Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of foreign ownership on capital structure and firm value in emerging market: case of Amman Stock Exchange listed firms

This research examines the impact of foreign ownership on capital structure and the impact of foreign ownership on firms' value in the non-financial listed companies in Amman Stock Exchange, taking into consideration the effects of the sector to which the firm belongs. Panel data sets are formed and panel data techniques are used. We develop two models using interaction terms to incorporate the sector's effect. We use Driscoll-Kraay approach to resolve the heteroskedasticity problem of the fixed effect method. The empirical results suggest a significant negative relationship between foreign ownership and all three measurements of capital structure; although foreign ownership has the largest effect on the short term market leverage relative to both long term and total market leverage. The sector of the firms matters and especially when it comes to the impact of the services sector, it is found that the foreign ownership impact is always statistically significant, although it has a lower impact for the industrial firms. A strong significant positive relationship between foreign ownership and firms' value is also found, and the sector of the firms is found to be an important variable in the firm's value determination.
Finite measurement distance effects on the broadside symmetric leaky wave antenna

In this paper, the effects of finite measurement distance on the measured radiation pattern of a the symmetric broadside LWA was investigated. Specifically, the broadside beam behaviors near the splitting condition were examined. It was found that while the FF pattern is unaffected, the finite distance pattern varies depending on the sign of beta^. Furthermore, near the splitting condition, an error of 1 dB in the broadside directivity can be expected for the rule of thumb measurement distance of 2L2/lambdao.
Circular RNA hsa_circ_0021001 in peripheral blood: a potential novel biomarker in the screening of intracranial aneurysm

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the peripheral blood have been reported to be associated with cancer. However, there are few studies about circRNAs in intracranial aneurysms (IA). The purpose of the current study was to investigate the characteristic expression of circular RNA hsa_circ_0021001 in the peripheral blood of patients with intracranial aneurysms and its potential as a diagnostic biomarker for IA. In this study, a cohort of 223 cases of IA patients who were admitted in the department of neurosurgery in the First People’s Hospital of Wenling from January 2009 to July 2012 were collected as the experimental group, and 131 healthy volunteers over the same period served as the control group. Peripheral blood of each subject in both groups was collected on an empty stomach. The expression of hsa_circ_0021001 in peripheral blood was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and the difference was analyzed by paired t-test. The effectiveness of hsa_circ_0021001 in the diagnosis of IA was assessed by ROC curve. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to analyze the prognosis. Hsa_circ_0021001 level in the peripheral blood of IA patients was relatively lower than that in the control group (P=0.002). The area under ROC (AUC) was 0.87, indicating that hsa_circ_0021001 was highly effective in the diagnosis of IA. In addition, hsa_circ_0021001 expression was correlated with aneurysm rupture, Hunt, Hess level, and timing of surgery (P= 0.041, 0.013, and 0.001, respectively). Patients with high expression of hsa_circ_0021001 had longer disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (P < 0.05). We found for the first time that hsa_circ_0021001 decreased significantly in the peripheral blood of IA patients, which suggested that hsa_circ_0021001 might be used as a potential novel marker for the diagnosis of IA.
Under water image enhancement based on linear image interpolation and limited image enhancer techniques

The obstacles for images that are taken under the water are haze, low contrast, loss of color, etc. The quality of images that are taken under the water is not clear due to the impurities present in the water and some properties of water. This paper proposes methods to improve the quality of the underwater images. The proposed work in the paper consist of two methods they are Interpolation based Enhancement and Limited Image Enhancer. The First method is based on increasing the resolution of the image and the second method is based on increasing the contrast of the images. The main aim of the paper is to enhance the image that are taken under water. The qualitative for both the algorithms compared with the previous image enhancement techniques.
Different binding sites for entry and exit of amino acids in whole cells of Mycobacterium phlei

On the basis of mutual inhibition of uptake with different amino acids in whole cells of Mycobacterium phlei, it was demonstrated that the binding site of proline was different from those of all other amino acids studied. Other groups of amino acids share a common binding site: lysine, histidine, and arginine; valine, leucine, and isoleucine; tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine; glutamic acid and aspartic acid. The exit and entry processes were studied for proline, glutamine, and glutamic acid. It was observed that in each case the entry and exit processes were mediated by different membrane sites.
Paradoxes in medicine: an access to new knowledge?

