Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Time Preferences Differ: Evidence from 53 Countries

We present results from the first large-scale international survey on time preference, conducted in 53 countries. All countries exhibit hyperbolic discounting patterns, i.e., the immediate future is discounted more than far future. We also observe higher heterogeneity for shorter time horizons, consistent with the pattern reviewed by Frederick, Loewenstein, and O’Donoghue (2002). Cultural factors as captured by the Hofstede cultural dimensions (Hofstede, 1991) contribute significantly to the variation of time discounting, even after controlling for economic factors, such as GDP, inflation rate and growth rate. In particular, higher levels of Uncertainty Avoidance are associated with stronger hyperbolic discounting, whereas higher degrees of Individualism and Long Term Orientation predict stronger tendency to wait for larger payoffs. We also find the waiting tendency is correlated with innovation, environmental protection, crediting rating, and body mass index at country level after controlling for county wealth. These results help us to enhance the understanding of differences across financial markets and economic behavior worldwide.
Calibration of a non-invasive cosmic-ray probe for wide area snow water equivalent measurement

Abstract. Measuring snow water equivalent (SWE) is important for many hydrological purposes such as modelling and flood forecasting. Measurements of SWE are also crucial for agricultural production in areas where snowmelt runoff dominates spring soil water recharge. Typical methods for measuring SWE include point measurements (snow tubes) and large-scale measurements (remote sensing). We explored the potential of using the cosmic-ray soil moisture probe (CRP) to measure average SWE at a spatial scale between those provided by snow tubes and remote sensing. The CRP measures above-ground moderated neutron intensity within a radius of approximately 300 m. Using snow tubes, surveys were performed over two winters (2013/2014 and 2014/2015) in an area surrounding a CRP in an agricultural field in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The raw moderated neutron intensity counts were corrected for atmospheric pressure, water vapour, and temporal variability of incoming cosmic-ray flux. The mean SWE from manually measured snow surveys was adjusted for differences in soil water storage before snowfall between both winters because the CRP reading appeared to be affected by soil water below the snowpack. The SWE from the snow surveys was negatively correlated with the CRP-measured moderated neutron intensity, giving Pearson correlation coefficients of −0.90 (2013/2014) and −0.87 (2014/2015). A linear regression performed on the manually measured SWE and moderated neutron intensity counts for 2013/2014 yielded an r2 of 0.81. Linear regression lines from the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 manually measured SWE and moderated neutron counts were similar; thus differences in antecedent soil water storage did not appear to affect the slope of the SWE vs. neutron relationship. The regression equation obtained from 2013/2014 was used to model SWE using the moderated neutron intensity data for 2014/2015. The CRP-estimated SWE for 2014/2015 was similar to that of the snow survey, with an root-mean-square error of 8.8 mm. The CRP-estimated SWE also compared well to estimates made using snow depths at meteorological sites near (
Estimation of nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant activity of seeds of musk melon (Cucumis melo) and water melon (Citrullus lanatus) and nutritional analysis of their respective oils

The dried seeds of musk melon (Cucumis melo) and water melon (Citrullus lanatus) were analyzed for different characteristics such as nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant activity to understand its potential benefits. The nutritional analysis shows that the seeds are a good source of energy, carbohydrates, fat, proteins and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Phytochemical analysis reveals that the seeds are a good source of flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, alkaloids and other secondary metabolites. The oil of seeds was extracted by cold pressing and analyzed for various parameters such as iodine value, saponification value and fatty acid profile. The results revealed the high iodine value and presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega6 (linoleic acid), monounsaturated fatty acids such as omega9 (oleic acid). It also consists of saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid and stearic acid. The seeds provide opportunities to develop as value added products, dietary supplements and medicines.
MANITOBA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC. VS U.S. CORN EXPORTS (AN APPLICATION OF REGIONAL MARKET RULES UNDER CANADIAN TRADE REMEDY LAW)

Prairie corn production is, by almost all standards, a small crop. Manitoba production represents most of the corn produced on the Canadian Prairies so its production is also small. But it is not a “small” crop for the three or four hundred producers who grow it, and it is a relatively high input and risky crop. These growers, like most other Canadian crop producers, are aware of the high level of public support available to crop producers across the border in the United States. They are also aware that their ability to obtain favourable returns from the marketplace is reduced by that public support. Along with a fledgling soybean effort in a few areas, U.S. production and imports dominate the corn market more than any other commodity on the Canadian Prairies. As a consequence, this small group of Manitoba corn producers attempted to seek relief from the unbalanced trading environment by an application to Canadian trade remedy law as expressed in the Special Imports Measures Act. In August 2000,
The Public Legitimacy of the National Assembly for Wales

