Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Partisan Conflict, News, and Investors' Expectations

In this paper, I consider the role of news provided by the media as signals used by investors to learn the underlying degree of partisan conflict. Partisan conflict is relevant for investment decisions because it affects the intensity of legislative effort aimed at (i) improving the institutional environment in which firms operate and (ii) instituting tax reforms. Higher partisan conflict makes tax reforms less likely but increases the probability of crises. These, in turn, affect the after-tax returns to investment. Whether the uncertainty and gridlock induced by partisan conflict is beneficial or detrimental for the economy depends on the status-quo level of taxes, on the identity of the party proposing policy reforms, and on the expected severity of crises. This is the case because even though a higher likelihood of bad economic outcomes is always negative for investment, stalemate makes tax-hikes less likely under some scenarios, and this may increase expected returns to investment. Agents do not observe the true degree of political disagreement (and hence the quality of policies), but can create expectations based on the observation of informative signals. Using a Bayesian learning model, I illustrate how these signals affect investment decisions by changing agentsâ€™ expectations. I show that, to the extent crises are severe enough, an increase in the partisan conflict index (a summary of the signals observed) reduces expected returns and induces lower investment. Interestingly, investors react to news through changes in expectations even when there is no change in fundamentals.
Genetic basis of variation for root traits and response to heat stress in durum wheat

Durum wheat is the second most important wheat species worldwide and the most important crop in several Mediterranean countries including Italy. Durum wheat is primarily grown under rainfed conditions where episodes of drought and heat stress are major factors limiting grain yield. The research presented in this thesis aimed at the identification of traits and genes that underlie root system architecture (RSA) and tolerance to heat stress in durum wheat, in order to eventually contribute to the genetic improvement of this species. In the first two experiments we aimed at the identification of QTLs for root trait architecture at the seedling level by studying a bi-parental population of 176 recombinant inbred lines (from the cross Meridiano x Claudio) and a collection of 183 durum elite accessions. Forty-eight novel QTLs for RSA traits were identified in each of the two experiments, by means of linkage- and association mapping-based QTL analysis, respectively. Important QTLs controlling the angle of root growth in the seedling were identified. In a third experiment, we investigated the phenotypic variation of root anatomical traits by means of microscope-based analysis of root cross sections in 10 elite durum cultivars. The results showed the presence of sizeable genetic variation in aerenchyma-related traits, prompting for additional studies aimed at mapping the QTLs governing such variation and to test the role of aerenchyma in the adaptive response to abiotic stresses. In the fourth experiment, an association mapping experiment for cell membrane stability at the seedling stage (as a proxy trait for heat tolerance) was carried out by means of association mapping. A total of 34 QTLs (including five major ones), were detected. Our study provides information on QTLs for root architecture and heat tolerance which could potentially be considered in durum wheat breeding programs.
The impact of fiscal consolidation and economic growth on debt: Evidence from India

This paper analyses the challenges debt reduction faces as a result of fiscal consolidation and the effect of growth on India? s debt ratio. Simulations are conducted based on India? s current revenue and debt levels and project different cases of fiscal tightening and their effect on changes in debt stock with respect to the change in GDP, i.e., changes in the debt ratio. The estimates for multipliers that are used in the Structural Vector Auto Regression (SVAR) model are obtained empirically by giving shocks to fiscal instruments such as expenditure and taxes. A non-technical approach to the SVAR methodology is used to analyse the dynamics of the studied framework by subjecting it to unexpected shocks. A more measured act of consolidation may be implemented in an attempt to normalise multiplier values in order to create an appropriate environment for reducing government spending. The drawbacks include the limitations of the SVAR methodology such as the orthogonality condition, which makes the entire analysis fairly restrictive. The framework used for the analysis is a modern approach towards understanding macroeconomic trends and variables in the context of the Indian economy and seeks to apply recently developed analytical tools.
In vivo diffusion magnetic resonance imaging of the white matter microstructure from dictionaries generated by Monte Carlo simulations: development and validation

