Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the predictability of WTI crude oil futures volatility

This research investigates whether a certain volatility state on the WTI market for crude oil, either the current one or one in the near-future, can be explained using a switching-regression model. Focusing on weekly data over 2000-2015, four fundamental factors the S&P 500 index, the rolling-month NYMEX gold future, the Baltic Dry Index, and the US Dollar Index – and the rolling-year WTI spread, the more technical factor, are used as explanatory parameters. While separate analyses of the impact of fundamental or technical factors on the crude oil price respectively have been performed before, this research is, to the author’s best knowledge, the first in combining both types of factors into one model related to crude oil volatility. Based on the results of this research, the following can be concluded: simultaneous changes in simultaneous deviations in the rolling-year WTI futures spread, S&P 500 and US Dollar Index seem to increase the probability for a certain WTI volatility state, both the current one as well as the one for next week. For the current state, a simultaneous absolute deviation in these three parameters larger than 2.74 percent significantly increases the chance of a volatility switch in the current period. Furthermore, a simultaneous return larger than 3.10 percent now will significantly increase the chance of a volatility switch in the next period. These results could significantly improve risk management on the crude oil market. The outcome from the lagged model is particularly useful as it provides market participants with the probability of risks affecting their investments in the near-future based on the current developments on connected markets. JEL Codes: Q4, G11, G14, G17, C31, Q31, Q32, Q41, C51, C52
Tobacco regulation in South Africa: Interest groups and public policy

The article examines the role of interest groups in the adoption of comprehensive tobacco control policies in South Africa. While various studies have noted that interest groups shape and influence public policies especially in advanced industrialized polities, this study looks at the impact of tobacco control groups in regulating tobacco use in a developing, middle-income country, South Africa. Using interviews of leading experts on tobacco control from South Africa and tobacco control policy documents, the study finds that since the last decade or so, the lobbying and campaigns of anti-tobacco interest groups have led to the adoption of more restrictive policies. Key words: Tobacco control, interest groups, anti-tobacco groups, South Africa.
Progress in farming of Chilean silverside Basilichthys microlepidotus Jenyns, 1841: an alternative for productive diversification

This work describes the progress made in farming of Chilean silverside ( Basilichthys microlepidotus ), on the basis of broodstock captured in 2012 in the Mataquito River. A total of 179 individuals (adults and juveniles) were captured using a fishing rod fitted with a hook. The broodstock were transported to IFOP´s Experimental Center in Huihue-Chiloe for reproductive conditioning. Following a period of 18 months, the individuals distributed in different farming units reached the gonad maturation stage and spawned naturally. The eggs collected hatched after remaining 16 days in incubation under laboratory conditions. The group of newly hatched larvae displayed lengths around 8.0 ± 0.2 mm, reached lengths close to 18.5 ± 2.8 mm, 30 days of culture (post-hatching). Larvae harvesting took place in tanks with filtered and sterilized freshwater. The reabsorption of the vitelline vesicle was followed by digestive tract development, stage at which the larvae started to be fed with live food ( Artemia nauplii ), complemented with a commercial feed supplement. The growth of the larvae was described until 45 days post-hatching and following 266 days of culture, close to 45% of the larvae reached the juvenile stage (11.3 ± 2.6 cm). This paper deals with aspects related to larvae survival and the introduction of improvements to streamline larvae and juvenile production in order to upscale the culture of this species at the commercial level (aquaculture diversification), in addition to exploring the possibility of carrying out repopulation programs with juveniles. Normal 0 21 false false false ES-CL X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
Host range of lichenivorous moths with special reference to nutritional quality and chemical defence in lichens

