Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Parenting Style and Gender on Assertiveness among Undergraduate Students in Bahir Dar University

This study was design to examine the role of parenting style and gender on assertiveness among students at Bahir Dar University. To meet this objective, the researcher drew 100 out of 379 student populations who were pursuing their study in 2007 E.C. 59 male and 41 female students selected as the sample participants of the study using stratified random sampling technique. The data were analyzed through mean, standard deviation, and threewayANOVA. The result revealed that there is no significant mean difference that observed between students’ level of assertiveness in second and third year students. The study also revealed that there is no significant difference in students’ assertiveness and sex. In addition, the study revealed that there is no statistical mean difference in assertiveness scores across four parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive/ indulgent and neglectful). The study suggested that it is advisable to aware Parents of students on how to improve their children assertiveness and socially responsible behavior. This can be conducted by media channel, Non-governmental organizations so as to bring more advanced assertiveness on each generation. This should be consolidated by (i.e. teachers, principals, supervisors, union of parents – studentsand teachers, and guidance and counseling officers, instructors and other concerned bodies in and out of university.
1 Market timing and capital structure : Evidence from a decomposition of the market-to-book ratio

This study examines the impact of market timing on capital structure. Using a decomposition of the market-tobook ratio into misvaluation and growth opportunities, developed in Rhodes-Kropf, Robinson and Viswanathan (2005), I find that the negative relationship between the historical market-to-book ratio and leverage, documented in Baker and Wurgler (2002) cannot be only attributed to growth opportunities. It also reflects the persistent impact of past timing attempts.
GlobELT : An International Conference on Teaching and Learning English as an Additional Language , Antalya-Turkey The relationship between students ’ academic self-efficacy and language learning motivation : A study of 8 th graders

Self-efficacy is defined as the belief in one’s capabilities to carry out, organize and perform a task successfully. Motivation consists of the internal and external factors that stimulate the desire to attain a goal. Both are the driving forces that make people pursue a goal and overcome obstacles because people with higher self-efficacy and motivation do their best and do not easily give up when confronted with difficulties. This quantitative study aims to investigate the relationship between the academic selfefficacy levels and language learning motivations of 8th graders. In Turkey, the 8th grade is important as it is the year when the students take exams that determine the high school they are to enroll. Therefore, it is a year when academic concerns are high. To this end, Morgan-Jinks Student Efficacy Scale and Language Learning Orientations Scale by Noels et al. were applied to 257 participants from several different secondary schools. It was found that there is a low-level negative correlation between English language learning motivation and self-efficacy beliefs of students in Grade 8. The results are also evaluated in terms of demographic features of the participants such as their gender and parental education level. It revealed that language learning motivations of the students show a significant difference that favors girls. However, there is no statistically significant difference in the students’ academic self-efficacy beliefs in terms of gender. The results about language learning motivations of the students in terms of the education level of the parents indicate a significant difference in students whose parents are more educated with those of less educated. On the contrary, the students whose parents are university graduates have the lowest means whereas those whose parents are primary school and secondary school graduates have much higher self-efficacy. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Peer-review under responsibility of Hacettepe University.
Functionalization of textile materials with nanoclay incorporation for improved characteristics

Textile industry has been seeking for new technologies to meet consumer demands. Nowadays, nanomaterial applications during manufacturing, finishing and coating processes to produce nanocomposite structures has come into prominence for acquiring multifunctionality or special functions for textiles. In the current study, nano-scaled particles namely nanoclays were incorporated in the structure of different cotton fabrics via finishing techniques to develop functionalized nanocomposite fabric with improved characteristics. After analyzing the tests, cotton fabrics treated with nanoclay were found to possess better flame-retardant characteristics and thermal stability compared to the untreated ones with the durability of the functionality against washing as well as improved tensile strength.
Automated System Testing of Real-Time Embedded Systems Based on Environment Models 1

Testing real-time embedded systems (RTES) is in many ways challenging. Thousands of test cases may need to be executed on an industrial RTES. Given the magnitude of testing at the system level, only a fully automated approach can really scale up to test in an industrial context. In this paper we take a blackbox approach and model the RTES environment using the UML/MARTE international modeling standards. Our main motivation is to provide a more practical approach to the model-based testing of RTES. To do so, we enable system testers, who are often not familiar with the system design but know the application domain well-enough, to model the environment, using well-supported modeling standards, to enable test automation. Environment models can support the automation of three tasks: the code generation of an environment simulator to enable testing on the development platform, the selection of test cases, and the evaluation of their expected results (oracles). In this paper, we focus on the second task (test case selection) and investigate four test automation strategies using inputs from UML/MARTE environment models: Random Testing (baseline), Adaptive Random Testing, and Search-Based Testing (using Genetic Algorithms and (1+1) Evolutionary Algorithm). Results on artificial problems and one industrial case study show that Adaptive Random Testing performs best and, more importantly, that our automated testing framework is effective in finding faults. Keyword: Search based software engineering, branch distance, model based testing, environment, context, UML, MARTE, OCL.
Quantum Methods for Sequence Alignment and Metagenomics

