Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Poor Prospects—Not Inequality—Motivate Political Violence

Despite extensive scholarly interest in the association between economic inequality and political violence, the micro-level mechanisms through which the former influences the latter are not well understood. Drawing on pioneering theories of political violence, social psychological research on relative deprivation, and prospect theory from behavioral economics, we examine individual-level processes that underpin the relationship between inequality and political violence. We present two arguments: despite being a key explanatory variable in existing research, perceived lower economic status vis-à-vis other individuals (an indicator of relative deprivation) is unlikely to motivate people to participate in violence; by contrast, although virtually unexplored, a projected decrease in one’s own economic status (prospective decremental deprivation) is likely to motivate violence. Multilevel analyses of probability samples from many African countries provide evidence to support these claims. Based on this, we posit that focusing on changes in living conditions, rather than the status quo, is key for understanding political violence.
A Preliminary Study on the Effects of Taurine-Enriched Rotifers on the Growth and Survival of the Small Yellow Croaker Larimichthys polyactis Larvae

Simple Summary Rotifers may not meet the nutritional requirements of cultured marine fish species during seed production. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of feeding rotifers enriched with taurine on the growth performance and survival of the small yellow croaker Larimichtys polyactis larvae. The taurine content in the fish increased with the increase in the rotifer taurine levels. The growth and survival rates of the larvae fed taurine-enriched rotifers were higher than those fed control rotifers. Abstract The effect of feeding with taurine-enriched rotifers on larval growth and survival in the small yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis was investigated. Rotifers, control (without taurine enrichment) or enriched with a commercial taurine supplement at two concentrations (400, and 800 mg/L), were used. The larvae (initial notochord length = 3.83 mm) were fed taurine-enriched rotifers in triplicate, from 3 days after hatching for 12 days. The average taurine contents of the rotifers were 0.31, 5.34, and 8.55 mg/g dry matter, respectively. The rotifers from all treatments had similar fatty acid composition. The growth and survival rates of the larvae fed rotifers enriched with 800 mg/L taurine supplementation were significantly higher than those of larvae fed rotifers without taurine enrichment (p = 0.005 and 0.002, respectively). The whole-body taurine content in the fish increased significantly with the increase in taurine level in the rotifers: 1.02, 3.48, and 4.11 mg/g in larvae fed control rotifers, and rotifers enriched with 400, and 800 mg/L taurine supplementation, respectively. The results of this study indicate that small yellow croaker larvae benefit from taurine concentrations above those typically reported in non-taurine-enriched rotifers.
Study of Antihypertensive Use in Elderly Subjects with or Without Comorbid Conditions in A Tertiary Care Hospital

Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder, with the prevalence progressively increasing with age and elderly subjects are more prone for various hypertension-related complications. Presence of various co-morbid conditions influences the choice and dose of antihypertensive medications. Persistent adherence to the prescribed medications and lifestyle measures are very essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality, and to improve the QOL. The objective of the study is to determine the pattern of antihypertensive prescribing, to assess the medication compliance and Quality of life. 250 elderly hypertensive subjects of either gender were recruited in to the present study to assess the prescribing pattern of antihypertensives; details of drug therapy, therapeutic class, dose, route, frequency, duration of administration. The compliance was 8-item questionnaire as per Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and the Quality of life was assessed using MINICHAL Instrument, consisting of 17-item questionnaire. The most commonly prescribed antihypertensives were angiotensin receptor blockers (55%) and calcium channel blockers (55%) and, angiotensin receptor blocker + thiazide diuretic combination was the commonest dual antihypertensive therapy prescribed. 41.2% subjects had good level of medication compliance, 48.4% subjects had moderate level of compliance and 10.4 % subjects had poor level of compliance. The mean total scores of the HRQoL scale in the subjects with pre hypertension was 26.20±8.01, 25.66±9.38 in subjects with stage 1 HTN and 29.36±8.66 in subjects with stage 2 HTN. The most common antihypertensives were angiotensin receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers. The level of compliance was influenced by factors such as age, gender, co morbidities, severity of hypertension and number of medications. HRQoL of the study population was influenced by severity of hypertension.
CORPORATE DEBT AND EARNINGS MANAGEMENT: EVIDENCE FROM SLOVAKIA

