Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Banking Behaviour of Generation Y University Students and the Future of Retail Banking in North Central Nigeria

Over the past decade banks in Nigeria have been forced to look for new revenue streams as new business models, technological innovations and non-traditional competition have transformed the banking landscape. Amidst all this change, a new generation has come knocking on their doors. They are in the age group of 18 to 30 years and often called Generation Y (Gen Y for short). This study therefore, assessed the banking behaviour of Generation Y students and its effect on the future of retail banking in Nigeria. The data for the study were collected using questionnaire administered to 500 university students in the four (4) major higher institutions in Plateau State (UniJos, Plateau State University, Pla-Poly and College of Education Pankshin). The data was analysed using descriptive statistics while structural equation model was used to test the hypotheses. The result indicates that retail bank fees/price integrity, unique and Innovative products, ease of use and system quality influences Gen Y banking behaviour and that this banking behaviour have a significant effect on the future of retail banking in Nigeria. Based on these findings, it was recommended that retail banks should refocus their attention their attention on the banking needs of this generation of customers to gain a better understanding of what influences their behaviours. This will compel retail banks to take a closer look at their procedures and strategies in order to manage the fast-evolving needs and expectations of this generation.
The morphology of vesicular – arbuscular mycorrhizae in Clintonia borealis and Medeola virginiana

During a survey of the vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) associations of forest herbs in a deciduous forest in the southern Laurentian mountains in Quebec, two liliaceous species, Clintonia borealis and Medeola virginiana, revealed very distinctive morphology. In both species, once the epidermis was penetrated, the fungus spread towards the centre of the root via intracellular hyphae until the innermost layer of the cortex was reached, at which point the fungus spread laterally and tangentially through the cortical cells adjacent to the endodermis via a series of banana-shaped projections (bobbits). These eventually differentiated into the arbuscules and the VAM might spread from this inner cortical layer back into the outer cortical layers. In C. borealis, the hyphae coiled in the cortex, and vesicles were formed in the upper cortical cells. In M. virginiana, no coiling took place, but extensive diverticulae were produced by the intracellular hyphae in the cortical cells, close to their point of exi.
Semiochemically Based Monitoring of the Invasion of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Unexpected Attraction of the Native Green Stink Bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Maryland

ABSTRACT The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Pentatomidae), is a newly invasive species in the eastern U. S. that is rapidly expanding its range from the original point of establishment in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Although an attractant pheromone has yet to be identified for H. halys, in its native Asian range the insect is cross-attracted to the pheromone of another pentatomid Plautia stali Scott whose males produce methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate. Previous tests of methyl 2,4,6-decatrienoate isomers in the U. S. verified that H. halys is highly attracted to methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate, and that the native green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare (Say), also is attracted to this compound. Using traps baited with methyl 2,4,6-decatrienoates and the reported pheromone of A. hilare (trans- and cis(Z)-&agr;-bisabolene epoxides), we monitored populations of the brown marmorated and green stink bugs at the Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland, for the 2004–2008 growing seasons. Over this time period, the H. halys population rose from being undetectable in 2004 to becoming much more abundantly trapped than the native A. hilare. Furthermore, A. hilare was significantly more attracted to methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate than the blend of bisabolene epoxides reported as its pheromone. Supplemental material online at http://www.fcla. edu/FlaEnt/fe923.htm#InfoLink1 Translation provided by Dr. Andrée Gonzalez Ritzel. RESUMEN La chiche marrón mármol, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Pentatomidae), es una nueva especie invasora en el este de Estados Unidos, la cual está expandiendo su rango de distributión rápidamente desde su punto original de entrada en Allentown, Pennsylvania. Aunque su feromona aún no se ha identificada, este insecto es atraído en su hábitat nativo (Asia) por la feromona de otro pentatómido, Plautia stali Scott, cuyos machos producen (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoato de metilo. Experimentos previos con distintos isómeros de 2,4,6-decatrienoato de metilo en Estados Unidos demostraron que H. halys es fuertemente atraída por (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoato de metilo, y que la chiche verde nativa Acrosternum hilare (Say) es también atraída por este compuesto. Usando trampas cebadas con 2,4,6-decatrienoatos y con la feromona reportada para A. hilare (ep*óxidos de (E)- y (Z)-&agr;-bisaboleno), realizamos un seguimiento poblacional de ambas especies en la Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland, durante las temporadas de crecimiento 2004–2008. En este període, las poblaciones de H. halys aumentaron desde niveles no detectables en 2004, a valores de capturas sustancialmente mayores que los correspondientes a la especie nativa. Asimismo, A. hilare fue significativamente més atraída al (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoato de metilo que a la mezcla de epóxidos de &agr;-bisabolenos, reportados como la feromona de esta especie.
Self-Reported Weather Shocks and Extreme Weather Data: Evidence From Vietnam

