Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ownership structure of repurchasing firms

This paper provides an examination of the ownership structure in Norwegian firms that announced repurchase plans during the period 1999 through 2001, as well as for groups of these firms conditional on whether they actually executed repurchases or not. By using detailed information on various ownership variables that can be related to corporate governance mechanisms, the paper also examines whether the propensity for firms to announce a repurchase program depends on the ownership composition. Some interesting patterns are found which are consistent with models where firms with potentially the highest agency problems use repurchases to mitigate agency costs. However, a high insider ownership in these firms may also suggest that asymmetric information, shareholder expropriation and entrenchment may also be motivations for why firms repurchase shares.
Effects of converting forest to the rainfed lands on soil characteristics in a part of Zagros forests

The forest soils are the key parts of the Earth system that are globally degraded through anthrop induced deforestation, mainly converting to other landuses. The present study was conducted in Gazafolya village located in Merek watershed, Kermanshah, Iran, in which the soil quality of the forest and converted forest (rainfed lands) with the same topographic and geologic conditions were compared. To achieve the study purposes, soil sampling was carried out from the surface soil layers (0-20 cm) at the forest and its adjacent rainfed lands and analyzed in the lab. The data were described and geo-statistically analyzed using the SAS and GS+ softwares. The findings showed that there is no significant difference between soil fractions (sand, silt and clay) in two studied land uses. Bulk density (BD) in the forest and rainfed lands were 1.26and 1.32 gr-1cm-3 respectively, indicating significant (p<0.5%) higher level in the rainfed lands. Soil aggregate stability (SA) in the forest and rainfed lands were 63.62 and 52.65 %, respectively showing significant (p<0.5%) lower value in the rainfed lands mainly due to tillage practice. The results also showed that there were no significant differences between soil pH in forest and rainfed lands. It turns out that AS and BD were more imposed by converting forest to rainfed lands compared to the other soil characteristics.
An application of fuzzy logic to assess service quality attributes in logistics industry

Differentiation, growing competitive advantage, and excellence has been proved to be the result of service quality. At the same time, measuring attributes of service quality and customer satisfaction is fuzzy and ambiguous, and methods available for their measurement are generally classical. This paper proposes a fuzzy method to identify the service quality attributes. This approach was developed using crisp assessment methods in a logistics company. Applying the proposed fuzzy approach, service quality attributes and indicators are identified and then organized into 8 categories, to see the uncertainty level of each. The proposed method was successfully conducted in a real logistics company. The results show the membership degree of each indicator, suggesting customer expectations regarding quality. Also, the membership degrees of the service quality attributes suggest the ability of each to describe service quality in logistics industry.
Universal Depinning Transition of Domain Walls in Ultrathin Ferromagnets

We present a quantitative and comparative study of magnetic field driven glassy domain wall dynamics in different ferromagnetic ultrathin films over a wide range of temperature. We reveal a universal scaling function accounting for both drive and thermal effects on the depinning transition, including critical exponents. The consistent description we obtain for both the depinning and the creep motion well below the depinning threshold should shed light on the universal glassy dynamics of thermally fluctuating elastic objects pinned by disordered energy landscapes.
Information Seeking Behavior of Pakistani Newspaper Journalists

This study, a replication of the one done in Kuwait, investigated the information seeking behavior of print journalists in Lahore, Pakistan, using a self-administered questionnaire. The 87 respondents, coming from 11 establishments, were mostly male. In terms of the type of information, they place emphasis on fact checking and general information. Information was obtained by using a wide variety of both informal and formal sources. ‘Human' sources were the primary informal sources used by the participants. Personal collections, daily news diaries, and news agency reports were considered high in terms of importance. The Internet and the ‘in-house electronic library of stories/reports generated by their colleagues' was very limited both in availability and use. The lack information searching skills is their top ranking problem. They consider these very important for their work and are willing to go through training if it were provided to them.
Equatorial vertical plasma drifts and the measured and IRI model-predicted F2-layer parameters above Ouagadougou during solar minimum

In this paper, hourly median value of ionosonde measurements: peak height F2-layer (hmF2), F2-layer critical frequency ( foF2) and propagation factor M(3000)F2 made at near-equatorial dip latitude, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (12°N, 1.5°W; dip: 1.5°N) and relevant F2-layer parameters: thickness parameter (Bo), electron temperature (Te), ion temperature (Ti), total electron content (TEC) and electron density (Ne) (at the fixed altitude of 300 km) provided by the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model for the longitude of Ouagadougou are contrasted with the IRI vertical drift model to explore in detail the monthly climatological behavior of equatorial ionosphere and the effects of equatorial electrodynamics on the diurnal structure of F2-layer parameters. The analysis period covers four months representative of solstitial and equinoctial seasonal periods during solar minimum year of 1987 for geomagnetically quiet-day. It is demonstrated that the month-by-month morphological patterns between vertical E × B drifts and F2-layer parameters range from worst to reasonably good and are largely seasonally dependent. A cross-correlation analysis conducted between equatorial drift and F2-layer characteristics yield statistically significant correlations for equatorial vertical drift and IRI-Bo, IRI-Te and IRI-TEC, whereas little or no acceptable correlation is obtained with observational evidence. Examination of the association between measured foF2, hmF2 and M(3000)F2 illustrates consistent much more smaller correlation coefficients with no systematic linkage.
Critical factors for insolvency prediction: towards a theoretical model for the construction industry

