Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymptotic analysis for a simple explicit estimator in Barndorff-Nielsen and Shephard stochastic volatility models

We provide a simple explicit estimator for discretely observed Barndorff-Nielsen and Shephard models, prove rigorously consistency and asymptotic normality based on the single assumption that all moments of the stationary distribution of the variance process are finite, and give explicit expressions for the asymptotic covariance matrix. We develop in detail the martingale estimating function approach for a bivariate model, that is not a diffusion, but admits jumps. We do not use ergodicity arguments. We assume that both, logarithmic returns and instantaneous variance are observed on a discrete grid of fixed width, and the observation horizon tends to infinity. As the instantaneous variance is not observable in practice, our results cannot be applied immediately. Our purpose is to provide a theoretical analysis as a starting point and benchmark for further developments concerning optimal martingale estimating functions, and for theoretical and empirical investigations, that replace the variance process with a substitute, such as number or volume of trades or implied variance from option data.
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP PRACTICES OF SCHOOL HEADS AND PERFORMANCE OF CITY SCHOOLS IN THE DIVISION OFFIRST DISTRICT OF LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES

A study was conducted to determine the transformational practices of school leaders of city schools in the Division of First District of Laguna, Philippines. Further, the research aimed also to determine the extent of transformational leadership practices among public elementary school heads and teachers in terms of: Idealized Influence,Inspirational Motivation,Intellectual Stimulation and Individualized Consideration; assessed the performance of public elementary schools in terms of: Drop Out Rate , Cohort Survival Rate, Completion Rate, and Achievement Rate and determined the significant relationship between transformational leadership practices and the performance of public elementary schools. The descriptive correlational research design was employed and involved 44 school heads and 591 public elementary teachers. All the practices were assessed by the teacher respondents as highly observed. The schools’
O acadêmico ingressante na educação superior: perfil, escolhas e expectativas

Esta pesquisa tem como tema a Educação Superior e o objetivo é discutir as pluralidades que compõem o mosaico juvenil e envolvem a transição do Ensino Médio para o Superior por meio do perfil do acadêmico ingressante. Buscamos, ainda, pontuar ações que interferem na permanência do estudante na universidade. A metodologia utilizada é quali-quantitativa. O instrumento de coleta de dados foi um questionário online com 19 questões objetivas aplicado junto aos ingressantes da graduação em 2016-1. A análise do instrumento pautou-se na estratégia da triangulação metodológica, que permite a combinação e o cruzamento de métodos e técnicas de pesquisa. Como resultados sinalizamos: a) o perfil dos ingressantes revela, entre outros dados, que a maioria é do sexo feminino, são economicamente dependentes da família e oriundos das escolas públicas; b) há fragilidades na participação em atividades culturais como teatro, cinema, shows e em atividades de lazer como a prática de esportes, dança e academia; c) que as ações de acolhimento e atendimento ao discente, no curso e ações institucionais são fundamentais para que a transição do acadêmico dê-se de forma mais tranquila, assim como, para sua permanência; d) a maioria deseja desenvolver habilidades para diferentes possibilidades profissionais e adquirir conhecimento específico da área de cultura geral. Observamos que a transição do acadêmico é dependente não apenas da formação dos ingressantes, mas também da estrutura que os acolhe. A universidade necessita atuar como um campo de formação específica, mas também oferecer oportunidades de ampliar seu capital cultural.
A Resource-Based Model for E-Commerce in Developing Countries

