Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of Factors Affecting Smallholder Rice Farmers’ Level of Sales and Market Participation in Tanzania; Evidence from National Panel Survey Data 2010 -2011

This study analyzed the determinants of market participation for smallholder rice farmers in the five major rice producing regions in Tanzania. The study used Tanzania National Panel Survey (NPS) data compiled data by FAO. A sample of 842 households from high rice producing regions (Mbeya, Morogoro, Shinyanga, Mwanza and Tabora) was extracted from the dataset. Quantitative as well as quantitative analyses were performed; quantitative analysis involved estimation of Weighted Least Squares (WLS) and the Tobit regression models were used to analyze factors affecting volume of sales and determinants of market participation respectively. The household socio-demographic characteristics of smallholder rice farmers were analyzed and discussed in relation to their influence on production and market participation. The WLS results indicated that 10 variable out of 11 variables included in the model were significantly influence the quantity of sold. While age has a positive relationship with quantity sold but was insignificant implying that age of the household head does not directly affect the volume of sales. Results of the Tobit regression model indicated that household consumption, land cultivated, livestock owned and dummy for rural areas indicated a positive significant relationship while non-farm income, dummy region for Mbeya region and Tabora region indicates that, a negative and significant relationship with market participation. Further, low rice production, underdeveloped transport infrastructure and lack of reliable markets closer to higher rice producing regions and inadequate access and use of improved seeds and input were found to be the main of the problems associated with smallholder farmers in the study area. Hence, we discuss and recommend some policy implications based on the study findings. Keywords: Agricultural Marketing, Market Participation, Smallholder rice Farmers, rice Production, Tanzania
Productive performance and blood metabolites as affected by protected protein in sheep.

This investigation included two experiments. Experiment 1 was executed to study the effect of feeding different rations of protected protein of canola meal on digestibility and nutritive values within sheep. Twenty male, healthy sheep were divided into five treatments according to the methods of protein protection (control, heat, sodium hydroxide, formaldehyde, and acetic acid treatments). Experiment 2 was carried out on developing lambs to investigate the effect of protected protein on growth performance and some blood metabolites. Animals in this ex-periment were also divided into the same treatments as Experiment 1. Animals in the first and second experiment were fed concentrate ration (80%) and wheat straw (20%) to cover the feed requirements. Nutritive values expressed as total digestible nutrients (TDN %) and digestible crude protein (DCP%) of the experimental rations was calculated. In the second experimental all animals were weighed biweekly and the amounts of rations were adjusted throughout the experimental period (120 days) according to their body weight change. Results indicated that in the first experimental protected protein by heat (HE) and sodium hydroxide (NH) had positive (P<0.05) effects on most of digestibility coefficients of different nutrients. Protein protection methods also improved (P<0.05) the nutritive values (TDN and DCP) in the HE treatment and NH treatment. In the second experiment body weight increased by 14% and 7% and also daily gain by 27% and14 % in HE and NH, respectively, while FM and AC decreased body weight by 8% and 4.4%. Higher values (P<0.01) in both thyroid hormones were observed in HE and NH than those other treatments. Also, higher values (P<0.01) of total protein, albumin, and glucose were observed in HE and NH than other treatments. The control (CTL) group recorded higher concentrations of urea-N and creatinine at different periods of the experiment in comparison with other treatments. Generally, from the present investigation it can be concluded that protected protein of canola meal by heat or sodium hydroxide treatments were more efficient for productive performance and some blood metabolites of sheep.
Predictors of suboptimal glycemic control for hospitalized patients with diabetes: Targets for clinical action

