Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of self-efficacy on wealth accumulation and portfolio choice

Self-efficacy is a psychological construct based on the evaluations of one's ability to accomplish certain behaviours or achieve certain outcomes (Bandura, 1977). Although self-efficacy has been linked to health, task accomplishment, greater socio-economic status and income (Seeman and Seeman, 1983; Stretcher et al., 1986; Gecas and Seff, 1990; Judge et al., 2002; Zagorsky, 2007), there has been no study that investigates whether self-efficacy is also a predictor of greater wealth creation over a specific period of time. Applying a theoretical framework based on self-efficacy, this article investigates household financial behaviours using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79) data-set. For the purpose of this study, change in wealth across time and financial market participation is modelled as a function of socio-economic and demographic variables drawn from prior literature. Findings from this research reveal that self-efficacy is indeed a predictor of investment for financial assets and is also a predictor of wealth creation across time.
The profile of hypertension and dyslipidemia in prediabetic subjects; results of the Isfahan Diabetes Prevention program: A large population-based study

Background: The present study was designed to evaluate hypertension and dyslipidemia in prediabetic subjects with a family history of type 2 diabetes (first-degree relatives), and they were compared with the normal glucose-tolerance subjects. Materials and Methods: Three thousand and eighty-six (788 men and 2298 women) subjects were selected from a consecutive sample of patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG), and Combined (IFG and IGT), and their first-degree relatives formed the control group. Potential risk factors for diabetes including age, gender, body size, HbA1c, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, blood pressure (BP), urine microalbumin, and family and personal medical history were assessed. Results: The studied participants included 300 IGT patients (9.7%), 625 IFG patients (44.9%), 411 combined patients (13.3%), and 1750 (56.7%) normal subjects. Aging led to increase in hypertension. Increase in body mass index (BMI) led to an increase in the prevalence of hypertension significantly in all groups. The mean triglyceride in the normal group was different in comparison with that of the IGT (P < 0.05) and combined (P < 0.001) groups. Differences in total cholesterol were observed in the normal group when compared with the IGT (P < 0.05) and combined (P < 0.001) groups, and of the combined group in comparison with the IGT (P < 0.05) group. The difference in LDL level was related to the combined group in comparison with IGT, marginally (P < 0.1), and normal in comparison with the combined group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Prevalence of hypertension was not significantly different between the groups, however, in prediabetic patients it was higher than in the normal group, and prevalence of dyslipidemia in prediabetic subjects was significantly higher than in the normal group.
Capitalizing Non-Cancelable Operating Leases

There have been recent international moves to require the capitalization of non-cancelable operating leases. Most prior research on the constructive capitalization of leases has been undertaken on US data. The results from US studies may not apply to international firms because non-US operating lease contracts may differ in lease term, discount rates, and renewal options. This study presents the financial statement impact of constructive capitalization for 38 firms listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. New Zealand is an appropriate institutional setting because the required footnote disclosures for operating leases are similar to the International Accounting Standard. The method of constructive capitalization follows the general approach developed by Imhoff, et al. (1991). The results show that constructive capitalization has a material impact on reported liabilities and financial ratios. The results suggest that, relative to present value procedures of constructive lease capitalization, heuristics used by analysts lead to the overstatement of lease liabilities and lease assets. However, the use of single cross-sectional parameters (e.g., discount rates, lease life) results in constructed lease assets and liabilities that are similar to more elaborate firm-specific procedures.
Customer Expectations of Sport Organisations

Abstract As a consequence of increasing expectations of sport services, this paper presents an argument for extending service quality research into the area of customer expectations of sport organisations. It is proposed that the orientation of research should move from primarily focusing on quality improvement to an understanding of how customer expectations are created and how they can be influenced. The paper presents a review of service quality literature that considers the role of expectations in service quality, types of customer expectations and their formation. It also considers potential interventions in the formation of expectations. From this review it is apparent that there is little in the service quality field that applies expectations to sport organisations. Consequently, it is argued that future research should address this gap and in particular focus on the concepts of image, fandom, customer education and segmentation.
Volatiltiy and Links between National Stock Markets

