Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market Reaction around the Event of a Stock Split: An Analysis on the Dhaka Stock Exchange

Stock splits, in an efficient market, are not supposed to bear any consequence on the price of a company’s stocks. However, both corporate management and regulators have tended to go through this exercise which make us think that through a stock split, either a management-induced event or a mandatory regulatory event, companies and regulators must expect to gain something. This study analyzes one such event of regulator-induced stock split in the Bangladesh markets that took place in December 2011. After studying the empirical results based on the sample of 117 mandatory stock splits in December 2011, it is found that there is overall sort of an equal distribution of positive and negative excess return pattern on both sides of the event date. Moreover, we accept the null hypothesis since the calculated t-values for the aer and caer during the 30 trading days (the event window) fall mostly within the acceptance region. Therefore, unlike some of the views presented in earlier literature concerning effects of stock splits in different markets around the world, this study found that stock splits, especially when they are undertaken as per regulatory directives, are basically a neutral event. One strong explanation for this finding can be the mandatory nature of the split because most of the previous studies undertaken used sample data sets containing management-decision induced stock splits.
FECAL INCONTINENCE IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS : PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Study design, materials and methods This is an observational, cross-sectional, analytical and descriptive epidemiological study, where the study sample consisted of 345 adult and elderly patients hospitalized at a University Hospital. The data were collected through interviews, physical examination and medical records, using the following instruments: Sociodemographic and Clinical Data, Characteristics of Urinary Losses, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire ICIQ-SF, The Bowel Function in the Community and the The Jorge-Wexner Incontinence Index. The prevalence of UI and FI was obtained in a single day in four consecutive months (pointprevalence), in the same day of each month, in order to meet the calculated sample size for the associated factors ́ analysis. The sample size calculation was based on the overall prevalence of 26%, related to the most frequent condition in the population, UI, according to a recent literature review(1). A sample size of 290 was required for the present study. This study adopted the current presence of UI and FI current presence of involuntary losses of urine and involuntary losses of feces, respectively – for prevalence analysis. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher tests for categorical variables, t-student and Mann-Whitney tests for numerical variables, and logistic regression for the identification of associated factors. P<0.05 was used for statistical significance, except for regression analysis variables insertion (p<0.1); 95% Confidence Interval was also analyzed.
Time reversal imaging of synthetic volcanic tremor sources

Time reversal of seismic wavefields recorded at active volcanoes may provide images of the source process for long‐period (LP) or volcanic tremor events directly, independent of assumptions about extent, geometry and mechanics of the source. Time reversal methods involve propagating the original time series from many receiver locations back into the medium. The reversed signals then focus at their origin due to constructive interference, elucidating the source location, extent and radiation pattern. In practice, focusing may be blurred due to inaccurate Earth models or sparse sampling of the wavefield at the surface. Here, we investigate the feasibility of this method for several synthetic volcanic tremor sources and present a gallery of time reversal source images. Wave propagation is computed numerically in a 2D volcano model with realistic topography. Our results indicate that time reversal may be applicable in volcanic settings, possibly yielding new insights into volcano‐seismic LP or tremor sources.
THE SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERISATION OF LEAD-FREE PIEZOELECTRIC CERAMICS by William

With a growing awareness of the environmental and health hazards of lead, there has been renewed interest in developing lead-free alternatives to lead zirconate titanate (PZT), which currently dominates the market for piezoelectric materials. Some of the most promising lead-free piezoelectric materials are those based on potassium sodium niobate (KNN). This project involved the fabrication and characterisation of lithium-doped KNN ceramic, which has been reported to show excellent piezoelectric properties. Samples containing 0-9 mol% Li were synthesised by a conventional mixed oxide method, before their key functional properties were analysed. The addition of lithium was found to promote grain growth within the microstructure, resulting in a denser ceramic. A phase transformation from the orthorhombic to tetragonal crystal structure was also identified. Optimum piezoelectric properties were observed in KNN samples containing 7 mol% Li (kp=0.33, kt=0.37, d33=126 pC/N). Further optimisation of the fabrication route and continued investigation into the most effective dopants could potentially bring KNN on a par with many commercial lead-based ceramics.
Isolation and characterization of endophytic bacteria colonizing halophyte and other salt tolerant plant species from coastal Gujarat