Previous efforts in electronic commerce (e-commerce) research in developing countries shows that there is an acute lack of theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence to understand how developing country firms realize electronic commerce benefits amidst their national constraints. This paper sets out to develop a theoretically abstracted but contextually grounded model of how developing country firms can orient their resources and realize these benefits amidst their national constraints. A review of e-commerce and strategy management literature to develop a resource – based model for e-commerce benefits was undertaken. The process-based model provides an understanding of how to identify, integrate, and reconfigure resources to achieve electronic commerce benefits; provides propositions that serves as theoretical platforms for future empirically grounded research on electronic commerce in developing country contexts and brings organizations closer to identifying and categorizing the strategic value of resources and the role managerial capabilities and intangible resources play in sustaining e-commerce benefits. Finally, our findings provides organizations the strategic options to address resources which have lost their value or have become less valuable to their strategic orientation in e-commerce adoption thereby serving as a starting point of examining e-commerce in developing countries through the theoretical lens of information systems and strategic management.
EFFECTS OF INDUCED SALINITY ON FOUR VICIA FABA CULTIVARS DIFFERING IN THEIR BROOMRAPE TOLERANCE

The effects of salinity on growth response, root characteristics and leaf ion accumulation of four faba bean (Vicia faba L) cultivars (Giza 429, Giza 843 and Misr 1 Orobanche-tolerant and Giza 3 Orobanche-susceptable) were investigated. The plants were grown in a pot experiment and exposed to different salinity levels (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl) for 9 weeks. The K + /Na + and Ca 2+ /Na + ratios in faba bean leaves gradually decreased by increasing salinity levels, and reached their lowest values at the highest level of salinity. The results obtained represent supportive evidence on the positive relationship between Orobance-tolerance and salt tolerance in the three cultivars (G429, G843, and M1).
No . 08 / 11 Promoting transparency in the NGO sector : Examining the availability and reliability of self-reported data by Ronelle Burger and

Amid widespread calls for NGOs to become more accountable and transparent, this work examines the prevalence of discrepancies between what NGOs say and what they do. It does so using a unique dataset of 300 NGOs in Uganda with corresponding beneficiary assessments. Investigating NGO dishonesty with regards to financial transparency and community participation, the study finds a high incidence of misrepresentation among NGOs. Results from a Heckman probit model suggest that the determinants of misrepresentation differ according to the subject matter: the threat of being caught reduces the likelihood of dishonesty about financial transparency, while a desire to ‘save face’ to maintain a good reputation appears to be the main motivator of a misrepresentation of community. consultation. The analysis provides tentative indications that NGOs with antagonistic relations with the government may be more likely to hide information and be dishonest. It also lends some support to the view that excessive and unrealistic donor demands may be an obstacle to openness and transparency. The findings of this work caution against an overly naïve and simplistic view of NGOs, and specifically, an overreliance on reported information when regulating, monitoring or surveying NGOs. ____________________________________________________________________ Centre for Research in Economic Development and International Trade, University of Nottingham _____________________________________________________________________ CREDIT Research Paper
Teaching writing for academic purposes to multilingual students: instructional approaches

language transfer. There is also room for improvement. Though language-specific processing is proposed as a new perspective for language transfer studies, more empirical studies are in need to further explore the exact effect of language-specific factors in language transfer. A more comprehensive framework of language transfer could also have been provided to integrate all the different theories and methods adopted in the book. In addition, there may be overlapping between the cognitive perspective and other three perspectives as phonological, lexical and syntactic transfer can also be studied cognitively. The book provides useful resources for a wide range of readers, including second language learners, academic researchers in second language learning, and language teachers and practitioners in second language learning. The book also presents inspirations to teachers and practitioners who study second language transfer.
Pseudascarophis brasiliensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitic in the Bermuda chub Kyphosus sectatrix (Perciformes: Kyphosidae) from southeastern Brazil

A new species of Pseudascarophis (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) found in the stomach of Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus) (Kyphosidae), off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described. The new species can be differentiated from the other congeners by the presence of lateral alae, distinct but inconspicuous cephalic papillae at the anterior end, three pairs of precloacal and one pair of adcloacal papillae in males, egg morphology and morphometry of glandular oesophagus and spicules. Pseudascarophis tropica is transferred to Ascarophis as Ascarophis tropica (Solov'eva) comb. n. due to its ambiguous diagnosis.
Facilitating a successful transition out of sport: Introduction of a collegiate student-athlete workshop