Many construction industry insolvency prediction model (CI-IPM) studies have arbitrarily employed or simply adopted from previous studies different insolvency factors, without justification, leading to poorly performing CI-IPMs. This is due to the absence of a framework for selection of relevant factors. To identify the most important insolvency factors for a high-performance CI-IPM, this study used three approaches. Firstly, systematic review was used to identify all existing factors. Secondly, frequency of factor use and accuracy of models in the reviewed studies were analysed to establish the important factors. Finally, using a questionnaire survey of CI professionals, the importance levels of factors were validated using the Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient and significant index ranking. The findings show that the important quantitative factors are profitability, liquidity, leverage, management efficiency and cash flow. While important qualitative factors are management/owner characteristics, internal strategy, management decision making, macroeconomic firm characteristics and sustainability. These factors, which align with existing insolvency-related theories, including Porter's five competitive forces and Mintzberg's 5Ps (plan, ploy, pattern, position and perspective) of strategy, were used to develop a theoretical framework. This study contributes to the debate on the need to amalgamate qualitative and quantitative factors to develop a valid CI-IPM.
Prevalence of Bovine Shistosomiasisin Fogera District, South Gondar Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conductedcommencing October 2010 to January 2011 in Fogera Woreda, South Gondar Zone of Amhararegion, Northwestern Ethiopiain order todetermine the prevalence of bovine schistosomiasis. Simple random sampling was used to select the study animals andcoprological examination using sedimentation technique was applied for the recovery of schistosoma eggs from freshly collected fecalsamples. Out of 167 fecal samples examined 17 (10.17%) were found positive for schistosomiasis. There was no statistically significant difference observed ( =1.506, df=2, p>0.05) among the three peasant 2 associations visited even thoughWagetera showed higher prevalence 8(14.5%) than the other two Peasant associations. Similarly, though 10(12.05%) male and 7(8.33%) female cattle were found positive, therewas statistically insignificant difference observed between the two sexes ( =0.53, df=1, p>0.05). Nevertheless, 2 there were statistically significant differences appreciatedamongthe three age categories ( =2.31, df=2, p<0.05). 2 Cattle having less than 2 years, 2-5years and greater than 5 years old had 8(14%), 6(10.9%) and 3(5.4%) prevalencerespectively. Therefore, this study indicated that bovine schistosomiasis is becoming one of the major cattle health problems in the Fogera Woreda. Accordingly, farmers should be advised and educated regarding the franchises of the diseases and its intermediate vectors and also strategic use of anti-helminthics should be practiced to reduce pasture contamination with the fluke eggs.
Willingness to participate in micro pension schemes: Evidence from the informal sector in Ghana

Market and state based pension schemes in Ghana tends to be better adapted to formal conditions and this limits the participation of majority of the populace especially those in the informal sector of the economy. In cases where “an all inclusive” schemes are developed, no special consideration is made to better integrate low income earners or workers in the informal sector into such pension schemes. Informal workers and their respective households run high risks of falling into old age income insecurity trap. However, long term savings products like micro pensions which is a rather new concept has been developed to bridge the gap and inefficiencies in the open market and state based pension’s schemes in providing old age income security for low income earners. The study was a hypothetical exploratory research to identify underlying factors explaining four urban informal groups (beauticians, drivers, vegetable farmers and woodworkers) decision to participate in a Micro Pension Scheme. A Binary Logit regression model was subsequently used to estimate the factors influencing the participation decision. The survey found a high (87.75%) willingness to participate among the urban informal workers. The empirical results of the Binary Logit model reveal that socioeconomic variables including age, years of schooling, marital status, household size and health status, other income sources, assets, investments, and taxes/levies were important in explaining the decision of an urban informal worker to participate. At the individual economic activity level, having a driving license or being a private mini-bus transport driver or taxi driver has a negative influence on willingness of drivers to participate. In the case of vegetable farmers, location of production as well as rearing livestock alongside crop production also has a negative influence on participation. Further, the results indicate that the woodworker producing for the local market has a positive influence on a woodworkers’ willingness to participate in the scheme. These results have policy implications for the development and the design of Micro Pension Schemes for the informal sectors in developing countries
Operational Decisions on Remanufacturing Outsourcing Involved with Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility—A Sustainable Perspective

