Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dividend Policy in Mainland China and USA

The purpose of his project is to examine and compare the level and stability of dividend policy in China and the USA. The main intuition of my analysis is that the various national contexts may imply some significant differences in dividend policy for firms from the two countries. This research is based on earlier research on dividend puzzle, which has developed some interpretations including but not limited to "bird in hand", signaling effect, and pecking order theory. By applying regression, I analyze a sample of 11673 US firms from 1991 to 2007 and 1680 Chinese firms from 1998 to 2007. The most interesting observation is that while dividend payouts are positively related to cash in US firms, the relationship is reversed in China. Also noteworthy is the ambiguous relationship between retained earnings and dividend payout for Chinese companies. In order to test the accuracy of the findings, I split the sample into different years and industries. Similar results are drawn out from the two regressions. Another part of this paper compares the smoothness of dividend policy in the two countries. The sample space is pooled by 11673 US firms and 1680 Chinese firms for the same sample years as the level analysis. The result suggests that the Chinese firms have less sticky dividend policy than the USA firms, which implies a less significant role played by dividend policy in signaling and agency models in China than it does in the USA.
Disability and censuses: Methodological challenges and experience in measuring disability

The present article has the primary objective of displaying stances about the role, the reach and limitations of a Census as a means of collecting data on disability in different countries. It will present the purpose of the Recommendation from the Washington Group on Disability Statistics in the context of introducing disability-related questions in national censuses from the year 2010 onwards. Furthermore, the article will inspect the limitations regarding measuring disability and functional difficulties through the means of a census, relying on the experience from other countries and scholarly research. This part will strongly focus on the formulations made by the Washington Group on Disability Statistics and the set of short questions presently used in national censuses. Finally, the article will briefly observe the experience from the Serbian national census in 2011 in measuring functional difficulties for the first time. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 179023]
Effects of Taxes and Subsidies on Media Services

We start out reviewing the justification for press subsidies. The social value of journalism can be larger than what the newspapers are able to extract because of knowledge externalities, public good characteristics of investigative journalism and nonappropriability of consumer surplus. A free market will then underinvest in journalism. Problems related to economies of scale and scope further imply that the number of newspapers and their circulations may be too small, while advertising can give newspapers too strong incentives to aim for the mass market. According to the media economics literature, a preferential VAT regime provides higher differentiation incentives for existing newspapers, while a tax deduction for editorial expenses is well suited to increase journalistic investments. Micro economic theory further indicates that fixed transfers is the most efficient instrument to reduce entry barriers and avoid newspaper mortality, and that a subsidy per copy sold will increase circulation. We end the article by summarizing empirical evidence on the effects of media support.
The determinants of increasing privacy concerns in the mobile apps

This study identifies the determinants of increasing privacy concerns in the mobile apps. The privacy affecting factors will be divided into the 3 categories on the basis of both users’ and developers’ perspective. First, this study explores whether the users’ seeking value affects concern of the mobile apps privacy. Second, gender gap on the mobile privacy sensitivity will be tested. Third, this study identifies the meaning of apps developers’ providing toolkit in the users’ sensitivity on the privacy. The result showed that innovation among the customer’s characteristics was identified the most significant factor to affect the mobile app privacy sensitivity. Ethical norm related variables (ethical identity, subjective norm and utilitarian value) were also identified as the meaningful variables in the mobile app privacy. Toolkits provided by app developers are also appeared a significant variable to affect the customer’s app privacy sensitivity negatively. Finally gender also appears the meaningful factor in the mobile app privacy sensitivity.
Determination of the density of states at the Fermi level of hydrogenated amorphous silicon in thin‐film transistor structure by space charge limited current measurement

We studied the space charge limited current effect in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) thin‐film transistors (TFTs). We demonstrate that the drain current is space charge limited when the source‐drain voltage is large and the gate voltage is small. Using this space charge limited current we determined the density of states in the gap of a‐Si:H in a‐Si:H TFT.
Some Statistical Models vs. Models Based on SC Applied to Daily Exchange Rates

