Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fiscal Consolidation and Income Inequality

In this paper, we assess the impact of fiscal consolidation on income inequality. Using a panel of 18 industrialized countries from 1970 to 2010, we find that income inequality significantly rises both during periods of fiscal consolidation and in the aftermath of such adjustments. In addition, fiscal authority that is driven by spending cuts seems to be more detrimental for income distribution than in the case of tax hikes. Considering the linkages between banking crises and fiscal consolidation, we show that the impact on the income gap is amplified when fiscal adjustments take place after the resolution of such financial turmoils. Our results also provide support for the Kuznets relationship and corroborate the idea that trade can lead to a more unequal distribution of income.
Elliptic flow in heavy ion collisions

The study of quark-gluon plasma state in high energy heavy ion collisions is quite complicated as the system is dynamical. But still some detectable signals are present with are very helpful to understand this high energy phenomena. The measurement of elliptic flow is one of those experimentally measured variables. One of the major experimental evidence for the existence of thermalized system is the large anisotropic flow of hadrons. The anisotropic flow is the anisotropy of the particle azimuthal distribution in the momentum space with respect to the reaction plane and supposed to be sensitive to the extent of thermalization of the system immediately after the collision. The various hadron yield with respect to the reaction plane is characterized by Fourier expansion as the thermalised system behave like ideal fluid and the elliptic flow is defined by the second Fourier coefficient (�� ��). The theoretical calculations matches with the experimental observations well when the event by event fluctuations are considered for the measurement of flow and the Monte Carlo Glauber models are very much helpful to evaluate initial stage parameters.
Cheatgrass and yellow starthistle growth at 3 soil depths

Community dynamics and dominance on cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.) infested rangeland appear to be influenced by resource acquisition rates and duration of growth. Objectives were to determine the effects of densities, proportions, and soil depth on the growth rate and duration of growth of these species. In 6 field experiments isolated individuals, monocultures (100, 1,000, 10,000 plants m-2), and mixtures (same densities arranged factorially) were grown with unrestricted and restricted (0.2- and 0.5-m) soil depths. Shoot weights were determined on 12-day intervals beginning on day 24 and ending on day 72 for plants grown with restricted soil depth and day 96 (cheatgrass) and day 108 yellow starthistle) for plants grown in unrestricted soil. Quadratic growth curves were fit for each replication for plants grown in isolation. Linear and quadratic models season. We tested whether blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (HBK.) Lag. ] could be established in crested wheatgrass fields to increase plant diversity and grazing season length. Three seeding methods (unseeded, seed broadcast after rototilling, or seed drilled) and 2 herbicide treatments (none or glyphosate [N (phosphonomethyl)-glycine] sprayed at 1.1 kg a.i. ha-1) were applied in a complete factorial design to 3 X 10 m plots in 1994 in two 50 year-old crested wheatgrass stands. Blue grama established in seeded plots, but the effectiveness of seeding methods varied between sites. At both sites, herbicide control of crested wheatgrass greatly promoted the establishment of blue grama. Crested wheatgrass biomass and cover were reduced by rototilling and by spraying. The results suggest that the establishment of blue grama in crested wheatgrass stands is possible if seed is added and competition from crested wheatgrass is controlled.
A STABLE MONEY DEMAND FUNCTION FOR ZIMBABWE AS A PRE-REQUISITIE FOR EFFECTIVE MONETARY POLICY FORMULATION

The analysis of monetary aggregates is one of the pillars of Zimbabwe’s monetary policy strategy since money growth is highly correlated with inflation. Consequently monetary authorities use money growth as one indicator for future risks to price stability. A stable money demand function is therefore a critical prerequisite for effective monetary policy formulation. This study using time series quarterly data for Zimbabwe over the sample period 1980:1 to 1990:4 investigated the rationale for including either foreign interest rates (three months (LIBOR) or expected exchange rate or both (proxying for international capital mobility) in Zimbabwe’s money demand function in order to achieve structural stability and hence an appropriately specified money demand function. A key innovation was the inclusion of foreign interest rates and expected exchange rate in Zimbabwe’s money demand function in order to capture the openness of the economy. The monetarist view, Keynesian view and the structuralist view of price stability formed the core of the literature review. Utilizing the multivariate cointegration approach, the study applied the error correction model as the main tool of analysis. Selection of the suitable variables that entered the estimating equation used the Vector Auto Regression (VAR) procedure. The model was estimated by Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). The results showed that it was the expected exchange rate that entered the estimated equation for Zimbabwe’s money demand function more appropriately than the foreign interest rate. This approach yielded a predicted path of M1 velocity that closely matched the data. The results further indicated that there was cointegration among the variables in Zimbabwe’s money demand function. The applied tests supported the stability of the estimated model.
Towards a Professional Learning Dialogue in MexicanContemporary Art Museums

