Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Firms' Strategic CSR Choices during the Institutional Transition in Emerging Economies

How do organizations react to changes of institutions when they undergo fundamental transition that happen to those emerging economies? By applying Peng’s two-phase model of institutional transitions to the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), this paper seeks answers to the question above. With a framework of institution theory, we focused on CSR strategies that can be selected by different forms of business organizations (incumbent, start-ups, and foreign firms) in the longitudinal process. We argued that in the early phase of institutional transition, CSR relevant institutions are still in vacuum leaving social responsibilities to the firms’ discretion. However as the market moves to more rule-based, CSR institutional pressures are also strengthened in regulative, normative and cognitive ways. Then, we draw our propositions on CSR strategic choices for incumbent, start-ups and foreign firms, respectively. By doing so, this study expanded understanding of strategic perspectives of CSR literature in academic for policy makers of emerging countries as well as practitioners of the different forms of business organizations.
Toward Long-Term Quality of Protection in Mobile Networks

Sensor-equipped smartphones as well as wearable devices have undoubtedly become the predominant source of user-generated data in mobile networks. The proliferation of user-generated data has created a plethora of opportunitie for personalized services based on the states of users and their surrounding environments. Those personalized services, although improving users’ perceived quality of experience, have raised severe privacy concerns, as most of these applications aggressively collect users’ personal data without providing clear statements on the usage and disclosure policies of such sensitive information. In order to sustain personalized services with long-term privacy preservation, disruptive paradigms are required. We envision that context awareness is a key pillar to providing long-term quality of protection (QoP) for individual privacy. In particular, users transit between different contexts, including mobility modes and social activities, and these contexts are temporally or logically correlated, which can be leveraged by adversaries to compromise users’ privacy. In addition, users may have different QoP preferences in different contexts. With these salient features in mind, this article investigates context-aware QoP mechanism designs for personalized services in mobile networks. We discuss possible attacks and propose corresponding countermeasures. In particular, we develop a QoP framework that exploits context awareness to achieve better trade-offs between service quality and privacy protection in long-term services. Finally, we provide some implications for future context-aware QoP mechanism designs by conducting a case study on smartphone traces.
Does Female Education Promote Economic Performance? Evidence from Nigeria

The paper examines whether female education promotes economic performance in Nigeria, using the co-integration and error correction techniques for the period 1975-2008. The augmented Solow model is used to incorporate the gender dimension. The unit root tests conducted indicated that all variables are stationary at first difference and are also co-integrated. This shows that a long-run equilibrium relationship exists among them. Furthermore, it was revealed that the male education has a significant and positive impact on the Nigerian economy, while female education does not. Contrary to expectations, the results also revealed that investment to GDP ratio and government investment on social and community services have no significant effect on real GDP when lagged by one year. It is implied that instead of promoting growth, investment efforts have not been beneficial to the economy. The result shows that trade openness is an effective policy for promoting economic performance in Nigeria. The policy implication of the study is that if the country wants to achieve sustainable growth which would engender structural transformation of the Nigerian economy, the issue of gender equality in access to education should be taken seriously. Thus, government should pay more attention to educational policies that enhance female enrolment rates, participation in educational institutions and literacy in order to enhance women contribution to growth and economic transformation in Nigeria. This should be done in a stable macroeconomic environment which has a tendency to enhance domestic investment in Nigeria.
Enhanced Modulation and Noise Characteristics in 1.55 µm QD Lasers using Additional Optical Pumping

The modulation response, relative intensity noise (RIN) and frequency noise (FN) characteristics of quantum dot (QD) lasers are investigated theoretically in the presence of an external optical beam. Using small signal analysis of the rate equations for carriers and photons, it is demonstrated that by injecting excess carriers into the QDs excited state through optical pumping, the modulation response of QD laser enhances and its bandwidth increases. The external optical pump also helps QD laser to turn on during shorter delay time. Further, it is deduced that the RIN level of QD laser reduces and the damping factor increases due to external beam. Moreover, the frequency noise level of QD laser and correspondingly its linewidth decreases by applying the optical beam.
Release of hydrogen peroxide by phagocytes from bovine colostrum in the peripartum period

