Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing the competitive exclusion principle using various niche parameters in a native (Natrix maura) and an introduced (N. tessellata) colubrid

Despite the increase of animal and plant introductions worldwide and the strong augmentation of the reptile trade, few invasive snake populations have been studied. Dice snakes (Natrix tessellata) were introduced to the shores of Lake Geneva (Switzerland) in the early 1920s, and are now well established. This region of introduction was previously inhabited by Viperine snakes (N. maura). Ever since these two species have been under monitoring (which began in 1996) the Viperine snake population has shown drastic decline. We examine here the possibility of trophic competition by analysing diet composition, prey size and trophic niche overlap. Spatial distribution is also assessed in order to address the question of spatial competitive exclusion. We found very similar diets, and thus a high trophic niche overlap, indicating no partitioning of the trophic resource. No arguments in favour of spatial competitive exclusion were found. Our study suggests that trophic competition may occur between the two natricines and that it may give an explanation for the drastic decline of the Viperine snake in this area. Other pathways potentially playing a role in the exclusion of the Viperine snake are discussed.
Two-dimensional electron gases induced by spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization charges in N- and Ga-face AlGaN/GaN heterostructures

Carrier concentration profiles of two-dimensional electron gases are investigated in wurtzite, Ga-face AlxGa1−xN/GaN/AlxGa1−xN and N-face GaN/AlxGa1−xN/GaN heterostructures used for the fabrication of field effect transistors. Analysis of the measured electron distributions in heterostructures with AlGaN barrier layers of different Al concentrations (0.15<x<0.5) and thickness between 20 and 65 nm demonstrate the important role of spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization on the carrier confinement at GaN/AlGaN and AlGaN/GaN interfaces. Characterization of the electrical properties of nominally undoped transistor structures reveals the presence of high sheet carrier concentrations, increasing from 6×1012 to 2×1013 cm−2 in the GaN channel with increasing Al-concentration from x=0.15 to 0.31. The observed high sheet carrier concentrations and strong confinement at specific interfaces of the N- and Ga-face pseudomorphic grown heterostructures can be explained as a consequence of interface charges induced by .
DIVIDEND POLICY OF PUBLIC COMPANIES IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

This paper provides insight in dividend policy of publicly listed companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina and investigates appearance of dividend smoothing behavior. The results show increase in portion of dividend paying companies over time while dividend smoothing phenomenon is virtually non-existent. On the other hand, when companies decide to pay dividends they, on average, distribute high portion of profit to shareholders. The paper also provides discussion about capital market development, investor protection and ownership concentration as potential factors affecting importance of dividend payouts. Research results indicate that insufficiently developed capital market characterized with low investor protection and concentrated ownership structure undermine the importance of dividend smoothing practices.
How Relevant is Dividend Policy Under Low Shareholder Protection?

This paper reopens the debate on the substitutability of dividends and shareholder control in mitigating free cash flow concerns, by examining dividend behavior when shareholder control is restricted in the firm.We consider the stakeholder-oriented governance regime of the Netherlands, where shareholdings are concentrated, but shareholder rights are often severely restricted by a legally imposed governance regime and anti-shareholder devices such as Dutch-style poison pills.We find that dividend payouts are generally low, unresponsive to earnings changes and show little relationship with size, leverage, and investment opportunities.Shareholder power restrictions affect dividend behavior to varying degrees, but those that do are used by the vast majority of Dutch listed firms.Once accounting for these, we find no evidence that strong shareholders would allow firms to relax their dividend policy, as has been proposed in the existing literature.As shareholders, institutional investors and managers actually force higher payouts.Thus, it seems that dividends often complement rather than substitute shareholders efforts to alleviate agency concerns.This finding is unlikely to be specific to the Netherlands, and could possibly be extended to other stakeholder-oriented governance regimes.
Energy renormalization of exciton complexes in GaAs quantum dots

Using GaAs/AlGaAs self-assembled quantum dots we study the few-particle dynamics of fully conﬁned systems, which is associated with purely Coulomb interaction and is not affected by the internal strain ﬁeld. Systematic evolution in the binding energies of positive and negative trions, as well as biexcitons, with dot size is interpreted in terms of a balance between the Hartree mean-ﬁeld corrections on single-particle states and the interparticle correlations which lead to a nonseparable dynamics. The experimental behaviors are well reproduced by exact many-body calculations within the framework of the quantum Monte Carlo approach
Stochastic Gompertzian model for breast cancer growth process

