Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the allelopathic potential of water-soluble compounds of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. subsp. vulgare) and great brome (Bromus diandrus Roth.) using a modified bioassay

Description of the subject. The present study focuses on the description of the allelopathic interactions between wild and crop species that may occur in a given ecosystem. Objectives. The objective is the evaluation of the allo- and autoinhibition activity of root exudates of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. subsp. vulgare) and great brome (Bromus diandrus Roth.) seedlings by water-soluble allelochemicals. Method. The allelopathic activities of five Tunisian barley genotypes (modern varieties and landraces), one Saudi Arabian barley landrace and great brome were assessed using a modified laboratory bioassay named “seedling-after-seedling agar method”. Results. The barley or the great brome reduced, to a greater extent, the root growth compared to the shoot growth of receiver species. The response of the root system architecture of the great brome towards barley root exudates was studied in detail. All the measured root traits were highly sensitive to the presence of barley. In our conditions, the allelopathic activity of barley root exudates had no apparent relationship with the size of the root and a prominent action of genetic determinants in the allelopathic potential between genotypes is proposed. The alloinhibitory activity of barley or great brome root exudates deferred between the receiver species but was always higher than the autoinhibition potential. The autoinhibition in barley proved to depend on whether the genotypes used as donor and receiver are identical or different, suggesting a specific interaction of allelochemicals with the receiver plant. These molecules seem to be the main actors in the allelopathic barley potential as external factors such variations of pH have no evident relevance in the inhibition process. Conclusions. Barley and great brome exude molecules in their surroundings. This affects the growth of the receiver plants, suggesting that these compounds might contribute to the plant community dynamics.
MIKAEL NORRI THE EFFECT OF ACQUISITIONS AND TENDER OFFERS IN SHAREHOLDER VALUE: EVIDENCE FROM PUBLICLY LISTED NORDIC COMPANIES

TAMPERE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Master’s Degree Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management NORRI, MIKAEL: The effect of acquisitions and tender offers in shareholder value: Evidence from publicly listed Nordic companies Master of Science Thesis, 68 pages, 3 Appendix pages November 2016 Major: Industrial and Business Economics Examiner: Professor Juho Kanniainen
Comparing Outcomes for Rare Primary Hepatic Tumors after Liver

Aim: Liver transplantations (LT) have proven to be a successful treatment for many tumors of the liver. The goal of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of liver transplantations in patients with primary liver tumors with a focus on rarer malignancies. Methods: The UNOS database catalogues all adult patients who underwent LT for a primary liver tumor from 1992-2008. Of the 73,231 liver transplantations, 5,682 patients with liver tumors were identified and categorized by indication for LT: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n=5272), hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEH, n=85), cholangiocarcinoma (n=249), sarcomas (n= 11) and combined HCC-Cholangiocarcinomas (HCC-CC, n=12). Survivals were calculated using Kaplan-Meier and log rank tests. Results: 5,629 patients received LT for solid liver tumors. HCC patients and their allografts survived longer than those transplanted for cholangiocarcinomas (p=0.001, 0.002) or for HCC-CC (p=0.025, 0.004). Overall survival rates of HCC patients were 86.4%, 71.3%, and 61.2% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Cholangiocarcinoma patients had survival rates of 79.7%, 60.3% and 45.5% at 1-, 3- and 5-years from transplant. HCC-CC patients had the worst overall survival of 72.9%, 39.1% and 39.1% at 1, 3 and 5 years. Allograft survival in HCC-CC patients was comparatively low, averaging 65.6%, 35.2% and 0% at 1-, 3- and 5-years. HEH patients and their allografts survived the longest with overall survival of 83.9%, 77.8% and 73.5% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively, and allograft survival at 76.8%, 69.8% and 64.3%. Conclusion: Our data reveals overall survival was significantly better in HEH patients when compared to HCC, cholangiocarcinoma and HCC-CC patients after LT. In fact, HCC-CC patients fared the worst, both in patient and allograft survival, as compared to HCC and HEH. Results of cholangiocarcinoma patients show worse survival after LT compared to HCC and HEH, though recent evidence suggests adjuvant therapy will change outcomes for the future. Our findings suggest transplantation for HCC-CC may not be sufficient treatment. Other forms of adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy may be indicated, warranting further research.
Causal analysis of phytoplankton development in a small humic lake using structural equation modelling

