Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vehicular Emissions and Its Implications on the Health of Traders: A Case Study of Traders in La Nkwantanang Municipality in Ghana

The study was based on the recognition that although the health conditions of the human population is vital to sustainable living and productivity, some studies have found that road traffic emissions continue to give rise to infectious and chronic diseases. As a result, the study aimed at assessing the implications of vehicle emissions on the health of traders in Madina in the La Nkwantanang Municipality of Ghana where road traffic is very congested and traders are directly exposed to vehicle emissions. To achieve this objective, 300 traders, made up of 150 traders within a distance of 50 meters and 150 traders within a distance beyond 50 meters of the main road were purposively selected to participate in the survey. Data obtained was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings show that although a significant proportion of the respondents had good knowledge about the health consequences of their exposure to emissions, they were reluctant to relocate due to their inability to afford a different location and scarcity of urban space. More importantly, frequent coughing, nausea, poor visibility and difficulty in breathing were among the major self-reported health outcomes. The study also found statistically significant difference in the distribution of self-reported health outcomes by distance of respondents from source of vehicle emission. Also, years spent in the occupation and average daily work hours per week were among factors that related significantly with reported cases of respiratory diseases by respondents.
A Survey on the Self-regulation Efficacy in DUT's English Blended Learning Context

A new trend of teaching modality of blended learning (BL) has emerged with the fast development of modern technology of communications and the application of the technology in education. Despite the popularity of BL among social researchers, relatively few studies have been conducted in respect of students themselves. A survey was conducted on the current situation of students’ self-regulation efficacy in English learning in a BL context in Dalian University of Technology (DUT); and the results indicate show that students in DUT do not possess strong self-regulatory ability in English learning in the BL context, while the outcome also implies that postgraduates’ self-regulatory ability is stronger than that of undergraduates. The outcome also supports the argument that students’ self-regulatory ability can be enhanced through teaching, learning and practice. Several empirical suggestions are provided that may be helpful for the English teaching instructors in order to enhance students’ self-regulatory ability in English learning in a BL context based on the findings.
Penguin past: The current state of knowledge

Penguins (Aves: Sphenisciformes) hold much interest for many people, includ− ing (but not limited to) scientists. According to results of molecular studies, penguin his− tory began in the Cretaceous, but the oldest bones assigned to these birds are Paleocene in age. The first fossil representative of Sphenisciformes formally described was Palae− eudyptes antarcticus, and this event took place 150 years ago. Since that time, several dozens of species have been erected, though not all of them have stood a test of time. The 21st century entered new dynamics into the paleontology of penguins, and (importantly) it concerned both the new material, and new theories. This paper summarizes what we currently know about extinct penguins and indirectly suggests the most promising areas for further research.
Decay of global solutions, stability and blowup for a reaction-diffusion problem with free boundary

We consider a one-phase Stefan problem for the heat equation with a nonlinear reaction term. We first exhibit an energy condition, involving the initial data, under which the solution blows up in finite time in L∞ norm. We next prove that all global solutions are bounded and decay uniformly to 0, and that either: (i) the free boundary converges to a finite limit and the solution decays at an exponential rate, or (ii) the free boundary grows up to infinity and the decay rate is at most polynomial. Finally, we show that small data solutions behave like (i).
Diversity of endophytic fungi from various Aegean and Mediterranean orchids (saleps)

The diversity and host specificity of endophytic and Rhizoctonia-like fungi were investigated in orchids from the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Endophytic fungi from various Aegean and Mediterranean orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) L.C. M.Richard, Orchis sancta L. , Ophrys fusca Link. , and Serapias vomeracea subsp. orientalis Greuter) were isolated and identified partially. Surface sterilisation of roots and tubers was carried out in laminar airflow under aseptic conditions. Several modified methods for the isolation of symbiotic fungi from orchid roots and tubers were used. Most of the orchid endophytes isolated was found to be Fusarium Link ex Fr. spp. A total of 47 isolates, having genus characterisations as 44 (94%) isolates belonging to the genus Fusarium, 2 (4%) isolates belonging to the Rhizoctonia DC. ex Fr. -like fungi, and 1 (2%) isolate belonging to the genus Papulaspora Preuss, were found from the orchid root and tubers. Endophytic Fusarium spp. were isolated from Aegean and Mediterranean orchids Anacamptis pyramidalis, Orchis sancta, Ophrys fusca, and Serapias vomeracea subsp. orientalis. Rhizoctonia-like fungi were only isolated from Orchis sancta whereas Papulaspora sp. was only isolated from Anacamptis pyramidalis.
Intrahousehold Resource Allocation, Child Labor, and School Enrollment―Evidence from Rural India―

