Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insurance Premium and Economic Growth : Evidence from OECD Countries 1 Insurance Premium and Economic Growth : Evidence from OECD Countries Yrd

In this study that covers 1983-2011 periods, per capita insurance premiums and per capita real GDP relationship was investigated for 13 OECD countries (USA, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Holland, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Iceland, Japan and Norway). Stationarity of series are determined with linear Levin, Lin and Chu (2002), Im, Pesaran & Shin (2003) and Maddala-Wu (1999), non-linear Uçar & Omay (2009) panel unit root tests. In the paper in which the Emirmahmutoğlu & Köse (EK) panel causality test (2011) was used, least one panel causality was determined from insurance premiums to GDP. Sequential panel selection method which was developed by Chortareas and Kapetanios (2009) was used and this causality occurred for respectively France, Iceland, Italy and Spain and there was no findings observed for the other countries. The findings of this study have an important place for insurance sector in economy and it also supports the findings obtained in literature.
Structural breaks and the twin deficits hypothesis: Evidence from East Asian countries

In this paper, we examine the relevance of the twin deficits hypothesis (TDH) for selected East Asian countries. Empirical results reveal that the admission of regime shifts substantially influences the conclusion that TDH exists in four out of the seven countries that we have investigated. It seems that TDH are less likely to be evident in countries with highly developed financial systems (Singapore and Japan).
OBSERVATIONS OF A HYBRID DOUBLE-STREAMER/PSEUDOSTREAMER IN THE SOLAR CORONA

We report on the first observation of a single hybrid magnetic structure that contains both a pseudostreamer and a double streamer. This structure was originally observed by the SWAP instrument on board the PROBA2 satellite between 2013 May 5 and 10. It consists of a pair of filament channels near the south pole of the Sun. On the western edge of the structure, the magnetic morphology above the filaments is that of a side-by-side double streamer, with open field between the two channels. On the eastern edge, the magnetic morphology is that of a coronal pseudostreamer without the central open field. We investigated this structure with multiple observations and modeling techniques. We describe the topology and dynamic consequences of such a unified structure.
A CONSISTENT RETRIEVAL ANALYSIS OF 10 HOT JUPITERS OBSERVED IN TRANSMISSION

We present a consistent optimal estimation retrieval analysis of 10 hot Jupiter exoplanets, each with transmission spectral data spanning the visible to near-infrared wavelength range. Using the NEMESIS radiative transfer and retrieval tool, we calculate a range of possible atmospheric states for WASP-6b, WASP-12b, WASP-17b, WASP-19b, WASP-31b, WASP-39b, HD 189733b, HD 209458b, HAT-P-1b, and HAT-P-12b. We find that the spectra of all 10 planets are consistent with the presence of some atmospheric aerosol; WASP-6b, WASP-12b, WASP-17b, WASP-19b, HD 189733b, and HAT-P-12b are all fit best by Rayleigh scattering aerosols, whereas WASP-31b, WASP-39b and HD 209458b are better represented by a gray cloud model. HAT-P-1b has solutions that fall into both categories. WASP-6b, HAT-P-12b, HD 189733b, and WASP-12b must have aerosol extending to low atmospheric pressures (below 0.1 mbar). In general, planets with equilibrium temperatures between 1300 and 1700 K are best represented by deeper, gray cloud layers, whereas cooler or hotter planets are better fit using high Rayleigh scattering aerosol. We find little evidence for the presence of molecular absorbers other than H2O. Retrieval methods can provide a consistent picture across a range of hot Jupiter atmospheres with existing data, and will be a powerful tool for the interpretation of James Webb Space Telescope observations.
Targeted Observations of Tropical Cyclone Movement Based on the Adjoint-Derived Sensitivity Steering Vector

