Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Moon Phases on Rates of Return of the Warsaw Stock Exchange Indices

The influence of the moon on human behavior has been featured in many, not only scientific publications. This paper tests the hypothesis that the one-session rates of return of index WIG20 (Warsaw Stock Exchange) in the period of 14.04. 1994–30.06. 2015, mWIG40 in the period 31.12. 1997–30.06. 2015 and sWIG80 in the period of 29.12. 1994–30.06. 2015, calculated for each of the following phases: full moon, new moon, first and third quarter, are statistically higher than zero (at the significance level of 95%) for WIG20 and sWIG20 when the moon was in the new phase and also for sWIG80 when the moon was in the full phase. In the second, third and the fourth part were tested null hypothesis regarding equality of one session average rates of return in two populations, for analyzed moon phases and when the moon phases falls on a specified day of the week or in the specified months. In case of testing equality of average rates of return in two populations, the outcomes proved that the moon phases are irrelevant for one session average rates of return in two analyzed populations, but in case regarding equality of one-session average rates of return, computed for each day of the week, the result permit to reject the null hypothesis for full moon falling on Fridays (sWIG80) and for 1st quarter falling on Tuesdays (WIG20 and mWIG40). The average rates of return of the Fridays session for sWIG80 (full moon) resulted to be statistically higher than zero, while for Tuesday sessions calculated for WIG20 and mWIG40 (1st quarter) – negative. Calculations of one-session average rates of return, regarding moon phases falling in a specified month, displayed that they are statistically higher than zero for: mWIG40 in March (full moon), WIG20 in June and mWIG40 in July (for indices both – moon in the first quarter phase) and lower than zero for: WIG20 and mWIG40 for full moon sessions in June, mWIG40 in July (new moon),
Knowledge and awareness of preventive measures in influenza H1N1 infection among Students of University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Objective: To assess the knowledge and awareness of preventive measures in influenza H1N1 infection among students of University of Sri Jayewardenepura Methods: In a descriptive cross sectional study, 384 of randomly selected students from four faculties of University of Sri Jayewardenepura were given standard interview administered questionnaires (Balkhy et al ,2010 ) to ascertain knowledge and awareness of preventive measures in H1N1 infection. Sample characteristics were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package (16 Version). Results: Response rate was 100% and 53.9% of participants were males. Knowledge of H1N1 infection was significantly different among students in four faculties. 43.5% of the participants had average knowledge and 81.2% of them knew correct mode of transmission of the H1N1 infection. Among the participant who had high awareness of preventive measures from medical faculty (61.5%). Only 12.3% of the participants used face masks during the pandemic episode and 63.8% of them did hands washing. Among the study group 48.2% had not used face makes as they did not like that practice. Almost half of the students who do not use handkerchief were used elbow joint to prevent droplet infections when they sneeze or cough during endemic season. 65% students had not practice hand washing and use elbow joint to prevent droplet infections due to lack of awareness. Conclusion: Student’s knowledge on H1N1 infection was average. Awareness of preventive measures was high level among Faculty of Medical Sciences. Preventive practices were at low percentage in all the faculties.
Understanding domestic savings: an empirical approach

ABSTRACT There are two unusual and important features in the evolution of the savings rate in Chile. First, the economy increased the average savings rate by 11 percentage points in the period 1985–2013 compared to 1960–1984, mainly due to a large change in private savings rate (10 percentage points), and an additional 1 percentage point from the public sector. The second feature is related to the change in the composition of private savings. After several years of nearly no corporate savings, this component became an important part of total savings reaching an average of almost 10% of Gross National Disposable Income (GNDI) during the period 1986–2012. Our results show that the 1984 tax reform, the boost in the marginal productivity of capital and the deepening of the financial market were the main drivers that explain the dramatic increase in corporate savings. We also found that the reduction in personal income tax after the tax reform and the higher income per capita growth helped to explain the increase in household savings, while the structural balance rule helped to explain the increase in public savings.
Domestic Investment, Export, Import and Economic Growth in Brazil: An Application of Vector Error Correction Model

This paper aims to investigate the nexus between domestic investment, exports, imports, and economic growth for the Brazilian economy during the period 1970-2017, using the VECM methodology. In the short-run, our empirical results pointed out that import, exports, and domestic investment cause economic growth. Also, economic growth causes exports. Exports, imports, and economic growth cause domestic investment. However, in the long-run, our results revealed that domestic investment and exports have a positive effect on economic growth. Also, imports have a negative effect on economic growth. The results recorded a positive impact of economic growth and imports on domestic investment. Exports have a negative effect on domestic investment. Finally, we record the absence of significant impact of economic growth, exports and domestic investment on imports, and economic growth, domestic investment, and imports on exports. Due to the importance of these aspects to the economic performance of Brazil, the policymakers are invited to orient these issues towards the sustainability facets to guarantee a sustained growth path.
A Comparative Analysis of the Impact of Political Trust on the Adoption of E-Government Services

