Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Political Connections on Firms ’ Mergers & Acquisition Decisions : Evidence From China

Economic literature that studies determinants of M&A deals has primarily focused on “market” driven motives for firms to engage into M&A markets. Furthermore, this strand of literature does not distinguish between domestic and cross-border deals. The latter type of deals has been examined in the empirical trade literature in the context of bilateral industry level gravity model. This approach does not capture firm-level determinants of cross-border deals nor does it compare them to domestic M&A deals. This paper tries to bridge the gap in our understanding of firm-level determinants of cross-border M&A deals, compare them to domestic M&A deals and address the potential for an important “non-market” driven incentive that impacts firm-level decisions to engage into M&A activities: political connections. We not only find statistically significant support for the importance of political connections in driving both domestic and cross-border M&A decisions for Chinese listed firms, but also find empirical evidence that firms that would not be productive enough to select into M&A market could potentially do so by using various politically attained incentives to reduce their costs associated with M&A. JEL classification: F2, C2, L2, L6, L5 1 The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Secretary of Commerce, the International Trade Administration (ITA), the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), or the Under Secretary for International Trade. 2 Maksim Belenkiy, U.S. Department of Commerce, ITA, e-mail: maksim.belenkiy@trade.gov (corresponding author); Yingying Xu, U.S. Department of Commerce, ITA, e-mail: yingying.xu@trade.gov
Do Market Information Procedures Improve Venture Performance

2 Abstract: Some researchers claim that entrepreneurs do not need official procedure to collect and use market information; others suggest that the use of official market information procedure is positively connected to firm performance. In this paper, we create a theory that new venture performance is an increasing work of (1) the firm's level of customer interaction and (2) the use of official procedure for collecting and utilizing market information. We also create a theory that this link will be stronger among new ventures serving emergent markets. We test these hypotheses using data collected from 112 new ventures located in the West of Iran. Our findings show that, in any case of market condition, official procedure for the accumulation of market information are positively connected with the use of official procedure for market information employment and this relationship is stronger among firms serving recognized markets. In addition, new venture performance is positively connected with the use of official procedure for utilizing market information and this relationship is also stronger in recognized markets. We also find that, in emergent markets, new venture performance is a positive work of the use of official procedure for collecting market information. As opposed to expectations, we find that, in any case of market condition, the level of customer interaction has a negative relationship with the use of official procedure for market information employment and no important relationship with performance.
Diversity and Abundance of Insects in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

Submitted 19 Nov 2016; Accepted 18 Dec 2016; Published 3 Jan 2017 A field survey was conducted in Wukari, Taraba State to assess the diversity and abundance of insect species in selected habitats (residential, open field made up of grassland and an agroecosystem). Sampling were done biweekly using light, pitfall and yellow pan traps set in 3 replicates, 30 m apart. Insects recovered were wet preserved in 70% ethanol except butterflies and moths. Representative samples were taken to the Insect Museum of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria for identification. A total of 4,501 insects spread across 9 orders, 34 families and 77 species were recovered. The most dominant order was Coleoptera with a relative abundance of (44.41%) and, the least was Orthoptera (0.84%). The most dominant insect species were Heteronychus mossambicus (11.44%) followed by Termes sp. (7.77%) and, Goryphus sp. (7.71%). Chlaenius dusaulti, Cheilomenes sulphurea, Copris sp. , Cicindela sp. , Pseudantheraea sp. , Derobranchus germinatus, Glaurocara townsendi, Camponotus perrisi, and Gryllus bimaculatus were the rare species with relative abundance of 0.02%. Species richness is based on number of individual insects measured. The highest species diversity was observed in the order Coleoptera (Shanon H’= 2.547) while, Isoptera was the least (H’= 0.00). However, the highest species evenness was observed in the order Isoptera (E’= 1.00). Fisher-alpha (α) index of diversity showed that the agroecosystem had the highest index of diversity (α = 14.24) while, the residential area had the least (α = 11.9). This study therefore, brings to the fore the diversity and abundance of insects in Wukari and underscores the need for sustainable actions to be taken in conserving beneficial rare species while, managing the abundant pestiferous ones.
Crack Detection in Single-Crystalline Silicon Wafer Using Laser Generated Lamb Wave

