Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Money, Interest and Profit in the Theory of Distribution: A Sraffian Approach

The main objective of this study is to find the meaning of the so often highlighted phrase “[The rate of profits] is accordingly susceptible of being determined from outside the system of production, in particular by the level of the money rates of interest. ” (Sraffa, 1960, 44, p. 33) This paper systematically collects evidence on possible interpretations of Sraffa’s hint, by examining all factors that might be significant: his historical background, his theoretical forefathers, his contemporaries, his intellectual development. When examining already existing research, I conclude that the models of Massimo Pivetti (1991) and Carlo Panico (1988a) are not able to deliver an interpretation of Sraffa’s actual intention. They constitute merely the authors’ own elaborations and therefore present two models which are incompatible with Sraffa’s original system, which was constructed in classical tradition of not endogenising elements outside the core. I found that Sraffa acknowledged the significance of a monetary economy and critically viewed Keynes’s development of the concept of own rates of interest, which orginally was his suggestion. The peculiar missing definition of the price by which the amount of cotton returned as interest should be priced (Keynes, 1936, Chapter 17, pp. 222-3) and the argument between Keynes and Sraffa on this topic lead to the conclusion that by the money rates of interest Sraffa might have meant commodity own rates of interest measured in money terms. The proposition stands and falls with the assumption that, in the dispute over the price that should be used to calculate the own rates of interest, Sraffa preferred the spot price because it leads to an expression in monetary terms.
Effect of Malting on Chemical Composition, Minerals Content and Microbiological Quality in Different Varieties of Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of malting process on chemical composition and mineral content as well as microbial quality of barley varieties (bakur (A) and balady (B) from Yemen and also local 46(C) from Sudan. All these grains were cleaned, soaked and germinated at temperature30±2oC for 120 hours. After germination process, grains were dried at 55 oC for 12 hours. The three barley varieties (A, B and C) showed significant differences (p˂ 0.05) in chemical composition between non-malted and malted. However, the results of non-malted samples(A, ,B, and C) in chemical composition the result were, moisture (6.66, 6.34 and 6.08%), protein (12.62, 11.40 and 11.53%), fat (1.94, 1.75 and 1.49%), Ash (2.72, 2.52 and 2.45%), fiber (3.13, 2.80 and 3.52%), and Carbohydrate (73.15, 75 and 75.22%), while the malted barley samples were shown the following , moisture (4.66, 4.44, 4.35%), protein (11.91, 7.83, 6.47%), fat (1.64, 1.68, 1.60%),Ash(2.48, 2.47, and 2.12%), fiber (4.02, 4.24, 4.47%) and Carbohydrate (75.63, 79.63,80.92%). Moreover, the reducing sugar content of non-malted samples ranged between 0.25% and 0.67%, whereas malted samples between 0.32 and 0.48%. In addition to that, non-reducing sugar ranged between 0.63-0.98% and 1.72-2.74% respectively. The mineral content showed (p˂ 0.05) variations between malted and non-malted samples. Microbial analysis including (total count of bacteria, yeasts, moulds, E.coil and Coliform) were increased significantly (p≤0.05) in all non-malted and malted samples, while Salmonella was not detected.
Vulnerability of Smallholder Farmers to Climate Change and Variability in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

This study investigates vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change and variability in three districts (Basona Werana, Efratana Gidim and Menz Gera Meder) located in different agroecological zones (AEZs) in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Household level data about livelihood capitals and climate related variables were used to develop vulnerability indices and determine vulnerability patterns across the study area. Our results identify Basona Werana as the most vulnerable in terms of physical and financial capital indicators while Efratana Gidim is the most vulnerable in natural capital indicators and climate factors. Vulnerability score of 3 out of the 6 indicators are the least for Menz Gera Meder. Statistically significant differences of vulnerability are observed in 9 of the 39 subcomponents indicating differences in the level of vulnerability across agroecological zones. The findings have implications for planning and prioritizing adaptation interventions in the study area, while the methodology is applicable to other parts of rural Ethiopia as well. Keywords : climate change; vulnerability; farmer, North Shewa, Ethiopia
Holding Power of Orthopaedic Screws in Metacarpal and Metatarsal Bones of Young Calves

