Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESG Investing: In Pursuit of Alpha

This paper adds to the growing literature on ESG Investing with a twofold contribution. First, by examining the performance of S&P 500 quintile stock portfolios formed on the Thomson Reuters ESG scores. Second, by testing whether the performance of the highly rated ESG portfolios can be enhanced by adding Value Investing Principles to the portfolio selection procedure of ESG investors. This thesis offers the longest, to date, time period examined on the Thomson Reuters ESG Scores, ranging from June 2002 to December 2017. It is also the only study utilising Thomson Reuters ESG scores that forms quintile portfolios for each individual ESG subscore. Additionally, it is one of the few studies on ESG scores to implement four different asset pricing models in its econometric framework, including the Fama and French five factor model. The real novelty of this thesis, however, lies on the second research question. This is the first paper which attempts to enhance the returns of ESG investors by applying Value Investing principles. Inspired by Piotroski’s (2000) seminal paper, this thesis follows a similar methodology of double sorting S&P 500 companies on two variables, ESG scores and three individual value metrics, E/P, B/P and CF/P. Regarding the first research question, the results of this paper are in line with previous research on the field which suggests that portfolios of highly rated ESG companies do not suffer in terms of risk-adjusted returns when compared to conventional market indices and in some cases even outperform the market. The highly rated ESG quintile portfolios formed on this thesis performed in line with the market and their poorly rated peer portfolios. Taking into consideration the previous findings on the field, and the existence of a clear relationship between firm size and ESG Scores, this paper attempts to partly control for the size effect by forming portfolios only on constituents of the S&P 500. The results of the study, however, show that even inside the S&P 500, firm size seems to play a key role in explaining the ESG score of a firm. The findings related to the second research question are promising but inconclusive. This thesis does not provide a definitive answer on whether ESG investors can benefit from incorporating Value investing principles in their portfolio selection procedure. The results suggest that ESG investors can expect a slight improvement in their investment performance when ESG portfolios are double sorted on value ratios. In the sample of this study, E/P was the most effective value metric in slightly enhancing ESG investors’ risk-adjusted returns. Finally, the use of the Fama and French five factor model reveals that there is a clear alteration on the risk factors that ESG investors are exposed to when implementing Value Investing principles in their portfolio formation. The clearest pattern is observed in the profitability factor when ESG is combined with the E/P ratio.
Polyploidy and new chromosome counts in Pseudognaphalium Kirp. (Compositae: Gnaphalieae)

ABSTRACT Pseudognaphalium Kirp. (Compositae: Gnaphalieae) comprises approximately 90 species and it has a worldwide but fragmented distribution. This study provides a total of 20 chromosome counts, nine of which are the first report for a species, and the rest are confirmation of previous reports. With the addition of these data to the previously published reports, the chromosome numbers for a total of 32 species of the genus Pseudognaphalium are now available. Considering all chromosome data available at present, c.22% of the species are diploids and c.78% are polyploids, mainly tetraploids. African and Asian species are predominantly diploid whereas the vast majority of the American species are tetraploid, suggesting that polyploidy played a key role in the colonization of the American continent by the genus Pseudognaphalium.
Handbook of aqueous electrolyte thermodynamics

This handbook, describes the details of an electrolyte thermodynamics and the engineer's need for a source of recommended calculations and thermodynamic data either through recommended tabular values or annotated bibliographies which point to suitable sources. It provides a systematic presentation of electrolyte thermodynamics from basic definitions of equilibrium constants of ionic reactions to the prediction of activity coefficients of various species in multicomponent aqueous solutions of strong and/or weak electrolytes as well as the resulting phase equilibria calculative techniques. It is designed to assist the engineer in solving industrially important problems involving aqueous solutions of electrolytes and understanding the possible alternatives available as well as how they may be applied to solve problems either with available data or through available data prediction and analysis techniques. Several examples are used to illustrate the calculative techniques needed for the solution of different types of problems. Examples cited can be solved with limited computer facilities. Techniques can be expanded for the solution of more complex problems.
Kerr Coefficients of Nitrobenzene and Water.

