Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate tax and location choice for multinational firms

ABSTRACT This article examines the effects of corporate tax on these location decisions of newly established multinational subsidiaries across 26 European countries over an 8-year period. We contribute to the existing literature by examining the effects of a non-linear response of firm location decisions to changes in the tax rate. We also show that there are large variations in the sensitivity to tax rates across sectors and firm size groups. In particular, financial sector firms are more than twice as sensitive to changes in corporation tax rates relative to other sectors. Our baseline result is a finding that a 1% increase in the statutory or policy rate of corporation tax would lead to a reduction in the conditional location probability of 0.68%. Using the effective average tax rate, the marginal effect implies a reduction in the location probability of 1.15% following a 1% increase in the tax rate. Although overall tax has the expected negative effect on location probability, the marginal effect of an increase is lower at higher rates of tax.
Stock Market Calendar Anomalies: Evidence from ASEAN-5 Stock Markets

To challenge the appropriateness of the theory of the weak-form market efficiency, this study examines the day-of-the-week effect and the twist-of-the-Monday effect for the ASEAN – 5 stock markets for the period June 10, 2002 through August 21, 2009. Our Kruskal-Wallis statistic test finds support for the day-of-the-week effect in Malaysia and Thailand stock markets. In addition, the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test shows that Monday has significantly lower returns compared to Thursday and Friday returns in Malaysian stock market. On the other hand, Friday has the highest returns in a week and this is significantly different compared with other days in Thailand stock market. This study also found evidence on the twist-of-the-Monday effect, where returns on Mondays are influenced by the previous week's returns in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines stock markets.
A PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR PHYSICAL ASSET MANAGEMENT

CITATION: Jooste, J. L. & Page, D. C. 2004. A performance management model for physical asset management. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 15(2): 45-66, doi: http://dx.doi. org/10.7166/15-2-204
The role of emotional satisfaction in service encounters

This paper empirically examined the role of emotional satisfaction in service encounters. Specifically, this study seeks to: investigate the relationship between emotional satisfaction and key concepts, such as service quality, customer loyalty, and relationship quality, and clarify the role of emotional satisfaction in predicting customer loyalty and relationship quality. In doing so, this study used the relationship between emotional satisfaction, service quality, customer loyalty, and relationship quality as a context, as well as data from a sample survey of 1,261 Australian retail customers concerning their evaluation of their shopping experiences to address this issue. The results show that service quality is positively associated with emotional satisfaction, which is positively associated with both customer loyalty and relationship quality. Further investigations showed that customers' feelings of enjoyment serve as the best predictor of customer loyalty, while feelings of happiness serve as the best predictor of relationship quality. The findings imply the need for a service firm to strategically leverage on the key antecedents of customer loyalty and relationship quality in its pursuit of customer retention and long‐term profitability.
Estimating Distributions of Treatment Effects with an Application to the Returns to Schooling and Measurement of the Effects of Uncertainty on College Choice

This paper uses factor models to identify and estimate distributions of counterfactuals. We extend LISREL frameworks to a dynamic treatment effect setting, extending matching to account for unobserved conditioning variables. Using these models, we can identify all pairwise and joint treatment effects. We apply these methods to a model of schooling and determine the intrinsic uncertainty facing agents at the time they make their decisions about enrollment in school. Reducing uncertainty in returns raises college enrollment. We go beyond the “Veil of Ignorance” in evaluating educational policies and determine who benefits and loses from commonly proposed educational reforms.
Retrospective study of foot and mouth disease in cattle at Babugonj upazila of Barisal district

The present study was conducted in Babuganj Upazila Veterinary Hospital, Barisal during the period from September 2015 to August 2017 to observe the prevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). A total of 727 animals were examined during this period and 158 cases were found positive to FMD, so the proportionate prevalence of FMD was 21.73% (n=158) at Babugonj Upazila. The effect of age, sex, breed and season on the prevalence of the disease was discussed. The proportinate prevalence of FMD was highest in the month of December and January. The males (432 males, 109 affected, prevalence 25.23%) were more susceptible than females (295 female, 49 affected, prevalence 16.61%). The Older cattle (more than 4 years old) were more susceptible to FMD (29.88%) compared to adult (2 to 4 years; 19.53%) and younger (less than 2 years old; 8.62%). Moreover, FMD is more frequent among indigenous breeds (27.90%) than crossed breeds (13.91%). The findings from this study can be used as baseline epidemiological data for further research to understand the epidemiology of FMD in Barisal. Res. Agric. , Livest. Fish.5(1): 43-48, April 2018
Economic Performance of Conventional, Organic, and Biodynamic Farms

