Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BANKING SECTORS IN EMU - CLUSTER ANALYSIS

European monetary union (EMU) has been already in the second decade of its existence. We observe that the euro area is heterogeneous and few imbalances occurred during previous years. The most discussed imbalances are connected with different macroeconomic development of member countries and divergent participation in trade and capital flows. The different economic development should be reflected also in banking sectors of individual member countries. Gradual adopting of euro led to creation of one big European bank market which uses in transactions one currency euro, but still we can find a lot of differences between individual banking systems of member countries which are also results of previous development. A lot of new regulation has been prepared and implemented for all banks in euro area after 2008, moreover in connection with banking union project. The main aim of this paper is to deal with individual banking sectors across euro area - find out if banking sectors are similar and to find possible clusters among them.
CO2 exchange and component CO2 fluxes of a boreal Scots pine forest

We studied CO 2 fl uxes derived from eddy covariance (EC), modelled with a stand photosynthesis model, and upscaled from continuous measurements with chambers in a Scots pine stand. The annual photosynthesis (GPP EC ), ecosystem respiration (R e,EC ) and net CO 2 exchange (NEE EC ) derived from EC were correlated with each other. Soil CO 2 effl ux dominated R e for the whole year, most clearly in winter. The relative contributions of the aboveground respiration components were largest in spring and early summer. The respiration components generally followed the seasonal patterns of temperature although temperaturenormalised respiration was higher in the growing season than in winter. The respiration components showed parallel decline during drought. Interannual variability in the annual chamber-based CO 2 budgets was twice as large as in the EC-based fl uxes, the uncertainty in the chamber fl uxes was also larger. Using different environmental drivers for estimating R e from NEE EC affected the annual R e,EC and GPP EC ±4%.
Strategic Behavior in Day-Ahead and Real-Time Markets for Electricity: Offer Cost or Payment Cost Minimization?

This study compares the procurement cost-minimizing and productive efficiency performance of the auction mechanism used by independent system operators (ISOs) in wholesale electricity auction markets in the U.S. with that of a proposed alternative. The current practice allocates energy contracts as if the auction featured a discriminatory final payment method when, in fact, the markets are uniform price auctions. The proposed alternative explicitly accounts for the market clearing price during the allocation phase. We find that the proposed alternative largely outperforms the current practice on the basis of procurement costs in the context of simple auction markets featuring both day-ahead and real-time auctions and that the procurement cost advantage of the alternative is complete when we simulate the effects of increased competition. We also find that a trade-off between the objectives of procurement cost minimization and productive efficiency emerges in our simple auction markets and persists in the face of increased competition.
A POSSIBLE ROLE FOR GASTROPROTECTIVES ON ASPIRIN-INDUCED GASTRIC ULCER IN RATS Adel A Angelo, * Madiha A Hassan, * Nagwa M Nour El Din, * Hoda M Khalifa, **

Background: Gastric ulcer is a discontinuity in the gastric muco sa that occurs due to imbalance between gastric mucosal protective factors and aggressive factors. The Aim of the present work was to test and compare the prot ective effects of an antisecretory H 2 receptor blocker; ranitidine and other recently suggested ga stroprotective drugs: L-arginine; a precursor of NO, zinc sulfate; an anti-inflammatory antioxidant agent and p ioglitazone; a PPAR-γ agonist, on a rat model of aspirin induced gastric ulcer. Methods: Acute gastric lesion was induced in rats by a sing le oral dose of aspirin 300mg/ kg body weight. L- arginine 200mg / kg b. wt, zinc sulfate 80 mg/ kg b. wt, and pioglitazone 10 mg / kg b. wt. were given al one and in combination with ranitidine 50 mg / kg b. wt for 3 da ys before induction of gastric lesion. Results: Aspirin induced a significant increase in gastric mu cosal lesion score and free and total gastric hydrochloric acid with a significant decrease in ga stric nitric oxide and mucin levels as compared to no rmal group. A significant increase in gastric malondiald hyde and decrease in reduced glutathione as compared to normal group. L-arginine, zinc sulfate, and pioglita zone produced improvement of most of the measured parameters as compared to non-treated group. Combinati on of L-arginine and ranitidine was superior in prophylaxis against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer w hen compared to the effects of each drug used indivi dually, and the other studied combinations. Conclusion: The role of HCl and NO seems more important in the pa thogenesis of aspirin induced gastric ulcer, as evidenced by the better protective effects of co mbination of ranitidine and L-arginine in comparison to the ranitidine with either zinc sulfate or pioglitazone .
Improving algorithms and uncertainty estimates for satellite NO2 retrievals: results from the quality assurance for the essential climate variables (QA4ECV) project

