Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tangible and intangible sunk costs and the entry and exit of firms in Austrian manufacturing

The present paper provides further evidence on the importance of sunk costs as determinant of the turnover, entry, and exit of firms by studying the Austrian manufacturing industry using a 14-year panel . This study explicitly considers sunk costs related to investment in dedicated intangible assets such as investment relating to organizational and goodwill capital. The empirical results confirm the relevance of sunk costs as mobility barriers, . their symmetry in respect to entry and exit and suggest that the influence of sunk costs is robust to aggregation. Sunk costs relating to capital expenditure and to organizational capital are found to be symmetric. Sunk costs relating to advertising expenditures seem to be only barriers to entry but not mobility barriers. Industry growth and profitability growth are found to be asymmetric, having a positive influence on entry and a negative on exit. Export growth is found to reduce the turnover of firms and to have a negative effect on exit suggesting that the decision to export may be associated with substantial sunk costs.
Population dynamics of freshwater oyster Etheria elliptica (Bivalvia: Etheriidae) in the Pendjari River (Benin-Western Africa)

Etheria elliptica (Bivalvia: Etheriidae) is the only freshwater oyster occurring in Africa. The current study provides the first data on the population structure, growth, age, mortality and exploitation status of this species in the Pendjari River. E. elliptica length-frequency data were collected monthly from January to December 2009 and analyzed with FiSAT software. Population parameters including the asymptotic length (L ∞ ) and growth coefficient (K ) were assessed to evaluate the stock status. The recruitment pattern was modeled with a FiSAT routine. The asymptotic length (L ∞ ) was 14.75 cm, while the growth coefficient (K ) was 0.38 year-1 . The growth performance index (o′) reached 1.92. Specimens of Etheria elliptica reached a mean size of 4.66 cm and 6.41 cm at the end of one year and 1.5 years, respectively. We estimated total mortality (Z ), natural mortality (M ) and fishing mortality (F ) to be 2.90 year-1 , 1.16 year-1 and 1.74 year-1 , respectively. The recruitment pattern was continuous over the year with one major peak event during the rainy season (July). The exploitation rate (E = 0.60) revealed that the freshwater oyster was probably facing overexploitation due to lack of a minimum limit size and also due to an increase in the harvesting effort. Therefore, efficient management methods were urgently required to conserve the species. The return of empty shells into the water to increase the recruitment surface, rotation planning among harvesting sites and the imposition of a minimum limit size were recommendations made in order to ensure the sustainable exploitation of wild stocks.
Ecosystem connectivity and trophic subsidies of sandy beaches

Ecological connectivity can influence the distributions of diversity and productivity among ecosystems, but relationships among multiple marine ecosystems remain relatively uncharacterized. Sandy beaches are recipient ecosystems that support coastal food webs through deposits of drift macrophytes (wrack), and serve as test cases for exploring within-seascape connectivity. We present results from the first comprehensive survey of geographic and temporal patterns of wrack cover and composition on beaches along the North Central Coast of California and test the role of local donor ecosystems and physical factors in predicting wrack distribution. We surveyed wrack at 17 beaches in August 2010, and monthly at a subset of 10 beaches for 13 months. We estimated explanatory variables of (1) local donor ecosystem cover (kelp forests, rocky intertidal, and bays and estuaries), (2) biomass transport, and (3) beach morphology. Regression analyses were used to evaluate relationships among the cover of six key wrack categories and the explanatory variables above, for two time periods. We found persistent geographic variation in wrack composition and detected significant relationships between wrack cover and cover of local donor ecosystems for five of the six wrack categories (Nereocystis, Zostera, Postelsia, mixed red algae, and mixed brown algae). Transport mechanisms (wind exposure, swell exposure) or attributes of the recipient ecosystem (beach width, beach slope) explained additional spatial variation for three of the six wrack categories (Zostera, Phyllospadix, and mixed red algae). Our results support the concept of considering ecological connectivity (particularly the role of donor ecosystems upon which recipient ecosystems rely) in the design and management of protected areas.
Genetic Diversity of Indonesian Physic Nut (J. curcas) Based on Molecular Marker