The empirical objective of this study is to account for the time-variation the covariances between markets. Using data on sixteen national stock markets, we estimate a multivariate factor model in which the volatility of returns is induced by changing volatility in the orthogonal factors. Excess returns are assumed to depend both on innovations in observable economic variables and on unobservable factors. The risk premium on an asset is a near combination of the risk premia associated with factors. The main empirical finding is that only a small proportion of the time variation in the covariances between national stock markets can be accounted for by observable economic variables. Changes in correlations markets are given primarily by movements in unobservable variables. We also estimate the risk premia for each country, and are able to identify substantial movements in the required return on equity. Our results also suggest that, although inter-correlations between markets have risen since the 1987 stock market crash this is not necessarily evidence of a trend decrease.
The Effect of Trade Unions on the Provision of Training: Australian Evidence

This paper uses data from the Australian Workplace Industrial Relations Survey conducted in 1989–90 to examine the net impact of trade unions on the extent of formal types of employer-provided training. A net positive effect is found, but only where unions are active in the workplace and not merely de jure representatives of the work-force. The results also indicate, with respect to in-house training, that unions shift the emphasis towards work-forces with long tenure, a finding that is consistent with ‘union voice’ arguments.
ESTIMATION BY SIMULATION

The authors extend Daniel McFadden's (1989) method of simulated moments to approximating efficient estimators in general estimation problems. The general approach applies a simulated bias correction to an approximation of the efficient score. They discuss a general trade-off in estimator inefficiency between bias correction and moment approximation. Copyright 1994 by MIT Press.
10 A particular view of democracy A study into the influence of particularism on the support for democracy and support for shari ’ a in the Arab world

This paper examines the micro-foundations of the relationship between political particularism, support for democracy and support for Shari’a in the Arab World. Our hypotheses suggest that particularism reduces support for democracy whilst it increases support for Shari’a since, at the individual-level, in-group (family/clan) obligations are more binding than obligations towards the state (universal). We test our hypotheses using data from the Arab Barometer. Results suggest that, even when allowing for the correlation of the error terms, particularism significantly increases support for Shari’a whilst it decreases support for democracy. Our results are robust to alternative specifications of the model and to the use of techniques aimed at addressing the potential endogeneity of particularism. JEL classification: Z10, O10, O17
A Structural Retirement Model

The model analyzed here constrains most work on the main job to be full time. Partial retirement requires a job change and a wage reduction.Estimates of utility function parameters and their distributions incorporate information on age of leaving the main job and of full retirement. These estimates determine the slope at different ages and the convexity of within period indifference curves between compensation and leisure. Even though age specific dummy variables are not used, the model closely tracks retirement behavior. Policy analysis based on earlier models with simpler structures is shown to be misleading.
Oxidative metabolism in nonculturable Helicobacter pylori and Vibrio vulnificus cells studied by substrate-enhanced tetrazolium reduction and digital image processing

Growing and nonculturable cells of Helicobacter pylori and Vibrio vulnificus were studied for the capacity to reduce tetrazolium salts in order to elucidate the possible physiological basis for the proposed "viable but nonculturable" (VNC) state. Initial difficulties in obtaining consistent reduction of rho-iodonitrotetrazolium violet (INT) by H. pylori led us to develop a method for studying the effect of adding exogenous substrates on these reactions. The established procedure provided a profile of substrate enhancement of oxidative activity revealed by INT reduction which was related to both the identity and physiological state of the organism studied. Representation and interpretation of these enhancement profiles were facilitated by digital image processing. Nonculturable cells of H. pylori produced by carbon and nitrogen starvation in air lost all INT-reducing capacity in 24 h when stored at 37 degrees C, while 99% of those produced at 4 degrees C retained oxidative activity for at least 250 days when tested in the presence but not in the absence of succinate, alpha-ketoglutarate, or aspartate. Activity was detected at similar levels in cells with coccoid and spiral shapes. In contrast, only 1% of nonculturable cells of V. vulnificus, produced under conditions previously reported to induce the VNC state in this organism, retained intrinsic INT-reducing capacity; no substrate-enhanced activity occurred in the remainder of the population. Thus, there was no common pattern of oxidative activity indicative of a VNC state in both test organisms. Nonculturable cells of H. pylori can retain several different oxidative enzyme activities; whether these indicate viability or the persistence of cells as "bags of enzymes" remains to be established.
Knowledge networking and growth in service firms

This paper empirically assesses whether knowledge networking affects the growth of small service firms. More specifically, using a large, unbalanced panel data set for the period 1992–2009, it investigates whether participation in a knowledge network called PLATO is positively related to service firm growth. The results show that knowledge networking has a highly significant positive effect on the net asset and added value growth of service firms. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the positive effect of knowledge networking on firm growth is significantly larger for service firms than for manufacturing firms, indicating that industry drives networking success.
Belief Propagation Algorithms on Noisy Hardware

