Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Separation of CEO and Board : A Comparison of the U . S . and Japan

This paper refutes the pervasive claim that the separation of management from the board of directors is necessary to enhance board monitoring. Speci cally, I develop a theoretical model of the relationship between a board and a CEO to compare two governance systems, one in which the board consists entirely of independent directors and the other in which the board consists of no independent directors. I show that the latter system produces stronger monitoring than the former system under a plausible condition: a private bene t of a CEO being higher than a pay of each director. Moreover, the former system is interpreted as the U.S. system and the latter system is the traditional Japanese system. This motivates me to a further investigation of why have Japanese boards been claimed to monitor less than the U.S. boards. I provide an answer to this question by discussing Japanese governance system in light of its legal system and practices. Keywords: Corporate Governance; The Board of Directors; Monitoring; The U.S. System; The Traditional Japanese System; The Expected Loss Leak JEL Codes: G30, K22, P51 This paper is based on the latter half of Corporate Structure and Monitoring: A Comparison of Alternative Systems of Corporate Governance,COE-F-133, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo. yPh.D. Candidate, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Email: megsato@nifty.com I truly appreciate Keiichi Kubota, Masahiro Okuno-Fujiwara, Leslie Hannah, Masaki Nakabayashi, Sadakazu Ohsaki, Kong-Pin Chen, Eric Rasmusen, and Hiroshi Osano for their helpful comments. I am most grateful to Takashi P. Shimizu, Kazuya Kamiya, Hideshi Itoh, and Richard A. Braun for their invaluable advice and suggestions which had made enormous di¤erence to me; as always, I learned a lot and bene ted so much from them. Any errors are my own. zThis paper was presented at 2007 Annual Meeting of Asian Law and Economics Association, Aug.16th, Taipei, and 2007 Annual Meeting of Japanese Economic Association, Sep.24th, Tokyo.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CHITOSAN FROM ALTERNARIA SOLANI AND ASSAY OF ITS ANTIBIOTIC PROPERTY

Chitosan is a natural polymer has wide range of biomedical and agricultural applications specially for its antimicrobial properties. In the present study, chitosan was extracted from the phytopathogenic fungi Alternaria solani (Ellis & Martin) Sorauer. The extraction of chitosan was done by a modified alkali-acid method. The A. solani chitosan was analyzed by UVVis spectroscopy using different pH levels of pH 5, 8 and 11 and with two different temperatures of 25°C and 70°C. A higher peak was observed for pH 8 at room temperature compared to pH 5 a pH 11. Different concentrations of the A. solani chitosan (5mg/ml, 10mg/ml, 20mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml) were used for the anti-microbial assays against the gram negative bacterium E. coli DH5α. Significant antibacterial activity was observed even in the lowest concentration tested i.e. 5mg/ml. The inhibition zone of 2.25cm diameter was observed in the highest tested concentration of 100mg/ml. The implications of the observations made in the present study are also discussed.
Adversity Quotient Practice and Handwriting Scores in First Grade Students

Objective: This study compares the handwriting achievement and Adversity Quotient scores of the first grade students who were studying in the first semester of 2015 academic year of Mekkajorn Chiang Mai School. Materials and methods: 36 first grade students were divided into 2 groups 18 each; a control and an experimental group using a quasi-experimental design. The independent variable was the Adversity Quotient practice, or studying in the classroom without Adversity Quotient practice, and the dependent variables were handwriting achievement and Adversity Quotient. One-way MANOVA was used to analyze the hypothesis of this study. Results: The experimental group had a higher gain score in handwriting achievement and in the Adversity Quotient than the control group, with significances of 0.05 and 0.001 respectively. After finishing the Adversity Quotient practice, the experimental group had a 6.49 % higher score in handwriting achievement and 14.97% higher score in Adversity Quotient. Conclusion: Adversity Quotient practice helps first grade students of Mekkajorn Chiang Mai School increase handwriting achievement and Adversity Quotient scores.
Influence of Early post Operative Weight Bearing on Hip Function after Femoral Trochanteric Fractures