In the semiconductor industry, with increasing requirements for high performance, high capacity, high reliability, and compact components, the crack has been one of the most critical issues in accordance with the growing requirement of the wafer-thinning in recent years. Previous researchers presented the crack detection on the silicon wafers with the air-coupled ultrasonic method successfully. However, the high impedance mismatching will be the problem in the industrial field. In this paper, in order to detect the crack, we propose a laser generated Lamb wave method which is not only noncontact, but also reliable for the measurement. The laser-ultrasonic generator and the laser-interferometer are used as a transmitter and a receiver, respectively. We firstly verified the identification of S0 and A0 lamb wave modes and then conducted the crack detection under the thermoelastic regime. The experimental results showed that S0 and A0 modes of lamb wave were clearly generated and detected, and in the case of the crack detection, the estimated crack size by 6 dB drop method was almost equal to the actual crack size. So, the proposed method is expected to make it possible to detect the crack in the silicon wafer in the industrial fields.
DynamicNetworkReconstruction fromHeterogeneous Datasets

This paper addresses reconstruction of dynamic networks from heterogeneous datasets. The datasets consist of measurements from linear dynamical systems in multiple experiments subjected to different experimental conditions, e.g., changes/perturbations in parameters, disturbance or noise. A main assumption is that the underlying networks share the same Boolean structure in all experiments. The ARMAX model is used as an example to parametrize the general linear network model “dynamical structure function” (DSF), which describes causal interactions between measured variables. Multiple experiment datasets are integrated in one regression problem with additional demands of group sparsity to assure network sparsity and structure consistency. In terms of algorithms for sparse parameter estimation, we introduce the iterative reweighted l1 method (with ADMM for large problems), sparse Bayesian learning and sampling-based methods. Numerical examples benchmark the proposed methods on random sparse ARX network models and DSF models.
A negative phase shift of the winter AO/NAO due to the recent Arctic sea‐ice reduction in late autumn

This paper examines the possible linkage between the recent reduction in Arctic sea‐ice extent and the wintertime Arctic Oscillation (AO)/North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Observational analyses using the ERA interim reanalysis and merged Hadley/Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature data reveal that a reduced (increased) sea‐ice area in November leads to more negative (positive) phases of the AO and NAO in early and late winter, respectively. We simulate the atmospheric response to observed sea‐ice anomalies using a high‐top atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM for Earth Simulator, AFES version 4.1). The results from the simulation reveal that the recent Arctic sea‐ice reduction results in cold winters in mid‐latitude continental regions, which are linked to an anomalous circulation pattern similar to the negative phase of AO/NAO with an increased frequency of large negative AO events by a factor of over two. Associated with this negative AO/NAO phase, cold air advection from the Arctic to the mid‐latitudes increases. We found that the stationary Rossby wave response to the sea‐ice reduction in the Barents Sea region induces this anomalous circulation. We also found a positive feedback mechanism resulting from the anomalous meridional circulation that cools the mid‐latitudes and warms the Arctic, which adds an extra heating to the Arctic air column equivalent to about 60% of the direct surface heat release from the sea‐ice reduction. The results from this high‐top model experiment also suggested a critical role of the stratosphere in deepening the tropospheric annular mode and modulation of the NAO in mid to late winter through stratosphere‐troposphere coupling.
In Vivo Imaging of Cortical Inflammation and Subpial Pathology in Multiple Sclerosis by Combined PET and MRI

Abstract : Post-mortem studies in multiple sclerosis (MS) suggested that cortical demyelinating lesions, which are hardly detected in vivoon conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, are an important correlate of disability, and are driven by organized neuroinflammation with the activation of microglia. Activated microglia up-regulate expression of the 18kDa translocator protein (TSPO), which can be imaged in vivo with [-(11)C-PBR28, a second generation TSPO ligand. In this study, we combined ultra-high field 7 Tesla (T) MRI, which has demonstrated greater sensitivity to cortical lesions than conventional MRI, with (11)C-PBR28 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of activated microglia to assess whether more severe structural cortical pathology in MS is related to the presence of neuroinflammation. We found that, relative to healthy controls, MS subjects exhibited abnormally high (11)C-PBR28 binding across the brain, the greatest increases being incortex and cortical lesions, deep gray matter (GM) but also and in normal appearing white matter (NAWM). The observed increased (11)C-PBR28 binding in cortex, deep GM, and NAWM correlated with neurological disability and impaired cognitive performance; in the cortex it correlated with cortical demyelination as measured by 7T MRI. Quantification of TSPO levels in MS could prove a sensitive tool for evaluating in vivo neuroinflammation and its correlates.
The Impact of Interest Rate Marketization on China’s Commercial Banks and Its Tactics

