Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parties or Portfolio? The Economic Consequences of Africa’s Big Cabinets

Does cabinet size have an impact on economic policy in Africa? The average number of ministers has increased steadily for four decades, yet we know little about the economic effects of new portfolios, despite popular complaints about costly cabinets. Comparative studies generate conflicting expectations, either blaming coalition governments for patronage or crediting them with economic restraint. Using data on 45 Sub-Saharan African countries between 1971 and 2006, our empirical analysis links parties and portfolios to budgetary policy performance. We show that cabinets with more ministries are associated with budget surpluses, but they are also slightly more likely to engage in patronage spending. Next, we find that cabinets governing through multiparty coalitions have no consistent impact on budget surpluses. However, they are strongly associated with less extractive government and lower rates of patronage spending compared with single-party cabinets. These results hold after controlling for the type of colonial legacy, economic conditions, population size, constraints on executives, level of democracy, oil income, type of party system and ethnic and religious fractionalization. We conclude that parties and portfolios are both important but they have different effects: adding portfolios to the cabinet may improve economic outcomes by enhancing specialization, but governance through multiparty cabinets generates incentives to both limit extraction and restrain patronage spending.
The prediction of three driving quality states of simulated driving by psychophysiological variables with sleep-deprived subjects

The aim of this study was to examine whether the quality of driving performance could be predicted by psychophysiological variables. The study was conducted with sleep deprived subjects (n = 9) performing a simulated driving task for three hours. Driving performance was analyzed in 15.5 s epochs. Epochs were classified to represent accurate, unstable or deficient states of driving. These states of driving formed the dependent variable. Delta, theta, alpha, sigma and beta EEG band powers, eye blink rate and amplitude, and heart rate were each examined at four epochs before the epoch defined according to the driving quality, and formed the independent variables (altogether 8 × 4 = 32 variables). Differences in the averages of the variables in the driving quality states were analyzed across subjects with MANOVAs. The variable beta–4 differentiated significantly the quality states (p = 0.015 < 0.05), but in further analysis with paired samples t-tests it did not differentiated the states significantly. Logistic regression analyses were carried out at the subject level when accurate and unstable driving and accurate and deficient driving formed the dependent variable. Most of the independent variables (delta, alpha and sigma power, blink rate and amplitude, heart rate) predicted according to the hypotheses the change of driving from accurate to unstable or deficient states. The changes in theta and beta were, however, contrary to the hypotheses. The accurate classifications of correct driving quality states changed individually and were quite low for some subjects. The results show that further studies of the power of psychophysiological variables to predict changes in driving quality with validity and generalizability are needed.
Age Differences in Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Populations of the Black-Striped Field Mouse, Apodemusagrarius(Rodentia, Mammalia)

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the skulls of black-striped field mice (Apodemusagrarius) was compared for two localities in Serbia differing in the level of pollution. Eight heavy metals: Fe, Mn, Co, Cd, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cu, were quantitatively analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.Four of them (Mn, Cd, Fe and Ni) showed significantly higher concentrations at the polluted location than in the relatively unpolluted one. Concentrations of heavy metals in three age categories exhibited opposite patterns dependingon pollution levels. At the unpolluted locality heavy metal concentrations were the highest in the youngestgroup and lower in older animals. In contrast, bone metal concentrations increased with age class at the more polluted site. At the same time, we found that young animals from the polluted location had a statistically significant lower relative body mass (RBM) than those from the unpolluted area(t = 7.155, p < 0.001), which may have been caused by heavy metals or other factors associated with pollution. In general, we found that age is a critical factor for estimating the level of heavy metal pollution, so proper investigations should account for the age structure of the samples.
Post-Siliconix Freeze-Outs : Theory , Evidence and Policy