This paper empirically analyzes the determinants of child labor and school enrollment in rural Andhra Pradesh, India, where a high prevalence of child labor poses serious problems. For this analysis, we collected detailed time-use data, information to judge whether the household is under a binding credit constraint, and information on extra-household linkages covering pre-marital and parental generation. The last information provides us exogenous sources of variation in bargaining powers within a household. We derive empirical models from a theoretical framework of intrahousehold resource allocation and apply them to this dataset. The results based on a reduced-form approach show that the incidence of child labor or school enrollment is affected by the child’s age and sex, the household size, land assets, social classes, and grandparental characteristics. We then estimate more structural models in order to investigate the effect of maternal labor and credit constraints on intrahousehold inequality of labor allocation, paying due consideration to the fact that both maternal labor and credit constraints are endogenous. The results based on a conditional labor supply approach show that when a mother works outside, her domestic labor is more likely to be replaced by daughters than by sons, but the sex contrast in market work by children is not affected much, resulting in a higher work burden on daughters. The estimation results based on an endogenous switching model show that access to credit is a major determinant of the child’s time use: children of credit-constrained households spend less hours in school and for leisure but spend more hours working in the house. The regression results from all empirical models support collective household models against unitary models.
The Role of Deferred Pay in Retaining Managerial Talent

We examine the role of deferred vesting of stock and option grants in reducing executive turnover. To the extent an executive forfeits all unvested stock and option grants if she leaves the firm, deferred vesting will increase the cost (to the executive) of early exit. Using pay Duration proposed in Gopalan, et al. (2014) as a measure of the extent of deferred vesting, we find that CEOs and non-CEO executives with longer pay Duration are less likely to leave the firm voluntarily. Employing the vesting of a large prior-year stock/option grant as an instrument for Duration, we find the effect to be causal. Consistent with long pay Duration reflecting firms’ retention intentions, CEOs with longer pay Duration are also less likely to experience a forced turnover and the sensitivity of forced turnover to firm performance is significantly lower among firms that grant longer pay Duration. Overall, our study highlights a strong link between compensation design and turnover of top executives.
Fe b 20 18 A Helium-Surface Interaction Potential of Bi 2 Te 3 ( 111 ) from Ultrahigh-Resolution Spin-Echo Measurements

We have determined an atom-surface interaction potential for the He–Bi2Te3(111) system by analysing ultrahigh resolution measurements of selective adsorption resonances. The experimental measurements were obtained using He spin-echo spectrometry. Following an initial free-particle model analysis, we use elastic close-coupling calculations to obtain a three-dimensional potential. The three-dimensional potential is then further refined based on the experimental data set, giving rise to an optimised potential which fully reproduces the experimental data. Based on this analysis, the He–Bi2Te3(111) interaction potential can be described by a corrugated Morse potential with a well depth D = (6.22 ± 0.05) meV, a stiffness κ = (0.92 ± 0.01) Å −1 and a surface electronic corrugation of (9.6 ± 0.2)% of the lattice constant. The improved uncertainties of the atom-surface interaction potential should also enable the use in inelastic closecoupled calculations in order to eventually study the temperature dependence and the line width of selective adsorption resonances.
The Language Learning Beliefs of Self-identified, Successful Learners of Spanish as a Foreign Language

This paper reports on a case study designed to gain insight into the language learning beliefs (LLBs) of eight, self-identified, successful learners of Spanish as a foreign language at a Canadian university. Data collection included an online asynchronous discussion and individual online interviews together with online administration of the Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory (BALLI). Cross-case analyses of LLBs revealed that participants associated success with their ability to create bonds with the target culture. They emphasised developing language strategies as they relate to social purposes, placing emphasis on the social and affective component of learning Spanish, and on learning Spanish in out-of-classroom, authentic contexts. Implications include the value of developing learners’ L2 learning social strategies in addition to cognitive ones and the value of promoting opportunities for learners to participate in social events in relation to the target language culture.
he flexible mind is associated with the catechol-O-methyltransferase ( COMT ) al 158 Met polymorphism : Evidence for a role of dopamine in the control of ask-switching orenza