Endophytic bacteria were isolated from leaves of four dominant halophyte and salt tolerant plant species of coastal Gujarat. The bacterial counts on nutrient agar were found to be maximum in Spharanthus indicus (40%) and were minimum in Salicornia brachiata (10%). Twenty (20) bacterial isolates were selected and were characterized through morphological characters and biochemical tests. Three were pigmented and 17 were non-pigmented and 50% isolates exhibited amylase activity and only 15% isolates showed urease activity. Six (30%) and two (10%) isolates showed positive results for ammonia production and phosphate solubilization activity. Salt tolerance of the endophytes was also tested. Of the 20 endophytic bacteria, seventeen (85%) isolates showed growth at 7.5% NaCl and fifteen (75%) tolerated upto 10% NaCl concentration. Overall, the growth rate of endophytes decreased with increasing concentration of NaCl in media. The endophytic bacteria were identified through 16S rRNA sequencing and mostly the isolated endophytic bacteria belong to genera Bacillus spp. Key words: Endophyte, halophyte, halophilic bacteria, coastal region, salt tolerance.
From Stars to Superplanets: The Low-Mass Initial Mass Function in the Young Cluster IC 348

We investigate the low-mass population of the young cluster IC 348 down to the deuterium-burning limit, a fiducial boundary between brown dwarf and planetary mass objects, using a new and innovative method for the spectral classification of late-type objects. Using photometric indices, constructed from HST/NICMOS narrowband imaging, that measure the strength of the 1.9 μm water band, we determine the spectral type and reddening for every M-type star in the field, thereby separating cluster members from the interloper population. Due to the efficiency of our spectral classification technique, our study is complete from ~0.7 to 0.015 M☉. The mass function derived for the cluster in this interval, dN/d log M ∝ M0.5, is similar to that obtained for the Pleiades, but appears significantly more abundant in brown dwarfs than the mass function for companions to nearby Sunlike stars. This provides compelling observational evidence for different formation and evolutionary histories for substellar objects formed in isolation versus as companions. Because our determination of the IMF is complete to very low masses, we can place interesting constraints on the role of physical processes such as fragmentation in the star and planet formation process and the fraction of dark matter in the Galactic halo that resides in substellar objects.
CEO Turnover and Firm Performance in China’s Listed Firms (CRI 2009-012)

Manuscript Type: Empirical Research Question/Issue: This study investigates the relation between CEO turnover and firm performance in China’s listed firms. The study examines how the sensitivity of CEO turnover to firm performance is moderated by the private control of firms, the presence of a majority shareholder and the presence of independent directors on the board. Research Findings/Insights: Using a panel of about 1200 Chinese firms per year from 1999 to 2006 we find significant changes in the ownership and control of firms. The private control of firms and the fraction of independent directors on the board have increased considerably over time. The study finds a significant negative association between CEO turnover and firm performance consistent with the agency model. There is evidence that the CEO turnover sensitivity for poor performance is greater in firms that are privately controlled, or have a majority shareholder, or have a greater fraction of independent directors on the board. Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study provides empirical support for the agency model and the importance of internal corporate governance to attenuate agency costs. It provides important insights into firm governance in transition economies. Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study offers insights to policy makers interested in enhancing the design of internal corporate governance within transition economies.
Flexural and shear strengthening of RC beams with NSM technique and manually made CFRP bars

In this paper, the efficiency of NSM method for both flexural and shear strengthening of RC beams were examined by applying an innovative manually made CFRP bar (MMFRP) as an alternative reinforcement composite material through experimental and numerical investigation. Experimental program was consisted of three inverted T-section RC flexural-dominated beams and three rectangular section RC shear-dominated beams with parameters of the length and anchoring of MMFRP bars and their inclination to the longitudinal axis of the beams. The structural performance of the tested beams and the Finite Element (FE) modeling approach including modes of failure, load-deflection response and ultimate load capacity are presented and discussed. Test results indicated that using proposed MMFRP bars significantly improved the flexural resistance and shear capacity of deficient concrete beams. Furthermore reduction of the crack width and increase in the quantity and propagation of new cracks was observed in strengthened beams compared to control beam.
Entity-Centric Discourse Analysis and Its Applications