Dialogue is a tool that can be used to promote learning experiences amongst audiences in contemporary art museums, in particular due to the potential difficulty of interpreting this type of art. This study argues that when dialogue between the museum and audience promotes balanced opportunities to express ideas and information, the museum can also learn. The museum can share the learning findings about audiences with the rest of the staff members through a professional dialogue, which may impact, creating positive change on future museum practice, in order to facilitate exhibitions, programmes and activities better targeted to audiences. The research explores the concept of learning dialogue using interviews, content analysis, and a theoretical framework related to learning and dialogue in museums. The study also analyses the role of learning and education, and their context in contemporary art museum practice in Mexico, using critical texts and practical evidence from interviews with educators, curators and directors. The thesis investigates, in particular, the case study of the Enlaces programme at the University Museum of Contemporary Art (MuAC). This is a learning activity where the Enlaces participants, who are university students, receive training about the specialist knowledge required to understand contemporary art. The participants aim to create further dialogue with audiences with the purpose of provoking questions, reflection and understanding of MuAC’s contemporary artworks and exhibitions. Findings from the Enlaces participants’ interviews reveal a learning dialogue with audiences, resulting in a model that considers the interaction of three categories of dialogue: visual internal, content and participatory dialogues. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that the interactions between the Enlaces participants and MuAC staff stimulate peer dialogue, professional dialogue and limited dialogue. The analysis of findings results in a model for professional learning dialogue based on the interaction between three key areas: communication, recognition and teamwork. The research proposes an optimal scenario where there is professional and audience learning dialogue taking place, these then feedback to the museum cyclically, allowing audiences to contribute and influence the organisation.
Factors affecting insurance consumption in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

th , 2013 This study examined factors within insurance institutional framework that affect insurance consumption in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 80 insurance consumers judgmentally drawn from 10 insurance companies located in the state. Data were collected on: accessibility and prompt payment of claims, knowledge of the use and importance of insurance, professional activities by those selling insurance, nature of insurance policy statement and the overall corporate image. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The socioeconomic characteristics of insurance consumers revealed that most of them were literate, mostly public servants, married and were still in their active ages. In accordance with our theoretical framework, our empirical results support the established relationship between insurance consumption and institutional performance. Realising these problems as they affect insurance patronage and development in the state, the study recommends a general overhauling of insurance institution framework as a way forward for the development of a vibrant insurance market in Akwa Ibom State.
Structural behaviour of pre-fabricated composite pad footing foundation using cold-formed steel lipped channel sections

Conventional pad footing foundations are built using traditional method of reinforced concrete and utilising wooden formwork. This wooden formwork often encounters problems such as the formation of rectangular shape which is not consistent, the use of timber which is not environmental friendly and not contributing to the strength, the excessive use of labour to construct, and the difficulty to cast during rainy season. As a result, this method tends to slow down the construction time and affect the quality of the product. Thus, an approach to apply the concept of pre-fabrication and composite construction into the construction of pad footing foundation has been introduced by using cold-formed steel (CFS) lipped channel sections to replace both the timber as formwork and steel bars as reinforcement. Currently, the conventional type of foundation is still widely used in local construction, and prefabricated composite pad footing concept is yet to be seen as an alternative usage in foundation systems. In order to investigate the structural behaviours of the pre-fabricated composite pad footing foundation, 18 specimens were tested consisting of 6 specimens of conventional footings, 4 specimens of CFS with A10 wire mesh as reinforcement, and 8 specimens of fully CFS with thickness varies from 150 mm to 200 mm, and length varies from 1000 mm to 1750 mm. All specimens were checked for punching shear, longitudinal shear, and bending moment. The experimental and theoretical calculations were carried out and comparisons were made. The results show good agreement between the experimental works and theoretical values with flexural and shear strength are much higher than the conventional pad footing. Therefore, it can be concluded that the proposed pre-fabricated composite pad footing foundation using CFS lipped channel sections is suitable to be used as pad footing.
Author Responses to Reviewer #1