ABSTRACT For many collegiate student-athletes, graduation often coincides with retirement from competitive sport. In some cases, this transition may have detrimental psychosocial consequences. The current article outlines a workshop targeting preparation for the transition out of sport upon graduation from college. The workshop utilizes Schlossberg's (1984) human adaptation to transition model as a guiding theoretical framework and includes four major sections: (1) education on transition out of sport; (2) coping strategies; (3) discussion to process the loss of sport; and (4) identification of additional resources. This workshop may be beneficial for professional helping athletes prepare for the transition out of sport.
Performance Analysis of AODV, DSR, and Swarm Intelligence Routing Protocols In Vehicular Ad Hoc Network Environment

Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETS) are self-organizing communities of wheeled mobile units consisting of large numbers of trucks, cars, buses and a small number of static infrastructure nodes such as traffic signals, highway rail grade crossings, and informational signage within radio communication range to each other. VANET is a promising approach for facilitating road safety, traffic management,and infotainment dissemination for drivers and passengers.Key characteristics that distinguish VANETs from other networks are time-varying nature of vehicle density, high mobility, and time-critical safety applications. Hence, devising protocols for VANETs may not be successfully accomplished by simple adaptation of protocols designed for wired networks and Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs). In this paper, we compared and evaluated the performance of following routing protocols: AODV, DSR, and Swarm Intelligence based routing protocol. A variety of VANETs, characterized by the mobility, load, and size of the network were simulated. Simulation results shows that AODV and DSR may not be suitable for vehicular environments. SWARM Intelligence based routing protocol showed promising results in VANETs in terms throughput, latency, data delivery ratio and data delivery cost.
The effects of dietary energy restriction on overloaded skeletal muscle in rats‡

We evaluated the effects of three levels of energy intake, 73 % (CON73), 81 % (CON81) and 100 % (CON100) of the ad libitum intake of the control diet, on skeletal muscle growth induced by functional overload in male rats. Unlike most previous studies which have employed chronic or acute food restriction where all nutrients are reduced in the diet, the present study tested the effects of energy deprivation as a single factor without inducing other nutritional deficiencies. Muscular growth of plantaris and soleus muscles was induced by removal of synergist gastrocnemius muscles in one hindlimb; muscles in the other leg were used as sham-operated intra-animal controls. After 30 d, rats on the energy-restricted CON73 and CON81 diets gained less weight and had smaller livers, kidneys, hearts and fat pads (epididymal, retroperitoneal and omental) than CON100 rats (P<0·05). They also had smaller sham-operated plantaris muscles (CON73 -13 %, CON81 -9 %) containing less total protein (CON73 -14 %; CON81 -10 %) than CON100 rats (P<0·05). However, the same measurements in overloaded plantaris muscles were similar among groups. Soleus muscle mass and protein contents were not significantly affected by energy restriction in our study. Percentage distributions of myosin heavy-chain isoforms (types I, IIa, IIx and IIb) were similar among rats in CON100, CON81 and CON73 groups for both plantaris and soleus muscles. We conclude that the growth reduction of plantaris muscle induced by energy restriction at 73 % and 81 % for 30 d was prevented by functional overload in male rats.
A precision constraint on multi-Higgs-doublet models

We derive a general expression for Δρ (or, equivalently, for the oblique parameter T) in the SU(2) × U(1) electroweak model with an arbitrary number of scalar SU(2) doublets, with hypercharge ±1/2, and an arbitrary number of scalar SU(2) singlets. The experimental bound on Δρ constitutes a strong constraint on the masses and mixings of the scalar particles in that model.
Volatile Compound Profiling by HS-SPME/GC-MS-FID of a Core Olive Cultivar Collection as a Tool for Aroma Improvement of Virgin Olive Oil