Summary The holding power and holding power per mm bone width of 4.5 mm and 5.5 mm cortical and 6.5 mm cancellous orthopaedic screws were obtained by tensile load-to-failure studies in excised metacarpal and metatarsal bones of young female Holstein calves. Holding power and holding power per mm bone width of 6.5 mm orthopaedic screws were significantly greater than those of 4.5 and 5.5 mm orthopaedic screws in the diaphysis and metaphysis. Significant differences were not detected between holding power and holding power per mm bone width of 4.5 and 5.5 mm orthopaedic screws. The holding power was not different between metacarpi and metatarsi. The limiting factor in all tests of holding power was the shear strength of the bone. We found that 6.5 mm orthopaedic screws have the greatest holding power in the metacarpal and metatarsal bones of young calves. This study compares the holding power of 4.5 mm and 5.5 mm cortical and 6.5 mm cancellous orthopaedic screws in excised metacarpal and metatarsal bones from young female Holstein calves. We found that 6.5 mm orthopaedic screws have the greatest holding power.
ECG Biometrics using Deep Neural Networks

Biometrics is a rapidly growing field, with applications in personal identification and security. The Electrocardiogram (ECG) has the potential to be used as a physiological signature for biometric systems. However, current methods still lack in performance across different recording sessions. In this thesis, it is shown that Deep Learning can be applied successfully in the analysis of physiological signals for biometric purposes. This is accomplished in two different experiments by formulating novel approaches based on Convolutional Neural Networks and Recurrent Neural Networks, which may receive heartbeats, signal segments or spectrograms as input. These methods are compared in tasks implying the recognition of subjects from four public databases: Fantasia, ECG-ID, MIT-BIH and CYBHi. This work obtained state-of-the-art results for across-session authentication tasks on the CYBHi dataset, reaching Equal Error Rates of 10.57% and 10.01% for the best model, with corresponding identification accuracy rates of 55.58% and 58.91%. It also demonstrates that using spectrograms as input to the classifier is a promising approach for biometric identification, achieving accuracy values of 99.79% and 96.88%, respectively for Fantasia and ECG-ID databases. Further, it is shown empirically that for ECG biometric systems, the ability of a model to generalize is crucial, not only its capacity to relate and store information. These contributions represent another step towards real-world application of ECGbased biometric systems, closing the gap between intra and inter-session performance and providing some guidelines that can be applied in future work.
Rewarding Creative Problem Solving and Expectations for Creative Motives, Competence and Satisfaction of Workers During Critical Incidents

There is growing interest in creativity and innovation at work, and the role of reward types in creative problem solving dispositions of workers in organizations. However, extending creative performance to problem resolution during critical incidents remains a virgin ground pending exploration. This study examined employees’ perceptions of creativity rewards and effects on creative motive, competence and feelings of satisfaction. Participants were 50 and a reliable instrument was used to determine the opinions of respondents. Descriptive analysis, bivariate correlation and regression were applied for data analysis. According to results, nonmaterial reward significantly predicted intrinsic creative motive of workers while material reward significantly determined extrinsic creative motive. Analysis also reported that nonmaterial reward significantly predicted creative competence of employees. While non-material and material rewards significantly predicted satisfaction of employees, material reward by contrast failed to predict satisfaction. It is evident that intangible and tangible incentives determined creativity dimensions though at varying directions and degrees. Findings also supported theories used in explaining rewards and creative behaviors. Discussion is centered on creative and innovative culture, and how the use of reward types can improve creative responses at critical incidents. Furthermore, expansion of investigations on incentive types and creative behaviors has been suggested.
NEW PARASITE RECORDS FROM Kerodon rupestris (RODENTIA, CAVIIDAE) AN ENDEMIC SPECIES TO NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

