Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preserving a Living Legacy: Marital Ownership and Risk Taking in Family Firms

We examine how ownership by couples affects risk taking in family firms. We find that firms co-owned by couples exhibit significantly lower stock return volatility. This result is robust to a difference-in-differences approach based on a smaller sample and an instrumental variable approach. Analysis based on alternative co-ownership suggests that the lower risk reflects couples' efforts to preserve a family legacy in the presence of children, rather than the role of gender. The risk reduction is stronger in industries with a higher female concentration and when the family is under majority shareholder pressure. We also show that this reduction is achieved by increased female empowerment in family firms.
Mechanisms of hypertrophy after 12 weeks of aerobic training in elderly women

i-ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.iv LIST OF TABLES.v LIST OF FIGURES.vi CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION.1 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE.5 CHAPTER III: METHODS.42 CHAPTER IV: RESULTS.54 CHAPTER V: DISCUSSION.67 REFERENCES.79 APPENDIX A: INFORMED CONSENT. 90 APPENDIX B: WESTERN BLOTTING PROCEDURES AND SUPPLIES.100 APPENDIX C: WESTERN BLOTTING RAW DATA.108
Visual Flight into Instrument Meteorological Condition: A Post Accident Analysis

The phenomenon of encountering instrument meteorological conditions (IMCs) while operating an aircraft under visual flight rules (VFRs) remains a primary area of concern. Studies have established that pilots operating under VFRs that continue to operate under IMCs remains a significant cause of accidents in general aviation (GA), resulting in hundreds of fatalities. This research used the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) database, which contained a total of 196 VFR to IMC occurrences, from 2003 to 2019, with 26 having formal reports. An explanatory design was adopted, commencing with a qualitative study of the 26 occurrences with reports followed by a quantitative study of all 196 occurrences. Factors investigated included the locations and date of the occurrences, involved aircraft (manufacturer, model, type), pilot details (licenses, ratings, h, and medical), number of fatalities, and causal factors. Fisher’s exact tests were used to highlight significant relationships. Results showed occurrences were more likely to end fatally if (1) they involved private operations, (2) pilots only had a night VFR rating, (3) the pilot chose to push on into IMCs, (4) the pilot did not undertake proper preflight planning consulting aviation weather services, and (5) the pilot had more than 500 h of flight experience. Further results showed occurrences were less likely to end fatally if the meteorological condition was clouds without precipitation, if the pilot held a full instrument rating, or the pilot was assisted via radio. Analysis of the data using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework revealed that errors and violations occur with slightly greater frequency for fatal occurrences than non-fatal occurrences. Quantitative analyses demonstrated that the number of VFR to IMC occurrences have not decreased even though initiatives have been implemented in an attempt to address the issue.
Winter survival of Phytophthora alni subsp. alni in aerial tissues of black alder.

The winter survival of the invasive pathogen Phytophthora alni subsp. alni in black alder stems was studied in the bankside alder stand of the Moravska Dyje River in southern Bohemia after two very different winter seasons: cold in 2008/2009, with the average temperature of -1.96°C, and extremely mild in 2006/2007, with the average temperature of 2.54°C. The difference in these two winters resembles the expected potential climate change in Central Europe in this century. After the cold winter of 2008/2009, the pathogen survived in only 13.91% of the samples, with the average survival rate of 2.70%. The pathogen survived the mild winter much better and was successfully isolated from 86.09% of the samples, with the average survival rate of 25.52%. Moreover, the total thickness of the covering tissues (outer + inner bark) and exposure to the most heated southwestern quadrant of stem girth positively affected the pathogen survival. Winter freezing seems to be an important environmental factor regulating the pathogen survival in alder stems and disease severity.
Tight focal spots using azimuthally polarised light from a Fresnel cone

When focusing a light beam at high numerical aperture, the resulting electric field profile in the focal plane depends on the transverse polarisation profile, as interference between different parts of the beam needs to be taken into account. It is well known that radial polarised light produces a longitudinal polarisation component and can be focused below the conventional diffraction limit for homogeneously polarised light, and azimuthally polarised light that carries one unit of angular momentum can achieve even tighter focal spots. This is of interest for example for enhancing resolution in scanning microscopy. There are numerous ways to generate such polarisation structures, however, setups can be expensive and usually rely on birefringent components, hence prohibiting broadband operation. We have recently demonstrated a passive, low-cost technique using a simple glass cone (Fresnel cone) to generate beams with structured polarisation. We show here that the polarisation structure generated by Fresnel cones focuses better than radial polarised light at all numerical apertures. Furthermore, we investigate in detail the application of polarised light structures for two-photon microscopy. Specifically we demonstrate a method that allows us to generate the desired polarisation structure at the back aperture of the microscope by pre-compensating any detrimental phase shifts using a combination of waveplates.
The influence of nano-additives in the synthesis of eco-friendly polyester plasticizers

