Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Manufacturing Surveys to Assess Economic Conditions

Regional economic data are highly valued by analysts, but data are often available only with long lags. The alternative, surveys, provide timely access to regional economic information, but relatively small sample sizes can jeopardize the accuracy of the results. Recognizing this tradeoff, analysts periodically verify the accuracy of survey information. Examination of the results from three surveys with relatively long monthly data histories — the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the Philadelphia Fed's Business Survey, and the Richmond Fed's Survey of Manufacturing — reveals the following: The Richmond Fed Survey provides useful information about Fifth District economic conditions. The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) component of the ISM survey is a good leading indicator of changes in U.S. Gross Domestic Product. The Philadelphia and Richmond Surveys correlate well with the ISM results but capture different information. When combined, the surveys provide especially good signals of changes in the ISM. The Richmond Survey is currently released after the ISM, substantially reducing its usefulness as an indicator of ISM results — though it remains a good gauge of regional economic activity. The analysis suggests the Richmond Survey could be made more valuable by computing a composite index of Fifth District manufacturing activity index and advancing the release date of the results.
Effects of Stigmergic and Explicit Coordination on Wikipedia Article Quality

Prior research on Wikipedia has noted the importance of both explicit coordination of edits (i.e., through the article Talk page) and stigmergic coordination (i.e., through the article itself). Using a panel data set of article quality and edits for 23 articles over time, we examine the impact of different kinds of edits on article quality. We find that stigmergically-coordinated edits seem to have the biggest effect on quality, but that explicit coordination of major edits also predicts article quality. The findings have implications for both research on coordination in Wikipedia and for supporting editors.
CORRELATION BETWEEN NUTRIENT CONCENTRATIONS DETERMINED BY COMMONLY USED SOIL TESTING METHODS

Soil test is an efficient and direct tool to determine soil fertility. In the past century, many testing methods have been developed to determine the nutrient concentrations of soils, especially those that adequately reflect crop uptake. These extractants have different mechanisms of action and can extract different forms of nutrients in the soil. Due to the different extraction methods used, the analytical data of each laboratory is often difficult to compare with each other. In this study, we compare the nutrient concentrations extracted by the soil extractants commonly used in Taiwan, to clarify the correlation between nutrient concentrations determined by different testing methods. Some conversion equations between nutrient concentrations determined by different testing methods were also reviewed. It may serve to convert a soil test value to its equivalent value for another extractant, and enhance the information exchanging among different laboratories.
Risk factors for colonic diverticular bleeding:A Westernized community based hospital study

AIM:To evaluate the risk factors-other than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-for colonic diverticular bleeding in a westernized population. METHODS:One hundred and forty patients,treated for symptomatic diverticular disease in a community based hospital,were included.Thirty(21%) had signs of diverticular bleeding.Age,gender,and the results of colonoscopy were collected and compared to a group of patients with nonbleeding symptomatic diverticulosis.Records were reviewed for comorbidities,such as obesity,alcohol consumption,smoking habits and metabolic diseases.Special emphasis was put on arterial hypertension,cardiovascular events,diabetes mellitus,hyperuricemia and hypercholesterinemia. RESULTS:There was no difference between patients with diverticular hemorrhage and those with nonbleeding symptomatic diverticulosis regarding gender ratio(male/female 9/21 vs 47/63) and diverticular localisation.Bleeding patients differed in respect to age(73.4±9.9 vs 67.8±13.0,P0.013) . Significant differences were found between both groups regarding the presence of hyperuricemia and use of steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Patients with three concomitant metabolic diseases were also identified as being at risk of bleeding.A forward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed steroids,hyperuricemia and the use of calcium-channel blockers as independent risk factors of bleeding.CONCLUSION:Beside nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory steroid drug use,antihypertensive medication and concomitant arteriosclerotic diseases are risk factors for colonic diverticular hemorrhage.Our results support the hypothesis of an altered arteriosclerotic vessel as the source of bleeding.
Board independence and voluntary financial disclosure: The moderating role of ownership structure