We developed forecasting models based on the advanced statistical (stochastic) and soft computing (computational intelligence) techniques for predicting high frequency data sets. Firstly, we used the standard statistical tools such as the autocorrelation/partial autocorrelation function, clustering, etc. to identify the chunks of information that are deemed essential for knowledge representation. Afterwards, (1) we proposed statistical methods to identify the relationship between the information granules; (2) based on the platform of granular or soft computing (G or SC) we developed and formal expressed the underlying mechanisms (models) that generate the observed data and, in turn, to forecast future values of the investigated process in managerial decision-making. The proposed intelligent approach is applied to the time series of USD/EUR exchange rates. We found that it is possible to achieve significant risk reduction in managerial decision-making by applying intelligent forecasting models based on the latest information technologies. We show that statistical GARCH-class models can identify the presence of the leverage effect and to react to the good and bad news. In a comparative study is shown, that both presented modeling approaches are able to model and predict high frequency data with reasonable accuracy, but the neural network approach is more effective and accurate. Index Terms - ARIMA/ARCH/GARCH models, forecast accuracy, soft computing, RBF neural networks.
Decomposing R 2 with the Owen value

We provide an axiomatization-based justification for applying the Owen value to decompose R in OLS models if prior knowledge can be used to form groups of regressor variables. The assumptions made by the axioms are not only plausible with respect to the variables but also clarify the meaning of the exogenous grouping of variables.
Modeling Left Atrial Flow, Energy, Blood Heating Distribution in Response to Catheter Ablation Therapy

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a widespread cardiac arrhythmia that commonly affects the left atrium (LA), causing it to quiver instead of contracting effectively. This behavior is triggered by abnormal electrical impulses at a specific site in the atrial wall. Catheter ablation (CA) treatment consists of isolating this driver site by burning the surrounding tissue to restore sinus rhythm (SR). However, evidence suggests that CA can concur to the formation of blood clots by promoting coagulation near the heat source and in regions with low flow velocity and blood stagnation. Methods: A patient-specific modeling workflow was created and applied to simulate thermal-fluid dynamics in two patients pre- and post-CA. Each model was personalized based on pre- and post-CA imaging datasets. The wall motion and anatomy were derived from SSFP Cine MRI data, while the trans-valvular flow was based on Doppler ultrasound data. The temperature distribution in the blood was modeled using a modified Pennes bioheat equation implemented in a finite-element based Navier-Stokes solver. Blood particles were also classified based on their residence time in the LA using a particle-tracking algorithm. Results: SR simulations showed multiple short-lived vortices with an average blood velocity of 0.2-0.22 m/s. In contrast, AF patients presented a slower vortex and stagnant flow in the LA appendage, with the average blood velocity reduced to 0.08–0.14 m/s. Restoration of SR also increased the blood kinetic energy and the viscous dissipation due to the presence of multiple vortices. Particle tracking showed a dramatic decrease in the percentage of blood remaining in the LA for longer than one cycle after CA (65.9 vs. 43.3% in patient A and 62.2 vs. 54.8% in patient B). Maximum temperatures of 76° and 58°C were observed when CA was performed near the appendage and in a pulmonary vein, respectively. Conclusion: This computational study presents novel models to elucidate relations between catheter temperature, patient-specific atrial anatomy and blood velocity, and predict how they change from SR to AF. The models can quantify blood flow in critical regions, including residence times and temperature distribution for different catheter positions, providing a basis for quantifying stroke risks.
X-Ray Spectroscopy of Galactic Hot Gas along the PKS 2155$-$304 Sight Line

