Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FIRM SIZE, BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ QUALITY, MANAGERIAL OWNERSHIP AND LEVEL OF VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE IN THAILAND

Despite intensive efforts to determine the nature of the relationship between the firm size and the level of voluntary disclosure (VDI), empirical studies of this issue have produced mixed results. This paper attempts to delve deeper into this complex phenomenon by employing a resource dependency perspective to hypothesize a model of mediation as board of directors’ quality index (BOQI) is moderated by a high concentration of CEO’s ownership (HCEO). The findings suggest that the larger firm size, the higher is the BOQI and this in turn will lead to the higher VDI. These relationships appear to be weaker when there is moderation as HCEO, produced by the mediation process of the BOQI, and when this process is controlled, the residual moderation of the treatment effect is reduced. Further, board size as control variable is found to have a positive significant influence on BOQI and VDI.
Prevalence and of Paramphistomiasis in Ruminants Slaughtered at Sokoto Central Abattoir, Sokoto

A Survey of prevalence and fluke burden of Paramphistomum sp. was conducted among the major ruminants slaughtered in Sokoto Central Abattoir between May and October, 2007. One hundred (100) of goats, sheep and cattle each were examined for the presence of Paramphistomum species (stomach flukes). Flukes were counted to determine the average fluke burden and prevalence. Out of the 300 animals, a total of 100 (33.3%) were infected with an average fluke burden of 4794. Out of these, 56 (56%) were cattle, with fluke burden of 2517(52.5%}, 32 (32%) were sheep with fluke burden of 1907 (39.8%) and 12 (12%} with fluke burden of 370 (6.7%) were goats. Out of the 100 cattle, 20 (20%) males and 36 (36%) females were infected with flukes. Also, out of the 100 sheep, 4 (4%) were males and 28 (28%} were females and in goats, 4 (4%) were males while 8 (8%) were females. On the basis of age the result showed that 4(7.1%) out of the 56 infected animals were those of 1-2 yrs, 40 (71.4%} were 3-4 yrs old and 12 (21.4%) were animals >4 yrs in respect of cattle. Of the 32 infected sheep, 6 (18.7%) were 1-2 yrs, 18(56.2%) were 3-4 yrs and 8(25%) were >4yrs. Similarly, 2(16%) out of the 12 goats infected were 1-2 yrs, 8 (66.6%) were 3-4 yrs old and 2 (16%) were >4 yrs. Paramphistomiasis is prevalent in the area, with female cattle having higher prevalence. Measures for control of these parasites should be prioritized in the study area.
Determinants of CO 2 emissions in a small open economy

The aim of the paper is to explore the relationship between economic development and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for a small open and industrialized country, Austria. We test whether an Environmental Kuznets Curve relationship also holds for a single country rather than concentrating on panel or cross-section data for a set of countries. A cubic (i.e. N-shaped) relationship between GDP and CO2 emissions is found to fit the data most appropriately for the period 1960 /1999, and a structural break is identified in the mid-seventies due to the oil price shock. Furthermore, two variables are additionally significant: import shares reflecting the well-known pollution haven hypothesis, and the share of the tertiary (service) sector of total production (GDP) accounting for structural changes in the economy. Emission projections derived from this single country specification support the widely held opinion that significant policy changes are asked for when implementing the Kyoto Protocol in order to bring about a downturn in future carbon emissions. # 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Multisatellite observations of the magnetosphere response to changes in the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field

