Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VOLUNTARY ADOPTION OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS1

We model firms’ incentives to voluntarily adopt corporate governance mechanisms and hypothesize that management’s ability to extract private benefits, the need for external funds, and the ease with which a firm’s assets may be monitored are important determinants of the level of governance. Using hand-collected data, we test these hypotheses and examine firms’ propensity to adopt recommended but not required governance standards from their home and neighboring country’s jurisdictions. We document that a significant level of voluntary adoption occurs and that this level has been both increasing over time and declining in variability across firms. Governance mechanisms are least likely to be voluntarily implemented when management controls a significant portion of common stock votes or a majority owner exists. In contrast, voluntary adoption increases when the firm faces significant investment opportunities and employs large levels of expenditures which are difficult to monitor such as research and development expenses.
Multimarket entry in exporting

This paper develops a model to explain a firm’s optimal export entry strategy in an economy where the firm has multiple potential export markets. The firm’s costs of entry to an export market are reduced by the experience gained from other markets already entered, so that both the set of markets and the timing of entry to those markets are important. The model is able to explain why different firms enter different numbers of markets in the long-term, as well as explaining patterns of entry that involve either simultaneous or sequential entry, where sequential entry may involve progressions of increasing or decreasing market sizes. The model predicts that more productive firms employ strategies that generally involve entering more markets, larger markets, and entering markets more rapidly. More productive firms also tend to enter larger then smaller markets whereas less productive firms tend to enter smaller then larger markets. Though firms enter different sets of markets and the orders in which exporters enter markets are different, the model predicts a hierarchy of export markets and a correlation in the orders of market entry.
A Deterministic Multiple Key Space Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks via Combinatorial Designs

The establishing of a pairwise key between two nodes for encryption in a wireless sensor network is a challenging issue. To do this, we propose a new deterministic key pre-distribution scheme which has modified the multiple key space scheme (MKSS). In the MKSS, the authors define two random parameters to make better resilience than existing schemes. Instead of a random selection of these parameters, our proposal provides a combinatorial framework by substituting appropriate parameters to satisfy certain properties. We show that the proposed scheme enhances storage memory and improves performance or security by carefully choosing a combinatorial design. In addition, we propose a new key agreement mechanism by using derivative operation on univariate polynomials to aim a desired computational overhead. In this case, the computational overhead of our approach lower than the general case of the MKSS’s. If we choose the primitive element in our general formula as the special case of the MKSS, this new process has the same computational overhead as the MKSS.
Analysis of Low-Frequency Passive Seismic Attributes in Maroun Oil Field, Iran

Nowadays, viable and cost-effective methods play a vital role in hydrocarbon exploration up to the point that geoscientists cannot rule out the importance of the passive seismic method (PSM) in oil exploration operations. This method is based on seismic energy, which has a natural source. This study focuses on seismic energy anomaly of 1-6 Hz. Some researches show that spectral and polarization analysis in low-frequency of seismic noises can be used in determining the location of hydrocarbon reservoir. In this paper, these methods were used in Maroun oil field. Using the seismic data recorded by five seismometers, Vertical-to-Horizontal spectral ratio (V/H), Power Spectral Density (PSD) and polarization analysis were studied in the mentioned area. Based on the results, these microtremors can be used as a hydrocarbon indicator. In this study, transient and artificial noises are removed from raw data with various techniques. Afterward, the vertical-to-horizontal spectral ratio method was used and the results were analyzed and compared. Subsequently, the PSD method was investigated and its results were compared with each other at different stations. Following this, polarization analysis was considered that was normally followed by parameters such as strength, dip, rectilinearity and azimuth in particular. Results showed that MAR5 Station was placed over an area with hydrocarbon potential and there are medium to low hydrocarbon potentials at other stations. There is also a positive correlation between passive seismic analysis and the result of seismic reflection surveys carried out in the earlier studies.
Evaluation of the RYR1 gene genetic diversity in the Latvian White pig breed

K. Dokāne, D. Jonkus, T. Sjakste © 2016 K. Dokāne et al.; Published by the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine on behalf of Biopolymers and Cell. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited UDC 577 Evaluation of the RYR1 gene genetic diversity in the Latvian White pig breed
ICNSCET 19-International Conference on New Scientific Creations in Engineering and Technology A PROACTIVE SYSTEM TO PREVENT PRESSURE ULCERS ACQUIRED VIA PROLONGED HOSPITALIZATION

