Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Human Capital Emergence, Performance and Effectiveness in a Brazilian Retail Bank

To assess the human capital (HC) effectiveness on the operational results of a major Brazilian retail bank (Bank), a HC inventory of the Bank’s employees with information on 25 attributes of HC and six operational performance measures of the Bank in the period of 2006-2008 is used. Thus, this study relies on proven information of all the Bank’s staff and not on surveys as often used in the literature. The empirical results show that the effectiveness of the HC is related to the establishment of an optimal construct of HC attributes and to the improvement of specific skills. Furthermore, the turnover has a negative impact in maintaining high HC employees into the branches with negative effects on the credit control process and the Bank’s profitability. Lastly, the staff size into the branches as well as the economic conditions surrounding them play also an important role for the HC effectiveness.
Caste, inequality, and poverty in India: a re-assessment

The aim of this paper is to examine the inequality and poverty issues of rural households in India from the perspective of a household’s monthly per capita consumption expenditure using data on nearly 20,000 households. In examining these issues, the paper first sets out a model of a poverty–inequality trade-off whereby governments could choose the poverty–inequality combination they most preferred. Then the paper proceeds to examine whether there is a ‘caste basis’ to inequality and poverty in India or whether distributional and deprivation outcomes are ‘caste blind’ and entirely determined by the attributes of the individual households. Our overarching conclusion is that households’ outcomes with respect to their position on the distributional ladder, or with respect to their chances of being poor, are dependent in large measure on their caste. So households from the Scheduled Castes were more likely to be in the lowest quintile of consumption, and were more likely to be poor, than high-caste Hindu households.
Audit pricing in a reformed nonprofit market

In contrast to the extant research on audit fees of for-profit companies, literature on nonprofit audit fees is scant. In this paper, audit fee determinants of previous research are tested in a nonprofit market that is characterized by a relatively low dominance of BIG4 auditors, low litigation risk, small nonprofit entities, high levels of subsidization and recent legislative reforms. Using OLS on a sample of nonprofit entities, we find that some known determinants such as auditor size and client complexity hold their ground. However, our findings on client profitability and auditor industry specialization show that refinements of audit fee models need to incorporate audit market characteristics, agency problems and signaling.
Analytical dynamic modeling of fast trilayer polypyrrole bending actuators

Analytical modeling of conjugated polymer actuators with complicated electro-chemo-mechanical dynamics is an interesting area for research, due to the wide range of applications including biomimetic robots and biomedical devices. Although there have been extensive reports on modeling the electrochemical dynamics of polypyrrole (PPy) bending actuators, mechanical dynamics modeling of the actuators remains unexplored. PPy actuators can operate with low voltage while producing large displacement in comparison to robotic joints, they do not have friction or backlash, but they suffer from some disadvantages such as creep and hysteresis. In this paper, a complete analytical dynamic model for fast trilayer polypyrrole bending actuators has been proposed and named the analytical multi-domain dynamic actuator (AMDDA) model. First an electrical admittance model of the actuator will be obtained based on a distributed RC line; subsequently a proper mechanical dynamic model will be derived, based on Hamilton’s principle. The purposed modeling approach will be validated based on recently published experimental results.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Cash Transfer on Entrepreneurship

This paper examines the importance of financial constraints in explaining entrepreneurship among loweducated individuals by exploring the liquidity shock promoted by a large-scale conditional cash transfer (CCT) program. More than just showing the overall effect of CCT on entrepreneurial activity, the analysis presents a way of decomposing the shock into direct and indirect parts. Even under the existence of selection bias, this decomposition is obtained based on verifiable assumptions. The results suggest that entrepreneurship in Brazil has grown 10% due to the CCT program. However, this rise is almost entirely driven by externalities. Further tests reject the hypothesis that these transfers boost investment opportunities and indicate that they actually foster informal financing mechanisms. Thus the transfer might not help participating households as much as it does other neighbor households to finance their enterprise. JEL Classification: C21, H31, I38, J24, L26.
The Effect of Relationship Lending on Firm Performance

We examine how relationship lending a®ects ¯rm performance using a panel dataset of about 70,000 small and medium Spanish ¯rms in the period 1993- 2004. We model ¯rm performance jointly with the ¯rm's choice of the number of bank relationships. Controlling for ¯rm ¯xed e®ects and using instrumental variables for the decision on the number of bank relationships, we ¯nd that ¯rms maintaining exclusive bank relationships have lower pro¯tability. The result is consistent with the view that banks appropriate most of the value generated through close relationships with its borrowers as long as they do not face competition from other lenders.
Organizational Resilience and Performance: An Analysis of the Relevance of Suppliers’ Trade Credit and Bank Diversification in the Spanish Construction Industry

