Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Independence of Central Banks and Its Effect on Policy Outcomes

Making the central bank an agency with the mandate and reputation for maintaining price stability is a means by which a government can choose the strength of its commitment to price stability. This article develops four measures of central bank independence and explores their relation with inflation outcomes. An aggregate legal index is developed for four decades in 72 countries. Three indicators of actual independence are developed: the rate of turnover of central bank governors, an index based on a questionnaire answered by specialists in 23 countries, and an aggregation of the legal index and the rate of turnover. Legal independence is inversely related to inflation in industrial, but not in developing, countries. In developing countries the actual frequency of change of the chief executive officer of the bank is a better proxy for central bank independence. An inflation-based index of overall central bank independence contributes significantly to explaining cross-country variations in the rate of inflation.
Effect of Poplar Cultivar “Hybrid 275” Fiber Impregnation with 1,3-Dimethylol-4,5-dihydroxyethyleneurea on the Properties of High Density Fiberboards

Wood from the fast-growing poplar cultivar "Hybrid 275" (P. maximowiczii x trichocarpa) was defibrated under industrial conditions, and the resulting fibers were subjected to impregnation modification with 5% or 10% 1,3-dimethylol-4,5-dihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU). The modified fibers were used to produce 3-mm thick high density fiberboards (HDF). The mechanical testing revealed that DMDHEU provided an increase in modulus of elasticity (MOE) and a decrease in modulus of rupture (MOR); however, all panels met the requirements of the European Standard EN 310 (1993). Increases of 1.5-fold and 2.5-fold in internal bonding (IB) compared to the unmodified reference panels were observed. The modification resulted in reduced HDF interactions with water, manifested by decreased water absorption, thickness swelling, and reduced water wetting. The modification also provided the panels with an improved resistance to moulds.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT INTENTIONS AMONG THE UNIVERSITIES’ STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

This study aims to explore the self-employment intentions of the universities’ students in Malaysia. With the growing number of graduates every year, and growing funds created to assist small enterprises in Malaysia, self-employment may be one option available to them to start on their careers. Entrepreneurial Attitude Orientation (EAO) scale was used to measure the students’ entrepreneurial attitudes. Specifically, the EAO attitude subscales are achievement in business, innovation in business, perceived personal control of business outcomes and perceived self-esteem in business. A survey approach was adopted by sending questionnaires to 2000 students of the public and private universities that are listed under tier 5 (Excellent) in the Malaysia Quality Agency SETARA rating of year 2011. The results show that personal control, self-esteem and innovation were found to have significant and positive relationships with self-employment intention. Meanwhile achievement was found to have no significant relationship with self-employment intention. These findings provide important insight to relevant parties to embed more entrepreneurial curriculum or seminar to educate and guide universities students besides, promoting and producing a positive image of entrepreneurship as a career.
Effects of Organizational Factors On Use of Juvenile Supervision Practices

A growing literature emphasizes the importance of strengthening organizational contexts to support the adoption and use of best practices in correctional environments. The current study examines the relationships between organizational factors and use of current best practices in a juvenile correctional agency. Using survey data for 393 probation officers and supervisors in 33 field offices in a statewide juvenile correctional agency, the authors examined the relationships between staff’s self-reported use of service-oriented supervision practices and their perceptions of organizational functioning within their offices. The results from a hierarchical model demonstrated that lower levels of staff cynicism for change, more favorable perceptions of supervisory leadership, and greater integration with community-based service providers were significantly related to greater use of service-oriented practices among supervision staff. Office climate and integration with the judiciary and mental health agencies are not significant. Findings and their implications for research and practice are discussed.
The Trust as a Necessary Condition but Not Sufficient for the Psychological Contract

The perception of organizational injustice may trigger off a questioning of the trust established between both partners (employer and employee), which may cause a breach of the psychological contract and encourage the emergence of problems within the organization (doubt, mistrust, antisocial behavior, etc.). We support the idea that social influence can affect the psychological contract, itself arising from a trust established yet between partners. In order to conduct our empirical research, we selected a financial institution, named SND bank, based in the capital Tunis. Data were collected from 250 questionnaires distributed to investigate the causal relationships between variables, using structural equation models. Results showed that only procedural justice affects positively the employees’ subscription to behaviors of confidence and the respect of the psychological contract. Regarding to interactional justices, it affects the employees’ subscription to behaviors of confidence. As to Social influence, it affects the psychological contract.
E-banking services impact and customer satisfaction in selected bank branches in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state, Nigeria

