Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Presence of women on boards in industrial firms: evidence from GCC countries financial markets

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the phenomenon of women's presence on the boards of industrial public companies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The first question deals with the relationship between board characteristics, governance variables and women on boards. The second question weighs the impact of the company-specific characteristics on the presence of women on boards. Our study focuses on 125 public companies listed on the Gulf financial markets and operating in the industrial sector for the year 2019. Results indicate that both corporate governance and company-specific variables can explain the presence of women on boards. First, our results give evidence that the appointment of women directors is positively related to institutional ownership and board independence, and negatively related to board size. Second, the appointment of women directors is positively related to firm performance, but negatively related to firm size and leverage. Hence, taken altogether, the evidence suggests that the appointment of women on board is driven by the business case. The study stresses on the need to improve governance variables and to activate policies supporting women’s roles in GCC economies as their integration on the labor market and their participation in senior management is a means to achieve justice and fairness.
Parametric Model Estimation for 3D Clothed Humans from Point Clouds

This paper presents a novel framework to estimate parametric model- s for 3D clothed humans from partial point clouds. It is a challenging problem due to factors such as arbitrary human shape and pose, large variations in clothing details, and significant missing data. Existing methods mainly focus on estimating the parametric model of undressed bodies or reconstructing the non-parametric 3D shapes from point clouds. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical regression framework to learn the parametric model of detailed human shapes from partial point clouds of a single depth frame. Benefiting from the favorable ability of deep neural networks to model nonlinearity, the proposed framework cascades several successive regression networks to estimate the parameters of detailed 3D human body models in a coarse-to-fine manner. Specifically, the first global regression network extracts global deep features of point clouds to obtain an initial estimation of the undressed human model. Based on the initial estimation, the local regression network then refines the undressed human model by using the local features of neighborhood points of human joints. Finally, the clothing details are inferred as an additive displacement on the refined undressed model using the vertex-level regression network. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed hierarchical regression approach can accurately predict detailed human shapes from partial point clouds and outperform prior works in the recovery accuracy of 3D human models.
Physical supermarkets and digital integration: acceptance of the cashierless concept

ABSTRACT The checkout phase in the large-scale retail sector is one of the critical points of the physical shopping experience. Cashierless payment technologies are expected to play a fundamental role in the checkout phase as they help by saving time and reducing queues. This study aims at investigating the acceptance and intention to use of the most prominent innovative solutions for a cashierless grocery store. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology is the theoretical framework taken as a reference for this study and is tested by means of a questionnaire sent to customers of a prominent regional supermarket chain in Northern Italy.
Research of Heavy Metals on the Agricultural Land in Bajgora Region, Kosovo

Abstract For the first time, a survey about agricultural land focusing on the partitioning of the Pb, Cd, and Zn to the rural part of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo was made. Kosovo’s Mitrovica is one of the main industrial sites in the former Yugoslavia and a world-class mining district in Europe. The process of obtaining metals dates since 1927. From this year until 2000, the technological process of acquisition/obtaining has been accompanied by environmental pollution by creating waste landfills. These landfills are located on the outskirts of the city of Mitrovica at a distance from 1 to 4 km. In this area high levels of heavy metals in air, water, and earth were noticed. Therefore, these metal residues have a particular impact on air, earth, water, and effects on plants, animals and humans health. This situation became alarming; therefore in 2000 the production process was discontinued. During the period from 2000 to the present day, there is noticed a change of nature. Residents of the area have begun to work on agricultural lands without realizing the potential risk coming up. Despite the stagnation of industrial production, environmental pollution continues even further, especially from the landfill generated by industrial wastes. Widespread and very visible contamination mainly from Pb, Zn, Cd were found on the ground, with the highest concentrations measured near the Zveçan smelter. A significant amount of Cd, Pb, and Zn in contaminated soils/ground was quite movable/changeable, suggesting that these elements may be readily available for plants and soil/ground organisms. The main objective of this work is to address this pollution and take measures for education and information.
Simply red? A systematic colour‐based method for identifying archaeological fires

The identification and characterization of hearths is crucial for reconstructing the history of fire use and pyrotechnology. In addition to ashes and charcoals, an active fire will also produce alterations of the underlying substrate to varying degrees. To date, however, few studies have addressed how the characteristics of burned substrates relate to pyrotechnology. Here, we systematize the use of colour to identify burnt sediments by performing quantitative colour measurements in the CIELab system of experimentally heated soils and sediments. The experimental design included different temperatures, different heating durations and substrates with varied chemical and mineralogical compositions, including naturally red soils and sediments with different degrees of pedogenesis. The measured colours were analysed by multivariate statistics for diagnosing whether sediments have been heated or not, and to which temperature. We achieved an accurate identification of heated versus unheated samples independently of their composition. The determination of the temperature of heating required prior knowledge of basic mineralogy and chemical properties in the targeted sediments (silicate or carbonate material, total and secondary Fe, Ca contents and the amount and kind of organic matter). The algorithm developed can be applied to recognize burned layers and estimate burning temperatures in archaeological contexts.
Influence of Thermal Aging and Water Adsorption on XLPE Cables Insulation Mechanical and Physico-chemical Properties

