Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Reassessment of Money Demand in Nigeria

A Reassessment of Money Demand in Nigeria Moses K. Tule, Usman M. Okpanachi, Patricks Ogiji and Nurudeen Usman This paper re-examines broad money (M2) demand and its stability in Nigeria using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing procedure. First, the results indicate that a stable long-run relationship exists between M2 and its determinants including GDP, stock prices, foreign interest rates and real exchange rate. Furthermore, stock prices showed a significant and positive effect on the long-run broad money demand, which in some ways reflect increased ‘financialization’ and integration of the Nigerian economy into the global economic system. Overall, the findings of this study lend credence to the continued relevance of the broad money aggregate, M2, as a benchmark for monetary policy implementation in Nigeria.
Analysis of Political Discourse in Pakistani Party Manifestos

Political discourse is inarguably deemed an essential tool, impercetably influencing people’s perception within a socio-political zone. The present research revolve around the critical discourse analysis of manifestos of Pakistani political parties, pertaining to the general election of 2013. The theoretical framework for the study triangulates VanDijks (1998) Socio-Cognitive Model, along with the support of Turner and Tajfels (1979) Social identity approach and Budge and Farlies Salience theory (1983). The research revealed that all the political parties under study used the discursive strategies in their party manifestos in order to enhance the positive self-image of party to in-group people, by focusing the negative aspects of the out-group, thereby (re)constructing peoples political identities and ideologies and achieving the desired hegemony for itself.
The Effects of Hand Gestures and Traditional Methods of Teaching Mandarin Chinese Tones

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of teaching Mandarin Chinese lexical tones with accompanying hand gestures versus traditional methods of teaching Mandarin Chinese tones. The sample for this single-subject research consisted of one student drawn from an introductory Mandarin Chinese class. The student was a 12-yearold Caucasian female from an upper-middle class family living in rural Northeast Tennessee. The student had no background in learning Mandarin Chinese. Data were collected using A-B-A-B design. After baseline was established for the subject by a native Chinese speaker, interventions began. The student was taught using Chinese lexical tone hand gestures. During this time, lexical tone production was assessed. Following intervention was the withdrawal phase (B) and the subject was assessed on lexical tone production. The following phase, (A) was reintroduced and the student was assessed. The final phase (B) was the withdrawal phase and the student was also assessed. The results indicated significant improvements on interventions compared with withdrawal phases. These results suggest that use of hand gestures while teaching Mandarin Chinese tones significantly improves Mandarin Chinese lexical tone production accuracy, including pitch range and pitch contour as opposed to traditional methods of teaching Mandarin Chinese tones.
A Comparison between Children and Adults through a Coherence / Incoherence Paradigm in an Eye-tracking Study

Theories about visual narrative understanding accentuate the difference between patterns of reading comprehension in children and adults when they read text and images. This study was conducted to explore the differences in eye movement patterns when children and adults read different comic stories using a coherence/incoherence paradigm. A total of 63 participants, 31 children (10-12 years old) and 32 undergraduate university students from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, read 20 comic stories, each of them with both coherent and incoherent versions, for the two ending frames. Fixation durations, number of fixations, and number of regressions were recorded by an eye-tracker, Tobii x-120. A crossed random effects model was applied. Results showed that even though children reach a similar level of understanding than adults they spend more time and have longer fixations than adults, showing more effort to reach the whole comprehension of the stories. Besides, results do not detect significant differences between eye movements’ patterns in peak and release for the two groups studied, and therefore both components of the visual narrative grammar are considered equally relevant in the understanding of comics. Comprendiendo cómics. Una comparación entre niños y adultos a través de un paradigma de coherencia/incoherencia en un estudio de movimientos oculares
MANAGEMENT OF PINK BOLL WORM ( PECTINOPHORA GOSSYPIELLA SAUNDER ) BY BIO-AGENT OF ( BEAUVERIA BASSIANA ) ON COTTON CROP ( GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L . )

The present investigation entitled “Management of p ink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella S.) By bio-ag ent of Beauveria bassiana on cotton crop (Gossypium hirs utum L.)” cultivar i.e. Jaddoo was conducted during july to November, at Allahabad. The occurrence of pink boll worm (Pectinospora gossypiella) in 2015-2016 Kharif season. Field bioassay was conducted with percent of mortalit y pink bollworm (Pectinopora gossypiella) on cotton boll damage percent revealed that the maximum mortality per cen t of Cypermethrin 25 %EC (69.34), followed by Beauveria b ssiana 7% (69.42), Beauveria bassiana 6% (69.38), Beauveria bassiana 5% (67.02), Beauveria bassiana 4% (64.02), Beauveria bassiana 3% (60.39), Beauveria bassiana 2% (58.09), Beauveria bassiana 1% (54.34) as compared to control (14.44).
ON DIRAC OPERATORS WITH ELECTROSTATIC δ-SHELL INTERACTIONS OF CRITICAL STRENGTH

