Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Fama-French Five-Factor Model and Norwegian Stock Returns

The Fama-French five-factor model has established itself as a good model to explain US stock returns. The model consists of five common risk factors related to the overall market, company size, book-to-market equity, operating profitability and investment. This thesis investigates the model’s ability to describe Norwegian stock returns in the time period of 1999 to 2017. In doing this, I employ the Fama-Macbeth two-stage econometric model and GRS tests. The analysis shows that the five-factor model fails to explain all variation in expected returns of companies listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. In particular, the model struggles to describe stock returns of companies with low market capitalization. Nevertheless, the analysis documents interesting characteristics of Norwegian shares. The risk factors associated with the market and firm size have high explanatory power in explaining stock returns. Contrary to US findings, where shares characterized by low investment activity outperform those who invest aggressively, I document a significant positive relationship between investment activity and stock returns. The value premium associated with the book-to-market factor often targeted by investors in financial markets across the globe is seemingly absent on the OSE, and the factor’s ability to explain returns is poor.
Drivers of Government Activity in European Countries: Do Partisan Politics Still Divide East and West?

This article takes a novel look at the relationship between government activity, partisan preferences and varieties of capitalism. Evidence from panel regressions for 25 EU countries from 1990 to 2014 suggests that there are major divides among European countries in terms of the drivers of government activity, that is, government spending and government regulation. The European divide appears to be even more pronounced between liberal and coordinated economic systems than between the classical geographical divide of east and west, which is typically used in most contributions. While both divides apply to the determinants of government activity in general, a reversal of the classical partisan effect for the east is to be found only in specific cases and, is most likely in government spending in liberal eastern countries.
Two approaches to compilation of bilingual multi-word terminology lists from lexical resources

Abstract In this paper, we present two approaches and the implemented system for bilingual terminology extraction that rely on an aligned bilingual domain corpus, a terminology extractor for a target language, and a tool for chunk alignment. The two approaches differ in the way terminology for the source language is obtained: the first relies on an existing domain terminology lexicon, while the second one uses a term extraction tool. For both approaches, four experiments were performed with two parameters being varied. In the experiments presented in this paper, the source language was English, and the target language Serbian, and a selected domain was Library and Information Science, for which an aligned corpus exists, as well as a bilingual terminological dictionary. For term extraction, we used the FlexiTerm tool for the source language and a shallow parser for the target language, while for word alignment we used GIZA++. The evaluation results show that for the first approach the F1 score varies from 29.43% to 51.15%, while for the second it varies from 61.03% to 71.03%. On the basis of the evaluation results, we developed a binary classifier that decides whether a candidate pair, composed of aligned source and target terms, is valid. We trained and evaluated different classifiers on a list of manually labeled candidate pairs obtained after the implementation of our extraction system. The best results in a fivefold cross-validation setting were achieved with the Radial Basis Function Support Vector Machine classifier, giving a F1 score of 82.09% and accuracy of 78.49%.
A High-Accuracy Phasor Estimation Algorithm for PMU Calibration and Its Hardware Implementation

Phasor measurement units (PMUs) are one of the most effective devices for measuring power system dynamics, and it is critically important that they have good performance. This paper proposes a high-accuracy synchrophasor estimation algorithm and builds a PMU calibrator to offer reference values for PMU test and calibration in the laboratory. Based on a general signal-fitting model, a nonlinear-fitting-based phasor and frequency estimation algorithm using an iterative solution are proposed. A rate-of-change-of-frequency (ROCOF) estimation method using the filter spectrum characteristic of a least-squares method is proposed to improve ROCOF measurement accuracy under dynamic conditions. For PMU laboratory tests, an interference suppression method and a post-processing method for step tests are presented. Then, the selected hardware for the PMU calibrator is tested, and its influence on phasor measurement is analyzed. Simulations and experiments verify that the accuracy of the calibrator is at least 30 times better than the requirements in PMU compliance standards of both IEEE and China, indicating that it can be used for PMU testing and calibration. In addition, the calibrator is also verified that it can offer references with high accuracy under combined tests, since the proposed algorithm is based on one general signal-fitting model.
Remittances and the Dutch disease phenomenon: evidence from the bounds error correction modelling and a panel space

