Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlates of Overweight among Adult Women in Kerala: A Study Based on National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3)

Abstract The aim of this paper is to study the extent of overweight and obesity among adult women in Kerala and to examine the association between overweight and background characteristics. The analysis is based on 3370 ever married women of age group (15-49) in Kerala, whose Body Mass Index (BMI) is available in NFHS-3 data. BMI was used to define overweight (24.9 30.0 Kg/m2). Covariates included in the study are working status, occupation, wealth index, diet variables, behavioral variables and disease prevalence. Logistic regression method was used to estimate the effects of these variables on overweight. Findings shows that wealth index, occupation, consumption of milk or curd, fruits, fish, chicken or meat and alcohol are significantly related with BMI. Diseases, namely, Diabetes, Asthma, Goitre or Thyroid also have a significant relation with BMI. Among behavioral characteristics, frequency of reading newspaper and frequency of watching television were found to have a significant association with BMI. Study evidenced that consumption of heavy food may lead to an increase in the number of overweighed persons in Kerala and so there is an urgent need to implement programs to ensure food security for the poor and to understand the components of a healthy life style.
Complete characterization of single-cycle double ionization of argon from the nonsequential to the sequential ionization regime

Selected features of nonsequential double ionization have been qualitatively reproduced by a multitude of different (quantum and classical) approaches. In general, however, the typical uncertainty of laser pulse parameters and the restricted number of observables measured in individual experiments leave room for adjusting theoretical results to match the experimental data. While this has been hampering the assessment of different theoretical approaches leading to conflicting interpretations, comprehensive experimental data that would allow such an ultimate and quantitative assessment have been missing so far. To remedy this situation we have performed a kinematically complete measurement of single-cycle multiple ionization of argon over a one order of magnitude range of intensity. The momenta of electrons and ions resulting from the ionization of the target gas are measured in coincidence, while each ionization event is tagged with the carrier-envelope phase and intensity of the 4-fs laser pulse driving the process. The acquired highly differential experimental data provide a benchmark for a rigorous test of the many competing theoretical models used to describe nonsequential double ionization.
(Post)materialism, satisfaction with democracy and support for democracy in Eastern Europe

IntroductionIn the past several decades, (post)materialism has had a very important role in the political culture debates. In a number of studies, Ronald Inglehart (e.g. Inglehart, 1971; 1990; InglehartA InglehartB InglehartW WelzelI WelzelI Welzel, 2006; WelzelI InglehartB InglehartW Welzel, 2006; 2013), as well as on the supposed dynamics of the postmaterialist value shiftdescribed in socialization and scarcity hypotheses (Inglehart, 1990; InglehartW Inglehart, 1988; 1990; InglehartW 2002; PeffleyR furthermore, they generally support democracy less intensely (Klingemann et al. …
Physico-chemical, sensory and microbial characteristics of fruit flavoured milk based beverages during refrigerated storage.

Beverages based on fruit and milk products are currently receiving considerable attention as their market potential is growing. Soft drink industry had made significant progress during recent years in terms of production, but there is only a limited range of flavours available in India. The present study was carried out to develop novel milk based fruit flavoured beverages using 10, 15 and 20% apple juice (v/v) and sodium alginate as stabilizer (0.5%), in the formulation. The beverages were evaluated for their stability and various physico-chemical, sensory and microbial properties during 7 days refrigerated storage. The pH value of the beverages decreased from 6.3 - 6.0, 6.4 - 6.20 and 6.5 - 6.4; ascorbic acid content from 1.550 - 1.503%, 3.172 - 3.166% and 3.760 - 3.360% and total sugar content from 10.83 - 10.80%, 10.77 - 10.75% and 10.75 - 10.73% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Whereas acidity increased from 0.117 - 0.282%, 0.225 - 0.290% and 0.273 - 0.295% and reducing sugars content from 4.49 4.55%, 4.40 - 4.42% and 4.34 - 4.39% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. During refrigerated storage no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was observed with respect to fat, protein, viscosity and specific gravity but, total plate count showed a slight increase in microbial count. The studies revealed that the milk based fruit flavored beverage prepared with 80% milk and 20% apple juice scored maximum for sensorial quality attributes such as color, flavor and overall acceptability.
VOTING IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL PUBLIC GOODS IN A FISCALLY CENTRALIZED ECONOMY

