Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monetary Policy with Unobserved Potential Output Preliminary Please Do Not Quote or Circulate Comments Welcome

This paper studies some effects of real time information for the implementation of monetary policy. We consider an economy in which several sources of uncertainty, such as measurement errors and imperfectly observable states, do not allow the policy maker to identify the true state of the economy. Optimal policy thus requires the policy maker to jointly solve a filtering and an optimization problem. We focus in particular on the case of a non-observable measure of potential output and analyze the consequences of this assumption for the macroeconomy (policy, output and inflation). The paper provides a benchmark model to assess the claim that conditioning policy on a potential output measure using real time data may be at the root of a biased policy stance, as recently suggested by Orphanides. More generally, it offers a rigorous framework to analyze the effects of imperfect information and to assess the role of macroeconomic indicators in alleviating information problems.
Public perceptions of New Zealand freshwater and its management - reconciling the science and management implications

Responses from nationwide mail surveys are analysed to identify how New Zealanders assess the state of New Zealand lakes, rivers and streams, as well as perceived pressures on, and quality of management of, freshwater resources. In doing so, we identify significant differences between opinions of different demographic groupings. We then compare these perceptions with the state of freshwater in New Zealand based on biophysical scientific monitoring. Generally, public perception is consistent with biophysical scientific monitoring, suggesting perception surveys can be seen as a useful barometer of environmental performance. Research and management implications from these findings are discussed.
A comparison of the relationship between parental e�cacy and social support systems of single teen mothers across different family forms in South Africa low socioeconomic communities

Background: Teenage parenting is recognised as one of the greatest health and social problems in South Africa. Research in South Africa has shown that by the age of 18 years, more than 30% of teens have given birth at least once. Teen mothers may feel disempowered because they are ‘othered’ and consequently, may develop forms of resistance which in most cases may inhibit their ability to parent. Social support is therefore, an imperative intervention for successful teen parenting but this is not clearly understood in South Africa. This study aimed to compare the relationship between parental e�cacy and social support systems of single teen mothers across different family forms. Methods: A quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional comparative correlation design was conducted with 160 single teen mothers who resided with a family in a low socio-economic community. The participants completed a self-report questionnaire that comprised of the Social Provisions Scale (SPS), and the Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were used to investigate the data. Results: A signi�cant positive relationship between social support and parental e�cacy was found. When comparing different family forms, single teen mothers’ residing with one parent reported greater levels of parental e�cacy and single teen mothers’ residing with two parents, re-counted high levels of social support under the subscales; guide, reliable and nurture. However, when computing for guardian-skip generation, results show that there is no signi�cant relationship between parental e�cacy and social support. As well as no correlation across subscales of social support. Conclusion: The positive relationships between social support and parental e�cacy are important for planning and applying parenting programmes amongst single teen mothers and facilitating awareness regarding the importance of social support and family forms when considering parenting practices. (r within two (n results for extended family (n = 25) indicates a correlation between parental e�cacy and social support (r = .730 ** ), this correlation coe�cient is highly signi�cant from zero (P<0.001). Additionally, the results also show that there is a positive relationship across all subscales of social support; guide (r = .539 ** ), reassworth (r = .756 ** ), socintegr (r = .679 ** ), attach (r = .651 ** ), nurture (r = .666 ** ) and reliable (r = .550 ** ) within extended family (n = 25).
Linear additivity of climate response for combined albedo and greenhouse perturbations

Using an atmospheric general circulation model with fixed cloud amounts and microphysical properties, and coupled to a mixed‐layer static ocean, we perform idealized experiments to inquire into the linear characteristics of the modeled climate system's mean response to simultaneous greenhouse and Northern Hemisphere midlatitude albedo perturbations, two forcings deemed to be important during the present times. The two forcings are chosen to be equal and opposite in the global, annual‐mean such that a linear behavior would be expected to lead to a complete offset of the global, annual‐mean surface temperature change, which is indeed obtained. The monthly and annual zonal‐mean surface temperature, and the annual zonal‐mean precipitation responses to the combined forcings, also are reasonably similar to the sum of the responses to the individual forcings. The albedo forcing case casts a distinct signature on the circulation and precipitation changes in the northern and southern equatorial regions, which is absent for the greenhouse forcing case. The combined simulation yields a result similar to that for the albedo forcing case, one that is consistent with linear additive expectations.
Customer response to interactional service experience: The role of interaction environment

