Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do the Indian Agricultural Commodities’ Prices Exhibit Non-Linear Mean Reversion? An Empirical Evidence

Indian economy’s inflation index often reflects double digit tendencies due to supply side shortages caused by droughts, rise in the prices of crude oil in the international markets etc. These factors may be responsible for non-linear behaviour of inflation index. Against this backdrop, an attempt is made in this study to capture non-linear mean reversion of prices of 47 agricultural commodities of India. The study employs powerful non-linear unit root test so as to generate robust findings to infer valid policy implications. The results of the study indicate the presence of unit root with drift process for Food Grains, Cereals, Pulses, Fruits, Vegetables, Primary Articles, Ragi and Rice. And for rest of the commodities, it is observed that there is evidence of mean reversion and therefore, the impact would be only temporary in nature. Thus, the empirical inferences enable the policy makers to design appropriate short term and long term polices related to the prices of agricultural commodities.
Sentiment Analysis of Arabic Tweets Using Semantic Resources

: Sentiment analysis has grown to be one of the most active research areas in natural language processing and text mining. Many researchers have investigated sentiment analysis and opinion mining from different classification approaches. However, limited research is conducted on Arabic sentiment analysis as compared to the English language. In this paper, we have proposed and implemented a technique for Twitter Arabic sentiment analysis consisting of a semantic approach and Arabic linguistic features. Hence, we introduced a mechanism for preprocessing Arabic tweets, and for the methodology of sentiment classification we used a semantic approach. Also, we proposed a technique of classification which uses both Arabic and English sentiment lexicons to classify the Arabic tweets into three sentiment categories (positive or negative or neutral). Our experiments show that many issues were encountered when we used the Arabic SentiWordNet facility to classify Arabic tweets directly; these issues are basically related to Arabic text processing. The Arabic lexicons and Arabic tools must be improved or built from scratch in order to improve Arabic sentiment analysis using the semantic approach. The improvement in results, which are due to our contribution in the form of enhanced Arabic lexicons and amended Arabic tools, demonstrate this need.
Complications of Endourologic Procedures: A Review on Iatrogenic Ureteral Perforation

Ureteroscopy is a first-line technique for the diagnosis and treatment of many upper urinary tract conditions. One of its main uses is intracorporeal lithotripsy [1], which has managed to take over extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy in selected patients [1]. In addition, ureteroscopy has become a very efficient tool for the diagnosis and treatment of low risk urothelial cell carcinoma and other nonneoplastic conditions of the upper urinary tract[1,2]. According to Geraghty et al systematic review, from 1996 to 2016, the number of annual ureteroscopicprocedures for the treatment of urolithiasis has increased by 251,8%, which indicates a global increase of 17% in comparison with other techniques previously mentioned [3] . This is mainly due to urologists increased experience and improvementsin technical equipment including miniaturization, the introduction of disposable equipment and an improvement in optical quality and that of surgical instruments [4,5] . These advances have enabled a drastic reduction in the percentage of complications from the first series, which showed a rate of 20% [6] , to the last multicentric series, with a global rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications of 6.3% and 3.5% respectively [5] . Complications can be classified as intraoperative and postoperative 7 and they are listed in Table1 [5,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14] .
State Ownership of Land in Uzbekistan – an Impediment to Further Agricultural Growth?

Abstract The present paper aims to demonstrate how the state land ownership affects development of agricultural sector in Uzbekistan, and what are its strengths and weaknesses. It highlights the importance of secure land right regardless of ownership. Land in Uzbekistan is state-owned; the exclusive state ownership of land was first incorporated in the 1992 Constitution. The official rationale was to ensure food security and social stability; another concern was the state-run irrigation system, operation of which would be hampered in the event of land privatization. Farming entities in Uzbekistan possess different rights to land: from long-life inheritable rights of the dehkans (small-scale household farms) to rights limited by 30 to 50 years and defined by lease contracts of the private farmers. The latter are monitored by the state and are subject to state interventions; in the first place they have to carry the burden of state quotas for cotton and wheat and they are obliged to sell these crops for state-dictated prices. Dehkans provide a major part of livestock production and they can, unlike private farmers, sell all their production at market prices. Land tenure rights in Uzbekistan lack certain qualities that would make land tenure rights meaningful. The duration of land rights is sufficient, however they do not assure the holders that rights will be recognized and enforced at low costs and do not provide them with mechanisms allowing adjustment under changing conditions.The authors conclude that the insufficient land tenure security, which is further undermined by state interventions, poses a significant barrier impeding development in the agricultural sector. The paper identifies opportunities for change arising from the gradual strengthening of market principles.
Effects of target arrival rate on mission performance of cooperatively controlled UAVs with communication constraints

