Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Firm Investments and Corporate Governance in Asian Emerging Markets

The quality of corporate governance has been shown to have wide-ranging implications, e.g., on the performance of stock markets and on exchange rates. This study investigates whether the quality of corporate governance in a country impacts investment decisions made at the micro level of the firm. The study focuses on Asian emerging markets since they have widely varying standards of corporate governance. Based on eight measures of corporate governance, four aggregate indices of corporate governance (business environment, legal environment, investor rights, and an overall measure) are developed for seven countries in the sample drawing on data from published sources. The results indicate that improvements in corporate governance mitigate the dependency of firm investments on their internal resources and facilitate access by firms to capital markets.
An efficient and versatile synthesis of 2, 2'-(alkanediyl)-bis-1H- benzimidazoles employing aqueous fluoroboric acid as catalyst: Density Functional Theory calculations and fluorescence studies

Alkanediyl)-bis-1H-benzimidazoles (simple and mixed) with variable methylene spacers were synthesized in excellent yields with aqueous fluoroboric acid (45%) (0.1 ml) as catalyst under solvent-free conditions. Their optimized structures were obtained using DFT calculations where it was seen that the s-trans orientation of the two imidazole rings was preferred for all types of bis-benzimidazole systems. The X-ray crystal structure of one such bis-benzimidazole further corroborated this fact. Finally, photophysical studies were carried out to get insight into the fluorescence characteristics of the newly synthesized bis-1H-benzimidazoles.
Application of Problem-Based Learning Method (PBLM) in Teaching Visual Arts by Primary School Teachers in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

This study was aimed in assessing the application of problem-based learning method in teaching visual arts subjects by public primary school teachers. Three objectives and three research questions were raised. The survey research design was used. A total of forty (40) arts teachers were selected for the study. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the subjects. Teachers Teaching Observational Guide (TTOG) consisting of 23-items developed by Sam (2006) was adopted modified with reliability of 0.85 and questionnaire were used as instrument for data collection. Data were converted into frequency and percentage for analysis. The major findings shows that public primary school Teachers do not know how to use problem-based learning method in teaching visual arts subjects; Teachers do not know about problem- based learning method and Teachers were faced with problems of lack of in-service training, seminars and workshops on how to use the method, lack of facilities, equipments, materials and lack of awareness on the subject itself are all problems faced by Teachers. Finally, conclusion and recommendations were made. Keywords: Problem based, Traditional teaching method, Teacher, Visual arts
Report of Blue Mould Rot of Rhizome of Tiger Lily (Gloriosa superb Linn)

Gloriosa superba is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae. It is an endangered, herbaceous, perennial plant it is also known as climbing lily, flame lily, creeping lily, glory lily, tiger claw, and fire lily. This plant contains high levels of colchicine, a toxic alkaloid. The rhizome was found with a blue mould growth at the time of post harvest storage and during planting time on the surface of rhizomes, in Sikkim, India (2013). The microscopic examination revealed that the fungus was Penicillium. The pathogenicity test also confirmed that the blue mould rot disease of rhizome was caused by Penicillium. This is the first record of Penicillium sp. on the rhizome rot of G. superb.
Investigating the Relationship between Financial Growth and Strength with Leverage Ratios of Companies Listed in Tehran Stock Exchange

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between financial growth and strength with leverage ratios of companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange. Sales growth, profit growth, and financial strength as independent variables and leverage ratio was used as dependent variable. four different ratios were used to assess the company's financial leverage. Financial strength has been measured by Altman bankruptcy model. Data related to 102 companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange for the period 2002-2011 have been used as sample to test the hypotheses and examine the effect of independent variables and and leverage ratio. Data were analyzed by combined data analysis . panel data test were used to estimate the suitable models of hypotheses test in combined data. The results indicate a correlation between sales growth, profit growth, asset growth and financial strength with a total debt leverage ratio and the model can be used to measure the relationship. In model of total debt ratio, there is negative and reverse relationship between the growth variables and financial strength with leverage ratios, i.e. increasing and improving financial growth and strength will reduce debt ratio and ultimately the company's financial leverage. Results of this research can be used by financial analysts and other users of financial information in their decisions making.
Evaluating the Effects of Input-Based Approaches to the Teaching of Pragmalinguistics and Sociopragmatics in Second Language Pragmatics: A Case of English Request Hedges.

