Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Financial Incentives for Firms Promote Employment of Disabled Workers? A Regression Discontinuity Approach

We study the impact of employment quota on firms' demand for disabled workers. The Austrian Disabled Persons Employment Act (DPEA) requires firms to provide at least one job to a disabled worker per 25 non-disabled workers, a rule which is strictly enforced by non-compliance taxation. We find that, as a result of the discontinuous nature of the non-compliance tax, firms exactly at the quota threshold employ 0.05 (20 % in relative terms) more disabled workers than firms just below the threshold - an effect that is unlikely driven by purposeful selection below the threshold. The flat rate nature of the non-compliance tax generates strong employment effects for low-wage firms and weak effects for high-wage firms. We also find that growing firms passing the quota threshold react with a substantial time-lag but the magnitude of the long-run effect is similar to the one found in cross-section contrasts.
How do Firms in Argentina Get Financing to Export?

This paper, developed in the context of the CompNet initiative, delves into the importance of access to financing for the performance of firms in export markets. Using a unique microeconomic database that combines data on Argentine firms' characteristics and export performance with information on their domestic and external financing, we provide a rich insight into their financing patterns. We find that: (i) exporters have more access to bank credit than non-exporters, (ii) firms with more access to bank credit are more likely to start exporting, particularly the medium size ones and (iii) those firms with more access to foreign financing export a wider variety of products and serve more distant and developed markets. We also study the duration of firms in export markets using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. We find that the probability of firms' survival in export markets increases with their size in the earlier years of exporting. Once firms become regular exporters, their permanence in export markets seems to be less dependent on their size.
Diffusion in Zeolites

The dynamic properties of adsorbed molecules play a central role in reactions and separations that take place within the cavities of zeolites and other shape-selective, microporous catalysts. Selectivity may be strongly influenced, e.g., by the diffusivities of reactant and product molecules. However, with this selectivity comes a price: significant transport resistance. Zeolite scientists are thus interested in better understanding diffusion in zeolites to optimize the balance between high flux and high selectivity. These interests have resulted in a burgeoning field of both experimental and theoretical research, which we review in this chapter. Although diffusion coefficients for molecular liquids typically fall in the range of 10 – 10 8 ms , diffusivities for molecules in zeolites cover a much larger range, from 10 19 m s 1 for benzene in Ca-Y (1) to 10 8 m s 1 for methane in silicalite-1 (2). Such a wide range offers the possibility that diffusion in zeolites, probed by both experiment and simulation, can provide an important characterization tool complementary to diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), etc., because diffusive trajectories of molecules in zeolites sample all relevant regions of the zeolite–guest potential energy surface. We believe that studying diffusion in zeolites can also provide information about structural defects and disorder in zeolite–guest systems, which are very difficult to detect by ‘‘conventional’’ characterization methods (see, e.g., Chaps. 3, 6, 7, and 8 in this volume). In addition to the application-oriented reasons for studying diffusion in zeolites, significant effort has been devoted to revealing the fascinating physical effects that accompany such diffusion systems, including molecular nanoconfinement, connected and disconnected channel systems, ordered and disordered charge distributions, cluster formation, and single-file diffusion. The experimental and theoretical concepts presented and illustrated in this chapter refer mainly to diffusion in zeolites as the most important example of microporous materials. In most cases, however, these concepts can easily be transferred to less ordered or totally amorphous microporous materials as well (3,4). We hope that this chapter provides a launching point for scientists new to the field of diffusion in zeolites. Toward that end, two excellent monographs (5,6), one collection (7), and several penetrating reviews have been written that address both the experimental (8,9) and theoretical (10–14) issues that arise when studying diffusion in zeolites. To distinguish this
A Model of Voluntary Turnover in Male Canadian Forces Recruits

This study of voluntary turnover was conducted on Canadian Forces (CF) recruits (N = 459) undergoing basic military training. In response to growing voluntary attrition concerns, a model of early voluntary turnover was tested. The model included pre-entry individual characteristics (pre-entry normative commitment, desire for military career, and mental toughness), postentry work attitudes and intentions (normative CF commitment, affective commitment, and turnover intentions), and actual turnover behavior. Ten of the 13 specified paths were supported, and the model yielded an overall good fit, providing empirical evidence for the influence of pre-entry characteristics on the development of commitment and subsequent turnover.
HIGH ORDER METHOD FOR SINGULARLY PERTURBED DIFFERENTIAL-DIFFERENCE EQUATIONS WITH SMALL SHIFTS

