Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Adoption of Modern Family Planning by Rural Women on Arable Crop Production in Southeast Nigeria

: The study assessed the influence of adoption of family planning by rural women on Arable crop production in Southeast Nigeria. The average rural women in Southeast Nigeria delivers between six to nine children but with the emphasis of the Federal Ministry of Health on adoption of family planning, the number has drastically reduced, hence the need to investigate the influence on Arable crop production. Specifically the study examined the Socioeconomic factors that influence the adoption/use of family planning, identified the methods of family planning available in the area, identified the adopters and non-adopters of family planning methods, examined the relative number and percentages of users of various family planning methods, identified the arable crops cultivated by rural women in the area, determined the farm output of adopters and the non-adopters and determined the income derived from arable crop production by adopters and non-adopters. The study hypothesized that there is no significant difference in arable crop production by adopters and non-adopters of the family planning methods. Sample size comprised one hundred and eighty (180) arable crop farmers selected using a multistage sampling method. Structural questionnaire was the main tool for data collection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools, multiple regression was used to estimate the influence of women socio-economic characteristics on adoption of family planning. The result shows the coefficient of multiple determination (R2) to be 89.80% and was statistically significant at 1% level of probability. 98.89% of the women identified pepper/salt solution as the most available traditional method of family planning and condom (99.44%) as the most available modern method. Most of the women (67.22%) did not adopt, majority of the women cultivate vegetable, cassava and maize (99.44%, 97.78% and 96.67%) respectively. The mean annual farm income of adopters of family planning was N110, 500.00 while that of non-adopters was N201,700.00, the t-value of 2.464 compared with the computed value of 2.253 indicates that the t-value is greater than the table value at 0.5%, therefore the null hypothesis was rejected. The study concludes that adoption of family planning had negative effect on arable crop production, therefore, the study recommends among others that adopters of modern family planning should engage more technology in farming to enhance their output and income, instead of relying on traditional methods of using family labour which include use of child labour.
Transports and budgets of anthropogenic CO2 in the tropical North Atlantic in 1992–1993 and 2010–2011

The meridional transport of anthropogenic CO2 (Cant) in the tropical North Atlantic (TNA) is investigated using data from transoceanic sections along 7.5°N and 24.5°N, carried out in the early 1990s and 2010s. The net Cant transport across both sections is northward. At 7.5°N, this transport increased from 315 ± 47 kmol s−1 in 1993 to 493 ± 51 kmol s−1 in 2010; similarly, across 24.5°N it grew from 530 ± 46 kmol s−1 in 1992 to 662 ± 49 kmol s−1 in 2011. These changes result from modifications in the intermediate and deep circulation patterns, as well as from Cant increase within the thermocline waters. In deep waters, lateral advection causes a net Cant input of 112 ± 60 kmol s−1 (234 ± 65 kmol s−1) in 1992–1993 (2010–2011); within these deep waters, the storage rate of Cant is not statistically different from the net Cant input, 139 ± 21 kmol s−1 (188 ± 21 kmol s−1) in 1992–1993 (2010–2011). The Cant increase in deep waters is due to the large injection of Cant across the 24.5°N by the Deep Western Boundary Current and the northward recirculation of North Atlantic Deep Water along 7.5°N. In contrast, a large net Cant output in the upper layer is caused by the Florida Current. Despite this net Cant output, the Cant accumulates at a rate of 215 ± 24 kmol s−1 (291 ± 24 kmol s−1) referenced to year 1993 (2010). From the two Cant budgets, we infer a Cant air‐sea flux of 0.23 ± 0.02 Pg yr−1in the TNA, much larger than previous estimates.
Crowding Out Private Equity: Canadian Evidence

In this paper, we examine a Canadian tax-driven vehicle known as the Labour Sponsored Venture Capital Corporation (LSVCC). As a theoretical matter, we suggest that the LSVCCs can be expected to have higher agency costs and lower profitability than private venture capital funds. We present data that are consistent with this view. The central question that we analyze, however, is whether the tax advantages conferred on LSVCCs have resulted in LSVCCs crowding out, or displacing other types of venture capital funds. Empirical analysis of our data (which covers the 1977-2001 period) is highly consistent with crowding out. The data suggest that crowding out has been sufficiently energetic as to lead to a reduction in the aggregate pool of venture capital in Canada, frusterating one of the key governmental goals underlying the LSVCC programs; namely, the expansion of the aggregate pool of capital. In the course of our analysis, we confirm the importance of macroeconomic factors (the performance of the stock market, real interest rates, and changes in real gross domestic product) in affecting the supply of and demand for venture capital. We also generate evidence that is consistent with the proposition that entrepreneurs in the market for venture capital prefer to incorporate their business federally, rather than provincially.
Tropical Cyclones Downscaled from Simulations with Very High Carbon Dioxide Levels