The analysis of genomic data poses a big data challenge. With sequencing techniques becoming both cheaper and more accessible, genomic data banks are expected to grow exponentially and surpass even the scale of astronomical data. The field of bioinformatics will therefore require more efficient methods of analysis. At the same time, quantum computing is being explored for its potential in areas such as chemistry, optimization and machine learning, and there has been recent interest in applying quantum computing in genomic analysis problems to achieve more efficient algorithms. This thesis aims to provide an overview of proposed quantum algorithms for sequence alignment, discussing their efficiency and implementability. Other quantum methods are also explored for their possible use in this field. An Ising formulation of the multiple sequence alignment problem is proposed, with qubit usage scaling only linearly in the number of sequences, and the use of this formulation is demonstrated for small-scale problems on a D-Wave quantum annealer. The properties of quantum associative memories are also discussed and investigated in the context of improving K-mer matching techniques in metagenomics, with simulations highlighting both their capabilities and current limitations.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES CAN MITIGATE THE INFLUENCE OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON FIRM PERFORMANCE: A CROSS-COUNTRY EMPIRICAL STUDY

We examined whether corporate governance practices can mitigate the effect of capital structure on the performance of a fi rm in the emerging stock markets of Pakistan and India. Good corporate governance practices play a signifi cant role in eliminating risk for investors, appealing capital investment and hence enhance the performance of the fi rms. The fi rms need capital resources to maximize the wealth of shareholders through profi t. Therefore, there is a need to focus on the factors affecting profi tability and capital structure. The sample of the study is comprised of 208 non-fi nancial fi rms listed at KSE (Pakistan) and BSE (India) from 2006-2015. We used the panel data techniques, pooled OLS and fi xed effect to fi nd out the relationship among corporate governance practices, capital structure and profi tability. The outcome of this study indicate that corporate governance practices signifi cantly infl uence the fi rm capital structure. Further, results confi rmed that corporate governance practices have a distinct effect on the speed of capital structure adjustment. It is suggested that the application of corporate governance rules should be mandatory. Political, social and cultural aspects have to be considered in the corporate governance policy framework. This is the fi rst empirical study examining that corporate governance practices can mitigate the infl uence of capital structure on a fi rm’s performance (in Pakistan & India) by employing most recent cross-country data. This study contributes in literature by highlighting the relationship between the corporate governance and capital structure choice.
The Economic Origins of Conflict in Africa 1

We study the impact of plausibly exogenous global food price shocks on local violence across the African continent. In food-producing areas, higher food prices reduce conflict over the control of territory (what we call “factor conflict”) and increase conflict over the appropriation of surplus (“output conflict”). We argue that this difference arises because higher prices raise the opportunity cost of soldiering for producers, while simultaneously inducing net consumers to appropriate increasingly valuable surplus as their real wages fall. In regions without crop agriculture, higher food prices increase both factor conflict and output conflict, as poor consumers turn to soldiering and appropriation in order to maintain a minimum consumption target. We validate local-level findings on output conflict using geocoded survey data on interpersonal theft and violence against commercial farmers and traders. Ignoring the distinction between producer and consumer effects leads to attenuated estimates. Our findings help reconcile a growing but ambiguous literature on the economic roots of conflict.
Sequential Poisson Sampling

where i [ s denotes that unit i is included in the sample s, and n is the desired sample size. Sigman and Monsour (1995) note the use of pps sampling for business surveys, especially for price index estimation. In this kind of application, n is typically of moderate or large size, cf., DaleÂn and Ohlsson (1995). This is in contrast to the case with pps sampling in multi-stage surveys, where n  1 or 2 is common. Poisson sampling is a simple way to draw a probability proportional to size (pps) sample from a ®nite population. It also offers an easy way to update a sample while retaining as many units as possible from the previous sample, and/or to minimize overlap of different samples. A drawback of Poisson sampling is the random sample size. We present a ®xed size alteration of Poisson sampling, sequential Poisson sampling, designed for, and used in, the Swedish Consumer Price Index (CPI). We show that the respective estimators associated with ordinary and sequential Poisson sampling, are both asymptotically normally distributed and unbiased as well as equally ef®cient. Simulations on CPI data verify approximate unbiasedness and approximate equality of variances, plus equally good performance of associated estimators of variance. Therefore, sequential Poisson sampling is preferable, because of the ®xed size.
Augmentation of Yield and Protein Content in Seeds of Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L . ) Through GA 3 Spray Application at Phenological Stages of Crop Development

