Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Title of paper : Taxation , Inequality , and the Illusion of the Social Contract in Brazil

Brazil combines high inequality and high tax yield as percentage of the GDP.This situation contradicts the predictions of two central theories of taxation and democratic politics. The first theory predicts that, within a democratic context, high levels of income inequality should lead governments to carry out significant redistribution. The contract between the state and its citizens, and pre dicts a negative relationship between taxation and social polarization. In this paper, we propose that the theory of fiscal illusion (Puviani 1903; Buchanan 1967 ) can account for this double puzzle Brazil presents us . We argue that , by heavily relying on the exploitation of fiscal illusion , the Brazilian state has been able to mobilize a huge amount of tax resources without the need of a broad social contract that could lead to more redistribution, effective public services, and gro wth-enhancing policies. The paper provides some evidence that supports our argument. First, using recent household surveys and a tax-benefit microssimulation model, we show that redistribution by the state is small, and that even the poorest 20% of the hou seholds are, on average, net co ntributors to the fiscal system . Second, we describe some main features of the Brazilian tax system that tend to induce voterspast, the infl ation tax and debt financing were major instruments and, nowadays, complex and cascading indirect taxation plays a major role as a source of illusion. We then emphasize that the relationship between inequality and redistribution cannot be predicted without an understanding of the way inequality influences state financing: the institutions of taxation matters.
Uncoupling in Bacterial Growth: ATP Pool Variation in Zymomonas mobilis Cells in Relation to Different Uncoupling Conditions of Growth

SUMMARY: The ATP pool, chosen as a suitable criterion of the cellular energetic state, has been measured in Zymomonas mobilis in different physiological conditions. ATP accumulates when growth is limited by pantothenic acid or blocked by chloramphenicol. A constitutive ATPase activity with a low affinity for ATP has been found which could be responsible for the dissipation of the excess energy produced in uncoupling conditions of growth.
Small-Scale Irrigation Dams, Agricultural Production, and Health: Theory and Evidence from Ethiopia

The author looks at the feasibility and potential of instituting small-scale irrigation dams to reduce Ethiopias dependence on rainfed agriculture and the associated food insecurity. He develops a theoretical framework to assess the welfare implications of irrigation development programs and provides empirical evidence from microdam construction and reforestation projects in northern Ethiopia. The author pays particular attention to health-related costs of establishing small-scale irrigation dams in areas prone to waterborne diseases. While the theoretical analyses imply that the net welfare impacts of irrigation dams cannot be known a priori due to potential health costs, the empirical evidence shows that current agricultural yield and farm profit have increased in villages with closer proximity to the dams than in those more distant. The increased disease incidence due to standing pools of water has, however, led to significant declines in the returns from investment in irrigation water. Households with poor health are less likely to adopt productivity-enhancing as well as resource-conserving technologies, which are crucial for achieving the ultimate goal of sustainable agricultural development. The ensuing sickness has also led to reduction in labor allocation to off-farm activities. The findings underline the importance of weighing beforehand the magnitude of potential economic benefits against health costs of water development programs. The overall evidence, however, suggests that carefully designed irrigation dams could significantly improve agricultural production and food security, particularly in areas where waterborne diseases pose negligible risk to health or can be cost-effectively controlled.
Unveiling galaxy bias via the halo model, KiDS, and GAMA

We measure the projected galaxy clustering and galaxy-galaxy lensing signals using the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey and Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS) to study galaxy bias. We use the concept of non-linear and stochastic galaxy biasing in the framework of halo occupation statistics to constrain the parameters of the halo occupation statistics and to unveil the origin of galaxy biasing. The bias function $\Gamma_{\text{gm}}(r_{\text{p}})$, where $r_{\text{p}}$ is the projected comoving separation, is evaluated using the analytical halo model from which the scale dependence of $\Gamma_{\text{gm}}(r_{\text{p}})$, and the origin of the non-linearity and stochasticity in halo occupation models can be inferred. Our observations unveil the physical reason for the non-linearity and stochasticity, further explored using hydrodynamical simulations, with the stochasticity mostly originating from the non-Poissonian behaviour of satellite galaxies in the dark matter haloes and their spatial distribution, which does not follow the spatial distribution of dark matter in the halo. The observed non-linearity is mostly due to the presence of the central galaxies, as was noted from previous theoretical work on the same topic. We also see that overall, more massive galaxies reveal a stronger scale dependence, and out to a larger radius. Our results show that a wealth of information about galaxy bias is hidden in halo occupation models. These models should therefore be used to determine the influence of galaxy bias in cosmological studies.
A PLANAR FOCUSING ANTENNA DESIGN USING QUASI-CONFORMAL MAPPING