Virgin olive oil (VOO) is the only food product requiring official sensory analysis to be classified in commercial categories, in which the evaluation of the aroma plays a very important role. The selection of parents, with the aim of obtaining new cultivars with improved oil aroma, is of paramount importance in olive breeding programs. We have assessed the volatile fraction by headspace-solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-flame ionization detection (HS-SPME/GC-MS-FID) and the deduced aroma properties of VOO from a core set of olive cultivars (Core-36) which possesses most of the genetic diversity found in the World Olive Germplasm Collection (IFAPA Alameda del Obispo) located in Cordoba, Spain. The VOO volatile fractions of Core-36 cultivars display a high level of variability. It is mostly made of compounds produced from polyunsaturated fatty acids through the lipoxygenase pathway, which confirms to be a general characteristic of the olive species (Olea europaea L.). The main group of volatile compounds in the oils was six straight-chain carbon compounds derived from linolenic acid, some of them being the main contributors to the aroma of the olive oils according to their odor activity values (OAV). The high level of variability found for the volatile fraction of the oils from Core-36 and, therefore, for the aroma odor notes, suggest that this core set may be a very useful tool for the choice of optimal parents in olive breeding programs in order to raise new cultivars with improved VOO aroma.
MDPF: Minimum Distance Packet Forwarding for Search Applications in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

This paper introduces a message forwarding algorithm for search applications within mobile ad hoc networks that is based on the concept of selecting the nearest node from a set of designated nodes. The algorithm, which is called Minimum Distance Packet Forwarding (MDPF), uses routing information to select the node with the minimum distance. The goal of the proposed algorithm is to minimize the average number of hops taken to reach the node that holds the desired data. Numerical analysis and experimental evaluations using the network simulation software ns2 were performed to derive the lower and upper bounds of the confidence interval for the mean hop count between the source node of the data request, on one hand, and the node that holds the desired data and the last node in the set of search nodes, on the other hand. In the experimental evaluation, the performance of MDPF was compared to that of Random Packet Forwarding (RPF) and Minimal Spanning Tree Forwarding (MSTF). The results agreed with the numerical analysis results and demonstrated that MDPF offers significant hop count savings and smaller delays when compared to RPF and MSTF.
Noni (Morinda citrifolia Linn.) fruit juice attenuates the rewarding effect of ethanol in conditioned place preference in mice

Morinda citrifolia L. commonly known as noni or Indian mulberry belongs to the family Rubiaceae. Noni fruit juice has recently become a very popular remedy for the treatment of several diseases, including psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to investigate the anticraving effect of Tahitian Noni® Juice (TNJ) against ethanol seeking behavior in ICR male mice using the conditioned place preference (CPP) test. The CPP procedure consisted of four phases: preconditioning, conditioning, extinction, and reinstatement. During conditioning, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of ethanol (2 g/kg body weight (bw)) and normal saline (10 ml/kg bw) were given on alternate days for 12 days. Then, the animals were subjected to extinction trials for the next 12 days to weaken CPP. Finally, CPP was reinstated in the extinguished animals by a single low-dose priming injection of ethanol (0.4 g/kg bw, i.p.). The effect of TNJ (as a source of drinking water) on different phases of ethanol CPP in mice was studied. TNJ-treated mice showed a significant reduction in ethanol seeking behavior in the CPP test. The reference drug, acamprosate (ACAM) also showed a similar effect in the CPP test. The outcome of this study suggests that TNJ is effective in attenuating ethanol craving in mice and could be utilized for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Further clinical studies in this direction are warranted to support the present preclinical findings.
Corrigendum: Respiratory Function in Voluntary Participating Patagonia Sea Lions (Otaria flavescens) in Sternal Recumbency

