Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on United States Taxpayers

A continually growing population of illegal aliens, along with the federal government’s ineffective efforts to secure our borders, present significant national security and public safety threats to the United States. They also have a severely negative impact on the nation’s taxpayers at the local, state, and national levels. Illegal immigration costs Americans billions of dollars each year. Illegal aliens are net consumers of taxpayer-funded services and the limited taxes paid by some segments of the illegal alien population are, in no way, significant enough to offset the growing financial burdens imposed on U.S. taxpayers by massive numbers of uninvited guests. This study examines the fiscal impact of illegal aliens as reflected in both federal and state budgets.
Disentangling the Roles of Topography, Patch, and Land Use on Conservation Trait Status of Specialist Birds in Marginal Forest Land Use Types

One of the main questions in ecology and conservation is how organisms are governed and affected by their traits within the context of abiotic gradients. The main question of our study addresses how patch, topography, and land use influence conservation trait status (rarity and red-list index) of birds generally, and of farmland and woodland specialists specifically, in marginal forest landscape types. We sampled birds from 68 traditional fruit orchards existing as remnants of agroforestry within the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic during two consecutive years. We recorded 57 bird species, of which 31 species were forest dwellers and 16 farmland dwellers. Topographical predictors played the most significant role in influencing traits of the bird community as a whole. Farmland bird traits indicated the most balanced values, as they were significantly influenced by all studied predictor sets. Their responses nevertheless differed among the studied traits and also showed a more complex pattern because the values of interaction between some predictor categories were relatively high. Traits of woodland birds were most influenced by the patch configuration. We found that a structurally diversified marginal habitat type of traditional fruit orchards is able to promote a number of specialist species and also reveals important relationships between bird conservation traits and different predictor sets. Researchers should pay more attention to the conservation traits of birds and their interactions with environmental predictors. Furthermore, conservationists should be more attentive to the biodiversity value and sustainable management of traditional fruit orchards.
Does Health Literacy of Hemodialyzed Patients Predict the Type of Their Vascular Access? A Cross-Sectional Study on Slovak Hemodialyzed Population

Effective vascular access (VA) is an essential condition for providing hemodialysis, affecting patients’ health outcomes. We aim to explore how health literacy (HL) as a non-clinical factor is associated with the decision-making process regarding VA type selection. Using data from 20 dialysis centers across Slovakia (n = 542, mean age = 63.6, males = 60.7%), the association of HL with type of VA (arteriovenous fistula (AVF) vs. central venous catheter (CVC)) was analyzed using a logistic regression model adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidity. Sociodemographic data and data on nine domains of HL were collected by questionnaire. Data on VA and comorbidity were obtained from a medical records. Patients with a greater ability to engage with healthcare providers (odds ratio (OR): 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00–1.78), those with a better ability to navigate the healthcare system (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.08–1.85), those more able to find good health information (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.15–2.03), and those who understand it well enough to know what to do (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.12–2.06) are more likely to have AVF. Patients’ HL is associated with the type of VA; therefore, it should be considered in the decision-making process regarding the selection of the type of VA, thereby informing strategies for improving patients’ HL and doctor–patient communication.
Gender wage gap and the role of skills: evidence from PIAAC dataset

Our paper makes a first attempt to address the impact of skills and skill use in the analysis of the gender wage gap using the PIAAC dataset. Using the case of Austria, we show that skill use as well as the skill match play an important role with regard to wage regressions of men as well as women. When we take skills into account in the gender wage gap analysis, the unexplained part of the gender wage gap is reduced by almost 4 percentage points along the whole wage distribution. Our results suggest that skill use and match play a crucial role in explaining the gender wage gap. Additionally, we show, that the self-selection problem biases the results, in particular in the lower and middle parts of the wage distribution and that we should control for it, although the effect is small. When we additionally consider discretionary bonus payments, we find that the unexplained part in the gender wage gap increases, especially in the upper part of the wage distribution.
Low frequency rTMS effects on sensorimotor

Previous studies using low frequency (1 Hz) rTMS over the motor and premotor cortex have examined repetitive movements, but focused either on motor aspects of performance such as movement speed, or on variability of the produced intervals. A novel question is whether TMS affects the synchronization of repetitive movements with an external cue (sensorimotor synchronization). In the present study participants synchronized finger taps with the tones of an auditory metronome. The aim of the study was to examine whether motor and premotor cortical inhibition induced by rTMS affects timing aspects of synchronization performance such as the coupling between the tap and the tone and error correction after a metronome perturbation. Metronome sequences included perturbations corresponding to a change in the duration of a single interval (phase shifts) that were either small and below the threshold for conscious perception (10 ms) or large and perceivable (50 ms). Both premotor and motor cortex stimulation induced inhibition, as reflected in a lengthening of the silent period. Neither motor nor premotor cortex rTMS altered error correction after a phase shift. However, motor cortex stimulation made participants tap closer to the tone, yielding a decrease in tap-tone asynchrony. This provides the first neurophysiological demonstration of a dissociation between error correction and tap-tone asynchrony in sensorimotor synchronization. We discuss the results in terms of current theories of timing and error correction.
Telomerase activity in breast cancer, promising marker of disease progression