ABSTRACT This study sought to examine the differential effects of political trust on the adoption of e-government services between foreign and Chinese students. Political trust was integrated into the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) which was then used as the research model for this study. The comparative analysis demonstrated that political trust, performance expectancy, and social influence were all significant predictors of the intention to use e-government services by foreign and Chinese Students. Also, political trust was a positive determinant of social influence and performance expectancy for both foreign and Chinese students. The implications of these findings on the implementation of e-government to provide public services are discussed.
The immunopathogenesis of allergic skin diseases in dogs and cats.

Hypersensitivity in veterinary medicine has been recently redefi ned as “Objectively reproducible clinical signs initiated by exposure to a defi ned stimulus at a dose tolerated by normal dogs” [1]. A number of different types exist, broadly mediated by antibody or immunocompetent lymphoid cells. However this represents an oversimplifi cation, and, as exemplifi ed especially by atopic dermatitis (AD), a complex interplay between various arms of the innate and acquired immune systems is involved. SUMMARY
The impact of intellectual capital on SMEs’ performance in China

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and compare the extent of intellectual capital (IC) and its four components in high-tech and non-high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in China’s manufacturing sector, and to examine the relationship between IC and the performance of high-tech and non-high-tech SMEs. Design/methodology/approach The study uses the data of 116 high-tech SMEs and 380 non-high-tech SMEs listed on the Shenzhen stock exchanges during 2012–2016. The modified value added intellectual coefficient (MVAIC) model is used incorporating four components, namely, capital employed, human capital, structural capital and relational capital. Finally, multiple regression analysis is utilized to test the proposed research hypotheses. Findings The findings of this paper reveal that there is significant difference in MVAIC between high-tech and non-high-tech SMEs. The results further indicate a positive relationship between IC and financial performance of high-tech and non-high-tech SMEs. Specifically, IC is positively associated with firms’ earnings, profitability and operating efficiency. Additionally, capital employed efficiency, human capital efficiency and structural capital efficiency are found to be the most influential value drivers for the performance of two types of SMEs while relational capital efficiency possesses less importance. Practical implications This paper will provide a valuable framework for executives, managers and policy makers in managing IC within the Chinese context. Originality/value To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first empirical study that has been conducted on high-tech and non-high-tech SMEs in the manufacturing sector in China.
The Econometrics of Redenomination Risk

Redenomination and default risk are key issues for European sovereign bond markets. Which of the two credit events is more likely? And which is expected to occur first? For Italy, France, Germany and Netherlands we find that redenomination abruptly rises above default risk since February 2017, when the Brexit implementation procedure began. Since then, the CDS has almost only priced redenomination risk occurring before default. This is due to high dependence between redenomination and default risk. Dependence also implies that redenomination occurring first not only does not exclude default, but would dramatically increase default risk following redenomination. Simultaneous estimation of dependence and redenomination is obtained using a MLE on transformed data, tailored to the CDS problem. In a cross-section analysis we propose a measure of the end of the Euro, and we confirm that i) redenomination of Italy is mostly idiosyncratic (the Euro would most likely survive to Italy leaving); ii) the measure is very close to the German CDS that is commonly used in the tail-hedging market practice.
Enhanced glycemic recovery after cardiac surgery: A quality improvement project

Hyperglycemia in adult cardiac surgery may result in post-operative sternal wound infections, pneumonia, renal failure, increased length of stay, and cost. The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) (2006) requires blood glucose control in cardiac surgery at 6:00 am on post-operative day one (POD1) and post-operative day two (POD2) to be 200mg/dL or less. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guidelines use a Maltodextrin 12.5% carbohydrate beverage six hours and two hours pre-operative of general surgery to improve post-operative outcomes, cost, and length of stay. One study replicated ERAS guidelines in adult coronary artery bypass grafting surgery patients finding patients had decreased length of stay and improved glycemic control six hours postoperatively. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to outline a proactive approach to the modifiable risk factor of pre-operative fasting. This quality improvement project describes a pre-operative fasting carbohydrate protocol for non-emergent, adults, scheduled for cardiac surgery at 10:00am or later, with a hemoglobin A1C of 8.4% or less, and a body mass index of 35 or less. The protocol is named the Hungry Sweet Heart Protocol and an implementation plan is described for a community hospital located in Tucson, AZ. Updating practices of strict NPO status prior to cardiac surgery is a proactive measure to improve glycemic control and adherence to SCIP guidelines post-operatively. Interdisciplinary teams, including DNPs, are perfectly suited to guide this implementation.
Passive immunity in newborn calves.