The present study examined the effects of two types of input-based approaches ―combination of pragmalinguistics- and sociopragmatics-focused instruction (CI) and sociopragmatics-focused instruction (SI) on learners' recognizing and producing English request hedges. 45 Japanese learners of English participated in the study. Treatment group performance was compared to that of a control group on the pretests, post-tests, and delayed post-tests: an unplanned written-production test, an unplanned written-judgment test. The results showed that the CI and SI groups performed significantly better than the control group on an unplanned writtenjudgment test. There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups on the unplanned written-judgment test, which indicated that the sociopragmatics-focused instruction attracted the attention of the SI group to the sociopragmatic features of English request hedges directly, and the group perhaps then transferred their attention to the pragmalinguistic features of English request hedges. As a result, the sociopragmatics-focused activities alone had some effects on recognizing English request hedges. However, a comparison of those learners in the two experimental groups in the unplanned written-production test demonstrated an advantage for the CI group and implied that the input-based learning through not only sociopragmatics-focused activities but also pragmalinguistics-sociopragmatics connection activities contributed more to deep perceptual and mental processing of English request hedges, thereby resulting in developing more firmly established explicit knowledge.
Impact of the Serbian banking regulatory framework development on the economic growth of Serbia

The dynamic relationship between the banking regulatory framework and Basel capital standards, on the one side and economic growth and other macroeconomic indicators on the other side, attracts international academic and business circles for many years. Perceived from the Serbian perspective, the impact of the banking regulation development, or the Basel standards application, on economic growth is one of the most actual issues, especially since Serbia starting from December 31st 2011, began the Basel II application. The fact that the National Bank of Serbia and the Serbian commercial banks, gradually directed attention to more actual Basel III standard, further increasing the importance of the topic that this paper will be addressed. Quantitative and qualitative analyzes that were performed during the research presented in this paper indicate a significant potential for further positive effects, including economic growth, due to the implementation of Basel standards in Serbia. Positive results of application largely depend on adequate preparation, analysis and actions of all relevant parties in Basel standards implementation.
Diversity and distribution of Avifauna resource: a case of Lake Burigi wetland, North Western Tanzania

Lake Burigi wetland forms part of Burigi Game Reserve (GR) hence an important water source for wildlife. Besides, it is connected to trans-boundary ecosystems in northern Tanzania and constitutes the Burigi-Biharamulo Important Bird Area. This area is important for fishing activities, agriculture, provision of protein and tourist hunting. The area has received minimal attention, hence poor information on its conservation status. This study was carried out to determine species richness, assess abundance and spatial distribution of birds and compare bird diversity and spatial distribution between protected and non-protected parts of the wetland. A point count method was employed to count birds within 200m in water and 100m on land. Eleven locations were randomly sampled and surveyed between September and December 2008. Analysis of variance was used to test the difference in abundance of birds in different habitat covers and locations. T-test was carried out to test the difference between the protection status and substrate for both abundance and diversity. ArcView GIS was used to map the surveyed area whereas LCCS software was used to develop the habitat classes. Distance program was used to estimate population and population density of birds. A total of 2 935 birds in 101 species were counted. Number of birds varied significantly with locations, habitat cover and radial distances. Number of birds was significantly high in the non-protected part of the wetland. Diversity index varied significantly with locations. Results revealed that birds were unequally distributed on locations, habitat covers and protection status. The area had 23 migratory species and 27 IUCN Red List species. Further studies during dry season, on limnology and socioeconomic importance of the area are recommended. ii
A Self-Perpetuating Catalyst for the Production of Complex Organic Molecules in Protostellar Nebulae

When hydrogen, nitrogen, and CO are exposed to amorphous iron silicate surfaces at temperatures between 500 and 900 K a carbonaceous coating forms via Fischer-Tropsch-type reactions. Under normal circumstances such a coating would impede or stop further reaction. However, we find that this coating is a better catalyst than the amorphous iron silicates that initiate these reactions. Formation of a self-perpetuating catalytic coating on grain surfaces could explain the rich deposits of macromolecular carbon found in primitive meteorites and would imply that protostellar nebulae should be rich in organic material.
Comparing different non-Markovianity measures in a driven qubit system

We consider two recently proposed measures of non-Markovianity applied to a particular quantum process describing the dynamics of a driven qubit in a structured reservoir. The motivation for this study is twofold: on one hand, we study the differences and analogies of the non-Markovianity measures, and on the other hand, we investigate the effect of the driving force on the dissipative dynamics of the qubit. In particular we ask if the driving force introduces new channels for energy and/or information transfer between the system and the environment or if it amplifies existing ones. We show under which conditions the presence of the driving force slows down the inevitable loss of quantum properties of the qubit.
Second Chance for High School Dropouts? A Regression Discontinuity Analysis of Postsecondary Educational Returns to the GED

