Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
To Work More or Less? The Impact of Taxes and Life Satisfaction on the Motivation to Work in Continental and Eastern Europe

Using country-level data from 2000-2013, we test the relationship between life satisfaction (measured as how people evaluate their life as a whole rather than their current feelings) and the motivation to work (measured as aggregate hours of work). Our hypothesis is that even after controlling for average labor income tax rates in countries with high and low average hours worked, there is a significant negative association between the motivation to work and life satisfaction. The main findings of this paper are that the increase in the motivation to work per employee comes at the expense of life satisfaction, and differences in average tax rates on labor income cannot account for differences in time allocation. Once life satisfaction is included, the hypotheses of previous neoclassical economic studies are almost irrelevant in determining the response of market hours to higher average tax rates on labor income. In line with our assumption, we find a negative relationship between life satisfaction and the motivation to work in the cross-country examinations. In countries with the highest hours worked (Hungary, Estonia), wealth is generally preferred to leisure and in countries with the lowest hours worked (France, Germany), leisure is preferred to wealth.
Diversification Power of Real Estate Market Securities: The Role of Financial Crisis and Dividend Policy

This paper investigates dynamic conditional correlations between stock and REIT markets in both Turkey and the U.S. We use an Asymmetric DCC - GJR - GARCH model to estimate the dynamic conditional correlation at daily, weekly, and monthly frequencies. Our contribution is threefold. First, we find a that downward trend in the daily conditional correlation in the Turkish market, which is contrary to the literature, while the upward trend in the correlation of the two U.S. markets is consistent with the literature. Second, we observe that the trend in the correlation changes the direction with the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. The negative trend in Turkish market becomes positive and the positive trend in the U.S. market becomes negative after the crisis, which could indicate a structural break in the REIT market caused by the crisis. Third, we find that the dividend policy of REITs plays an important role on the dynamics of the correlation. Dividend payments by Turkish REITs decrease their conditional correlation with the Turkish stock market while no such relationship is detected in the U.S. We argue that both the relationship between dividend payments by REITs and REIT correlation with the stock index is associated with the different regulatory environment of REITs in Turkey.
Investigating the Effect of Gasoline Prices on Transit Ridership and Unobserved Heterogeneity

Based on a unique scanner panel data set on debit and credit card transactions, we examined the effect of gasoline prices on individual choices between private vehicle use and public transit ridership. The unique feature of our data allowed us to address possible heterogeneity in the effect of gasoline prices and to explicitly incorporate the link between private vehicle use and public transit ridership. A series of empirical analyses reveal that there is significant heterogeneity in the effect of gasoline prices on fuel consumption and that financial constraints and commitment to vehicle use determine individual sensitivities to the price of gasoline. The substantive empirical knowledge provided about individual decisions concerning transit modes contributes meaningful implications and effective guidance for practitioners and policymakers.
Ownership Structure and Cash Flows as Determinants of Corporate Dividend Policy in Pakistan

Dividend Policy is among the widely addressed topics in modern financial literature. The inconclusiveness of the theories on importance of dividend in determining firm’s value has made it one of the most debatable topics for the researchers (see for example, Ramcharan, 2001; Frankfurter et. al 2002; Al-Malkawi, 2007). The present study investigates the impact of firm specific characteristics on corporate dividend behavior in emerging economy of Pakistan. Three years data (2005-2007) of 100 companies listed at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) has been analyzed using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression. The results show that managerial and individual ownership, cash flow sensitivity, size and leverage are negatively whereas, operating cash-flow and profitability are positively related to cash dividend. Managerial ownership, individual ownership, operating cash flow and size are the most significant determinants of dividend behavior whereas, leverage and cash flow sensitivity do not contribute significantly in determining the level of corporate dividend payment in the firms studied in our sample. Estimated results are robust to alternative proxy of dividend behavior i.e. dividend intensity.
Levels of Potentially Toxic Metals In Selected Herbal Medicines In Lagos, Nigeria

