Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS UNDER THE UNCERTAIN ENVIRONMENT

The attempt to expand small business enterprise in South Korea is in peril. After the 1997 financial crisis, while economic circumstances in the country were still highly uncertain, the government intervened in the diffusion of venture business firms, which were a newly emerging form of small business in South Korea. I argue that the Korean government’s system of selecting prominent venture firms succeeded in increasing the number of venture businesses in Korea, but that, while trying to do so in a very short time, it also endorsed firms which were hardly promising. Using the Cox proportional hazard model as my main research tool, I find that when the criteria of endorsement are ambiguous, firms exposed to higher environmental uncertainty and showing poor market performance tend to acquire government’s endorsement more quickly. Consequently, as the number of marginal firms among the endorsed venture businesses increased, it hurt the legitimacy of the government’s initiatives to support venture business. The Korean government decided to scrap the system by 2006, earlier than previously planned.
Shadow Elimination for Pedestrian Detection Images

The shadows on the ground may reduce the accuracy of pedestrian detection. To eliminate the shadows in detection images, this paper smoothens the video images with the mean-shift algorithm, and then partitions each image into homogeneous regions by the SLIC algorithm for the purpose of saliency measurement. Based on these regions, the author constructed a graph with super-pixels as the nodes and the links between node pairs as the edges. Finally, the dilution method was introduced to reduce the shadows in the background. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the traditional one in both detection accuracy and efficiency.
Comparison of Crop, Fisheries and Livestock Information Displayed on Agriculture Websites

The swift evolution of information technology has doubtlessly profited a number of industries within this country, of which agriculture is one. The existence of new and developing technologies has greatly assisted agriculture, and the term ‘modern agriculture’ entails the extensive technology used to enhance the quantity and quality of agriculture productivity. One of the most important technologies employed is the Internet, and the main attempt of this paper is to evaluate the information contained on agriculture websites. The data for this study was gained using content analysis on 27 selected agriculture websites maintained by a number of government agencies. The websites were divided into three groups, namely Department of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries and Department of Veterinary Services. The findings conclude that each website has its own unique identity, while displaying information with regards to the expertise of the organization behind the site. Further analyses confirm that information with regards to highly potential crops/fisheries/livestock, available courses and financial information are highly sought after by users. To further improve the websites, issues with regards to a lack of technical agricultural technical information should be addressed.
Glucose tolerance test and some biochemical effect of Phyllanthus amarus aquoeus extacts on normaglycemic albino rats

Aqueous extract of the whole plant of Phyllanthus amarus was assessed for some biochemical effect in albino rats. Oral administration of aqueous extract at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight shows that the extract promote glucose uptake. Daily administration of the extracts (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bodyweight) for 14 days showed that the extract significantly (p 0.05) change on the creatinine and triacyiglycerol (TAG) concentration for all the animal administered the extract compared with the control. The concentration of total cholesterol was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced for all the concentrations; the reduction was found to be dose dependant. The atherogenic index Log (TG/HDL-CH) of the animals showed no significant differences between tests and control. These findings may be of clinical importance to individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease.
In silico Screening for Identification of Novel Aurora Kinase Inhibitors by Molecular Docking, Dynamics Simulations and Ligand-Based Hypothesis Approaches

Aurora kinase family members are involved in a wide variety of cell cycle events including centrosome separation, cytokinesis, kinetochore formation, spindle assembly, chromosomal segregation and microtubule dynamics. Typically, dysfunction of Aurora proteins is associated with aneuploidy, cell death and mitotic arrest, leading to tumorigenesis. This spurred a vast interest to identify pharmacologically active small-molecule inhibitors of Aurora proteins. In this study, we isolated four novel inhibitors through virtual screening and docking analyses. These hits were subsequently characterized by molecular dynamic simulations to monitor their binding stabilities at ATP binding site. To aid characterizing novel and more potent inhibitors for Aurora kinases, we explored selective features of our ligand dataset by ligand-based pharmacophore modeling approach. The best pharmacophore model was then employed for performing virtual screenings of libraries isolated from Princeton and Uorsy databases. On the basis of common pharmacophore features, Lipinski’s rule of five, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination properties, hits were short listed and refined by molecular dockings. Finally, the selected compounds were validated on the basis of binding capabilities, consensus scoring and activity values. We propose that the novel inhibitors described in this study may warrant characterization in designing active lead for clinical studies that may serve as anticancer drugs in future.
The Genus Aspergillus and their Mycotoxins in Maize in Mexico: Problems and Perspectives

