Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Board Gender Diversity and Firm Financial Performance Dispersion: Evidence from the Middle East

This study examines the relationship between board gender diversity and financial performance. The annual data of Palestinian non-financial listed enterprises from 2015 to 2019 was analyzed using a longitudinal panel analysis for the study’s purposes. When conditional mean regression methodologies were used in the study, the results indicate that there is an insignificant relation between board gender diversity and firm financial performance. However, when analyzing women directors’ effect on a firm’s financial performance, endogeneity is always a concern, therefore, we test for endogeneity by employing the Darbin-Wu Housman test and then by using 2SLS. Nevertheless, when looking at the dispersion of a firm’s performance using quantile regression, the results show that having women on the board improves financial performance slightly, especially for high-financial-performing firms. The findings indicate that there is a legal significant gap hindering the protection of gender diversity in boardrooms, and limiting the existence and representation of women in leadership positions, specifically, board of directors. The results of this study contribute to corporate governance and business culture literature by shedding the light on the importance of board gender diversity, to improve the firm financial performance, and hence, protect the interests of all shareholders’ categories. on the influence of board gender diversity on firm financial performance. (Zaid et al., 2020). This study aims to investigate the impact of board gender diversity on the performance of Palestinian non-financial listed firms. It also adds new evidence from an emerging Middle Eastern country to the existing literature (Abdel Zaher & Abdel Zaher, 2019; Issa et al., 2019; Kanakriyah, 2021) by allowing for heterogeneity in the impact of board gender diversity while taking into account the distribution of the firms’ performance.
Do CEO Overconfidence and International Diversification Strategy Affect the Capital Structure of Shariah Compliant Firms?

The proponents of behavioral finance have always argued that managers are always irrational when making financial decisions. Of late, some studies found that capital structure decision made are less than fully rational since it involved the human factor. In addition, the international diversification strategy of a company is said to also affect the capital structure decision. In lieu of this latest development, this study investigated the effect of CEO overconfidence and the international diversification strategy on capital structure’s decisions among Shariah-compliant firms (SCFs) listed in Bursa Malaysia. A two-step system generalised method of moments panel regression model was applied to an annual data of 200 SCFs listed on Bursa Malaysia starting from 2009 to 2017. The empirical results revealed that overconfident CEOs characterized as highly qualified, young and shorter-tenure CEOs were aggressive in making the capital structure decisions. On the other hand, overconfident male CEOs appeared to be less aggressive in making capital structure decisions. Meanwhile, it was revealed that a company that is prone to an international diversification strategy tends to use less total debt and long-term debt. This could be due to the monitoring costs for internationally diversified firms to be probably more expensive than domestic firms.
Do Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices (ESG) Signify Firm Value? Evidence from FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia (F4GBM)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to measure the effect of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) score towards the firm value of listed firms in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: The unbalanced panel data of 70 constituents of the F4GBM Index Bursa Malaysia for the years 2009 to 2018 with 512 observations were used. The dependent variable used as an indicator of firm value was Tobin’s Q (TQ). The independent variables chosen were the ESG score, equity-to-total–asset ratio (ETA), debt–to-asset ratio (DTA), weighted average cost of capital (WACC), dividend policy (DPS), asset tangibility (AT), and firm size (SIZE). The model selected was tested for multicollinearity and the robust statics panel data were used to estimate the coefficients for heteroscedasticity and endogeneity. Findings: The robust fixed effect results demonstrated significant relationships between the firm value represented by TQ with the ESG score and other firm specific variables, which were WACC, dividend policy, asset tangibility, and firm size. Meanwhile, there were insignificant relations with debt ratio and equity ratio. Research limitations/implications: This study only focused on constituents of the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index (F4GBM) in Bursa Malaysia. It did not analyze the effects of ESG from the viewpoints of the whole sectors in Bursa Malaysia, thus forming limitations towards the current study. Practical valuable practical tool for managers and other business through supporting the financial decision-making process. Decisions higher transparency in environmental concerns, social concerns and governance firm study with firm value.
THE TENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADVANCES IN STEEL STRUCTURES

With the implementation of the new code for the design of overhead transmission line in China, the design check, maintenance and reinforcement for the existing transmission towers are indispensable. In this paper, based on an existing transmission line project, firstly, the differences of the wind load calculations between different design codes are analyzed contrastively, and the safety stock of the tower primary members is checked. Then, the tower’s ultimate bearing capacity is analyzed, in which the parameters of the fiber hinges are determined by the solid element model simulation. Last, the tower collapse process is simulated, and a similar accident case is investigated briefly. It is revealed that by the new code, the evaluated safety stock of this existing tower decreases obviously; at the 1/3 of the tower height and the position under the lowest crossarms, the primary members perform as the weak parts; and the progressive collapse resistance of the tower is low, which is triggered by the primary member buckling. Therefore, to reinforce the weak parts of the existing towers, increase the redundancy to resist a local failure and avoid the total collapse of the entire structural system is imperative.
OBSERVABILITY ESTIMATE AND NULL CONTROLLABILITY FOR ONE-DIMENSIONAL FOURTH ORDER PARABOLIC EQUATION