Plasticized polymer materials are widely used in all spheres of human life. The most common plasticizers are aromatic compounds-esters of o-phthalic acid. However, their use was limited in accordance with the EU Directive REACH (2009) due to possible toxicity, which contributed to the development of new non-toxic alternatives, which include polyester plasticizers. Polyester plasticizers are classified as special purpose plasticizers. Due to the wide variety of starting materials and the ability to vary the size of the molecule, a wide range of plasticizers can be synthesized. These are mainly polyesters of polyatomic alcohols esterified with dibasic acids and modified with monocarboxylic acid or aliphatic alcohol. Polyesters-based plasticizers contribute to the production of PVC compositions with improved properties such as low volatility, resistance to extraction, excellent flexibility, wear resistance, UV resistance and heat resistance. Also, such plasticizers exhibit an excellent non-sweating property of plastics. This paper describes a method for preparing a polyester compound propylene glycol adipate modified with cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, proposed as a plasticizer of polyvinyl chloride. Conditions of its production with maximum output are given. Physical and chemical properties of the resulting compound were studied. The formulation of PVC-composition on the basis of the received polyester plasticizer is offered. The results of tests of PVC plastic according to state standard 5960-72 are presented. It is shown that the use of propylene adipate modified with cyclohexanecarboxylic acid provides a plasticizing efficiency as high as DOP, while having a reduced migration. This fact allows us to use the developed polyester plasticizer as a non-toxic alternative to industrial PVC plasticizers. It has been found that the use of calcium adipate nano quantities in the production of propylene glycol adipate increases the yield of the desired ester and improves the physical and mechanical properties of PVC plastic.
Fungal mats in solid-state fermentation

Since over 2000 years man has cultivated fungi on grains, beans or other (by)products from agriculture or agro-industries, in order to produce tastier and healthier foods. Nowadays, cultivation on solid substrates (solid-state fermentation, SSF) is also used to produce industrial enzymes, drugs and biological plant protection agents. Wider application of SSF is hindered by a lack of knowledge about the design and control of the process. An important problem in SSF is the limited rate of oxygen supply to the fungal mats on the substrate surface. Using the fungus Aspergillus oryzae as an example, the author has discovered that aerial mycelia – which fungi can only form in SSF – help the fungus to overcome this oxygen supply limitation, and thus grow faster and make more enzymes of interest to the food industry. She has also identified other factors related to substrate pre-treatment that have a large impact on product formation. These findings offer opportunities for improved SSF processes.
Implantable system for treprostinil: a real-world patient experience study

Parenteral prostanoids are effective for improving outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, subcutaneous or intravenous delivery via an external pump places a significant burden on patients. Consequently, the Implantable System for Remodulin© (treprostinil) was developed and is associated with a low rate of complications (United Therapeutics (Research Triangle Park, NC) in collaboration with Medtronic, Inc. (Mounds View, MN)). The current real-world experience study evaluated pulmonary arterial hypertension patients' perceptions of their quality of life, ability to perform activities of daily living, perceptions on the benefits and risks of the implantable system, and their social interactions before and after receiving the implantable system. Pulmonary arterial hypertension patients who had been transitioned from an external infusion pump to the implantable system completed a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions administered online over the course of a six-day period. A total of 20 patients completed the study. All patients reported that their quality of life, confidence out in public, and ability to travel long distances had improved. Over 90% of patients reported that their overall level of independence was better since receiving the implantable system, and most patients indicated that their ability to independently perform specific activities of daily living had improved. Responses to the qualitative questions suggested that the implantable system saved time, improved interpersonal relationships, and increased freedom. Results from this real-world patient experience study suggest this novel delivery system provides improvements in factors that are of substantial importance to patients.
SMALL FARMS IN THE AREA STRUCTURE OF AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES

In spite of the evolution of the agrarian structure in EU countries (particularly in Western Europe) the problem of small agricultural holdings is still relevant, as this form of farming remains functional. The term ‘small farm’ has an ambiguous character. Thus, the study is based on relatively the most objective criterion for identification of small holdings – farms covering areas below 5 ha. The study employs the statistical method of vector elimination, which enables separation of subgroups with similar, homogeneous agrarian structures from among the studied set. The typology of the agrarian structure by means of the taxonomic technique demonstrates how diverse EU countries are with regard to their small agricultural holdings: Southern European countries, some Central European countries, and other states lying in the north of Europe. Additionally, the structure of small agricultural holdings is distinct in Denmark and in the Czech Republic.
State Aid for Independent News Journalism in the Public Interest? A Critical Debate of Government Funding Models and Principles, the Market Failure Paradigm, and Policy Efficacy

