Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Analytical Study of Determinants of Non-Performing Loans: Evidence from Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) of Bangladesh

The main focus of this study is to analyze the determinants of non-performing loan (NPL) in Non-Bank Financial Institution (NBFI) sector in Bangladesh. Both macroeconomic and firm-specific variables are tested to determine the impact on classified loan ratio. A panel data-set consisting of seven NBFI with a time-span of 12 years (2003-2014) is analyzed for this purpose. Among macroeconomic variables, GDP growth rate, inflation rate and broad money in GDP are used. To capture management ability, firm-specific variables like, loan growth, loan to asset ratio, return on asset and relative size of firm were included in the study. Results show that firm-specific factors were more significant for non-performing loan of the NBFIs. Among macroeconomic variables, money supply was found to have significant impact Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.11(1-2) 2016; 55-67
A study on financial risk control of group enterprise

Under the conditions of market economy, Group Enterprise has become the main body of the market competition. The risk it faces, especially the financial risk, is a great challenge to the Group Enterprise. Based on the analysis of financial risk characteristics of Group Enterprises, this article builds a control system and puts forward the basic proposal of financial risk control
Draft Genome Sequence of a Lipolytic Yeast, Candida aaseri SH-14

ABSTRACT We report here the draft genome sequence of the lipolytic yeast Candida aaseri SH-14, isolated from the compost of oil palm empty fruit bunches, and the identification of eight putative lipase genes. This genome information will provide the opportunity to produce potential lipases for a variety of industrial applications.
An Examination of Construal Effects on Price Perceptions in the Advance Selling of Experience Services

Service research in the advance selling of experience services is limited in regard to how individual and situational differences influence price information processing. Applying construal-level theory in the context of advance selling of tickets for experience services, this research demonstrates that who (near vs. far social distance), when (near vs. far temporal distance), and where (spatial distance) influence price sensitivity and perceived value of the experience service. Study 1 finds that consumers are more price sensitive when they consider the advance purchase of events taking place further in the future, unless they are experienced, as Study 2 finds. Across both studies, buyers perceive greater value when the time and location of the event are psychologically near. Compared to when social distance is near (self-reference), consumers construe other average buyers in the market to be relatively more price sensitive and to perceive relatively higher value for experience services. Since an important factor at work in the minds of buyers is other buyers, the results imply that service providers should frame offers in reference more to others than the self for experiences. The effects of time and distance suggest managers should carefully geo-target offers customized to when and where customers are when buying tickets. As experienced buyers have learned to be price sensitive for tickets, managers should identify these individuals to provide relevant value-added offers.
A contour-based separation of vertically attached traffic signs

This paper presents a contour-based approach to separate vertically attached traffic signs. The algorithm is based on using binary images which are generated by any color segmentation algorithm to represent objects which could be candidate traffic signs. Since all traffic signs are similar about their vertical axis, an improved cross-correlation algorithm is invoked to determine this similarity and filters traffic sign candidates. Shape decomposition is used to smooth the contour of the candidate object iteratively in order to reduce white noise. Flipping point detection algorithm which locates black noise along the smoothed contour and the curve prediction algorithm are invoked to determine the final cut points. A separation accuracy of 94% is achieved by the algorithm. In this experiment more that 70000 images of different traffic sign combinations are invoked to achieve this result. The algorithm is tested on one-sign images, two-sign images, and three-sign images which are combined together for the purpose of testing this algorithm.
Investigating cultural influences on HR practices of Pakistani-owned SMEs in the UK

This article is based on an explorative study of cultural factors and their impact on people management strategies of Pakistani-owned SMEs in the UK. The topic of the research was investigated through in-depth literature review, case studies and questionnaire-based field survey. The literature review provided theoretical insights to the study and empirical investigation generated a wide range of information about practical scenario of these companies. The triangulation approach of the study helped in offsetting weaknesses of a specific method by strengths of other methods. The empirical investigation discovered a range of cultural factors such as religion, values, beliefs, traditions, ethnicity, languages and communication patterns playing a pivotal role in evolving and shaping HR strategies and practices of Pakistani-owned SMEs in the UK. The study contributed to the existing body of knowledge by furthering our substantive understanding about cultural influences on human resource management of SMEs. It provided some practical lessons to SMEs in the UK in general and ethnic minority SMEs in particular. Also the study paved the way for students and researchers to conduct further research in the area to overcome any limitations found in the findings
Evaluating the Spatial Consequence of Interest Rate Ceiling Using a Spatial Regime Change Approach

