Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is There Any Value in the Banks Brand?

Traditionally the literature show that public brand value estimates (such as the ones published by Interbrand, Brand Finance or Brand Z), in the context of industrial quoted companies, are incorporated in stock prices, implying that brands significantly contributes to the value generation process in a company. No such study was carried out at the level of the banking sector. This could be due to the attribution of a marginal importance of brands, among other intangible assets, in the banking sector, as highlighted by the literature. In more recent years more and more evidences give evidence of the importance of brands in banking sector; it should be noted that: - many banks, as a result of the Purchase Price Allocation process - PPA (pursuant to IFRS 3 Business Combinations) consequent to banking aggregations (mergers or acquisitions), have booked in their financial statements (separate or consolidated) brand values; - reports published by independent parties such as Brand Finance, publishes brand values specifically for the banking sector. The aim of this article is therefore to assess if the brand contributes to the value generation process in the banking sector. To test our hypothesis we run a regression on a European sample between market capitalization of major banks and their brand value published by independent expert Brand Finance from 2008 to 2017, with a classic value relevance analysis. Our results demonstrate that brand contributes to the value generation process in the banking sector.
A Simulation for Exploring the Effects of the “Trait List” Method’s Subjectivity on Consistency and Accuracy of Ancestry Estimations *

Abstract: The nonmetric “trait list” methodology is widely used for estimating ancestry of skeletal remains. However, the effects of the method’s embedded subjectivity on subsequent accuracy and consistency are largely unknown. We develop a mathematical simulation to test whether variation in the application of the “trait list” method alters the ancestry estimation for a given case. Our simulation explores how variations in (i) trait selection, (ii) number of traits employed, and (iii) ancestry choice thresholds affect the ancestry estimation of an unidentified skeleton. Using two temporally and geographically diverse samples, the simulation demonstrates that trait selection, trait quantity, threshold choices, and the exclusion of high‐frequency traits had minimal effect on estimation of general ancestry. For all data sets and Runs, AccuracyAS was maintained above 90%. The authors close with a discussion on the logistical issues present when choosing traits, and how to avoid ancestry bias.
How learning analytics can early predict under-achieving students in a blended medical education course

Abstract Aim: Learning analytics (LA) is an emerging discipline that aims at analyzing students’ online data in order to improve the learning process and optimize learning environments. It has yet un-explored potential in the field of medical education, which can be particularly helpful in the early prediction and identification of under-achieving students. The aim of this study was to identify quantitative markers collected from students’ online activities that may correlate with students’ final performance and to investigate the possibility of predicting the potential risk of a student failing or dropping out of a course. Methods: This study included 133 students enrolled in a blended medical course where they were free to use the learning management system at their will. We extracted their online activity data using database queries and Moodle plugins. Data included logins, views, forums, time, formative assessment, and communications at different points of time. Five engagement indicators were also calculated which would reflect self-regulation and engagement. Students who scored below 5% over the passing mark were considered to be potentially at risk of under-achieving. Results: At the end of the course, we were able to predict the final grade with 63.5% accuracy, and identify 53.9% of at-risk students. Using a binary logistic model improved prediction to 80.8%. Using data recorded until the mid-course, prediction accuracy was 42.3%. The most important predictors were factors reflecting engagement of the students and the consistency of using the online resources. Conclusions: The analysis of students’ online activities in a blended medical education course by means of LA techniques can help early predict underachieving students, and can be used as an early warning sign for timely intervention.
Missing data methods for the assessment of surrogate outcomes and treatment mechanisms in clinical trial substudies

Hypotheses about the mechanisms of action by which a treatment affects a clinical outcome may prompt consideration of an alternative outcome as a potential surrogate. In many cases, due to costs or other factors, the candidate for surrogacy will only be measured for patients randomized to a substudy within the main trial. In this situation, the substudy patients provide information about links between the true and surrogate outcomes and the treatment, and these links can be exploited, using methods for handling missing covariates, to allow available information for patients not in the substudy to be incorporated into the analysis. The increased precision with which the treatment effect can be estimated using these methods, compared with using substudy data alone, in turn allows more precise estimates of measures of surrogacy. This paper reviews and compares some methods for handling missing covariate data and applies the methodology to a large heart attack trial, in order to investigate the properties of four measures for assessing the extent to which early response to thrombolytic therapy, as measured by an improvement in coronary blood flow, can be regarded as a surrogate for 30‐day survival following heart attack. Design issues for substudies intended to assess treatment mechanisms are also considered. In particular, we consider how the precision of surrogate measures varies with the size of the substudy relative to the main trial. The results suggest that for reasonable surrogates, substudies substantially smaller than the main study can extract most of the available information regarding surrogacy. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving PolSAR Land Cover Classification With Radiometric Correction of the Coherency Matrix

