Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of canopy characteristics of one-seed juniper on understory grasses.

Studies were conducted in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico, to determine the intluence of juniper (Juniperus monosperma [Engelm.] Sarg.) canopy on understory vegetation. The basal area of grass species was estimated at 6 locations beneath the canopies of 50 one-seed junipers. Other parameters measured were litter depth, canopy height, canopy cover, canopy closure, tree height, trunk diameter, north-south crown diameter, and east-west crown diameter. Locations adjacent to the trunk had the greatest juniper canopy cover and litter depths, and the lowest height to canopy. Locations at the end of the canopy had the least crown cover and litter depths, and the greatest height to canopy. All but one of the grass species had greater basal areas at the edge locations and the least at the interior locations beneath juniper canopies. Pinyon ricegrass(Piptochuetiumfimbriatum [H.B.K.] Hitch.) was the exception; it was never found at the exterior locations. Regression models indicated that shading influenced the basal areas of most grass species. Litter depth was negatively correlated with grass basal cover in only 4 models and positively correlated in 1. Basal area of pinyon ricegrass was positively correlated with trunk diameter, a reflection of tree age, indicating that the grass requires time to become established. Also, basal area of pinyon ricegrass was positively correlated with canopy cover, indicating that this species requires the modified microenvironment afforded by shading.
Testing of Dependencies between Stock Returns and Trading Volume by High Frequency Data

This paper is concerned with a dependence analysis of returns, return volatility and trading volume for five companies listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange and five from theWarsaw Stock Exchange. Taking into account high frequency data for these companies, tests based on a comparison of Bernstein copula densities using the Hellinger distance were conducted. The paper presents some patterns of causal and other relationships between stock returns, realized volatility and expected and unexpected trading volume. There is a linear causality running from realized volatility to expected trading volume, and a lack of nonlinear dependence in the opposite direction. The authors detected strong linear and nonlinear causality from stock returns to expected trading volume. They did not find causality running in the opposite direction. In addition, the existence of fractional cointegration was examined. Despite the equality of the long memory parameters of realized volatility and trading volumes, they do not move together in the long term horizon.
Profitability of Momentum Strategies: Application of Novel Risk/Return Ratio Stock Selection Criteria

In this paper, we introduce performance risk/return Ratios as new criteria for the construction of the winner and loser portfolios in momentum strategies. Our results show that momentum strategies based on novel risk/return Ratio criteria applied to previous 6-month or 12-month periods, generate positive returns over 6-month and 12-month holding periods and are more profitable than strategies based on usual cumulative or total return benchmarks. We compare strategies driven by different performance Ratios and cumulative return benchmark using independent performance measures based on a coherent risk measure (expected shortfall risk) and cumulative return over the holding period. Specifically, the R-Ratio emerges in our study as the best candidate for momentum portfolio construction. Finally, we model momentum profits in a GARCH-stable setting and validate our assumptions on the winner and loser return patterns.
Designing Success - The Effect of Website Design Elements on Customer Satisfaction

Online retail is a growing business and more and more customers buy their products online. Therefore, competition has increased and focus is progressively revolving around quality and demand in order to stay competitive. Consequently a lot of importance is connected with the design phase of the website because a poorly designed website can cause customer dissatisfaction or even customer loss. Furthermore, previous studies have indicated the need for a multiple product study to examine whether or not the website design should differ depending on what customers are purchasing. In this study, website quality and website design has been used interchangeable. The aims of this study were (1) to create a new measurement instrument for website quality by combining previously developed instruments from information systems literature and marketing literature (2) to identify which elements on business to consumer websites influence customer satisfaction when purchasing utilitarian products, hedonic products and services. The theoretical chapter consists of an examination of various product classifications to identify the most appropriate one for this study. Furthermore, it includes a selection of studies from the information systems literature and the marketing literature and presents the design elements identified in these studies. These design elements are all combined to form one united measurement instrument for use in this study. The study was conducted on a wide sample collected from various online forums. A selfadministered online questionnaire based on the identified elements was used, gathering a final of 193 completed responses. Beside the design elements, the questionnaire included several background questions as well as seven overall satisfaction questions to be able to measure the connection between design elements and satisfaction. The results show that there is a significant difference between the influence of design elements on customer satisfaction depending on which product type a customer purchases from a website. The findings indicate that the level of interaction required is important, and that the purpose customers have of purchasing the product can help the company identify which design elements should be emphasized. Hedonic products need information and an enjoyable atmosphere. Utilitarian products need the technical features to be well-functioning to get from A to B without any delay. An intangible service, in general, is less requiring and thus customers buying services are easier to satisfy than customers buying utilitarian – or hedonic products.
Recent trends in relative abundance of two dreissenid species, Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis in the Lower Don River system, Russia