Objective: Suboptimal glycemic control (SGC) puts hospitalized patients with diabetes at risk for poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to quantify factors with predictive capacity to identify patients at risk for SGC during hospitalization. Methods: 32 baseline and demographic variables were extracted from the electronic records of 23,100 patients with diabetes hospitalized between 2009 and 2012. The rate of blood glucose values between 70 and 180 mg/dL was calculated for each patient. A predictive model for SGC was developed using regression modeling, standardized coefficients, and classification tree analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to isolate adjusted odds of SGC for top predictors. Results: The final predictive model included 13 variables (C statistic = 0.88). HbA1c (OR, 0.60 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.58-0.61]), admission blood glucose (OR, 0.91 [CI, 0.91-0.92]), and steroid use (OR, 0.06 [CI 0.04-0.08]) were the highest-ranking predictors of SGC. HbA1c and SGC had a strong linear relationship (R2= 0.99), with increasing odds for SGC as HbA1c increased. Admission blood glucose and SGC had a polynomial relationship (R2 = 0.95); increasing odds for SGC until 240 mg/dL; then odds started decreasing. Steroid use showed a steady threefold increase in odds for SGC across all rates of use. Conclusions: Poor preadmission diabetes control and inpatient steroid use strongly predict SGC. A range of thresholds for these predictors was empirically determined, providing a basis for targeted therapies on admission. Guidelines incorporating empirically derived thresholds should enhance the ability to achieve optimal glycemic control for hospitalized patients with diabetes.
Money Supply and Inflation in Nigeria: Implications for National Development

The study examines money supply and inflation rate in Nigeria. Secondary data that ranged between 1970-2008 were sourced from the CBN Statistical Bulletin. The study used Vector Auto Regressive (VAR) model. The stationary properties of the model were also explored. The results revealed that money supply and exchange rate were stationary at the level while oil revenue and interest rate were stationary at the first difference. Results from the causality test indicate that there exists a unidirectional causality between money supply and inflation rate as well as interest rate and inflation rate. The causality test runs from money supply to inflation, from the interest rate to inflation and from interest rate to money supply. The paper concludes that government should use the level of inflation as an operational guide in measuring the effectiveness of its monetary policy.
Protein requirements of Cinta Senese pigs from 30 to 60 kg: preliminary results

Knowledge of protein requirements of pigs during the first phase of life is crucial for both achieving high growth rates and avoiding nitrogen waste. Autochthonous breeds possess specific requirements in this regard and the literature is poor even for the Cinta Senese breed. Thus, the effect of different level of crude protein (CP) in Cinta Senese pigs, between 30 and 60 kg, was evaluated within the TREASURE* project. Twelve male pigs were individually reared indoor, fed with four isoenergetic diets with different levels of CP (18, 16, 14 and 12%) equally distributed among animals. The animals, with an initial average live weight of 27 kg, were fed ad libitum and slaughtered after 2 months of trial. Left side carcass was sectioned in six cuts: head, neck, loin, shoulder, ham and ribs. Each cut has been dissected into the main tissues. As regards in vita performance a slightly higher growth rates with decreasing protein levels were recorded (ADG of 0.781, 0.774, 0.755 and 0.729 kg/d respectively for 12, 14, 16 and 18% of CP), though only the two extreme levels of CP (12 vs 18%) resulted statistically different (P=0.05). Cuts weights and percentage of the main tissues were similar between diets. The diet with 12% of CP may be the optimal compromise for the growth of the Cinta Senese pigs from 30 to 60 kg of live weight.
The impact of trading mechanisms and stock characteristics on order processing and information costs: A panel GMM approach

My study provides a panel approach to quantify the impact of trading mechanisms and stock characteristics on spread components. Based on the two-way decomposition of Huang and Stoll (1997), a cross-sectional dimension is added. Arrelano and Bover's (1995) dynamic GMM procedure and the Helmert''s transformation allow controlling for company specific effects. In line with former research, I confirm higher order processing costs on the NASDAQ. My model identifies the reasons for higher information costs on dealer markets, namely lower market capitalization and less attention of financial analysts. Yet the trading mechanism itself is not responsible for higher information costs.
The Long-Term Effects of Civil Conflicts on Education, Earnings and Fertility: Evidence from Cambodia