This paper studies the observability and null controllability for a class of one-dimensional fourth order parabolic equation. By means of establishing the global Carleman estimates, we derive the observability inequalities for one-dimensional linear fourth order parabolic equation with potentials. The null controllability results for one-dimensional fourth order semilinear equation are also presented.
RESULTS DATA OF THE REGRESSION AND CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF THE CONCENTRATION OF GERMANIUM WITH THICKNESS AND ASHITY IN THE COAL SEAM C 8Н OF THE DNIPROVSKA MINE

Research actuality of the studying of the germanium content in coal seams is due to the possibility of its industrial extraction and use as a valuable accompanying component. Coal is the most important source of germanium in Ukraine, in China (germanium-bearing coal deposits in China are developed near Lincang, Yunnan province and Xilinhaote, Inner Mongolia province), as well as in Russia (92.6% of the total germanium reserves in categories A+B+C 1 are concentrated in coal deposits, which are located mainly within the borders of the Prymorskyi Krai, Zabaikalskyi Krai, Krasnoyarskyi Krai, as well as Sakhalin and Kemerovo regions). In germanium belongs to the group of "small elements" or elements - coal impurities, which must be investigated in the process of prospecting geological works carried out in the deposits peculiarities of toxic potentially toxic elements distribution in coal seams of
The mechanics of horse legs

FoUowing two decades of growth and transition, func tional morphology, the branch of biology that relates the form of animals to their manner of moving and eating, has emerged as a dynamic, experimental discipline. This field now integrates the study of structure at all levels with behavior, biomechanics, physiology, energetics (the transformation of energy), scaling (the relation between form and body size), paleontology, and evolu tion. Of the many locomotor and feeding mechanisms that could serve to illustrate the integrated nature of functional morphology, perhaps none_ is more dramatic than the legs of the horse (Equus caballus). First, there is speed. Some horses can sprint at the gallop to nearly 70 km/hr, which is almost twice the speed of human athletes and probably faster than any other land animal of equal size. Harness pacers have run 0.8 km at 52.0 km/hr, and trotters the same distance at 49.7
Seed physiological and biochemical parameters of groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) as influenced by different packaging materials and storage conditions

A lab experiment was carried out to study that seed physiological and biochemical parameters of groundnut as influence by different packaging materials and storage conditions. Groundnut seeds were stored in different packaging materials viz . , gunny bags and high-density polythene bags and vacuum-packed bags stored at room temperature (25±2 ºC) and cold storage (4±1 ºC) for a period of 18 months. The treatments having six combinations and consisting of different containers viz . , gunny bags, high density polythene bags and vacuum-packed bags were replicated four times in both cold and ambient storage conditions in completely randomized design. The results of the study revealed that the seed biochemical parameters viz., oil content and enzyme activity such as α-amylase, lipase and protease and seed physiological parameters such as mineral content (Cu, Mn, Zn and Mn), moisture content and electrical conductivity values were higher in vacuum packed seeds than gunny, HDPE bags for soybean seeds stored under cold storage compared to room temperature throughout the storage period. Among the containers, the seeds stored in vacuum packed bags maintained the seed biochemical and seed physiological parameters with least deterioration compared to seeds stored in gunny bags and high-density polythene bags.
Comparison of Grit Between STEM and Non-STEM College Students

Grit, or passion and perseverance in pursuing long-term goals, is a non-cognitive factor positively related to age and education level, and inversely related to frequent career changes (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007; Duckworth & Quinn, 2009). It is less clear, however, whether undergraduate students in the midst of college study show more grit the further along they are in their program. Furthermore, for students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), low within-major grades, concerns over ill-preparedness after high school, and lack of confidence in laboratory skills, time management, and maintaining enthusiasm, may contribute to differences in grit between STEM and non-STEM majors during the early years of study (King, 2015; Otrel-Cass, Cowie, & Campbell, 2009; Seymour & Hewitt, 1997). With greater rates of students switching from STEM to non-STEM majors than in the opposite direction, despite little difference in grades between STEM majors who switch and those who persist, it seems that STEM majors with higher grit may remain in STEM programs, while those with lower grit may accumulate in non-STEM programs (Ackerman, Kanfer, & Calderwood, 2013; Brainard & Carlin, 1998; Kokkelenberg & Sinha, 2010; Seymour & Hewitt, 1997; Thompson & Bolin, 2011). Differences in STEM versus non-STEM grit also may depend upon whether social and behavioral science disciplines, and health science disciplines, are included in STEM (Chen & Soldner, 2013; Langdon, McKittrick, Beede, Khan, & Doms, 2011; National Science Board, 2015, 2016; U.S. Census Bureau, 2014, July 10).
Africa's interregional trade and regional value chain integration: facts and considerations for future policy action

