Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of the bootstrapped dea for theanalysis of lithuanian family farm efficiency

Farming efficiency is one of the most important factors determining profitability and viability in general of the agribusiness. The aim of this paper is to analyze the dynamics of efficiency in Lithuanian family farms by the means of the bootstrapped Data Envelopment Analysis in order to propose certain guidelines for inefficiency mitigation. Stochastic kernels are then employed to estimate densities of the efficiency scores for different farming types. The research covers years 2004–2009 and is based on farm-level Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) data. The stochastic kernel for livestock farms exhibited a small range of efficiency scores. Therefore, these farms achieved a higher convergence as well as a higher average TE from the standpoint of the analyzed farming types. The mixed farms, though, were peculiar both a sort of bi-modal distribution of their efficiency scores. JEL codes: C440, C610, Q100, Q130.
Factors of Affecting Internal Control Benefits under ERP System An Empirical Study in Taiwan

Implementation of an ERP system has become an inevitable trend in modern enterprises. The smooth performance of daily operations and successful reduction of operational risks for an enterprise depend on the implementation of a sound internal control mechanism. Referencing literature and recruiting internal auditors of Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE)/Gre Tai Securities Market (GTSM)-listed companies and emerging stock companies, this study investigates the factors that influence the internal control benefits (based on COSO) of an enterprise in an ERP system environment. The results indicate that (1) critical factors that influence the internal control benefits of an enterprise include various ERP quality variables, such as system and information quality, service quality, and internal control quality. Good communication quality can enhance the internal control benefits. (2) The extent of implementation and the internal control benefits of an enterprise are positively correlated. The implementation of internal controls with an ERP equipped with an internal control mechanism improves the internal control benefits of an enterprise.
Computational investigations of active flow control on helicopter - rotor blades

The paper presents results of the first stage of the research conducted within the frames of Active Rotor Technologies, which is the dynamically developed sub-domain of Rotorcraft Engineering. The research concerned a computational modelling and investigations of new solutions aiming at improvement of performance of modern helicopters and their environmental impact, by active control of operation of their rotors. The paper focuses on one of such solutions applied for the active control of airflow around helicopter-rotor blades. This solution is the Active Gurney Flap – a small, flat tab located at a pressure side of rotor blade near its trailing edge, which is cyclically deployed and stowed during rotation cycles of the blade. The Active Gurney Flap seems to be very promising solution which will enable helicopters to operate with reduced power consumption or reduced main rotor tip speed whilst preserving current flight performance capabilities, especially in terms of retreating blade stall. The newly developed methodology of computational modelling of active-flow-control devices, like Active Gurney Flap, applied for enhance a helicopter performance and improve its environmental impact, has been presented. Development of the methodology was the challenging task, taking into account strongly unsteady character of modelled phenomena and large differences of scales in both the space and time domain, where very small, dynamically deflected tab strongly influences the flow around rotating, large main rotor. Exemplary CFD simulations, presented in the paper, have been conducted to validate developed methodology.
The sampled protracted speciation model in macro-evolution: Calculating its probability density and a comparison with two other models

There have been several models suggested to model macro-evolution. Recently, it has been shown that in the birth-death process, diversified sampling is a better fit to empirical data (phylogenetic trees) than complete sampling and other sampling methods. This implies that taxon sampling (species sampling) has a large impact on estimating the diversification parameters. Besides, the protracted speciation model has been suggested to explain the observed slowdowns in the lineages through time plots. The protracted speciation model assumes that speciation events do not happen instantaneously, and it takes some time for a new born species (incipient species) to become a good species. The incipient lineages with dead good parent are also considered as good in the protracted speciation model. The likelihood functions have been derived for the diversified sampling and the random sampling models. Deriving the likelihood function for the protracted speciation model has faced some difficulties. In the present thesis, we try to calculate the probability density for the protracted speciation model by applying a method that has been suggested to calculate the probability of the Binary State Speciation Extinction (BiSSE) model. Unfortunately, we cannot provide an analytical closed form solution of the probability density function. Thus, we suggest the sampled protracted speciation model based on the sampling probability for good and incipient species, and explain the calculation of the probability density, using BiSSE approach. We compare the sampled protracted speciation model with the diversified and random sampling models, using simulated trees and empirical data. In this thesis, we show that the inference on the simulated trees is more accurate when the simulation and the inference methods are the same. We also show the effect of the transition (speciation completion) rate on the inferred parameters of the sampled protracted speciation model. The thesis also illustrates that the sampling probability of the incipient species does not affect the estimated parameters.
The structure and magnetic properties of Fe-Mn-C alloy