Article history: Received November 1, 2017 Received in revised format November 11 2017 Accepted March 1 2018 Available online March 1 2018 This study perused the impact of E-banking services on customer satisfaction of selected bank customers in bank branches located in Challenge, Dugbe, Agbeni, Gbagi, Ojoo, and Secretariat districts in Ibadan metropolis. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design and convenience sampling technique. One hundred (100) bank customers were surveyed through a self-report questionnaire. Four research questions and two hypotheses were tested using Pearson correlation analysis and, t-test for independence at p≤ 0.05. The results revealed high utilization of electronic banking products (ATM (98%), internet banking (85%), electronic transfer (97%). Constraints experienced include internet network failure, bank fraud and business loss due to failed e-transactions. Customers were satisfied with e-banking due to its cashless nature, cash accessibility, saves time from bank visitation and seamless transactions. The study exhibited that customers used and were glad with e-banking products. Customers’ segmentation and more investment in e-banking infrastructure were advised for promoting electronic banking services. © 2017 by the authors; licensee Growing Science, Canada
Biochemical Alterations in the Gonads of Chrotogonus trachypterus (Blanchard) Treated with Sub-lethal Dose of Monocrotophos

Abstract Effects of sub-lethal doses (176.95 and 75.5 ppm) of monocrotophos on gonads of female and male Chrotogonus trachypterus (Blanchard) were studied respectively. The changes in the level of total protein, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and ATPase at intervals of 12, 24 and 48 h of treatment were evaluated. Monocrotophos led to highly significant (P≤0.001) decrease in protein at 12, 24 and 48 h of treatment in both the sexes. Cholesterol level showed highly significant (P≤0.001) rise after 12 and 24 h of treatment but at 48 h it significantly (P≤0.05) decreased in male while in female a continuous highly significant (P≤0.001) rise was recorded at 12, 24 and 48 h of treatment. Alkaline phosphatase level decreased non-significantly at 12 h but this decrease became highly significant after 24 and 48 h (P≤0.001) in male while in female non-significant decrease was recorded at 12 h, significant (P≤0.01) at 24 h and after 48 h decrease was highly significant (P≤0.001). Acid phosphatase level increased non-significantly at 12 and 24 h but significantly (P≤0.05) increased at 48 h in male while in female nonsignificant increase was recorded at 12 and 24 h. After 48 h it was more significantly (P≤0.01) observed. ATPase activity increased significantly (P≤0.05) at 12 h, highly significant (P≤0.001) increase at 24 and 48 h in male but in female ATPase level non-significantly decreased at 12 h and highly significant (P≤0.001) increase was observed at 24 and 48 h. The relationship of these changes in biochemical parameters with insecticide has been discussed in this paper.
Potential and Limitations of Multi-Temporal Earth Observation Data to Improve Modeled Results of Tree Species Distribution in Mexico

The study explored the potential of multi-temporal remote sensing data for distribution modeling of selected tree species belonging to the genera Pinus spp. (pine) and Quercus spp. (white oak) in Mexico. Several environmental predictor data sets at 1 km2 spatial resolution were used in combination with the Maxent algorithm (Phillips et al., 2004), namely (1) phenological metrics derived from the Terra-MODIS 16-day vegetation indices product MOD13A2 averaged over the seven years of the study period from 2001 to 2007, (2) topographic data (elevation, slope, and aspect) of the SRTM mission, and (3) a series of bioclimatic variables (WorldClim, Hijmans et al., 2005) derived from monthly temperature and rainfall values. Different model scenarios were compared and showed that remote sensing data contributed significantly to discover habitat characteristics even within similar climatic conditions. Moreover, a sharper delineation of the predicted areas and better exclusion of regions that had suffered land cover change was possible. The improved distribution maps can contribute to long-term and sustainable conservation planning and management of biodiversity hotspots.
Inter-municipal cooperation: a democratic deficit?

In this paper we study the existence of a democratic deficit in intermunicipal cooperation in the Netherlands and the effect of the structure of intermunicipal cooperation on democratic quality. We study both direct effects and indirect effects through the cultural climate of cooperation. Rival hypotheses from monocentric (Regional Reform) and polycentric (New Regionalist) theories are put to the test using data from all Dutch municipalities. Our findings are mixed. In terms of a democratic deficit, the general conclusion is that, as far as the representative institutions are concerned, there is little evidence of a systematic deficit. Citizens and organizations are however to a large degree dependent on their representatives to have any influence in IMCs. With regard to the effects of structural complexity, our findings are mixed. Both rival theories find only limited support in the data. For the legal regime, we find weak support for the monocentric position.
An Analysis of Brand Personality on Brand Loyalty in Frozen Seafood Supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City

