Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of national cultural differences of board members on integrated reporting

How to cite this paper: Alfiero, S. , Cane, M. , Doronzo, R. , & Esposito, A. (2018). The effect of national cultural differences of board members on integrated reporting. Corporate Board: Role, Duties and Composition, 14(1), 7-21. http://doi.org/10.22495/cbv14i1art1 Copyright © 2017 The Authors This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b y-nc/4.0/ ISSN Online: 2312-2722 ISSN Print: 1810-8601 Received: 09.01. 2018 Accepted: 02.03. 2018 JEL Classification: G34, L14, M14, M41 DOI: 10.22495/cbv14i1art1 This research, based on stakeholder theory and the national cultural dimensions, aims to test the influence of foreigners on board and its size on Integrated Reporting (IR) practices. The analysis is based on a sample of 1,058 European companies from 18 different countries, who adopted or not the IR for the year 2015, and it relies on a Logit. The dependent variable is a dummy (presenting or not the IR) and the independent variables are represented by the board characteristics (foreigners and size). The impact of the critical mass on the presence of foreigners and the cultural dimension on the basis of directors’ nationality was tested relying on the masculinity/femininity dimension of Hofstede. Besides, the directors’ country of origin was considered, namely if they belong to the major European countries presenting a wider IR diffusion. The relationship between foreigners on board and IR is found to be negative. This means that companies with at least one foreigner are less inclined to adopt IR. The results show that the boards with more of three foreign administrators have a major propensity to adopt the IR. The membership of the directors in countries with a feminist culture also has a positive effect.
Software Reliability Modeling Based on Unascertained Theory

In this paper, unascertained mathematical theory is applied to the study of software reliability modeling. It is used to study software fault process, describe software failure character and get software reliability parameters. Finally, a software reliability model based on unascertained theory is proposed in this paper. The new model changes the traditional modeling thought, and brakes away from the statistical distribution assumption about the variety of failure rate in the traditional software reliability modeling process. It has better applicability, which improves the incongruence of model application to some extent.
Cloning and Expression of Endoglucanase Gene from Thermophilic Bacteria Bacillus sp. RP1

An endoglucanase gene from glycoside hydrolase family 5, had been isolated from Bacillus sp. RP1 and cloned into Escherichia coli . The cloned gene comprised the promoter, coding sequence and terminator of the gene. This gene encoded a protein with 499 amino acid residues (Mr=55.2 kDa) with a typical Bacillus signal peptide. The recombinant endoglucanase (EG) had optimum activity at pH 5.0 and 50 °C. The recombinant EG was expressed in the extracellular, intracellular, and periplasmic fractions with the highest total activity (60.15%) in the intracellular fraction, measured at three hours after isopropyl-β-Dthiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction. Three hours after the addition of 1% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), there was a two-fold increase in intracellular EG specific activity compared to the uninduced cells. Three hours after the addition of 1 mM IPTG, 1% glucose, 1% galactose or 1% cellobiose the intracellular EG specific activity decreased compared to the uninduced cells.
Regulation of propagule size in the aquatic pseudo-annual Potamogeton pectinatus: are genetic and maternal non-genetic effects additive?

Genetic and maternal non-genetic effects interact in shaping the phenotype of a particular trait. The strength of the genetic component determines whether selection pressure results in evolutionary changes in the population. The strength of the maternal non-genetic component can affect the pace of selection. In this study, we analysed genetic and maternal propagule size effects on propagule size production in the pondweed Potamogeton pectinatus. In particular, we analysed whether they interact significantly (i.e. whether both effects are additive, synergistic or antagonistic) and how they may influence the outcome of diversifying selection pressures in the field. Fifteen clones differing in the genetically determined size of asexual propagules (tubers) were grown for three asexual generations in a common-garden set-up. The first generation was grown from tubers collected from the field, the second from maternal tubers of comparable size, and the last from both small and large maternal tubers. Maternal tuber size had a large effect on all clones that was independent of their genetically determined tuber size - that is, genetic and maternal non-genetic effects were additive. Path analysis revealed that maternal tuber size affected tuber size and number similarly through its effect on biomass production (vegetative and total tuber production), while the genetic component had a direct effect on tuber size, associated with a trade-off with tuber number. Because the relationship between genetic and maternal non-genetic effects is additive, the outcome of diversifying selection related to tuber predation pressure by Bewick's swans and sediment heterogeneity will not be affected. However, since the maternal effect is large, variation around optimal sizes is likely to persist in the population, which is consistent with what is found in the field. [KEYWORDS: carry-over effects ; fennel pondweed ; propagule size; size-number trade-off; tuber size]
Cohomology and Extensions of von Neumann Algebras. II