The neonatal immune system at birth is naive to the wide variety and types of pathogens present in the environment. Consumption of colostrum to provide circulating IgG prior to the cessation of macromolecular transport (“closure”) is essential to ensure healthy calves. There are a tremendous number of factors that may influence the absorption of IgG by calves; therefore, blanket recommendations for feeding one amount of colostrum to all calves is inappropriate. A model to evaluate factors affecting IgG absorption has been developed and those factors are discussed. Colostrum supplement products have been developed and are available in the marketplace. Unfortunately, many of these products provide little additional circulating IgG. Therefore, it is essential that producers carefully evaluate claims for improve circulating IgG and animal survival. N Introduction The replacement enterprise is a pivotal component of most modern dairy farms. By providing a consistent and economical supply of high quality replacements to the lactating herd (or for sale to other herds), the replacement enterprise can be viewed as a profit (or loss) center for the dairy. This enterprise approach to calf rearing, which requires sound business and management decisions, can allow producers to evaluate the replacement enterprise and identify areas where the enterprise may be improved. Calves are born with a predetermined genetic potential, which may be permanently affected by management decisions implemented throughout the rearing period and by environmental factors. A calf's genetic potential may be viewed as an upper limit that is expressed only if proper decisions are implemented at the appropriate time. Studies have shown that the level of management has a profound effect on calf morbidity and mortality (Curtis et al., 1985; Waltner-Toews et al., 1986a, 1986b). Proper management of young stock, particularly during the neonatal period, can markedly reduce morbidity
Between Thin- and Host-ideologies: How Populist Attitudes Interact with Policy Preferences in Shaping Voting Behaviour

ABSTRACT Understanding populism as a thin-centred ideology implies that it is in need for a host ideology in order to be successful. In addition to being populist, populist parties have to give substantial, policy-related answers to political problems. Even though this twofold structure is an often-debated topic in theory, there is rather little attention payed to the question of how this relationship affects voting behaviour. Using Germany after the 2017 general election as a case, we want to study the demand side of populism and focus on the voters of the Alternative für Deutschland (Alternative for Germany, AfD) and Die Linke (Left Party). Comparing voters of a populist radical right and left party enables us to find out more about the interaction of populist attitudes and policy preferences at the individual level and how they affect electoral behaviour.
Revisiting the time-varying credit rating policy: a new test of procyclicality

ABSTRACT This article investigates whether agencies’ rating policy varies over macroeconomic cycle. We develop a novel two-stage estimation procedure to find that the rating policy becomes more strict after economic downturn than expansion, consistent with theoretical predictions. Moreover, from the horse race between various macroeconomic indicators, we find that the default spread serves as the strongest indicator for the time variation of rating standard.
Terapia de reposição hormonal não altera a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em mulheres pós-menopáusicas

Background: Postmenopausal women are at greater risk of coronary heart disease. Observational studies have demonstrated that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) improves lipid profile and cardiac autonomic modulation. The cardioprotective effect attributed to HRT has not been tested in randomized, placebo-controlled trials to compare the two most frequently used regimens. This study evaluates cardiac autonomic modulation in postmenopausal women using time domain indices of heart rate variability (HRV) and indices derived from the three-dimensional return map, and investigates whether continuous HRT for three months, either with estradiol alone (ERT) or with estradiol and norethisterone (HRT), increases HRV in postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty postmenopausal women aged 46 to 63 years were consecutively and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: HRT, ERT, or placebo. For all women, clinical, gynecological and laboratory data (glucose, estradiol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, mammography and transvaginal sonography) were collected. Patients underwent 24-h ECG before and after the treatment to evaluate HRV indices. Results: Time domain indices of HRV as well as indices derived from the threedimensional return map presented no significant changes after interventions. The only significant difference between HRT and ERT groups was in lipid profile. HDL cholesterol levels decreased 12.4% (p = 0.008) for women who used HRT. Conclusion: In postmenopausal women, continuous hormone replacement therapy with estradiol or estradiol with norethisterone for 3 months does not affect cardiac autonomic modulation evaluated by HRV.
Determinants of Bank Profitability Before and During the Crisis: Evidence from Switzerland

