Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relation Between Stock Repurchase And Ownership Structure In France

The aim of this article is to study the relationship between the type of shareholders of French companies and their stock repurchase policy. According to the financial theory, the presence of institutional investors negatively influences the policy of purchasing the fact of preference of these investors over the reinvestment projects. The theoretical hypotheses of interest alignment and entrenchment have been used to justify the relationship between management stockholding and repurchasing policy. We have tested the validity of our hypotheses on a sample of 77 French companies during 2003-2008. The results have shown that the institutional investors affect negatively the repurchase, which can explain the priority of these latter for dividends compared to repurchasing and with holding the profit to invest it again. Moreover, we have found a positive relationship between the management stockholding and the repurchase, which has been explained by the power of entrenchment that can perform the repurchase by raising the stockholding percentage of managers who repurchase the stocks.
Numerical solution of Troesch's problem using Christov rational functions

We present a collocation method to obtain the approximate solution of Troesch's problem which arises in the confinement of a plasma column by radiation pressure and applied physics. By using the Christov rational functions and collocation points, this method transforms Troesch's problem into a system of nonlinear algebraic equations. The rate of convergence is shown to be exponential. The numerical results obtained by the present method compares favorably with those obtained by various methods earlier in the literature.
ASSIMILATION OF COARSE-SCALE DATA USING THE ENSEMBLE KALMAN FILTER

Reservoir data is usually scale dependent and exhibits multiscale features. In this paper we use the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) to integrate data at different spatial scales for estimating reservoir fine-scale characteristics. Relationships between the various scales is modeled via upscaling techniques. We propose two versions of the EnKF to assimilate the multiscale data, (i) where all the data are assimilated together and (ii) the data are assimilated sequentially in batches. Ensemble members obtained after assimilating one set of data are used as a prior to assimilate the next set of data. Both of these versions are easily implementable with any other upscaling which links the fine to the coarse scales. The numerical results with different methods are presented in a twin experiment setup using a two-dimensional, two-phase (oil and water) flow model. Results are shown with coarse-scale permeability and coarse-scale saturation data. They indicate that additional data provides better fine-scale estimates and fractional flow predictions. We observed that the two versions of the EnKF differed in their estimates when coarse-scale permeability is provided, whereas their results are similar when coarse-scale saturation is used. This behavior is thought to be due to the nonlinearity of the upscaling operator in the case of the former data. We also tested our procedures with various precisions of the coarse-scale data to account for the inexact relationship between the fine and coarse scale data. As expected, the results show that higher precision in the coarse-scale data yielded improved estimates. With better coarse-scale modeling and inversion techniques as more data at multiple coarse scales is made available, the proposed modification to the EnKF could be relevant in future studies.
Semi-groups and collectively compact sets of linear operators.

A set of linear operators from one Banach space to another is collectively compact if and only if the union of the images of the unit ball has compact closure. Semi-groups S = {T(t): t ^ 0} of bounded linear operators on a complex Banach space into itself and in which every operator T(t), t > 0 is compact are considered. Since Tit, + t 2) = T(tJT(tJ for each operator in the semi-group, it would be expected that the theory of collectively compact sets of linear operators could be profitably applied to semi-groups. 1* Introduction* Let X be a complex Banach space with unit ball Xλ and let [X, X] denote the space of all bounded linear operators on X equipped with the uniform operator topology. The semi-group definitions and terminology used are those of Hille and Phillips [6]. Let S be a semi-group of vector-valued functions T: [0, oo)—>[X, X]. It is assumed that T(t) is strongly continuous for t ^ 0. If lim^ || T(t)x - T(to)x || = 0 for each t0 ^ 0, xeX and if there is a constant M such that the || T(t) || ^ M for each t ^ 0, then S — {T(t): t ^> 0} is called an equicontinuou s semi-group of class Co. The infinitesimal generator A of the semi-group S is defined by Ax = lim— [T(s)x - x] s->o S whenever the limit exists. The domain D(A) of A is a dense subset of X consisting of just those elements x for which this limit exists. A is a closed linear operator having resolvents R(X) which, for each complex number λ with the real part of λ greater than zero, are given by the absolutely summable Riemann-Stieltjes integral
Numerical specified homogenization of a discrete model with a local perturbation and application to traffic flow

We present techniques for the analysis and numerical analysis of non-local non-linear PDEs. We apply these techniques to an equation derived from the modelling of traffic flow. We introduce a macroscopic model in the form of a Hamilton--Jacobi equation with a junction condition. More precisely, the goal of this work is to obtain the numerical homogenization of a non-local PDE deriving from a first order discrete model for traffic flow that simulates the presence of a local perturbation. Previously we showed that the solution of the discrete microscopic model converges to the (unique) solution of a Hamilton--Jacobi equation posed on a network and with a junction condition (it can be seen as a flux limiter that keeps the memory of the local perturbation). The goal of this article is to provide a numerical scheme able to obtain an approximation of this flux-limiter. We prove the convergence of this scheme and we give some numerical results.
The Fall in Men's Return to Marriage: Declining Productivity Effects or Changing Selection?