Analysis of rural vulnerability to weather shocks requires an accurate exposure record. Both self-reported and weather data records have been used with potential biases. We are the first to evaluate these biases by constructing two comparable records: self-reported weather shocks from a rural household panel dataset and measured weather shocks from weather data. Despite their positive relationship and similar average welfare effects, the two records display a large discrepancy. Being endogenous, the self-reported record introduces the attenuation bias in analysing non-farm diversification in response to shocks. We suggest to instrument the self-reported shock with the measured shock for better analytical quality.
Seemingly Irrelevant Events Affect Perceptions and Expectations - the FIFA World Cup 2006 as a Natural Experiment

Prominent economic theories have emphasized the role of commonly held perceptions and expectations for determining macroeconomic outcomes. A key empirical question is how such collectively held beliefs are formed. We use the FIFA World Cup 2006 as a natural experiment. We provide direct evidence that seemingly irrelevant events (the outcomes of soccer matches) can systematically affect individual perceptions about economic prospects, both on a personal and economy-wide level.
Intraspecific differences in movement, dive behavior and vertical habitat preferences of a key marine apex predator

Understanding the patterns of large-scale movements of highly mobile marine predators is essential to understanding the impacts of anthropogenic pressures on the animals and the ecosystems they frequent. The broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus is one of the most important apex predators in temperate coastal areas around the world, yet little is known of its seasonal large-scale movements. Five male and five female sevengill sharks were equipped with pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) in a coastal embayment in southern Tasmania, that collected depth and temperature data during winter, when the animals leave the coastal embayment, resulting in a dataset covering a total of 818 d. Animal tracks indicated that males moved northwards into warmer waters, whereas females remained in southern waters. Three of the females stayed in the Tasmanian coastal areas while the other two left, with one of them moving into deeper waters of up to 360 m depth at the southern edge of the Tasmanian shelf before returning to the Tasmanian coast. These sex-specific differences in large-scale movement could potentially lead to the differential exploitation of the sexes when the sharks leave the protected areas where they were tagged. Both males and females switched between diel vertical migration and reverse diel vertical migration over the course of their tracks and displayed oscillatory vertical movements, probably linked to foraging. These vertical movements persisted throughout the tracks, suggesting that sevengill sharks foraged continuously during their migration rather than switching between transiting and foraging modes.
Stomatal aperture can compensate altered stomatal density in Arabidopsis thaliana at growth light conditions.