Abstract. We employ multipoint observations of the Van Allen Probes, THEMIS, GOES and Cluster to present case and statistical studies of the electromagnetic field, plasma and particle response to interplanetary (IP) shocks observed by the Wind satellite. On 27 February 2014 the initial encounter of an IP shock with the magnetopause occurred on the postnoon magnetosphere, consistent with the observed alignment of the shock with the spiral IMF. The dayside equatorial magnetosphere exhibited a dusk–dawn oscillatory electrical field with a period of ∼330 s and peak-to-peak amplitudes of ∼15 mV m−1 for a period of 30 min. The intensity of electrons in the energy range from 31.5 to 342 KeV responded with periods corresponding to the shock-induced ULF (ultralow frequency) electric field waves. We then perform a statistical study of Ey variations of the electric field and associated plasma drift flow velocities for 60 magnetospheric events during the passage of interplanetary shocks. The Ey perturbations are negative (dusk-to-dawn) in the dayside magnetosphere (followed by positive or oscillatory perturbations) and dominantly positive (dawn-to-dusk direction) in the nightside magnetosphere, particularly near the Sun–Earth line within an L-shell range from 2.5 to 5. The typical observed amplitudes range from 0.2 to 6 mV m−1 but can reach 12 mV during strong magnetic storms. We show that electric field perturbations increase with solar wind pressure, and the changes are especially marked in the dayside magnetosphere. The direction of the Vx component of plasma flow is in agreement with the direction of the Ey component and is antisunward at all local times except the nightside magnetosphere, where it is sunward near the Sun–Earth line. The flow velocities Vx range from 0. 2 to 40 km s−1 and are a factor of 5 to 10 times stronger near noon as they correspond to greater variations of the electric field in this region. We demonstrate that the shock-induced electric field signatures can be classified into four different groups according to the initial Ey electric field response and these signatures are dependent on local time. Negative and bipolar pulses predominate on the dayside while positive pulses occur on the nightside. The ULF electric field pulsations of Pc and Pi types produced by IP shocks are observed at all local times and in the range of periods from several tens of seconds to several minutes. We believe that most electric field pulsations of the Pc5 type in the dayside magnetosphere at L<6 are produced by field line resonances. We show that the direction of the shock normal determines the direction of the propagation of the shock-induced magnetic and plasma disturbances. The observed directions of velocity Vy predominately agree with those expected for the given spiral or orthospiral shock normal orientation.
Flushing of distal hillslopes as an alternative source of stream dissolved organic carbon in a headwater catchment

We investigated potential source areas of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in headwater streams by examining DOC concentrations in lysimeter, shallow well, and stream water samples from a reference catchment at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. These observations were then compared to high‐frequency temporal variations in fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) at the catchment outlet and the predicted spatial extent of shallow groundwater in soils throughout the catchment. While near‐stream soils are generally considered a DOC source in forested catchments, DOC concentrations in near‐stream groundwater were low (mean = 2.4 mg/L, standard error = 0.6 mg/L), less than hillslope groundwater farther from the channel (mean = 5.7 mg/L, standard error = 0.4 mg/L). Furthermore, water tables in near‐stream soils did not rise into the carbon‐rich upper B or O horizons even during events. In contrast, soils below bedrock outcrops near channel heads where lateral soil formation processes dominate had much higher DOC concentrations. Soils immediately downslope of bedrock areas had thick eluvial horizons indicative of leaching of organic materials, Fe, and Al and had similarly high DOC concentrations in groundwater (mean = 14.5 mg/L, standard error = 0.8 mg/L). Flow from bedrock outcrops partially covered by organic soil horizons produced the highest groundwater DOC concentrations (mean = 20.0 mg/L, standard error = 4.6 mg/L) measured in the catchment. Correspondingly, stream water in channel heads sourced in part by shallow soils and bedrock outcrops had the highest stream DOC concentrations measured in the catchment. Variation in FDOM concentrations at the catchment outlet followed water table fluctuations in shallow to bedrock soils near channel heads. We show that shallow hillslope soils receiving runoff from organic matter‐covered bedrock outcrops may be a major source of DOC in headwater catchments in forested mountainous regions where catchments have exposed or shallow bedrock near channel heads.
Magnetohydrodynamic regime of the born-infeld electromagnetism