Historically, one of the most robust findings from human capital wage equations has been that married men earn more than men who never marry. However, the earnings premium paid to married compared with never-married men declined by more than 40 percent during the 1980s. Data from the National Longitudinal Surveys (young men and youth cohorts) are used to explore two competing explanations for this decline: changes in the selection of high-wage men into marriage and changes in the productivity effects of marriage due to declining specialization within households. The results suggest that the drop in the marriage wage premium was due largely to a decline in the productivity effects associated with marriage. Instrumental variables estimation suggests that these declining productivity effects can be explained by a reduction in the average degree of specialization across households coupled with an increase in the wage penalty associated with wives' labor market hours.
A fresh look into the interacting dark matter scenario

The elastic scattering between dark matter particles and radiation represents an attractive possibility to solve a number of discrepancies between observations and standard cold dark matter predictions, as the induced collisional damping would imply a suppression of small-scale structures. We consider this scenario and confront it with measurements of the ionization history of the Universe at several redshifts and with recent estimates of the counts of Milky Way satellite galaxies. We derive a conservative upper bound on the dark matter-photon elastic scattering cross section of σγ DM < 8 × 10−10 σT (mDM/GeV) at 95% CL, about one order of magnitude tighter than previous constraints from satellite number counts. Due to the strong degeneracies with astrophysical parameters, the bound on the dark matter-photon scattering cross section derived here is driven by the estimate of the number of Milky Way satellite galaxies. Finally, we also argue that future 21 cm probes could help in disentangling among possible non-cold dark matter candidates, such as interacting and warm dark matter scenarios. Let us emphasize that bounds of similar magnitude to the ones obtained here could be also derived for models with dark matter-neutrino interactions and would be as constraining as the tightest limits on such scenarios.
Application of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) metabarcoding to diatom biomonitoring: Do DNA extraction methods matter?

Current freshwater biomonitoring with diatoms is based on microscopic examination of the morphology of their silica skeleton. This standardized approach is time consuming and requires a high degree of taxonomic expertise. Metabarcoding combined with high-throughput sequencing (HTS) has great potential for next-generation biomonitoring applications but requires standardization. Molecular inventories are strongly influenced by the DNA extraction method used, but the effect of extraction protocols has not been tested to enable selection of the best DNA extraction method for HTS metabarcoding. We used 5 DNA extraction methods combining various types of cell lysis and DNA purification to extract DNA from 8 pure diatom cultures and 8 samples from streams and lakes with differing water quality. We compared the methods based on: 1) quality and purity of the extracted DNA, 2) community inventories obtained from HTS targeting the ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) barcode, and 3) similarity between molecular and microscopy-based inventories of community composition and the Specific Pollution-sensitivity Index [SPI]. A method based on GenElute™-LPA had higher extraction efficiency than the 4 commercial kits but had the highest polymerase chain reaction inhibition level. All 5 methods were efficient for HTS, and method did not affect operational taxonomic unit richness. We observed variations in the relative abundance of some taxa within Nitzschia, Amphora, Encyonema, Gomphonema, and Navicula between 2 of the 5 methods, but method did not affect global diatom community composition or SPI values. SPI values calculated from microscopy-based inventories and molecular inventories based on all 5 extraction methods were strongly correlated. For convenience purposes (high DNA quantity and low cost), we encourage standardization of HTS diatom biomonitoring based on the SA-Gen method.
Inhibition of Nitrotyrosine Formation Reduces Endotoxin-Induced Liver Injury Irrespective of TNF-α

The hypotheses that nitrotyrosine formation is a downstream mechanism following TNF-α production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury and its inhibition reduces the injury were examined. Under anesthesia, experiments were performed 6h after the intravenous administration of LPS (10mg/kg) or saline using male Sprague-Dawley rats (300-400g). Liver injury was evaluated in 4 groups: control (n=4), LPS alone (n=5), LPS+quercetin (n=5), LPS+clodronate (n=5) by plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, nitrotyrosine concentration in liver and histological changes. Quercetin, an inhibitor of nitrotyrosine formation was injected at a dose of 50mg/kg i.p. 24h before the LPS injection and clodronate, a Kupffer cell remover was injected i.v. at a dose of 0.2ml (0.23M) 24h before the LPS injection. Nitrotyrosine was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection methods. In the LPS group, the liver contained 1, 403±240ng nitrotyrosine/g protein (control: 21.2±1.7ng/g) and plasma ALT was elevated (1, 781±455IU/liter vs. control 55±5IU/liter). Nitrotyrosine formation was decreased in the LPS+quercetin and LPS+clodronate groups (240.6±47.6 and 301.4±26.2ng/g protein, respectively) and the increase of plasma ALT was attenuated (486±20.7 and 79.8±9.4IU/liter, respectively). The plasma TNF-α level was markedly elevated in the LPS group (1, 124.1±67.6pg/ml). It remained high in quercetin groups (1, 292.4±159.9pg/ml) but was very low in the clodronate group (34.8±5.3pg/ml). LPS-induced liver injury involves nitrotyrosine formation and treatments to decrease its formation attenuated the injury. The protection was observed without affecting TNF-α level; suggesting that the nitrotyrosine formation is a downstream mechanism for the injury following TNF-α production.
Accelerating knowledge production on educational leadership and management in East Asia: a strategic analysis

