Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bridging the gap? Corruption, knowledge and foreign ownership

We argue that in addition to host corruption per se, as accounted for by the existing literature, an explanation of inter-country variation in FDI needs to account for the distance between the host and home corruption, which we call relative corruption. We use a large matched home-host firm-level panel data-set for 1998-2006 from CEE transition countries. Year-specific selectivity corrected estimates suggest that, ceteris paribus, higher relative ‘grand’ corruption lowers foreign ownership as the returns to investment tends to be lower in more corrupt environment. However, after controlling for the selectivity bias, knowledge-intensive parent firms are found to hold controlling ownership, as the difficulty of successful joint venture looms large in more corrupt environment. Results are robust to alternative specifications.
Foliar Application of Phosphorus Improves Apple Fruit Color During Ripening

STAMPAR FRANCI, BIZJAK JAN, VEBERIC ROBERT, JAKOPIC JERNEJA. 2015. Foliar Application of Phosphorus Improves Apple Fruit Color During Ripening. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 63(4): 1195–1200. The red color of skin is a much desired property in apple production. For better red fruit coloration the applications of foliar fertilizers on the basis of calcium and phosphorus are used. In the present study ‘Braeburn’ apple trees were sprayed twice with Phostrade Ca (phosphorus), 5 and 3 weeks before harvest. In 7-days intervals fruit color, the content of fl avonoids and enzyme activity involved in the synthesis of anthocyanins have been monitored. Foliar application of Phostrade Ca caused a more intense red skin color of apples and higher anthocyanin content. Their level increased during ripening, in treated apples the content of total anthocyanins was 20-fold higher at harvest while in control apples only 9-fold higher compared to the initial values. Cyanidin 3-galactoside was the most abundant anthocyanin (80 to 86% of total anthocyanins), followed by cyanidin 3-arabinoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-xyloside and cyanidin 7-arabinoside. Prostrade Ca increased the levels of all quercetin glycosides, with the exception of quercetin 3-rhamnoside. No signifi cant infl uence of Phostrade Ca on the content of hydroxycinnamic acids, dihydrochalcones, fl avanols and total phenolics has been monitored. The activity of FHT and DFR increased during ripening but Phostrade Ca infl uenced only higher activity of DFR.
How can mobile SMS communication support and enhance a first year undergraduate learning environment?

In this paper we discuss a case study investigating how the academic and personal development of first year students on an undergraduate sports education degree can be supported and enhanced with mobile SMS (Short Message Service) communication. SMS-based technologies were introduced in response to students’ particular needs (in transition to Higher Education) and characteristics (adept mobile communicators). Despite being unaccustomed to using their mobile phones for academic study, students willingly accepted SMS communication with their tutor via a texting management service. This communication was used in concert and integrated with a more traditional learning and teaching context (lectures and a virtual learning environment). Drawing on evidence from two student surveys, focus groups and a tutor’s journal, we illustrate how mobile SMS communication has influenced the student learning experience. Taking a holistic view of the learning environment we use Laurillard’s (2002) conversational framework (Laurillard, D. 2002. Rethinking university teaching: a framework for the effective use of learning technologies. 2nd edition. London: Routledge.) to analyse and discuss the role of texting in supporting student transition to higher education.
Planning Lung Radiotherapy Incorporating Motion Freeze PET/CT Imaging

Motion Freeze (MF), which integrates 100% of the signal of each respiratory phase in four-dimensional positron emission tomography (4D-PET) images and creates the MF-PET, is capable of eliminate the influences induced by respiratory motion and dispersing from three-dimensional PET (3D-PET) and 4D-PET images. In this study, the effectiveness of respiratory gated radiotherapy applying MF-PET (MF-Plan) in lung cancer patient was investigated and compared with three-dimensional intensity modulated radiotherapy (3D-Plan) and routine respiratory gated radiotherapy (4D-Plan) on the impact of target volume and dosimetry. Thirteen lung cancer patients were enrolled. The internal target volumes were generated with 40% of maximum standardized uptake value. The 3D-Plan, 4D-Plan, and MF-Plan were created for each patient to study the radiation to the targets and organs at risk. MF-Plans were associated with significant reductions in lung, heart, and spinal cord doses. The median reductions in lung V20, lung mean, heart mean doses, and spinal cord maximum dose compared with 3D-Plans were improved. When compared with 4D-Plans, the median reductions in lung V20, lung mean dose, heart mean dose, and spinal cord maximum dose were improved. Our results indicate that the MF-Plan may improve critical organ sparing in the lung, heart, and spinal cord, while maintaining high target coverage.
Calibration model for detection of potential demodulating behaviour in biological media exposed to RF energy