We evaluate the educational returns to General Educational Development (GED) certification using state administrative data. We use fuzzy regression discontinuity (FRD) methods to account for the fact that GED test-takers can repeatedly retake the test until they pass it and the fact that test-takers have to pass all five subtests before receiving the GED. We find that the GED increases the likelihood of postsecondary attendance and course completion substantially but that the GED impact on overall credits completed is modest; the GED causes an average increment of only two credits for men and six credits for women.
Fibromyaljisi Olan Kadın Hastalarda Mental Belirtiler Yaşam Kalitesi ve Hastalık Şiddeti ile İlişkilidir / Mental Symptoms Are Related With Impact Of The Disease And Impairment In Quality Of Life In Female Patients With Fibromyalgia

Objective: Diagnostic criteria of fibromyalgia are revised in 2010 by including mental symptoms and excluding tender points. Although dominance of pain still prevails on the diagnostic criteria, quality of life (QoL) surveys showed that fibromyalgia is strongly associated with mental components of health status, i.e. depression, anxiety and alexithymia. It is aimed to assess determinants of QoL and impact of the disease in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: Fifty seven female outpatients (mean age±SD: 40.93±6.85; age range: 24-56) with fibromyalgia were enrolled. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Short Form-36 QoL survey, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale were the measurement tools. Results: Predictor of impact of the disease was alexithymia, particularly, difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF) domain. Predictor of physical health was age, whereas predictors of mental health were depression and trait anxiety. Discussion: Alexithymia, particularly DIF domain may be a more specific predictor of fibromyalgia symptoms, whereas depression and anxiety are more burdensome mental symptoms for fibromyalgia. Pain and mental symptoms are seemed to be processed separately. Targeting mental symptoms may provide better treatment outcomes, thus multidisciplinary approaches including psychiatry are necessary.
The report of Salmonella typhimurium in Natrix natrix; detection and identification by culture and multiplex PCR methods.

A water snake (Natrix natrix) was referred to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. It had two subcutaneous masses. Radiographic and ultrasonographic images revealed the presence of two subcutaneous abscesses. The abscesses were removed surgically and specimens were examined by conventional microbial culture and multiplex PCR. Inv-A universal primers were selected for detection of Salmonella at genus level. In order to identify Salmonella tphimurium, specific primers of Rfbj, Fljb and Flic related on genes sequences of O4, H1:i and H2:1,2, respectively, were used. In the positive control for expected size, PCR products were amplified from the fliC, inv-A, fljB and rfbJ genes. According to the results, this study showed antigens can be useful for detecting and identifying Salmonella typhimurium and can be achieved by using specific primers of O4, H1:i and H2:1,2 antigen, because only S. typhimurium has this antigenic structure out of about 2668 Salmonella serovars
What Do We Know About EESD and How Do We Know It

Huckle (2004) has argued that critical realism (CR) can provide a philosophical framework for higher education for sustainability. This paper reflects on the process of researching EESD in the Irish context and the usefulness of our approach which used mixed methods and drew on CR as its guiding philosophy. We will argue that aspects of the CR approach: its emphasis on a depth ontology, the search for causal mechanisms, its model of agency/structure relations and its emphasis on the combination of extensive and intensive methods provide tools for exploring EESD as a system. CR requires us to focus on “deeper things” in the examination of the integration of SD in engineering education. This leads to an argument for the requirement for deeper change to facilitate the development of a social model of engineering education which more fully embraces all dimensions of SD.
Comparison of the glacial isostatic adjustment behaviour in glacially induced fault models

Abstract. We compare the glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) behaviour of two approaches developed to model the movement of a glacially induced fault (GIF) as a consequence of stress changes in the Earth's crust caused by the GIA process. GIFs were most likely, but not exclusively reactivated at the end of the last glaciation. Their modelling is complicated as the GIA process involves different spatial and temporal scales and they have to be combined to describe the fault reactivation process accurately. Model approaches have been introduced by Hetzel & Hampel (2005, termed HA in this paper) and Steffen et al. (2014a, termed WU in this paper). These two approaches differ in their geometry, their boundary conditions and the implementation of stress changes. While the WU model is based on GIA models and thus includes the whole mantle down to the core-mantle boundary at a depth of 2891 km, the HA models include only the lithosphere (mostly 100 km) and simulate the mantle using dashpots. They further apply elastic foundations and a lithostatic pressure at the base of the lithosphere, while the WU models apply elastic foundations at all horizontal boundaries in the model with density contrasts. Using a synthetic ice model as well as the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet, we find large discrepancies in modelled displacement, velocity and stress between these approaches. The HA model has difficulties in explaining relative sea level curves in Fennoscandia such as the one of Angermanland (Sweden), where differences of up to 118 m to the data (with data error of 18.7 m) result. The WU model differs by up to 11 m, but falls within the error bar of 11.6 m. In addition, the HA model cannot predict the typical velocity field pattern in Fennoscandia. As we also find prominent differences in stress, we conclude that the simulation of the mantle using dashpots is not recommended for modelling the GIA process. The earth model should consist of both lithosphere and mantle, in order to correctly model the displacement and stress changes during GIA. We emphasize that a thorough modelling of the GIA process is a prerequisite before conclusions on understanding GIF evolution can be drawn.
Changes in species composition in alpine snowbeds with climate change inferred from small-scale spatial patterns