We propose a planar focusing antenna design, which has the same performance as its parabolic counterparts and can be realized using PEC-backed gradient index dielectrics. In this design, quasi-conformal transformation optics is flrst utilized to transform a parabolic surface into a planar one, then the anisotropy factor of the resultant material is minimized, and the material is approximately treated as isotropic. Examples with realizable material parameters are given, and the simulation results validate the design. The proposed method could be used to design planar focusing antennas with high directivity and similar devices. The idea can also be applied to new device designs in optics engineering.
Consumer attitudes towards food safety risks associated with meat processing

A focus group study with 37 residents of Manhattan, Kansas, was conducted to examine consumers’ risk perceptions of foodborne illnesses from beef. The four focusgroup sessions were designed to determine (1) relative preferences for alternative combinations of public food safety (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), carcass pasteurization, irradiation) and private protection (home preparation of rare, medium, and well-done hamburgers); (2) how who is at risk (children vs. adults) influences preferences; (3) whether consumers would pay a premium for the higher levels of product safety arising from the adoption of three different innovations in processing plants; and (4) how to improve risk communication about foodborne illnesses and ways to protect against them. Although participants seemed aware of many food safety practices, misinformation and misconception also were found. The majority of the participants preferred well-done, steam-pasteurized or medium, irradiated hamburgers. For a 5-year-old child, the majority chose well-done, steampasteurized or well-done, irradiated hamburgers. Concerning willingness-to-pay, the majority of the participants preferred steam-pasteurized ground beef to regular ground beef when both were priced equally. Results indicated that new technologies available for food safety interventions provided a marginal value to participants. Participants also expressed a need for more information.
Effects of Biochar and Farm Yard Manure on Soil Properties and Crop Growth in an Agroforestry System in the Himalaya

Many parts of South Asia are facing agricultural land degradation and reduced productivity while the population continues to grow and demand for food is ever-increasing. This paper presents the results of research specifically focused on application of biochar and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) at 5t/ha and 20t/ha, respectively as an amendment on degraded soil in a coffee agroforestry system of the mid-hills in the Nepal Himalaya. The study showed that there were significant (P<0.05) positive effects on soil chemical properties, crop growth (height) and crop productivity. In particular, the soil pH and SOM increased significantly, while other soil properties were not significantly improved. Also, plant growth increased dramatically with application of biochar, however, crop yields showed only slight increases. It is suggested that biochar applied at low rates along with FYM generally has immediate positive effects on the vegetative growth of plants, however, soil properties and overall crop yields may take a longer time to show improvement.
Two new species of geckos from Honduras and resurrection of Sphaerodactylus continentalis Werner from the synonymy of Sphaerodactylus millepunctatus Hallowell (Reptilia, Squamata, Gekkonoidea, Sphaerodactylidae)

We performed a morphological and molecular study on various Honduran populations of the Sphaerodactylusmillepunctatus complex. As a result, we resurrect S. continentalis from the synonymy of S. millepunctatus and describetwo new species from the Islas de la Bahía. Our results also suggest the possibility that other cryptic species might occur in our concept of S. continentalis.
An Empirical Investigation of Settlement and Litigation - The Case of Taiwanese Labor Disputes

Using newly collected data on labor disputes in Taiwan, we study the characteristics of cases settled out of court, cases dropped after settlement fails, and cases actually brought to court. We find that the size of the stakes plays a crucial role in routing between settlement and litigation. In particular, our study shows that increasing stakes decreases the probability of settlement, decreases the percent of the claim recovered in settlement, and increases the probability of litigation after settlement fails. Moreover, while the plaintiff's credibility of threatening a lawsuit is an important factor, its absence is not so important as to undermine the pattern that an increase in the stakes would decrease the likelihood of settlement. Our study also reveals that the mediation mechanism performs the function of allowing workers with small claims to obtain effective recovery, which would be impossible if those workers had to resort to litigation. This result also suggests that the traditional game-theoretic models are inadequate in explaining the litigants' behavior in settlement of small claims. Finally, we find that the workers' risk aversion might cause the percent of the claim recovered in settlement to drop as the amount of their initial claim increases.
A Comparison of Rheological Models and Experimental Data of Metallocene Linear Low Density Polyethylene Solutions as a Function of Temperature and Concentration