We present a detailed spectroscopic study of the hot gas in the Galactic halo toward the direction of a blazer PKS 2155-304 (z=0.117). The OVII and OVIII absorption lines are measured with the Low and High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrographs aboard Chandra, and the OVII, OVIII, and NeIX emission lines produced in the adjacent field of the PKS 2155-304 direction are observed with the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer aboard Suzaku. Assuming vertically exponential distributions of the gas temperature and the density, we perform a combined analysis of the absorption and emission data. The gas temperature and density at the Galactic plane are determined to be 2.5(+0.6,-0.3) MK and 1.4(+0.5,-0.4) x 10^{-3} cm^{-3} and the scale heights of the gas temperature and density are 5.6(+7.4,-4.2) kpc and 2.3(+0.9,-0.8) kpc, respectively. These values are consistent with those obtained in the LMC X-3 direction.
Stability and dynamics of the laminar wake past a slender blunt-based axisymmetric body

We investigate the stability properties and flow regimes of laminar wakes behind slender cylindrical bodies, of diameter D and length L, with a blunt trailing edge at zero angle of attack, combining experiments, direct numerical simulations and local/global linear stability analyses. It has been found that the flow field is steady and axisymmetric for Reynolds numbers below a critical value, Recs (L/D), which depends on the length-to-diameter ratio of the body, L/D. However, in the range of Reynolds numbers Recs(L/D) < Re < Reco(L/D), although the flow is still steady, it is no longer axisymmetric but exhibits planar symmetry. Finally, for Re > Reco, the flow becomes unsteady due to a second oscillatory bifurcation which preserves the reflectional symmetry. In addition, as the Reynolds number increases, we report a new flow regime, characterized by the presence of a secondary, low frequency oscillation while keeping the reflectional symmetry. The results reported indicate that a global linear stability analysis is adequate to predict the first bifurcation, thereby providing values of Recs nearly identical to those given by the corresponding numerical simulations. On the other hand, experiments and direct numerical simulations give similar values of Reco for the second, oscillatory bifurcation, which are however overestimated by the linear stability analysis due to the use of an axisymmetric base flow. It is also shown that both bifurcations can be stabilized by injecting a certain amount of fluid through the base of the body, quantified here as the bleed-to-free-stream velocity ratio, Cb = Wb/W∞.
HUMAN SPERM PRESERVATION USING FREEZE-DRYING An EXPERIMENTAL LABORATORY STUDY

Latar Belakang : Terdapat beberapa teknik preservasi sperma yang masing-masing memiliki kelebihan dan kekurangan. Salah satu alternatif tekniknya adalah dengan teknik pengeringan. Teknik ini bersifat lebih murah, mudah, dan praktis. Teknik freeze-drying masih merupakan studi empiris yang harus dibuktikan kebenarannya. Tujuan : Penelitian ini bertujuan mengevaluasi kemungkinan aplikasi tekhnik freeze - drying untuk preservasi sperma manusia dan menentukan pengaruh proses yang diikuti penyimpanan selama 7 hari pada suhu 4°C terhadap integritas DNA spermatozoa. Metoda : Pada penelitian ini digunakan Postte s t Only Control Group Design. Populasi adalah sperma pria dewasa berusia 21-40 tahun dengan criteria normozoospermia menurut standard analisis semen WHO. Besar sampel adalah 12, diperoleh dengan cara simple random sampling. Integritas DNA spermatozoa dari sampel semen segar, segera setelah freeze-drying dan yang disimpan selama 7 hari pada suhu 4°C, diuji dengan Comet assay. Hipotesis diuji dengan Manova. Hasil : Integritas DNA spermatozoa kelompok sperma yang diberi perlakuan freeze-drying diikuti penyimpanan selama 7 hari pada suhu 4°C secara signifikan lebih rendah dibandingkan dengan kelompok sperma segar atau yang hanya diberi perlakuan freeze-drying (p 0,05). Kata kunci : Comet assay, Integritas DNA, Teknik Freeze-drying
Saltwater Intrusion - An Evident Impact of Climate Change in the MD and Propose Adaptable Solutions