Since 2003, a field program has been conducted under the name of Dropwindsonde Observations for Typhoon Surveillance near the Taiwan Region (DOTSTAR). As the name DOTSTAR suggests, targeted observation is one of its key objectives. The prerequisite for designing the observing strategy is to identify the sensitive areas, which would exert great influence on the results of numerical forecast or the extent of the forecast error. In addition to various sensitivity products already adopted in DOTSTAR, a new way to identify the sensitive area for the targeted observation of tropical cyclones based on the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5) is proposed in this paper. By appropriately defining the response functions to represent the steering flow at the verifying time, a simple vector, adjoint-derived sensitivity steering vector (ADSSV), has been designed to demonstrate the sensitivity locations and the critical direction of typhoon steering flow at the observing time. Typhoons Meari and Mindulle of 2004 have been selected to show the use of ADSSV. In general, unique sensitive areas 36 h after the observing time are obtained. The proposed ADSSV method is also used to demonstrate the signal of the binary interaction between Typhoons Fungwong and Fengshen (2002). The ADSSV is implemented and examined in the field project, DOTSTAR, in 2005 as well as in the surveillance mission for Atlantic hurricanes conducted by the Hurricane Research Division. Further analysis of the results will be vital to validate the use of ADSSV.
Calibration of aerodynamic roughness over the Tibetan Plateau with Ensemble Kalman Filter analysed heat flux

Aerodynamic roughness height ( Z om ) is a key parameter required in several land surface hydrological models, since errors in heat flux estimation are largely dependent on optimization of this input. Despite its significance, it remains an uncertain parameter which is not readily determined. This is mostly because of non-linear relationship in Monin-Obukhov similarity (MOS) equations and uncertainty of vertical characteristic of vegetation in a large scale. Previous studies often determined aerodynamic roughness using a minimization of cost function over MOS relationship or linear regression over it, traditional wind profile method, or remotely sensed vegetation index. However, these are complicated procedures that require a high accuracy for several other related parameters embedded in serveral equations including MOS. In order to simplify this procedure and reduce the number of parameters in need, this study suggests a new approach to extract aerodynamic roughness parameter from single or two heat flux measurements analyzed via Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) that affords non-linearity. So far, to our knowledge, no previous study has applied EnKF to aerodynamic roughness estimation, while the majority of data assimilation study have paid attention to updates of other land surface state variables such as soil moisture or land surface temperature. The approach of this study was applied to grassland in semi-arid Tibetan Plateau and maize on moderately wet condition in Italy. It was demonstrated that aerodynamic roughness parameter can be inversely tracked from heat flux EnKF final analysis. The aerodynamic roughness height estimated in this approach was consistent with eddy covariance method and literature value. Through a calibration of this parameter, this adjusted the sensible heat previously overestimated and latent heat flux previously underestimated by the original Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) model. It was considered that this improved heat flux estimation especially during the summer Monsoon period, based upon a comparison with precipitation and soil moisture field measurement. For an advantage of this approach over other previous methodologies, this approach is useful even when eddy covariance data are absent at a large scale and is time-variant over vegetation growth, as well as is not directly affected by saturation problem of remotely sensed vegetation index.
Understanding Beliefs, Teachers' Beliefs and Their Impact on the Use of Computer Technology (Hacia la compresión de las creencias, convicciones del educador y su impacto en el uso de la tecnología).

This theoretical review addresses the construct of beliefs in education and English as a foreign lan-guage, and their impact when integrating technology. A thorough definition and categorization of teachers’ beliefs will be provided. In addition, studies conducted in various educational settings exami-ning the effects of teachers’ beliefs and the use of technology will be reviewed. Additional information on models attempting to explain human behavior and the use of computers will be presented as well in order to discuss these research results in light of local efforts made to solve the gap of integrating technology through the Computadores para Educar Program in Colombian public schools.
Beyond Hammersley’s Last-Passage Percolation: a discussion on possible local and global constraints