The Born-Infeld (BI) model is a nonlinear correction of Maxwell's equations. By adding the energy and Poynting vector as additional variables, it can be augmented as a 10×10 system of hyperbolic conservation laws, called the augmented BI (ABI) equations. The author found that, through a qua-dratic change of the time variable, the ABI system gives a simple energy dissi-pation model that combines Darcy's law and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Using the concept of " relative entropy " (or " modulated energy "), borrowed from the theory of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws, we introduce a notion of generalized solutions, that we call dissipative solutions. For given initial conditions, the set of generalized solutions is not empty, convex, and compact. Smooth solutions to the dissipative system are always unique in this setting.
Use of a mine by eastern pipistrelles (Perimyotis subflavus) in east central Nebraska

Abstract The eastern pipistrelle (Perimyotis subflavus) is relatively common and widespread throughout the eastern United States. In recent decades, the distribution of P. subflavus has expanded westward across the Great Plains, and little information exists on its natural history in this region. In east central Nebraska, we monitored the use of a mine by eastern pipistrelles for >1 year. A few males occupied the roost in summer, but during the period of hibernation (late September–early May), the mine was used by at least 30 individuals composed of both sexes. Most individuals first entered the mine during late September through mid-October and exited by mid-May, with numbers of individuals fluctuating throughout winter. In winter, most individuals roosted along outer passageways of the mine, but in other seasons individuals were scattered throughout the mine. Females had significantly greater body masses than males upon entering the mine in autumn and before exiting the mine in spring. Both sexes had significantly heavier body masses in autumn than in spring. Overall, 55% of individuals marked in spring returned in autumn. Males had a higher return rate (69%) than females (46%) over a single summer. Many aspects of the natural history of P. subflavus in Nebraska are similar to those reported from eastern but not from southern parts of its distribution.
Metrics of Success for Enterprise Geographic Information Systems (EGIS)

ABSTRACT An enterprise geographic information system (EGIS) addresses the institutional challenge of providing common infrastructure to share geospatial data and associated services. We propose a comprehensive definition and conceptual framework for EGIS, and we apply this framework to analyze and assess the success of a prototype EGIS implementation. We define EGIS as institutional GIS capability with three attributes: (1) integrated components (common infrastructure); (2) services (shared data, analysis, modeling, and visualization capabilities); and (3) institutional management (administration and leadership). Further distillation yields nine specific implementation requirements: (1) common networked infrastructure; (2) high reliability and availability; (3) spatial data warehouse; (4) documentation of data and services; (5) coordination of dataflow and workflow; (6) coordination of personnel roles and responsibilities; (7) formalized management; (8) institutional financing; and (9) institutional leadership. We tested the hypothesis that a project-based GIS could be used as a prototype EGIS for a large institution. Evaluation of the Cerro Grande Rehabilitation Project GIS (CGRP-GIS), study system, yielded a comprehensive taxonomy of direct metrics (e.g., server downtime) and indirect metrics (e.g., increases in productivity) for evaluating EGIS. Some elements of the CGRP-GIS did not scale well to EGIS (e.g., management, financing, and leadership), since projects allocate resources primarily to achieve project goals, whereas EGIS allocates resources to long-term infrastructure. An EGIS, constructed on a solid conceptual framework, holds tremendous potential to advance sharing of geospatial data and associated services; to better allocate institutional and project resources; and to aid in problem solving, communication, and decision making.
Top-heavy integrated galactic stellar initial mass functions in starbursts

Star formation rates (SFRs) larger than 1000 Myr −1 are observed in extreme starbursts. This leads to the formation of star clusters with masses >10 6 Min which crowding of the pre-stellar cores may lead to a change of the stellar initial mass function (IMF). Indeed, the large mass-to-light ratios of ultracompact dwarf galaxies and recent results on globular clusters suggest the IMF to become top-heavy with increasing star-forming density. We explore the implications of top-heavy IMFs in these very massive and compact systems for the integrated galactic initial mass function (IGIMF), which is the galaxy-wide IMF, in dependence of the SFR of galaxies. The resulting IGIMFs can have slopes, α3, for stars more massive than about 1 Mbetween 1.5 and the Salpeter slope of 2.3 for an embedded cluster mass function (ECMF) slope (β) of 2.0, but only if the ECMF has no low-mass clusters in galaxies with major starbursts. Alternatively, β would have to decrease with increasing SFR > 10 Myr −1 such that galaxies with major starbursts have a top-heavy ECMF. The resulting IGIMFs are within the range of observationally deduced IMF variations with redshift.
Exploring the benefits of heterogeneous computing to accelerate face detection deep learning inference

