Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Behavior‐Based Approach to the Estimation of Poverty in India

Since the late 1970s, the price indices underlying the poverty lines in India have been updated using aggregate indices. Widespread criticism of these indices led to the adoption of a new official methodology in 2011 based on unit values from consumption survey data. We propose an alternative approach that identifies poverty from consumer behaviour, based on the notion that equally poor households spend the same proportion of their incomes on food. Compared with official estimates, we find higher levels of poverty in eastern India, and generally, smaller reductions in poverty from 2005 to 2010. Our poverty numbers are validated by the calorie composition of households around the poverty lines and self-reported hunger.
FORAGING ECOLOGY OF REINTRODUCED CAPTIVE-BRED SUBADULT HARPY EAGLES (HARPIA HARPYJA) ON BARRO COLORADO ISLAND, PANAMA

A male and female Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), both reintroduced captive-bred subadults, were observed on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama for 89 and 205 days, respectively, between June 1999 and August 2000. The male captured 25 individuals from nine different mammalian species and the female captured 46 individuals from 8 different mammalian and one reptilian species during the period of observation. Fifty-two percent of captures by the male were of two-toed (Choloepus hoffmanni) and three-toed (Bradypus variegatus) sloths. Fifty-four percent of captures by the female were of sloths. On average, the male made a capture every 3.6 days with a daily average consumption of 888 g. The female made a capture on average every 4.4 days with a daily average consumption of 812 g. The eagles attacked solitary arboreal prey species from 1-50 m distance, sometimes with several calculated attempts from within 5 m. Social arboreal prey species were most often attacked by surprise from less than 30 m, and terrestrial prey species were attacked by surprise from less than 10 m. The female eagle was observed to capture solitary arboreal prey significantly more during sunny weather and the dry season. She was also observed to capture social arboreal prey significantly more during cloudy weather and the wet season. Capture success rates of observed predations for the male and female eagle were 38% and 49%, respectively. Accepted 14 March 2002.
Changes in subjective ratings of impulsive steering wheel vibration due to changes in noise level: a cross-modal interaction

Cross-modal effects occur when subjective opinions of stimuli from one sense (e.g., tactile at steering wheel) are influenced by simultaneous stimuli in another sense (auditory). A steering wheel rig was used to provide specified vibration stimuli to participants' hands, and a recording of vehicle sound was played in accordance with the vibrations. Participants were subjected to test conditions with vibration values between 10 m s−2 and 20 m s−2, and auditory stimuli between 88 dB(A) and 98 dB(A) peak. Participants were neither informed of nor asked about any changes in the noise level: thus the purpose of the experiment was withheld from them. The results show that as noise level increased, subjective ratings of steering wheel vibration increased. Therefore, car cabin noise could be used to enhance the feel of the vibration at the steering wheel.
High prevalence of hypertension and myocardial infarctions in Saudi adult female population with blood type A

Background: There is high prevalence of obesity and smoking in Saudi population. Both are major risk factors for developing hypertension (HT) and MI. Associations between hypertension, MI and ABO blood groups have been shown but they are inconsistent. To date no such studies have been done in Saudi Arabia to determine association between ABO blood groups and prevalence of smoking, hypertension and MI in Saudi female patients.Methods: 432 control females were randomly selected and distribution of ABO and Rh antigens was statistically analyzed and compared with 78 smokers, 219 hypertensive and 311 MI female patients admitted to King Khalid hospital between the periods of August 2017 to May 2018.Results: Among controls 3.2% were smokers, 7.6% hypertensive and 13.2% diabetics. Among hypertensive 7.8% were smokers and 46.6% were diabetics. Likewise we also found statistically significant increase in prevalence of smoking (9.9%) and diabetes (48.2%) in MI female patients. Additionally about half of MI patients (49.8%) were hypertensive. 85.9% controls were Rh+ and 14.1% were Rh-. Rh+ subjects were significantly higher in hypertensive and MI patients also. O+ was most prevalent and AB+ was least prevalent in all groups.Conclusions: Statistically there was no difference between distributions of, B-, B+, AB-, AB+ blood groups, however there was high prevalence of A blood group in hypertensive (31.4%) and female MI patients (31.2%) as compared to A blood group among controls (24.8%). Distribution of O blood group wassignificantly lower in hypertensive (42%) and MI patients (41.5%) as compared to controls (53.1%).
Maximizing the number of solved aircraft conflicts through velocity regulation