Abstract. Alpine snowbeds are characterised by a very short growing season. However, the length of the snow-free period is increasingly prolonged due to climate change, so that snowbeds become susceptible to invasions from neighbouring alpine meadow communities. We hypothesised that spatial distribution of species generated by plant interactions may indicate whether snowbed species will coexist with or will be out-competed by invading alpine species – spatial aggregation or segregation will point to coexistence or competitive exclusion, respectively. We tested this hypothesis in snowbeds of the Swiss Alps using the variance ratio statistics. We focused on the relationships between dominant snowbed species, subordinate snowbed species, and potentially invading alpine grassland species. Subordinate snowbed species were generally spatially aggregated with each other, but were segregated from alpine grassland species. Competition between alpine grassland and subordinate snowbed species may have caused this segregation. Segregation between these species groups increased with earlier snowmelt, suggesting an increasing importance of competition with climate change. Further, a dominant snowbed species (Alchemilla pentaphyllea) was spatially aggregated with subordinate snowbed species, while two other dominants (Gnaphalium supinum and Salix herbacea) showed aggregated patterns with alpine grassland species. These dominant species are known to show distinct microhabitat preferences suggesting the existence of hidden microhabitats with different susceptibility to invaders. These results allow us to suggest that alpine snowbed areas are likely to be reduced as a consequence of climate change and that invading species from nearby alpine grasslands could outcompete subordinate snowbed species. On the other hand, microhabitats dominated by Gnaphalium or Salix seem to be particularly prone to invasions by non-snowbed species.
Irvingia gabonensis ethanol leaf extract mitigates cadmium-induced hypolipidaemia in wistar albino rats

Objective: The effect of Irvingia gabonensis O’ Rorke Baill ethanol leaf extract on cadmium-induced dyslipidemia in Wistar albino rats was investigated. Methods: Thirty (30) female wistar albino rats of weights between 88 and 148g were distributed into six groups of five rats each. Group 1 (control) received normal feed and water ad libitum . Groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered 10mg/kg body weight (mg/kg bw) cadmium chloride (CdCl 2 ), 10 mg/kg bw CdCl 2 and 200 mg/kg bw extract, 10 mg/kg bw CdCl 2 and 400 mg/kg bw extract respectively. Groups 5 and 6 received 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw extract respectively and treatments lasted for 28days. Results: Results obtained revealed that cadmium significantly (p˂0.05) induced hypolipidaemia when group 2 was compared with control. However, administration of the extract at different doses mitigated the hypolipidaemic effect of cadmium in non-significant and significant fashion in dose-dependent manner when groups 3 and 4 were respectively compared with group 2 except total lipid and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) levels for group 3 which were significant and HDL (high density lipoprotein) level for group 4 which was insignificant. Furthermore, administration of the extract only, at different doses indicates its protective effect when groups 5 and 6 were respectively compared with the control. Conclusions: Irvingia gabonensis O’ Rorke Baill ethanolic leaf extract may therefore be very useful in the attenuation of cadmium-induced hypolipidaemia.
Market Segmentation Strategies Used as Competitive Advantage Tool: A Case of Chloride Exide Kenya Limited

Contemporary marketing strategy development includes such concepts as segmenting, targeting, and positioning (STP of marketing). The determination of a viable target market is the first step. Positioning strategy is linked to lifestyle market segmentation. A firm’s relative position within its industry determines whether a firm’s profitability is above or below the industry average. The fundamental basis of above average profitability in the long run is sustainable competitive advantage. Most forms of competitive advantage cannot be sustained for any length of time because the promise of economic rents drives competitors to duplicate the competitive advantage held by any one firm. The energy sector in Kenya has undergone a lot of fundamental changes in the recent past aimed at revamping and strengthening it. The main challenges identified in this study were inadequate staff capacity, ignoring potential audiences, resistance from the market, cannibalization, inefficient resource utilization and increased costs. Customers’ needs are not static hence the management has to continually keep abreast with developments and reactions in the market in order to ensure continued success for the company. The study indicated that the implementation of segmentation strategy is long term in nature. Further as the environment responds to the implementation of strategy is necessary and thus formulation is under constant review to accommodate effects of the interaction between the organization and environment Keywords : Market Segmentation, competitive advantage, positioning, targeting