We sampled sites in the lower Don River system, Russia between 1977 and 2004 (5 sites) or between 1999 and 2004 (10 sites) to determine relative trends in two dreissenid species, Dreissena bugensis and Dreissena polymorpha. The sites were located in the main river, in connecting reservoirs, and in a major tributary, the Man- ych River. For sites sampled beginning in 1977, D. bugensis was first found in the lower river in 1980 and then more upstream in 1991. The relative proportion of D. bugensis increased to reach a maximum of 30-50% of the dreissenid population by 1999. After 1999, this species decreased at 14 of the 15 sites. At sites in the Don River, the proportion that D. bugensis comprised of the total dreissenid population after 1999 declined from 25-50% to 10-18%, whereas at sites in the Manych River the propor- tion declined from 65-75 % to 33-43 %. The decline of D. bugensis relative to D. polymorpha is unique; in most other water bodies D. bugensis displaces D. poly- morpha over time because of its superior physiological attributes. Reasons for the rela- tive decline of D. bugensis are unclear, but we speculate that selective predation by fish may be a potential factor.
The ATD thermal analysis of selected nickel superalloys

The study presents the results of the ATD thermal analysis made on selected nickel alloys used by WSK Rzeszow for parts of aircraft engines. The aim of the studies was investigation of solidification parameters, especially Tlik and Tsol. The said parameters are very important in the determination of pouring temperature and maximum operating temperature of castings. Another important technical information is the quality of “master heat” ingots, examined for the stability of chemical composition and presence of different impurities. It has been concluded that the pouring temperature of CMSX-4 and MAR-247 alloys should be comprised in a range from 1470 to 1480°C, while for the remaining alloys the recommended range of pouring temperatures is from 1440 to 1450°C. Examinations have also proved that some batches of the supplied ingots are contaminated with non-metallic impurities, located mainly in the region of shrinkage cavities.
The presolar grain inventory of CM chondrites

CHONDRITES. J. Leitner, P. Hoppe, K. Metzler, P. Haenecour, C. Floss, and C. Vollmer. Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany. E-mail: jan.leitner@mpic.de. Institute for Planetology, University of Munster, 48149 Munster, Germany, Laboratory for Space Sciences and Physics Department, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA, Institute for Mineralogy, University of Munster, 48149 Munster, Germany.
Chemical changes in sunflower silage associated with different additives

Thirty-six experimental silos arranged in a completely randomized 4 x 3 factorial design were provided to evaluate the chemical changes of sunflower silage treated with soybean hulls, sunflower crushed and urea at 14, 21 and 28 days of ensilage. The additives were based on 5% natural matter, whereas control consisted of silage with 100% sunflower plant. OM, NDIP, and MM had average rates 911.2; 86.6 and 92.9 g kg -1 of dry matter respectively. The addition of soybean hulls and sunflower crushed increased DM rates after 28 and 21 days. Urea increased nitrogen fractions and the addition of soybean hulls increased total carbohydrate content of silage by 5.1%, whereas the addition of sunflower crushed decreased the same by 2.18%. NDF, ADF and hemicellulose average rates were 625.4, 460.3 and 165.2 g kg -1 of DM. The addition of soybean hulls and sunflower crushed reduced the in vitro dry matter digestibility by 8.3 and 5.97%. The addition of 5% sunflower crushed and soybean hulls improved the nutritional value of sunflower silage and the addition of urea improved the protein rates.
Parámetros genéticos de caracteres biométricos en caballos Mangalarga

El objetivo del presente estudio fue estimar los parámetros genéticos de caracteres biométricos en caballos de la raza Mangalarga. Los datos fueron proporcionados por el Studbook de la Asociación Brasileña de Criadores de Caballos Mangalarga (ABCCRM) y compuesto por 36.036 registros de alzada a la cruz, 6.906 de la circunferencia del tórax y 6.916 de la circunferencia del hueso frontal de la caña, realizado en caballos nacidos entre enero de 1980 y diciembre de 2003, y comprende 169.228 caballos en la matriz de parentesco. El modelo utilizado para estimar los componentes de la covarianza necesarios para obtener la heredabilidades y las correlaciones incluyen: el efecto aleatorio de los caballos y los efectos fijos de edad, creador y el grupo de contemporáneos, utilizando el programa MTGSAM para las análisis. La media de heredabilidad encontradas oscilaron entre 0,41 (circunferencia del hueso de la caña) a 0,7 (circunferencia torácica) y el correlaciones genéticas y fenotípicas, fueron todos positivos, desde 0,28 a 0,47 y de 0,19 a 0,35, respectivamente.
The role of tenure as a mediating factor on the effect of moral person and moral manager toward affective commitment of employees: a study on civil servants of the government of Malang Regency

