Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Existence

The existence and uniqueness of a solution of a stochastic diﬀerential equation with a non-Lipschitz diﬀusion for cases of both centered and non-centered Poisson measures is proved. We prove that the pathwise uniqueness of a solution and the existence of a weak solution imply the existence of a strong solution for such equations.
投資人情緒、買賣單不均衡與市場流動性的關係 -以美國 ETF 市場為例 Sentiment , Order Imbalance and Liquidity : Evidence from the ETF Market

This paper is intended to discover the relationship between investor sentiment and market liquidity. Using market-based and survey-based investor sentiment indicators, two hypotheses are tested. The first hypothesis postulates that sentiment indicators have marginal explanatory power to explain market returns beyond the lagged returns and the market liquidity variable, defined as order imbalances. We follow Chordia, Roll and Subrahmanyam (2002) to reconstruct the model by adding sentiment indicators. Consistent with the first hypothesis, the results show that investor sentiment can influence market returns and the relationship between sentiment and market returns is negative. However, the evidence in support of the second hypothesis, which posits that market liquidity variables can be explained by investor sentiment indicators, is not found. As mentioned in previous research, this consequence may be due to the fact that market liquidity can be an investor sentiment indicator.
Corporate Governance and Disclosure Quality: Taxonomy of Tunisian Listed Firms Using the Decision Tree Method based Approach

This study aims to establish a typology of Tunisian listed firms according to their corporate governance characteristics and disclosure quality. The paper uses disclosed scores to examine corporate governance practices of Tunisian listed firms. A content analysis of 46 Tunisian listed firms from 2001 to 2010 has been carried out and a disclosure index developed to determine the level of disclosure of the companies. The disclosure quality is appreciated through the quantity and also through the nature (type) of information disclosed. Applying the decision tree method, the obtained Tree diagrams provide ways to know the characteristics of a particular firm regardless of its level of disclosure. Obtained results show that the characteristics of corporate governance to achieve good quality of disclosure are not unique for all firms. These structures are not necessarily all of the recommendations of best practices, but converge towards the best combination. Indeed, in practice, there are companies which have a good quality of disclosure but are not well governed. However, we hope that by improving their governance system their level of disclosure may be better. These findings show, in a general way, a convergence towards the standards of corporate governance with a few exceptions related to the specificity of Tunisian listed firms and show the need for the adoption of a code for each context. These findings shed the light on corporate governance features that enhance incentives for good disclosure. It allows identifying, for each firm and in any date, corporate governance determinants of disclosure quality. More specifically, and all being equal, obtained tree makes a rule of decision for the company to know the level of disclosure based on certain characteristics of the governance strategy adopted by the latter.
A Macro Sketch of Users' Needs, Satisfaction, and Library Performance: A Survey of University Libraries in Pakistan

It is a survey of large public sector university libraries of the Punjab Province and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) of Pakistan. The basic purpose is to get a broader understanding of users’ perceptions about the library services. The survey is based on a questionnaire containing both open and close ended questions. The data were collected through mail, e-mail and personal visits. The study reveals that although respondents have shown their overall satisfaction with the library services, but the analysis of the data about users’ satisfaction with major library services shows that they were not fully satisfied with
An Automatic Image Recognition System for Winter Road Surface Condition Monitoring

Municipalities and contractors in Canada and other parts of the world rely on road surface condition information during and after a snow storm to optimize maintenance operations and planning. With an ever increasing demand for safer and more sustainable road network there is an ever increasing demand for more reliable, accurate and up-to-date road surface condition information while working with the limited available resources. Such high dependence on road condition information is driving more and more attention towards analyzing the reliability of current technology as well as developing new and more innovative methods for monitoring road surface condition. This research provides an overview of the various road condition monitoring technologies in use today. A new machine vision based mobile road surface condition monitoring system is proposed which has the potential to produce high spatial and temporal coverage. The proposed approach uses multiple models calibrated according to local pavement color and environmental conditions potentially providing better accuracy compared to a single model for all conditions. Once fully developed, this system could potentially provide intermediate data between the more reliable fixed monitoring stations, enabling the authorities with a wider coverage without a heavy extra cost. The up to date information could be used to better plan maintenance strategies and thus minimizing salt use and maintenance costs.
Minimum Amount of Extracting Solvent of a Separation of Two Rare Earth Components