Stomatal density of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants over-expressing the SDD1 (stomatal density and distribution) gene was reduced to 40% and in the sdd1-1 mutant increased to 300% of the wild type. CO2 assimilation rate and stomatal conductance of over-expressers and the sdd1-1 mutant were unchanged compared with wild types when measured under the light conditions the plants were exposed to during growth. Lower stomatal density was compensated for by increased stomatal aperture and conversely, increased stomatal density was compensated for by reduced stomatal aperture. At high light intensities the assimilation rates and stomatal conductance of SDD1 over-expressers were reduced to 80% of those in wild type plants. Areas beneath stomata and patches lacking stomata were analysed separately. In areas without stomata, maximum fluorescence yield (Fv / Fm) and quantum yield of photosystem II (Φ PSII) were significantly lower than in areas beneath stomata. In areas beneath stomata, Fv / Fm and Φ PSII were identical to levels measured in wild type leaves. At high light intensities over-expressers showed decreased photochemical quenching (qP) compared with wild types. However, the decrease of qP was significantly stronger in areas without stomata than in mesophyll areas beneath stomata. At high CO2 partial pressures and high light intensities CO2 assimilation rates of SDD1 over-expressers did not reach wild type levels. These results indicate that photosynthesis in SDD1 over-expressers was reduced because of limiting CO2 in areas furthest from stomata at high light.
Yeast open reading frame YCR14C encodes a DNA β-polymerase-like enzyme

Abstract We have shown by activity gel that overexpression in E. coli of a yeast chromosome 3 open reading frame (ORF) designated YCR14C and bearing homology to mammalian DNA polymerases beta results in a new DNA polymerase in the host cells. The molecular mass of this enzyme corresponded to the YCR14C-predicted 67 kDa protein, and NH2-terminal amino acid sequencing confirmed that the expressed protein was encoded by the yeast ORF. This new yeast DNA polymerase was purified to homogeneity from E.coli. In a fashion similar to that of mammalian beta-polymerases, the purified yeast enzyme exhibited distributive DNA synthesis on DNA substrate with a single-stranded template and processive gap-filling synthesis on a short-gapped DNA substrate. Activity of this yeast beta-polymerase-like enzyme was sensitive to the beta-polymerase inhibitor ddNTP and resistant to both 1 mM NEM and neutralizing antibody to E. coli DNA polymerase I. These results, therefore, indicate that YCR14C encodes a DNA beta-polymerase-like enzyme in yeast, and we name it DNA polymerase IV. Yeast strains harboring a deletion mutation of the pol IV gene are viable, they exhibit no increase in sensitivity to ultraviolet light, ionizing radiation or alkylating agents, and sporulation and spore viability are not affected in the mutant.
Seasonal and Annual Survival of the Salamander Salamandra salamandra salamandra

Abstract Survival is an important component of population growth rate. We use data from a 9-yr mark-recapture study to estimate annual and monthly survival probabilities of adult salamanders (Salamandra salamandra). Monthly survival probability was 0.98–0.99 and did not differ between summer and winter. Annual survival probability was 0.86. These estimates are similar to estimates for other salamander species. While other studies on Salamandra salamandra concluded that this species shows high movement rates, our results suggest very low movement rates. Zusammenfassung Die Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit ist eine wichtige Komponente der Wachstumsrate einer Population. Wir benutzen Daten einer Fang-Wiederfang-Studie, welche neun Jahre dauerte, um monatliche und jährliche Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeiten von adulten Feuersalamandern (Salamandra salamandra) zu schätzen. Die monatliche Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit war 0.98-0.99 und war im Sommer und Winter gleich. Die jährliche Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit war 0.86. Diese Schätzwerte sind vergleichbar mit denjenigen von andern Salamanderarten. Während andere Studien an Salamandra salamandra zum Schluss kamen, dass diese Art viel umher wandert, deuten unsere Ergebnisse auf sehr tiefe Wanderraten hin.
Imperfect Information, Real-Time Data and Monetary Policy in the Euro Area

An important concern for the European Central Bank (ECB), and all central banks alike, is the necessity of making decisions in real time under conditions of great uncertainty about the underlying state of the economy. We address this concern by estimating on real-time data a New Keynesian model for the euro area under the assumption of imperfect information. In comparison to models that maintain the assumption of perfect information and are estimated on ex-post revised, we find that: (i) the estimated policy rule becomes more inertial and less aggressive towards inflation; (ii) the ECB is confronted with a more severe trade-off in the stabilization of inflation and the output gap.
Extent of RFLP variability in tetraploid populations of alfalfa, Medicago sativa