In this paper we develop a probabilistic voting model of inter-govern- mental transfers to explain the distribution and size of local public goods. We find that: i) The parties political competition for votes induces the central government to provide regional transfers that lead to Pareto efficient local public goods with and without inter-regional spillovers. ii) The central government has political incentives to pro- duce differentiated and uniform local public goods. Moreover, we pro- vide a comparative analysis to study the influence of political com- petition, the extent of inter-regional spillovers of local public goods, and the distribution of the population in the economy on the size and distribution of local public spending.
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5 TIIVISTELMÄ . 6 LIST OF ORIGINAL PAPERS . 7 1. INTRODUCTION . 8 1.1 Ecological effects of environmental pollution . 8 1.1.1 Effects on organisms . 9 1.2 Direct effects of the ambient environment on condition-dependent traits . 10 1.2. 1 Trans-generational effects . 12 1.3 Costs of immunity and other life-history traits . 12 1.4 Insects as model organisms . 14 1.4.1 The immune defence system in insects . 14 2. AIMS OF THE THESIS . 16 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS . 18 3.1 Model species . 18 3.1.1 Origin and maintenance of the blow fly stock . 18 3.1.2 Origin and maintenance of the common fruit fly stock . 19 3.2 Breeding designs and treatments . 19 3.2. 1 Selected heavy metal and concentrations . 20 3.3 Life-history traits under study . 21 3.3.1 Immune assay . 21 3.3.2 Survival under starvation and lifespan . 22 3.3.3 Fecundity . 22 3.3. 4 Standard metabolic rate (SMR) . 23 3.3. 5 Assay of condition-dependent traits . 23 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . 25 4.1 Interaction between two distinct environmental conditions on life-history traits (I) . 25 4.2 Trans-generational effects of copper exposure (II) . 26 4.3 Potential costs to survival (III) . 27 4.4 Intraand trans-generational costs of copper exposure on fitness traits (IV) . 28 4.5 A potential mechanism to compensate the costs (V) . 29 5. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS . 31 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . 34 REFERENCES . 35 ORIGINAL ARTICLES I-V . 45
The Effect of Human Resource Management Practices on Farm Profitability: An Initial Assessment

Sound human resource management practices such as performance bonuses, performance reviews and feedback, and standard operating procedures allow farm managers to improve the human capital, and profitability, on the farm. To date, no research of the impact of HRM practices on farm profitability has been published. This article provides a theoretical justification for analyzing the impacts of HRM practices on firm profitability. This model assumes that HRM practices are labor-augmenting technologies, causing existing labor to be more efficient in production. Empirical results provide little support for a positive relationship between HRM practices and farm profitability, although additional research is suggested.
Nutritional and sensory quality of wheat bread supplemented with cassava and soybean flours

Abstract Sixteen composite flours were prepared using D-optimal constrained mixture design within a range of wheat 40–80%, cassava 10–30% and soybean 10–30% to optimize bread nutrient quality and sensory acceptability. Results obtained showed blending had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on protein, ash, energy, iron, calcium, phytate, bread loaf volume, taste and odor. Higher quantities of soybean addition increased protein, energy, mineral, phytate and condensed tannin contents, whereas cassava increased total carbohydrate contents. The optimum blending ratio for both nutritional and sensory acceptability was in the range of 49.0–71.0% wheat, 10.6–29.0% cassava and 18.2–22.0% soybean flours. Loaf volume of bread processed from less than 70% wheat flour in this study was observed to be inferior in terms of quality attributes.
When Preferences for a Stable Interest Rate Become Self-Defeating

