Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loan-to-Value Ratio Policy and Business Cycles∗

This paper demonstrates how the effectiveness of loan-to-value (LTV) ratio policies can be evaluated based on their implications for the business cycle. In particular, we assess how key characteristics of the business cycle, such as the duration and amplitude of recessions, change with alternative LTV policies. We study the impacts of these policies in models where housing serves as collateral for either short-term debt, akin to Iacoviello [2005] and Iacoviello and Neri [2010], or long-term mortgages, following Garriga et al. [2013], using the business cycle dating techniques developed by Harding and Pagan [2002]. We find that a permanent tightening of LTV policy decreases the depth and frequency of recessions and that the magnitudes of these effects vary with how mortgage debt is modelled. The impact of countercyclical LTV rules on the business cycle is found to be considerably less. ∗This paper was prepared for the National Bureau of Economic Research East Asian Seminar on Economics: Financial Stability, held at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, 18-19 June 2015. Our thanks to Efrem Castelnuovo and particularly Adrian Pagan for useful suggestions and discussions. All errors are our own. †Financial support was received from the Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Melbourne, and the Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis, Australian National University. ‡The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors, and not necessarily the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
SKIN AND FLEECE CHARACTERISTICS OF BARKI SHEEP AS AFFECTED BY DOCKING

The present study was carried out in Tegzerty Experimental Farm for Animal Production at Siwa Oasis which belongs to the Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt. Thirteen single-born male Barki lambs (averaged 3.0±0.20 kg birth weight) were randomly assigned into two groups: (1) docked group (n= 6) and (2) control group (n= 7) to study the effect of docking on histological and histochemical characteristics of the skin together with wool characteristics in terms of clean wool yield, fibre diameter and fiber length. Results revealed that thickness of dermis increased by 17.3% in docked group compared with the control one. This could be related to the increase in reticular layer which increases by 36% in docked animals. The hypodermal thickness in the docked animals showed non-significant increase of 39.81%. Histochemicaly, carbohydrates were higher (P<0.01) in undocked than docked animals. Generally, the external and internal diameter of the follicles, wall thickness of primary, secondary and fibre diameter in the follicle were higher in docked than in undocked sheep. Docking appeared to have insignificant effect on fleece weight, wool yield, staple length, fibre diameter and number of medullated fibre in Barki lambs.
Intersectionality and Daily Affective Experiences of LGBT People

In this paper, I investigated the connections between LGBT identity, multiple minority stress, and well-being by examining responses to identity-related negative affective experiences such as microaggressions. In Study 1, we ran analyses on archival data. In the proposed Study 2, we recruited LGBT students at Yale, both those who have multiple minority identities and those who do not. LGBT people with multiple minority identities do not experience the result of those identities as purely additive; rather, they experience a markedly different sort of discrimination and oppression that inextricably intertwines their racial, gender, and sexual minority identities. This intertwining is called intersectionality. Our three hypotheses are that LGBT students who have multiple minority identities will experience more frequent and extreme negative experiences, will accordingly exhibit worse well-being outcomes, and exhibit more emotional granularity due to the expertise they develop in experiencing these events. We will test these hypotheses by implementing event-contingent experience sampling, where every time a participant experiences a negative affective event, they fill out a Qualtrics survey asking for details about that event. At the end of the study, all participants will fill out a survey about their well-being. We found in Study 1 that LGBT people with multiple minority identities experience depression and worry more frequently but not more intensely, which negatively impacts their well-being, as well as that LGBT people, compared to heterosexuals, actually show less emotional granularity. These results suggest that the discrimination and oppression LGBT people face can seriously worsen their well-being and needs to be addressed more directly and efficiently.
Subsidy Targeting with Market Power

In-kind public transfers are commonly targeted based on observable characteristics of potential recipients. Increasingly, goods subsidized by such transfers are provided by private firms. We show that when the subsidized good is provided by intermediaries with market power a subsidy-induced “demographic externality” arises and can distort the incidence and efficiency of targeted transfers unless perfect price discrimination is possible. We examine the effects of market power on targeted transfers empirically in the context of means-tested subsidies for privately-provided health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In ACA Marketplaces we estimate the pass-through rate of subsidies to consumers of less than 50 percent, with a $6 billion deadweight loss. Critically, we find that market power disproportionately redistributes away from poorer consumers, leading to lower consumer surplus and rates of insurance in the population targeted by transfers. Our results highlight potential concerns with re-distributional policies in environments with imperfectly competitive intermediaries.
Direct strength evaluation of beams with external FRP tendons