This paper examines the long-term effects of exposure to civil war and genocide on the educational attainment, earnings, and fertility of individuals in Cambodia. Given the well-documented causal links between schooling and labor productivity, it is surprising that past studies show that civil conflicts reduce educational attainment, but generally not earnings of individuals. Using variation in the degree of Cambodians’ exposure to civil conflicts during primary school age, we find that disruption to primary education during civil conflicts decreases educational attainment and earnings, increases fertility, and has negligible effects on health of individuals several decades later. Our findings suggest that the effect of conflict on schooling disruption has adverse consequences on long-term labor productivity and economic development.
(IMP2 02) Chilling injury alleviation of papaya fruit: changes related to softening and cell wall ultrastructure

Effects of heat treatment and carbohydrate polymer coating on texture, cell structure, cell wall ultrastructure and activities of softening enzymes, α- and β-galactosidases during storage and through ripening were studied. During 28 days at 10°C, firmness, cell structure and cell wall ultrastructure were still intact. Concomitantly, activities of both galactosidases were markedly suppressed. However, upon transferring the chilled papaya to ambient temperature, drastic decrease in firmness and several ultrastructure changes were noted. The most obvious changes were the loosening and eventual breakdown of the cell wall as well as an increase in the number of mitochondria and chromoplast. Activities of β-galactosidase were also increased. Combination of heat treatment and coating seemed to be effective in reducing chilling injury symptoms, thereby was capable to extend the storage life and maintaining the quality of papaya fruit.
HOW DOES BIOCHAR AND BIOCHAR WITH NITROGEN FERTILIZATION INFLUENCE SOIL REACTION

Biochar usually has a neutralizing effect, therefore, it is recommended for application to acid soils due to its potential to increase soil pH. The aims of this study were (1.) to quantify the role of different rates of biochar and biochar in combination with N fertilization on change of soil pH, and (2.) to evaluate the dynamic changes of soil pH in relation with doses of biochar and biochar with N fertilization. A field experiment was conducted with different biochar application rates: B0 control (0 t ha-1), B10 (10 t ha-1) and B20 (20 t ha-1) and 0, 40 and 80 kg N ha–1 of nitrogen fertilizer (N0, N40, N80) on silt loam Haplic Luvisol at the locality of Dolná Malanta (Slovakia) in 2014. Their effects were investigated after vegetation season of spring barley and spring wheat (once a month: from April to July) in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Experimental results indicate that the soil pHH2O in B0N0, B10N0, B20N0, B10N40, B20N40, B10N80 and B20N80 were 6.23, 6.45, 6.60, 6.77, 6.48, 6.36 and 6.60, respectively. The results of LSD test showed statistically significant differences between soil pH in control treatment and treatments with biochar and biochar with N fertilization. The most significant effect on increase of soil pH was observed in B10N40. During whole period, after application of biochar and biochar with N fertilization the values of pHKCl were gradually decreased in all treatments.
The HRM Practices on Job Satisfaction of Operational Workers in the Apparel Industry in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Area of the Study HRM practices on job satisfaction are a widely discussed topic today. Therefore this study is aimed to discuss the HRM practices on job satisfaction of operational workers in the Sri Lankan apparel companies located in Colombo district. Problem of the Study There are no any theoretical and empirical findings on how HRM practices affect job satisfaction of operational workers in the apparel sector in Sri Lanka. Then, the problem of the study is: Do HRM practices affect job satisfaction of operational workers in the Sri Lankan apparel companies located in Colombo district? Method of the Study The data were collected from 300 operational level employees from four selected large scale apparel companies in Colombo district through structured questionnaire. Questionnaire consisted of 60 questions for HRM practices and 20 for job satisfaction and all questions were scaled with five point scale. Correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse the data using SPSS (Version 16). Findings of the Study The major finding of the study is that there is a significant and positive relationship and association of HRM practices with job satisfaction. Further, there are few HRM functions which strongly do not affectjob satisfaction of employees. Conclusion of the Study As conclusion, companies have to enrich the significant HRM function is to enhance the employees’ job satisfaction based on the findings. Keywords: Job Satisfaction, HRM Practices, Extrinsic Job Satisfaction, Intrinsic Job Satisfaction
POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OF SPACE WEATHER CHANGES ON DYNAMICS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN MIDDLE LATITUDES