Potential demodulating ability in biological tissue exposed to radio-frequency (RF) signals intrinsically requires an unsymmetrical diode-like non-linear response in tissue samples. This may be investigated by observing possible generation of the second harmonic in a cavity resonator designed to have fundamental and second harmonic resonant frequencies with collocated antinodes. Such a response would be of interest as being a mechanism that could enable demodulation of information-carrying waveforms having modulating frequencies in ranges that could interfere with cellular processes. Previous studies have developed an experimental system to test for such responses: the present study reports a circuit model to facilitate calibration of any non-linear RF energy conversion occurring within a test-piece inside the cavity. The method is validated computationally and experimentally using a well-characterised non-linear device. The proposed model demonstrates that the sensitivity of the measurement equipment plays a vital role in deciding the required input power to detect any second harmonic signal, which is expected to be very weak. The model developed here provides a lookup table giving the level of the second harmonic signal in the detector as a function of the input power applied in a measurement. Experimental results are in good agreement with the simulated results.
A Self-Motives Perspective on Feedback-Seeking Behavior: Linking Organizational Behavior and Social Psychology Research

Both the feedback-seeking literature in management and the self-motives domain in social psychology have focused on how motives affect the way in which people acquire information for self-evaluation purposes. Despite apparent conceptual similarities, the implications of research in these domains have not been fully integrated. This paper aims to link research on feedback-seeking behavior to recent theoretical developments in social psychology. First, the current perspective in management on feedback-seeking motives is depicted. Second, a well-established framework of self-motives in social psychology is introduced. Third, similarities and differences between these two motivational perspectives are discussed and a first step towards integration is proposed. Fourth, it is demonstrated how a self-motives perspective might guide future research on six key issues. Self-motives might be useful in identifying new antecedents of feedback-seeking behavior, resolving inconsistencies in the feedback-seeking literature, understanding the interplay among feedback-seeking motives, integrating feedback-seeking and feedback reactions research, examining attitudinal outcomes of feedback-seeking motives, and enhancing the feed-back performance relationship.
Increasing Cervical Cancer Screening in Hiv Positive Women by Introduction of a Provider Prompted Algorithm Tool: A Quality Improvement Project

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iii DEDICATION . iv LIST OF TABLES . viii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . x CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION . 1 Background and Significance . 3 Review of Evidence . 4 Cervical Dysplasia . 5 Barriers to Screening. 6 Facilitators to Screening . 8 Synthesis of Evidence . 10 Needs Assessment . 11 Problem Statement . 14 Project Purpose . 14 Theoretical Framework . 15 DNP Essentials. 15 Chapter One Summary . 17 vi CHAPTER II – METHODS . 18 Overview . 18 Setting . 18 Target Population . 18 Outcomes of Interest and Evaluation Criteria . 19 Outcome 1 . 20 Outcome 2 . 20 Contextual Elements . 20 Baseline Referral Rate . 21 Cervical Cancer Screening Performance Measure: . 21 Provider Initiated Referral: . 21 Same Day Appointment: . 21 Design . 21 Ethical Considerations . 23 Chapter Two Summary . 25 CHAPTER III RESULTS . 26 Chapter Three Summary . 27 CHAPTER IV – DISCUSSION. 28 Overview . 28 Recommendations . 29 vii Implications for Future Practice . 30 Limitations . 31 Dissemination . 31 Conclusion . 32 APPENDIX A – Literature Matrix . 33 APPENDIX B – Provider Initiated Algorithm . 49 APPENDIX C – Ryan White Data Tracking Sheet . 50 APPENDIX D – Self-Certification Form for Determining Whether a Proposed Activity is Research Involving Human Subjects . 51 APPENDIX E – Letter of Support . 54 APPENDIX F – USM IRB Approval . 55 REFERENCES . 56
IN VITRO SCREENING OF SELECTED HERBICIDES ON RHIZOSPHERE MYCOFLORA FROM YELLOW PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUM L VAR. NSUKKA YELLOW) SEEDLINGS IN NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