In this paper we prove that the Dirac operator Aη with an electrostatic δ-shell interaction of critical strength η = ±2 supported on a C2-smooth compact surface Σ is self-adjoint in L2(R3;C4), we describe the domain explicitly in terms of traces and jump conditions in H−1/2(Σ;C4), and we investigate the spectral properties of Aη . While the non-critical interaction strengths η 6= ±2 have received a lot of attention in the recent past, the critical case η = ±2 remained open. Our approach is based on abstract techniques in extension theory of symmetric operators, in particular, boundary triples and their Weyl functions.
Active learning of the ground truth for retinal image segmentation

Different diseases can be diagnosed from eye fundus images by medical experts. Automated diagnosis methods can help medical doctors to increase the diagnosis accuracy and decrease the time needed. In order to have a proper dataset for training and evaluating the methods, a large set of images should be annotated by several experts to form the ground truth. To enable efficient utilization of the experts’ time, active learning is studied to accelerate the collection of the ground truth. Since one of the important steps in retinal image diagnosis is blood vessel segmentation, the corresponding approaches were studied. Two approaches were implemented and extended by proposed active learning methods for selecting the next image to be annotated. The performance of the methods in the cases of standard implementation and active learning application was compared for several retinal image databases.
Can Child Benefits Reverse the Impact of Unbalanced Sex Ratios on Fertility?

This study contributes to the scarce causal evidence on whether child benefits can reverse unwanted long lasting effects of changing demographics on fertility. The experience of an EU country provides us with a natural laboratory to investigate this question. We exploit the introduction of non means-tested child benefits only to families with at least four children that coincided with an exogenous fall in the sex ratio index of marriageable age men and women that is linked to the historical events that took place about two decades before when this cohort of individuals were born. Our causal findings based on a quasi-experimental methodology are robust to alternative econometric specifications and indicate that the reform increased significantly the probability to have a forth child and reversed the negative impact of declining sex ratios on the fertility of couples. In contrast, the probability of birth of parities smaller or greater than four were not affected by the reform but decreased significantly with the drop in the sex ratio index. Benefit recipient mothers had a lower probability to work after the reform. The evidence indicates that targeted government transfers can be effective in boosting the fertility of targeted families and reversing unwanted effects of changing demographics. JEL Classification: D12, J13, J18, H31, J11
Political Alignment and Bureaucratic Pay

Building on agency-theoretical perspectives of public bureaucracies, we argue that politician–bureaucrat preference alignment can have important implications for bureaucrats’ pay. We study such private gains to bureaucrats from their political alignment with elected politicians using detailed data on all 1,632 top administrators active in all Norwegian municipalities over a period of 25 years (1991–2015). Whereas existing studies generally rely on proxies for politician–bureaucrat political alignment, a rare feature of our data allows measuring it directly since 27% of top bureaucrats ran for political office. We focus explicitly on individuals at the very top of the administrative hierarchy and are able to separate the intensive margin (i.e., wage increases) from any additional effects at the extensive margin (i.e., new appointments). Using close elections for inference in a regression discontinuity analysis, we find that politician–bureaucrat alignment significantly increases top bureaucrats’ wage even in the Norwegian civil service system. This has important implications also from a theoretical perspective. Our results indeed go against predictions from models with policy-motivated bureaucrats, but are consistent with politically aligned principal–agent matches being more productive.
Needs-based Analyses of Freshman English Courses in a Taiwan University

This study aims to explore the differences and similarities in perceptions between students and professors about students’ English needs in various skills for current academic studies and future professional studies. A survey was distributed to non-English majors and their professors to illuminate their perceptions. Data was collected from 4205 students and 164 professors in a Taiwan university. Two research questions were investigated: (1) What are the most essential English language skills for academic success perceived by professors and students? And (2) What are the primary problems in learning English for university students? The results indicated (1) there are gaps in perceptions between professors and students; (2) students of different colleges have different perceptions about the importance of English language skills; and (3) student’s ability levels in English, math, and science correlate with their views about English skill deficiencies.
Fertility choice : the role of social externalities

