Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Duration Analysis of Technological Adoption in Ethiopian Agriculture

Duration analysis has been used to examine the impact of time‐varying and time‐invariant variables on the speed of adoption of fertiliser and herbicide by smallholder farmers in East and West Shewa in the central highlands of Ethiopia in the 25 years preceding 1996. The estimated models suggest that economic incentives were the most important determinants of the time farmers waited before adopting new technologies; traction power in the form of oxen and infrastructural factors (in particular proximity to markets) also appear to have been important influences, but less so than prices. Other agricultural inputs (area of farmland, labour, credit), extension services and farmers' personal characteristics (education, gender, age) appear to have had little, if any, effect on adoption behaviour. There is also evidence that the speed of adoption of herbicide, on both tef and wheat, was slower than that of fertiliser.
Induction, Distribution and Repair of UV Photodamage in the Platyfish, Xiphophorus signum¶

Abstract The genus Xiphophorus is an important model for investigating the etiology and genetics of sunlight-induced melanoma as well as other cancers. We used immunological techniques to determine the induction, distribution and repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone dimers ([6-4]PD) in different tissues of Xiphophorus signum exposed to ultraviolet-B light. We found that the (6-4)PD was induced at 5 to 10-fold lower frequency than the CPD and that scalation provided considerable photoprotection against both photoproducts. Photoenzymatic repair (PER) was very efficient in X. signum with most of the lesions removed within 20 min; PER of CPD occurred at about twice the rate of (6-4)PD. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) was much less efficient than PER and the rates of CPD and (6-4)PD removal were comparable. PER was more efficient in the caudal fin compared to the lateral epidermis; the opposite was true for NER. Although the initial rate of CPD excision was five-fold faster in the lateral epidermis compared to the caudal fin a considerable amount of residual damage remained in both tissues. The diverse photochemical and photobiological responses observed in X. signum suggest that heritable traits governing deoxyribonucleic acid damage induction and repair may be involved in the susceptibility of other Xiphophorus species to melanomagenesis.
Professional Accounting Standards and the Public Sector - A Mismatch

Professional accounting standards have been applied to the public sector in Australia as part of the process of adopting accrual accounting. However, the reason given for their application to the public sector is questionable. The modes of operation of governments and of the business sector are very different, and accounting standards must be tailored to suit the specific information needs of each sector for the accounting systems to provide relevant information. The four Accounting Concepts Statements and the broad requirements of AAS 29 and AAS 31 are examined to show where changes are needed in the standards to make their information more relevant to the needs of the public sector. These changes would better enable accrual accounting information systems to assist in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of public sector operations and the accountability of governments to parliament and citizens.
Childhood maltreatment and psychiatric disorders among detained youths.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the prevalence of childhood maltreatment and its relationship with current psychiatric disorders among detained youths. METHODS Clinical research interviewers assessed history of childhood maltreatment with the Child Maltreatment Assessment Profile and psychiatric diagnosis with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, version 2.3, in a stratified, random sample of 1,829 youths detained at the Cook Country Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (final sample, N=1,735). History of maltreatment was also ascertained from Cook County Court Child Protection Division records. RESULTS More than three-quarters of females and more than two-thirds of males had a history of physical abuse (moderate or severe). More than 40% of females and 10% of males had a history of sexual abuse. Females and non-Hispanic whites had the highest prevalence rates of childhood maltreatment. Among females, sexual abuse was associated with every type of psychiatric disorder. Females who experienced various types of abuse were 2.6 to 10.7 times as likely as females with no maltreatment to have any disorder. Among males, maltreatment was associated with every disorder except anxiety disorders (range of odds ratios, 1.9-7.9). Among youths who were sexually abused, abuse with force was associated with anxiety and affective disorders among females and attention-deficit hyperactivity or disruptive behavior disorders and substance use disorders among males. CONCLUSIONS Childhood maltreatment is common among detained youths and is also highly associated with psychiatric disorders. The mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems must collaborate to ensure that youths receive protection and care when they return to their communities.
A Review on Evolutionary Feature Selection

This paper presents a review of some of the most recent evolutionary algorithms used for solving feature selection based upon previously published research on feature selection. In addition, we discuss various research issues relating to each of the presented evolutionary algorithm. Evolutionary algorithms present several advantages over traditional search such as they require less domain-specific information. Such advantages have made them very popular within feature selection as explained in this paper. This paper covers the first part only of the evolutionary algorithms for the feature selection problem due to the limitation of the number of pages. The references cited in this paper cover the major theoretical issues, and provide access to the main branches of the literature dealing with such methods.
Differences in body composition and risk of lifestyle-related diseases between young and older male rowers and sedentary controls