The increasing popularity and widespread use of herbs as alternative medicine has sparked an interest in understanding their safety. Potential toxic metals (PTM) have been identified as a risk to human health through the usage of herbal medicines. This study aimed to assess the level and pH of PTM (Fe, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni and Zn) in selected herbal medicines sold in Lagos, Nigeria. Eight commonly consumed herbal medicines: E-5000, MT-CAPS, B-CAPS, DD-TEA, YC-BITTER, JHD-POWD, KA-POWD, and H-CAPS were analysed for PTM using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer after wet digestion of the medicines. The highest concentration (mg/kg) of Fe (257±0.1), Pb (33.8±0.01) and Zn (38.9±0.01) were found in KA-POWD. The result also showed that JHD-POWD had the highest concentration amount of Ni (54.0±0.01 mg/kg), while B-CAPS had the highest concentration of Cu (4.14 ±0.02 mg/Kg). All the herbal medicines analysed are high in Fe content with range between 6.2 to 257 mg/kg. The pH values ranged between slightly acidic of 5.6 - 5.7 to slightly alkaline of 8.0 -8.65. Twenty five percent of herbal medicines analysed had concentrations of Pb above the the WHO limits of 10 mg/kg, while all the samples had Cd above the permissible limits of 0.3 mg/kg. KA-POWD had the highest concentrations of Pb, Zn, Fe, and Cd determined. All other PTMs in the other samples analysed are below the recommended permissible limits. Keyword: Capsules; Herbal medicine; Lagos; Potentially toxic metals content; Powdered.
Subhaloes gone Notts: subhaloes as tracers of the dark matter halo shape

We study the shapes of subhalo distributions from four dark-matter-only simulations of Milky Way-type haloes. Comparing the shapes derived from the subhalo distributions at high resolution to those of the underlying dark matter fields, we find the former to be more triaxial if the analysis is restricted to massive subhaloes. For three of the four analysed haloes, the increased triaxiality of the distributions of massive subhaloes can be explained by a systematic effect caused by the low number of objects. Subhaloes of the fourth halo show indications for anisotropic accretion via their strong triaxial distribution and orbit alignment with respect to the dark matter field. These results are independent of the employed subhalo finder. Comparing the shape of the observed Milky Way satellite distribution to those of high-resolution subhalo samples from simulations, we find agreement for samples of bright satellites, but significant deviations if faint satellites are included in the analysis. These deviations might result from observational incompleteness.
Gender and Competition: Women like Power as Men Do

Summary This paper, using an experimental laboratory technique, investigates the issue of the gender gap in competition. It focusses on the competition for power, defined as it was the power to influence the utility in a group of subjects by determining the amount of their monetary reward. In the laboratory, it has been created an artificial situation in which experimental subjects (undergraduate students of the University of Siena) were given the chance to compete for power. They had to decide whether to make a bid to win an auction which would enable them to distribute a sum of money among a group of four experimental subjects different from themselves. Two main results emerged. First of all, power, as I defined it, can be seen as an economic good, in other words, most of the agents are willing to pay a positive sum of experimental money in order to buy the benefit to control other agents’ rewards. Secondly, there is no gender difference in this experiment: women enter into the competition as frequently as men and there are no significant differences in bidding behavior between men and women.
CO envelope of the symbiotic star R Aquarii seen by ALMA