Various reports of molecular genetic diversity evaluation of physic nut ( J. curcas ) have given inconsistent results. Part of the reasons were because of the used of unrealiable markers. This study was conducted to evaluate genetic diversity of Indonesian physic nut germplasm using four types of molecular markers (RAPD, ISSR, SSR and SCAR markers). Twenty four J. curcas accessions planted in Pakuwon, Sukabumi, with various phenotypes were evaluated. Twenty eight SSR marker loci yielded monomorphic allele pattern and indicated that the evaluated accessions probably were all genetically homogeneous for the respective loci. Eight RAPD and 4 ISSR primers out of the total 31 tested primers produced scoreable markers and some (i.e. UBC 873, OPG 17, OPP 03 and OPQ 11 primers) generated polymorphics markers. Genetic similarity coefficiens among evaluated accessions ranged from 0.6 to 1.0 with a population mean of 0.9 indicating low diversity and narrow genetic background among accessions in all populations. Therefore, breeding program utilizing such population would only result in low genetic gain. Based on the evaluated SCAR markers, all accessions belonged to the non-toxic Mexican type of physic nut. This information is important inputs for designing future physic nut breeding strategies in Indonesia.
Vulnerability Methods and Damage Scenario for Seismic Risk Analysis as Support to Retrofit Strategies: an European Perspective

The inherent seismic vulnerability of existing R.C. buildings, designed prior to the introduction of adequate seismic code provisions in the early/mid-1970s, has been dramatically confirmed by the catastrophic socio-economical consequences of earthquake events that have occurred worldwide in the past decade. The urgent need for the development of feasible and efficient structural mitigation strategies, and the implementation of “standardized” retrofit solutions for intervention at urban or territorial scale, has received increasing recognition and attention. Damage scenario and seismic risk analysis, along with the use of a GIS-environment to represent the results, are considered as a helpful tool to support the decision making for planning and prioritizing seismic retrofit intervention programs at large scale. In this paper, after an overview of current vulnerability methods for seismic risk or damage scenario analysis at a territorial scale, tentative suggestions for possible refinements will be provided with particular focus on the vulnerability models for pre-1970 reinforced concrete buildings. Improvements should include the possibility to account for the peculiar alternative damage limit states and collapse mechanisms observed in real earthquakes and further confirmed by recent numerical and experimental investigations. Comparative evaluation of the reduced level of expected damage after alternative retrofit solutions will be carried out and described in terms of fragility curves. A damage scenario analysis, referred to a case study area in Italy, will be provided as further exemplification of the effects of implementing a multi-level retrofit strategy approach at territorial scale.
A Low-Power Wireless Image Sensor Node with Noise-Robust Moving Object Detection and a Region-of-Interest Based Rate Controller

This paper presents a low-power wireless image sensor node for military surveillance, with a noise-robust moving object detection and region-of-interest based rate controller. The improved robustness to noise from both environment and hardware further reduces the transmission energy with negligible computation and memory overhead. The rate controller minimizes memory requirement by dynamically tuning the coding parameters for the constant encoding rate.
Biocatalysts Of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using An Environmental Isolate, Serratia marcescens S01

Recent advancement in the field of nanotechnology has brought about innumerable developments in sculpturing and assembling materials to nanometer range with varied synthesis protocols. Despite physico - chemical and optical properties of nanomaterials, the application toward biomedical and clinical fields is limited as for the use of toxic chemicals in fabrication of the materials concerned. In t his study, an eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver bio nanoparticles (AgNps) has been investigated using a bacterial isolate, Serratia marcescens S01 and its antimicrobial assessment toward Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The bio-reduction of silver ion was accomplished using the extra cellular filtrate upon screening for nitrate reductase activity. The synthesized AgNps were characterized using UV -visible spectrum, XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDS. The results revealed a change in color t o yellowish brown in the reaction mixture due to the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles with λmax 428 nm after 96 h of incubation. XRD pattern showed diffraction peaks with 2 θ values indexed to (111), (200) characteristic of silver with a f ace-centered cubic symmetry. The FTIR peaks were observed at 489, 669, 1541, 2361, 2923 and 3619 cm −1 attributing to the involvement of protein. The SEM result showed the uniform distribution of spherical to ovate AgNps ranging from 30 to 70 nm. The interaction of protein with nanoparticles offered stability and behaves as a capping agent in avoiding agglomeration of the particles. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing of AgNps revealed significant bactericidal activity toward S. aureus with 11 mm zone size with respect to K. pneumoniae showing 9 mm zone size at 20 µL. The positively charged AgNps exhibit a greater affinity toward the negatively charged bacterial cells resulting in the microbicidal activity.
Addressing ecosystem effects of fishing using marine protected areas

This article is a synthesis of the current literature on the potential of marine protected areas (MPAs) a useful management tool for limiting the ecosystem effects of fishing, including biological and socio-economic aspects. There is sufficient evidence that fishing may negatively affect ecosystems. Modelling and case studies show that the establishment of MPAs, especially for overexploited populations, can mitigate ecosystem effects of fishing. Although quantitative ecosystem modelling techniques incorporating MPAs are in their infancy, their role in exploring scenarios is considered crucial. Success in implementing MPAs will depend on how well the biological concerns and the socio-economic needs of the fishing community can be reconciled.
Supplier Selection and Production Planning by Using Guided Genetic Algorithm and Dynamic Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II Approaches

