Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Farm Household Production Efficiency in Southern Malawi: An Efficiency Decomposition Approach

The present study was set out to estimate production efficiency of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum L) farmers in the southern region of Malawi’s through efficiency decomposition. A random sample of 72 small-scale farmers was drawn from Balaka district. The findings revealed that farmers in Balaka district have opportunity for productivity gains and cost saving. Mean technical, economic and allocated efficiency were found to be 0.70, 0.57 and 0.82, respectively. Factors like education and credit access augment technical efficiency while credit access, farmer group membership and gender (being male) augment economic and allocative efficiency. Policy thrust like linking small scale farmers to micro-finance institutions for credit access, intensifying family planning programs to reduce family sizes, organizing small scale farmers into groups (cooperatives) and integrating women into training and extension programs would increase production efficiency of small-scale tomato farming in southern Malawi. Keywords : Decomposition, Malawi, production efficiency, production frontier, tomato
LARGE DEFORMATION CHARACTERIZATION OF MOUSE OOCYTE CELL UNDER NEEDLE INJECTION EXPERIMENT

In order to better understand the mechanical properties of biological cells, characterization and investigation of their material behavior is necessary. In this paper hyperelastic Neo-Hookean material is used to characterize the mechanical properties of mouse oocyte cell. It has been assumed that the cell behaves as continuous, isotropic, nonlinear and homogenous material for modeling. Then, by matching the experimental data with finite element (FE) simulation result and using the Levenberg-Marquardt optimization algorithm, the nonlinear hyperelastic model parameters have been extracted. Experimental data of mouse oocyte captured from literatures. Advantage of the developed model is that it can be used to calculate accurate reaction force on surgical instrument or it can be used to compute deformation or force in virtual reality based medical simulations.
Epidermal transpiration, ultrastructural characteristics and net photosynthesis of white spruce somatic seedlings in response to in vitro acclimatization

Mortality of transplanted somatic seedlings at the stage of acclimatization is often high and likely due to rapid change in environmental conditions. To investigate the potential of in vitro acclimatization of somatic seedlings before soil transfer, somatic seedlings of white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) were germinated on a liquid medium supplemented with sucrose. After 6 weeks in germination, sucrose was omitted from the medium for a supplementary 6 weeks at which time somatic seedlings were acclimatized in vitro in their germination tubes before transfer to soil. In vitro acclimatization of somatic seedlings was realized by transferring the test tubes containing the germinated somatic seedlings to the greenhouse for 9 days. During this period, the culture tube lids of acclimatized somatic seedlings were lifted progressively increasing air exchange between the tube and the greenhouse whereas, for non-acclimatized somatic seedlings the culture tubes were maintained closed during in vitro acclimatization. In vitro acclimatized somatic seedlings had higher asymptotic net photosynthesis (P n ) at light saturation than non-acclimatized seedlings (6 versus 4.5 μmol m -2 s -1 ). At the end of the in vitro acclimatization period, a lower rate of epidermal transpiration was also observed for acclimatized somatic seedlings (3.85 versus 4.75% h -1 ). Microscopic observations showed that starch granules were more abundant in needles of acclimatized somatic seedlings than in non-acclimatized somatic seedlings, probably as a result of their greater photosynthetic capacity. Needles from acclimatized somatic seedlings also showed more epicuticular wax projections than needles from non-acclimatized somatic seedlings. These structural changes may help somatic seedlings to restrict epidermal water loss and stomatal aperture.
Distribution of meroplankton communities in the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica

