Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Electronic Service Quality on Customers Behavioral Intentions

Considering the increasing role of service organizations in various areas of economic and the importance of quality in competitive areas, service quality is known as one of the strategic levers and key axes in competition scene. In this way and in order to evaluate and improve their service quality, service organizations must identify their customers' needs and expectations, investigate the confidence and satisfaction level of their customers at specified period of time, and do their best to improve their services. If organizations can provide, retain, and increase customer satisfaction and confidence, they will be equally successful. Investigating the relationship between electronic service quality and customers behavioral intentions was the aim of this study; electronic satisfaction and confidence were studied as intermediate variables. This is an applied research and in terms of data collection method, the study is descriptive. To assess data, a 5-option Likert type questionnaire was used. Statistical population includes customers of electronic banking service in Tejarat Bank of Zahedan and sample size was estimated as 275 individuals selected by simple random sampling method. Structural equation modeling and LISREL software were used for data analysis. Results show that variables of confidence and satisfaction play mediator role in relation to electronic service quality and behavioral intentions; they also have significant positive effect on customer behavioral intentions.
How Much Do Corporate Defendants Really Lose? A New Verdict on the Reputation Loss Induced by Corporate Litigation: How Much Do Corporate Defendants Really Lose

Using a comprehensive sample of 83,260 cases filed in U.S. Federal District courts, we extend the results of prior studies investigating market value and reputational losses due to corporate litigation. This larger sample allows us to examine several new alternative explanations for the loss in market value, such as the impact of media coverage, the expectation of procedural expenses and subsequent litigation, and the defendant’s willingness to settle, as well as previously documented factors such as anticipated penalties and cross-sectional firm characteristics. Our results suggest that, with the exception of securities and environmental litigation, this loss in market value can be attributed to these alternative explanations rather than to reputational consequences. We confirm this finding using indirect measures of reputation loss, such as declines in financial performance, changes in the outside directorships held by the defendant firm’s CEO, reductions in institutional ownership, CEO and CFO turnover, and improvements in corporate governance.
Outcome of the Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery at the Base Hospital and Improved Surgical Eye Camps in Nepal: A Prospective Observational Comparative Study

A prospective observational comparative case study on the outcome of manual small incision cataract surgery (SICS) at the base hospital and improved surgical eye camps in FarWestern region in Nepal was conducted during June and November 2010. A total of 445 cataract patients aged above or equal to 40 years without coexisting ocular pathologies were recruited and operated with SICS. Patients were examined on the first day of surgery and followed up after one week and again after 4 to 6 weeks. The uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity (VA) with pinhole was recorded on day one and after one week. Refraction and kerotometry was done at 4 to 6 weeks follow up. Comparison of the uncorrected and best corrected postoperative visual acuity at base hospital with surgical eye camps was done at 4 to 6 weeks. Of the 221 cases operated at base hospital 189 (85.5%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 80.9 - 90.2) and of the 224 cases operated at camps 202 (90.2%; 95% CI: 86.3 - 94.1) were available at the follow up period of 4 to 6 weeks. The VA improved significantly at one week and 4 to 6 weeks follow up in both the groups. A comparative analysis of two surgical set-ups showed no significant difference of uncorrected (p = 0.400) and best corrected (p = 0.580) VA in the operated eye at 4 to 6 weeks follow up time respectively. The surgical complications were low in both the settings; 8 out of 221 (3.6%; 95% CI: 1.2 - 6.1) at base hospital and 3 out of 224 (1.3%; 95% CI: 0.0 - 2.8) in camps and did not differ significantly (p = 0.580). Cataract surgery at surgical eye camps with improved settings offers safe and noticeably good outcome, equivalent to that of the hospital set-up if the appropriate surgical protocol is maintained and surgery is performed by an experienced ophthalmic surgeon in the western region in Nepal.
Multiscale analysis of waves reflected by complex interfaces: Basic principles and experiments

[1] This paper considers the reflection of waves by multiscale interfaces in the framework of the wavelet transform. First, we show how the wavelet transform is efficient to detect and characterize abrupt changes present in a signal. Locally homogeneous abrupt changes have conspicuous cone-like signatures in the wavelet transform from which their regularity may be obtained. Multiscale clusters of nearby singularities produce a hierarchical arrangement of conical patterns where the multiscale structure of the cluster may be identified. Second, the wavelet response is introduced as a natural extension of the wavelet transform when the signal to be analyzed (i.e., the velocity structure of the medium) can only be remotely probed by propagating wavelets into the medium instead of being directly convolved as in the wavelet transform. The reflected waves produced by the incident wavelets onto the reflectors present in the medium constitute the wavelet response. We show that both transforms are equivalent when multiple scattering is neglected and that cone-like features and ridge functions can be recognized in the wavelet response as well. Experimental applications of the acoustical wavelet response show how useful information can be obtained about remote multiscale reflectors. A first experiment implements the synthetic cases discussed before and concerns the characterization of planar reflectors with finite thicknesses. Another experiment concerns the multiscale characterization of a complex interface constituted by the surface of a layer of monodisperse glass beads immersed in water. Citation: Le Gonidec, Y. , D. Gibert, and J.-N. Proust , Multiscale analysis of waves reflected by complex interfaces: Basic principles and experiments,
Capsaicin - Inhibitory Factor for Somatic Embryogenesis in Pepper Anther Culture

