Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of cognitive and personality characteristics in timely microcredit repayment: Evidence from a survey conducted by Provident, Mexico

Sustainability of microfinance institutions depends, among other factors, on having appropriate repayment levels. This article's contribution to the existing literature is the analysis of the role of a personality trait named "grit" in individual microcredit repayment decisions, alongside cognitive characteristics and time and risk preferences. This study is based on a survey of a sample of clients at 'Provident Mexico', a formal microfinance institution that provides personal loans in vulnerable communities in Puebla, Mexico. We find evidence that, generally, older individuals possessing higher levels of grit and a tendency toward short term present bias are more likely to show no delays in loan repayments. Cognitive characteristics are inversely related to paying microcredits on time. Refinancing incentives does not play a key role in timely microcredit repayment, a result that is contrary to related literature but consistent with our finding that individuals in this sample that do not have delays in repayments are characterized by showing a short term present bias. El papel de las caracteristicas cognitivas y de personalidad en el pago oportuno de microcreditos: Evidencia de una encuesta realizada por Provident, Mexico. RESUMEN La sostenibilidad de las instituciones microfinancieras depende, entre otros factores, de tener niveles apropiados de repago. Este trabajo contribuye a la literatura existente al analizar el papel de un rasgo de personalidad denominado "diligencia" ("grit" en ingles) en las decisiones de repago de microcreditos individuales, junto con las habilidades cognitivas y las preferencias de tiempo y riesgo. Este estudio se basa en una encuesta aplicada a una muestra de clientes en 'Provident Mexico', una institucion formal de microfinanzas que ofrece prestamos personales en comunidades vulnerables en Puebla, Mexico. Los resultados obtenidos indican que, en general, las personas mayores que poseen niveles mas altos de diligencia, y que tienden a tener un sesgo por el corto plazo, tienen mas probabilidades de no mostrar retrasos en el repago de los prestamos. Las caracteristicas cognitivas estan inversamente relacionadas con el pago de las deudas a tiempo. Los incentivos de refinanciamiento no desempenan un papel clave en el repago a tiempo del microcredito, contrario a la literatura. Sin embargo, en nuestra muestra, los resultados concuerdan con el sesgo por el corto plazo de los individuos que no tienen retrasos en sus pagos.
Designing Mobile Application for the Over the Counter Drug Marketing

The increased usage of mobile apps has a great potential in Pharmacy market. Through the use of mobile apps, web portals and social media may allow a fast and wide diffusion of awareness for over the counter (OTC) drugs and attract a large number of customers, thus increasing the value of searching for information, quality and lower costs of the purchase. The goal of this paper is to identify the key factors as antecedents of customer satisfaction for the design of a mobile app for OTC drug marketing. To this aim, the authors use the Kano model that allows categorizing service attributes according to how they are perceived by customers and estimating their impact on customer satisfaction. This model is adopted in order to identify, express and latent needs of customers and to design a mobile app for OTC marketing according to their perceptions and expectations. To apply the Kano model, the authors used quantitative data collected through 537 questionnaires that were sent to the Slovenian internet users (June and August 2013). The results of this analysis can be relevant to the pharmaceutical companies; drugs vendors and marketing managers plan strategy and operational activities, for pharmaceutical companies in the field of OTC drugs marketing, for application developers, and for all those concerned with OTC drugs marketing issues.
From materials handling to packaging and logistics - findings from the Volvo and Ericsson cases

This paper shows the importance of adopting a wide perspective when analysing packaging and logistics and of having an understanding of how the package is related to logistics activities. It also exemplifies and discusses the importance of understanding the logistics chain and making sure that all parts of the logistics chain work together and support each other. The packages are good examples of enablers in this process. The aim of this paper is to show how new policies in the supply chain force an integration of materials handling with logistics and packaging development. It also exemplifies the potential of using a packaging approach when the supply chain is analysed. Finally the paper adopts a lean value chain perspective when analysing packaging logistics. Two case studies have been conducted, one at Volvo and one at Ericsson. Both companies are recognized as being in the forefront regarding logistics development. The cases show that packaging has a great impact on inbound logistics efficiency as well as on production efficiency. In addition, the cases show that proper consideration of packaging and logistics in product design makes it possible to influence product costs and that logistics people with a knowledge of packaging need to be engaged early in any new design project. The paper also illustrates the potential of working with the packaging aspect in two such different businesses as Volvo and Ericsson as well as similarities in the process. (Less)
ARM Diagnosis with Distal Colostography on Anorectal Malformations

