Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHANGING PRESCHOOL CHILDREN’S REPRESENTATIONS OF LIGHT: A SCRATCH BASED TEACHING APPROACH

The research presented here studied preschool children’s representations of light. A teaching intervention was also carried out, with an aim to construct in children’s thinking a precursor model according to which light is recognized as an autonomous entity, which is independent of the light sources and the results it causes. The teaching intervention was conducted through the use of special software created in a scratch environment. The study, consisting of three phases (pre-test, teaching intervention and post-test), included 30 children aged 4-6 years. The results of the research showed that in the children’s initial mental representations light is identified mainly with light sources. After the teaching intervention, a large percentage of the children had constructed a precursor model which was compatible with the scientific one, based upon which children recognize light as an autonomous entity. Key words: light, preschool pupils’ representations, scratch software, precursor model, science education.
The Effect Of Mandatory Regulation On Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting Quality: Evidence From China

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosure has attracted attention from regulatory bodies and academics over the past few decades. Due to the unreliability resulted from CSR voluntary disclosure, an increasing number of researchers are calling for more government regulation on CSR disclosure. Based on 1830 standalone CSR reports disclosed by the Chinese-listed firms during 2009-2012, we examine the effect of mandatory regulation on CSR reporting quality. We further hypothesize and test for the moderating effect of firm size and other characteristics on the link between government regulation on CSR reporting quality. Our results suggest that government mandatory regulation leads to an overall improvement in CSR reporting quality. We also find that this positive effect is greater when firms are larger and have better financial performance, but less when firms are controlled by government. Our study provides a direct answer to the recent calling for mandatory disclosure on CSR reports, and helps to understand why recent studies of social disclosure regulation suggest that government interventions do not seem to resolve the problems that are generally attributed to voluntary disclosures. Our findings should be of interest to the academics, regulators, and investors.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, GEL-FORMING ABILITY AND MYOGLOBIN CONTENT OF SARDINE (SARDINELLA GIBBOSA) AND MACKEREL (RASTRELLIGER KANAGURTA) SURIMI PRODUCED BY CONVENTIONAL METHOD AND ALKALINE SOLUBILIZATION PROCESS 3.1 Abstract Characteristics and gel properties of sardine and mackerel surimi produc

Characteristics and gel properties of sardine and mackerel surimi produced by conventional washing process and alkaline solubilizing process were investigated. The decrease in Ca 2+ -ATPase activity with the changes in the surface hydrophobicity was found in surimi produced by alkaline solubilizing process (P<0.05), suggesting the denaturation of protein induced by this process. The alkaline solubilizing process with prewashing could remove myoglobin most effectively from sardine muscle, whereas the process without prewashing resulted in the greatest myoglobin removal in mackerel muscle (P<0.05). Surimi conventionally prepared by water or NaCl washing showed the gel with greater breaking force and deformation than that from alkaline solubilizing process (P<0.05). The higher expressible moisture was found in the gels of surimi prepared by alkaline process, indicating the poor water holding capacity of the gel matrix. The highest whiteness was found in the gel of sardine surimi produced by alkaline process with prewashing but the highest whiteness was obtained in the gel of mackerel surimi washed with distilled water.
An Intensive Exploration of Technology Diffusion

We present a tractable model for the analysis of the relationship between economic growth and the intensive and extensive margins of technology adoption. At the aggregate level, our model is isomorphic to a neoclassical growth model. The microeconomic underpinnings of growth come from technology adoption of firms, both at the extensive and the intensive margin. We use a data set of 15 technologies and 166 countries to estimate the intensive and extensive margin of adoption using the structural equations derived from our model. We find that the variability across countries in the intensive margin is higher than in the extensive margin. The cross country variation in intensive margin of adoption accounts for around 40% of the variation in income per capita.
The Effect of U.S. GAAP Compliance on Non-U.S. Firms’ Cross-Listing Decisions, Listing Choices and Their Valuations