Abstract. Global observations of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) columns have been shown to be feasible from space, but consistent multi-sensor records do not yet exist, nor are they covered by planned activities at the international level. Harmonised, multi-decadal records of NO2 columns and their associated uncertainties can provide crucial information on how the emissions and concentrations of nitrogen oxides evolve over time. Here we describe the development of a new, community best-practice NO2 retrieval algorithm based on a synthesis of existing approaches. Detailed comparisons of these approaches led us to implement an enhanced spectral fitting method for NO2, a 1° × 1° TM5-MP data assimilation scheme to estimate the stratospheric background and improve air mass factor calculations. Guided by the needs expressed by data users, producers, and WMO GCOS guidelines, we incorporated detailed per-pixel uncertainty information in the data product, along with easily traceable information on the relevant quality aspects of the retrieval. We applied the improved QA4ECV NO2 algorithm to the most current level-1 data sets to produce a complete 22-year data record that includes GOME (1995–2003), SCIAMACHY (2002–2012), GOME-2(A) (2007 onwards) and OMI (2004 onwards). The QA4ECV NO2 spectral fitting recommendations and TM5-MP stratospheric column and air mass factor approach are currently also applied to S5P-TROPOMI. The uncertainties in the QA4ECV tropospheric NO2 columns amount to typically 40 % over polluted scenes. The first validation results of the QA4ECV OMI NO2 columns and their uncertainties over Tai'an, China, in June 2006 suggest a small bias (−2 %) and better precision than suggested by uncertainty propagation. We conclude that our improved QA4ECV NO2 long-term data record is providing valuable information to quantitatively constrain emissions, deposition, and trends in nitrogen oxides on a global scale.
Prevalence of HAV among Healthy Blood Donors Referring to Tehran Transfusion Center

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a single strand and non-enveloped RNA virus. It is usually transmitted by the fe- cal-oral and the blood transfusion routes and causes the hepatitis A disease. Clinically, the hepatitis A is usually mild, par- ticularly in children, in whom it is frequently subclinical. The disease is more serious and prolonged in adults. The objective of this study was to find the prevalence of HAV among blood donors in Tehran, Iran. Methods: Sera of 407 blood donors in Tehran Blood Transfusion Center who were negative for anti-HIV, HBs Ag and anti-HCV were tested for total anti-HAV antibody, anti-HAV IgM and HAV RNA. Total antibodies (IgG+IgM) and IgM were determined by ELISA using commercial kits. HAV RNA was detected by nested RT-PCR. Results: The prevalence of total anti-HAV antibodies in blood donors were was 86%, and also the ratio 99% of blood do- nors was negative for anti-HAV IgM and 1% was equivocal. HAV RNA was not found in any serum samples. The preva- lence of total anti-HAV antibodies among blood donors was high; it means most of them were infected in childhood. In spite of, 14% of blood donors were negative for total anti-HAV antibodies; the prevalence of anti-HAV IgM and HAV RNA were very low. Conclusion: Carefully blood donor selection is performed in Iran.
Accumulation of trace metals in green mussel Perna viridis in the shellfish harvesting environment along southern Karnataka coast