The purpose of this paper is to examine causal attribution in interactional service experiences. The paper investigates how triggers in the environment of a customer-employee interaction influence customer behavioral response to employees’ negative and positive affect. Additionally, it studies the role of sympathy and authenticity as underlying mechanisms of this relationship. ,Two scenario-based experimental designs (N1=162; N2=138) were used. Videotaped scenarios served as stimulus material for the manipulation of two focal variables: the employee’s emotional display as either negative or positive and the availability of an emotion trigger in the interaction environment to convey the attribution dimension of cause uncontrollability. The emotion trigger’s visibility was varied in the two studies. Customer response was captured by buying intentions. ,Customer responses are more favorable for both positive and negative interactional experiences when customers have access to information on cause uncontrollability (i.e. notice triggers in the interaction environment). Analyses reveal that these effects stem from feelings of sympathy for negative experiences and authenticity for positive experiences. ,This research supports the relevance of causal attribution research on interactional service experiences, which have high-profit impact. Moreover, the findings underline the importance of the experience of fact in service interactions and thereby provide a more nuanced view on the discussion of whether service providers should use impression management strategies to engender customer satisfaction even when this behavior is “faked. ”
Feasibility of adopting integrated rice-cum-fish culture system to enhance the development of conventional aquaculture participation in Niger State

In a survey conducted to find out the status of integrated rice-cum-fish culture in Niger State, Nigeria, 0.37 ha of Fadama wetlands was utilized for rice-cum-fish culture and at experimental stage. In the case study of this rice-cum-fish model, the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was involved. The result was that 1,4720 kg/ha/yr could be produced using chick manure application under rice-cum-fish culture model. The available records reveal that 233,079 ha out of 495,000 ha of estimated Fadama in Niger State was used for rice cultivation in 1997. If 233,079 ha were to be used for integrated rice-cum fish culture, it is estimated that 343,092 mt of fish (Oreochromis niloticus) could be produced per year. The fish demand in Niger State in 2002 was 50,000 mt. The NPK application under rice-cum-fish production gave the best rice production estimated at 43,968.0 kg/ha/yr. The percentage increase in rice yield as well as increase in net income due to introduction of fish was 10.1 % and 54.4% respectively. The culture system is therefore recommended for adoption towards greater participation in aquaculture development by the farmers
Inflation, Investment and Growth: A Money and Banking Approach

Output growth, investment and the real interest rate in long-run evidence tend to be negatively affected by inflation. Theoretically, inflation acts as a human capital tax that decreases output growth and the real interest rate, but increases the investment rate, opposing evidence. This paper resolves this puzzle by requiring exchange for investment as well as consumption. Inflation then decreases the investment rate, and still decreases both output growth and real interest up to some moderately high rate of inflation, above which increasingly low investment finally causes capital to fall relative to labour, and the real interest rate to rise.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING MILK YIELD IN FRIESIAN COWS IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Data on 823 performance records of 537 Friesian cows maintained at the Livestock Experiment Station Bhunikey (Pattoki) District Kasur during the years from 1984 to 2001 were used to investigate various sources of variation for milk yield. The Harvey’s least squares analysis was carried out. The least squares means for milk yield and lactation length were 3391.66 ± 137.97 kg and 278.40 ± 90.17 days, respectively. The two traits were significantly correlated with each other having a correlation coefficient of 0.61 (P<0.01). Lactation length and lactation number were significant (P<0.01) sources of variation for milk yield. The influence of year and season of calving on milk yield was also significant (P<0.01). The milk yield was the highest (3659.48 ± 153.47 kg) among the cows calving during autumn and the lowest (3249.36 ± 151.83 kg) among those calving during humid hot season. The cows calving during spring, winter and dry hot seasons yielded 3424.38 ± 188.16, 3345.91 ± 140.12 and 3279.18 ± 201.29 kg of milk, respectively.
A Comparison of Alternative Methodologies for Estimating Potential Output and the Output Gap

In this paper, the authors survey some of the recent techniques proposed in the literature to measure the trend component of output or potential output. Given the reported shortcomings of mechanical filters and univariate approaches to estimate potential output, the paper focusses on three simple multivariate methodologies: the multivariate Beveridge-Nelson methodology (MBN), Cochrane's methodology (CO), and the structural VAR methodology with long-run restrictions applied to output (LRRO). The foundation of these methodologies is first discussed and then applications to U.S. output and consumption data are considered. The LRRO estimates provide significant evidence of a diffusion process for shocks to potential output. This suggests that permanent shocks have more complex dynamics than a random walk, which is the basic assumption of the CO and MBN approaches. However, it is also found that the estimation of the output gap on the basis of an estimated VAR is imprecise, which is consistent with results obtained by Staiger, Stock and Watson (1996) with a different methodology. The spectra of the transitory components (output gaps) resulting from the empirical applications of the CO, MBN and LRRO methodologies differ from one another. Indeed, only the LRRO transitory component has a peak at business-cycle frequencies, i.e., cycles lasting between 6 and 32 quarters.
Modulation of Transforming Growth Factor-/? Production in Normal Human Osteoblast-Like Cells by 17/?-Estradiol and Parathyroid Hormone