The wide recognition that emerging nano-devices will be inherently unreliable motivates the evaluation of information processing algorithms running on noisy hardware as well as the design of robust schemes for reliable performance against hardware errors of varied characteristics. In this paper, we investigate the performance of a popular statistical inference algorithm, belief propagation (BP) on probabilistic graphical models, implemented on noisy hardware, and we propose two robust implementations of the BP algorithm targeting different computation noise distributions. We assume that the BP messages are subject to zero-mean transient additive computation noise. We focus on graphical models satisfying the contraction mapping condition that guarantees the convergence of the noise-free BP. We first upper bound the distances between the noisy BP messages and the fixed point of (noise-free) BP as a function of the iteration number. Next, we propose two implementations of BP, namely, censoring BP and averaging BP, that are robust to computation noise. Censoring BP rejects incorrect computations to keep the algorithm on the right track to convergence, while averaging BP takes the average of the messages in all iterations up to date to mitigate the effects of computation noise. Censoring BP works effectively when, with high probability, the computation noise is exactly zero, and averaging BP, although having a slightly larger overhead, works effectively for general zero-mean computation noise distributions. Sufficient conditions on the convergence of censoring BP and averaging BP are derived. Simulations on the Ising model demonstrate that the two proposed implementations successfully converge to the fixed point achieved by noise-free BP. Additionally, we apply averaging BP to a BP-based image denoising algorithm and as a BP decoder for LDPC codes. In the image denoising application, averaging BP successfully denoises an image even when nominal BP fails to do so in the presence of computation noise. In the BP LDPC decoder application, the power of averaging BP is manifested by the reduction in the residual error rates compared with the nominal BP decoder.
Strength versus muscle power-specific resistance training in community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND Loss of muscle power due to normal aging has greater functional impact than loss of strength alone. The present study compared two resistance training programs, one aimed at enhancing muscle power and one at increasing muscle strength, on muscle function and functional performance in older adults. METHODS Sixty-seven healthy, independent older adults (65-84 years) were randomized to a high-velocity varied resistance (HV), constant resistance (ST), or nontraining control (CO) group. Participants trained twice weekly for 24 weeks using six exercises. Dynamic and isometric muscle strength, muscle power, movement velocity, muscle endurance, and a battery of functional performance tasks were assessed. Secondary outcomes included body composition, quality of life, and balance confidence. RESULTS Muscle strength increased significantly (p <.001) and similarly in the training groups compared to controls (HV, 51.0 +/- 9.0%; ST, 48.3 +/- 6.8%; CO, 1.2 +/- 5.1%). Peak muscle power also increased with training (p <.05), with no difference between training groups. The change in peak power was 50.5 +/- 4.1%, 33.8 +/- 3.8%, and -2.5 +/- 3.9% in the HV, ST, and CO groups, respectively. Training also improved selected functional performance tasks in the HV and ST groups compared to controls (p <.05), and the HV group reported improved quality of life (p =.018). CONCLUSION Muscle power and muscle strength improved similarly using either resistance training protocol, and these changes were accompanied by improvements in several functional performance tasks. However, improvements in the HV group occurred with less total work performed per training session.
The effect of dental restoration type and material on periodontal health.

PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between the type and material of dental restorations and periodontal health in a sample of Jordanians. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients attending the Dental Teaching Clinics of Jordan University of Science and Technology with restored teeth were examined. For every patient, the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth and clinical attachment level were recorded on restored and non-restored tooth surfaces. The restoration types were Classes II, III and V, in addition to crowns and bridge abutments. The restorative materials included amalgam, tooth-coloured materials (resin composite and glass ionomer), non-precious alloys, porcelain and acrylic. RESULTS Class III restorations were associated with the lowest plaque index (0.62), gingival index (1.13), probing depth (1.62 mm) and clinical attachment level (0.31 mm). Class II restorations had the highest plaque index (0.99) and probing depth values (2.27 mm). Crowns and bridge abutments had the highest gingival index (1.65 and 1.61, respectively), high probing depth (2.01 and 2.15 mm), but a low plaque index (0.69 and 0.66). Class V restorations demonstrated the highest attachment loss (0.92 mm). Resin composite and glass ionomer restorative materials demonstrated the lowest gingival index (1.21) and probing depth (1.75 mm), whereas porcelain demonstrated the lowest plaque index (0.51) and clinical attachment level (0.14 mm). Amalgam was associated with the highest plaque index (1.01) and probing depth (2.29 mm). Non-precious alloys and acrylic covered castings demonstrated the highest gingival index (1.73 and 1.72, respectively) and clinical attachment level (1.00 and 0.88 mm). CONCLUSIONS Crowns, bridge abutments (especially acrylic and non-precious metals) and Class II amalgam restorations appear to be associated with periodontal breakdown.
Representations of Development in 19th and 20th Century indonesia: A Transport History Perspective