The analysis of health and nutrition data from various countries shows many surprising and seemingly incomprehensible facts and paradoxical relationships. Health status of a country is the result of long-term factors and therefore it cannot be changed from day to day. For example in Central European countries there was a sudden increase in life expectancy after the fall of Soviet hegemony. French paradox is the oldest example of apparent contrast between "unhealthy" nutrition and low cardiovascular mortality. Although, the consumption of animal fat and milk and milk products in Switzerland is very high, but premature cardiovascular mortality of Swiss men and women is the lowest in Europe. In USA there is concominant increase of obesity and decrease in cardiovascular mortality. In Cuba, in spite of great economic problems its relatively high male and female life expectancy is very similar to the rich USA. The life expectancy in Albania is significantly higher than in many countries in Central Europe and in the Balkan region, in spite of the fact that Albania remains the poorest European country. Analysis of these unexpected and paradoxical relations indicate the importance of the quality of medical care, control of cardiovascular risk factors (USA) and the influence of modest but biologically balanced diet on low prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Cuba and Albania. The experience from former communist Central European countries suggests important influence of chronic stress and psychosocial factors on heart diseases and life expectancy. These paradoxes open the door to new information (Fig. 5, Ref. 11). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj. sk.
Microbial Source Tracking of Escherichia coli in a Constructed Wetland

Little information has been gathered on the effect of avian species on the microbial water quality in constructed wetlands. To address this concern, fecal pollution from nonpoint and point sources was evaluated in a constructed wetland in Tolleson, Arizona. Antibiotic resistance profiling and biochemical fingerprinting were performed on 325 Escherichia coli isolates, collected from key points in the wetlands. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to interpret the data for samples collected on October 3 and December 12, 2000, and January 16, 2001. It was found that the passerine population was the major source of the Escherichia coli in the water samples collected in the wetlands on October 3 and December 12, 2000, whereas the regrowth in the treated municipal wastewater was the main source on January 16, 2001. This information is useful in providing data for operators in the monitoring of wetlands created for wastewater treatment and wildlife habitat.
Open-Switch Fault Detection in Five-Phase Induction Motor Drives Using Model Predictive Control

Achieving a self-reconfigurable fault-tolerant control in multiphase machines requires a fast fault detection and localization. Most fault detection techniques inherit the three-phase approach by defining fault indices in a per-phase basis. A recent approach suggests an alternative fault detection mechanism based on vector space decomposition (VSD) variables, but the study is limited to open-phase faults (OPFs) for a six-phase drive that is regulated under field-oriented control. It is known, however, that 1) the open-switch faults (OSFs) in the converter are more likely than the OPF in the machine and 2) the drive performance in the event of an open-circuit fault is more critical when model predictive control (MPC) is used. This work extends the study of the VSD fault detection method to multiphase machines with different number of phases (five), control strategy (MPC), and type of faults (OPF and OSF). Although experimental results show that MPC misbehaves after the fault occurrence, the fast detection provided by the VSD approach allows a satisfactory transition to postfault mode of operation.
The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Aim Lymphomagenesis is a multifactorial process in which genetic, environmental and infectious factors can be involved. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and to compare it with that of a control group of voluntary blood donors. Methods All consecutive patients with a histological diagnosis of NHL from January 1996 to December 2001 were included in this prospective study. As control group for HCV infection, voluntary blood donors recruited over the same time period from the same geographical area were considered. The presence of anti-HCV antibodies was investigated by ELISA-II and RIBA-II, and viraemia (HCV RNA) was tested by using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HCV genotyping was also performed. Results Ninety-nine patients (mean age 48 years) with NHL were diagnosed during the study period. Histological classification of NHL was high–intermediate grade (63 patients), and low grade (36 patients). Immunophenotype distribution was type B (86 patients) and type T (13 patients). Seven of the 99 NHL patients (7%) were infected with HCV (both using serology and PCR), five of them with immunophenotype B and two with immunophenotype T. The prevalence of HCV infection according to NHL phenotype was 5.8% in B-cell NHL and 15.4% in T-cell NHL. The HCV genotype was 1b in six cases, and 3a in one. In voluntary blood donors (mean age 45 years), HCV infection was detected in 517/55 587 (0.93%). Therefore, HCV infection was more frequent in NHL patients than in controls (odds ratio = 8.1; 95% CI = 3.7–17.6). The odds ratio for the association of HCV and B-cell NHL was 6.2 (95% CI = 2.5–15.3), and for T-cell NHL 16.4 (95% CI = 3.7–72.8). Conclusion The prevalence of HCV infection in patients with NHL (both B- and T-type) is higher than that observed in controls, suggesting a role of HCV in lymphoma aetiopathogenesis.
Coordinated characterization of coated conductors (C/sup 4/)