In this paper, a stochastic Gompertzian model is developed to describe the growth process of a breast cancer by incorporating the noisy behavior into a deterministic Gompertzian model. The prediction quality of the stochastic Gompertzian model is measured by comparing the simulated result with the clinical data of breast cancer growth. The kinetic parameters of the model are estimated via maximum likelihood procedure. 4-stage stochastic Runge-Kutta (SRK4) is used to simulate the sample path of the model. Low values of mean-square error (MSE) of stochastic model indicate good fits. It is shown that the stochastic Gompertzian model is adequate in explaining the breast cancer growth process compared to the deterministic model counterpart.
Seasonal morphological variability in an in situ Cyanobacteria monoculture: example from a persistent Cylindrospermopsis bloom in Lake Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico

The phrase cyanobacteria bloom implies a transient condition in which one to few species dominates communities. In this paper we describe a condition in which the bloom is of multi-year duration consisting of different morphologies of a single cyanobacteria species. Lake Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico maintained a year-round massive (10 8 trichomes L -1 ) population of potentially toxin-producing cyanobacteria, Cylindrospermopsis spp. The trichomes are present as straight and coiled morphotypes. The relative trichome morphology abundance varied with rainy (June – October) and dry seasons (November – May), but total trichome abundance did not vary. Coiled trichomes and heterocytes (occurring only on coiled trichomes) were significantly more abundant, both absolutely and relatively, during the dry season. Both coiled trichome and heterocyte mean volumes were significantly smaller during the rainy season than during the dry season. Biovolumes were largest in January when water temperature was 5o C cooler suggesting buoyancy as a morphology-determining factor. However, with a more than three-fold lower TIN concentration during the dry season, we hypothesized that the coiled morphotype became abundant primarily because it formed heterocytes, which the straight morphotype did not. Spatial trichome and heterocyte abundance differences were small among the 15 lake sites (average CV for all dates = 20%). However, there was a pattern of increased heterocyte and coiled trichome abundance from lake inflow, as a nitrogen source, to outflow during the rainy season. The total volume of heterocytes per litre of lake water increased progressively four-fold from a minimum early in the rainy season to a maximum at the end of the dry season. Morphological diversity, as seen in Lake Catemaco, can partially compensate for the lack of species diversity in determination of community structure.
Derivation of effective penetration depth of femtosecond laser pulses in metal from ablation rate dependence on laser fluence, incidence angle, and polarization

Ablation rate dependence on laser fluence for copper subjected to oblique femtosecond laser irradiation has been determined experimentally in order to investigate processing induced by oblique irradiation. A difference of ablation rate between p-polarized and s-polarized oblique irradiation is clearly observed. Effective penetration depth is defined to explain the ablation rate dependence instead of using optical penetration depth, which is treated as a key value for determining the ablation rate in conventional theory. The effective penetration depth for copper is presented in simple formulas as a function of laser incidence angle for each polarization.
Learner Attitude towards Chemistry, Study Skills and Examination Preparedness: A Case of a Public School in Eastern, Kenya

This study intended to test if there was significant difference in chemistry preparedness in terms of attitude towards chemistry, study skills and exam preparedness between boys and girls, between boarders and day scholars and between low and high achievers. Two hundred and eleven (211) subjects participated. A questionnaire was designed to measure preparedness in chemistry in relation to attitude towards chemistry, study skills, and exam preparedness. To address the hypotheses, frequency distributions and other descriptive statistics including means, standard deviations and percentages were used. Independent sample t-tests were performed to address the first and the second hypotheses to determine whether differences between variables existed. The results indicate that there is homogeneity of variance amongst attitude towards chemistry, study skills and exam preparedness. The findings also inform that preparedness in chemistry in terms of attitude towards chemistry, study skills, and exam preparedness is the same in both boys and girls but boys lagged slightly below girls in attitude towards chemistry. There was no significant difference in chemistry preparedness between genders in relation to these variables. Borders and day scholars have similar preparedness in chemistry in terms of attitude, study skills and exam preparedness. The results further show that day scholars have a slightly higher preparedness in chemistry than the boarders. Higher achievers have more positive attitude towards chemistry, better study skills and higher exam preparedness.
Nonlinear eigenvalue problems admitting eigenfunctions with known geometric properties

We consider nonlinear eigenvalue problems of the form $$ A_0 y + B(y) y = \lambda y \tag{$*$} $$ in a real Hilbert space $\mathcal H$, where $A_0$ is a semi-bounded self-adjoint operator and, for every $y$ from a certain dense subspace $X$ of $\mathcal H, B(y)$ is a bounded symmetric linear operator. The left hand side is assumed to be the gradient of a functional $\psi \in C^1(x)$, and the associated linear problems $$ A_0 v + B(y) v = \mu v \tag{$**$} $$ are supposed to have discrete spectrum $(y \in X)$. We present a new topological method which permits, under appropriate assumptions, to construct solutions of ($*$) on a sphere $S_R := \{ y \in X \mid \|y\|_{\mathcal H} = R\}$ whose $\psi$-value is the $n$th Ljusternik-Schnirelman level of $\psi |_{S_R}$ and whose corresponding eigenvalue is the $n$th eigenvalue of the associated linear problem ($**$), where $R > 0$ and $n \in \mathbb N$ are given. In applications, the eigenfunctions thus found share any geometric property enjoyed by an $n$-th eigenfunction of a linear problem of the form ($**$). We discuss applications to nonlinear Sturm-Liouville problems, to the nonlinear Hill's equation, to periodic solutions of second-order systems, and to elliptic partial differential equations with radial symmetry.
Structure Refinement of the S-Phase Precipitate MgCuAl2