Several different models have been developed worldwide to detect manipulative financial reporting in en-terprises. These earnings management practices help enterprises improve their financial performance or gain some advantages based on window dressing techniques. Moreover, there are several firm-specific factors and indicators that can influence the earnings management behavior of enterprises. The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between corporate debt and earnings management in a sample of 15,716 Slovak firms over a 5-year period. The level of earnings management is measured by discretionary accruals using the Kasznik model, the debt of enterprises is quan-tified by several indicators (total indebtedness ratio, self-financing ratio, current and non-current indebtedness ratios, equity leverage ratio, and insolvency ratio). In this paper, a correlation analysis and an ANOVA method were applied to show if there is any statistically significant dependence between the level of discretionary accruals and corporate debt. The results indicate a positive relationship between the level of discretionary accruals and total indebtedness, non-current indebtedness, and insolvency ratios, while a negative relationship was revealed for self-financing and cur-rent indebtedness ratios.
Intended use of educational technology after the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Use of educational technology has escalated in recent times. This study surveyed teachers in the business school of a Canadian university after it quickly pivoted to online delivery of all classes after the initial jolt of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the survey was to investigate the antecedents of the teachers’ intention to use educational technology in the post-pandemic period. Consistent with the theory of reasoned action (TRA), attitude and subjective norm are both positively associated with respondents’ behavioural intention to use educational technology within the two years following the pandemic. The subjective norm construct positively influences respondents’ perceptions of the usefulness of the technology, indicating that respondents are influenced by their co-workers’ opinions and the communications transmitted by the institution. Technological complexity and perceived usefulness of the technology respectively negatively and positively impact attitude, indicating that teachers perform an internal cost-benefit analysis when contemplating using educational technology. Technological complexity can also be considered an opportunity cost as it negatively impacts perceived usefulness. Lastly, facilitating conditions negatively impact technological complexity, indicating that supportive resources are important. These results should be of interest to university policymakers seeking to increase the use of educational technology.
A Shallow-to-Deep Feature Fusion Network for VHR Remote Sensing Image Classification

With more detailed spatial information being represented in very-high-resolution (VHR) remote sensing images, stringent requirements are imposed on accurate image classification. Due to the diverse land objects with intraclass variation and interclass similarity, efficient and fine classification of VHR images especially in complex scenes are challenging. Even for some popular deep learning (DL) frameworks, geometric details of land objects may be lost in deep feature levels, so it is difficult to maintain the highly detailed spatial information (e.g., edges, small objects) only relying on the last high-level layer. Moreover, many of the newly developed DL methods require massive well-labeled samples, which inevitably deteriorates the model generalization ability under the few-shot learning. Therefore, in this article, a lightweight shallow-to-deep feature fusion network (SDF2N) is proposed for VHR image classification, where the traditional machine learning (ML) and DL schemes are integrated to learn rich and representative information to improve the classification accuracy. In particular, the shallow spectral–spatial features are first extracted and then a novel triple-stage fusion (TSF) module is designed to learn the saliency and discriminative information at different levels for classification. The TSF module includes three feature fusion stages, that is, low-level spectral–spatial feature fusion, middle-level multiscale feature fusion, and high-level multilayer feature fusion. The proposed SDF2N takes the advantage of the shallow-to-deep features, which can extract representative and complementary information from crossing layers. It is important to note that even with limited training samples, the SDF2N still can achieve satisfying classification performance. Experimental results obtained on three real VHR remote sensing datasets including two multispectral and one airborne hyperspectral images covering complex urban scenarios confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach compared with the state-of-the-art methods.
The Effect of Job Training, Motivation, and Work Ethic to the Workforce Performance

Problems focussed of the research are job training, work motivation, and work ethic of employees at UD. Semanggi Mas Sejahtera. The study took the sample with predetermined criteria of 51 respondents who had carried out training activities, with the sampling technique using purposive sampling. The technique used to analyze the data is the validity and reliability test, multiple linear regression test, classical assumption test, and hypothesis test through t-test and F-test. The results indicated that the regression equation Y = 11.205 + 0.173 X1 + 0.462 X2 + 0.631 X3. Partially job training has a significant effect on workforce performance at UD. Semanggi Mas Sejahtera. Partially work motivation has a significant effect on workforce performance at UD. Semanggi Mas Sejahtera. Partially work ethic has a essential effect on workforce performance at UD. Semanggi Mas Sejahtera. Simultaneously job training, motivation, and work ethic have a significant effect on workforce performance at UD. Semanggi Mas Sejahtera. It is hoped that the company will further increase the intensity of job training in the company, and pay attention to policies regarding work motivation and work ethic so that workforce performance can be achieved.
Effect of drip irrigation scheduling and mulching practice on pointed gourd ( Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) pot-cultivation in Patuakhali Bangladesh

