Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The optimal corridor for implied volatility: from calm to turmoil periods

Corridor implied volatility is obtained from model-free implied volatility by truncating the integration domain between two barriers. Empirical evidence on volatility forecasting, in various markets, points to the utility of trimming the risk-neutral distribution of the underlying stock price, in order to obtain unbiased measures of future realised volatility (see e.g. [9], [3]). The aim of the paper is to investigate, both in a statistical and in an economic setting, the optimal corridor of strike prices to use for volatility forecasting in the Italian market, by analysing a data set which covers the years 2005-2010 and span both a relatively tranquil and a turmoil period
Molecular characterization of a 16SrIX phytoplasma associated with Convolvulus glomeratus witches' broom and with an insect vector in Iran

During a survey in 2016, Convolvulus glomeratus showing symptoms resembling those caused by phytoplasmas were observed in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province, Iran. These plants were examined for phytoplasma presence by nested-PCR assays using universal primer pair P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. All the infected plants indicated positive results using universal primer pairs of P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. Results of phylogenetic and virtual RFLP analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the phytoplasma associated with Convolvulus glomeratus witches' broom (CgWB) was a strain of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium'. The phytoplasma was successfully transmitted to healthy plants by leafhopper, Orosius albicinctus (Distant) which account as a vector of this phytoplasma. This is the first report on the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ (phytoplasma group 16SrIX-J) in C. glomeratus and its insect vector in Iran.
Utility maximization in incomplete markets

We consider the problem of utility maximization for small traders on incomplete financial markets. As opposed to most of the papers dealing with this subject, the investors' trading strategies we allow underly constraints described by closed, but not necessarily convex, sets. The final wealths obtained by trading under these constraints are identified as stochastic processes which usually are supermartingales, and even martingales for particular strategies. These strategies are seen to be optimal, and the corresponding value functions determined simply by the initial values of the supermartingales. We separately treat the cases of exponential, power and logarithmic utility.
Conditioning of Romney sheep for ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) control.

Management options were investigated to determine whether sheep preference for ragwort could be enhanced. Pre-weaning exposure to ragwort and the presence of adult sheep increased intake of ragwort by lambs in the first few weeks after weaning. However, this was of little practical significance for weed control purposes as ragwort-naive lambs accepted ragwort soon after weaning. Ragwort eating by ewes, twotooths and lambs classed as averse ragwort eaters remained unchanged after 10 days confinement on ragwort-dense pasture. There seems little prospect of training sheep that don’t eat ragwort to become useful controlagents of ragwort.
Comparison of Selected Soil Chemical Properties of Two Different Mangrove Forests in Sarawak

Problem statement: Despite few studies of forest health and environmental conditions of mangrove forest in Sarawak, the data was not sufficient to facilitate baseline data and direct comparison of mangrove forest health obtained for different location of mangrove forest in Sarawak. On this regard, determination of contemporary mangrove soil condition was essential to addressing mangrove forest for forest health, carbon storage and environmental balance. The study attempts to obtained preliminary database of mangrove forest soil chemical properties and to compare the forest health from two different mangrove forest locations. Approach: Mangrove soil samples were taken from Miri and Limbang Division of Sarawak at 0-30 cm depth. Selected soil chemical properties were determined and data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Version 9.2. Results: The soil acidity, total N, total P, CEC and humic acid of both locations were significantly different while in terms of total carbon and organic matter were similar. Conclusion: Regional diversity has significant effects the soil acidity, total N, total P, CEC and yield of the study areas. Data obtained can be useful for further study of carbon stock and nutrient content.
The Effect of Mechanical Treatment on the Crystal Structure and Thermal Behavior of Kaolinite

The destruction of the crystal structure of kaolinite caused by mechanical forces was investigated by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and specific surface area determination. Attention was also directed to the change of thermal reactions of milled kaolinite. Grinding experiments for 5 min, 10 min, and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 10 h were carried out in an AGO I planetary mill. After 1 h of grinding, the crystalline order of kaolin is destroyed; but the amorphization continues in the course of prolonged grinding. Grinding for 1 h produces a favorable state for forming mullite-type crystals after heating even at 1000°C.
Dominance of climate warming effects on recent drying trends over wet monsoon regions