AbstractA method to simulate thousands of tropical cyclones using output from a global climate model is applied to simulations that span very high surface temperatures forced with high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2). The climatology of the storms downscaled from a simulation with modern-day conditions is compared to that of events downscaled from two other simulations featuring 8 and 32 times preindustrial-era levels of CO2. Storms shift poleward with warming: genesis locations and track densities increase in subtropical and higher latitudes, and power dissipation increases poleward of 20°S and 30°N. The average latitude at which storms reach their maximum intensity shifts poleward by more than 1.5° latitude in the 8 × CO2 experiment and by more than 7° latitude in the 32 × CO2 case. Storms live longer and are more numerous in both of the warmer climates. These increases come largely from an expansion of the area featuring favorable conditions into subtropics and midlatitudes, with some regions of the Arc.
How to perceive the corporate social responsibility in the agro-food companies?

The basic aim of the article is to evaluate the extent of a companies’ engagement with CSR as well as to uncover the nature and type of CSR activities in the agro-food companies operating in the Slovak Republic. In order to fulfill the basic aim, we set the partial aims which involve several research questions. Primary information and data were obtained by the questionnaire survey in order to assess the level of companies’ engagement with CSR policy and activities they carry out within this policy. Secondary data consist of various publications, web-pages of selected companies, their annual general statements and statements concerning CSR policy. To every company, one questionnaire was distributed - in some case, it was possible to send it directly to person responsible for CSR activities. To graphically display our results, we used MS Excel and for other statistical processing SAS and SPSS. According to the results and findings from the questionnaire survey, the authors of the article finds it appropriate to offer several recommendations and ideas dealing with support of CSR in the Slovak Republic.
Six new supermassive black hole mass determinations from adaptive-optics assisted SINFONI observations

Different massive black hole mass – host galaxy scaling relations suggest that the growth of massive black holes is entangled with the evolution of their host galaxies. The number of measured black hole masses is still limited and additional measurements are necessary to understand the underlying physics of this apparent coevolution. We add six new black hole mass (MBH) measurements of nearby fast rotating early-type galaxies to the known black hole mass sample, namely NGC 584, NGC 2784, NGC 3640, NGC 4570, NGC 4281, and NGC 7049. Our target galaxies have effective velocity dispersions (σe) between 170 and 245 km s−1, and thus this work provides additional insight into the black hole properties of intermediate-mass early-type galaxies. We combined high-resolution adaptive-optics SINFONI data with large-scale MUSE, VIMOS and SAURON data from ATLAS3D to derive two-dimensional stellar kinematics maps. We then built both Jeans Anisotropic Models and axisymmetric Schwarzschild models to measure the central black hole masses. Our Schwarzschild models provide black hole masses of (1.3 ± 0.5) × 108 M⊙ for NGC 584, (1.0 ± 0.6) × 108 M⊙ for NGC 2784, (7.7 ± 5) × 107 M⊙ for NGC 3640, (5.4 ± 0.8) × 108 M⊙ for NGC 4281, (6.8 ± 2.0) × 107 M⊙ for NGC 4570, and (3.2 ± 0.8) × 108 M⊙ for NGC 7049 at 3σ confidence level, which are consistent with recent MBH−σe scaling relations. NGC 3640 has a velocity dispersion dip and NGC 7049 a constant velocity dispersion in the center, but we can clearly constrain their lower black hole mass limit. We conclude our analysis with a test on NGC 4570 taking into account a variable mass-to-light ratio (M/L) when constructing dynamical models. When considering M/L variations linked mostly to radial changes in the stellar metallicity, we find that the dynamically determined black hole mass from NGC 4570 decreases by 30%. Further investigations are needed in the future to account for the impact of radial M/L gradients on dynamical modeling.
Impact of ownership structure and board independence on corporate performance: Empirical evidence from Pakistani listed firms

This study investigates the relationship between ownership structure, board independence and firm performance of eighty listed Pakistani firms for the period 2005-2009. Performance is appraise with the help of market based and accounting based performance measures. Market based measures of performance, namely, Marris ratio and Tobin"s Q, as well as accounting based measures, namely, ROA and ROE are employed to measure firm performace. Our regression estimates reveal a significant positive effect of board size on both market based and accounting based performance measures and significant negative effect of insider ownership on ROA, meanwhile board independence has significant positive impact on market based performance measures.
Accuracy of the Wind Speed Profile in the Lower PBL as Simulated by the WRF Model

