Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of livelihood assets and strategies among tobacco and non tobacco growing households in south Nyanza region, Kenya

This study assessed household assets and livelihood strategies among tobacco-growing households in comparison to non-tobacco-growing households in the south Nyanza region, Kenya. It was meant to provide basic information that could be used to advice on local enforcement of Article 17 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) through crop and livelihood diversification as an alternative strategy to tobacco farming. A multi-stage and stratified random sampling procedure was used to select and survey 440 households (i.e. 210 tobacco and 230 non-tobacco) from the study area. The survey was carried out using a standard questionnaire with both structured and non-structured questions which was supplemented by four Focussed Group Discussions. The study established that an annual net income of a non-tobacco farmer is higher than that of a tobacco farmer with an average annual difference of $ 198 which is a significant margin in rural areas. Moreover, a tobacco farming household spends more income ($ 35) per year on healthcare services than a non-tobacco household, an indication that the latter group is prone to illnesses. In terms of social life, tobacco farming is labour intensive and evidently encourages polygamy though to a large extent, it is also a common cultural practice in the area. It was also noted that majority of the non-tobacco farming households have better housing quality and educational levels, and higher enterprise diversity than their counterparts. In conclusion, although households engage in tobacco farming to improve their living standards, tobacco farming is basically responsible for poor and un-sustainable livelihoods in the region. Hence, there is need to provide other alternative livelihood strategies to tobacco-growing households.
The economic impact of digital technologies in Europe

This paper analyses the economic impact of digital technologies in Europe distinguishing between different stages/domains of the digitalization process. A set of composite Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) indicators is used for capturing the access to ICTs, the ability to use them and the digital empowerment of individuals in key social and economic domains. We argue that the mere accessibility to ICT facilities is only a pre-condition for moving towards a digitalized society, while the ‘level’ and the ‘quality’ in the use of these technologies, as well as the conditions facilitating or hampering digital empowerment, play a much more important role. Several transmission mechanisms from ICT access, usage and digital empowerment to key macro-economic variables (namely labour productivity, gross domestic product per capita, employment growth and the employment rate) are identified. The econometric evidence supports our hypotheses showing that the usage of ICT, and mostly digital empowerment, exert the major economic effects, especially on employment also favouring the inclusion of ‘disadvantaged’ groups in the labour market. We conclude that digitalization may drive productivity and employment growth and that inclusive policies may effectively contribute to bridge the gap between the most favoured and the disadvantaged parts of the population, thus helping in achieving the 2020 Europe targets.
‘Pack a more powerful punch’ and ‘lay the pipe’: erectile enhancement discourse as a body project for masculinity

In this article, we analyze erectile enhancement as a postmodern body project that (re)codes hegemonic masculinity through new means. Erectile enhancement Internet ads create a text of masculinity through constructing a crisis of masculinity and selling the solution. The crisis is loss of power, control and the ability to dominate; the solution is a larger and more powerful penis that will give men back their sense of manhood. Although the erectile enhancement discourse suggests new ways of constructing masculinity – through consumption and an elevated importance of the body in gender identity – the ads reassert hegemonic ideals, i.e. the othering of and domination over women and phallocentrism.
The strength of weak embodiment

Abstract While popular within some cognitive science approaches, the embodiment approach has still found resistance, particularly in light of evidence arguing against strong forms of embodiment. Among other things, the embodiment approach breaks away from the Cartesian ontology of the modulatory system. We claim that the advantages of the embodiment approach are: a) it grounds cognition into modal experience, b) it is harmonious with a materialist philosophy of mind (emergent materialism), and c) it is supported by experimental research in various fields. However, embodiment must still address abstractions, theoretical misunderstandings (representations vs non-representations) and neuroscientific findings that challenge the extension and relevance of sensorimotor properties into cognitive processes. While the strong version of embodiment is seriously challenged by conceptual and physiological setbacks, its weak version is supported by compelling evidence. We suggest future research focus on the psychophysiological bases of grounded cognition and redirect efforts towards the field of cross-modal correspondence.
Do Improvements in the Information Environment Affect Real Investment Decisions