The article provides the empirical framework and steps toward the evaluation of the spatial consequence of the 17% interest rate ceiling in Arkansas using a new database from the trade association for installment lenders, the American Financial Services Association. The specific contribution of this study is to build and apply the installment loan accessibility index within the context of the spatial regime models. Results suggest strong evidence of spatial clustering of counties with similar (low or high) installment loan usage rates across the study area and two spatial regimes at work. The loan accessibility index is a strong predictor of the installment loan usage in the study area. That is, an increase in the loan acquisition costs due to the 17% interest rate cap puts interior counties’ residents at disadvantage compared with residents of border counties who can cross the borders to get small dollar loans. JEL Classifications : C51, C52, G23, G28
Ant Colony Optimization with Stepwise Localization of the Discrete Search Space to Solve Function Optimization Problems

A new application of Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) called improved-EAS (i-EAS) is proposed for solving the function optimization problem. i-EAS is an improvement on the elitist ant system (EAS) which was devised to solve the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP). It is capable of stepwise localization of the search space. Here, we examined methods that search for solutions in the real space Rn by approximating them using discrete values (binary data). Our proposed ACO uses stepwise localization of the search space to improve the accuracy of solutions. To localize the search space on the current step, our ACO searches for solutions recursively in neighbors of the best solution β found on the previous step. We assume that α is the number of times that the search space is localized, then we reduce the search space so that R(α) satisfies the equation R(α) = RANGE × (1 / 2)(α × ln α), where RANGE is provided as an initial value. Although the domain of each independent variable is reduced, the number of observable points is 2l and does not change according to α, which means that solution accuracy can be improved so that d(α) = RANGE × (1 / 2)(α × ln α)+l-1, where d(α) is the interval of the observable data. To improve solution accuracy further, we perform mutation operations on the solution found by each ant every time it finishes a tour in search of solutions. Furthermore, in order to maintain population diversity, we dynamically altered the weight of elitist ant pheromone cyclically. The validity of i-EAS is verified by using well-known standard test functions with multiple peaks.
Identification of transcriptional activation and inhibitory domains in serum response factor (SRF) by using GAL4-SRF constructs

The binding of serum response factor (SRF) to the c-fos serum response element has been shown to be essential for serum and growth factor activation of c-Fos. Since SRF is ubiquitously expressed, it has been difficult to measure the activity of SRF introduced into cells. To assay for functions of SRF in cells, we have changed its DNA binding specificity by fusing it to the DNA binding domain of GAL4. Transfection of GAL4-SRF constructs into cells has allowed us to identify SRF's transcriptional activation domain as well as domains which inhibit this activity. First, we found that the transcriptional activation domain maps to between amino acids 339 and 508 in HeLa cells and to between amino acids 414 and 508 in NIH 3T3 cells. Second, we show that in the context of GAL4-SRF constructs, there are two separate domains of SRF that can inhibit its activation domain. Although these domains overlap the DNA binding and dimerization domains of SRF, these functions were not required for inhibition. Finally, we show that one of the inhibitory domains is modular in that it can also inhibit activation when it is moved amino terminal to GAL4's DNA binding domain in an SRF-GAL4-SRF construct. The implications of these inhibitory domains for SRF regulation are discussed.
Children born to women treated for hypothyroidism during pregnancy show abnormal corpus callosum development.

BACKGROUND Thyroid hormone (TH) is essential for the developing brain, and because the fetal thyroid develops relatively late in gestation, the maternal TH supply is critical for fetal brain development. However, if the mother has hypothyroidism during pregnancy, fetal brain and neuropsychological development may be compromised. Rodents experiencing maternal TH insufficiency show abnormal corpus callosum (CC) morphology, but it is not known if children born to women treated for hypothyroidism (HYPO) show similar effects. The purpose of the current study was to investigate HYPO for CC morphology and morphometry and to determine whether any specific CC abnormalities were associated aspects of maternal hypothyroidism and were correlated with reduced neuropsychological functioning in the children. METHODS ANALYZE software was used to trace CCs in archived magnetic resonance imaging scans from 22 HYPO and 22 matched controls. Areas of two sub-regions and six segments and different shape metrics (angles, lengths, ratios) were determined. CC parameters were correlated with maternal thyrotropin (TSH) values and number of hypothyroid trimesters as well as the child's neuropsychological test performance. RESULTS HYPO showed a smaller anterior CC and genu and larger posterior CC and splenium areas than controls as well as shape abnormalities in genu and splenium. Results were correlated with the duration of maternal hypothyroidism. Executive function skills were positively associated with genu size in HYPO, while verbal comprehension skills were negatively associated with splenium and overall posterior CC sizes. CONCLUSIONS Maternal hypothyroidism contributes to CC abnormalities in the offspring, and effects differ for anterior versus posterior CC regions.
On Improving the Reliability and Performance of the YAFFS Flash File System