The spatial distribution of meroplankton in Bransfield Strait, Antarctica, and its relation- ships with hydrographical conditions are described. Biological sampling was carried out with BIONESS sampling gear at 19 stations and at 5 depths between 10 and 300 m. The main hydro- graphic features were a shallow hydrographic front in the southern part of the strait that separates Transitional Zonal Water with Bellingshausen influence (TBW) from Transitional Zonal Water with Weddell influence (TWW) and a slope front, the so-called Bransfield front, along the South Shetland Islands Slope (SSI). A northeastward baroclinic jet known as the Bransfield Current (BC) originates from this slope front. The meroplankton community was very diverse and included 12 types of larvae, dominated by polychaete and echinoderm larvae. The meroplankton were more abundant closer to the SSI in the BC and decreased in number towards the Antarctic Peninsula. Polychaete larvae were found close to both shores but mainly close to the SSI in TBW; they were very sparse in the central basin, appeared again below 100 m depth in TWW, and increased in abundance in upper layers at stations between the hydrographic front and the Antarctic Peninsula, in TWW. By contrast, echino- derm larvae mainly occupied the central basin and were always associated with the upper 100 m in TBW, just above the polychaete larvae; they were almost absent from TWW. In summary, mero- planktonic larval exhibit a strong dependence on water masses, depth, and fronts.
News Media Sentiment and Investor Behavior

This paper investigates the impact of news media sentiment on financial market returns and volatility in the long-term. We hypothesize that the way the media formulate and present news to the public produces different perceptions and, thus, incurs different investor behavior. To analyze such framing effects we distinguish between optimistic and pessimistic news frames. We construct a monthly media sentiment indicator by taking the ratio of the number of newspaper articles that contain predetermined negative words to the number of newspaper articles that contain predetermined positive words in the headline and/or the lead paragraph. Our results indicate that pessimistic news media sentiment is positively related to global market volatility and negatively related to global market returns 12 to 24 months in advance. We show that our media sentiment indicator reflects very well the financial market crises and pricing bubbles over the past 20 years.
Short-Run and Long-Run Inflation and Economic Growth Nexus in Ghana

This paper examines the relationship between inflation and economic growth in Ghana. Using quarterly data from 1986Q1 to 2012Q4. The study employs Co- integration and error correction model. The study reveals that capital, government expenditure, labour force and money supply have a positive impact on GDP. In addition, inflation and interest rate has a decreasing impact on economic growth. The study recommends inflation targeting as best monetary policy. There is the need for government to increase expenditure in the area of infrastructure development and human capital to increase output. Keywords : Co – Integration, Inflation, ECM Model, Economic Growth, Ghana
Forest NEP is significantly driven by previous year's weather

Abstract Understanding the response of forest net ecosystem productivity (NEP) to environ-mental drivers under climate change is highly relevant for predictions of annual forestcarbon (C) ﬂux budgets. Modeling annual forest NEP with soil–vegetation–atmosphere 5 transfer models (SVATs), however, remains challenging due to unknown responses offorests to weather of the previous year. In this study, we addressed the inﬂuence of pre-vious year’s weather on the inter-annual variability of NEP for a subalpine spruce for-est in Switzerland. Analysis of long-term (1997–2011) eddy covariance measurementsshowed that the Norway spruce forest Davos Seehornwald was a consistent sink foratmospheric CO 2 , sequestering 210±88gCm −2 per year on average. Previous year’s 10 weather strongly aﬀected inter-annual variability of NEP, increasing the explained vari-ance in linear models to 53% compared to 20% without previous year’s weather. Thus,our results highlight the need to consider previous year’s weather in modeling annualC budgets of forests. Furthermore, soil temperature in the current year’s spring played
Improved constant-frequency hysteresis current control of VSI inverters with simple feed-forward bandwidth prediction

An improved implementation of the constant-frequency hysteresis current control of three-phase voltage source inverters is presented. A simple, self adjusting analog prediction of the hysteresis band is added to the phase-locked-loop control to ensure constant switching frequency even at high rate of output voltage change, such as required in active filters, fast drives and in other high demanding applications. This provision also improves the relative position of phase modulation pulses, thus reducing the current ripple. The prediction method is robust and uses a small number of inexpensive components. It does not require trimming or tunings, giving the whole system the capability to adjust itself to different load conditions. Thus the control becomes suitable to hybrid or monolithic integration. In the paper, the basic principles are described, and a detailed stability analysis is done. The control performance is illustrated both by simulated and experimental results.
Implications of delusional disorders and criminal behaviour for criminology