We investigate the effects of target arrival rate on the communication and mission performance of cooperatively controlled uninhabited aerial vehicles with task allocation performed by iterative network flow. Specifically, we quantify the effect of arrival rate on observed statistics of communication and mission performance. The statistics of interest are peak communication data rate, execution defects. The effects are seen in a series of vehicle-target scenarios simulated in the US Air Force Research Laboratory's MultiUAV environment.
Measurement of Central Aspects of Scientific Research: Performance, Interdisciplinarity, Structure

This article presents an overview of measuring science based on a bibliometric methodology. The 2 main lines of this methodology are discussed. First, the measurement of research performance is addressed, including aspects such as interdisciplinarity, collaboration, and knowledge users. It is demonstrated that advanced bibliometric methods are an indispensable element next to peer review in research evaluation procedures, particularly at the level of research groups, university departments, and institutes. Problems involved in the application of bibliometric analysis in the social sciences are discussed. Next, an introduction to the mapping of science is presented, focusing on basic concepts and issues of practical application of science maps. These maps are unique instruments to discover patterns in the structure of scientific fields, to identify processes of knowledge dissemination, and to visualize the dynamics of scientific developments. Their potential for unraveling interdisciplinary developments an.
Fabrication and properties of high-content keratin/poly (ethylene oxide) blend nanofibers using two-step cross-linking process

High-content keratin/poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) (90/10) blend nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning combined with a two-step cross-linking process. The keratin/PEO aqueous solution was firstly mixed with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) as cross-linker and then electrospun into nanofibers. The resulting nanofibrous mats were cross-linked with EGDE vapor to decrease the solubility of nanofibers in water. The morphologies and properties of electrospun fibers were investigated by SEM, FTIR, TG, XRD, and contact angle testing, respectively. The results showed that the morphologies of nanofibers were uniform at the fiber average diameter of 300 nm with negligible bead defects by adding EGDE to keratin/PEO solutions. The cross-linking results showed that EGDE vapor could improve the hydrophobic property of blended nanofibers. The crystallinity of the keratin/PEO blend nanofiber mat increased from 13.14% for the uncross-linked sample to 21.54% and 35.15% for the first cross-linked and second cross-linked samples, respectively. Free defect nanofiber mats with high keratin content producing from this two-step cross-linking process are particularly promising for tissue engineering and cell-seeded scaffold.
Enhancing auditors' performance: The importance of motivational factors and the mediation effect of effort

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of effort on the relationship between both accountability pressure and self-efficacy, and auditors' performance. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses a between-subjects experimental research design with accountability pressure manipulated randomly to two groups, accountable and non-accountable. Each participant is required to perform internal control tasks. Findings - Based on partial least square (PLS) analysis, results indicate that both variables, i.e. accountability pressure and self-efficacy, are positively related to audit judgment performance through the process of high level of effort. High self-efficacious participants who received accountability pressure would have high levels of effort, which in turn increase audit judgment performance. Research implications/limitations - This study provides further evidence on the effect of motivational factors on auditors' performance. Understanding the mediating role of some motivational variables is crucial in designing a continuous development program to enhance auditors' performance. The proposed framework of effort as a mediating variable is consistent with Libby and Lipe and Chang Originality/value - The paper contributes to the literature on motivational factors that would explain the variability in audit judgments in coping with complex audit tasks.
The Effect of Unemployment Insurance Benefits on Income Inequality in the Canadian Provinces

This study provides an analysis of the relative progressivity of the immediate impact of the unemployment insurance (UI) program in Canada from 1975 to 1996 at both the national and provincial level. In addition, the welfare gain from the reduction in income inequality was estimated (given certain normative assumptions) to be between 1 and 2 percent of aggregate income nationally. This estimate can be compared with the efficiency costs from the labour market implications of the program. Given the existing policy debate on the UI program, this should prove to be both an interesting and important component of any future policy discussions concerning the UI systems.
Growing, losing or introducing? Cage aquaculture as a vector for the introduction of non-native fish in Furnas Reservoir, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Cage aquaculture has been developed in many countries, including Brazil. This form of production, although economically productive, may cause several impacts to the environment. Considering the historical relationship between aquaculture and species introduction, our study investigated the potential of cage aquaculture in spreading non-native species into hydroelectric reservoirs. We interviewed 19 fish farmers in Furnas Reservoir, Grande River basin. All producers have grown exclusively Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), an African fish, and all producers reported the occurrence of fish escapes. Releases were mainly accidental, but highly frequent during some management procedures, such as length classification, fish capture and juvenile stocking. Escapes were also reported due to cage damage and deliberate releases. These results indicate that, in cage aquaculture facilities, fish are frequently released to the external environment. When raising non-native species (e.g. Furnas Reservoir), these facilities constitute an important vector for fish introductions.
How bad is Divergence in the Euro-Zone? Lessons from the United States of America and Germany