This paper examines whether complying with U.S. GAAP impacts non-U.S. firms’ crosslisting decisions and listing choices. The capital market consequence of U.S. GAAP compliance is also evaluated. Using two constructs (reconciliation and disclosure) established at the firm level to proxy for foreign firms’ U.S. GAAP compliance costs, I find that complying with U.S. financial reporting requirements is a significant cost factor when non-U.S. firms consider whether they should issue or list their shares in the U.S. This finding is consistent with previous survey or case studies which recognize that complying with U.S. GAAP is an important consideration when foreign firms contemplate U.S. listings. However, the significance of compliance costs diminishes as foreign firms decide whether or not they should cross-list on an organized stock exchange. The lack of finding is likely attributable to the fact that cross-listing, especially exchangelisting, gives foreign firms various benefits, such as cross-listing premiums, which potentially outweigh the compliance costs. The valuation analyses confirm the existence of cross-listing premiums. I further find that disclosure costs negatively affect the value of cross-listed firms; i.e., cross-listed firms that disclose less accounting information (incurring higher disclosure costs) are valued less by the market. This result is consistent with the general theme in the literature that disclosure matters. This study extends prior research by directly examining a major cross-listing cost, offering a more comprehensive measure of U.S. GAAP compliance, and measuring the costs at the firm level. It contributes to the understanding of the role accounting plays in non-U.S. firms’ crosslisting activities.
Does corruption hamper bank lending? Macro and micro evidence

The aim of this paper is to analyze the effect of corruption in bank lending. Corruption is expected to hamper bank lending, as it is closely related to legal enforcement, which has been shown to promote banks’ willingness to lend. Nevertheless the similarities between the consequences for bank lending of law enforcement and corruption are misleading, as they consider only judiciary corruption. Corruption can also occur in lending and may then be beneficial for bank lending via bribes given by borrowers to enhance their chances of receiving loans. This assumption may be validated particularly in the presence of pronounced risk aversion by banks, resulting in greater reluctance on the part of banks to grant loans. We perform country-level and bank-level estimations to investigate these assumptions. Corruption reduces bank lending in both sets of estimations. However, bank-level estimations show that the detrimental effect of corruption is reduced when bank risk aversion increases, even leading at times to situations wherein corruption fosters bank lending. Additional controls show that corruption does not increase bank credit by favoring only bad loans. Therefore, our findings show that while the overall effect of corruption is to hamper bank lending, it can alleviate firm’s financing obstacles.
Overcoming the empty box syndrome": eterminants of income distribution in Latin America"

Latin America's persistent inequality seem to reflect the lack of specific policies to reduce income disparities. The present study uses econometric techniques to estimate the determinants of the income distribution in the region, in a context in which economic growth seems to coexist with the reduction of inequalities - thereby overcoming the "empty box syndrome" that characterized the region in the 1980s and 1990s. Using cross-section studies of a sample of member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Latin America, along with panel estimations for 18 Latin American countries in the period 1990-2010, the article reveals the key role played by educational, institutional and macroeconomic variables in the recent improvements. It also identifies the importance of fiscal action, through variables such as social spending, expenditure on education, capital expenditure and an indicator of the progressiveness of the tax system.
Incorporation of antigens from whole cell lysates and purified virions from MP12 into fluorescence microsphere immunoassays for the detection of antibodies against Rift Valley fever virus

