Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
he incentives created by a harm reduction approach to smoking essation: Snus and smoking in Sweden and Finland

Background: Tobacco harm reduction involves advocating the use of a less harmful alternative to smoking for those users who are unwilling or unable to quit. The net effect of such an approach is unclear as it may create opposing incentives. Although some smokers may substitute toward this less harmful alternative, it may reduce the incentive to quit by undermining public health efforts and may act as a gateway to smoking. This research paper aims to answer the question: Does the availability of a less harmful alternative to smoking lead to cessation? To explore the opposing incentives created by a harm reduction approach to smoking cessation, I focus on the role of snus, a popular smokeless tobacco product in Scandinavia that is widely used in Sweden. Methods: This paper exploits a quasi-natural experiment to examine the net effect resulting from these opposing incentives. While two Scandinavian countries, Sweden and Finland, joined the European Union (EU) in 1995, Finland was subject to a pre-existing EU ban on oral tobacco products while Sweden received an exemption. A difference in differences framework is used to estimate the change in the smoking rate in Finland due to the implementation of the ban. A secondary analysis uses Finnish smoking data to test for a structural break in trend. Results: In the post-ban period, smoking was 3.47 percentage points higher in Finland relative to what it would have been in the absence of the ban. Conclusion: The availability of snus, a less harmful alternative to smoking, appears to have had a positive impact (reduction) on the smoking rate. Offering acceptable alternatives to cigarettes is critical in reducing smoking prevalence.
How Do Developmental and Accommodative HRM Enhance Employee Engagement and Commitment? The Role of Psychological Contract and SOC Strategies

In the context of the changing workforce, this study introduced two perspectives on HRM and distinguished universalistic developmental HRM from contingent accommodative HRM. We predicted two separate pathways for the effects on two employee outcomes: work engagement and affective commitment. We expected that developmental HRM would universally relate to employee outcomes by rebalancing the psychological contract between the employee and organization into a less transactional to a more relational contract. We also predicted that accommodative HRM would relate to outcomes only when fulfilling specific needs of employees, associated with their selecting, optimizing, and compensating strategies. Results of a multilevel study among 1058 employees in 17 healthcare units fully supported our expectations regarding the role of the psychological contract. Additionally, we found support for the expected roles of selection and compensation, but not for optimization strategy. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that HRM relates to employee outcomes through multiple pathways, which can be either universal or contingent.
A Comparative Study of the Intention to Buy Organic food between Consumers in Northern and Southern Vietnam

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationships between some selected factors (environmental attitude, perceived value, health consciousness, organic knowledge, subjective norms and attitudes toward organic food) and the purchase intention of Vietnamese customers with respect to organic food. Furthermore, a comparison of the significant differences among all the selected factors between Northern and Southern Vietnam is made. The data was collected from 201 people in the North (Ha Noi) and 201 people in the South (Ho Chi Minh City). The findings in this research are consistent with the results of a number of previous studies in terms of the positive correlation between the factors considered and purchase intention. In addition, the comparative study reveals significant differences in the health consciousness, subjective norms and purchase intention between Northern and Southern Vietnam.
Leader- and Team-Member Exchanges and Their Relationships with Organizational and Interpersonal Counterproductive Work Behaviors: Moderation by Envy and Group Size in Israel and USA

The present research investigated the effects of social exchanges of employees with their immediate manager (i.e., Leader-Member eXchange; LMX) and with their direct working unit/team (i.e., Team-Member eXchange; TMX) on counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs), both – towards the organization or towards colleagues. The research also explored the moderating effects of dispositional envy and the size of the working team on said associations. Data from 221 Israeli employees (Study 1) and 186 American workers (Study 2) were collected. The majority of our hypotheses were supported, with findings indicating interesting cultural differences. Implications and future research suggestions are discussed.
The importance of a single floral visit of Eucara macrognatha and Tetralonia fraterna (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the pollination and the yields of Abelmoschus esculentus in Maroua, Cameroon

Experiments were made to determine the effects of a bee visit on the pollination and the productivity of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (Malvaceae). Three treatments were used on 30 randomlyselected plants each. These included Autonomous Self-Pollination (ASP) with flowers from which insects visit, with airborne pollen flow excluded, flowers that received a single bee visit (SBV) of Eucara macrognatha (SBV1) and Tetralonia fraterna (SBV2). All flowers produced fruits with or without insect visits. The two main visitors E. macrognatha and T. fraterna were effective pollinators, and of course their visits increased the proportion of ovules that developed into seeds (pollination rate), which led to longer fruits. The domestication of the two wild bees is recommended to improve the pollination and the productivity of okra in Maroua.
Frog ecology in modified Australian landscapes: a review

