Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance structure and shareholder wealth maximisation kwadwo

Over the past two decades the ideology of shareholder value has become entrenched as a principle of corporate governance among companies. A well-established corporate governance system suggests effective control and accounting systems, stringent monitoring, effective regulatory mechanism and efficient utilisation of firms’ resources resulting in improved performance. The object of the research presented in this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the effects of corporate governance on shareholder value maximization of the listed companies in Ghana. Data from ten companies listed on Ghana Stock Exchange covering the period 2003 –2007 were used and analysis done within the panel data framework. The dependent variables, dividend per share and dividend yield are used as a measure of shareholder wealth maximization and the relation between corporate governance and shareholder wealth maximization is investigated. The regression results show that both the board size and the independence have statistically significant relationship with shareholder wealth maximization.
Experimental Evaluation of Security Requirements Engineering Benefits

Security Requirements Engineering (SRE) approaches are designed to improve information system security by thinking about security requirements at the beginning of the software development lifecycle. This paper is a quantitative evaluation of the benefits of applying such an SRE approach. The followed methodology was to develop two versions of the same web application, with and without using SRE, then comparing the level of security in each version by running different test tools. The subsequent results clearly support the benefits of the early use of SRE with a 38% security improvement in the secure version of the application. This security benefit reaches 67% for high severity vulnerabilities, leaving only non-critical and easy-tofix vulnerabilities. Keywords—Software security; security requirements engineering; security evaluation; security testing
Enhancement of the Rectangular MicrostripPatch Antenna Performance Using New E‟Shaped Metamaterial Structure at 2.684 GHz

We present microstrip patch antenna incorporated with left-handed metamaterial at 2.684 GHz. The proposed antenna uses metamaterial structure in the height of 1.6mm from the ground plane. This paper shows the comparison between the microstrip patch antenna using alone and loaded with metamaterial structure with the enhancement in antenna gain and reduction in return loss at the same resonant frequency. By use of this combination it has been seen that there is an step up of return loss of around 6 dB. These structures are simulated using IE3d Electromagnetic simulator of Zeland software incorporation.
A High-Efficiency Super-Resolution Reconstruction Method for Ultrasound Microvascular Imaging

The emergence of super-resolution imaging makes it possible to display the microvasculatures clearly using ultrasound imaging, which is of great importance in the early diagnosis of cancer. At present, the super-resolution performance can only be achieved when the sampling signal is long enough (usually more than 10,000 frames). Thus, the imaging time resolution is not suitable for clinical use. In this paper, we proposed a novel super-resolution reconstruction method, which is proved to have a satisfactory resolution using shorter sampling signal sequences. In the microbubble localization step, the integrated form of the 2D Gaussian function is innovatively adopted for image deconvolution in our method, which enhances the accuracy of microbubble positioning. In the trajectory tracking step, for the first time the averaged shifted histogram technique is presented for the visualization, which greatly improves the precision of reconstruction. In vivo experiments on rabbits were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Compared to the conventional reconstruction method, our method significantly reduces the Full-Width-at-Half-Maximum (FWHM) by 50% using only 400-frame signals. Besides, there is no significant increase in the running time using the proposed method. Considering its imaging performance and used frame number, the conclusion can be drawn that the proposed method advances the application of super-resolution imaging to the clinical use with a much higher time resolution.
Running head: OPTOGENETIC STIMULATION OF CENTRAL AMYGDALA Optogenetic Stimulation of the Central Amygdala Narrows and Intensifies Irrational Cocaine Pursuit by

In addiction, motivation for drugs becomes simultaneously narrowed and intensified, often at the expense of ignoring other life rewards. Amygdala circuitry, through associative learning, may play a key part in amplifying motivation for rewards. Previous research has suggested that optogenetic stimulation of the central amygdala (CeA) but not basolateral amygdala (BLA) paired with an intravenous infusion of cocaine makes that particular cocaine infusion more pursued, as compared to an identical cocaine reward without CeA stimulation (Warlow, 2017). Here we examine the effect of optogenetic CeA stimulation in biasing motivation for a paired cocaine reward by pairing stimulation with earning one of two equal doses (either 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, or 0.6mg/kg/infusion). Rats were given free access to two different options for intravenous cocaine infusions. One cocaine infusion was paired with optogenetic CeA stimulation (Laser+Cocaine), while the other option delivered only cocaine (Cocaine alone). Rats preferred the CeA-paired option and ignored the identical alternative when earning all but 0.6mg/kg/infusion doses, and consumed more overall cocaine than control inactive virus rats. In a separate experiment, we paired earning optogenetic CeA stimulation with earning a lower dose of cocaine compared to a higher dose: the Laser+Cocaine infusion delivered half the amount of cocaine as compared to the Cocaine alone option. ChR2 CeA stimulation caused rats to irrationally prefer the lower dose cocaine option as opposed to the higher dose cocaine option, resulting in earning less cocaine overall than previously earned (and a similar amount compared to control virus rats). Our findings continue to support the CeA’s role in narrowing and enhancing motivation for cocaine, to a seemingly irrational level which may mimic characteristics of addiction.
Simultaneous determination of selected alachlor, bifenox and nitrofen as herbicides in lake, municipal wastewater and soil samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry

The benefits derived from pesticide usage is a worldwide phenomenon which has helped prevent food shortages and prevented deadly diseases. However, negative effects that have resulted from these very same chemicals has led to regulations and bans on some of them. This study was aimed at simultaneously determining three herbicides in lake, wastewater and soil samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The samples selected are very commonly contaminated by pesticide production and application, and they are important environmental resources that need to be preserved. The figures of merits determined for the analytes were appreciable. None of the analytes were detected in the samples (according to limits of detection) and spiked recovery tests were therefore performed to ascertain the amount of analytes that can be determined when present in the samples. The percent recoveries calculated for lake and wastewater spiked at two concentrations ranged between 90 – 104%. The spiked soil sample was extracted with acetonitrile and a blank soil extract was used to prepare matrix matched calibration standards. The percent recovery obtained using the matrix matching standards ranged between 92% and 99% for the three analytes.
Responses in bacterial community structure to waste nutrients from aquaculture: an in situ microcosm experiment in a Chilean fjord

Chilean salmon farms release inorganic nutrients excreted by the fish into the surrounding water in Patagonian fjords. The objective of this experiment from the Comau Fjord (42.2° S) in southern Chile was to study how increased input of ammonium (NH4) and phosphate (PO4) from salmon farms might affect the community structure of bacteria in surface waters where fish farms are located. We used microcosms (35 l) with NH4-N and PO4-P added to the natural seawater in a gradient of nutrient-loading rates, with the same N:P ratio as in salmon aquaculture effluents. Additionally, we measured bacterial community structure at different depths in the Comau Fjord to assess the natural variation to compare with our experiment. We used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to create 16S rDNA fingerprints of the bacterial communities and monitored biological and environmental variables (chlorophyll a, inorganic nutrients, pH, microbial abundance). The nutrient-loading rate had a significant impact on the bacterial community structure, and the community dissimilarity between low and high nutrient additions was up to 78%. Of the measured environmental variables, phytoplankton abundance and increased pH from photosynthesis had a significant effect. We observed no significant changes in bacterial diversity, which remained at the same level as in the unmanipulated community. Thus, the bac terial community of the fjord was not resistant, but resilient within the time frame and nutrient gradient of our experiment.
OSSI VUORINEN CHARGE CARRIER AGGLOMERATES IN AN ELECTROSTATIC

OSSI VUORINEN: Charge carrier agglomerates in an electrostatic soot sensor Tampere University of Technology Master of Science Thesis, V+43 pages, 6 appendix pages October 2017 Master’s Degree Programme in Science and Engineering Major: Advanced Engineering Physics Examiner: Professor Jorma Keskinen Supervisor: M. Sc. Antti Rostedt
Wideband Antennas for Modern Radar Systems

Wideband antennas have received much attention in wireless communications and broadcasting systems. With a wide bandwidth, the signals can be transmitted by ultra-short impulses or by using multi-band groups. More information and applications can be carried through the radio frequency channels with a high data rate and accuracy. Also, there are numerous military and commercial sensing systems that require wide bandwidth to increase the range accuracy, imaging resolution, jamming/anti-jamming, and hardware flexibility. For various modern radars, such as air defense, air traffic control, astronomy, Doppler navigation, terrain avoidance, and weather mapping, the design of wideband antennas would have different considerations and specifications in order to meet the requirements of specified signals and waveforms. The key issues of emerging radar antennas are low-profile, low cost, conformal, and compact design. Currently many researchers focus on omni-directional wideband antennas because their widely-covered beamwidth enables them to detect and communicate with targets anywhere. However, this may cause the radar to confuse where the target is located. Therefore, in certain aspects, directional antennas present more interest. The effective isotropic radiated power of a directional antenna is directed to reduce power consumption at the transmitter. This is also beneficial for the receiver’s link budget. According to the radar range equation, the antennas can significantly determine the radar performance owing to its power handling, aperture dimension, beamwidth resolution, and potentials of beamforming and scanning. It may spend large amount of the budget for the antenna system cost depending on required functions. In this chapter, we investigate state of the art wideband radar antennas and focus on applications for airborne radars, ground penetrating radars, noise radars, and UWB radars. The design concepts and considerations of these antennas will be addressed. Following the performance overview of these antennas, we introduce state of the art wideband antennas recently developed for new radar applications. Design details, examples, and profiles of the wideband antennas will be reviewd and discussed.
Balancing continuity and change through forms of organising

