Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between capital structure and ownership structure: New evidence from Jordanian panel data The Authors Basil Al-Najjar, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK

Purpose – The study aims to investigate the comparatively under-researched relationship between ownership structure and capital structure in an emerging market. It is also one of the first studies to apply both single and reduced-form equation methods using a panel data approach. Design/methodology/approach – The study applies econometrics modelling using both single equation and reduces equation models for panel data. Findings – The results demonstrate that Jordanian firms follow the same determinants of capital structure as occur in developed markets, namely: profitability, firm size, growth rate, market-to-book ratio, asset structure and liquidity. In addition, institutional ownership structure is found to be determined by: assets structure, business risk (BR), growth opportunities and firm size. Finally, the results reveal that assets tangibility, firm size, growth opportunities and BR are considered to be joint determinants of ownership structure and capital structure. Practical implications – The practical implication of the study is that investors and managers should consider both capital structure and ownership structure when they take their investment decisions. Originality/value – This is the first study of the interaction between institutional ownership and capital structure in Jordan where there are differences, as regards institutional and financial structures, relative to those in developed markets. Article Type: Research paper Keyword(s): Corporate ownership; Capital structure; Jordan.
POSTHARVEST ASCORBIC ACID TREATMENTS ON COLOR AND SUGAR CHANGES ON FRESH CUT CARROT

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid on white discoloration and microbial growth at fresh-cut carrots surface. Fresh-cut carrot cubes were treated with 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm ascorbic acid solutions for 90 s. Carrots were stored in a cold room at 5±1 o C temperature and 85-90 RH for 21 days. L*color values, whiteness index, hue angle values, saturation index, polyphenol oxidase activity, glucose, fructose, sucrose and total sugar content and weight loss were determined at the beginning and with 7-day intervals during the storage. The results showed that 500 and 1000 ppm ascorbic acid treatments were effective to reduce with ppo activity and assure the color stability of the fresh-cut carrot cubes for 21 days. Also, glucose level content of samples treated with 500 ppm were found to be high where as the carrot cubes treated with 250 ppm AA had the highest sucrose and total sugar content during storage. Psychrotrophic microorganism growth was reduced significantly compared to control in all ascorbic acid treated samples, especially in the one treated by 2000 ppm dose of ascorbic acid.
Forest Phenology Dynamics to Climate Change and Topography in a Geographic and Climate Transition Zone: The Qinling Mountains in Central China

Forest ecosystems in an ecotone and their dynamics to climate change are growing ecological and environmental concerns. Phenology is one of the most critical biological indicators of climate change impacts on forest dynamics. In this study, we estimated and visualized the spatiotemporal patterns of forest phenology from 2001 to 2017 in the Qinling Mountains (QMs) based on the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) from MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). We further analyzed this data to reveal the impacts of climate change and topography on the start of the growing season (SOS), end of the growing season (EOS), and the length of growing season (LOS). Our results showed that forest phenology metrics were very sensitive to changes in elevation, with a 2.4 days delayed SOS, 1.4 days advanced EOS, and 3.8 days shortened LOS for every 100 m increase in altitude. During the study period, on average, SOS advanced by 0.13 days year−1, EOS was delayed by 0.22 days year−1, and LOS increased by 0.35 day year−1. The phenological advanced and delayed speed across different elevation is not consistent. The speed of elevation-induced advanced SOS increased slightly with elevation, and the speed of elevation-induced delayed EOS shift reached a maximum value of 1500 m from 2001 to 2017. The sensitivity of SOS and EOS to preseason temperature displays that an increase of 1 °C in the regionally averaged preseason temperature would advance the average SOS by 1.23 days and delay the average EOS by 0.72 days, respectively. This study improved our understanding of the recent variability of forest phenology in mountain ecotones and explored the correlation between forest phenology and climate variables in the context of the ongoing climate warming.
Bipartite unitary supermaps and their classification

The study of causal order in Quantum Theory has recently led to the consideration of physical scenarios in which the causal order between events is not well-defined in a classical way, a phenomenon called indefinite causal order. Yet, a proper understanding of the range and classification of the ensemble of such scenarios, as well as of their general features, is still lacking. In this report we present steps forward towards a better and more intuitive classification of these possible scenarios. We develop a new and more intuitive framework in which to present these scenarios based on the use of diagrammatic techniques, framing them as supermaps. We present some of the current definitions, theorems, examples and open questions related to them in this framework. We use this framework and techniques from the field of quantum causal structures to prove a theorem on the decomposition of bipartite unitary supermaps, which establishes a direct link between their classification and the classification of quantum channels obeying a specific condition. Based on this result, we present a conjecture about the general form of bipartite unitary supermaps and prove it in a special case.
Are the near-Antarctic easterly winds weakening in response to enhancement of the Southern Annular Mode?