Frog decline in Australia has often occurred where habitat is relatively intact. Habitat alteration and loss do, however, threaten many species. Widespread degradation of aquatic and terrestrial systems has occurred since European settlement, with only 6.4% of Australia's landmass reserved for conservation. But what do we know about how frogs use modified Australian landscapes? Do wildlife managers have the information required to ensure that frog habitat is considered in the management and revegetation of these areas? This review examines published Australian research on frogs to determine knowledge on processes of habitat loss and degradation. Literature that informs landscape restoration and revegetation is also examined to determine whether the habitat needs of frogs are considered. While many threats associated with frog habitat loss and change have been identified there is little quantitative information on frog-habitat relationships in modified landscapes, habitat fragmentation or knowledge of the connectivity required between terrestrial and aquatic frog habitat. Without this information frogs have largely been ignored in efforts to revegetate and manage for the conservation of Australian biota outside reserves. Ecological frog research in modified landscapes is required to avoid land-management decisions and conservation strategies based on inappropriate assumptions of how biota respond to landscape change. W R Frog ecoli ust ds D. Ha z
An empirical study on the factors influencing the performance of financial institutions in Zimbabwe

The main aim of this study was to empirically assess the main microeconomic factors that affect a bank's performance. The objectives were to ascertain if there is a relationship between the performance variables with the microeconomic variables, determine those that are significant and their impact on the performance of banks in Zimbabwe. An econometric model was built from balanced panel data and the Arellano-Bond estimation procedure was employed. The empirical analysis was carried out on a sample of 17 banks that were operational in the years 2010 to 2017 in Zimbabwe. Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE) and Net Interest Margin (NIM) were used as the performance indicators in the analysis. The results indicate the main microeconomic factors to be those attributed to growth, credit risk, capitalisation, managerial efficiency, liquidity and diversification in the Zimbabwean financial institutions. Performance in these institutions is generally good as measured by positive persistent profits, that is, ROA, ROE and NIM. These returns reflect the extent to which these institutions are resilient to the economic crisis.
REVISITING HYSTERESIS IN UNEMPLOYMENT FOR TEN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: AN EMPIRICAL NOTE ON A MORE POWERFUL NONLINEAR (LOGISTIC) UNIT ROOT

In this empirical note we use a more powerful nonlinear (logistic) unit root test advanced by Leybourne et al. (1998) to investigate the hysteresis in unemployment for ten European countries for the period 1961-2003. The hypothesis is confirmed for all the European countries for which Leybourne et al.i¯s (1998) nonlinear (logistic) unit root test is performed, except for Belgium and the UK.
Validation of accelerometer for measuring physical activity in free-living individuals

Background: The aim of this research was to validate a triaxial GT3X accelerometer against double labelled water for measuring total energy expenditure (TEE) in a study of free-living Dutch adults and to compare the two prediction equations used to calculate accelerometerderived activity related energy expenditure. Material/Methods: We used a measurement error model to estimate bias in the mean TEE, a correlation coefficient between measured and true TEE (a validity coefficient, which quantifies loss of statistical power to detect association) and the attenuation factor (which quantifies bias in the association), with and without conditioning on age, sex and BMI. We proposed a calibration method for the accelerometer-based TEE. Results: The accelerometer underestimated TEE by about 500kcal/day. The validity coefficient estimate conditional on age, sex and BMI was 0.8; the same value was observed for the attenuation factor estimate. With the devised calibration method, the bias in accelerometerderived mean TEE reduced to 6 kcal/day, validity coefficient estimate increased to 0.95 and attenuation factor to 0.94. Conclusions: The GT3X accelerometer would underestimate mean TEE, lead to minimal loss in statistical power to detect significant association, and would result in biased estimate of the association between TEE and a health outcome. Key words: attenuation, measurement error, physical activity, activity energy expenditure, validity coefficient.
One-Stop Physics E-Book Package Development for Senior High School Learning Media