Abstract. Understanding changes in background dryness over land is key information for adapting to climate change because of its critical socioeconomic consequences. However, causes of continental dryness changes remain uncertain because various climate parameters control dryness. Here, we verify dominant climate variables determining dryness trends over continental eastern Asia, which is characterized by diverse hydroclimate regimes ranging from arid to humid, by quantifying the relative effects of changes in precipitation, solar radiation, wind speed, surface air temperature, and relative humidity on trends in the aridity index based on observed data from 189 weather stations for the period of 1961–2010. Before the early 1980s (1961–1983), change in precipitation is a primary condition for determining aridity trends. In the later period (1984–2010), the dominant climate parameter for aridity trends varies according to the hydroclimate regime. Drying trends in arid regions are mostly explained by reduced precipitation. In contrast, the increase in potential evapotranspiration due to increased atmospheric water-holding capacity, a secondary impact of warming, works to increase aridity over the humid monsoon region despite an enhanced water supply and relatively less warming. Our results show significant drying effects of warming over the humid monsoon region in recent decades; this also supports the drying trends over warm and water-sufficient regions in future climate.
Tax Concerns and Agency Concerns in Dividend Policy: Holding Companies as a Separating Device

Higher dividends can create value by reducing agency costs, but destroy value by increasing taxes. Analyzing a large sample of majority-controlled private firms, we show how ownership structure is used to obtain the obtain the agency benefit of dividends while reducing their tax cost. We exploit a regulatory shift from zero to positive dividend taxes for individual investors, but not for corporate owners, in Norway in 2006. We find that many holding companies are established as a result of the reform, that the holding companies tend to own operating companies with more serious potential agency conflicts, and that dividends from operating companies to holding companies are higher when operating companies would face high agency costs in the absence of such payments. The payout is also higher and more stable from operating companies than from holdings companies. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that stockholders choose organizational forms that make tax effects independent of agency effects in dividend policy.
A framework and decision support tool for improving value chain resilience to critical materials in manufacturing

Abstract Certain non-energy materials have been identified as being critical to the manufacturing sector and wider economy due to having a high risk of supply disruption combined with high economic importance. The criticality of specific raw materials is becoming increasingly acute as the escalating use of resources is driven by an increasing global population. Critical materials are vital elements in the value chain yet their supply risk may often be ineffectively addressed by traditional supply chain management strategies. Most research to date has been focused at a national or industrial policy level thus many manufacturers are unaware if their operations are at risk from critical materials at a product level. This paper presents a framework that takes a systematic approach to identifying, assessing and mitigating risk associated with critical materials bilaterally along the value chain to facilitate manufacturers in the identification, assessment and mitigation of critical material supply risk. This paper also describes how the framework can be facilitated for application in industry through preliminary design specifications towards a development of a decision support tool.
Health and Safety Considerations of Fermented Sausages

Fermented sausages are highly treasured traditional foods. A large number of distinct sausages with different properties are produced using widely different recipes and manufacturing processes. Over the last years, eating fermented sausages has been associated with potential health hazards due to their high contents of saturated fats, high NaCl content, presence of nitrite and its degradation products such as nitrosamines, and use of smoking which can lead to formation of toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Here we review the recent literature regarding possible health effects of the ingredients used in fermented sausages. We also go through attempts to improve the sausages by lowering the content of saturated fats by replacing them with unsaturated fats, reducing the NaCl concentration by partly replacing it with KCl, and the use of selected starter cultures with desirable properties. In addition, we review the food pathogenic microorganisms relevant for fermented sausages (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium botulinum, and Toxoplasma gondii) and processing and postprocessing strategies to inhibit their growth and reduce their presence in the products.
High‐precision isotopic characterization of USGS reference materials by TIMS and MC‐ICP‐MS

The Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR) at the University of British Columbia has undertaken a systematic analysis of the isotopic (Sr, Nd, and Pb) compositions and concentrations of a broad compositional range of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reference materials, including basalt (BCR‐1, 2; BHVO‐1, 2), andesite (AGV‐1, 2), rhyolite (RGM‐1, 2), syenite (STM‐1, 2), granodiorite (GSP‐2), and granite (G‐2, 3). USGS rock reference materials are geochemically well characterized, but there is neither a systematic methodology nor a database for radiogenic isotopic compositions, even for the widely used BCR‐1. This investigation represents the first comprehensive, systematic analysis of the isotopic composition and concentration of USGS reference materials and provides an important database for the isotopic community. In addition, the range of equipment at the PCIGR, including a Nu Instruments Plasma MC‐ICP‐MS, a Thermo Finnigan Triton TIMS, and a Thermo Finnigan Element2 HR‐ICP‐MS, permits an assessment and comparison of the precision and accuracy of isotopic analyses determined by both the TIMS and MC‐ICP‐MS methods (e.g., Nd isotopic compositions). For each of the reference materials, 5 to 10 complete replicate analyses provide coherent isotopic results, all with external precision below 30 ppm (2 SD) for Sr and Nd isotopic compositions (27 and 24 ppm for TIMS and MC‐ICP‐MS, respectively). Our results also show that the first‐ and second‐generation USGS reference materials have homogeneous Sr and Nd isotopic compositions. Nd isotopic compositions by MC‐ICP‐MS and TIMS agree to within 15 ppm for all reference materials. Interlaboratory MC‐ICP‐MS comparisons show excellent agreement for Pb isotopic compositions; however, the reproducibility is not as good as for Sr and Nd. A careful, sequential leaching experiment of three first‐ and second‐generation reference materials (BCR, BHVO, AGV) indicates that the heterogeneity in Pb isotopic compositions, and concentrations, could be directly related to contamination by the steel (mortar/pestle) used to process the materials. Contamination also accounts for the high concentrations of certain other trace elements (e.g., Li, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, W) in various USGS reference materials.
Inter-laboratory comparison of cryogenic water extraction systems for stable isotope analysis of soil water

Abstract. For more than two decades, research groups in hydrology, ecology, soil science, and biogeochemistry have performed cryogenic water extractions (CWEs) for the analysis of δ2H and δ18O of soil water. Recent studies have shown that extraction conditions (time, temperature, and vacuum) along with physicochemical soil properties may affect extracted soil water isotope composition. Here we present results from the first worldwide round robin laboratory intercomparison. We test the null hypothesis that, with identical soils, standards, extraction protocols, and isotope analyses, cryogenic extractions across all laboratories are identical. Two standard soils with different physicochemical characteristics along with deionized (DI) reference water of known isotopic composition were shipped to 16 participating laboratories. Participants oven-dried and rewetted the soils to 8 and 20 % gravimetric water content (WC), using the deionized reference water. One batch of soil samples was extracted via predefined extraction conditions (time, temperature, and vacuum) identical to all laboratories; the second batch was extracted via conditions considered routine in the respective laboratory. All extracted water samples were analyzed for δ18O and δ2H by the lead laboratory (Global Institute for Water Security, GIWS, Saskatoon, Canada) using both a laser and an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (OA-ICOS and IRMS, respectively). We rejected the null hypothesis. Our results showed large differences in retrieved isotopic signatures among participating laboratories linked to soil type and soil water content with mean differences compared to the reference water ranging from +18.1 to −108.4 ‰ for δ2H and +11.8 to −14.9 ‰ for δ18O across all laboratories. In addition, differences were observed between OA-ICOS and IRMS isotope data. These were related to spectral interferences during OA-ICOS analysis that are especially problematic for the clayey loam soils used. While the types of cryogenic extraction lab construction varied from manifold systems to single chambers, no clear trends between system construction, applied extraction conditions, and extraction results were found. Rather, observed differences in the isotope data were influenced by interactions between multiple factors (soil type and properties, soil water content, system setup, extraction efficiency, extraction system leaks, and each lab's internal accuracy). Our results question the usefulness of cryogenic extraction as a standard for water extraction since results are not comparable across laboratories. This suggests that defining any sort of standard extraction procedure applicable across laboratories is challenging. Laboratories might have to establish calibration functions for their specific extraction system for each natural soil type, individually.
The impact of networking practices on small firm innovativeness and performance : a multivariate approach