The authors describe the analysis of three selected filter samples that were collected within a more comprehensive sampling campaign (a total of 127 filters) at the Pico Mountain Observatory (PMO) on Pico Island / Azores. The samples were chosen because of the high organic carbon (OC) concentration. While major small ions and OC of the three filter samples were measured as well, the focus of the manuscript certainly lies on the analysis using direct infusion electrospray ionization ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry in the negative ion mode ((−)ESI/UHRMS). Differences in the mass spectra are discussed with regard to a back-trajectory analysis. The authors observe signals in one sample (out of three) that exhibits higher O/C ratios compared to the other two samples that likely have undergone a longer atmospheric transport time (and thus aging). The authors argue that the two samples with the lower O/C ratio were transported in the free troposphere (FT) to PMO, and thus the particle phase state during transport was likely solid. They conclude that “biomass burning emissions”, which are directly injected by pyro-convection into the FT, “are longer-lived than emissions in the boundary layer”.
Early plantation growth and tolerance to ramularia shoot blight of provenances of three spotted gum taxa on a range of sites in Queensland

Summary Early height growth and field tolerance to Quambalaria pitereka, the casual agent of ramularia shoot blight, were assessed for eleven provenances of Corymbia citriodora ssp. variegata, nine provenances of C. citriodora ssp. citriodora and eight provenances of C. henryi, within existing trials involving 22 diverse sites in Queensland. Not all taxa and provenances were present at all sites. The age at assessment varied, but was primarily between 10 and 21 mo. Assessments indicated that ramularia shoot blight at a specific site was closely associated with local climatic conditions, with mean annual rainfall being a useful indicator of the potential disease risk. It also appears that the mean annual rainfall at the origin of the provenance is a good indicator of the potential tolerance of the provenance to ramularia shoot blight, with the most tolerant provenances of all three spotted gum taxa originating from sites with more than 1000 mm. Of the taxa and provenances tested, the Woondum provenance of C. citriodora ssp. variegata has consistently demonstrated good growth rates and high tolerance to ramularia shoot blight across a wide range of sites. It is recommended that this provenance or other similarly tolerant provenances be selected for use in all future C. citriodora ssp. variegata plantations in southern Queensland where annual rainfall exceeds 800 mm. For C. citriodora ssp. citriodora, the Herberton and Kirrama provenances demonstrated good growth rates and high tolerance to ramularia shoot blight across a range of sites. For C. henryi there was little difference between provenances in growth or tolerance to ramularia shoot blight. While general tolerance was low, some good individuals were observed in the Gold Coast and Myrtle Creek provenances. The results presented in this paper provide guidance towards provenance selection for plantation establishment and on-going tree improvement for the three spotted gum taxa. It is anticipated that within a few years increasing quantities of seed from commercial seed orchards will become available, giving plantation growers a seed supply with considerably greater growth potential and tolerance of ramularia shoot blight than any source currently available from natural provenances.
The effect of natural and planted forest stands on soil fertility in the Hyrcanian region, Iran

Rafeie Jahed R, Hosseini SM, Kooch Y. 2014. The effect of natural and planted forest stands on soil fertility in the Hyrcanian region, Iran.Biodiversitas 15: 206-214. In the present work, we studied the effect of natural and planted forest stands on soil fertility in theHyrcanian region of northern Iran. Natural forest stands (including Acer velutinum Bioss., Zelkova carpinifolia (Pall), Parrotia persica(DC.) C.A. Mey, Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey. , Carpinus betulus L, Mixed planted stand (including Acer velutinum, Ulmuscarpinifolia G. Suckow Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey, Carpinus betulus L., Tilia begonifolia Scop. subsp. caucasia (Rupr.) Loria;maple (Acer velutinum Bioss) plantation, pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation and also clear-cut region (control) were considered in thisresearch. Soil samples were collected at two different depths, i.e., 0-15 and 15-30 cm, and characterized with respect to organic carbon(C), total nitrogen (N), available nutrient elements (P, K, Ca and Mg); pH and soil texture. The results showed that the highest amountof total N was found in mixed plantation. The highest amount of available P was detected in maple plantation and pine plantation hadthe highest available K and organic C than other treatments. The highest and the lowest available Ca and Mg were found in naturalforest and control area, respectively. In addition, it was observed that nutrients accumulate in upper layers of the soil. Hardwood standshave been more successful than the conifers stands, so this should be considered in the sustainable management of forests.Key words: Broad-leaved, needle-leaved, natural forest, plantation, soil nutrients.
Principals’ Instructional Leadership Roles and Effect on Teachers’ Job Performance: A Case Study of Secondary Schools in Asaba Metropolis, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract Leaders have often been said to impact, one way or the other on their subordinates. The teachers for encouragement look upon the principals as leaders, as they discharge their duties of training the young ones. How do they play their instructional leadership roles? , to what extent do these roles affect the work performance of the teachers? This study is a survey carried out in all the government-owned secondary schools in Asaba metropolis of Delta state. 240 teachers randomly selected from these schools made up the sample. The instrument was a questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Instructional Leadership Employed by Principals (QILEP). The two research questions were answered using mean statistic, while the lone hypothesis was tested using the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The results indicate that the principals play their instructional leadership roles to high extent and these roles affect the work performance of their teachers. Some recommendations were made.
Equilibrium avalanches in spin glasses