Many e-Book versions of Physics learning have used to support for gaining more information. Mostly, these e-Books didn’t contain virtual laboratory environment due to the student’s visualization in Physics concept. For this objection, an e-Book package was involved to developing, branded as Beboo (Bilingual e-Book), one stop e-Book package completed by physics visualize animation, virtual laboratory environment, student’s worksheet, supporting video and self-final test. Beboo uses to assist the second-year student in senior high school to learn static fluids concept, including of the condition in static fluids and the Pascal-Archimedes principle applying in an everyday situation. This e-Book was developed by a range of multimedia including text, pictures, diagrams, sound effect, music, video, and animation in interactive and effective elements and required multiskilling that are content crating and programming. Besides, it contains the interesting part in physics learning, a laboratory activity, designed in two simulators on U-Pipe and Hydraulic Lift due to the student’s understanding of the hydrostatic and pascal law systems. For a common self-final test, Beboo provides the final test feature, shown in multiple choice for concept achievement. In general, Beboo develops in three main stages (needs assessment, design and development & implementation) known as Hannafin and Peck Model and have the validation score in a range of 84%- 94%. Furthermore, Beboo should enlarge team due to more chapter coverage and Android platform support. Overall, Beboo uses for an alternative use for school with no real laboratory and as the minimal point to the next e-Book development. Moreover, this media developed as the answer in technology integration in 21st-century learning.
Idiosyncratic Volatility, Asymmetric Information, and the Cost of Capital

We explore the implications of a theoretical asset pricing model of Hughes et al (2007), and prove that when the number of assets in the economy are finite, both idiosyncratic volatility and the proportion of informed traders should affect a firm's cost of capital in opposing ways. Further, we find that their interaction is critically important in determining the magnitude of these effects. With these effects derived theoretically, we then test them empirically. Empirically, we find that on average idiosyncratic volatility forecasts are priced, and the proportion of informed trading is not priced, in line with previous literature and theory. However, the empirics align with theory, and the interaction of these two variables is crucially important, significantly affecting a firm's cost of capital.
Exploring Thai EFL Teachers' Perceptions of How Intercultural Communicative Competence Is Important for Their Students.

In recognition of the growing volume of communication between people from different cultural backgrounds around the globe presently, this study was conducted to investigate Thai EFL teachers’ perceptions toward intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in three dimensions: (i) their understanding of ICC; (ii) their views on how to integrate ICC into English language teaching; and (iii) their perceptions of ICC’s contributions to learners’ English communicative competence. Data were collected from sixteen Thai EFL teachers at a private university in Thailand via questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analyzed through descriptive statistics while the qualitative data from both the questionnaires and interviews were analyzed with a constant comparative method. The findings revealed that the participants had a general, not a firm, grasp of ICC. They also perceived that ICC can be integrated into 178 | PASAA Vol. 54 July December 2017 their teaching by presenting more cultural content to learners. Nevertheless, according to the ICC theoretical explication, this way of integration is not sufficient, nor is it effective in helping learners acquire ICC. Finally, the participants perceived that ICC was an important element in English language teaching today, but it did not considerably help learners to better communicate in English. An important implication from this study was that ELT teacher educators include ICC in teacher education programs to ensure a successful integration of ICC into English language teaching.
Foreign Direct Investments and Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Disaggregated Sector Analysis

This paper attempts to investigate the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on economic growth in Nigeria. The research developed a structural macroeconometric model consisting of four blocks made up of supply, private demand, government and external sectors. The model deploys 18 simultaneous equations and 100 variables to capture the required proxies. The research adopted a three-stage least squares (3SLS) technique and macroeconometric model of simultaneous equations to capture the disaggregated impact of FDI on the different sectors of the economy and the inter-linkages amongst the sectors in order to give better insight into the variations inherent therein. The finding shows that FDI has a significant impact on output of the economy but that the growth effects of FDI differ across sectors. The paper recommends sector-specific policies, enhanced trade openness, import substitution development strategy incentives to existing investors, and potential overseas investors so as to enhance the development of the country. Keywords: Foreign Direct Investment, Economic Growth, Simultaneous Equation, Macroeconometric Model
Affect account of disposition effect and consequences for stock prices

The purpose of this paper is to present an affect account that identifies emotions driving sell preferences in stock markets that result in the disposition effect (winning stocks hold too short and losing stocks too long) and to specify how stock prices are influenced. ,The affect account is derived based on analyses of previous research showing the disposition effect, proposed explanations of the effect, and basic emotion research. An individual-level analysis is performed of the consequences for stock market prices. ,The main proposal is that investors prefer to sell when price increases make the increasing balance of hope and fear equal to a faster increasingly balance of anticipated elation and disappointment, and when price decreases make the faster increasingly negative hope-fear balance equal to the increasing negative elation-disappointment balance. Steepness in slope of the negative hope-fear balance accounts for whether a loser is never sold (an extreme disposition effect), sold later than a winning stock (the usually observed disposition effect), or sold earlier than a winning stock (a reverse disposition effect). The individual-level analysis suggests that the affect-driven disposition effect would intensify or attenuate trends in stock prices depending on the demand-supply balance. ,A conceptual contribution to research of emotion influences on stock trading and specifically to explanations of the disposition effect on sell decisions by less sophisticated and experienced investors.
Prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Abeokuta, Nigeria