Changes in the composition of colostrum in the peripartum period focused on the neonate’s immunity can minimize the response of the mammary gland before natural exposure to mastitis pathogens. This research evaluated the oxidative activity of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear phagocytes of bovine colostrum. Bacteriologically negative (n = 171) bovine colostrum samples of first and second milking postpartum were evaluated. The oxidative activity was assessed by the production of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) released either spontaneously or upon stimulation by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). For this, three treatments were used: control (C) – only cells; non-opsonized (NO) - cells and ETEC non-opsonized; and opsonized (O) – cells and ETEC opsonized. Median values of concentrations (nmol/10 6 ) of H2O2 produced by cells obtained from the first and second milking treatments C, NO and O were 149.1 and 39.9 (P = 0.0007); 125.5 and 49.1 (P = 0.0007); 102.4 and 54.4 (P = 0.008), respectively. No differences were observed between the treatments at each milking. The amount of H 2 O 2 produced at first milking exceeded the values found thereafter. Furthermore, the presence of bacteria did not determine the increased amount of H 2 O 2 released by phagocytes. Thus, we concluded that the mammary gland’s events during the peripartum period have an effect on the proportion and activity of phagocytes, which can cause injuries to the breast parenchyma by the large amount of free radicals produced. The high frequency of bovine mastitis during this period indicates the need for studies of the immunity of the mammary gland and research of susceptibility factors for bacterial infections. Bovine colostrum, cell, bactericidal activity, cow, mammary secretion
Induction of Angiogenesis and Neurogenesis by Serum from Rats Treated with Shunaoxin Dropping Pills

Objective Shunaoxin Dropping Pills (SDPs), a Chinese patent medicine, has been used widely in China for the treatment of headache, amnesia, and insomnia. The aim of the present study is to observe the effect of SDPs on inducing angiogenesis and neurogenesis in vitro. Methods The present testing system using the serum obtained from animals ig treated with SDPs and a co-culture system in vitro was used to investigate if SDPs promotes brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) tube formation and neural differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), which plays important roles in angiogenesis and neurogenesis. Results The SDPs serum sampled from rats ig treated with SDPs for 3 d dose-dependently promoted the tube like structure formation of cultured BMECs, and enhanced the fraction of MAP-2 positive cells of NSPCs, which co-cultured with the BMECs and astrocyte. In addition, there was no significant change in the percentage of glial fibrillary acidic protein positive cells. Conclusion Our results show that SDPs serum can induce neural differentiation and BMECs tube formation in vitro.
THE EFFECT OF " GROUND " ON " FIGURE " : THE IMPACT OF CONTEXT REINSTATEMENT AND CONTEXT INTEGRATION ON EYEWITNESS TESTIMONIES

Eich (1985) found that participants' recall benefited especially from context reinstatement when they integrated the target with the contextual features in their environment (i.e., context integration). We explored the relationship between these two contextual manipulations in an eyewitness situation. All participants (N = 160) viewed a video of a staged theft and were asked to identify the culprit and recall the event after a one-week delay. Results suggested that context reinstatement (but not context integration) enhanced the perceived familiarity of the targetlfoil and their willingness to identify someone in the lineup. Although context reinstatement improved facial identification when the target was present, it also artificially boosted participants' confidence. In terms of recall, reinstating the study context improved participants' free recall of both central and peripheral details and cued recall of peripheral details. The results were consistent with the (mis)attribution of familiarity and the outshining
Analysis of tracer particle characteristics for micro PIV in wall-bounded gas flows

The investigation of the gas flow in a working fuel cell by means of optical measurement techniques like micro Particle-Image Velocimetry (µPIV) requires the generation of suitable tracer particles. In this work the analysis of tracer particle characteristics is described which serves as a means to identify suitable particles for wall-bounded gas flows. Several materials and different types of particle generators were examined to check for obtainable particle size distributions and particle concentrations. A simple experiment was designed to investigate the capability of the generated particles to adequately follow the flow. An optically transparent micro-channel with a 90° elbow was manufactured and the µPIV measurement technique is applied. Firstly, the gas-flow seeded with tracer particles is investigated within this 90° elbow micro-channel. Secondly, to check whether the measured flow structure in this previous case matches with the real flow, the same flow conditions are investigated using water as working fluid with solid tracer particles taking into account Re-ynolds number similarity. Thirdly, CFD-calculations using the same reference parameters as in the experimental investiga-tions were performed to quantify the deviation of the particle traces from the real flow streamlines. The results show ethy-lene glycol to be a suitable tracer material since the obtained tracer particles are optically detectable without severe image post-processing and since this material can be easily transformed into an aerosol with suitable concentrations and particle size distributions. The application of the µPIV technique on such a gaseous particle laden flow provided promising results concerning the intended application of this technique to operating fuel cells.
Effect of Chlorophyll and Anthocyanin on the Secondary Bonds of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)