In recent years, Africa has experienced substantial progress, with average annual GDP growth of 4iod from 2000 to 2016 and 3.2% in 2018. However, such growth has been uneven and lacks the distributive and inclusive growth dimensions. According to UNECA (2020), COVID-19 has further exposed the vulnerability of African economies, on account of their limited economic diversification and integration, with GDP projected to slow down to 1.8 % in 2020 from the earlier projections of 3.2 % in the best-case scenario or a contraction of 2.6 % in the worst case, threatening livelihoods for 27 million people.
Association between some socioeconomic characteristics, food habits and … Association between some socioeconomic characteristics, food habits and specific weekly food intake of Sudanese primary school pupils in Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

: This study was conducted to explore the relationship between some socioeconomic characteristics, food habits and specific weekly food intake of Sudanese primary school pupils living in Saudi Arabia . Spearman correlation coefficient analysis was used to investigate the determinant factors of the respondents’ food habits and specific weekly food intake. The study covered 400 primary school Sudanese pupils with age between 6 and 12 years (200 boys and 200 girls). The results revealed that the distribution of the respondents according to their socio-economic characteristics, food habits and specific weekly food intake varieds between boys and girls. The determinants of the girls’ food habits were paternal and maternal education while monthly income was the only factor for boys’ food habit. The determinants of the girls’ specific weekly food intake were age, paternal and maternal education, income and mother work while those of the boys were age, family members, income and mother work. 42.0% equal ratio of boys and girls 38.0% boys and girls, 21.0% of boys and 12.5% of the cereals five a week. results the of boys and girls used to take cereals on sex and during the week. 42.0% of the girls to more than five times a week, 22.5% take it four times a week compared to 56% and 7.5% take more than five and four time weekly. The the five times a to small of boys to of results both and
DDDT_A_366423 2995..3013

Purpose: The development of effective treatments for coronavirus infectious disease 19 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-Coronavirus-2 was hindered by the little data available about this virus at the start of the pandemic. Drug repurposing provides a good strategy to explore approved drugs’ possible SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity. Moreover, drug synergism is essential in antiviral treatment due to improved efficacy and reduced toxicity. In this work, we studied the effect of approved and investigational drugs on one of SARS-CoV -2 essential proteins, the main protease (M), in search of antiviral treatments and/or drug combinations. Methods: Different possible druggable sites of M were identified and screened against an in-house library of more than 4000 chemical compounds. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to explore conformational changes induced by different ligands’ binding. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect of the identified compounds and the suggested drug combinations on the M were established using a 3CL protease (SARS-CoV-2) assay kit. Results: Three potential inhibitors in three different binding sites were identified; favipiravir, cefixime, and carvedilol. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted the synergistic effect of two drug combinations: favipiravir/cefixime, and favipiravir/carvedilol. The in vitro inhibitory effect of the predicted drug combinations was established on this enzyme. Conclusion: In this work, we could study one of the promising SARS-CoV-2 viral protein targets in searching for treatments for COVID-19. The inhibitory effect of several drugs on M was established in silico and in vitro assays. Molecular dynamics simulations showed promising results in predicting the synergistic effect of drug combinations.
University of Birmingham Comprehensive time-course effects of combined training on hypertensive older adults

: The aim was to identify whether 16 weeks of combined training (Training) reduces blood pressure of hypertensive older adults and what the key ﬁtness, hemodynamic, autonomic, inﬂammatory, oxidative, glucose and/or lipid mediators of this intervention would be. Fifty-two individuals were randomized to either 16 weeks of Training or control group who remained physically inac-tive (Control). Training included walking/running at 63% of . V O 2 max, three times per week, and strength training, consisting of one set of ﬁfteen repetitions (seven exercises) at moderate intensity, twice per week. Both groups underwent a comprehensive health assessment at baseline (W0) and every four weeks, for 16 weeks total. p -value ≤ 0.05 was set as signiﬁcant. Training did not reduce blood pressure. It increased . V O 2 max after eight weeks and again after 16 weeks (~18%), differently from the Control group. At 16 weeks, Training increased strength (~8%), slightly reduced body mass (~1%), and reduced the number of individuals with metabolic syndrome (~7%). No other changes were observed (heart rate, carotid compliance, body composition, glycemic and lipid proﬁle, inﬂammatory markers and oxidative proﬁle, vasoactive substances, heart rate variability indices). Training ﬁtness strength, neither blood of characterization of Training effects, surprisingly demonstrating stability among a comprehensive number of health outcomes in hypertensive older adults, including blood pressure.
GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF CALABAR SOUTH SUBGRADE SOIL STABILIZED WITH SUGARCANE BAGASSE ASH