Monetary policy makers often seem to have preferences for a stable interest rate, in addition to stable in? ation and output. In this paper we investigate the implications of having an interest rate level term in the loss function when the policymaker lacks commitment technology. We show that preferences for interest rate stability may lead to equilibrium indeterminacy. But even when determinacy is achieved, such preferences can become self-defeating, in the meaning of generating a less stable interest rate than in the case without preferences for interest rate stability. Aiming to stabilize the real interest rate instead of the nominal rate is more robust, as it always gives determinacy and also tends to give a more stable nominal interest rate than when the policymaker aims to stabilize the nominal rate.
Properties of c_2 invariants of Feynman graphs

The c_2 invariant of a Feynman graph is an arithmetic invariant which detects many properties of the corresponding Feynman integral. In this paper, we define the c_2 invariant in momentum space and prove that it equals the c_2 invariant in parametric space for overall log-divergent graphs. Then we show that the c_2 invariant of a graph vanishes whenever it contains subdivergences. Finally, we investigate how the c_2 invariant relates to identities such as the four-term relation in knot theory.
A study to assess the reliability and construct validity of the Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire: a South African study

Self-leadership has been recognised as a fundamental competency for effective learning and job performance. The primary goal of this study was to validate the Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire on a South African sample. Numerous questionnaires have been developed to measure self-leadership, with the Revised Self-leadership Questionnaire being the most widely used questionnaire. However, the Revised Self-leadership Questionnaire has been deemed too long; hence, the authors abbreviated the measure. Therefore, there is a need to assess the reliability and construct validity of the abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire on a South African sample. A non-probability sample consisting of 400 students drawn from a university in the Western Cape was used. The reliability of the Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire was evaluated using SPSS, while construct validity was assessed via confirmatory factory analyses in the LISREL program. Moderate levels of reliability were found for the subscales of the Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire. Reasonable model fit with the data was found for the first-order measurement model. The study contributes to the requirements of the Amended Employment Equity Act of South Africa (Republic of South Africa, 1998) which promotes the use of reliable and valid instruments in South Africa by confirming the psychometric properties of the Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire.
Trust, perception and effectiveness of extension services in Uganda: A case of National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS)

In order to increase the effectiveness of extension services, the government of Uganda adopted a farmer driven extension approach in 2001. In this approach, the government contracts out the extension services to the agribusiness enterprises that provide the services to the farmers at a fee. This study aimed at finding out whether farmers’ trust and perception on this arrangement influences the effectiveness of extension services in terms increasing production, adoption of profitable enterprises and technologies and increase in marketable input. To achieve this, a survey was done involving 261 farmers in one sub-county that was selected purposively. Correlations among the study variables and regression models were done to establish the relationships and predictive powers of the study variables respectively. Results showed that farmers trust and perception on this extension approach is low and these have affected the effectiveness of the extension approach. The study recommends that for increased agricultural output, a holistic approach that builds trust among farmers is essential. This can be done through paying attention to farmers on a more frequent basis, encourage and maintain reliable relationships with them and timely delivery of extension services. Key words: Trust, perception, effectiveness, agricultural extension.
Dermatophytes in household cats and dogs Dermatófitos em gatos e cães domésticos

The dermatophytes constitute a group of filamentous fungi that can colonize keratinized tissues of human beings and animals, causing dermatophytic lesions. Given the frequent occurrence of dermatophytosis in urban centers and the role of pets in the spread of fungi to man, it was decided to isolate and identify dermatophytes from skin scales collected from household cats and dogs sent to veterinary clinics in Alfenas city, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The clinical material was collected from the areas of the head, back and abdomen of 40 cats and 40 dogs. The isolation of dermatophytes occurred in 13 dogs (32.5%) and 14 cats (35%), and only two (7.4%) animals presented lesions of dermatophytosis. Literature available data shows the occurrence of considerable number of asymptomatic carrier animals but potential transmitters of dermatophytosis. The fungi were identified as Microsporum canis (52.2%), Microsporum gypseum (14.9%) and species of the genus Trichophyton (31.9%). M. canis was the predominant species among cats (67.8%) and Trichophyton spp among dogs (57.9%). The high probability of human infection, the treatment cost and difficulties associated with control measures in cases of dermatophytosis point to the need and importance of this study.
Onset and End of the Rainy Season in the Brazilian Amazon Basin