The symbiotic star R Aqr is part of a small sample of binary AGB stars observed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The sample stars are: R Aqr, Mira, W Aql, and π1 Gru. The sample covers a range in binary separation and wind properties, where R Aqr is the source with the smallest separation. The R Aqr binary pair consists of an M-type AGB star and a white dwarf at a separation of 45 mas, equivalent to about 10 AU at 218 pc. The aim of the ALMA study is to investigate the dependence of the wind shaping on the binary separation and to provide constraints for hydrodynamical binary interaction models. R Aqr is particularly interesting as the source with the smallest separation and a complex circumstellar environment that is strongly affected by the interaction between the two stars and by the high-energy radiation resulting from this interaction and from the hot white dwarf companion. The CO(J = 3 →2) line emission has been observed with ALMA at ~0.5′′ spatial resolution. The CO envelope around the binary pair is marginally resolved, showing what appears to be a rather complex distribution. The outer radius of the CO emitting region is estimated from the data and found to be about a factor of 10 larger than previously thought. This implies an average mass-loss rate during the past ~100 yr of Ṁ ≈ 2×10−7 M⊙ yr−1, a factor of 45 less than previous estimates. The channel maps are presented and the molecular gas distribution is discussed and set into the context of what was previously known about the system from multiwavelength observations. Additional molecular line emission detected within the bandwidth covered by the ALMA observations is also presented. Because of the limited extent of the emission, firm conclusions about the dynamical evolution of the system will have to wait for higher spatial resolution observations. However, the data presented here support the assumption that the mass-loss rate from the Mira star strongly varies and is focused on the orbital plane.
Understanding Learning Outcome Divide in the Learning Process from a Teachers Perspective: A BYOD Case Study

Technology-mediated learning has established itself as a valuable pathway towards learners’ academic and social development. However, within the adoption stages of ICT enabled education further questions have been raised in terms of equity of information literacy and learning outcomes. For the last four years, we have been working with one of the earliest secondary schools in New Zealand to introduce a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. In earlier research we explored how the BYOD policy has influenced existing divides in the learning process across three levels, namely digital access, digital capability and digital outcome. The earlier result sheds light on key issues affecting the learning process to contextualize factors in the three-level digital divide for the BYOD technology adoption process in classroom settings. In this paper, we extend our analysis on how the key constructs (digital/information literacy, computer self-efficacy and nature of technology usage) are transforming school and classroom curriculum practices. Our analysis reveals changes in boundaries between formal and informal learning spaces with one-to-one devices providing the link between school and home, teachers being transformed to facilitators as students take more ownership of their own learning and how technology is shaping classroom activities which further influence learning outcomes which are known to result in digital outcome divides.
What Doesn't Kill You Will Only Make You More Risk-Loving: Early-Life Disasters and CEO Behavior

The literature on managerial style posits a linear relation between a CEO’s past experiences and firm risk. We show that there is a non-monotonic relation between the intensity of CEOs’ early-life exposure to fatal disasters and corporate risk-taking. CEOs who experience fatal disasters without extremely negative consequences lead firms that behave more aggressively, whereas CEOs who witness the extreme downside of disasters behave more conservatively. These patterns manifest across various corporate policies including leverage, cash holdings, and acquisition activity. Ultimately, the link between CEOs’ disaster experience and corporate policies has real economic consequences on firm riskiness and cost of capital.
ANTIMICROBIAL METABOLITES FROM A MARINE-DERIVED FUNGUS

A marine fungus was separated from the surface of a marine red algae. Ethyl acetate extract of the cultivated marine fungus inhibited the growth of the pathogenic bacteria E.coli and S.aureus, and the phytopathogenic fungus C. cucurbitarum. Separation of the EtOAc extract gave four compounds, which were identified as new anthraquinone derivatives 3 and 4, and the known chrysophanol (1) and rubelin A (2) by the extensive analysis of NMR data. Compounds 1-4 inhibited the growth of the gram negative bacteria E. coli and gram positive bacteria S. aureus. Compound 3 also inhibited the fungus C. cucurbitarum.
The Determinants of The Success of Microenterprise: A Case Study of BRI Clients in Medan City, Indonesia