Background: Proximal femoral fractures are one of the commonest reasons for an elderly patient to be admitted to an acute orthopaedic ward. Rigid fixation with early mobilization of patients should be considered as the standard treatment. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of early weight bearing after undisplaced trochanteric femoral fractures fixed by dynamic hip screw on hip function. Methods: Thirty patients with age ranged from fifty to seventy years with undisplaced trochanteric femoral fractures fixed with dynamic hip screw participated in this study. They were assigned randomly into two experimental groups. Group (A) consisted of fifteen patients (9 males and 6 females) with mean age of 57.93 (± 5.70) years who received a conventional program of physical therapy (breathing exercises, static quadriceps exercises, range of motion exercises and strengthening exercises for the hip, knee and ankle muscles) in addition to a program of early weight bearing (within 48 hours post-operatively). Each patient was treated for three sessions per week for a total period of four weeks. Group (B) consisted of fifteen patients (7 males and 8 females) with mean age of 60.87 (± 4.19) years who received the same conventional physical therapy program as in group (A) in addition to program of late weight bearing (2 weeks post-operatively). Each patient was treated for three sessions per week for a total period of four weeks. All patients were assessed before and after the study for their pain severity, limp, support, distance walked, sitting, stairs, put on shoes and socks, and range of motion by using Harris hip score. Results: The results revealed that there were significant differences between both groups in favor of group (A) regarding support, distance walked, sitting, stairs, put on shoes and socks; however no significant differences between groups were found regarding pain severity, limp and range of motion. Conclusion: Starting weight bearing early after undisplaced trochanteric femoral fractures fixed with DHS significantly improved the function of the hip joint than late weight bearing.
Enhancing immune response to HIV infection using MPC-based treatment scheduling

icant drop in deaths due to opportunistic infections, it Using recently developed models of the interaction of the human immune system and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), we have developed a model predictive control (MPC) based method for determining optimal treatment interruption schedules. These schedules use interruptions of Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy (HAART) to induce immune control of the virus without the need for continued treatment, as suggested by the models. In this paper, we discuss the medical motivation for this work, introduce the MPC-based method and show simulation results, and discuss future work necessary to implement the method.
GeoBrowse: an integrated environment for satellite image retrieval and mining

The authors have developed GeoBrowse, an integrated prototype for management, retrieval, processing and mining of remotely sensed images. GeoBrowse is based on the abstract services and distributed objects paradigm. Communication between its various components can be established across platforms and the Internet. GeoBrowse consists of a graphical user interface (GUI), an object-relational database management system (ORDBMS), and a scientific problem solving environment (S-PLUS). Each of these can reside on a separate platform. For example, the GUI can be deployed on a laptop in the field and access the services of the database and data analysis engines through a wireless Internet link. Key innovations are the support for intelligent or "content based" queries on large databases of remotely sensed images and incremental and random access to 3D volumes of multispectral data from different sensors without the added overhead of multiple storage. GeoBrowse provides the user with the ability to determine and test the limitations of remote sensing parameters and models by providing alternative views of uncertainties arising from extrinsic factors. The scientific data mining environment is provided by S-PLUS, a fourth-generation language which offers more than 2000 analysis and graphics display functions. The intuitive query and analysis GUI has been written entirely in Java, with the newly released Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) for platform independence and Internet compatibility. The GUI offers database browsing capabilities which complement the functionality of the information retrieval engine through visual indices and a movie player unit. A revolutionary feature of the interface allows linking of the image display on the client side to the statistical displays on the server side.
Proposal of a method for acoustic separation of the linguistic information and the extra-linguistic information conveyed in a single speech stream — An attempt toward realizing human-like speech processing on machines —