Pressure ulcers are a serious problem affecting over a million patients every year. These ulcers often occur when patients have limited mobility and cannot change positions in bed on their own. Eventhough there are accepted guidelines for attending and repositioning high-risk patients, the rate of pressure ulcers continues to rise . This paper presents a wearable, wireless vital sign monitor capable of continuously measuring the duration and orientation of a patient’s posture throughout . Patient posture is determined using a tri-axial accelerometer attached to a patient’s torso. A set of algorithms are used to process the accelerometer signals to adaptively identify accelerometer alignment on the patient, and classify patient orientation and enables alerts to be sent to the caregiver when a patient turn is due in accordance with the protocol adopted by the hospital. A novel method to address the need for improved pressure ulcer prevention is presented. The patient’s position is continuously monitored and the turning procedure carried out is logged and updated on the hospital’s cloud system, thereby enabling centralized monitoring. Under a controlled setting, system was able to continuously monitor patient’s position and can accurately detect standard patient positions. Keywords—pressure ulcers , repositioning , wearable , tri axial accelerometer , cloud system
Construction of a novel IQA Function and Applications

The current image quality methods can only be able to assess quality degradation and can not be able to assess quality improvement after an image passing through a system. Here proposes a novel image quality assessment function (IQAF) based on the long term experiences. The IQAF is able to assess quality degradation as well as quality improvement after an image passing through a system. The IQAF can be able to assess single image quality as well as to compare multiple images quality. The IQAF is constructed by five visual quality parameters including averaging information entropy (AIE), averaging physical contrast level (APCL), normalized neighborhood function (NNF), average hierarchy factor (AHF) and average bandwidth factor(ABWF). The examples of IQAF applications were demonstrated finally. Keywords-image quality assessment function (IQAF); average information entropy (AIE);, average physical contrast level (APCL); normalized neighborhood function (NNF); average hierarchy factor (AHF); averaging bandwidth factor (ABWF)
Improved ADALINE harmonics extraction algorithm for boosting performance of photovoltaic shunt active power filter under dynamic operations

This paper presents improved harmonics extraction based on Adaptive Linear Neuron (ADALINE) algorithm for single phase photovoltaic (PV) shunt active power filter (SAPF). The proposed algorithm, named later as Improved ADALINE, contributes to better performance by removing cosine factor and sum of element that are considered as unnecessary features inside the existing algorithm, known as Modified Widrow-Hoff (W-H) ADALINE. A new updating technique, named as Fundamental Active Current, is introduced to replace the role of the weight factor inside the previous updating technique. For evaluation and comparison purposes, both proposed and existing algorithms have been developed. The PV SAPF with both algorithms was simulated in MATLABSimulink respectively, with and without operation or connection of PV. For hardware implementation, laboratory prototype has been developed and the proposed algorithm was programmed in TMS320F28335 DSP board. Steady state operation and three critical dynamic operations, which involve change of nonlinear loads, off-on operation between PV and SAPF, and change of irradiances, were carried out for performance evaluation. From the results and analysis, the Improved ADALINE algorithm shows the best performances with low total harmonic distortion, fast response time and high source power reduction. It performs well in both steady state and dynamic operations as compared to the Modified W-H ADALINE algorithm.
Application of Plackett-Burman Factorial Design in The Development of Curcumin Loaded Eudragit E 100 Nanoparticles

The present study was aimed to fabricate Curcumin loaded Eudragit E 100 polymeric nanoparticles and to study the effect of various manufacturing parameters on the average particle size, span, uniformity and surface area of the prepared polymeric nanoparticles by utilizing Plackett-Burman experimental designs. Curcumin loaded Eudragit E 100 nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation method and characterized using particle size analyser. Plackett-Burman design was implemented to study the influence of eight independent variables on three dependent variables. Twelve experimental trials involving 8 independent variables at higher and lower levels were generated by Design-Expert. Out of 12 trials, 4 and 9 trails were within the acceptable limits. Least average particle size can be obtained by increasing the concentration of poloxamer 188, increasing the volume of aqueous phase, increasing the sonication duration and decreasing the ethanol concentration. Similarly, span less than 1 can be obtained by increasing the concentration of poloxamer 188, increasing the sonication duration and decreasing the ethanol concentration. However, uniformity can be increased decreasing the ethanol concentration. Higher surface area can be obtained by increasing the concentration of Eudragit E 100, poloxamer 188 and increasing the volume of the aqueous phase.
The X-Ray and Mid-infrared Luminosities in Luminous Type 1 Quasars