We examine how changes in the information environment can affect real investment decisions. Using the events surrounding mandatory adoption of IFRS as exogenous shocks in information asymmetry, we find a significant increase in firms’ investment-to-price sensitivity following IFRS adoption that persists for years after the adoption. These results are in line with the learning hypothesis and suggest that the improvements in the information environment lead to stock prices that are more informative, which enhances managers’ reliance on stock prices in making investment and other decisions. We document that this increase in investment-to-stock price sensitivity is stronger for firms in countries with weaker exante institutional and accounting quality as well as for firms that experience a larger improvement in stock price informativeness. Finally, we also show that higher investment-to-stock-price sensitivity is associated with improvements in performance.
Slow quasigeostrophic unstable modes of a lens vortex in a continuously stratified flow

This work addresses the linear dynamics underlying the formation of density interfaces at the periphery of energetic vortices, well outside the vortex core, both in the radial and axial directions. We compute numerically the unstable modes of an anticyclonic Gaussian vortex lens in a continuously stratified rotating fluid. The most unstable mode is a slow mode, associated with a critical layer instability located at the vortex periphery. Although the most unstable disturbance has a characteristic vertical scale which is comparable to the vortex height, interestingly, the critical levels of the successively fastest growing modes are closely spaced at intervals along the axial direction that are much smaller than the vortex height.
The Effect of Surplus Budget Financing, Special Allocation Fund, General Allocation Fund, Regional Revenue, and Characteristics of Local Government on Decision of Capital Expenditure (Survey in Local Government in Indonesia)

This research purpose to look impact of Surplus of Financing Budget (SFB), Special Allocation Fund (SAF), General Allocation Fund (GAF), Regional Revenue (RR) and Characteristics of Local Government (CLG) on the Decision of Capital Expenditure. Data used in this research is secondary data by using realization data of the budget in 2010 and 2011 sourced from examination report by Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia in 2011-2012. The analytical method used multiple linear regression. The result showed that: (1) SFB (Surplus of Financing Budget) has a positive impact on the Decision of Capital Expenditure. (2) SAF (Special Allocation Fund) has positive impact on the Decision of Capital Expenditure. (3) GAF (General Allocation Fund) has a positive impact on the Decision of Capital Expenditure. (4) RR (Regional Revenue) has positive impact on the Decision of Capital Expenditure. (5) CLG (Characteristics of Local Government) have not impact on the Decision of Capital Expenditure.This research is expected to develope a Public Sector Accounting Theory generated from the analysis of the role of income sources and the City Regions and proper allocation of the revenue sources of the expenditure allocation can be carried out accountable. Our particular budget managers at provincial, district and city, this research as a source of information to formulate policies in achieving accountability and quality improvement in budget management at province, district and city. For the Government, it can be used as reference for creating a good corporate governance in budget management as a form of accountability for public funds. Keywords: Surplus of Financing Budget, Special Allocation Fund, General Allocation Fund, Regional Revenue, excess budget financing, government special fund, general fund , characteristics of local government, capital expenditure.
Regulatory perspective for deepening CSR disclosure practice in Nigeria

The purpose of this study is to assess the need for a regulation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosure practices of listed non-financial sector entities in Nigeria. Survey research method was adopted in the study. Information gathered from the primary source (questionnaire) was used to test the users’ perception on the need for a regulated practice in Nigeria. Both Content Validity and Cronbach’s Alpha (α) were used to test the validity and reliability of the research instrument respectively. The Cronbach’s Alpha showed an appreciable level of reliability of 0.851. Results of pairwise comparison showed that both the regulators and management group agree on the need to regulate CSR disclosure practice while the opinions of the other groups (academics, information intermediaries and investors) varied significantly. The two hypotheses constructed in the course of the study tested the perceptions of the users on the need for a CSR disclosure regulation. Findings based on an ANOVA analysis of the users perceptions revealed that a voluntary CSR disclosure practice might not be effective enough in curbing the inadequacy of CSR disclosures of these entities and as such there might be a need to regulate the practice. The paper exposes the mind of users of accounting information on their understanding of the level of CSR disclosure practices of listed non-financial sector entities in Nigeria and their demand for a more regulated system of CSR disclosure practice. There is currently no research assessing how CSR disclosure practices of listed non-financial sector entities in Nigeria can be improved. It is expected that the study will promote a movement for curtailing the haphazard preparations of CSR information in Nigeria. Key words: CSR disclosure, accounting, corporate social responsibility, non-financial sector.
Sizing and Design of PV Array for Photovoltaic Power Plant Connected Grid Inverter