Abstract The factors affecting phytoplankton development in a small boreal, dystrophic lake during summer stratification were explored using structural equation models (SEM). Phosphorus had the highest positive impact on phytoplankton, and higher temperatures also enhanced the biomass. Water colour, and to a lesser extent intense zooplankton grazing, restricted phytoplankton biomass. Grazers generally seemed to be ineffective at controlling phytoplankton, however, which could be partly due to the high abundance of Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae), a large motile algae not readily grazed by zooplankton. The importance of water colour, a significant factor in dystrophic lakes, emerged clearer in SEM than from regression models. SEM proved to be an effective and informative technique for exploring the factors affecting phytoplankton development, the role of each variable, and their interactions. Incorporating Bayesian analysis into the traditional SEM enabled a more detailed examination of variation in the variable estimates and possible sources of uncertainty and provided more reliable error estimates. We used total chlorophyll a as a proxy for total phytoplankton biomass, but the results clearly indicated that some of the emerging questions could have been better addressed by separating different phytoplankton groups. Nevertheless, SEM provided new insights from standard data, and we encourage its further applications in aquatic science.
Hemostatic Profile and Associated Factors of Hemostatic Abnormality in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Adults Attending Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus infection has been proposed to inflict an insult on hemostatic system which involves endothelium, platelet and coagulation proteins. Information regarding hemostatic profile in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients is limited and contradicting too. Method: A case control study was conducted from April to May 2014 in Jimma University specialized hospital, involving 96 HIV infected patients and 96 healthy controls that came consecutively to comprehensive chronic care center and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) center respectively. Socio demographic and clinical data were obtained using structured questionnaire. For the purpose of hemostasis tests, 2.7ml of venous blood sample was collected in a 3ml citrated (3.2%) vacuum tube. Platelet count and CD4 count was determined from a 3ml EDTA sample. Mixing study was undertaken for prolonged coagulation tests. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 20. Result: The mean value of prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio(INR), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT) and fibrinogen level was significantly higher in case group than control (p< 0.001, 0.01, <0.001 and <0.001) while mean platelet count was significantly lower in case group (p<0.0001). Mixing study showed correction of 35(87.5%) of 40 prolonged PT both in immediate and delayed test while 58(95.1%) of 60 prolonged activated APTT fail to correct in both situations. A CD4 count of less than 200cells/mm 3(AOR=8.8, 95% CI (1.8-42.4)) and HAART (AOR=3.4, 95%CI (1.2-10.1)) use were significantly associated with prolonged PT while a CD4 count of less than 200cells/mm3 (AOR=11.55, 95% CI (1.25-106)) was significantly associated with prolonged APTT. Conclusion: There was a significant mean difference between case and control groups with respect to PT, APTT, platelet count and fibrinogen level. Direction of the finding points towards presence of inhibitors and factor deficiency which demands in depth investigation and corresponding intervention.
Assessing the macroeconomic effects of fiscal policy in Colombia

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study the short-term macroeconomic effects of the fiscal policy in Colombia for the 1980-2007 period using a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model. Design/methodology/approach - The authors' benchmark is a five-variable SVAR model which includes government spending, output, tax revenues, inflation and short-term interest rates. In addition, the authors specified six-variable VAR models, adding in turn private consumption, private investment, the unemployment rate and the real minimum wage to the last set of variables. Two alternative identification techniques are used in the VARs to check the robustness of the results. Findings - The following effects of a positive government spending shock are found. First, the GDP responds positively and significantly during the first six quarters. The cumulative output multiplier fluctuates between 1.12 and 1.19. Second, both inflation and nominal interest rates respond positively and significantly. Third, the authors find a significant positive response by both private consumption and private investment. Finally, the unemployment rate reacts negatively and significantly. Research limitations/implications - The most surprising result comes from the response of output to a positive shock in taxes. Nonetheless, the positive respond of the GDP is short lived and has little significance. Practical implications - The authors' results support the smoothing role of fiscal policy on output fluctuations, which implies its capacity to restore real activity effectively in critical times like the ones currently being forecast. Originality/value - The negligible results found previously for Colombia could be related to the fiscal data used, which are not keep coherence with national accounting. To solve these obstacles, a quarterly fiscal database is assembled on an approximately accrual basis for the general government.
Population estimates of Dendrobates tinctorius (Anura: Dendrobatidae) at three sites in French Guiana and first record of chytrid infection.