This paper deals with the effect of natural pigments (chlorophyll and anthocyanin) on the secondary bonds in (poly vinyl chloride PVC), which play an important role in the physical and chemical behavior of it. Natural pigments extracted from plants by a simple method and blended with PVC powder in different ratio of natural pigments, and the properties of the blend were determined and compared. The extracted pigments were characterized by UV- visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The blend of PVC with pigments were characterized by FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hardness, and density. The results show that anthocyanin shows higher depression in glass transition temperature (Tg) of PVC than chlorophyll pigment, where the maximum effect of chlorophyll is 3%. The obtained Tg used in calculations depending on molecular models which its content the simplest idealized model of a linear molecule is the chain model without branching. The hardness and density of PVC decrease as anthocyanin and chlorophyll percent increases. All these results were contributed to that chlorophyll and anthocyanin act as plasticizers by effecting on secondary bonds of PVC polymer.
A study on prognostic significance of serum uric acid in acute myocardial infarction in a tertiary care institute

Background: This study was done to find out any relationship between serum uric acid and AMI severity and its short-term outcome. To see the correlation between serums uric acid level with Killip Class and mortality outcome following AMI. Methods: 100 patients of AMI were included this study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Detailed history, physical examination and relevant systemic examination including detailed examination of CVS system were done as per a structured proforma and necessary laboratory investigations were done. Results: 100 cases of myocardial infarction were studied, out of which 90 patients had STEMI and 10 patients had NSTEMI. There is significant difference of D0 uric acid level was observed for previous history of AMI. There is significant difference in mean uric acid level between dyslipidemic and non-dyslipidemic population. There is significant difference in mean uric acid level on D0 between diabetic and non-diabetic population. Serum uric acid level is low among patients with lower Killip class and high among higher Killip class. Lower the uric acid level, higher the percentage of survival and higher the uric acid level, higher the percentage of mortality. Conclusions: Patients of Killip class lll and lV had higher levels of uric acid as compared to patients of class l and ll. Combination of Killip class and serum uric acid level after acute myocardial infarction is a good predictor of severity of heart failure after AMI.
Stability Analysis for Stochastic Neutral-Type Memristive Neural Networks with Time-Varying Delay and S-Type Distributed Delays

In this paper, we consider the input-to-stability for a class of stochastic neutral-type memristive neural networks. Neutral terms and S-type distributed delays are taken into account in our system. Using the stochastic analysis theory and Ito formula, we obtain the conditions of mean-square exponential input-to-stability for system. A numerical example is given to illustrate the correctness of our conclusions.
Business incubators as allied in reducing the transaction costs in Mexican entrepreneurs

Purpose- Strategic alliances are given by voluntary agreement between the parties, and have various forms, means and objectives which exist. In this text, the incubators as potential allies for entrepre-neurs in the creation process of the company and as a cause of reduction of transaction costs in the process, where the relationship between the two sides have discussed them generates benefits of vari-ous natures. While it is not set as the union of both, if it looks like the relationship and close contact, as a network, which allows the incubator to survive and achieve its objective and entrepreneurial reduce the risk of birth as a company, in addition to build networks with other companies, organiza-tions or institutions and ease of financing, and even the possibility of investors. Design/methodology/approach- The method used for this paper is based on the analyses of official documents of the institutions referred, some studies on entrepreneurship and startups, and finally available data on new firms and institutions as RedJal and INEGI. In addition, incubators and studies on such cases were also reviewed to learn about the experience, services and working methods of these. This focused on observing what happens in Mexico about. Findings- Business incubators in Mexico use to be strategic partners for entrepreneurs that enable the latter to reduce their transaction costs to startup a new company. Business incubators are also important to reduce the risk of death of the company and reduce uncertainty in the process. Also, the services provided, experience and expertise by incubators are important for a growing business arises with the required formality and according to the law, of course protecting its intellectual property and creating an image that pays to create its own reputation. Conceptual Paper Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Vargas-Hernandez, J. G. , and Garcia Magana, R.S. (2014). “Business incubators as allied in reducing the transaction costs in Mexican entrepre-neurs”, Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 1–9.
Extended hesitant fuzzy sets