Organic agriculture in the Czech Republic is taking on a greater importance: the number of the organic farms is increasing and the availability of bio products is rising too. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the economic situation of organic, biodynamic, and conventional farms by using financial analysis indicators, performance indicators, economic efficiency indicator, and multidimensional intercompany comparison methods. Furthermore, the subsidies impact on farms’ profits, sales, and return on assets indicators by a linear regression model with AR (AutoRegressive 1) process was analyzed. A total of 389 Czech farms receiving subsidies from 2007 to 2012 were selected. From these, 273 farms were conventional, 112 organic, and 4 biodynamic. Organic farms were the most profitable and got the best results on the economic efficiency indicator and took the first place in the intercompany comparison. Subsidies worsen the organic farms’ economic situation, however, without statistical significance. Biodynamic farms received the highest amount of subsidies. In some years, these farms did not gain profit. Despite the worst results of economic efficiency indicator, biodynamic farms were placed as second in the intercompany comparison. Subsidies improved the biodynamic farms’ economic situation (statistically insignificant) and could play a role as a motivating factor. Conventional farms had the highest values of input and output indicators (except profit) and they received the lowest amount of subsidies. Subsidies had a statistically significantly positive effect on the profitability of these farms, though with a negative effect on sales.
Inventory-based estimation of forest biomass in Shitai County, China: A comparison of five methods

Several comparative studies have reported that there can be great discrepancies between different methods used to estimate forest biomass. With the development of carbon markets, an accurate estimation at the regional scale (i.e. county level) is becoming increasingly important for local government. In this study, we applied five methodologies [continuous biomass expansion factor (CBEF) approach, mean biomass density (MB) approach, mean biomass expansion factor (MBEF) approach, national continuous biomass expansion factors (NCBEF) proposed by Fang et al (2002), standard IPCC approach] to estimate the total biomass for Shitai County, China. The CBEF is generally considered to provide the most realistic estimates in term of regional biomass because CBEF reflects the change of BEF to stand density, stand age and site conditions. The forests of the whole county were divided into four forest types, namely Chinese fir plantations (CF), hardwood broadleaved forests (HB), softwood–broadleaved forests (SB) and mason pine forests (MP) according to the local forest management inventory of 2004. Generally, the MBEF approach overestimated forest biomass while the IPCC approach underestimated forest biomass for all forest types when CBEF derived biomass was used as a control. The MB approach provided the most similar biomass estimates for all forest types and could be an alternative approach when a CBEF equation is lacking in the study area. The total biomass derived from MBEF was highest at 1.44×107 t, followed by 1.32 ×107 t from CBEF, 1.31 ×107 t from NCBEF, 1.25 ×107 t from MB and 1.16 ×107 t from IPCC. Our results facilitate method selection for regional forest biomass estimation and provide statistical evidence for local government planning to enter the potential carbon market.
Effects of Spatial Location of Price Information on Consumers’ Perception of Prices and Products

Two studies using real choice settings demonstrate context influence on the choice and consumption of mixed foods (combining hedonic and utilitarian attributes). A hedonic context leads to the choice and reduced consumption of mixed foods for guilt-reducing reasons. A utilitarian context induces less guilt, and leads individuals to choose and consume more of the mixed foods. Priming guilt through nutritional information reverses these effects.
Multiple shoot regeneration of cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) via shoot apex culture system

Induction of multiple shoots of cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) plant in two commercial varieties (Sahel and Varamin) using shoot apex was done. Explants were isolated from 3 - 4 days old seedlings, then they were cultured on a shoot induction media, modified MS nutrient agar with combinations: 1- Kinetin (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg l -1 ) and 6-benzyaminopurine (BAP) (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg l -1 ), 2- α- naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0.0, 0.1, 1.0 mg l -1 ) and BAP (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg l -1 ). After 1.5 - 2 months, multiple shoot induction medium with 0.1 mg l-1 NAA and 0.1 mg l -1 BAP resulted in the highest number of regenerated shoots per explant (3 - 4 shoots per explant) for the two cultivars. Elongation of multiple shoots was obtained on modified MS nutrient agar without any phytohormone. In vitro shoots were rooted on half-strength agar-solidified MS basal medium supplied with 0.1 mg l -1 Iidole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and MS vitamins. Key words : Cotton, Shoot apex, multiple shoot.
An International Comparison of Foreign Patents Registered in the USA