Delusional disorders within a criminological context are often overlooked, misunderstood or simply dismissed as behavioural characteristics that do not belong within the field of criminology. However, case studies show that there is a need to understand how delusional disorders could lead to the committing of crime. To address this need a historical overview of delusional disorders is presented. Thereafter, the five criteria and seven subtypes of delusional disorders, as defined by the APA/DSM-IV-TR (2000), are discussed to provide a better understanding of these disorders. Five of the seven subtypes are also contextualised within the South African legal framework. Although the APA/DSM-IV-TR (2000) offers a comprehensive definition of these disorders, the limitations of the definition are discussed as well as types of delusional disorders that are not included in the definition. The aim is to explain the importance of delusional disorders within the field of criminology in the context of the APA/DSM-IV-TR (2000). Actual case studies and elements of particular crimes are used to highlight the relationship between delusional disorders and crime. Furthermore, the challenge related to criminal liability and determining whether individuals can be held accountable for their deluded actions, is discussed. Recommendations on how to treat and prevent potentially dangerous individuals from committing crimes while acting under these delusions are also dealt with.
Association of Insulin Resistance with Parasitaemia in Rat Malaria

Background: Recent evidence implicates malaria as a likely risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through insulin resistance. However, the nature of malaria-induced insulin resistance and its relation to parasitemia as well as the influence of multiple episodes on insulin resistance are unknown. As a result, the current work was designed to investigate the nature, the extent of infection and effects of episodes of malaria on insulin resistance in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: One hundred and forty rats were used for the experiments. Rats were grouped into naA¯ve, malaria only, T2DM only and comorbidity of malaria and T2DM groups. Malaria was induced by Plasmodium berghei. Serum glucose and insulin levels were assessed before, during and after P. berghei-induced malaria. Homeostatic models assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) and beta cell function (HOMAB) were computed. After the first bout of infection, animals were treated and subjected to the second episode of P. berghei infection. Results: Compared to the naA¯ve group, levels of glucose and HOMAIR in the various treatment groups increased (P <0.05) but that of HOMAB decreased during the first episode of P. berghei infection. After treatment, only HOMAIR level was comparable across groups with glucose and HOMAB levels being highest in T2DM only and P. berghei-infected only animals respectively. A similar trend was observed in the second episode of P. berghei infection except that increased HOMAIR was observed at a much lower (P = 0.045) parasitemia of 6.45% compared to 9.13% in the first episode. Parasitaemia correlated positively with HOMAIR (R = +0.297; P = 0.028) irrespective of episode of infection. Hypoglycemic effect of metformin was attenuated in P. berghei infection. Conclusion: P. berghei infection increased HOMAIR levels in diabetic and non-diabetic rats even at a relatively reduced parasitemia. This observation may have implications for the evolution of T2DM in malaria-endemic regions.
Powder-Metallurgical Process for Producing Metallic Microchannel Devices

We investigated a simple and economical method for producing free-form microchannels in metal bodies. The concept for our process is based on a microscopic infiltration phenomenon that often occurs during liquid phase sintering of a mixture of metal powders with different melting points. A shaped compound of the metal powder with lower melting point and an organic binder are used as the sacrificial core that gives the shape of the microchannel. A body-metal powder compact that includes the sacrificial core is sintered at a temperature between the melting points of the sacrificial-core metal and body metal. The organic binder is removed during heating of the powder compact, and infiltration of molten sacrificial-core metal into the body-metal powder produces a microchannel and a lining layer. We examined following combinations of metal powders: titanium-aluminum, nickel-aluminum, copper-tin, and iron-copper. Metallographic observations confirmed that microchannels were produced in the metallic bodies in all these systems. Furthermore, in the case of the titanium body metal with an Al-Cu alloy sacrificial-core metal, the inner wall of the microchannel was smoother than the case of titanium with aluminum. The copper content of the sacrificial-core metal influenced the composition and structure of the microchannel lining. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.47. 2137]
Cross‐Border Versus Domestic Acquisitions and the Impact on Shareholder Wealth