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of tenure to strengthen moral person and managers toward affective commitment of employees in organizations in the government institutions of Malang Regency, Indonesia. The research was conducted including the civil servants as many as 55 people. The results of the study analyzed using multiple regression analysis showed that moral person had a significant positive effect on affective commitment, whereas moral manager had no significant effect on affective commitment, and the tenure did not moderate (neither strengthen nor weaken) the effect of moral person and moral manager toward affective commitment of employees.
A Newly Developed Wearable Device for Continuous Measurement of Gait-Induced Accelerations in Daily Activities

For assessment of gait disorders, speed and stride are measured during 10m-walking test. However, changes in these two parameters are nonspecific since they are observed in various gait disorders. In addition, the10-m walking is short and reflects only one aspect of daily living and the results could be affected by emotional stress. To examine the step cycles and forces for step-in and kick off, which are directly controlled by a complex neural circuitry, during daily walking and over a long period of time, we developed a new wearing device, the portable gait rhythmogram (PGR), which monitors gait-induced accelerations for up to 70 hours. Quantitative analysis of the gait acceleration cycle and amplitude has allowed characterization of the bradykinematic features of gait disorders in patients with Parkinson’s disease: 1) A decrease in amplitude of gait acceleration in the early stages of the disease, which is compensated by fast stepping. 2) Subjective motor fluctuation did not necessarily coincide with changes in gait parameters. The results suggest that the rhythms-force correlation is set by the basal ganglia, but can be modified by the cerebral cortex. Analysis of voluntary gait in daily life could enhance our understanding of the pathomechanisms of gait disorders.
Processing Trade, Firm's Productivity, and Tariff Reductions: Evidence from Chinese Products

This paper explores how processing trade, jointly with tariff reduction, can improve a firm's productivity. Tariff reductions generate productivity gain via competition, whereas processing export does so via spillovers. Using mostly disaggregated Chinese product-level trade data and firm-level production data from 2000--2006, after constructing firm-level tariffs based on product information and controlling for possible endogeneity, I found that a 10% tariff decrease generates a 12% increase in a firm's productivity gain. In addition, processing firms enjoy significant productivity gains via spillovers, with heterogeneity across firms divided according to ownership. These findings are robust to various econometric methods, disaggregated specifications, and measures.
Exchange Rates Predictability in Developing Countries

The main objective of this study is to re-investigates the exchange rates predictability puzzle using monetary model. It is hypothesised that the performance of exchange rate predictability is better off in countries with monetary instability. We employ bootstrap technique as proposed by Kilian (1999) to alleviate statistical inference intricacies inherit in the long horizon forecasting for three different monetary models (flexible price, sticky price and relative price) for selected developing economies. The empirical result shows the superiority of sticky price model along with the evidence of exchange rate predictability for high inflation economies.
Exchange Rate Regimes And Fiscal Performance. Do Fixed Exchange Rate Regimes Generate More Discipline Than Flexible Ones

This paper analyzes the influence of exchange rate regimes on fiscal performance, focusing on the difference between fixed and flexible exchange rates. For these ends, a sample of 83 countries for the 1974-1998 period, the GMM methodology for dynamic proposal panel models proposed by Arellano and Bond (1991) and diverse exchange rate classifications are used. In relation to the latter, this paper discusses recent regime classifications and proposes a new exchange rate classification that permits to cover possible inconsistencies between the commitment of the central bank and its observed behavior. The results suggest that the influence of regimes on fiscal performance depend on the international context, specifically the possibility of indebtedness and of the characteristics of the international finance system –integration, volatility and dominant financial structure-. In other words, it depends on credit availability as well as on the conditions or potential sanctioning of the finance system. It is found that in situations in which there is no original fiscal discipline and the authorities have the possibility of financing with debt of relatively low cost, fixed regimes do not purvey per se greater fiscal discipline than the flexible ones. On the contrary, flexible ones generate more discipline. In contexts with strong financing restrictions, the discipline’s effects of both regimes are not substantially different. While in situations with abundance of capitals but where they are highly integrated, they are volatile and possibly subject to contagion effect. The same functioning of the international finance system can, through their potential sanction, achieve greater discipline in economies with fixed regimes that wish to stay as such.
BROADENING THE EVIDENCE FOR THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR: PREDICTING HEAVY EPISODIC DRINKING IN ARGENTINEAN FEMALE AND MALE YOUTH