The structure of intergranular borders in Fe-Mn-C alloy has been investigated. Importance of Fe-Mn-C alloys researches connecting with their wide use in machine industry as constructional materials. In this work an attempt to find out the physical nature of high shock viscosity of Fe-Mn-C alloy, mechanical and magnetic properties, calculation of intergranular borders electronic structure is made.
Comparative phylogeography of five swallowtail butterfly species (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in South Africa : ecological and taxonomic implications.

vii List of Tables . xi List of Figures . xii List of Abbreviations . xv Acknowledgements . xvi Disclaimer . xvii Declaration . xviii General Introduction . 1 Forests in South Africa . 1 African Forest Biodiversity. 1 Role of phylogeography in elucidating forest histories . 2 Aim . 3 Papilio (swallowtail butterflies) . 4 Thesis structure . 5 Afromontane forest history as indicated by the phylogeography of Papilio species in South Africa . 6 Introduction . 6 Aims and Hypotheses . 8 Species selected to test these hypotheses . 8 Materials and Methods . 10 Sampling . 10 Molecular techniques . 10 Phylogenetic analyses . 12
Model versus non-model based left ventricular volumetry - A matter of imaging modality or quantification software?

Objective: To compare the modalities 3D-echocardiography (RT3DE) and cardiac magnetic resonance as well as semiautomatic non-model-based and model-based quantification software (SWP-MRI and SWT-MRI) regarding accuracy and agreement of left ventricular functional indices. Methods: 9 asymmetrically shaped gel phantoms (range: 20-350ml), 24 healthy children (age=11.4±3.3y) and 11 patients with abnormally shaped left ventricles (22.0±17.0y) were prospectively investigated. 3D-echocardiography was performed using a Vivid 7 ultrasound machine (V3 matrix transducer); postprocessing was done with a model-based analysis strategy (SWT-echo). CMR datasets were obtained using a multi-slice multi-phase steady‑state-free-precision acquisition (TR/TE/flip=2.8msecs/1.4msecs/60°) with a 1.5T MR system. Volume quantification was done using the same model-based software for CMR as well as non model-based software based on the summation of discs method. Agreement of EDV, ESV and EF between SWT-echo, SWP-mri vs. SWT-mri was determined by Bland Altman analysis. Results: Phantom study revealed high accuracy (<1%) for SWT-echo and SWP-mri as well as a moderate underestimation for SWT‑mri (13%). Agreement between SWP-mri and SWT-echo was superior in volunteers [mean; limits-of- agreement: EDV(5.3%; -20.1 to 30.8%), ESV(-1.3%; -41.6 to 38.9%), EF(4.0%; -12.0 to 19.9%)] with only slight underestimation by RT3DE in patients [EDV(11.5%; ‑18.5 to 41.4%), ESV(13.0%; -5.4 to 31.5%), EF(‑6.9%; -49.9 to 36.1%)]. Comparing SWT-echo with SWT-mri revealed volume underestimation of EDV (9.8; -20.5 to 40.0%) and overestimation of ESV (-9.6; -60.1 to 41.0%) in volunteers by SWT-mri resulting in underestimation of EF (12.6;-9.6 to 34.9). In patients minor differences between SWT-echo and SWT-mri were observed [EDV (0.6%; -28.2 to 29.4%), ESV (-2.4%; -38.2 to 33.4%), EF(9.3%; -35.7 to 54.3%)]. Compared to our reference SWP-mri both model-based techniques moderately underestimated EDV (SWT-MRI 12.1%; ‑2.1 to 26.4%, SWT-echo 11.5%; -18.5 to 41.4%) and ESV (SWT-mri 10.6%; -21.2 to 42.4%, SWT-echo 13.0%; -5.4 to 31.5%) resulting in quite precise EF(SWT-MRI 2.4%, -23.7 to 28.5%). Conclusion: Accuracy and reliability of left ventricular indices are excellent for RT3DE assessed by model based approach compared to non-model-based CMR approach in phantoms and healthy volunteers with minor volume underestimation in atypically shaped moving ventricles. Minor agreement was present if the model-based CMR software was used for determination of ventricular volumes.
Convergence in the OECD: Transitional Dynamics or Narrowing Steady-State Differences?

In this article we show that the picture emerging from models that allow for generalized parameter heterogeneity in convergence equations changes our view of the convergence process within the OECD. Estimation methods that allow for non- or partial heterogeneity stress the importance of transitional dynamics. Thus the observed reduction in the dispersion of per capita income is mostly explained by transitional dynamics. When generalized parameter heterogeneity is allowed for, we find that the observed narrowing of incomes has little bearing on transitional dynamics. Convergence in this case happens because the long-run features of these countries are becoming increasingly similar. (JEL C13, C23, O41, O57) Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
Effect of freeze drying on antioxidant activity and phenolic contents of mango (Mangifera indica).

This study was carried out to determine the antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content of fresh and freeze-dried mango. DPPH method was used to determine the antioxidant activity and Folin-Ciocaltue method was used to determine the phenolic contents of the samples. For measurement of antioxidant activity different concentration of the sample were taken. Methanol extract of fresh green mango at 50mg/ml has showed high scavenging activity (98.72 ± 0.88%) and low scavenging activity was showed by Green freeze dried mango (97.26 ± 1.8%) at 50mg/ml compared to the other samples. For total phenlic contents, absorbance at different concentration of samples were plotted against the standard Gallic acid curve and the value shows that fresh ripe mango contain higher amount of phenolic content. This study also shows a positive correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity where r 2 =0.916. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were found between the fresh and freeze-dried fruit samples.
A précis of some recent developments in computational failure mechanics

A concise overview is given of various numerical methods that can be used to analyse localisation and failure in engineering materials. The importance of the cohesive-zone approach is emphasised and various ways of incorporating the cohesive-zone methodology in discretisation methods are discussed. Next, a simple continuum damage (decohesion) model which preserves well-posedness of boundaryvalue problems via gradient enhancement is recalled. Using a meshless method the importance of the higher-order gradient terms is assessed. Finally, the model is used in finite element reliability analyses to quantify the probability of the emergence of various possible failure modes.
INVESTIGATION OF A MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF THE MESSAGE SWITCHING SYSTEM

Abstract: The paper is designated to the analysis of queueing systems, arising in the network and communications theory. The purpose of this research in the queueing theory is the theorem on the law of the iterated logarithm (LIL) in multiphase queueing systems and its application to the mathematical model of the message switching system. First we investigate the extremal values of the cumulative idle time of a customer (maximum and minimum of the cumulative idle time of a customer).
Laboratory based antimicrobial resistance surveillance for Pseudomonas aeruginosa blood isolates from South Africa.

INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections are widespread globally and increases in antimicrobial resistance presents a major threat to public health. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic healthcare-associated pathogen with high rates of morbidity and mortality and an extensive range of resistance mechanisms. This study describes the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of P. aeruginosa isolates from patients with bacteraemia submitted by sentinel laboratories in South Africa from 2014 to 2015. METHODOLOGY Organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were done using automated systems. Molecular methods were used to detect common resistance genes and mechanisms. RESULTS Overall the susceptibility was high for all antibiotics tested with a decrease over the two-year period. There was no change in the MIC50 and MIC90 breakpoints for all antibiotics from 2014 to 2015. The MIC50 was within the susceptible breakpoint range for most antibiotics and the MIC90 was within the susceptible breakpoint range for colistin only. Phenotypically carbapenem non-susceptible isolates harboured the following plasmid-mediated genes: blaVIM (n = 81, 12%) and blaGES (n = 6, 0.9%); blaNDM (n = 4, 0.6%) and blaOXA-48 and variants (n = 3, 0.45%). Porin deletions were observed in one meropenem non-susceptible isolate only, and multi-drug resistance efflux pumps were expressed in the majority of the non-susceptible isolates investigated. BlaVEB-1, blaIMP and blaKPC were not detected. CONCLUSION The prevalence of resistance to commonly used antibacterial agents was low for P. aeruginosa isolates and similarly, tested resistance mechanisms were detected in a relatively small proportion of isolates. Findings in this study represent baseline information for understanding antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in P. aeruginosa isolates from blood. Our surveillance report may assist in contributing to hospital treatment guidelines.
What is the Effect of the Housing Prices and the REIT Index in Bulgaria on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange Index

This paper estimates the effect of real estate on the Bulgarian stock index over the period 2007-2008. Part II presents the theoretical basis for this research. Part III includes a description of the data and empirical model, as well as an explanation of the variables used in the model. Part IV presents the empirical results after running OLS regressions and Granger causality tests. Finally, Part V summarizes the main results. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu. edu/parkplace/vol18/iss1/11
Carbon Fibre Reinforced SiC Materials Based on Melt Infiltration

For the manufacture of carbon fibre reinforced SiC materials, three different processes are used in principle: Chemical Vapour Infiltration (CVI), Liquid Polymer Infiltration (LPI), also called Polymer Infiltration and Pyrolysis (PIP) as well as Melt Infiltration or Liquid Silicon Infiltration (MI / LSI). Depending on the differ-ent methods for building up the SiC-matrix and embedding the carbon fibres in the brittle ceramic matrix, the resulting C/SiC and C/C-SiC materials vary significantly in their properties as well as in their manufacturing costs. The advantages of the MI processes are their short manufacturing times and the use of low cost raw materials, leading to the most cost efficient Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC), compared to materials de-rived from CVI and PIP. In combination with their unique thermal and mechanical properties, MI based CMC`s opened up a wide field of new applications beyond aerospace. This presentation gives an overview of the manufacturing processes and resulting properties of C-fibre rein-forced SiC materials. Typical applications of C/C-SiC or C/SiC materials based on MI processes, like friction materials, hot structures for solid propellant rocket motors and temperature stable structures for optical tele-communication systems are presented.
A Systematic Study on the Otolith Characters of Sparidae (Pisces) in the Bay of İzmir (Aegean Sea)

The otolith morphologies of 13 species belonging to the Sparidae family collected from the Bay of Izmir (Aegean Sea) were examined separately and the characteristics were drawn. The values obtained from measurements are given in the 95% con- fidence interval. With discriminant analysis, the groups were formed depending on the data collected. As a result of this analysis, it is possible to identify the species from the Sparidae family by the otolith characters.
Nano Silica Phosphoric Acid: An Efficient Catalyst for the One- Pot Synthesis of 1, 2, 4, 5-Tetrasubstituted Imidazoles

Two simple protocols for the synthesis of 1, 2, 4, 5tetrasubstitutedimidazoles using nano-SPA as a reusable, ecofriendly, inexpensive, and efficient catalyst are reported. Short reaction times, high yields, scale-up and easy workup are the advantages of these protocols.
Diffusions with measurement errors. I. Local Asymptotic Normality

We consider a diusion process X which is observed at timesi=n for i =0 ; 1;::: ;n, each observation being subject to a measurement error. All errors are independent and centered Gaussian with known variance n. There is an unknown parameter within the diusion coecient, to be estimated. In this rst paper the case when X is indeed a Gaussian martingale is examined: we can prove that the LAN property holds under quite weak smoothness assumptions, with an explicit limiting Fisher information. What is perhaps the most interesting is the rate at which this convergence takes place: it is 1= p n (as when there is no measurement error) when n goes fast enough to 0, namely nn is bounded. Otherwise, and provided the sequence n itself is bounded, the rate is (n=n) 1=4 . I n particular if n = does not depend on n ,w e get ar aten 1=4 .
An Investigation of Voluntary Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting in a Market Governance System: Australian Evidence