Effect of drip irrigation scheduling and mulching practice on pointed gourd ( Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) pot-cultivation in Abstract Pointed gourd is a tropical vegetable that has been cultivated in the Indian subcontinent which dependent on irrigation for profitable cultivation. Mulching has protected the soil water holding capacity with nutrients could be improved the yield. The effect of irrigation scheduling and mulching application in pointed gourd yield, water use efficiency and fruits physical quality was investigated. The result showed that the highest yield was 45.32 t/ha and lowest was 23.19 t/ha in treatment T 6 (D 2 SM) and T 7 (2D 1 NM) respectively which were significantly influenced by the treatments. In which the highest yield was found to be 44.9 % which greater than the control yield (24.99 t/ha). It showed that the highest irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and field water use efficiency (FWUE) was obtained from the treatment of highest yield, which is significantly influenced primarily by mulching application. The result also revealed that the highest individual pointed gourd fruit weight and diameter were obtained 35.50 g and 32.92 mm. , respectively in treatment T 5 (D 2 PM) which significantly influenced only by irrigation scheduling. However, the highest fruit length was 9.32 cm in T 6 (D 2 SM) which significantly influenced by irrigation and mulching together. The results concluded that the drip irrigation scheduling and mulching practices could be contributed successfully to optimize the irrigation for improving the pointed gourd yield.
Characteristics of VOC Composition at Urban and Suburban Sites of New Delhi, India in Winter

Simultaneous measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using two PTR‐TOF‐MS instruments were conducted at urban and suburban sites of New Delhi during the winter of 2018. The time series of VOC mixing ratios show substantial variations mainly influenced by local emissions and meteorological conditions. Mixing ratios of methanol (∼28 ppbv), acetaldehyde (7.7 ppbv), acetone (10.6 ppbv), isoprene (2.8 ppbv) and monoterpenes (0.84 ppbv) at the suburban site were higher than those at the urban site, while levels of aromatic VOCs were almost similar. The strong nighttime correlations of isoprene and monoterpenes with CO and benzene at the urban site indicate their predominant anthropogenic origin. Higher emission ratios of ∆VOCs/∆CO and ∆VOCs/∆benzene than those reported for vehicular exhaust suggest the contributions of other sources. In addition to vehicular emissions, episodes of biomass burning, industrial plumes and aged air strongly influenced the levels of VOCs at the suburban site. Despite the predominant primary anthropogenic emissions, the higher daytime enhancements of OVOCs/CO ratios indicate additional contributions of OVOCs from secondary/biogenic sources. The secondary formation of OVOCs in moderately aged air masses was noticeable at the suburban site. Using the source‐tracer‐ratio method, the estimated biogenic contributions of isoprene (71%) and acetone (65%) during daytime at the suburban site were significantly higher than those for the urban site. The photochemical box model simulations suggest that daytime ozone formation was under the VOC‐limited regime. The present study highlights the impact of different emission sources, photochemical processes and meteorological conditions on the composition and concentration of VOCs in the Delhi region.
Coix Seed Extract Prevents Inflammation-mediated Skin Dryness Induced
 by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Exposure in HR-1 Hairless Mice

Skin inflammation and dryness are the features of surfactant-induced irritant contact dermatitis, a common skin disorder. In Japan, Coix seed (CS, Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) is widely used as a traditional medicine and functional supplement to treat skin inflammation and dry skin. However, the efficacy of CS against surfactant-induced skin disorders has not been reported. Here, we investigated the effect of CS on inflammatory dry skin disorders induced by multiple topical applications of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), a representative anionic surfactant. Male HR-1 hairless mice received a water extract of CS for four weeks. Three weeks after CS administration, the dorsal skin of the mice was exposed once daily to 10% SDS for five days. CS efficacy was then evaluated by measuring epidermal water content; erythema index; severity of skin scaling; epidermal thickness; inflammatory cell infiltration; production of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2); and protein expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), in the dorsal skin. Administration of CS markedly attenuated the SDS-induced reduction in epidermal water content, elevated erythema index, and severity of skin scaling. Histological analysis demonstrated that CS suppressed epidermal hyperplasia and macrophage infiltration in SDS-exposed skin. Furthermore, CS significantly prevented SDS-induced production of IL-1α and PGE2, as well as COX-2 upregulation. These results indicate that CS prevents SDS-induced inflammation-mediated skin dryness by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory mediators.
The longitudinal reciprocal relationship between food insecurity and depressive symptoms among Korean elderly who live in poverty: application of auto-regressive cross-lagged model

ABSTRACT Previous studies have reported that food insecurity influences depression, with the reverse reported as well. The study explores the reciprocal causal relationship between food insecurity and depressive symptoms among impoverished Korean elderly. The data were derived from the 8th wave to the 10th wave of the Korea Welfare Panel Study. A total of 3,476 subjects aged 60 years or older were analysed. An auto-regressive cross-lagged model with three-year longitudinal data was conducted for the analysis. For all waves, the reciprocal causal relationships between food insecurity and depressive symptoms were examined. The findings have implications for gerontological policy and practice, especially for the Korean impoverished elderly.
A Multivalent Vaccine Based on Ferritin Nanocage Elicits Potent Protective Immune Responses against SARS-CoV-2 Mutations