A significant development in the theory of countercurrent extraction will be presented in this article. New expressions of the term in countercurrent extraction process analysis, “Adjacent Stage Impurity Ratio” (ASIR), are deduced. Furthermore, based on the term together with mass balance and extraction equilibrium, the conditions where a given countercurrent extraction separation operation can have minimum amounts of both extracting solvent and scrubbing agent solution can be estimated, and the equations of the two minimum amounts can be deduced. It was found that the equations for a two-component separation using a single aqueous or organic feed are exactly the same as they appeared in the theory initially established in 1970s. Unlike its earlier version, the present derivation does not involve feed-stage-composition hypothesis, and also has the advantage of dealing with a double-feed system where both aqueous and organic feeds are simultaneously employed whereas the earlier theory can only analyze a separation using a single aqueous or organic feed.
Genome Size Study in the Valerianaceae: First Results and New Hypotheses

The purpose of this study is to provide a new focus to contribute, from the perspective of genomic evolution, towards a better understanding of the Valerianaceae evolutionary history. Chromosome numbers were determined by Feulgen staining in 24 populations of 18 species (first count for Valerianella multidentata, –16), and DNA contents were assessed by flow cytometry in 74 populations of 35 species (first assessments in all taxa but Centranthus ruber). A molecular phylogeny based on the trnL-trnF and including 41 new sequences was established, with the first DNA sequence for Centranthus nevadensis, Valeriana rotundifolia, V. saxatilis, Valerianella multidentata, and V. turgida. This work is the first large genome size study devoted to the Valerianaceae, showing a range of DNA amounts from pg (Valerianella turgida) to pg (Valeriana officinalis). At the family level, changes in basic chromosome number and genome size coincide with or precede major shifts in the evolutionary history of the group, such as those concerning stamen number and floral symmetry.
Comparison of Immune Reactivity to Respiratory Challenges in Asthmatics with and without Panic Disorder

Objective Asthma and panic disorder (PD) are highly comorbid conditions. The objective of this study was to examine if PD altered immune reactivity in asthmatics to two acute respiratory stress challenges. We hypothesized that asthmatics with PD would have increased proportions of sputum eosinophils compared to asthmatics without PD in reaction to both challenges. Methods Eleven participants (7 PD, 4 non-PD) inhaled methacholine (which produces an asthma attack) on a first day, and on a second, two gases in randomized order: compressed air and a 35% carbon dioxide (CO2) solution (the latter produces a ‘simulated’ panic attack). Following each challenge, we induced sputum to assess immune cell profiles. Results ANCOVA-like GLMs demonstrated that the PD group had a significantly lower proportion of sputum lymphocytes (β=-0.75, 95% CIs = -1.30–0.20) than the non-PD group in response to methacholine. A trend also emerged for the PD group reacting with more eosinophils (β=5.03, 95% CIs = -0.73–10.79). The presence of PD conferred no effect on neutrophils (β=-11.72, 95% CIs = -34.64–11.18) or macrophages (β=0.10, 95% CIs = -22.63–22.82). Analyses did not reveal a significant effect of PD on immune reactivity to CO2. Conclusions PD appears to influence immunological responses in asthmatics by decreasing the proportion of sputum lymphocytes following a methacholine challenge, but does not seem to alter the immunological responses to CO2 inhalation. Additional studies are indicated to characterize the immunological interrelations between these conditions; these discoveries could allow clinicians to select more targeted treatments for this population.
The influence of connecting pile cap-column in the mechanisms of break in the two pile caps