Due to increasing consciousness of sustainability and pressure from legislation, numerous studies and managers have sought to integrate traditional operations management with green environment and social responsibility. One such effort is remanufacturing, which has emerged as a growing topic. Although outsourcing remanufacturing operations to third-party remanufacturers (TPRs) has been well studied in the literature, the research has paid little attention to the fact that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have the flexibility of outsourcing to other agents but not TPRs. In practice, besides TPRs, many brand-name OEMs have outsourced remanufacturing operations to their suppliers. The question this raises is: TPR vs. supplier, which remanufacturer is better for the economic, environment and social responsibility? To understand this fundamental question, in this paper, we develop two models that allow an OEM to have potential flexibility to (1) outsource remanufacturing operations to a TPR (Model T) or (2) outsource remanufacturing operations to a supplier (Model S). Among other results, we find that, although the Model T creates more potentially sustainable economic, social, and environmental situations, this strategy is not supported by the supplier because it always leaves the supplier worse off. In order to achieve a “win-win-win” outcome that meets economic, social, and environmental requirements for all parties, a revenue-sharing contract is proposed and incorporated into Model T.
Adaptive shunts for cerebrospinal fluid control

The brain is surrounded by the water-like and colorless cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the scull. It is well vascularized by arteries and veins. CSF is mainly produced in the choroid plexus and resorbed in the arachnoid villi of the superior sagittal sinus. The CSF space comprises four ventricles: two lateral ventricles, the third and the fourth ventricle, which are located in the center of the brain as well as the cranial and spinal subarachnoid space. CSF protects the brain from impacts, supports it by buoyancy forces, provides nutrients and removes waste products. A mismatch of CSF production and resorption leads to hydrocephalus. The intraventricular CSF volume increases and the brain parenchyma decreases. Without obstruction of the ventricular space, the intracranial pressure (ICP) generally lies within a physiological range of 7–15 mmHg and the disease is therefore termed normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Mostly, it is treated with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts. They comprise a proximal catheter, whose tip drains CSF from one of the lateral ventricles, a differential pressure valve typically positioned at ear level and a distal catheter that drains CSF to the peritoneum. There exists a large variety of VP shunts with preset or adjustable differential pressure valves. To this day, the technology is based on valves designed in the 1950s. None of the valves available have an adaptive control mechanism that could adjust drainage to the effective demand. Thus far, the valves open at a set pressure level and drain as much CSF until they close. Due to hysteresis effects of the valve, drainage can last longer than the intended set value and consequently cause overdrainage. Additionally, posture related ICP variations and hydrostatic pressure differences over the shunt may provoke overor underdrainage. In upright position, assuming a hydrostatically active height of 50 cm would result in a pressure drop of 38 mmHg, which corresponds to an approximately fourfold physiological ICP. Together
Upgrading technology in Central and Eastern European economies

The future growth of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) depends on upgrading technology, exporting and coupling domestic technology efforts while improving their position in global value chains. Current policies in the region are not geared to these tasks, despite the availability of huge financial opportunities in the form of EU structural funds. Existing policies are overly focused on research and development (R&D) and neglect sources of productivity growth, such as management practices, skills, quality, and engineering. The challenge is how to design industrial and innovation policies so that they promote modernization and drive structural change.
vitro Assessment of Adsorbents to Counteract Lead

Both primary and secondary lead–zinc smelters have been implicated in producing lead toxicity in cattle, buffalo and goat reared around these industrial units (Radostits et al. 2000; Swarup et al. 2006). The higher lead levels in animals reared around such industrial activities are mainly due to ingestion of pasture contaminated with lead as well as inhalation of lead particles (Mohajeri et al. 2014). These toxic trace elements hinder rumen fermentation, thereby decreasing the productivity of ruminants. Forsberg (1977) showed that the elements can causing 50% inhibition of in vitro rumen fermentation. Ions of heavy metals may also inhibit activity of some ruminal enzymes (Faixova and Faix, 2002). Despite of this fact that the effect of heavy metal contamination on rumen fermentation has been previously reported (Faixova and Faix, 2002; Forsberg, 1977), based on our survey it appears no literature on the effect of adsorbents supplementation on ruminal fermentation parameters of sheep chronically exposed to lead contamination. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the effect of different adsorbent supplements on in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters.
The sequence of pbp2b from penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE Penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates results from altered penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), especially PBP2, which has a reduced affinity to penicillin. This study evaluated drug resistance and the gene sequence of the conserved motif pbp2b of penicillin-resistant isolates in Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD Penicillin-resistant pneumococci with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for penicillin > or = microg/ ml and penicillin-susceptible strains were identified from clinical specimens. The pbp2b genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the purified PCR product was cloned into E. coli. The recombinant plasmid clones containing pbp2b were sequenced and evaluated for mutations corresponding to penicillin and cefotaxime resistance. RESULTS Penicillin-susceptible S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to 12 other antibiotics tested (range 95-100%) while penicillin-nonsusceptible isolates were resistant to most antibiotics except amoxicillin/clavulanate and levofloxacin. Sequence analysis of pbp2b showed a substitution of A for T451 next to the region of the SSN triad in all six resistant isolates tested and mutations clustered around the KTG triad in two isolates. Using the ClustalW alignment program, Thai isolates differed from those of European countries, but were more similar to those from Japan than Korea. CONCLUSION Penicillin or cefotaxime resistance in S. pneumoniae in Thailand was due to affinity reduction of PBP2b, similar to changes found in other Asian isolates.
A New Long-Tailed Rattlesnake (Viperidae) From Guerrero, Mexico