Computers have long been greatly facilitating our daily life with its massive storages and powerful calculation ability. Recently they even start to exhibit intelligence in a certain level by beating humans in some rather difficult tasks, like recognizing objects from images and videos, translating speech to text and playing chess. However, performing repeatedly operations or seeking optimized solutions with clearly defined constraints or rules is still far from complete intelligence. When it comes to circumstances where knowledge can not be explicitly or completely presented, computers are quite challenged. Language for computers is particularly such a case. Processing natural language with intelligence similar to human beings remains a huge challenge for computers. It is one of the major problems for today’s artificial intelligence. Up till now substantive works has been conducted in this aspect, significant progress has also been made. But we are still far from achieving a perfect solution. Many problems regarding languages are AI-complete (Artificial Intelligence complete) which means if we can successfully resolve these problems, we would be able to build AI systems as intelligent as humans. The famous Turing Test, which is designed to evaluate a machine’s intelligence by talking with it, is exactly such an AI-complete problem. Among the persistent efforts put by the research community, “discourse analysis” has drawn much attention. Discourse analysis is proposed to address various problems relating to building meaning from a piece of text. It aims to extract all the information carried by a piece of text and present the information in a computer-understandable way. This is a huge challenge as human beings’ understanding on language is still rather limited. Much of the inner deep mechanism
The Effect of Virtual Language Learning Method on Writing Ability of Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners

This study aimed at investigating the effect of virtual language learning method on Iranian intermediate EFL learners writing ability. The study was conducted with 20 English Translation students at Chabahar Maritime University who were assigned into two groups, control and experimental, after ensuring of their homogeneity by administering a TOEFL proficiency. The participants of the experimental group received virtual learning i.e. sending PowerPoint through their e-mails. The participants of the experimental group did not have to attend the classes, however they had to study the PowerPoint and send the assigned task on the mentioned deadline. A writing posttest was administered to find the impacts of both methods. A paired sample t-test and an independent sample t-test were run to analyze the posttest scores using SPSS. The findings of the study indicated that both groups showed some improvements in terms of their writing ability since the obtained p value of both groups were 0.000 which is smaller than 0.05. However using virtual method appeared to be a more fruitful tool since the mean score of the experimental group (12.75) was much higher than the mean score of the control group (9.8). Keywords: writing ability; virtual learning; product approach; process approach; virtual environment
Feeding physiology of two bivalves under laboratory and field conditions in response to variable food concentrations

In response to uncertainties about whether laboratory feeding rate measurements of bivalves reflect those occurring in situ, this study compares bivalve feeding rates experimentally determined both in the laboratory and in situ for a mussel (Mytilus chilensis) and a clam (Mulinia edulis), species exposed to a wide range of seston concentrations. Artificially prepared seston was administered in the laboratory using a mixture of Isochrysis galbana and sediment at concentrations ranging from 2 to 200 mg l -1 . Field measurements were carried out at Yaldad Bay, southern Chile, during 2 tidal cycles in March and April 1999 with naturally occurring seston ranging from 3 to 665 mg l -1 . We found that: (1) Clearance rate (CR) and selection efficiency (SE) were similar in labo- ratory and in situ conditions, but the rates of filtration (FR), ingestion (IR) and absorption (AR), and absorption efficiency (AE) were significantly higher in the laboratory than in the field. This was attributable to the greater retention efficiency and digestibility of I. galbana compared to the natu- rally occurring microalgae in the seston, and also to the greater acclimation time of specimens to the laboratory diet. (2) The responses to the changes in seston concentration (TPM) were similar under both conditions and validated previous results; CR decreased exponentially with increasing TPM while the FR, IR and AR increased. At high seston concentrations (200 mg l -1 in the laboratory and 665 mg l -1 in situ), almost all the feeding rates decreased, showing an impairment of food processing under these conditions. (3) The resuspended sediment in the intertidal zone of Yaldad Bay, especially under the influence of southerly winds and near the lowest tidal level, is an important food source for M. edulis and M. chilensis populations, allowing continued growth during the winter season when primary productivity is very low.
A contextual theory of accessing music: Consumer behavior and ethical arguments

Previous research into the ethics of accessing information goods using alternative means (the informal economy or social exchanges) has failed to study the moral arguments used by music consumers to justify their behavior or explain actions they considered to be (un)ethical. To fill this gap, we conducted a study from the perspective of music consumers in which we grounded a theory that would explain and predict individual arguments and behavior. Our findings suggest that the morality of accessing culture depends on the social, economic and cultural context in which an individual has been raised. Interestingly, this contextual aspect interacts with economic and cultural resources, affecting the moral arguments used to justify behavior. Lastly, we describe a model that explains variations in the contextual theory in regard to accessing music and that predicts consumer behavior in other countries that can be classified in either of the two contexts delineated in our research.
GENERATION MECHANISM OF HIERARCHY OF COHERENT VORTICES IN TURBULENCE SUSTAINED BY STEADY FORCE