Background: Anorectal Malformation (ARM) is a common congenital disorder and clinically recognizable,however, there has been no successful therapy. Establishment of ARM diagnostic is based on clinical andradiological of perineum USG, invertogram and distal colostography. A low-ARM handling requires animmediate post-natal repair and a high position requires a preliminary colostomy to prevent intestinalobstruction.Objectives: To determine the establishment of ARM diagnosis with distal colostography, evaluate the ARMmanagement, and its accompanying complications.Method: This study used secondary data that derived from medical records. Consecutive sampling obtained38 medical records that fulfilled the inclusion criteria from July 2012 to June 2013. Then samples wereanalyzed statistically.Results: The number of ARM referrals from other hospitals was 92.1%. The number of ARM whichperformed by preliminary colostomy was 89.5% and 26.5% of it was accompanied by complications. Basedon the distal colostographic results, the number of high ARM location was 54.1% and the low location was45.9%. The number of low-ARMwhich performed by preliminary colostomies was 88.2%. Twenty-eightsubjects who had performed anorectoplasty obtained suitable colostographic results of 71.4% and unsuitableresults of 28.6%. Conclusion: Distal colostographic results obtained by high-ARM by 54.1% and low location by 45.9%. Thenumber of low-ARM that has been performed of colostomy by 88.2%. The number of distal colostographicresults that in accordance to the findings of anorectoplasty was 71.4% and unsuitable was 28.6%.
Hydrodynamic predictions for mixed harmonic correlations in 200 GeV Au+Au collisions

Recent measurements at the LHC involve the correlation of different azimuthal flow harmonics $v_n$. These new observables add constraints to theoretical models and probe aspects of the system that are independent of the traditional single-harmonic measurements such as 2- and multi-particle cumulants $v_n\{m\}$. Many of these new observables have not yet been measured at RHIC, leaving an opportunity to make predictions as a test of models across energies. We make predictions using NeXSPheRIO, a hydrodynamical model which has accurately reproduced a large set of single-harmonic correlations in a large range of transverse momenta and centralities at RHIC. Our predictions thus provide an important baseline for comparison to correlations of flow harmonics, which contain non-trivial information about the initial state as well as QGP transport properties. We also point out significant biases that can appear when using wide centrality bins and non-trivial event weighting, necessitating care in performing experimental analyses and in comparing theoretical calculations to these measurements.
The Effects of Distance and Duration of Exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation of Hair Dryer on Rat Sperm Parameters

Background: As a part of modern life, using electromagnetic field exposure has increased. EMFs might produce a variety of adverse effects on different parts of human body including the reproductive system. The consequences of exposure to the emitted EMFs from a hair dryer on sperm parameters were the major concerns of the present study. Materials and Methods: Fifty four adult Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 9 groups. Samples from all experimental groups received exposure with two different modes: switch on (hot wind) and switch off (cold wind). Samples of group 1 (control) maintained under experimental conditions without any exposure. The exposure protocol for samples in groups 2 to 9 were 10 cm at 10 min—on, 10 cm at 10 min—off, 10 cm at 20 min—on, 10 cm at 20 min—off, 20 cm at 10 min—on, 20 cm at 10 min—off, 20 cm at 20 min—on, 20 cm at 20 min—off. After exposure sperm motility was analyzed with a light microscope as a blind experiment. Nonparametric tests were used to detect statistically significant differences between different groups. Results: Findings of our study indicated no significant changes in the frequency of sluggish and non-motile sperms of rats in the control group compared to all treatment groups and showed statistically significant differences between the relative frequency of progressive sperms in control group rats compared to all treatment groups except groups 2 and 7. There were no statically significant changes between groups with different time and distance. Sperm count and morphology were not affected by microwave emitted from hair dryer. Conclusion: Exposure to the hair dryer microwaves affects sperm motility, which is amongst the key parameters determining the chance of conceiving.
Screening of Anemia and Thalassemia among medical students : A study in Delhi NCR

