Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Asset Allocation Decisions in Planning for a Private Pension: The Case of Slovenia

Current demographic dynamics driven by low fertility and increasing longevity requires adjustments of the traditional frameworks of providing pensions. In this article we highlight three crucial issues policymakers should address by implementing those adjustments. First, fiscal limitations given the current and projected demographic dynamics will dramatically reduce PAYG pensions. Without sufficient savings during the active period, individuals will increasingly end up in poverty. Their savings will not be enough to support their desired consumption in old age. Second, we highlight the impact of the asset allocation decision and the general public’s related lack of awareness on this issue. Therefore, we argue that financial illiteracy about both required savings and about decisions on appropriate asset class play a significant role in determining the well-being of masses in the not-so-distant future. Third, we argue that shift towards private pension away from the PAYG is expected to come with substantial benefits stemming from diversification among conceptually different sources of pension income.
Capital Market Consequences of Managers’ Voluntary Disclosure Styles

This paper studies the capital market consequences of managers establishing an individual forecasting style. Using a manager-firm matched panel dataset, I examine whether and when manager-specific credibility matters. If managers' forecasting styles affect their perceived credibility, then the stock price reaction to forecast news should increase with managers' prior forecasting accuracy. Consistent with this prediction, I find that the stock price reaction to management forecast news is stronger when information uncertainty is high and when the manager has a history of issuing more accurate forecasts, indicating that individual managers benefit from establishing a personal disclosure reputation.
Membrane-flexural coupling effect in dynamic buckling of laminated columns

The purpose of this paper is the analysis of dynamic stability of thin{walled laminated columns of closed rectangular cross{section, subjected to in{plane pulse loading of flnite duration. In the analysis with the FE Method the Lagrange strain tensor is assumed and various material characteristics are applied. In the solution the shear in∞uence is considered according to the First Shear Deformation Theory displacement fleld. In the performed analysis the in∞uence of walls initial imperfections, pulse shape and pulse duration on the dynamic buckling load are examined as well as the stacking sequence of laminated walls, the orientation of principal directions of separate layers and orthotropy ratio. The applications of some dynamic criteria are compared as well.
University Choice Process: A Literature Review on Models and Factors Affecting the Process

I n recent years, the environment of higher education has dramatically changed. For a long time, higher education was regarded as a luxury rather than a necessity (Gonchar, 1995; Tansel and Bircan, 2006). Many people even considered higher education as an elitist activity. Over the course of time, as people clearly observed the importance of higher education, the demand for it increased exponentially. To meet an increasing social demand for higher education, the inabilities of state universities have led to the establishment of private and foundation universities (Ayd›n, 2014).
Positive Psychological Capital as a Source of Sustainable Competitive Advantage for Organizations

Psychological capital (PsyCap) has gained prominence as an important construct in leadership research. Comprising four factors (self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resiliency), PsyCap is considered to be a vital factor for authentic leadership development and influence. The current study reports the results of a questionnaire survey that was conducted in the construction industry of Singapore. The survey explored the correlations of PsyCap with authenticity, leadership, and leadership outcomes. The results show that PsyCap significantly correlates with authenticity and transformational leadership. It was also found that transformational leadership plays a mediating role for PsyCap to predict leadership outcomes (effectiveness, extra effort, and satisfaction). The discussion in the paper also considers the implications of PsyCap for leadership development and effectiveness in general and in the context of the construction industry.
Revisiting Procedural Utility: Evidence from European Survey Data

This research note presents cross-country evidence that job satisfaction is higher for self-employed than for employees. The examination, however, does not stop at this point and examines the reasons why this is the case. Using data on 25 European countries, we can show that individuals seem to derive utility from the way outcomes are achieved. In other words, our results are in line with procedural utility theory (Benz and Frey, 2004, 2008).
Methodological Artifacts in Moderated Multiple Regression and Their Effects on Statistical Power

Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to examine the degree to which the statistical power of moderated multiple regression (MMR) to detect the effects of a dichotomous moderator variable was affected by the main and interactive effects of (a) predictor variable range restriction, (b) total sample size, (c) sample sizes for 2 moderator variablebased subgroups, (d) predictor variable intercorrelation, and (e) magnitude of the moderating effect. Results showed that the main and interactive influences of these variables may have profound effects on power. Thus, future attempts to detect moderating effects with MMR should consider the power implications of both the main and interactive effects of the variables assessed in the present study. Otherwise, even moderating effects of substantial magnitude may go undetected.
What was behind the bark? : An assessment of decay among urban Tilia, Betula and Acer trees felled as hazardous in the Helsinki City area