Onset and end of the rainy season in the Amazon Basin are examined for the period 1979‐96. The onset and end dates are determined by averaging daily rainfall data from many stations, and then constructing 5-day averages (pentads). Onset (end) is defined as the pentad in which rainfall exceeds (falls below) a given threshold, provided that average rainfall was well below (above) the threshold for several pentads preceding onset (end), and well above (below) the threshold for several pentads after onset (end). For the criteria chosen, the climatological onset progresses toward the southeast, arriving in mid-October, and then toward the mouth of the Amazon, arriving near the end of the year. The end dates are earliest in the southeast and progress toward the north, but withdrawal is slower than onset. The onset dates, however, are quite sensitive to changes in the threshold. If the threshold is doubled, for example, the sense of onset is reversed, with onset occurring toward the northwest. Changes in threshold do not change the direction of the progression of the end of the rainy season. The central Amazon shows the largest variation in the date of onset. In several years, onset in the southeast occurs before that in the central Amazon, but onset near the mouth is always latest. There is an unexpectedly low relationship between the length of the rainy season and total accumulation. Likewise, there is little relationship between the onset (and end) date and the total accumulation. Composites of outgoing longwave radiation and the low-level wind field show that in the central Amazon, onset is associated with an anomalous anticyclone and enhanced trade winds in the Atlantic. Near the mouth of the Amazon, however, onset is associated with large-scale northerly anomalies, and the zonal component of the trade winds is reduced. There is an apparent association between sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical Atlantic and Pacific and the pentads of onset and end of the rainy season in the northern and central Amazon, and near its mouth. The sense is that a warm Pacific and cold Atlantic result in a delayed onset and early withdrawal. Although the ←
The Durability of the Effect of the Frequent Quizzes on Iranian High School Students’ Vocabulary Learning

Frequent quizzes followed by feedback on students’ strengths and weaknesses may enhance learning. Hence, the possible effect of weekly quizzes on language learning might be of interest in Iranian EFL context, especially in high schools. In order to understand the importance of weekly short quizzes, 88 students from four classes of high school second graders were selected through available sampling to form the experimental and control groups. The treatment went for twelve weeks during which the experimental group received 10 weekly quizzes while the control group did not have any quizzes. The study was carried out through a pretestposttestdelayed posttest controlexperimental intact groups. The results, analysed through Mixed Models ANOVA, revealed that both within and between group’s differences were in favour of the experimental group. It is safe to claim that weekly quizzes improve students’ performance on vocabulary and the effect of the treatment is
THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG FINANCIAL AND NON-FINANCIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND DURATION OF IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLETION OF THE AUDIT OF LISTED COMPANIES IN TEHRAN STOCK EXCHANGE

Timeliness is one of the most important qualitative characteristics of financial information; Timeliness means that information should be available to users in the shortest possible time and the fastest recommended. Whatever the interval between the end of the financial year and the date of publication of financial statements of business units is shorter, is increases the benefit from the annual financial statements of business units. Increasing the time interval between the end of the fiscal year and date of publication of the financial statements, increases disclosure of information to benefit of users and that is the detriment of others. The purpose of this research, examines the relationship between some characteristics of company with duration of implementation and completion of the audit. The population consists of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange during the period 2006 to 2014. The results of tests that has been done on the research hypothesis showed that the Five independent variables in this research, including size, debt-to-equity ratio, profitability, the type of audit opinion that provided financial statements and company life cycle, there is a significant relationship with duration of implementation and completion of audit. Article visualizations:
THE CHARACTERISTICS VARIATION OF THE FLOWERS OF CAPPARIS SPINOSA L. DURING THE EXTENDED FLOWERING PROCESS AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE RATE OF SEED-SETTING