The brightness of a SAR image is affected by topography due to varying projection between ground and image coordinates. For polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) imagery being used for purposes of land cover classification, this radiometric variability is shown to affect the outcome of a Wishart unsupervised classification in areas of moderate topography. The intent of this paper is to investigate the impact of applying a radiometric correction to the PolSAR coherency matrix for a region of boreal forest in interior Alaska. The gamma naught radiometric correction estimates the local illuminated area at each grid point in the radar geometry. Then, each element of the coherency matrix is divided by the local area to produce a polarimetric product that is radiometrically “flat. ” This paper follows two paths, one with and one without radiometric correction, to investigate the impact upon classification accuracy. Using a Landsat-derived land cover reference, the radiometric correction is shown to bring about significant qualitative and quantitative improvements in the land cover map. Confusion matrix analysis confirms the accuracy for most classes and shows a 15% improvement in the classification of the deciduous forest class.
The Effect of Quality of Education on Crime: Evidence from Colombia

This paper evaluates the impact of quality of education on violence and crime using student performances on a mandatory examination as the measure of quality. The paper exploits transfers of funds from central government to municipalities for investments in education as a source of exogenous variation and finds that better education quality has a negative impact on economic crimes such as kidnapping rates, rate of theft on persons and presence of illegal armed groups. The findings are consistent with an opportunity cost effect of education, that is, high quality education increases expectations of being absorbed by the labor market and discourages engaging in criminal activities. Results also point to perhaps a pacifying effect of education such that improvement of education quality generates less violent environments, promotes social and political stability. The results are found to be robust to a number of econometric concerns and different measures of quality of education.
The Stringent Response Controls Catalases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Is Required for Hydrogen Peroxide and Antibiotic Tolerance

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a human opportunistic pathogen, possesses a number of antioxidant defense enzymes under the control of multiple regulatory systems. We recently reported that inactivation of the P. aeruginosa stringent response (SR), a starvation stress response controlled by the alarmone (p)ppGpp, caused impaired antioxidant defenses and antibiotic tolerance. Since catalases are key antioxidant enzymes in P. aeruginosa, we compared the levels of H2O2 susceptibility and catalase activity in P. aeruginosa wild-type and ΔrelA ΔspoT (ΔSR) mutant cells. We found that the SR was required for optimal catalase activity and mediated H2O2 tolerance during both planktonic and biofilm growth. Upon amino acid starvation, induction of the SR upregulated catalase activity. Full expression of katA and katB also required the SR, and this regulation occurred through both RpoS-independent and RpoS-dependent mechanisms. Furthermore, overexpression of katA was sufficient to restore H2O2 tolerance and to partially rescue the antibiotic tolerance of ΔSR cells. All together, these results suggest that the SR regulates catalases and that this is an important mechanism in protecting nutrient-starved and biofilm bacteria from H2O2- and antibiotic-mediated killing.
Data envelopment analysis of efficiency of real estate investment trusts in Singapore

Purpose In this study, the authors use data envelopment analysis to assess the technical efficiency and performance of real estate investment trusts (REITs) in Singapore, for the years 2009 through 2013. Design/methodology/approach The authors apply the Malmquist Productivity Index to express the productivity change of the REITs over time. Findings The authors find that while most REITs have experienced efficiency improvements, there has been little productivity growth at the frontier during the study period. Originality/value The finding indicates that it is possible to improve the performance of the REITs by further improving technological efficiency because technological regress has been the main reason for the poor productivity growth of the REITs in Singapore.
The impact of trading liquidity on the rate of return on emerging markets: the example of Poland and the Baltic countries

Abstract Each type of investment has its own liquidity, i.e. the speed with which it can be converted into money. This can be seen with respect to various instruments (such as stocks or futures contracts), market segments, or even entire exchanges. The importance of liquidity has been acknowledged for a long time. A considerable number of studies have investigated stock liquidity, providing evidence that more illiquid stocks have higher returns, which may be deemed an ‚illiquidity premium’. In this paper I present various factors which have an effect on liquidity by presenting the results of research concerning relations between liquidity and stock return on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) and Nasdaq stock exchanges in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.
Diffusion of a Si atom on the Si(001)-2 x 1 surface: A Monte Carlo study.