Knowledge of rheological properties of polymer and their variation with temperature and concentration have been globally important for processing and fabrication of polymers in order to make useful products. Basheer et al. [1] investigated, experimentally, the changes in rheological properties of metallocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) solutions by using a rotational rheometer model AR-G2 with parallel plate geometry. Their work covered the temperature range from to and concentration from to . In this paper, we reconsider Basheer work to describe the rheological behavior of mLLDPE solutions and its dependence on concentration and temperature.Until now, several models have been built to describe the complex behavior of polymer fluids with varying degrees of success. In this article, Oldroyd 4-constant, Giesekus and Power law models were tested for investigating the viscosity of mLLDPE solution as a function of shear rate. Results showed that Giesekus and power law models provide the best prediction of viscosity for a wide range of shear rates at constant temperature and concentration. Therefore, Giesekus and power law models were suitable for all mLLDPE solutions while Oldroyd 4-constant model doesn't.A new proposed correlation for the viscosity of mLLDPE solutions as a function of shear rate, temperature and concentration has been suggested. The effect of temperature and concentration can be adequately described by an Arrhenius-type and exponential function respectively. The proposed correlation form was found to fit the experimental data adequately.
Nutrient loading has a transitory effect on the nitrogen status and growth of outplanted Norway spruce seedlings.

In recent years increased fertilization provided to tree seedlings in the nursery in the previous autumn has been introduced in order to promote good outplanting performance. In this paper this nutrient loading has been studied in order to determine how the increased seedling nutrient status with unaffected seedling size affects both the growth and the nutrient concentration, content and uptake of two-year-old Norway spruce container seedlings (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) after outplanting. Seedling development was monitored for three years at two contrasting soil fertility levels on a sandy test field in two planting years and on one natural forest outplanting site in central Finland. Nutrient loading was shown to increase shoot and root growth in a poor fertility soil during the first growing season after planting, while, after the first growing season, nutrient loading was not found to affect seedling performance. However, although nutrient loading cannot compensate for the availability of nutrients to the seedlings from the soil, it may provide an additional input for fast plantation establishment on poorer sites during the first crucial growing season after outplanting.
Brain Tumor Classification Using Convolutional Neural Networks

The brain tumors, are the most common and aggressive disease, leading to a very short life expectancy in their highest grade. Thus, treatment planning is a key stage to improve the quality of life of patients. Generally, various image techniques such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound image are used to evaluate the tumor in a brain, lung, liver, breast, prostate…etc. Especially, in this work MRI images are used to diagnose tumor in the brain. However the huge amount of data generated by MRI scan thwarts manual classification of tumor vs non-tumor in a particular time. But it having some limitation (i.e) accurate quantitative measurements is provided for limited number of images. Hence trusted and automatic classification scheme are essential to prevent the death rate of human. The automatic brain tumor classification is very challenging task in large spatial and structural variability of surrounding region of brain tumor. In this work, automatic brain tumor detection is proposed by using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) classification. The deeper architecture design is performed by using small kernels. The weight of the neuron is given as small. Experimental results show that the CNN archives rate of 97.5% accuracy with low complexity and compared with the all other state of arts methods.
An exploratory investigation of Black Friday consumption rituals

Purpose – The purpose of the present study is to explore the collective consumption rituals associated with Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and one of the largest shopping days in the USA.Design/methodology/approach – The research design for this study followed the approach of psychological phenomenological interviewing. Over a two‐year period, the authors, along with trained research assistants, conducted interviews with experienced female Black Friday shoppers.Findings – Qualitative data from 38 interviews indicated that Black Friday shopping activities constitute a collective consumption ritual that is practiced and shared by multiple generations of female family members and close friends. Four themes emerged from the data: familial bonding, strategic planning, the great race, and mission accomplished. The themes coalesced around a military metaphor.Practical implications – The findings of this study indicate that Black Friday shoppers plan for the ritual by examining advertisements and strat.
Macroeconomic Effects of Fiscal Policy Shock in Nigeria: A SVAR Approach

This paper investigates the macroeconomic effects of fiscal policy shock in Nigeria using a Structural Vector Autoregressive (SVAR) framework on quarterly data for the period 1980:1-2010:4. From the empirical findings, the responses of real output and inflation may be asymmetrical depending on the component of government spending used as a fiscal stimulus to stabilized the economy. Basically, a positive shock to government capital spending on social and community services was found to have a persistent positive and significant impact on private consumption and real output but at the cost of higher inflation in the short term. A positive shock to oil revenue yield a significant positive impact on real output through its impact on public spending. In line with theory, the response of real output to innovations in business taxes is persistently negative, though insignificant. Private investment decisions in Nigeria does not seem to depend on the taxes paid to government, but on the cost of capital (interest rate) and perhaps on other crucial variables like market demand and profit expectations. The entire analysis clearly supports the argument that for the Nigerian experience, government is still relevant in stimulating real output through expenditure expansion on productive activities.
THE IMPACT OF ROLE VARIABLES ON TURNOVER INTENTIONS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS: AN EXAMINATION OF MODERATING EFFECTS