Genetic variability related to the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene (Val158Met polymorphism) has received increasing attention as a possible modulator of cognitive control functions. Recent evidence suggests that the Val158Met genotype may differentially affect cognitive stability and flexibility, in such a way that Val/Val homozygous individuals (who possess low prefrontal dopamine levels) may show vailable online xxx
The Effect of Conditional Accounting Conservatism on the Debt Maturity and Growth through External Financing Considering Corporate Governance Mechanisms

The separation of management from ownership has led to information asymmetries between managers and owners of companies. Useful solutions for reducing information asymmetry between managers, owners and creditors can note to accounting conservatism, debt maturity shortening, and the establishment of a strong corporate governance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of conditional conservatism on debt maturity and externally financed growth,and also the effect of the strength and weakness of the corporate governance on the amount of these impacts. To achieving the purposes, four hypotheses were developed. In order to test the hypotheses, using the method of systematic elimination, Sample consists of 159 companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange during the years 2006 to 2015 were selected and linear regression model with the model of panel data were applied. The findings of the research show that conditional conservatism has a positive impact on the debt maturity, but unexpectedly, it has a negative effect on the externally financed growth. The results also indicate that there is a significant difference between the effect of conditional conservatism on debt maturity and the externally financed growth in firms with strong and weak corporate governance.
VLT polarimetry observations of PSR B0656+14

Optical polarisation measurements are key tests for different models of the pulsar magnetosphere. Furthermore, comparing the relative orientation of the phase-averaged linear polarisation direction and the pulsar proper motion vector may unveil a peculiar alignment, clearly seen in the Crab pulsar. Our goal is to obtain the first measurement of the phase-averaged optical linear polarisation of the fifth brightest optical pulsar, PSR\, B0656+14, which has also a precisely measured proper motion, and verify a possible alignment between the polarisation direction and the proper motion vector. We carried out observations with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to measure the phase-averaged optical polarisation degree (P.D.) and position angle (P.A.) of PSR B0656+14. We measured a P.D. of $11.9\%\pm5.5\%$ and a P.A. of $125.8\degr\pm13.2\degr$, measured East of North. Albeit of marginal significance, this is the first measurement of the phase-averaged optical P. D. for this pulsar. Moreover, we found that the P.A. of the phase-averaged polarisation vector is close to that of the pulsar proper motion ($93.12\degr\pm0.38\degr$). Deeper observations are needed to confirm our polarisation measurement of \psr, whereas polarisation measurements for more pulsars will better assess possible correlations of the polarisation degree with the pulsar parameters.
Providing Advice to Jobseekers at Low Cost: An Experimental Study on Online Advice

We develop and evaluate experimentally a novel tool that redesigns the job search process by providingtailoredadviceatlowcost.Weinvitedjobseekerstoourcomputerfacilitiesfortwelveconsecutive weeklysessionstosearchforrealjobsonourwebinterface.Forone-half,insteadofrelyingontheirownsearchcriteria,weusereadilyavailablelabourmarketdatatodisplayrelevantalternativeoccupationsand associatedjobs.Thedataindicatethatthisbroadensthesetofjobstheyconsiderandincreasestheirjobinterviewsespeciallyforparticipantswhootherwisesearchnarrowlyandhavebeenunemployedforafew months.
The Effects of Gender on Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Sentencing Disaprities in Pennsylvania

iii LIST OF TABLES vi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION The Problem 1 Outline 3 CHAPTER TWO: THE EFFECTS OF GENDER ON DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL SENTENCING DISPARITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA Driving Under the Influence 6 Gender Discrepancies 11 Concerns 13 Differential Treatment Theories 15 Crime 20 The Present Study 21 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY Site Location 23 Analytic Plan 29 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 34 CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION 41 APPENDIX A: PENNSYLVANIA SENTENCING GUIDELINES 57 REFERENCES 58
MODELS FOR VALUE-DRIVEN ENGINEERING DESIGN

Nowadays, it is a great challenge to understand what models shall be used to iteratively translate customer desires into terms that are meaningful for engineering design decision-making. This paper proposes a framework illustrating the iterative evolution of model-based enablers for value during conceptual system design. The framework is developed from the analysis of four case studies in the Swedish manufacturing industry. The paper discusses the learning from the cross-case study, and elaborates on how value models may complement existing Systems Engineering practices.
Togo: recent political and economic development