Abstract The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare body composition and risk factors of lifestyle-related diseases between young and older male rowers and sedentary controls. Healthy males aged 19–73 years participated in the study, and were divided into four groups: 26 young rowers, 24 senior rowers, 23 young sedentary controls, and 22 senior sedentary controls. Total and regional lean soft tissue, fat mass, and bone mineral density were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The HDL-cholesterol of senior rowers (67.4 ± 13.4 mg · dl−1) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of senior sedentary controls (59.2 ± 11.9 mg · dl−1), while HDL-cholesterol was similar in senior rowers and young rowers (66.1 ± 10.8 mg · dl−1). Arm, leg, and trunk lean soft tissue mass were significantly higher in senior rowers (5.6 ± 0.6 kg, 18.2 ± 1.8 kg, and 27.3 ± 3.2 kg respectively) than in senior sedentary controls (5.1 ± 0.4 kg, 16.3 ± 1.4 kg, and 24.6 ± 1.7 kg respectively; P < 0.05). Bone mineral density was also significantly higher in senior rowers than in senior sedentary controls (ribs, lumbar spine, and pelvic segments; P < 0.05). We conclude that age-related increases in the risk of lifestyle-related diseases, such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia, are attenuated in male rowers. These results suggest that regular rowing exercise may have a positive influence in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases in older Japanese people.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of oropharyngeal swallowing in Down syndrome.

PURPOSE To describe the qualitative and quantitative temporal analysis of oropharyngeal swallowing in children diagnosed with Down syndrome (DS) through a case series study of six individuals aged 4 to 17 months (mean age = 11.16 months; median = 12 months). METHODS Qualitative and quantitative temporal analysis of swallowing using videofluoroscopy and specific software. The following parameters were assessed: presence or absence of oral incoordination, labial sphincter sealing incompetence, oral residue, posterior oral spillage, laryngotracheal penetration and aspiration, pharyngeal and total oral transit time (TOTT). RESULTS Qualitative analysis identified individuals with disorders in at least four of the swallowing parameters investigated. Only one individual presented total oral transit time (TOTT) different from the others. No difference was observed between the cases regarding pharyngeal transit time. CONCLUSION Qualitative swallowing disorders are observed in children with DS, with difference in TOTT only in the case report of the youngest infant.
A novel subset of enteric neurons revealed by ptf1a:GFP in the developing zebrafish enteric nervous system

The enteric nervous system, the largest division of the peripheral nervous system, is derived from vagal neural crest cells that invade and populate the entire length of the gut to form diverse neuronal subtypes. Here, we identify a novel population of neurons within the enteric nervous system of zebrafish larvae that express the transgenic marker ptf1a:GFP within the midgut. Genetic lineage analysis reveals that enteric ptf1a:GFP+ cells are derived from the neural crest and that most ptf1a:GFP+ neurons express the neurotransmitter 5HT, demonstrating that they are serotonergic. This transgenic line, Tg(ptf1a:GFP), provides a novel neuronal marker for a subpopulation of neurons within the enteric nervous system, and highlights the possibility that Ptf1a may act as an important transcription factor for enteric neuron development. genesis 54:123–128, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CEOs Under Fire: The Effects of Competition from Inside Directors on Forced CEO Turnover and CEO Compensation

Abstract This study examines board monitoring when a credible chief executive officer (CEO) replacement is on the board. Inside directors whose talents are in greater demand externally, as reflected by their holding outside directorships, are more likely to become CEOs, and their presence is associated with greater forced CEO turnover sensitivity to accounting performance and CEO compensation sensitivity to stock performance. These results reveal that certain insiders strengthen board monitoring by serving as a readily available CEO replacement and contradict the presumption that all insiders are under CEO control. Furthermore, the results persist when accounting for the endogenous firm selection of talented inside directors.
The Optimum Slash Pile Size for Grinding Operations: Grapple Excavator and Horizontal Grinder Operations Model Based on a Sierra Nevada, California Survey

The processing of woody biomass waste piles for use as fuel instead of burning them was investigated. At each landing of slash pile location, a 132 kW grapple excavator was used to transfer the waste piles into a 522 kW horizontal grinder. Economies of scale could be expected when grinding a larger pile, although the efficiency of the loading operation might be diminished. Here, three piles were ground and the operations were time-studied: Small (20 m long × 15 m wide × 4 m high), Medium (30 × 24 × 4 m), and Large (35 × 30 × 4 m) piles. Grinding the Medium pile was found to be the most productive at 30.65 bone dry tons per productive machine hour without delay (BDT/PMH0), thereby suggesting that there might be an optimum size of slash pile for a grinding operation. Modeling of the excavator and grinder operations was also examined, and the constructed simulation model was observed to well-replicate the actual operations. Based on the modeling, the productivity of grinding at a landing area of 710 m2 of slash pile location was estimated to be 31.24 BDT/PMH0, which was the most productive rate.
S. Fred Singer and the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change