Mekong Delta (MD) is the main rice growing area in Vietnam. However, it is facing with climate change including increasing temperature, drought, salinization during dry season and flood in rainy season. Salinization and drought have been seen very clearly in this region since late 2015 and early 2016. Many areas of rice and vegetables, fruit trees and seafood are lost, livelihood of many farmers are affected. Objectives of this study are to assess the impact of salinization in MD and to propose essential strategies in response to climate change by macro organizations and suggest alternative agricultural production systems adapted to climate change in order to help farmers and related agricultural agencies to apply for livelihood security of the rural population. This study paper applies the method of literature review, drawing remarks from a large set of data, documents and reports from research institutions and from research and development projects by non-governmental and governmental organizations. Moreover, the solutions are also based on directly interviewing farmers, relevant government officers, extension staffs, and companies and by directly observed the impact of climate change in the MD. The result displayed the impact of climate change in the MD clearly reflected by saltwater intrusion; the constraints and challenges caused by climate change in the agricultural production systems in the coastal provinces of MD, in details in the 3 ecological zones of fresh water, brackish water and saltwater; summary of strategic solutions and actions to adapt to climate change including an emphasis on opportunities and challenges for Vietnam’s rice sector and finally proposed alternative agricultural systems to cope with adverse impacts of climate change in the MD. The author has proposed ten (10) alternative agricultural systems to help ensure the livelihood of the rural population in salinization affected areas.
SIA STORMWATER 2008 CONFERENCE

Margaret Greenway and Bill Lucas Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University Abstract Bioretention systems are becoming the most widely used stormwater treatment technologies for many local authorities. Their popularity is based primarily on existing models that demonstrate very high pollutant removal efficiencies and their small physical footprint compared to wetland systems. Structurally bioretention systems consist of a basin or trench filled with media and planted with vegetation. Physical, chemical and biological treatment processes facilitated by the media, microbes and macrophytes improve stormwater quality as it percolates through the media. Limited research has been conducted on the suitability of media and yet media specifications abound! There is little published research on the long term performance of media or plants on nutrient removal; however laboratory studies have shown that media can become rapidly saturated with phosphorus. Media with organic matter can also leach nutrients. Our research at Griffith University using experimental bioretention mesocosms has been focussing on the effectiveness of different media types for nutrient removal. Our 5 year old trials have shown that sand, loam and gravel media have now become P saturated, however vegetation improves PO4 removal. Vegetation also improves N removal by uptake of NOx. Microbes play an important role in N transformation involving ammonification of organic N, nitrification and denitrification. By applying accelerated loading rates of N and P in our “stormwater” we have a good indication of the P saturation capacity and hence long term removal efficiency. We have also been quantifying plant biomass to assess the role of different macrophytes in nutrient uptake and bioaccumulation.
Marriage‐immigrant filipinas' acculturation and learning experiences in South Korea

This paper discussed findings from a qualitative study based on interviews with 20 Filipinas who married a Korean husband and investigated their acculturation process of living in Korea. One strong theme presented in this paper was that marriage-immigrant women accepted the traditional oppressed position of daughter-in-law in traditional Korean patriarchy family model as genuine Korean culture. Background Since the 1990s, international marriages, particularly between foreign women from third world countries in Asia and older Korean bachelors, have dramatically increased in South Korea. The ratio of international marriages compared to the total number of marriages in Korea peaked at 13.5% in 2005 and has continued to hold steady at approximately 10% since 2005, while the ratio was reported as 1.3% in 1992. Among this increased number of international marriages, 77.8% are marriages between Korean males and foreign brides, and a considerable number of these cases could be regarded as so-called mail-order brides who are located with the assistance of religious agencies or international marriage brokers.
Measuring sublethal impacts of pollution on reproductive output of marine Crustacea