Hammersley's Last-Passage Percolation (LPP), also known as Ulam's problem, is a well-studied model that can be described as follows: consider m points chosen uniformly and independently in $[0,1]^2$, then what is the maximal number $\mathcal{L}_m$ of points that can be collected by an up-right path? We introduce here a generalization of this standard LPP, in order to allow for more general constraints than the up-right condition (a $1$-Lipschitz condition after rotation by $45^{\circ}$). We focus more specifically on two cases: (i) when the constraint is a $γ$-H\"older (local) condition, we call it H-LPP; (ii) when the constraint is a path-entropy (global) condition, we call it E-LPP. These generalizations also allows us to deal with non-directed LPP. We develop motivations for directed and non-directed constrained LPP, and we give the correct order of $\mathcal{L}_m$ in a general manner.
CONCEPTUALIZATION OF PERSONALITY AND COPING IN ADOLESCENTS

Adolescence is a transitional period, which is punctuated with a number of age-specific stressors. This paper reviews literature regarding the relationships between personality and coping efforts, adolescents and the stressors which they face, as well as definitions of personality and coping, theoretical relations and models that highlighted the association between personality and coping , and finally age and gender differences in personality and coping response.
Beyond Tariffs and Quotas: Why Don't African Manufacturers Export More?

Africa's export performance has been extremely poor in recent years. Its share of world exports has declined and most countries are highly dependent on a narrow range of primary commodities for export earnings. This paper looks at factors that affect the export performance of manufacturing enterprises in eight African countries. In addition to enterprise characteristics (e.g., size, ownership, and education of the manager), policy-related variables also affect exporting. Manufacturing enterprises are less likely to export in countries with restrictive trade and customs regulations and poor customs administration.
The Fate of Supernova-heated Gas in Star-forming Regions of the LMC: Lessons for Galaxy Formation?

Galactic winds and fountains driven by supernova-heated gas play an integral role in redistributing gas in galaxies, depositing metals in the circumgalactic medium, and quenching star formation. The interplay between these outflows and ram-pressure stripping (RPS) due to the galaxy’s motion through an ambient medium may enhance these effects by converting fountain flows into expelled gas. In this paper, we present controlled, 3D simulations of RPS combined with thermally driven, local outflows from clustered supernovae in an isolated disk galaxy modeled on the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a dwarf satellite of the Milky Way on its first infall. Observational evidence of local outflows emanating from supergiant shells in the LMC and a trailing filament of H i gas originating from these regions—with no obvious Leading Arm counterpart—may represent a perfect example of this process. Our simulations present a proof of concept that ram pressure can convert fountain flows into expelled gas. We find that fountains launched near the peak star formation time of the LMC can comprise part of the LMC filament in the Trailing Stream but with lower column densities than observed. Larger, more numerous outflows from the LMC may be possible and may contribute more mass, but higher-inertia gas will lengthen the timescale for this gas to be swept away by ram pressure. Given the high-resolution observations, increased knowledge of star formation histories, and growing evidence of multiphase ionized outflows, the LMC is an ideal test bed for future wind models.
Paddy Straw as an Alternate Bedding Material for Broiler Chicks

Burning of agricultural residues especially paddy straw is now recognized as a major source of environmental concern in India. Burning of huge quantities of paddy straw annually leads to emission of obnoxious gases thus causing adverse impacts on, health of human, animal and bird population. This practice can be discouraged through its utilization as an alternate litter material to commonly used paddy husk which is now available at costly prices because of its use in different industries thus raising the cost of broiler production. This was evaluated through the experiment during winter season conducted on broiler chicks. Broiler chicks (n=144) were distributed into three treatment groups, each having 4 replicates of 12 chicks with equal sex and ratio and average group weight, and reared up to 42 days of age under similar conditions of housing and management except the variation in litter material. Paddy husk (PH), un-chopped paddy straw (UPS) and chopped paddy straw (CPS) were used as different litter materials. The growth parameters tested in the experiment were body weight, weight gain, FCR, PER, EER and carcass characteristics (viz. evisceration rate and proportion of cut-up parts). The litter type had no significant effect on body weight, weight gain, FCR, PER and EER among all the treatments. The average body weight at 42 days of age was 1939, 1947 and 1960 g, respectively in PH, CPS, UCPS groups. The bedding type had no significant effect and no influence on the carcass characteristics viz. evisceration rate and proportion of cut-up parts of the carcass, so it was concluded that paddy straw can be used as good bedding material for broiler chicks.
Stylistics in the Southeast Asian ESL or EFL Classroom: A Collection of Potential Teaching Activities