We propose a model for the maximization of the number of aircraft conflicts that can be solved by performing velocity regulation. The model is mixed-integer as binary variables are used to count solved conflicts and to model alternative choices, while nonlinearities appear in the aircraft separation conditions. The main nonlinearities can however be relaxed by standard reformulations. Numerical results show that the model can be satisfactorily applied at least as a preprocessing step in a conflict avoidance procedure in a given airspace.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE DOMESTIC DEMAND FOR AVOCADOS IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO URBAN BLACK CONSUMER PREFERENCES

Characteristics of the domestic demand for avocados in the RSA were determined. Consumption shows an increasing trend, while the demand is relatively elastic with regard to price and especially income. This implies that the Black market sector will probably show the largest increase in demand for avocados in the near future. Urban Black consumer preferences with regard to avocados were subsequently analysed by means of a survey amongst consumers and sellers in the Pretoria area.
Market-Based Measurement of Expectations on Short-Term Rates in Turkey

This paper aims to serve two purposes. First, it evaluates the ability of various financial market instruments to capture market expectations on short-term rate. Second, it proposes an alternative approach to obtain estimates of term premium inherent in alternative returns. Empirical results reveal that Turkish lira (TRY) returns implied by USD/TRY forward rates dominate all other return types for predicting the overnight interbank repo rate, followed by TRY interbank bid rate. Moreover, these return types are found to contain the lowest and least volatile term premium. However, forecasting ability of returns declines significantly with the introduction of the new policy framework by the Central Bank of Turkey, which utilizes “controlled degree of uncertainty” in o/n rates as an additional tool. In the recent period TRY interbank bid and ask rates stand out as returns with the highest ability to represent market expectations.
Influence of Board Size and Independence on Firm Performance: A Study of Indian Companies

Corporate governance issues have attracted a good deal of public interest because of their apparent importance for the economic health of corporations and society in general, especially after the plethora of corporate scams and debacles in recent times. Corporate governance issues flow from the concept of accountability and governance and assume greater significance and magnitude in the case of corporate form of organization where the ownership and management of organizations are distanced. And, it is in this context that the pivotal role played by the board of directors in maintaining an effective organization assumes much importance. A major part of the debate on corporate governance centres around board composition especially board size and independence. Various committees have mandated a minimum number of independent directors and have given guidelines on board composition. However, the relationship of board characteristics such as composition, size, and independence with performance has not yet been established. This paper addresses this question: Does the board size and independence really matter in terms of influencing firm's performance? The findings suggest that: There is an inverse association between board size and firm performance. Different proportions of board independence have dissimilar impact on firm performance. The impact of board independence on firm performance is more when the board independence is between 50 and 60 per cent. Smaller boards are more efficient than the larger ones, the board size limit of six suggested as the ideal. Independent directors have so far failed to perform their monitoring role effectively and improve the performance of the firm. The guidelines on corporate governance should take into account the ‘cross-board’ phenomenon while defining the criteria for eligibility for appointment as an independent director. Lack of training to function as independent directors and ignorance of the procedures, tasks, and responsibilities expected of them could be reasons for the independent directors' non-performance. A bad performance leads to an increase in board size, which in turn, hampers performance. Guidelines are provided for future studies to include different variables to see which board composition is suitable for different companies at different stages of life cycle.
Designing Objects That Improve With Use

A new design methodology called "agathonic design" is proposed; one that specifies the intentional design of objects so they improve with use. Individual and/or group interactions with an agathonic design object result in an increase in functionality, as perceived by the user. The materials, geometry, kinematics, stress and user interactions of design objects are anticipated and considered. An object's functionality can increase with use as a result of directed wear. A theoretical analysis of the concept is discussed, as many design objects embody the unique characteristic of "improving with use". Agathonic objects are improved by lasting user generated changes in two distinct regions: (I) at the user interface, and (II) anywhere within the object. Definitions and distinctions are made to establish the classes of objects described by agathonic design theory. Applications of agathonic design theory to consumer products are detailed, along with thoughts on extending the theory to non-physical (virtual) designs.
The Response of Corporate Dividend Policy to The Abolition of Tax Credit in the United Kingdom (U.K.)