Argonne National Laboratory, in collaboration with American Superconductor and SuperPower, Inc., has established/implemented a coordinated set of characterization methods for coated conductor specimens that can be applied in a manner compatible with further processing or utilization of the respective specimen. These characterization methods include measurements of superconductor transport properties, phase composition, microstructure, and epitaxy quality for YBCO coated conductors that range in size up to multi-meter-length tapes. Recent examinations involving the integrated application of magneto-optical imaging (MOI), Raman microspectroscopy, and focused-ion-beam-assisted transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to meter-length tapes have pinpointed specific microstructural and chemical defects that correlated with poor Ic performance.
A pragmatic framework for integrating ICT into education in South Africa

The goals of South Africa's e-Education White paper is for every school learner in the country to be ICT capable by 2013 and for teachers to use information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance teaching and learning. Many initiatives have been undertaken to provide schools with computer labs and infrastructure in order to reach these goals, with varying degrees of success. In the meanwhile, the ICT landscape in South Africa and worldwide has changed dramatically with the advent of the cell phone and its almost ubiquitous penetration into all levels of society, especially amongst the youth. Indigenous services that utilise this new ICT platform have emerged, that specifically target the youth and address very South-African issues, such as affordability. One such platform is MXit, a mobile instant messaging platform that enables real time text-based chatting between users at a fraction of the price of an SMS. This paper discusses the innovative use of MXit as a teaching and learning platform by the Meraka Institute and others and suggests a pragmatic framework for integrating cell phones as ICT tools into the education system in South Africa.
Site-specific integration of the temperate bacteriophage phi adh into the Lactobacillus gasseri chromosome and molecular characterization of the phage (attP) and bacterial (attB) attachment sites

The temperate bacteriophage phi adh integrates its genome into the chromosomal DNA of Lactobacillus gasseri ADH by a site-specific recombination process. Southern hybridization analysis of BclI-digested genomic DNA from six relysogenized derivatives of the prophage-cured strain NCK102 displayed phage-chromosomal junction fragments identical to those of the lysogenic parent. The phi adh attachment site sequence, attP, was located within a 365-bp EcoRI-HindIII fragment of phage phi adh. This fragment was cloned and sequenced. DNA sequence analysis revealed striking features common to the attachment sites of other site-specific recombination systems: five direct repeats of the sequence TGTCCCTTTT(C/T) and a 14-bp inverted repeat. Oligonucleotides derived from the sequence of the attP-containing fragment enabled us to amplify predicted junction fragment sequences and thus to identify attL, attR, and attB. The core region was defined as the 16-bp sequence TACACTTCTTAGGAGG. Phage-encoded functions essential for site-specific insertion of phage phi adh were located in a 4.5-kb BclI fragment. This fragment was cloned in plasmid pSA34 to generate the insertional vector pTRK182. Plasmid pTRK182 was introduced into L. gasseri NCK102 by electroporation. Hybridization analysis showed that a single copy of pTRK182 had integrated at the attB site of the NCK102 erythromycin-resistant transformants. This is the first site-specific recombination system described in lactobacilli, as well as the first attP-based site-specific integration vector constructed for L. gasseri ADH.
Twilight Dominates Over Moonlight in Adjusting Drosophila’s Activity Pattern

Light is the most important zeitgeber for the synchronization of the Drosophila melanogaster circadian clock. In nature, there is twilight, and the nights are rarely completely dark, a fact that is usually disregarded in lab experiments. Recent studies showed contrary effects of simulated twilight and moonlight on fly locomotor activity, with twilight shifting morning and evening activity into the day and moonlight shifting it into the night. A currently unanswered question is, what may happen to locomotor activity when flies are exposed to more natural conditions in which both moonlight and twilight are simulated? Our data demonstrate that flies are able to integrate twilight and moonlight. However, twilight seems to dominate over moonlight as both, morning and evening activity peaks, take place at dawn or at dusk, respectively, and not during the night. Furthermore, nocturnal activity decreases in the presence of twilight. The compound eyes are essential for this behavior, and by investigating different photoreceptor mutants, we unraveled the importance of photoreceptor cells 7 and 8 for wild-type phases of the activity peaks. To adjust nocturnal activity levels to a wild-type manner, all photoreceptor cells work together in a complex way, with rhodopsin 6 having a prominent role.
Invariance and stability of Gabor scattering for music signals