Voluntary disclosure and corporate governance variables are considered important mechanisms for the reduction of the information asymmetries and conflicts of interest potentially arising between competing parties of the firms. This paper aims at investigating the relationship between board independence and quality of voluntary financial disclosure and how previous relationship is moderated by the level of ownership concentration. The analysis has been conducted on a sample of Italian non-financial listed companies and the results show that there is a significant positive relationship between board independence and the quality of voluntary financial disclosure. Moreover, our findings reveal that ownership concentration plays a relevant moderating role in that relationship, highlighting the necessity to consider the interaction effects of different governance mechanisms when studying corporate governance effectiveness
The Origins of CSR In Theory and Practice: Chapter from CSR History In The CEE Region

This study reviews the history of business ethics and the history of CSR from both the theoretical and practitioner’s perspective and possible lessons it could provide. The concept of CSR is a well-researched topic, however research analyzing the pre-1950 roots of CSR and research in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is scarce. The historical contextualization of social responsibility is crucial in understanding the phenomenon of CSR and how it moved from practice to academia [1]. There are several academic studies analyzing the ‘historic’ CSR in other countries. To add another piece to the mosaic, this study presents a historical analysis of the CSR practice in the Baťa Shoe Company from 1894-1932; representing an intriguing application of CSR prior conceptualization of the subject matter. The analysis of Baťa’s management methods will help in better understanding of the paradigmatic shift of the CSR concept from practice to academia.
ALVEOLAR RIDGE AUGMENTATION: A COMPARATIVELONGITUDINALSTUDYBETWEEN CALVARIA AND ILIAC CREST BONE GRAFTS

T he anatomic limitations of the residual alveolar bone can cause problems for the insertion of dental implants. Lessthan-ideal sites can result in an esthetic and functional compromise because implant placement requires an adequate quantity and quality of bone. In many cases, however, this anatomic problem can be solved with autogenous bone grafts, which are the most predictable and successful material available. The individual implant success rates with maxillary and mandibular bone grafts vary from 61% to 98%. Insertion of endosseous implants in atrophic jaws is often complicated because of lack of supporting bone. To increase
On searching probability of two-factor interaction1

The probability of correct model identification, the searching probability, is important for assessing search designs. We show that the expression for searching probability provided by Shirakura, Takashi and Srivastava (1996) significantly over-estimates the true searching probability. We first present two classes of balanced designs for identifying one non-negligible two-factor interaction along with their searching probabilities obtained using the expression given by Shirakura, Takashi and Srivastava (1996). Then, we present a simulation study which shows that their expression substantially over-estimates the true searching probability, particularly for moderate effect size relative to error variance. We, thus, recommend that searching probability should be evaluated through simulation unless error variance is expected to be small relative to effect size. Some results on searching probability for identifying two non-negligible two-factor interactions are also presented.
Effect of Alternaria sp on seed germination in rapeseed, and its control with seed treatment

The role of Alternaria sp on seed vigor of rapeseed, Brassica napus, was investigated. Seed samples were collected from rapeseed growing regions of Sindh province. The samples were processed for fungal recovery using blotter paper and agar plate methods. Both methods produced a number of parasitic and saprophytic fungi. Among the recovered fungi, Alternaria sp was predominant with 16% average infection. Similarly, effect of seed treatment with Topsin M. was examined in this experiment. It improved seed health significantly over inoculated seeds. The treated seeds showed greater germination (16.15%) with 83.69% more healthy seedling in comparison with inoculated seeds. Root and shoot systems were significantly improved in seedlings from treated seed compared to those from inoculated seeds. The results of this study suggest grading seed samples to reduce seed impurities and seed treatment (particularly with Topsin M) to eliminate seed borne pathogen, especially Alternaria from rapeseed to enhance production by the growers. Key words: Seed health, seed borne fungi, Alternaria, seed treatment.
Bony Orbital Volume Measurement in Normal Adults using CT Scan