Wind resource assessment for coastal areas requires accurate wind speed simulation using a mesoscale model. Our previous study found that the annual mean wind speed simulated by the advanced research Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF-ARW) model has a remarkable positive bias in the lower part of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). This result was obtained from a comparison with wind profiler measurements at Mihama, which is an observation station of the WInd profiler Network and Data Acquisition System (WINDAS) operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). In this study, we examine whether such a positive bias can be seen at other WINDAS stations from a comparison of the WRF-simulated wind speed profile using the Mellor-Yamada-Janjic (MYJ) PBL scheme with wind profiler measurements at ten WINDAS stations. The results show that the positive bias is found at all stations, and, moreover, that the positive bias is unlikely to be caused by either error in wind profiler measurement or the objective analysis data input into WRF. In addition, we compare the wind speed profiles simulated by WRF with seven different PBL schemes for a month. The result shows that the positive bias cannot be simply reduced by using other PBL schemes.
Shocks to Transition Risk

We propose and implement a method to identify shocks to transition risk. We identify transition risk shocks as instances where a strong differential valuation of green versus brown firms coincides with significant information on climate change. For that purpose, we combine information from long-short equity portfolios sorted on firms' carbon footprints with information from textual analysis of newspaper archives. We find that shocks increasing transition risk (negative abnormal returns of brown firms) induce a decline in aggregate and sectoral industrial production. Moreover, they significantly affect financial stability, as measured by the excess bond premium or credit conditions more generally. Finally, we document a pronounced asymmetry in the economy's response to shocks increasing or decreasing transition risk.
Applications of Morphochronology to the Active Tectonics of Tibet

The Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau were formed as a result of the collision of India and Asia, and provide an excellent opportunity to study the mechanical response of the continental lithosphere to tectonic stress. Geophysicists are divided in their views on the nature of this response, advocating either (1) homogeneously distributed deformation with the lithosphere deforming as a fluid continuum or (2) highly localized deformation with the lithosphere deforming as a system of blocks. The resolution of this issue has broad implications for understanding the tectonic response of continental lithosphere in general. Homogeneous deformation is supported by relatively low decadal, geodetic slip-rate estimates for the Altyn Tagh and Karakorum faults. Localized deformation is supported by high millennial, geomorphic slip rates constrained by both cosmogenic and radiocarbon dating on these faults. Based upon the agreement of rates determined by radiocarbon and cosmogenic dating, the overall linearity of offset versus age correlations, and the plateau-wide correlation of landscape evolution and climate history, the disparity between geomorphic and geodetic slip-rate determinations is unlikely to be due to the effects of surface erosion on the cosmogenic age determinations. Similarly, based upon the consistency of slip rates over various observation intervals, secular variations in slip rate appear to persist no longer than 2000 yr and are unlikely to provide reconciliation. Conversely, geodetic and geomorphic slip-rate estimates on the Kunlun fault, which does not have significant splays or associated thrust faults, are in good agreement, indicating that there is no fundamental reason why these complementary geodetic and geomorphic methods should disagree. Similarly, the geodetic and geomorphic estimates of shortening rates across the northeastern edge of the plateau are in reasonable agreement, and the geomorphic rates on individual thrust faults demonstrate a significant eastward decrease in the shortening rate. This rate decrease is consistent with the transfer of slip from the Altyn Tagh fault to genetically related thrust mountain building at its terminus. Rates on the Altyn Tagh fault suggest a similar decrease in rate, but the current data set is too small to be definitive. Overall, the high, late Pleistocene-Holocene geomorphic slip velocities on the major strike-slip faults of Tibet suggest that these faults absorb as much of India's convergence relative to Siberia as the Himalayan Main Frontal Thrust on the southern edge of the plateau.
On Optimal Regularization Methods for the Backward Heat Equation

In this paper we consider different regularization methods for solving the heat equation u + Au = 0 (0 < i < T) backward in time, where A : H -, H is a linear (unbounded) operator in a Hubert space H with norm and z 6 are the available (noisy) data for u(T) with 11 z6 u(T)ii < 5. Assuming 11 u ( 0 )11 < E we consider different regularized solutions q(t) for u(t) and discuss the question how to choose the regularization parameter = cs(5,E,t) in order to obtain optimal estimates sup q(t) u(t)11 < E'+'&+ where the supremum is taken over z6 E H, ll u (0 )11 < E and 11 z6 u(T)II < 5.
INEQUALITY AND PROPERTY RIGHTS, REVISITED

While the importance of institutions for growth and development has been firmly established, empirical assessments of their effect on income distributions remain largely inconclusive. In this study we revisit this issue, looking in particular at how property rights affect inequality. To this end, we use a state-space model to combine all available indicators tracking the protection of property rights into an index that covers 190 countries over the period 1994-2014. Using dynamic panel estimations based on the GMM-system and the X-differencing techniques, we find that increases in property rights translate into a worsening of distributional outcome. In line with existing studies, we find no strong evidence to show that democracy exerts an independent, direct effect on net income inequality. However, the estimated coefficient of the interaction term between property rights and democracy is negative and statistically significant; thus suggesting that in high democracies, property rights significantly decrease net-income inequality. These effects effects seem to play through the government’s redistribution as market-income inequality is not affected by property rights, democracy or their interaction. Our findings remain robust to specification, methodology, data structure and sample changes.
THE EFFECT OF AN INTEGRATED COURSE CLUSTER LEARNING COMMUNITY ON THE ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND TECHNICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE OF UPPER-LEVEL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE STUDENTS