We use a modified form of the Stillinger-Weber potential to obtain the adsorption sites of a silicon atom on the fully relaxed Si(001)-2×1 surface. The barriers between sites are also found and these are used to estimate the rates of hopping from site to site. We conclude that the direction of easy diffusion is parallel and to the side of the dimer rows. The effective activation energy for the resultant quasi-one-dimensional motion (∼0.33 eV) is compared with recent experimental estimates. Our results also explain the appearance of regular island growth at high temperature as well as low-temperature «diluted-dimer» growth
Cellular proliferation in the nasal septal cartilage of juvenile minipigs

The growth of the nasal septal cartilage is believed to be a driving force of midfacial growth. Cellular proliferation is an important contributor to growth of the cartilage, but this factor has been rarely investigated. The current study was undertaken to assess the proliferation and cellular density in the septal cartilage of fast‐growing juvenile minipigs. Six minipigs averaging 4.4 ± 1 months old were injected with 5′‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU), a thymidine analog, 24 h before death. The septal cartilage was sectioned in the coronal plane and reacted for BrdU. The proliferative index (number of BrdU‐positive chondrocytes/total number of chondrocytes) and cellular density (number of cells mm−2) of various locations of the septum were measured and compared in order to determine overall proliferation rate and whether regional variations in proliferative activity and cellular density are present. To provide a time perspective to the problem of midfacial growth, the lengths of the nasal bone and the palate were measured in a collection of 61 dry skulls of minipigs aged 1–8 months. Results showed that the septal chondrocytes were proliferating at a surprisingly high rate (~21%). The proliferative index was higher in the ventral and middle compared with the dorsal locations, and in the central cartilage compared with the perichondrium. No difference in proliferative index was found between the anterior and posterior parts of the septum. Cellular density was higher in the perichondrium than in the central cartilage. Within the central cartilage there was a trend for higher cellular density anteriorly. In conclusion, the rapidly growing midface of juvenile minipigs is associated with a high rate of septal proliferation, especially in the ventral half of the cartilage.
Plasticity in reproduction and growth among 52 range‐wide populations of a Mediterranean conifer: adaptive responses to environmental stress

A plastic response towards enhanced reproduction is expected in stressful environments, but it is assumed to trade off against vegetative growth and efficiency in the use of available resources deployed in reproduction [reproductive efficiency (RE)]. Evidence supporting this expectation is scarce for plants, particularly for long‐lived species. Forest trees such as Mediterranean pines provide ideal models to study the adaptive value of allocation to reproduction vs. vegetative growth given their among‐population differentiation for adaptive traits and their remarkable capacity to cope with dry and low‐fertility environments. We studied 52 range‐wide Pinus halepensis populations planted into two environmentally contrasting sites during their initial reproductive stage. We investigated the effect of site, population and their interaction on vegetative growth, threshold size for female reproduction, reproductive–vegetative size relationships and RE. We quantified correlations among traits and environmental variables to identify allocation trade‐offs and ecotypic trends. Genetic variation for plasticity was high for vegetative growth, whereas it was nonsignificant for reproduction. Size‐corrected reproduction was enhanced in the more stressful site supporting the expectation for adverse conditions to elicit plastic responses in reproductive allometry. However, RE was unrelated with early reproductive investment. Our results followed theoretical predictions and support that phenotypic plasticity for reproduction is adaptive under stressful environments. Considering expectations of increased drought in the Mediterranean, we hypothesize that phenotypic plasticity together with natural selection on reproductive traits will play a relevant role in the future adaptation of forest tree species.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for single gene disorders: experience with five single gene disorders

We report our experience of 14 preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) cycles in eight couples carrying five different single gene disorders, during the last 18 months. Diagnoses were performed for myotonic dystrophy (DM), cystic fibrosis (CF) [ΔF508 and exon 4 (621+1 G>T)], fragile X and CF simultaneously, and two disorders for which PGD had not been previously attempted, namely neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and Crouzon syndrome. Diagnoses for single gene disorders were carried out on ideally two blastomeres biopsied from Day 3 embryos. A highly polymorphic marker was included in each diagnosis to control against contamination. For the dominant disorders, where possible, linked polymorphisms provided an additional means of determining the genotype of the embryo hence reducing the risk of misdiagnosis due to allele dropout (ADO). Multiplex fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (F‐PCR) was used in all cases, followed by fragment analysis and/or single‐stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) for genotyping. Embryo transfer was performed in 13 cycles resulting in one biochemical pregnancy for CF, three normal deliveries (a twin and a singleton) and one early miscarriage for DM and a singleton for Crouzon syndrome. In each case the untransferred embryos were used to confirm the diagnoses performed on the biopsied cells. The results were concordant in all cases. The inclusion of a polymorphic marker allowed the detection of extraneous DNA contamination in two cells from one case. Knowing the genotype of the contaminating DNA allowed its origin to be traced. All five pregnancies were obtained from embryos in which two blastomeres were biopsied for the diagnosis. Our data demonstrate the successful strategy of using multiplex PCR to simultaneously amplify the mutation site and a polymorphic locus, fluorescent PCR technology to achieve greater sensitivity, and two‐cell biopsy to increase the efficiency and success of diagnoses. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collective Cultural Evolution: Innovator emergence in language diffusion chains