Previous studies have highlighted the sensitivity of the Southern Ocean circulation to strengthening and poleward shifting of the westerlies, associated with the increasingly positive Southern Annular Mode (SAM). The impacts of the SAM have been hypothesized to weaken momentum input to the ocean from the the easterly winds around the Antarctic margins. Using ERA-Interim reanalysis data, the authors show that the circumpolar-averaged easterly wind stress has not weakened over the past 3–4 decades, and if anything has slightly strengthened by around 7%. However, there has been a substantial increase in the seasonality of the easterlies, with weakening easterly winds during austral summer and strengthening during winter. A similar trend in the seasonality of the easterlies is found in three other reanalysis products that compare favorably with Antarctic meteorological observations. The authors associate the strengthening of the easterly winds during winter with an increase in the pressure gradient between the coast and the pole. Although the trend in the overall easterly wind strength is small, the change in the seasonal cycle may be expected to reduce the shoreward Ekman transport of summer surface waters, and also to admit more warm circumpolar deep water to the continental shelf in summer. Changes in the seasonal cycle of the near-coastal winds may also project into the seasonal formation and export of sea ice, fluctuations in the strengths of the Weddell and Ross gyres, and the seasonal export of Antarctic Bottom Water from the continental shelf.
Trust in Sharing Economy Business Models from the Perspective of Customers in Szczecin, Poland

The concept of a sharing economy, as part of a wider collaborative economy concept, is among the most important economic and technological trends that will influence socioeconomic development in the future. Interest in using the opportunities offered by sharing platforms is increasing; hence, the subject is a current and important issue. Confidence in technology, service providers and application providers is a key issue when making decisions about using such solutions. The aim of the paper is to examine the level of trust in sharing economy business models considering two groups of factors, trust in people and in technology, among several demographic groups. The paper has an empirical character and the results are provided on the basis of a survey conducted in Szczecin, Poland, with 403 respondents who are current and potential users of sharing platforms. The obtained results show that platform management requires more attention focused on building mutual trust networks among participants rather than strengthening the confidence in using the technology.
A Prospective Observational Study of Temporalis Fascia with Tragal Perichondrium as Graft Material in Type I Tympanoplasty

A prospective observational study is performed on patients undergoing Type 1 Tympanoplasty after proper evaluation and obtaining a written informed consent for comparison of Temporalis fascia with Tragal Perichondrium as graft material in Type 1 Tympanoplasty and improvement is assessed with hearing improvement, time taken for graft uptake. A sample size of 100 patients in age group of 18 to 60 years in CSOM cases were selected for the study. Duration of study 2 years i.e. from October 2017 to September 2019.
Predator and scavenger movements among and within endangered seabird colonies: Opportunities for pathogen spread

1. The spatial structure of host communities is expected to constrain pathogen spread. However, predators and/or scavengers may connect distant host (sub)populations when foraging. Determining whether some individuals or populations play a prominent role in the spread of pathogens is critical to inform management measures. 2. We explored movements and epidemiological status of brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus), the only avian terrestrial consumer native of Amsterdam Island (Indian Ocean), to assess whether and how they could be involved in the spread of the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, which recurrently causes avian cholera outbreaks in endangered albatross and penguin species breeding on the island. 3. High proportions of seropositive and DNA-positive individuals for P. multocida indicated that skuas are highly exposed to the pathogen and may be able to transmit it. Movement tracking revealed that the foraging ranges of breeding skuas largely overlap among individuals and expand all along the coasts where albatrosses and penguins nest, but not on the inland plateau hosting the endemic Amsterdam albatross (Diomedea amsterdamensis). 4. Considering the epidemiological and movement data, skua movements may provide opportunity for pathogen spread among and within seabird colonies. 5. Synthesis and applications. This work highlights the importance of considering the behaviour and epidemiological status of predators and scavengers in disease dynamics because the foraging movements of individuals of such species can potentially limit the efficiency of local management measures in spatially-structured host communities. Such species could thus represent priority vaccination targets to implement efficient management measures aiming at limiting pathogen spread and also be used as sentinels to monitor pathogen circulation and evaluate the effectiveness of management measures.
Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta): New Record of an Exotic Species for the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