This article examines the public legitimacy of the National Assembly for Wales. Both the Assembly and the broader system of devolved government for Wales initially enjoyed very limited public support. It is shown that support for devolution in general has risen substantially, while some elements of public attitudes towards the Assembly itself now appear distinctly positive. However, it is also demonstrated that public legitimacy, defined as ‘diffuse support’ for the Assembly, remains limited. The article then examines what factors explain levels of diffuse support for the National Assembly. It is found that variation in such support is best accounted for by factors associated with ‘non-material consequentialism’: perceptions of the impact of the Assembly on the process of government. The conclusion assesses the implications of the findings for the National Assembly, as well as for the study of devolution and political institutions more generally.
What makes the pediatric airway so diffi cult

The most important evaluation of the child’s airway is observation: generally, «what you see is what you get». Two conditions should be met in order to adequately evaluate the child’s airway. First, observe the child face on and in profi le. Symmetry of the mandible/maxilla is essential, but if the mandible is receded compared with the maxilla in the profi le, be prepared for a challenging laryngoscopy. If the child has a syndrome, BE CAREFUL. Some children appear normal, depending on their age (eg., arthrogryposis) but present challenges to intubate the trachea. This occurs decidedly less commonly in children than adults but it does occur. Second, have the child open the mouth fully, sticks out their tongue and move the neck in a full range of motion. If all conditions are satisfactorily met, then laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation should be straightforward. The Mallampati and Cormack Lehane scores, BMI, neck circumference and thyromental distance do not predict diffi cult intubations in children. Previous diffi culties with tracheal intubation may suggest that tracheal intubation could be diffi cult, although this varies with the airway pathology.
Renal disease in human immunodeficiency virus infection; a divergent array

Background: Renal disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in populations with HIV infection. Widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy has altered the spectrum of renal disease. Studies among the HIV affected population in India are few. Objectives: The study was carried out to determine the various histopathological lesions in HIV patients with renal dysfunction, undergoing a renal biopsy, and to establish the clinico-pathological correlation. Patients and Methods: Thirty HIV-positive patients, diagnosed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method according to the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) guidelines, undergoing a renal biopsy for renal dysfunction were studied. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results: Rather than the classic human immunodeficiency virus associated nephropathy (HIVAN) or a few prototypical lesions, the cases were spread across the entire spectrum of glomerular and tubulointerstitial pathologies described in the HIV population. A higher proportion of diabetic nephropathy, IgA nephropathy and chronic interstitial nephritis were encountered in the present study. Conclusions: In the present scenario of increasing incidence of HIV infection, studying its various manifestations are relevant. As none of the clinical or laboratory variables are found to predict glomerular versus non-glomerular lesions on biopsy, a renal biopsy is indicated in renal dysfunction associated with HIV, to make an accurate diagnosis and for therapy.
T H E RECOVERY O F CLINICALLY IMPORTANT ANAEROBES O N SOLID MEDIA

IT was shown by Collee, Rutter and Watt (1971) that the difficulties encountered in the surface culture of Clostridium oedematiens (CZ. novyi) types B and D can be overcome by the use of modified Moore’s medium (Moore, 1968) or by sprinkling sterile iron filings on the surface of a seeded blood agar plate. This approach made it possible to study quantitatively whether the growth was derived from spores or from vegetative cells. It was found for type D of this exacting organism that vegetative cells can account for an appreciable part of the growth obtained when a broth culture is subcultured on solid medium. This finding may be of practical importance also in the case of other anaerobes. It raises the question whether the traditional methods give adequate recovery of anaerobic organisms for clinical purposes or whether more elaborate procedures such as those of Hungate (1950) and Drasar and Crowther (1971) should be employed.
Relationship Between Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Dental Condition in Patients Referring to Yazd Dental University and Yazd Khatamolanbia Clinic

Introduction: Oral health related quality of life - United Kingdom (OHQoL-UK) questionnaire is one of the instrument which measure both positive and negative aspect of Oral Health related Quality of Life (OHQoL) at the same time. The aim of this study is to evaluate OHQoL with remaining teeth and other variable using OHQoL-UK questionnaire. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 150 patients referring to Yazd dental university and Khatamolanbia clinic; they were randomly asked to completeOHQoL-UK questionnaire. Number of teeth, present or absence of dental prosthesis (partial or fixed) was examined by the clinician. Then patients completed the OHQoL-UK questionnaire. Results: Sixty one male and 84 female completed the questionnaire. Male have higher mean quality of life score than female (68.8 in male and 67.9 in female) although it was not statistically significant (p=0.519). Quality of life score tended to decrease with age (p=0.214). Patients with more tee th have higher mean quality of life score (p= 0.002, rs=0.253). Mean quality of life score in patients with partial prosthesis was less than other patients but this relationship was not statistically significant (p=0.563). Patients with fixed prosthesis had higher mean quality of life score than others (p=0.05).
Deuteration in infrared dark clouds