This study focuses on the determinants of the success of microenterprise owners in receiving loan from one of the successful microfinance institutions in the world, namely BRI Unit in Medan city, North Sumatra, Indonesia. This study applies the methodology before and after approach for measuring the success. It utilizes some financial indicators to measure the success of the microenterprises such as income, fixed assets, and household expenditures. The findings found financing in terms of amount of loan accessed has positive relationship with success indicators in terms of changes in income and fixed assets. However, it does not have positive relationship with changes in household expenditures. In the meantime, firm characteristics in terms of dummy variable for type of business of food and household facilities and necessities have positive relationship with changes in income. In conclusion, financing, firm characteristics, and household characteristics are the factors that determine the success of microenterprise in terms of income, fixed assets, and household expenditures. It is expected that policy makers of microfinance institutions (MFIs), including BRI Unit and Indonesian government could solve the common problems faced by MSMEs such as financing, raw materials, marketing, advanced technology, and others, as MSMEs play crucial role in increasing economic growth in terms of reducing poverty and unemployment; and increasing GDP. In this respect, policy makers of MFIs including BRI Unit is also expected to provide the facilities besides credit services such as training, health programs, education, family planning, and other programs to render greater effectiveness of the microfinance on the performance of microenterprise. Keywords : microfinance, BRI Unit, KUPEDES, KUR, microentrepreneurs
Bayesian model averaging: An application to the determinants of airport departure delay in Uganda

Bayesian model averaging was employed to study the dynamics of aircraft departure delay based on airport operational data of aviation and meteorological parameters collected on daily basis for the period 2004 through 2008 in matrix X. Models were evaluated using the R programming language mainly to establish the combinations of variables that could formulate the best model through assessing their importance. Findings showed that out of the sixteen covariates, 62.5% were suitable for model inclusion to determine aircraft departure delay of which 40% exhibited negative coefficients. The following parameters were found to negatively affect departure delay; number of aircrafts that departed on time (-0.562), number of persons on board of the arriving aircrafts (-0.002), daily average visibility (-0.001) and year (-1.605). Comparison between Posterior Model Probabilities (PMP Exact) and that based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo (PMP MCMC) revealed a high correlation (0.998; p<0.01). The study recommended the MCMC as providing a more efficient approach to modelling the determinants of aircraft departure delay at an airport.
Hypertension in Pregnancy among Rural Women in Katsina State, Nigeria

Hypertension in pregnancy (HIP) is defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥140 or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg or both. It could be described as chronic, gestational, preeclampsia or eclampsia depending on the gestational period, tendency for postpartum resolution, presence of proteinuria or convulsion. Hypertension in pregnancy affects about 5-22% of pregnancies especially in developing countries. Though preeclampsia and eclampsia seems to create more concern than others, evidence abound that any form of hypertension in pregnancy places women at increased risk of adverse outcomes.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Spoilage Bacteria of ‘Atama’ (Heinsia crinata) Soup

„Atama‟ (Heinsia crinata) soup is a delicious palm nut soup, native to the Efik/Ibibio people of Southern Nigerian. It is very similar to „banga‟ soup native to the Urhobo/Isoko people of Delta State; the major difference is the Heinsia crinata leaves which give it a distinctive taste and aroma. According to Inyang (2016) leaves of Lasianthera africana and Heinsia crinita are used for the preparation of indigenous traditional soups known respectively as “editan” and “atama” soups. Folk tales has it that many housewives use it to win back their husband‟s heart after a serious quarrel.
Astyanax paranae Eigenmann, 1914 (Characiformes: Characidae) in the Alagados Reservoir, Paraná, Brazil: diet composition and variation