Through the global supply chain (SC), numerous firms participate in vertically integrated manufacturing, and industrial collaboration and cooperation is the norm. SC management activities, such as delivery time, quality, and defect rate, are characterized by uncertainty. Based on all of the aforementioned factors, this study established a multiobjective mathematical model, integrating the guided genetic algorithm (Guided-GA) and the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II), developed in previous studies, to improve the mechanisms of the algorithms, thereby increasing the efficiency of the model and quality of the solution. The mathematical model was used to address the problems of supplier selection, assembly sequence planning, assembly line balancing, and defect rate, to enable suppliers to respond rapidly to sales orders. The model was empirically tested using a case study, showing that it is suitable for assisting decision makers in planning production and conducting SS according to sales orders, enabling production activities to achieve maximum efficiency and the competitiveness of firms to improve.
Wind Profiler Observations of Shallow Convection over Palau in Tropical Western Pacific

The radar reflectivity factor of wind profiler radar is used to study diurnal and seasonal variability in shallow convection over Palau islands (720’ N, 13428’ E) in Western Tropical Pacific ocean. Diurnal variability indicates it’s highest in the afternoon over Palau. Seasonal variability shows a larger occurrence in westerly monsoon (WM) compared to easterly monsoon (EM). However extra extreme shallow convection occurs throughout EM compared to WM. It is found that a more humid environment at the surface and relatively higher vertical velocities are responsible for higher occurrence of shallow convection during WM season. In this paper, an attempt is made to explore diurnal variability in the shallow convection over Palau islands and does the shallow cumulus convection differ in easterly and westerly regimes?
Dynamic ETF Pairs Trading System. Evidence From Australia

This study evaluates the profitability of dynamic pairs trading strategies using a proposed 3-step pairs selection approach. We extend the pairs trading methodology employed by Miao (2014) to the broad-based exchange traded funds (ETFs) listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The 3-step approach incorporates the correlation, cointegration and error correction coefficient as the pre-selection criteria during the formation period. In the subsequent trading period, we employ a daily re-calibration of the parameters using a 252-day rolling window from January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2015. We developed a real-time trading system using the Java programming language and KDB database, and back test the strategies using tick-by-tick historical quotes during the trading period. The back testing of the top five ETF pairs: ISO-SSO, IOZ-VAS, IOZ-STW, STW-VAS and STW-SFY yield cumulative returns of 10.08%, 4.41%, 19.70%, 62.27%, 46.60% and Sharpe ratios of 2.21, 1.00, 9.29, 15.12, 11.17 respectively. The maximum draw down is -32.47% over the trading period.
Novel method for fog monitoring using cellular networks infrastructures

Abstract. A major detrimental effect of fog is visibility limitation which can result in serious transportation accidents, traffic delays and therefore economic damage. Existing monitoring techniques including satellites, transmissometers and human observers – suffer from low spatial resolution, high cost or lack of precision when measuring near ground level. Here we show a novel technique for fog monitoring using wireless communication systems. Communication networks widely deploy commercial microwave links across the terrain at ground level. Operating at frequencies of tens of GHz they are affected by fog and are, effectively, an existing, spatially world-wide distributed sensor network that can provide crucial information about fog concentration and visibility. Fog monitoring potential is demonstrated for a heavy fog event that took place in Israel. The correlation between transmissomters and human eye observations to the visibility estimates from the nearby microwave links was found to be 0.53 and 0.61, respectively. These values indicate the high potential of the proposed method.
Supply chain sustainability - a relationship management approach moderated by culture and commitment

This research explores the nature of relationship management on construction projects in Australia and examines the effects of culture, by means of Schwarz’s value survey, on relationships under different contract strategies. The research was based on the view that the development of a sustainable supply chain depends on the transfer of knowledge and capabilities from the larger players in the supply chain through collaboration brought about by relationship management. The research adopted a triangulated approach in which quantitative data were collected by questionnaire, interviews were conducted to explore and enrich the quantitative data and case studies were undertaken in order to illustrate and validate the findings. The aim was to investigate how values and attitudes enhance or reduce the incorporation of the supply chain into the project. From the research it was found that the degree of match and mismatch between values and contract strategy impacts commitment and the engagement and empowerment of the supply chain.
XML Approach for the Solution of Chain of Custody of Digital Evidence