With the help of recent performance improvement of computation, large-vocabulary speech recognition systems are running as real world application. In the case of speech synthesis, various functional improvement is being done such as control of speaker identity and output language. However, when we recognize that the ultimate goal of speech engineering is to develop a machine that can talk and listen as well as humans do, we still easily notice that their is a big gap between machines and humans. In this study, at first, we point out that, if a real human performs exactly like a current speech machine, then, his/her behaviors are found to be remarkably similar to those of severely impaired autistics, who have a great difficulty in acquiring spoken language normally. After that, from various viewpoints, we deeply consider what kind of fundamental technique is still missing in the current speech technology in order to develop a human-like speech machine. To fill that big gap, we show our answer that the missing technology is a method to separate the linguistic information and the extra-linguistic information conveyed in a single speech stream. In the second part of this paper, we propose a technique for information separation with some experimental results for verification.
SOFTWARE DEFINED NETWORK BASED FIREWALL TECHNIQUE

The existing networking devices (switches) are complex because they have control plane and data forwarding plane interwined in same devices. This affects the network performance in terms of delayed delivery and repeated functionality. The proposed network software system gives the technique to separate control functionality from the forwarding functionality from such devices which results in efficient network communication. OpenFlow, one of the techniques of Software Defined Network Technology, is a new approach to networking and its key attribute is: separation of data and control planes. With OpenFlow, a researcher or network administrator can introduce a new capability by writing a simple software program that manipulates the logical map of a slice of the network. The rest is taken care by the network operating system. In addition, in proposed system an openflow switch is used in network systems as firewall, which improves the network performance.
Fast Fourier transform speech scrambler

The FFT speech encryption algorithm is tested on speech samples which are recorded using a data acquisition system connected to a PC. The speech samples are read from an input file by the simulation program and the scrambling operation performed on them frame-by-frame. The scrambled speech signal is output through the filter card and the DAC card. The scrambled speech samples are also recorded onto an output file on which the descrambling operations are subsequently performed. The algorithms and results of these simulation tests are provided below. An analog I/O card was used with simulation program. A 12-bit ADC and DAC card was used to capture about 4 seconds of speech at the rate of 8 Ksps. The scrambler and descrambler programs written in C processed the speech file. The main parts of the system are (i) scrambler with permutation and (ii) descrambling with depermutation. Some additional parts such as the ADC, the DAC, the IBC (integer to binary convertor) and the BIC are necessary. The basic functions can, thus be identified as follows: 1) Scrambler includes FFT, permutation and IFFT 2) Descrambler includes FFT, depermutation and IFFT 3) Generation of permutation matrices.
Developing and Promoting “ Economic & Financial System of Isl ā m ” : Some Suggestions

More than three decades ago a group of Muslim economists took the burden of developing a model of economic and financial system of Islām (EFSI) and reform the existing western systems in contemporary Muslim economies. Today, although we find a rapidly expanding Islāmic financial industry, it remains far from achieving the goals initially set for different sectors of this discipline. Leading Islāmic economists of our era are accepting the failure of Islāmic economics and some suggestions are made both about the underlying reasons as well as possible solutions. This paper first describes the goals and objectives of an Islāmic economic system. It argues why an EFSI, deriving its principles from Islāmic sources of knowledge, should put special emphasis on economic justice and equitable distribution of income. It then points out some basic features of the capitalist economies that are in conformity with an Islāmic economic system and discusses the shortcomings of the neoclassical school which provides the intellectual background for the capitalist system. These two exercises lead to comprehend the reasons for our failure: not addressing the issue of distribution of income and putting too much effort in criticizing the neoclassical assumptions on behavioral norms. This paper suggests areas where efforts should be made to transform the existing capitalist system into sustainable Islāmic economies based on Islāmic principles of socio economic justice.
Dietary supplementation of cumin ( Cuminum cyminum ) preventing streptococcal disease during first-feeding of Mozambique tilapia ( Oreochromis mossambicus )