Several recent studies have reported different intrinsic correlations between the active galactic nucleus (AGN) mid-IR luminosity ( ) and the rest-frame 2–10 keV luminosity (LX) for luminous quasars. To understand the origin of the difference in the observed relations, we study a sample of 3247 spectroscopically confirmed type 1 AGNs collected from Boötes, XMM-COSMOS, XMM-XXL-North, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey quasars in the Swift/XRT footprint spanning over four orders of magnitude in luminosity. We carefully examine how different observational constraints impact the observed relations, including the inclusion of X-ray-nondetected objects, possible X-ray absorption in type 1 AGNs, X-ray flux limits, and star formation contamination. We find that the primary factor driving the different relations reported in the literature is the X-ray flux limits for different studies. When taking these effects into account, we find that the X-ray luminosity and mid-IR luminosity (measured at rest-frame , or ) of our sample of type 1 AGNs follow a bilinear relation in the log–log plane: erg s−1 + (44.60 ± 0.01) for erg s−1, and erg s−1 + (44.51 ± 0.01) for erg s−1. This suggests that the luminous type 1 quasars have a shallower correlation than the approximately linear relations found in local Seyfert galaxies. This result is consistent with previous studies reporting a luminosity-dependent relation and implies that assuming a linear relation to infer the neutral gas column density for X-ray absorption might overestimate the column densities in luminous quasars.
“A different world” exploring and understanding the climate of a recently re-rolled sexual offender prison

ABSTRACT Understanding how sexual offenders experience prison and its environment is important because such experiences can impact on rehabilitation outcomes. The purpose of this research investigation was to explore the rehabilitative and therapeutic climate of a recently re-rolled sexual offender prison. The research took a mixed methods approach and consisted of quantitative and qualitative phases. There were differences between prisoners and staff on their perception of the prison climate and for prisoner and staff relationships. The qualitative results helped to explain the quantitative findings and added a more nuanced understanding of the experience of the prison, the nature of prisoner and staff relationships and the opportunities for personal growth within the prison. The study has important implications for prisons that co-locate sexual offenders and want to provide an environment conducive to rehabilitation.
Metasurfaces for Spatial Light Manipulation

Light manipulation means that one can take advantages of different physical dimen‐ sions of lightwaves to realize flexible light control. Light manipulation over subwave‐ length propagation distances can be realized using metasurfaces. There are two categories of metasurfaces divided by the material type of unit structure, that is, plasmonic and dielectric metasurfaces. For plasmonic metasurfaces, they are made on the basis of metallic meta‐atom whose optical responses are driven by the plasmon resonances supported by metallic particles. For dielectric metasurfaces, unit structure is constructed with high refractive index dielectric resonators such as silicon, germani‐ um, or tellurium, which can support electric and magnetic dipole responses based on Mie resonances. The responses of plasmonic and dielectric metasurfaces are all relevant to the characteristics of unit structure. One can manipulate the electromagnetic field of lightwave scattered by the metasurfaces through designing the dimension parameters of each unit structure in the metasurfaces. In this chapter, we review our recent research progress in light manipulation using plasmonic and dielectric metasurfaces. It is believed that metasurfaces based nanophotonic devices are one of the most potential devices applied in various fields such as beam steering, spatial light modulator, nanoscale‐resolution imaging, sensing, quantum optics devices, and even optical communication networks.
A Case Study: The Local Education Authorities (LEAs) Capacity Support on ICT Integration National Policy in Public Secondary Schools in Kepulauan Riau Province, Indonesia

This study addresses the support towards the policy of ICT implementation in public secondary schools from thelocal education authorities (LEAs) as part of society capacity, in case of Kepulauan Riau province, Indonesia. Thestudy involves three sub themes; local policy support, management program, and partnership. Therefore, theresearcher qualitatively gathered the data through semi-structured interview from a number of local governmentstake holders; education commission legislator, the head of education office, and Baltekomdik(Education-Communication Technology Center) office as his participant. The result findings confirm previousresearches that government capacity as external support have serious influence for the successfulness of nationalpolicy implementation of ICT integration in education in Kepulauan Riau province. Therefore, three sub themesfound; local policy, management programs, and partnership should seriously and continually be restructured andinnovated.
Exploring Policies of Spirituality among College Students

Though psychologists' interest in the empirical study of spirituality has resurfaced, diverging opinions regarding the meaning of the construct among both researchers and the general public pose a serious challenge to research. To expand knowledge regarding how individuals implicitly define the term, an idiographic, experimental approach called policy-capturing was utilized to determine what factors college students take into consideration when making determinations about others' spirituality. Participants were exposed to a series of 50 profiles describing hypothetical people, each of which contained a unique combination of different levels of five factors believed to characterize spirituality by researchers. Participants rated each profile to indicate degree of perceived spirituality. Regression analyses were utilized to reveal if individuals used the factors in a consistent manner when rating the profiles, as well as the relative importance of each factor in their policies of spirituality. Results indicated that consistency of policies and the importance placed on individual factors varied widely. No differences were found between more religious and less religious college students with regard to ratings of spirituality assigned to the profiles, consistency of policies of spirituality, the relative importance of any of the five spirituality factors, or the number of factors that were important in the policies. Findings support the idiosyncratic nature of the meanings attributed to spirituality, but call into question whether college students are consistently using the same definitional models of the construct as used by researchers. The discussion highlights the conceptual challenges that researchers of spirituality face and encourages the use of varied methods for continued investigation in this area.
Heterogeneous Particles with Isotropic Interactions: Investigating the Effect of Multiple Species and Particle Size Disparity on Self-Assembly