Much of the dense gas in molecular clouds has a filamentary structure but the detailed structure and evolution of this gas is poorly known. We have observed 54 cores in infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) using N2H+ (1−0) and (3−2) to determine the kinematics of the densest material, where stars will form. We also observed N2D+ (3−2) towards 29 of the brightest peaks to analyse the level of deuteration which is an excellent probe of the quiescent of the early stages of star formation. There were 13 detections of N2D+ (3−2). This is one of the largest samples of IRDCs yet observed in these species. The deuteration ratio in these sources ranges between 0.003 and 0.14. For most of the sources the material traced by N2D+ and N2H+ (3−2) still has significant turbulent motions, however three objects show subthermal N2D+ velocity dispersion. Surprisingly the presence or absence of an embedded 70μm source shows no correlation with the detection of N2D+ (3−2), nor does it correlate with any change in velocity dispersion or excitation temperature. Comparison with recent models of deuteration suggest evolutionary time-scales of these regions of several free-fall times or less.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MADE? THE EFFECTS OF REPETITIVE AND COMPETITIVE NEWS FRAMING OVER TIME Manuscript under review

Based on a “classic” framing experiment (n = 1,324), this study empirically tests the dynamic nature of framing effects over time. We integrate (1) multiple frame exposures as well as (2) various tests for duration of framing effects into our design. Our results show that exposure to repetitive news frames has a consolidating effect on opinion formation. This effect is stronger the shorter the delay between two exposures. Competitive news framing is characterised by recency effects; i.e. the latest frame has the strongest impact on opinion formation. Political knowledge functions as a moderator for both effect mechanisms. Participants with higher levels of political knowledge are less prone to recency effects, but more likely to develop a consolidation effect. The results of this study have important methodological and substantive ramifications for framing effects research, as well as for our understanding of the real-life impact of framed media messages on public opinion. 102 FRAMING POLITICS
Legal and Extralegal Origins of Sentencing Disparities: Evidence from Russia's Criminal Courts

This paper conducts the first analysis of sentencing disparities related to social characteristics of offenders in Russia. It uses the dataset of sentencing decisions consisting of over 5 million observations representing the entire population of defendants between 2009 and 2013. The analysis focuses on all felony cases processed by Federal district courts (2,905,608 individuals)and estimates sentencing disparities (decisions to imprison and sentence length) related to general social status characteristics of offenders as well as to finer occupational differences. The Russian Criminal Code prescribes that judges should account for the personality of the defendant and his or her family condition, but does not specify how this should be done in practice. Controlling for major legal characteristics of offence and offender as well as for judge-level variation, the analysis shows sentencing disparities connected with gender, unemployment, citizenship, local residence, marital status, and occupational status of defendants. Disparities are explained with reference to different origins. Thus, a more severe punishment of law enforcement employees for premeditated crimes corresponds to the legal rule; a harsher treatment of the unemployed and a more lenient sentencing of married defendants are interpreted with reference to legitimate concerns about repeated offending. Extralegal bias is manifested in the more severe punishment of private entrepreneurs and softer punishment of college students. Sentencing disparities are also estimated at different values of sentence length.
Efficiency of nitrogen fertilization based on the fertilizer application method and type of maize cultivar (Zea mays L.).

This article demonstrates the influence of the method using application of 100 kg N/ha of nitrogen fertilizer and hybrid types of maize (Zea mays L.) on selected efficiency indicators used for this macroelement. It was shown that in comparison to traditional broadcast fertilization, fertilization in rows or fertilization in rows combined partly with top dressing increased the values of such characteristics as nitrogen uptake and use, percentage of fertilizer nitrogen in the total nitrogen uptake as well as the agricultural and physiological effectiveness of the nitrogen. All the studied nitrogen effectiveness factors for maize (apart from physiological effectiveness) were significantly higher for the stay-green cultivar. In relation to a traditional cv. ES Palazzo, the cv. ES Paroli stay-green was characterised by poorer use of the nitrogen uptake regardless of the nitrogen fertilizer application method, which was visible in the lower values of physiological effectiveness.
Crops use-efficiency of nitrogen from a manure allowed for organic-farming