Old trees growing in urban environments are often felled due to symptoms of mechanical defects that could be hazardous to people and property. The decisions concerning these removals are justified by risk assessments carried out by tree care professionals. The major motivation for this study was to determine the most common profiles of potential hazard characteristics for the three most common urban tree genera in Helsinki City: Tilia, Betula and Acer, and in this way improve management practices and protection of old amenity trees. For this research, material from approximately 250 urban trees was collected in cooperation with the City of Helsinki Public Works Department during 2001 2004. From the total number of trees sampled, approximately 70% were defined as hazardous. The tree species had characteristic features as potential hazard profiles. For Tilia trees, hollowed heartwood with low fungal activity and advanced decay caused by Ganoderma lipsiense were the two most common profiles. In Betula spp. , the primary reason for tree removal was usually lowered amenity value in terms of decline of the crown. Internal cracks, most often due to weak fork formation, were common causes of potential failure in Acer spp. Decay caused by Rigidoporus populinus often increased the risk of stem breakage in these Acer trees. Of the decay fungi observed, G. lipsiense was most often the reason for the increased risk of stem collapse. Other fungi that also caused extensive decay were R. populinus, Inonotus obliquus, Kretzschmaria deusta and Phellinus igniarius. The most common decay fungi in terms of incidence were Pholiota spp. , but decay caused by these species did not have a high potential for causing stem breakage, because it rarely extended to the cambium. The various evaluations used in the study suggested contradictions in felling decisions based on trees displaying different stages of decay. For protection of old urban trees, it is crucial to develop monitoring methods so that tree care professionals could better analyse the rate of decay progression towards the sapwood and separate those trees with decreasing amounts of sound wood from those with decay that is restricted to the heartwood area.
Intuitive Projection Display System Supporting the Manipulation of Dual Laser Pens

The combined use of computers and projectors in delivering multimedia presentations and in teaching is very common. However, the common operating tools used to deliver presentations such as presentation pens or mice either have limited manipulation functionality or are less convenient, and it is difficult to perform functions such as zooming, rotating images, and writing. In addition to allowing users to move freely in space to remotely perform functions, the laser pen manipulation system proposed in this paper can also perform the writing functions of a laser pen. Moreover, the system can also support the simultaneous use of two laser pens to realize a touch mode similar to that of a tablet computer, thus achieving an intuitive projection display manipulation experience.
Efficiency in Indonesian Banking: Recent Evidence

In one of the first stand-alone studies covering the whole of the Indonesian banking industry, and utilising a unique dataset provided by the Indonesian central bank, this paper analyses the levels of intermediation-based efficiency obtaining during 2007. Using Tone’s (2001) input-oriented, non-parametric, slacks-based DEA model, and modifying it where necessary to deal with negative inputs and outputs (Sharp et al. 2006), we firstly estimate the relative average efficiencies of Indonesian banks, both overall, and by group, as determined by their total asset size and status. In the second part of the analysis, we adopt Simar and Wilson’s (2007) bootstrapping methodology to eliminate the ‘bias’ in the efficiency estimates and to formally test for the impact of size and status on Indonesian bank efficiency. The results from the initial analysis show that: (i) average bank efficiency within the industry during 2007 lay between 62% – 67%; (ii) the most efficient group of banks was the ‘state-owned’ group with an average efficiency score of over 90%, with the least efficient group being the ‘regional government-owned’ banks with average efficiency scores between 45% and 58%; (iii) ‘listed banks’ performed better, on average, than ‘non-listed banks’; and (iv) ‘Islamic banks’, despite their different operational structure when compared with conventional banks, enjoyed average efficiency scores between 54% and 74%. In the second stage of the analysis, the bias-corrected efficiency scores demonstrate that ‘regional government-owned’, ‘foreign exchange’, ‘non-foreign exchange’, ‘joint-venture’ and ‘foreign’ groupings were significantly less efficient than ‘state-owned’ banks, with the first-mentioned being the most inefficient and the other groupings ranked in ascending order of efficiency, as listed. Moreover, large banks were shown to be more efficient than their smaller counterparts, providing support for Bank Indonesia’s consolidation policies.
Shock Propagation Model version 2 and its application in predicting the arrivals at Earth of interplanetary shocks during Solar Cycle 23