This paper extends the modeling of fertility choice by incorporating the effect of social externalities defined by three factors: the average levels of consumption, fertility rate, and human capital in a society. The extended model explains the following patterns in aggregate data that are inconsistent with the existing theories: (1) The observed decline in fertility is too steep to be fully explained by the trade-off between the quantity and quality of children caused by income growth, (2) the relationship between income and fertility is shifting over time, and (3) the decline in fertility reverses at high levels of income. To test whether the effect of social externalities on fertility choice holds at the micro level, the predictions of the model are confronted with fertility survey data from the United States. The empirical results fully support the predictions of the theoretical model. The insights gained from the extended model provide a basis for enhanced understanding of fertility choice, an important factor that drives long-term growth and environmental sustainability.
Perception de la hauteur chez le sujet implanté cochléaire (Extending the range of pitch perception by cochlear implant listeners)

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Perception de la hauteur chez le sujet implanté cochléaire (Extending the range of pitch perception by cochlear implant listeners) Olivier Macherey, Robert Carlyon
Spatial distribution of vegetation in deserts : quantification and impact on aeolian geomorphology

Mineral dust aerosols suspended in the atmosphere impact atmospheric radiative transfer, global and oceanic nutrient cycling, cloud formation and precipitation. The entrainment of dust in desert environments is highly sensitive to vegetation cover that can reduce erodibility and stabilize surfaces. It is essential to understand the relationship of geospatial patterns of vegetation with arid geomorphology to refine the projection of dust emissions in global climate change models. This thesis seeks to understand and estimate the impacts of dust emission and transport from the spatial characterization of surface roughness elements. Arid and semi-arid region land degradation, or desertification, is fundamentally linked to aeolian transport of mineral dust and encroachment and degradation of vegetation. The spatial distribution of surface roughness elements such as vegetation or large rocks may control wind erosion rate and dust emissions and, as a result, arid-region geomorphology. Surface geomorphology is assumed to change from the hypothesis: “dust emissions in the atmosphere are significantly increased by the encroachment of shrubland through changes in the spatial distribution of vegetation, thereby degrading arid deserts”. This hypothesis will be tested by two studies: (1) analysis of the pattern of shrub infestation in degraded, aeolian dominated environments, and from (2) the contribution of nonerodible roughness elements distribution in mineral dust flux emissions. A new geostatistical method presented in Chapter 2 provides a measure of the spatial distribution of vegetation elements in a highly-degraded landscape. In the Jornada del Muerto Basin in New Mexico, shrub encroachment is clearly evident from decreased
DO ITALIAN STUDENTS PERFORM WORSE THAN THEIR OECD FELLOWS ? A DECOMPOSITION ANALYSIS OF EDUCATIONAL GAPS

The paper aims at comparing Italy with four OECD countries in order to investigate the determinants of educational achievement which lead countries with similarities in educational systems to reach different outcomes. Using OECD PISA data, a common educational production function is estimated by survey regression; also decomposition analysis is carried out in order to evaluate how much of the score gaps is accounted for by the dissimilar endowments in characteristics rather than the different capability of national educational systems of transforming these characteristics into skills. Main results highlight the significant disadvantage in terms of endowment of Italian students which is partly balanced out by the returns of Italian educational process.
Cardiac TGR5 expression enhanced by hyperglycaemia in diabetic rats: A preclinical warning for disorders with excess bile acids

Background: Diabetes is a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. TGR5 levels are increased in cardiomyocytes exposed to hyperglycaemia. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential mechanism(s) for the increase in TGR5 levels in the hearts of diabetic rats. Materials and methods: We used streptozotocin -induced diabetic rats (STZ rats) to assess the role of hyperglycaemia in increased cardiac TGR5 levels. The expression levels of TGR5 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, both its phosphorylated form (p-STAT3) and its native form (STAT3), in heart tissues were measured using Western blots. Results: The increased levels of TGR5 and the ratio of p-STAT3 to STAT3 in cardiac tissues exposed to hyperglycaemic conditions were reversed by treating the hyperglycaemia. Additionally, the potential mechanisms of this effect were confirmed in a cultured rat cardiac cell line (H9c2) incubated in high-glucose (HG) medium to mimic the changes observed in vivo. TGR5 expression increased in parallel with the increased ratio of p-STAT3 and STAT3 in H9c2 cells exposed to HG, and these effects were reversed by treatment with stattic at a dose sufficient to inhibit STAT3. Similarly, the antioxidant tiron also produced the same effects in H9c2 cells. Conclusion: Increased cardiac TGR5 levels in a type-1 diabetes model were related to hyperglycaemia, which produces free radicals to activate STAT3 for the higher expression of TGR5 in the heart. Therefore, an elevation in circulating bile acids from hepatic disorders and/or others shall be handled carefully in diabetic patients.
Renal damages in patients with major β-thalassemia

