Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Art of Choosing: Developmental Changes and Individual Differences in Decision Making Under Risk

In this thesis children’s, adolescents’, and adults’ risky choice was studied by using a multidisciplinary theoretical and methodological approach. Across these studies, some general conclusions emerge. First, individual differences are key. Although adolescence may generally be a phase of heightened emotionality, not all adolescents are risk takers and the methods in this thesis (latent class analysis and formal modeling) are useful tools to characterize individual differences. Second, context matters. That is, in this thesis contexts were studied that varied in the immediacy of outcomes and the explicitness of choice information. Understanding in which contexts risk-taking occurs, and how that is predictive for other contexts, is a promising target for future research. Finally, decomposition is essential. That is, decomposition may indicate which components of the decision process drive observed behavior. A challenge for future studies will be to further construct tasks that allow decomposition of the decision process, trigger affective engagement, and predict daily-life risky choice. Advancing the understanding of developmental changes in risky decision-making is important before starting ambitious next steps such as finding tools to optimize children’s and adolescents’ decisions. As is apparent from the mixture of theories and methods in this thesis, this is both an exciting and a challenging field. But who said decision making (or decision making research) was ever easy?
Comparative pre-weaning growth of Zebu cattle and their crosses with Sahiwaland Boran

A study was carried out to evaluate growth performance of Zebu cattle and their crosses with Sahiwal and Boran at the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NASARRI), Serere, Uganda. Analysis of variance based on General Linear Model of SAS 2002 was used to analyse the data. The overall means for weights at birth and weaning and pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG) were 18.36+ 0.076, 100.55 + 0.48 kg and 304 1.96 g day -1 , respectively. Dry season born calves were significantly (P<0.05) superior to wet season born in both weaning weight and preweaning ADG. Parity had a significant (P<0.05) influence on birth weight but not for weaning weight and pre-weaning ADG. Genetic group of the calf (Zebu, Boran or Sahiwal crosses) was a significant (P<0.001) source of variation for all growth traits studied. Rankings of genetic groups for weaning weight and pre-weaning ADG were B 1 Sx (SxT), F 1 (SxT), B 1 (SxT)xT, B 1 Bx(BxT), F 1 (BxT) and T. Influence of year calving was significant (P<0.01) for weaning weight and preweaning and pre-weaning ADG but not for birth weight. Heritability estimates based on sire variance components for birth weight, weaning weight and pre-weaning ADG were 0.41, 0.02 and 0 . 02, respectively. Heritability estimates based on both the dam and the sire variance components for birth weight, weaning weight and pre-weaning ADG were 0.41, 0.16 and 0.36, respectively. Based on these results it can be suggested that crosses of Boran and Sahiwal have higher potential for growth than the Zebu cattle. However, backcrossing to either Sahiwal or Boran breeds had no significant advantage over the F 1 crosses. Keywords: Birth weight, heritability, pre-weaning growth
The Effect of Credit on the Export Performance of Colombian Exporters

In this paper we use Colombian manufacturing data on exports and external financing for the period 1998 - 2006 to estimate the credit elasticity of exports. We use bank-firm linked data to construct a supply side instrument for a manufacturer's demand of credit, which we use to address the reverse causality between a manufacturer's export revenue and its demand for credit. We find that access to credit produces a significant increase on a manufacturer's export revenue explained by the positive effect of credit on an exporter's market reach - number of destinations -. Across manufacturers the effect of credit on a manufacturer's export revenue varies by size. While medium sized manufacturers use credit to increase their market reach, market penetration and product mix, large manufacturers only use credit to increase their market reach. Small manufacturers do not seem to benefit from bank credit.
Examination of Science Achievement in the 8th Grade Level in Turkey in Terms of National and International Exams Depending upon Various Variables.

The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of demographic characteristics of students in Turkey upon their performance in TIMSS, an international assessment exam and Secondary Education Transition Examination which is a national exam (OGS). One of the fields of sciences, biology is taken into account as student performance. As a result of the t-test analysis, it was determined that gender has a statistically significant effect on the students’ TIMSS and TEOG exam results; besides, it was found that female students are more successful compared to boys Whether students receive private tutoring which refers to the economic characteristics of the students has not statistically significant effect on TIMSS biology scores, while it has a positive and significant impact upon OGS biology scores. Moreover, findings revealed that parental educational level has a positive and significant effect on TIMSS and OGS scores of the students. Keywords : TIMSS, TEOG, science achievement, Turkey, private tutoring
High Performance Electrocatalysts Based on Pt Nanoarchitecture for Fuel Cell Applications

Fuel cells, converting chemical energy from fuels into electricity directly without the need for combustion, are promising energy conversion devices for their potential applications as environmentally friendly, energy efficient power sources. However, to take fuel cell technology forward towards commercialization, we need to achieve further improvements in electrocatalyst technology, which can play an extremely important role in essentially determining cost-effectiveness, performance, and durability. In particular, platinum(Pt-) based electrocatalyst approaches have been extensively investigated and actively pursued to meet those demands as an ideal fuel cell catalyst due to their most outstanding activity for both cathode oxygen reduction reactions and anode fuel oxidation reactions. In this review, we will address important issues and recent progress in the development of Pt-based catalysts, their synthesis, and characterization. We will also review snapshots of research that are focused on essential dynamics aspects of electrocatalytic reactions, such as the shape effects on the catalytic activity of Pt-based nanostructures, the relationships between structural morphology of Pt-based nanostructures and electrochemical reactions on both cathode and anode electrodes, and the effects of composition and electronic structure of Pt-based catalysts on electrochemical reaction properties of fuel cells.
Study of the Serum Superoxide Dismutase Levels in Smoking and Non-Smoking Patients with COPD

SettingThe present study was carried out in the department of Physiology in collaboration with department of Biochemistry and Medicine, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. ObjectivesTo compare the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels among healthy smokers, smoking patients with COPD and non-smoking patients with COPD and to correlate serum SOD levels with the severity of obstruction in COPD patients. DesignA total of 120 subjects in the age group of 40-70 years from medicine department of the hospital were included and they were divided into four groups. Group: 1 Healthy non-smoking individuals as control. Group: 2 Healthy smokers. Group: 3 Non-smoking patients with COPD. Group: 4 – Smoking patients with COPD. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were used for COPD diagnosis as per GOLD criteria and Serum SOD levels were measured by the method devised by Marklund S, Marklund G modified by Nandi and Chatterjee. The analysis of the study was done by using ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Unpaired t test. ResultsThe serum SOD levels were significantly decreased in healthy smokers (2.50 ± 0.45 U/ml), non-smoking patients with COPD (2.36 ± 0.49 U/ml) & smoking patients with COPD (2.23 ± 0.43 U/ml) when compared to controls (3.01 ± 0.23 U/ml). Also, serum SOD levels were positively correlated with FEV1% predicted in smoking and non-smoking patients with COPD. ConclusionThese results provide enough evidence of increased oxidative stress and a compromised antioxidant defence system in smokers and in patients with COPD. This study also revealed that the serum SOD levels can act as an indicator of severity of COPD, which may help in prognosis and follow-up of the treatment of patients with COPD.
Highly Structured ePortfolio Platform for Bachelor of Nursing Students: Lessons Learned in Implementation.

In 2015, the School of Nursing at Otago Polytechnic, a tertiary institution in Dunedin, New Zealand commenced using an ePortfolio platform with students in the Bachelor of Nursing program. A project was undertaken to evaluate the implementation of this technology and determine its ongoing use. This sequential, exploratory, mixed-methods research consisted of surveys and focus groups with relevant faculty and students, using the Technology Acceptance Model. The results showed that there was support for the ongoing use of the platform. Specific recommendations were made to increase the acceptance of the platform.
Wall Ironing with Polymer Coated Sheet Metal

• A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
Age Determination of Wrinkled Frog, Rana rugosa with Special Reference to High Variation in Postmetamorphic Body Size (Amphibia: Ranidae)

Abstract Individual ages of postmetamorphic R. rugosa from three populations of Kyoto, Japan (Gondoike, Iwakura, and Kiyotaki), were determined skeletochronologically. From recaptured individuals, one LAG was confirmed to be formed per year. In all three populations, age at sexual maturity was 1–2 yrs in males and 2–3 yrs in females, though some females matured at the age of 1 yr. Longevity was at least 4 yrs in males and 5 yrs in females. Sexual size dimorphism was conspicuous in adults, and females were invariably larger than males. Females had a larger asymptotic size than males but growth rate differed between some localities only in males. In all populations, both sexes showed high variations in SVL and the variation was even higher in juveniles than in adults. This high variation is explained by a prolonged breeding season and resultant mixture of metamorphs with and without overwintering larval stage within a population of this species.
Methodology to Identify the Leading Factors of Rivers’ Electrical Conductivity. Case Study: Jiu Catchment, Romania

Methodology to Identify the Leading Factors of Rivers’ Electrical Conductivity. Case Study: Jiu Catchment, Romania. The river’s conductivity is the capacity of the water to transport electricity and depends on the physical and anthropogenic characteristics of the catchment. This paper aims to investigate the spatial variation of the rivers’ electrical conductivity in order to identify the role of its main predictors, by using multivariate analysis and GIS methods. The study area, Jiu River basin, is located in the SW of Romania. It covers 10,000 km and has a high diversity of geographical features, which could explain the variations in conductivity. The paper is based mainly on field measurements on electrical conductivity and turbidity, in 19 sites on Jiu River and some tributaries. The recorded conductivity values ranged from 61 μS/cm to 1201 μS/cm. This wide variation may be caused by several factors, such as turbidity, lithology, soils, as well as land use. The Principal Components Analysis (PCA) highlighted that the chief variables which determine the increase of river conductivity are the geological substrate and the soil textures across the catchments (particularly marls). The results also show a close relationship between the dominantly clayey textures and the high values of conductivity. Additionally, anthropogenic disturbances (reflected by the extent of the agricultural and urbanized areas) are also likely to play a role in the local increase of electrical conductivity.
Sensory Discrimination, Working Memory and Intelligence in 9- and 11-Year Old Children

More than a century ago, Galton and Spearman suggested that there was a functional relationship between sensory discrimination ability and intelligence. Studies have since been able to confirm a close relationship between general discrimination ability (GDA) and IQ. The aim of the present study was to assess whether this strong relationship between GDA and IQ could be due to WM demands of GDA tasks. A sample of 140 children (70 9-year-olds and 70 11-year-olds) was studied. Results showed that there was a significant overlap between WM, GDA and fluid intelligence. Furthermore, results also revealed that WM could not explain the relationship between GDA and fluid intelligence as such, but that it acted as a bottleneck of information processing, limiting the influence of GDA on the prediction of fluid intelligence. Specifically, GDA’s influence on the prediction of intelligence was only visible when WM capacity was above a certain level.
ANTHROPOMETRIC STUDY OF FACIAL MORPHOLOGY IN TWO TRIBES OF THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Address for Correspondence: Professor Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo, PhD. , Department of Anatomy School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, Tel: +233 208 126 817, Fax: +233 322 062 190. E-Mail: knustsmsanat@gmail.com Facial indices are among the most important cephalometric parameters useful in inter-racial and intra-racial morphological classification and categorization. As such, facial parameters serve as prominent identification tools in combination with fingerprint patterns for biometric and forensic purposes in the developed world. However in Ghana, although emphasis is placed on the face in the photographic recognition systems used in the issuance of passports, very little information is available on metric facial data, facial types and their distribution patterns and their association with ethnicity, sex and age. Therefore the aim of this study is to generate baseline data on facial dimensions and their relationship with height, age and sex of the Sisaalas and Dagaabas of the Upper West Region of Ghana. A total of 387 healthy individuals (202 females and 185 males), between 18 – 60 years of age were recruited for the study. The results of the study showed that male facial parameters had significantly higher dimensions than those of the female participants.
The Effects of Monetary and Exchange Rate Policy Shocks: Evidence from an Emerging Market Economy

Many central banks that have opted for monetary autonomy have also been reluctant to relinquish control over the value of their currencies. As a result, they have operated through both interest rate and foreign exchange interventions. Using daily data from the Central Bank of Turkey during the period of 2002–10, we study the effects of simultaneous policies by first purging the intended monetary decisions from responses to real-time macroeconomic variables and then determining their impact on economic activity. We find that the Central Bank of Turkey adjusted its policy rate mostly in response to inflation levels relative to both the yearly target and agents’ expectations, and conducted purchases and sales of foreign currency in response to exchange rate behavior. These responses varied depending on whether interventions were preannounced. In terms of effectiveness, we find that unannounced purchases of foreign currency had a significant effect in reducing exchange rate volatility but appeared to have no effect on exchange rate changes. Announced interventions, on the other hand, did have a significant impact on exchange rate changes and volatility. Finally, we find that changes in the policy rate affected inflation and output growth, with a lag delay of four and two quarters, respectively.
Partitioning of the Transition Metals Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Zn between Orthopyroxene and Silicate Melt : Ionic Size Effect to the Partitioning Behavior

by Hideo Hashizume * and Y u Hariya * * , (with 7 text-figures and 10 tables) Partition coefficients of Mn+, Fe+, COH, NiH, and ZnH between orthopyroxene and silicate melt have been determined in the system Mg2SiO,-Si02-H20 at pressures of 1 and 3 GPa and at a temperature of 1400·C. The partition coefficient was defined by the ratio of the concentration of an element in orthopyroxene to that of the element in silicate melt. Partition coefficients were plotted on a partition coefficient versus ionic radius (PC-IR) diagram. Partition coefficients were linearly related to ionic radii. However, the partition coefficient of Zn deviated from the linear relationship between partition coefficients and ionic radii . This was called the Zn+ anomaly. However, a partition coefficient versus metal and oxygen (M-O) distance (PCMO) diagram was depicted instead of a PCIR diagram. On a PC-MO diagram, partition coefficients were linearly related to MO distances. An element with a small M-O distance are concentrated in orthopyroxene. The Zn + anomaly disappeared on PC-MO diagrams. The partitioning behavior between a site (an Ml or M2 site) in orthopyroxene and silicate melt was estimated by using the intracrystalline cation distribution data. These partition coefficients were plotted on both a PC-M(l) o diagram and a PCM(2)0 diagram. The element of a small MCl)-O distance was concentrated in orthopyroxene on the PC-MCl)O diagram. The lines were negative gentle slopes for the PC-M (2)0 diagram. Partition coefficients between the M2 site in orthopyroxene and silicate melt were not almost dependent on the M(2) -0 distance.
Public expenses, credit and natural capital: Substitution or complementarity?

Improving access to capital through credit and public spendings is an important step toward development and poverty alleviation. At the same time, deforestation-related activities, like agricultural expansion, can be seen as relying on natural capital, through the depletion of forest resources and the use of land in an extensive way. It is then important to better understand how a better access to capital influences the use of land as a natural capital. This paper assesses the relationship between financial development, public spendings and deforestation. Are they substitute or complement? Our econometric analysis shows that deforestation is positively correlated to access to credit and public spendings, which gives some evidence that natural capital is a complement to credit and public spendings.
Tsunami simulations of mega-thrust earthquakes in the Nankai–Tonankai Trough (Japan) based on stochastic rupture scenarios

Abstract In this study, earthquake rupture models for future mega-thrust earthquakes in the Nankai–Tonankai subduction zone are developed by incorporating the main characteristics of inverted source models of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. These scenario ruptures also account for key features of the national tsunami source model for the Nankai–Tonankai earthquake by the Central Disaster Management Council of the Japanese Government. The source models capture a wide range of realistic slip distributions and kinematic rupture processes, reflecting the current best understanding of what may happen due to a future mega-earthquake in the Nankai–Tonankai Trough, and therefore are useful for conducting probabilistic tsunami hazard and risk analysis. A large suite of scenario rupture models is then used to investigate the variability of tsunami effects in coastal areas, such as offshore tsunami wave heights and onshore inundation depths, due to realistic variations in source characteristics. Such investigations are particularly valuable for tsunami hazard mapping and evacuation planning in municipalities along the Nankai–Tonankai coast.
Relationship between IL-8, IL-10, MMP-9 level and morphological pattern of BAL fluid

Interstitial lung diseases are characterized as a chronic inflammatory disorders [1]. Alveolitis, a common finding in these diseases, leads to the lung injury and often fibrosis, that finally deranges alveolar capillary units causing their dysfunction and eventual loss. Tissue remodelling involved in this process is initiated by degrading of basement membranes a thin matrices underlying most epithelium and endothelium in the lungs. On the other hand progress of pathological events in the lungs is usually associated with activation of alveolar macrophages and other cells, followed by accumulation of inflammatory cells as well as production of great number of proinflammatory factors such as cytokines and proteases. Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are family of enzymes that play a central role in extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover and remodelling based on their ability to hydrolyze major protein components of ECM [2]. Two members of the family metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 are considered to play an important role in angiogenesis. Both are known for their ability to degrade collagen present in a vascular basement membrane. Recent studies revealed their participation in development of some inflammatory disorders. Kumagi and Relationship between IL-8, IL-10, MMP-9 level and morphological pattern of BAL fluid in interstitial lung diseases patients
Unusual behaviour of Dickey-Fuller tests in the presence of trend misspecification: comment

In this paper we present explanation on the phenomenon pointed out in Cook and Manning (2002) on the unusual behaviour of the Dickey-Fuller test in the presence of trend misspecification. It appears that the rejection frequency of the unit root tests in the presence of trend misspecification is very sensitive to the number of the initial observations that need to be discarded. Based on the evidence from the Monte Carlo simulations, we show that for the DGP in Cook and Manning (2002), the unusual behaviour of the Dickey-Fuller test disappears as the number of the discarded initial observations becomes sufficiently large.
Morphological and ultrastructural studies on Ulva flexuosa subsp. pilifera (Chlorophyta) from Poland

Ulva flexuosa subsp. pilifera (Kutz.) M. J. Wynne 2005 (= Enteromorpha pilifera Kutzing 1845) was previously found in Argentina, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden, recently also in Poland. The genus Ulva was first time described as Enteromorpha. Interestingly, Enteromorpha is used nowadays as a synonym for Ulva, a development which is based on molecular data. The morphologies of both young and mature specimens were studied, and most life cycle stages could be observed. Further, the formation of calcium carbonate crystals on the surface of Ulva thalli seems to influence the arrangement of the cells. A detailed ultrastructural (TEM) analysis of cell walls is presented. The TEM reveals in great details highly complex, irregular structures with stratification lines.