At approximately the same time that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act increased the costs associated with being a public company, important Delaware case law created a difference in the standard of judicial review for the two basic methods of freezing out minority shareholders. While a freeze-out executed as a statutory merger is subject to stringent “entire fairness” review, the Delaware Chancery Court held in In re Siliconix Shareholders’ Litigation that a freeze-out executed as a tender offer is not. This paper presents the first systematic empirical evidence on post-Siliconix freeze-outs. Using a new database of all freeze-outs executed during the current doctrinal regime, I find that a controlling shareholder pays less to the minority shareholders, on average, when it uses a tender offer compared to a merger. This difference between tender offers and mergers seems to increase with the size of the controller’s pre-deal stake. These findings introduce a puzzle as to why more than two-thirds of post-Siliconix freeze-outs still proceed through the traditional merger route. I present some evidence that controllers are more likely to choose a merger when they hold a relatively small controlling stake, in order to avoid supermajority approval from the minority that would be required in a tender offer. I also present some evidence that a freeze-out is more likely to be executed as a tender offer when the controller’s outside counsel has substantial M&A experience. These findings bolster arguments for convergence in judicial standards of review between tender offer and merger freeze-outs, and provide guidance on how such convergence might best be achieved. * Harvard Law School. Comments welcome at subraman@law.harvard. edu. I thank Frank Balotti, Lucian Bebchuk, Laura Beny, John Coates, Sandeep Dahiya, Allen Ferrell, Ron Gilson, Jeff Gordon, Richard Hall, Hon. Jack Jacobs, Reinier Kraakman, Bob Mnookin, Jim Morphy, Charles Nathan, Gil Sparks, Hon. Leo Strine, and seminar participants at Harvard Law School and the University of Virginia Law School for comments on earlier drafts.
Using computer-assisted graphic organizers in algebra instruction to support high school students with learning disabilities

v List of Figures viii List of Tables ix Chapter 1: Introduction 1-9 1.1 Statement of Problems 5-7 1.2 Significance of the Study 8 1.3 Statement of Purposes & Research Questions 8-9 Chapter 2: Review of the Literature 10-28 2.1 Students with LD in Learning Algebra 10-13 2.2 Strategies in Algebra Instruction to Students with LD 13-23 2.3 Graphic Organizers in Teaching Algebra to Students with LD 23-28 Chapter 3: Method 29-39 3.1 Materials & Research Design 30-33 3.2 Instructional Procedures 33-38 3.3 Measurement Procedures 38-39 Chapter 4: Results 40-47 Chapter 5: Discussion 47-52 5.1 Limitations 49-50 5.2 Recommendations & Conclusions 50-52 List of References 53-56 Appendix A: Properties of Zero Graphic Organizer 57
A NEW SPECIES OF ISTIODACTYLUS (PTEROSAURIA, PTERODACTYLOIDEA) FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF LIAONING, CHINA

Abstract Istiodactylus sinensis, sp. nov., from the Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning, People's Republic of China, is described on the basis of a single nearly complete and nearly osteologically adult specimen. This is the tenth pterosaur described from this formation and the eighteenth pterosaur species described from northeastern China in almost half as many years. The species is placed in the Istiodactylidae, which was previously a monospecific family of pterodactyloid pterosaurs known only from the Isle of Wight, England. The new form is distinct from the two other istiodactylid species. It is smaller, more plesiomorphic, and younger than Istiodactylus latidens, but larger and more derived than the contemporaneous Nurhachius ignaciobritoi. Istiodactylus sinensis is very similar to I. latidens, so that almost all of the previous autapomorphies of I. latidens are now synapomorphies of Istiodactylus. They differ most in that I. sinensis is much smaller than I. latidens. The length of the wingspan, skull, and most of the preserved limb elements of I. sinensis are about 63 percent of the wingspan and elements of I. latidens. This new specimen demonstrates that Istiodactylus is diagnosed by, among other characters, a dorsoventrally depressed but not laterally expanded rostrum, and the presence of a suborbital vacuity. A dorsal deflection of the alveolar margins of the jaws and a humerus between 55 percent and one and a half times the length of metacarpal IV are synapomorphies uniting the Istiodactylidae and the Anhangueridae.
Cost-efficiency of alternative forest conservation targets, a case study from Finland