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of relevant variables related to strategic sources of financial resources—in our case, suppliers’ trade credit and use of financial institutions—over performance among Spanish construction firms. To test the proposed hypotheses, we employ panel-data techniques on a large dataset that includes information for 3590 Spanish small (1723), medium-sized (1616) and large (251) construction businesses during 2004-2011. The results of the longitudinal analysis reveal that trade credit granted by suppliers constitute a relevant source of liquidity and financial resources that positively impacts economic performance. During the period of economic downturn that affected Spain after 2008, those construction firms that benefited from longer average payment periods from their suppliers reported superior performance levels. Additionally, we find that bank diversification is conducive to performance but only during the crisis period: performance is significantly higher in businesses that work with a greater number of financial institutions.
Expression of beta estrogen receptor in benign prostatic hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of prostate

In aging men, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa) are the most common prostatic diseases. These diseases are androgen-dependent and are treated by inhibiting androgens or their action. However recent studies have shown that prostate growth is also influenced by estrogen. Estrogen induction of cell proliferation which plays a crucial role in hormone dependent tumors like breast and uterus is now also thought to play a significant role in normal and abnormal growth of the prostate gland. The role of estrogen receptor Beta (ER β) in the pathogenesis or prognosis of PCa is unclear, it seems to have a role in the control of proliferation and the prevention of hyperplasia. This study was initiated to determine the expression of ER beta in BPH and PCa as only few studies had been done. Twenty nine cases each of TURP specimens of BPH and PCa were included in the study. The tumors were categorized as low, intermediate and high grade on their gleasons score. In BPH cases 93.1% of them were ER beta positive and 6.9% were ER beta negative. However in adenocarcinoma group only 3.4% were ER beta positive and 96.6% were ER beta negative. This observation was statistically significant. Elderly age group is most commonly affected with BPH and Adenocarcinoma of prostate. Based on the results of the present study, ER beta seemed to play a definitive role in the carcinogenesis. Estrogen beta is hypothesized to be involved in the carcinogenesis neoplastic progression of adenocarcinoma of prostate and underlying pathogenesis of BPH.
Beauty in the eye of the beholder ? Attractiveness in a virtual world

The current study examines whether traditional offline gender biases regarding physical attractiveness and status transfer to Second Life (SL), a virtual world where residents can easily manipulate the appearance and status of avatars (i.e., graphical representations of the self). Participants (N = 312, 60.58% female, Mage = 29.77, SD = 10.53) reported on demographics, SL usage, and rated the attractiveness of female and male avatars manipulated along physical attractiveness (high vs. low) and status (high vs. low). Mixed measures ANCOVAs were modeled separately for the female avatars and male avatars with withinsubjects factors (avatar characteristics: physical attractiveness and status) and betweensubject factors (participant characteristics: sex, and intensity of SL usage), while controlling for participant age. Consistent with offline norms, female avatars high in physical attractiveness were rated as more attractive, regardless of status. Participants rated male avatars high in physical attractiveness as more attractive if they were high in status compared to those low in status. We also found opposite-sex preferences and moderations by participant age and SL usage on avatar attractiveness ratings. The results suggest the continuity of offline gender norms and effect of in-world experience on perceptions of avatar appearance.
Epidemiological Study on H. pylori in Cattle and Its Milk with SpecialReference to its Zoonotic Importance

This study was carried out to investigate some epidemiological aspects on the occurrence of Helicobacter pylori in cattle, milk and humans at Dakahlia province, Egypt during the period from February 2014 to June 2015. A total of 304 samples including 117 rectal swabs (53 cows and 64 buffaloes) and 85 milk samples (36 cows and 49 buffaloes) sand 102 humans stools were collected and subjected to bacteriological examination by culturing on Columbia Blood Agar (CBA) and biochemically identified. The results showed that the overall occurrence of H. pylori were 21.7% in collected samples. The occurrence in cattle faeces was 18.8% (11.9% in cows and 6.9% in buffaloes). However, the isolation rate from cattle milk was 28.2% (10.5% in cows and 17.7% in buffaloes). Moreover, the frequency distribution of H. pylori from human stool was 19.6%. Concerning animal breed, native breed of cattle and their milk showed higher occurrence (5.2% in cow's faeces, 11.9% in buffalo's faeces, 7% of cow's milk and 17.7% of buffalo's milk). Regarding animal age, the occurrence of H. pylori was increased with increasing age. On the other hand, the frequency distribution of H. pylori was more prevalent in the samples (faeces and milk) collected from Mansoura center. In relation to human samples, with respect to gender, males showed higher isolation rate (11.7%) than females (7.8%). Whereas, frequency of H. pylori in adults (4.9%) was higher than young (1.96%). On the other hand, H. pylori was more frequently isolated from patients (8.8%) with gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, the occurrence of H. pylori was higher in human samples collected from persons of occupations related to animals such as veterinarians (6.8%), dairy workers, and farmers (3.92% each) than others. It could be concluded that H. pylori could be isolated from cattle, milk and humans with recognizable percentages, suggesting its zoonotic significance and role played by cattle especially buffaloes and its milk as potential reservoir and source of human infection. The zoonotic significance for H. pylori as well as the recommended preventive measures which should be taken to avoid the risk of contamination of milk and human infection were fully discussed.
Economic Effects on Million Dollar Giving Una Okonkwo Osili