Abstract This study critically reviews scholarly debates on state aid for independent, professional news journalism in the public interest, its funding models and principles, the market failure paradigm, and policy efficacy. State aid is handed out by government agencies which believe that their support can help independent, professional journalism thrive in the digital, mobile, and platform-dominated future. Government support mainly comes as direct financial grants or indirect tax offsets. It aims at engendering economic opportunity and prosperity, while safeguarding journalistic independence and quality of output. Ideally, this shall foster the production, distribution and consumption of original and high-quality news in the public interest, which, in turn, shall keep people informed, facilitate public debate, and hold power to account. Still, this study finds arguments that government funding models for independent journalism in the public interest are limited by several critical challenges that endanger their principles, do not avert failure in the news media market and prevent effective policy governance. These deficits may even be exacerbated in the digital era.
Faunal analysis of the species Anastrepha in the fruit growing complex Gavião River, Bahia, Brazil.

Besides being considered the greatest pests of fruit growing, fruit flies constitute a large obstacle to the growth of the exportation of fresh fruit. Knowledge of the structure of fruit fly communities is of great importance to the bioecological studies of these insects, but there is a lack of information about the faunistic composition of fruit flies in Brazil. The objective of this work was to analysis the composition of the species of Anastrepha, in eleven mango orchards of the fruit growing complex Gaviao River, Bahia, Brazil. These studies were done in 2004 and 2005, in Anage, Caraibas and Belo Campo town, 23 McPhail traps, which collected 798 female fruit flies from the genus Anastrepha. The structure of these communities was evaluated in each orchard by means of faunistic indexes frequency, constancy, dominance, diversity and similarity. The number of species varied from four to eight in each orchard; and the following species was recorded: Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), Anastrepha dissimilis Stone, Anastrepha amita Zucchi, Anastrepha distincta Greene, Anastrepha pickeli Lima, Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi and Anastrepha zenildae Zucchi. The most frequent and dominant species were A. fraterculus and A. obliqua. The indexes of diversity varied from 1.01 to 1.62. In general, the similarity between orchards was high (above 55.0%). We observed the formation of groups, one constituted by Frutvale, Carlan, Santa Clara and Panorama orchards; another composed of Cofet, Campo Gaviao and Ouro Verde and a third group formed by Boa Vista orchard. Barra da Onca and Arruda are distinguished from other orchards.
Analysis of Suspended Sediment in the Anavilhanas Archipelago, Rio Negro, Amazon Basin

This article analyzes the flows of water and total suspended sediment in different reaches in the lower course of the Negro River, the largest fluvial blackwater system in the world. The area under study is the Anavilhanas Archipelago, which is a complex multichannel reach on the Negro River. Between the years 2016 and 2019, data about water discharge, velocity, and concentration of total suspended solids (TSS) were acquired in sample sections of the Negro River channels located upstream, inside, and downstream of the Anavilhanas Archipelago. In the study area, the Negro River drains an area greater than 700,000 km2, and the mean water discharge observed before the Anavilhanas was about 28.655 m3·s−1, of which 97% flows through two channels of the Archipelago close to the right and left banks. The mean TSS concentration of the Negro River upstream and downstream the Archipelago was 3.28 mg·L−1 and 1.63 mg·L−1, respectively. Within the Archipelago, we observed more TSS in the channel on the left bank of the Negro River (mean of 4.50 mg·L−1). The total suspended sediment discharge of the Negro River before (3.14 Mt·year−1) and after (1.43 Mt·year−1) the Anavilhanas Archipelago indicates a 55% retention of the suspended load due to the low water slope and reduced flow velocity caused by the backwater effect of Solimoes River on the Negro River. The hydro-sedimentary scenario of the low course of the Negro River characterized in this study indicates a slow and continuous sedimentation process in the Anavilhanas Archipelago. The results presented will serve as a baseline to assess the impacts of the dams on the Branco River, the main tributary for both water and sediment in the Negro River basin.
A fuzzy approach to selecting the electeric arc furnace metallic charge materials

The proper metallic charge ratio for Electeric Arc Furnaces (EAFs) has significant effects on the quality of the produced steel and performance of the furnace. Identification of this ratio based on inaccurate trial and error decision making gives rise to many defects. The aim of the study is to specify the best mixture of charge materials with respect to the operational parameters such as energy and material consumption and etc In this regard, the FHTOPSIS model has been utilized in fuzzy environment for pinpointing the alternatives for an EAF in a steel making company in Iran in order to reduce the erroneous decision. Consequently, the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) has been applied to determine the relative importance of the criteria. Then the rank of most common metallic charges has been achieved by using the fuzzy TOPSIS. The result and its comparison with real word data revealed that the charge with 20% of DRI and 80% of scrap is the proper mix as EAF metallic charge.
Automation of the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction -SILAR- process