Aspectos da ecologia alimentar de um pequeno caracideo, Astyanax paranae, foram estudados durante 1996/1997 e 1998/1999 no reservatorio de Alagados, Parana, Brasil (25o01'50,0'' S; 50o03'41,9'' W). Os peixes foram capturados trimestralmente nas zonas fluvial e lacustre do reservatorio e os conteudos gastricos de 711 especimes adultos foram analisados atraves do metodo volumetrico. Foram avaliados o espectro alimentar da especie e alteracoes espaciais, temporais e entre os sexos na dieta. A matriz de dados foi sumarizada atraves da analise de correspondencia com remocao do efeito do arco (DCA) e os escores dos eixos resultantes da DCA utilizados como variaveis em analises de variância (ANOVA) unifatoriais de modelos nulos para testar diferencas na dieta. Astyanax paranae consumiu detrito/sedimento, vegetais, algas e invertebrados aquaticos e terrestres. O predominio espaco-temporal de detrito/sedimento e vegetais na dieta indicou habito alimentar detritivoro com tendencia a herbivoria. Diferencas significativas na proporcao dos itens alimentares ocorreram entre os meses e locais amostrados, tendo sido relacionadas a disponibilidade dos recursos, caracterizando o oportunismo trofico da especie.
THE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF SOME INITIAL CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS FOR EVALUATING THE OUTCOME IN CORROSIVES POISONED CHILDREN

Corrosive products ingestions in children pose potentially devastating presentations and lifelong complications which remain one of the most challenging concerns encountered in medical practice. Prompt diagnosis and management are of outmost importance in decreasing mortality and achieving optimal long-term outcomes. Aim of the work: to investigate the predictability of the severity of corrosive poisoning outcome from some clinical findings and laboratory data at presentation. Patients and Methods: The study enrolled children with corrosive substances poisoning admitted to Poison Control Center-Ain Shams University during the period from January 2015 till September 2016. Demographic variables, on admission clinical findings, routine laboratory data and the outcome variables (length of hospital stay, development of stricture and mortality rate) were recorded. Patients were classified into two groups; the non-complicated group and the complicated group. Results: 106 patients, 56 males (52.8%) with median age (3.06±2.57 years) met inclusion criteria. Signs and symptoms as (vomiting, dysphagia, drooling, hematemesis and respiratory distress) were found to be significantly higher in the complicated group as compared to the non-complicated group, while oral lesions and stridor showed insignificant difference between the two groups. Initial vomiting, drooling, dysphagia and hematemesis, but not respiratory distress, exhibited significant correlation with poor outcome (longer hospital stay, developing stricture/stenosis and increased mortality rate) together with high sensitivity and specificity prediction of stricture/stenosis formation 21 days post-ingestion (95.65%-70%, 91.49%-55.56%, 95.35%-45.5%, 92.86%- 42.86% respectively). Lower pH and Hb levels were more evident in the complicated group and were correlated with poor outcome. While, higher WBCs were only correlated with longer hospital stay time. Acidosis and anemia had significant sensitivity (91.30%- 90.91% respectively) and specificity (44.43%- 41.67% respectively) prediction of stricture/stenosis formation.Conclusion: In children corrosive ingestion, some clinical manifestations as vomiting, drooling, dysphagia and hematemesis together with laboratory data as decreased pH and Hb levels and increased WBCs count on admission, were more obvious in the complicated cases and were found to be reliable predictors of outcome severity. Recommendations: It is recommended to carefully monitor initial signs and symptoms together with laboratory data to predict the outcome severity and avoid complications early enough.
Observations on Body Mass of Prairie Dogs in Urban Habitat

Abstract The black-tailed prairie dog is an important component of prairie and steppe ecosystems. Currently many prairie dog colonies are fragmented by, or adjacent to, urban development, but little is known about what effects urbanization may have on these animals. I compare body weights and sex ratios of prairie dogs in isolated urban habitat in Denver, Colorado, to published data for black-tailed prairie dogs at the same time of year. Prairie dogs in this study had summer weights similar to those reported in the literature, although males apparently gained weight earlier in the year, and observed sex ratios were not significantly different from 1:1. Although prairie dogs in urban areas face numerous threats, my study provides no evidence that urban forage is limited enough to result in decreased body mass or skewed sex ratios of urban prairie dogs.