This paper compares relative unit labour cost developments in the countries of the euro-area since the beginning of the European Monetary Union (EMU) both with historical developments and with intra-regional unit labour cost developments in the United States of America and Germany. To this end, unit labour cost indices for the US states and census regions from 1977 to 1997 as well as for the German Lander from 1970 to 2004 have been constructed. Against this benchmark, it is found that unit labour cost increases since 1999 in Portugal and to a lesser extent in Spain and Greece can be judged as excessive, pointing at labour market rigidities which might impair smooth working of EMU in the future.
Labelled Execution Systems

Abstract : Interleaving theories have traditionally failed to integrate a satisfactory treatment of the so-called finite delay property. This is generally attributed to the expansion law of such theories, but actually the problem is rooted in the concept of labelled transition system. We introduce a new type of system in which, instead of labelled transitions, we have, essentially, sequences of labelled transitions. We call systems of this type labelled execution systems. We use a coalgebraic representation to obtain, in a canonical way, a suitable concept of bisimilarity among such systems, study the conditions under which that concept agrees with the intuitive understanding of equivalence of branching structure that one has for these systems, and examine their relationship with labelled transition systems, precisely characterizing the difference in expressive power and branching complexity between the two kinds of systems.
Regulation of the citrate fermentation genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae

7 associated with phosphorylation leads to a -50-fold higher DNA affinity. The C-terminal subdomain of CitB (CitBCHis) was capable of specific binding to the citC-citS intergenic region. The binding properties were comparable with the ones of unphosphorylated CitBHis, indicating that the N-terminal domain is essential for high-affinity DNA binding. Two CitB binding sites within the citC-citS intergenic region were identified by DNase I footprint analysis. One binding site is located in the region of -50 to -96 with respect to the citC transcriptional start site, while the second site protects the region from -55 to -89 upstream of the citS transcriptional start site. The positions of these binding sites imply that transcriptional activation of the citrate fermentation genes could involve a direct interaction of the response regulator CitB with the C-terminal domain of the RNA polymerase c-subunit, Early experiments had indicated that alternative growth substrates might have an influence on the expression of the citrate fermentation genes. Therefore, the impact of glucose, gluconate, and glycerol on growth and expression of a chromosomally integrated translational citS-lacZ fusion was examined. All of the above mentioned substrates led to inhibition of citS-lacZ expression. Anaerobic cultivation on citrate and glucose resulted in diauxic growth. The cAMP receptor protein (CRP) or catabolite activator protein (CAP) is known to be involved in the creation of this phenomenon. Indeed, the comparison of the citC-citS intergenic region with the consensus binding sequence led to the identification of three putative CRP binding sites. CRP from K. pneumoniae was overproduced in E. coli and purified. Gel retardation experiments with CRP and the citC-citS intergenic region in the presence of cAMP revealed two protein-DNA complexes of different mobility. DNase I footprints with CRP in the presence of phosphorylated CitBHis revealed hypersensitive sites that are probably due to CRP-induced bending of the DNA. These hypersensitive sites were mapped to the two postulated CRP binding sites that are localized at a distance of 41.5 bp from the transcriptional start site of citC and citS, respectively. These results indicate, that besides the main regulator CitB also CRP is able to enhance the expression of the citCand the citS-operon.
Investigation of Self-Esteem in High School Students with Premenstrual Syndrome

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common disorders of reproductive age, and it is reported that 90% 85% of the people are suffering from this disorder. Among the multiple symptoms of mental premenstrual syndrome, dysphoria, irritability, tension, anxiety and physical symptoms of bloating and breast pain are more common symptoms that can interfere with personal, family and community relationships. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of the symptoms of PMS (physical, psychological and social) and the level of self-esteem in girls with PMS in 2013. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 200 girl high-school students of Shiraz city who had PMS. The study tools included demographic questionnaire, premenstrual symptoms, screening tool (PSST), (completed in two consecutive months) and Cooper Smith questionnaire. Data was analyzed by applying SPSS (version 16) and descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age of the study population was 16.34 ± 1.06. About 50.5 percent were within 14-16 years old. 11.43 ± 3.89, 12.87 ± 4.49, and 39.28 ± 16.2 were the mean scores of physical, mental and total symptoms in girls with PMS, respectively. Moderate and high levels of self-esteem were reported 53% and 47% respectively among the patients with PMS. Conclusions: The results showed that high self-esteem is decreased in patients with premenstrual syndrome. Due to the mood disorders, the subjects may avoid their perfection tendency and intensify their negative self-concept leading to low self-esteem. Different treatments, particularly psychological remedies, are required for those suffering from PMS.
k-Wave simulation to understand the photoacoustic signal characteristics from various shapes of nanoparticles