Introduction: Although the Theory of Planned Behavior has successfully been applied to explain heavy episodic drinking, recent reviews have identified gaps in the literature. Among them the role of gender, scarce research from non English speaking countries (and thus, other drinking contexts) and lastly, contradictory results regarding the measures used to evaluate social norms and perceived behavioral control. Objective: We aim to broaden the evidence for the Theory of Planned Behavior by evaluating the capacity of the model to predict heavy episodic drinking in Argentinean female and male youth. Methods: In this study a psychometrically sound measure is used and which evaluates both dimensions of social norms and perceived control. We measured Theory of Planned Behavior variables and last month heavy episodic drinking at two-time frames. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed. Results: Attitude was the main predictor of heavy episodic drinking intention; there were gender differences, among women perceived behavioral control and subjective norm were also predictors of heavy episodic drinking intentions. The intention was the main predictor of heavy episodic drinking for both genders, while perceived behavioral control was also a predictor among women. Conclusions: Theory of Planned Behavior allows us to better understand the motivational variables related to heavy episodic drinking intention and performance, and thus, to design appropriate prevention interventions.
Soil-Transmitted Helminths, Poverty, and Malnutrition in Honduran Children Living in Remote Rural Communities

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic in Honduras, but their prevalence according to the levels of poverty in the population has not been examined. The present cross-sectional study is aimed to determine the role of different levels of poverty in STH prevalence and infection intensity as well as the potential associations of STH infections with malnutrition and anemia. Research participants were children attending a medical brigade serving remote communities in Northern Honduras in June 2014. Demographic data were obtained, and poverty levels were determined using the unsatisfied basic needs method. STH infections were investigated by the Kato-Katz method; hemoglobin concentrations were determined with the HemoCue system; and stunting, thinness, and underweight were determined by anthropometry. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Among 130 children who participated in this study, a high prevalence (69.2%) of parasitism was found and the poorest children were significantly more infected than those living in less poor communities (79.6% vs. 61.8%; P = 0.030). Prevalence rates of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, and hookworms were 69.2%, 12.3%, and 3.85%, respectively. In total, 69% of children had anemia and 30% were stunted. Households’ earthen floor and lack of latrines were associated with infection. Greater efforts should be made to reduce STH prevalence and improve overall childhood health, in particular, among the poorest children lacking the basic necessities of life.
Stock Markets and Tax Revenue

Many developing countries struggle to raise taxes. The present work considers the financial sector â€“ specifically the stock market sector â€“ as a boon for tax revenue. Historically I find that higher stock market total value traded sectors are associated with more tax revenue. Using a panel data set of 96 countries over the period 1990-2008 I find that stock markets positively influence governmentâ€™s ability to raise tax revenue.
SINGULARITIES AND STRICTLY WANDERING DOMAINS OF TRANSCENDENTAL SEMIGROUPS

In this paper, the dynamics on a transcendental entire semi- group G is investigated. We show the possible values of any limit function of G in strictly wandering domains and Fatou components, respectively. Moreover, if G is of class B, for any z in a Fatou domain, there does not exist a sequence {gk} of G such that gk(z) ! 1 as k ! 1. 1. Introduction and main results In a series of papers, Hinkkanen and Martin extended the classical theory of dynamics associated with the iteration of a single rational function to the more general setting of semigroups of rational functions, see (8, 9). In 1998, Poon (11, 12) extended the study to transcendental semigroups and obtained some basic results. The dynamics of transcendental semigroups actually has some rather different properties than the dynamics of rational semigroups or the iteration of a single function. Suppose ffj : j = 1,2,. ,mg is a family of transcendental entire functions. We call the semigroup G = hf1,f2,. ,fmigenerated by ffjg under functional composition a transcendental semigroup. Define the Fatou set of the semigroup G by F(G) = fz 2 C : G is normal in some neighbourhood of zg and the Julia set of G by J(G) = C nF(G). If G is generated by only one function f, then F(G) and J(G) are the Fatou set and Julia set respectively in the classical iteration theory of Fatou and Julia. We say that a set S is completely invariant under f if S is forward and backward invariant under f. It is well known that the Fatou set and Julia set of a single function f are both completely invariant. But F(G) and J(G) need
R&D, spatial proximity and productivity at firm level: evidence from Italy

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of research and development (R&D) on productivity by taking into account productivity spillovers. To this end, by using a sample of Italian manufacturing firms provided by the Xth UniCredit-Capitalia survey (2008), which covers the period 2004-2006, we have analyzed the role of R&D in firm productivity by using a spatial autoregressive model. In so doing, we have allowed the total factor productivity (TFP) of each firm to be affected by the TFP of nearby firms. Results show that R&D play an important role in Italian firm productivity. Moreover, we find evidence in favor of productivity spillovers across firms due to spatial proximity. In addition, intrasectoral R&D spillovers seem to have a relevant effect on firm productivity, while intersectoral R&D spillovers do not have a significant effect.