Purposes : To measure orbital volumes in normal adults using computed tomography to help make proper diagnoses and treatments of orbital diseases. Methods : Among the patients who had CT scan taken between July 1995 and March 2001, we evaluated the scan results of 142 orbits in 112 adults over the age of 20 years with no pathology in the orbit. The anterior and posterior borders were defined as the zygomatico-frontal suture and the optic canal, respectively. We summed up the area according to the serial coronal views covering the whole orbit, calculated the volume of the whole orbit mathematically and compared the volume between the left and right eyes according to the sex. Results : The normal mean orbital volume of male adults was 24.512. 89 mm3 (range, 19.331.9 mm3), and that of women, 21.592. 19 mm3 (range 18.0~26.5 mm3), showing the difference of 2.92 mm3 (p=0.049) between the sexes. When both orbital volume measurements were summed up, the volume of the left and right orbits was 24.41 cm3 and 24.10 cm3 in adult men, respectively. On the other hand, it was 21.54 cm3 and 21.45 cm3 in adult women, respectively. The differences in each group (0.31 cm3 , male; 0.09 cm3 , female) showed no statistical significance (p=0.064, male; 0.698, female). Conclusions : We could measure orbital volumes of normal adults with accurate data on orbital structures by orbital CT. We believe our data will be very helpful in diagnosis of orbital bone fractures, anophthalmic socket, tumors and abnormalities of the orbit. Furthermore, they will play an important role in treatment as well.
Comparison of Bone Turnover Markers between Young Adult Male Smokers and Nonsmokers

Background This study aims to compare the differences in the means of bone formation and resorption markers between young adult male smokers and nonsmokers. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional, descriptive design. Thirty-five smokers and 38 nonsmokers were recruited. All participants completed self-reported questionnaires about demographics, physical activity, and smoking status. In addition, blood specimens were collected to determine serum levels of bone turnover markers. Results Regarding bone formation markers, the least square means (LSM) for osteoprotegerin (OPG) and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) were similar for smoking and nonsmoking groups. Regarding bone resorption markers, the LSM serum carboxyl-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (CTXI) level was found to be significantly lower in smokers than nonsmokers [0.82 ± 0.83 vs. 1.30 ± 0.82 ng/mL, F (1, 66) = 5.73, p = 0.020]. The LSM for soluble-receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (sRANKL) [1.64 ± 0.60 vs. 1.69 ± 0.62 ng/mL, F (1,64) = 10.74, p = 0.002] and RANKL/OPG [2.62 ± 1.09 vs. 2.81 ± 1.10 ng/mL, F (1,65) = 5.88, p = 0.018] were different for smoking and nonsmoking groups. Exploration of the moderating influence of physical activity on smoking effects revealed significant effect for the interaction between smoking status and physical activity on sRANKL [F (2, 64) = 8.63, p = 0.001] and RANKL/OPG ratio [F (2, 65) = 5.49, p = 0.006]. Conclusion Our study provides evidence for the effect of smoking on bone resorption markers in young adult males. Such effects should be carefully considered side by side with other lifestyles that may lead to poor bone health and increased risk for osteoporosis.
Girls’ school attendance: A Dynamic discrete choice structural approach∗

This paper studies the determinants of girls’ schooling choices in a rural area of Pakistan where drop-out rates are considerably high for older girls. The paper estimates a dynamic structural model that allows for the analyses of interrelations between girls’ schooling and mother’s labour market participation decision. The model explicitly takes into account the role of home production as an important economic factor. Moreover, the paper simulates the impact of different policies to increase girls’ educational attendance. Our results suggest that monetary incentives, such as the conditional cash transfer (CCT), are a good mechanism to increase girls’ school enrollment, but not necessarily the most cost effective. From a policy perspective, a school building program and the availability of free daycare centers would induce a greater impact on school enrollment at similar cost. The impact of the CCT program on older girls’ school enrollment rate for the secondary school was only 34% and 91% as large as the school building program and the mandatory child care program, respectively. In terms of welfare, the impact of the CCT program is much closer to the impact of the school building program and becomes bigger when compared with the mandatory child care program.
The Effect of Unfair Chances and Gender Discrimination on Labor Supply