Kappaphycus alvarezii, a red macroalgal species native to South-East Asia, has been introduced for commercial purposes to more than 20 tropical countries. In 2000, Panama became the first Central American country to develop its cultivation following a pilot-commercial approach. Twelve years after his introduction to Panama, the species was found to the south Caribbean coast. In the present study, we report the first record of K. alvarezii collected in Costa Rican waters. Genetic identification of the sample was performed with the mitochondrial marker cox2-cox3 intergenic spacer, and phylogenetic analyses showed that the sample collected grouped into a monophyletic clade with GenBank sequences from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil and Venezuela. Here we provide further description of its position with respect to other strains of K. alvarezii collected globally. Its possible route of entry to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is discussed. To date, it is possible to locate K. alvarezii in different areas away from the production fields which show its dispersion, and that the species is expanding; but more studies are needed to know the phase of colonization in which it is located because it is a combination of natural factors and human exploitation that determines the invasive potential of the species.
Change of Objectively-Measured Physical Activity during Geriatric Rehabilitation

This prospective study investigated feasibility and sensitivity of sensor-based physical activity (PA) measures to monitor changes in PA during geriatric rehabilitation and its relation to clinical parameters at admission. PA was routinely measured at day 2 and day 15 after admission in 647 patients (70.2% women, mean age = 82.0 (SD = 7.19) years) of a German geriatric hospital using a thigh-worn accelerometer. Clinical records were used to include age, Barthel Index, diagnosis, mobility, orientation and cognition. Mean values and 95% confidence intervals (95%-CI) of walking duration, walking bout duration and number of sit-to-stand transfers were calculated to quantify different domains of PA. All observed PA parameters improved during rehabilitation, regardless of age, diagnosis or physical and cognitive function at admission. Walking duration increased by 12.1 (95%-CI: 10.3; 13.8) min, walking bout duration by 2.39 (95%-CI: 1.77; 3.00) s, and number of sit-to-stand transfers by 7 (95%-CI: 5; 8). Floor and ceiling effects were not observed. Walking duration at day 2 as well as day 15 was continuously associated with Barthel Index and statistically significant improved for all levels of Barthel Index. In summary, this study showed that sensor-based PA monitoring is feasible to assess the individual progress in geriatric rehabilitation patients.
Three Novel Configurations of Second Order Inverse Band Reject Filter Using a Single Operational Transresistance Amplifier

Three novel configurations of second order inverse band reject filters (IBRFs) are proposed in this work by using a single operational transresistance amplifier (OTRA). The working of the proposed inverse filters are verified in simulation by implementing 180 nm CMOS model of OTRA in SPICE and also in hardware with AD844AN IC. Theoretical frequency response characteristics of all the three proposed configurations match very well with the simulated characteristics. Layout of the proposed configuration has been implemented using Analog Design Environment (ADE) tool of cadence virtuoso to study the feasibility of operation. Monte Carlo analysis has also been performed to study the effect of variation in passive components on the performance of the circuits. Sensitivity analysis has been studied.
Ten Trends in the Cellular Industry and an Outlook on 6G

With the completion of Release 15 of the 5G standard in early 2018, 2019 has become the first year for the commercialization of 5G. At this stage, it is too early to speculate what key technologies will mark 6G, since it is not known what the drivers for 6G might even be. However, the next generation system typically does not emerge from a vacuum. By examining the industrial and technological trends from previous generations, directions and trajectories associated with each new generation can be discovered. In this article, we shall provide observations regarding these trends and their potential for later releases of 5G and 6G. The goal of this article is to shed light on possible directions of 6G to help researchers jumpstart projects in this field while searching for new directions and breakthroughs.
Automatic Radar Target Identification Using Radar Cross Section Fluctuations and Recurrent Neural Networks

Automatic radar target identification (ARTI) using recurrent neural networks (RNN) is being proposed in this work. Illumination of targets with transmitted electromagnetic waves from radar results in production of surface currents causing scattering of the incident energy from the target. The back scattered signal carries much information about the target which can be utilised for solving the target identification problem. The radar cross section (RCS) has been used as a feature in this work for target identification. The dependence of RCS on orientation of the target with respect to radar with a mono-static configuration has been exploited here. The dataset contains a sequence of RCS values for varying aspect angles which simulates the target motion. This dataset is fed to the recurrent neural network (RNN)/long short-term memory (LSTM) model for classification. The classification accuracy of 98 percent was achieved using the RNN/LSTM model.
Dropout and DropConnect for Reliable Neuromorphic Inference Under Communication Constraints in Network Connectivity