of the Thesis Exploring the Benefits of Heterogeneous Computing to Accelerate Face Detection Deep Learning Inference by Julian Gutierrez Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering Northeastern University, September 2017 David Kaeli, Ph.D, Advisor Significant improvements in face detection accuracy have been achieved by an emerging class of deep learning algorithms. Despite the capability of these algorithms to achieve high accuracy, deep learning approaches can be computationally prohibitive. As a result, we need to trade off high accuracy with processing throughput, meaning robust face detection in real-time for full HD video streams is not possible today. To overcome this challenge, we propose a parallel pipelined framework that enables efficient usage of our heterogeneous platform. We implement this pipeline framework using a state-of-the-art algorithm, exploiting the CPU and GPU available resources through C++ libraries, including pthreads and OpenCV, and use Caffe and cuDNN libraries to implement our deep learning models. Our framework is capable of handling full HD video workloads in real-time, assuming typical video scenarios. We achieve a 2.4x faster frame-rate as compared to a sequential implementation that is GPU enabled. We are also capable of achieving up to 110 FPS for a standard definition video, while still retaining the high accuracy of the original algorithm. The resulting pipelined framework has a high degree of flexibility, enabling us to consider a range of deep learning algorithms as we try to map deep neural networks to a powerful CPU-GPU platform.
Study on Anthropometric Profile of Renal Calculi Patients

Renal Calculi is one of the most painful and common disorders of the urinary tract. A large number of people are suffering from kidney stones all over the globe. Kidney stones, which are solid crystals that form from dissolved minerals in urine, along with other environmental and metabolic factors. Calcium oxalate and phosphate stones accounts for almost 70% of all renal stones observed in economically developed countries. Among the different types of kidney diseases, renal calculi are a common and a major cause of morbidity. Nearly 75-80% of renal stones are calcium containing, composed largely of calcium oxalate followed by calcium phosphate. Another 1015% is struvite composed of magnesium ammonium and phosphate. 6% are uric acid stones and 1-2% is cysteine stones [1].
Socio-demographic factors influence the attitudes of local residents towards trophy hunting activities in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania.

Within the Kilombero Game Controlled Area (KGCA) of Tanzania, protection is offered to large mammal populations by trophy hunting concessions that maintain natural habitat through the prevention of extensive human encroachment. The opinions of local communities to wildlife management operations such as trophy hunting play an important role in their long-term viability. This study addresses the influence of socio-demographic factors on the opinions of local communities to trophy hunting in areas that are not part of community-based management projects, which is where most research of this type has previously been conducted. Semi-structured questionnaires were conducted in 24 villages within the Kilombero Valley (fifteen interviews per village) in August‐December 2007. The extent to which socio-demographic factors including location (e.g. village of residence) and individual respondent characteristics (e.g. gender and age) influenced the respondents’ opinions was analysed. Of these socio-demographic factors, all, except age and district of residence, were found to influence the opinions of local residents. Socio-demographic factors play an important role in determining local communities’ attitudes towards trophy hunting, and this must be taken into account during the design and assessment of wildlife management conservation strategies, both locally in the KGCA and in similar national and international initiatives.
The FMEA Approach to Identification of Critical Failure Factors in ERP Implementation

Enterprise resource planning implementation has been one of challenges of organizations during the last decade; and there have been many barriers in implementing ERP successfully. Organizations can reduce the effect of failure through identifying their strengths and weaknesses. One of the most applicable methods which may prevent occurring defects in organizations is failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA). FMEA has been used for many applications as a quality management instrument. In FMEA, risks of failure modes are identified through the estimation of severity and occurrence values. In this paper, the proposed FMEA identifies major failure causes and effect of potential defects in ERP implementation. Furthermore, critical failure factors are characterized by the severity, occurrence and detection values by using the adopted FMEA table. A case study is also presented to prove the applicability of the proposed method.
Yield and quality of chamomile (Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rausch.) raw material depending on selected foliar sprays and plant spacing.