There is much interest in using self-assembly to build materials at the microscopic level by using soft matter systems such as block copolymers and DNA coated colloids. Self-consistent field theory (SCFT) has seen much success in examining the equilibrium structure of polymer systems. We have designed a model using SCFT that describes a system of isotropically interacting particles. This model can be used a starting point to exploring different types of soft matter systems that exhibit self-assembly. This approach is a quick and efficient approach to finding equilibrium structures, and can be used as a high throughput method for finding equilibrium structures. We present here two different systems: a triblock star polymer and a colloidal system. We show that our approach, while extremely coarse grained can replicate the robust phases of those systems. In the triblock copolymer system we can show that the honeycomb lattice phase, the lamella phase and the lamella with beads phase are easily obtained. We compare the phases found in our model to the most common phases found using SCFT for polymers systems. In the colloidal system, we can replicate some of properties of a large colloidal particle surrounded by a solution of much smaller solution particles.
Spondylolytic spondylolisthesis: Surgical management of adult presentation

review of 27 patients presenting as adults with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. The average age at surgery was 42.9 years. Most patients (21/27) had long standing tolerable axial back pain with symptoms present for up to 156 months. It was however the radicular pain that brought them to surgery. Posterior transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) was performed in all patients with a median surgical time of 183 minutes and 650 ml blood loss. There were two complications, one a large blood loss of 4 000 ml due to uncontrollable epidural bleeding and another transient cauda equina syndrome after a delayed secondary bleed. Following haematoma evacuation, the latter patient returned to normal neurological status. There was maintenance of a normal segmental lordosis with increased disc height. The fusion rate was 90% by 2 years with a significant improvement in all pain and functional scores (EQ 5D, ODI, Roland-Morris, Health Slider and VAS). Conclusion Although lumbar lysis is largely a benign condition, a subgroup of patients will develop disc degeneration and present with debilitating radicular pain from foraminal stenosis despite minimal listhesis. These patients are well managed with a posterior-based decompression and fusion with the TLIF technique as it provides high radiographic fusion rates with excellent patient outcome.
Dementia Assessment by Rapid Test (DART): An Indian Screening T oolfor Dementia

Background: There is a need to develop a quick original screening test for dementia due to paucity of short, education and culture fair tests. Hence, following DSM-V criteria, a quick screening test was developed which can be used for both the clinical and prognostic purposes. Objective: Develop a quick and valid Indian screening test for geriatric population for early and timely identification of cognitive decline. Method: Total sample consisted of 150 (88=patients and 62=control) right-handed, consenting subjects between 55-84 yrs of age with minimum elementary education were recruited in the study. Results: DART scores discriminated between dementia cases and controls clearly. It was also validated against gold standard of MMSE, with sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 60.0%; true positive predictive value of 70.2% and true negative predictive value of 93.0%. Conclusion: DART is a quick and valid screening test for dementia for Indian population.
THE LINE SHAPE OF SODIUM nS1/2–3P1/2;3/2 TRANSITIONS IN Na-Cd HIGH PRESSURE DISCHARGE

We measured sodium atomic lines belonging to the nS1/2–3P1/2;3/2 (n = 5, 6, 7) series, originating from a high-pressure sodium-cadmium plasma. The observed line shapes are compared with the calculations of the line shapes made within the Bartels’ method. The electron density is estimated by Vidal approach (a refined InglisTeller method), and the density of sodium and cadmium has been determined using the relationships between the interaction constants of the sodium-sodium (sodiumcadmium) quasimolecule and the shift of the self-absorbed peaks of the sodium resonance line. We assume that the main line-broadening mechanisms of nS1/2– 3P1/2;3/2 spectral lines are Stark broadening (by electrons), self-broadening (by neutral sodium atoms) and van der Waals broadening (by cadmium atoms). The electron temperatures are determined by Bartels’ method, fitting the calculated to the experimentally measured nS1/2–3P1/2;3/2 line profiles. All three measured lines possess a red asymmetry that can not be attributed to the electron broadening, self-broadening or foreign gas broadening. We suggest that this red asymmetry could be caused by interaction of the radiating sodium atom with sodium and cadmium ions.