Although our laboratory has reported that nor- mal human osteoblast-like (hOB) cells contain estrogen recep- tors, we have failed to find major effects of 17/3-estradiol (E2) on modulation of proliferation of bone matrix protein production by hOB cells. Because the major effect of E2 in vivo is to decrease bone resorption and because transforming growth factor-/? (TGF-/3) has been reported to decrease osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, we have tested the hypothesis that the effect of E2 on osteoclast activity is, at least in part, indirectly mediated by enhancing production of TGF-j8 by osteoblasts. We therefore have extended our studies to examine possible TGF-/3 gene expression including the modulation of the release of TGF-/? by E2 in near homogenous populations of hOB cells. TGF-/3 protein production was measured using growth inhibition of CCL-64 cells and verified by blocking effects with anti-TGF-/3 antibodies. TGF-j8i messenger RNA (mRNA) steady state levels were as- sessed by northern blot analysis and quantitated by densitome- tric measurement using 18S ribosomal RNA as a reference. There was an E2 dose-dependent increase in TGF-/3 protein production within 24 h of challenge with E2. Northern blots from these cells demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in steady state mRNA levels of TGF-/3i within 6 h of treatment. PTH was also a potent stimulator of TGF-/3 protein and message levels in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, coincubation of equimolar concentrations of E2 and PTH (10~ 8 M) abrogated the stimulation of TGF-/3i mRNA and protein. Decreasing the relative concentration of PTH in this coincubation with E2 increased TGF-/3i mRNA and protein levels. These data support the fact that E2 modulates TGF-/3 production in osteoblasts. In this manner TGF-/3 may mediate E2 inhibition of osteoclast activity. (Endocrinology 129: 3313-3320, 1991)
Economic Empowerment of Women and Fertility Behaviour in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

This study investigated the role of women’s economic empowerment on fertility behaviour using Ogbia Local Government Area in Bayelsa State as a case study. The study sought to know how different women’s economic empowerment indicators can affect different fertility behaviour. The Quality-Quantity theory and Feminist patriarchal theory served as the theoretical framework for the study. The sample selected for the study was made up of 394 women of child bearing age respondents. Data collected for the study were analysed using both descriptive statistics (percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient). Findings from the study revealed that women who are empowered economically, are more likely to have positive fertility behaviour. Based on the findings, recommendations such as; encouraging men to embrace the concept of women empowerment, government setting up small scale businesses for women to aid their empowerment etc. Keywords: Women’s Economic Empowerment, Fertility Behaviour, Quality-Quantity theory, Feminist Patriarchal theory, Ogbia LGA
Title : The memory of airway epithelium damage in smokers and COPD patients

53 Background. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devastating lung disease, 54 representing the third cause of mortality worldwide. In COPD, the bronchial epithelium 55 displays several structural and functional abnormalities involving barrier integrity, polarity, cell 56 differentiation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, as well as inflammation. Although 57 COPD is currently considered as an irreversible disease, the (ir)reversible nature of those 58 changes ex vivo remains poorly known. 59 Methods. The persistence of COPD epithelial features was assessed in very long-term (10 60 weeks) primary cultures of air/liquid interface (ALI)-reconstituted airway epithelium from non61 smoker controls, smoker controls, and COPD patients. The role of inflammation in promoting 62 this phenotype was also explored by stimulating ALI cultures with a cytokine mix of TNF-α, 63
Relative Dipolar Behavior of the Equivalent T Wave Generator: Quantitative Comparison with Ventricular Excitation in the Rabbit Heart

We studied the relative dipolar and nondipolar content of signal energy throughout ventricular excitation and recovery in 34 isolated, perfused rabbit hearts, suspended in an electrolyte-filled spherical chamber. Computer-processed signals were derived from 20 evenly spaced tank-surface electrodes, and a single, moving, equivalent cardiac dipole generator was optimally fitted to the recorded potentials for each 1-msec sampling interval. Superimposed, time-based plots of signal energy for the 34 preparations showed ventricular excitation to be strikingly more nondipolar than was recovery. In terms of the summed square ratio of nondipolar residual energies, overall nondipolarity of QRS exceeded that of ST-T by 41%. Furthermore, the maximum instantaneous ratio during QRS was considerably greater than during the ST-T. Evaluation of paired differences, comparing nondipolar behavior throughout QRS with all of ST-T, proved highly significant (P < .005). We also found that in contrast to the considerable mobility exhibited by the equivalent QRS dipole, the ST-T dipole locus remained nearly stationary during most of ventricular recovery. Presumably because repolarization is temporally and spatially a relatively diffuse process, it may generate electrical fields which are notably more dipolar than those caused by depolarization.
A Spatiotemporal Autoregressive Price Index for the Paris Office Property Market