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has created a global public crisis and heavily affected personal lives, healthcare systems, and global economies. Virus variants are continuously emerging, and, thus, the pandemic has been ongoing for over two years. Vaccines were rapidly developed based on the original SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan-Hu-1) to build immunity against the coronavirus disease. However, they had a very low effect on the virus’ variants due to their low cross-reactivity. In this study, a multivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was developed using ferritin nanocages, which display the spike protein from the Wuhan-Hu-1, B.1. 351, or B.1. 429 SARS-CoV-2 on their surfaces. We show that the mixture of three SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein-displaying nanocages elicits CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and B-cell immunity successfully in vivo. Furthermore, they generate a more consistent antibody response against the B.1. 351 and B.1. 429 variants than a monovalent vaccine. This leads us to believe that the proposed ferritin-nanocage-based multivalent vaccine platform will provide strong protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs).
Street-level bureaucracy in weak state institutions: a systematic review of the literature

The study of street-level bureaucracy has been dominated by research from the Global North. Mainstream conceptualizations are, therefore, based on observations from institutional contexts that may vary significantly from the working conditions of frontline workers elsewhere. This article takes stock of the growing body of literature on street-level bureaucracy in weak institutional contexts and brings together relevant insights from comparative political science and public administration into a coherent analytical framework. We identify four institutional factors that shape frontline working conditions and three behavioral patterns in frontline worker agency. These patterns in frontline agency – ranging from policy improvisation to informal privatization – can be understood as an institutional waterbed effect caused by institutional deficiencies, such as resource scarcity and accountability gaps: if the complexity of public service provision is not tackled at the institutional level, it is pushed towards the street-level where frontline workers cope with it in highly diverse ways. Points for practitioners Frontline workers in weak state institutions are commonly faced with highly precarious working conditions. If the structural preconditions for policy implementation and rule enforcement are unresolved, these complexities are pushed towards frontline workers that cope with them through informal privatization, policy improvisation, or alienative commitment focused on mere job survival. Frontline agency is an indispensable factor for understanding the selective and often distributive nature of service delivery and rule enforcement in the Global South.
The Effect of Social Media User Behaviors on Security and Privacy Threats

The number of online social network (OSN) users is increasing daily and attacks and threats against over the time spent on online networks has been increasing equally. Attacks against OSN users exploit not only system vulnerabilities but also user-induced vulnerabilities, which naturally affect the hacker’s attack strategy as well. This study is designed to investigate the effect of social media user behaviors on their vulnerability level in terms of security and privacy. The study was conducted survey methods, which was applied to social media users in two countries -Turkey and Iraq. This study documents and analyzes the behaviors of 700 OSN users in two countries. This study examines the behaviors of social media users from two nationalities, investigating whether there is a relationship between social media users’ behaviors and security and privacy threats. Research findings demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between OSN users’ behaviors and their attitudes towards security and privacy. Additionally, Turkish social media users pay more attention to their behaviors in terms of privacy and security awareness than Iraq users.
The Endowment Effect and Collateralized Loans

Collateral requirements play an important role in credit markets. This paper shows that the endowment effect—the phenomenon where owing a good increases one's valuation of it— inhibits demand for loans which use a borrower's existing assets as collateral. Using a field experiment in Kenya, we show that borrowers instead strongly prefer loans collateralized using the new durable assets being financed by the loans themselves. They are willing to pay 9% per month higher interest for such Same-Asset Collateralized Loans (SACLs) despite the endowed and new assets being randomized, and thus similarly valued before ownership. Our findings imply that assets which are difficult to use as collateral—which cannot be financed by SACLs— will be invested in less, even if the borrower has other collateral. We argue that borrowers' preference for SACLs is driven by naivete: they initially perceive that they have little to lose when offered a SACL, but subsequently come to develop an attachment to the new asset, resulting in high repayment effort. Consistent with this, borrowers underestimate their future attachment to an asset before owning it, and SACLs do not have higher default rates despite having higher demand. We derive the conditions under which offering consumers SACLs increases or conversely decreases borrower welfare. Kevin Carney Harvard University carney@g.harvard. edu Michael Kremer University of Chicago Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics 1126 E. 59th St. Chicago, IL 60637 and NBER kremermr@uchicago.edu Xinyue Lin Harvard University xinyue_lin@g.harvard. edu Gautam Rao Department of Economics Harvard University Littauer M-30 Cambridge, MA 02138 and NBER grao@fas.harvard. edu