A experiment was conducted at Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh in the ‘rabi’ season of 11 th October, 2010 and harvest on the 30 th March, 2011 to screening the effects of 4 levels of GA3 spray (0, 10 -7 ,10 -6 and 10 -5 M GA3) at six spray stages of crop development on growth parameters viz., root length, root dry weight per plant; photosynthetic aspects like carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity, leaf chlorophyll (Chl) content; yield attributes, i.e., 100-seed weight, harvest index (HI), biological yield and seed yield per plant and seed protein content of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The potted plants were then analyzed at 90 and 100 DAS for growth and photosynthetic aspects. The seed yield per plant and seed protein content were estimated at harvest. All parameters were found to be significantly stimulated by the application of GA3, with maximum promotion being reported at the stage of 60-70 DAS with 10 -6 MGA.
THE ECOLOGY AND DYNAMICS OF JUNIPERUS EXCELSA FOREST IN BALOCHISTAN-PAKISTAN

The ecology and dynamics of Ziarat Juniper forests, was analyzed, fifteen stands were sampled during summer 2010. The main results of this research indicate the floristic composition, density ha־1 and basal area m2 ha־1, physical condition, sex distribution; age and growth rates, and soil analysis. On the basis of mean relative frequency values, herbs were accounted (55.02%), followed by (29.45%) while grasses accounted only (15.52%) across all the stands. Density of juniper trees (>6 cm dbh) ranged from 29 to 268 stems ha ̄1 with a mean 176±77 individuals ha-1. Highest stand density 268 stem/ha was recorded from Ziarat Prospectus point at elevation 2785 meters from west facing slopes while the lowest stand density 29 stem/ha was from Sasnamana Khawas Neikh on an elevation 2858 meters from north east facing slopes. The over all mean density recorded for juniper trees were 176 ha-1 with an average basal area 91±41 m2ha-1. Juniper density and basal area were not significantly correlated (r= 0.59). Density of seedlings (< 6 m) also varied considerably and ranged from 3676 to 9222 inds/ha with a mean 6450±382 inds/ha. In the present condition Juniperus. excelsa exhibits an adequate recruitment and does not confront any immediate danger, however, if grazing stops in the future. A large number of individuals were recorded alive (62%) as compared with standing dead trees (11%) and recently logged stumps (3%). Trees in the best condition were generally healthy (32%) with living foliage, followed by over mature (14%), while unhealthy juniper (12%) and cut stumps were accounted (12%) respectively. Sex ratio showed predominance of male with a mean value of 100±43 ha-1 (57%), followed by female 66±29 ha-1 (38%) while bisexual were very rare (4%) in the population. The combine data show a balanced size class structure. Cross section of ten trees was used to determine age and growth rate. Number of rings in trees with 26 to 69 cm dbh ranged from 113 to 788 years (Mean 301±45). Diameter and age was not related. Highest overall radial growth rate was estimated as 15±18 years/cm. Soil variables were basic in reaction, free from salinity, calcareous in nature. No significant correlation was recorded between juniper tree density/ seedlings density and some of the soil variables. It is observed that the present degraded stage of the juniper forests in the study area might be due to anthropogenic disturbances, drought, poor soil conditions, mistletoe and fungal infections and effects of climatic change. It is also suggested that the present study will provide information to understand the current status, dynamics and the future trends of these forests.
On the Role of Reputation Mechanism in Firm ’ s Technology Choices

This paper studies the problem of transferring tacit technologies between business partners. In the absence of a pre-existing language to describe the tacit technology, firms resort to simple reputation mechanisms to facilitate technology tranfers. Under the optimal mechanism, firms of similar natures make different technology choices and such difference persists even in the long-run. The framework is used to study the trade-off between experimenting with new technologies and exploiting the existing technologies. It also sheds light on when vertical integration solves the above stated incentive problem. ∗Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104. angellianqi@gmail.com. I thank Ilya Segal, Pete Klenow and Petra Moser for helpful discussions.
ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF SOL-GEL PREPARED Pd-DOPED SnO 2 THIN FILMS : EFFECT OF MULTIPLE LAYERS AND ITS USE AS ROOM TEMPERATURE METHANE GAS SENSOR

Tin dioxide thin films of multiple layers were prepared from a chloride-based inorganic salt by sol-gel method. The multilayered films were subjected to optical and XRD studies. The carrier concentrations of the films were calculated and studied. A comparative analysis of different multilayered films of both undoped and Pd-doped SnO2 thin films have been carried out in the presence of methane gas to investigate the possibility of its use as room temperature sensor for methane gas.
Earnings Information , Overvaluation , and the Forecast Dispersion Anomaly