Resumo The paper analyzes the two pile caps with partially embedded socket and subject a center load. Three models were experimentally tested, varying the type of conformation of the column and walls of the socket, with a smooth, the other rough, and a monolithic two pile cap, used for reference. The roughening of the column-socket interface was examined with the aim of verifying the difference of the distribution of compressive and tensile stresses in the strut an tie model used for design. The experimental test to show that the two pile caps with conformation rough of the column and walls of the socket, support more load in comparison with two pile caps with smooth of the column and walls of the socket. Both however underperformed the monolithic two pile cap, with values of 66% and 36% respectively.
Astrometric and photometric initial mass functions from the UKIDSS Galactic Clusters Survey: IV Upper Sco

We present the results of a proper motion wide-field near-inf rared survey of the entire Upper Sco (USco) association ( ∼160 square degrees) released as part of the UKIRT Infrared De p Sky (UKIDSS) Galactic Clusters Survey (GCS) Data Release 10 (DR10). We have identified a sample of ∼400 astrometric and photometric member candidates combini ng proper motions and photometry in five near-infrared passbands and another 2 86 with HK photometry and 2MASS/GCS proper motions. We also provide revised membersh ip for all previously published USco low-mass stars and substellar members based on o ur selection and identify new candidates, including in regions affected by extinction. W e find negligible variability between the twoK-band epochs, below the 0.06 mag rms level. We estimate an upp er limit of 2.2% for wide common proper motions with projected physical separat ions less than∼15000 au. We derive a disk frequency for USco low-mass stars and brown dwa rfs between 26 and 37%, in agreement with estimates in IC 348 and σ Ori. We derive the mass function of the association and find it consistent with the (system) mass function of the s olar neighbourhood and other clusters surveyed by the GCS in the 0.2–0.03 M ⊙ mass range. We confirm the possible excess of brown dwarfs in USco.
Study on effect of Alccofine & Fly ash addition on the Mechanical properties of High performance Concrete

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation carried out for M-70 Grad Concrete and to evaluate the compressive strength and Flexural Strength of Concrete. High Performance Concrete is made by partial replacement of cement by alccofine, fly ash, silica fume. In this study the Class F fly ash used in various proportions 20 to 35%, alccofine 4 to 14% and silica fume 4% to 14% by weight of cement. The mix proportions of concrete had a water binder ratio for Alccofine mix concrete 0.30 and Silica-fume mix concrete 0.32. super plasticizer was added based on the required degree of workability. The total binder content was 600 kg/m3. The concrete specimens were cured on normal moist curing under normal atmospheric temperature. The compressive strength was determined at 7 , 28 , 56 days and flexural strength was determined at 28 and 56 days The results indicate the concrete made with these proportions generally show excellent fresh and hardened properties. The addition of Alccofine, silica fume shows early strength gaining property and that of fly ash shows a long term strength. The ternary system that is Portland cement-fly ash-Alccofine concrete was found to increase the compressive strength of concrete on all age when compared to concrete made with Portland cement-fly ash-silica fume.
THE FECUNDITY OF CL YDE PLAICE

In early 1956 and again in 1957 small samples of mature female Plaice Pleuronectes platessa L. were collected for fecundity estimates to be compared with Simpson's (1951) results for the North Sea populations, and the data from elsewhere that Simpson summarizes. The fish were collected on 22 and 27 February 1956 and 7 January 1957 by trawling off Mountstuart House, Isle of Bute, at ca. 40 m. The treatment, of the fish was similar to that of the Long Rough Dabs collected for fecundity estimation and which has been described in detail (Bagenal, 1957a). This paper on Long Rough Dabs should be consulted for details of the collection and treatment of the fish, and of the laboratory methods for the estimation of the egg numbers and also of the statistical analysis of the data.
Natural antioxidants isolated from Schinus areira leaves by ultrasound-assisted extraction