An electromechanical system controlled by a graphic interface developed in a JAVA programming environme t wa designed and developed, which allows the control of the growth parameters of thin semiconductor films on glass substrates obtained by the SILAR technique. The parameters that can be controlled through the graphical interface are: time, immersion sequence in the solutions and number of cycles. A low-cost microcontroller was used that allowed adapting an electromechanical system with DC motors that locates the substrate holder in the spective chemical solutions. The information of the control parameters and the progress of the process can be visualized in any computer system where the developed program be executed. The results obtained show that the SILAR automated system allows obtaining homogeneous thin film deposits. The film thicknesses are controlled by the number of cycles programmed in the SILAR process.
Constitutional (Material) Obligation to Eliminate the Unconstitutionality of Legal Regulation, Decisionism

The courts of constitutional justice can recognize a normative legal act or its individual provision as not complying with the constitution. Thus, such an act (or provision) can be removed from the legal system of the state. Meanwhile, there are the following controversial issues: - legal consequences of the adoption of such a decision; - actions of subjects of law-making activity to eliminate the unconstitutionality of legal regulation. In this regard, the issue of the role of judicial decisionism in ensuring the sustainability of legal regulation is also of interest. This study analyzes the current legislation (governing the elimination of unconstitutionality of legal regulation), as well as the prevailing judicial practice and doctrinal studies on this topic. The article examines the problems of imposing a constitutional obligation to eliminate the unconstitutionality of regulation and judicial decisionism. To determine the general trends in this problem, the experience of other states, both legislation and practice, is studied. For a better understanding, the problem is examined through the prism of a parliamentary system, democratic values and the relevant constitutional proceedings. After an act is recognized as unconstitutional, society loses the opportunity to exercise its rights in the absence of relevant mechanisms. One of the research aims is to define the subject responsible for filling the gaps in the legislation.
A Decision Support System for Elective Surgery Scheduling under Uncertain Durations

The operation room (OR) is one of the most expensive material resources in hospitals. Additionally, the demand for surgical service is increasing due to the aging population, while the number of surgical interventions performed is stagnated because of budget reasons. In this context, the importance of improving the efficiency of the surgical service is accentuated. The main objective of this work is to propose and to evaluate a Decision Support System (DSS) for helping medical staff in the automatic scheduling of elective patients, improving the efficiency of medical teams’ work. First, the scheduling criteria are fixed and then the scheduling problem of elective patients is approached by a mathematical programming model. A heuristic algorithm is proposed and included in the DSS. Moreover, other different features are implemented in a software tool with a friendly user interface, called CIPLAN. Considering realistic data, a simulation comparison of the scheduling obtained using the approach presented in this paper and other similar approaches in the bibliography is shown and analyzed. On the other hand, a case study considering real data provided by the Orthopedic Surgical Department (OSD) of the “Lozano Blesa” hospital in Zaragoza (HCU) is proposed. The simulation results show that the approach presented here obtains similar occupation rates and similar confidence levels of not exceeding the available time than approaches in the bibliography. However, from the point of view of respecting the order of the patients in the waiting list, the approach in this paper obtains scheduling much more ordered. In the case of the Orthopedic Surgical Department of the “Lozano Blesa” hospital in Zaragoza, the occupation rate may be increased by 2.83%, which represents a saving of 110,000 euros per year. Moreover, medical doctors (who use this tool) consider CIPLAN as an intuitive, rapid and efficient software solution that can make easier the corresponding task.
Application of Quasi-Steady-State Photoconductance Technique to Lifetime Measurements on Crystalline Germanium Substrates

Similar to other high quality crystalline absorbers, an accurate knowledge of surface passivation of crystalline germanium (c-Ge) substrates is crucial for a straightforward improvement of photovoltaic device performance. For crystalline silicon devices, this information is typically obtained by quasi-steady-state photoconductance (QSS-PC) technique using Sinton WCT-120 tool. In this article, we explore the conditions to adapt this measurement technique to c-Ge substrates. Based on PC-1D simulations, we deduce that a minimum effective lifetime is needed corresponding to an effective diffusion length equal to the substrate thickness. Apart from this, an accurate estimation of the total photogeneration inside the c-Ge sample is also mandatory. This condition implies that the light intensity that impinges onto the sample must be measured with a c-Ge sensor, although the integrated c-Si sensor can be used for high flash intensities. Additionally, the optical factor used to evaluate sample reflectance must be also known, which is determined by measuring robust effective lifetime values under photoconductance decay conditions. Finally, knowledge about carrier mobility in c-Ge is also necessary to translate the measured photoconductance to the corresponding excess carrier density values. Lifetime measurements of passivated c-Ge substrates done by QSS-PC technique are validated by comparing them with the ones obtained by microwave photoconductance technique.