DOI: 10.21276/sjams.2018. 6.7. 4 Abstract: The study was designed to screen medical students for anemia and beta thalassemia trait (βTT) using haematological parameters among medical students and advocate premarital counselling for thalassemia as they are the future healthcare providers. The study included 198 MBBS students. The demographic profile of students, Kuppuswamy’s Socio-economic status, dietary habits was entered in a proforma. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index, waist hip ratio, physical fitness index) were taken using standard anthropometric techniques. Complete blood count was performed along with calculating discriminative indices for βTT. In students with indices favouring βTT, Hb A2 estimation was done by HPLC. Prevalence of anemia was found to be 12% with majority being females (66.7%). Microcytic hypochromic anemia was the most common type of anemia observed (70.8%). Correlation of dietary preference with anemia and the difference in WHR between anemic and non anemic students was found to be statistically significant however PFI and BMI did not show a significant correlation with anemia. Discriminative indices favoured βTT in 2 students, further confirmed on HPLC. Its important to advocate iron rich diet among adolescents. Continuous follow-up program and nutrition education can improve nutrition status. Thalassemia screening is important to create awareness in prevention of beta thalassemia.
Morphological characterization and physiological potential of Stenachaenium megapotamicum (Spreng.) Baker seeds

Stenachaenium megapotamicum (Spreng.) Baker is a native species with ornamental potential for use in landscaping and floral arrangements. This study aimed to evaluate germination and storage of S. megapotamicum seeds. In addition, the seeds were characterized morphologically. Germination was tested under constant (10, 15, 20 and 25 °C) and alternating (15-20 °C) temperatures. The seeds were stored inside two types of packages (kraft paper and polyethylene bags) under 5 and 18 °C for six months. Water content, germination speed index, and thousand seed weight were measured. The fruits are botanically named cypselae; seed coat and fruit wall are juxtaposed and inseparable; the exalbuminous seeds are 4.8 mm long, 1.7 mm wide and 0.4 mm thick, on average. Germination temperature at 20 °C under constant light was considered optimal. Cypselae can be stored for six months in kraft paper or polyethylene bags at 5 or 18 °C, resulting in above 80% germination.
The Influence of Leveraged Buyouts on Target Firms' Competitors

This paper analyzes the influence Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs) have on the operating performance of the LBO target companies’ direct competitors. A unique and hand-collected data set on LBOs in the United States in the period 1985-2009 allows us to analyze the effects different restructuring activities as part of the LBO have on the competitors’ revenues. These restructuring activities include changes to leverage, governance, or operating business, as well as M&A activities of the LBO target company. We find that although LBOs itself have a negative influence on competitors’ revenue growth, some restructuring mechanisms might actually benefit competing companies.
In Situ Earthworm Breeding to Improve Soil Aggregation, Chemical Properties, and Enzyme Activity in Papayas