With the advance of market-oriented interest rate, the risk of commercial banks in our country is increasing day by day, including credit risk and interest rate risk. This paper mainly discusses the interest rate risk, and the re-pricing risk based on the interest rate risk. And this paper makes an empirical study and puts forward countermeasures of the commercial banks in China under the background of market-oriented interest rate.
The Mw 6.5 offshore Northern California earthquake of 10 January 2010: Ordinary stress drop on a high‐strength fault

The 10 January 2010 Mw 6.5 earthquake offshore Northern California is one of the first intraplate earthquakes in oceanic lithosphere to be well captured by a GPS network. It presents an opportunity to evaluate rupture mechanics on a high‐strength fault. Static inversion of the coseismic displacements shows that the slip peaks at the same depth as the expected strength envelope, where the differential stresses can be as high as 600 MPa. Laboratory experiments on peridotite predict dramatic dynamic weakening at these conditions. The observed ordinary stress drop, 2–20 MPa, may indicate that the lithosphere is much weaker than strength envelope predicts or that the failure mechanisms seen in the laboratory are not occurring during the rupture. The GPS observations show very little postseismic signal indicating that if a shear zone exists beneath the coseismic rupture, it operates at significantly greater stress levels than the coseismic stress change.
Embodied hyperacuity for robot touch

Hyperacuity is a general aspect of animal perception that uses the population response across overlapping sensory receptors to perceive at higher acuity than the sensor resolution. Following a recent demonstration of hyperacuity in robot touch [1], we here demonstrate hyperacuity for both a biomimetic fingertip and a region of tactile skin. Our study clarifies some design principles that improve tactile perception.
Gold price forecasting with a neuro-fuzzy-based inference system

Following the importance of gold in the global economy and the high interest that has attracted recently, the objective of this paper is twofold: to predict the price of gold by using the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and compare its forecasting accuracy with various time-series forecasting methods and the ‘Buy and Hold’ (B&H) strategy. The results show that the ANFIS’s accuracy is far superior to the performance of all compared methods and therefore ANFIS demonstrates the potential of neuro fuzzy-based modelling for predicting the gold’s price.
Probiotic-Based Nutritional Effects on Killifish Reproduction

Probiotic bacteria used as dietary additives seem to offer an attractive choice inducing overall health benefits to the host organism. It is well known that reproduction, in all vertebrates, is regulated by the reproductive axis and that nutrition affects reproductive events, from puberty to adult gametogenesis, in both sexes. Consequently, reproductive events are very closely aligned with the nutrition. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of dietary probiotic administration on the marine teleost Fundulus heteroclitus and the effects of such broodstock dietary treatment on the growth and survival of the new progeny. Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501® was administered daily as a feed additive, at a final concentration of 106 cfu ml-1 for 8 days. Gonadal growth (gonadosomatic index, GSI), fecundity, embryo survival and hatching rate of larvae from broodstock fed probiotic-supplemented diets were analysed as well as the biometric parameters (body weight, BW; total length, TL). The results demonstrated the beneficial effects of probiotics on the reproductive performance of this marine teleost, as the GSI, fecundity and embryo survival were significantly enhanced by probiotic administration. On the contrary, no effect on the hatching rate was shown. Moreover, broodstock probiotic-based nutrition affected the early stages of larval development of the new progeny: in detail, a significantly higher TL was shown throughout the experiment in the progeny derived from the probiotic (PRO) group bloodstocks compared to the control (CTRL) group; mean BW was significantly higher only at 30 days post-hatching (dph) while no change was observed in terms of larval survival. These results confirmed the positive effect of L. rhamnosus IMC 501® on the reproductive process of this marine teleost, but further work is required to better understand the mechanisms by which probiotics act on the reproductive axis as well as the nutritionally-/immunologically-mediated maternal effects on embryo and larval development and growth.
Correlations between habitat use and body shape in a phrynosomatid lizard ( Urosaurus ornatus ) : a population-level analysis

Recent ecomorphological studies have shown that the predicted correlations between morphology and ecology on broad taxonomic levels are often obscured when comparing more closely related groups. Among species, comparisons of lizards often indicate very little support for adaptive radiations into novel habitats. As few population level studies have been performed, we compared body, head and limb shape between four populations of Urosaurus ornatus living in structurally distinct habitats (cliffs, rocks, trees and boulders). Surprisingly, clear correlations between habitat use and body shape among populations were found, most of which were in good accordance with a priori biomechanical predictions (e.g. flat body and head for extreme climbers; long distal hindlimb segments for jumpers and runners; narrow body and long tail for tree dwelling lizards). This indicates that populations of Urosaurus ornatus are seemingly ‘adapted’ to the habitat they live in. However, quantification of performance and behaviour are needed to determine the adaptive nature of these observations.  2001 The Linnean Society of London
New joint design to create a more natural and efficient biped