This paper presents an experimental study of the effects of thermal aging on the insulation characteristics of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) medium voltage cables. These cables are installed in Algeria where they are designed to withstand high temperatures and humidity levels. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to report experimental results concerning the effects of accelerated thermal aging and water adsorption on the XLPE insulation properties. For this purpose, mechanical characterization and visual observation analysis are performed. In addition, complementary diagnostic measurements, including Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), are carried out. Furthermore, a correlation between XLPE mechanical, physical, and physico-chemical changes due to thermal and water adsorption is deduced.
BIOREACTORS WITH STIRRED BED OF IMMOBILIZED CELLS 1. STUDIES ON MIXING EFFICIENCY

The models describing the flow or the heat and mass transfer in stirred bioreactors can be easily adapted for the continuous phase from the stirred bed bioreactors. But, for the immobilized biocatalyst phase, new models have to be established. Therefore, in this paper the influences of the main factors on mixing for a bioreactor with stirred bed of S. cerevisiae immobilized cells in alginate have been analyzed. The mixing efficiency continuously increases with rotation speed acceleration for the distances between the stirrers of 1.5d and 2d, the lowest mixing intensity being invariably recorded for 2d. The variation of mixing time obtained by placing the impellers at a distance of 0.5d and d was sinusoidal and more evident for the closest positions of the stirrers. In all studied cases, the mixing time increases for about 3.5 4 times with the increase of the volumetric fraction of biocatalyst from 7 to 40%. The most efficient mixing has been obtained for biocatalyst particles with 4.6 mm diameter.
Foreign Direct Investment, Unmet Expectations, and the Prospects of Political Leaders: Evidence from Chinese Investment in Africa

Leaders in the developing world typically value inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI), on the logic that FDI bolsters economic development and signals competence to voters. Yet the promise of new jobs and other benefits may outstrip the supply, leaving many disappointed. We present a theory of unmet expectations and political blame, which we test by connecting 223 georeferenced Chinese FDI projects to the political-economic perceptions of 179,278 respondents in Africa. We show that the announcement of Chinese FDI projects inspires economic optimism and bolsters perceptions of political leaders’ competence for about one year. Once projects are operational, however, individuals living near those projects view the economy as worse than it would have been in the absence of FDI, and perceptions of political leaders similarly decline. This pattern of unmet expectations and political blame does not appear in the context of Chinese foreign aid.
Supplementary motor area – clinical semiology and results of direct electrical stimulation during intracranial electrodes exploration

Objectives. We aimed to study the supplementary motor area (SMA) by observing the clinical semiology of the seizures generated by an epileptogenic zone containing the SMA and by performing direct electrical stimulation (DES) of the SMA explored by means of intracranial depth electrodes using various stimulation protocols. Material and method. We invasively explored with intracerebral depth electrodes 65 patients with focal drug resistant epilepsy as presurgical evaluation. Only 5 had the SMA included in the epileptogenic zone (EZ). We recorded multiple spontaneous and provoked seizures. We applied specifi c DES (single pulse electrical stimulation – SPES and 50 Hz protocols) to the SMA and adjacent cerebral structures. All patients were operated on and had the EZ removed, have currently good outcomes (Engel I and II) at more than 1 year postsurgery and have no neurological defi cits. Results. All stereoelectroencephalographic (SEEG) recorded seizures indicated the SMA as part of the EZ. Common manifestations were grimacing, version of the head to one side, tonic asymmetric posturing of the upper limbs and secondary generalization. The DES of the SMA induced forced adduction of the contralateral upper limb, fl exion of the trunk to the contralateral side, clonia of the contralateral lower limbs. SPES stimulation revealed SMA connectivity with various frontal and parietal structures, as well as the infl uence of sleep on these connections. Discussion. SMA as part of the EZ elicited seizures with varying and complex clinical features, with little lateralizing value. DES elicited mostly motor phenomena, confi rming previous studies, but no speech arrest. Of special interest was the SMA – middle cingulate cortex (MCC) relationship. Sleep seems to modulate SMA connectivity. The clinico-anatomico-electrographic correlations indicated a wide epileptogenic zone for resection, including SMA and MCC. Conclusions. The SMA is usually only a part of the frontal EZ, which usually includes the MCC other frontal mesial brain structures. Semiology of the seizures does not always provide lateralization cues and invasive exploration is needed for the delineation of the resection area. Connectivity of the SMA during wakefulness and sleep exhibits a complex relationships and further studies are needed. The SMA seems to be safe to remove on the long term.
DiODe v2: Unambiguous and Fully-Automated Detection of Directional DBS Lead Orientation

Directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) leads are now widely used, but the orientation of directional leads needs to be taken into account when relating DBS to neuroanatomy. Methods that can reliably and unambiguously determine the orientation of directional DBS leads are needed. In this study, we provide an enhanced algorithm that determines the orientation of directional DBS leads from postoperative CT scans. To resolve the ambiguity of symmetric CT artifacts, which in the past, limited the orientation detection to two possible solutions, we retrospectively evaluated four different methods in 150 Cartesia™ directional leads, for which the true solution was known from additional X-ray images. The method based on shifts of the center of mass (COM) of the directional marker compared to its expected geometric center correctly resolved the ambiguity in 100% of cases. In conclusion, the DiODe v2 algorithm provides an open-source, fully automated solution for determining the orientation of directional DBS leads.
The Nature of School-Based Management in Independent Schools in the State of Qatar: An Analytical Study

ABSTRACT In 2003, Qatar launched the initiative for Developing Education, called Education for New Era Reform, based on four principles: independence, accountability, diversity, and choice. Public schools were therefore converted to “Independent Schools” and provided with more resources. We examined the reform’s effectiveness using an interpretive paradigm, employing mixed qualitative methods, and interviewing 28 principals and deputy principals. The results show that the reform gained the most support from top politicians, thus leading to rapid implementation, which led to the schools’ workforce inefficiency in adapting to these changes. Consequently, those responsible for the implementation retreated and diverted from school independence.
Effect of Intra Row Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays L.) Varieties in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

— This study was carried out at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja on latitude 6°45’ and 7°39’ East and Longitude 8°25’ and 9°20’ North in the Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria, during the cropping season of 2018 to evaluate the effects of intra-row spacing on growth and yield of maize varieties. Two hybrid maize varieties Dekalb920 and Dekalb 818 sourced from National Seed Council of Nigeria were evaluated under six different intra- row spacing’s of 14cm, 18,21,25,30,and 37cm, with gross plot of 15m and net plot 0f 9m for such Parameters as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area/index, stem diameter and grain yield. It was a factorial combination experiment laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results obtained during the 12th week after sowing indicated that hybrid variety Dekalb920 which had mean plant height of 273.06cm, number of leaves of 16, leaf area of 734cm2 and grain yield of 8,0t/ha among other parameters was superior to Dekalb818 variety investigated. With respect to intra-row spacing, plants sown on 14 cm had higher mean plant height and number of leaves of 287.7 cm and 16, respectively while plants sown on intra-row spacing of 37 cm had mean plant height of 251.7 cm2 and number of leaves up to 15 respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that optimum intra row spacing and Varietal difference combination in the study area for the maximum grain yield was 25 cm and 14cm for Dekalb 920 variety under adequate amount and regular distribution of rainfall. Results showed that variety and spacing were significantly (P<0.05) different.
POTENTIAL IMMUNE EFFECTS OF DIETARY PRO-BAC PROBIOTIC ON AFRICAN SHARPTOOTH CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS)

The present study is designed to investigate the Pro-bac, a commercial probiotic as an immunostimulant, growth promoter and antibacterial, for African Sharptooth Catfish, Clarias gariepinus. The immuno-potentiation effects of Pro-bac probiotic were investigated after 30 successive days of dietary supplementation of catfish. Seventytwo apparently healthy catfish with average body weight of 50 ± 5g were used. Twenty-four fish were used to investigate some biochemical and immune parameters. In addition, forty-eight fish were used as challenge test with virulent Aeromonas hydrophila strain to evaluate the ability of fish received the feeding additives to resist diseases. Histopathological exam of liver, kidney and spleen were also investigated. Our results proved that, oral supplement of probiotic stimulate the non-specific immunity at cellular and humoral levels as indicated by the enhanced lymphocytes level, increased total proteins, albumins and globulins. Moreover, kidney functions were improved in the probiotic group, which measured by the significant decreased in urea level. The level of sodium, potassium and chloride were increased significantly in probiotic group than in control diet. Besides, weight gain of catfish was significantly increased in the probiotic group than in the basic diet group. The mortality percent of fish fed with probiotic ration and subjected to infection challenge with A. hydrophila were significantly lower than those that received the basic diet. Histopathological examination showed normal histological structure of liver, kidney and spleen. The present study clearly demonstrated that Pro-bac mixture of probiotics had significant stimulating effects on the immune system and disease resistance of C. gariepinus.
Progress of optomechanical micro/nano sensors: a review