Hadassa Yuef Martínez Padrón, Sanjuana Hernández Delgado, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica del Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Blvd. del Maestro s/n esq. Elías Piña, Col. Narciso Mendoza, Reynosa, Tamaulipas, CP 88710, México; César Augusto Reyes Méndez y GriceldaVázquez Carrillo, Campos Experimentales Río Bravo y Valle de México, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP). Correspondencia: hadassayufo@gmail.com
Fuzzy Approach Applied in Fault Detection and Isolation to the Compression System Control

During the last decade, significant change of direction in the development of control theory and its application has attracted great attention from the academic and industrial communities. The concept of “Intelligent supervision “has been suggested as an alternative approach to conventional supervision techniques for complex control systems. The objective is to introduce new mechanisms permitting a more flexible supervision system, but especially more robust one, able to deal with model uncertainties and parameter variations. In this work, we present an application of the fuzzy approach in fault detection and isolation of surge in this compression system. This paper illustrates an alternative implementation to the compression systems supervision task using the basic principles of model-based fault detection and isolation associated with fuzzy modelling approach. Application results of a fault detection and isolation for a compression system are provided, which illustrate the relevance of the proposed fuzzy fault detection and isolation method.
In vitro anti-inflammatory effects of Mahanarayan oil formulations using dendritic cells based assay

Mahanarayan (MN) oil is ayurvedic polyherbal oil for relieving joint and muscular pains. We investigated mechanism of a ction underlying the anti-inflamma tory potential of MN oil at cellular level. Variants of MN oil (A, B, C, D and E) containing “kesar” and “haldi” in different ratios were evaluated for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity using key immune cells; Dendritic cells (DCs). At non-cytotoxic concentrations, all the 5 MN oil formulations significantly inhibited secretion of key cytokines; MIP-1-, TNF- and IL-1- from DCs against LPS-stimulated levels. Alterations in the morphology of LPS-treated DCs were also induced by MN oil formulations (AE) indicating their anti-inflammatory activity. The data obtained suggested that MN oil exerts anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting cytokines produced by DCs. MN oil formulations with varying ratios of kesar and haldi possess comparable anti-inflammatory effects.
A Vector AutoRegressive (VAR) Approach to the Credit Channel for the Monetary Transmission Mechanism in Mauritius

This paper is an attempt to determine the presence and empirical significance of monetary policy and the bank lending view of the credit channel for Mauritius, which is particularly relevant at these times. A vector autoregressive (VAR) model of order three is used to examine the monetary transmission mechanism using quarterly data from 1985Q1 to 2006Q4. The variables Gross Domestic Product (GDP), price level, money supply and credit to private sector are considered. The results of econometric analysis show the effectiveness and relevance of monetary policy and of a credit channel in the short-run. Changes in the monetary policy variable (M2) affect the credit variable (CPS) in the short-run. Output (GDP) increases temporarily, while the effect of a monetary stimulus on prices is a persistent increase. Keywords: Monetary Transmission Mechanism, Credit Channel, VAR model.
Which Loans are Relationship Loans? Evidence from the 1998 Survey of Small Business Finances

Despite financial economists' long-standing interest in the role of lender-borrower relationships in increasing the availability of funds to small businesses, many questions remain unanswered. Numerous empirical studies investigate the effect of relationships on the availability and terms of credit to small businesses (Petersen and Rajan (1994), Berger and Udell (1995), Blackwell and Winters (1997), Cole (1998), Harhoff and KA¶rting (1998), Elsas and Krahnen (1998), Angelini et al.(1998), Degryse and van Cayseele (2000), Bodenhorn (2003)) and many find that relationships improve the availability of credit for some categories of small businesses. But the studies present mixed results on how relationships affect collateral requirements and lending rates, as well as whether relationships affect loan terms and availability via reputation enhancement, as modeled by Diamond (1991) and Boot and Thakor (1994), or via information capture, as modeled by Greenbaum et al. (1989) and Sharpe (1990).
Firm Specific Risk and Return: Quantile Regression Application