Using the GMM estimator technique described by Arellano and Bover (1995), this paper analyzes the profitability of 372 commercial banks in Switzerland over the period from 1999 to 2009. To evaluate the impact of the recent financial crisis, we separately consider the pre-crisis period, 1999-2006, and the crisis years of 2007-2009. Our profitability determinants include bank-specific characteristics as well as industry-specific and macroeconomic factors, some of which have not been considered in previous studies. The inclusion of these additional factors as well as the separate consideration of the crisis years allow us to gain new insights into what determines the profitability of commercial banks.
Womens participation and the political process in Nigeria: Problems and prospects

Nigerian women constitute about half of the population of the country and are known to play vital roles as mother, producer, time manager, community organizer and social and political activist. But despite the major roles they play and their population, the society has not given recognition to these and to the fact that they are discriminated against. This is due to some cultural stereotype, abuse of religion, traditional practices and patriarchal societal structures. Nigerian women have therefore over the years become target of violence of diverse form based on their positions in promoting transformative politics. The research methodology is termed qualitative research and with the use of secondary data gathered from university libraries, news print and journals. This paper will therefore examine the theoretical perspective of the discrimination and inequality suffered by women; secondly, access the current status of women in politics and the various efforts made by them for their political empowerment; thirdly, identify problems women face in their quest to participate in politics and lastly suggest possible measures for their political empowerment. Key words: Women’s participation, political participation, political process, patriarchy.
Transition towards Sustainability: Adoption of Eco-Products among Consumers

Transition to sustainability is a long-term challenge which should also actively engage consumers, as consumption causes environmental stress. In order to understand how consumers adopt eco-products, we conducted an extensive literature review of green consumerism and presented findings of 47 previous research works. In addition, this study’s aim was to explore whether consumers remain only concerned about the environment or whether they actually make a difference. Moreover, we examined gender differences. Because the relationship between consumers’ environmental concern and purchase intention is not straightforward, we aimed to explore the effect of consumers’ environmental concern on their purchase intention. The purpose of this paper was to explore how consumers’ familiarity with and consciousness of eco-products and their perceived sense of environmental responsibility mediate the relationship between consumers’ environmental concern and their purchase intention. We used structural equation modeling to test the proposed conceptual model based on a sample of 705 Slovenian consumers. Our findings suggest that all the above-mentioned constructs mediate the relationship between consumers’ environmental concern and their purchase intention in relation to eco-products. However, consumers’ consciousness of eco-products has the greatest effect in channeling environmental concern into purchase intention of eco-products. In addition, the findings indicate that female consumers express greater environmental concern, consciousness of eco-products, and perceived environmental responsibility than male consumers. The paper concludes with policy and managerial implications, theoretical implications, limitations of the study, and future research directions based on the findings of consumers’ perspectives.
The influence of political candidate brands during the 2012 and 2016 US presidential elections

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether voters consider a candidate’s brand image when evaluating election alternatives. That is, how prominent a role does the candidate brand image have in the decision-making process? As election outcomes are behavior-driven, the goal is to examine the potential relationship between the candidate brand image, the self-brand image and voting intention. ,Data were collected for the third week of October 2012 and again for the same time in 2016 – three weeks prior to the US presidential election each year. An online-based nationwide survey was leveraged, followed by correlation, regression and mediation analysis. ,Candidate brand image has a role in US presidential elections. In addition, candidate brand image and self-brand image are significantly related to voting intention. In both elections, the losing candidate’s brand image was more of a factor when it came to voting intention, as both candidates’ brand image mediated the relationships between self-brand image and voting intention for all voters. ,A link between candidate brand image and voting intention was demonstrated for perhaps the first time. With results showing candidate brand image does relate to the voter’s self-brand image and voting intention, future research should investigate what other brand elements are a factor. There are undoubtedly other factors – some branding-related, others not branding-related – that go into voter decision-making. Because results were stronger for a losing candidate than a winning one, research should also examine whether this occurrence was coincidence or consistent voter behavior. ,When voters considered who might best represent themselves, the brand image of the candidate enhanced the likelihood of voting for, or against, the candidate. Therefore, it is highly recommended that campaign managers understand not only the importance of their candidate’s brand image to develop and maintain a positive image among their supporters but also how to highlight what their supporters view as the negative aspects of the opposing candidates’ brand image to increase the lack of affinity for competitors. ,This research demonstrates, for the first time, that candidates’ brand image is considered by voters in a US presidential election. In addition, it discovers the role candidate brand image plays in voting intention. Finally, it provides direction for campaign managers to conduct research into candidates as brands to build brand relationships with the electorate.