Host use and range of herbivorous insects are determined by several factors, of which nutritional quality and secondary chemistry have been shown to play very important roles. For herbivores feeding on lichens these traits are assumed to be more critical than for species feeding on higher plants, since lichens are nutritionally poor and often contain high concentrations of secondary metabolites. I examined the role of lichens' nutritional quality and secondary chemicals on the performance of lichen-feeding Lepidopteran larvae. I also tested whether females of lichenivorous species preferably oviposit on host species of the highest nutritional quality for the growth of larvae. Larvae of Eilema depressum performed best on Melanelia exasperata, which is of the highest nutritional quality, as indicated by the high N concentration and the absence of lichen secondary metabolites compared to the other lichens studied. Host nutritional quality did not promote the production of an additional generation. Larvae of E. depressum needed fewer instars and grew bigger on a high-quality diet than larvae reared on a diet of poorer quality. However, the main factor contributing to the wide variation in the number of larval instars was the question of whether or not larvae overwintered. Growth of Cleorodes lichenaria at the beginning of the larval period matched equally the nutritional quality of the hosts. However, the final larval period was shortest on Ramalina species, which was preferred by both females ovipositing their eggs and larvae searching for a host. In the field, larvae were found almost exclusively on Ramalina species. Larvae of E. depressum were not able to survive on intact thalli of Vulpicida pinastri and Hypogymnia physodes, but after removal of lichen's secondary metabolites, larval survival remained equally high as on other lichens. Larvae also showed a clear preference towards thalli with lowered concentrations of secondary metabolites in Parmelia sulcata, V. pinastri and H. physodes. Parietin in Xanthoria parietina was the only secondary metabolite that had no impact on the survival or host selection of E. depressum larvae. The present results show that the nutritional quality and some lichen secondary chemicals are important factors for the growth, survival and host selection of lichen-feeding Lepidopteran larvae. The preference-performance hypothesis is at least partly able to explain the host range of C. lichenaria, although it seems that there are also other factors, such as larval dispersal and host selection or top-down forces, that might contribute to host range of lichenivorous Lepidopteran larvae. Moreover, lichenivorous larvae seem to be partly responsible for their own host selection.
The Relationship between Attachment Lifestyle with Depression, Hopefulness and Emotional Intelligence

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between attachment lifestyles with depression and hopefulness and Emotional Intelligence of the students. The participants in this study included all the male and female students of different fields in Islamic Azad University of Ghorveh in 2012-2013. The sample consisted of 100 individuals and a simple random sampling method was used. The measuring instruments used were the adult attachment scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Schneider hopefulness Test. The Ann-Bar questionnaire consisted of 90 questions about emotional intelligence. The Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. The results indicated significant negative relationships between students' secure attachment styles and depression, and there is a significant positive relationship between students' attachment style and hopefulness and Emotional Intelligence. The results also indicated a positive significant relationship between insecure (avoidant) attachment style and insecure (anxious-ambivalent) with students' depression. The results further indicated a significant negative relationship between the two kinds of attachment styles and hopefulness and Emotional Intelligence.
Relationship of photosynthesis and related traits to seed yield in oilseed Brassicas

The physiological basis of yield in oilseeds Brassicas needs to be investigated, and the contribution of these traits to its yield is difficult to decipher. Eight cultivars of Brassica belonging to 3 species viz. B. juncea, B. napus and B. carinata - based on significant differences in yield were tested over two years. Net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and water use efficiency were investigated on 3rd and 4th fully expanded leaf on the main stem and related to yield. Average photosynthetic efficiency (umolm-2s-1) was higher in RLC1 (36.1), GSC6(36.3) and PC5 (33.8) cultivars. Impact of environment was inconspicuous. However interactions (GxY) were significant for the studied photosynthetic traits except Pn. Lower transpiration rates were associated with higher water use efficiency in RLC1 (5.69), GSL1 (5.44) and GSC6 (5.40). Positive correlation between SY and Pn (0.385) was recorded for the first time in Brassicas although the magnitude of association was low. Quality mustard cultivar (RLC1, B. juncea) and amongst B. napus GSC6 (canola) and Hyola PAC401 (hybrid, canola) were higher yielders due to relative high Pn, more efficient utilization of water and chlorophyll content. Indeterminate growth habits of the cultivars indicated highest contribution to Pn by leaves during flowering as compared with early siliquae formation. Environment had a profound impact on the yielding ability and the photosynthetic traits.
Phosphorus equivalency of a Citrobracter braakii phytase in broilers

SUMMARY A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of phytase supplementation on growth performance, phosphorus availability, and bone mineralization in broilers. Three hundred fifty Cobb × Cobb 500 slow-feathering male broilers were placed in steel battery cages into 7 treatments with 10 replications of 5 chicks each. The treatments were: a positive control (PC) diet [0.42% nonphytate phosphorus (nPP)], 4 diets containing increases in nPP from dicalcium phosphate (0.14, 0.20, 0.26, and 0.32%), and 2 phytase supplemental levels [500 and 1,000 phytase units (FYT)/kg]onthediethaving0.14%nPP.Alldietscontained0. 8%calcium.Growthperformance and bone data were regressed against the 4 diets having increased nPP. The equations generated were replaced by the corresponding performance obtained with 2 phytase levels to estimate their nPP bioequivalence. An overall reduction in performance and bone mineralization was observed associated with a reduction in nPP. Linear fits provided the best adjustments for all responses with the exceptions of BW gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI). Adding phytase to the 0.14% nPP diet improved growth performance and bone mineralization (P < 0.001). Average bioequivalence nPP for each phytase level was dependent on the evaluated response with lowest and highest values at 500 FYT supplementation of 0.077 and 0.145 for toe P and femur Ca, respectively, whereas lowest and highest values at 1,000 FYT of 0.143 and 0.194 for BWG and toe ash. Averaging all values for 500 and 1,000 FYT provided estimations of 0.100 and 0.166 nPP, respectively.
A Literature Review of the Perspectives of CEO Pay: An Analysis of Issues and Controversies