The present study aimed to identify endoparasites from faecal samples of Kerodon rupestris, an endemic rodent of the Brazilian semiarid region. Samples collected from 10 locations at the Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara, Piaui State, Brazil were analyzed. Each faecal samples was processed, rehydrated, homogenized, and processed by spontaneous sedimentation. Morphological and morphometric characteristics of gastrointestinal parasites were observed using light microscopy. A total of three taxa from helminth and protozoan parasites were found. The results demonstrated parasite remains in 6/10 localities, and a high occurrence of Trichuris cf. gracilis, in 5/10 localities. Egg morphometric data was compared with Thichuris spp. egg Brazilian rodents. Two new parasite records were identified in K. rupestris , a nematode, Helminthoxys sp. (Oxyuridae) and a possible coccidian. The findings are discussed with taxonomic and ecological literature of intestinal parasites from rodents. The role of K. rupestris as source of ecological information in the region is suggested.
Growth Performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared on deep litter and cages in the hot humid tropics of Southern Bénin Republic

The performance of male and female quails reared separately in cages and on deep litter was investigated. One hundred and eighty 3-week old quails managed for five weeks. There were three replicates per treatment with stocking densities of 120cm2/bird in cage and 180cm2/bird on deep litter and sex as a block factor. Data on weekly body weight, weight change, daily feed and water intakes, feed: gain, carcass yield and costs of production were analysed. Daily water consumed by quails between the housing systems (62.76±11.21mL/d on deep litter vs. 66.96±12.18mL/d in cage system, p>0.05) were same. However, quails housed on deep litter consumed more feed from 43-56 days of age (25.34±1.77g/d vs. 22.99±1.55g/d). Quails reared on deep litter also grew faster during the first week of that period (3.33±1.70g/d vs. 0.69±0.87g/d). However, gain in body weight was noticed from day 22 to day 49 but a sudden decline thereafter for all quails regardless of sex and housing system. Carcass yield was not affected by housing system but values for thighs, empty gizzard and liver of quails kept on deep litter were higher (respectively 12.95±0.86% vs. 11.99±0.83%, 2.12±0.18% vs. 1.84±0.20%, 2.11±0.59% vs. 1.88±0.43%; p<0.05). Production costs were the same (p>0.05) whether on deep litter (3414.30±172.95CFA/kg) or in cages (3283.43±77.72CFA/kg). However, the production cost per kilogram of carcass of male quails was lower compared to females (3205.88±138.95CFA/kg vs. 3484.35±131.57CFA/kg, respectively) regardless of the housing system. Sex and age of quails affect performance and not the type of housing system.
3D dynamics of the Southeastern North Sea, effects of variable
resolution

Abstract. A newly developed coastal model FESOM-C based on three-dimensional unstructured meshes and finite volume is applied to simulate dynamics of the southeastern part of the North Sea. Variable horizontal resolution enables using meshes that are coarse in the open sea but refined in the shallow areas (which include the Wadden Sea and the estuaries) to resolve important small-scale process (such as wetting and drying, sub-mesoscales eddies and dynamics of steep coastal fronts). Model results for the simulation for the period between January 2010 and December 2014 agree reasonably well with data from numerous autonomous observation stations with high temporal and spatial resolution, located in the region, data from ferry boxes and glider expeditions. The analysis of numerical solution convergence on meshes with different horizontal resolutions allows identifying areas where high mesh resolution (wetting and drying zones, shallow areas) and low mesh resolution (open boundary, open sea, and deep regions) are optimal for numerical simulations.
Fabrication of Biochar from Organic Wastes and
its Effect on Wheat Growth and Soil Microflora