Faced with increasing environmental complexity and uncertainty, organisations have been urged to replace traditional bureaucratic structures with more flexible, responsive forms of organising. However, the emerging paradox is that exploration and experimentation, features of new forms of organising, benefit from the planning, coordinating and direction-setting mechanisms that underpin traditional forms of organising. It is therefore important to recognise the distinctive and complementary features of traditional and new forms of organising. This demands a dualities-sensitive perspective which encourages, rather than tries to resolve, a constructive tension between seemingly contradictory organising forms such as flexibility and efficiency, autonomy and control, hierarchy and networks, focus and diversification. Managing continuity and change through forms of organising becomes central to building healthy organisations.
Importance of a micro-diet for scleractinian corals

This study investigated the ability of 3 coral species — zooxanthellate (Stylophora pistil- lata and Galaxea fascicularis) and azooxanthellate (Tubastrea aurea )— to feed on pico- and nano- plankton (particles < 100 µm). Coral nubbins were incubated for 6 h in flow chambers containing the planktonic particles (experimental chambers). Control chambers were also set up to follow the nat- ural changes in the planktonic community. Changes in the concentrations of dissolved organic car- bon (DOC), bacteria, cyanobacteria and flagellates were monitored during the incubation. Results showed that ingestion rates were proportional to prey concentrations. In terms of number of prey ingested per polyp, bacteria were the first group ingested. When converted into carbon and nitrogen, nanoflagellates represented the most important contribution, amounting to 84-94% of the total car- bon and 52-85% of the total nitrogen ingested. Bacteria, cyanobacteria and picoflagellates accounted only for 1-7% of the ingested carbon. At the end of the incubation, DOC concentrations increased in the chambers containing T. aurea and G. fascicularis. However, in all chambers con- taining S. pistillata, DOC concentrations decreased (from 101.69 ± 13.53 to 93.59 ± 4.67 µmol DOC l -1 ) equal to a rate of 0.251 ± 0.217 nmol DOC polyp -1 h -1 . In symbiotic species, pico- and nanoplankton accounted for only 6.6-7.8% of the carbon supplied by photosynthesis but were a major supply of nitrogen. In S. pistillata, the amount of nitrogen supplied by pico- and nanoplankton ingestion (1.2 ng N polyp -1 h -1 ) was as high as the amount supplied by the dissolved nitrogen uptake (1.55 ng N polyp -1 h -1 ). Pico- and nanoplankton may, therefore, constitute an important food source for these
Wavelet Library for Modelica

Wavelet analysis is being widely used in different fields for signal processing to increase efficiency and flexibility. A wavelet library has been a standard component in many simulation programs. However, wavelet analysis has not yet been included in Modelica as a standard component. To fill this blank, a comprehensive wavelet library has been developed for Modelica. This library includes fifteen commonly used wavelet families. It can carry out continuous transform, forward and inverse discrete transforms, and multi-level decomposition and reconstruction in one-dimensional space. In addition, special application tools for multi-resolution analysis and wavelet denoising are provided. Moreover, some examples are given to provide the users a quick start point to build up their own algorithms. This library was programmed and tested according to the Modelica language specification 3.2 under the Dymola platform version 2013. The test results prove the functionalities of the library.
OBSERVATIONS ON FISH ASSEMBLAGES OF THE COASTAL AREA OF BERGEGGI (WESTERN LIGURIAN SEA)

The present paper reports the results of a study on composition and size structure of the fish fauna of the Bergeggi island (Italy), a site gazetted from the Italian law for the establishment of a Marine Protected Area. Data were collected seasonally (from Winter 2000 to Autumn 2001) applying two different visual census techniques: stationary visual census and scuba diving paths. The applied methods allowed to record 55 taxa and to assess the prevalence of medium size class. Moreover the higher ratio of small specimens and the lower frequency of large size individuals of high commercial interest species suggest the relevance of new studies. RIASSUNTO Osservazioni sul popolamenti ittici dell’area di costiera di Bergeggi (Mar Ligure Occidentale) Il presente lavoro fornisce i dati relativi alla composizione e struttura di taglia del popolamento ittico costiero dell’isola di Bergeggi, area identificata quale sito di reperimento per l’istituzione di una area marina protetta. I dati sono stati raccolti con cadenza stagionale (dall’inverno 2000 all’autunno 2001), mediante due differenti tecniche di censimento visuale in immersione: punto fisso e percorso libero. Tali metodiche hanno consentito di censire 55 taxa e di rilevare che il popolamento ittico e caratterizzato dalla classe di esemplari di taglia media. Inoltre l’elevata percentuale di esemplari di taglia piccola e la ridottissima frequenza di esemplari di taglia grande delle specie di elevato interesse commerciale suggeriscono l’importanza di ulteriori studi.
Effectivity Test on Bacillus thuringiensis Isolate in Land Around Lampung University, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia

Abstract: Until now, efforts to control mosquitoes as vectors still using chemical insecticides. The use of chemicals in continuing can cause resistance towards mosquitoes and cause environmental damage. One of the alternatives that can be utilized is a biological control, such as Bacillus thuringiensis. This research was conducted for three months in the Laboratory of Microbiology Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Lampung University. The results showed that isolates of B. thuringiensis from the ground under trees at Lampung University environment equally effective towards Aedes aegypti larval mortality. The study design was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) arranged as factorial. The density of B. thuringiensis isolates 2x107cell / ml Br (A) can cause mortality to larvae of Aedes aegypti high of 22.5% followed by the density of the density of 2x106 cells / ml by 7.5%. Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, Aedes Aegypti, Mortality
Long‐term decrease in the global atmospheric burden of tetrachloroethene (C2Cl4)

We present a 14‐year record of tropospheric tetrachloroethene (C2Cl4) mixing ratios measured each season at remote surface locations throughout the Pacific Basin (71°N–47°S). Our calculated annual mean C2Cl4 mixing ratio for the extra‐tropical northern hemisphere (NH) was 13.9 ± 0.5 pptv in 1989, but declined to less than half this value (to 6.5 ± 0.2 pptv) by 2002. Mid‐latitude southern hemisphere (SH) mixing ratios, which were much smaller than NH values, showed interannual variations comparable to measured long‐term changes, and the SH annual mean was slightly less in 2002 than in 1989. Driven by the relatively large decrease in NH values, the global C2Cl4 mixing ratio declined from 6.3 ± 0.6 pptv in 1989 to 3.5 ± 0.2 pptv in 2002. These values suggest that the global C2Cl4 burden decreased by roughly 205 Gg between 1989–2002, which is consistent with industrial estimates of declining NH emissions over a similar period.
Seismic noise : the good the bad and the ugly

In this paper, we present a nonlinear curvelet-based sparsity-promoting formulation for three problems related to seismic noise, namely the ’good’, corresponding to noise generated by random sampling; the ’bad’, corresponding to coherent noise for which (inaccurate) predictions exist and the ’ugly’ for which no predictions exist. We will show that the compressive capabilities of curvelets on seismic data and images can be used to tackle these three categories of noise-related problems.
15 AM-11 : 15 AM Finding Destinations in Search Engine Results

It is generally understood that information about products and services is essential in creating consumers’ perceptions and expectations towards tourism experiences. One of the channels potential tourists rely on is word-ofmouth, whose importance increased sharply since the rise of websites that allow tourists to share their experiences (consumer generated content). In this study we explore this issue by examining the prominence of one type of user generated content, Wikipedia, in destination search results. It was found that Wikipedia articles appear near the top of the list of retrieved results in nearly all of the top search engines. Implications are made regarding the use of Wikipedia articles to promote the destination.
Effect of Propolis on the Fish Muscular Development and Histomorphometrical Characteristics

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of propolis on mortality of fish eggs due to mycosis, to study its efficacy on the fish growth rate and to analyze the histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of muscle fibres. We evaluated the muscular development of fish in two different experimental conditions: traditional feeding and feeding with addition of propolis (groups A and B, respectively). The study was carried out on two species of teleosts bred in Italy, Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) and Salmo trutta (brown trout). The use of propolis reduced mortality of fish eggs. The muscles were stained for myosin ATPase and succinic dehydrogenase to evaluate fibre type. The area, maximum and minimum diameter for each fibre type in relation to the body length were measured. The animals fed propolis showed a more rapid muscular growth compared to control fed the standard diet. Fibres were larger in the Salmo trutta than in the Oncorhynchus mykiss in both groups. In fish of A group, myotomal muscle, the presence of giant fibres and index of environmental stress was noticed. This type of study is valuable in order to extend the use of propolis as an antifungal agent and a natural product that can improve fish farming.
Qiaopi, Qiaoxiang, and Charity

This chapter examines a dimension of the qiaopi trade often overlooked in existing studies (and, more broadly, in diasporic Chinese studies), its role in charity and in developing the qiaoxiang. It looks at the operational mechanisms, impact, and theoretical implications of qiaopi charity. It argues that qiaopi and the associated remittance networks were a main underpinning of diasporic Chinese philanthropy, which further cemented the relationship between Chinese overseas and China. The chapter examines education (which was the main focus of qiaopi giving after everyday family survival) and charity directed at improving transport and communications and aiding national causes (especially during wars and crises). It concludes that the qiaopi trade and early Chinese diasporic philanthropy foreshadowed contemporary forms of diasporic charity undertaken by migrants from other countries.