External post-tensioning, in which tendons are installed on the outside of concrete members using deviators and anchorages, is an efficient strengthening method. In such works, FRP tendons may be preferred over steel tendons, especially in aggressive environment. The load-carrying capacity of beams strengthened with external tendons could be evaluated from a member analysis involving the total tendon elongation, or a section analysis incorporating bond reduction factors. However, a more direct evaluation of the increase in load-carrying capacity from which the required external tendon area and eccentricities could be determined is desirable. The method is presented in this paper for simple-span reinforced and partially prestressed concrete beams strengthened with external FRP tendons. The installation of external tendons leads to an increase in the area of concrete compression zone which contributes indirectly to an increase in the beam capacity. The tendons also contribute directly to the load-carrying capacity by balancing part of the applied loads. Two sets of equations, termed “Refined Equations” and “Simplified Equations”, are developed for the determination of the increase in load-carrying capacity. The “Refined Equations” account for the contribution of both the increased concrete compression zone and the direct contribution of the tendons, while the “Simplified Equations” account for the direct contribution of the tendons only. A comparison with 32 beams from previous investigations showed that the increase in load-carrying capacity predicted by the “Refined Equations” are in good agreement with the test data, while those by the “Simplified Equations” are in general conservative.
SEMEN QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS AND PLASMA SEMINAL PROTEIN PATTERNS OF DIFFERENT EGYPTIAN RABBIT BUCKS

A total of 20 sexually mature bucks representing the Gabali ( GA ), Rex ( R ), Californian ( C ) and New Zealand White (NZW ) rabbit breeds ( N = 3, 2, 4 and 11, respectively) and aged 9 or 12 months. They were used to study the effect of buck on some semen quality parameters and protein patterns of its seminal plasma under Egyptian conditions. The obtained results, after adjusting data for bucks age differences, indicated that semen quality characteristics of rabbit bucks represented by the reaction time (second), volume of semen per ejaculate without gel fractions (ml), sperm-cell concentration/ejaculate/ml, percentage of sperm abnormalities, percentage of dead spermatozoa, percentage of advanced (progressive) sperm motility, mass motility grade, total sperm output, semen colour grade and semen density grade, beside the semen pH, were not significantly different among breeds. However, age showed only a significant (P<0.05) effect on the volume of the fresh ejaculate. The 4 rabbit breeds shared 2 common seminal plasma protein bands at molecular weights of 326 and 252 KDa. These 2 bands (i.e. B1 and B2) could be used as specific protein markers to characterize these 4 breeds of rabbits. Correlation values showed that both B6, B14 and may be B3 seminal plasma protein bands at molecular weights of 40, 6 and 112 KDa, respectively, can be used as specific seminal plasma protein markers to select rabbit bucks with good semen quality. From this study, it can be concluded that SDS-PAGE of the seminal plasma protein is a sensitive method for studying the genetic structure of the population of rabbits and can be used in the selection of bucks having good semen quality. Under Egyptian conditions, semen quality of NZW bucks seems to be of lower er than those displayed by bucks of the other two imported breeds.
Reconstructing seasonality through stable-isotope and trace-element analyses of the Proserpine stalagmite, Han-sur-Lesse cave, Belgium: indications for climate-driven changes during the last 400 years

Abstract. Fast-growing speleothems allow for the reconstruction of palaeoclimate down to a seasonal scale. Additionally, annual lamination in some of these speleothems yields highly accurate age models for these palaeoclimate records, making these speleothems valuable archives for terrestrial climate. In this study, an annually laminated stalagmite from the Han-sur-Lesse cave (Belgium) is used to study the expression of the seasonal cycle in northwestern Europe during the Little Ice Age. More specifically, two historical 12-year-long growth periods (ca. 1593–1605 CE and 1635–1646 CE) and one modern growth period (1960–2010 CE) are analysed on a sub-annual scale for their stable-isotope ratios (δ13C and δ18O) and trace-element (Mg, Sr, Ba, Zn, Y, Pb, U) contents. Seasonal variability in these proxies is confirmed with frequency analysis. Zn, Y and Pb show distinct annual peaks in all three investigated periods related to annual flushing of the soil during winter. A strong seasonal in-phase relationship between Mg, Sr and Ba in the modern growth period reflects a substantial influence of enhanced prior calcite precipitation (PCP). In particular, PCP occurs during summers when recharge of the epikarst is low. This is also evidenced by earlier observations of increased δ13C values during summer. In the 17th century intervals, there is a distinct antiphase relationship between Mg, Sr and Ba, suggesting that processes other than PCP, i.e. varying degrees of incongruent dissolution of dolomite, eventually related to changes in soil activity and/or land-use change are more dominant. The processes controlling seasonal variations in Mg, Sr and Ba in the speleothem appear to change between the 17th century and 1960–2010 CE. The Zn, Y, Pb, and U concentration profiles; stable-isotope ratios; and morphology of the speleothem laminae all point towards increased seasonal amplitude in cave hydrology. Higher seasonal peaks in soil-derived elements (e.g. Zn and Y) and lower concentrations of host-rock-derived elements (e.g. Mg, Sr, Ba) point towards lower residence times in the epikarst and higher flushing rates during the 17th century. These observations reflect an increase in water excess above the cave and recharge of the epikarst, due to a combination of lower summer temperatures and increased winter precipitation during the 17th century. This study indicates that the transfer function controlling Mg, Sr and Ba seasonal variability varies over time. Which process is dominant – either PCP, soil activity or dolomite dissolution – is clearly climate driven and can itself be used as a palaeoenvironment proxy.
Learning and Success in Entrepreneurship 12 / 7 / 2016