In modern agricultural practices, applying biochar to improve soil fertility, plant growth and agricultural output is gaining a great deal of attention. Our current study highlights the preparation of biochar from fruit and vegetable waste and nutshell waste and its application as biofertilizer. The prepared biochar from both resources was characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both types of biochar and their mixture were tested in a short-term lab-scale pot experiment at two different rates (0.5%, 1% w/w) in order to evaluate their relative efficacy in soil fertility and wheat yield. Soil parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, total carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium were analysed before and after plant growth by standard procedures. At the end of the experiment plant growth and dry biomass was calculated. Analytical characterization of biochar depicts its crystalline nature with the presence of carbon nanotubes and circular pores. Wheat growth effects varied with biochar type, but overall positive growth results were observed for both biochar and their mixture. Results proved that wheat growth and biomass production was highest with maximum concentration of biochar mixture, while the highest microbial count was observed with 1% nutshell biochar. Promising wheat growth and a shift in relative abundance of the microbial community could have resulted from improvement in soil parameters such as highest soil EC of 190 us/cm. Phosphorous and potassium concentrations of 12 mg/kg and 210 mg/kg were observed at 1% mixture of biochar. In 1% fruit and vegetable waste biochar highest TC of 0.459% was observed in soil. Furthermore, the highest TN of 0.0325% was examined at 0.5% mixture of biochar. Our results conclude that the biochar amendment in soil at optimum level improves soil physiochemical properties and enhances soil microflora, which in turn cast a positive influence on soil productivity and crop growth.
Thermographic assessment of saddles used in Mangalarga Marchador horses

Poor saddle-fitting is one of the main causes of back pain in horses. Mangalarga Marchador is a popular breed in Brazil, being used mainly for pleasure riding and sports. This study aimed to thermographically assess saddles used in horses of this breed. Thermographic images were obtained from 18 saddles of animals from different categories during a Mangalarga Marchador National Exposition. The evaluation was based on three parameters: contact area symmetry, dorsal midline interaction and total skin contact area (25%, 50%, 75% or 100%). Contact area asymmetry was observed in 83.3% of saddles. Dorsal midline interaction was observed with the same frequency. Only 22.2% of saddles assessed in the present study had panels with contact areas greater than 50%. Based on the results of this essay it can be concluded that thermography is a useful tool for the evaluation of saddle contact area with the back of horses and that there is a high frequency of fitting unconformities in saddles used in Mangalarga Marchador horses.
Chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis by dietary administration of piroxicam, alpha-difluoromethylornithine, 16 alpha-fluoro-5-androsten-17-one, and ellagic acid individually and in combination.

The chemopreventive action of 40 and 80% maximum tolerated dose (MTD) levels of piroxicam, D,L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DMFO), 16 alpha-fluoro-5-androsten-17-one (DHEA analogue 8354), and ellagic acid (EA) administered in diet individually and in combination before and during initiation and postinitiation phases of azoxymethane-induced neoplasia of the intestine was studied in male F344 rats. The MTD levels of piroxicam, DFMO, DHEA analogue, and EA were determined in male F344 rats and found to be 500, 5,000, 500, and 10,000 ppm, respectively, in modified AIN-76A diet. When these agents were fed in combination, the MTD levels were: piroxicam plus DFMO, 250 and 2500 ppm; piroxicam plus DHEA analogue, 250 and 250 ppm; piroxicam plus EA, 250 and 5000 ppm; piroxicam plus DFMO plus DHEA analogue, 250, 2500, and 250 ppm; and piroxicam plus DFMO plus EA, 250, 2500, and 5000 ppm. From these MTD values, 40 and 80% MTD levels were calculated and tested for their efficacy. At 5 weeks of age, animals were fed the modified AIN-76A (control) diet and experimental diets containing 40 and 80% MTD levels of piroxicam, DFMO, DHEA analogue, and EA individually and in combination. At 7 weeks of age, all animals except the vehicle-treated groups were administrated s.c. injections of azoxymethane (15 mg/kg body weight/week for 2 weeks). Animals intended for vehicle treatment received s.c. injections of an equal volume of normal saline. Fifty-two weeks after azoxymethane and saline treatment all the animals were necropsied, and colon and small intestinal tumor incidence (percentage of animals with tumors) and multiplicity (tumors/animal) were compared among various dietary groups. The results indicate that 40 and 80% MTD levels of dietary piroxicam and DFMO significantly (P less than 0.001) inhibited colon and small intestinal tumor incidence and multiplicity. DHEA analogue at 40% MTD level significantly decreased the small intestinal and colon tumor incidences (P less than 0.05), whereas 80% MTD of DHEA analogue inhibited only small intestinal tumor incidence. EA at 40 and 80% MTDs had no significant effect on colon tumor incidence (P greater than 0.05), but 80% MTD of EA showed a significant inhibitory effect on the incidence of small intestinal adenocarcinomas (P less than 0.01). In the combination study, 40 and 80% MTD levels of piroxicam plus DFMO significantly (P less than 0.001) inhibited colon adenocarcinoma incidence (8.3%) and multiplicity (0.08 +/- 0.04) (SE) when compared to colon adenocarcinoma incidence (72.2%) and multiplicity (1.14 +/- 0.18) in control diet-fed animals. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Imperiling on Urban Environment by Air Pollution and its Impact on Human Health