In this paper, we propose three techniques to improve the performance of YAFFS (Yet Another Flash File System), while enhancing the reliability of the system. Specifically, we first propose to manage metadata and user data separately on segregated blocks. This modification not only leads to the reduction of the mount time but also reduces the garbage collection time. Second, we tailor the wear-leveling to the segregated metadata and user data blocks. That is, worn out blocks between the segregated blocks are swapped, which leads to more evenly worn out blocks increasing the lifetime of the system. Finally, we devise an analytic model to predict the expected garbage collection time. By accurately predicting the garbage collection time, the system can perform garbage collection at more opportune times when the user's perceived performance may not be negatively affected. Performance evaluation results based on real implementations show that our modifications enhance performance and reliability without incurring additional overheads. Specifically, the YAFFS with our proposed techniques outperforms the original YAFFS by six times in terms of mount speed and five times in terms of benchmark performance, while reducing the average erase count of blocks by 14%.
When patients fail UNAIDS’ last 90 - the “failure cascade” beyond 90-90-90 in rural Lesotho, Southern Africa: a prospective cohort study

Introduction: HIV‐infected individuals on first‐line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource‐limited settings who do not achieve the last “90” (viral suppression) enter a complex care cascade: enhanced adherence counselling (EAC), repetition of viral load (VL) and switch to second‐line ART aiming to achieve resuppression. This study describes the “failure cascade” in patients in Lesotho.
Semi-Blind Interference Prediction in Wireless Networks

Our research investigates the concept of interference prediction as an unprecedented approach for interference management and medium access in wireless networks. This paper is a first step in this direction: it proposes and evaluates a simple interference prediction technique that is based on low-complexity learning. Nodes predict the interference situation they expect to experience in the near future and select the most favorable time slot to start the transmission of a multislot message. The performance gain is evaluated in a small-scale fading environment in terms of link outage and delay against random slot selection. Simulation results show that interference prediction is a promising building block for wireless systems. Additional studies are needed to explore advanced techniques and assess their feasibility.
Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Plantar Flexor Muscle Spasticity and Walking Speed in Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Spasticity is a major disabling symptom in patients post stroke. Although studies have demonstrated that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can reduce spasticity, the duration of single session TENS is a subject of debate. The purpose of this study was to determine the sustainability of the effects of TENS applied over common peroneal nerve in the reduction of ankle plantar-flexor spasticity and improving gait speed in patients post stroke. METHODS Thirty patients (11 women and 19 men) (mean age of 46.46 years) were randomly assigned to group 1 (task oriented exercises), group 2 (TENS for 30 min and task oriented exercises) and group 3 (TENS for 60 min and task oriented exercises) for a period of five sessions per week for 6 weeks. All patients were assessed for ankle plantar-flexor spasticity, passive ankle dorsi-flexion range of motion, clonus and timed up and go test at the time of recruitment to study, at 3 and 6 weeks of therapeutic intervention. RESULTS The overall results of the study suggest that there was a decrease in ankle plantar flexor spasticity, ankle clonus and timed up and go score in all the groups. A greater reduction of spasticity was seen in TENS groups (groups 2 and 3) when compared to control. No significant improvement was found in timed up and go test (TUG) scores between groups. CONCLUSION Both 30 min and 60 min of application of TENS are effective in reducing spasticity of ankle plantar flexors, improving walking ability and increase the effectiveness of task related training. Based on the effect size, we would recommend a longer duration application for the reduction of spasticity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE IMPACT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ON FIRM PERFORMANCE IN EGYPTIAN LISTED COMPANIES

This paper examines the impact of corporate governance on firm performance using cross sectional data from non-financial companies listed in the Egyptian Stock Exchange. The 88 non-financial companies on EGX100 index of listed companies on the Egyptian Stock Market are studied to examine the relationship between ownership structure, board structure, audit function, control variables and firm performance by using OLS regression analysis. The results show that ownership structure has no significant effect on firm performance. The only board structure variable that has an effect on firm market performance is board independence. Firm book value performance is affected by both board independence and CEO duality. Firm size and leverage have varying effects on both market and book value performance of firms.
Bordetella pertussis fim3 gene regulation by BvgA: Phosphorylation controls the formation of inactive vs. active transcription complexes

