Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Related Party Transactions and Corporate Governance Mechanisms: Evidence from Firms Listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange

This study has investigated the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on related party transactions of Pakistani firms. A sample of 160 non-financial firms are used for the analysis that has reported related party transactions in their annual reports for the sample period 2006 to 2012. The empirical results of different regression models suggested that board independence, blockholdings and institutional ownership play a vital role in the internal governance mechanism. While associated firm ownership, CEO-duality and managerial ownership act as agents that expropriate minor shareholders wealth through related party transactions. Moreover, banking loan, multiple banks in relation and audit quality act as external governance agents and can mitigate the conflict of interest between the minor and major shareholders. These agents may lessen the expropriation through related party transactions by major shareholders, there by securing the interest of minor shareholders.
Alternative prey can change model-mimic dynamics between parasitism and mutualism

Classical (conventional) Mullerian mimicry theory predicts that two (or more) defended prey sharing the same signal always benefit each other despite the fact that one species can be more toxic than the other. The quasi-Batesian (unconventional) mimicry theory, instead, predicts that the less defended partner of the mimetic relationship may act as a parasite of the signal, causing a fitness loss to the model. Here we clarify the conditions for parasitic or mutualistic relationships between aposematic prey, and build a model to examine the hypothesis that the availability of alternative prey is crucial to Mullerian and quasi-Batesian mimicry. Our model is based on optimal behaviour of the predator. We ask if and when it is in the interest of the predator to learn to avoid certain species as prey when there is alternative (cryptic) prey available. Our model clearly shows that the role of alternative prey must be taken into consideration when studying model-mimic dynamics. When food is scarce it pays for the predator to test the models and mimics, whereas if food is abundant predators should leave the mimics and models untouched even if the mimics are quite edible. Dynamics of the mimicry tend to be classically Mullerian if mimics are well defended, while quasi-Batesian dynamics are more likely when they are relatively edible. However, there is significant overlap: in extreme cases mimics can be harmful to models (a quasi-Batesian case) even if the species are equally toxic. A crucial parameter explaining this overlap is the search efficiency with which indiscriminating vs. discriminating predators find cryptic prey. Quasi-Batesian mimicry becomes much more likely if discrimination increases the efficiency with which the specialized predator finds cryptic prey, while the opposite case tends to predict Mullerian mimicry. Our model shows that both mutualistic and parasitic relationship between model and mimic are possible and the availability of alternative prey can easily alter this relationship.
Feature diversity for fall detection and human indoor activities classification using radar systems

This paper presents a preliminary analysis of radar signatures for fall detection and classification of human indoor actions, to monitor the daily activity patterns of individuals at risk of deteriorating physical or cognitive health. Two datasets of signatures in different environments have been collected, one of which included signatures generated from signals simultaneously collected from a radar and an RGB-D Kinect sensor, on a couple of older individuals. This preliminary analysis shows the potential effectiveness of different features and classifiers, and highlights the need of additional investigation to exploit the diversity in terms of overall classification accuracy achieved with different features and classification methods, in different environments and datasets.
To Know I Can Might Be Enough: Women's Self-Efficacy and Their Identified Leadership Values

This three-year mixed-method study examined levels of self-efficacy and leadership values held for 32 women before and after participating in graduate coursework specifically focused on women's leadership issues. A 21-item, 5-dimension self-efficacy scale adapted for leadership from the work of Albert Bandura was used in addition to open-ended questions focused on leadership values and obstacles. Self-efficacy levels increased in each dimension, most notably in Encouraging a Productive Work Ethic and Creating a Positive Work Climate. Shifts occurred in the nature of values identified for effective leadership in terms of more traditional and outwardly-visible attributes to more postmodern and inwardly-experienced attributes. The nature of obstacles that participants identified as preventing them from being more effective leaders also revealed shifts from self-critical behaviors to proactive behaviors
DETERMINANTS OF AUDIT RISK ASSESSMENT FOR GOVERNMENTAL AUDITS IN INDONESIA: A STUDY OF THE NATIONAL AUDIT BOARD OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

