Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Did They Do It Differently? Capital Structure Choices of Public and Private Sectors in Pakistan

Capital structure is one of the most complex areas of strategic financial decision making due to its interrelationship with other financial decision variables. For more than four decades discussion in corporate finance concerns the question of optimal capital structure: Given a level of total capital necessary for supporting firm's activities, is there a way of dividing this capital into debt and equity which maximises firm value? And, if so, what are the critical factors in setting the leverage ratio for a given firm? Corporate finance literature is overwhelmed by this hot debate, which is still going on, about firm value triggered by the two conflicting conclusions of Modigliani and Miller (1958, 1963). For a comprehensive review of this literature, see Harris and Raviv (1991). The theoretical and empirical research about the optimal capital structure has so far been inconclusive and conflicting. However, the capital structure approach to firm value has been successful to replace heuristics with more methodical approach to define capital structure of the firm. The researchers have theoretically as well as empirically identified many endogenous and exogenous factors affecting the firm's leverage. They have theoretically and empirically identified agency costs, information asymmetry, taxes, non-debt tax shields, growth, firm size, assets' collateral value and tangibility, profitability and liquidity, earnings variability, expected costs of financial distress, industry classification, country factor, and firm's international activities as the determinants of firm's debt-equity choices. The listed firms in Pakistan operate in public as well as private sector. Public sector is perceived to be inefficient in operating and investment decisions due to low managerial effort, a popular argument given in favour of privatisation. They were also believed to have privileged access to public sector dominated debt market. Based on perceived different management practices and environment we hypothesise that the firms in public sector may also have different determinants of debt-equity choices. This is an empirical study that covers private as well as public sector manufacturing firms listed at Karachi Stock Exchange. The data for this research has been adopted from 'Balance Sheet Analysis of Joint Stock Companies Listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange' and published by State Bank of Pakistan. This data is based upon published accounts of the listed companies.
Interactive comment on “Long-term observations of black carbon mass concentrations at Fukue Island, western Japan, during 2009–2015: Constraining wet removal rates and emission strengths from East Asia” by Yugo Kanaya et al

The observed CO concentration is presented in volume mixing ratio. The CO emission rate (from emission inventory) is rather converted to equivalent mixing ratios under 273 K and 1013 hPa (the condition was commonly used for BC mass concentrations). This will be mentioned clearly in the revised manuscript. The same units were generally used in previous papers discussing observed ∆BC/∆CO ratios in comparison to emission inventory.
The Importance of Social Connection for Cybervictims: How Connectedness and Technology Could Promote Mental Health and Wellbeing in Young People

A substantial amount of research has documented the negative impact technology has on young people's lives: particularly cyberbullying and the negative mental health outcomes associated with it. Research examining how technology could promote mental health and wellbeing in young people however, needs further investigation. This paper reports on a mixed methods study, which involved quantitative online surveys (N = 229), and face to face interviews (N = 30), across eight South Australian high schools. This paper will only address the quantitative results. The study involved young people aged 12 to 17 years. This paper discusses the importance of social connectedness and the use of technology to promote social connectedness among young people. A key finding was that young people who were more socially connected, were more likely to cope actively in response to frequent cyber victimisation. They were more likely to seek help and have positive mental health as a consequence. Findings from this study could aid policy development, social media campaigns, and the education of health professionals, teachers, and parents about the benefits of technology and the importance of staying connected.
Benthic Diatom Motility in Estuarine Mudflats and Coastal Sands of the Atlantic Ocean Coast

Diatoms are known to dominate sediments of coastal microbial communities in estuaries, marshes, and beaches where their ecological role as primary producers is of great importance. In addition, the high diversity of species requires careful taxonomic and ecological evaluation. Loss of diatom dominance in coastal habitats can signal significant alteration of ecosystem services and can be used in management practices. With the current alterations of the Savannah River, due to the Savannah River Expansion Project, algae inhabiting the soft mud and sediment habitats found upstream in the estuary of the river are expected to be impacted significantly. Deepening and widening of the river will increase fine sediment load, which will intensify turbidity of the water and possibly cause extensive burial of the algal community. At low tide, many benthic diatoms possess the ability to migrate to the surface of the sediment where light enables photosynthesis. The distances traveled by diatoms and the timing of the movement remains largely unknown. In this study, algal communities were evaluated to the lowest taxonomic level. The algal community was dominated by biraphid diatoms capable of motility. Eleven benthic diatoms collected in the Savannah River estuary mudflats were documented and described including, Nitzschia brevissima, Cylindrotheca gracilis and Fallacia subforcipata. Artificial environments were recreated in a laboratory set-up to observe vertical migration of a biraphid diatom; Nitzschia closterium populations were covered with either fine sand and coarse sand sediments. Diatoms were stimulated to move upwards after exposure to continuous light for 24-72-120 hour intervals. Diatoms remained alive but did not migrate to the surface. This was potentially due to unnatural sediment packing and lack of environmental stimuli, like tides and sunlight.
AARTFAAC flux density calibration and Northern hemisphere catalogue at 60 MHz