For the past few decades, stylistics has emerged as a discipline that encompasses both literary criticism and linguistics. The integration of both disciplines opened many opportunities for English literature and language teachers to get creative in their teaching—by introducing the stylistic approach in their classrooms. However, in a typical Southeast Asian classroom (Sadiman, 2004), several problems such as the lack of resources, scarcity of quality teaching strategies, time de)ciency, as well as the unfamiliarity of authentic assessment seem to impede the utilization of the mentioned approach or other learnercentered approaches. Moreover, only limited literature on the analysis, let alone the teaching, of the ballad adopting the stylistic method are evident. This paper could be described as an attempt to address these problems. It provides a fresh perspective in analyzing a well-known 18th century British ballad, “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” in the syntactical/structural, lexical, and phonological aspects of stylistics. It also attempts to explain the evident theme of warfare based on textual evidences in the aforementioned aspects. In addition, it contributes to the existing literature advocating the stylistic approach in both the teaching of language and literature. Furthermore, it provides several potential comprehensive activities that take into account the challenging setting and situation of Southeast Asian English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms, especially at the tertiary level. This paper also has implications on classrooms that experience the same aforementioned challenges, and is not only limited to the Southeast Asian context.
Comparing the classic factor analysis with Bayesian factor analysis on the data of Family Dermatology Life Quality Index

Background & Aim: Chronic diseases impact not only on patients but also on their family members’ lives. This study aims to determine dimensions of Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) questionnaire by the use of classic and Bayesian factor analysis (BFA) factor. Methods & Materials: In this study, FDLQI questionnaire distributed among 100 family members of dermatological patients. BFA is exploited to determining dimension and contribution of items of the questionnaire in different sample size. BFA is examined using the Monte Carlo-Markov chain algorithm. All the above analysis is done in sample size 100, 130, 150. Results: In this study, 100 family members of dermatological patient attended to evaluate Persian version of FDLQI questionnaire. A mean age of participants was 37.1 years (± 12.3). A mean score of FDLQI was 15.4 (± 5.5) with maximum and minimum scores of 30 and 6, respectively.Exploratory FA revealed a one-factor solution that accounted for 45.87% of the total variance. The unidimensional model was concordance by confirmatory FA. For more exploration, BFA was performed. Two factors extracted when iteration is done. Conclusion: It appears that when sample size diminished, Cronbach’s alpha and Kaiser–Meyer– Olkin increased. Among 10 items of the questionnaire, item 9 mostly appears differently in results.
Common Causes of Trust, Satisfaction and TAM in Online Shopping: An Integrated Model

Trust and satisfaction are two stepping stones for success in online business. However, the relationship between these two important concepts is still clouded in confusion. This study proposes that trust and satisfaction share common factors. Trust and satisfaction are studied using an integrated model with technology acceptance model (TAM). The ways in which information quality, systems quality and service quality affecting online customer's intention are also explained in this framework. We gathered data using an email survey questionnaire and hand in survey questionnaire. Most of the respondents were students from Vietnam and Taiwan. We tested our proposed framework using a book-ordering scenario. The result shows that trust and satisfaction significantly affect online shopping behavior. e-service quality is a common factor affecting both trust and satisfaction. The most important dimension of e-service quality is information quality.
A Decade Later: Follow-Up Review of South African Research on the Consequences of and Contributory Factors in Teen-Aged Pregnancy