By abolishing the tax credit on dividends received by tax-exempt financial institutions in 1997, the effective rate of tax for share-holders such as pension funds increases significantly, and the tax preference for dividends is significantly reduced. The tax-exempt shareholders mainly consist of pension funds and insurance companies with respect to their pension business. This tax-exempt community is the most influential shareholders in many U.K. companies, and their tax preference for dividends may have an important impact on corporate dividend policy. The objective of this study is to examine whether the aggregate dividend payment changes following the 1997 abolition of the tax credit. Using aggregate data in time series from 1974 to 1999, this study finds that the percentage of forecast error in Lintner’s model does not change significantly between the pre- and post-abolition periods. Hence, there is no evidence that aggregate dividend payment decreases following the abolition of tax credit. This could be interpreted that the aggregate sample of U.K. firms indicates a little intention of changing their dividend policies in response to the abolition of tax credit. This study also investigates whether individual U.K. companies respond to the 1997 abolition of tax-credit. The test results show that the majority of companies in the sample do not change their dividend policies after the abolition of tax credit. It is possible that companies are reluctant to cut their dividend payment since the existing dividend payout could be sustained in the long-run. They also avoid sending negative signals to the market. Thus, companies typically chose to keep a dividend level relatively stable following the tax change in 1997. Only the minority of the U.K. companies experience a decline in their dividend payment. This evidence supports the hypothesis that the abolition of tax credit on dividends results in a decrease in aggregate dividend payment in order to satisfy a tax clientele.
What Reviews in Local Online Labour Markets Reveal about the Performance of Multi-service Providers

This paper deals with online customer reviews of local multi-service providers. While many studies investigate product reviews and online labour markets with service providers delivering intangible products “over the wire”, we focus on websites where providers offer multiple distinct services that can be booked, paid and reviewed online but are performed locally offline. This type of service providers has so far been neglected in the literature. This paper analyses reviews and applies sentiment analysis. It aims to gain new insights into local multi-service providers’ performance. There is a broad literature range presented with regard to the topics addressed. The results show, among other things, that providers with good ratings continue to perform well over time. We find that many positive reviews seem to encourage sales. On average, quantitative star ratings and qualitative ratings in the form of review texts match. Further results are also achieved in this study.
Conceptualising ‘precarious prosperity’–empirical and theoretical elements for debate

Empirical studies have recently pointed towards a structural position largely overlooked in social inequality research so far: the dynamic location in vicinity of the poor and yet not part of the established, more prosperous positions in society. This population fluctuates into and out of poverty more often than moving into and out of secure prosperity. It is characterized by both precariousness and prosperity, i.e. living with considerable material deprivations, yet holding opportunities for agency. Although empirically identified, this position still lacks theoretical conceptualization. To identify this in-between position of ‘precarious prosperity’ for comparative empirical research, we seek analytical elements to conceptualize it by subjecting various concepts of social inequality research to critical scrutiny. Thereafter we operationally define precarious prosperity to screen for this population in three countries. The last part of the paper presents first analysis of perceptions and ways of coping with material circumstances. These are based on qualitative interviews with selected households that underline the relevance of the concept of ‘precarious prosperity’ for the countries in question.
Observational Study of Surface O3, NOx, CH4 and Total NMHCs at Kannur, India

This paper presents the results of measurements of the surface ozone (O3), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), methane (CH4) and total non-methane hydrocarbons (TNMHCs) in a rural coastal location at Kannur (11.9°N, 75.4°E, 5 m asl), India from November 2009 to December 2011. The diurnal cycle for surface O3 had a peak in the afternoon and declined during nighttime. The maximum and minimum mixing ratio of surface O3 was observed in winter and monsoon seasons respectively. NOx concentration was high during mid-night to early morning and low during noontime. The diurnal variations of mixing ratios for NOx and O3 were anti-correlated. Monthly average maximum (2.26 ± 0.44 ppmv) and minimum (0.43 ± 0.19 ppmv) CH4 concentrations were observed in December and August respectively. The diurnal variations of CH4 were similar to that of NOx. A CH4 buildup was observed during early morning hours throughout the observational period. On an annual basis, the maximum, minimum and average total NMHCs were (25.45 ± 6.58 ppbv), (13.84 ± 4.31 ppbv), and (19.23 ± 5.56 ppbv) respectively at the observational site. Analysis of O3, NO, NO2, CH4 and NMHC have been carried out and the correlation between O3 and its precursors is discussed detailed. Further, the diurnal variation of O3 over a free tropospheric region at Ooty, a hill station lying in the Western Ghats region of south India on clear sky days in February 2011 is also reported for a comparison.
Anticancer activity of eugenol is not related to regulation of the oncogenic transcription factor Forkhead Box M1