Backed by peaceful but undemocratic presidential (2010) and legislative (July 2013) elections the Gnassingbe regime consolidated its power. In view of the absolute majority of the ruling party, its inclination for meaningful constitutional and electoral reforms, as demanded by the opposition and international donors, was further reduced. Overriding concerns for stability in West Africa in view of growing Islamist threats in neighbouring countries made that the delayed democratic reforms including the time and again reported local elections were condoned by the donor community. However, simmering discontent of the hardliners among the security forces and the barons of the ruling party was still visible. The opposition tried in vain to overcome its divide between its moderate and radical wing. An alliance of opposition parties and civic groups opposed the regime peacefully by frequent, often violently suppressed demonstrations with little effect. Arson attacks on the markets of Lome and Kara in January 2013 served as pretense to harass opposition leaders. Human rights records of the government remained tarnished. The tense political climate persisted in view of the upcoming presidential elections in April 2015 and the apparent determination of the President to stay in power a third and eventually even a fourth term whatever the cost. Despite undeniable improvements of the framework and outside appearance of major institutions of the regime during the survey period it remained a facade democracy. However, the international community, notably African peers, the AU and ECOWAS, but also the Bretton-Woods Institutions, China and the EU, followed a ‘laissez faire’ approach in the interest of stability and their proper national interest in dealings with the country. Economic growth perspectives remained promising, expected to increase to 6.0% in 2014 and 6.3% in 2015, last but not least because of heavy assistance by the international donor community. However, growth is neither sustainable nor inclusive. It is overshadowed by increasing inter-personal and regional inequality as well as an upturn in extreme poverty.
Help or Hindrance? Boardroom Network Connectivity and Firm Performance

While boardroom networks should act as a conduit for resource sharing between firms, and in doing so improve firm performance, recent evidence on the value of connected boards is limited and inconclusive. This study aims to provide additional evidence on the impact of board connectivity on firm performance by exploring Australian listed firms between 2001 and 2011. We employ four dimensions of connectivity; measuring the quantity, speed and quality of information flow and resource sharing, and a firms access to the best-connected boards. We also employ a factor of the four connectivity dimensions. Our findings show more connected boards have lower firm performance, measured with Tobin’s Q. The results remain consistent after controlling for alternative measures of firm performance, and model specifications. The results suggest that boardroom networks are not a value-enhancing tool for boards.
Health Effects on the Households' Stockholding Decisions

This study investigates the relationship between health and households’ decisions whether to participate in the stock market or not. We construct a set of health variables and out of these, we choose the most important health factors, such as self-assessed health, mobility limitations and mental health. To test empirically the hypothesis that healthier households are more likely to participate in the stock market than unhealthy ones, we adopt a probit model in which we control for the influences of wealth, age, gender, marital status, education as well as country effects. Obtained results are consistent with the theory of background risk and show that worsening of self-assessed health and an increase in the number of mobility limitations indeed lower the likelihood of households’ stockholding. The estimated marginal effects of these factors provide us with an understanding of the magnitudes of these influences. In our work, we do not find any evidence that mental health affects the households’ stockholding decisions.
Impact of Brand Image and Service Quality on Consumer Purchase Intention: A Study of Retail Store in Pakistan

The objective of this research is to determine the relationship between brand image, service quality and price on consumer purchase intention. Normative and informative susceptibility has indirect effect on consumer purchase intention. The empirical analysis were determined by collecting data from sample of 301 consumers of large retail stores. The findings of study reveal the positive effect of brand image and service quality on consumer purchase intention. Results reveal the insignificant relationship between price and consumer purchase intention. The findings also documented that consumers in large retail stores don’t bother prices because consumers consider that the stores charge reasonable prices. Most of consumer’s purchases depend upon the brand image and service quality. Normative and informative susceptibility have positive effect on brand image. The recommendations and suggestions are very helpful for managers and operators of large stores. Brand image depends on informative and normative susceptibility. Keywords : Brand image, informative susceptibility, normative susceptibility, service quality
Coordination Experience and Team Performance: Evidence from the Electronic Games Industry

In cross-functional teams, team performance depends on how skillfully function managers carry out the cross-function coordination of team members’ complementary expertise and activities. In this paper, we argue (i) that function managers’ coordination skills develop in part through the coordination experience gained from interacting with managers from other function, (ii) that coordination experience has general and firm-specific dimensions, and (iii) that coordination experience leads to better team performance. Using data on development teams in the electronic games industry, we show that coordination experience and its general and firm-specific components have a positive impact on the commercial success of electronic games, and that this effect is robust to tests for omitted variables and reverse causality. Our results have implications for the theory of learning and coordination in teams and for the strategy and practice of team design in project-based organizations.