Current attempts in understanding the photoacoustic signal characteristic of various shapes of nanoparticles is mostly performed through numerical simulations. However these computational methods are very time consuming, costly and complicated. Thus there is a need for an easy and fast simulation technique to understand the photoacoustic signal generated from various shapes of nanoparticles. k-Wave is a MATLAB based simulation toolbox to simulate photoacoustic signal given the initial pressure distribution of the target object. In this work, we used k-Wave simulation to understand the photoacoustic signal generated from various shapes of nanoparticles. Seven shapes of nanoparticles are created mainly sphere, cylinder, hollow cylinder, cube, hollow cube, triangle, and star. A point sensor (ultrasound detector) is used to detect the photoacoustic waves generated from different shapes of nanoparticles. The photoacoustic signal generated by different shapes of nanoparticles is captured and processed for further analysis to see their frequency content.
Using dysphonic voice to characterize speaker's biometry

Phonation distortion leaves relevant marks in a speaker's biometric profile. Dysphonic voice production may be used for biometrical speaker characterization. In the present paper phonation features derived from the glottal source (GS) parameterization, after vocal tract inversion, is proposed for dysphonic voice characterization in Speaker Verification tasks. The glottal source derived parameters are matched in a forensic evaluation framework defining a distance-based metric specification. The phonation segments used in the study are derived from fillers, long vowels, and other phonation segments produced in spontaneous telephone conversations. Phonated segments from a telephonic database of 100 male Spanish native speakers are combined in a 10-fold cross-validation task to produce the set of quality measurements outlined in the paper. Shimmer, mucosal wave correlate, vocal fold cover biomechanical parameter unbalance and a subset of the GS cepstral profile produce accuracy rates as high as 99.57 for a wide threshold interval (62.08-75.04%). An Equal Error Rate of 0.64 % can be granted. The proposed metric framework is shown to behave more fairly than classical likelihood ratios in supporting the hypothesis of the defense vs that of the prosecution, thus ofering a more reliable evaluation scoring. Possible applications are Speaker Verification and Dysphonic Voice Grading.
Prevalence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Rhesus Macaque (Macaca Mulatta Zimmermann, 1780) and Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus Entellus Dufresne, 1797) In Devghat, Chitwan, Nepal

The present investigation was undertaken to study the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in Rhesus Macaque and Hanuman Langur at Devghat, Chitwan. Altogether 93 fresh faecal samples were collected from Rhesus Macaque belonging to five troops and Hanuman Langur of two troops. About 10 gm of faecal material was collected in sterile vials with 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. These samples were examined microscopically by faecal concentration methods viz. floatation technique and sedimentation technique. Out of 93 samples, 69 (74.20%) were found positive for at least one parasite. Prevalence of helminth and protozoan parasites was 52.68% and 40.86% respectively. Altogether, 10 species of parasites including seven helminth and three protozoa were identified based on morphological characteristics of their eggs and cysts under light microscopy. The most commonly detected parasites were Balantidium coli (27.95%) followed by Eimeria sp. (16.12%), Entamoeba sp. (13.97%), Trichuris sp. (23.65%), Ascaris sp. (11.82%), Strongyloides sp. (10.75%), Oesophagostomum sp. (5.37%), Hookworm sp. (3.22%), Trichostrongylus sp. (3.22%) and Hymenolepis sp. (1.07%). Unidentified larvae of nematode which account for 6.45% of total samples were also recorded. Single, double, triple and multiple species of parasites were found in 36.55%, 29.03%, 6.45% and 2.15% samples respectively. Journal of Institute of Science and TechnologyVolume 22, Issue 2, January 2018, Page: 12-18
BOARD DILIGENCE, DIRECTOR BUSINESS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The paper examines the association between financial performance and boards of non-financial firms. Using data on over 200 listed manufacturing firms in India for 2005, the findings indicate that, after controlling for various firm-specific factors, board diligence as well as director busyness exerts a positive influence on corporate performance.
Factors Affecting Local Residents’ Support on Tourism Development in Phong Dien District, Can Tho City

This study is aimed to determine factors affecting local residents’ support on tourism development in Phong Dien district, Can Tho city. Research data from the study were collected from 125 households living in Phong Dien district. Application of Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), the study results showed that there are five factors affecting local residents’ support on tourism development in Phong Dien including trade-off cost, participation, social utility, attachment and personal utility. In particular, attachment factor has the strongest impact to local peoples’ support on tourism development in Phong Dien district.