This study investigates the impact of economic factors on the number of charitable gifts of one million dollars or more within the United States using the Million Dollar List dataset. We investigate key donor groups: individuals, corporations, and foundations. Results indicate that individual donors are particularly responsive to underlying economic conditions; giving by foundations tends to be counter-cyclical, and corporate giving is not significantly associated with macroeconomic factors. We also find that economic conditions vary in their influence on giving to subsectors, and gifts to public benefit and human services organizations increase significantly during periods of recession. Findings from our study have direct implications for philanthropists, fundraisers, and policy makes as they seek to understand how economic conditions impact large gifts.
Scope, Strategy and Structure: The Dynamics of Knowledge Networks in Medicine

The objective of this paper is to analyse the dynamics of networks in which new knowledge emerges and through which it is exchanged. Our conjecture is that the structure of a network cannot be divorced from the dynamics of the knowledge underpinning its activities. In so doing we look beyond studies based on the assumption of exogenous networks and delve into the mechanisms that stimulate their creation and transformation. In the first part the paper adopts a functional perspective and views networks as constructs aimed at the coordination of knowledge; accordingly, network structure is an emerging property that reflects the employment of an agreed strategy to achieve a collective scope. In the second part these themes are articulated in relation to the dynamics of medical innovation and enriched by an empirical study on the long-term evolution of medical research in Ophthalmology. This exercise highlights the connection between changes in scientific and practical knowledge and the reconfigurations of the epistemic network over a forty-year period. By mapping different network structures we capture variety in the gateways of knowledge creation – that is, the network participants – as well as in the pathways – that is, the inter-organisational collaborations. Our goal is to analyse how these patterns of interaction emerge and transform over time.
Producing extra eggs does not deplete macronutrient reserves in European Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

Recent studies have suggested that the size of avian clutches may be determined in part by the costs of egg production, which are thought to involve the depletion of endogenous nutrient reserves. I tested the hypothesis that producing extra eggs would deplete protein and lipid reserves in a passerine species, the European Starling Sturnus vulgaris. The first three eggs of clutches were removed on the days they were laid to induce females to lay extra eggs. Females responded to this manipulation by laying, on average, 1.3 eggs more than controls. However, based on the distribution of clutch sizes, it appears that some females responded to the removal of three eggs by producing more than one extra egg, whereas others responded by laying no extra eggs or by deserting. In unmanipulated females, the lean dry mass of the flight muscles and total body lipid were found to decline throughout breeding, an observation which is often interpreted as evidence that egg production depletes endogenous reserves. However, females experimentally induced to produce an extra egg did not have reduced stores of protein or lipid at clutch completion. No effect was observed in starlings even though this study had substantial (80%) power to detect a change in protein reserves of the same magnitude as that observed in a previous study of gulls. The decrease in flight muscle mass that has frequently been observed during breeding in passerines may not be due simply to mobilization of endogenous protein reserves.
An exertion of enhance milk yield of native Pabna cattle through using different types of calcium salt of fatty acid