Genome-wide gene expression profiling of cancers has consistently identified the FOXM1 as one of the most commonly upregulated genes in cancer cells that plays an essential role in the regulation of a wide spectrum of biological processes, including inhibition of apoptosis. Since the anticancer activity of EUG reported in the literature is related to induction of apoptosis in cancer cells, we hypothesized that there is a correlation between the EUG-induced apoptosis effect and downregulation of FOXM1. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of EUG on cellular viability of cancer cells (MTT) and its potential regulatory effect on FOXM1 protein levels (western blots). Our findings confirm the anticancer effect of EUG on different human cancer cell lines as previously reported in the literature (SKBR3 LC50: 318.6; HT29 LC50: 525.5; and HepG2 LC50: 2090.0 µM). However, we demonstrated that EUG does not regulate the FOXM1. The results evidenced the anticancer effect of EUG on three cancer cell lines and showed that the EUG- apoptosis induced effect is not related to regulation of FOXM1 at the protein level. Further studies must be done to provide information on the mechanism of action of this agent.
Cervical Block Versus General Anesthesia in Carotid- Subclavian Bypass Surgery

Background: Carotid-subclavian bypass surgery is a procedure carrying the risks of neural and/or myocardial injury. Therefore, awake, responsive patients are desired, in order to be aware of any injury immediately during surgery and to change the strategy as required. Materials and Methods: In this study, the medical records of 66 patients undergoing carotid-subclavian bypass surgery between January 1990 and January 2003 were reviewed to compare combined superficial-deep block (Group I; n=41) and general anesthesia (Group II; n=25) with respect to short-term results. Results: There were no intraoperative mortalities. One peroperative cerebrovascular accident was observed in patients with the carotid-subclavian bypass procedure. There was only one death due to myocardial ischemia early in the postoperative period. Both patients had been given general anesthesia. There were six (9%) morbidities within this period, as follows: three reoperations due to bleeding, one brachial embolectomy due to embolization of the distal arterial system, and two reoperations due to early graft thrombosis.
Marine habitat use of wintering spectacled petrels Procellaria conspicillata, and overlap with longline fishery

Satellite transmitters were used to determine the marine habitat utilization and fishery overlap of wintering spectacled petrels Procellaria conspicillata in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean in 2006 and 2007. Kernel density analysis of tracked birds demonstrated intense use of waters in the Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone, from 26 to 31° S, mainly over the continental shelf break and off- shore waters (mean depth in the < 20% kernel density areas = 1043 ± 794 m), over warm tropical and subtropical waters (mean SST = 22°C and 21°C in 2006 and 2007, respectively) and mesotrophic/ oligotrophic waters (chlorophyll a density = 0.301 and 0.281 mg m -3 in 2006 and 2007, respectively). These habitats used by spectacled petrels are remarkably different from those used by their sister species, the white-chinned petrel P. aequinoctialis, which occurs mainly over the continental shelf on sub-Antarctic and productive waters. A close association between spectacled petrels and the pelagic longline fishery was demonstrated through comparison of the main kernel areas used by spectacled petrels and the areas used by the pelagic longline fleet determined by fishing effort at resolution of 1 × 1° quadrants. Travel speeds and distances during night and daytime periods did not differ. The present study demonstrates the importance of high resolution fishing effort data to address relation- ships between bird marine habitat use and specific fishing fleets, and to determine marine habitats and investigate at sea segregation between closely related species.
RISKY DRIVING ATTITUDES AND SELF-REPORTED TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AMONG TURKISH DRIVERS: THE CASE OF ESKİŞEHİR TÜRK SÜRÜCÜLERİNİN KENDİ BİLDİRİMLERİNE DAYANAN TRAFİK İHLALLERİ VE RİSKLİ SÜRÜŞ TUTUMLARI: ESKİŞEHİR ÖRNEĞİ

Risky driving attitude terminology is used to explain behaviors, which directly increase accident risk, such as over speeding or violation to traffic rules while driving and attitudes related to traffic safety. This study is focused on driver factors in traffic accidents and was carried out in order to show risky drivers' attitudes tendency, especially. In this study, in order to develop a risky driver attitude model, factors explaining obedience to speed rules, caring about traffic accidents, risk taking tendency in traffic and violations of basic traffic rules were studied. For this reason with the assistance of structural equation models LISREL 8.54 was used to try to develop a model, and fitness of the model has been discussed considering various fitness criteria. On the other hand, analysis of variance was performed for factors measuring sex, education level, age and driving experience, in order to portrait risky drivers.