Significance The response regulator BvgA controls virulence gene expression in the human pathogen Bordetella pertussis. Phosphorylated BvgA together with RNA polymerase form transcription complexes that synthesize RNA from the B. pertussis promoter for the fimbrial gene fim3. We show that nonphosphorylated BvgA and RNA polymerase form stable but inactive complexes. We propose that these complexes may modulate fim3 expression under inducing conditions and facilitate rapid repression of the fim3 promoter under noninducing conditions. The ability of a response regulator to activate and repress depending on environmental conditions represents a different paradigm in two-component system regulation. Two-component systems [sensor kinase/response regulator (RR)] are major tools used by microorganisms to adapt to environmental conditions. RR phosphorylation is typically required for gene activation, but few studies have addressed how and if phosphorylation affects specific steps during transcription initiation. We characterized transcription complexes made with RNA polymerase and the Bordetella pertussis RR, BvgA, in its nonphosphorylated or phosphorylated (BvgA∼P) state at Pfim3, the promoter for the virulence gene fim3 (fimbrial subunit), using gel retardation, potassium permanganate and DNase I footprinting, cleavage reactions with protein conjugated with iron bromoacetamidobenzyl-EDTA, and in vitro transcription. Previous work has shown that the level of nonphosphorylated BvgA remains high in vivo under conditions in which BvgA is phosphorylated. Our results here indicate that surprisingly both BvgA and BvgA∼P form open and initiating complexes with RNA polymerase at Pfim3. However, phosphorylation of BvgA is needed to generate the correct conformation that can transition to competent elongation. Footprints obtained with the complexes made with nonphosphorylated BvgA are atypical; while the initiating complex with BvgA synthesizes short RNA, it does not generate full-length transcripts. Extended incubation of the BvgA/RNA polymerase initiated complex in the presence of heparin generates a stable, but defective species that depends on the initial transcribed sequence of fim3. We suggest that the presence of nonphosphorylated BvgA down-regulates Pfim3 activity when phosphorylated BvgA is present and may allow the bacterium to quickly adapt to the loss of inducing conditions by rapidly eliminating Pfim3 activation once the signal for BvgA phosphorylation is removed.
Roles of C-terminal Src Kinase in the Initiation and the Termination of the High Affinity IgE Receptor-mediated Signaling*

As an attempt to analyze the roles of C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) in the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI)-mediated signaling, we overexpressed Csk, a membrane-targeted form of Csk (mCsk), and a kinase-defective, membrane-targeted form of Csk (mCsk(−)) in rat basophil leukemia (RBL) 2H3 cells. Specific activity of Lyn at the basal state was decreased in Csk-expressing cells, and further decreased in mCsk-expressing cells. In mCsk(−)-expressing cells, basal specific activity of Lyn was increased, thereby indicating that mCsk(−) functioned as a dominant negative molecule. The onset of FcεRI-mediated Lyn activation was delayed in Csk-expressing cells, and further delayed in mCsk-expressing cells. In mCsk(−)-expressing cells, Lyn activation was rapid and quite long lasting. These findings indicate (i) Csk negatively regulates rapid FcεRI/Lyn coupling, and (ii) Csk activity is potentially required for its termination. The onsets of the series of events including tyrosyl phosphorylation of Syk, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation, elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+] i ), and histamine release were all stepwisely delayed in Csk-expressing cells and in mCsk-expressing cells. The durations of Syk phosphorylation and MAP kinase activation also closely correlated with those of Lyn activation, but [Ca2+] i elevation and histamine release followed different temporal patterns: the delayed responses in Csk-expressing cells and in mCsk-expressing cells led to sustained [Ca2+] i oscillation and histamine release, while the prompt responses in parent cells and mCsk(−)-expressing cells rapidly subsided. These findings provide further evidence that the initiations of the FcεRI-mediated signals are upstreamly regulated by Src family protein tyrosine kinases and revealed that their terminations are regulated by Lyn-dependent (Syk and MAP kinase) and -independent ([Ca2+] i elevation and histamine release) mechanisms.
On a Self-Adaptive Enhancement Algorithm of Color Image

The bionic color image enhancement algorithm based on the human visual system characteristics of global and local self-adaptive uses for enhance the color image under non-uniform and low lighting conditions. This algorithm first enhances the luminance of dark areas by global luminance adjustment and compresses the dynamic range as well. Then it uses the relation of the current point neighborhood pixel average filter output to enhance image local contrast by adjust the brightness of current point. Lastly simple linear color restoration arithmetic is applied to resume the image color. The algorithm gives consideration to each color component contribution to brightness. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is an effective method of color image enhancement.