We present a method for calibrating the flux density scale for images generated by the Amsterdam ASTRON Radio Transient Facility And Analysis Centre (AARTFAAC). AARTFAAC produces a stream of all-sky images at a rate of 1 s in order to survey the Northern hemisphere for short duration, low-frequency transients, such as the prompt doneelectromagnetic counterpart to gravitational wave events, magnetar flares, blazars, and other as of yet unobserved phenomena. Therefore, an independent flux density scaling solution per image is calculated via bootstrapping, comparing the measured apparent brightness of sources in the field to a reference catalogue. However, the lack of accurate flux density measurements of bright sources below 74 MHz necessitated the creation of the AARTFAAC source catalogue, at 60 MHz, which contains 167 sources across the Northern hemisphere. Using this as a reference results in a sufficiently high number of detected sources in each image to calculate a stable and accurate flux scale per 1 s snapshot, in real-time.
Numerical Modeling Chemical Vapor In�ltration o� SiC Compo�ite�

e multiphase �eld model for chemical vapor in�ltration (CVI) of SiC/SiC composites is developed in this study, thereby to reproduce themicrostructure evolution during CVI process and to achieve better understanding of the effect of process parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.) on the �nal product. In order to incorporate the thermodynamics of methyltrichlorosilane (MTS) pyrolysis into phase �eld model framework, the reduced chemical reaction mechanism is adopted. e model consists of a set of nonlinear partial differential equations by coupling �inzburg-Landau type phase �eld equations with mass balance equations (e.g., convection-diffusion equation) and the modi�ed �avier-Stokes equations which accounts for the �uid motion. emicrostructure of preferential codeposition of Si, SiC under high ratio of H2 toMTS is simulated and the potential risk of blockage of the premature pores during isothermal CVI process is predicted. e competitive growth mechanism of SiC grains is discussed and the formation process of potential premature pore blockage is reproduced.
Standard Galactic Field RR Lyrae. I. Optical to Mid-infrared Phased Photometry

We present a multi-wavelength compilation of new and previously published photometry for 55 Galactic field RR Lyrae variables. Individual studies, spanning a time baseline of up to 30 years, are self-consistently phased to produce light curves in 10 photometric bands covering the wavelength range from 0.4 to 4.5 microns. Data smoothing via the GLOESS technique is described and applied to generate high-fidelity light curves, from which mean magnitudes, amplitudes, rise times, and times of minimum and maximum light are derived. 60,000 observations were acquired using the new robotic Three-hundred MilliMeter Telescope (TMMT), which was first deployed at the Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, CA, and is now permanently installed and operating at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. We provide a full description of the TMMT hardware, software, and data reduction pipeline. Archival photometry contributed approximately 31,000 observations. Photometric data are given in the standard Johnson UBV, Kron–Cousins , 2MASS JHK, and Spitzer [3.6] and [4.5] bandpasses.
A DISPOSABLE MICROFLUIDIC CHIP FOR DETECTION OF INFLUENZA TYPE A IN CLINICAL SPECIMENS INTEGRATING RNA ISOLATION, REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION, AND CONTINUOUS FLOW PCR

Detection of influenza type A infection in clinical specimens is demonstrated in a thermoplastic disposable microfluidic device by integrating viral RNA extraction and reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The accuracy of the microfluidic assay was evaluated with 146 human respiratory specimens collected at two clinical sites in Boston, MA, USA. The total assay time is less than three hours which is comparable to bench-top RNA extraction and RT-PCR methods and considerably faster than the gold standard diagnostic four day viral culture method. We demonstrate a new highly sensitive and specific integrated device for influenza A in clinical specimens.
DEVELOPING A PLANT CULTURE MEDIUM COMPOSED OF VINASSE ORIGINATING FROM HAEMATOCOCCUS PLUVIALIS CULTURE