We develop a theory of extensions of von Neumann algebras by locally compact groups of automorphisms. The emphasis is on the description (from an algebraic point of view) of those extensions of a given von Neumann algebra by a given group which determine a fixed homomorphism from the group into the outer automorphism classes of the given algebra. Thus the study of such homomorphisms occupies a substantial part of the paper; for a large class of examples we are able to determine when such a homomorphism is split, and give a simple algebraic description of the extensions. We then give necessary and sufficient conditions (of an analytic nature) for an extension to be equivalent to a twisted crossed product extension, and give some applications to the study of representations of certain topological groups, and to approximately finite dimensional von Neumann algebras.
HABITAT-POPULATION DENSITY RELATIONSHIPS FOR WHITE-TAILED DEER IN ILLINOIS

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have reached population densities in the agricultural Midwest that would not have been predicted 20-30 years ago. To help explain this phenomenon, we inventoried and analyzed potential deer habitat in Illinois, using classified satellite imagery and a proximity-based habitat model. Statewide prehunt deer densities (ca 1992) were estimated at 4-5 deer per km2 of total area and 30-37 deer per km2 of forest based on population reconstruction and modeling. Habitat suitability indices explained 81% of the variation in deer population densities at the county level. The amount and distribution of deer habitat in Illinois was primarily dependent on intensity of agricultural land use, which in turn was dictated by soil productivity and terrain. We found no evidence that relative use of available habitat at the county level was adversely affected either by habitat fragmentation or human presence on the landscape.
Acoustical Investigations of Molecular Interactions in Polymer Solutions of PAN/Clay Nano composites and DMSO

Acoustical studies of intermolecular interactions in the polymer solution of PAN / clay nanocomposites and DMSO have been done at 30 degree Celsius using experimental ultrasonic velocity and density data taken from literature. Several acoustical and thermo-dynamical parameters such as isothermal compressibility, adiabatic compressibility, specific heat ratio, volume expansivity, surface tension, specific sound velocity, specific adiabatic compressibility, intermolecular free length, pseudo-Gruneisen parameter and classical absorption coefficient have been evaluated. Some elastic parameters such as Young modulus, shear modulus, bulk modulus and Poisson ratio have also been determined. Non linear parameters such as Moelwyn-Hughes parameter, reduced volume, reduced compressibility, Sharma’s constants, Huggins parameter, isobaric acoustical parameter, isochoric acoustical parameter, isothermal acoustical parameter, fractional free volume, repulsive exponent, thermo acoustical parameter such as A * and B * , Bayer’s non-linear parameter, internal pressure, isochoric thermo-acoustical parameter and isochoric temperature coefficient of internal pressure have also been calculated. The Moelwyn-Hughes parameter has been utilized to establish relation between the Bayer’s non linear parameter, internal pressure and Sharma constant. Relationships among the isobaric, isothermal and isochoric thermo- acoustical parameter have been studied and analyzed for PAN/clay nano composites. The obtained results have been compared with the experimental results as available in literature. The non-ideal behavior of the polymer solution has been explained in terms of its composition and variation of its acoustical and thermo-dynamical parameters. The present treatment offers a convenient method to investigate thermo-acoustic properties and anharmonic behavior of the system under study.
Review of: Beating the blues: New approaches to overcoming dysthymia and chronic mild depression. Thase ME, Lang SS. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.

areas, are discussed. In addition, an introduction to the principles of neuropathologically sensitive MRI techniques (magnetization transfer and diffusion tensor imaging) is provided, and the data on the application of these techniques to the study of psychosis reviewed. Other subjects covered in this volume include the genetics of normal and abnormal cognition, brain development, and consciousness. I would recommend this book to any clinician and researcher working in psychiatry, neuropsychology and neurology. It provides a fascinating collection of articles that introduces one into neuroscientific topics currently of interest in psychiatry.
A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF FLUID-DYNAMIC LOADS ON A PLANE SURFACE BENEATH A CIRCULAR CYLINDER IN THE SUBCRITICAL FLOW REGIME

This paper studies the fluctuating forces on a plane surface beneath a circular cylinder in the subcritical flow regime using two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The turbulent flow fields were calculated via numerical solutions of the Navier– Stokes (N–S) equations without a turbulence model (laminar flow computation), large eddy simulation (LES), and Reynolds-Averaged N-S equations (RANS) approach with the shearstress transport (SST) turbulence model. The primary goal is to evaluate the correctness, accuracy, and applicability of 2-D approximation of turbulence simulation with different approaches for subcritical flow regime (Re=5000). Some preliminary knowledge of the forces on the plane which is important in studying scours and flow-induced vibration in ocean engineering is obtained. Results show that the laminar approach with high mesh resolution can adequately simulate turbulent flows at this moderate Reynolds number. Specially, the fluctuating forces on the plane surface due to the flow are significant within three times the cylinder diameter in the downstream, and within one cylinder diameter in the upstream of the cylinder. The pressure fluctuations are approximately two orders of magnitude larger than the shear stress fluctuations. In the frequency domain, the fluctuating forces are significant under twice the vortex-shedding frequency. Within one cylinder diameter in the downstream and upstream regions of the cylinder, the pressure fluctuations on the plane surface are well correlated whereas the shear stress is not so well correlated.
Software Development for Optimum Allocation of Power System Elements Based on Genetic Algorithm