Labor market opportunities and wages may be unfair for various reasons, and how workers respond to different types of unfairness can have major economic consequences. Using an online labor platform, where workers engage in an individual task for a piece-rate wage, we investigate the causal effect of neutral and gender-discriminatory unfair chances on labor supply. We randomize workers into treatments where we control relative pay and chances to receive a low or a high wage. Chances can be fair, unfair based on an unspecified source, or unfair based on gender discrimination. Unequal pay reduces labor supply of low-wage workers, irrespective of whether the low wage is the result of fair or unfair chances. Importantly, the source of unfair chances matters. When a low wage is the result of gender-discriminatory chances, workers matched with a high-wage worker substantially reduce their labor supply compared to the case of equal low wages (-22%). This decrease is twice as large as those induced by low wages due to fair chances or unfair chances coming from an unspecified source. In addition, exploratory analysis suggests that in response to unequal pay, low-wage male workers reduce labor supply irrespective of the source of inequality, whereas low-wage female workers reduce labor supply only if unequal pay is due to gender-discriminatory chances. Our results concerning gender discrimination indicate a new reason for the lower labor supply of women, which is a prominent explanation for the gender gap in earnings.
Comprehensive Social Media Security Analysis & XKeyscore Espionage Technology

Social networks can offer many services to the users for sharing activities events and their ideas. Many attacks can happened to the social networking websites due to trust that have been given by the users. Cyber threats are discussed in this paper. We study the types of cyber threats, classify them and give some suggestions to protect social networking websites of variety of attacks. Moreover, we gave some antithreats strategies with future trends.
IS DARK MATTER MADE OF AXIONS?

This review investigates the axion and axion-like particles (ALPs) as candidates for dark matter. The types of ALPs and their properties are examined, followed by a review of ALPs as dark matter particle candidates. The current constraints are investigated alongside the possible detection methods in use today. Future experiments and expected improvements to sensitivity are also discussed, to summarise the prospects for the next generation of axion search experiments. Hannah M. Wakeling Supervised by Professor J. Monroe
The Effect of the Linguistic Landscape of Today’s Science on the Performance Indicators of Researchers from a Latin American Country: A Trend for the Region?

The scientific databases that are most used nowadays confirm the prevalence of English as the language of today’s science. The effect of this linguistic landscape, however, has only recently been the focus of scientometric studies. Here we correlate language competence and research performance, focusing on the writing skills of Brazilian researchers and their publication output in English-, Portuguese-, Spanish-, French-, and German-language journals. We also compare performance indicators such as number of papers (Nps) and citations (Ncs) for English and French writing skills. A significant correlation was found between English proficiency and publication output for English-language journals, but not Portuguese-, Spanish-, Frenchor German-language journals. Additionally, there was a correlation of writing skills in English (but not in French) with Nps and Ncs for publications in the Web of Science; higher Nps and Ncs were found for researchers with “good writing skills” in English. Our results suggest that a linguistic factor underlies the research performance of Brazilian researchers. Accordingly, other Latin American countries should assess the effect of this linguistic issue on their research communities. We propose to create a network of scientometricians, linguists and educators in Latin America to evaluate whether a similar trend prevails in other countries of the region.
Effect Of Silixol Plus On Germination And Growth Of Rice