The mineral nutrients in vinasse provide support for algal and plant growth. Algal culture releases organic compounds into its liquid culture medium. These organic and inorganic substances can be useful for formulating a plant tissue culture medium, because tissue culture medium is composed of organic and inorganic components. Therefore, the aims of this study were to develop a plant culture medium by using the vinasse that is employed for Haematococcus pluvialis culture (algal filtrate); to investigate the possible beneficial effects of the biocompounds in the micropropagation of Nidularium procerum (Bromeliaceae), to evaluate quercetin content, total phenolics content in vinasse and to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the media by performing a bioassay with Artemia salina. The vinasse that originated from H. pluvialis culture can be used to formulate plant tissue culture at a 3% dilution, and its mineral nutrients can support In vitro plant growth, but some nutrients must be supplemented to enhance its efficiency. An efficient micropropagation protocol was developed for N. procerum. The micropropagated plants were suitable for transfer to the field (they were acclimatized). This culture medium provides a way to reuse wastewater, gives a rational alternative to vinasse disposal and adds value to what is currently considered to be an undesirable residue. Moreover, this process can reduce the production costs of clonal seedlings and/or bioactive compounds in biofactories. There was no apparent biostimulatory effect by the algal filtrate on morphogenesis; however, it did increase quercetin production. The H. pluvialis culture that was grown in the vinasse decreased the cytotoxicity and phenolic compound contents, which prevented explant tissue necrosis and represented a treatment for this residue for safer disposal in the environment.
ELECTRONIC CONSUMER STYLE INVENTORY: FACTOR EXPLORATION AND MULTI-COMPARISON ANALYSIS

The objective of this research article is to identify the factors of consumer decisionmaking style in the context of electronic purchasing and test the significance of these factors on the basis of gender and age of respondents through multi-comparison analysis. Data for this report came from a survey of consumers (N = 411) with a structured questionnaire design. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), ANOVA and Post-hoc (for multiple comparisons) were used to achieve the objectives of the study. To contribute to an internationally valid and reliable research instrument for consumer decision-making style in the context of electronic purchasing, new constructs were identified, which we will call Electronic Consumer Style Inventory (ECSI). Consistent with the hypotheses, in general, the extracted factors in consumers’ electronic buying decision-making style are found to be significant on the basis of respondent gender and age. Customers’ evaluations of e-service quality are critical to service firms that aim to improve their marketing strategies; consequently, accurate measurement of e-service quality is a major concern for management. The resultant implications of this research are discussed by the authors and can help e-vendors and marketing managers achieve a sustainable competitive advantage in global markets and enhance their performance.
Turbulent mining models and experimentations for firm’s core competence

Abstract The firm’s core competence is the root of sustainable development and competitive advantage. However, few managers could claim to have known how to detect, build and even reform it to achieve success in a turbulent organizational environment. Therefore, the paper puts forwards a new mining concept model with the quite important factor named managers’ pattern recognition which is often slid over in the past researches, and an agile-heuristic-interactive experimental mining system mainly supported by rough selforganization mining technique, in order to research the above problems from the viewpoints of the complex organization system, the relationship between organization and environment, and the firm’s strategy management theories in competitive advantage and dynamic capabilities, etc. At last, two real firms are put into the experimental system to test the mining effectiveness and find one firm’s core competence and its possible evolutionary and co-evolutionary paths.
Observations and modeling of the braking effect of forests on small and medium avalanches

Abstract A long-standing problem in avalanche science is to understand how forests stop avalanches. In this paper we quantify the effect of forests on small and medium avalanches, crucial for road and skirun safety. We performed field studies on seven avalanches where trees affected the runout. We gathered information concerning the release zone location and dimension, deposition patterns and heights, runout distance and forest structure. In these studies the trees were not destroyed, but acted as rigid obstacles. Wedge-like depositions formed behind (1) individual tree stems, (2) dense tree groups and (3) young trees with low-lying branches. Using the observations as a guide, we developed a one-parameter function to extract momentum corresponding to the stopped mass from the avalanche. The function was implemented in a depth-averaged avalanche dynamics model and used to predict the observed runout distances and mean deposition heights for the seven case studies. The approach differs from existing forest interaction models, which modify avalanche friction to account for tree breakage and debris entrainment. Our results underscore the importance of forests in mitigating the danger from small-to-medium avalanches.
Study on the thermoelectric properties of PVDF/MWCNT and PVDF/GNP composite foam

Thermoelectric effect is defined as the revisable translation between thermal and electrical energy. In this paper, we investigate the properties of p-type poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based polymer composite foams that can be used in next generation energy harvesting applications. The composites were created using the continuous melt blending method. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nano-platelets (GNPs) were used as secondary phases to strengthen the electrical conductivity of the composites. Foam structures were later generated using the super-critical carbon dioxide saturation method. We study the material properties between solid and foam samples; the results indicate a dramatic increase in overall thermoelectric properties for GNP foamed samples. We also report at least an order decrease in thermal conductivity, which is in favor of the thermoelectric effect. An unexpected drop in electrical conductivity was observed after the foaming process and can be explained by the large volumetric expansion of the foam. Finally, we report the Seebeck coefficient for both types of composite foams: 11 μV/K for 5 wt% MWCNT/PVDF foam and 58 μV/K for 15 wt% GNP/PVDF foam.
RGB-D Scene Flow via Grouping Rigid Motions