This study examined the prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in clinical samples of patients in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria using standard recommended procedures. A total of 338 clinical specimens of Pus, Aspirate, Ear and Wound swabs were collected from three major health facilities in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Each sample was cultured for bacteria isolates and examined for colonial and cellular morphology while biochemical identification was performed. Of the clinical samples collected, 50.3% were collected from male and highest rate of 37.9% was from age group 0-9 years and least rate of 7.6% was from age 10-19 and 4049years. Only 32.9% samples were ear swabs, wound swabs (29.2%) and lowest rate of 16.8% for aspirate. Of the 161 Staphylococcus aureus (32.2%) isolated; there was no significant disparity found in relation to the study sites ( 2 =7.145, p-value = 0.308). The present study indicated a high prevalence rate of MRSA that require empirical and urgent intervention to prevent staphylococcal infection among the hospital patients and its outbreak. Original Research Article Osinupebi et al.; SAJRM, 1(1): 1-8, 2018; Article no.SAJRM. 39801 2
The Effect of Different Starter Cultures of Lactobacillus paracasei M104 and Pediococcus pentosaceus M103 on the Physicochemical and Microbial Qualities of Fermented Goat Milk

The utilization of starter cultures is vital for dairy fermentation industries. Lactobacillus paracasei M104 and Pediococcus pentosaceus M103 have been isolated from goat milk and were demonstrated to acidify goat milk during fermentation. This study was conducted to compare the physicochemical and microbial qualities of goat milk fermented using these starter cultures either as a single starter or combined in goat milk. The treatments were L. paracasei M104 (Lp) and P. pentosaceus M103 (Pp) as single starter culture fermentation and combined (Lp/Pp) fermentation at a ratio of 1:1 at 6% inoculation (v/v). For control treatment, goat milk was fermented using yogurt starter, i.e., a combination culture of Streptococcus thermophilus and L. bulgaricus (St/Lb) at a ratio of 1:1 at 6% (v/v). The fermentation was performed by incubating the inoculated goat milk at 37°C for 18 h. The pH and degree of acidity were measured every 2 h during the fermentation process, whereas the physicochemical (pH, degree of acidity, lactose, protein, and viscosity) and microbial (total lactic acid bacteria/LAB) qualities were measured after the fermentation process. Data analysis revealed that the different starter cultures had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the pH and degree of acidity, lactose and protein content, viscosity, and total LAB content. The goat milk fermented in this study had an average pH of 4.41 ± 0.11 and a degree of acidity of 1.26 ± 0.05%, a lactose content of 5.47± 0.80%, a protein content of 6.69± 1.52%, a viscosity of 1217 ± 395 cP, and a total LAB content of 9.57 ± 1.49 log CFU/mL. In conclusion, goat milk fermented using both single and combined starter cultures of L. paracasei M104 and P. pentosaceus M103 exhibited similar physicochemical and microbial qualities and required longer fermentation time compared with the control.
Resting-State Functional Connectivity Predicts Emotional Conflict Control

Emotional conflict control refers to the ability to select task-relevant emotional information and ignore task-irrelevant emotional distractors. Previous fMRI studies provide some evidence about brain structure and function related to emotional conflict control. Yet, the underlying resting-state functional connectivity was largely unknown. Here, this is the first study to explore the resting-state functional connectivity related to emotional conflict. According to the literature which used the whole-brain analysis to investigate the key brain area associated with emotional conflict, we select the amygdala (AMY) as the seed region. We then investigated the association between emotional conflict and functional connectivity between amygdala (AMY) and another brain region in a large sample. We found the emotional conflict effect was positively correlated with functional connectivity strength between AMY (the seed ROI) and right supplementary motor area (SMA). This finding implied that the functional connectivity between AMY and SMA was linked to emotional conflict and that AMY was the key region which plays a crucial role in emotional conflict. DOI: 10.14302/issn.2574-612X.ijpr-19-3045 Corresponding author: Wei Xu, School of psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210097, China. Tel: +86 25 8359 8815 (China (025) 8359 8815). E-mail address: livingxw@163.com
Predicting invasiveness of species in trade: climate match, trophic guild and fecundity influence establishment and impact of non‐native freshwater fishes

Impacts of non‐native species have motivated development of risk assessment tools for identifying introduced species likely to become invasive. Here, we develop trait‐based models for the establishment and impact stages of freshwater fish invasion, and use them to screen non‐native species common in international trade. We also determine which species in the aquarium, biological supply, live bait, live food and water garden trades are likely to become invasive. Results are compared to historical patterns of non‐native fish establishment to assess the relative importance over time of pathways in causing invasions.