Article info: Received: 22 January 2013 Accepted: 21 June 2013 ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary cumin (Cuminum cyminum) powder (CP) as a feed additive on growth performance and disease resistance during first-feeding of Mozamique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Five isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isocaloric (18.9 kj g) diets were formulated to contain 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2.0% CP. In a 45-day feeding trial, 15 plastic tanks (21 L) were stocked with 40 fry (0.012 ± 0.001 g) each. After feeding experiment, fish were infected with Streptococcus iniae and mortalities were recorded. The second-order polynomial regression indicated that a dietary CP level of 1.14% provided the best survival rate challenge infection with S. iniae, growth performance and feed utilization. In conclusion, CP can be used as growth promoter to improve feed utilization and weight gain in tilapia fry, and it can be also used as an antimicrobial agent during first-feeding of O. mossambicus. Therefore, CP can be suggested as an alternative to antibiotics in controlling streptococcal disease in tilapia culture.
The Influence of a Scandal on Parasocial Relationship , Parasocial Interaction , and Parasocial Breakup

The present study of parasocial interaction (PSI), parasocial relationships (PSR), and parasocial breakup (PSB) investigates the relationship between PSI and PSR, the influence of scandal on PSR, PSB, and PSI, and the effect of program type on PSI. Using a 2 2 design, a between-subjects experiment was conducted. PSI was positively related to PSR in 3 of the 4 conditions. A scandal involving an actor negatively influenced people’s PSR with him. The stronger their PSR with the actor, the more PSB the participants experienced after the introduction of scandal. PSI with a character played by an actor in a movie was significantly higher than PSI with that actor as a guest on a talk show.
Estimation of the Local Incidence Angle Map from a Single SAR Image

The ongoing ESA SENTINEL-1 mission witnesses the key role of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems in Earth observation and monitoring by means of a continuous radar mapping of our planet’s surface. By exploiting the peculiarities of the radiation-matter interaction, SAR data contain huge information concerning the physical and chemical properties of the illuminated surface. Due to the huge number of surface parameters influencing SAR data formation, very few scientific papers concern the estimation of such parameters directly from a single SAR image. In this paper, a technique aimed at the estimation of the local incidence angle map from a single SAR image is derived. The proposed method relies on a solid theoretical background and well-assessed models and methods. The efficacy of the new estimation technique is assessed with both simulated and actual SAR images.
Integrated testing methodology for system development projects.

A methodology is proposed for testing a computer/based information system throughout its development"" process, formally, testing is performed after a system has been coded 'and debugged, if at all, and ad hoc procedures are relied upon to perform the process. Little attention has been paid towards quality assurance, and as a result, more effort is devoted to system maintenance than is to system development. Some reasons identified as contributing to this are poor attitudes towards testing, lack of planning, and little Knowledge or understanding of test theory. This proposed methodology makes testing integral tp system development, prescribing a series of checks which parallel a typical system development process. It provides for creation of a test team similar to a chief programmer team, and describes the training and career path of a tester. Tools and techniques available to the tester, such as static code analyzers and test data generation methods are explored, and recommendations made for their selection. Implementation of this methodology will solve many of the aforementioned problems byV^reating a more controlled environment in which responsibilities and procedures are clearly defined. One benefit might be a substantial reduction inthe percentage of a s'ystem's life cycle to be devoted to maintenance.
Risk factors for three-month mortality of intracerebral haemorrhage in Burkina Faso