The aim of this study was to optimize the extraction of antioxidant compounds from Schinus areira leaves using ultrasound assisted extraction and response surface methodology. The effect of sonication time and plant material:solvent ratio were used to optimize the recovery. Results showed that a high recovery of antioxidant compounds from leaves of three different S. areira specimens was achieved under optimized conditions. The leaf extracts obtained displayed a DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity analogous to the well-known antioxidant trolox (EC 50 = 23-46 vs 36.1 µ g/mL, respectively). In addition, these extracts showed a good potency to eliminate superoxide and nitric oxide-radicals as well as a moderate antimicrobial activity against gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis and yeast. HPLC chromatography analysis of the three S. areira leaf extracts showed different high contents of kaempferol-3- O -rutinoside, quercetin-3- O -galactoside and 3 -O -caffeoylquinic acid. The results showed that the S. areira leaf extracts contained a high amount of antioxidant phenolic compounds, which might be a valuable source to be used as additives in plant-based foods.
Late Holocene tectonic implications deduced from tidal notches in Leukas and Meganisi islands (Ionian Sea).

In this paper the tectonic behavior of Leukas and Meganisi islands (Ionian Sea) is examined through underwater research carried out in both islands. A possible Late Holocene correlation between coseismic subsidences is attempted and evidenced by submerged tidal notches in both islands. These subsidence events probably occurred after the uplift that affected the northernmost part of Leukas around 4 to 5ka BP. In conclusion, although the whole area was affected by a similar tectonic strain, certain coseismic events were only recorded in one of the two islands and in some cases they affected only part of the study area
Work status as a predictor of academic performance in the field of distance higher education.

This article reports on the academic success of 13 590 Technikon SA students and the importance of their “work status” (employed/unemployed) in light of the co-operative education philosophy of technikons. The data was collected by means of the students’ registration records, and analysed using a CHAID-analysis. The results indicated that the variable “work status” features second last on the list of nine successful variables for predicting academic performance. Generally, it would appear that the employment practice for technikon students is not as important a requirement for academic success as the co-operative education philosophy would like it to be.
Estimating biomass of Neotropical spiders and other arachnids (Araneae, Opiliones, Pseudoscorpiones, Ricinulei) by mass-length regressions

Abstract We sampled 505 specimens of 7 arachnid orders (313 Araneae, 65 Opiliones, 111 Pseudoscorpiones, 10 Ricinulei, 3 Schizomida, 1 Thelyphonida, 2 Scorpiones) in natural forest and agroforestry sites in central Amazonia to analyze fresh and dry mass to body length relations. The low number of schizomids, scorpions, and thelyphonids did not allow statistical analyses, but the raw data are given, because these represent the first data published for these groups from Amazonia. For all other orders general mass-length relationships for ecological studies were determined. Non-linear regressions with a power model proved to describe the relations very well and are highly significant for all taxa and groups analyzed. The resulting equations can thus be used to estimate biomass of large samples of arachnids from Amazonia based on individual body length measurements. Linear regressions of mass to length with log-transformed data also described the relation adequately, but using the resulting equations to estimate biomass of the whole spider sample caused a higher bias. This is because small biases of mass-length relation of the largest spider individuals are exponentiated. However, linear regressions behaved better for spiders smaller than 8 mm. The ratio of dry to fresh mass was around 0.3 for spiders; 0.4 for pseudoscorpions, schizomids, and thelyphonids; 0.44 for opilionids; and 0.53 for Ricinulei. A second sample of 99 spiders from a South Brazilian Atlantic Forest revealed similar mass-length relations, but a different dry to fresh mass ratio. For spiders, the usefulness of general equations to determine the biomass of bulk samples from ecological studies with certain precision requirements was further explored by using the equations from the two datasets crosswise, regarding the resulting bias and by applying equations to a further dataset from an ecological investigation. In conclusion and accordance to former studies, general equations derived from mass-length regressions of bulk samples including many specimens of different families and guilds are appropriate for an estimation of the biomass of bulk samples from ecological studies. Equations from mass-length regressions from the literature, resulting from spider samples in temperate regions, should not be used to estimate biomass of samples from neotropical spider assemblages, especially when absolute biomass is of interest and when precision is required. They underestimate biomass of tropical assemblages due to a strong bias in mass-length relation of tropical spiders larger than 10 mm. Depending on the distribution of large spiders in samples, considerable biases in single samples could affect ecological analyses.
The Patents and Financial Performance of Firms - Evidence from Polish Manufacturing Companies

