Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Investment Responses to Firm-specific Uncertainty

This paper analyzes how firm-specific uncertainty affects firms' propensity to invest. We measure firm-specific uncertainty as firms' absolute forecast errors derived from survey data of German manufacturing firms over 2007-2011. In line with the literature, our empirical findings reveal a negative impact of firm-specific uncertainty on investment. However, further results show that the investment response is asymmetric, depending on the size and direction of the forecast error. The investment propensity declines significantly if the realized situation is worse than expected. However, firms do not adjust their investment if the realized situation is better than expected, which suggests that the uncertainty effect counteracts the positive effect due to unexpectedly favorable business conditions. This can be one explanation behind the phenomenon of slow recovery in the aftermath of financial crises. Additional results show that the forecast error is highly concurrent with an ex-ante measure of firm-specific uncertainty we obtain from the survey data. Furthermore, the effect of firm-specific uncertainty is enforced for firms that face a tighter financing situation.
Monetary policy and agricultural prices Implications of the overshooting hypothesis for agriculture in a model with non-tradables

The analysis in this paper extends the theoretical works of Frankel, Stamoulis and Rausser and Saghaian, Reed and Marchant of monetary policy and its influence on the agricultural sector. Both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors are divided into tradables and non-tradables in order to analyze the effects of money supply shocks on agricultural prices and the food supply. Using a Vector Error Correction model, quarterly data for Bolivia and Japan are employed to test for money neutrality, overshooting and relative flexibility of prices, highlighting the differences between developed and developing countries. The results indicate that monetary policy is not neutral in the shortrun or the long-run and that money supply has a real effect on the economy. Results for Bolivia show that agricultural prices have stronger responses in the short-run (overshoot), but they do not necessarily return faster than nonagricultural prices to their long-run equilibrium while, in Japan, agricultural prices have stronger reactions to money shocks and return faster.
Volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits of the Newfoundland Appalachians; an overview of their setting, classification, grade-tonnage data and unresolved questions

The Newfoundland Appalachians host more than 40 volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits, and each contain >100 000 tonnes of sulphide-rich material. Collectively, they represent an aggregate geological resource of about 112 million tonnes (geological resource) with production and reserves of ~46 million tonnes. The VMS deposits are predominantly hosted by Cambrian–Ordovician volcanic-arc, arc-rift, and back-arc basin assemblages within the Dunnage Zone. The deposits are classified into three main groups, i.e., mafic-type deposits (Cu-rich, mostly hosted by ophiolitic rocks), bimodal-mafic-type deposits (Cu–Zn rich, hosted by bimodal sequences dominated by mafic rocks) and bimodal-felsic-types (Zn–Pb–Cu-rich, hosted by bimodal sequences dominated by felsic volcanic rocks). Some bimodal mafic- and mafic-type VMS deposits are also enriched in precious metals, but many felsic-bimodal deposits also show significant Au and Ag enrichment. There is a very good database from previous research on these VMS deposits, and this has influenced wider models for the genesis of such deposits. However, many unresolved questions remain, especially in the light of research work conducted over the last two decades elsewhere in Canada and around the world. This short paper is intended to highlight these gaps in our knowledge, with the objective of stimulating further applied research on both regional and local scales.
Geochemistry of the Volcan de l'Androy Basalt^Rhyolite Complex, Madagascar Cretaceous Igneous Province

The 4000 km Androy massif in southeastern Madagascar is a 42000 m thick sequence of interbedded basalt and rhyolite erupted during a widespread Cretaceous episode of predominantly basaltic volcanism. Two geochemically different groups of basalt, tholeiitic group B1 and mildly alkalic B2, are present, as are two different groups of rhyolite, R1 and R2. Both the basalts and rhyolites appear to have issued from relatively nearby feeders, as compositionally equivalent intrusions are exposed in the vicinity. The R2 rhyolites define a whole-rock Rb^Sr isochron of 84 0 2 4Ma (2 ), the same, within error, as an Ar^Ar sanidine age reported by earlier workers. Plate reconstructions suggest that the area was near the Marion hotspot at this time. Some involvement of hotspot mantle is allowed, but not required, by Nd^Pb^Sr isotope data for the basalts. The two types of basalt may have formed by different amounts of melting of the same mantle source, which remains rather poorly specified, but group B1was affected much more than B2 by contamination with continental material, probably Archean crust. The R1 rhyolites are petrogenetically related to the B1 basalts, with which they are interbedded.The R2 rhyolites may be derived from melts of frozen high-"Nd B1 basalt coupled with fractionation and assimilation of relatively small amounts of crust. Alternatively, although these rhyolites were erupted significantly later than the B2 basalts, they may have formed through advanced crystal fractionation of B2-type magma and relatively small amounts of crustal assimilation. Separate magmatic plumbing systems appear to have existed more or less contemporaneously in the Androy area.
The Replication of the Purple-flowered Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum L.) by Seed and Chances of Survival in Replanting in Different Media