This paper deals with a class of singularly perturbed differential- difference equations with small shifts (delay and advance). A high order accu- rate tridiagonal compact implicit method on non-uniform mesh is developed for approximating the solution of these equations. It is proved that the numerical method has third order of accuracy. The stability analysis and the truncation error are discussed. Several numerical examples are solved to demonstrate the accuracy and the efficiency of the proposed method and how the s of the delay and advance parameters affect the layer behavior of the solution.
EFFECTS OF STRONGYLOSIS ON SOME BLOOD PARAMETERS IN GOATS

This study was designed to find any possible relationship between strongylosis and some blood parameters. Blood and faecal samples were collected from 44 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats and 53 Red Sokoto (RS) goats of different ages and sexes. The blood parameters studied were packed cell volume (PCV), total serum protein (TSP) and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations in West African Dwarf (WAD) and Red Sokoto (RS) goats. The mean PCV of WAD and RS goats with strongylosis were significantly (p 0.05) different between goats with strongylosis and those without strongyle eggs. The serum Ig concentration for WAD goats with strongylosis was significantly lower than that in goats without strongylosis. This was, however, not so for RS goats with and without strongylosis. Generally, the mean Ig levels for WAD goats were significantly higher than that for RS goats. The results indicated that PCV and serum Ig concentrations may be used as potential indicators of resistance to gastro-intestinal strongylosis.
Strategic Communication as an Inevitable Tool for HIV/AIDS Campaigns: Evidence from Offa Community, Kwara State, Nigeria

This study investigated strategic communication as an inevitable tool for HIV/AIDS campaigns in Offa using a fear appeal approach. For simplicity, the study employed univariate method of analysis. The results showed that fear appeal based messages do not significantly pose any behavioural change in the pandemic of HIV/AIDS disease among respondents in Offa Kwara State. Furthermore, the results confirmed that fear appeal messages in HIV/AIDS campaigns will only succeed in arousing the curiosity of the people to ultimately ignore the fear and engage in high risk behaviour that will predispose them to have HIV/ AIDS. Hence, the study concludes that proper use of simple messages to create adequate awareness among people is critical to persuading them to modify their attitude towards HIV/AIDS. Therefore, the study recommends that, the use of fear appeal messages in HIV/ AIDS campaign should be discouraged and if otherwise, such messages should be modified in order to reach the desired result.
Intrapartum transfers from the Birth Centre to the Obstetric Unit in 2017 – analysis of reasons

Abstract Introduction. The standard of perinatal care gives the woman the right to consciously choose the place of birth. Birth Centres (BC) run by midwives implement a vision of a non-medicalized birth in intimate homelike conditions. Aim. The aim of the study is to determine the causes of transfers from the Birth Centre to the Obstetric Unit and to indicate the social and demographic characteristics of the women giving birth that may predispose to transfer. Material and methods. The study was based on the analysis of the medical records of women who were transferred from the BC to the St. Sophia Obstetric Unit in Warsaw. 88 women who were transferred constituted the study group. Results. The most numerous group were women giving birth aged 30-34. The majority were giving birth for the first time and had higher education. Intrapartum transfers were related to the mother’s obstetric condition, fetal condition or disruption of the childbirth. Conclusions. Failure to progress of labour is the main cause of transfers. The women giving birth for the first time aged 30 and over, admitted for to the BC after 40 weeks of pregnancy and dilation below 4 cm were the most often transferred group of women.
Relationship Between Epoxy Resin Properties and Weepage of Glass-Reinforced Filament-Wound Pipes

This study aims to understand the relationship between mechanical properties of a resin and weepage (loss of water tightness) of glass-reinforced filament-wound pipes. A three-stage study has been carried out, from epoxy resin chemistry to mechanical behaviour of composite pipes under pressure. Four resin formulations were selected by accounting for their different mechanical characteristics in tension. The study of unidirectional composite plaques showed that fracture in tension transversally to the fibre direction essentially comes from the failure of the fibre/matrix interface. The failure strain of these plaques is higher when the strain of the resin at failure of the fibre/matrix interface is higher. Biaxial pressure tests on ± 55°-filament-wound pipes revealed that weepage is due to the transversal failure of unidirectional layers of the pipe wall. Moreover, a very simple weepage criterion was proposed: weepage appears for a pressure directly proportional to the failure strain of unidirectional composite plaques in tension transversally to the fibre direction. The proportionality constant depends on the pipe geometry.
Dry matter partitioning, carbohydrate composition, protein reserves, and fruiting in 'autumn bliss' red raspberry vary in response to pruning date and cane density

