Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction Among Corporate Governance, Innovation, and Performance in Vietnam’s Banking Sector

Background/Objectives: The current research tries to investigate effects of the three elements of corporate governance (chief executive officer duality, board independence and size) on banking performance and then analyze the mediating role of innovation on these effects, which are overlooked at Vietnamese banks. Methods/Statistical analysis: The research sample for this research encompassed 78 usable firm-year observations of 25 publicly listed organizations in the banking sector on Vietnam’s three main Stock Exchanges during a 4-year period from 2015 to 2018. To test out the causal hypotheses, the multiple linear regressions were carried out; while to statistically explore the mediating hypotheses, the approaches for testing the statistical significance of mediating effects, proposed by Aroian (1947) were applied. Findings: The empirical findings disclose that good mechanisms of corporate governance in banking can lead to superior banking performance. The empirical results also discover that innovative activities in banking statistically interferes in the causal linkage between corporate governance and banking performance; where innovation fully interferes between the duality of management and banking performance, but it partially interferes in the relations of board independence and board size with banking performance. Improvements/Applications: This research indicates that the banks, in which the positions of the director and chairperson are held by one separate person, may suffer agency costs, so achieve poorer banking performance. Therefore, the banks in Vietnam should assign the positions of the chief executive officer and chairperson to two separate individuals. The banks should hire more independent executives in the managerial board in order to lessen agency costs, so can get better banking performance. Moreover, the banks with larger managerial boards can improve banking performance since they possess better business experience, expertise, skill and other relations that can create substantial resources, so enhance banking success. It also shows that when included into the research model of corporate governance and banking performance, innovativeness in banking should be carefully considered, because it could interfere into this research model.
Physiological responses and performance of broiler chickens offered olive leaf extract under a hot humid tropical climate

Abstract This study was designed to determine the effects of olive leaf extract (OLE) supplementation in the drinking water on growth performance, hematological parameters, plasma triiodothyronine and malondialdeyde, superoxide dismutase, and rectal temperature of broiler chickens under a hot‐humid tropical climate. Two hundred and forty Arbor acre broiler chickens were used for this experiment and were allotted to four treatments comprising four replicates of 15 birds each. The birds were offered OLE per liter of water at various levels (0, 5, 10, or 15 mL) in a completely randomized design. Rectal temperature (RT), hematological indices, weight, weight gains, feed consumed, feed conversion ratio, and plasma triiodothyronine (T3) were the parameters measured. The results obtained showed that the plasma T3 of the birds offered 15 mL OLE was higher (P < 0.05) than those of the birds in the other treatment groups. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the feed intake (DFI), total feed intake (TFI), final weight (FW), total weight gain (TWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among treatments. The DFI, TFI, FW, TWG, and FCR of broilers offered 15 mL OLE were significantly (P < 0.05) better than those offered the 10 mL and 5 mL levels. It was concluded that inclusion of 15 mL of OLE enhanced the performance of broiler chickens during the hot dry season.
The clean vagina, the healthy vagina, and the dirty vagina: Exploring women’s portrayals of the vagina in relation to vaginal cleansing product use

Vaginal cleansing products such as douches, sprays, wipes, powders, washes, and deodorants are part of a growing $2 billion industry in North America. Part of the appeal of these products is supposedly attaining vaginal cleanliness, which is marketed in association with product use. Although these products are promoted as healthy, medical research indicates potential health risks for some of these products (e.g. yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and disruption of the vaginal microbiota). Despite these risks, many women use these products. In this paper, we draw on interviews with women who use vaginal cleansing products to examine the ways in which particular portrayals of the vagina are connected with broader societal messages about female genitalia and with motivations to use vaginal cleansing practices. These portrayals include the healthy vagina, the clean vagina, and the dirty vagina. We show that although participants in our study valued both a clean vagina and a healthy vagina, when tension occurred between these two portrayals, participants prioritized vaginal cleanliness over vaginal health. We argue that this prioritization of the idealized clean vagina is connected to societal pressures of needing to attain unrealistic standards of vaginal cleanliness.
Biostimulant prevents yield loss and reduces oxidative damage in tomato plants grown on reduced NPK nutrition*

