprisingly, financial incentives negatively affects this relationship.
EFFECT OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL (Glomus intraradices) INOCULATION ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (Vigna subterranea (L)) Hamzat,

Bambara groundnut is highly nutritive crop, commonly consumed in Africa which may be used to replace expensive animal protein in the human diets. Laboratory and screen house experiments were carried out at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on seed germination and seedling growth of Bambara groundnut. The Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants formed the treatment. Both laboratory and screen house experiments were replicated three times, while means and standard deviation (mean +/SD) were also calculated. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Viability of the seeds ranged between 80-100%. Glomus intraradices was found to greatly enhance the vigour of the seedlings compared to the control. This was evident in plant height (25.4±2.6) cm, leave number (90), stem girth (0.1±0.1) cm, leaf area (19.5±1.5) cm 2 , dry and fresh weight of shoot and root. The moisture content of the inoculated seedlings roots (69±1.8)% and shoot(67±2.3)% was significantly P<0.05 higher than that of the non-inoculated seedlings of root(60±0.9)% and shoot(53±1.2)% that served as control. The overall mean weight of mycorrhizal inoculated seedling was estimated to be 11.8+4.0g while that of the non-inoculated seedling was 6.8±1.3g. Some chemical components of the seeds were investigated and found to include free fatty acids (1.11±1.82%) Iodine (88.60±0.45) mgg -1 , Peroxide (4.00±10.21) mgg -1 , Saponification (170.66±0.64) mgg -1 , Acidic value (90.00±0.012) mgg -1 and Oil (73±2.3) contents. This underutilized crop seeds should be made readily available for commercial farmers in order to improve the availability of the crops in the diets of the populace since it has high protein content that can be used to replace expensive animal protein.
Studies on emotional aspects in the design of user interfaces

Emotions play a crucial role in the way people interact with each other, objects and computing systems, and are a key factor in human-computer interaction. The choice of the appropriate elements for a user interface may result in a better experience of how it can be used. However, most studies investigate people’s preferences and visual aesthetics, without taking into account people’s emotion in the design. This dissertation carries out a series of detailed studies on the emotional effects of user interface elements, by examining colors, fonts and images. A critical analysis of the literature (through a systematic review) combined to the Semantic Space of Emotions, which covers a broad spectrum of emotions, resulted in the proposal of Bianchi’s Color Wheel. An empirical study was conducted on the emotional effects of font types and sizes; this involved 60 users and was necessary because there are so few studies on fonts and emotions in the literature. With regard to font types, in statistical terms, it was found there were no significant differences, although Arial was more closely linked to positive emotions than Times New Roman in the discourse analysis. Small font sizes, 8pt, caused negative experiences and led to tiredness, while medium (12pt) and large (16pt) sizes were mainly related to pleasant and comforting experiences. The third study investigated tagged and felt emotions evoked by images which were collected through social tags that were clearly related to emotions. The aim of the study was to determine whether or not these images are reliable for the design and retrieval. Thus, an online survey was planned and carried out by a group of 410 volunteers who classified pictures from Flickr. The results suggested that there are some emotions tagged that were similar to observers emotions, while others are diffuse and need other criteria for their selection apart from social tags. Finally, it should be mentioned that further studies are needed to address the complete user interface with all these elements and findings combined.
SEED PRIMING WITH ZINC MODULATE GROWTH , PIGMENTS AND YIELD OF CHICKPEA ( Cicer arietinum L . ) UNDER WATER DEFICIT CONDITIONS

The research was conducted to assess the role of pre-sowing seed treatment with 0.05% ZnSO4 solution on four varieties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) i.e. CM 2008, FG 0902, DO 75-09 and Pb 2008 under three different drought conditions. Seeds primed with distilled water and 0.05% ZnSO4 solution were sown in plastic pots filled with soil. The osmo-primed seeds were laid in completely randomized design. Drought was maintained in three levels i.e. control 100% FC, 70% FC and 35% FC. After one month of drought treatment 50% plant replicates were sampled for measurement of seed germination characteristics, growth attributes and chlorophyll pigments and left the remaining 50% plants for further growth. Drought was maintained till the crop ripening and at the end yield attributes were recorded. Water deficit stress decreased the germination rate, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid in all chickpea varieties. However, the seed priming with ZnSO4 improved the growth conditions of the plants. ZnSO4 seed priming also caused early germination than in non-primed. Overall, the results showed that CM 2008 and FG 0902 chickpea varieties were more drought tolerant than others while there was wide variation among chickpea varieties in response to seed priming with ZnSO4 solution. Overall, ZnSO4 seed priming alleviate the drought effect by enhancing the growth condition of plants and in turn the yield of chickpea cultivars.
Imperfect competition in nancial markets and capital structure

We consider a model of corporate nance with imperfectly competitive nancial intermediaries. Firms can nance projects either via debt or via equity. Because of asymmetric information about rmsgrowth opportunities, equity nancing involves a dilution cost. Nevertheless, equity emerges in equilibrium whenever nancial intermediaries have su¢ cient market power. In the latter case, best rms issue debt while the less pro table rms are equity- nanced. We also show that strategic interaction between oligopolistic intermediaries results in multiple equilibria. If one intermediary chooses to buy more debt, the price of debt decreases, so the best equity-issuing rms switch from equity to debt nancing. This in turn decreases average quality of equity- nanced pool, so other intermediaries also shift towards more debt. Keywords: capital structure, pecking order theory of nance, oligopoly in nancial markets, second degree price discrimination JEL Codes: D43, G32, L13 We are grateful to Philippe Aghion, Sudipto Bhattacharya, Patrick Bolton, Bengt Holmstrom, Michael Riordan, Sergey Stepanov, Lars Stole, and Dimitri Vayanos, and seminar and conference participants in Helsinki, Moscow, and Wellington for helpful comments. The rst author acknowledges the hospitality of Princeton University where the work has been started. yNew Economic School and CEPR. E-mail: sguriev@nes.ru zUniversity of Auckland. E-mail: d.kvasov@auckland.ac. nz
Engineering and Chemical Characterisation of Natural Bitumen Resources from Nigeria