Telomerase is the intracellular reverse transcriptase responsible for the elongation of chromosomal telomere after each division cycle of viable cells. Human telomeres progressively shorten with ongoing cell division until they reach a critical length that induces senescence. Telomerase is an attractive target for diagnosis and therapy of cancers, since it maintain tumor cells division keeping them survive and avoiding apoptosis. It is expressed in 80–90% of DCIS lesions and in 90% of invasive breast cancer cells, while it is not expressed in most normal cells. It can reliably be detected by IHC in fixed human tissues. Telomerase expression showed a step wise increase in progression of breast cancer. The prospective assessment of telomerase within breast cancer may lead to its use as a diagnostic marker and improve diagnostic accuracy.
Evaluation of carcass characteristics and meat chemical composition of Bos indicus and Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbred steers finished in pasture systems

The objective of this study was to evaluate the carcass characteristics (carcass weight, carcass yield, fat thickness, loin area, marbling and colour) and chemical composition of the Longissimus dorsi muscle (moisture, ash, crude protein, fat and cholesterol) of cuts with or without fat thickness, of Bos indicus and Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbred steers finished in millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) or star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus Pilger) pasture systems, with mineral or mineral protein supplementation. Animals were slaughtered with an average body weight of 450 kg (Bos indicus) or 470 kg (Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbreed). There was no treatments effect on carcass characteristics and meat chemical composition of cut without fat thickness. The cuts with fat thickness of steers fed millet presented the highest fat deposition. Bos indicus steers presented higher carcass yield (57.23%) and fat thickness (4.88 mm) compared with crossbreed (53.40% and 3.05 mm). There was no breed effect on chemical composition of meat. The mean levels of cholesterol concentration were 31.41 mg/100 and 37.55 mg/100g of meat with and without fat thickness.
FluxLetter Vol3 no3_a.pub

revolution is emerging among the FLUXNET community where groups of scientists are producing global scale information on carbon and water fluxes. They are doing so by merging of information from networks of flux towers, biophysical models, ecological databases and satellite-based remote sensing to produce a new generation of flux maps on monthly, yearly and decadal intervals. The success of this effort is only possible by the altruistic sharing of data by each and every one of us, and represents a joint effort. This issue of the FLUXLETTER profiles several groups who are leading the global upscaling charge with a combination of statistical and biophysical models. The effort to produce flux information with a global extent grew out of a general desire to solve problems related to perturFluxLetter
Monitoring the Self-healing of Concrete from the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity

Concrete has the ability to naturally heal its cracks, in a process called self-healing. This article aimed to analyze the self-healing of concretes, evaluating the influence of fly ash and the age of occurrence of cracks. Concrete specimens were submitted to cracking at 7 and 28 days. Subsequently, the samples were exposed to 12 wetting and drying cycles in order to favor the self-healing process. The phenomenon was evaluated through the ultrasonic pulse velocity testing, performed weekly on the specimens from the molding stage until the end of all cycles. The concretes showed a decrease in ultrasonic pulse velocity at the time they were cracked. This is due to the greater difficulty in the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the voids formed during cracking. This drop was higher for concrete with fly ash. Also, the results show that the fly ash concretes presented a more expressive self-healing process when cracked at 28 days, which may be related to the presence of pozzolanic reactions and the presence of more anhydrous particles. The concretes without fly ash had self-healing when they were cracked at 7 days. This is explained by the high hydration rate characteristic of ordinary Portland cement.
An integrative description of Macrobiotus hannae sp. nov. (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae: hufelandi group) from Poland

A new species of the Macrobiotus hufelandi group is described from Poland. An integrative taxonomic approach was applied by combining morphological and morphometric analysis imaging under phase contrast and scanning electron microscopy with molecular analysis (four molecular markers) to unambiguously support the establishment of the new species. The specimens of Macrobiotus hannae sp. nov. are similar to three taxa of the Macrobiotus hufelandi complex: Macrobiotus hufelandi C.A. S. Schultze, 1834; M. punctillus Pilato, Binda & Azzaro, 1990; and M. joannae Pilato & Binda, 1983. Nevertheless, the new species differs from the first two species by the absence of cuticular bars under claws on legs I? III, better developed oral cavity armature (large, with all three bands of teeth always well visible), the presence of a subterminal constriction in the second macroplacoid, some fine peculiarities in egg ornamentation morphology, and differences in a number of morphometric characters. The new species is most similar to M. joannae but it can be distinguished from it by the presence of a much finer granulation on the dorsal and lateral cuticle of the body that, in contrast to M. joannae , is not visible in light microscopy. Our study suggests that European records of M. joannae are most likely invalid and they represent M. hannae or an unknown similar species.
BOILING HEAT TRANSFER MODELLING: A REVIEW AND FUTUR E PROSPECTUS

This paper reviews the current status of boiling he at transfer modelling, discusses the need for its improvement due to unres olved intriguing experimental findings and emergence of novel techni cal applications and outlines the directions for an advanced modelling a pproach. The state-ofthe-art of computational boiling heat transfer stud ies is given for (i) macroscale boiling models applied in two-fluid liquid-va pour interpenetrating media approach, (ii) micro-/meso-scale boiling comp utations by interface capturing methods and (iii) nano-scale boiling simu lations by molecular dynamics tools. Advantages, limitations and shortco mings of each approach, which originate from its grounding formulations, ar e discussed and illustrated on results obtained by the boiling mode l developed in our research group. Based on these issues, we stress th e importance of adaptation of a multi-scale approach for developmen t of an advanced boiling predictive methodology. A general road-map is outlined for achieving this challenging goal, which should inclu de (i) improvement of existing methods for computation of boiling on diff erent scales and (ii) development of conceptually new algorithms for link ing of individual scale methods. As dramatically different time steps of in tegration for different boiling scales hinder the application of full multi -scale methodology on boiling problems of practical significance, we emph asise the importance of development of another algorithm for the determinat ion of sub-domains within a macro-scale boiling region, which are rele vant for conductance of small-scale simulations.
Heritabiliy Studies In Some Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor. L. Moench) Genotypes

Studies were carried out to estimate the extent of heritability in some cultivated genotypes of sweet sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Thirty genotypes were used for the evaluation. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for most traits studied. Days to 50% flowering (DTF) had low PCV and GCV. Head weight had low GCV but higher PCV. 1000 grain weight was also low for PCV and GCV. Moderate GCV was observed within the range of 11.7 (stem thickness) to 19.8 (number of nodes). High GCV was observed within the range of 22.3 (panicle length) to 31.5 (sugar content). Moderate PCV ranged from 13.3 (stem thickness) to 16.6 (number of nodes) and PCV ranged from 20.0 (number of nodes) to 43.3 (head weight). But the GCV was near to PCV for traits like DTF, plant height, number of nodes, number of leaves, grain yield and sugar content, indicating a highly significant effect of genotype on phenotypic expression for these traits with very little effect of environment. The genotypes studied showed high heritability for eight (8) traits out of the 10 traits studied in the range of 69.4 (plant height) to 97.3 (number of nodes). Moderate heritability of 55.9 was observed for 1000 grain weight and low heritability of 1.5 for head weight. Keywords: heritability, GCV, PCV, genotypes.
Adult Reports of Pokémon GO Play: Stronger Parasocial Relationships Predict Increased Nostalgia and Decreased App Play

Lack of physical activity is often associated with electronic media use. However, augmented reality exergames require player movement, making them a potential health application (app). In the exergame Pokémon GO, characters were embedded into the external environment through a live camera feed and viewed through a player’s smartphone screen. Online surveys from adults (N = 230) who played the Pokémon GO app reported about their childhood emotionally tinged, parasocial relationships with a favorite Pokémon character, motivations to play Pokémon GO, and frequency of Pokémon GO play. Those who had stronger childhood parasocial relationships with a Pokémon character reported playing the Pokémon GO app for nostalgic reasons but reported less frequent app play. Older participants were motivated to play Pokémon GO to increase their physical activity levels and reported more frequent app play. The findings suggest that the age and motivations of players are important considerations for exergame design.
The Effects of Oil Shocks on Turkish Macroeconomic Aggregates

This paper examines the impacts of oil price shocks on macroeconomic aggregates of Turkey. We find evidence suggesting the influential role of oil price shocks on macroeconomic aggregates. In other words, we find that oil price shocks affect output growth negatively with a delay. However, higher oil prices are associated with higher inflation, and depreciating exchange rate. We also explore the role of asymmetric oil shocks on macroeconomic aggregates and find that both oil price increases and decreases are associated with a delayed lower output growth rate. Furthermore, we find oil price increases affect inflation positively with a delay. The appreciation of exchange rate appears with a delay due to oil price decreases
F Determinants of sovereign bond yields in emerging economies : Some panel inferences Sri