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on various theories that are used in organisations today to determine executive compensation. This paper analyses the relevance of the theories that are used to determine CEO compensation in modern corporations. The paper makes an attempt to review extensively the literature on CEO compensation. This paper looks at the concerns of sixteen theories of executive compensation. This paper further analyses the special features that are associated with CEO pay. These features help us to understand the problems that experts on executive pay experience when they try to define the exact CEO pay when compared to other rewards that are non financial. The drivers of executive pay are quantified and qualified in order to provide the conceptual background needed to understand the core factors that determine executive pay. Therefore the role of institutional investors in driving managerial salary is explored in detail. Finally, the effects of firm size and good corporate governance on executive pay are carefully analysed.
Implications of Divorce: Do Co-parenting Relationships Influence Individual Parent-child Relationships?

This study examined the influence of co-parenting on the parent-child relationship. Using data from the 7 wave of collection of the Early Years of Marriage Study factors such as parents’ perceptions of parent-child relationship quality, the role of gender on time parents spend with their children on parent-child relationship quality were analyzed to determine whether perceptions of the co-parenting relationship were related to the parent-child relationship in divorced families. Results indicated that certain aspects of the co-parenting relationship affected some aspects of the parent-child relationship but not others. There were also differences based on parent gender where fathers reported more satisfaction with their ex-spouse’s relationship with their children than mothers. Further, satisfaction with one’s relationship with their former spouse was the single greatest predictor of overall parent-child relationship quality. Results of this study demonstrate that establishing a cooperative post-divorce co-parenting relationship for both former spouses as well as parent-child relationships. If parents come to better understand the importance of cooperative co-parenting, divorce may less negatively affect family functioning. CO-PARENTING AND PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS 5 Implications of Divorce: Do Co-parenting Relationships Influence Individual Parent-Child Relationships?
Experimental and Non-Experimental Evidence on Limited Attention and Present Bias at the Gym

We show that limited attention and present bias contribute to low levels of exercise. First, in a large randomized experiment, we find that email reminders increase gym visits by 13 % and that they benefit nearly all types of individuals. Limited attention can explain these effects. Second, using a novel dataset, we find that many bookings for gym classes are canceled, and that bookings are made even for classes that never have a waiting list. Comparing these findings to the predictions of a dynamic discrete choice model, we conclude that many gym members use bookings to commit themselves to future attendance.
Stock Market Integration in the MENA Region: An Application of the ARDL Bounds Testing Approach

This study examines financial integration among four emerging stock markets in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. The study also examines the integration between these markets and developed markets represented by the US, UK and Germany. The study utilizes the newly proposed autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration. The results show evidence of the existence of integration among stock markets in the MENA region, but not between the MENA markets and developed markets. This provides opportunities for international investors to obtain long-run gains through portfolio diversification in the MENA region, while for regional investors, these opportunities are limited in the long run.
Incremental Validity of the Static-99 and the Personality Assessment Inventory for Predicting Sexual Recidivism Among Adult Male Sex Offenders

The Static-99 is an established risk assessment instrument designed for use with adult male sex offenders. This instrument demonstrates significant utility, but because of the importance of making accurate decisions regarding the dangerousness of sex offenders, improving the accuracy of the instrument is critical. The current study examined whether the addition of data from the Antisocial Features and Aggression scales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAl) would improve the predictive power of the Static-99 in a sample of 72 adult male sex offenders evaluated at a community clinic. Neither the Static-99 nor any of the modifications incorporating the PAl scales significantly predicted sexual rearrest or sexual reconviction during the follow-up period, which averaged 5.2 years. Implications of these findings are discussed in the context of the sample characteristics.
CYST NEMATODE RESISTANT TRANSGENC PLANTS STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH ORDEVELOPMENT