Abstract : The Kerr coefficients of both water and nitrobenzene were measured and the variation of these quantities with temperature and wavelength was investigated. At a temperature of 296 K and at a wavelength of 632.8 nm, the following values for the Kerr coefficients were obtained B(C6H5NO2) = 3.24 x 10 to the -12th power m/V sq. , and B(H2O) = 3.43 x 10 to the -14th power m/V sq. The estimated uncertainty in the measurement in nitrobenzene is + or - 6 percent while in water the estimated uncertainty is + or - 8 percent. The primary conclusion drawn is that although nitrobenzene can be used for accurate measurement of a wide, and fairly well defined, variety of high voltage pulses, the situation in water is more poorly understood. The primary areas of difficulty using water are the existence of turbulence under pulses of duration of a few microseconds and the possibility of a voltage dependence of the Kerr coefficient due to a saturation of the alignment of the molecules with the applied field. (Author)
THE IMPACT OF MANAGERIAL CHARACTERISTICS ON CAPITAL STRUCTURE IN MALAYSIAN MANUFACTURING SMES

Access to capital is a critical factor in stimulating small business creation and growth especially in developing companies. The failure of small business entities in securing the needed capital would entail them remaining small and limit their ability to create goods, services, and innovations in the marketplace, including jobs. This study focuses on manufacturing SMEs by examining the influence of managerial characteristics (age, gender, work experience and level of education) on capital structure towards technology improvement. Based on a survey of 219 respondents, the results indicated that male managers, managers with a lot of work experience and educated managers preferred internal and external financing. Furthermore, internal and external financing also showed positive relationships to improve manufacturing technology The International Journal of Banking and Finance, Vol. 15. Number 1, 2020: 21-37 21 22 The International Journal of Banking and Finance, Vol. 15, No 1, 2020 : 21-37
Mulching offers protection from Striga asiatica L. Kutnze parasitism in Sorghum genotypes

ABSTRACT The production of sorghum is hampered by the parasitic weed Striga asiatica L. Mulching is promoted as a component of the conservation agriculture systems in sub Saharan Africa. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of mulching and Striga infestation on sorghum chlorophyll content, Striga attachments, sorghum height, and yield. The 2 × 2 × 10 factorial experiment was replicated three times for two seasons. The pot experiment was laid out as a completely randomised design. The first factor was mulching at 0 and 3 tons/ha. The second factor was infestation at two levels: infested and uninfested while the third factor was sorghum varieties at 10 levels. Data collected was plant height, chlorophyll content, Striga counts and sorghum yield. Results indicated that mulching increased chlorophyll content in the second season and not first. Infestation reduced chlorophyll content in both seasons. For the second season, mulching increased chlorophyll content in all genotypes except Ruzangwaya, Mukadziusaende and SC Sila. The genotypes Mukadziusaende, Chiredhi and Hlubi were able to maintain height despite infestation by Striga. Generally yield was higher in uninfested pots across all varieties except Mukadziusaende for the first season. Sorghum arundinaceum was highly susceptible to Striga and hence cannot be a source of resistant traits for Sorghum bicolour breeding. Mulching in Striga infested plants increased plant height and chlorophyll content. Mulching tended to diminish the pathological effects of the Striga parasite in some varieties. Therefore, mulching negated the effect of Striga parasitism and resulted in yield maintenance in some genotypes and hence can be taken up by farmers in Striga infested areas as a beneficial cultural practice.
Factors Associated with Knowledge and Practice of Healthcare Workers in Cervical Cancer Screening in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand

Thailand’s 2010-2014 national program for cervical cancer screening guidelines recommends that women aged 30-60 years should be screened every five years with the Papanicolau smear (Pap smear) method or visual inspection with acetic acid and that coverage should be at least 80%. However, from 2010-2014, the national coverage of cervical cancer screening was only 53.9%. We therefore evaluated healthcare workers’ knowledge of the guidelines and their practices regarding cervical cancer screening by Pap smear. We collected data using a structured questionnaire from 258 healthcare workers who had ordered or conducted cervical cancer screening for at least one year. Most (74.8%) healthcare workers knew that Pap smears should be done every five years among women aged 30 to 60 years. General practitioners and gynecologists had lower knowledge of the age criteria compared to nurses and technicians. Knowledge of the target age criteria was significantly associated with type of healthcare worker, workplace, gender and recent training (within the previous 3 years). The screening practice was significantly associated with type of healthcare worker and workplace. Providing up-to-date training on the national cervical cancer screening guidelines is necessary for all public hospital healthcare workers.
Disappearing Traffic? An Evaluation of Pedestrianisation in Taunton Town Centre

This study evaluated the traffic and travel impacts of a trial pedestrianisation scheme in Taunton town centre. The scope of the scheme, and the research project, were both scaled back. The only road to be closed during the trial was a short section of St James Street, a one-way side street leading from Taunton’s main shopping street. The closure did not cause any measurable change in travel behaviour in the streets most directly affected by the closure. Drivers living in that area simply changed their travel routes, driving up to 0.8 miles further in some cases. When considered alongside previous studies, this suggests that small-scale road closure schemes are likely to cause much displacement of traffic, and little if any traffic reduction or modal shift. To achieve those objectives, road closure schemes need to be implemented over a wider area. A clear majority of the local residents approved of the Council’s decision to pedestrianise the street.
Spontaneous mentalizing after early interpersonal trauma: Evidence for hypoactivation of the temporoparietal junction

Experience of interpersonal trauma and violence alters self-other distinction and mentalizing abilities (also known as theory of mind, or ToM), yet little is known about their neural correlates. This fMRI study assessed temporoparietal junction (TPJ) activation, an area strongly implicated in interpersonal processing, during spontaneous mentalizing in 35 adult women with histories of childhood physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse (childhood abuse; CA) and 31 women without such experiences (unaffected comparison; UC). Participants watched movies during which an agent formed true or false beliefs about the location of a ball, while participants always knew the true location of the ball. As hypothesized, right TPJ activation was greater for UC compared to CA for false versus true belief conditions. However, posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS) appeared to play a role in driving the neural effect. In addition, CA showed increased functional connectivity relative to UC between the rTPJ and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. Finally, the agent’s false belief about the presence of the ball speeded participants’ response (ToM index), but without group differences. These findings highlight that experiencing early interpersonal trauma can alter brain areas involved in the neural processing of ToM and perspective-taking during adulthood.
Putting species back on the map: devising a robust method for quantifying the biodiversity impacts of land conversion

Aim Quantifying connections between the global drivers of habitat loss and biodiversity impact is vital for decision-makers promoting responsible land-use. To that end, biodiversity impact metrics should be able to report linked trends in specific anthropogenic activities and changes in biodiversity state. However, for biodiversity, it is challenging to deliver integrated information on its multiple dimensions (i.e. species richness, endemicity) and keep it practical. Here, we developed a biodiversity footprint indicator that can i) capture the status of different species groups, ii) link biodiversity impact to specific human activities, and iii) be adapted to the most applicable scale for the decision context. Location Cerrado Biome, Brazil Methods We illustrate this globally-applicable approach for the case of soybean expansion in the Brazilian Cerrado. Using species-specific habitat suitability models, we assessed the impact of soy expansion and other land uses over 2,000 species of amphibians, birds, mammals and plants for three time periods between 2000 and 2014. Results Overall, plants suffered the greatest reduction of suitable habitat. However, among endemic and near-endemic species – which face greatest risk of global extinction from habitat conversion in the Cerrado - birds were the most affected group. While planted pastures and cropland expansion were together responsible for most of the absolute biodiversity footprint, soy expansion via direct conversion of natural vegetation had the greatest impact per unit area. The total biodiversity footprint over the period was concentrated in the southern states of Minas Geráis, Goiás and Mato Grosso, but the soy footprint was proportionally higher in those northern states (such as Bahía and Piauí) which belong to the new agricultural frontier. Main conclusions The ability and flexibility of our approach to examine linkages between biodiversity loss and specific human activities has substantial potential to better characterise the pathways by which habitat loss drivers operate.
A Model of Mixed Strategic Orientations Based on Environment in Achieving a Tough Performance of MSMEs