A Seed germination study was conducted at Department of Agronomy, Annamalai University, India during February 2019 to study the effect of silixol plus on germination and growth of rice. The treatments comprised of five levels of silixol plus viz., 0 ppm (T1), 1ppm (T2), 2 ppm (T3), 3 ppm (T4) and 4 ppm (T5) and were laid out by adopting randomized block design (RBD) with four replications. Among the different levels, seed soaking with Silixol plus @ 2 ppm recorded higher values for seed germination percentage on 3, 5, 7 and 9 day after sowing. The same treatment recorded higher values for growth parameters of rice seedling viz., shoot length, root length, vigour index, fresh weight, relative root and shoot elongation rate on 9 day after sowing. This was followed by silixol plus @ 1 ppm and on par with each other. When the concentration of silixol plus exceed @ 2 ppm, the germination and growth on rice seedlings were gradually decreased, even lesser than control (0 ppm) at Silixol plus @ 4 ppm. Therefore, this study showed seed soaking with silixol plus @ 1 ppm concentration is a viable practice to enhance the germination and growth of rice.
Comparison of the Reproductive Success and Mortality of Native and Exotic Tree Species in the North East of Libya

The aim of the present study was to comparison of the reproductive success and natural mortality of native species and introduction species used in degraded land restoration in the Jabal Akhdar. The present study has demonstrated that the native species, proved capable of natural regeneration, particularly pistacia lentiscus and Juniperus phoenicea trees. While, Pinus halepensis and Ceratonia siliqua trees showed weak ability for natural regeneration. The exotic species show weak ability for natural regeneration compare to native species. We found a significant difference of the reproductive success of exotic species separately. In contrast to the situation for Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus pinea, the total number of seedlings of Acacia cyanophylla and E. gomphocephala trees at most sites is very low, which confirms that this species has not been able to regenerate naturally, and is also subject to quite high levels of natural mortality of trees. As expected, these results suggest progressive degradation of vegetation generally, in the Jabal Akhdar. It is clear that reduction of the regeneration thus reduces the possibility of combating desertification. Overall, it could be concluded that native species are better than exotic ones for achieving a sustainable forest system.
Markers of Visual Identity: Industrial Sites and Landscapes in Picture Postcards during the Socialist Period of Romania

The scientific study of postcards is characteristic of the second half of the 20 th century to the present day. Research showed that postcards had been undervalued as a resource offering information about the world, despite the fact that, in what Geography is concerned for instance, postcards offer valuable information about both the Earth and people’s lives. Our study focuses on picture postcards produced and circulated during the Romanian socialist period and, from their multitude, we narrowed down our research to the ones representing industrial sites and landscapes. Our hypothesis stated that there was a close relationship between the political ideology in Romania, the discourse on economic development and the representation of societal development through industry. Therefore, the aim was to identify the major representation features considering this topic of industrial development. We used mainly visual methodology to assess the information offered by picture postcards of this period and discourse analysis to identify the main ideas spread through scientific texts and we connected these two in order to contextualize the representations of industrial development in Romania. For our analysis, we used a sample of picture postcards with representations of most of the cities and towns of Socialist Romania. Our conclusions may enable decision-makers to choose the best solutions about valorizing industrial objectives as they were firmly marked in the citizens’ conscience and in the way they perceived Romanian territorial identity and heritage.
EMPLOYERS’ USE OF PRESSURE AND PROFIT SHARING IN TEAMS BY

The analysis of descriptions of job openings from the online job board Monster.com suggests that, when team work is an important part of a job, employers are more likely to reward their workers with some form of profit sharing and by recruiting workers with a strong sense of loyalty, pride, and trust, or workers who value social ties in the workplace to cultivate a work environment where shirking is penalized by guilt. This finding is consistent with the notion that profit sharing can elicit effectively effort in teams as long as employers make shirking sufficiently costly. This conclusion extends across different industries, occupations, and levels in a firm’s hierarchy, and is robust to firm fixed effects and alternative definitions of team work. JEL classification codes: J23, M52