Background: The purpose of this study was the development of multiplex fluorescence microsphere immunoassay (FMIA) for the detection of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) IgG and IgM antibodies by incorporation of antigens from whole cell lysates and purified virions from MP12. Methods and Findings: Viral antigens were derived from whole cell material prepared from BHK cells infected with MP-12 (C-MP12). Virions from cell-free culture supernatant were purified on a sucrose cushion (V-MP12). The antigen material was treated with Triton X-100 or NP-40 prior to coating onto Luminex beads. V-MP12 and C-MP12 were assembled into a multiplex and tested in sheep and cattle infected with wild-type RVFV and the vaccine strain MP12. In these studies, V-MP12, C-MP12, and recombinant antigens (Gn, NSs, NSm, N) conjugated beads used in multiplex FMIA and the maximum level of IgG response to sheep in V-MP12 was recorded. IgG reactivity for the antigen targets varied with V-MP12>C-MP12. The positivity-negativity were evaluated by calculating S/P ratio using serum from RVFV-negative sheep (n=100) and negative cattle (n=100). The reaction of monoclonal anti-RVFV N antibody has been tested against N, V-MP12, and CMP12 by FMIA and all the antigens were reactive to antibody N>V-MP12>C-MP12. Conclusions: The experimental results demonstrate that the incorporation of V-MP12 and/or C-MP12 in the FMIA provides an improved sensitivity and specificity of FMIA with internal confirmation (i.e. multiple antigen targets) thus providing advantages over the traditional ELISA.
The Hall current system revealed as a statistical significant pattern during fast flows

We have examined the dawn-dusk component of the magnetic field, BY , in the night side current sheet dur- ing fast flows in the neutral sheet. 237 h of Cluster data from the plasma sheet between 2 August 2002 and 2 October 2002 have been analysed. The spatial pattern of BY as a function of the distance from the centre of the current sheet has been es- timated by using a Harris current sheet model. We have used the average slopes of these patterns to estimate earthward and tailward currents. For earthward fast flows there is a tailward current in the inner central plasma sheet and an earthward current in the outer central plasma sheet on average. For tail- ward fast flows the currents are oppositely directed. These observations are interpreted as signatures of Hall currents in the reconnection region or as field aligned currents which are connected with these currents. Although fast flows often are associated with a dawn-dusk current wedge, we believe that we have managed to filter out such currents from our statisti- cal patterns.
Origin of the Oceanic Lithosphere

In a global examination of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) glass compositions, we find that Na8^Fe8^depth variations do not support modeling of MORBs as aggregates of melt compositions generated over a large range of temperature and pressure. However, the Na 8^Fe8 variations are consistent with the compositional systematics of solidus melts in the plagioclase^spinel lherzolite transition in the CaO^MgO^Al2O3^SiO2^Na2O^FeO (CMASNF) system. For natural compositions, the P^Trange for melt extraction is estimated to be � 1� 2^1� 5 GPa and � 1250^12808C.This P^Trange is a close match with the maximum P^T conditions for explosive pressurerelease vaporization of carbonate-bearing melts. It is proposed that fracturing of the lithosphere induces explosive formation and escape of CO2 vapor.This provides the vehicle for extraction of MORBs at a relatively uniform Tand P. The upper portion of the CO2-bearing and slightly melted seismic low-velocity zone flows toward the ridge, rises at the ridge axis to lower-lithosphere depths, melts much more extensively during this rise, and releases MORB melts to the surface driven by explosively escaping CO2 vapor.The residue and overlying crust produced by this melting then migrate away from the ridge axis as new oceanic lithosphere. The entire process of oceanic lithosphere creation involves only the upper � 140 km. When lithospheric stresses shift fracture formation to other localities, escape of CO2 ceases, the vehicle for transporting melt to the surface disappears, and ridges die. Inverse correlations of Na8 vs Fe8 for MORB glasses are explained by mantle heterogeneity, and positive variations superimposed on the inverse variations are consistent with progressive extraction of melts from short, ascending melting columns. The uniformly low temperatures of MORB extraction are not consistent with the existence of hot plumes on or close to ocean ridges. In this modeling, the southern Atlantic mantle from Bouvet to about 268N is relatively homogeneous, whereas the Atlantic mantle north of about 268 Ns hows significant long-range heterogeneity. The mantle between the Charlie Gibbs and Jan Mayen fracture zones is strongly enriched in FeO/MgO, perhaps by a trapped fragment of basaltic crust. Iceland is explained as the product of this enrichment, not a hot plume. The East Pacific Rise, Galapagos Ridge, Gorda Ridge, and Juan de Fuca Ridge sample mantle that is heterogeneous over short distances.The mantle beneath the Red Sea is enriched in FeO/MgO relative to the mantle beneath the northern Indian Ocean.
Short-term prior return patterns in stocks and sector returns: evidence for BRICKS markets