Keeping consideration on increasing quality milk production through addition of conventional fat, an experiment accords CRD design was conducted at Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka for a period of 30 days including 5 days of digestibility trial. Twenty lactating Pabna cattle of average 250.1 ± 13.64 kg ( Bos indicus ) of initial body weight with average milk yield of 2.88 ± 0.38 kg were selected and divided into four groups randomly having five cows in each. The imposed treatments were T 0 , T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 ; in where T o = German grass + Concentrate mixture without Ca salt of fatty acid + 2.5 % DCP, T 1 = German grass + Concentrate mixture + 2.5 % soybean based Ca salt of fatty acid, T 2 = German grass + Concentrate mixture + 2.5 % mustard based Ca salt of fatty acid and T 3 = German grass + Concentrate mixture + 2.5% palm-oil based Ca salt of fatty acid. The result showed that, calcium salt of fatty acid influenced to increase of milk yield significantly among (P<0.001) the treatments; in where highest yield gained in T 1 (3.53 kg d -1 ) followed by T 2 , T0 and T 3 (3.33, 2.44 and 2.24, respectively). Besides this, all other parameters analytically examined in this experiment i.e. intake, apparent digestibility, gained body weight and chemical composition of milk showed non-significant difference among the treatments. From the analytical value and discussion, it may be suggested that, calcium salt of fatty acid formulated from soybean oil or mustard oil could be used for enhancing better quality milk yield. SAARC J. Agri. , 15(2): 137-146 (2017)
EPR Study of Gamma Irradiated Cholestanone Single Crystal

Cholestanone (C27H46O) single crystals were irradiated with Co-γ rays at room temperature. The spectra were recorded for di erent orientations of the crystal in the magnetic eld at 120 K using the EPR technique. Radiation damage center was attributed to ĊHCH2CH2 radical. The principal values of the hyper ne coupling tensor of the unpaired electron with the protons and the principal values of the g tensor were determined. The results were found to be in good agreement with the existing literature.
EFFECT OF MODE OF LOAD CARRIAGE ON POSTURAL SWAY

People commonly carry external loads for sport and recreational purposes; recently the safety of such practice has come into question. The purpose of this study was to evaluate balance under different load carriage conditions. Fifteen college-age individuals completed three blocks of quiet standing trials: unloaded, wearing a backpack, and wearing a shoulder bag. A-P sway amplitude was greater under the backpack condition than the unloaded condition (P = 0.013); however, A-P sway amplitude did not differ between the backpack and shoulder bag condition, nor did it differ between the unloaded and shoulder bag condition. M-L sway amplitude, sway area, peak sway velocity, and stance width were not dependent on load condition. This evidence suggests a backpack and shoulder bag are equally safe means of load carriage in college-age individuals.
Enabling factors to make ocean wave power a competitive renewable energy source

Wave power represents a major source of potential energy to address the global energy demand and modern climate issues. Although it has a huge potential, the current status shows that the source has not been harvested on a commercial scale yet. This is even the case in Scotland and Sweden, who have a modern industry development and a strong focus on their renewable energy portfolio. The focus of this study is the wave power industry in these two countries. The aim of this research is to explore enabling factors to make ocean wave power a competitive renewable energy source in Scotland and Sweden. The theoretical perspectives used to explore this phenomenon consisted in three concepts: Competitive Strategy, Supply Chain Management and Economics of Innovation and Technology. A mixed-method, the sequential exploratory approach, has been used. As first sequence, qualitative data collection through several business case studies has been conducted. The case studies where enriched by semi-structured interviews. A mixed survey directed to an international wave developer population was the main source of quantitative data in the second sequence of the research approach. As key results, 30 enabling strategic, supply chain and technological factors could be identified. These factors could be recognized in the three themes strategy, supply chain and technology and innovation to hinder the competitiveness of wave power in the past for both countries. Strategically implementing these factors enables wave power to become a solid element of the energy mix in Scotland and Sweden in the future.
The Advantage of Using International Multimodel Ensemble for Seasonal Precipitation Forecast over Israel

This study analyzes the results of monthly and seasonal precipitation forecasting from seven different global climate forecast models for major basins in Israel within October–April 1982–2010. The six National Multimodel Ensemble (NMME) models and the ECMWF seasonal model were used to calculate an International Multimodel Ensemble (IMME). The study presents the performance of both monthly and seasonal predictions of precipitation accumulated over three months, with respect to different lead times for the ensemble mean values, one per individual model. Additionally, we analyzed the performance of different combinations of models. We present verification of seasonal forecasting using real forecasts, focusing on a small domain characterized by complex terrain, high annual precipitation variability, and a sharp precipitation gradient from west to east as well as from south to north. The results in this study show that, in general, the monthly analysis does not provide very accurate results, even when using the IMME for one-month lead time. We found that the IMME outperformed any single model prediction. Our analysis indicates that the optimal combinations with the high correlation values contain at least three models. Moreover, prediction with larger number of models in the ensemble produces more robust predictions. The results obtained in this study highlight the advantages of using an ensemble of global models over single models for small domain.