AbstractHesitant fuzzy sets (HFSs) are a useful tool to manage situations in which the decision makers (DMs) hesitate about several possible values for the membership to assess a variable, alternative, etc. However, HFSs have the information loss problem and cannot identify different DMs, which interferes with the application of HFSs in decision making. To overcome these limitations, we develop the extended hesitant fuzzy sets (EHFSs) in this paper. As an extension of HFSs, EHFSs have close relationships with existing fuzzy sets including intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs), fuzzy multisets (FMSs), type-2 fuzzy sets (T2FSs), dual hesitant fuzzy sets (DHFSs), and especially HFSs. We propose a concept of extended hesitant fuzzy elements (EHFEs), then study the basic operations and the desirable properties of EHFEs in detail. Some extended hesitant distance measures are developed to illustrate their advantages comparing with the existing hesitant distance measures. To extend EHFSs to decision making, we combine.
A New Approach to Public Sector Hiring in India for Improved Service Delivery

This paper argues that the current structure of the public-sector labor markets in India severely limits the ability of the Indian state to effectively deliver services across a wide variety of core functions including policing, education, health care, and public health. Sources of inefficiency include: too few front-line employees, caused in part by entry-level salaries that are too high; lifetime jobs offered without assessing candidate fit for the position; ineffective training and skilling; inadequate rewards for performance; and spatial mismatch between population needs and employees’ preferred work locations. I propose a new approach to hiring front-line service providers to address these issues. The key idea is to introduce three- to five-year-apprenticeships for entry-level service providers, giving priority to local candidates, and interspersing modular training and certification of skills that are consistent with the new National Skills Framework. Hiring into regular full-time positions will be unchanged for the most part, but (performance-linked) credit will be provided for each successful year as an apprentice. One-time exit payments will be made to apprentices who do not get selected for regular positions. I illustrate this approach with several examples, and argue that such an approach can improve the quantity and quality of front-line service providers, in a fiscally feasible way. Additional benefits include reducing youth unemployment, improving their skills, and increasing female labor force participation and empowerment. Since most front-line service delivery responsibilities are under the jurisdiction of state governments, I conclude by noting that the increased fiscal devolution to states under the Fourteenth Finance Commission constitutes an especially promising opportunity for a few states to try out this approach.
Impact of Rhythm on Vietnamese Adult EFL Learners Intelligibility in Term of Mid-level Tone

This study investigates the impact of L1 (Vietnamese) on L2 (English) with a specific reference to rhythm. The transfer of L1 rhythm to the L2 rhythm is considered as a potential factor in reducing EFL learner’s intelligibility. The findings of this quantitative research show that Vietnamese adult EFL learners’ oral output is significantly unintelligible due to the application the mid-level tone of their first language, part of Vietnamese rhythm to produce English rhythm in a pronunciation test, making their utterance monotonous. This paper aims at presenting findings gained from an examination into how the Vietnamese rhythm, the mid-level tone, affects 50 Vietnamese adult EFL learners’ intelligibility in a pronunciation test assessed by ten judges.
The effect of linseed oil supplementation of the diet on the content of fatty acids in the egg yolk

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two different types of oils in diet on the fatty acid profile in the eggs of layers and to include a particular type of oil as a supplement of feeding mixtures for layers in order to support the development of functional foodstuffs. Thirty layers fed a diet containing soybean oil constituted the control group (soybean oil is the most frequently used oil added to feeding mixtures). In the experimental group (thirty layers), soybean oil was replaced with linseed oil at the same amount (3 kg of oil per 100 kg of feeding mixture). Feeding was provided ad libitum for all days of the month. After one month, egg yolks were analysed and the fatty acid profile was compared. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were found in the concentration of myristic acid that belongs to the group of saturated fatty acids. Eggs in the experimental group showed higher concentrations of myristic acid compared to the control group (0.20 g/100 g of fat and 0.18 g/100 g of fat, respectively). Highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) were found for heptadecanoic acid but the trend was opposite to that of myristic acid; concentrations of heptadecanoic acid in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group. Highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) were found for n-9 monounsaturated fatty acids where egg yolks in eggs from layers fed linseed oil contained higher concentrations of oleic acid, myristoleic acid, and palmitoleic acid. Lower concentrations of n-6 fatty acids (P ≤ 0.01) were found after the addition of linseed oil in eggs. Linseed oil showed a positive effect on n-3 fatty acids (α-linolenic acid), its concentration in the control and experimental group was 0.82 g/100 g of fat and 5.63 g/100 g of fat, respectively. The possibility of influencing the fatty acid profile in eggs is very important for the development of functional foods. α-linolenic acid, layers, n-3, PUFA, MUFA