A feature extractor based on Gabor frames and Mallat's scattering transform is introduced. The resulting Gabor scattering is applied to a simple model for audio signals in order to study invariance properties and deformation stability. In particular, it is shown that different layers create invariance to certain signal features. The decoupling technique previously used to investigate deformation stability of scattering transforms for Cartoon functions is applied to investigate to which extent the feature extractor is robust to changes in spectral shape and frequency modulation. The results are illustrated by numerical examples.
Gender Portrayal of English Textbooks in A State Islamic Junior High School In Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Indonesia has adopted gender equality policy by issuing a number of law including Gender Mainstreaming policy issued by the President Abdurrahman Wahid with the Presidential Instruction No. 9 year 2000. This policy was already issued 16 years ago. This paper aimed to examine the influence of gender mainstreaming policy on the textbooks used in Indonesian education as well examines the teachers’ perspectives on gender roles. Several research questions were posed: Did the policy influence the gender portrayals of the English textbooks used by teachers in State Islamic Junior High School? Was any change in gender portrayals reflected in the English textbooks for all classes? In analysing textbooks. I used the content analysis with the following categories: visibility (visible or invisible); equity (balance or imbalance); stereotyped or non-stereotyped; neutral or gender based; progressive or non-progressive. The research uncover that gender mainstreaming policy has big influence on English textbooks used by the teachers in a state Islamic junior high school.
Understanding the effects of homeownership and regional unemployment levels on internal migration during the economic crisis in Spain

ABSTRACT This paper seeks to understand better the effects of homeownership and regional unemployment levels on inter-provincial migration during the recent economic crisis in Spain. It uses rich individual-level microdata from the last two Spanish censuses (2001–2011) to study migration. The findings suggest that regional unemployment levels do not have a strong impact on internal migration in the period analyzed. However, homeownership is a key explanatory factor of immobility, which became more important in 2011 compared with 2001. This immobility effect of homeownership is stronger in depressed regions, which suggests that some people may be trapped in their dwellings, or the security of homeownership becomes essential when the structural conditions are unfavourable.
Explaining innovation outputs by different types of R&D inputs: evidence from US universities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the effects of different R&D funding inputs – including funding for basic research, applied research, and development – on different innovation outcomes (e.g. inventions, patents, licenses, and start-ups). Design/methodology/approach The study borrowed the resource dependence theory perspective by focusing on the proportion of funding secured from various external sources that fund university R&D, and assessed its effect on the nature and outcomes of the university research activity. Findings Results indicated that greater funding of basic research was associated with more inventions and patents; greater funding of applied research was associated with more licenses; and greater funding for development activities was associated with more university start-ups. Originality/value The contributions of this study are two folded: first, it added to the debate that more RD and second, it is important to differentiate the R&D funding inputs as they are related to different innovation outcomes.
Mitochondrial DNA variation in Chinese and Indian rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

DNA was extracted from the buffy coats or serum of 212 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) sampled throughout the species' geographic range. An 835 base pair (bp) fragment of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was amplified from each sample, sequenced, aligned, and used to estimate genetic distances from which phylogenetic trees were constructed. A tree that included sequences from rhesus macaques whose exact origins in China are known was used to determine the regional origin of clusters of haplotypes, or haplogroups, defined by the trees. Indian rhesus sequences formed one large homogeneous haplogroup with very low levels of nucleotide diversity and no geographic structure, and a second much smaller haplogroup apparently derived from Burma. The sequences from Burma and eastern and western China were quite divergent from those in the major haplogroup of India. Each of these sequences formed separate clusters of haplotypes that exhibited far greater nucleotide diversity and/or population structure. Correspondingly, sequences from Indian rhesus macaques that are considered to represent different subspecies (based on morphological differences) were intermingled in the tree, while those from China reflected some, but not all, aspects of subspecific taxonomy. Regional variation contributed 72% toward the paired differences between sequences in an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), and the average differences between the populations of eastern and western China were also statistically significant. These results suggest that Indian and Chinese rhesus macaques were reproductively isolated during most, if not all, of the Pleistocene, during which time Indian rhesus macaques experienced a severe genetic bottleneck, and that some gene flow westward into India was subsequently reestablished. Samples from breeding centers in three different provinces of China included sequences from rhesus macaques that originated in both eastern (or southern) and western China, confirming anecdotal reports that regional breeding centers in China exchange breeding stock. Genetic differences among rhesus macaques (even those acquired from the same regional breeding center) that originate in different geographic regions and are employed as subjects in biomedical experiments can contribute to phenotypic differences in the traits under study. Am. J. Primatol. 65:1–25, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.