This paper analyses trends and volatilities in registered patents for the top 12 foreign patenting countries in the USA. In terms of total US patents by foreign countries, Japan is ranked first, followed distantly by Germany and then France. Patent registrations from each of the 12 countries have increased steadily over time, but at different rates. Using monthly time series data for 1975-1998, the time-varying volatility of the patents ratio, namely US patents registered by each of the top 12 foreign countries relative to total US patents, is examined in detail. International rankings based on both the number of patents and patent intensity (or patents per capita) are provided. The asymmetric AR(1)-EGARCH(1,1) model is found to be suitable for most countries, while the AR(1)-GARCH(1,1) and AR(1)GJR(1,1) models also provide useful insights. Non-nested testing procedures are used to discriminate between GARCH(1,1) and EGARCH(1,1), and between GJR(1,1) and EGARCH(1,1).
Predictive musculoskeletal simulation using optimal control: effects of added limb mass on energy cost and kinematics of walking and running

When designing sports equipment, it is often desirable to predict how certain design parameters will affect human performance. In many instances, this requires a consideration of human musculoskeletal mechanics and adaptive neuromuscular control. Current computational methods do not represent these mechanisms, and design optimization typically requires several iterations of prototyping and human testing. This paper introduces a computational method based on musculoskeletal modeling and optimal control, which has the capability to predict the effect of mechanical equipment properties on human performance. The underlying assumption is that users will adapt their neuromuscular control according to an optimality principle, which balances task performance with a minimization of muscular effort. The method was applied to the prediction of metabolic cost and limb kinematics while running and walking with weights attached to the body. A two-dimensional musculoskeletal model was used, with nine kinematic degrees of freedom and 16 muscles. The optimal control problem was solved for two walking speeds and two running speeds, and at each speed, with 200 g and 400 g masses placed at the thigh, knee, shank and foot. The model predicted an increase in energy expenditure that was proportional to the added mass and the effect was largest for a mass placed on the foot. Specifically, the model predicted an energy cost increase of 0.74% for each 100 g mass added to the foot during running at 3.60 m/s. The model also predicted that stride length would increase by several millimetres in the same condition, relative to the model without added mass. These predictions were consistent with previously published human studies. Peak force and activation remained the same in most muscles, but increased by 26% in the hamstrings and by 17% in the rectus femoris for running at 4.27 m/s with 400 g added mass at the foot, suggesting muscle-specific training effects. This work demonstrated that a musculoskeletal model with optimal control can predict the effect of mechanical devices on human performance, and could become a useful tool for design optimization in sports engineering. The theoretical background of predictive simulation also helps explain why human athletes have specific responses when exercising in an altered mechanical environment.
Perceived Quality and Corporate Image in Mobile Services: The Role of Technical and Functional Quality

Abstract The purpose of this study is to assess the technical (output) and functional (process) quality of mobile services, as well as the role of corporate image as a mediator between technical/functional quality perceptions and overall quality assessment of mobile services. Grönroos’s service quality model is used as the conceptual base of the study. Technical quality was operationalized through two sub-dimensions: baseline network quality and augmented technical quality. The SERVPERF framework was used in the operationalization of the functional quality. A quantitative survey was conducted with (n = 414) customers of the telecommunication operator in B&H. The results suggest that corporate image mediates the effects of (1) two functional quality dimensions (tangibles and assurance) and (2) both technical quality dimensions on the overall service quality assessment. The core technical quality dimension (network) is also directly related to overall service quality perception. A discussion of the results and their implications for theory and practice is then presented.
Biogeochemical Processes in Forest Riparian Zones Conceptualizing Function and Heterogeneity in Boreal

The area of interaction between terrestrial and aquatic environments, i.e. the riparian zone (RZ), has long been recognized as an important landscape feature from both scientific and management perspectives. Surface water quality is to a great extent regulated by substances exported from RZs. Boreal forest RZs are characterized by high organic matter content, which drives important biogeochemical processes. The overall objective of this thesis was to develop the understanding of RZ biogeochemical processes so as to provide a sound scientific basis for protection of surface water quality in boreal forests. The work was based on measurements from stream, riparian, and upslope monitoring sites in the 68 km Krycklan catchment in northern Sweden. Specifically, the study of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), base cations (BC), silicon (Si), and sulfate (SO4) was included. Opposite SO4 and DOC trends were observed in both stream and riparian water, whereas no trends were apparent in the upslope area. This suggests that RZ processes control stream SO4 and DOC independently of upslope soils. On the other hand, the upslope signal of BC and Si was maintained through the RZ and subsequently exported to the streams. RZs were found to have a long-term potential to export DOC from both new and old carbon pools. This, in combination with predicted future climate and exhaustion of residual S pools accumulated during the acidification period, is likely to increase DOC concentrations affecting surface water quality and the global carbon cycle. The hydrological connectivity between RZs and streams can be conceptualized as a ‘dominant source layer’, the narrow depth range with the highest contribution to solute and water fluxes. Local hydromorphology drives spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of RZs and in the intensity of their biogeochemical functions including retention via interaction with organic matter and transformation via redox reactions. Overall, this thesis provides new insights into the role of the RZ in catchment biogeochemistry and proposes a conceptualization of its function and heterogeneity. These outcomes are an essential prerequisite for ecologically sustainable and economically effective land management that preserves surface water quality.
Management of collar rot of elephant foot yam caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc .-A Review

Tuber crops are the third most important food crop for man after cereals and grain legumes. Among them Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius), “King of tuber crops”, is important commercial tuber crops of tropical and subtropical region of the world. But Collar rot is one of the important fungal disease (caused by Scerotium rolfsii) reducing the quality and quantity of corms in Amorphophallus. Though chemical measures are recommended based on the previous studies on Sclerotium spp. , the new fungicides along with earlier proven fungicides need to be evaluated to find out the superior fungitoxicants with which the disease can be controlled. Presently, greater emphasis should be placed on biological control of soil borne pathogens in order to reduce the environmental hazards, to avoid the development of resistant strains and to reduce the cost of cultivation. Hence, an integrated approach plays an important role in the effective management of collar rot of the Elephant foot yam caused by Sclerotium rolfsii. In this connection, the literature on various aspects related to the proposed study was collected and summarized in this chapter.
Species diversity of indigenous Trichoderma from alkaline pistachio soils in Iran

The diversity of Trichoderma spp. was investigated in alkaline soils of pistachio orchards at different geographic areas in Kerman province, Iran. A total of 161 Trichoderma isolates were obtained and identified at the species level by their morphological characters and sequence analysis of their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and tef1-α genomic regions. Totally, five species of Trichoderma were identified, including T. harzianum, Trichoderma sp. , T. virens, T. brevicompactum and T. longibrachiatum. ITS nucleotide sequences could not find molecular differences between T. harzianum and Trichoderma sp. To identify and differentiate these two species, the sequences of the translation-elongation factor 1-α (tef1-int 4 (large)) were determined for five representative isolates of T. harzianum and Trichoderma sp. The TrichoBLAST similarity search using the tef1-α sequences of the T. harzianum and Trichoderma sp. isolates determined in this study, revealed as T. harzianum. However, there was 34 nucleotides difference in tef1-α sequences, between the two groups of isolates. According to the results, more than 80% of the isolates belonged to two species T. harzianum and Trichoderma sp. T. harzianum was introduced as the dominant species in soil of pistachio orchards. Logistic regression analysis showed no relationship between the soil properties (pH, EC) and presence of Trichoderma spp. (R2 = 0.26, Pr = 0.74, 0.26 > 0.05).
Integral Novikov conjectures and Arithmetic groups containing torsion elements

In this paper, we study a generalized integral Novikov conjecture for discrete groups containing nontrivial torsion elements and prove it for not necessarily torsion-free arithmetic groups of reductive algebraic groups defined over Q and virtually polycyclic groups. For this purpose, we prove a general criterion that this generalized integral Novikov conjecture holds for groups Γ having finite asymptotic dimension and satisfying suitable conditions related to actions by finite subgroups on the universal space EFΓ for proper actions. For arithmetic groups Γ, we show that the Borel–Serre partial compactification X BS is a Γ-cofinite universal space for proper actions, which is of interest independent of the application in this paper, and satisfies these other conditions as well. For virtually polycyclic groups Γ, we use the filtration induced from the canonical decreasing commuting series to understand the structure of fixed-point sets on a model EFΓ given by homogeneous spaces.
Identifying Systemically Important Financial Institutions: Size and Other Determinants

This paper analyzes the conditions under which a financial institution is systemically important. Measuring the level of systemic importance of financial institutions, we find that size is a leading determinant confirming the usual "Too Big To Fail" argument. Nevertheless, the relation is non-linear during the recent global financial crisis. Moreover, since 2003, other determinants of systemic importance emerge. For example, decisions made by financial institutions on their choice of asset holdings, methods of funding, and sources of income have had a significant effect on the level of systemic importance during the global financial crises starting in 2008. These findings help to identify systemically important financial institutions by examining their relevant banking activities and to further design macro-prudential regulation towards reducing the systemic risk in the financial system.