The Shock Propagation Model (SPM) based on an analytic solution of blast waves has been proposed to predict shock arrival times at Earth. Here to reduce the limitations of the SPM theoretical model in real applications and optimize its input parameters, a new version (called SPM2) is presented in order to enhance prediction performance. First, an empirical relationship is established to adjust the initial shock speed, which, as computed from the Type II burst drift rate, often contains observational uncertainties. Second, an additional acceleration/deceleration relation is added to the model to eliminate inherent prediction bias. Third, the propagation direction is derived in order to mitigate the isotropy limitation of blast wave theory in real predictions. Finally, an equivalent shock strength index at the Earth's location to judge whether or not an interplanetary shock will encounter the Earth is implemented in SPM2. The prediction results of SPM2 for 551 solar disturbance events of Solar Cycle 23 demonstrate that the success rate of SPM2 for both shock (W‐shock) and nonshock (W/O‐shock) events at Earth is ∼ 60%. The prediction error for the W‐shock events is less than 12 h (root‐mean‐square) and 10 h (mean‐absolute). Comparisons between the predicted results of SPM2 and those of Shock Time of Arrival (STOA), Interplanetary Shock Propagation (ISPM), and Hakamada‐Akasofu‐Fry version 2 (HAFv.2) based on similar data samples reveal that the SPM2 model offers generally equivalent prediction accuracy and reliability compared to the existing Fearless Forecast models (STOA, ISPM, and HAFv.2).
Combined impacts of nitrous acid and nitryl chloride on lower-tropospheric ozone : new module development in WRF-Chem and application to China

Nitrous acid (HONO) and nitryl chloride (ClNO2) – through their photolysis – can have profound effects on the nitrogen cycle and oxidation capacity of the lower troposphere. Previous numerical studies have separately considered and investigated the sources/processes of these compounds and their roles in the fate of reactive nitrogen and the production of ozone (O3), but their combined impact on the chemistry of the lower part of the troposphere has not been addressed yet. In this study, we updated the WRFChem model with the currently known sources and chemistry of HONO and chlorine in a new chemical mechanism (CBMZ_ReNOM), and applied it to a study of the combined effects of HONO and ClNO2 on summertime O3 in the boundary layer over China. We simulated the spatial distributions of HONO, ClNO2, and related compounds at the surface and within the lower troposphere. The results showed that the modeled HONO levels reached up to 800–1800 ppt at the surface (0–30 m) over the North China Plain (NCP), the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) regions and that HONO was concentrated within a 0–200 m layer. In comparison, the simulated surface ClNO2 mixing ratio was around 800–1500 ppt over the NCP, YRD, and central China regions and was predominantly present in a 0–600 m layer. HONO enhanced daytime ROx (OH+HO2+RO2) and O3 at the surface (0– 30 m) by 2.8–4.6 ppt (28–37 %) and 2.9–6.2 ppb (6–13 %), respectively, over the three most developed regions, whereas ClNO2 increased surface O3 in the NCP and YRD regions by 2.4–3.3 ppb (or 5–6 %) and it also had a significant impact (3–6 %) on above-surface O3 within 200–500 m. The combined effects increased surface O3 by 11.5, 13.5, and 13.3 % in the NCP, YRD, and PRD regions, respectively. Over the boundary layer (0–1000 m), the HONO and ClNO2 enhanced O3 by up to 5.1 and 3.2 %, respectively, and their combined effect increased O3 by 7.1–8.9 % in the three regions. The new module noticeably improved O3 predictions at ∼ 900 monitoring stations throughout China by reducing the mean bias from −4.3 to 0.1 ppb. Our study suggests the importance of considering these reactive nitrogen species simultaneously into chemical transport models to better simulate the formation of summertime O3 in polluted regions.
Numerical simulation of a metro vehicle running over rail with fastening system failure using finite element method

In this paper, the dynamic responses of a moving vehicle traversing over railway track with fastening system failure were investigated using a vehicle/track coupling system model. In this model, the moving vehicle is developed by multi-body dynamics, and the direct fixation track is modeled by finite element method, where the rail is treated as an Euler-Bernoulli beam supported by fastening systems. An invalidation factor is used to determine the failure of the fastening system. The Hertzian spring is adapted to model the wheel/rail contact force between the moving wheel set and the rail. The proposed vehicle/track system model is verified with some field testing results in Zhengzhou subway. To solve the vehicle/track system model with nonlinear contact force, an iterative procedure is proposed. The effects of fastening system failure on the responses of the vehicle and track are investigated. It indicates that the wheel/rail contact force varies abruptly when the vehicle passing over the fastening system failure zone, which result in track deterioration.
Profit efficiency analysis among groundnut farmers from Malawi

This study analyzes the profit efficiency and its determinants in groundnut production, applying a stochastic profit frontier model on survey data collected from 400 groundnut growing households in Malawi. The result indicated that the inefficiencies in groundnut production hindered profitability in the sector. The profit efficiency ranged from 1% to 89% (with a mean of 45%). Significant association was observed between efficiency and both farm specific and institutional factors. Efficiency appeared to be significantly and positively associated with access to extension service (p<0.05), household size (p<0.05) and, soil quality (p<0.000). Distance to the local market from the homestead (p<0.000), and land size (p<0.000) allocated to groundnut production were found to reduce the profit efficiency. Male-headed households, on the average were six percent more efficient compared to female headed households. The study indicated potential for increasing groundnut profitability by 55% by improving the access to extension services and markets, which underscores the need for increased resource allocation to support the delivery of extension services and to the improvement of market infrastructure for the enhancement of groundnut profitability. Key words: Groundnut production, profit efficiency, agricultural productivity, extension, Malawi.
Self-esteem of parents with intellectually disabled children in relation to the support of selected social groups