This paper examines if there are any prior return patterns in stock returns for BRIC markets. Employing 6-6 portfolio formation/holding strategies, the paper observes strong momentum patterns for the sample markets with the exception of China. These momentum patterns disappear and in fact there are return reversals for some countries, as one elongates portfolio formation and holding windows to 12 months except for Indian market. Prior return patterns are not fully captured by CAPM as well as the Fama-French three-factor model, especially for 6-6 strategy. There are prior return patterns in sector returns as was observed in case of stock returns. Hence, the authors augment the F-F model by including a sector momentum factor which is formed on basis of economic argument of Liu and Zhang (2008). The four-factor model is found to be a better descriptor of asset pricing but some unexplained returns may warrant a behavioral explanation for India and Russia. The findings are relevant for global portfolio managers who are on the look out for portfolio trading strategies especially for emerging markets given their low degree of co-relation with the mature markets. The study contributes to the asset pricing anomaly literature especially for emerging markets.
Effect of Hybrid Solar Drying Method on the Functional and Sensory Properties of Tomato

A hybrid solar dryer, direct solar energy dryer and open sun drying under the climatic conditions of Yola, Nigeria was used to dry tomato slices. The effect of these drying methods on the functional and sensory quality of the dried tomatoes was examined. The functional properties of the dried tomatoes slices were significantly different (p<0.05). In open sun dried tomatoes, the bulk density ranged from 0.56 – 0.62 g/ml, water absorption index (WAI) 436.33 – 475.67 gH2O/sample, water solubility index (WSI) 6.00 – 14.00, specific volume 1.61 – 1.78 ml/g and wettability 10.33 – 13.33 s for 4 – 8 mm thick tomato samples. For solar dried tomatoes, the bulk density ranged from 0.52 – 0.57 g/ml, the WAI ranged from 412.00 – 454.00 gH2O/sample, the water solubility index (WSI) range was 12.33 – 16.67, specific volume range was 1.73 – 1.90 ml/g and wettability ranged from 5.85 – 10.63 s for 4 – 8 mm thick tomato samples. For the hybrid dried tomatoes, the bulk density ranged from 0.50 – 0.54 g/ml, the WAI values ranged from 386.00 – 436.00 gH2O/sample, the WSI 14.67 – 18.00, specific volume range was 1.84 – 1.99 ml/g and wettability 5.80 – 8.44 s for 4 – 8 mm thick tomato sample. The organoleptic properties showed that the tomatoes dried by hybrid drying method was superior in terms of acceptability test than those dried using direct solar energy and a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel tomato products. Conclusively, good quality shelf stable dried tomato slices could be produced using hybrid drying method.
Diagnostic investigations and prevalence of enteric fever in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika-Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Enteric fever is a systemic infectious illness that poses public health challenge in developed and developing countries like Nigeria. This research work is aimed at determining the prevalence of typhoid fever infection among patients attending ABUTH Zaria-Kaduna State, Nigeria. Patients’ biodata was obtained through structured questionnaire and diagnosis was done using venous blood sample collected from the study subjects. 216 blood samples were collected into blood culture bottles and Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid (ETDA) bottles from the respondents and was analysed using cultural and Widal test techniques. 72 (33.3%) had typhoid fever using Widal test and none (0.0%) was positive for typhoid fever using blood culture. Bacterial isolates of medical significance, Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 10(4.6%) patients. The prevalence of typhoid fever was highest among the Huasa-Fulani ethnic group (35%), those in the age group ˃ 60 years (66.7%), those in tertiary education (42%), the employed (64%), those in the weight group 41-50 (49%) and those who are married (44%). The much talk on the prevalence of enteric fever in Zaria and other parts of Nigeria is due to the cheap and quick Widal test which is not reliable unlike the blood culture techniques. Diagnostic investigations of enteric fever required blood culture as confirmatory test and not the use of Widal test alone in other to avoid the intake of antibiotic by patients that do not need it.
Moment Component Analysis: An Illustration With International Stock Markets