Over the past few years, installation of photovoltaic power plants (PVPPs) are considered as one of the most promising technologies at many of countries around the world, in order to meet the growing demand of energy. The DC side (PV generators and MPPT) of a 1.5 MW PV power plant connected to the inverter is modeled and simulated using Matlab/Simulink. The sizing of the suggested PVPP is achieved, such as array sizing and enhanced perturb and observe maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique, in order to overcome the disadvantages of conventional method such as oscillation and slowly tracking under sudden change of atmospheric conditions. The MATLAB/Simulink was run to simulate the PV array sizing and its characteristics depending on enhanced MPPT technique to improve the efficiency of the modules and getting maximum available power. The simulation result has been matched the sizing theoretical calculation results.
Earnings Instability and Earnings Inequality of Males in the United States: 1967–1991

Although much research has focused on recent increases in annual earnings inequality in the United States, the increases could have come from either of two sources: the distribution of lifetime earnings could have become more unequal or the receipt of lifetime earnings could have become more unstable. Based on an analysis of the 1968–92 Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we find that lifetime earnings inequality increased during the early 1980s and that earnings instability increased during the 1970s. We also examine how these trends are related to changes in the distribution of wages and hours and the returns to education.
Multiple Dimensions of Organizational Justice and Work-Related Outcomes among Health-Care Professionals

The notion of the fairness or justice has become an increasingly important construct in behaviour and management over the last two decades because of its serious personal and organizational consequences. Despite considerable research on job satisfaction and organizational commitment of employees, various types and forms of employees’ justice perceptions have not been adequately examined. Studies of organizational justice in the area of health-care professionals are especially limited in the Indian setting. Because of higher expectations and demands on Indian hospitals, the issues of organizational justice and its associated work-related outcomes are quite relevant to employees working in them. With this background, the purpose of present study is to examine and compare the influence of different dimensions of organizational justice (of distributive, procedural, interpersonal (or relational), and informational justice) on work-related outcomes of job satisfaction and organizational commitment with special reference of healthcare professionals. Participants of the present study consisted of 100 health-care professional working in a government hospitals located in Varanasi (U.P., India). They were classified into three ranks: Doctors (N = 36), Nurses (N = 44), and Technicians and Hospital Administrative Staff (N = 20) and were mainly recruited from four major clinical departments—cardiology, gastroenterology, obstetrics & gynecology, and ENT. The statistical analyses of data included the descriptive statistics, coefficient of correlation and hierarchical regression analysis. The results of regression analysis revealed that among the four dimensions of justice, only procedural justice and relational justice significantly positively predicted job satisfaction of employees. Distributive and informational justice did not predict job satisfaction. Findings further indicated that informational justice was the only dimension that had significantly and positively predicted organizational commitment. Despite the significant zero-order correlations, distributive, procedural, interpersonal or relational justice did not predict organizational commitment. Implications of the study and avenues for future research were discussed.
Statistical modelling of rainfall-induced shallow landsliding using static predictors and numerical weather predictions: preliminary results

Our study is aimed at estimating the added value provided by Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) data for the modelling and prediction of rainfall-induced shallow landslides. We implemented a quantitative indirect statistical modelling of such phenomena by using, as input predictors, both geomorphological, geological, climatological information and numerical data obtained by running a limitedarea weather model. Two standard statistical techniques are used to combine the predictor variables: a generalized linear model and Breiman’s random forests. We tested these models for two rainfall events that occurred in 2011 and 2013 in Tuscany region (central Italy). Modelling results are compared with field data and the forecasting skill is evaluated by mean of sensitivity–specificity receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. In the 2011 rainfall event, the random forests technique performs slightly better than generalized linear model with area under the ROC curve (AUC) values around 0.91 vs. 0.84. In the 2013 rainfall event, both models provide AUC values around 0.7. Using the variable importance output provided by the random forests algorithm, we assess the added value carried by numerical weather forecast. The main results are as follows: (i) for the rainfall event that occurred in 2011 most of the NWP data, and in particular hourly rainfall intensities, are classified as “important” and (ii) for the rainfall event that occurred in 2013 only NWP soil moisture data in the first centimetres below ground is found to be relevant for landslide assessment. In the discussions we argue how these results are connected to the type of precipitation observed in the two events.
Geotail encounter with reconnection diffusion region in the Earth's magnetotail: Evidence of multiple X lines collisionless reconnection?

