Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Dynamics of Gasoline Prices: Evidence from Daily French Micro Data

Using millions of individual gasoline prices collected at a daily frequency, we examine the speed at which market refined oil prices are transmitted to consumer liquid fuel prices. We find that on average gasoline prices are modified once a week and the distribution of price changes displays a M-shape as predicted by a menu-cost model. Using a reduced form state-dependent pricing model with time-varying random thresholds, we find that the degree of pass through of wholesale prices to retail gasoline prices is on average 0.77 for diesel and 0.67 for petrol. The duration for a shock to be fully transmitted into prices is about 10 days. There is no significant asymmetry in the transmission of wholesale price to retail prices.
Initial spreading behaviour of water released from a swinging gate lock

ABSTRACT Gravity currents are important phenomena that play a critical role in the advection of fluids in natural and man made environments. Boat locks, which are a common feature on many coastal waterways, are one type of system that can generate gravity currents. These locks usually have a set of vertically hinged gates at each end which, when opened, permit water from within the lock to exchange with the outside water in the form of gravity currents. By using the results from a series of laboratory experiments the properties of these gravity currents were examined when the lock water was heavier than the outside water. It was found that the swinging action of a lock gate had a significant influence on the rate at which the water initially leaves the lock as a slumping gravity current, with the initial speed of the flow being dependent upon the gate's opening speed. However, the final velocity achieved by the gravity current was independent of the gate opening speed; indicating that the total amount of entrainment of water into the flow was independent of opening speed.
Molecular mapping of quantitative trait loci for kernel morphology traits in a non-1BL.1RS × 1BL.1RS wheat cross

The improvement of kernel morphology traits is an important goal in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding programs because of their close relationship with grain yield and milling quality. The aim of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for kernel morphology traits using 240 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between the non-1BL.1RS translocation cv. PH 82-2 and the 1BL.1RS translocation cv. Neixiang 188, grown in six environments in China. Inclusive composite interval mapping identified 71 main-effect QTL on 16 chromosomes for seven kernel morphology traits measured by digital imaging, viz. kernel length, width, perimeter, area, shape factor, factor form-density and width/length ratio. Each of these loci explained from 2.6 to 28.2% of the phenotypic variation. Eight QTL clusters conferring the largest effects on kernel weight and kernel morphology traits were detected on chromosomes 1BL.1RS (2), 2A, 4A, 4B, 6B, 6D and 7A. Fourteen epistatic QTL were identified for all kernel morphology traits except kernel width/length ratio, involving 24 main-effect QTL distributed on 13 chromosomes, and explaining 2.5–8.3% of the phenotypic variance. Five loci, viz. Sec-1 on 1BL.1RS, Glu-B1 on 1BL, Xcfe53 on 2A, Xwmc238 on 4B, and Xbarc174 on 7A, were detected consistently across environments, and their linked DNA markers may be used for marker-assisted selection in breeding for improved wheat kernel traits and grain yield.
Simulation of observed climate changes in 1850–2014 with climate model INM-CM5

Abstract. Climate changes observed in 1850–2014 are modeled and studied on the basis of seven historical runs with the climate model INM-CM5 under the scenario proposed for the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). In all runs global mean surface temperature rises by 0.8 K at the end of the experiment (2014) in agreement with the observations. Periods of fast warming in 1920–1940 and 1980–2000 as well as its slowdown in 1950–1975 and 2000–2014 are correctly reproduced by the ensemble mean. The notable change here with respect to the CMIP5 results is the correct reproduction of the slowdown in global warming in 2000–2014 that we attribute to a change in ocean heat uptake and a more accurate description of the total solar irradiance in the CMIP6 protocol. The model is able to reproduce the correct behavior of global mean temperature in 1980–2014 despite incorrect phases of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation indices in the majority of experiments. The Arctic sea ice loss in recent decades is reasonably close to the observations in just one model run; the model underestimates Arctic sea ice loss by a factor of 2.5. The spatial pattern of the model mean surface temperature trend during the last 30 years looks close to the one for the ERA-Interim reanalysis. The model correctly estimates the magnitude of stratospheric cooling.
EFFECT OF FEEDING CONCENTRATE, DRIED KHAT (CATHA EDULIS) LEFTOVER OR THEIR MIXTURES ON FEED INTAKE, DIGESTIBILITY AND BODY WEIGHT CHANGE OF HARARGHE HIGHLAND GOATS FED BASAL DIET OF NATURAL GRASS HAY