Seven widely-cultivated alfalfa varieties and three ecotypes adapted to Central Italy were used to evaluate the extent of polymorphism in that species. Twenty plants per accession were analysed with 16 RFLP probes combined with three restriction enzymes (48 probe/enzyme combination in total) and the data were used to compute the Nei's similarity index taken as a measure of inter- and intra-population RFLP variability. The varieties were, in general, more homogeneous than the ecotypes and the cultivars ‘Adriana’ and ‘Florida’ could be differentiated more easily than the others. Few accession-specific hybridizing fragments were scored and seven populations could be distinguished from the others on the basis of significant differences in the frequencies of specific fragments. The DNA of plant populations of several sizes was bulked and the ability to detect a given fragment in pooled samples was related to the fraction of plants having that fragment among the plants forming the bulk. The results are discussed with special emphasis on the practical utilization of RFLPs for varietal identification.
CMA Staining Analysis of Chromosomes in Citrus Relatives, Clymenia, Eremocitrus and Microcitrus

Fluorochrome staining with chromomycin A3 (CMA) was used to characterize and compare the CMA banding patterns of chromosomes of Clymenia, Eremocitrus, and Microcitrus, which belong to true citrus fruit trees (Citrinae, Rutaceae). All species had 2n = 18 chromosomes. These chromosomes were classified into six types based on the number and position of CMA-positive bands; A: two telomeric and one proximal band, B: one telomeric and one proximal band, C: two telomeric bands, D: one telomeric band, E: without bands, and Dst: type D with a satellite chromosome. Each species possessed three or four types of chromosomes and unique CMA banding patterns. The CMA banding patterns were 2C + 8D + 8E in Cl. polyandra, 2C + 9D + 7E in E. glauca, 1C + 11D + 6E in M. australis, 1B + 2C + 10D + 5E in M. australasica, 8C + 7D + 2E + 1Dst in M. inodora, 2A + 14D + 2Dst in M. warburgiana, and 2C + 9D + 7E in Sydney hybrid. Chromosome configurations of Cl. polyandra, E. glauca, M. australis, and Sydney hybrid resembled each other. This may indicate a common ground of chromosome configuration in the true citrus fruit trees. On the other hand, variability in Microcitrus chromosomes was also demonstrated.
Nodule phosphorus and nodule activity in white clover

Abstract Rooted cuttings established from stolon tips ofa genotype of Trifolium repens cv. ‘Grasslands Huia’ white clover were grown in batch nutrient solution at a range of phosphorus (P) supplies. Growth, the concentration of nitrogen (N) and P in plant parts, the concentration ofP fractions in leaves and nodules, and the rate of ethylene production by detached root systems were measured. Shoot and total plant dry weight increased over the whole range of P supply but root dry weight (including nodules) was saturated at the higher levels of supply. The total concentration of P in leaves and nodules increased with supply, it being always higher in the nodules than in the leaves especially at low levels of supply. The concentrations of all the P fractions in the nodules and leaves increased with P supply, and were higher in the nodules than in the leaves. Inorganic-P concentrations did not change over the lower levels of supply but then changed markedly, showing greater overall increases than the other fra.
Forests and forestry organizations from the forest villagers’ perspective: a case study from Turkey