Temporal contracts to protect biodiversity in forests are a recent approach which has shown to be a promising and cost-efficient procedure. With respect to cost-efficiency of temporal contracts the relevant issue is the goal of conservation: for instance, are we interested in enhancing CWD index (coarse woody debris) or increasing the amount of dead wood in forests? This study focuses on demonstrating the effect of conservation goal (either enhancing CWD index or increasing the amount of dead wood) on costefficiency by optimization. Further, we analyze whether both the length of temporal conservation (10 or 30 years) and discount rate (2% or 4%) would have an effect on optimal solutions. The data consisted of 20 measured forest sites with stand age between 60 and 160 years. Majority of the stands (80%) fulfilled the biological conservation criteria of the Finnish Forest Biodiversity Programme METSO and a few of the stands were managed commercial forests. For temporal conservation (either 10 or 30 years), stand growth and dynamics of decaying wood were forecasted with a stand simulator (Motti) by prolonging the clear-cut with 10 or 30 years. The results for the two alternative conservation periods were compared to business-as-usual, BAU, with respect to income losses. Then, for ecological responses the initial, measured stand characteristics were set for the baseline to which temporal conservation alternatives (10 or 30 years) were compared to. The results of optimization distinctively demonstrated that the conservation goal has a relevant effect on the cost-efficiency. Further, the length of the conservation period has also an important role in cost-efficiency whereas the discount rate plays only a minor role in this study context. In the optimal solutions the forest sites with distinctively above-average initial amount of dead wood and excellent growth predictions which imply lower than average income losses due to conservation shone through with respect to cost-efficiency. As a word of caution, it should be pointed out that if one merely chooses the most cost-efficient sites for conservation, there is a possibility that a desirable level of biodiversity might not be fulfilled. To test this, the study needs to be next extended to landscape level with larger data input.
Normalization of CALL and TPACK: Discovering Teachers' Opportunities and Challenges

The present study aims at investigating the effect of technology integration in general and normalization of CALL in particular on Iranian teachers' technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK). It also examines teachers' main opportunities and challenges with normalization of CALL. In this regard, 16 teachers taught a course with the goal to integrate computer technology fully. The researchers implemented a TPACK questionnaire before and after the course and a semi-structured interview after the course. Observations also helped the researchers to gain a complementary understanding of the process of CALL normalization and how teachers deal with their new roles. The results revealed that technology-related knowledge domains developed significantly. The results also showed that Iranian educational society is highly sensitive to instructional technology and its use in education.
Impact of Macroeconomic Factors on Total Factor Productivity in Sub-Saharan African Countries

This study explores the effects of macroeconomic factors on total factor productivity (TFP) in 34 sub-Saharan African countries for the period 1980-2002. The econometric analysis shows that external debt is negatively and significantly related to TFP. Other factors that have significant negative effect include inflation rate, agricultural value-added as a percentage of GDP, lending rate, and local price deviation from purchasing power parity.
Allelopathic Effects of Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson on Seed Germination and Seedlings Growth of Paddy and Barnyard Grass

Viable seeds of paddy and barnyard grass in different concentrations of aqueous extracts ( 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 %) of leaf, stem and root of Chromolaena odorata were germinated at room temperatures. The leaf extract had strong inhibitory effect on seed germination as well as linear growth of paddy and barnyard grass. The order of inhibition was leaf >stem >root on both tested seeds. Allelopathic effect increased with increased concentration of the extracts. Key Words : Allelopathy; Paddy; Barnyard grass; Aqueous extract; Root length; Shoot length. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v8i8. 3854 Scientific World Vol.8(8) 2010 pp.73-75
Linking consumer characteristics to word-of-mouth-related behaviors and referral intentions in restaurants