The technologically important S-phase precipitate MgCuAl2 has been synthesized from the elements in a sealed tantalum tube in an induction furnace. The aluminide was investigated by powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods: Cmcm, a = 401.19(9), b = 926.5(2), c = 712.4(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0425, 234 F2 values, and 16 variable parameters. The new crystallographic data fully confirm the original work by Perlitz and Westgren [Ark. Kemi, Mineral. Geol. 16, 1 (1943)], but the present structure refinement has led to a much higher precision. The crystal chemical peculiarities of MgCuAl2 are briefly discussed.
Predicting and Capitalizing on Stock Market Bears in the U.S

his paper attempts to predict the bear conditions on the US stock market. To this aim we elaborate simple predictive regressions, static and dynamic binary choice (BCM) as well as Markov-switching models. The in- and out-of-sample prediction ability is evaluated and we compare the forecasting performance of various specifications across as well as within models. It turns out that various dynamic extensions of static versions of probit and logit models reveal additional predictive information for both in- and out-of-sample fit. We also find that binary models outperform the Markov-switching model. With respect to the macro-financial variables, terms spreads, inflation and money supply turn out to be useful predictors. The results lead to useful implications for investors practicing active portfolio and risk management and for policy makers as tools to get early warning signals.
Ambiguity and Scientific Authority

The molecularization of race thesis suggests geneticists are gaining greater authority to define human populations and differences, and they are doing so by increasingly defining them in terms of U.S. racial categories. Using a mixed methodology of a content analysis of articles published in Nature Genetics (in 1993, 2001, and 2009) and interviews, we explore geneticists’ population labeling practices. Geneticists use eight classification systems that follow racial, geographic, and ethnic logics of definition. We find limited support for racialization of classification. Use of quasi-racial “continental” terms has grown over time, but more surprising is the persistent and indiscriminate blending of classification schemes at the field level, the article level, and within-population labels. This blending has led the practical definition of “population” to become more ambiguous rather than standardized over time. Classificatory ambiguity serves several functions: it helps geneticists negotiate collaborations among researchers with competing demands, resist bureaucratic oversight, and build accountability with study populations. Far from being dysfunctional, we show the ambiguity of population definition is linked to geneticists’ efforts to build scientific authority. Our findings revise the long-standing theoretical link between scientific authority and standardization and social order. We find that scientific ambiguity can function to produce scientific authority.
The Comparative Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Motivated by sustainable development challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, this study assesses the comparative persistence of environmental unsustainability in a sample of 44 countries in the sub-region for the period 2000 to 2012. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments. Of the six hypotheses tested, it is not feasible to assess the hypothesis on resource-wealth because of issues in degrees of freedom. As for the remaining hypotheses, the following findings are established. (i) Hypothesis 1 postulating that middle income countries have a lower level of persistence in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is valid for CO2 per capita emissions, CO2 emissions from electricity and heat production and CO2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption. (ii) Hypothesis 2 on the edge of French civil law countries is valid for CO2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption and CO2 intensity, but not for CO2 per capita emissions. (iii) Hypothesis 3 on the postulation that politically-unstable countries reflect more persistence is valid for CO2 per capita emissions. (iv) Hypothesis 5 on the propensity for landlocked countries to be associated with more persistence in CO2 emissions is valid for CO2 per capita emissions but not for CO2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption. (v) Hypothesis 6 maintaining that Christianity-dominated countries are more environmentally friendly with regard to CO2 emissions is valid for CO2 per capita emissions but not for CO2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption and CO2 intensity. Implications for policy and theory are discussed.
Factors affecting the willingness to pay for renewable energy amongst Eastern Malaysian households: a case study

Energy choices that are made today will greatly influence the climate of tomorrow. In addition to reducing emission of greenhouse gases, renewable energy sources will also enhance future energy security. In this vein, a study utilizing a cross-sectional research design was conducted to examine the factors affecting the willingness to pay for renewable energy (RE) among households in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The mean age of the respondents was 42 years, with both genders equally represented. The results indicated that that majority of the respondents were concerned about the environment and showed a positive attitude towards it. Nonetheless, there were differences in the levels of awareness and knowledge with respect to different types of RE. Age and RE awareness were found to have significant relationships with the willingness to pay for renewable energy. The results also indicated that higher educated consumers were more willing to pay for renewable energy, whereas no gender differences were observed. Strengthening support and ultimately adoption of RE products and services have to be intensified as the willingness to pay for RE by the respondents was found to be modest.
Early-Stage Intellectual Property Strategy: Too small to care?