Non-invasive virtual histology of white matter tissues is the ultimate promise of diffusionweighted MRI (DW-MRI). This hope is fueled by the exquisite sensitivity of DW-MRI to micrometer-scale displacements of diffusing water molecules, averaged over a whole voxel. Combined with adequate mathematical modeling, DW-MRI therefore has the potential to provide unprecedented, microscope-like insight into the microstructure of the brain, with important consequences in neuroscience, neurology and psychiatry. Many closed-form analytical models have been proposed to relate the DW-MRI signal to morphological characteristics of the axons and glial cells of the white matter. These models generally make assumptions about the tissue and the diffusion processes which often depart from the biophysical reality, limiting their reliability and interpretability in practice. Monte Carlo simulations of the random walk of water molecules are widely recognized to provide near numerical groundtruth for DW-MRI signals. However, they have mostly been limited to the validation of simpler models rather than used for the estimation of microstructural properties. This thesis proposes a general framework which leverages Monte Carlo simulations for the estimation of physically interpretable microstructural parameters such as indices of axon diameter and density, both in single and in crossing fascicles of axons, with no restriction on the data acquisition protocol. Monte Carlo simulations of DW-MRI signals, or fingerprints, are pre-computed for a large collection of microstructural configurations. At every voxel, the microstructural parameters are estimated by finding a sparse optimal combination of these fingerprints. The final complexity of the model is thus solely determined by the level of tissue detail incorporated in the Monte Carlo simulations. The parameter estimation requires no meta-parameter tuning. The superposition approximation for DW-MRI signals in the presence of multiple fascicles of axons, often taken for granted in state-of-the-art approaches, was thoroughly verified. This enabled a dramatic reduction of the size of the dictionary and of the ensuing fingerprint matching. Our approach was then validated extensively on synthetic data as well as on a variety of in vivo and ex vivo datasets. It was shown to systematically provide more robust and physically interpretable tissue parameters than a range of traditional closed-form models claiming similar biophysical complexity.
Hematological profile of juvenile European catfish (Silurus glanis) reared under different stocking densities in recirculating system conditions.

The aim of present study was to evaluate the hematological parameters and the absolute number of leukocytes of European catfish ( Silurus glanis ) maintained in different technological conditions induced by applied stocking densities. The experiment was conducted over a period of 32 days. A number of 450 European catfish, with an average weight of 158,9± 0,26 g, were distributed in four rearing units, in order to create different stocking densities as follows: V1- 14,28 kg/m 3 , V2 – 28,59 kg/m 3 , V3 – 42,97 kg/m 3 and V4- 57,06 kg/m 3 . The following hematological parameters were determined: RBC, Ht, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC. A decrease of RBC and higher values of MCH and MCHC were observed at V4, while at V1 an increase in RBC and lower MCV, MCH values can be seen. Regarding the absolute number of leukocytes, no significant statistical differences were registered between the applied stocking densities (p>0.05). However, there was a slight increase of leukocyte number with increasing stocking density (240,01 x103cel./mm 3 at V4, respectively 189,64 x10 3 cel./mm 3 at V1). It can be concluded from hematological parameters analysis that a stocking density of 60 kg/m 3 seems to be out of the optimal range for catfish growth, in current growth conditions.
Determination of Different Doses of Zinc on Fatty Acid Composition of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in Tekirdağ, Turkey

Bu arastirma, Tekirdag ili Hayrabolu ilcesinde yurutulmustur. Arastirmada kullanilan Yenice aspir cesidi Eskisehir Tarimsal Arastirma Enstitusu’nden temin edilmistir. Ekim, elle 11 Nisan 2012 tarihinde, genisligi 0.9 m ve uzunlugu 5 m olan parsellerde, hasat ise 8 Agustos 2012 tarihinde yine elle yapilmistir. Ekimden sonra azot gubresi verilmis ve aspirin ciceklenmesinden once 4 farkli dozda (Kontrol, 1500, 3000 and 4500 ml/ha) cinko sulfat (ZnSO4.7H2O) formunda yapraklara cinko uygulanmistir. Arastirmada yag icerigi ve yag asitleri komposizyonu incelenmistir. En yuksek linoleik asit (% 81.20) ve stearik asit (% 2.20) kontrol dozunda elde edilmistir. En yuksek oleik asit (% 13.90) 1500 ml/ha dozda saptanmistir. En yuksek palmitik asit ise 4500 ml/ha dozda tespit edilmistir
JOB ANALYSIS AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVED ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF SMEs IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

This study explored the influence of job analysis on organizational performance among 180 small and medium scale enterprises in Lagos, Nigeria. Data was obtained using structured questionnaires and analysis of company financial statements. The analysis was done using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 and the results obtained showed that proper job analysis improves productivity at work, efficiency and organizational profitability. Findings also showed that there are significant challenges that hamper the effective implementation of job analysis in SMEs in Lagos. The study thus recommended that entrenching a company policy of robust talent management and job analysis in order to bring about continuous improvement of staff performance and organizational efficiency.
Studies on Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP-2, -9 and -14) and β2 Integrin Targeting as Potential Anticancer Therapeutics

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Foliar diseases of Pisum sativum L. in Poland