The androgenesis of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is very limited process and it is followed by many inhibitory factors such as: pepper genotype; the structure and the stadium of microspores; the genetic predisposition for somatic embryogenesis; the hormonal regulation under in vitro condition; and growth conditions. Pungency in Capsicum fruits is due to the accumulation of the alkaloid capsaicin and its analogs. The biosynthesis of capsaicin is restricted to the genus Capsicum and results from the acylation of an aromatic moiety, vanillylamine, by a brached-chain fatty acid. The inhibitory influence of secondary metabolites, including capsaicin, is not explored enough, although in the literature there are data that some pepper genotypes as bell-shape and sweet ones have higher androgenic potential than the hot genotypes. The results from our research work, performed on nine pepper varieties which differ in pungency, showed that the androgenic potential of pepper anthers culture is dependent on the capsaicin content in the pepper fruits. Most probably the genetic predisposition for synthesis of capsaicin as secondary metabolite beside all the other factors is also inhibitory trait of the somatic embryogenesis. Our research showed that there is negative correlation between the capsaicin content of fruits of all the varieties under investigation and the percentage of embryogenic anthers and the number of formed embryos per 100 anthers. The hottest cultivar Feferona showed neither androgenesis nor callus formation, as compared to the other two hot cultivars where the callus formation is the main process. The callus formation of the sweet cultivars is moderate, while the androgenic response is poor to fair. The sweetest cultivar Feherozon showed excellent androgenic response with 31.09% androgenic and only 3.92% callused anthers. The aforementioned facts gives an idea that the capsaicin has an inhibitory effect in in vitro conditions and the more pungent cultivars possess less androgenic potential as compared to the sweet and bell-shaped ones.
Effects of Fire on Water Infiltration Rates in a Ponderosa Pine Stand

One of the more important ways in which water supplies can be maintained and, in some cases increased substantially, is through the proper management of watersheds or land areas producing water. Attention is being focused, in particular, on land areas supporting forest vegetation, and, specifically in Arizona, on the ponderosa pine type. Watershed studies have shown that these forested areas, which are normally limited to regions of high rain and snow fall, are best suited for intensive water yield management. There are, however, some forest management practices which may affect the water yield from a forested watershed. The importance of the pine forest as a timber and water producing area has led to increased protection from wildfire. This has resulted in dense stand growth with increased destructive fire potential and transpirational water loss. In Arizona, as in many areas of the South and West, prescribed burning has been used to effectively reduce these fuel hazards in the forest. For example, 400,000 acres of ponderosa pine on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, all of which lie in the Salt River Watershed, are being prescribed burned periodically to reduce surface fuels and raise crown levels. With periodic
Use of Time and Value of Unpaid Family Care Work: A Comparison between Italy and Poland

The study provides a comparison of the size and value of unpaid family care work in two European member States, Italy and Poland. A micro-data analysis is conducted using the Italian and Polish time use surveys. Both the opportunity cost and the market replacement approaches are employed to measure family care work distinguishing between childcare and care of the elderly. The comparison between the two countries reveals that Italians participate somewhat less than Poles in child care, but substantially more in elderly care, because of demographic factors. However, the main explanation of the difference in the value of unpaid family care work, which is higher in Italy, is to be attributed to the discrepancy in hourly earnings, since average earnings of Poles are about one fifth of those of Italians. The value of unpaid family care work is more comparable when computed as percentage of the national GDP. Depending on the approach, it ranges between 3.7 and 4.4 per cent of the Polish GDP and 4.1 and 5 per cent of the Italian GDP. The national values of these activities are discussed and an interpretation of the country differentials in the family caretaking gender gaps is given in terms of differences in culture, economic development and institutions.
Tidal transport of Pectinaria koreni postlarvae (Annelida: Polychaeta) in the Bay of Seine (eastern English Channel)