Engineering and chemical properties of bitumen in Agbabu were evaluated for their suitability in road pavement construction. Raw samples of natural bitumen were collected in Agbagbu, Mile 2 and Mulekangbo, Ondo State, Nigeria. The engineering properties analysis involves bitumen penetration, flash and fire points, water content, loss on heating and specific gravity. Chemical evaluation includes analysis of heavy metals by the use of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and analysis of Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer (GCMS). Agbabu and Mulekangbo bitumen samples fall within 200/300 penetration grade, classified as temperature susceptible bitumen, while samples of Mile 2 fall within 100/150 penetration grade, classified as conventional paving bitumen. Thus, Agbabu and Mulekangbo bitumen can be used in temperate regions of the world, while Mile 2 bitumen can best be applied in tropics, after upgrading by modifiers. The results of AAS indicate a high concentration of iron in the samples in the decreasing order of Fe<Zn<Cu<Mn<Pb<Ni. For Agbabu bitumen sample, the concentration indicates Fe (509 mg/kg), Zn (16 mg/kg), Cu (14 mg/kg), Pb (1 mg/kg), Ni, Cd and Mn are negligible, Mile 2 bitumen sample indicates Fe (8605 mg/kg), Zn (36 mg/kg), Cu (35 mg/kg) Mn (27 mg/kg), Ni and Cd are negligible; for Mulekangbo bitumen sample: Fe (8905 mg/kg), Zn (48 mg/kg), Cu (39 mg/kg), Mn (37 mg/kg), Pb (7 mg/kg), Mn (37 mg/kg), Ni (1 mg/kg) and Cd is negligible. Metals like Pb, Ni, Cd, even though present in small concentration can cause environmental hazard. GCMS analysis revealed high percentage of PAHs such as Chrysene, Pyrene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene and Anthracene in Mulekangbo bitumen sample, while Agbabu and Mile 2 bitumen samples indicate low percentage of target PAHs. PAHs present in bitumen sample of Mulekangbo can be carcinogenic and mutagenic, thus, exposure to these compounds can pose health/environmental risks. This study recommends clean technology during refining process to remove hazardous PAHs from the bitumen to prevent human and environmental health challenges during utilization.
Designing a design competition : the client perspective

Design competitions are part of the design tradition since ages. Still structured empirical research about this topic is lacking. This paper describes the results of six months participatory observation as a member of a project team responsible for the organization of an international ideas competition. The data include observations, interviews and document analysis. The results for this paper focus on the design of the competition and stakeholder participation from a client perspective. The findings show four combinations of aspects that underlie several problems of design competitions as currently perceived by architectural practice: the dynamics of the brief, the balance between professionalism and ambition, the link between participation and competition aims, and the influence of expertise at client obligations. It is this constant search for a balance between ambitions, aims, opportunities and needs that make clients experience numerous difficulties during the design of a competition. It is however the same search that makes every competition unique and a wealth of information about clients and architectural design.
PHARMACOKINETICS STUDY ON MESOPOROUS SILICA-CAPTOPRIL CONTROLLED RELEASE SYSTEMS

Considerable research efforts have been directed in recent years towards the development of silica mesoporous carriers (MSNs) as controlled drug delivery matrices. Their spectacular properties are controlled not only by the chemical composition, but also by their properties such as stable uniform porous structure, high surface area, tunable pore size and well-defined surface , I. F. ALEXA, O. NOVAC, N. VRINCEANU, E. POPOVICI, C. E. LUPUSORU, V. A. VOICU a ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania b “Al. I.Cuza” University, Faculty of Chemistry, Iasi, Romania c "Gh. Asachi" Technical University, Iasi, Romania d “Gr.T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
Phenotypic and molecular analysis of Mexican Metarhizium anisopliae strains Análisis fenotípico y molecular de cepas mexicanas de Metarhizium anisopliae

Metarhizium anisopliae is an anamorphic fungus widely studied due to its use as a biological control agent. In Mexico, it is mainly used as an integrated management strategy to control populations of spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) that affect sugarcane fields and cattle pastures. In this study, 13 strains isolated from Aeneolamia spp. (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) from the main areas of sugarcane production of Mexico and 11 reference strains of Metarhizium from different insect hosts and geographic origins were evaluated based on their conidial dimensions, thermotolerance at 15, 25, 30, and 35 oC, random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns using a combined analysis with 14 different oligonucleotides and diversity estimators, and a phylogenetic analysis with the ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. All strains used in this study showed typical morphological characteristics corresponding to M. anisopliae and were able to grow at 25 and 30 oC with restricted growth at low (15 oC) and high temperatures (35 oC). Polymorphism analysis clustered all strains from Aeneolamia sp. in one welldefined group with low variability among them. Phylogenetic relationships based on nuclear ribosomal ITS region sequences recovered a subclade within M. anisopliae formed by 10 of the Mexican strains.
Editorial: IJBSAM: The first steps

This is the first „Editorial‟ of the International Journal of Business Science and Applied Management. The journal was launched in summer 2006 and since then we have published three volumes, seven issues and more than 25 papers. In most occasions, each issue of the journal is accompanied by a book review relating to business and management topics.