The levels of trace metals, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Fe in seawater and their bioaccumulation in green mussel Perna viridis were examined in two shellfish harvesting environments, Someshwara and Surathkal, along the southern Karnataka coast. In seawater, the concentration of trace metals analysed were below the levels causing harmful effects on the larvae and adult mussels, set by the European Council Directive 79/923/EEC. The Fe, Ni, Cd and Zn levels in mussel tissue from Surathkal were relatively higher when compared to that of mussel tissue samples from Someshwara while Cu and Pb levels were lower. The mean tissue concentrations of trace metals in the soft tissue of P. viridis from shellfish waters were found to be safe and below the permissible concentrations for seafood (US FDA and WHO) as well as EU limits in marine products.
Socio-economic factors on Individual Behaviour of Mutual fund in Chennai City, India: Evidence from Juvenile age group

Juvenile age group face new and daunting economic challenges that stem from a number of sources including the financial market breakdown, outburst of the housing bubble, and the rapidly changing demographics of the nation. Using survey data, this study reveals that gender, income, knowledge, and experience emerge as important personal and social influences on juvenile age group investing behaviors in mutual funds. This underscores the importance of financial socialization of juvenile age group at school and home. In an economic downturn that demands individual responsibility and self sufficiency, wealth management is an essential component of a successful adult life. Given the importance of financial well-being, understanding these influences and contributing factors in investing behaviors in mutual funds may pay off significantly for juvenile age group’ financial future. Keywords : Individual Behaviour, Socio-economic, Mutual fund and Chennai City
An examination of the treatment of callous- unemotional traits in children

The current paper reviews research regarding the presence and treatment of Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits. CU traits identify a distinctly severe and stable subgroup of individuals with psychopathy. In this paper, the construct of psychopathy and CU traits will be examined. Many of the current assessment devices that measure psychopathy and CU traits in children will be evaluated to provide a better description of them. The treatment of affective and behavioral problems in children with CU traits will also be explored.
Genetic parameters for resistance to nematode infections in Texel lambs and their utility in breeding programmes

This paper addresses the inheritance of host resistance to gastro-intestinal nematode parasite infections in commercial Texel lambs, and the role of resistance to parasites in breeding programmes. In two flocks of Texel sheep, faecal egg counts following natural parasite challenge were measured on up to three occasions post weaning per lamb over a 4-year period, with 1385 and 287 lambs measured on the two farms. Live weight, and ultrasonically measured fat and muscle depth at weaning were available for each lamb, as were deep pedigrees. Egg counts were moderately to strongly heritable on all occasions, with Nematodirus egg counts more heritable than the Strongyle egg counts. Weighted average heritabilities for Strongyle and Nematodirus egg counts were 0·26 and 0·38, respectively. Within the same category of parasite, genetic correlations across time were positive and strong but somewhat less than unity, as were the correlations between Strongyle and Nematodirus egg counts measured at the same time. Genetic correlations between performance traits and Strongyle egg counts were usually favourable (i.e. negative) but weak, whereas those with Nematodirus egg counts were generally neutral or slightly positive. Whilst Nematodirus resistance may not necessarily be included in a breeding goal, the results suggest that Nematodirus egg counts can be used as an additional genetic indicator of Strongyle egg counts, at little extra cost. Including the epidemiological consequences of decreasing Strongyle egg counts in benefits of increasing parasite resistance, it is suggested that under UK conditions selection goals that place equal emphasis on live weight and log-transformed egg counts will be a robust means of improving growth rate and decreasing parasite larval challenge.
Monsoons and habitat influence trophic pathways and the importance of terrestrial‐marine linkages for estuary sharks