Chamomile is a valued medicinal plant of high economic importance and there- fore agronomic practices in growing this plant are continually improved. One of methods to improve the quantitative and qualitative parameters of herbal raw material can be the application of foliar sprays (growth stimulators, foliar fertilizers, Effective Microorgan- isms). Row spacing, which has an effect on the use of fertilizers by the plant and natural habitat conditions, is of great importance in chamomile growing practices. During the pe- riod 2011-2013, a field experiment was conducted, the aim of which was to determine the effects of selected foliar-applied sprays and different row spacings on the yield and qual- ity of chamomile cv. 'Z· oty ‡ an' raw material. The study included three formulations: Asahi SL, Ekolist P, and EM Farming. Plots without the application of these foliar sprays were the control treatment. The other factor included in the experiment was row spacing, which was as follows: 25, 35, and 45 cm. Plant height and number of inflorescences per stem, total yield of raw material and the content of essential oil and flavonoids in raw ma- terial were determined. The growth stimulator Asahi SL was proven to positively affect the yield and quality of chamomile raw material. Ekolist P had a lower effect on the im- provement in the parameters analyzed. The reports of some authors that Effective Micro- organisms (EM Farming) had no effect whatsoever on plant productivity were confirmed in this study. It was shown that growing chamomile in rows 45 cm apart, or at a row spac- ing of 35 cm, was most beneficial for the yield and quality of chamomile raw material. A narrow row spacing (25 cm) contributed to a decrease in yield and deterioration in its quality.
IMAGE DENOISING FOR REAL IMAGE SENSORS Thesis Submitted to The School of Engineering of the UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree of Master of Science in Electrical Engineering By

IMAGE DENOISING FOR REAL IMAGE SENSORS Name: Zhang, Jiachao University of Dayton Advisor: Dr. Keigo Hirakawa This paper describes a study aimed at comparing the real image sensor noise distribution to the models of noise often assumed in image denoising designs. Quantile analysis in pixel, wavelet, and variance stabilization domains reveal that the tails of Poisson, signal-dependent Gaussian, and Poisson-Gaussian models are too short to capture real sensor noise behavior. A new Poisson mixture noise model is proposed in this work to calibrate the mismatch of tail behavior. Based on the fact that noise model mismatch results in image denoising that undersmoothes real sensor data, we offer a new Poisson mixture image denoising scheme to overcome the problem. Experiments with real sensor data verify that the undersmooth is effectively improved.
Chromobacterium Violaceum Sepsis in Minas Gerais

Infection by Chromobacterium violaceum , known as chromobacte riosis, is a rare cause of severe sepsis with rapid spread and high mortality. In February 2009, a 14-year-old male patient was admitted t o Santa Casa of Misericordia of Juiz de Fora Hospital, and he dete riorated rapidly with severe sepsis and death by chromobacteriosis. In t his article we discuss the main clinical fidings, sensitivity profie, and antimicrobial therapy of this case.
Implicit Logic in Managerial Discourse: A Case Study in Choice of Selection Criteria

Little attention has been paid in mainstream selection theory to how selectors choose to justify criteria and whether there is evidence of any consistency or logic in the manner in which they do so. This paper addresses these questions within a socio-cognitive framework. A newly developed coding system is used to analyse and explain the discourse of 22 managers in justifying selection criteria for technical operators in a European broadcasting company. It was found that, even for a very technical position, managers with experience of the job for which candidates were being selected were more concerned with the values, beliefs and personalities of candidates. It also was found that, independently of their different levels of seniority and experience of selection or interviewing, all managers are more concerned with Person-Organisation Fit for both present and future needs than with immediate Person-Job Fit. The consistency of the findings suggests that there is an ‘implicit logic’ in the manner in which managers as selectors adopt criteria derived from implicit learning and tacit knowledge of both operational and organisational experience.