In vitro screening of five selected herbicides at different concentrations on rhizosphere mycoflora from yellow pepper ( capsicum annum L var. Nsukka yellow) seedlings at Nsukka were investigated. The herbicides employed for this study were Paraquat, Glyphosate, Primextra, Atrazine and Linuron. The isolated rhizosphere mycoflora organisms screened were Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehren ex. Fr) Lind, Trichoderma harmatum Bain aggr; Aspergillus niger Van Tiegh; Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc; Penicillium sp; Alternaria sp; Fusarium solani (Mart) Sacc and Rhizoctonia sp. The results showed that all the herbicides at different concentrations of 0.5 μg/ml a.i, 1.0 μg/ml a.i, 2.0 μg/ml a.i, 5.0 μg/ml a.i and 10.0 μg/ml a.i inhibited the mycelial growth of the isolated rhizosphere fungi. Growth inhibition of the rhizosphere fungi increased with increasing concentrations of each herbicide. Paraquat, Glyphosate and Atrazine showed higher inhibition potency on all the fungal mycelial growth than Primextra and Linuron. The significance of these results is discussed. KEYWORDS : In vitro screening, herbicides, Rhizosphere mycoflora, yellow pepper seedlings.
OUTCOME STUDY OF TITANIUM AND STAINLESS STEEL ELASTIC NAIL FIXATION OF PAEDIATRIC FRACTURE SHAFT OF FEMUR

INTRODUCTION: Femoral shaft fractures are common fractures in paediatric age group. There are various methods to treat them. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing is one of them and an established and reliable method for treating these fractures. Ideal treatment of femoral shaft fractures in the age group of 5 to 14 years is still a matter of debate as no consensus has been achieved till now. We have done a study to know whether elastic stable intramedullary nails can be used reliably in this age group. So, purpose of the present study is to evaluate the outcome of titanium and stainless steel elastic nail in paediatric femoral fractures in 5-14 years of age group. METHODS: A group of forty two children with femoral fractures that were treated with elastic nails (which includes both titanium and stainless steel nails- both nail types were of similar design) and outcome was evaluated. Twenty children (16 boys, four girls) in the age group of 5-14 years (average 9.3 years) with femoral shaft fractures (16 closed, two Grade- I and two Grade- II compound) were stabilized with Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN), while twenty-two (16 boys, six girls) in the age group of 5-14 years (average 9.1 years) with femoral shaft fractures (18 closed, two Grade- I and two Grade- II compound) were stabilized with Stainless Steel Elastic Nail (SSEN) between June 2009 and October 2011. A familiar retrograde insertion technique was used. Major complications were defined as malunion with sagittal angulation of >15° and coronal angulation of >10°, nail irritation requiring revision surgery, infection, delayed union, and rod breakage. Minor complications were defined as nail irritation or superficial infection not requiring surgery. RESULTS: Radiological union was achieved in all cases in a mean time of 7.7 weeks (6-12 weeks) in TEN groups while that took 7.9 weeks in SSEN group. Full weight bearing was possible in a mean time of 7.7 weeks (6-12 weeks) in TEN groups and a mean of 7.9 weeks in SSEN group. All cases were assessed by Flynn classification method and outcome scoring system. We noted excellent results in 26 cases (63%), satisfactory results in 14 cases (33%), while poor result in 2 cases (4%) in this study. There were six minor complications such as one superficial cellulitis and one case of implant-related pain and four cases of skin irritation at the nail tip (18%). Two cases deep infection (both cases are associated with grade II open fractures) requiring prolonged treatment with antibiotic were seen in each group. 2 case of shortening >1cm (9%) but 100 (9%) was seen with stain less steel elastic nail. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that that elastic nail can be effectively used to treat fractures of diaphysis of femur in children. It can also be used very effectively in open fractures (up to Gustilo &Anderson grade II), in comminuted fractures (up to Winquist & Hansen type II) and in a multisystem injured patient.
ESTIMATION OF VEGETATION HEIGHT THROUGH SATELLITE IMAGE TEXTURE ANALYSIS