This study aimed to determine the influence of: geography, demography and topology; culture; maturity of organization (age of government); maturity of people; auditor's capability in the assigned region; expertise / education level; and experience of auditing team in risk assessment; on the examination of audit risk by The National Audit Board of The Republic of Indonesia (Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan (BPK) in Indonesia. This study found the factors affecting the audit risk model in general. This study identified several factors that influence the determination of audit risk assessment which occur when conducting local governmental audits in Indonesia. This study was conducted by identifying the factors that might influence the risk of audit used by The National Audit Board. The results of the identification are elaborated in some of the items included in the questionnaire. The number of respondents in this study was 143 respondents as Auditors of The National Audit Board in Indonesia. This study conducted multiple regression analysis. Maturity of people, auditor's capability, and expertise level have a significant influence on the risk assessment. These factors are derived from an auditor’s judgment when they perform the examination seen from the condition of local government in Indonesia
Working Paper No. 13 - The impact of trade liberalization upon inequality in developing countries

This working paper is the output from the first phase of a research project dedicated to how developing countries react when opening to trade and foreign direct investment on employment, income distribution, and poverty. It’s based on international cross-section data and uses different regions and countries to analyse trade liberalization and its effects on income distribution using the Skill-Enhancing-Trade (“SET”) hypothesis. The research has shown that with trade liberalization, relative wages have increased with economic growth, which has led to various conclusions pertaining to wage dispersion.
Aerodynamic and surface characteristic length scales of snow covered flat planes

Velocity profiles over fresh fallen snow surfaces have been measured in the SLF cold atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel. Aerodynamic roughness lengths z0 have been estimated from log-law velocity profile fitting. In parallel, photographs of the snow surfaces have been taken and evaluated using digital image analysis giving snow surface contour line coordinates. Applying structure functions to the snow surface coordinates and statistical fitting analyses resulted in sets of surface characteristic length scales (random field approach). The synthesis of both approaches suggests a linear relationship between z0 and one of the surface characteristic length scales.
Radio Sensor for Monitoring of UMTS Mobile Terminals

Relatively simple and low-cost radio sensor for monitoring of 3rd generation (3G) UMTS mobile terminals (i.e., phones) has been designed and practically tested. The main purpose of this sensor is to serve as an extending module that can be installed into systems used for monitoring of standard 2nd generation (2G) GSM and DCS mobile phones in highly guarded buildings and areas. Since the transmitted powers of UMTS mobile terminals can be very low in relation to GSM and DCS specifications, the new UMTS sensor is based on a highly sensitive receiver and additional signal processing. The radio sensor was practically tested in several scenarios representing worst-case mobile terminal – base station relations. The measured detection ranges attain values from approx. 11 m inside of rooms to more than 30 m in corridors, which seems to be sufficient for the expected application. Results of all performed tests correspond fairly well with the presented theoretical descriptions. An extended version of the radio sensor can be used for monitoring of mobile terminals of all existing voice or data formats.
Simultaneous x-ray and optical spectroscopy of the Seyfert galaxy Mrk 993

We present the results of simultaneous XMM-Newton X-ray and 3.5 m/CAHA optical spectroscopic observations of the Seyfert galaxy Mrk 993. This galaxy exhibited in the past significant variations of its broad emission lines which classified it as Sy1, Sy1.5 and Sy1.9 in different epochs. In order to test the X-ray/optical consistency of the unified AGN model we have compared the amount of photoelectric X-ray absorption with the Balmer decrement of broad emission line components. The optical data show that during our observations Mrk 993 was in a Sy1.8 state with a Balmer decrement of ∼9. The X-ray absorb- ing gas amounts only to 7×10 20 cm −2 , most likely due to the host galaxy. For a normal gas to dust ratio in the absorbing material (expected to arise in the molecular torus) both quantities are clearly discrepant with an intrinsic Balmer decrement of ∼3.4. We therefore conclude that the Balmer ratio is intrinsic rather than produced by obscuration and therefore that in this object the optical broad line emission properties are dictated by the physics of the broad line region rather than orientation/obscuration effects.
Analysis of Hydraulic Conductance Components in Field Grown, Mature Sweet Cherry Trees

As a necessary step towards understanding soil water extraction and plant water relationships, the components of hydraulic conductance (K) of mature sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees were evaluated in situ based on a Ohms law analog method. In June 2004, K was determined for 10-yr-old 'Bing'/'Gisela® 5' trees, from simultaneous measurements of whole canopy gas exchange and leaf (sunlit and shaded) and stem water potentials (Ψ). Leaf water potential of sunlit leaves was lower than shaded leaves, reaching minimum values of ca. -2.3 MPa around 14:00 h (solar time). Average total hydraulic conductance was 60 ± 6 mmol s-1 MPa-1, presenting a slight decreasing trend as the season progressed. The analysis of tree K components showed that it was higher on the stem-leaf pathway (150 ± 50 mmol s-1 MPa-1), compared to the root-stem component (100 ± 20 mmol s-1 MPa-1), which is in agreement with literature reports for other fruit trees. A weak hysteresis pattern in the daily relationship between whole-canopy transpiration (weighted sunlit and shaded leaves) vs. Ψ was observed, suggesting that water storage within the tree is not a significant component of sweet cherry water balance.
Electromyographic Signal Compression Through Image Encoders and Preprocessing Techniques