Tropical estuaries often receive enhanced fluxes of terrestrial derived organic matter and phytoplankton during the wet season, and such monsoonal events may significantly influence the trophic dynamics of these systems. This study examined spatio-temporal terrestrial-marine linkages in a tropical estuary, the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), southern China, by investigating trophic pathways leading to estuary sharks. We investigated spatial (inshore vs. offshore) and seasonal (wet vs. dry season) variation in the relative importance of terrestrial- and marine-derived carbon, so as to assess the contribution of detrital pathways to the pelagic spadenose shark, Scoliodon laticaudus; ontogentic changes in shark diets were also documented. Stable isotope analyses (SIA) and fatty acid (FA) profiling indicated that spadenose sharks assimilated both marine and terrestrial carbon via consumption of zooplantivorous fish and shrimps. Detrital carbon sources were more important to juvenile and pre-mature sharks at inshore locations, especially during the wet season when river discharge increased and terrestrial detritus was more abundant. Ontogenetic dietary shifts were evident: juvenile and pre-mature sharks had significantly higher levels of bacterial (detrital) FA than adults which contained more animal-derived FA. Inshore sharks, with more depleted δ13C signatures, relied more on terrestrial carbon than sharks offshore. Comparison of spadenose shark FA profiles with those of the sympatric, white-spotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)—a benthic predator that acquires detrital carbon via consumption of polychaetes and crustaceans—revealed that they made greater use of detrital carbon sources. However, spadenose sharks in the inner estuary assimilated higher proportions of terrestrial detritus (44–56%) than bamboo sharks (31–45%). The importance of terrestrial detritus for both shark species demonstrated the important contribution of terrestrial detritus to both pelagic and benthic food webs in the PRE. Terrestrial-marine linkages are therefore of great significance, particularly during the wet season, in this estuarine system, which serves as feeding and nursery grounds for both shark species, and trophic subsidies from land are likely to be important for marine predators in other tropical estuaries.
Expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on human B-lymphoma cells

Aim. To find a correlation between the level of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expression and B lymphocyte differentiation or activation state. Methods. Expression of nAChRs in the REH, Ramos and Daudi cell lines was studied by flow cytometry using nAChR subunit-specific antibodies; cell proliferation was studied by MTT test. Results. It is shown that the level of a4b2/b4 and a7 nAChRs expression increased along with B lymphocyte differentiation (Ramos > REH) and activation (Daudi > > Ramos) and depended on the antigen-specific receptor expression. The nAChR stimulation/blockade did not influence the intensity of cell proliferation.
Corporate governance mechanisms and intellectual capital

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the corporate governance characteristics of Spanish companies included in the Ibex35 stock price index that influence the voluntary information disclosure policy regarding their Intellectual Capital. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology used was content analysis of 115 annual reports from 23 Ibex35 companies over five years; this allowed for the development of an index to quantify Intellectual Capital information. Findings – Based on Agency-Stakeholders Theory postulates, the main results reveal that companies that disclose most information about their Intellectual Capital are those in which managers have greater managerial ownership, fewer independent directors, separation of functions between the chairman and the chief executive, and larger Boards of Directors. Originality/value – With this study, we contribute to agency-stakeholder theory by analyzing a non-Anglo-Saxon market (characterized by strong executive power and low protection of minority shareholders and other stakeholders), stating that certain characteristics of Corporate Governance condition the disclosure of Intellectual Capital.
Effects of Multimedia Annotations on Thai EFL Readers' Words and Text Recall.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of using multimedia annotations on EFL readers’ word recall and text recall and to explore which type of multimedia annotations – L1 meaning, L2 meaning, sound, and image – would have a better effect on their recall of new words and text comprehension. The participants were 78 students who enrolled in an Intermediate EFL course at a university in the north of Thailand. Five instruments – a questionnaire, a vocabulary pre-test, a computerized log-file, and two posttests: a vocabulary test and a text recall test – were used to collect data. First, the participants responded to the questionnaire and the pre-test in the classroom. One week later, they read a hypertext equipped with multimedia annotations in the computer laboratory while the log files recorded their selections of words and annotations. Immediately after that, they answered the two post-tests. Three weeks later, a vocabulary test was given to the participants again without informing in advanced. The results revealed that (1) accessing multimedia annotations led to significantly greater vocabulary recall (42%) among Thai EFL learners; (2) their retention lasted at least three weeks after being exposed to the multimedia-annotated text; (3) they recalled words with images significantly better than those with no images; (4) they recalled about 31% of the text with multimedia annotations; and (5) no significant difference was found regarding the effects of using different types of multimedia annotations on learners’ word recall and text recall when compared between learners.
The application of diffusive gradient technique (DGT) for assessment of changes in Cd, Pb, and Zn mobility in rhizosphere