This paper discusses a strategy for accelerating the development of a regionally grounded knowledge base on educational leadership and management in East Asia. The study reviews data on patterns of knowledge production in East Asia, and employs the findings in the development of a strategy for increasing knowledge production. The study concludes that a suitable coordination strategy for the region should incorporate formal and informal strategies, be intermediate in scale and organised around a common research agenda. The authors propose that the substantive findings and the method of strategy analysis may also be relevant for academic leaders in other developing regions of the world.
Double seismic zone and dehydration embrittlement of the subducting slab

[1] Dehydration embrittlement of metamorphosed oceanic crust and mantle in the subducting slab may be responsible for the occurrence of intermediate-depth earthquakes. We explore the possibility that this hypothesis can explain the morphology of the double seismic zones observed in northeast Japan, southwest Japan, northeast Taiwan, northern Chile, Cape Mendocino, and eastern Aleutians. We calculate transient temperature structures of slabs based on geologically estimated subduction histories of these regions. We then determine dehydration loci of metamorphosed oceanic crust and serpentinized mantle using experimentally derived phase diagrams. The depth range of the dehydration loci of metamorphosed oceanic crust and serpentine is dependent on slab age. The dehydration loci of serpentine produce a double-layered structure. Because the upper dehydration loci of serpentine are mostly located in the wedge mantle above the slab, we regard the upper plane seismicity representing dehydration embrittlement in the oceanic crust, and we fix the slab geometry so that the upper plane seismicity is just below the upper surface of the slab. We find that the lower plane seismicity is located at the lower dehydration loci of serpentine, which indicates that the morphology of the double seismic zones is consistent with the dehydration embrittlement.
A Low Profile, Broadband Linearly and Circularly Polarized Cavity Backed Antenna Using Halved-Dual Mode SIW Cavity

─ In this paper, a low profile single fed cavity backed slot antenna producing both linear and circular polarizations at two different frequency is presented using a halved dual mode cavity. The proposed antenna has a planar structure using a single layer of printed circuit board (PCB) which allows for integrating the antenna to other planar circuits and provides straight forward connection to SMA connector. One prototype of the antenna is designed and fabricated and very good agreement between measurement and simulation results are obtained. Results show that the proposed antenna is able to present suitable radiation characteristics as both linearly polarized (LP) antenna and circularly polarized (CP) antenna. Index Terms ─ Cavity backed antenna, half mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW), linear and circular polarization.
Depositor Behavior under Macroeconomic Risk: Evidence from Bank Runs in Emerging Economies

Depositor behavior has been associated with bank-specific characteristics, random runs, or contagion episodes. Using evidence on the 2000-02 bank runs in Argentina and Uruguay, this paper shows that macroeconomic risk is also important. Few macroeconomic shocks can quickly cause large runs. Macroeconomic risk affects deposits regardless of traditional bank-specific characteristics. Furthermore, bank exposure to macroeconomic factors can explain differences in deposit withdrawals. During crises, the evolution of bank-specific characteristics is mainly driven by macroeconomic factors, while the informational content of bank-specific variables declines. Overall, depositors seem responsive to risk in a broader sense than that often considered by the literature. Copyright (c) 2010 The Ohio State University.
Toxicological Effects of Nanometer Titania on Chlorella

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of titania nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on chlorella cultivated in modified Blue–Green medium (BG-11). The chlorella species were exposed for 96 h with a daily reading of the quantity of chlorella cultivated in modified BG-11 medium with different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 50, 100 mg/L) of anatase and rutile, respectively. Experimental results revealed the growth of chlorella was promoted in BG-11 medium with anatase during 48 h exposing, while inhibited at 96 h. TiO2 NPs in rutile crystal structure had little impact on the growth of chlorella in the entire set of tests conducted. At low concentration (<100 mg/L), the influence of titanium ion concentration on the growth of chlorella was not obvious. Keywords-toxicological effects; chlorella; BG-11;anatase; rutile
Th e Non-Central Chi-Square Chart with Double Sampling