ABSTRACT Plant biostimulants are substances which have the capacity to modify physiological processes in plants in a way that provides potential benefits to growth, development or stress response. Effects of biostimulant application on two tomato hybrids (Ombeline F1 and Bostina F1) submitted to reduced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) nutrition aiming at prevention of oxidative stress generation as well as yield and fruit quality loss were investigated in this study. According to obtained results, foliar applied Viva® biostimulant decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) activity in tomato leaves even when recommended NPK nutrition was reduced at 40%. Fruit quality parameters (total soluble solids, total acidity, ascorbic acid and lycopene content) and yield were also maintained in reduced macronutrient fertilization when biostimulant was added. Combination of biostimulant with reduced NPK fertilizer enabled stability of cell homeostasis in tomato plants and their better adaptation to stress conditions. The possibility of biostimulant being used as environmental friendly tool in the reduction of mineral fertilizers without negative consequences regarding yield and fruit quality was discussed.
TIMING AND SIGNALS OF MONETARY REGIME SWITCHING

This study investigates if the reaction function of the Federal Reserve switches between two distinct policy rules. Using a time-varying transition probability framework, we also determine if forward-looking macroeconomic or financial covariates signal an impending monetary regime switch. We find that US monetary policy is best described by a Markov-switching model with two regime processes, one of which controls for heteroskedasticity in the shocks to the policy rule. We find that the Fed switches between an aggressive regime with a relatively high weight on inflation and a dovish regime that is less responsive to inflationary pressures. We find that an increase in private forecasters’ expectations of an impending recession signals a switch from the more aggressive policy regime to the less aggressive regime. A recovery in equity returns signals a return back to the more aggressive regime.
Linear measurements of carcasses as a tool to improve the evaluation of the rabbit meat production

In order to improve the methodologies for objective evaluation of rabbit meat production a series of linear measurements have been carried out on rabbit carcasses, integrated by the carcass commercial traits usually evaluated at slaughter. Ninety-six crossbred rabbits (New Zealand White x Californian) were weaned at 28 d (LW 493±63 g), slaughtered at 77 d (LW 2167±157 g) and carcasses prepared by removing blood, skin, distal legs, urinary bladder and gastrointestinal tract. The average dressing out percentage (59.7±8.1%) was calculated. Carcasses were the n refrigerated at 2 ° C for 24 h and average cold carcass weight (CCW) 24 h after slaughter resulted 1179±96 g. Head, lungs, thymus gland, trachea, heart and liver were removed and the conformation, fatness and colour of carcasses was classified, by visual examination, using a scale of 5 ± scores. Averages of some linear measurements effectuated on cold carcasses resulted: body length 32.8±1.0 cm, loin width 12.4±0.7 cm, chest width 9.0±0.4 cm, carcass length 26.9±1.0 cm, chest depth 6.5±0.6 cm and leg length 16.5±0.8. Carcasses were then dissected to measure fat content and muscle to bone ratio. The average coefficients of correlation (r) calculated between the linear measurements and the dressing out percentage of carcasses resulted: body length 0.659; loin width – 0.063; chest width 0.347; carcass length 0.633; chest depth 0.844; and leg length 0.392. The main linear measurements of carcasses could represent an additional tool for supporting the evaluation of rabbit meat production.
Colour image enhancement with brightness preservation and edge sharpening using a heat conduction matrix

: In this study, an enhancement process obtained by applying the heat conduction equation of solid and stagnant fluids on colour images is proposed. After the colour channel stretching, the RGB colour image was converted to the HSI model. The heat conduction equation was applied for each pixel on the I channel of the HSI colour model. The elements of the feature matrix called heat conduction matrix (HCM) can have negative, positive or zero values. A pixel with a small negative HCM value indicates that I needs level enhancement for a good image, whereas a small positive HCM value means that the I level value will be reduced and aligned with its neighbours. High positive or negative values are defined as the edges of the objects and the I level values of such pixels are not changed to protect the edges. In addition, whether HCM is negative or positive, the balanced increment and decrement path at a level I ensures that the mean brightness value performs natural protection. Finally, an enhanced image is obtained by transitioning from the HSI to the RGB colour model. Experimental results show that this method can enhance colour image details better than other methods.
Global and local optimization in identification of parabolic systems

Abstract The problem of identification of coefficients and initial conditions for a boundary value problem for parabolic equations that reduces to a minimization problem of a misfit function is investigated. Firstly, the tensor train decomposition approach is presented as a global convergence algorithm. The idea of the proposed method is to extract the tensor structure of the optimized functional and use it for multidimensional optimization problems. Secondly, for the refinement of the unknown parameters, three local optimization approaches are implemented and compared: Nelder–Mead simplex method, gradient method of minimum errors, adaptive gradient method. For gradient methods, the evident formula for the continuous gradient of the misfit function is obtained. The identification problem for the diffusive logistic mathematical model which can be applied to social sciences (online social networks), economy (spatial Solow model) and epidemiology (coronavirus COVID-19, HIV, etc.) is considered. The numerical results for information propagation in online social network are presented and discussed.
The Awareness of Beta-Lactam Antibiotics Prescription among Dental Students