The present study aims at investigating the relationship between firm specific risk and stock return using cross-sectional quantile regression. In order to study the power of firm specific risk in explaining cross-sectional return, a combination of Fama-Macbeth (1973) model and quantile regression is used. To this aim, a sample of 270 firms listed in Tehran Stock Exchange during 1999-2010 was investigated. The results revealed that the relationship between firm specific risk and stock return is significantly affected by the quantile so that the direction of changes in low quantiles is negative, and in high quantiles, is positive. Moreover, using the specific risk measure based on return’s standard deviation, the interactive effects of industry and the fourth moment lead to removal of this relationship. One can attribute this relation to the mutual effect of industry and kurtosis. However, using measures based factor models, industry and kurtosis cannot eliminate the explanatory power of specific risk.
The differential item functioning and structural equivalence of a nonverbal cognitive ability test for five language groups

Orientation: For a number of years, eliminating a language component in testing by using nonverbal cognitive tests has been proposed as a possible solution to the effect of groups’ languages (mother tongues or first languages) on test performance. This is particularly relevant in South Africa with its 11 official languages. Research purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the differential item functioning (DIF) and structural equivalence of a nonverbal cognitive ability test (the PiB/SpEEx Observance test [401]) for five South African language groups. Motivation for study: Cultural and language group sensitive tests can lead to unfair discrimination and is a contentious workplace issue in South Africa today. Misconceptions about psychometric testing in industry can cause tests to lose credibility if industries do not use a scientifically sound test-by-test evaluation approach. Research design, approach and method: The researcher used a quasi-experimental design and factor analytic and logistic regression techniques to meet the research aims. The study used a convenience sample drawn from industry and an educational institution. Main findings: The main findings of the study show structural equivalence of the test at a holistic level and nonsignificant DIF effect sizes for most of the comparisons that the researcher made. Practical/managerial implications: This research shows that the PIB/SpEEx Observance Test (401) is not completely language insensitive. One should see it rather as a language-reduced test when people from different language groups need testing. Contribution/value-add: The findings provide supporting evidence that nonverbal cognitive tests are plausible alternatives to verbal tests when one compares people from different language groups.
Crises, Contagion and Cross-Listings

We investigate whether cross-listing shares in the form of depositary receipts in overseas markets benefits investors in emerging market countries during periods of local financial crisis from 1994 to 2002. We regress cumulative abnormal returns for three windows surrounding the crisis events on the cross-listing status while controlling for cross-sectional differences in firm age, trading volume, foreign exposure, disclosure quality and corporate governance. Further, we examine cross-listing effects in countries popularly thought to experience contagious effects of these crises. We find that cross-listed firms react significantly less negatively than non-cross-listed firms, particularly in the aftermath of the crisis. The results on contagious cross-listing effects are however mixed. Our findings are consistent with predictions based on theories of market segmentation as well as differential disclosure/governance between developed and emerging markets. We do not find evidence that foreign investors "panic" during a currency crisis.
Glycine betaine mediated disease resistance against Sclerospora graminicola in Pearl Millet

The present findings on Glycine betaine provides significant perception on the dynamics of pearl millet by activating the host defense responses during its interaction with the pathogen. Glycine betaine treatment to seeds at 30 mg ml-1 concentration for 6 h significantly enhanced the seed germination and seedling vigor of pearl millet in comparison with the control. Significant inhibition of sporangial sporulation, zoospore release and motility was observed at 30 mg ml-1, even though it failed to exhibit complete inhibition in all the concentrations tested. TTC assay confirmed the declined release of sporangiospores from sporangia by inhibiting the viability of sporangiospores. Inducer treated seedlings recorded an early and increased hypersensitive response as a reaction to Sclerospora graminicola inoculation compared to untreated. The effect of Glycine betaine was tested by seed treatment alone, seed treatment + foliar application and foliar application alone. Significant inhibition of disease control was noticed in seed treatment followed by foliar application with 19.2% disease incidence at 30 mg ml-1. Spatio-temporal studies indicated that seed treatment with Glycine betaine increased disease protection three days after inoculation. With these results, Glycine betaine has been shown to be an effective compound for the control of downy mildew disease in pearl millet.
Effect of self-monitoring of blood glucose on glycaemic outcome among type 2 diabetic patients