Contemporary debate in Indonesia over ‘people's economy’ and ‘globalisation’ recalls the vigorous 1950s debate over ‘dualism’. Taking as a case study the rise and eclipse of railways, this paper argues that the colonial phenomenon of dualism can with hindsight be reinterpreted as a phase in a previous cycle of globalisation. However, economic history has overlooked the remarkable vitality of the small-scale transport sector. Focus on the small-scale sector highlights the inadequacies of familiar paradigms and suggests the need to reconceptualise long-term socioeconomic change. This analysis has important implications for responses to the current wave of globalisation and how they may be manifest in a more democratic post-Soeharto Indonesia.
Slower treatment response in bipolar depression predicted by lower pretreatment thyroid function.

OBJECTIVE Because treatment of the depressed phase of bipolar disorder is a clinical challenge and hypothyroidism is known to be associated with depression, the authors examined the relationship between pretreatment thyroid values and response to antidepressant treatment. It was hypothesized that subjects with lower thyroid function, even within the normal range, would have a poorer response to initial treatment. METHOD The subjects were 65 patients in the depressed phase of bipolar I disorder who were enrolled in a larger ongoing study. A panel of thyroid measures, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine, triiodothyronine resin uptake, and free thyroxine index (FTI), were determined before initiation of algorithm-guided treatment. The effect of each thyroid measurement on time to remission was estimated by using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS Both lower values of FTI and higher values of TSH were significantly associated with longer times to remission, i.e., slower response to treatment. Outcomes were relatively poor unless patients had FTI values above the median and TSH values below the median. Patients with this optimal profile experienced remission 4 months faster than the remainder of the study group. CONCLUSIONS This study provides further evidence that patients with bipolar disorder are particularly sensitive to variations in thyroid function within the normal range. Our results suggest that nearly three-quarters of patients with bipolar disorder have a thyroid profile that may be suboptimal for antidepressant response. It remains to be seen whether pharmacological enhancement of thyroid function will facilitate recovery from bipolar depression.
Representative Bureaucracy

Despite the extensive literature on representative bureaucracy, only a few studies have examined empirically whether bureaucracies with different levels of representativeness produce different policy outputs. This study adds to the growing body of empirical research by focusing on active representation of various groups of federal civil servants (African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Native Americans) in district offices of the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). The analysis shows significant relationships between African American, Hispanic, and Asian American representation and the share of program resources allocated to those groups. The positive findings for African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans suggest that these groups obtain larger allocations of resources as their representation increases, supporting the underlying assumptions of representative bureaucracy. The relationship between passive and active representation, however, is not statistically significant for Native Americans.
Higher Education Funding

The expansion of higher education throughout the OECD--and beyond--is both necessary and desirable. But it is costly, and faces competing imperatives for public spending. Higher education finance is therefore salient to an extent that is not yet fully appreciated in all countries, and is also immensely sensitive politically. This paper sets out the core lessons for financing higher education deriving from economic theory and puts them alongside lessons from country experience. The UK reforms announced in 2004 are assessed against the backdrop of those two elements. A concluding section briefly maps out unfinished business. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
Spatial and temporal patterns of tourist behaviour

Cooper C. P. (1981) Spatial and temporal patterns of tourist behaviour, Reg. Studies 15, 359–371. The nature of touring behaviour is examined and the results of a survey of tourist movement are outlined. The survey is the first attempt to chart the behaviour of tourists over time. Results show that tourists reduce uncertainty in their exploration of an area by visiting those sites perceived to give greatest reward for effort. The question of the control of movement by manipulating information levels is discussed and current recreation management schemes are shown to implicitly adopt this principle in their control of visitor behaviour.