The long-term use of mineral fertilizers has decreased the soil fertility in papaya (Carica papaya L.) orchards in South China. In situ earthworm breeding is a new sustainable practice for improving soil fertility. A field experiment was conducted to compare the effects of four treatments consisting of the control (C), chemical fertilizer (F), compost (O), and in situ earthworm breeding (E) on soil physico-chemical properties and soil enzyme activity in a papaya orchard. The results showed that soil chemical properties, such as pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), and total phosphorus (TP) were significantly improved with the E treatment but declined with the F treatment. On 31 October 2008, the SOM and TN with the O and E treatments were increased by 26.3% and 15.1%, respectively, and by 32.5% and 20.6% compared with the F treatment. Furthermore, the O and E treatments significantly increased the activity of soil urease and sucrase. Over the whole growing season, soil urease activity was 34.4%~40.4% and 51.1%~58.7% higher with the O and E treatments, respectively, than that with the C treatment. Additionally, the activity of soil sucrase with the E treatment was always the greatest of the four treatments, whereas the F treatment decreased soil catalase activity. On 11 June 2008 and 3 July 2008, the activity of soil catalase with the F treatment was decreased by 19.4% and 32.0% compared with C. Soil bulk density with the four treatments was in the order of O ≤ E 2 mm size aggregates in the O and E treatments was vastly improved. In conclusion, in situ earthworm breeding in orchards performed better than traditional compost and chemical fertilizer in improving soil aggregation, chemical properties, and enzyme activity. This is a new, organic fertilizer application for improving soil structure, chemical properties, and soil enzymes due to the activities of the earthworms and the production of vermicomposting.
N o 2016-13 Benefit Sharing Exploring Water Resources in Brazil

Large infrastructure projects may cause permanent impacts on their local environment, affecting the living conditions of local people in a negative manner. To mitigate impacts caused by installation of hydroelectric plants, Brazilian law provides that municipalities are compensated by the Compensação Financeira pelo Uso de Recursos Hídricos (CFURH) and the payment of royalties (Itaipu). In this work I test whether such payments have actually worked as a benefit sharing mechanism, examining its effects on some social and economic indicators by way of two steps procedure: first, the propensity score of municipalities benefiting from the compensation is estimated using georeferenced data from WWF’s project HydroSHEDS. Then, I estimate a difference-in-differences model, comparing the dependent variables in the control and treatment groups before and after the compensation. The results show a limited effect of the compensation on living conditions. Human Development Index (HDI) and infant mortality showed a little improvement, but illiteracy rate and income inequality worsened.
A characterization of potential spaces

A mean oscillation characterization, valid for all a > 0, of the spaces L' of Bessel potentials of LP functions is given and is used to relate the known characterizations for 0 < a < 2 via Marcinkiewicz integrals, due to E. M. Stein, and via vector-valued means of differences, due to R. S. Strichartz.
Aerosol Optical Properties over an Urban Site in Central China Determined Using Ground-Based Sun Photometer Measurements

Sun photometer measurements taken in urban Jiaozuo in central China from July 2016 to February 2018 were used to investigate the aerosol optical and microphysical properties, including the climatological variation in properties, the types of aerosols and the properties during haze and dust events. The mean annual aerosol optical depth at 440 nm (AOD440 nm) and the Angstrom exponent (AE440-870 nm) were 0.84 ± 0.55 and 1.12 ± 0.17, respectively. The highest AOD occurred in summer, which may be associated with the hygroscopic growth of aerosols during enhanced relative humidity. Accordingly, a high volume of fine-mode particles was observed during this season. In addition, carbonaceous aerosols from biomass burning increased the volume of fine particles in June and September, but coarse-mode particles (mainly dust) dominated during spring, especially in May, with a maximum volume of 0.16 µm3 µm–2. At 440 nm, the mean seasonal single scattering albedo (SSA440 nm) was lower in spring (0.87 ± 0.05) and higher in summer (0.95 ± 0.04), whereas the absorption aerosol optical depth (AAOD440 nm) displayed the opposite pattern, being higher in spring (0.079 ± 0.019) and lower in summer (0.045 ± 0.021). The increased absorptivity in spring and the strong scattering ability in summer of aerosols in this area may be related to particles originating from different sources. Using the method of classification based on the fine-mode fraction (FMF), SSA and AE, absorbing aerosols, both fine and mixed, were identified as the predominant type of particulate matter. The site was influenced not only by anthropogenic aerosols from local emissions and the surrounding regions but also by dust from northwestern China. The mean AOD and AE were 1.66 and 1.38 on hazy days, while a slightly low AOD of 0.95 and an extremely low AE of 0.18 were exhibited on dusty days. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of aerosol properties in this area, and the results will help to optimize the satellite aerosol inversion algorithm and promote regional climate change research.
Carbon nanotube containing Ag catalyst layers for efficient and selective reduction of carbon dioxide