Introduction: Numerous studies have shown the presence of renal dysfunction in patients with beta thalassemia major (βTM). According to iron overload and effects on renal, evaluation of renal function in βTM can cause better control of them. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated renal function in children and adults with βTM. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients (38 male and 22 female) with βTM, and 60 healthy control subjects (25 males and 35 females), were participated in this cross-sectional study. Biochemical and urine analysis were conducted to evaluate renal function. Additionally, patients were classified based on the administration of iron chelators including deferoxamine (Desferal), deferiprone (L1), deferasirox (Exjade) and combination therapy. Results: Renal dysfunctions such as hyperfiltration and proteinuria were common findings in patients compared with the normal group. Hypercalciuria was found only in patients groups receiving Exjade. Hyperfiltration was detected in all patients. Proteinuria was no related to drug administration. Conclusion: We found a high percentage of our βTM patients who had renal dysfunction as evidenced by proteinuria and hyperfiltration.
SPELT WHEAT GRAIN YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE RESPONSE TO SOWING RATE AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION

Due to its valuable chemical composition, spelt enjoys huge interest among consumers and farmers. Research conducted in recent years has focused on winter varieties of this cereal, but there is a lack of information concerning the spring forms of spelt. In a three-year experiment yield and quality grain parameters of new spring breeding lines of spelt (A10 and A12) were evaluated depending on sowing rate (360, 480 and 600 grains m-2) and nitrogen rate (50 and 80 kg ha-1). Higher yield produced the spelt line A12, compared to A10. However, its grain contained less protein, gluten and fat as well as it showed lower contents of N, K, Mg, Zn and Mn. The different sowing rates did not have a significant effect on spelt yield and most of the grain quality parameters evaluated. Higher nitrogen application promoted lodging and caused a reduction in the number of ears per unit area. As a result, the grain yields were significantly lower compared to the rate of 50 kg N ha-1. Under conditions of the higher nitrogen rate, a higher grain protein and gluten content as well as higher sedimentation index were found, while in turn spelt fertilized at the rate of 50 kg N ha-1 contained more starch and fat.
Chapter 2 “ Foetal – Maternal Con fl icts ” and Adverse Outcomes in Human Pregnancies

Lay Summary In most pregnancies, there is a delicate balance between foetal demands and the maternal supply of nutrients; however, in some instances, abnormal foetal–maternal interactions can lead to pregnancy complications. These abnormal interactions can occur at the uteroplacental interface, in the placental vascular system and at the level of foetal–maternal signalling. Some of the consequences of abnormal foetal–maternal interactions include pregnancy complications such as foetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm parturition and in extreme cases foetal death. We propose that an absolute reduction in the blood flow to the uteroplacental unit may participate in the mechanisms of disease in foetal growth restriction, early-onset pre-eclampsia and maternal thrombophilias, whereas a relative reduction in the supply line due to an excessive foetal demands for nutrients may be more relevant in the mechanism of injury in late-onset pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. It is possible that some of these pregnancy complications may have evolved as survival strategies for the foetus or the mother. In this context, interventions aimed at modulating the maternal blood pressure during pregnancy or delaying preterm parturition should be tailored to maximize both maternal and perinatal outcomes.
DOWNSTREAM VARIATION IN PARTICLE SIZE : A CASE STUDY OF THE TROTU Ş RIVER , EASTERN CARPATHIANS ( ROMANIA )

In order to analyze Trotu ş river bed deposits granulometry 21 sampling point were chosen, located at about 7 km each other. After fie ld and lab analysis it was noticed that there is a general downstream reduction trend for clasts size, but only if we consider extreme sampling points (headwaters and outflow). Trotu ş midcourse display a downstream coarsening phenomenon, influenced by tributaries an d slope processes that deliver much coarser materials than the ones stacked within rive r bed deposits.
Deposited in DRO : 15 August 2019 Version of attached le : Peer-review status of attached

Students operate within a bounded social context and often face decisions regarding whether to pursue selfish or group-level benefit. Yet little work has examined what predicts their behaviour towards fellow students. This work addresses this gap by investigating what factors may predict students’ performance of pro-social actions at university, and how an institution may maximise such behaviour. Study 1 created the student pro-sociality scale, used tomeasure these tendencies in students. In study 2, 428 students from 25UK universities took part an online survey study using this scale, and several other pre-existing measures of possible predictors. Analysis suggested that of those factors examined, role clarity, affective commitment, empathy, and perspective-taking emerged as the most influential. This first foray into this area can now inspire further research in finding the effective ways of fostering pro-social behaviour in students.