Vegetation height plays a crucial role in various ecological and environmental applications, such as biodiversity assessment and monitoring, landscape characterization, conservation planning and disaster management. Its estimation is traditionally based on in situ measurements or airborne Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) sensors. However, such methods are often proven insufficient in covering large area landscapes due to high demands in cost, labor and time. Considering a multispectral image from a passive satellite sensor as the only available source of information, we propose and evaluate new ways of discriminating vegetated habitat species according to their height, through calculation of texture analysis measures, based on local variance, entropy and local binary patterns. The methodology is applied in a Quickbird image of Le Cesine protected site, Italy. The proposed methods are proven particularly effective in discriminating low and mid phanerophytes from tall phanerophytes, having a height of less and more than 2 meters, respectively. The results indicate a promising alternative in vegetation height estimation when in situ or LiDAR data are not available or affordable, thus facilitating and reducing the cost of ecological monitoring and environmental sustainability planning tasks.
Predicting returns with financial ratios: evidence from Greece

This article investigates whether financial ratios (dividend yield, price earnings ratio, book to market value) can predict aggregate stock returns. We report a forecasting competition between single and multiple OLS, GARCH and ECM-GARCH regressions of the Greek return series. First, we test the out-of-sample forecasting accuracy, and then we compare the forecasting techniques based on the symmetric error statistics under both static and dynamic methods. The results show that ECM-GARCH(1,1) model has significant coefficients. Both static and dynamic forecasts confirm that ECM-GARCH(1,1) is the most appropriate model for forecasting returns during the period January 2003 - December 2004.
Extension of C-Smooth Functions by Linear Operators

Let Cm,ω(Rn) be the space of functions on Rn whose mth derivatives have modulus of continuity ω. For E ⊂ Rn, let Cm,ω(E) be the space of all restrictions to E of functions in Cm,ω(Rn). We show that there exists a bounded linear operator T : Cm,ω(E) → Cm,ω(Rn) such that, for any f ∈ Cm,ω(E), we have Tf = f on E.
Crustal structure in the Southern Apennines from teleseismic receiver functions

While the upper crustal structure of the Southern Apennines is known, lack of control on the deep structure allows competing thin-skinned and thick-skinned models of the orogen. In thin-skinned models, the detachment decouples a stack of rootless nappes from the basement. In thick-skinned models, basement is involved in the most recent phase of thrusting. To examine crustal structure, we use teleseismic data from the Calabria-Apennine-Tyrrhenian/SubductionAccretion-Collision Network (CAT/SCAN) array in southern Italy. We use receiver functions (RF) processed into a common conversion point stack to generate images of the crust. Interpretation and correlation to geological structure are done using inversions of individual station RFs. We focus on a shallow discontinuity where P-to-S conversions occur. In the foreland, it corresponds to velocity jumps between carbonate and clastic strata with basement. A similar interpretation for the Apennines provides the most parsimonious explanation and supports a thick-skinned interpretation. In a thick-skinned reconstruction, the amount of shortening is much smaller than for a thin-skinned model. This implies considerably less Pliocene–Pleistocene shortening across the Apennines and suggests an east-southeast motion of the Calabrian arc subparallel to the southern Apennines rather than a radial expansion of the arc.
FINDING SYNERGY IN EMPLOYEE PERCEPTIONS OF EQUITY, JOB SATISFACTION, ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT AND ORGANISATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOUR IN A SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT

The study of job satisfaction, organisational commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour have been extensively researched in literature and within various domains. These efforts are welcomed and have also enabled researchers to better distinguish between these variables. However, a review of literature shows that the concept of equity is seldom factored into these relationships. This study builds on the efforts to conceptualise the effects of employee perceptions of equity, job satisfaction, organisational commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour among employees in a public water utility company in South Africa. The study adopted a cross sectional survey and collected data from 219 employees. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the goodness-of- fit within the proposed framework. Using structural equation modelling (SEM) the hypothesized relationship between employee perceptions of equity, job satisfaction, organisation commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour were tested. Significant positive relationships were found between employee perceptions of equity and job satisfaction; job satisfaction and normative commitment; job satisfaction and continuance commitment; affective commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour, and normative commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour. Negative relationships were observed between job satisfaction and affective commitment, continuance commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour. The findings add new knowledge that can be used to improve human resource practices in the organisation. Limitations and implications for further studies are alluded to
How Do We Value Our Income from which We Save?

Abstract In this paper we analyze the relationship between the perception of income as satisfying household needs and saving rate of this household. Using the multinomial logit regression function we measure the probability of a household to fall into one of the groups categorized by the subjective perception of income in relation to the current household disposable income. The variable specified for the valuation of income is income perception, defined as a class of observed disposable income located on the scale of the subjectively satisfying income. Factors determining the perception of income are: gender and education of the household head, family characteristics, source of income and place of residence. The analysis of relations between the income perception and the household saving rates shows that the perception of income affects both the household observed and predicted saving rates. The research is based on the Household Budget Surveys data for Poland in 2008.
A Ten-Year Retrospection of the Behavior of Russian Stock Returns

We study three aspects of the Russian stock market - factors influencing stock returns, integration of the stock market with world . financial markets, and market efficiency - from 1995 to present, putting emphasis on how these evolved over time.We . find many highly unstable relationships, and indeed, greater instability than that generated by financial crises alone.While most computed statistics exhibit constant ups and downs, there are recently clear tendencies in the development of the Russian stock market: a sharp rise in explainability of returns, an increased role of international financial markets, and a decrease in the profitability of trading. Key words: Russia, transition, stock returns, integration, efficiency. JEL codes: C22, F36, G14, G15
Environmental tax reform and induced technological change

This paper examines the importance of induced technological change in considering the efficiency costs of environmental policy. In particular, in modeling an endogenous formation of energy-saving technology through a variety of intermediates, the paper studies the welfare effects of environmental tax reform in a general equilibrium model. Using this model, the paper shows that environmental tax reform induces an expansion of the variety of intermediates by increasing rents from innovating new intermediates and, thereby, brings technological change. Then, the induced variety expansion by environmental tax reform achieves positive externalities and plays an important role both to decrease the efficiency costs and to improve the environmental quality.
A Simulation of the Removal of Fuel Subsidy and the Performance of the Agricultural Sector in Nigeria using a Dynamic Computable General Equilibrium Approach

This study analysed the response of the agricultural sector to the removal of subsidy on refined petroleum in Nigeria, given its strategic role as a critical sector. Using a dynamic energy-environment CGE model based on the 2006 Nigerian Social Accounting Matrix (SAM), the study presents the results of the response of the agricultural sector to three different simulation scenarios. These include a partial (50 percent), gradual and a one shot (complete) removal of subsidy on imported refined oil in Nigeria. The results provided evidence that a complete or one shot removal of fuel subsidy is more favourable in terms of better performance of the agricultural sector as many of the key macroeconomic variables increased under the complete removal simulation scenario. It is recommended that a one shot removal of fuel subsidy will strengthen the agricultural sector performance and outputs, even though prices will move up in the short term. The long term benefits to the sector when funds are allocated to infrastructural and technological development will support overall growth and enhance food security in Nigeria.