In the backdrop of international financial crisis, debt markets across the globe became highly volatile, highly contagious and posed a high risk to advanced as well as emerging economies. In this regard, the study tries to identify the proximate determinants of sovereign bond yields in emerging economies from 1980 to 2013. The empirical results of Pedroni panel cointegration tests and dynamic ordinary least squares tests show that the factors like exchange rate, federal reserve rate, oil price, US bond yield, gold price and real interest rate are the proximate determinants of the emerging economies' bond yields.
“Engaged, Burned Out, or Both?” A Structural Equation Model Testing Risk and Protective Factors for Social Workers in Refugee and Homeless Aid

The present study sheds light on social workers’ working conditions in highly demanding settings and examines the associations between their perceived job demands, resources, resilience, personal burnout, and work engagement. A cross-sectional quantitative online survey was conducted with employees in social work institutions of independent and public sponsors providing help for refugees and homeless persons. The study participants were 243 social workers (68.8% female and 31.3% male) from four federal states in Germany. Correlations between social workers’ job demands, resources, burnout, and work engagement were confirmed in accordance with the Job Demands–Resources model. Results of the structural equation modelling revealed significant positive effects of employees’ job demands on their personal burnout, but no significant effects on their work engagement. The meaning of work as a job resource was significantly positively related to work engagement and negatively related to burnout. Although resilience did not moderate the relationship between employees’ job demands and burnout, it had a significant negative effect on burnout and a positive effect on work engagement. The results indicate a need for the development of health promotion measures for social workers in homeless and refugee aid. Structural approaches should target the reduction of employees’ job demands to diminish their potentially health-depleting effects. Of equal importance, behavioural measures should foster employees’ meaning of work and resilience, since both resources showed beneficial effects on their work engagement and were negatively related to burnout.
Methods for the secure and economical operation of inter-connected electrical power systems

This thesis considers aspects of the operation of electric power systems. In particular the focus is on the operation in systems where multiple operators are jointly responsible for the operation of an interconnected system, but where each operator is solely responsible for a sub-system. Due the the manner in which the operation is separated, the operators have detailed information about the subsystem they control, but only limited information about the rest of the system. The market liberalization, and an interest in an integrated panEuropean energy market, are leading to increased cross-border power flows. These increased cross-border flows increase the interdependencies between the areas. With increasing interdependencies the problems associated with operators only having limited knowledge about the entire system increase. In order to reduce these issues, which include an inability to properly dispatch generation and being able to perform security analysis, this thesis presents methods which can be used to perform data-exchange without requiring that all information needs to be exchanged. By using repeated exchange of the price and amount of energy traded together with an iterative solution of the local generation dispatch problem, a multi-lateral solution for the interconnected system is achieved. The method is evaluated with respect to how close its solution is to the central one, both for the non-security constrained and the security constrained case. This method is then extended to include HVDC transmission systems. In order to allow the operators to evaluate the effect of contingencies
P/E-ratios in relative valuation - a mission impossible?

Relative P/E-ratio valuation apparently still plays an important role among investment research analysts and advisors (cf. Goldman Sachs,1999). In a valuation model of this kind, the value of owners´equity is typically calculated as a function of an observed P/E-ratio for some peer company, or the mean/median P/E-ratio for some group of peer companies. The research question being addressed in the paper is concerned with the validity of a benchmark P/E-ratio being assessed in this way. Assuming that there is only one peer company, the importance of differences (between the company being valued and its peer company) with regard to the book return on owners´equity and the growth of owners´equity have been investigated. In the main, it is shown that relative P/E-ratio valuation will not be able to handle differences in the expected book return or growth of owners´equity. In an empirical context, however, controlling for industry and the expected book return for next year, together with some modification of the valuation model itself, can improve the quality of earnings-based relative valuation.
Surface Passivation and Photoluminescence of Mn-Doped ZnS Nanocrystals

Enhanced photoluminescence (PL) is reported from Mn-doped ZnS nanocrystals (NCs) capped with ZnS (ZnS:Mn/ZnS core-shell NCs) and thioglycolic acid (TGA) (ZnS:Mn/ZnS core-shell NCs dispersed in an alkaline TGA solution). The NCs were prepared using a reverse micelle route. Comparing with initial ZnS:Mn core NCs, the ZnS:Mn/ZnS core-shell NCs exhibit much stronger orange PL (~580 nm). This is presumably the result of effective passivation of quenching ZnS:Mn NCs surface states by a pure ZnS shell. As for TGA-capped ZnS:Mn/ZnS core-shell NCs, the parallel decrease of a defect-related emission of ZnS is associated with the formation of a shell surface layer of TGA-Zn complexes. In summary, the combination of ZnS shells with TGA ligands was demonstrated to yield ZnS:Mn NCs with narrow size distribution and intense PL.