This paper presents a human-oriented approach to design the mechanical architecture and the joint controller for a biped robot. Starting from the analysis of the human lower limbs, we figured out which features of the human legs are fundamental for a correct walking motion, and can be adopted in the mechanical design of a humanoid robot. We focus here on the knee, designed as a compliant human-like knee instead of a classical pin-joint, and on the foot, characterised by the mobility and lightness of the human foot. We implemented an elastic actuator, with a simple position control paradigm that sets the joint stiffness in real time, and developed the basic controller. Results in simulation are discussed. In our approach the robot gains in adaptability and energetic efficiency, which are the most challenging issues for a biped robot.
Cost-Effective Content Creation with Variabilization

Traditional intelligent tutoring systems have been successful at fostering learning, but very few systems have been built due to the high cost of creation. It has been reported that it takes between 100 to 1000 hours to produce a single hour of tutoring content. Our previous research reported a reduction in the cost of authoring content through the use of pseudo-tutors, constructs that mimic cognitive tutors but are limited in scope to a single problem. Although the extreme reduction in complexity allowed teachers with no background in intelligent tutoring systems to build effective tutoring content, building multiple questions within a particular skill set required significant repetition of content. In the current work, we add some complexity back into the system by allowing teachers to generalize pseudo-tutors through the use of variables that can alter the contextual and numerical data used in the problem. We report evidence that variabilization reduces the cost of authoring similar skill problems by a factor of two. Further, this factor increases linearly with the number of instances of the problem created. We also suggest that the additional complexity is not a hindrance to teachers adopting the system and some repetition of tutoring content is acceptable to students.
Factors that affect Li mobility in layered lithium transition metal oxides

The diffusion constant of Li in electrode materials is a key aspect of the rate capability of rechargeable Li batteries. The factors that affect Li mobility in layered lithium transition metal oxides are systematically studied in this paper by means of first-principles calculations. In close packed oxides octahedral ions diffuse by migrating through intermediate tetrahedral sites. Our results indicate that the activation barrier for Li hopping is strongly affected by the size of the tetrahedral site and the electrostatic interaction between Li + in that site and the cation in the octahedron that shares a face with it. The size of the tetrahedral site is determined by the c-lattice parameter which has a remarkably strong effect on the activation barrier for Li migration. The effect of other factors such as cation mixing and doping with nontransition metal ions can be interpreted quantitatively in terms of the size and electrostatic effect. A general strategy to design high rate electrode materials is discussed.
Coronal mass ejections, type II radio bursts, and solar energetic particle events in the SOHO era

Using the extensive and uniform data on coro- nal mass ejections (CMEs), solar energetic particle (SEP) events, and type II radio bursts during the SOHO era, we discuss how the CME properties such as speed, width and solar-source longitude decide whether CMEs are associated with type II radio bursts and SEP events. We discuss why some radio-quiet CMEs are associated with small SEP events while some radio-loud CMEs are not associated with SEP events. We conclude that either some fast and wide CMEs do not drive shocks or they drive weak shocks that do not produce significant levels of particle acceleration. We also infer that the Alfvspeed in the corona and near-Sun inter- planetary medium ranges from <200 km/s to 1600 km/s. Radio-quiet fast and wide CMEs are also poor SEP produc- ers and the association rate of type II bursts and SEP events steadily increases with CME speed and width (i.e. energy). If we consider western hemispheric CMEs, the SEP associ- ation rate increases linearly from 30% for 800 km/s CMEs to 100% for 1800 km/s. Essentially all type II bursts in the decametre-hectometric (DH) wavelength range are asso- ciated with SEP events once the source location on the Sun is taken into account. This is a significant result for space weather applications, because if a CME originating from the western hemisphere is accompanied by a DH type II burst, there is a high probability that it will produce an SEP event.
Sumo. A Sonification Utility for Molecules

In this paper we present SUMO, an open source software environment, which is designed to facilitate the open development of molecular sonifications for everyday research in chemistry and structural biology. Sonifications of chemical data are developed since more than 25 years but surprisingly auditory display is not yet a scientifically established mode to interact and explore molecular data. Before presenting SUMO we introduce the implications of presenting molecular data to the sonification community. For chemists and structural biologists, we briefly review different sonification approaches made so far and discus their potential. Within this broader scope we situate SUMO, the lab proof sonification framework. We describe the software environment in detail and present two implementations of methods for sonifying conformations of amino acids and B factors.