Dropout and DropConnect are known as effective methods to improve on the generalization performance of neural networks, by either dropping states of neural units or dropping weights of synaptic connections randomly selected at each time instance throughout the training process. In this paper, we extend on the use of these methods in the design of neuromorphic spiking neural networks (SNN) hardware to improve further on the reliability of inference as impacted by resource constrained errors in network connectivity. Such energy and bandwidth constraints arise for low-power operation in the communication between neural units, which cause dropped spike events due to timeout errors in the transmission. The Dropout and DropConnect processes during training of the network are aligned with a statistical model of the network during inference that accounts for these random errors in the transmission of neural states and synaptic connections. The use of Dropout and DropConnect during training hence allows to simultaneously meet two design objectives: improving robustness of inference to dropped spike events due to timeout communication constraints in network connectivity, while maximizing time-to-decision bandwidth and hence minimizing inference energy in the neuromorphic hardware. Simulations with 5-layer fully connected 784-500-500-500-10 SNN on the MNIST task show a 3.42-fold and 7.06-fold decrease in inference energy at 90% test accuracy, by using Dropout and DropConnect respectively during backpropagation training. Also the simulation with convolutional neural networks on the CIFAR-10 task show a 1.24-fold decrease in inference energy at 60% test accuracy by using Dropout during backpropagation training.
Maximally Improper Signaling in Underlay MIMO Cognitive Radio Networks

Improper Gaussian signaling is a well-known technique that has been shown to improve performance in different multi-user scenarios. In this paper, we analyze the benefit of improper signaling in underlay cognitive radio when users are equipped with multiple antennas. Specifically, we assume that the primary user is protected by the so-called interference temperature constraint, which guarantees a prescribed rate requirement. In this setting, we study how the maximum tolerable interference power changes when the interference is additionally constrained to be maximally improper (strictly noncircular, or rectilinear). We observe that the correlation structure of a maximally improper interference is an additional degree of freedom that can be exploited to improve the SU performance. Because of that, we propose two different protection strategies for the PU where this structure is either constrained or unconstrained, and derive the interference temperature threshold for both cases. We then focus on the secondary user and provide designs of the transmission parameters under the proposed protection strategies.
The Impact of Cloud-To-Ground Lightning Type on the Differences in Return Stroke Peak Current Over Land and Ocean

Natural cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning behaves differently over land and ocean. These differences likely reflect local variations in the speed at which storms develop over ocean, and are possibly contributed to by differences in the local aerosol composition. Earlier studies have reported statistically larger peak currents for negative CG first strokes over ocean than over land. This work focuses on differences in this relationship for first strokes, for subsequent strokes in existing channels to ground, and for subsequent strokes creating new ground contacts. This distinction will shed light on the mechanism responsible for the observed land:ocean differences, and can either support or refute the hypothesis that this difference is associated with the propagation of downward negative leaders in free space, driven by the vertical profile of electric field within and below the cloud. Results show that when compensated for detection threshold increases with increasing distance from land-based sensors, the distribution of estimated peak currents for subsequent strokes in existing (pre-ionized) channels to ground was indistinguishable from distributions for lightning that occurred inland, near shore, offshore, and in the distant ocean (~200 km offshore), with median values ranging between 14.4 and 15.1 kA. Conversely, the population of first strokes over distant ocean had much higher peak currents than those that occurred inland (median values of 23.1 kA vs. 17.3 kA, respectively), when corrected for detection threshold. These findings are consistent with the field-profile hypothesis noted above since peak currents for return strokes due to downward leaders that establish new channels (first strokes) would be impacted the most by the vertical profile of electric field near the cloud base, whereas the peak current for strokes in previously-established channels should be far less dependent on the field profile.
FISH PRODUCT SAFETY IN LITHUANIA: ASSESSMENT OF HISTAMINE LEVELS

The paper provides research data on histamine content in fish and fish products purchased in a supermarket in Lithuania. The prevalence of histamine in the analyzed fish ranged from 5.00 mg kg to 240.78 mg kg, with mean value of 36.97±12 mg kg. Histamine levels in 16% analyzed salmon samples exceeded the limits defined in Regulation (EC) 2073/2005 (7). Such increase was influenced by seasonality: significantly higher histamine levels were found in fish after spawning than in those caught in the autumn and winter seasons. Histamine levels in salmon varied from 5.00 mg kgup to 240.78 mg kg, In herring, the levels of histamine ranged from from 5.00 mg kgup to 177.45 mg kg. Smaller quantities in a range of 5.00-102.50 mg kg were found in mackerel, although this fish belongs to the species with an abundant prevalence of histidine. The levels of determined histamine in fish products were significantly higher than in fresh fish, at p <0.05. The highest levels of histamine were detected in herring products, yet they varied from 6.09 mg kg to 177.45 mg kgalthough the mean value was 59.89±25 mg kg. Technological processing had impact on the accumulation of histamine in fish products. The smallest quantities of histamine were found in fermented fish products; slightly higher amounts, in salted dried fish, and the highest levels of histamine were determined in cold and hot smoked fish. In cold smoked escolar the level of histamine was 176.00 mg kg, as well as in hot-smoked mackerel – up to 128.01 mg kg. Considering the safety of fish products in relation to histamine content, herring products are the least safe as there were significantly higher levels of histamine found (p<0.05) in these products than in other analyzed products.