ABSTRACT Remittances have grown in size and importance. They are also among the most stable inflows of scarce foreign exchange for the developing world. While such inflows can boost economic growth, they can also appreciate domestic currency and thus, hurt exports – an unintended side effect commonly referred to as ‘the Dutch-disease phenomenon (DDP). ’ This paper adds to this growing literature by applying the bounds-testing approach to co-integration/error correction, as well as the panel modelling. The DDP has been explored using a reduced form model linking remittance inflows to the real exchange rate of major remittance destinations in the world during the past three decades. While the bounds-testing approach using country-specific data, point at the paucity of the DDP generally, in the utilized panel co-integrated space, its short-run presence is mixed, though its long-run evidence is quite apparent. Indeed, using the preferred random effect model, the findings tend to suggest that a 10% increase in the remittance/GDP ratio, significantly appreciates the real exchange rate by about 0.009 units. Such a finding is also in line with the long-run results of the bounds-testing algorithm.
Mildew Locus O facilitates colonization by arbuscular mycorrhiza in angiosperms

Loss of barley Mildew Resistance Locus O (MLO) is known to confer durable and robust resistance to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis), a biotrophic fungal leaf pathogen. Based on the increased expression of MLO in mycorrhizal roots and its presence in a clade of the MLO family that is specific to mycorrhizal-host species, we investigated the potential role of MLO in arbuscular mycorrhizal interactions. Using mutants from barley, wheat, and Medicago truncatula, we demonstrate a role for MLO in colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Rhizophagus irregularis. Early mycorrhizal colonization was reduced in mlo mutants of barley, wheat and Medicago truncatula, and this was accompanied by a pronounced decrease in the expression of many of the key genes required for intracellular accommodation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. These findings suggest that the primary role of MLO in angiosperms is in the establishment of symbiotic associations with beneficial fungi, which has been appropriated by powdery mildew.
Quantification of Rabies Virus by Real Time PCR in comparison with Mouse Inoculation Test (MIT) and Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT)

Real time PCR is the modern molecular techniques used for detection and quantification of viral particle in the specimens. In this study Real Time PCR (RT-PCR) based method was developed and used to quantify the rabies virus PV-11 strains in the different viral harvests of tissue culture fluid in comparison with the Mouse Inoculation Test (MIT) and Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT). The Eagle’s MEM tissue culture medium with 5% fetal calf serum, 1% neomycin and 0.5% Amphotericin-B were used for the propagation of Vero cells in 150 cm 2 tissue culture flasks. The confluent monolayers of the Vero cells (90%) were infected with 0.2 MOI of PV-11 strain of rabies virus. Five individual viral harvests were collected from the infected vero cells at every 3 days interval and subjected for MIT, FAT to quantify the viral titre. The MIT titrated sample was used for the preparation of five point internal reference standard for RT-PCR technique to quantify the number of viral particles in the harvested fluid. The primers targeting 98 base pairs from 446 to 543 in the cDNA of the rabies virus nucleoprotein gene (N gene) were designed and synthesized for Real time PCR assay. The in-house RT-PCR assay was developed with SYBR green master mix. Viral particle in each harvests were quantified in comparison with internal reference standard included in the assay. The results of MIT, FAT and Real time PCR methods were compared with each other. The standardized Real time PCR method was applied for the quantification of viral titre in the different viral harvests cultured using Roller bottle and Bioreactor culturing methods using two different medium. Maximum log of 7.216 viruses per 1 ml of bioreactor viral harvest was quantified by using the real time PCR method. Dilution of the samples are required if the sample having higher viral titre which is not covered within the linear standard range of log 4.50 to log 6.50. This real time PCR based quantification of rabies virus has the advantage of greater accuracy, rapid, economical when compared to the other tests and no animal models required.
MEMS Gyro Bias Estimation in Accelerated Motions Using Sensor Fusion of Camera and Angular-Rate Gyroscope

Although the accuracy of MEMS gyroscopes has been extremely improved, in some aspects, such as stability of bias, they still suffer from some big error sources, like run-to-run bias, which determines the sensor price but is not negligible even inexpensive sensors. Due to the fact that run-to-run bias is a kind of stochastic parameter, it has to be measured by utilizing online methods. Utilizing a novel, fast and efficient vision-based rotation estimation algorithm for ground vehicles, we have developed a visual gyroscope that is used in our sensor fusion system, in order to estimate run-to-run bias of the MEMS gyroscope, accurately. Comparing with similar approaches that use GPS, odometer, accelerometer or magnetometer, the most important advantage of the proposed vision-based sensor-fusion framework is its accuracy in accelerated motions. Moreover, it can be used at environments that have a magnetic field, such as urban environments, without depending on external signals. We have evaluated the efficiency of the proposed system using real datasets, recorded from a car moving in urban areas. According to our experimental results, the proposed algorithm is capable of estimating bias of gyroscope after a convergence time of about 6 seconds and improving the accuracy of the MEMS gyroscope, which provides the possibility of using cheaper sensors for high-accuracy demands.
Enabled Players: The Value of Accessible Digital Games