Abstract: We analyse the impact on targets and bidders from cross-border acquisitions into and out of the UK, in comparison to companies involved in similar domestic acquisitions. We find both targets and bidders to gain more in cross-border than in comparable domestic acquisitions, with target and bidder cross-border effects of 10.1 and 1.5 percentage points, respectively. The cross-border effect is significantly higher for targets acquired by companies from countries with superior governance systems to their own. There is weak evidence to suggest bidders gain from entering new markets but for targets to gain more where the bidder already operates in the target country.
ENTREPRENEURIAL BUYOUTS AND FINANCIAL DISTRESS: A MULTIPLE AGENCY PERSPECTIVE

We combine insights from multiple agency theory with the resource-based view (RBV) to explain outcomes of financial distress in entrepreneurial buyouts. We examine the effect of 1) PE reputation 2) PE experience 3) PE type 4) PE fundraising efforts 5) board experience and 6) board proximity on the likelihood of a financially distressed buyout ending up in bankruptcy rather than remaining a going concern. We build a unique dataset of 440 distressed buyout transactions, comprising 1287 firm-year observations in the UK during the period 1995 to 2010. We find that the probability of a distressed buyout ending up in bankruptcy reduces when PE firms are raising new funds from limited partners. Distressed buyouts backed by bank-affiliated PEs are also less likely to end up in bankruptcy. Finally, the more insiders on the board and the more experienced the board of directors, the less likely that a buyout will end up in bankruptcy.
Heterosis and Inbreeding Depression for Seed Cotton Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Intrahirsutum (G. hirsutum L. X G. hirsutum L.) Hybrids of Cotton

Cotton, the “king of fibre”, is an important cash crop having profound influence on economics and social affairs of the country. In India, cotton is the most important commercial crop, belonging to the family Malvaceae and the genus Gossypium. It has diversity in categories of cultivated species such as diploids and tetraploids, of which only four species (Gossypium arboreum L., Gossypium herbaceum L., Gossypium hirsutum L. and Gossypium barbadense L.) are cultivated. Among the four cultivated species, upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is known for its production potential, while Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) is known for high fibre quality. The intraspecific hybrids of G. hirsutum L. have good fibre properties as well as higher yields.
copepods in a tropical reef lagoon (Fangataufa Atoll - French Polynesia)

La composition des peuplements de copepodes harpacticoides a ete etudiee dans le lagon de l'atoll de Fangataufa, Polynesie francaise. Quarante-deux especes se repartissant dans 21 genres ont ete identifiees, plus du tiers sont nouvelles. Les peuplements sont largement domines par des formes epipsammiques de la famille des Diosaccidae. Quelques harpacticoides endopsammiques ont ete trouves dans les sables envases profonds, alors que les formes mesopsammiques sont tres rares. La structure de la communaute des harpacticoides depend en grande partie de la granulometrie du sediment, elle-meme controlee par les conditions hydrodynamiques. Les peuplements de copepodes harpacticoides permettent d'identifier deux zones majeures a l'interieur du lagon, a savoir: la zone centrale profonde envasee et la frange interne sableuse a la peripherie du lagon.
Colectomy in an ICU patient population : clinical and histological evaluation