In this paper, we review South African research conducted in the last 10 years on the consequences of and contributory factors in teen-aged pregnancy. We discuss research into the rates of teen-aged pregnancy, the intentionality and wantedness of pregnancy, the disruption of schooling, health issues, consequences for the children, welfare concerns, knowledge and use of contraception, timing of sexual debut, age of partner, coercive sexual relations, cultural factors and health service provision. We compare this discussion to the reviews on the same topic appearing in the South African Journal of Psychology a decade ago. We find that there are several changes in focus in the research on pregnancy amongst young women. We conclude that, in general, there has been an improvement in the breadth of data available, mostly as a result of representative national and local surveys. A better teasing out of nuances around particular issues and a grappling with theoretical issues are also evident in recent research.
Student Engagement in Instructional Activity: Patterns in the Elementary, Middle, and High School Years

Although student engagement with the intellectual work of school is important to students' achievement and to their social and cognitive development, studies over a span of two decades have documented low levels of engagement, particularly in the classroom, Examining several theoretical perspectives that attempt to explain engagement through comprehensive frameworks, this study evaluates the effect on engagement of school reform initiatives that are consistent with the theories. The study also investigates whether patterns exist in students' engagement, whether the patterns are consistent across grade levels, and whether class subject matter (mathematics or social studies) differentially affects engagement. The sample includes 3, 669 students representing 143 social studies and mathematics classrooms in a nationally selected sample of 24 restructuring elementary, middle, and high schools. Because of the nature of the nested data (students nested within classrooms nested within schools), the analysis is conducted using hierarchical linear modeling in its three-level application (HLM3L). The reform initiatives, which are consistent with the theories, eliminate personal background effects. Together with classroom subject matter, they substantially influence engagement. The results are generally consistent across grade levels.
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY IDENTIFICATION OF INTERMETALLIC PHASES

Al-alloys are preferred in the automotive industry because of theirs lightweight. European Union has on the present big interest of share recycling aluminium, and so increase interest about recycled (secondary) aluminium alloys and castings from them. Recycled aluminium alloys are made out of aluminium scrap and workable aluminium garbage by recycling. Due to the increasing production of recycled aluminium cast al loys is necessary their strict metallurgical control. The mechanical properties and the microstr ucture are dependent on the composition, melt treatment conditions, solidification rate, cas ting process and the applied thermal treatment. The mechanical properties depend, besides the morph ol gies, type and distribution of Si, Cu, Mg and Fe-phases, on the grain size, DAS, porosity distribution or profile. Therefore, study the microstructure of Al alloys is very important. Anal ysis of microstructure in the AlSi9Cu3 alloy was performed on the SEM. For study and identificat ion of intermetallic phases’ was utilized standard (Dix-Keller, 0.5% HF) and deep etching. De ep tching consists of dissolving the alphamatrix in the reagent (30 s in HCl) in order to rev eal the three-dimensional morphology of the silicon particles and intermetallic phases. For ele m ntal composition of the specimen were used x-rays analysis (line, point and surface mapping) . Finally the fracture surfaces of Al-Si alloy after impact test in the as-cast state were observe d.
Facebook is no " Great equalizer " : A big data approach to gender differences in civic engagement across

Facebook is expected to facilitate more equal participation in civic engagement across genders and countries. With the use of a big data tool (Wisdom), we explored gender disparities in various Facebook liking practices concerning expressions of civic engagement among 21,706,806 Facebook users in ten countries across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. We observed distinct patterns with regard to civic and political expressions on Facebook, with males drawn more toward politically and informationoriented liking practices as compared to females. Moreover, females (aged 13–28 years) in Europe and the Americas are more likely than males to support humanitarian aid and environmental issues on Facebook. This latter finding was not evident in Asia and Africa, where males are more active in liking all forms of civic expressions on Facebook. In conclusion, this study shows that the gender differences in civic engagement that exist offline to a large degree are replicated and reinforced on Facebook.