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Introduction: Besides family sources of support (husband, wife, children, parents, siblings, relatives), the literature on the problem of social support emphasizes the role of friends, acquaintances, and neighbors. Purpose: assessment of types and levels of support that parents receive from specific social groups. Materials and methods: The study included 108 mothers and 108 fathers of intellectually disabled children. The following were used: the authors’ questionnaire and the standardized scale of Social Support by Kmiecik-Baran. Results: There were marked differences between parents in terms of emotional support (standard deviation 3.519), the lowest in informative support (deviation 2.744). General support was poor in the opinion of 34.6% of parents. Strong informative support was enjoyed by 29.5% of respondents. Average institutional support related to 42.9% of parents, strong evaluative support 37.1%, and strong emotional support 41%. Parents received the strongest informative, institutional, evaluative, and emotional support from nurses and physicians. Spouses of the examined gave them poor informative, emotional and institutional support, and average evaluative support. Statistically, fathers received significantly stronger evaluative and emotional support – by more than one point and by more than 3 points in the case of general support – than mothers. Conclusions: Parents received average social support; however, it was below the average for the Polish adult population. Spouses provided them poor informative, emotional and institutional support and average evaluative support; teachers, physicians and nurses average support in all categories, however, in the case of the latter two – institutional and evaluative support – were close to above-average values. Fathers enjoyed moderately stronger evaluative, emotional and general support from teachers, physicians, and nurses than mothers.
A description of sources detected by INTEGRAL during the first 4 years of observations

Context. In its first 4 years of observing the sky above 20 keV, INTEGRAL-ISGRI has detected 500 sources, around half of which are new or unknown at these energies. Follow-up observations at other wavelengths revealed that some of these sources feature unusually large column densities, long pulsations, and other interes ting characteristics. Aims. We investigate where new and previously-known sources detected by ISGRI fit in the parameter space of high-energy object s, and we use the parameters to test correlations expected from theoretical predictions. For example, the influence of the l ocal absorbing matter on periodic modulations is studied for Galactic High-Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs) with OB supergiant and Be companions. We examine the spatial distribution of different types of sources in the Milky Way using various projections of the Galactic plane, in order to highlight signatures of stellar evolution and to sp eculate on the origin of the group of sources whose classifica tions are still uncertain. Methods. Parameters that are available in the literature, such as pos itions, photoelectric absorption ( NH), spin and orbital periods, and distances or redshifts, were collected for all sources d etected by ISGRI. These values and their references are provided online. Results. ISGRI has detected similar numbers of X-ray Binaries and Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). The former group contains new members of the class of HMXBs with supergiant stellar companions. Usually, this type of object presents strong intrinsi c absorption which leads to a peak emission in an energy range that ISGRI is ideally suited to detect. Thanks to these additional system s, we are able to show that HMXBs are generally segregated in plots of intrinsic NH versus the orbital period of the system and versus the spin period of the pulsar, based on whether the companion is a Be or an OB supergiant star. We also find a tentative but expected an ticorrelation between NH and the orbital period, and a possible and unexpected correlation between the NH and the spin period. While only a handful of new Low-Mass X-ray Binaries (LMXBs) have been discovered, there are many sources that remain unclassifi ed and they appear to follow a spatial distribution typical of Gala ctic sources (especially LMXBs) rather than extragalactic sources.
Regeneration of Invitro Plantlets in Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. through Nodal and Leaf Explants

Invitro plantlet regeneration of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br, through nodal and leaf explants were attempted by culturing on MS medium supplemented with various PGRs. Nodal and leaf explants induced callus on media containing 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, 2ip, IAA, NAA, BAP and KIN. The highest frequency of callus was observed in the leaf explants supplemented with 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 mgL -1 concentration of IAA, NAA, IBA. Rhizogenesis was observed in leaf explants highly in Auxin treatment like 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T with the concentrations of 0.2 mgL -1 and 0.5 mgL -1 respectively. Shoot differentiation was obtained from the callus of nodal explants on MS-medium with 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 mgL -1 of 2,4,5-T, KIN and BAP. Regenerated shoots showed rhizogenesis in MS-medium supplemented with 0.5 mgL -1 of IBA and KIN. Eight week old rooted invitro plantlets of H.indicus were removed from the culture vessels and transplanted into plastic pots. The plantlets were exposed to a relative humidity of 80%-90% and temperature 28±2oC during day time, and 24 ±2oC during night time. The percentage of surviving plantlets were recorded after four weeks of acclimatization. More than 95% of acclimatized plantlets grew vigorously without any morphological abnormalities.