This research aims at describing and validating differences in word-of-mouth-related (WOM) behaviors and referral intentions according to consumers’ characteristics; demographic (gender/age), socio-economic (education), and consumption patterns (fre- quency of outdoor dining/restaurant type preferences). Thus, restaurant operators can better target their opinion leaders, and maximize WOM marketing potential. 221 valid questionnaires were collected from restaurant customers, covering consumer characteristics and basic WOM-related behaviors. Results concerning basic WOM-related variables conformed logically to relevant previous studies. Females, teenagers and youth, and quick-service restaurant (QSR) diners were more WOM-dependent for their outdoor dining decisions. Meanwhile, males, matures and QSR customers have been more active referrers for unpleasant dining experiences. University students showed less response for WOM referrals concerning unpleasant experiences, while being the more active referrers for unpleasant meal and foodservice encounters. It was also noted that the less the frequency of outdoor dining, the more dependent are consumers on WOM referrals, and the more referring to unpleasant dining experiences. Most avail- able WOM-related literature spots mainly on WOM-related issues, such as its popular-ity vs. other types of media, and referral intentions responding to pleasant or unpleasant dining experiences. Differently, the current study concludes by determining restaurants’ key opinion leaders; that is, most active WOM referrers and most WOM-sensitive seg- ments, based on main consumer characteristics and behaviors. Thus, restaurant operators can better tailor and target their WOM-related marketing efforts.
MASEM Human Values 1 Running head: MASEM Human Values Testing the Circular Structure of Human Values: A Meta- Analytical Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Schwartz ̳ theory of human values has found widespread interest in the social sciences. A central part of the theory is that the 10 proposed basic values (i.e., achievement, power, self-direction, hedonism, stimulation, benevolence, universalism, conformity, security, and tradition) are arranged in a circular structure. The present study applies a meta-analytical structural equation modeling approach to test the circular structure. The tested model was the a quasi-circumplex model considered as the most appropriate representation of the circular structure. Moreover, the study explores in how far the circular structure varies with the used samples (e.g., culture) and methodological characteristics of the studies (e.g., measure). The meta-analysis comprised 318 matrices with the correlations among the 10 values gathered from 88 studies as well as the European Social Survey (overall N = 251,239). To reduce heterogeneity across the matrices, we used cluster analysis to sort the matrices into eight clusters with a similar correlation profile and tested the circular structure in each cluster. The results showed that three clusters showed a good fit to the data and adequate matching to the theoretically proposed structure. The cultural and methodological profiles of the clusters indicate potential moderators of the circular structure which should be considered in future research.
Use of nighttime visible images to detect Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus fishing areas and potential migration routes in the Sea of Japan

This study used Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)/Operational Line- scan System (OLS) satellite images to classify and analyze the spatial and temporal variability of nighttime fishing vessel lights in the Sea of Japan. OLS images can detect the powerful lights used to attract squid. We examined DMSP/OLS nighttime visible images from 1994 to 1999. Fishing areas of the Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus were defined as the bright areas created by 2-level slicing methods on DMSP/OLS images. T. pacificus fishing areas were mainly found along the east coast of Korea, between Cheju and Tsushima Islands, around the Yamato Rise, along the coast of Honshu, and in northern areas of the Sea of Japan. Using image classification and separability analy- sis, we divided the Sea of Japan into 7 areas based on different temporal variability in squid fishing area characteristics. The classification takes the potential northern and southern squid migration pat- terns into account. One of the potential northern migration patterns formed along Honshu Island to the north; another appeared along the east coast of Korea, northward through Yamato Rise. Southern migration patterns were almost the reverse of northern migration patterns. These 7 classified areas also correspond to the oceanographic characteristics of the Sea of Japan, i.e. a polar front at latitude 40°N, the inflow of the Tsushima Warm Current (TWC), and warm eddies. The use of remotely- sensed data demonstrated in this study offers a powerful and innovative way in which to determine the migration and ecology of the Japanese common squid.
Investigating Relationship between Working Capital Management and Capital Structure