This study investigates the germination, replanting and survival of Rhododendron ponticum, a species native to Turkey, in different media. The conditions of the germination medium were first investigated and the seedlings obtained were applied as a first replicate in a peat medium, and at the end of 4 months a second replicate in 7 different media was used to examine their development and survival in these media. The data obtained were then compared to the data obtained from soil analysis and their relations were outlined along with statistical considerations. According to the findings, an efficient germination was observed when the seeds were sown in the form of a thin layer. By administering water via a handspring to maintain the moisture of the soil at an adequate level and preventing the seeds from aggregating during watering resulted in a homogeneous germination. The appropriateness of the peat soil in the first replanting of the rhododendron seedlings reproduced from seeds was determined (based on the healthy development of the seedlings). The Rhododendron ponticum L. seedlings in the second replanting adapts better in soils that are acidic (pH 4.5-5.5) and rich in organic matter (60%-70%) and in moisture (60%-70%) and semi-shaded areas (areas that receive 50% or more of solar radiation indirectly).
Strength and Ductility of Randomly Distributed Palm Fibers Reinforced Silty-Sand Soils

This paper investigates the resultant strength and ductility behavior when randomly distributed palm fibers are used to reinforce silty-sand soils. The composite soils were tested under laboratory conditions and examined for unconfined compression strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and compaction test. The results indicated that; the maximum and residual strengths, orientation of surface failures, ductility and the stress-strain relationship of the specimens were substantially affected by the inclusion of palm fibers. A significant result was the determination that the sliding failure strength controlled the failure of the specimens rather than the rupture failure strength. Overall it was found that reinforced soil using palm fibers as the primary reinforcement are beneficial engineering materials and could potentially be used more often, though additional field use and testing should be carried out. Given the current concern over the environment and greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening soil through the use of natural materials (in this case palm fibers) and the promotion of the cultivation of palm groves is one way that engineers and designers can contribute to a greener earth. Add to this the fact that the date palm is one of the most cultivated tree crops in the world with a worldwide distribution of around 100 million palms distributed in 30 countries including the Middle East, Asia, Africa, North America, Mediterranean countries and Australia in a bountiful resource that is available in many places where high technology engineering practices are either not available or too expensive. The use of the date palm for soil reinforcement means that in many areas of the world there is a readily available, effective local source of material for road foundation construction.
Development and Use of the Esophageal Fistula: A Review

One of the foremost problems in range and pasture nutrition is making an accurate assessment of the chemical and botanical composition of the diet of grazing livestock. In recent years the esophageal fistula has been used to obtain samples of the forage grazed by ruminants. These studies have been conducted under a wide variety of conditions in at least six countries on four continents. The purpose of this article is to review the development and use of the esophageal fistula and to discuss present problems and practices. The medical literature is replete with references to human and animal esophageal fistulas due to congenital abnormalities, disease, and accidental injury. However, this article is restricted to experimental studies with domestic animals and reviews the literature through mid-1963.
Commitment to Marital Relationships -The Case of American Newlyweds

Why do people feel committed and choose to remain in marriage? Using social exchange perspectives, we developed and tested a model that explains the processes and consequences of marital commitment. We used data from a sample of 278 newly married couples, drawn from the first wave of a three-year panel study during 1991-1993 conducted in the state of Washington. A structural equation model was used to evaluate a model that explains the impact of power/dependence on marital commitment and the effect of marital commitment on marital interaction. The findings reported here indicate that a high mutual dependence (average power) and an inequitable distribution of resources (lack of power advantage) promote people’s feelings of cohesion and attachment, which, in turn, induce positive communication styles in solving disagreements. These findings suggest that the fewer valued resources a couple has access to and the more feelings of commitment they feel, the less likely that the couple would engage in a high level of marital conflict. This study also identified sources for dependence by examining the various types of resources in marital couples’
The Earth as an extrasolar transiting planet - II: HARPS and UVES detection of water vapor, biogenic O$_2$, and O$_3$