DNS of turbulence at high Reynolds numbers (up to Rλ = 680) sustained by steady force in a periodic cube have been conducted to show that (i) coherent vortices, which are identified by the band-pass filtering of Fourier components, in the inertial range have tubular shapes, (ii) these vortex tubes are created due to vortex stretching in strain fields around 2—10 times-larger-scale vortex tubes, (iii) in this vortex stretching process anti-parallel pairs of vortex tubes tend to be created simultaneously, and they create further smaller vortices effectively, (iv) turbulence sustained by the steady force becomes quasi-periodic in time, and its period is about 20 eddy turnover time irrespective of the Reynolds number.
Socio-economic factors that affect the demand for tickets in all Brazilian League tiers

Abstract The influence of socio-economic factors on the demand for football is under-investigated. This paper aims to offer evidence about the effects of socio-economic factors and historical success of clubs in the demand for tickets in all Brazilian League tiers. All football clubs that have participated at least once in one of the four Brazilian League Divisions from seasons 2013 to 2015 have been analyzed. The econometric approach consists of panel data ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions. Interaction terms are included to see the effect of historical success and socio-economic factors in different divisions. As a methodological contribution, an index to measure the historical success of clubs has been developed. This indicator evidences that successful clubs in the past are still driving fans attention together with current performance, increasing then seasonal attendance rates. Finally, this paper offers evidence that higher socio-economic indicators play an important role in attracting fans at lower levels as well.
Progress in micropropagation of Passiflora spp. to produce medicinal plants: a mini-review

Micropropagation of Passiflora species and its hybrids may play an important role in the production of healthy and disease-free plants which can be a source of medicinal herbal products, nutritional fruits and ornamental flowers. The rapid multiplication of elite plants to obtain pharmacognostic material, containing valuable flavonoid C-glycosides, is possible by usingcontrolled in vitro conditions, constituents of the medium and the interactions of plant growth regulators (1-naphtaleneacetic acid, benzyladenine, gibberellin GA3,kinetin, indole-3-acetyl-L-aspartic acid, indole-3-butyric acid, thidiazuron) and influencing various chemical additives (silver nitrate, coconut water, activated charcoal). Investigations of specific requirements during stages of micropropagation, such as the establishment of primary cultures (including type of explants, age of donor plant), shoot multiplication (by direct and indirect organogenesis and embryogenesis), rooting and acclimatization of regenerated plants are summarized in this review. The following species were recently studied for micropropagation: P. alata, P. caerulea, P. cincinnata, P. edulis, P. foetida, P. setacea, P. suberosa. It seems that for awide range of applications of in vitro clones of Passiflora, interdisciplinary studies including genetic and phytochemical aspects are needed.
Impact of Skill Development Training on Mushroom Cultivation in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu

Mushroom production is simple, low cost and plays a significant role to alleviate poverty and generate employment opportunity for educated unemployed youth in rural and semi-urban areas. The present study was undertaken with the objective to assess the impact of training on knowledge gain about mushroom production as an enterprise/self-employment. The training program on mushroom production was focused on farmers, farm women and youths who have interested in self-employment. Detailed training on different parameters of mushroom production in context to cultivation techniques, preparation of spawn, substrates preparation, marketing of fresh product, preservation and value addition etc was imparted to a total number of 72 participants (men 29; women 43) in five courses. The impact of the training was assessed by pre and post evaluation testing in terms of improvement in knowledge for different parameters. It was observed that 63.88, 59.72 and 55.55 per cent of the trainees were deviating knowledge on types of mushroom, preservation techniques and importance of casing after training. Thus, it can be inferred that exposure to training had increased the knowledge of respondents related to all the sub-components of mushroom production. It may therefore, be concluded that trainees succeeded in acquiring knowledge after exposure to training on mushroom production.
Vitamin D levels and vitamin D receptor expression in children with primary nephrotic syndrome

Objective: To explore the significance of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor expression in the occurrence and outcome of primary nephrotic syndrome. Methods: Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels were determined in 90 children with primary nephrotic syndrome. Renal vitamin D receptor expression was detected in 36 children with primary nephrotic syndrome. Results: Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels in the 90 children with primary nephrotic syndrome were significantly lower compared with the control group (P<0.05). Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels were lower in the initial onset and non-remission groups than in the remission group (P<0.05). Vitamin D receptor expression in kidney tissue in primary nephrotic syndrome children was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), significantly lower in the focal segmental glomerulosclerosis group than that in the mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and minimal change disease groups (P<0.05), and lower in the mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis group than that in the minimal change disease group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Decreased 25 (OH) D3 levels and altered vitamin D receptor expression in primary nephrotic syndrome children may be associated with the occurrence and outcome of primary nephrotic syndrome.