We describe the results of joint studies to reveal a possible effect of space weather variations on the dynamics of traffic acci- dents in middle latitudes. We arrived at the conclusion that impulsive geomagnetic disturbances (storms) affect the number of traffic accidents more significantly than gradually changing background geomagnetic activity. The probable cause of this is the retarded or inadequate human brain's reaction. We also found a high correlation between cosmic ray activity (neutron flux) on the Earth's surface and the number of traffic accidents. Spectral analysis has revealed certain periodicities in the dynamics of traffic accidents, well-known in solar-terrestrial physics.
Educational Research and Evidence-based Policy: The Mixed-method Approach of the EPPE Project

In a review of the challenges to progress in providing social research evidence that might usefully inform policy, Oakley (2004) argues strongly that the ‘paradigm divide’ between qualitative and quantitative research communities continues to constitute a major problem. Oakley refers to a number of recent critiques of what is seen as ‘misplaced positivism’ in educational research and Hammersley (1997, 2005) has suggested that educational research findings are now routinely being applied uncritically to inform educational policy and practice. Research in early childhood education has not been immune to these general criticisms and specific concerns have also been expressed regarding alleged technicism, and the reification of dominant conceptions of early educational quality. In this paper we test these theoretical claims against the realities of conducting one recent and influential early years study: the Effective Provision of Preschool Education (EPPE) Project. The paper provides an account of the EPPE research and also locates the study in terms of the contemporary literature on mixed-method research. It is argued that similar mixed-method approaches may be applied to escape many of the problems identified by critics. We conclude with a discussion of the wider implications for educational research.
Bootstrapping the economy -- a non-parametric method of generating consistent future scenarios

The fortune and the risk of a business venture depends on the future course of the economy. There is a strong demand for economic forecasts and scenarios that can be applied to planning and modeling. While there is an ongoing debate on modeling economic scenarios, the bootstrapping (or resampling) approach presented here has several advantages. As a non-parametric method, it directly relies on past market behaviors rather than debatable assumptions on models and parameters. Simultaneous dependencies between economic variables are automatically captured. Some aspects of the bootstrapping method require additional modeling: choice and ransformation of the economic variables, arbitrage-free consistency, heavy tails of distributions, serial dependence, trends and mean reversion. Results of a complete economic scenario generator are presented, tested and discussed.
THE USE OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL IN SEX THERAPY

Using data from a sample of 99 sex therapists in the United States who participated in an online survey, the use of sexually explicit material (SEM) in sex therapy is explored. Findings suggest that prevalence rates for the use of sexually explicit educational material and erotica in sex therapy were very high, 92.6% and 81.1% respectively; while the use of pornography was much lower at 29.5%. Younger therapists, and therapists with less experience, were more likely than older therapists and therapists with more experience to use SEM in sex therapy. Overall, sex therapists were generally comfortable with sexually explicit educational material and erotica but less comfortable with pornography. Younger therapists and/or female therapists were most comfortable with the use of pornography in sex therapy. The primary theoretical rationale reported by sex therapists for using SEM was education. Several therapists indicated that they would not recommend the use of SEM in sex therapy with clients who expressed opposition or discomfort, clients who exhibit compulsive sexual behaviors, and with clients who have a history of sexual trauma.
Inner Approximations of Consistent Parameter Sets by Constraint Inversion and Mixed-Integer Programming