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine if upper-level college students who participated in AgPAQ, an integrated course cluster learning community, would demonstrate enhanced learning in the areas of oral communication, written communication, and agronomic/economic technical content knowledge. The population (N = 182) consisted of students who participated in AgPAQ and five comparison groups: students in a farm management class; students in a stand-alone soil, fertilizer, and water management class; students in a soil, fertilizer, and water management class linked with an English course; and students in a paid volunteer group who had not previously participated in AgPAQ. Instruments included three rubrics that measured performance on written communication, oral communication, and agronomic/economic technical content knowledge. Analyses revealed that AgPAQ participants scored higher than non-AgPAQ participants on measures of oral and written communication in all comparisons. Also, AgPAQ participants scored higher on measures of agronomic/economic technical content knowledge than students in the non-AgPAQ paid volunteer group and students in the stand-alone soil, fertilizer, and water management class. AgPAQ participants also scored higher, but not significantly higher, than students in an English and agronomy linked integration. AgPAQ fostered enhanced learning in oral communication, written communication, and agronomic/economic technical content knowledge.
Constraining the redshifts of unlocalised fast radio bursts

Context. The relationship between the dispersion measures (DMs) and redshifts of fast radio bursts (FRBs) is of scientific interest. Upcoming commensal surveys may detect and localise many FRBs to the sub-arcsecond angular resolutions required for accurate redshift determination. Meanwhile, it is important to exploit sources accumulated with more limited localisation to their maximum scientific potential. Aims. We present techniques for the DM-redshift analysis of large numbers of unlocalised FRBs, accounting for uncertainties due to their extragalactic DM components, redshift dependences, and progenitor scenarios. Methods. We reviewed the components comprising observed FRB DMs. We built redshift-scalable probability distribution functions for these components, which we combined in cases of multiple progenitor scenarios. Accounting for prior FRB redshift distributions we inverted these models, enabling FRB redshifts to be constrained. Results. We illustrate the influence of FRB progenitors on their observed DMs, which may remain significant to redshift z ~ 3. We identify the FRB sample sizes required to distinguish between multiple progenitor scenarios. We place new, physically motivated redshift constraints on all catalogued FRBs to date and use these to reject potential host galaxies in the localisation area of an FRB according to various models. We identify further uses for DM-redshift analysis using many FRBs. We provide our code so that these techniques may be employed using increasingly realistic models as our understanding of FRBs evolves.
21 Cell Sources for Treating Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most prevailing metabolic disorders worldwide. The number of individuals suffering from diabetes is increasing significantly. There are two main types of diabetes; Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1D) and Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2D). T1D results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells. This results in a complete loss of insulin, a hormone that is essential for loading any excess circulating glucose into target organs. Individuals with T1D therefore need daily injections of insulin so as to regulate their circulating blood glucose concentrations and survive with the disease. Although such lifelong insulin therapy supports glucose metabolism, patients often develop complications related to renal function, endothelial damage and retinopathy. T1D usually develops in children or young adults. T2D on the other hand results from insulin resistance, a condition in which insulin is not properly recognized by receptors on cell surface. It is sometimes combined with an absolute insulin deficiency as eventually these patients loose their β cells and are then classified as type 2 diabetic individuals requiring insulin. It usually occurs in people over 40 years of age, but is also being observed at younger age. A cure for diabetes came in with the demonstration to support insulin action and regain the patient’s quality of life by transplantation of cadaveric insulin-producing cells (Tzakis et al., 1990). Such a therapy, which in practice includes whole pancreas transplantation or transplantation of the endocrine portion; the islet of Langerhans, has been carried out in several patients suffering from Diabetes. In year 2000, the Edmonton group successfully demonstrated transplantation of cadaveric islets using a steroid-free immunosuppressive regimen, which was a major advance in the field. The Edmonton Protocol involves isolating islets from a cadaveric donor pancreas using enzymatic digestion. Islets from one to as many as three donors were transplanted in to each recipient. Cadaveric islets are infused into the patient's portal vein, and are then kept from being destroyed by the recipient's immune system through the use of two immunosuppressants, sirolimus and tacrolimus (Shapiro et al., 2000). Several hundred people have received islet transplants since 2000. By a year after transplantation, about 50 68% of patients were observed off insulin, but by five years after the procedure, less than 10% of total patients were seen to be free of daily insulin injections. One of the major factors in success of these