Author(s): Hardwick, Shyla | Advisor(s): Nonacs, Peter N | Abstract: Cultural transmission of language evolves in a way that increases transmitability. Over generations languages become more adaptive—increasingly structured and less liable to transmission error. However, the underlying mechanisms of this process are largely unmapped. Here, we survey an iterated learning model and individual language trajectories longitudinally. Language variation of individuals over multiple diffusion chains unveils individual adjustments as structure emerges. A behavioral archetype, “Great Innovators”, emerges and displays diffusion chain fitness effects. Our results reveal a mechanism of language change in a social environment and exhibit how language evolution adheres to coordination rules.
A Method for the Design of UFLS Schemes of Small Isolated Power Systems

This paper presents a systematic method for the design of robust and efficient underfrequency load-shedding (UFLS) schemes. UFLS schemes play an important role in protecting the system integrity. The systematic method consists first in selecting representative operating and contingency (OC) scenarios by means of a clustering algorithm and subsequently, in tuning UFLS scheme parameters by dint of a simulated annealing optimization algorithm. The approach is applied to a small isolated Spanish power system. The systematic method leads to a robust and efficient UFLS scheme. The resulting design is also compared to a design based on OC scenarios determined by the common practice of OC scenario selection. The possibility of rearranging UFLS stages and the influence of minimum allowable frequency constraints is analyzed as well. Finally, an analysis of the impact of increasing converter-connected generation (CCG) is presented.
Prenatal exposure to corticosterone impairs embryonic development and increases fluctuating asymmetry in chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

1. The level of corticosterone in fertilised eggs from hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) was manipulated experimentally to elucidate whether stress in laying hens is harmful to the chicks, as manifested by impaired survival and reduced growth, and whether bilateral asymmetry may represent an indicator of environmental stress in poultry. 2. Three hundred and fifty eggs were randomly divided into 4 groups; 1. untreated, 2. control, 3. 10 ng corticosterone/ml and 4. 20 ng corticosterone/ml. Each of the eggs in groups 2, 3 and 4 were injected with 100 µl ethanol–saline solution (25% ethanol in saline) containing 0, 0·6 and 1·2 µg corticosterone, respectively. After the injections, the final concentration of ethanol in the egg (albumen and yolk) was 0·03%, and the concentration of added corticosterone was 0, 10 and 20 ng/ml, respectively, in groups 2, 3 and 4. All the eggs were treated on developmental d 1. 3. Corticosterone injections resulted in greater embryonic mortality, earlier termination of foetal development and reduced growth. Moreover, chicks developing in eggs with an elevated concentration of corticosterone displayed reduced developmental stability as evidenced by increased fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in tarsus length. 4. In conclusion, an increased concentration of corticosterone in the egg was detrimental to survival and growth of the chicks. Prenatal stress also generated bilateral asymmetry, and illustrates the potential application of FA as an indicator of environmental stress in poultry.
Sustainable Garden Tourism in the United Kingdom or What’s Behind the Fence?

Abstract As the garden visiting is rapidly taking place in the character and role of the leisure in the UK there is the need to gain more knowledge on motivation of garden opening and to complete the previous researches aimed mostly at visitors. Although the significance of charity openings, in many cases with personal and local interests, is undoubtedly a manifestation of the success of the National Garden Scheme (NGS), there are many other reasons why the owners decided to share their gardens with the public. The study has captured the owners’ motivation and divided it into six categories revealing different motivations why people took part in The National Garden Scheme. Such an approach uncovers connections between the garden and the owner and the garden opening can be therefore understood in a variety of ways and plays a different role for each owner.
Turkish High School Students' Attitudes toward Addictive Substances: Association with Perceived Parental Attitudes

The aim of this research is twofold: 1) to determine attitudes of high school students toward addictive substances; and 2) to determine students' attitudes toward addictive substances in terms of some variables including gender, grade, and perceived parental attitudes. To this end, Addictive Substances Attitudes Scale and Parental Attitudes Scale were given to a sample of 745 high school students (F = 330, M = 415) chosen by purposive sampling method. Results showed that compared to the males, females had more negative attitudes toward addictive substances. And compared to students from the upper grades, students from lower grades had more negative attitudes toward addictive substances. It is also found that students' attitudes toward addictive substances correlate with perceived parental attitudes. The correlation is low and positive for perceived democratic parental attitudes (r = .29), negative and low for perceived authoritarian parental attitudes (r = −.27).