We measured esophageal pressures (n = 4), respiratory flow rates (n = 5), and expired O2 and CO2 (n = 4) in five adult Patagonia sea lions (Otaria flavescens, body mass range 94.3-286.0 kg) during voluntary breaths while laying down out of water. The data were used to estimate the dynamic specific lung compliance (sCL), the O2 consumption rate ([Formula: see text]O2) and CO2 production rates ([Formula: see text]CO2) during rest. Our results indicate that the resting tidal volume in Patagonia sea lions is approximately 47-73% of the estimated total lung capacity. The esophageal pressures indicated that expiration is passive during voluntary breaths. The average sCL of sea lions was 0.41 ± 0.11 cmH2O-1, which is similar to those measured in anesthetized sea lions and awake cetaceans, and significantly higher as compared to humans (0.08 cmH2O-1). The average estimated [Formula: see text]O2 and [Formula: see text]CO2 using breath-by-breath respirometry were 1.023 ± 0.327 L O2 min-1 (range: 0.695-1.514 L O2 min-1) and 0.777 ± 0.318 L CO2 min-1, (range: 0.510-1.235 L CO2 min-1), respectively, which is similar to previously published metabolic measurements from California and Steller sea lions using conventional flow-through respirometry. Our data provide end-tidal gas composition and offer novel data for respiratory physiology in pinnipeds, which may be important for clinical medicine and conservation efforts.
Hemodynamic aspects of compensatory reactions of human cardiovascular system in conditions of postural loads

The aim of the work was to study the features of central hemodynamic reactions and regulatory mechanisms in persons with hypo- and hyperkinetic blood circulation and different physical status under postural loads.The parameters of central hemodynamics and spectral characteristics of the heart rhythm were applied. Healthy men aged 18–21 years with different physical status were involved.Significant differences were established in adaptive reactions of people with different types of blood circulation and physical status in the conditions of postural loads. Adaptive reactions of central hemodynamics in individuals with the hyperkinetic compared with hypokinetic type of blood circulation in the head-up-tilt position were characterized by more intracardiac and vascular tension and less involvement of the higher vegetative centres. The surveyed persons with the hypokinetic type of blood circulation under these conditions were characterized by lower vascular activation and greater involvement of systemic extracardiac regulation mechanisms. The compensatory reactions of the cardiovascular system in the head-down-tilt position of people with the hypokinetic type of blood circulation, especially athletes, were characterized by a lower activity of the contractile function of the heart and the participation of extracardiac mechanisms of regulation, and those with the hyperkinetic type – by more prominent switching of the higher regulatory centres of the central nervous system and humoral nervous centres on the background of the tension of self-regulation processes.The revealed features of compensatory reactions of the cardiovascular system may be useful in the field of clinical and sports medicine, and physical rehabilitation.
Operationalizing routine activity theory in juvenile delinquency: A social work perspective

Routine activity theory, introduced by Cohen and Felson, may be useful in informing social workers to design better interventions with juvenile offenders. This article aims to apply the theory in the juvenile context through operationalizing the three elements specified by the theory – namely an absence of guardianship, a motivated offender and a suitable target. In order to do this, this article reviewed related studies that have been conducted to detail what is necessary to address juvenile delinquency. The operationalizations in this article may be used to advance further research and social work practice with juvenile delinquents.
Periaxin mutations cause a broad spectrum of demyelinating neuropathies

Previous studies have demonstrated that apparent loss‐of‐function mutations in the periaxin gene cause autosomal recessive Dejerine‐Sottas neuropathy or severe demyelinating Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease. In this report, we extend the associated phenotypes with the identification of two additional families with novel periaxin gene mutations (C715X and R82fsX96) and provide detailed neuropathology. Each patient had marked sensory involvement; two siblings with a homozygous C715X mutation had much worse sensory impairment than motor impairment. Despite early disease onset, these siblings with the C715X mutation had relatively slow disease progression and adult motor impairment typical of classic demyelinating Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy. In contrast, a patient with the homozygous R82fsX96 mutation had a disease course consistent with Dejerine‐Sottas neuropathy. The neuropathology of patients in both families was remarkable for demyelination, onion bulb and occasional tomacula formation with focal myelin thickening, abnormalities of the paranodal myelin loops, and focal absence of paranodal septate‐like junctions between the terminal loops and axon. Our study indicates a prominent sensory neuropathy resulting from periaxin gene mutations and suggests a role for the carboxyl terminal domain of the periaxin protein.