Present study was carried out to analyze the concentration of the pollutants due to air born particulate matter (PM10) and infectious trace gases and their effects on human health at ten different locations along busy intersections in the commercial, residential and industrial areas of Karachi city. At each selected location, the study was carried out to determine the level of particulate matter and trace gases for a period of 8 h twice in a month during the year 2015. Samples were collected at ten selected locations i.e. Karimabad(C-1), Tibet Centre(C-2), and Liaquatabad(C-3) in commercial areas; PIB Colony(R-1), Nazimabad(R-2) and Gulshan-e-Iqbal(R-3) in residential areas; Siemens G. Belt(I-E1), Naurus G Belt (I-E2), Singer Chowrangi(I-W3) and Chamra Chowrangi(I-W4) in industrial areas of the city. Resultsreceived from different air quality categories were calculated according to National Environmental Quality Standard (NEQS) at selected locations, as in commercial areas showing poor pollution level for trace gases and PM10 due to high traffic density. In Residential areas PIB Colony (R-1) and Gulshan-e-Iqbal (R-3), found under good category with respect to the trace gases and moderate pollution level for the PM10 pollution, having low traffic density whereas Nazimabad(R-2) presents moderate category for trace gases and unhealthy category for PM10 pollution with high traffic density. In industrial areas Singer Chowrangi (I-W3) and Chamra Chowrangi(I-W4) found under moderate pollution level with moderate traffic density, whereas, Siemens G. Belt(I-E1) and Naurus G. Belt(I-E2) locations are represented by moderate pollution values for trace gases and found under poor pollution level for PM10 pollution, may be due to industrial emissions and heavy vehicular emission. Level of PM10 and trace gases at all the selected sites excluding residential areas, exceeds the permissible limits as specified by NEQS.
Corporate Diversification and Managerial Overconfidence 1. Introduction A considerable body of academic literature investigates the impact of corporate diversification on firm value. Lang and Stulz (1994) and Berger and Ofek (1995), for instance, provide strong evidence that multi-segment firms trad

This study investigates the role of managerial overconfidence in the context of corporate diversification decisions. First, we find that overconfident managers are more likely to manage diversified than focused firms. Second, we find that the diversification discount is concentrated exclusively in companies managed by overconfident managers. Third, we document that the discount is greater following diversification and, most importantly, it persists for several years only for firms managed by overconfident managers. Our evidence is consistent with the view that overconfident managers miscalibrate benefits/costs associated with diversification decisions and perceive them as invariably value-creating.
Hydrodynamics of Twin Water Jets Impingement on a Flat Horizontal Moving Surface

The interaction of twin round free-surface water je ts impinging vertically on a horizontal moving surface is numerically studi ed. Jets flow rate (15, 22, 30 L/min) and substrate velocity (0.6, 1.0, 1.5 m/s) w ere systematically changed relevant to steel cooling process. Realizable kε turbulent model and volume-of-fluid method were used to obtain the impingement flow cha racteristics that occur over moving surface during the simulations such as wetti ng front and wall jets interaction. Different types of twin jets interaction were captu red depends to plate-to-jet velocity ratio. As the jets flow rate increase and/or the su rface speed decreases, the wall jets arrive earlier to the interaction zone with higher momentum and up-wash fountain created. But, a thick calm dome-shape interaction t ype was occurred in case of low flow rate and slow plate speed where the wall jets collide together with low momentum. Different flow velocity distributions are found respect to the jets interaction type. The numerical results were agreed with the experiments.