This investigation on frozen seafood brand’s personality helps to understand how different variables influence brand loyalty. The research results will contribute to the theory of brand loyalty through understanding the meaning of the factors of brand personality that affect consumer loyalty to the brand. A final sample of 397 observations in Ho Chi Minh City was established. Reliability tests and Exploratory Factor Analysis suggest a model established the impact of brand personality on brand loyalty, basing on five factors of Utility, Creditability, Excitement, Competency, and Sophistication. Regression analysis provides that that Utility, Creditability, Excitement, Competency all have significant impact on brand loyalty. The study offers recommendations to managers of seafood companies, to policy makers in the fields related to seafood sector, to administrators at various level in Ho Chi Minh City, and to customers at supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City.
Financial Contracting and Leverage Induced Over‐ and Under‐Investment Incentives

This paper investigates the effects of seniority rules and restrictive dividend convenants on the over- and under-investment incentives associated with risky debt. We show that increasing seniority of new debt decreases the incidence of under-investment but increases over-investment, and vice versa. Under symmetric information, the optimal seniority rule is to give new debtholders first claim on a new project without recourse to existing assets (i.e., project financing). Under asymmetric information, the optimal debt contract requires equating the expected return to new debtholders in the default state to the new project's cash flow in the same rate. If this is not possible, the optimal seniority rule calls for strict subordination of new debt if the expected cash flow in default is small and full seniority if it is large. With regard to dividend convenants, we show that their effect depends on whether or not dividend payments are conditioned on future investments. When they are unconditioned, allowing more dividends increases the under-investment incentive. In contrast, conditional dividends decrease the underinvestment incentive and increase the over-investment incentive.
Chapter 4 Endoscopic Ultrasound in Pancreatic Cancer

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been developed over the course of the last 50 years. This technique has been shown to improve diagnosis, provide more accurate local information with regards to staging and enhance prediction of surgical resectability. Further to this, minimally-invasive local techniques have been developed, and continue to be developed, to provide both active and palliative management within the treatment schema for pancreatic cancer (PC).
NOGAPS-ALPHA: A Prototype High-Altitude Global NWP Model

Abstract : The Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) is the Department of Defense's (DoD's) high-resolution global numerical weather prediction (NWP) system. Its development and operation is a joint activity of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the Navy's Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC). NOGAPS is a complete operational forecasting system that includes data quality control, tropical cyclone bogusing, operational data assimilation, balanced initialization, and a global forecast model. Operational NOGAPS forecasts currently consist of high-resolution T239L30 six-day forecasts every 6 hours and once-a-day extended ten-day guidance using the FNMOC ensemble (T119L24). These forecasts are distributed to numerous defense and civilian users, and are used as input for numerous DoD environmental and application systems. Examples include: the Navy's Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPSTM); FNMOC's ocean wave, sea ice, ocean thermodynamics, and tropical cyclone models; aircraft and ship-routing programs.
Proximate, Mineral and Anti-nutritional Composition of Cucurbita maxima Fruits Parts

Proximate, mineral and anti-nutritional composition of Cucurbita maxima fruit parts (seeds, coat and pulp) was carried out using standard analytical methods. The results were discussed using T-test at P≤0.05. The proximate parameters determined were crude protein, crude fibre, moisture, ash, carbohydrate, crude fat and energy value. The high values of crude protein (13.42±0.02%) and carbohydrates (58.71±0.02%) were obtained for the pulp. The coat had the highest crude fibre (6.80±0.07%) and moisture (5.51±0.05%) values while the seeds had the highest ash (3.97±0.02%), crude fat (50.96±0.06%) and energy value (616.33±0.52 Kcal/100g). The Sodium and potassium contents were determined using flame photometer model JEANWAY PFP7, while calcium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer model HULK 211 and phosphorus was determined using UV/Visible spectrophotometer model 752 . High values of most of the mineral elements were from the seed sample with the exception of iron (55.98±0.04 mg/100g) and manganese (21.99±0.04 mg/100g) whose values were high in the coat while the highest value of copper (12.01±0.01 mg/100g) was obtained in the pulp The anti nutritional factors contents of the parts of the fruits of this plant were least in the seeds compared to other parts of the fruit. Thus, the seed contains more nutrient than other parts of the fruit. Therefore the fruit can be use for both plant and animal food.
Perspectives on the Validity of the Thinking Styles Inventories

The Thinking Styles Inventories (TSI) are questionnaires for assessing individual preferences in constructingknowledge. This paper identifies several problems concerning their validity, which range from an inadequate use offactor analysis, to missing information on the measurement model, to findings indicating a low discriminationbetween the thinking style scales. Against this background, two studies are conducted providing detailed insights intothe measurement model of the TSI in German-speaking samples (Study I: 287 apprentices; Study II: 389 students). Although results indicate a high degree of reliability according to popular statistical rules, they confirm problemswith the discriminant validity and criterion validity regarding achievement. The Thinking Styles Inventories shouldas a result be used with caution.
Avoiding Medication Errors Through Effective Communication in A Healthcare Environment