Recently, two-dimensional techniques were successfully employed for encoding surface electromyographic (S-EMG) records, through the use of off-the-shelf image encoders as an effective alternative for that kind of signal. However, as S-EMG signals are very different from natural images, there is often a preprocessing step before compression, in an attempt to improve the performance of the chosen encoder. This paper address the mentioned approach and presents an investigation regarding the performance of video and image encoders, when used for compressing S-EMG signals. In addition, two new preprocessing techniques are introduced, named as euclidean distance sorting (EDS) and region-based euclidean distance sorting (REDS), which have the potential to enhance the exploitation of intersegment correlations, normally present on S-EMG records. Experiments were carried out with real isometric records acquired in laboratory, which were firstly preprocessed and then compressed with the JPEG2000, H.264/advanced video coding, and high efficiency video coding (HEVC) algorithms. A brief analysis reveals that the proposed scheme is effective, given that JPEG2000 and HEVC allied to EDS and REDS even outperform state-of-the-art schemes available in the literature, in terms of PRD × Compression Ratio and spectral-parameter estimation.
The dividend problem with a finite horizon

We characterise the value function of the optimal dividend problem with a finite time horizon as the unique classical solution of a suitable Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation. The optimal dividend strategy is realised by a Skorokhod reflection of the fund's value at a time-dependent optimal boundary. Our results are obtained by establishing for the first time a new connection between singular control problems with an absorbing boundary and optimal stopping problems on a diffusion reflected at $0$ and created at a rate proportional to its local time.
A Preliminary Study on Combination Therapy of Artemisinin Dimer Oxime and Topotecan against Nonsmall Cell LungCancer in Mice

IntroductIon Artemisinin is a natural product present in the Artemisia annua. In the 4th century, this plant was prescribed as a natural remedy for treating fever by Chinese physicians. In the succeeding centuries, this natural remedy was commonly prescribed for hemorrhoids and malaria. However, the active agent – artemisinin – was identified and isolated in the 1970s. At present, numerous derivatives of artemisinin are being used for treating various ailments. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that artemisinin and its derivatives possess promising anticancer, antiproliferative, and antiapoptotic properties in tumor cell lines of colon, breast, and lung. [1] Dihydroartemisinin has shown therapeutic activity against gallbladder cancer metastasis. [2] Artemisinin dimer oxime (Ox) – dimer molecule synthesized from artemisinin possesses high bioavailability and marked in vitro anticancer activities compared to its monomers. [3] In a recent study, the antitumor activity of five chemically synthesized dihydroartemisinin dimers against human colon cancer cell lines, HT29, HCT116 and the nontumorigenic colon cell line, A Preliminary Study on Combination Therapy of Artemisinin Dimer Oxime and Topotecan against Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer in Mice
The co-construction of energy provision and everyday practice: integrating heat pumps in social housing in England

Challenges of energy security, low carbon transitions, and electricity network constraints have led to a shift to new, efficient technologies for household energy services. Studies of such technological innovations usually focus on consumer information and changes in behaviour to realise their full potential. We suggest that regarding such technologies in existing energy provision systems opens up questions concerning how and why such interventions are delivered. We argue that we must understand the ways by which energy systems are co-constituted through the habits and expectations of households, their technologies and appliances, alongside arrangements associated with large-scale socio-technical infrastructures. Drawing on research with air-source-to-water heat pumps (ASWHP), installed as part of a large trans-disciplinary, utility-led research and demonstration project in the north of England, we investigate how energy services provision and everyday practice shapes new technologies uptake, and how such technologies mediate and reconfigure relations between users, providers and infrastructure networks. While the installation of ASWHP has led to role differentiation through which energy services are provided, the space for new forms of co-provision to emerge is limited by existing commitments to delivering energy services. Simultaneously, new forms of interdependency emerge between users, providers and intermediaries through sites of installation, instruction, repair and feedback. We find that although new technologies do lead to the rearrangement of practices, this is often disrupted by obduracy in the conventions and habits around domestic heating and hot water practices that have been established in relation to existing systems of provision. Rather being simply a matter of increasing levels of knowledge in order to ensure that such technologies are adopted effi ciently and effectively, our paper demonstrates how systemic arrangements of energy provision and everyday practice are co-implicated in socio-technical innovation by changing the nature of energy supply and use.
Change Management Practices: A Case of Introduction of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Database System at the Ministry of Medical Services, Nairobi Kenya