Among the many highlights of his distinguished career, one of the great scientific contributions of S. Fred Singer is his work with the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC). Formed by Dr. Singer in the early 2000s, this organization of scientists has emerged as one of the leading institutions challenging the contentions that are made in the periodic United Nations reports on climate change. This article briefly describes Dr. Singer's involvement with the NIPCC, from its creation to the publication of its most recent Climate Change Reconsidered reports
Measuring Abnormal Bond Performance

We analyze the empirical power and specification of test statistics designed to detect abnormal bond returns in corporate event studies, using monthly and daily data. We find that test statistics based on frequently used methods of calculating abnormal monthly bond returns are biased. Most methods implemented in monthly data also lack power to detect abnormal returns. We also consider unique issues arising when using the newly available daily bond data, and formulate and test methods to calculate daily abnormal bond returns. Using daily bond data significantly increases the power of the tests, relative to the monthly data. Weighting individual trades by size while eliminating noninstitutional trades from the TRACE data also increases the power of the tests to detect abnormal performance, relative to using all trades or the last price of the day. Further, value-weighted portfolio-matching approaches are better specified and more powerful than equal-weighted approaches. Finally, we examine abnormal bond returns to acquirers around mergers and acquisitions to demonstrate how the abnormal return model and use of daily versus monthly data can affect inferences. The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org. , Oxford University Press.
Identifying qualified audit opinions by artificial neural networks

Data mining methods can be used in order to facilitate auditors to issue their opinion. This paper for the first time in Iran, applies four data mining classification techniques to develop models capable of identifying auditor’s opinion. Four type of techniques were utilized in this study including: Multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLP), probabilistic neural network (PNN), radial basic functions network (RBF), and logistic regression (LR). Input vector included a qualitative variable as well as several quantitative variables. Our results proved the high capability of MLP neural network in identifying different types of auditor's opinion. PNN was the most balanced model in identifying type of auditor's opinion, and had closet amount of error in identifying unqualified (clean) and qualified type of reports, as compared to other models. RBF neural network in comparison with other models is of the highest performance in identifying qualified type of opinion and LR has the poorest performance in identifying qualified opinion. The results of this study can be useful to internal and external auditors and companies decision-makers. Key words: Qualified auditors’ opinions, auditing, multi-layer perceptron neural network, probabilistic neural network, radial basic functions.
Policy for Sociotechnical Transition: Implications from Swedish Historical Case Studies

Abstract In this paper we analyse past sociotechnical transitions, and based on that we discuss the prospects for the central state in promoting radical transitions towards improved sustainability today. The case studies include the sociotechnical systems in Sweden providing for: (a) urban housing; (b) passenger cars as a favoured mode of transport; and (c) piped water/wastewater, all fundamentally transformed over the first seven decades of the twentieth century and especially in the 1940s up until the 1960s. The core lesson from the case studies is that the central state, by taking an active role and by coordinating the roles of different stakeholders, values and knowledge as well as different policy areas and instruments, can accomplish a coherent and effective management of such transition processes. Also in contemporary network governance settings the central state is well suited to accomplish such an active and coordinative role based on its legitimate power to design and implement different public policy instruments.
Trade and inequality: a review of the literature

OCLC Number: 52427377 Excerpt: . -8-equilibrium model which showed how a the imposition of a tariff would be advantageous to the scarce factor of production. The argument runs as follows: In a small country, the tariff will raise the price of the imported good relative to the export good by the amount of the tariff. With homogeneous goods, the price rise of the imported good will be matched by an equal increase in the price of the domestically produced import-competing good. This, in turn, causes resources to shift toward the import-competing product and away from the export good. As a result, the demand for and hence the relative wage of the factor used intensively in the import-competing industry will rise relative to the factor used less intensively. Since, from the HO model, import-competing goods will make intensive use of the country's scarce factors, it is the relative price of the scarce factor that must rise. With free entry and zero profits ( in competitive equilibrium ), the prices of all factors employed in the import-competing sector will rise by the same amount as the rise in the price of the import-competing good. If there are other factors besides the scarce factor employed in the import competing sector, then the relative factor price of the scarce factor must rise relative to this average and hence relative to the price of the import competing good. Finally, since the price of the import competing product is equal to the price of the import and both have risen relative to other prices, this rise in the wage of the scarce factor is therefore an increase relative to the price of all goods and thus an increase in real terms. The direct implication of the Stolper-Samuelson theorem is that trade liberalization will have the opposite effect. In particular, free trade will lower the price of the import
Tariffs, Technology Transfer, and Welfare