In this article, we consider a non-central chi-square chart with double sampling (DS χ2 chart) to control the process mean and variance. As in the case of Shewhart control charts, samples of fi xed size are taken from the process at regular time intervals; however, the sampling is performed in two stages. Let X be the process quality variable being measured. During the fi rst stage, one item of the sample is inspected; if its X value is close to the target value of the process mean, then the sampling is interrupted. Otherwise, the sampling goes on to the second stage, where the remaining items are inspected and a non-central chi-square statistic, say T, is computed taking into account all n items of the sample, that is, their X values. A signal is triggered when the sample point given by the T value falls above the upper control limit of the proposed chart. The DS χ2 chart performs better than the joint X and R charts, except when there is a large change in the process mean. Furthermore, if the DS χ2 chart is used for monitoring diameters, volumes, weights, etc., then the employment of appropriate devices, such as go-no-go gauges can reduce the effort to decide if the sampling should go to the second stage or not.
The Effects of Music and Media on Littering Behaviors

The effects of music and images on littering behavior were studied at the University of NebraskaLincoln and on Facebook. This study investigated emotional responses to music as a stimulus and how a video impacted likelihood of change of littering behaviors. Because music and images can reach a large number of people quickly, this study can extend to other parts of the world because music and images cut across language barriers. This study can also help create effective and powerful commercials. Littering is an expensive and harmful problem, and music can affect emotions and empathy which can inspire behavior change in subjects. This study sought to advance the subjects’ current stage of behavior change, and it was found the video increased the likelihood of more than fifty percent of subjects to properly dispose of trash and pick up litter. The music in the video was composed by the researcher and a collection of images were compiled by the researcher into a video which was included in a survey via Google Forms. The survey was distributed to subjects ages nineteen and older. The images may have been more powerful than the music, due to reported emotional reactions and the likelihood of littering behaviors after the video.
MAKOCI: A WEB PORTAL FOR INTEGRATING AND SHARING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICES

The lack of integration and communication of various geographic information services (GI services) has resulted in many duplication collection of earth observation data, and challenges of semantic interoperability. This paper proposes an ontology-based multi-agents platform, called MAKOCI (multi-agent knowledge oriented cyberinfrastructure), which acts as GI service one stop to manage, publish, share, and discover GI services semantically. By ontologies, formal meanings of concepts are defined to annotate and discover GI services on a conceptual level for semantic interoperability. With the assistance of multi-agents, the processes in MAKOCI can be divided into various modules and be communicated based on the same semantics in ontologies. A prototype was implemented to test MAKOCI. Finally, we conclude the advantages and disadvantages of MAKOCI and point out several future works.
A REVIEW ON EEG CONTROL SMART WHEEL CHAIR

People who are impaired from motor movement due to certain diseases like strokes, Multiple sclerosis etc. face constant challenges to move or need constant attention from an assistant to move. In this paper we review different approaches of controlling wheel chair by reading EEG signal from the brain of the subject using a brain control interface. The paper review general technique that is used to translate EEG signal into command for controlling movement of a wheel chair. We also discuss current problems and future research direction in this field.
Development of HRM Framework for Quality Management, Empirical Analysis of HRM Challenges

The paper attempted to make an empirical analysis of the HRM challenges to quality management and to develop a HRM framework that can support quality transformation. The three factors, namely, presence of HRM practices, HRM Administrative outcomes and HR deliverables for quality management was analyzed in detail bringing in their associations and mutual impacts. Hospitals with quality certification, hospitals that have initiated the quality certification process and hospitals, which had quality certification was selected for the research. The study used qualitative data collected from healthcare employees in Kerala collected through structured questionnaires, supplemented by secondary data and literature review. The collected data were analyzed and interpreted using frequency, percentage and Chi-Square. The paper concluded that the HRM challenges and issues of quality management and transformation is not the absence of HRM activities, but the negative outlook of top management towards investments in human resources. Though Human Resource Management practices are implemented as part of quality management, the administrative outcomes which are supposed to follow are missing in the majority of the cases. This adversely affects the expected HR deliverables and results in failure of quality management initiative.
Partial Onset Seizure Treatment with Adjunctive Lacosamide in Epileptic Adults: A Review

Epilepsy is a common chronic disorder of the brain and can be seen at all ages with a higher prevalence in developing countries. Adjunctive therapy with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is the gold standard in treatment of epilepsy. Lacosamide (LCM) is a novel AED which is approved for adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures. Recently 3 Phase II/III placebo controlled clinical trials with similar designs were conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of lacosamide (LCM) administered as adjunctive therapy with other AEDs. Data collected from those studies were pooled, re-analyzed and presented in this review article. Results revealed that LCM is well tolerated and effective in seizure reduction as adjunctive therapy in patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures.