Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Remittance multiplier effect: do migrant remittances impact the mass of non-migrant households in Nigeria?

Remittances to Nigeria, like to the rest of the developing world, show rapid growth in the last two decades. This work estimated the effects of these emergent migrant transfers on the Nigerian non-migrant households who do not receive the funds. These non-migrant households constitute the larger population share, and like the remittance dependent households, are often characterised by low income, inadequate access to resources and found mostly in agricultural related risk coping strategies. The Nigerian General Household Survey and the National Living Standard Survey were sources of a pooled data used for the analyses. Both surveys conducted by the Nigerian Bureau of statistics gained supports from the World Bank. From the perspective of the compound multiplier theory, the “two stage least square” technique was employed in the data analysis. Results showed that remittances did not only improve migrant household consumption, it also increased incomes of non-migrants’ households through its multiplier effect.
Personal selling constructs and measures: Emic versus etic approaches to cross-national research

Argues that salesforce research has typically been conducted in the USA, and that US researchers have developed the theories, designed the research, and interpreted the results. Notes that the majority of subjects and respondents in studies designed to test the US theories have been sales personnel in the USA. Assesses the appropriateness of administering personal selling measures to sales personnel outside the country/culture where the measures were developed. Investigates two paradigms of measurement transport: emic (culture specific) and etic (global). Evaluates the psychometric properties of two popular personal selling measures, SOCO and ADAPTS, in a cross‐national context, revealing mixed support for the etic approach.
Mediating of Store Image on Customer Trust for Organic Vegetables

Nowadays, organic vegetables have not yet become the important attention of customer in Indonesia due to the risk of more expensive price. Truly, customer trust is needed in solving some risk's view on product which will burden the customer. Remembering that organic vegetables are only sold in supermarket retail, a review on mediating effect of store image is conducted to improve customer trust on organic vegetables. The objects of this study are costumers of supermarket in West Java province. There are 361 respondents who have been analyzed through Structure Equation Model. The research finding states that store image can mediate the relationship of perceived quality and perceived risk for organic vegetables with an aim to improve customer trust.
GENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES FOR ALLOMETRIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ROOT AND SHOOT CHARACTERISTICS IN CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.)

The study was conducted at the Research Greenhouse of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Twenty genotypes of chickpea were grown in pots (10×100 cm). Root traits including, total root length (TRL), number of lateral roots (NLR), root area (RA) and ratios of root dry weight (RDW) to root volume (RV) and leaf area (LA) to (RA) only at the seedling stage and root traits such as tap root length (TL), RVand RDW and shoot traits including, height of plant (H), leaf area (LA), leaf dry weight (LDW), stem dry weight (SDW) and root/shoot ratio at the seedling to seed filling were determined. Significant differenence were found in TI, TRL, NLR, RA, RDW at the seedling stage. The triats RV, NLR, RA, RDW and RA showed significant and positive correlation with TRL at the seedling stage. No correlation was found between root traits at the seedling stage with the same traits at the flowering, podding and seed filling stages. In the seedling stage the highest linear regression correlation between TRL and RA (r 2 =0.91), between TRL and RV (r 2 =0.81), between RV and RA (r 2 =0.82) and between TRL and NLR (r 2 =0.84) were found. The correlation coeffiicent of RV versus H was 0.89, 0.81 and 0.94 at the flowering, podding and seed filling stages, respectively. There was a significant correlation between RDW and RV at the flowering (r 2 =0.55) and podding stages(r 2 =0.56). Since RV, RA and RDW are easy to measure and has the highest correlation with the TRL at the seedling stage, therefore we will be able to use from equations produced for TRL estimation in this stage. These parameters are the major criteria for selection of drought resistance.
THE ASSOCIATION OF AUDIT COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT WITH FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE QUALITY

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 suggest that the quality of financial disclosures is higher with effective audit committees. I investigate whether audit committees that meet the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with respect to members’ independence and financial expertise would be associated with higher disclosure quality through lower forecast dispersion, forecast errors, and revision volatility among analysts. I find lower forecast dispersion and revision volatility when all members of the audit committee are independent. Analysts’ forecasts are more accurate when the audit committee is comprised completely of independent directors, where at least one member is a financial expert. Overall, the association I document between audit committees and the properties of analysts’ forecasts suggests that efforts of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to strengthen the effectiveness of corporate audit committees may be effective in enhancing the credibility and the timeliness of financial disclosures.
DESIGN BASIS FOR EVERGLADES STORMWATER TREATMENT AREAS1

The State of Florida (1994) has adopted a plan for addressing Everglades eutrophication problems by reducing anthropogenic phosphorus loads. The plan involves implementation of Best Management Practices in agricultural watersheds and con­ struction of regional treatment marshes (Stormwater Treatment Areas or STA's). This paper describes the development, testing, and application of a mass-balance model for sizing STA's to achieve treatment objectives. The model is calibrated and tested against peat and water-column data collected in Water Conservation Area- 2A (WCA-2A), where phosphorus dynamics and eutrophication impacts have been intensively studied. The 26-year-average rate of phosphorus accretion in peat is shown to be proportional to average water-column phosphorus concentration, with a proportionality constant of 10.2 mJyr (90 percent Confidence Interval = 8.9 to 11.6 m/yr). Spatial and temporal variations in marsh water-column data suggest that drought-induced recycling of phosphorus was impor­ tant during periods of low stage in WCA-2A. Maintaining wet con­ ditions will be important to promote phosphorus removal in STA's. Sensitivity analysis of STA performance is conducted over the range of uncertainty in model parameter estimates to assess the adequacy of the model as a basis for STA design. (KEY TERMS: wetlands; phosphorus; modeling/statistics; stormwa­ ter management; peat; nonpoint source pollution; Everglades; eutrophication; wetland treatment.)
WEC technology performance levels (TPLs)- metric for successful development of economic WEC technology.

The paper discusses the importance of the Technology Performance Levels (TPLs) as an essential metric for the assessment and quantification of the techno - economic performance at all stages of the wave energy converter (WEC) technology development and its significance to the successful deve lopment of economic technology. TPLs provide an integral technology assessment of all cost and performance drivers grouped into the five high level categories of acceptability , power conversion efficiency, availability , capital expenditure (CapEx) and lifecycle operational expenditure (OpEx), while broadly inversely related to cost of energy (CoE). Following previous introduction of the TPLs in [1], used alongside the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) in form of the TRL – TPL – Matrix visualisation providing a useful means for the evaluation, comparison and discussion of different research technology development trajectories over the technology readiness and performance levels plane, this paper recaps on the motivation for introduction and use of TPLs and extends their description through their fundamental principles. TPLs are applicable at all development stages over all TRLs and the associated techno - economical WEC technology assessments are described over a range of TPLs. The value of technology is discussed with respect to investability while under development and marketability when at product stage. It is shown that the combined consideration of both TRL and TPL are of the essence in order to a) identify requirements of WEC technology for successful entry and survival in the electricity market and b) assess actual value technology under development when crucial investment and funding decisions are made .
Physical Interventions with People with Intellectual Disabilities: Staff Training and Policy Frameworks

Background Physical intervention or restraint with people who have intellectual disabilities is sometimes necessary, even though it is known to present dangers to both staff and service users (some service users have died as a result of restraint). Aims This study aims to investigate the extent to which staff in intellectual disability services were trained in the use of physical interventions or restraint. Their views of a recent policy framework on physical interventions were also sought. Methods There were three groups of participants: (i) group 1 included staff who had attended conferences on the Policy Framework (the conference sample); (ii) group 2 included staff from two geographical areas (the geographical sample); (iii) group 3 included staff in specialist assessment and treatment services (the SpAT sample). All participants were sent a questionnaire asking them about their training in (and use of) physical intervention methods and their opinions on the policy document. Results There were at least 12 different types of training recorded, including a number of varieties of Control and Restraint (C&R). By no means did all the senior staff did have training in physical intervention methods. The degree of training varied with the sample and the type of training varied with the employing organization. Most participants in group 1 were very positive about the BILD & NAS Policy Framework but few staff in groups 2 and 3 had read the document. About two-thirds of the participants said their services had (or were developing) a written policy on physical interventions. Conclusions There remained a clear need for further training in physical interventions and evidence on which the effectiveness of different methods of physical interventions could be judged.
Assessment of the Roles and Constraints of Women in Economic Development of Ethiopia: The Case of Ambo Town Since 1991

This study is mainly focused on the role of women in economic development with the aim of assessing the roles and constraints of women in economic development of Ethiopia in general and Ambo in particular. Women in Ethiopia or anywhere else in developing countries occupy the low states in the society and their contributions has never been adequately recognized or given economic value. Moreover, women‘s roles in the economy has often been under estimated and their work in the different sectors has long been invisible. The findings are based on primary and secondary data collections from different sources. The primary data is collected through questionnaires and interview while the secondary data is collected from literature review. The result of the study indicates the significance of the role of women in economic development and the factors that make their economic roles unrecognized. The roles of women, among other things, includes saving, family planning, efficient utilization of resources, productive, reproductive, and community managing role. The role of women in economic development can be improved through gender empowerment measures and by providing women to productive resources such as credit and loan
Do Family-Owned Banks Perform Better? A Study of Malaysian Banking Industry

It has been discussed that whether family ownership perform better or less perform than non-family ownership that might create or destroy agency costs among the managers and shareholders. This paper is to investigate the financial performance of family and non-family owned banks in Malaysia from year 2001 to 2010. This study compares the financial performance of family and non-family owned banks that operate under central bank of Malaysia, (BNM) and are listed on Bursa Malaysia. Multiple regression technique was performed to investigate the relationship between independent variable (ownership structure) and dependent variables (Tobin’s Q, ROA and ROE). Findings indicate that Tobin’s Q is the best fit as the dependent variable for the regression model. It shows the highest F statistics value, which is 6.247 as compared to ROA and ROE for full sample. Meanwhile, the adjusted R squared of Tobin’s Q indicates similar higher value as well that is 0.150 between the dependent variables. Board composition and board size indicate strong influence on the performance of family-owned banks. Smaller board size on the board can help the bank to achieve better performance in term of Tobin’s Q and ROE. In contrast, board composition attains better performance in term of ROA rather than Tobin’s Q and ROE. This study can provide useful insights of the governance mechanism that could influence the firm performance.
Absenteeism, Efficiency Wages, and Marginal Taxes

In this paper, I test the argument that increased taxes on earnings correspond to increased incentives to shirk, thus causing an increase in the rate of worker absenteeism. After fixed job effects are taken into account, panel register data on prime‐age Norwegian males who work full‐time show that a higher marginal net‐of‐earnings‐tax rate reduces the rate of absenteeism. When the net‐of‐tax rate is increased by 1.0 percent, absenteeism decreases by 0.3−0.5 percent. Injury‐related absences are less affected by tax changes than other absences. Absenteeism becomes more sensitive to tax changes as the occupational unemployment rate increases.
Sensitivity of 3D7 and W2 Clones in a Formulated Transport Medium and EDTA Anticoagulants against a Panel of Antimalarials

Introduction : in vitro drug sensitivity relies on the growth of plasmodium in the presence of the antimalarials. These fresh isolates brought in for assay from collection sites normally not near the laboratory require a medium to keep the parasites viable in order to produce results which are a representation of the field situation in terms of drug susceptibility. Since factors such as mixed infection of drug resistant and sensitive parasites occurring in most field isolates can influence drug test outcome because they have different drug susceptibilities, Method : This study validated the use of a formulated transport medium (TM) by assaying clones which have been culture adapted in the lab for 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC 50 ) against four antimalarials using SYBR Green 1 in vitro assay. These clones (3D7 and W2) were revived and recultured for assay. Prior to subjecting them to drugs, they were exposed to 2ml formulated TM and the conventional EDTA anticoagulant in 5ml vacutainer tubes to act as control. Results: Similarity was detected with no significant difference (P >0.05) observed in the medians inhibitory concentration 50 (IC 50 ) between samples in the EDTA anticoagulant and TM holds however, samples in EDTA generally had higher IC 50 values. Conclusion: This study concludes that the formulated TM holds promise for future use, Keywords : clones, transport medium, EDTA, susceptibility, inhibitory concentration 50, isolates
Does behavioural theory explain return-implied volatility relationship? Evidence from India

Abstract The study investigates whether behavioural theory is a superior explanation for short-term return–volatility relationship than traditional leverage and volatility feedback hypotheses. Using VAR and quantile regression frameworks, the study shows that behavioural theory explains the relationship better than the leverage and feedback hypotheses. The study supports that behavioural biases (representative, affect, extrapolation heuristics, etc.) exist among market participants, and these biases cause India Volatility Index (India VIX) to be an efficient hedge for extreme negative market movements.
The jet-ISM interaction in the Outer Filament of Centaurus A

The interaction between the radio plasma ejected by the active nucleus of a galaxy and the surrounding medium is a key process that can have a strong impact on the interstellar medium of the galaxy and hence on galaxy evolution. The closest laboratory where we can observe and investigate this phenomenon is the radio galaxy Centaurus A. About 15 kpc north-east of this galaxy, a particularly complex region is found: the so-called Outer Filament where jet-cloud interactions have been proposed to occur. We investigate the presence of signatures of jet-ISM interaction by a detailed study of the kinematics of the ionized gas, expanding on previous results obtained from the HI. We observed two regions of the outer filament with VLT/VIMOS in the IFU observing mode. Emission from Hbeta and [OIII]4959,5007\AA\ is detected in both pointings. We found two distinct kinematical components of ionized gas that well match the kinematics of the nearby HI cloud. One component follows the regular kinematics of the rotating gas while the second shows similar velocities to those of the nearby HI component thought to be disturbed by an interaction with the radio jet. We suggest that the ionized and atomic gas are part of the same dynamical gas structure originating as result of the merger that shaped Centaurus A and which is regularly rotating around Centaurus A as proposed by other authors. The gas (ionized and HI) with anomalous velocities is tracing the interaction of the Large-Scale radio Jet with the ISM, suggesting that, although poorly collimated as structure, the jet is still active. However, we can exclude that a strong shock is driving the ionization of the gas. It is likely that a combination of jet entrainment and photoionization by the UV continuum from the central engine is needed in order to explain both the ionization and the kinematics of the gas in the Outer Filament.
Economic Integration in West Africa: Does the CFA Make a Difference?

In this paper we use data from 17 African nations in order to investigate the hypothesis that monetary union – represented in this case by the CFA Franc Zone – augments the extent of macroeconomic integration in developing countries. The paper covers a number of dimensions of integration including the volume of bilateral trade, real exchange rate volatility and the magnitude of cross-country business cycle correlation.
The constitutive ideal of rationality: Davidson and Sellars

L'A. defend la these de Davidson selon laquelle l'ideal de la rationalite est constitutif de l'idee du mental et implique l'irreductibilite des concepts mentaux aux concepts des sciences naturelles. Etablissant un lien entre Davidson et Sellars contre la critique de Rorty, l'A. montre que le scepticisme de Rorty envers la position de Davidson releve d'une mauvaise interpretation d'une caracteristique descriptive de la semantique relationnelle de Tarski sur laquelle s'appuie la semantique de Davidson developpee dans son article intitule «Mental events» (1980)
Contribution of coherent vortices such as Langmuir cells to wind-driven surface layer mixing