Abstract Optomechanical sensing based on the coupling between mechanical motions and optical resonances has attracted huge interest in sensor applications due to its small footprint, high sensitivity, low detection limit, and electromagnetic immunity. Optomechanical sensors that detect from mechanical motion at µm scale to molecular vibration at nm scale have found various applications such as force, inertia, acoustic, chemical, and thermal sensing, etc. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent progress of optomechanical sensors. Three development fields of optomechanical sensors are reviewed, which are passive optomechanical sensors, electro-optomechanical sensing platforms, and molecular vibration sensing schemes. The sensor configurations, applications, and integrations are described. In the end, we also provide our perspectives on the future development directions of optomechanical sensors.
Isopanduratin A Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α-Induced Nuclear Factor κB Signaling Pathway by Promoting Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase-Dependent Ectodomain Shedding of TNF Receptor 1 in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) induces the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway via TNF receptor 1 (TNF-R1). We recently reported that isopanduratin A inhibited the TNF-α-induced NF-κB signaling pathway in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. In the present study, we found that isopanduratin A did not inhibit the interleukin-1α-induced NF-κB signaling pathway in A549 cells. Isopanduratin A down-regulated the expression of TNF-R1 in these cells. We also revealed that isopanduratin A down-regulated the cell surface expression of TNF-R1 by promoting the cleavage of TNF-R1 into its soluble forms. TAPI-2, an inhibitor of TNF-α-converting enzyme, suppressed the inhibitory activity of isopanduratin A against the TNF-α-induced activation of NF-κB. The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitor U0126, but not the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580, blocked the ectodomain shedding of TNF-R1 induced by isopanduratin A. Consistent with this result, isopanduratin A induced the rapid phosphorylation of ERK, but not p38 MAP kinase. Isopanduratin A also promoted the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α). The present results indicate that isopanduratin A inhibits TNF-α-induced NF-κB signaling pathway by promoting ERK-dependent ectodomain shedding of cell surface TNF-R1, and also decreases cellular TNF-R1 levels through the phosphorylation of eIF2α in A549 cells.
B Cell Subsets in Colombian Adults with Predominantly Antibody Deficiencies, Bronchiectasis or Recurrent Pneumonia

Highlights Flow cytometry evaluation of B cells subsets in peripheral blood successfully recognizes subjects predominantly with antibodies deficiencies. Memory B cell populations (especially switched memory B cells) are decreased in subjects predominantly with antibodies deficiencies. CD8+ T cells and NK cells are affected in subjects with common variable immunodeficiency. Patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis or recurrent pneumonia exhibit a reduction in naive B cells. Abstract Aim: To evaluate and describe lymphocyte populations’ and B cell subsets’ frequencies in patients presenting with Predominantly antibody deficiencies (PAD) and diagnosed with bronchiectasis or recurrent pneumonia seen in Cali (Colombian Southwest region). Materials and Methods: 16 subjects with PAD, 20 subjects with pulmonary complications (bronchiectasis or recurrent pneumonia) and 20 healthy donors (HD). Controls and probands between 14 and 64 years old, regardless of gender were included. Lymphocyte populations (T, B and NK cells) and B cell subsets were evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using flow cytometry, T/B/NK reagent and the pre-germinal center antibody panel proposed by the EUROflow consortium were used. EUROclass and the classification proposed by Driessen et al. were implemented. Results: CVID patients exhibited increase absolute numbers of CD8+ T cells and reduce NK cells as compare with HD, other PAD cases or pulmonary complications. PAD B cell subsets were disturbed when compared to the age range-matched healthy donors. Among B cell subsets, the memory B cell compartment was the most affected, especially switched memory B cells. Four participants were classified as B- and two CVID as smB-Trnorm and smB-21low groups according to EUROclass classification. The most frequent patterns proposed by Driessen et al. were B cell production and germinal center defect. Conclusions: B cell subsets, especially memory B cells, are disturbed in PAD patients from Southwestern Colombia. To the best of our knowledge this is the most comprehensive study of B cell subsets in Colombian adults.
Vintages and weather: a comparison between Bordeaux and burgundy

ABSTRACT The purpose of this short paper is to examine the vintage charts from 1949 to 2014 for Bordeaux and Burgundy regions and apply Ashenfelter’s models to estimate the relationship between vintage and weather and compare the results between Bordeaux and Burgundy. The results show that the impact of temperature during the growing season and rain during the harvest season is similar in Bordeaux and Burgundy but also for red and white wines.