[1] On 11 December 1994 the Geotail spacecraft encountered an active reconnection diffusion region around the X line in the Earth's magnetotail. Three interesting features were observed. One is quadrupole pattern of the out-of-plane By magnetic field component during the passage of magnetic islands and the crossing of the neutral sheet. The second is a direction reversal of the electron beams in the vicinity of the separatrix of the magnetic topology of reconnection. The third is a clear plasma flow reversal. By combining the observations of plasma, magnetic field, particles, and waves, this report may provide evidence of multiple X lines collisionless reconnection in the magnetotail at the microscopic level.
Composition at the "ankle" measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory: pure or mixed?

We report for the first time on the measurement of the correlation between the depth of shower maximum and the signal in water-Cherenkov stations for events reconstructed by both the fluorescence and the surface detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Such a correlated measurement is a unique feature of a hybrid air-shower observatory and allows us to determine the purity of the cosmic-ray composition. The observed correlation in the energy range around the “ankle” lg(E/eV) = 18.5− 19.0 differs significantly from the expectations for pure beams, indicating that the primary composition in this range is mixed, unless the hadronic interactions at these energies behave very differently than in conventional, LHC-tuned event generators.
PURIFICATION AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF IgG FROM SERUM OF YAK ( BOS GRUNNIENS )

In the present study Immunoglobulin G was purified from serum of Yak by gel filtration chroma- tography on Sephacryl S-200. SDS- PAGE of purified yak IgG showed four major polypeptides of 62.94 kDa, 53.29 kDa 29.22 and 28.21 kDa. The purified Immunoglobulin has been found to be immuno-reactive by DID test and Western Blot analysis when treated against hyper-immune sera.
Effect of Concentrate Form on Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Horses

Effect of Concentrate Form on Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Horses. (December 2011) Lindsey Rae Huth, B.S., Texas AM thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of concentrate type on EGUS. Quarter Horse yearlings (n=19; 12-18 mo) were blocked by initial EGUS score on a scale of 0 to 4 (0= no ulceration or hyperkeratosis, 4= extensive, deep ulceration) and sex, and utilized in a 77-d cross-over design with two 28-d periods separated by a 21-d washout period. During the first 28-d period, horses were separated into 1 of 2 treatment groups that were all fed Bermuda grass hay and either a commercially available pelleted or textured concentrate. After the initial 28-d period, horses were all fed pelleted feed and Bermuda grass hay for a 21-d washout period then treatment groups were switched for the final 28-d period. Baseline EGUS scores were not different between horses assigned to either treatment (mean 1.1); however, upon treatment, horses fed textured feed acquired a reduced incidence of ulceration as compared to those fed pelleted (mean score of 1.6 vs 1.1, respectively; P =0.02). Degree
Estimating the Systemic Risk of China's Banking Industries based on Merton Model

Banks are linked increasingly, one can adjust the capital surplus and deficiency, but also increases the risks of default between banks. The individual bank's loss will be through a l inkage effects to other banks. This effect can significantly increase the risk of banking industry. This paper, from the asset price transmission angle, elaborated the formation mechanism of bank systemic risk and calculated China's banking systemic risk using the data of 2 007-2011 of Chinese listed banks. The results show default correlations exist among asset price of inter banks and different types of banks have a crisis of infectious to the other banks but contagion degree is different.
Exploring Child-to-Parent Domestic Abuse: Offender Characteristics and DASH Individual Risk Factors Associated with Recidivism

This study examines a sample of 1,125 child-to-parent DA (Domestic Abuse) crimes to explore perpetrator, victim and offence characteristics, and comparing these results across samples of adult (>18) and adolescent perpetrators (16-18). In addition, 673 child to parent perpetrators were followed over a 12 month period, 89% were deemed nonrecidivists and 11% were recidivists. Two of the 26 Domestic Abuse Stalking Harassment (DASH) risk factors held individual predictive validity, “children present” and “problems with alcohol”. Results highlight the need for further understanding of DA within child-to-parent relationships, and how policing responses need to adapt accordinglyThis study examines a sample of 1,125 child-to-parent DA (Domestic Abuse) crimes to explore perpetrator, victim and offence characteristics, and comparing these results across samples of adult (>18) and adolescent perpetrators (16-18). In addition, 673 child to parent perpetrators were followed over a 12 month period, 89% were deemed nonrecidivists and 11% were recidivists. Two of the 26 Domestic Abuse Stalking Harassment (DASH) risk factors held individual predictive validity, “children present” and “problems with alcohol”. Results highlight the need for further understanding of DA within child-to-parent relationships, and how policing responses need to adapt accordingly