In this paper, a software is developed in order to evaluate optimum allocation of any power system elements such as power plant, substation and capacitors. This software is based on genetic algorithm and use heuristic rules in order to get more applicable. This software is currently using to find substation allocation in optimum point regarding to their place and size. The mathematical model of problem which uses minimum investment costs and power loss, obtains the goal. A genetic algorithm which is an effective tool in non-linear and discrete functions optimization is used. Finally, the proposed method is applied on a typical network and the results are obtained.
Implementation of a Test Data Generator Based on DSL Files

In software testing process, test data generation represents an important step for high quality software, even for mobile devices. As proposed in previous works, a potential source for random data generation is represented by the UI layout files that are used for almost all mobile platforms (Android, iOS, Windows Phone/Mobile). This paper continues the previous work and presents a test data generation system based on Android layout files. The test data generator uses DSL files as input and generates test data that conform to several testing principles. The generated test data could be stored in XML files or any format required by the testing frameworks.
Genetic diversity of arracacha ( Arracacia xanthorrhiza ) in Peru

Arracacha (Umbelliferae family) is a traditional Andean root crop that has been used as a food for thousands of years. It is an important source of calcium and contains a special starch easily digestible. It has become a significant crop in Brazil, where 12,000 ha are grown annually. Peru is the country with the largest gene bank collections, but the diversity is poorly understood. The aim of this work was to study the genetic diversity of 334 accessions from five gene banks collections in Peru using 148 polymorphic AFLP markers, obtained from five primer combinations. The molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) and the genetic dissimilarity (Nei and ShannonWeaver index) indicated that arracacha in Peru is diverse. It was found that all five collections were significantly different among them and no duplicates were identified among 334 accessions studied. The UPGMA dendogram showed three clusters related to geographical distribution patterns of arracacha diversity: northern, central and southern of Peru. The northern cluster contains a much higher diversity than other clusters.
Determining the Optimum Brands Diversity of Cheese Using PSO (Case Study: Mashhad)

In the current study, factors affecting cheese brands products in grocery stores were evaluated with an emphasis on diversity. The sample data were collected from Noushad and Pegah Milk Industry in 2015 and data were extracted, reviewed, and analyzed from 435 grocery stores in Mashhad using seemingly unrelated regression model and particle swarm optimization algorithm. Results showed that optimum amount of Kalleh product diversity is higher than other competitors in the market, and Kalleh UF diversity is 100 to 250 grams, and Kalleh UF diversity with weight of 300 to 500 grams is more than other modes of diversity, and Kalleh brand must remove tin cheese from the market. Sabah Brand also should eliminate its glass and creamy diversity from market, UF diversity is mostly welcomed in market.
Model Design for an Efficient Multi Functional Power Saver

We have designed a system which acts as power saver cum temperature display. It provides power to the fan and works only when somebody is in the room. In the absence of persons in the room, power is turned off and fan stops rotating. In addition, when somebody is in the room it will display the temperature and set the fan speed based on the temperature. The higher the temperature the higher the speed of the fan. The study details the design procedure along with construction and test information. A block of the entire power saver has been done. The block shows connections of the different modules. PCB design and testing of the entire system is analyzed.
Purity loss for a Cooper pair box interacting dispersively with a nonclassical field under phase damping

A system of a Cooper pair box interacting with afield in the binomial state is considered in the dispersive regime. The system is coupled to the environment through phase damping. The effects of the different parameters on the purity of the states of the total system and the subsystems are considered. It is found that damping does not affect the state of the box. While it affects the state of the field and the total system. The initial state of the box has the dominant effect on the heights of oscillations on both the field and the box states.
The module of derivations of a Stanley-Reisner ring

An explicit description is given of the module Der(k[X]/I, k[X]/I) of the derivations of the residue ring k[X]/I, where I is an ideal generated by monomials whose exponents are prime to the characteristic of the field k (this includes the case of square free monomials in any characteristic and the case of arbitrary monomials in characteristic zero). In the case where I is generated by square free monomials, this description is interpreted in terms of the corresponding abstract simplicial complex A. Sharp bounds for the depth of this module are obtained in terms of the depths of the face rings of certain subcomplexes Ai related to the stars of the vertices vi of A. The case of a Cohen-Macaulay simplicial complex A is discussed in some detail: it is shown that Der(k[A], k[A]) is a Cohen-Macaulay module if and only if depthAi > dim A 1 for every vertex vi . A measure of triviality of the complexes Ai is introduced in terms of certain star corners of vi . A curious corollary of the main structural result is an affirmative answer in the present context to the conjecture of Herzog-Vasconcelos on the finite projective dimension of the k[X]/I-module Der(k[X]/I, k[X]/I).
Large-Scale Demand Estimation with Search Data