One of the major problems causing medication errors is ineffective communication between patients and health personnel. This paper discusses the communication issues in the healthcare environment and how medication errors can be avoided through effective communication. An internet-based search was conducted to locate relevant articles published between 2004 and 2017. Only articles that touch upon communication and health-related issues were selected. Online sources such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were utilized. The importance of good communication practices for effective health and improved patient safety in hospital settings has been highlighted. It is evident from this review that poor communication most frequent causes adverse effects, delay in treatment, medication errors, and wrong-site surgery. The major communication issues in healthcare environment include language barriers, the medium of communication, physical setting, and social setting. Healthcare workers tend to use technical language in the workplace because they consider the tone of communication to be always professional. It has been established that knowledge on professional-patient communication is essential and valuable in improving therapeutic outcomes. Patients need knowledge and support in order to be able and motivated to undergo medicine therapy. Health practitioners need to take responsibility for demanding and creating an environment where high-quality healthcare counselling is routinely practiced. To promote safe and effective practice in hospitals and avoid medication errors, clinicians should adhere to teamwork and effective communication with the patients. There is a need for designing strategies such as effective communication and teamwork amongst healthcare pro­fessionals, which can consequently influence the quality of healthcare services and patient outcomes.
Scarcity and Abundance: Reconciling Trends in the Effects of Education on Social Class and Earnings in Great Britain 1972–2003

This study analyses trends in the effects of education on occupational outcomes in Great Britain. It shows that the direction and strength of the trend in the effects of education varies between social class and earnings. The trend in the effect of education on social class is unequivocally downwards, but on earnings it was downwards during the 1970s, levelled out in the 1980s, and has somewhat increased since then. This conforms to an L-shaped or U-shaped trend, depending on the qualification levels that are compared. Supposedly universalistic claims on changing labour market returns in response to changes in demand for and supply of qualifications are not so universalistic as often thought. The middle classes have become increasingly diverse in the kinds of work done, making it difficult to see increasingly functional and/or credentialistic matches between education and class, whereas earnings can easily be adjusted to changes in supply and demand. However, earnings variation has increased between classes, so that the trends in the effect of education on earnings are partly shaped by increased class differentiation in employment relations.
Mallomonas kalinae ( Synurophyceae ) , a new species of alga from northern Bohemia , Czech Republic

A new species of Mallomonas, M. kalinae, is described from a small peaty pool Ostrov in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park (northern Bohemia). The species is located in the section Papillosae and its morphological characteristics are closest to M. rasilis, M. calceolus, M. binocularis and M. paxillata. However, it can be distinguished from these species by differences in scale and bristle morphology. It was previously reported from different parts of the world, but its taxonomic status remained unrecognized due to the lack of a detailed investigation of cultured material. The taxonomy and distribution of the species are discussed and compared with information in the literature.
Aspects of spectator fields in post-inflationary resonant particle production

Grounded in the increasingly accurate astronomical observations of the past few decades, the study of cosmology has produced a comprehensive account of the history of the universe. This account is contained in the Hot Big Bang cosmological model which describes the expansion of a hot and dense state to become the universe as we observe it today. While the Big Bang model has been extremely successful in being able to account for a wide array of cosmological data, it leaves unexplained the special initial conditions that are required in order to produce the universe we find ourselves in. Such initial conditions are, however, a natural consequence of a period of quasi-exponential expansion of the universe known as inflation. Such a period of expansion can be realized if the universe is dominated by a scalar field–the inflation–which is slowly rolling down the slope of its potential. Inflation also provides a natural mechanism for the production of primordial seeds of structure in the universe through the growth of the quantum fluctuations in the inflaton field to super-horizon scales. Together, inflation and the subsequent Big Bang evolution form the back bone of modern cosmology. However, the transition between the inflationary epoch and the thermal state which characterizes the initial conditions of the Big Bang evolution is not well understood. This process–dubbed reheating–involves the decay of the inflaton field into the particles of the Standard Model of particle physics, and may be highly non-trivial, with non-perturbative resonant processes playing a major role. Spectator fields–light scalar fields which are subdominant during inflation–may also play an important role during this epoch. The aim of this thesis is to showcase aspects of non-perturbative decay of scalar fields after inflation, focusing in particular on the role of spectator fields. This includes the modulation of the non-perturbative decay of the inflaton by a spectator field, the non-perturbative decay of a spectator into the Standard Model Higgs, as well as the non-perturbative decay of the Higgs field itself.