Over the last few decades significant progress has been made in the development of catalysts for efficient and selective electroreduction of CO2. These improvements in catalyst performance have been of the extent that identifying electrodes of optimum structure and composition has become key to further improve throughput levels in the electrolysis of CO2 to CO. Here we report on a simple one-step method to incorporate multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in the catalyst layer to form gas diffusion electrodes with different structures: (i) a “mixed” catalyst layer in which the Ag nanoparticle catalyst and MWCNTs are homogeneously distributed; and (ii) a “layered” catalyst layer comprised of a layer of MWCNTs covered with a layer of Ag catalyst. Both approaches improve performance in the electroreduction of CO2 compared to electrodes that lack MWCNTs. The “mixed” layer performed best: an electrolyzer operated at a cell potential of −3 V using 1 M KOH as the electrolyte yielded unprecedented high levels of CO production of up to 350 mA cm−2 at high faradaic efficiency (>95% selective for CO) and an energy efficiency of 45% under the same condition. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements indicate that the observed differences in electrode performance can be attributed to a lower charge transfer resistance in the “mixed” catalyst layer. This study shows that a simple optimization of electrode structure and composition, i.e. incorporation of MWCNTs in the catalyst layer of a GDE, has a profound beneficial effect on their performance in electrocatalytic conversion of CO2, while allowing for a lower precious metal catalyst loading with improved performance.
Did the Bundesbank follow a Taylor rule? An analysis based on real-time data

Using a real-time data set for German GDP over the period from 1973 to 1998 we calculate various measures of real-time output gaps and use these to calibrate and estimate Taylor-type reaction functions for the Bundesbank. Most of the reaction functions we find fit the Bundesbank's actual policy, as represented by the short-run interest rate, quite well. In contrast to previous findings based on ex post revised data for the output gap, we find the reaction coefficients to resemble quite closely those originally proposed by Taylor for some of our realtime measures of the output gap. Broad monetary aggregates such as M3, in contrast, only played a small role for the Bundesbank's interest rate decisions. Given the good record of the Bundesbank in fighting inflation, the results give support to the use of the Taylor rule for monetary policy.
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Bulk collagen δ 15 N analysis is widely used to investigate past diet and trophic positions, but these values average the δ 15 N values of the constituent amino acids. Compound – specific isotope analysis of amino acids (AAs) can help elucidate the complex metabolic effects underpinning bulk δ 15 N values. Although trophic level effects on individual AA δ 15 N values have been investigated in aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate food webs, most archaeological applications involve terrestrial herbivores, hence a greater understanding of these effects between diet and consumer in this food chain is required. The North Wyke Farm Platform provided baseline nitrogen isotope information for cattle grazing on a Lolium perenne dominated pasture. Bulk dentine δ 15 N values show a shift expected for a one trophic level increase, but obscure insight into the underlying metabolic processes that cause this change in value. However, determination of AA δ 15 N values of hydrolysable plant protein and cattle tooth dentine clarifies the trophic effect on consumer AA δ 15 N values. The observed trophic shift in the studied system is different from previously studied food webs, with a trophic enrichment factor, based on the δ 15 N values of glutamate and phenylalanine, of 4.0 ‰ compared to 7.6 ‰ commonly used in ecological and archaeological studies. This emphasises the need to understand the trophic shifts in the particular food web being investigated in order to apply isotopic investigations in archaeological contexts.
Status of Periodontal Health of Patients in the Drepanocyteurs at the Bamako Dreponocytosis Research Center ( CRLD ) in Mali : 446 Observations

1 Department of Periodontology, CHU-CNOS Bamako (MALI) 2 Department of Odontology, Bamako Military Hospital IHB (MALI) 3 Department of Periodontology U.F. R.OS. FHB Abidjan-Cocody University 4 Oral Surgery Department, CHU-CNOS Bamako (MALI) 5 Pediatric Dentistry Department, CHU-CNOS Bamako (MALI) 6 Center for Research and Control of Sickle Cell Disease (CRLD) in Bamako 7 Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology of Bamako