Results from prior studies indicate that role conflict and role ambiguity are sometimes directly related to turnover intentions of computer professionals, but sometimes they are not. The purpose of this research is to provide possible explanations for these discrepant results. This study hypothesized that the relationship between role variables and turnover intentions are moderated by (a) achievement need strength and (b) organizational tenure. These hypotheses were tested using data from a questionnaire survey. The results showed that achievement need strength moderates the relationship between role variables and turnover intentions, and organizational tenure moderates the relationship between role ambiguity and turnover intentions. One implication of these results is that moderating variables may help to clarify inconsistent findings in prior research. Another implication is that employers should take into consideration the effects of moderating variables when designing retention strategies.
Evaluation of humoral immune response, body weight and blood constituents of broilers supplemented with phytase on infectious bursal disease vaccination

Abstract Phytase inclusion in phosphorus (P) deficient diet increases the bioavailability of nutrients and plays, indirectly, a role in biological function of many metabolic processes. The possibility of using phytase in diet might influence immune, growth and blood performances of animals. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of local bacterial phytase on humoral immunity in association with weight and blood characteristics of infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccinated broilers. Male-day-old Cobb-broilers were assigned into four groups based on phytase treatments (0, 500, 1,000 and 1,500 fitase units per kg of diet) with 12 cages comprising three replicates per treatment, each treatment containing 15 birds. They were vaccinated with an IBD vaccine (IBD UPM93) and were fed formulating P (0.19%) deficient diet from 1 to 42 day of age. Results indicated that although serum IBD antibody, IgM, and IgG were not increased, mucosal IgA contents were increased with increasing phytase doses. Data on bird's growth performance revealed that cumulative live weights were increased significantly (p < 0.05) to graded levels of phytase and the highest enzyme level commenced best performance. Results suggest that the local phytase supplementation in low phosphorus diet will improve mucosal IgA contents and body weights of birds.
Impact of Overseas Remittances on Economic Growth: Evidences from Bangladesh

Overseas remittance earnings have become a major source of financial inflow for Bangladesh economy in recent years. However, the advantages of this huge remittance inflow may not be effectively channeled to the economic development via investment and/or efficiency effect. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the nexus between remittances and economic growth in Bangladesh. Using time series data over a 40 year period 1972-2013, this paper investigates the causal link between overseas remittances and economic growth in Bangladesh by employing a number of econometric techniques namely Johansen Cointegration approach, Vector Error Correction (VEC) Model and the Granger Causality test. The cointegration test suggests that there exists a long-run relationship between remittance and economic growth in Bangladesh. Further, the result of Granger Causality shows that remittances do lead to economic growth in Bangladesh. The statistically significant relationship between remittances and economic growth may inspire the policy makers to consider remittances as an alternative policy instrument to motivate the growth of Bangladesh economy.
Engaging the paradoxes of the universal and particular in human rights adjudication : the possibilities and pitfalls of 'meaningful engagement'

This article examines the disjunctures between the universal aspiration of human rights norms and the complexity of their interpretation and application in diverse and pluralistic contexts. It examines the extent to which a deliberative model of democracy can assist in promoting a more dialectical relationship between the universal and particular in human rights constitutional adjudication. The article further evaluates the potential of the mechanism of meaningful engagement employed by the South African Constitutional Court in the context of evictions jurisprudence to negotiate the tension between the universal normative values and purposes of human rights, and the democratic ideal of popular participation in the making of decisions which affect people's daily lives.
NAA enhancing the quality of marking project: The effect of sample size on increased precision in detecting errant marking

The quality of examiners’ marking is currently checked by sampling their marking and comparing the marks given with a more senior examiner’s marks. The aim of this research was to investigate whether increasing the size of this sample re-marking would improve the quality control process significantly. Ninety-eight scripts were re-marked according to current quality assurance arrangements, and the relationship between the sample size of scripts and the standard error of the mean difference between Senior Examiner and Assistant Examiner marks was measured. The pattern of decrease in the standard error, as the sample size of scripts increased, was found to be similar for three Assistant Examiners of varying expertise and experience, and a simulated marker. There was little to be gained from increasing sample size beyond a certain number of scripts for each type of marker. The minimum number of scripts required to identify errant marking was estimated for each category of examiner, and the more experienced the examiner, the fewer scripts were required.