In this study, attempts were made to use sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) to improve the engineering properties of Calabar South subgrade soil. The soil which was classified as clay with low plasticity under the USC system and A-6 under the AASHTO classification system has a specific gravity of 2.73 with a maximum dry density of 1.74 kg/m 3 at an optimum moisture content of 24.5%. The soaked value of the California bearing ratio (CBR) was 6.92%. The soil was stabilized by adding SCBA at 0%, 5%, 10% up to 50% to stabilize the soil. It was observed that SCBA improved the soil’s plasticity by reducing liquid limit, plastic limit, and linear shrinkage. Compaction characteristics showed improvement by 5.2% as MDD increased from 1.74kg/m 3 to 1.80kg/m 3 at 10% optimal SCBA level with a corresponding reduction in OMC by 4.9%. CBR increased by 46.1% from 6.92% to 11.11% and the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) increased by 25.3% from 103.66KN/m 2 to 129.85KN/m 2 . Shear strength increased by 25.3% from 58.83KN/m 2 to 64.93KN/m 2 . The Secant Modulus, a measure of the stiffness of the soil, improved with increased stabilizer content. It was concluded that sugarcane bagasse ash has good potential for stabilizing the soil.
Modeling Random Events

Modeling Random Events Alejandra Quintos Lima In this thesis, we address two types of modeling of random events. The first one, contained in Chapters 2 and 3, is related to the modeling of dependent stopping times. In Chapter 2, we use a modified Cox construction, along with a modification of the bivariate exponential introduced by Marshall & Olkin (1967), to create a family of stopping times, which are not necessarily conditionally independent, allowing for a positive probability for them to be equal. We also present a series of results exploring the special properties of this construction, along with some generalizations and possible applications. In Chapter 3, we present a detailed application of our model to Credit Risk theory. We propose a new measure of systemic risk that is consistent with the economic theories relating to the causes of financial market failures and can be estimated using existing hazard rate methodologies, and hence, it is simple to estimate and interpret. We do this by characterizing the probability of a market failure which is defined as the default of two or more globally systemically important banks (G-SIBs) in a small interval of time. We derive various theorems related to market failure probabilities, such as the probability of a catastrophic market failure, the impact of increasing the number of G-SIBs in an economy, and the impact of changing the initial conditions of the economy’s state variables. The second type of random events we focus on is the failure of a group in the context of microlending, which is a loan made by a bank to a small group of people without credit histories. Since the creation of this mechanism by Muhammed Yunus, it has received a fair amount of academic attention. However, one of the issues not yet addressed in full detail is the issue of the size of the group. In Chapter 4, we propose a model with interacting forces to find the optimal group size. We define “optimal" as that group size that minimizes the probability of default of the group. Ultimately, we show that the original choice of Muhammad Yunus, of a group size of five people, is, under the right, and, we believe, reasonable hypotheses, either close to optimal, or even at times exactly optimal, i.e., the optimal group size is indeed five people.
IJBM-07-2020-0379_proof 402..428

Purpose – This study aims to explore how banks in Nigeria are marketing financial services to financially vulnerable customers. Design/methodology/approach – A multiple case study research strategy was used to analyse three commercial banks and two microfinance banks. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with the banks’ directors as well as from banks’ published annual reports and archival images. Findings – The study reveals that Nigerian banks develop different product development portfolios, adopt innovative traditional marketing schemes and apply inclusive technologies to reach and extend services to the unbanked and financially vulnerable customers in the society. Research limitations/implications – Banks should focus on consumer engagement through the proactive development of technologies and employ innovative marketing methods. Customers’ banking experiences can be enhanced if banks communicate with and educate customers about technological modes of engagement. In addition, financial service transaction support and financial literacy education can assist banks in marketing their services to financially vulnerable customers, in mutually beneficial ways. Originality/value – This study shows how financial service operators’ market and extend their services to financially vulnerable customers in emerging markets. It empirically establishes the importance of financial services to financially excluded customers.
Nonlinear partial differential equations of second order

The first boundary value problem for second-order quasilinear parabolic equations with principal part in divergence form A periodic boundary value problem for a nonlinear telegraph equation The initial value problem for a nonlinear Schrodinger equation Multi-dimensional subsonic flows around an obstacle The initial-boundary value problem for degenerate quasilinear parabolic equations The speed of propagation of the solution of a degenerate quasilinear parabolic equation Aleksandrov and Bony maximum principles for parabolic equations The density theorem and its applications Fully nonlinear parabolic equations Fully nonlinear parabolic equations (continued).