Background: 3-month mortality rates are becoming lower in developed countries, while they remain high in sub-Saharan Africa. The identification of mortality risk factors at 3 months, will contribute to the improvement of post ICH survival. The aim of this study was to identify 3-month risk factors for intra cerebral hemorrhage (ICH) mortality in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Patients and methods: This was a prospective cohort study, descriptive and analytic, of patients consecutively hospitalized for ICH, less than 7 days delay, diagnosed with a brain CTscan, at the University Hospital of Tingandogo, in Ouagadougou, May 2016 to May 2017. The admission data (sociodemographic, clinical and paraclinical), the intra hospital, at one month and at 3 months evolutions (complications, deaths), after the ICH, were analyzed. An univariate and multivariate analysis with logistic regression, made it possible to identify risk factors for mortality at 3 months after ICH. The data was analyzed using the Epi info 7.2 software, then STATA 15. Results: A total of 97 patients were enrolled, with a sex ratio M / F of 3.2, an average age of 56.2 years (30 and 86 years). The mean NIHSS score was 16.3 ± 7.5 (3 and 38); coma (Glasgow ≤ 8) and severe neurological impairment (NIHSS ≥17) were present in 27 patients (27.8%) and 35 patients (36.1%), respectively. At the end of the hospitalization, then at 30 days and 90 days, post ICH, the mortality rates were respectively 32% (31 patients), 33.3% (32 patients) and 38.5% (37 patients). At the end of the multivariate analysis with logistic regression, independent risk factors for mortality at 3 months after HIC were GCS ≤8 at admission (OR = 25.31, 95% CI: 3.52-182.29 ; p = 0.001) and the NIHSS score ≥17 at admission (OR = 7.63 ; 95% CI: 1.68-34.71 ; p = 0.009). Conclusion: 3-month mortality remains high in Sub-Saharan Africa due to poor quality of care and poor performance of health systems. Implementation of SUs, early standardization of hypertension, improved accessibility of patients to functional rehabilitation centers, and quality follow-up and rehabilitation care units will contribute to the improvement of short and mediumterm survival, after ICH.
A CMOS chip design of binary neural network with delayed synapses

A binary neural network can be easily fabricated because of hardware simplicity. To increase the power of the binary neural network, the authors propose the neural network with delayed synapses for solving optimization problems. They demonstrate a CMOS chip design of the binary neural network with delayed synapses, where the delay inserted into synapse is variable and controllable. Using the 2- mu m design rule, 64 neurons can be realized in a chip and every neuron can have 16 different weights and delays of each synapse. <<ETX>>
Is there seasonality in hospitalizations for major depressive disorder in Canada ?

Background: False memories are memories of events that never occurred or that occurred, but not exactly as we recall. Events with emotional content are subject to false memories production similar to neutral events. However, individual differences, such as the level of maladjustment and emotional instability characteristics of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), may interfere in the production of false memories. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of emotion in memory performance for an event witnessed by participants with and without SAD. Methods: Participants were 61 young adults with SAD and 76 without any symptoms of SAD who were randomly assigned to watch a story with or without emotional arousal. Participants answered a subjective scale of emotion about the story and a recognition memory test. Results: Participants with SAD recovered more true memories and more false memories for the nonemotional version compared to the emotional version of the story. Overall, participants with SAD produced fewer false memories compared to those without SAD. Discussion: This finding suggests that social anxiety may have a significant impact on emotional memory accuracy, which may assist in the development and improvement of techniques for therapeutic intervention. Palma PC et al. / Arch Clin Psychiatry. 2017;44(5):113-6
Ultrasound Analysis of the Pronunciation Proficiency of Japanese Learners of English

Correct articulation is the most important factor to improve pronunciation. Thinking about the e ect of the first language’s pronunciation on that of the second language, it is clear that habitual tongue positions for various articulation could a ect the learning of a second language’s pronunciation. Using ultrasound imaging, the articulation of syllable di erences between Japanese and English, especially the pronunciation of consonant-final words (m-, p-, and t-final words) was compared for native and non-native pronunciation. Using m-, p-, and tfinal words, a study of English pronunciation improvement and proficiency levels was done. Results show that the L1 pronunciation motor program most likely a ects L2 articulation and pronunciation proficiency, and that learners exist who have native-sounding pronunciation without having native-like articulation.