The reproductive characteristics of Capparis spinosa (Capparaceae) were examined at the Turpan Eremophytes Botanical Garden in Xinjiang, China. The flowering period was approximately five months long (from May to mid-October of 2011), during which time, two main and overlap flowering peaks emerged. Several significant differences between the two peaks were found: the number of flowers and duration of the flowering period for male flowers were identical in both peaks, but differed for perfect flowers(contain stamens and pistil); the filaments of both long and short stamens in male and perfect flowers in the first peak were longer than those in the second, whereas anther length showed the opposite trend; the frequency of fruit set and size in the first peak was respectively higher and larger than the second; and the seeds produced in the first peak were smaller and lighter than the second. These results provide that the continuously blooming C. spinosa and the variation in the proportion of male and perfect flowers have played a positive role in ensuring a continuous supply of pollen and controlling the investment of fruit.
A coastal transect of McMurdo Dry Valleys (Antarctica) snow and firn: marine and terrestrial influences on glaciochemistry

Samples of snow and firn from accumulation zones on Clark, Commonwealth, Blue and Victoria Upper Glaciers in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (∼77–78º S, 161–164º E), Antarctica, are evaluated chemically and isotopically to determine the relative importance of local (site-specific) factors vs regional-scale influences in defining glaciochemistry. Spatial variation in snow and firn chemistry confirms documented trends within individual valleys regarding major-ion deposition relative to elevation and to distance from the coast. Sodium and methylsulfonate (MS–), for example, follow a decreasing gradient with distance from the coast along the axis of Victoria Valley (350–119 µg L−1 for Na+; 33–14 µg L−1 for MS–); a similar pattern exists between Commonwealth and Newall Glaciers in the Asgaard Range. When comparing major-ion concentrations (e.g. Na+, MS−, Ca2+) or trace metals (e.g. Al, Fe) among different valleys, however, site-specific exposures to marine and local terrestrial chemical sources play a dominant role. Because chemical signals at all sites respond to particulates with varying mixtures of marine and terrestrial sources, each of these influences on site glaciochemistry must be considered when drawing temporal climate inferences on regional scales.
Predicting mathematics performance from anxiety, enjoyment, value, and self-efficacy beliefs towards mathematics among engineering majors

The purpose of this study was to examine first year students’ mathematics anxiety, enjoyment of mathematics, value of mathematics, self-efficacy beliefs and prior performance as predictors of performance on a first year university mathematics course (Applied mathematics I). Data were collected from 225 first year undergraduate students at Bahir Dar University at the beginning and at the end of the course. A rating scale measuring anxiety (11 items), enjoyment of mathematics (14 items), value of mathematics (14 items), mathematics problem solving self-efficacy (9 items) and mathematics tasks self-efficacy (9 items) was used to collect data. The items were adapted from the literature. The participants’ prior performance was assessed by preparing a test from contents of high school mathematics and their performance on the Applied Mathematics course was measured by preparing a test consisting of representative items from the chapters of the course. One-sample t-tests and multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that the participants had lower mathematics anxiety, higher level of mathematics enjoyment and value of mathematics. But self-efficacy beliefs were found to be below expected levels. Results from the regression analyses depicted that mathematics enjoyment and mathematics tasks self-efficacy were found to be significant predictors of mathematics problem solving selfefficacy. On the other hand, prior achievement (performance on pre-university mathematics) and self-efficacy beliefs were found to be significant predictors of performance on the university mathematics course. The results imply the need for enhancing students’ self-efficacy beliefs so as to promote their mathematics performance.