Fecundity and fertility in the amphipod Echinogammarus marinus (Leach) were investigated at 2 industrially contaminated sites and compared with data from 2 reference sites. Although some studies have used amphipod fecundity or fertility as biomarkers of environmental perturbation, there has been very little standardisation with regard to the endpoints quantified. Mean brood size, brood size normalised to female weight, and embryos in early and late stages of development have been utilised as measures of amphipod fecundity and fertility. The present study examined the effectiveness of all these measures as biomarkers of pollution. The results suggest that different interpretations can be derived depending on the measure used to express fecundity or fertility. Compared with impacted sites, only reference sites had larger broods normalised to female weight. Separating early- and late-egg developmental stages provided additional information as to whether initial fecundity, or relative fertility, was being affected compared with pooled data (all embryo stages). Both reference sites produced more eggs in early stages of development than impacted sites, but only 1 impacted site had fewer embryo numbers at later stages of development. These results indicate that separating embryo stages in field monitoring or laboratory studies provides more effective indicators of reproductive endpoints, and misinterpretations may result if the loss of eggs and/or embryos from the brood chamber is not taken into consideration.
Investigating the transit-orientation of existing urban development around Melbourne trams compared to other public transport modes

This study investigates the extent to which urban development around Melbourne's transit is intrinsically 'transit-oriented', by measuring indicators of transit-oriented development (TOD) for catchment land use of trams, trains and buses, including SmartBus and local bus routes, for a representative sample through inner, middle and outer Melbourne. The hypotheses tested were that the extent of transit-orientation varies with mode, and that tram is associated with sustainable patterns of urban development that is significantly higher quality than other modes, notably bus. Mapping software was used to develop a census profile for each circular catchment. A multi-criteria index, the TOD score, was developed to quantify the transit-orientation of the built environment in terms of walkability (design), land use entropy (diversity) and population density. TOD score was regressed on explanatory variables and the artificial variable of mode, to test the above hypothesis. Results showed that the TOD score of tram catchments was higher than that of bus and rail, suggesting that the development around tram nodes is more transit-oriented. However, once proximity to the central business district was incorporated into the analysis, no significant variation was apparent between the modes, with the exception of SmartBus, which showed no significant effect on TOD score compared to areas of low transit provision. This result suggests that the close proximity of tram catchments to the CBD is responsible for the high TOD scores achieved. The results identify areas for future research into the potential for bus TOD and the progression of tram TOD strategies.
Microbial diversity in a Pacific Ocean transect from the Arctic to Antarctic circles

Microbial diversity in surface waters was examined along a ~15 400 km transect of the Pacific Ocean from 70° N to 68° S latitude between late August and early November 2003. Compara- tive microbial diversity was determined using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of PCR amplified 16S and 18S rDNA restriction digested with CfoI and MspI. Bacterial numbers and total chlorophyll were greatest at higher latitudes in both hemispheres, with a smaller peak in equatorial waters. Flow cytometry analysis indicated a strong peak in Pro- chlorococcus from approximately 30° N to 30° S. Richness at each station was relatively low, with ~11 prokaryotic peaks per sample and ~12 eukaryotic peaks per community. Overall, prokaryotic populations appeared more diverse, with 181 total terminal restriction fragments (T-RFs) generated, while eukaryotic populations produced a total of 135 T-RFs. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic similarity dendrograms revealed 4 distinct cluster groups relating to regions sub-Arctic/Arctic, temperate, tropical and sub-Antarctic/Antarctic. T-RFLP patterns suggest that microbial communities may be influenced by ambient water temperature, with mid-latitudinal and equatorial communities more similar in composition to each other than to cold water communities. Global distribution of prokary- otic communities revealed an average inter-group similarity of ~52%, while eukaryotic communities showed ~51% similarity, implying that Pacific planktonic communities appear to be fairly homoge- nous in composition. Several T-RFs were ubiquitously distributed and contributed significantly to each cluster group, while several T-RFs were observed to be endemic to particular oceanic regions. Within-group similarities of >70% were attributed to 12-14 T-RFs and 8-11 T-RFs in prokaryotic and eukaryotic profiles, respectively, suggesting that a small number of phylogenetic groups were responsible for each cluster group.