It is increasingly recognized that there are many players of mainstream digital games who have some form of disability. It is not known which aspects of games are valued by players, regardless of whether they have a disability. We report on a survey of 71 players from the general game community and 123 players with disabilities asking what makes games important to them. We found established motivations to play such as social connection and escapism but additionally that players find games beneficial and provide artistic experiences. Players with disabilities explicitly referred to games helping them to feel enabled or being on a level footing with nondisabled players. The value of accessible games is not just mere play but playing the same games as everyone else. This implies that achieving accessibility through adapting games is an important approach to provide the valued connection and enablement that games provide.
Rapid evolution in managed grasslands: different land-use regimes are associated with contrasting phenotypes in Plantago lanceolata

Land-use intensification is a major driver of biodiversity declines, and it is known to decrease species numbers and alter community composition of managed grasslands. An open question is whether similar impacts occur within species, i.e. whether grassland management affects also the genetic diversity of plant populations and alters their genetic composition, possibly reflecting adaptation to land use. To address these questions, we sampled 61 populations of the common grassland herb Plantago lanceolata that covered a broad range of land use intensities in the German Biodiversity Exploratories, and we grew their offspring in a common environment to quantify variation in plant size, architecture, reproduction, and leaf economy. All measured traits harboured substantial heritable variation, and six out of nine traits showed population differentiation. Interestingly, several traits were significantly correlated with land use intensity, but with opposing trends for mowing versus grazing: Increased mowing intensity was associated with larger plant size and lower specific leaf area (SLA), which may reflect evolutionary responses to increased light competition and a lesser need for resource conservation in highly productive meadows. In contrast, increased grazing intensity tended to be associated with smaller plant size and higher SLA, a phenotype syndrome known from grazing lawns. Moreover, we found that land-use intensification also affected genetic diversity, again with opposing effects for mowing versus grazing: while increased mowing was associated with decreased levels of intrapopulation phenotypic variation, the opposite was true for increased grazing intensity. In summary, land use intensification has not only already caused rapid evolutionary changes in these grassland populations, it also affects their future evolutionary potential.
Gender in service quality expectations in hospitals

Despite evidence largely confirming gender-based differences in service quality perceptions in healthcare, little research has considered patients’ expectations. This study aims to examine the gender-based differences in both the affective and cognitive components of customers’ service quality expectations. ,Data were collected through random sampling from three outpatient hospitals in the UAE. Hypothesized relationships between the cognitive and affective components (moderated by gender) were tested by means of CFA and ANOVA. ,The results indicate that the differences between male and female expectations of overall service quality as a singular construct were not statistically significant, except for the empathy dimension. However, when measured as affective and cognitive, the results confirm that significant differences do exist between male and female patients. ,The research was limited to the UAE. However, identifying gender differences in patients’ expectations would enable healthcare providers to engage and manage patients’ expectations. ,This paper provides theoretical and practical implications on how the male and female are different in the cognitive and affective components of service quality expectations.
A low profile dual band MIMO antenna for LTE/Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/WLAN applications

ABSTRACT In the present endeavor, a CPW-fed dome-shaped monopole radiating elements with 2 × 2 MIMO configuration is presented. The dual-band response of the antenna is obtained by embedding a pair of comb-shaped slots in the ground plane. The measured dual frequency bands of 2.11–4.19 GHz (lower) and 4.98–6.81 GHz (upper) effectively cover LTE, Wi-Fi/WLAN, Bluetooth, and Wi-MAX applications. A T-shaped stub is integrated with the ground plane to obtain high isolation (>21 dB). The measured antenna gain varies in the range of 2.75–4.19 dBi and its radiation efficiency is found greater than 70% in both the resonating bands. The overall size of the proposed antenna is 20 × 34 × 1.6 mm3. The antenna is fabricated and measured results are validated with the results obtained by CST Microwave Studio. Finally, various diversity parameters are evaluated for the antenna and the results are satisfactory for MIMO applications.
AUDIT COMMITTEE EFFECTIVENESS: A SYNTHESIS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE LITERATURE

The purpose of this paper is to add a meaningful critique to the existing audit committee (AC) literature by providing (i) a critical analysis of the AC literature grounded on agency theory; (ii) a discussion of the emerging new theories of AC, which investigate the people serving on and working with ACs, and (iii) a description of the relationship between these two groups of literature. A number of qualitative AC studies have provided new insights by investigating the actual people serving on and working with audit committees. This review paper summarizes these findings and provides a comparative evaluation with the agency theory-based AC research. This review documents, among others, that the attributes of ACs, as measured by the quantitative literature, have hardly been reflected by qualitative investigation, whereas qualitative analysis of the data contributed by people who have actual experience of ACs questions the fundamental propositions, not only of why ACs exist, but also how they function. This paper provides a cross-examination of the afore-mentioned two paradigms of literature on AC effectiveness and invites corporate scholars to reflect on the differences between the two groups of AC studies.
One-Sided Schmitt-Trigger-Based 9T SRAM Cell for Near-Threshold Operation