Beta-lactam antibiotic is the most common antibiotic prescribed by dental students. However, the actual knowledge on beta lactam is important as antimicrobial resistance is currently an alarming and growing phenomenon and in turn becoming a public health challenge. A survey was conducted to assess the knowledge and awareness of beta-lactam antibiotics prescriptions among dental students in their third years, final years and interns. A total of 145 responses were obtained and the results were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. Based on their knowledge on betalactam antibiotics, 59.3% of the participants knew exactly the mechanisms of action of beta-lactam antibiotic which was by interfering with the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. In the case of penicillin allergy, 40% of the participants chose erythromycin as the alternative for penicillin allergy. 84% of the participants were aware that the combination of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid may increase its effectiveness. Meanwhile, 98% of the participants were aware that amoxicillin is the drug of choice for bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis. 72% of the participants were aware that most Original Research Article Shahroom et al.; JPRI, 32(15): 22-33, 2020; Article no.JPRI. 59652 23 beta-lactam antibiotics are considered safe for pregnant and lactating women which was statistically significant (p<0.05). In conclusion, the students had quite a good knowledge and awareness regarding the prescription of beta-lactam antibiotics since they have been practicing under guidance from the practitioner in the college.
Identification and quantification of surface wax compounds covering aerial organs of selected plant species

ii Preface.iv Table of contents.vi List of tables. xii List of figures. xiii List of abbreviations . xvii Acknowledgements . xix Dedication . xx Chapter 1: Introduction to the plant cuticle.1 1.1. The plant cuticle: An adaptation to a dry environment.1 1.2. Chemical diversity of cuticle constituents.1 1.2.1. Cutin/Cutan.1 1.2.2. Cuticular waxes.3 1.2.2.1. Aliphatics.3 1.2.2. 2. Alicyclics.5 1.2.2.3. Aromatics.7 1.3. Stratification of cuticle constituents.8 1.4. Functions of the plant cuticle.10 1.5. Biosynthesis of VLC aliphatic cuticular waxes.13 1.5. 1. Biosynthesis of ubiquitous aliphatic waxes.13 1.5. 2. Biosynthesis of β-diketones in Poaceae. 16
Anti-predator behaviour of black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons)

In this chapter I present the vocal repertoire of black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons) during encounters with live and with stuffed predator species. Using visual and auditory discrimination I identified 11 calls types (5 simple and 6 composite), which differed strikingly in fundamental frequency (high, medium, low), modulation (e.g. upsweep, downsweep and flat) and amplitude (quiet, loud). Some calls can be produced singly or in sequences, while others are only produced in sequences of one or more call types that seem to function as communicative units. The vocal repertoire presented here is not exhaustive, and represents only the call types and variants given in predator contexts. Based on description and spectrograms, I could tentatively identify some of the vocal categories described in earlier studies on an Amazon species of titi monkey (Callicebus cupreus). More detailed analyses will be required to compare calls produced by these two disjunctive species. The main goal of this chapter was to present a first summary description of the main calls. More detailed descriptions of some of the quiet high-pitched calls produced when detecting predators will be presented in chapter 4.
Design of Tire Damage Image Recognition System Based on Deep Learning

In view of the problems of low efficiency, prone to misjudgment, and complicated identification levels in the current market, the use of manual judgment methods for the cause of tire damage. A method of tire damage image recognition based on convolutional neural network algorithm is proposed, and an intelligent tire damage image recognition system is designed. Through image processing, feature extraction, classification and identification of the input tire damage image, the computer can automatically output the cause of the damage. The experimental results show the feasibility of this method and also improve the shortcomings of traditional manual judgment of the cause of tire damage.
Včelí produkty v kosmetice

This thesis was focused on bee products, honey, beeswax, pollen, royal jelly and bee venom. The theoretical part of the thesis is about the chemical composition, effects and utilization of bee products in cosmetics. The practical part included a questionnaire that was focused on general utilization of bee products and use of cosmetics containing bee products, which as it turn out, are among the respondents popular for their unique properties.
Surface Electromyography-Based Action Recognition and Manipulator Control