New venture competitions offer a laboratory to study high-growth entrepreneurship. I use novel application and judging data from nearly 100 competitions to examine which founder and venture characteristics are associated with success. I focus on whether the ability to learn is important. Two exercises demonstrate that judge ranks are relevant information for entrepreneurs. First, independently of winning, ranks predict subsequent venture external financing and employment. Second, a quasi-experimental design finds that negative feedback increases the probability that an entrepreneur abandons his venture. I then show that learning, measured as raw score or rank improvement, predicts success. These findings are consistent with a view of entrepreneurship as experimentation. Ventures likely to have a lower cost of experimentation, such as software and student-run ventures, learn more. However, founders with degrees from highly ranked schools are less responsive to feedback than their counterparts. This behavior appears rational for elite college graduates, but seems to reflect overconfidence among elite MBA graduates. ⇤NYU Stern. Email: sabrina.howell@nyu.edu. Click Here for Latest Version and Appendix. This project owes much to the insights and support of Annette Vissing-Jørgensen. I am also grateful to the Kauffman Foundation, which funded this project, and in particular to Amisha Miller. Finally, I thank Adam Rentschler of Valid Evaluation, and all the others who provided the data, including Lea Lueck, Allison Ernst, and Catherine Cronin. Finally, I thank my RAs, especially Lucy Gong, Sreyoshi Mukherjee, and Jack Reiss.
Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and the associated risk factors in sheep and pregnant women in El-Minya Governorate, Egypt

Background and Aim: The cosmopolite protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii, has a significant economic and medical impact. Cats traditionally play a predominant role in the disease maintenance cycle; however, humans can be infected as a result of milk and meat consumption of Toxoplasma-infected livestock. In addition, infected pregnant women, even symptomless, can pass the disease to their unborn fetus. The limited clinical records and absence of specific national educational programs in countries like Egypt underscore the need for periodic toxoplasmosis disease evaluation. Here, we identified T. gondii seroprevalence among sheep and pregnant women and the associated risk factors in El-Minya Governorate, Egypt. Materials and Methods: Using peripheral blood, we detected T. gondii-specific antibodies in 151 sheep and 96 pregnant women sera from El-Minya Governorate using latex agglutination and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The impact of different environmental and behavioral risk factors identified with in-person interviews and serology results on acquiring toxoplasmosis was statistically analyzed. Results: The overall toxoplasmosis seroprevalence was 39.1% and 22.9% in sheep and pregnant women, respectively. Significantly higher seroprevalence was correlated with increasing sheep age and geographical location. Nonetheless, no statistical significance was found based on abortion history and pregnancy status of the examined sheep. Exposure factors important for pregnant women included pregnancy trimester, contact with cats, and the habit of eating undercooked sheep meat, which all had a statistically significant association with Toxoplasma seropositivity. Conclusion: The current study confirms increased antibodies against toxoplasmosis in both sheep and pregnant women in El-Minya Governorate and a clear association between women’s age, contact with cats, and the habit of eating undercooked sheep meat and seroreactivity to T. gondii. These results strongly suggest the need for a more comprehensive epidemiological study and public health awareness education for toxoplasmosis.
Determinants of Shopping Mall Patronage among Consumers in Enugu Metropolis

The aim of this study is to determine those factors that influence shoppers to shop in malls in Enugu metropolis. Specifically, the study sought to examine the influence of distance on shoppers' patronage of shopping malls in Enugu metropolis, evaluate the influence of convenience on shoppers' patronage of shopping malls in Enugu metropolis, to ascertain the influence of customer services on shoppers' patronage of shopping malls in Enugu metropolis, determine the effect of socialisation on shoppers' patronage of shopping malls in Enugu metropolis and evaluate the influence of exploration on shoppers' patronage of shopping malls in Enugu metropolis. Survey method was adopted for this study. Adults 18 years and above were the target population. A sample size of 596 was used for the study. Data was gathered using a well-structured questionnaire. Five hypotheses were tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The test was run on AMOS version 25.0 with maximum likelihood estimation. Findings revealed that distance does not have a significant influence on shoppers’ patronage of shopping malls in Enugu metropolis. In contrast, convenience had a significant influence on shoppers’ patronage of shopping malls in Enugu metropolis. Also, customer Service does not have a significant influence on shoppers’ patronage of shopping malls in Enugu metropolis. Socialization had a significant influence on shoppers’ patronage of shopping malls in Enugu metropolis. Lastly, exploration had a significant influence on shoppers’ patronage of shopping malls in Enugu metropolis. The study concludes that distance and customer service are not major factors that stimulate shoppers’ patronage. Factors like convenience,socialization and exploration are important factors determining shoppers’ patronage in Enugu metropolis. The study recommends that the management of the shopping malls should direct their resources toward constant improvement on the mall facilities that attract shoppers to the mall. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol. 9 , No. 11, November, 2019, E-ISSN: 2222-6990 © 2019 HRMARS 402
Mitochondrial genomes of Amoebozoa