It is found that the welfare gain per unit of revenue raised is maximized for an export tariff on technology transfer, followed by an import tariff on goods, with an export tariff on goods the poorest policy alternative. These results are derived within a monopolistic competition model, where the production of any good requires some initial research and development (R&D), and technology transfer occurs when R&D is done in one country for production of goods in the other. An intuitive explanation is presented, based on the public-good nature of R&D and also the elasticity of demand for technologies from firms.
Persistent lymphoedema in Morbihan disease: formation of perilymphatic epithelioid cell granulomas as a possible pathogenesis

Morbihan disease is a rare complication of rosacea, characterized by persistent lymphoedema on the upper half of the face, occurring during the chronic clinical course of rosacea. This refractory condition has been also designated as ‘rosacea lymphoedema’ and ‘solid persistent facial oedema of rosacea’. We report a patient with Morbihan disease showing persistent lymphoedema on the upper half of the face accompanied by unique histological findings of striking dermal dilated lymphatics and damage of the lymphatics at the site of the adjacent epithelioid cell granulomas, with histiocytes bulging into the lymphatic lumen. The marked epithelioid cell granulomas forming around dermal lymphatic vessels with subsequent lymphatic damage and luminal obstruction by histiocytic infiltration may account for the development of lymphoedema in this patient.
A Structural Equation Analysis of the Animosity Model of Foreign Product Purchase in Egypt

At times, imported brands have become linked with animosity and cultural clashes. This study investigates the influence of consumer animosity on the purchase behaviour of Egyptian consumers regarding Israeli products. Using a large sample of 776 consumers, the animosity model of foreign product purchase has been tested in an Arab non-Western context. The survey results provide reasonable support for the validity of the proposed model. Specifically, the findings from the structural equation model confirm the influence of consumers’ ethnocentrism and consumer animosity on their product judgements and actual purchase behaviour via the mediator role of willingness to purchase. This study contributes to the literature of consumer animosity by examining the animosity model of foreign product purchase in Egypt where virtually no studies have been conducted. The study helps marketers and policy makers to fine-tune their marketing programmes in the Arab world.
Association between a serotonin transporter length polymorphism and primary insomnia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that a 44-base-pair insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 5' regulatory region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) is associated with primary insomnia. DESIGN Association study. SETTING Sleep laboratory at the Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany. PATIENTS 157 patients with primary insomnia and 827 healthy controls. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS We found the short (s-) allele of the 5-HTTLPR to be significantly more frequent in patients suffering from insomnia than in control individuals (47.1% vs. 39.9%: OR = 1.34). CONCLUSIONS This finding contributes to the understanding of the pathophysiology of primary insomnia and suggests a biological basis between the prevalent comorbidity of primary insomnia and other psychiatric disorders.
The Ethics of Tax Evasion: A Survey of Administrative Sciences’Students in Yemen

Most of the studies conducted on the issue of tax evasion focused on the economic and public finance perspectives rather than the philosophical and theoretical perspectives (McGee, 2005). This study examines the perceptions of undergraduate students in the College of Business at Hadhramout University for the academic year 2009/2010 on the ethics of tax evasion. A questionnaire was designed using a seven point Likert scale and distributed to students in order to learn their opinions. The arguments are then ranked from strongest to weakest. One hundred twenty-four (124) usable surveys were received. The results of the study show that tax evasion is ethical under some circumstances. The majority of the respondents were opposed to the view that tax evasion is always or almost always ethical. However, respondents held the point of view that, as Muslims, it is unethical to evade tax.
Falling Up the Stairs: The Effects of 'Bracket Creep' on Household Income

This paper analyzes how inflation-induced erosions of nominally defined amounts built into relevant tax rules ("bracket creep") alter distributional and revenue-generating properties of income taxes and social insurance contributions. Using a multi-country tax-benefit model, it provides quantitative estimates for Germany, the Netherlands and the U.K. In the absence of automatic inflation adjustment mechanisms, effects on individual tax burdens can be substantial, even with low inflation. Bracket creep is found to reduce tax progressivity. At the same time, overall tax revenues increase. In terms of tax systems' equalizing capacities, which depend on both these factors, the second effect dominates: if tax systems were left unadjusted then inflation would lead to lower and slightly more equally distributed household incomes. However, existing inflation adjustment regimes in the Netherlands and the U.K. successfully prevent large tax burdens changes. Copyright 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.