In a 2-year experiment (1994 and 1995), plants of primocane-fruiting red raspberry cultivar Autumn Bliss grown in a plastic greenhouse were destructively harvested at different growth stages to determine the effect of pruning date and cane density on dry matter distribution, carbohydrate concentration, and soluble protein concentration in different plant parts. Three summer-pruning dates (early, mid, and late July) and four cane densities (8, 16, 24, and 32 canes/m row) were imposed. Relative root biomass decreased from pruning to first flower stage and remained constant thereafter for all pruning dates. Earlier pruning dates corresponded to earlier fruit production, but yield was significantly reduced on later pruning dates and higher cane densities. Sucrose concentration was higher in fine roots than in suberized roots and had a slight decrease during flowering and the beginning of harvest. Soluble protein concentrations did not differ significantly between pruning dates. Reserve carbohydrates in the root system were unaffected by pruning and cane density, and were rapidly used during active vegetative growth, began to recover just after bloom, and were fully recovered at the end of the season. Our experiment suggested that in red raspberry plants grown under poor environmental conditions, current yield is reduced but there is enough carbohydrate accumulation to support next year's growth.
Positive metallicity correlation for coreless giant planets

Frequency of detected giant planets is observed to increase rapidly with metallicity of the host star. This is usually interpreted as evidence in support of the core accretion (CA) theory, which assembles giant planets as a result of formation of a massive solid core. A strong positive planet-metallicity correlation for giant planets formed in the framework of gravitational disc instability (GI) model is found here. The key novelty of this work is ‘pebble accretion’ on to GI fragments, which has been recently demonstrated to accelerate contraction of GI fragments. Drivenclosertothestarbytheinwardmigration,onlythefragmentsthataccretemetalsrapidly enough collapse and survive the otherwise imminent tidal disruption. The survival fraction of simulated planets correlates strongly with the metallicity of the host star, as observed.
Inhibitory Effect of Cratoxylum formosum Gum on Candida glabrata and Its α-mangostin Content

Candida glabrata is the most common fungal species isolated in patients with severe mucosal inflammation. The high resistance to traditional antifungal therapies makes this species a growing concern in clinical settings. Cratoxylum formosum is a plant widely distributed in mountainous area of Asian countries. This study aims to examine antifungal activity of C.formosum gum against C.glabrata and its α-mangostin content. Inhibition of fungal growth was primarily tested by agar diffusion. Broth dilution method was then used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The α-mangostin content was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Inhibitory effect of the gum was seen against C.glabrata (clinical isolate and ATCC22019) with zones of inhibition ranging from 14.3 to 10.2 mm. MIC value against C. glabrata ATCC22019 and the clinical isolate was 1.25 mg/mL. By HPLC, the α-mangostin content of C.formosum gum was determined as 4.08% (w/w). In conclusion, the anticandidal activity of C.formosum gum suggests that this plant may be a useful source for the development of a novel antifungal agent against candidal infection. Further in vitro/in vivo studies should be conducted to understand the mechanisms of action and to establish the safe profile of this gum for clinical usage.
IMPROVING IMAGE MATCHING BY REDUCING SURFACE REFLECTIONS USING POLARISING FILTER TECHNIQUES

Abstract. In dense stereo matching applications surface reflections may lead to incorrect measurements and blunders in the resulting point cloud. To overcome the problem of disturbing reflexions polarising filters can be mounted on the camera lens and light source. Reflections in the images can be suppressed by crossing the polarising direction of the filters leading to homogeneous illuminated images and better matching results. However, the filter may influence the camera’s orientation parameters as well as the measuring accuracy. To quantify these effects, a calibration and an accuracy analysis is conducted within a spatial test arrangement according to the German guideline VDI/VDE 2634.1 (2002) using a DSLR with and without polarising filter. In a second test, the interior orientation is analysed in more detail. The results do not show significant changes of the measuring accuracy in object space and only very small changes of the interior orientation (Δc &leq; 4 μm) with the polarising filter in use. Since in medical applications many tiny reflections are present and impede robust surface measurements, a prototypic trinocular endoscope is equipped with polarising technique. The interior and relative orientation is determined and analysed. The advantage of the polarising technique for medical image matching is shown in an experiment with a moistened pig kidney. The accuracy and completeness of the resulting point cloud can be improved clearly when using polarising filters. Furthermore, an accuracy analysis using a laser triangulation system is performed and the special reflection properties of metallic surfaces are presented.
Peer Effects, Gender, and Intellectual Performance among Students at a Highly Selective College: A Social Comparison of Abilities Analysis. Discussion Paper.