Diffusive Gradient in Thin Films (DGT) technique was applied to determine Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in rhizosphere of four different plant species: hyperaccumulator Penny-cress (Thlaspi caerulescens J. et C. Presl), trees with a good accumulation capacity willow (Salix dasyclados Vimm.) and poplar (Populus nigra L.) and crop maize (Zea mays L.). Moreover, the effect of two chelating agents (ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid – EDTA, and S,S-ethylendiaminedisuccinic acid – EDDS) on element mobility in rhizosphere like soil was investigated. DGT was able to register even small changes in heavy metal concentrations in rhizosphere according to individual crop and/or soil treatments. A particularly significant effect of EDTA application to enhance solubility of metals bound to solid phase into the soil solution was observed resulting in increased concentrations of mobile metals in rhizosphere. The suitability of DGT technique for evaluation of heavy metal behavior in the environment was demonstrated with reasonable results
Biodiversity, microbes and human well-being

The biodiversity hypothesis postulates that the rapid increase in the prevalence of allergies, asthma and other chronic inflammatory disorders in developed countries in the past few decades is caused by loss of biodiversity, which reduces human exposure to beneficial environ- mental microbes with essential immunoregulatory functions. The biodiversity hypothesis builds upon Graham Rook's 'old friends' concept, which highlights the long-term evolution of the human immune system with a diverse assembly of microbes. I describe a case study showing that the inci- dence of atopy (allergy sensitization) in adolescents decreases significantly with an increasing amount of forest and agricultural land in the surroundings of their homes. Environmental micro- biota as part of broader biodiversity provides a tangible but little appreciated 'ecosystem service', which is vital for every individual.
Crude oil biodegradation by naturally inhabiting mixed bacterial culture under different environmental factors

The biodegradation of two light crude oils from lad and marine wells at Red Sea area by a bacteria enrichment culture was studied under different environmental factors. Enhanced oil biodegradation was observed with aeration or shaking, mesophilic temperature range and salinity between 3-7 percent. Preferential use of urea as nitrogen source resulted in 4-5 fold increase in oil consumption. Nitrogen/phosphorus molar ratios between 10:1 and 20:1 were optimal for oil degradation. Supplementation with iron stimulated biodegradation with optimal concentration of about 2.5 μ mol. Dramatic decrease in oil consumption was observed in absence of emulsifying agent. lnocula of increased optical densities resulted in increased oil consumption but not at the same magnitude. At optimal conditions, the bacterial culture consumed two thirds of the added oil in one week. Compositional variations with respect to C-, H-, N-, S-, Pcontents and C/H ratio of the recovered oil were observed. Four bacterial genera naturally inhabiting the crude oil were isolated and identified as Micrococcus sp. , Bacillus sp. , Corynebacterium sp. and Pseudomonas sp.
Growth Response of Explants of Irvingia Gabonensis (O'rorke, Baill) to In Vitro Treatment

Growth response of explants of Irvingia gabonensis to in vitro treatment was investigated using full, half and one quarter strength mineral components based on Murashige and Skoog medium. Plant growth regulator (kinetin-Kin) with concentration levels of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5mg/l were used for shoots initiation, while axillary formed shoots were rooted in various concentration levels of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5mg/l of indole butyric acid (IBA). One quarter strength growth medium containing 3mg/l kinetin, which supported the highest growth performance was used to study the effect of explant source and number of leaf primordia on shoot initiation of the species. Shoot length of axillary bud explant significantly (P<0.05) increased in one quarter strength medium than those of half and full strength media. Axillary bud explants with 1-2 leaf primordia gave optimum response in terms of regeneration frequency and coefficient of velocity of bud burst. High regeneration frequency and coefficient of velocity of bud burst with low percentage contamination were recorded by seedling and stump sprout explants. This study suggests that axillary bud explants of Irvingia gabonensis can respond to in vitro treatment under optimum culture conditions.