Population estimates of Dendrobates tinctorius (Anura: Dendrobatidae) at three sites in French Guiana and first record of chytrid infection. The Neotropics shelter the highest number of frog species on Earth and is also one of the regions where anurans are most threatened. Nonetheless, few data are available to assess the population status of Neotropical anurans. We studied three populations (Tresor, Favard, and Nouragues) of the poison frog, Dendrobates tinctorius, in French Guiana and used Capture‑Mark‑Recapture (CMR) to make robust estimations of the species' density at these three sites. In addition, we assessed the prevalence of the pathogen fungal Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in two populations (Favard and Nouragues). Based on the CMR protocol, the densities of frogs was 8.43 individuals/100 m² at Favard, 4.28 individuals/100 m² at Nouragues and from 2.30 to 4.67 individuals/100 m² at Tresor (depending on the CMR model used); these data provide a baseline for population densities of D. tinctorius in French Guiana, against which future population estimates can be compared. We found that 25 encounter events may be sufficient for stable population estimates, if the captures are concentrated in time. Bd was detected at both sites (Favard 7/152; Nouragues 3/18).
Economic Growth, Financial Depth and Lending Rate Nexus: A Case of Oil Dependant Economy

This research empirically investigates the long and short run causal relationships between economic growth, financial depth and lending rate in the unique economic setup of Saudi Arabia where 92% of total GDP comes from oil exports. Study uses two proxies for financial depth namely liquid liability indicator and banks claim to the private sector to GDP ratio, while economic growth is measured by real GDP per capita. This study intends to get answers for such questions as, if financial depth effects or causes economic growth in an oil based economy, and does lending rate have any relationship with financial depth or economic growth. Using the Johansens co-integration, Granger causality and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) the study finds a single co-integrated equation which establishes a long run relationship among the variables. Finding suggests that financial depth causes lending rate which is in contradiction with most of the available literature; the study tries to explain this type of causality under the present circumstances. Furthermore no short term significant relationship exists among the variables as reflected by the results of the Wald Test, that is due to the unique political and economic setup under consideration.
Upper Devonian microvertebrates from the Canning Basin, Western Australia

A diverse microvertebrate fauna is described from the Virgin Hills and Napier formations, Bugle Gap Limestone Canning Basin, Western Australia. Measured sections at Horse Spring and Casey Falls (Virgin Hills Formation) and South Oscar Range (Napier Formation) comprise proximal to distal slope carbonates ranging in age from the Late Devonian Frasnian to middle Famennian. A total of 18 chondrichthyan taxa are identified based on teeth, including the first record of Thrinacodus tranquillus , Cladoides wildungensis , Protacrodus serra and Lissodus lusavorichi from the Canning Basin. A new species, Diademodus dominicus sp. nov. is also described and provides the first record of this genus outside of Laurussia. In addition, the upper range of Australolepis seddoni has been extended to Late Devonian conodont Zone 11, making it the youngest known occurrence for this species. The Virgin Hills and Napier formations microvertebrate faunas show close affinities to faunas recovered from other areas of Gondwana, including eastern Australia, Iran, Morocco and South China, which is consistent with known conodont and trilobite faunas of the same age.
Guidelines for educational administration based on sufficiency economy philosophy

This study aimed to examine the existing situation of educational administration thus developed guidelines based on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in the five educational extended schools under the Office of Khon Kaen Primary Education Service Area 4. Researchers utilized qualitative method multi-cases design. This study was carried out in two phases involving document analysis, interview and observation to examine the situation of educational administration followed by focus group discussion to develop guidelines. Data was analyzed using content analysis and presented it in descriptive manner. Results from the first phase of the study indicated that stakeholders are meeting together to set the vision and mission which integrated the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in every administrative aspect in terms of policy. In addition, all the five research schools were implementing the specified mission and vision as they planned. Furthermore, stakeholders participated in planning for academic development and Sufficiency Economy Philosophy was integrated in school curriculum specifically in academic aspect. Improvement in the plan for the following year was conducted through evaluation. The second phase of the findings regarding the guidelines for educational administrators as such administrators and stakeholders should participate in setting policy based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and implement it in school administrative management. Meanwhile the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy should be integrated in school curriculum by having stakeholders worked out the plan for academic development. The implementation of plans should be based on the concepts of saving, worthiness, and optimal outcomes. Finally environmental factors were needed for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy instruction.
EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS ON ENTREPRENEURIAL INCLINATION : A STUDY OF MANAGEMENT UNDERGRADUATES ’ INCLINATION TOWARD ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN SRI LANKAN UNIVERSITIES LITERATURE REVIEW