We describe a statistical technique, which we call Moment Component Analysis (MCA), that extends principal component analysis (PCA) to higher co-moments such as co-skewness and co-kurtosis. This method allows us to identify the factors that drive co-skewness and co-kurtosis structures across a large set of series. We illustrate MCA using 44 international stock markets sampled at weekly frequency from 1994 to 2014. We find that both the co-skewness and the co-kurtosis structures can be summarized with a small number of factors. Using a rolling window approach, we show that these co-moments convey useful information about market returns, for systemic risk measurement and portfolio allocation, complementary to the information extracted from a standard PCA or from an independent component analysis.
Family Ties, Do They Matter? Family Ownership and Firm Performance in Peru

This paper studies the relationship between ownership concentration, family ownership, management, and market and accounting performance for 59 industrial firms listed in the Lima Stock Exchange during the period of 1999 to 2005. An inverted U-shaped relationship was found between ownership concentration and market performance in both family and non-family firms, pointing out an entrenchment effect or excessive risk aversion of the controlling group. This effect is worsened for family firms. The presence of family members as CEOs, Chairmen and Board Members is also negative for a firm’s performance and family ownership was found to increase the leverage of a firm.
Aerobic Bacteria Isolated from Condemned Camel Livers in Southern Darfur, Sudan

The objective of this study was to estimate the magnitude of liver condamnination due to bacterial infection and to characterize aerobic bacteria causing camel liver condamnination in Nyala city, South Darfur, Sudan. Eight hundred and ten camel livers were inspected and one hundred and three liver samples were collected in 2008-2010. Bacteriological and serological methods were used to isolate and identify aerobic bacteria causing liver infection. Results showed that the bacterial lesions were found in 36 (35%) samples out of 103 condemned inspected camel livers, the others causes were hydatid cyst 37 (35.9%), fibrosis 26 (25.2%) and calcification 4 (3.9%). Bacterial lesions consist of: abscesses 22 (61.1%), caseated nodules 13 (36.1%) and one (2.8%) congestion. Out of 36 aerobically incubated samples, 29 showed bacterial growth (80.6%) and seven cultures (19.4%) showed no growth. The isolates were identified to Staphylococcus spp. 11 (37.9%) which included; Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) 7 (63.6%), S. haemolyticus 3 (27.3%) and one (9.1%) S. caseolyticus while, Streptococcus pyogenes was found to be nine (31.0%) and Corynebactriumpseudotuberclosissix (20.7%). Mixed cultures (Staphylococcus and Streptococcus) were found to be three (10.3%). Many bacteria seem to be caused camel liver condamnination and the most one is S. aureustherefore, camel liver need carefully inspection and awareness about consumption of raw livermust be raise
Business Education Students’ Evaluation of the Benefits and Challenges Confronting Student Industrial Works Experience Scheme in Edo and Delta States

This research paper specifically investigated Business Education students’ evaluation of the benefits and challenges confronting Student Industrial Works Experience Scheme (SIWES) in Edo and Delta States. Two research questions were raised to guide the study and were answered descriptively. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study comprised 941 Business Education students and the proportionate stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting a sample size of 188 Business Education students for the study. The instrument used was the structured questionnaire and it was validated by experts in the field. The test re-test method of reliability was used in ascertaining the reliability of the instrument and it yielded a co-efficient of 0.87. The mean and standard deviation were used in analyzing the data collated and some of the findings include: SIWES has great benefit especially in equipping Business education students with skills and that funding is a major challenge confronting SIWES. One of the major recommendations advanced in this paper was that there should be more funding of the scheme by the government in order for it to be more effective. Keywords : Business Education, SIWES and evaluation