This article applies the spatiotemporal hedonic approach to the analysis of office transaction prices in the Paris property market (i.e., central Paris and its inner suburbs). The analysis focuses primarily on the market's two main business districts (the Central Business District and the La Defense District). We find that spatial and temporal dependence effects are strongly present in these submarkets. Additionally, we propose a hybrid method for incorporating a temporal regime switch into the spatiotemporal autoregressive model. The regime switching around 1997 (i.e., in the presence of temporal heterogeneity) substantially affects the significance of spatial and temporal dependences. Finally, we build a new price index that incorporates both spatiotemporal dependences and temporal heterogeneity. This index differs strongly from the usual hedonic price index.
The Path of the Blind Watchmaker: A Model of Evolution

Evolution has been described by Richard Dawkins as a blind watchmaker due to its being unconscious and random but selective and able to produce complex forms. Evolution from an early, primitive organism (the Last Universal Common Ancestor of all life, LUCA) to Homo sapiens is the most dramatic biological process that has taken place on Earth and knowledge of it is important to understanding many aspects of biology including disease prevention and treatment. We claim that computational biology has now reached the point that astronomy reached when it began to look backward in time to the Big Bang. Our goal is look backward in biological time, and to begin to describe, in more detail, LUCA and the evolution from LUCA to us. This evolution process is the path of the blind watchmaker. This thesis presents a novel dataset of LUCA and other early, genome sequences that we have reconstructed. These ancestors serve as reference species for our models. We develop a sequence evolution model that reflects biological processes more accurately than prior work and apply it to the ancestral genome dataset. This model uses empirical mutation probabilities for scoring alignments and includes inversion mutations. The results of this model describe the mutations that must have taken place during the evolution of our reference species. We then apply the sequence evolution results to our population evolution model. This model uses a dynamic set of population pools with related but distinct, mutating genomes reproducing sexually and asexually, and subject to speciation effects, selection pressures, and environmental carrying capacity limitations. Due to a dearth of empirical data needed to estimate model parameters of earlier organisms, our population model did not extend all the way back to LUCA; it instead extended back to a more recent, common ancestor. The results of this model are population size estimates, evolution duration estimates, and identification of critical evolution parameters and estimates of their values. We present the results of these models along with evidence for some tantalizing, if speculative, discoveries along the path. This work also identifies significant opportunities for further efforts in silico, in vitro, and in vivo.
Emotional Intelligence and Teacher Efficacy as Predictors of Teacher Effectiveness among Pre-Service Teachers in Some Nigerian Universities

Received Jul 8, 2013 Revised Jan 20, 2014 Accepted April 26, 2014 Evidence from teacher-effectiveness studies indicates that teacher effectiveness has yielded a wealth of understanding about the impact that teacher ability has on student growth. However, much is yet to be known on some psychological factors that could influence teaching effectiveness particularly among pre-service teachers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of emotional intelligence, and teacher efficacy, on the teacher effectiveness of pre-service teachers. Two validated instruments (Emotional intelligence scale; teacher efficacy scale) were administered on 300 students randomly selected from two Universities in the South-West region of Nigeria. Data were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple regression. The findings of this study demonstrated that emotional intelligence and teacher efficacy had predictive influence on teacher effectiveness. Based on these findings, it is suggested that appropriate strategies and policies for fostering teacher efficacy and emotional intelligence would go a long way in enhancing effective teaching among pre-service teachers. Keyword:
Numerical Modeling of Air Losses in Compressed Air Tunneling

ABSTRACT A numerical model has been developed to predict the air losses from tunnel face and perimeter walls in compressed air tunneling. The model can also predict the zone of ground influenced by air flow from the face and walls of a lined and unlined tunnel. The model comprises a finite element analysis of the flow of air from the tunnel face and an analysis of the flow from the tunnel perimeter walls based on flow laws. The numerical model considers the stages in the construction sequence, geometry of the tunnel, soil layers, and time. Furthermore, the model accounts for the curing behavior of shotcrete, in particular, the time dependency of permeability. Field data from the Feldmoching Tunnel, U8 N-8 in Munich, Germany, has been used as a case study to verify and calibrate the numerical model. The results of the analysis indicate that this model is suitable for predicting air losses in compressed air tunneling. Furthermore, the model predicts the areas of ground that are likely to be affected by the .