Influence of weather conditions on downy mildew and Ascochyta blight development on 12 pea genotypes, cultivated in Central Poland was examined in 1990-2000. Plants were somewhat more infected by Peronospora viciae f.sp. pisi than by Ascochyta complex fungi. Standard cultivars were less infected than breeding lines. Two periods of higher (1990, 1991 and 1995-1997) and two of lower (1992-1994 and 1998-2000) disease intensity were noted during 11 years of testing.
NEURONS AND INTERSEGMENTAL INTERNEURONS WITH CHEMOSENSORY INPUTS FROM THE LOCUST SUBGENITAL PLATE HAIR RECEPTORS

Contact chemoreceptors, known as basiconic sensilla in insects, occur dispersed and crow-ded in fields between mechanosensory receptors on the subgenital plate of the female desert locust Schistocerca gregaria and serve to control the chemical features of the substrate before and during oviposition. They represent about 26% of the total number of receptors (560±5) identified on the subgenital plate. The distribution and peripheral innervation of the sensory system on the subgenital plate have been revealed by using the cobalt chloride backfill technique in a whole-mount preparation. In addition, the central nervous projections of a single basiconic sensillum have been identified in whole-mount preparation by using neurobiotin backfill technique. The investigation showed that the 8 th ventral abdominal nerve innervates the subgenital plate and a that all axons and neurites from one contact chemoreceptor usually stay close together in most of their projections in the central nervous system. The basiconic sensilla were sensitive to the different concentrations of sodium chloride (10-1000mM) used and evoked excitation or inhibition in integrating interneurons. Two chemosensory interneurons integrating chemi-sensory information of subgenital plate were identified based on intracellular staining with Lucifer Yellow. Each identified interneuron has a characteristic morphology defined by its array of branches in the regions of neuropil that provide its inputs and output to other neurons.
Analisis Penerimaan dan Penggunaan Teknologi Computer Based Test (CBT) sebagai Media Ujian Online dengan Model Uified Theory of Acceptance And Use of Technology (UTAUT)

Computer Based Test (CBT) adalah sebuah bentuk perkembangan teknologi yang sekarang ini mulai diterapkan pada pendidikan Indonesia sebagai media ujian online di Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri, tidak terkecuali kota Palembang. Penerapan computer based test (CBT) perlu dianalisis untuk mengetahui apakah computer based test (CBT) ini dapat sepenuhnya diterima dan bermanfaat dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar. Penelitian ini menggunakan model UTAUT yang dimodifikasi dengan penambahan konstruk sikap terhadap pengggunaan teknologi (ATUT) selain konstruk utama yaitu ekspektansi kinerja, ekspektansi usaha, pengaruh sosial, kondisi-kondisi pemfasilitasi yang memainkan peran terhadap minat keperilakuan dan perilaku penggunaan. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan penyebaran kuesioner dimana responden dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas XII di 14 Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri di kota Palembang yang sudah menerapkan computer based test. Kuesioner dibuat dengan skala 4 poin mengikuti model skala likert. Analisis data menggunakan SPSS 16.0 untuk menguji validitas dan reliabilitas. Pengujian hasil penelitian menggunakan persamaan regresi linear . Berdasarkan penelitian yang telah dilakukan maka didapatkan hasil bahwa variabel ekspektansi kinerja, ekspektansi usaha, pengaruh sosial, kondisi-kondisi pemfasilitasi, sikap terhadap penggunaan teknologi memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap variabel minat keperilakuan, dan variabel minat keperilakuan secara signifikan berpengaruh terhadap variabel perilaku penggunaan. Variabel pengaruh sosial memiliki pengaruh terbesar terhadap penerimaan dan penggunaan computer based test (CBT) sebagai media ujian online karena adanya kebijakan pemerintah dalam pelaksanaan ujian nasional. Kata kunci—CBT, Penerimaan Teknologi, UTAUT
Women on Bank Boards: Evidence from Gender Quotas around the World

Using a sample of 469 banks from 39 countries between 2008 and 2017 and a generalized difference-in-differences methodology, we show that board gender quota laws lead to increased female board representation. We find an increase in risk taking and systemic risk and worse long-run operating performance post quota law for banks most impacted by the reforms, and those located in countries with a smaller pool of qualified women executives. Results suggest that the addition of younger and less experienced female board members to important board committees due labor market constraints drive the risk taking and performance outcomes.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE YOUTH LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMME (YLP) TO YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN HOIMA DISTRICT, UGANDA

The Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) of Uganda is a youth empowerment strategy based on the three pillars of skills development, livelihood support and institutional support. The programme targets and unemployed youths of the country but questions have been asked as to whether the YLP leads to the empowerment of the target group. This paper reports on a study that explored the contribution of the YLP to youth empowerment in Hoima District of Uganda. Using self-administered questionnaires, data were collected from 130 respondents selected randomly from the Youth Interest Groups (YIG) in the District. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse collected data. The study established that YLP faces a range of implementation challenges. The study concludes that while skills development significantly contributes to youth empowerment, results suggest that livelihood support and institutional support do not significantly contribute to youth empowerment. Strategies to enhance empowerment of the youth and suggestions for scaling up activities are given.
Use of remotely piloted aircraft in precision agriculture: a review

espanolEl objetivo de esta revision fue examinar el uso actual de aeronaves pilotadas remotamente (RPA) en la obtencion de datos para aplicaciones de la agricultura de precision, ejemplificando situaciones exitosas de uso de la tecnologia. La RPA tiene aplicaciones para monitoreo, mapeo, extraccion de indice de vegetacion (VI), volumen, altura de plantas, y ha sido estudiado en diversas culturas agricolas, siendo soporte para toma de decision sobre aplicacion de agroquimicos, falla de plantacion, acompanamiento del crecimiento y aumento de la productividad. Un potencial evaluadas por la RPA es el uso del VI, que puede ser extraido de imagenes digitales obtenidas por camaras que contienen la banda visible. Siendo una alternativa para los agricultores que no tienen acceso a RPA acoplado a sensores de alta tecnologia. Por lo tanto, es una herramienta que puede contribuir a la toma de decisiones, permitiendo la adquisicion de imagenes de alta resolucion espacial y temporal EnglishThe objective of this review was to examine the current use of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in obtaining data to assist in the application of precision farming techniques and to exemplify successful situations of technology use. The RPA has applications for monitoring, mapping, vegetation index (VI) extraction, volume, plant height, among others, and has been studied in several agricultural crops, being support for decision making on agrochemical application, planting failure, accompaniment of growth favoring the increase of crop productivity. One of the potentialities evaluated through RPA is the use of VI, which may be extracted from digital images obtained by cameras that contain only the visible band. It may be an alternative for farmers who do not have access to RPA coupled with high-tech embedded sensors. Therefore, it is a tool that may contribute to the decision making, allowing the acquisition of high spatial and temporal resolution images
Effect of aging and exercise training on eNOS uncoupling and O2‐ signaling in skeletal muscle arterioles

Reduced availability of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) contributes to the age‐related decline of nitric oxide (NO)‐mediated dilation in soleus muscle arterioles. Depending on the availability of substrate and/or necessary co‐factors, eNOS can generate NO and/or superoxide (O2−). We evaluated the effects of age and exercise on flow‐induced dilation (FID) and flow‐induced production (FIP) of NO and O2− in soleus muscle arterioles. Young (4 mo) and old (22 mo) male rats were exercise trained (ET) or remained sedentary (SED) for 10 wks. FID was studied in soleus muscle arterioles under control conditions and during the blockade of O2− and/or hydrogen peroxide. FIP of NO and O2− were determined. Arteriolar BH4 levels were also determined. ET enhanced FID in Y and O rats. ET restored BH4 and improved FIP of NO in arterioles O rats. FIP of O2− was higher in OSED vs. YSED. ET increased FIP of O2− in arterioles from Y rats. O2− scavenging with Tempol reduced FID in all rats except YSED. Addition of catalase to Tempol‐treated arterioles eliminated FID in all groups. Catalase alone reduced FID in all groups except OSED, with the greatest effect in YSED. FID was restored when deferoxamine, an iron chelator, was added to Tempol‐treated arterioles. These data indicate that uncoupling of eNOS contributes to the age‐related decline in FID; however, reactive oxygen species are required for FID in soleus muscle arterioles from Y and O rats.
Research of foreign investors' opinions on the quality of workforce education and professional improvement in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

One of the measures for the promotion of economic development, which has been intensively applied in the region of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina in recent years, refers to stimulation of FDI inflows. AP Vojvodina is considered to be a very attractive investment location, which especially stands out for its favorable geographical location, liberal foreign investment laws and labor laws, highly educated and skilled workforce that can be engaged at low costs, as well as the tax incentives and numerous financial incentives available interested foreign investors. Reviewing the scientific and professional literature, it can be concluded that the value of human capital has very often been investigated as a determinant of FDI inflows, and mainly expressed through the level and quality of education and skills of workers. By conducting a survey of foreign investors operating in the free investment zones of AP Vojvodina, it was concluded that the respondents were satisfied with the quality of education and professional development of the workforce. By analyzing the obtained research results, the authors of this empirical study, while respecting the opinions of other authors, simultaneously provided scientific contributions to the subject area, as well as practical contributions in the form of concrete recommendations for public policy makers, primarily foreign investment policy and education policy in the territory of AP Vojvodina.