Innovation is a complex process and this is especially true in the context of small firms. Therefore, networking has been suggested as a feasible strategy to achieve innovation. Although networking as such is multidimensional, the current paper focuses on two key aspects - Networking Capability (NC) and network configuration. Our main purpose is to examine how both these variables influence small firm innovativeness and firm performance. Empirically, we draw on data from 291 technology-based small Swedish firms. The results reveal that network configuration positively influences firm innovativeness, whereas NC has a strong positive impact on firm innovativeness and firm performance.
Complex field-positions and non-imitation: Pioneers, strangers, and insulars in Australian fine-wine

This paper studies how complex field-positions, characterized by combinations of structural and cultural mechanisms, are associated with the non-imitation of dominant field-level practices. Theoretically, the notion of complex field-position complements prior institutional research on field-positions and non-imitation, which focuses primarily on structural mechanisms. Our empirical study looks at 62 Australian fine-wines, using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to identify combinations of structural and cultural mechanisms associated with the non-imitation of Penfolds Grange, a role model in the Australian fine-wine field. We find three distinct complex field-positions—pioneers, strangers, and insulars— which occurred at different moments in the history of this field. We build on these findings to discuss the importance of complex field-positions as sources of positional opportunities, and their role in the development and persistence of diversity in organizational fields.
Estimates of Critical Values of Aggressive Acceleration from a Viewpoint of Fuel Consumption and Emissions

The speed is a main factor to estimate macro amount of fuel consumption and emission of vehicles. However real time micro variation of fuel consumption and emission becomes important while the eco drive campaign to reduce fuel consumption and emission gets more concern. For this reason, the acceleration is becoming a more important factor. Although many studies have shown that acceleration is influencing factor for fuel consumption and emission, there are no consents what ranges of acceleration are defined as an aggressive acceleration in various driving conditions. This study tried to define the concept of aggressive acceleration and determine critical values of aggressive acceleration as influencing fuel consumption and emission significantly. The aggressive acceleration is defined where fuel consumption and emission rates increase rapidly while driving. The experiments are conducted on the drive testing site in South Korea using a passenger car fueling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and equipped with a driving data recorder. Testing vehicle speeds range from 10km/h to 80km/h considering driving patterns in urban areas. To depict fuel consumption and emission from the recorded data, regression models are developed and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis is used to find the critical values of aggressive acceleration. As a result, 1.4705 ㎨ and 2.2770 ㎨ are determined as estimates of aggressive acceleration and extreme aggressive acceleration, respectively.
A Survey of information technology in the Canadian construction industry

A survey regarding the current and planned use of information technology in the Canadian architecture, engineering and construction industry has been conducted at the end of 1998. The preliminary results of this survey presented here shows the current use of information technology within the firms of the respondents. CAD software has become ubiquitous and is used in most of the drawing work. Even though most firms have adopted e-mail and the Internet, most processes are still not computerized and most documents are still exchanged in a traditional fashion. In general, the adoption of information technology has been beneficial but at a cost. The findings of the survey presented here provide directions in research, development, training, and strategies that will respond to the needs of the industry.
Consumers ` Perceptions and Consumption Dynamics of African Leafy Vegetables ( ALVs ) : Evidence from Feni Communal Area , Eastern Cape Province , South Africa

Despite having multiple benefits and positive promise towards contributing to household food security, dietary diversity and dietary quality, African Leafy Vegetables` (ALVs) production, consumption and documentation is still characterized by extremely low volumes. Thus far, considering the claimed benefits in the face of low volumes, there is a need to appraise consumption dynamics from a rural perspective for purposes of understanding shared perceptions by society. Using cross-sectional survey data from rural Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the study estimated consumer awareness, consumption frequency, perceptions and determinants of consumption. Descriptive results reveal high level of awareness, consumption and positive perceptions with regards to ALVs. Regression estimates suggest possibility of increased consumption based on age, access to extension, availability on market, production and health perceptions, while education and poor taste may promote non-consumption. The revealed high level of awareness, consumption and positive perceptions presents an opportunity for the research, government, private sector and NGO community to reconsider the role ALVs can play as a household food security strategy especially in rural Africa.