Recent investigations on the recruitment of marine benthic invertebrates have highlighted the ability of postlarval and juvenile stages to re-enter the water column and undergo a consequent dispersal following primary settlement. In the eastern part of the Bay of Seine (English Channel), abundances of Pectinana korenipostlarvae within the water column were measured hourly at 1 station over 2 time series of 93 and 92 h conducted in May 1991 and 1992 to determine the magnitude and frequency of postlarval transport and its dependency on current velocity and bottom shear stress. Postlarval numbers varied strongly with the state of the tide; mean densities were consistently larger, by a t least one order of magnitude, during flood than during ebb. Maximum densities were observed with about a 2 h delay relative to the tidal current speed and bottom shear stress maxima. No diurnal rhythm of n~igratory activity was observed. The interaction of postlarval drifting and tide generates a net landward transport which could partly reduce the demograph~c consequences of larval dispersal. This mechanism is proposed to be one of the major processes which explain the spatial and temporal stability of the adult population in a highly advective and dispersive environment. The potential effects of other environmental factors (e.g. wind events) are also discussed.
The Relationship between Operational Financial Ratios and Firm's Abnormal Stock Returns

The investment in stock market and other stocks issued by the firms require sufficient knowledge and understanding of the financial reports and information of the business firms. This study aims to investigate the effects of three types of financial ratios, i.e., profitability/liquidity, continuity and efficiency of business firms over the investors' abnormal stock returns. To achieve the aim of the study, the ratios were categorized into two groups namely fundamental ratios and risk-proxy ratios. The financial ratios make a relationship between various economic variables of a firm and make it possible to compare financial information of various firms. The financial ratios also make it easier to evaluate the firm's performance through examining the relationship between the variables of the financial statements. The results of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between the most fundamental accounting variables, i.e., return on assets, operational cash flow, changes in return on assets, changes in net profit margin and total asset turnover. The existence of this relationship shows the high dependence of abnormal stock returns on its intrinsic fundamental variables. However, there was not any relationship the liquidity ratio and stock returns. Moreover, there was not any significant relationship between the majority of risk proxy variables i.e., the ratio of accruals, operating leverage and stock issuance indicating the independence of abnormal stock returns from risk proxy variables.
Levy-driven CARMA Random Fields on Rn

We define an isotropic Levy-driven CARMA(p,q) random field on Rn as the integral of an isotropic CARMA kernel with respect to a Levy sheet. Such fields constitute a parametric family characterized by an autoregressive polynomial a and a moving average polynomial b having zeros in both the left and right complex half-planes. They extend the well-balanced Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process of Schnurr and Woerner (2011) to a well-balanced CARMA process in one dimension (with a much richer class of autocovariance functions) and to an isotropic CARMA random field on Rn for n > 1. We derive second-order properties of these random fields and find that CAR(1) constitutes a subclass of the well known Matern class. If the driving Levy sheet is compound Poisson it is a trivial matter to simulate the corresponding random field on any n-dimensional hypercube. Joint estimation of CARMA kernel parameters and knots locations is proposed in cases driven by compound Poisson sheets and is illustrated by applications to land price data in Tokyo as well as simulated data.
Colonization of Rice Roots by a Green Fluorescent Protein-Tagged Isolate of Ustilaginoidea virens

The fungus U. virens is the causal agent of rice false smut disease. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to mark this fungus in order to visualize and analyze the colonization and infection processes in vivo. Using epifluorescence microscopy colonization and infection on rice roots were visualized in vivo. After inoculation for 2 to 15 d, it was observed that the conidia and their germ-tubes had penetrated into epidermis of young roots. The hyphae were found inside the root xylem 18 d after inoculation. Generally, the transformed fungus colonized the rhizosphere, the cortex as well as the vascular tissues with symptoms of root necrosis observed. The results of this work show that U. virens colonize not only rice panicles but also the roots.
Biology and life table of Dirphia araucariae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae): A herbivore of potentially high impact on Araucaria angustifolia

The life-history and biology of Dirphia araucariae Jones, 1908, including its life fertility table, are here described. Moths were reared in the laboratory under controlled conditions on their host plant, Araucaria angustifolia (Bertoloni) O. Kuntze - Araucariaceae. We describe several life-history traits of the species, namely: developmental period, survival rate, growth rate, fertility, fecundity, sex ratio, cephalic capsule width, and pupal weight. Mean duration of life stages were: egg = 26.78 days; larva = 61.78 days; prepupa = 6.85 days; pupa = 62.46 days; adult = 8.37 days. We found statistically significant differences between sexes for adult, larval and pupal stage duration; larval stage was longer in females while pupal stage was longer in males. The survival rate of each life stage was: egg = 96.18%; larva = 95.38%; prepupa = 83.87%; pupa = 100%. The larvae developed through six instars and the mean growth rate was 1.418. The width of male and female cephalic capsules were different in last three instars, even though the total mean width between sexes was not different. Pupal mean weight ranged from 2.40 g to 4.79 g, with females being heavier than males. Fertility ranged from 66.78% to 100%, and the total fecundity was 358.45 eggs/female, including both laid eggs and eggs held in the abdomen. The sex ratio was 0.50 ± 0.05. The estimated biotic potential was 48731.08 specimens/female/year. We found the following values for the fertility life table: (Ro) = 117.21 females; (T) = 162.75 days; (rm) = 0.21; (l) = 1.23. Considering the biological parameters evaluated in this study, we conclude that D. araucariae is not able to cause primary damage in A. angustifolia forests, although further studies are needed to understand the reasons for occasional population outbreaks.
Modelling the Relationship between Mathematical Reasoning Ability and Mathematics Attainment