Traditionally, the concept of recording information about physical evidence (electronic and non-electronic) in various law enforcement agencies is done using paper-based documentation. A form is generally applied to document the chronological information of the evidence during the investigation process. In the future, the traditional concept can be problematic when it applied to digital evidence. It is because the physical evidence and the digital evidence have different characteristics. This paper present the Chain of Custody application for digital evidence documentation using XML approach. XML is selected as the chain of custody information documentation storage media. In the application, there are two types of the chain of custody information, such as information entered by the user and information extracted from the attribute of digital evidence file. This application can be applied for various file types from various electronic sources. In addition, this paper also conducted a preliminary experiment using this application to know that Chain of custody information can be properly recorded and this approach does not alter the
The Role of Interleukin-1β in Porphyromonas Gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Bone Re sorp tion

char ac ter ized by the loss of periodontal tis sue and re sorp tion of the al ve o lar bone. Porphyromonas gingivalis has been con sid ered to be one of the im por tant patho genic mi cro or gan isms as so ci ated with periodontal dis ease, es pe cially for pa tients with adult periodontitis. The vir u lence of this patho gen is at trib uted to its many cell wall com po nents, es pe cially lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Nu mer ous stud ies have shown that LPS binds to host cells, such as monocytes, Chi nese Med i cal Jour nal (Tai pei) 2002;65:225-230
Comparative Evaluation of the Depth of Penetration of different Types of Desensitizing Agents into the Dentinal Tubules: An in vivo Study

Aim: Aim of the study is to evaluate the depth of penetration of different types of desensitizing agents into the dentinal tubules in vivo. Materials and methods: Twenty patients requiring tooth extraction for orthodontic purpose were selected. In all four premolars of the selected patients, small class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surface having depth of 0.5 mm. They were divided into four groups and treated with four different types of desensitizing agents (5% NaF solution, Gluma desensitizer, FluorProtector, and SuperSeal) for required time and then they were extracted. They were longitudinally sectioned and each section was studied by scanning electron microscope. Results: The mean depth of penetration of SuperSeal and Gluma was significantly higher than that of other agents (sodium fluoride and FluorProtector) (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between SuperSeal and Gluma (p>0.05). Conclusion: The depth of penetration of resinous desensitizing agent (Gluma) is maximum followed by potassium oxalate solution (SuperSeal) and fluoride varnish (FluorProtector). Clinical significance: Deeper the penetration of desensitizing agents into the dentinal tubules, longer the efficacy.
Alteration of stress field brought about by the occurrence of the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake (Mw 9.0)

A giant earthquake of Mw 9.0 took place off the Pacific coast of Tohoku on March 11, 2011. It caused a large tsunami of 10–20 m and devastated the area along the Pacific coast in northeast Japan. The earthquake altered the stress field in the surrounding region immensely. We have calculated the change in Coulomb Failure Function (ΔCFF) due to this earthquake to evaluate the effect on aftershocks and future earthquake probabilities. The results suggest that the increased activity of normal-fault earthquakes after the main shock is explained by a large positive ΔCFF of 1–5 MPa prevailing over a vast area in and around the main-shock fault zone. The areas adjacent to the northern and southern borders of the fault zone where other large interplate earthquakes might occur are occupied by a positive ΔCFF of approximately 0.1 MPa. Based on the ΔCFF result, the future probability of reverse fault earthquakes in the shallow crust is estimated to be decreased in the land area of Tohoku.
A Theoretical Study of the Heavy and Light Hole Properties of Cd1-xZnxS Quantum Dot Superlattices

This work reports on a theoretical investigation of superlattices based on Cd1-xZnxS quantum dots embedded in an insulating material. This system, considered as a series of flattened cylindrical quantum dots with a finite barrier at the boundary, is studied using the tight binding approximation. The ground miniband width and the longitudinal effective mass, in the case of the heavy and light holes, have been computed as a function of zinc composition for different inter-quantum dot separations. An analysis of the results shows that the Zn composition x = 0.8 are appropriate to give rise a superlattice behavior for the light holes. As for the heavy holes, it has been showed the strong localization character of theses carriers in the Cd1-xZnxS nanostructures.
Comparison of Time-Domain Finite-Difference, Finite-Integration, and Integral-Equation Methods for Dipole Radiation in Half-Space Environments

In this paper we compare current implementations of commonly used numerical techniques - the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method, the Finite-Integration Technique (FIT), and Time-Domain Integral Equations (TDIE) - to solve the canonical problem of a horizontal dipole antenna radiating over lossless and lossy half-spaces. These types of environment are important starting points for simulating many Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR applications which operate in the near-field of the antenna, where the interaction among the antenna, the ground, and targets is important. We analysed the simulated current at the centre of the dipole antenna, as well as the electric field at different distances from the centre of the antenna inside the half-space. We observed that the results from the simulations using the FDTD and FIT methods agreed well with each other in all of the environments. Comparisons of the electric field showed that the TDIE technique agreed with the FDTD and FIT methods when observation distances were towards the far-field of the antenna but degraded closer to the antenna. These results provide evidence necessary to develop a hybridisation of current implementations of the FDTD and TDIE methods to capitalise on the strengths of each technique.