Robotics and artificial intelligence have seen drastic advancements in technology and algorithms over the last decade. Computer vision algorithms play a crucial role in enabling robots and machines to understand their environment. A fundamental cue in understanding environments is analyzing the motions within the scene, otherwise known as scene flow. Scene flow estimates the 3D velocity of each imaged point captured by a camera. The 3D information of the scene can be acquired by RGB-D cameras, which produce both colour and depth images and have been proven to be useful for solving many computer vision tasks. Scene flow has numerous applications such as motion segmentation, 3D mapping, robotic navigation and obstacle avoidance, gesture recognition, etc. Most state-of-the-art RGB-D scene flow methods are set in a variational framework and formulated as an energy minimization problem. While these methods are able to provide high accuracy, they are computationally expensive and not robust under larger motions in the scene. The main contributions of this research is a method for efficiently estimating approximate RGB-D scene flow. A new approach to scene flow estimation has been introduced based on matching 3D points from one frame to the next in a hierarchical fashion. One main observation that is used is that most scene motions in everyday life consist of rigid motions. As such, large parts of the scene will follow the same motion. The new method takes advantage of this fact by attempting to group the 3D data in each frame according to like-motions using concepts from spectral clustering. A simple coarse-to-fine voxelization scheme is used to provide fast estimates of motion and accommodate for larger motions. This is a much more tractable approach than existing methods and does not depend on convergence of some defined objective function in an optimization framework. By assuming the scene is composed of rigidly moving parts, non-rigid motions are not accurately estimated and hence the method is an approximate scene flow estimation. Still, quickly determining approximate motions in a scene is tremendously useful for any computer vision tasks that benefit from motion cues. Evaluation is performed on a custom RGB-D dataset because existing RGB-D scene flow datasets presented to date are mostly based on qualitative evaluation. The dataset consists of real scenes that demonstrates realistic scene flow. Experimental results show that the presented method can provide reliable scene flow estimates at significantly faster runtime speed and can handle larger motions better than current methods.
Promoting ethical culture in persuance of a virtuous public service

This article refl ects the fi ndings of a research project that started in 2003 with the publication of a Pretoria News article entitled Jail ‘smuggling’ not seen as corruption (Keyser 2003). This report covered the proceedings of the investigation of the Jali-Commission into incidents of corruption, maladministration, violence and intimidation in the Department of Correctional Services. The mandate of the Commission included the Department’s head offi ce and nine management areas including the St Albans; Pretoria; Ncome; Pietermaritsburg; Durban Westville; Johannesburg; Pollsmoor; Leeuwkop; and Bloemfontein Management Areas. ABSTRACT
Channel assignment using differential evolution algorithm in cognitive radio networks

The emerging wireless applications have increased the demand of wireless spectrum significantly. Present spectrum assignment is static, due to which problem of spectrum scarcity has been raised. Cognitive Radio (CR) is a promising technology to deal with spectrum scarcity problem, which uses dynamic spectrum allocation to utilize the vacant spectrum. The CR intelligently scans the spectrum in its vicinity and search the vacant spectrum. The optimization of available spectrum is important research challenge in cognitive radio networks (CRNs). In this research work, we have optimized the spectrum utility of SUs using Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm in order to reduce the interference incurs to primary users (PUs) and as well as among the secondary users (SUs). Moreover, the results are compared with other evolutionary channel assignment algorithms like Fuzzy Logic Ant Colony System (FLACS) and Color Sensitive Graph Coding Method (CSGC). It has been observed that the results of proposed algorithms can further enhance the spectrum utility in CRNs in comparison to FLACS and CSGC.
Evidence from Beverage Industry of Pakistan

The core objective of this research endeavour is to assess empirically to what degree perceptions of optimism subculture are associated with overall job satisfaction and its dimensions. Structured survey questionnaire was employed to test the study hypotheses. Hierarchical regression analyses reveals that perceived optimistic cultural values, at group or team level, fosters not only satisfaction to overall job but also its intrinsic and extrinsic components of sales persons employed by beverage companies in Pakistan while controlling the effects of important demographic variables such as gender, age, company and selling tenures. Practical implications of study findings and future research suggestions are presented, too.
A Novel Method for Cell Phenotype Image Classification

As the development of human genomic project, the life science research has entered the post-genome era. The study of the function of the encoded proteins is one of the hotspots in life-science research and protein subcellular localization is an important basis for functional study of the protein. The most common method used for determining subcellular localization of protein in cell is fluorescence microscopy. Image feature calculation has proven invaluable in the automated cell phenotype image classification. This article proposes a novel method for cell phenotype image classification which is to count the local difference features of the fluorescence images. The novel method is tested on two image sets called LOCATE Endogenous and LOCATE Transfected. A support vector machine was trained and tested for each image set and better classification accuracies were obtained on the two image sets.