Abstract Mathematical modeling has become an indispensable tool in the analysis, prediction and control of chemical and biological systems. However, the estimation of consistent model parametrizations and model invalidation are challenging tasks, but crucial for reliable model-based analysis and prediction. Set-based estimation methods are useful to determine guaranteed outer approximations of consistent parameter sets, i. e. consistent parametrizations are never excluded. However, these conservative outer approximating sets often include inconsistent parametrizations which lead to inconsistent models and hence possibly wrong model-based predictions. This paper proposes a set-based framework to determine inner approximations, i.e. the model is guaranteed consistent with measurement data for all parametrizations from this set. Our approach is based on the reformulation and inversion of measurement data constraints and by imposing nonlinear constraints on binary variables. The relaxation of the mixed-integer nonlinear feasibility problem into a mixed-integer linear feasibility problem allows the inner approximations to be determined efficiently. The applicability of this approach is demonstrated considering a nonlinear biochemical reaction network.
The effect of dowel length on the retention of two different endodontic posts

Background: Several factors govern the retentiveness of endodontic posts, the shape of the post and its length are among the essential factors. This invitro study formulated to compare the retentive values of stainless steel, parallel sided, serrated posts (Euro post) to fiber reinforced, tapered ,smooth posts (Easy post) at two embedment depth (5and 10 mm). Materials and methods: Thirty two intact human mandibular second premolars were selected for this study. These samples were endodonticlly treated, and randomly divided in to four groups of eight teeth each: Group Ι: teeth restored with Easy post at embedment depth 10mm. Group ΙΙ: teeth restored with Easy post at embedment depth 5mm. Group ΙΙΙ: teeth restored with Euro post at embedment depth 10mm. Group ΙV: teeth restored with Euro post at embedment depth 5mm. Tensile failure loads were measured in the absence of crowns using an instron test machine at across head speed of 5 mm/min . Values were recorded in Newton Mean values and standard deviations were analyzed with one way ANOVA test and the least significant differences test. Results: retentive failure loads were recorded for all test specimens; the means and standard deviation for each group were as follows: group Ι: 65.75±23.6 ; group ΙΙ: 64.25 ±22.2, group: 189.5±25.9,and group ΙV: 221.1±27. Conclusion: Endodontically treated teeth restored with Euro post (stainless steel/parallel sided /serrated posts) showed significantly greater retentive values than Easy post (fiber reinforced composite /tapered/smooth posts), also there was no significant difference in retentive values are achieved with both systems at 5mm and 10mm post
Board Rudiments and the Executive Attitude Towards Corporate Risk-Taking

This paper examines the effect of key board distinctiveness on managerial risk-taking behaviour. Using a total sample of 121 firms made up of 1,166 corporate directors and 847 firm-year observations, the study finds robust evidence across the three stages of estimation that suggests power separation in terms of CEO non-duality is negatively associated with executive risk-taking due to enhanced board assertiveness and independence. Board size is inversely associated with the variability of market value measure both within and at inter-firm levels. With average board membership in the study sample made up of 10 directors, the study finds crucial empirical evidence that points to the key benefits of large board configuration including the social capital, diversity of thoughts, knowledge, and experience, effectiveness and vigilance which curtails executive entrenchment. In contrast, the paper records positive association between the presence of foreign directors and corporate risk-taking. Due to their wealth of experiences, foreign directors tend to have more strategic sense of purpose and are likely not to hesitate in taking appropriate risk decisions when it really matters. While the paper finds little evidence that suggests a within-firm positive relationship between board independence and managerial risky propensities, there was no evidence found to indicate that board quality and ethnic diversity affects corporate risk-taking.
Chapters School of Hotel Administration Collection 1992 Natural Office Vacancy Rates : Some Additional Estimates

Excerpt] In our recent paper (Shilling et al. [2]), we examined the rent adjustment process for 17 U.S. office markets and provided the first estimates of the natural vacancy rates. In his comment, Voith [3] argues that our specification of the rent-vacancy relationship is biased since we introduced an interaction term to capture the effect of risks associated with higher vacancy levels. He suggests that an alternative specification would be to enter a vacancy squared term to capture this risk effect.