In many online markets, traditional methods of demand estimation are difficult to implement because assortments are very large and individual products are sold infrequently. At the same time, data on consumer search (i.e., browsing) behavior are often available and are much more abundant than purchase data. We propose a demand model that caters to this type of setting. Our approach is computationally light and allows for flexible cross-price elasticities that are informed by search patterns. We apply the model to a data set containing search and purchase information from a retailer stocking almost 600 products, recover the elasticity matrix, and solve for optimal prices for the entire assortment.
The testing of photoscan 3D object modelling software

The paper presents triangulation-based accuracy test procedures for PhotoScan 3D modelling software with automatic features including camera station identification, point cloud construction and the generation of polygon networks and polygon net textures. The process starts with establishing the camera resolutions. Then, internal orientation elements of the cameras are established by means of different calibration techniques and comparisons between them are made. 3D models are then tested using diverse model generation parameters and different configurations of sets of images including how each type of calibration affects the resulting 3D model accuracy. To conclude, 3D model accuracy is compared with geodesic surveying results.
A Review of the Advances in Population Estimation and Human Behaviour Estimation Using Computer Vision and Mobile Phone Data

— Owing to the population boom in the past decade, the need for efficient and accurate crowd control techniques have risen by the dozen. To prevent violent riots and stampedes, these techniques can provide useful insight into crowd density and location and can help the authorities in channelling their resources efficiently. This paper is a survey of all the various techniques that incorporate computer vision and mobile traffic data analysis. An understanding of these is vital in establishing a formidable crowd control model.
Dairy Value Chain In Vietnam: Evidences from Bavi Area

Dairy farming, in Vietnam, existed in the early twentieth century thanks to the favorable natural advantage. During many difficult periods, the Vietnam’s dairy industry has developed constantly and contributed significantly to the food needs ensuring. However, Vietnam’s dairy industry still could not satisfy the domestic milk demand. Retail milk prices in Vietnam are very high, whereas the price of milk sold by the dairy farmers is very low. The cause stems from the control of dairy companies in the quantity and quality of milk. Moreover, that control caused an imbalance in the profits and benefits of each actor in the dairy value chain. This study, hence, finds out the distribution of benefits, costs, value-added among the actors, and problems in the practical management in dairy milk value chain with specific focus on Bavi as the case study.
FORUM: Sharing or sparing? How should we grow the world's cities?

Summary 1. There has long been a debate amongst conservation biologists about how agricultural land use should be distributed spatially. Advocates of land sparing argue that high-intensity food production on small units of land will conserve more natural habitat than low-intensity farming spread across larger areas. Others argue that less intensive production over a greater area of land will reduce the overall load of human stressors upon ecosystems. 2. Although agricultural and urban systems have traditionally been considered as different fields of research, there are strong parallels between the two landscapes in the patterns of their spatial configuration and the trade-offs associated with their development. Continued and rapid urbanization, with associated losses in vegetation, highlights the need for a uniting spatial framework to assess the ecological impacts of urbanization. Here, we apply some of the thinking emerging from the agricultural land-sparing debate to urbanization, review the similarities and differences between the two systems and set out a research agenda. 3. Intensification of urban systems to increase housing density leads to buildings being interspersed with small tracts of natural or semi-natural habitat patches (e.g. forest patches, parks). Urban extensification, on the other hand, is characterized by sprawling suburbanization with less concentrated, more distributed green space, often predominantly in the form of backyard or streetscape vegetation. We argue that regional scale analyses are urgently needed to determine which of these patterns of urban growth has a lower overall impact on biodiversity and to explore the geographical and taxonomic variation in the most ecologically appropriate city layout. 4. Synthesis and applications. The spatial pattern of urban development will affect biodiversity conservation within and beyond a city’s borders. We chart the early progress of empirical work on the land-sparing debate in an urban context and suggest that to yield development patterns that minimize overall ecological impact, urban planners must work at the scale of at least the entire city rather than on a case-by-case basis.
The Optimal Licensing Strategy of an Outside Patentee in Vertically-Related Markets

We extend the model in Kamien and Tauman (1986) by considering vertically-related markets where the outside innovator transfers new technology by means of either a royalty or a fixed fee. Our conclusion is different with Kamien and Tauman (1986) and announces that the optimal licensing strategy for an outside innovator is a royalty contract with a non-exclusion licensing case. When the innovation size is small, the outside innovator’s licensing behavior causes low social welfare.