A distinctive new species of rattlesnake is described from the western versant of the Sierra Madre del Sur of Guerrero, Mexico. This long-tailed rattlesnake cannot be confused with any other species of rattlesnake and is most similar to Crotalus stejnegeri and C. lannomi. The Guerrero species possesses a strikingly distinct color pattern and differs from all other rattlesnakes in aspects of lepidosis. Mexico continues to be the origin of newly discovered species that provide important insights into the evolution or ecology of particular groups. A few examples from recent decades include Exiliboa placata, a monotypic, relictual dwarf boa (Bogert, 1968), Rhadinophanes monticola, a monotypic, highland colubrid (Myers and Campbell, 1981), and Pseudoeurycea aquatica, the only aquatic bolitoglossine salamander (Wake and Campbell, 2001).
Electromagnetic and Thermal Analyses of Improved Gtem Cells for Bioelectromagnetic Experiments

A GHz Transverse Electromagnetic (GTEM) cell is proposed to investigate the arising of biological efiects due to electromagnetic signals at the typical frequencies of mobile phone communications. The proposed GTEM cell, placed within a commercial incubator, has been ad hoc designed and fabricated to expose in vitro samples. The electromagnetic and the thermal analyses of the GTEM cell are reported. In particular, the inner electromagnetic fleld and the Speciflc Absorption Rate of the exposed sample (saline solution having 9g/l concentration) have been evaluated by a home- made computer code based on the transmission line matrix method. Furthermore, the thermal analysis of the exposure arrangement has been carried out by the flnite difierence time domain algorithm.
Appraisal of School-Based Stressors by Fourth-Grade Children: A Mixed Method Approach

This study examined appraisals of school-based stressors made by fourth-grade students. A mixed method approach was taken. School-based stressors were identified through focus group discussions and categorized into four domains (Academic, Peer Interaction, Teacher Interaction, and Discipline) through content analysis. A stress inventory was then constructed and administered to 54 fourth-grade students to assess the prominence of the identified stressor domains as well as any relationships between the stressor domains, academic standing, and gender. Results indicated that, on average, Peer Interaction and Discipline stressors were rated significantly higher than Academic and Teacher Interaction stressors. Furthermore, concerning all academic ability groups, girls rated stressors in all domains higher than boys. This higher rating proved to be significant for girls compared to boys with average academic ability regarding Peer Interaction stressors. The challenge for educators and policy makers is to identify situations that lead to stress as early as possible and design coping programs that will facilitate healthy development.
Cortical responses of 7–10-year-old children to easy and difficult contrasts in discrimination of pseudowords

Brain responses of 7-10-year-old Finnish children to two speech contrasts incorporated in pseudowords (PWs) and varying in perceptual difficulty were studied. An oddball paradigm was used to record event-related potentials (ERPs) to a standard PW /baka/ and two deviant PWs: the easier = /baga/ and the more difficult /bag*a/ that sounded as intermediate between /baka/ and /baga/. An ability of children to actively discriminate the more difficult contrast was investigated in two separate behavioral sessions that alternated with the ERP recording blocks. The enhanced amplitude of the most negative response to the standard, not to the deviants, suggested formation of an acoustic template for the frequent PW during the experiment. There was no reliable block effect on the amplitude of the mismatch negativity (MMN), an automatic index of an experience-dependent auditory memory trace. This suggests consolidation of the short-term representation of the repetitively presented PW that took place during passive exposure to stimuli, rather than changes in the preattentive discrimination process. This was also supported by the evidence from a behavioral discrimination test. No perceptual learning to discriminate the difficult speech contrast could be seen in the children in the absence of the active behavioral discrimination.