Purpose: The impetus for this study was attempt to bridge the knowledge gap as concerns the factors that affect the adoption of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Database (IPPD) s. The specific objectives of the study were: to establish the role of PEOU of IPPD in its adoption; to evaluate the effect of PU of IPPD on its adoption; and to determine the effects of individual perception towards the adoption of IPPD. Methodology: The study focused on Ministry of Medical Services. The population of interest was the employees of the company who are current users of the IPPD, drawn from the human resources department, whose number stood at 150 as at 30 th June 2010. A semi-structured questionnaire was the main data collection instrument. The researcher also used interview schedules with open questions, aimed at meeting the objectives of the study. Primary data were analyzed by employing descriptive statistics such as percentages. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used as an aid in the analysis. Findings and Discussions: The findings indicate that perceived ease of use was a key factor in determining adoption of IPPD in Ministry of Medical Services. The employees embraced change of technology with anticipation for better performance, which further enhanced the adoption of IPPD in the company. In line with perceived ease of use, the other factors that influenced the adoption of IPPD in Ministry of Medical Services include the perceived feeling of comfort when using IPPD, the user friendliness of IPPD, the speed with which IPPD processed transactions and the ability of the users to get support when using IPPD. The findings also show that Perceived Usefulness is an important factor in determining the adaptation of innovations. The higher the perceived usefulness of the IPPD system, the higher the chances that it would be adopted. Moreover, the degree to which an individual believes that using a particular system would enhance his or her job performance enhances the chances of adopting the system and the more the suitable the system is to the work ethic of the users the higher the acceptance rate. Further, the findings show that attitudes are a significant predictor of behavior. In addition, though individual attitude is necessary in determining adoption of new technologies, it is not sufficient condition for success. Certainly attitude may not strongly determine the intentions of an individual at the workplace regarding performance when additional factors e.g. usefulness are taken into account independently.
Improving Academic Writing Skills through Online Mode of Task-Based Assignments

This is to report a 2-Year Research Project (2015-2016) funded by the Directorate General of Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia, which aims at justifying whether or not the online mode of task-based writing assignments (of various genres of English texts) could improve the writing skills of the students at higher education. An action research was conducted in College of Economics and Business Studies, Stikubank University (UNISBANK) Semarang, Central Java Indonesia in response to the lack of time allocated to students’ writing activities in their English class. Three cycles of treatments were employed—each with five phases, (1) identification of problem area, (2) collection and organization of data, (3) interpretation of data, (4) action based on data and (5) reflection of action. The findings showed that—compared with the initial condition— there was a mean increase of 31% and an increase of 121% in the students’ scores beyond the passing score of 61. Also, the students’ writing motivation increased considerably (>86% toward positive attitudes) as revealed in the survey at the end of the treatment program.
A Shirking Theory of Referrals

Many service industries, including the medical and legal professions in some countries, display a gated structure. Rather than approaching a final producer directly, a consumer will first seek a referral from an intermediary. In this paper, we provide one possible explanation for such an industry structure. If the outcome of a transaction depends on producer effort, which is unobservable and unverifiable, then the market may fail to generate a Pareto optimal outcome. This is the standard moral hazard problem. If consumers had a long-run relationship with producers, this type of market failure might be avoided. However, in some industries, consumers will only have a short-run relationship with producers. A gate-keeping intermediary may provide an opportunity for reputation effects to apply in such a setting. By aggregating many potential consumers, gate keeping intermediaries can create an artificial long-run relationship between a consumer and a producer. This long-run relationship reduces the incidence of shirking on the part of the producer.
Disturbance recognition in the boreal forest using radar and Landsat-7

As part of a Siberian mapping project supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this study evaluated the capabilities of radars flown on the European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS), Japanese Earth Resources Satellite (JERS), and Radarsat spacecraft and an optical sensor enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) on-board Landsat-7 to detect fire scars, logging, and insect damage in the boreal forest. Using images from each sensor individually and combined, an assessment of the utility of using these sensors was developed. Transformed divergence analysis revealed that Landsat ETM+ images were the single best data type for this purpose. However, the combined use of the three radar and optical sensors did improve the results of discriminating these disturbances.