A study was conducted to examine peer effects among undergraduates at Williams College, a highly selective four-year liberal arts school. Specifically, the study explored whether students would perform better writing about newspaper articles they read and discussed in academically homogeneous or heterogeneous groups of three. In homogeneous groups all three students were from either the top half or bottom half of their class on academic ratings assigned at the time of admission. Heterogeneous groups included students from both the top and bottom half of their class. The results showed that students in the top and bottom half performed similarly overall, but that students performed better in homogeneous groups, whether those homogeneous groups were made up of students in the top half or the bottom half of their classes. This pattern of results was stronger for men subjects than women subjects. The results were interpreted in terms of the principles of social comparison theory (Festinger, 1954).
Examining the Effect of Facilitating Conditions as an imperative input in enhancing the intention to use Mobile Learning systems in Universities

This study centered on facilitating conditions as an imperative key in determining intention to use Mobile Learning systems in Universities. The study used a cross sectional survey with a sample size of 370 students from the universities. The correction results revealed a strong significant positive relationship between facilitating conditions and the intention to use m-learning systems, this signifies that facilitating conditions are key imperatives in determining intention to use mobile learning systems in universities. As universities look out for the better ways to increase the use of mobile learning systems, more attention should be given to facilitating conditions in their bid to ensure that student’s intention to use mobile learning systems is highly enhanced.
Re-defining the rural space in the Kuiseb Delta: Examining the potential tourism benefits for the Topnaars in Namibia

The purpose of the study was to redefine the rural space and explore the potential tourism benefits for the Topnaars in the Kuiseb Delta. Kuiseb Delta has unparalleled archeological/historical sites of which 235 have been well researched. The historical sites are being threatened by unauthorized tourism and recreational activities. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism proclaimed community concessions recently which hold out hope for the Topnaar and other communities’ future to benefit from tourism. Topnaars are marginalized and are increasingly dispersing into adjacent towns or mines. The study utilised a naturalistic inquiry which is based on an illuminative approach. This involved the use of focus group interviews with participants in the tourism industry and a key informant technique with the Topnaar community. The method followed was important as it enabled the researchers to understand the principles underpinning potential community benefits and the industry’s role in tourism development in the Kuiseb Delta. The study unearthed that the proposed tourism activities are ideally located and offer unique tourism opportunities for the Topnaars. The proposed tourism products appeals to a growing market segment and could be marketed through binding market agreements with chosen partners. In addition, the project could be viable and could be operated at marginal cash. The study recommends the granting of a concession to the Topnaar community, the proclamation of the area as a ‘conservation area’ in terms of the ‘heritage act’, development of a management plan and an environmental impact assessment, attracting private sector partnership and providing of appropriate training for tour guides. The study further recommends continued archeological survey and documentation of additional cultural/archeological sites. Key words: Tourism, community benefits, sustainable development, rural space, tourism products.
Future Projections of Urban Waste Flows aand their Impacts in African Metropolises Cities

This paper presents future trends of urban wastes and their impacts on the environment of African cities using plausible mitigation scenarios. To accomplish this, an integrated dynamic model for urban waste flows was developed, tested, calibrated and validated. Its parameter sensitivity was analyzed. Using population projection up to 2052 with different levels of technological implementation, policy enforcement and awareness raising, four runs were executed. The “business as usual” run showed that with no additional mitigation measures, the environmental quality in Kampala and Dar es salaam Cities deteriorates. The “more enforcement” and “more collection” scenarios showed good reduction in environmental loads but they perform less well in resource recovery. The “proper management” scenario that combines enhanced technological implementation, awareness raising and policy enforcement, produced the smallest environmental loads, and recovered the largest amount of resources. Thus, the city authorities, general public, community based organisations and Non-governmental organizations would have to increase their efforts in finances and commitment to improve the urban environmental quality and increase resource recovery.
Measuring trust in the examination system: some insights from the medical profession and elsewhere

If the examination system is to maintain its credibility within society, it is imperative that awarding bodies and their regulator make efforts to understand, measure, and engender public trust. Trust-based research, primarily from the medical profession, is reviewed to gain some insight into how best to develop a measure of trust in the examination system. A potential strategy for developing a measure of trust in the examination system is outlined, and the utility of such an instrument hinted at.
Wine as an Alternative Asset Class

Using a dataset that spans the period 1996 to 2007 and contains transaction prices for all reported auctions at the Chicago Wine Company, we analyze how the prices of high-end wines have evolved during this time period. The best wines according to characteristics like vintage, rating and ranking earn higher returns and tend to have a lower variance than poorer wines. Nevertheless, the different categories of wines seem to follow a rather similar trend over the long run. Wine returns are only slightly correlated with other assets and can consequently be used to reduce the risk of an equity portfolio. Wine looks even more attractive when the investor also has concerns about the skewness of his portfolio. However, the part to be invested in wine is reduced once the kurtosis is included into the analysis. Finally, it seems advisable to diversify across different wine categories as their short-run movements are partially independent of each other. First growths and wines rated as extraordinary by Robert Parker deliver the best tradeoff in terms of portfolio expected returns, variance, skewness and kurtosis for most investor preference settings under consideration. (JEL Classification: C60, G11, Q11)