This paper presents a one-sided Schmitt-trigger-based 9T static random access memory cell with low energy consumption and high read stability, write ability, and hold stability yields in a bit-interleaving structure without write-back scheme. The proposed Schmitt-trigger-based 9T static random access memory cell obtains a high read stability yield by using a one-sided Schmitt-trigger inverter with a single bit-line structure. In addition, the write ability yield is improved by applying selective power gating and a Schmitt-trigger inverter write assist technique that controls the trip voltage of the Schmitt-trigger inverter. The proposed Schmitt-trigger-based 9T static random access memory cell has 0.79, 0.77, and 0.79 times the area, and consumes 0.31, 0.68, and 0.90 times the energy of Chang’s 10T, the Schmitt-trigger-based 10T, and MH’s 9T static random access memory cells, respectively, based on 22-nm FinFET technology.
Variation in root secondary metabolites is shaped by past climatic conditions

Plants can adapt to changing environments by adjusting the production and maintenance of diverse sets of bioactive secondary metabolites. To date, the impact of past climatic conditions relative to other factors such as soil abiotic factors and herbivore pressure on the evolution of plant secondary metabolites is poorly understood, especially for plant roots. We explored associations between root latex secondary metabolites in 63 Taraxacum officinale populations across Switzerland and past climatic conditions, soil abiotic parameters, and root herbivore pressure. To assess the contribution of environmental effects, root secondary metabolites were measured in F0 plants in nature and F2 plants under controlled greenhouse conditions. Concentrations of root latex secondary metabolites were most strongly associated with past climatic conditions, while current soil abiotic factors or root herbivore pressure did not show a clear association with root latex chemistry. Results were identical for natural and controlled conditions, suggesting heritable trait variation rather than environmental plasticity as underlying factor. Synthesis. We conclude that climatic conditions likely play a major role in the evolution of root secondary metabolites. Direct abiotic effects are likely underlying this pattern, hinting at a novel role of root latex metabolites the tolerance of abiotic stress.
End User Satisfaction of Accounting Information System (AIS) Mobile Based for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Actual Usage and TAM Approach

Increasing end-user satisfaction (EUS) on mobile-based AIS is influenced by an actual usage (AU). AU increases if Small Medium Enterprise managers feel the perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) of using mobile-based AIS. This study aims to (1) analyze the effect of PEOU and PU on AU, (2) analyze the effect of PEOU and PU on EUS on mobile-based AIS, (3) analyze the effect of AU on EUS on mobile-based AIS, and (4) analyze the effect of PEOU and PU to EUS on mobile-based AIS through AU. The results of this study are (1) PU has a positive effect on AU and PEOU has a negative effect on AU because to improve AU requires a guidebook that is easy to learn and the lack of ability to use system applications make it not easy, (2) PEOU and PU affect EUS on Mobile-based AIS but the most positive and dominant influence on EUS on mobile-based AIS is PU, (3) AU has a positive effect on EUS on mobile-based AIS, and (4) PEOU negatively affects EUS on mobile-based AIS through AU due to the use of AIS based on mobile, which is done repeatedly and for a long time is still unable to mediate PEOU and SME managers feel difficult to use the purchasing and sales system application to produce on time reports.
The Prediction Capacity 3-D Software, on a 2-D Analysis, in Planning the Positioning of the Upper Lip After Maxillary Advancement

Purpose: The maxillary advancement using Le Fort I osteotomy directly affects in the positioning of the upper lip (UL) and the nasolabial angle (NLA), which plays an important role in facial expression and aesthetics, because of this, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Dolphin Imaging 11.8 software in predicting changes to the UL position and NLA in patients undergoing maxillary advancement. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective cohort study. Predictive and final tracings using pre- and postoperative Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of 24 patients undergoing maxillary advancement, regardless of mandibular movement, were compared. Whether the amount of advancement changes this predictability was also analyzed. The predictive and the 12-month postoperative data were evaluated using Dolphin Imaging 11.8 software and compared. Student t test was used to get the results. Results: The vertical analysis of the incisal tip and cementoenamel junction of the upper central incisor (UCI) and of the UL were statistically significant (P = .001 for all). The horizontal measurements of the same variables (P = .238, P = .516, P = .930, respectively) and the NLA (P = .060) showed no statistical significance. The amount of advancement did not interfere with the variables analyzed, except for the exposure (P = .009) and inclination of the UCI (P = .010). Conclusion: It was concluded that the amount of maxillary advancement does not interfere with the UL prediction; the prediction capacity of the software was good for the horizontal measurements, but had a significant error index for vertical measurements.