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between working capital management and capital structure quantitatively. Many firms are facing financial deficit issues due to lack of working capital management. Debt policy decisions has been an important tool for the managers to tackle with financial complexities. Quantitative research approach was followed in this paper using self-administered survey questionnaire. Top managers were selected as sample to obtain their views on the WCM components influencing capital structure decisions and the extent to which they felt that these had been considered as successful. The SMART-PLS (Partial Least Square) version 2.0 software was used for the analysis of the results. From the statistical findings it was found that working capital management play an important role in managing capital structure of Malaysian public listed firms. Managers must utilize the budget appropriately and control costs to set performance goals of the organization.
Socio-economic aspects of fisheries managment in Lake.Naivasha

A survey on Lake Naivasha identified and delineated critical breeding and nursery areas for fish which were to be protected in order to assist in the recovery of its fish stocks. Crescent Island, Oserian Bay, the river Malewa mouth and Kamere and its wetlands were identified as critical areas. A questionnaire revealed that most fishermen come from the Rift Valley and Nyanza provinces with a mean age of 36 years. Most boats operating on the lake are about 23.5 m in length and are each limited to a maximum of 10 gill nets of 112 mm (4.5 inches) mesh size. Most fishermen indicated that they know of others using illegal fishing gears. Regular patrols were identified as important (52%) and suggested that buoys be placed in the delineated areas. Respondents suggested that awareness be created to the people who depend directly on the fisheries and an all-inclusive patrol by all stakeholders including Fisheries Department and the Kenya Wildlife Services to enforce laws was recommended.
Internal and External Qualities of Quail (Cortunix cortunix japonica) Eggs Due To Enzyme Supplemented High or Low Fibre Diets

Four hundred and eight 9 weeks old laying quails were utilized in an 8 week experiment to evaluate the effects of Maxigrain ® enzyme supplementation of sugarcane scrapping mealbased diets on internal and external qualities of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs. Six diets tagged T100, T10100, T10200, T150, T15100 and T15200 were formulated to be isonitrogenous (20%CP) and isocaloric (2900.92-2992.53Kcal/kg ME). Diets T100, T10100 and T10200 contained 10% crude fibre with 0, 100 and 200 ppm enzyme supplementation while T150, T15100 and T10200 contained 15% dietary crude fibre level with 0, 100 and 200 ppm enzyme inclusion such that T100 and T150 function as the control for T10100 and T10200, and T15100 and T15200, respectively. The birds were randomly allocated to the 6 dietary treatments at the rate of 2 male and 15 female quails per replicate. Each treatment was replicated 4 times in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangements. The results showed that enzyme supplementation did not significantly (P>0.05) affect egg weight, yolk height, dried eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, egg proportion, egg width, egg height, egg shape index, haugh unit and albumen height. The interactive effects of Maxigrain ® enzyme supplementation and dietary fibre influenced significantly weight of dried eggshell only. The weights (3.14 vs. 3.29 vs.2.84 vs.2.83 vs.2.97 and 3.19 g/shell) of the dried eggshell were same for all the treatments except for birds fed the high fibre without enzyme which had the least weight. In view of the performance of the quails fed the high fibre-high enzyme supplemented diets, it is nutritionally safe to use 200 ppm Maxigrain ® enzyme supplementation in high fibre materials like sugarcane scrapping mealbased diets without affecting the quality of the eggs.
The pricing of audit and non-audit services in a regulated environment: a longitudinal study of the UK life insurance industry

This paper studies the relationship between audit and non-audit service fees paid to the statutory auditor by UK life insurance firms, utilising an extensive panel-data sample set for the period 1999–2009. Consistent with a knowledge spillover (impairment of independence) hypothesis, we predict and find that audit fees are positively (negatively) associated with actuarial (tax service) fees. Additionally, our results indicate that regulatory changes enforced after 2004 deterred UK life insurance firms from purchasing non-audit services that are perceived to impair auditor independence. Finally, we find evidence concerning the inter-temporal determination of audit fees.