This study investigates the effect of earnings components on the anomalous negative relation between analyst forecast dispersion and future stock returns. According to this study, higher discretionary earnings and lower nondiscretionary earnings amplify the analyst forecast dispersion anomaly. If firms are found with lower discretionary earnings or higher nondiscretionary earnings, the negative dispersion-return relation turns insignificant or almost disappears. The more prevalent dispersion anomaly for higher discretionary earnings stocks coincides with higher forecast error. It suggests that investors follow analysts’ overly optimistic forecasts for firms with higher discretionary earnings and overvalue them. Moreover, the relation between high discretionary or low nondiscretionary earnings and the forecast dispersion anomaly is more prevalent in subsamples with low institutional ownership which proxies for short-sale constraints. Such results also indicate that overvaluation in high dispersion stocks, as noted by Diether et al. (2002), can be associated with higher discretionary or lower nondiscretionary earnings. Overall, the results suggest that discretionary and nondiscretionary components of earnings play a significant role in the analyst forecast dispersion anomaly.
Effect Of Training Dimensions On Employee ’ s Work Performance : A Case Of Mumias Sugar Company In Kakamega County Ashikhube

This paper assesses the effect of training dimensions on employee performance, a case of Mumias Sugar Company, Kenya. The study sought to find out; the effects of training needs assessment on employee performance, the effects of Training contents on employee performance and the effects of Training evaluation on employee performance. The study targeted a total of 150 employees and 6 departmental heads. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used. The departmental heads were selected using purposive sampling while the employees were selected through simple random sampling. The researcher used content validity; internal consistency was achieved through the use of a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient which yielded an alpha of 0.86 implying that the instruments were reliable. The researcher then analyzed the data using descriptive and inferential statistical where regression analysis was used to establish the associations of the study variables. Results show that there was a positive and significant effect between training needs assessment and employee performance in Mumias Sugar Company Limited. Training contents has a positive and significant effect on the employee performance in Mumias Sugar Company Limited and training evaluation and employee performance were positively and significantly.
Trust and Distrust in Inter-Organizational Software Development Networks

This paper examines trust and distrust in inter-organizational software development networks in the light of thematic interviews collected from seven software development networks. According to the theoretical perspective adopted, the choice between trust and distrust in uncertain conditions depends on the relational resources available to the interactants. Using qualitative analysis, trust building is examined from the perspective of relational resources available for members of the network in the definition of their relationships. The results indicate that the most important relational resource for trust building in projects in stable environments was an early establishment of mediating link persons, equipped with salient role expectations. In projects with unstable environments the most important relational resources for trust building were well-internalized, reliable delivery cycles and interorganizational processes. The results suggest that the work process itself may contribute significantly to the development of trust and distrust in networked conditions, e.g., by facilitating or preventing visibility. Results also support Luhmann’s idea about trust and distrust as functionally equivalent but opposing strategies to reduce high uncertainty.
Tilburg University Bank-firm relationships and international banking markets

This paper reviews how long-term relationships between firms and banks shape the structure and integration of banking markets worldwide. Bank relationships arise to span informational asymmetries that are endemic in financial markets. Firm-bank relationships not only entail specific benefits and costs for both the engaged firms and banks, but also directly affect the structure of banking markets. In particular, the sunk cost of screening and monitoring activities and the 'informational capital' collected by the incumbent banks may act as a barrier to entry. The intensity of the existing firm-bank relationships will determine the height of this barrier and shape the structure of international banking markets. For example, in Scandinavia where firms maintain few and strong relationships, foreign banks may only be able to enter successfully through mergers and acquisitions. On the other hand, Southern European firms maintain many bank relationships. Therefore, banks may consider entering Southern European banking markets through direct investment.
JOB SATISFACTION, OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG NURSES IN THE GREATER ACCRA METROPOLIS.

This study examines the influence of job satisfaction and stress on mental health of nurses. A total of one hundred and forty (140) nurses were made to complete survey items on index of job satisfaction questionnaire, stress situation questionnaire and the General Health questionnaire. The finding revealed that job satisfaction was positively related to mental health. There was no difference among nurses who were highly or less stressed with regards to mental health. Job satisfaction predicted mental health than stress. The results of the present study and their implications are discussed. The study also examined job stress and tenure on one hand, as well as job satisfaction and tenure, results showed that tenure did not have any influence on job satisfaction. Also there was non-significant negative correlation betweenjob stresses and tenure. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug. edu.gh