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder which leads to complications especially when not properly managed. The role of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in type 2 diabetic patients using oral hypoglycaemic agents has been a source of controversy. Objective: The objective was to study the effect of SMBG on glycaemic outcome among type 2 diabetics in a primary care setting. Methodology: A randomised control study was conducted between March 2013 and November 2013 at the General Outpatient Clinic of the Family Medicine Department (FMD) in Lagos State University Teaching hospital. A total of 120 diabetic patients were randomised into intervention and control groups; 107 patients (55 in the intervention and 52 in the control group) completed the study. Intention-to-treat analysis was done. Chi-square, Students t- and paired t-test were used to determine variables significantly associated with SMBG. Results: More than three-quarters (77.5%) of the participants were aware of SMBG prior to commencement of the study. Both the SMBG (8.7% vs. 7.2%; p-value < 0.001) and non-SMBG (8.7% vs 7.7%; p-value < 0.001) groups had a significant improvement in HbA1c at the end of the study. Similarly there was a significant improvement in FBG among both groups (SMBG 153 mg/dl vs. 123 mg/dl; p-value < 0.001 and non-SMBG (158 mg/dl vs. 137 mg/dl; p-value 0.022). The HbA1c at the end of the study was 7.2% for the SMBG vs 7.7% for the non-SMBG group with no statistical difference (p-value 0.174). Conclusion: The use of SMBG among type 2 DM patients did not result in better glycaemic control compared with patients who did not practise SMBG. It could be due to close follow-up and education of both groups.
Influence of Nanomaterials in Polymer Composites on Thermal Conductivity

simple mixing and drying methods, and their thermal conductivities and structures were characterized by using a steady-state method (ASTM D5470) and scanning and transmission electron microscopies. In order to investigate the influence of synthesis conditions on the thermal conductivity of composites, various concentrations of multiwall carbon nanotubes, graphites, surfactants, and polymer matrix materials as well as two different nanoparticles and solvents were tested. Our composites containing both nanotubes (25wt. %) and graphites (25wt. %) with sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) as a dispersant showed the highest thermal conductivity, � 1.8W/m-K at room temperature. The highest conductivity from nanotube/graphite mixtures would be from good adhesion and less voids between nanotubes and polymers as well as excellent thermal conduction from graphite sheets. The thermal conductivities of the composites have been calculated as a function of carbon nanotube concentrations by using a model based on the Maxwell’s effective medium theory, and the most effective method of improving thermal conductivity was suggested. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4005201]
Epsilon-Zero Resonance Antennas with Modified Unit Cells

In this paper new epsilon-zero resonance (EZR) antennas using epsilon negative (ENG) transmission line (TL) are presented. In the proposed antennas, the unit cell of the ENG TL is implemented using a modified mushroom-like structure in which the via hole is placed at the patch edge. This configuration leads to a broadside radiation pattern and also results in the unit cell size reduction. A one unit cell compact size antenna and a nine unit cell high gain antenna using this new configuration are designed and fabricated. Measurement results including radiation pattern, maximum gain and return loss show good agreement with simulation results.
ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL ADEQUACY IN DAIRY COWS THROUGH DIET CHARACTERISTICS AND ANIMAL RESPONSES

Many productive or health disorders in dairy production can be due or favored by diet inadequacy, so that the control of the ability of diet to sustain normal physiological functions is often necessary. Diet inadequacy can relate to different steps: diet calculation, diet preparation, diet consumption, or digestion and metabolic efficiency of nutrients. The evaluation of the first steps can be direct, and the first part of this paper will discuss the limits of diet control. These limits explain the interest of animal criteria, which are also useful for the evaluation of digestive and metabolic processes, and can aid to reveal discrepancies between physiological requirements of animals and feeding management. Because nutritional imbalances are important risk factors for digestive and metabolic diseases, these diseases can be considered as animal responses to diet abnormalities, so that some of the criteria presented in this paper can also be used for detection of health problems in herds.
COMPLEX SAMPLING DESIGNS FOR THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION INDEX ESTIMATION

In this paper we focus on sampling designs best suited to meeting the needs of Customer Satisfaction (CS) assessment with particular attention being paid to adaptive sampling which may be useful. Complex sampling designs are illustrated in order to build CS indices that may be used for inference purposes. When the phenomenon of satisfaction is rare, adaptive designs can produce gains in efficiency, relative to conventional designs, for estimating the population parameters. For such sampling design, nonlinear estimators may be used to estimate custmer satisfaction indices which are generally biased and the variance estimator may not be obtained in a closed-form solution. Delta, jackknfe and bootstrap procedures are introduced in order to reduce bias and estimating variance. The paper ends up with a simulation study in order to estimate the variance of the proposed estimators.