[1] The wind blowing over the water surface causes, even for low wind speeds, Langmuir circulation in addition to shear-generated turbulence. Both of these mechanisms mix the upper layer of oceans and lakes, but since the mixing efficiency of Langmuir cells is unknown, their relevance to mixed layer deepening is still an open question. In order to estimate the contribution to mixing by Langmuir vortex cells relative to shear-induced mixing, we employ results on entrainment rate obtained from laboratory experiments with turbulent Taylor vortex cells. These are coherent horizontal vortices analogous to Langmuir cells. To relate the two, we define a surface friction velocity u* that would be necessary to drive cells of strength equivalent to the Taylor vortices. It is then shown that up to a friction Richardson number of Ri* ≈ 50, layer deepening is predominantly caused by shear-generated turbulence, whereas for Ri* > 50, the contribution by turbulent coherent vortices (Langmuir cells) dominates the mixing process. For Richardson numbers Ri* > 120, the entrainment rate decreases, but there is no criterion for the arrest of mixing by turbulent Langmuir cells as was previously suggested. The present results confirm observations that shear-generated turbulence dominates during initial layer deepening under relatively weak buoyancy effects and that subsequently Langmuir cell mixing dominates the mixed layer deepening. The entrainment rates obtained from laboratory experiments are discussed and predict values for the mixed layer deepening that are in good agreement with in situ observations.
In vitro Susceptibility Pattern and Distribution of Aspergillus spp. in Hospitalized Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Infection

Aspergillosis is considered as common fungal infection but often seen in immunocompromised patients due to chronic pulmonary infection and other invasive fungal diseases. A. fumigatus, the most pathogenic species are responsible for about 90% of all invasive aspergillosis. Though, current treatments are effective but leads to the emergence of resistant strains to commercially available drugs. In the present study sputum samples from different groups of immunocompromised patients was used for the isolation of Aspergillus species and screened for multidrug resistance against commercially available drugs such as itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole and amphotericin B. We have isolated 204 Aspergillus spp. from different group of immunocompromised patients. A. fumigatus was the predominant Aspergillus spp (43%) followed by A. niger (33%) and others are 24%. Screening of susceptibility pattern of the clinical isolates against antifungal drugs revealed that A. niger was resistant to fluconazole (MIC≥64 mg/L) and itraconazole (MIC≥32 mg/L) followed by A. fumigatus showed resistance to itraconazole (MIC≥32 mg/L).
Genetic diversity of castanea sativa an endangered species in the hyrcanian forest

Castanea sativa Mill. is one of the most endangered tree species in Iran where it is represented by small fragmented populations in the north of the country. 18 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci (10 nuclear and 8 chloroplastic) were used to evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of C. sativa from the Hyrcanian forest. For nuclear SSR, the number of alleles detected per locus ranged from 1 to 5 and observed heterozygosity (HO) was between 0.125 and 1.000. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated a high level of variation within populations (84%) and low levels between populations (16%). Based on structure analysis, the four studied populations were divided into two main clusters that have genetic distance Fst = 0.3. The Shafaroud population was separated in the first cluster, Siyahmazgi, Qalehroudkhan and Veysroud were placed in the second cluster. The UPGMA analysis confirmed the results of Structure analysis, separating the Shafaroud population from the others. The 8 chloroplast SSR loci used to screen the populations showed no polymorphism. In General, low nuclear genetic diversity, no polymorphism in cpDNA and considerable genetic differentiation among populations in short geographical distance represent a serious genetic erosion threat for C. sativa in the Hyrcanian forest, even hinting at an ongoing extinction vortex. Therefore, due to significant decline in genetic diversity, it is essential to introduce constraints protection upon the areas of distribution of all four populations of this species in Iran.