The atmospheric composition of transiting exoplanets can be characterized during transit by spectroscopy. For the transit of an Earth twin, models predict that biogenic $O_2$ and $O_3$ should be detectable, as well as water vapour, a molecule linked to habitability as we know it on Earth. The aim is to measure the Earth radius versus wavelength $\lambda$ - or the atmosphere thickness $h(\lambda)$ - at the highest spectral resolution available to fully characterize the signature of Earth seen as a transiting exoplanet. We present observations of the Moon eclipse of 21-12-2010. Seen from the Moon, the Earth eclipses the Sun and opens access to the Earth atmosphere transmission spectrum. We used HARPS and UVES spectrographs to take penumbra and umbra high-resolution spectra from 3100 to 10400 Ang. A change of the quantity of water vapour above the telescope compromised the quality of the UVES data. We corrected for this effect in the data processing. We analyzed the data by 3 different methods. The 1st method is based on the analysis of pairs of penumbra spectra. The 2nd makes use of a single penumbra spectrum, and the 3rd of all penumbra and umbra spectra. Profiles $h(\lambda)$ are obtained with the three methods for both instruments. The 1st method gives the best result, in agreement with a model. The second method seems to be more sensitive to the Doppler shift of solar spectral lines with respect to the telluric lines. The 3rd method makes use of umbra spectra which bias the result, but it can be corrected for this a posteriori from results with the first method. The 3 methods clearly show the spectral signature of the Rayleigh scattering in the Earth atmosphere and the bands of H$_2$O, O$_2$, and O$_3$. Sodium is detected. Assuming no atmospheric perturbations, we show that the E-ELT is theoretically able to detect the $O_2$ A-band in 8~h of integration for an Earth twin at 10pc.
Social Network and Performance of Small and Medium Size Enterprises in Western Kenya: The Moderating Role of Charismatic Leadership

Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the economic development of a country. However, existing research in Kenya indicate that their survival rate is low. To help address the constraints of SMEs performance, most practitioners and scholars have used innovation, technology and intellectual capital to increase performance among other variables with little emphasis on social network. Indeed, there is little research on how social network can improve the performance of SMEs. Further, the moderating role of charismatic leadership in this relationship remains largely unexplored. The study employed explanatory research design and targeted a population of 2000 respondents (top managers and employees) from the 1000 SMEs in the four counties of Western Kenya. Stratified sampling technique was used to determine the sample size of SMEs from both service and manufacturing sectors and then simple random sampling was done to select the SMEs and respondents that participated in the study. A sample size of 150 SMEs corresponding to 300 respondents was drawn and participated in the study. Factor analysis was done to ensure content, construct and discriminant validity. Hierarchical multiple regression model was used to test the hypotheses. Results of our study support a direct positive effect of social network on performance of SMEs. Additional analyses revealed that charismatic leadership moderates the relationship between social network and SME performance. To improve SMEs performance, SME managers should thus ensure that they maintain strong network ties with customers, suppliers, commercial banks and government agencies. so as to establish strong business networks.
Impact of high rates of coal flyash on some pertinent soil characteristics and sugar cane yield in Mauritius.

THE COMBUSTION of coal for cogeneration of electricity by the sugarcane industry in Mauritius generates annually some 20 000 tonnes of ash that need to be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. As large scale application of ash has been reported to impart agronomic benefits but data under conditions prevailing in Mauritius are lacking, the impact of disposing 50 to 100 t/ha coal flyash in sugarcane fields on soil quality and on sugarcane production was studied in field trials at Belle Rive (>3500 mm/y rainfall), Union Park (>3000 mm/y rainfall), Pamplemousses (>1500 mm/y rainfall) and Medine (900 mm/y rainfall). Though coal ash did not affect soil pH, soil salinity and even soil exchangeable bases, its application at 100 t/ha, when compared to mineral fertilizers, resulted in a reduction of sugar yield at three sites by an average of 1.18 t sugar/ha. At the lower rate of 50 t/ha coal ash, in spite of a significant yield decrease observed at Belle Rive, sugarcane production at Pamplemousses, Union Park and Medine was not significantly different from the control. The N and K uptake by sugarcane was not influenced by the coal ash, though P uptake was enhanced on account of the supplementary P provided in the ash. Additionally, because of its low heavy metal content, coal ash did not increase the heavy metal uptake by the sugarcane plant. In view of the adverse effects observed on sugarcane production, the disposal of rates of coal ash as high as 100 t/ha in sugarcane lands should not be contemplated.
Myths and Meanings of Voting Power

These are comments on the Symposium `Power Indices and the European Union' in the July 1999 issue of this Journal. We point out several common inter-connected confusions and errors concerning the meaning of voting power. We stress the vital distinction between two different intuitive notions of voting power. We emphasize the need for a unified approach to the study of a priori and actual voting power. We show that the family of `strategic' measures proposed by some of the participants in the Symposium are a natural generalization of the Banzhaf measure
Indigenous and imported Viking Age weapons in Norway - a problem with European implications

The numerous Viking Age swords and spearheads found in Norway are a mixture of indigenous and imported items, but sound criteria for distinguishing between the two origins are lacking. While Petersen’s and other sword typologies are based on the hilts, the debate has mostly been centred on whether Nordic blacksmiths mastered the pattern-welding technique. Spearheads have played a minor role, and scholars have accepted without further debate that the inlay decorations on sword hilts and spearhead sockets were indigenously made. Recent investigations into Norwegian spearheads point to marked technical differences between imported and indigenous specimens of Petersen’s types A–E. Future research will have to take both swords and spearheads into account, and it will be necessary to study the blade construction as a whole, including forging techniques and the the steel qualities used, by means of radiography and metallographic investigations. It will also be imprtant to focus on indigenous societal premises for special weapon production.
NADP-Dependent Malic Enzyme Protects Vigna unguiculata against Reactive Oxygen Species under Osmotic Stress