all cumulants of the magnetization. We find that ρ(�M ) ∼ �M −τ with an avalanche exponent τ = 1f or the SK model, originating from the marginal stability (criticality) of the model. It holds for jumps of size 1 � �M < N 1/2 , being provoked by changes of the external field by δH = O(N −1/2 )w hereN is the total number of spins. Our general formula also suggests that the density of overlap q between initial and final states in an avalanche is ρ(q) ∼ 1/(1 − q). These results show interesting similarities with numerical simulations for the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of the SK model. For finite-range models, using droplet arguments, we obtain the prediction τ = (df + θ )/dm where df ,d m ,a ndθ are the fractal dimension, magnetization exponent, and energy exponent of a droplet, respectively. This formula is expected to apply to other glassy disordered systems, such as the random-field model and pinned interfaces. We make suggestions for further numerical investigations, as well as experimental studies of the Barkhausen noise in spin glasses.
Wage Differentials in the Presence of Unobserved Worker, Firm, and Match Heterogeneity

We consider the problem of estimating and decomposing wage differentials in the presence of unobserved worker, firm, and match heterogeneity. Controlling for these unobservables corrects omitted variable bias in previous studies. It also allows us to measure the contribution of unmeasured characteristics of workers, firms, and worker-firm matches to observed wage differentials. An application to linked employer-employee data shows that decompositions of inter-industry earnings differentials and the male-female differential are misleading when unobserved heterogeneity is ignored.
’ response to reviewer ’ s minor revisions

In this study, precipitation isotopic variations at Barrow, AK, USA are linked to conditions at the moisture source region, along the transport path, and at the precipitation site. Seventy precipitation events between January 2009 and March 2013 were analyzed for δH and deuterium excess. For each precipitation event, vapor source regions were identified with the Lagrangian air parcel tracking program, HYSPLIT, in back-cast mode. The results show that the vapor source region migrated annually, with the most distal (proximal) and southerly (northerly) vapor source regions occurring during the winter 5 (summer). This may be related to equatorial expansion and poleward contraction of the Polar circulation cell and the extent of Arctic sea ice cover. Annual cycles of vapor source region latitude and δH in precipitation were in phase; depleted (enriched) δH values were associated with winter (summer) and distal (proximal) vapor source regions. Precipitation δH responded to variation in vapor source region as reflected by significant correlations between δH with the following three parameters: 1) total cooling between lifted condensation level and precipitating cloud at Barrow, ∆T̄cool, 2) meteorological conditions at the 10 evaporation site quantified by 2 m dew point, T̄d, and 3) whether the vapor transport path crossed the Brooks and/or Alaskan ranges, expressed as a Boolean variable, mtn. These three variables explained 54 % of the variance (p <0.001) in precipitation δH with a sensitivity of -3.51 ± 0.55 ‰ °C−1 (p < 0.001) to ∆T̄cool, 3.23 ± 0.83 ‰ °C−1 (p < 0.001) to Td, and -32.11 ± 11.04 ‰ (p = 0.0049) depletion when mtn is true. The magnitude of each effect on isotopic composition also varied with vapor source region proximity. For storms with proximal vapor source regions (where ∆T̄cool <7 °C), ∆T̄cool explained 3 % 15 of the variance in δH , T̄d alone accounted for 43 %, while mtn explained 2 %. For storms with distal vapor sources (∆T̄cool >7°C), ∆T̄cool explained 22 %, T̄d explained only 1 %, and mtn explained 18 %. The deuterium excess annual cycle lagged by 2-3 months the δH cycle, so the direct correlation between the two variables is weak. Vapor source region relative humidity with respect to the sea surface temperature, h̄ss, explained 34 % of variance in deuterium excess, (-0.395 ± 0.067 ‰ % −1, p < 0.001). The patterns in our data suggest that on an annual scale, isotopic ratios of precipitation at Barrow may respond to 20 changes in the southerly extent of the Polar circulation cell, a relationship that may be applicable to interpretation of long term climate change records like ice cores.