Colectomy is performed in critically-ill patients who, for example, experience colonic ischemia following cardiac surgery or reconstruction of a ruptured aortic aneurysm, nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia with severe sepsis, or toxic megacolon due to Clostridium difficile infection. The present retrospective study was conducted in the mixed intensive care unit (ICU) of the Oulu University Hospital to clarify the clinical picture, effects of surgical treatment on organ functions and outcome in critically-ill patients treated with colectomy during 2000-2009. Their histologic and immunohistologic findings were compared with histologically normal colon walls of 34 controls operated for colon tumors. The annual incidence of colectomy in our ICU varied from 0.08% to 0.4%. The mean age of the study patients was 68.8 (sd 9.7) yrs. They had multiple organ failure in 60% and one-year mortality was 62%. One-year surivial from the hospital discharged patients was 91% (29/32). During preoperative period, increasing levels of serum lactate, an increase in the need for higher doses of norepinephrine, and neurologic SOFA subscore were associated with mortality. The histopathologic damage involves all layers of the colon wall being largely similar in sepsis, fulminant clostridium difficile infection and in ischemia after cardiovascular operations. The extent of epithelial damage of colonic epithelium correlated with clinical severity and outcome in the patients. Tight junction protein claudin-1 was down-regulated thoroughly of colonic epithelium, whereas claudin-2 was up-regulated only in the least affected areas. The number of proliferating epithelial cells of colonic epithelium, analyzed by Ki-67 expression, was higher in the worst affected areas in the study patients as compared to results of controls. The proportion of apoptotic cells analyzed by expression of M30 was larger in the worst damage area than in controls. Up-regulation of Toll-like receptor 9, as a part of innate immunity mechanism, in worst areas of colonic epithelium was higher in the surface epithelium compared with least affected areas and in crypts compared with control specimens. Colon ischemia in critically-ill patients is a pancolic phenomenon with life-threatening consequences. Histologic damage in the colon wall was similar irrespective of the underlying cause. Immunohistochemical characteristics resembled those described earlier in inflammatory bowel disease.
Response of Orthoptera to clear-cuts in beech forests

Various disturbances in forests often result in the formation of open habitats with characteristics that are distinctly different from those of the original forest (microclimate, illumination, stand age and composition). These disturbances affect the habitat heterogeneity in time and space and seem to drive forest succession and changes in biodiversity in forests. Little is known about how the colonization of deforested habitats by Orthoptera is influenced by environmental factors. We studied the association between the structure of orthopteran assemblages and the age of clear-cuts, vegetation structure and other environmental parameters (size, elevation, altitude). This involved 33 clear-cuts of three age categories in broadleaved forests dominated by European beech. The Orthoptera were sampled using sweep netting and by counting individuals recorded along transects that ran parallel to those used for recording the structure of the vegetation. We recorded significant differences in the number and abundance of species in the three age categories of clear-cuts. Grasshopper species were more abundant than bush-crickets in first year clear-cuts. Species capable of flight occured in all three age categories of clear-cuts (>62% of the 27 species recorded). All the species of Orthoptera identified were present in two year-old clear-cuts. The species composition and abundance of Ensifera and Caelifera differed in their association with the six vegetation parameters studied. While the Caelifera occurred in habitats with bare ground the Ensifera mainly occurred in those with a higher proportion of shrubs and trees. There was also a positive correlation between number of species of Orthoptera and area of the clear-cut regardless of its age as well between the number of species of Orthoptera and elevation.
Informed Trading, Earnings Surprises, and Stock Returns

Entries and exits are often triggered by substantive private information, and we propose PC_NII, the percentage change in the number of a stock’s institutional investors, as a measure of informed trading. Over the 1982 to 2010 period, the top PC_NII decile outperforms the bottom PC_NII decile by 10% and 14% per annum for equal- and value-weighted portfolios, respectively. PC_NII subsumes the information content of standard institutional trading or herding measures in the forecast of stock returns, and the predictive power of PC_NII reflects its information content of future earnings surprises. The relationship between PC_NII and short-run future stock returns has attenuated noticeably for the equal-weighted portfolio since the Securities and Exchange Commission introduced Regulation Fair Disclosure in October 2000; however, we do not observe such a change for the value-weighted portfolio.