(54) CYST NEMATODE RESISTANT Related U.S. Application Data TRANSGENC PLANTS (60) Provisional application No. 60/759,182, filed on Jan. 6, 2006. (76) Inventors: Richard S. Hussey, Athens, GA (US); Eric L. Davis, Raleigh, NC Publication Classification (US); Thomas J. Baum, Ames, IA (51) Int. Cl. (US) AOIN 43/48 (2006.01) AOIH 5/00 (2006.01) Correspondence Address: CI2N 5/10 (2006.01) PATREAL PABST CI2N 5/82 (2006.01) PABST PATENT GROUP LLP C07K I4/00 (2006.01) 400 COLONY SQUARE, SUITE 1200, 1201 CI2N IS/II (2006.01) PEACHTREE STREET AOIP5/00 (2006.01) ATLANTA, GA 30361 (US) (52) U.S. Cl. 514/44: 800/301; 435/419; 435/320.1; 800/279; 530/350, 536/23.1 (21) Appl. No.: 12/160,023 (57) ABSTRACT
Determination of the level of knowledge and attitudes of mothers regarding vitamin d use in Konya

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge and attitudes of mothers having children 0-3 years of age, regarding Vitamin D use. Materials and Methods: The population of this descriptive study comprised of mothers having children 0-3 years of age, who registered in a family health center in Konya between the dates 15 December – 31 January, 2015. Of this population, the experimental sample consisted of mothers who voluntarily accepted to participate in the study. The data was collected by the researchers by means of a questionnaire having 25 questions based on literature review. Face to face interview was conducted with participants to fill up the questionnaire. Data was analysed statistically using SPSS 22.0 packet program. Means, percentages, frequencies and chisquare test was performed to evaluate the data. Results: 59% of mothers belonged to the age group of 26-35 years, 58% had an education level of at least high school or above. All of the participants had given birth in the hospital, and 66% stated that they had not attended any health related training prior to birth. 33% of the mothers mentioned that they gave vitamin D to their children on a regular basis and 40% stated that mothers milk contained adequate amounts of vitamin D. No difference was found between education level of mothers and health related training prior to birth, in regard to vitamin D usage for their children (p >0,05). Conclusion: The level of knowledge of mothers and their attitudes regarding regular vitamin D usage for their children were not found to be at an adequate level. In this respect, health personnels * ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Zeynep Çiçek, Higher School of Health Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Mevlana University, Konya, Turkey. E-mail address: ikalkan@mevlana.edu. tr Cicek, Z. , Kalkan, I. & Sivri, B. B. (2016). Determination of the level of knowledge and attitudes of mothers regarding vitamin d use in Konya, Global Journal on Advances in Pure & Applied Sciences. [Online]. 07, pp 197-203. Available from: www.propaas. eu 198 working at the family health centers must take more responsibility for the education and training of mothers visiting them.
Children in the visual arts of imperial Rome

1. Introduction: the question 2. Evidence, methodology, and the child image 3. Imperial largesse 4. Public gathering 5. Anaglypha Traiani/Hadriani 6. Submission 7. Triumph 8. Battle ground 9. Ara Pacis 10. Conclusion: a narrative of identity Appendix. Children in nonofficial imagery.
Elementary Analysis of the Mechanism of Xishan Landslide Based on Pixel Tracking on VHR Images

The geometric and kinematic characterizations of landslides are key factors for understanding the mechanisms of landslide movement. Recent developments in remote sensing techniques provide powerful tools for landslide deformation studies. The objective of this paper is to present an efficient method for monitoring the horizontal ground displacement and strain field of active landslides from space-borne optical images, which were analyzed with a digital image correlation technique. This method was evaluated on a series of images acquired on the Xishan landslide in China over the period between 2010 and 2013. These imageries included ZY-3 and WorldView-II images. These were Very High Resolution (VHR) satellite imageries and were orthorectified with a high resolution DEM interpolated from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). By using sub-pixel correlation on before- and after-event orthoimages, it was possible to compute the displacement field with high planimetric resolution. Furthermore, a strain analysis was performed to characterize the deformation and displacement regime of the landslide. Validation of the computed strain field analyzed the relationship between the deformation and the faults detected in the field. This approach can facilitate displacement measurements. It could, therefore, offer promising potential for operational applications, for instance, early warning of of geo-hazards.
Dissecting implementation musharakah in Islamic bank in Indonesia: a case study

This study aims to analyze whether musharakah financing applications implemented by Islamic banks in Indonesia have met the requirements of Sharia standards as stipulated in the National Sharia Council Fatwa (DSN) Number 8, Sharia Accounting Standard Number 106 and Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) Number 4. This research used a case study approach that analyzes the case of musharakah in one of Islamic banks. This study found the existence of Islam in practice deviated from the paradigm of profit sharing. Calculations for results on musharakah financing tend to determine the fixed amount in advance. The portion of profit sharing is determined largely by the amount of funds provided by the bank, not those set by PSAS Number 106 or FAS Number 4.