In this article, the author seeks to explain the indicators of mathematical reasoning ability and examines the relationship, using structural regression modeling technique, between mathematical reasoning ability and students’ attainment in mathematics. The sample consisted of 240 Senior Secondary School One Students (Age 14-16 years) who were randomly selected from four senior secondary schools in Isokan and Irewole Local Government Areas of Osun State, Nigeria. A 24-item Mathematics Reasoning Ability Test (MRAT) and a 36-item Attainment in Mathematics Test (AMT) were constructed to explain the indicators of mathematical reasoning ability and to assess how far these indicators enter into success in school mathematics work. Students’ scores in MRAT and AMT were analysed by using maximum likelihood estimates of LISREL version 8.88. Results from the structural regression model showed that four fundamental notions (viz: class, variable, order and classification) were measures of mathematical reasoning ability and two, success in mathematics reasoning ability reliably predicted success in mathematics attainment. These findings suggest the need for mathematics teachers to mount intervention programmes that will help students develop and improve their mathematical reasoning ability and ultimately improve their attainment in mathematics. Keywords: Mathematical reasoning ability; Attainment in Mathematics; Mathematics learning in Nigeria; Structural regression modeling
Trichomoniasis- An Overlooked Sexually Transmitted Disease

Background- Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease of worldwide importance. Women infected during pregnancy are predisposed to premature labor, low birth weight infants and may amplify HIV transmission. Cervicovaginal smear examination is now considered an effective technique for early diagnosis of Trichomonasis. Aims and Objectives- To study the prevalence of Trichomonasis in Gwalior, role of cervicovaginal smear examination in it’s diagnosis and spectrum of disease in various age groups. Methodology- This is a retrospective study. Cases reported over the period of 5 years, from January 2010December 2014 are included in the study. Sample size was greater than 20000 cases and age group was between 20-70 years. The data of cervicovaginal smear examination reported in past five years were retrieved, compiled and analyzed. Results and Conclusions- Out of 24,292 cases reported, 372 (1.53%) females were positive for Trichomoniasis, with highest incidence found in women aged between 30-39 years (47.31%). Cervicovaginal smear examination with Leishman-Giemsa staining would help in early detection of Trichomoniasis which can prevent various complications in women chiefly in the reproductive age group.
Understanding electric industrial ecosystems through exergy

The focus of this study is to enhance the way of thinking that human activities cannot be separated from the functioning of the entire system on Earth. Learning from Nature means to accept that the technical systems and processes involving energy conversion and matter transformation need to be linked to environment engineering. This paper adopts a dualist view, incorporating technical and environmental dimensions, to describe the applicability of exergy to electrical ecosystems, since industrial ecology permits an alternate view of human applications, related both to technical and environmental reference systems.
Improving employees retention rate through knowledge management and business intelligence components

The fundamental thrust of this paper is to uncover certain dimensions of organizational context through Knowledge Management (KM) and Business Intelligence (BI). KM is identified as important antecedent of employee retention that leads to direct their positive attitude toward work place. The structural model indicates that KM and BI strategies integer worker instant to retain. For data collection, the unbiased sources have been used i-e. , past literature, journals, and secondary data of discussions with top management and employee’s feedback.An analysis of the big data serves as the basis for determining the impact of KM trough BI and using employee retention scale.This paper discusses some reasons for turnover to include components of BI. The problems with so much data from sensors, social media, and online applications often flow and accumulate much faster than humans could possibly analyze or act on it. Further, the lack of analytical system drives organizations to a lot more depends to their employees.Most significant findings for this study demonstrate that the needs of the good analytical system in BI could generalize the training sets of data so that can help the organizations to improving their employees’ retention rate.
University Students' Beliefs and Attitudes Regarding Foreign Language Learning in France

This study is based on a survey of 1,305 university students enrolled in English and other foreign-language classes across year levels in four major universities in France. It explores the factors that promote or hinder multilingualism, with special attention to the following questions: What are the beliefs and attitudes of students enrolled in various postsecondary institutions across France toward learning a foreign language? How do these beliefs and attitudes change as students progress from beginning first-year students to upper years? The results suggest that the reasons first-year students typically have for studying a foreign language have more to do with internal factors (e.g., personal attitude) than with external factoars (e.g., social value). Moreover, this trend becomes more pronounced with upper-year students whose motivation to learn a foreign language compared with that of first-year students is influenced less by perceived societal beliefs and more by intrinsic reasons.