Purpose - Institutional governance theory is used to explain voluntary corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting in the context of a market governance system in the absence of climate change public policy. This paper seeks to hypothesise that GHG reporting is related to internal organisation systems, external privately promulgated guidance and EU ETS trading. Design/methodology/approach - A two-stage approach is used. The initial model examines whether firms' GHG disclosures are associated with internal organisation systems factors: environmental management systems (EMS), corporate governance quality and environmental management committees as well as external private guidance provided by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for 187 ASX 300 firms. EU ETS trading is also included. Determinants of the extent and credibility of GHG disclosure is examined in the second stage where an index constructed from the GHG reporting standard “ISO 14064-1” items for a sub-sample of 80 disclosing firms as the dependent variable. Findings - Firms that voluntarily disclose GHGs have EMSs (uncertified and certified), higher corporate governance quality and publicly report to the CDP, tend to be large and in the energy and mining and industrial sectors. The credibility and extent of disclosures are related to the existence of a certified EMS, public reporting to the CDP, and use of the GRI. Firms that disclose more credible information are more likely to be large and in the energy and mining, industrial and services sectors. Originality/value - The paper shows that some proactive but pragmatic Australian firms are disclosing their GHGs voluntarily for competitive advantage in the current market governance system in the absence of public policy.
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, FINANCE & ACCOUNTING WORKING PAPERS SERIES N271/16 Modelling Higher Education Financing Reform for Ireland by

This paper examines the feasibility of various alternative potential student loan schemes for Ireland. Using National Employment Survey data for 2006, we model the life-cycle earnings distribution for Irish graduates. We then use these estimates to simulate the effects of alternative types of student loans, including mortgage-type (government guaranteed bank) loans and income-contingent loans of various designs, incorporating participation and migration patterns into the simulations. The results show that mortgage-type loans entail unsustainably high repayment rates for low income graduates. Through the specification of several alternative income-contingent loan schemes, it is demonstrated that this approach to higher education financing is feasible in terms of affordability for graduates and with respect to implied government subsidies. There are some important policy design issues to be addressed and we conclude with some recommendations for a future Irish scheme. JEL Codes: I220, I280, H520, H810
Continuous time random walks in finite domains and general boundary conditions: some formal considerations

The present work studies continuous time random walks (CTRWs) in a finite domain. A broad class of boundary conditions, of which absorbing and reflecting boundaries are particular cases, is considered. It is shown how any CTRW in this class can be mapped to a CTRW in an infinite domain. This may allow applying well-known techniques for infinite CTRWs to the problem of obtaining the fluid limit for finite domain CTRWs, where the fluid limit (or hydrodynamic limit) refers to the partial differential equation describing the long time and large distance behaviour of the system. As an illustration, the fluid limit equation and its propagator are obtained explicitly in the case of purely reflecting boundaries. We also derive the modification of the Riemann–Liouville fractional differential operators implementing the reflecting boundary conditions.
EOQ estimation for imperfect quality items using association rule mining with clustering

Timely identification of newly emerging trends is needed in business process. Data mining techniques like clustering, association rule mining, classification, etc. are very important for business support and decision making. This paper presents a method for redesigning the ordering policy by including cross-selling effect. Initially, association rules are mined on the transactional database and EOQ is estimated with revenue earned. Then, transactions are clustered to obtain homogeneous clusters and association rules are mined in each cluster to estimate EOQ with revenue earned for each cluster. Further, this paper compares ordering policy for imperfect quality items which is developed by applying rules derived from apriori algorithm viz. a) without clustering the transactions, and b) after clustering the transactions. A numerical example is illustrated to validate the results.