This article is a contribution to the discussion on innovation activity and its influence on financial performance of companies. The authors employ a simple measure of innovativeness, which was also used in other studies, and the division of companies into two groups (innovative and non-innovative) was based on the fact whether they obtained a patent (patents) or not. In this paper, we compare the rates of return and revenue growth achieved by innovative versus non-innovative companies operating in the manufacturing industry in Poland, in the years 2006 to 2012. Financial and qualitative data for testing the hypotheses were taken from the Amadeus database provided by Bureau van Dijk. The sample consisted of 4004 enterprises, of which 681 were owners of at least one patent. T-Student test, ANOVA and OSL models were used to verify the working assumptions. The study tests the following three research hypotheses. H1: “Innovative companies achieve higher rates of return than the non-innovative ones. ” That hypothesis was confirmed in relation to the EBITDA margin and ROS (return on sale), but not to ROA (return on assets) and ROE (return on equity). The fact of belonging to a group of innovative companies had an impact on an average EBITDA margin increase by 0.83 p.p. in 2007, 0.78 p.p. in 2009 and 0.73 p.p. in 2012, ceteris paribus. The difference between ROE was found statistically insignificant in most analysed periods (except 2007 and 2009), however, non-innovative companies have achieved a higher return on equity than innovative companies. It can be associated with higher operational risk in innovative companies which restrict access to external capital, leading such companies to expand their businesses through their own equity. The second tested hypothesis is: “An innovative activity has higher impact on financial performance in medium-sized companies than in large and very large ones. ” During the research, it was found out that having obtained a patent is important determinant of EBITDA margin for medium-sized companies, increasing it by 0.76 p.p., ceteris paribus. In large companies, it contributed to an increase of 0.71 p.p., and for very large ones – by only 0.19 p.p., with the slope for the latter group at a number other than zero found to be statistically insignificant. In relation to third tested hypothesis:” Innovative companies are more sensitive in terms of revenue dynamics to economic slowdown than the non-innovative ones. ” it was found out that in the period of time from 2006 to 2012 the dynamics of revenue growth in innovative companies was generally higher than in the non-innovative ones, except in the year 2009, when all companies showed a significant decline in revenues, but for innovative companies, the decline amounted to 6.39%, and for the remaining ones it was found at 4.98%. Based on those findings it was confirmed that innovative companies are characterized by a greater sensitivity to economic slowdown.
Chapter 2 Logic Synthesis by Signal-Driven Decomposition

This chapter investigates some restructuring techniques based on decomposition and factorization, with the objective to move critical signals toward the output while minimizing area. A speci c application is synthesis for minimum switching activity (or high performance), with minimum area penalty, where decompositions with respect to speci c critical variables are needed (the ones of highest switching activity, for example). In order to reduce the power consumption of the circuit, the number of gates that are affected by the switching activity of critical signals is maintained constant. This chapter describes new types of factorization that extend Shannon cofactoring and are based on projection functions that change the Hamming distance among the original minterms to favor logic minimization of the component blocks. Moreover, the proposed algorithms generate and exploit don’t care conditions in order to further minimize the nal circuit. The related implementations, called P-circuits, show experimentally promising results in area with respect to classical Shannon cofactoring.