Abstract: The forest villages of Turkey comprise approximately 11% of the population, where people live in poverty, and have low welfare levels due to insufficient income. The livelihood of many villagers is integrally tied to the forest, and the communities have varied expectations and demands from forest resources. In recent years, local expectations have placed substantial pressures on forests resources. Therefore, the opinions, expectations, and perceptions of forest villagers in regards to forest resources are vital in forest management. Furthermore, the views from the forestry organization that manages natural resources, and forestry strategies, policies, and practices are integral to ensure local villager satisfaction, and participation in natural resource conservation objectives. The aims of this study were to evaluate villagers’ opinions regarding the surrounding forests and forestry organizations, quantify the residents’ satisfaction level with life in the forest village, and determine the influential factors responsible for the residents’ responses. Forest villagers (1059 people) living in the Sivas Directorate of Forest District participated in the study, and a questionnaire was administered in 11 villages within a field work framework to serve as a case study. Results indicated the region has very limited alternative livelihood sources, and forestry is the leading regional source of income for villagers. Therefore, residents from all 11 villages are dependent on forest resources. The questionnaire showed employment facilities were the most important forest benefits. Overall, the villagers were satisfied with available forestry jobs and other associated opportunities, however wages were considered insufficient, and workers expressed expectations for significant changes in labor safety conditions. In addition, certain prohibitions and restrictions placed on regional natural resources prevent residents from previous land-use practices, which adversely affected local opinions towards forests and forestry organizations. For example, strict forest protection measures will make obsolete the nomadic livestock breeding practices of some local villagers. This is the most common complaint directed at forestry activities, and will have an impact on the local income levels.
Analyzing the Relationship between Organic and Sponsored Search Advertising: Positive, Negative or Zero Interdependence?

The phenomenon of paid search advertising has now become the most predominant form of online advertising in the marketing world. However, we have little understanding of the impact of search engine advertising on consumers' responses in the presence of organic listings of the same firms. In this paper, we model and estimate the inter-relationship between organic search listings and paid search advertisements using a unique panel dataset based on aggregate consumer response to several hundred keywords over three months collected from a major nationwide retailer store chain that advertises on Google. In particular, we focus on understanding whether the presence of organic listings on a search engine is associated with a positive, negative or no effect on the click-through rates of paid search advertisements, and vice-versa for a given firm. We first build an integrated model to estimate the relationship between different metrics such as search volume, click-through rates, conversion rates, cost-per-click and keyword ranks. A Hierarchical Bayesian modeling framework is used and the model is estimated using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. Our empirical findings suggest that click-throughs on organic listings have a positive interdependence with click-throughs on paid listings, and vice-versa. We also find that this positive interdependence is asymmetric such that on an average the impact of organic clicks on increases in paid clicks is 3.5 times stronger than vice-versa. Using counter-factual experiments, we show that on an average this positive interdependence leads to an increase in expected profits for the firm ranging from 4.2 % to 6.15 % when compared to profits in the absence of this interdependence. To further validate our empirical identification, we also conduct and present the results from a controlled field experiment. This experiment shows that total click-through rates, conversions rates and revenues in the presence of both paid and organic search listings are significantly higher than those in the absence of paid search advertisements. The positive interdependence effect predicted by the econometric model is also corroborated in controlled experiments and potentially suggests a causal interpretation to the results obtained from the econometric model. Given the increased spending on search engine based advertising, our analysis provides critical insights to managers in both traditional and Internet firms.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? A Laboratory Analysis of Investment Opportunities Under Ambiguity

This paper studies the impact of Knightian uncertainty on the disposition of individuals in the lab to seize an irreversible investment. Subjects had the option to trade a safe endowment for a claim on the sum of future realizations from a geometric random walk. The drift of this profit process (high or low) depended on an unobservable binary state of the world, which was uncertain in a treatment group and risky in a control group. Despite the fact that subjects in both groups could initially bet on the state of the world to obtain the high drift, subjects in the treatment group seize the investment at significantly higher values of the process than subjects in the control group. This behavior is irreconcilable with subjective expected utility, but indicates behavior predicted under dynamic multiple-prior preferences à la Gilboa-Schmeidler.
The Foreign Exchange Risk Premium in the Cross-Section of Stock Returns: International Evidence

Using the framework of the International Capital Asset Pricing Model, we estimate unconditional FX risk premiums for a large cross-section of firms from local currency perspectives. Further, we study the impact of potential FX risk diversifiability on FX risk premiums. Using equity data from nine major financial markets, we find support for FX risk being a contributing factor to stock return volatility in eight and a priced factor in four of the sample markets. Empirical estimates of FX risk premiums are economically meaningful, negative for U.S. and Swiss firms, and positive for Australian and Canadian firms.