The effect of feeding concentrate mix, khat leftover or their mixtures on intake, digestibility and body weight change were studied using twenty five yearling intact male Hararghe Highland goats with mean initial body weight of 17.8 ± 1.30 kg (mean ± SD). Goats were grouped into five blocks of five animals and randomly assigned to five dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were prepared in such a way that crude protein from concentrate mix (CMCP) was substituted with crude protein from khat leftover (KCP) at a ratio of 0, 33, 67 and 100% on dry matter (DM) basis. Treatments consisted of ad labitum feeding of natural grass hay alone (T 1, control) and natural grass hay supplemented with CMCP-100% (T2), KCP-33% + CMCP-67% (T3), KCP- 67% + CMCP-33% (T4), KCP-100% (T5) on DM basis. The study consisted of 90 days growth and 7 days digestibility trials . Supplemented (T2-T5) goats consumed more (P<0.001) total dry matter intake and metabolisable energy than the control (T1). The highest (P<0.001) total crude protein (CP) intake was observed in goats supplemented with T2 (80.5±1.26) which followed by T3 (75.7±1.26), T4 (57.7±1.26), T5 (43.8±1.26) and lowest in T1 (28.7±1.26). Digestibility of dry matter (64 -65%) and organic matter (66- 67%) were higher (P<0.001) for goats supplemented with T2, T3, T4 and T5 than the goats in T1 (52 and 54% for DM and OM, respectively), but similar (P<0.001) among the T2, T3, T4 and T5 supplemented goats. The effect of dietary treatment on crude protein (CP) digestibility was higher (p<0.001) in or der of T1<T4=T5<T3=T2. Average daily gain (- 5.6, 61.3, 55.7, 42.2 and 28.4 g/day (SEM=5.9) for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively were greater (P<0.001) for T2, T3, T4 and T5 as compared to T1. Goats supplemented with T3 had higher (p<0.001) TDM and TCP intakes and CP digestibility, daily body weight gain compared to goats in T4 and T5. Therefore, it is recommended that supplementation with T3 is optimum combination that could be used to enhance production of goats under small -scale farming system. Further, since supplementation with higher level of khat leftover (T4 and T5) resulted in higher total DM and CP intakes and digestibility and growth performance compared to control goats, these treatments could also be considered as an alternative feeding strat egies under smallholder farming systems.
Improved Retrievals of Carbon Dioxide from the Orbiting Carbon
Observatory-2 with the version 8 ACOS algorithm

Abstract. Since September 2014, NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite has been taking measurements of reflected solar spectra and using them to infer atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. This work provides details of the OCO-2 retrieval algorithm, versions 7 and 8, used to derive the column-averaged dry air mole fraction of atmospheric CO2,/sub> (XCO2) for the roughly 100,000 cloud-free measurements recorded by OCO-2 each day. The algorithm is based on the Atmospheric Carbon Observations from Space (ACOS) algorithm which has been applied to observations from the Greenhouse Gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) since 2009, with modifications necessary for OCO-2. Because high accuracy, better than 0.25 %, is required in order to accurately infer carbon sources and sinks from XCO2, significant errors and regional-scale biases in the measurements must be minimized. We discuss efforts to filter out poor quality measurements, and correct the remaining good-quality measurements to minimize regional-scale biases. Updates to the radiance calibration and retrieval forward model in version 8 have improved many aspects of the retrieved data products. The version 8 data appear to have reduced regional-scale biases overall, and demonstrate a clear improvement over the version 7 data. In particular, error variance with respect to TCCON was reduced by 20 % over land and 40 % over ocean between versions 7 and 8, and nadir and glint observations over land are now more consistent. While this paper documents the significant improvements in the ACOS algorithm, it will continue to evolve and improve as the CO2 data record continues to expand.
Prevalence of Rota-and Reoviruses in Turkey Enteritis in Turkey

The objective of this study was to compare the presence of rotavirus (TRotV) and reovirus (TReoV) in clinically healthy turkey flocks and in those with poult enteritis complex (PEC) using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TRotV and TReoV were detected in 2.6% (6/230) of the birds each and in 26.08% (6/23) and 13.04% (3/23) of the flocks, respectively. Mixed infection with both agents was found in one sample. None of these two viruses were detected in turkeys originating from clinically healthy flocks.
Global supply chains and social relations at work: Brokering across boundaries

Global supply chains are not just instruments for the exchange of economic goods and flow of capital across borders. They also connect people in unprecedented ways across social and cultural boundaries and have created new, interrelated webs of social relationships that are socially embedded. However, most of the existing theories of work are mainly based at the level of the corporation, not on the network of relations that interlink them, and how this may impact on work and employment relations. We argue that this web of relations should not just be seen in economic, but also social terms, and that the former are embedded and enabled by the latter. This article argues for the value of focusing on the role of brokers and boundary workers in mediating social relations across global supply chains. It develops four approaches that lie on a spectrum from structural perspectives focused on brokers who link otherwise unconnected actors to more constructivist ones focused on boundary workers performing translation work between domains.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM SYZYGIUM CUMINI (L.) SEED EXTRACT AND EVALUATION OF THEIR IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES

The environmental friendly synthesis of nanoparticles process is a revolutionary step in the field of nanotechnology. In this study, the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out using Syzygium cumini seed extract as reducing agent. UV–visible spectroscopy was used for quantification of silver nanoparticle synthesis. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized with Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X ray analysis (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The in vitro antioxidant properties of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles have been evaluated and these nanoparticles were found to have higher antioxidant capacity compared to the seed extract and thus can be used as potential radical scavenger against deleterious damages caused by the free radicals.
Numerical modelling of the vertical structure and dark halo parameters in disc galaxies

The non-linear dynamics of bending instability and vertical structure of a galactic stellar disc embedded into a spherical halo are studied with N-body numerical modelling. Development of the bending instability in stellar galactic disc is considered as the main factor that increases the disc thickness. Correlation between the disc vertical scale height and the halo-to-disc mass ratio is predicted from the simulations. The method of assessment of the spherical-to-disc mass ratio for edge-on spiral galaxies with a small bulge is considered. Modelling of eight edge-on galaxies: NGC 891, NGC 4738, NGC 5170, UGC 6080, UGC 7321, UGC 8286, UGC 9422 and UGC 9556 is performed. Parameters of stellar discs, dark haloes and bulges are estimated. The lower limit of the dark-to-luminous mass ratio in our galaxies is of the order of one within the limits of their stellar discs. The dark haloes dominate by mass in the galaxies with very thin stellar discs (NGC 5170, UGC 7321 and UGC 8286) (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
It Self-Employed Workers between Constraint and Flexibility

This research focuses on the degree of work autonomy which IT self-employed workers enjoy. It relies on quantitative and qualitative data. We found that strategic autonomy (ability to choose one's work objectives) is linked to individual characteristics: education and expertise, whereas operational autonomy (ability to choose the adequate methods) is correlated to contextual factors such as the type of clients and the kind of contracts.
EFFECT OF VARIOUS ORGANIC SUPPLEMENTS ON NON- ENZYMATIC ANTIOXIDANT AND MINERALS EXPRESSION IN CALOCYBE INDICA

Maintenance of equilibrium between free radical production and antioxidant defences is an essential condition for normal organism functioning. The intonation of the mushroom used now-a-days in the field of medicine, is the way where this is moderately achieved. In this regard the nutritional values of Calocybe indica which is popular among the cultivated mushrooms have been determined. The results showed that Calocybe indica were rich in non-enzymatic antioxidant and minerals. It is clear from the results that all the organic supplements added in the substrate at the time of spawning, showed higher concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidant and minerals as compared to control. This study revealed the presence of non-enzymatic antioxidant in the samples and the striking feature of present work is to maximize the usage of mushroom in the powdered form when there is certain unstable condition for the usage of mushroom in the fresh form. KEY WORDS Calocybe indica Non- enzymatic
Commercial Real Estate Returns: An Anatomy of Smoothing in Asset and Index Returns

In this article, we investigate the commonly used autoregressive filter method of adjusting appraisal-based real estate returns to correct for the perceived biases induced in the appraisal process. Many articles have been written on appraisal smoothing but remarkably few have considered the relationship between smoothing at the individual property level and the amount of persistence in the aggregate appraisal-based index. To investigate this issue we analyze a large sample of appraisal data at the individual property level from the Investment Property Databank. We find that commonly used unsmoothing estimates at the index level overstate the extent of smoothing that takes place at the individual property level. There is also strong support for an ARFIMA representation of appraisal returns at the index level and an ARMA model at the individual property level.
Searching for Evidence-Based Practice

In an environment of accountability, the development of evidence-based practices is expected. To demonstrate that a practice is evidence based, quality indicators of rigorous methodology should be present including indications that teachers implementing an intervention have done so with fidelity to its design. Because evidence-based practices assume fidelity of implementation (FOI), failure to establish FOI limits the conclusions that can be drawn from any outcome evaluation. This study surveys the gifted education literature to ascertain the degree to which FOI has been assessed, reported, and tied to measured outcomes in curriculum intervention efficacy studies and outcome evaluations. Of the 11 curriculum intervention studies included in this survey, each addressed FOI. The nature and quality of the methods used, however, to measure FOI, as well as the degree to which fidelity data were reported, varied widely among these studies, which suggests the need for increased methodological rigor in gifted curriculum research.
Effects of low precipitation periods on the herbage yield of mesic semi-natural grasslands under different cutting regimes.