Analysis of the effect of a water stress (41 mM of polyethyleneglycol, or PEG) and a salt stress (150 mM NaCl) on enzymes implicated in the antioxidant system of two cultivars (Vita 3 and Vita 5) of Vigna unguiculata showed modifications in the SOD-APX-GR cycle. Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) activity was strongly increased in both cultivars, under either PEG or NaCl treatment; superoxide-dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) activity increased only for Vita 3 during water stress. On the other hand, ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) activity increased only for Vita 5 following PEG treatment. Glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) and NADP-dependent malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40) activities increased significantly for Vita 3 under PEG treatment. Besides, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased more in Vita 5. The modification in the SOD-APX-GR cycle demonstrated that both treatments triggered an oxidative stress in both cultivars. Except for the results obtained for APX, Vita 3 had more efficient mechanisms to counteract reactive oxygen species than Vita 5. An increase in NADPME activity could maintain a more reductive environment (more NADPH). Therefore, we conclude that NADP-ME is also involved in the detoxification process in C3 plants.
Status of ANC-linked HIV counseling and testing as an intervention for PMTCT in public health facilities in Addis Ababa: quality of HIV counseling given to pregnant women for PMTCT.

Background: A high quality of PMTCT is essential for success: done well, it will result in significant reduction in child mortality through decreased peri-natal and postnatal HIV transmission; done badly, it could lead to deaths, increased drug resistance, and poor infant feeding. Objective: the aim of this study was to assess the quality of antenatal–based HIV counseling and testing as an intervention for PMTCT at ten public Health Centers in Addis Ababa City. Methodology: a cross sectional study was conducted at purposively selected 10 health centers in Addis Ababa from April to May 2008. Methods included observations of counseling sessions, and interview of key informants at PMTCT sites. Data on counselors’ communication skills, duration and content of pre- and post test counseling was collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from UNAIDS tools. SPSS Version 15.0 was used to enter, clean, and analyze the data. Results: A total of 66 (31 pre- and 35 post test) counselling sessions were observed. The mean duration of pre-test counselling was 5.37 minutes (+3.34) and that of post test was 3.0 minutes (+ 2.24). In 78.8% of the sessions, the counsellors gave clear and simple information to mothers; in 25.8% of the sessions, the mothers were not given the chance to freely consent or dissent for blood test. In the post test sessions, 42.9% of the mothers’ understanding of the meaning of their test results was not explored. Conclusions: The communication skill of the counselors was generally ‘satisfactory’. The majority of pre- and post test sessions included the basic information on HIV and PMTCT/MTCT. However, the discussions were unusually brief, rudimentary and lacked depth and coverage.
Chemical Composition, antioxidant activity, functional properties and inhibitory action of unripe plantain (M. Paradisiacae) flour

In this study, an evaluation of the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, functional properties and inhibitory action of the extract of unripe plantain flour on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical was carried out. Chemical analysis of the flour showed that it contained significant quantities of dry matter (48.00 ± 3.96%) and starch (31.10 ± 0.44%) but was low in phenol (1.42 ± 0.03%), protein (3.15 ± 0.042%), ash (5.50 ± 0.42%) and total soluble sugar (0.64 ± 0.001%) (p < 0.05). The antioxidant activity of the extract as determined by the quantities of peroxidase (52 ± 0.00%) and reducing power tests indicated that the flour had a strong antioxidant activity while the inhibitory capacities of the extract and quercetin on DPPH radical were 78.57% and 5.32ug/ml respectively. Analysis of the phytochemical compositions of the using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and the gravimetric method of Harbone showed that it contained 1.58 ± 0.04% tannin, 1.82 ± 0.05% saponin, 1.37 ± 0.05% alkaloid and 0.98 ± 0.00% flavonoid. The unripe plantain flour was found to have good functional properties in addition as indicated by the values obtained for water solubility index (3.38 ± 0.007%), water absorption capacity (1.25 ± 0.35g/g) and bulk density (0.94 ± 0.014gml -1 ). These findings suggest that unripe plantain could serve as a good source of natural antioxidants with free radical scavenging activity. In addition, it could have a wider utility in alcohol production, food and sugar industries and as a drug binder and disintegrant in pharmaceuticals. Key words: Antioxidant Activity, Chemical Composition, Functional Properties, Plantain flour, Reducing power, Percentage inhibition.