To improve the quality of lives of disabled people, the application of intelligent prosthesis was presented and investigated. In particular, surface Electromyography (sEMG) signals succeeded in controlling the manipulator in human–machine interface, due to the fact that EMG activity belongs to one of the most widely utilized biosignals and can reflect the straightforward motion intention of humans. However, the accuracy of real-time action recognition is usually low and there is usually obvious delay in a controlling manipulator, as a result of which the task of tracking human movement precisely, cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, this study proposes a method of action recognition and manipulator control. We built a multifunctional sEMG detection and action recognition system that integrated all discrete components. A biopotential measurement analog-to-digital converter with a high signal–noise rate (SNR) was chosen to ensure the high quality of the acquired sEMG signals. The acquired data were divided into sliding windows for processing in a shorter time. Mean Absolute Value (MAV), Waveform Length (WL), and Root Mean Square (RMS) were finally extracted and we found that compared to the Genetic-Algorithm-based Support Vector Machine (GA–SVM), the back propagation (BP) neural network performed better in joint action classification. The results showed that the average accuracy of judging the 5 actions (fist clenching, hand opening, wrist flexion, wrist extension, and calling me) was up to 93.2% and the response time was within 200 ms, which achieved a simultaneous control of the manipulator. Our work took into account the action recognition accuracy and real-time performance, and realized the sEMG-based manipulator control eventually, which made it easier for people with arm disabilities to communicate better with the outside world.
Heterogeneous CO2 and CH4 patterns across space and time in a small boreal lake

ABSTRACT Small boreal lakes emit large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) to the atmosphere. Yet emissions of these greenhouse gases are variable in space and time, in part due to variable within-lake CO2 and CH4 concentrations. To determine the extent and the underlying drivers of this variation, we measured lake water CO2 and CH4 concentrations and estimated associated emissions using spatially discrete water samples collected every 2 weeks from a small boreal lake. On select dates, we also collected groundwater samples from the surrounding catchment. On average, groundwater draining a connected peat mire complex had significantly higher CO2 and CH4 concentrations compared to waters draining forest on mineral soils. However, within the lake, only CH4 concentrations nearshore from the mire complex were significantly elevated. We observed little spatial variability in surface water CO2; however, bottom water CO2 in the pelagic zone was significantly higher than bottom waters at nearshore locations. Overall, temperature, precipitation, and thermal stratification explained temporal patterns of CO2 concentration, whereas hydrology (discharge and precipitation) best predicted the variation in CH4 concentration. Consistent with these different controls, the highest CO2 emission was related to lake turnover at the end of August while the highest CH4 emission was associated with precipitation events at the end of June. These results suggest that annual carbon emissions from small boreal lakes are influenced by temporal variation in weather conditions that regulate thermal stratification and trigger hydrologic land–water connections that supply gases from catchment soils to the lake.
Compliant gripper design, prototyping, and modeling using screw theory formulation

This article investigates some aspects related to the design, modeling, prototyping, and testing of soft–rigid tendon-driven grippers. As a case study, we present the design and development of a two-finger soft gripper and exploit it as an example to demonstrate the application scenario of our mathematical model based on screw theory. A mathematical formulation based on screw theory is then presented to model gripper dynamics. The proposed formulation is the extension of a model previously introduced including the mechanical system dynamics. In this type of gripper, it is possible to achieve different behaviors, e.g., different fingertip trajectories, equivalent fingertip stiffness ellipsoids, etc., while keeping the same kinematic structure of the gripper and varying the properties of its passive deformable joints. These properties can be varied in the prototype by properly regulating some manufacturing parameters, such as percentage of printing infill density in a 3D printing process. We performed experiments with the prototype of the gripper and an optical tracking system to validate the proposed mathematical formulation, and to compare its results with other simplified formulations. We furthermore identified the main performance of the gripper in terms of payload and maximum horizontal resisted force, and verified the capabilities of the gripper to grasp objects with different shapes and weights.
Evaluation of Population and Individual Variances of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites in terms of Epidemiological Studies

In the context of an epidemiological study, urinary concentrations of nine phthalic diester metabolites (monoethyl-, mono-(3-carboxypropyl)-, mono-n-butyl-, monoisobutyl-, monobenzyl-, mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-, mono-(5-hydroxy-2- ethylhexyl)-, mono-(5-oxo-2-ethylhexyl)- and mono-(5-carboxy-2-ethylpentyl)-phthalate) were quantified via LC-MS/ MS. As in the majority of epidemiological studies only single spot samples were available for urine analysis, the implicit assumption in this case is, that exposure data obtained from single spot samples are representative for a longer exposure period. To validate the relevance of single spot analyses we quantified the respective intra-individual variances of urine samples collected from ten volunteers once daily over a period of 30 days. Using the values for the daily variances, approximate values for the underlying population variances in the cohort samples representing the differences between the average individual metabolite levels were calculated. For most of the volunteers, daily metabolites variations were lower, than the variations observed in the epidemiological setup. The results showed that by accounting for the contribution of daily variance, the standard deviations of the log-transformed phthalate values of the cohort samples are reduced (14% to 28%) but still larger (3% to 66%) than daily standard deviation values, with the exception of MCPrP concentrations.