The current increase in the organic agriculture sector has created a new market for fertilisers approved for organic farming. Off-farm N sources for organic farming are scarce considering the restriction on the use of chemical fertilisers. Thus, when some commercial products are allowed for organic agriculture, commercial opportunities became available. In this study we compare the behaviour of Vegethumus (Veg) and Phenix (Phe), which are two manures allowed for organic farming, with several other manures, ammonium nitrate (AN) and control treatments. A three year field trial and a pot experiment were carried out in order to estimate dry matter yield, N uptake, and N nutritional status of the crops, as well as soil N availability by using anion exchange membranes inserted into the soil. Apparent N recoveries in the field trial were 6.3 % and 58.2 % in Veg and AN plots, respectively, after the application of 380 kg N/ha in the previous 5 growing seasons. In the pot experiment the ANR of Veg and Phe were 5.0 % and 13.6 %, respectively, while in AN pots it was 37.1%. The other organic manures used in the pot experiment gave higher apparent N recoveries than Veg and Phe if their C:N ratios or inorganic-N contents were taken into account. This work stresses that the use of manures approved for organic farming must first be carefully considered by farmers, with reference to price and agronomic value.
Resource Use Efficiency in Integrated Farming Systems of Banswara District of Rajasthan

The present study was undertaken to analyze the resource use efficiency in integrated farming systems of Banswara district of Rajasthan by using the multistage sampling plan. This district was purposively selected for the study. A total sample of 60 households were selected from the study area in which 30 households from irrigated and remaining 30 households from rainfed condition. Both Linear and Cobb-Douglas Production function was employed to analyze the resource use efficiency. In the present study, the linear production function had shown the better results in terms of statistical criteria. The results of the present study revealed that some inputs namely machine labour, and human labour were over utilized among overall farming systems. The seeds, fertilizers, FYM and plant protection measures were under-utilized in rainfed area while labour, feed and concentrates were under-utilized for livestock activities in irrigated area of Banswara district. Therefore, it can be concluded that there was a much scope for reorganization of these resources to optimize their use to enhance the return in the study area.
Increased Blood Coagulation in Alcohol Dependent Male Patients During Six − Month Abstinence Period *

Background. Haemostatic factors play an important role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular events and their activ− ity may be affected by alcohol drinking and withdrawal. Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine changes in platelets and plasma coagulation factors over a 6−month abstinence period. Material and Methods. Forty−seven alcohol−dependent male patients, who were abstained less than 14 days, and 18 non−alcoholic males, who did not drink alcohol for the last month, were studied. In all patients at the beginning of the study and after four weeks of abstinence period platelets count and mean platelet volume (MPV) as well as the levels of thrombin–antithrombin complexes (TAT−complexes), antithrombin (AT), fibrinogen (fbg), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time expressed as international rationalized ratio (INR) were determined. In 27 alcoholics, who came for the visit after 6 months, all these determinations were repeated. Results. Alcohol dependent patients during first two and after next four weeks of abstinence had higher TAT−com− plexes and fbg concentrations than control group. After four weeks of abstinence period decrease in fibrinogen, and AT levels as well as increase in MPV and INR values were observed. Patients, who failed to remain abstinent for whole observation period (n = 9), in comparison to abstinent patients, had significantly lower INR and MPV val− ues and three times higher TAT−complexes concentration. Conclusions. In alcohol dependent male patients during early abstinence period the authors found increase of platelets and plasma blood coagulation activation, expressed by greater TAT−complexes concentration as well as enlargement of MPV value showing increased platelets renewal. Further study are needed to estimate importance of these haemostatic changes for cardiovascular events risk in this patients group (Adv Clin Exp Med 2005, 14, 2, 323–331).
An Investigation of the Learning styles and Study Habits of Chemistry Undergraduates in Barbados and their Effect as Predictors of Academic Achievement in Chemical Group Theory

This study was performed to investigate the learning styles, study habits and academic achievement of Chemistry students enrolled at the University of the West Indies (the UWI), Cave Hill Campus. The questionnaire used to assess these variables consisted of the Paragon Learning Style Inventory which measures the four learning style dimensions extrovert/introvert, sensate/intuitive, feeling/thinking and judging/perceiving along with the Study Habits Inventory which measures the study habits displayed by the students. There were 59 students who participated in the study. The reliability of inventories was determined using the Cronbach coefficient alpha. The data collected was analyzed by the t-test, ANOVA and linear regression at a confidence level of 0.05. It was concluded that among the students the introvert, sensate, thinking and judging learning styles were most prevalent. There was no statistical difference in the study habits of the students based on level or the learning styles based on level, and study habits or academic achievement based on study habits and learning styles. The contribution of the learning styles and study habits as predictors of a chemistry student’s academic achievement in group theory was not significant however, extrovert/introvert learning style dimension is the highest contributor. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013. v3n2p107
An approximate method for solving a melting problem with periodic boundary conditions

An effective thermal diffusivity method is used to solve one-dimensional melting problem with periodic boundary conditions in a semi-infinite domain. An approximate analytic solution showing the functional relation between the location of the moving boundary and time is obtained by using Laplace transform. The evolution of the moving boundary and the temperature field in the phase change domain are simulated numerically, and the numerical results are compared with previous results in open literature.