Managers of innovative firms are often required to carefully employ intellectual property (IP) strategies, in order to protect their innovations. Formal IP protection through patents and trademarks is associated with high direct and indirect costs, which is why many small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) do not rely on the formal IP protection which patents and trademarks offer. Instead, they are used in a number of ways to improve the SME's reputation, to generate cashflows and to attract investors. This research offers an indebth literature review on the topic of SMEs' patenting and trademarking motivations. Furthermore, an analysis of the relationship between patents and trademarks filed by an SME and the amount of funds raised provides valuable information for SME managers. Author: Eduard von Oldershausen Supervisor: Aysu Okbay Date of completion: 29th August, 2014 Table of
Do Competition and Ownership Affect Enterprise Efficiency in the Absence of Market Institutions? Evidence after Privatization in Mongolia

Mongolia's mass privatization program was implanted in a country that lacked the very basic institutions of capitalism. This paper examines the effects of competition and ownership on the efficiency of the newly privatized enterprises, using a representative sample of enterprises and controlling for possible selection biases. Competition has quantitatively large effects, perfectly competitive firms having nearly double the efficiency of monopolies. Enterprises with residual state ownership appear to be more efficient than other enterprises, reflecting an environment where the government was pressured to focus on efficiency and institutions gave little voice to outsider owners.
HEALTH, HUMAN SECURITY AND THE PERI-URBAN TRANSITION IN THE MEKONG DELTA: MARKET REFORM, GOVERNANCE AND NEW ANALYTIC FRAMEWORKS FOR RESEARCH IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

This paper identifies links between (i) the emergence of a global niche in food processing export industries such as those in Vietnam and similar regions of Southeast Asia, (ii) new forms of governance associated with these dispersed but densely settled industrial regions that result in a highly decentralized model for water service provision institutions, and (iii) some of the potentially emerging health challenges associated with such rapid peri-urbanization, changing consumption patterns, and decentralized provision of basic infrastructure. Such settlement and institutional transitions have made the job of the urban planner more complicated even as it may increase the level of threat to human and environmental security through the emergence of previously unknown diseases like avian influenza or the re-emergence of formerly controlled ones such as dengue fever.
The Best Way to Teach Phrasal Verbs: Translation, Sentential Contextualization or Metaphorical Conceptualization?

This study investigates the metaphor’s central position in the memorization, retention and prediction of the meaning of phrasal verbs. To this end, 45 Iranian EFL learners from Chabahar Maritime University were divided into three groups. In control group, the phrasal verbs were presented with their Farsi (students' mother tongue) equivalents and students were asked to memorize them on their own as it is the traditional method of teaching phrasal verbs. Experimental group I received the phrasal verbs in the context of a sentence, and students were asked to make new sentences with them in the class. And the experimental group II received the orientational metaphors underlying the meaning of the particles of phrasal verbs. All the three groups took three tests in which the correct particles of the phrasal verbs had to be provided. The first test, carried out just two hours after the instructions, dealt with the taught phrasal verbs. The same test was conducted five weeks later to measure the long term retention of phrasal verbs' meaning. But the third test dealt with 20 untaught phrasal verbs which had the same particles as the taught ones. One-way ANOVA results revealed that the difference between the groups’ performances on the immediate test was not statistically significant, while the efficiency of metaphorical conceptualization, and sentential contextualization on the delayed test, and untaught test was considerable. There was a slight difference between the two experimental groups, but it was not statistically significant. The study ends with some suggestions for the teaching of phrasal verbs and the possible factors contributing to their difficulty.
The Role of Pictures in Children's Comprehension of Repeated Read-Alouds of Picture Books in an EFL Setting

Visual information may play a key role in language learning, especially at the early stages of children’s EFL learning. We hypothesized that novice learners turn mainly to visual cues to comprehend stories. To test this, seventeen novice Japanese children went through two English read-aloud conditions, normal read-aloud and pictures only. One book was read aloud to the children over five sessions. The other book was read aloud in Sessions 1 and 5, but only pictures from the book were shown in Sessions 2 through 4. Two raters assessed the children’s story retelling using two rating forms. The results show that although comprehension in both conditions increased after the five sessions, there was no statistically significant difference in the story comprehension between the two conditions, although result on one measure approached statistical significance. Children’s interest in the two books remained stable across the five sessions, regardless of conditions.