Increased emphasized on the importance of entrepreneurship is mainly due to its significant contribution to a country’s economic development and generation of new job opportunities. Entrepreneurship has emerged as one of the most popular research domain in academic fields to study the importance and contributions of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship education has been increased in schools, universities and other educational institutions throughout the world. The main objective of entrepreneurship education should aim at enhancing and developing certain psychological characteristics of undergraduates that change their state of behavior, even their entrepreneurial inclination and finally resulted in the formation of new businesses as well as new job opportunities. This study attempts to investigate the Sri Lankan university students’ inclination towards entrepreneurship and the influence of psychological characteristics on entrepreneurial inclination is examined too.
Complexity Aversion: Influences of Cognitive Abilities, Culture and System of Thought

Complexity aversion describes the preference of decision makers for less complex options that cannot be explained by expected utility theory. While a number of research articles investigate the effects of complexity on choices, up to this point there exist only theoretical approaches aiming to explain the reasons behind complexity aversion. This paper presents two experimental studies that aim to fill this gap. The first study considers subjects' cognitive abilities as a potential driver of complexity aversion. Cognitive skills are measured in a cognitive reflection test and, in addition, are approximated by subjects' consistency of choices. In opposition to our hypothesis, subjects with higher cognitive skills display stronger complexity aversion compared to their peers. The second study deals with cultural background. The experiment was therefore conducted in Germany and in Japan. German subjects prefer less complex lotteries while Japanese are indifferent regarding choice complexity.
Quantum stochastic processes as models for state vector reduction

An elementary introduction of quantum-state-valued Markovian stochastic processes (QSP) for N-state quantum systems is given. It is pointed out that a so-called master constraint must be fulfilled. For a given master equation a continuous and, as a new alternative possibility, a discontinuous QSP are derived. Both are discussed as possible models for state reduction during measurement.
Planck intermediate results

This paper presents the Planck Multi-frequency Catalogue of Non-thermal (i.e. synchrotron-dominated) Sources (PCNT) observed between 30 and 857 GHz by the ESA Planck mission. This catalogue was constructed by selecting objects detected in the full mission all-sky temperature maps at 30 and 143 GHz, with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N)> 3 in at least one of the two channels after filtering with a particular Mexican hat wavelet. As a result, 29 400 source candidates were selected. Then, a multi-frequency analysis was performed using the Matrix Filters methodology at the position of these objects, and flux densities and errors were calculated for all of them in the nine Planck channels. This catalogue was built using a different methodology than the one adopted for the Planck Catalogue of Compact Sources (PCCS) and the Second Planck Catalogue of Compact Sources (PCCS2), although the initial detection was done with the same pipeline that was used to produce them. The present catalogue is the first unbiased, full-sky catalogue of synchrotron-dominated sources published at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths and constitutes a powerful database for statistical studies of non-thermal extragalactic sources, whose emission is dominated by the central active galactic nucleus. Together with the full multi-frequency catalogue, we also define the Bright Planck Multi-frequency Catalogue of Non-thermal Sources (PCNTb), where only those objects with a S/N > 4 at both 30 and 143 GHz were selected. In this catalogue 1146 compact sources are detected outside the adopted Planck GAL070 mask; thus, these sources constitute a highly reliable sample of extragalactic radio sources. We also flag the high-significance subsample (PCNThs), a subset of 151 sources that are detected with S/N > 4 in all nine Planck channels, 75 of which are found outside the Planck mask adopted here. The remaining 76 sources inside the Galactic mask are very likely Galactic objects.
Yield performance of zero-till wheat with herbicides in rice-wheat cropping system

Ten on-farm trials (OFTs) were carried out at farmers’ fields in participatory mode during the Rabi season of 2007–08 to 2008–09 in selected adjoining villages to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Azamgarh of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The main objectives of activities were to evaluate the performance and profitability of zero tillage and herbicides on weed control and productivity of wheat crop under rice-wheat cropping system. Zero till sown wheat was found much effective in suppression of weed density and population of Phalaris minor in comparison to conventional tillage. A drastic reduction in weed density was obtained with the application of sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron methyl 75 WG at 40 g/ha ready-mix under both method of wheat sowing. The higher average grain yield and monitory returns were also achieved under zero tillage sown wheat combined with sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron methyl as post emergence. However, grain yield obtained under zero tillage was almost comparable to conventional tillage with fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 10 EC at 1000 ml/ha.
Value Creation from M&As: New Evidence

MA a $325 mil gain improvement compared to 1990–2009. The corresponding synergistic gains have also catapulted to more than $542 mil pointing to overall value creation from M&As on a large scale. Our results are robust to different measures and controls and appear to be linked with profound improvements in the quality of corporate governance among acquiring firms in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.