This study aims to design a model in achieving superior performance of MSMEs. The mixed strategic orientations of demography, economy and cultural values are used to design this model. The mixed strategic orientations consist of customer, competitor and innovation orientations. Demographic variables consist of age, experience and education. Economic variables consist of government, price, income and growth. Cultural value variables consist of Javanese, Chinese and Padang cultural values. Customer orientation variables have an antecedent variable that consist of entrepreneurship, reward and learning. The change orientation variable moderates the customer and competitor orientations to the innovation orientation. Variable of competitive advantage mediates customer and competitor orientations on MSMEs’ performance . The population of this study consists of food MSMEs in Central Java. The 750 samples are chosen with convenient sampling technique. Data analysis mrthod used the Cross-tab Analysis and Structural Equation Model (SEM). The result of this research is a model explaining that demography, economy and cultural values influence antecedent variables of customer orientation, dimension of strategic orientations and organizational performance. The antecedent variables affect customer orientation; the dimension of strategic orientations affects performance; Variable of change of capacity unmoderates customer and competitor orientations on innovation orientation. Variable of competitive advantage unmediates customer, innovation and competitor orientations on performance.
Effect of exogenous nitrogen and phosphorus inputs on the microbe-soil interaction in the secondary Castanopsis sclerophylla forest in east China

Abstract: Soil microbes play a key role in the formation and decomposition of organic materials and in the improvement of the ecological environment. Despite continuous increases in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs due to the atmospheric deposition or fertilization, the response of soil to exogenous inorganic nutrients inputs remains elusive. By a manipulative experiment we simulated N and P depositions in a subtropical secondary Castanopsis sclerophylla forest in east China over the period 2011-2015, to evaluate the impact of inorganic nutrient addition on soil bacterial communities. Four treatments were administered (control and nutrient-enrichment: N, P, and N+P), with N added at a total of 100 kg N ha-1 yr-1 in the form of NH4NO3, and P at 50 kg P ha-1 yr-1 in Ca(H2PO4)2, sprayed near the soil surface at the end of each trimester. Quantitative PCR technique and Illumina platform-based sequencing analysis of the V3-V4 16S rRNA gene region were performed on total DNA extracted from soil samples to characterize the soil bacterial community abundance and diversity. As Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were the predominant phyla in all conditions, treatments did not alter the distribution of bacterial phyla, while their relative abundances responded differently to N, P additions. A GLMM analysis showed that N input significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the relative abundance of Acidobacteria (13.11%), Bacteroidetes (0.6%), Elusimicrobia (0.21%), Nitrospirae (0.1%) and TM6 (0.04%). Relative abundance after P treatment significantly (P < 0.01) decreased for Nitrospirae (0.07%), and pronounced interactive effects of N and P additions (N:P) were observed on phylum Nitrospirae (P < 0.01) and TM6 (P < 0.05). Moreover, redundancy analysis revealed that soil pH was closely related to the bacterial community (r2 = 0.622, P = 0.015). Our findings suggest that exogenous N and P inputs affected the relative abundances and caused compositional shifts in the local bacterial community that closely associated with soil pH, thus providing the evidence that microbe-soil interactions are influenced by N and P availability in subtropical forest ecosystem of east China.
The Importance of the "Comfort Zone" in Preservice Teachers' Evaluation of Video Analysis Sessions as a Tool for Enhanced Reflection