In this mini-review, we summarize the current knowledge on mitochondrial genomes of Amoebozoa. Amoebozoa is a major, early-diverging lineage of eukaryotes, containing at least 2,400 species. At present, 32 mitochondrial genomes belonging to 18 amoebozoan species are publicly available. A dearth of information is particularly obvious for two major amoebozoan clades, Variosea and Tubulinea, with just one mitochondrial genome sequenced for each. The main focus of this review is to summarize features such as mitochondrial gene content, mitochondrial genome size variation, and presence or absence of RNA editing, showing if they are unique or shared among amoebozoan lineages. In addition, we underline the potential of mitochondrial genomes for multigene phylogenetic reconstruction in Amoebozoa, where the relationships among lineages are not fully resolved yet. With the increasing application of next-generation sequencing techniques and reliable protocols, we advocate mitochondrial genomes as a promising tool for understanding evolutionary patterns in Amoebozoa.
The Effect of 12 Hour Shifts, Time of Day, and Sleepiness on Emotional Empathy and Burnout in Medical Students

Sleepiness decreases alertness and results in decrements in performance. This is especially problematic in the healthcare field due to restricted sleep from shift-work. Sleepiness increases medical errors, but it also affects emotions and interpersonal interactions. Empathy in physicians is a desirable trait which is associated with increased patient recovery rates and patient satisfaction, and decreased use of pain medication. Shift-work may alter empathy in physicians and affect patient outcomes, but the effects of sleepiness on empathy are unknown. Empathy, which is related to burnout, declines during medical school, while incidence of burnout increases. This study assessed the effect of sleepiness from time of day (TOD) and 12 h shifts on empathy and burnout in medical students. Participants were tested on sleepiness and empathy prior to and immediately following a 12 h Emergency Medical Technician shift. Burnout was assessed following each shift to determine if it was affected by sleepiness, empathy, and shift. TOD affected empathy, with empathy highest in the evening. Sleepiness from working 12 h shifts resulted in decreased empathy and increased burnout, with females showing higher rates on the exhaustion component of burnout. This research demonstrates that TOD affects empathy, and sleepiness decreases empathy and increases burnout in medical students.
Effect of Addition of Sourdough on Physicochemical Characteristics of Wheat and Rice Flour Bread

Gluten-free bread has been developed for people suffering from celiac disease. Nonetheless, the lack of gluten can change the quality of the bread. This study investigated the effect of the addition of sourdough on the physicochemical characteristics of wheat bread and gluten-free bread. In wheat bread, the addition of sourdough (0–15 g per 100 g dough) had no significant effect on the moisture content of the bread. However, the moisture content increased when the sourdough content increased to 22.5–30.0 g per 100 g dough. The addition of sourdough (up to 30 g per 100 g dough) decreased the hardness of the gluten-free bread from 28.94 to 14.95 N. The springiness of the gluten-free bread significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased from 0.54 to 0.81 with the addition of 22.5–30.0 g per 100g dough sourdough. Likewise, the springiness of the wheat bread significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) from 0.91 to 0.99. However, with the addition of 30 g sourdough per 100g dough, the hardness of the wheat bread increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05). The cohesiveness of both breads significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased with an increase in the sourdough content. The addition of sourdough had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the crust color, but affected the crumb color significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Therefore, the addition of sourdough could change the characteristics of both wheat and gluten-free breads.
Raising the Bar: Certification Thresholds and Market Outcomes

Certification of sellers by trusted third parties helps alleviate information asymmetries in markets, yet little is known about the impact of a certification’s threshold on market outcomes. Exploiting a policy change on eBay, we study how a more selective certification threshold affects the distribution of quality and incumbent behavior. We develop a stylized model that shows how changes in selectivity change the distribution of quality and prices in markets. Using rich data from hundreds of online categories on eBay.com , we find support for the model’s hypotheses. Our results help inform the design of certification selectivity in electronic and other markets. (JEL D82, L11, L15, L86)