Climatic changes have led to extreme weather events, with longer dry periods affecting forage production in mesic grasslands. The effects of grassland management and years with periods of low precipitation on herbage dry matter (DM) yield were studied in two-long term grassland experiments with different cutting and fertilization regimes for the period 2000–2012. In both experiments, the annual herbage DM yields had high correlations with the amount of precipitation. The correlation was stronger in frequent cuttings regimes. The management type and the year significantly affected the herbage DM yield in both experiments. There was also a significant management × year interaction. On average, over the whole observation period, the herbage DM yield of equally fertilized treatments in experiment I was higher in treatments with two cuts per season than in treatments with more cuts. Furthermore, longer periods of low precipitation exerted fewer effects on the DM yield of the two cuts treatments compared to higher cutting frequencies. However, the increase in herbage productivity in years following seasons with low precipitation was higher in the treatments with higher cutting frequencies than in those with two cuts per season. When the treatment, cut four times per year, received a higher amount of fertilizer than the treatment, cut twice per year (experiment II), the long-term average annual herbage DM yield was higher and the yield was less decreased by longer periods of low precipitation than the two cuts per year treatment. Despite the fact that the effects of different treatments were proved in both experiments, the differences in the DM yields among the treatments in low precipitation years were not high enough to recommend best-management practices for forage production on mesic grasslands in areas subject to increasing periods of low precipitation.
Electronic and Optical Properties of Sodium Niobate: A Density Functional Theory Study

In recent years, much effort has been devoted to replace the most commonly used piezoelectric ceramic lead zirconate titanate Pb[ZrxTi1−x]O3 (PZT) with a suitable lead-free alternative for memory or piezoelectric applications. One possible alternative to PZT is sodium niobate as it exhibits electrical and mechanical properties that make it an interesting material for technological applications. The high-temperature simple cubic perovskite structure undergoes a series of structural phase transitions with decreasing temperature. However, particularly the phases at room temperature and below are not yet fully characterised and understood. Here, we perform density functional theory calculations for the possible phases at room temperature and below and report on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of the different phases in comparison to experimental findings.
Low-ball procedure for producing compliance: Commitment then cost.

University of Notre DameJohn A. MillerOhio State UniversityThe low-ball technique, a tactic often used by automobile sales dealers toproduce compliance from customers, was examined in a set of three experi-ments. In all three studies, a requester who induced subjects to make aninitial decision to perform a target behavior and who then made performanceof the behavior more costly obtained greater final compliance than a requesterwho informed subjects of the full costs of the target behavior from the outset.The low-ball phenomenonthat an active preliminary decision to take anaction tends to persevere even after the costs of performing the action havebeen increasedwas found to be reliable (Experiment 1), different from thefoot-in-the-door effect (Experiment 2), and effective only when the preliminarydecision was made with a high degree of choice (Experiment 3). In competi-tion with three other conceptual explanations, a formulation based on the con-cept of commitment was seen to best account for the results. An ecologicallyderived strategy for the identification and investigation of research questionswas used and discussed.Social psychologists have recently begun toexamine the effects of a variety of factors onthe likelihood that one person will complywith a request from another (cf. Cialdini &Schroeder, 1976). These investigations havegenerally used a similar epistemological se-quence in attempting to uncover the psycho-logical processes that influence compliancebehavior. Typically, factors likely to affectthe tendency to comply with a request havebeen identified on the basis of existing psy-chological theory. Once selected in this man-ner, the variables are submitted to experi-mental test to determine whether they doinfluence compliance probabilities accordingto prediction.
The Influence Of Cultivation System On Biochemical Content Of Strawberry Fruits

Abstract Three cultivars ‘Zefyr’, ‘Honoeoye’ and ‘Polka’ were grown on beds mulched with black plastic or without it, as well as in low tunnels covered by transparent polyethylene film or Agronet (Pegas agro, 17 g·m-2), or without covering. The quality of fruits determined by content of ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, soluble solids, total content of phenolics and anthocyanins, antiradical activity, and radical scavenging activity (RSA) was evaluated during two seasons. Significant differences in phytochemical contents within strawberry cultivars, production seasons and cultivation methods were stated. Cultivar had the greatest influence on the content of ascorbic acid, total phenolics and RSA among all the studied factors. The amount of anthocyanins was mainly influenced by plant covering, while the annual climatic conditions had the greatest impact on the amount of titratable acidity and soluble solids. Soil mulching had the lowest influence on the chemical content of fruits.