This study draws on sociocultural and affect theories to understand findings from our investigation of secondary English education preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) experience with communal video analysis sessions (VAS). We organize the article by first theorizing reflection in teacher education research and its relation to video analysis. Then, we describe our qualitative case study methodology and report on our findings to the question of how (dis)comfort shapes PSTs’ communal reflections by using illustrative participant vignettes. Through analysis of a communal VAS around PSTs’ teaching practices and follow-up interviews with the PSTs, the
Determinants of Union Commitment Among Public Hospital Employees: a Proposed Model

Union commitment of employee is considered to be the degree to which an organizational member intends to maintain membership in a particular union then, exercise effort for, to pinpoint with the goals of his or her union. Literature is reviewed for better understanding of the past, present and future needs in the study area. As a result of a thorough review of literature, a model is proposed to examine the associations between general union belief, union socialization, union leadership, perceived union instrumentality, job satisfaction and union commitment with a moderating variable of Political Atmosphere. The proposed model would help toward a better understanding of the relationship between the antecedents of union commitment among public sector employees in Nigeria. The population as part of the methodology is proposed to be the union members of public hospitals in Northwestern Nigeria. The model, will however, requires practical/empirical testing to validate the proposed relationships. The managerial implication of the proposed study is that the federal and state ministries of health, hospital administrators, union members and other stakeholders will benefits from the study outcome, it would also serve as a framework for future research.
Low cell surface hydrophobicity is one of the key factors for high butanol tolerance of Lactic acid bacteria

Highly butanol‐tolerant strains have always been attractive because of their potential as microbial hosts for butanol production. However, due to the amphiphilic nature of 1‐butanol as a solvent, the relationship between the cell surface hydrophobicity and butanol resistance remained ambiguous to date. In this work, the quantitatively estimated cell surface hydrophobicity of 74 Lactic acid bacteria strains were juxtaposed to their tolerance to various butanol concentrations. The obtained results revealed that the strains’ hydrophobicity was inversely proportional to their butanol tolerance. All highly butanol‐resistant strains were hydrophilic (cell surface hydrophobicity<1%), whereas the more hydrophobic the strains were, the more sensitive to butanol they were. Furthermore, cultivation at increasing butanol concentrations showed a clear tendency to decrease the level of hydrophobicity in all tested organisms, thus suggesting possible adaptation mechanisms. Purposeful reduction of cell surface hydrophobicity (by removal of S‐layer proteins from the cell envelope) also led to an increase of butanol resistance. Since the results covered 23 different Lactic acid bacteria species of seven genera, it could be concluded that regardless of the species, the lower degree of cells’ hydrophobicity clearly correlates with the higher level of butanol tolerance.
How Social Power Affects the Processing of Angry Expressions: Evidence From Behavioral and Electrophysiological Data

With the help of event-related potentials (ERPs), the present study used an oddball paradigm to investigate how both individual and target power modulate neural responses to angry expressions. Specifically, participants were assigned into a high-power or low-power condition. Then, they were asked to detect a deviant angry expression from a high-power or low-power target among a series of neutral expressions, while behavioral responses and electroencephalogram (EEG) were recorded. The behavioral results showed that high-power individuals responded faster to detect angry expressions than low-power individuals. The ERP analysis showed that high-power individuals showed larger P3 amplitudes in response to angry expressions than low-power individuals did. Target power increased the amplitudes of the P1, VPP, N3, and P3 in response to angry expressions did, but decreased the amplitudes of the N1 and N170 in response to angry expressions. The present study extended previous studies by showing that having more power could enhance individuals’ neural responses to angry expressions in the late-stage processes, and individuals could show stronger neural responses to angry expressions from high-power persons in both the early‐ and late-stage processes.