Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Link between Consumers' Savings Portfolio Decisions, their Inflation Expectations and Economic News

Utilizing the microdata from a first cross-section of a new household survey at the University of Hamburg, we analyse if consumers respond to their own inflation expectations and economic news that they have observed recently when they plan to adjust their savings portfolio in the next year. We extract three factors to control for consumers' socio-demographic and personality characteristics. Our estimates from the socio-demographic factors suggest that high education and personal income matter most for a planned savings portfolio adjustment. Interestingly, higher inflation expectations only affect planned savings adjustments due to higher interest rates, suggesting that consumers have a Taylor-rule-type relation in mind. Disentangling the effects of economic news, we find that news on higher inflation lead consumers to consider protection against inflation, safety of the portfolio and higher interest rates as reasons for a savings adjustment. In addition positive news on the business cycle and on the Euro crisis increase the likelihood that consumers consider a savings adjustment to protect against inflation or due to higher expected interest rates, respectively. Overall, it seems that economic news observed are incorporated into decisions regarding a planned savings portfolio adjustment, while inflation expectations play an indirect role.
Granger Causality Analyses for Climatic Attribution

This review paper focuses on the application of the Granger causality technique to the study of the causes of recent global warming (a case of climatic attribution). A concise but comprehensive review is performed and particular attention is paid to the direct role of anthropogenic and natural forcings, and to the influence of patterns of natural variability. By analyzing both in-sample and out-of-sample results, clear evidences are obtained (e.g., the major role of greenhousegases radiative forcing in driving temperature, a recent causal decoupling between solar irradiance and temperature itself) together with interesting prospects of further research.
Host taxonomic relatedness and functional-group affiliation as predictors of seaweed-invertebrate epifaunal associations

To test the efficacy of seaweed taxonomic relatedness and morphological/functional- group membership as predictors of host-use by invertebrate epifauna, I sampled invertebrate assem- blages associated with 1652 individual thalli across 32 species of seaweed. Additionally, I tested whether seaweeds within the same functional group had the potential, in the context of species loss, to functionally replace each other as habitat. In total, I found 54 776 individuals across 98 taxa of invertebrates. Similarity of invertebrate assemblages did not decrease as taxonomic distances between seaweed hosts increased; invertebrate assemblages were as different on sibling algal spe- cies as on hosts classified in different kingdoms. The utility of seaweeds as hosts for mobile inverte- brates varied across components of invertebrate diversity. Invertebrate assemblage composition was different across most algal functional groups, whereas invertebrate taxon richness was different for ca. 25% of functional groups, and no differences in invertebrate abundance across algal functional groups were observed. There was substantial variation in host-use within seaweed functional groups, suggesting that overall functional group performance indicates little about the performance of the constituent species. Specifically, composition, richness and abundance of invertebrate assemblages were different across most hosts within each algal functional group. Therefore, in the event of sea- weed species loss, replacements by members of the same functional group generally appear unlikely. These observations bring into question the use of general frameworks for predicting performance of seaweeds as hosts for associated invertebrates; it appears that invertebrate selection of seaweed hosts is largely dependent upon the identity of the host species.
Determinants of Target Dividend Payout Ratio: A Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag Analysis

The aim of this study is to find out the determinants of target dividend payout ratio (TDPR) of BIST - listed firms operating in the non-metallic products (cement) manufacturing industry in the period of 2002-2012. Through this aim, the short and long-run effects of factors related to profitability, liquidity, growth, risk, market expectations and taxation on TDPR is analyzed via panel autoregressive distributed lag analysis methodology. Empirical findings indicate that in the long-run, factors related to profitability, growth and corporate taxation significantly affect TDPR negatively; while factors related to risk and market expectations have statistically significant and positive effects on TDPR. Additionally, in the short-run only profitability seems to have statistically significant and positive effect on the dependent variable.
Initial Development of the Iranian Religious Coping Scale

This study aimed to develop a religious coping measure for Iranians comparable to Pargament’s RCOPE scale. A group of university students (N = 185) completed the research measures. The findings of this study demonstrated that the religious coping scale developed for use with Iranians had five factors comprising religious practice, benevolent reappraisal, negative feelings towards God, passive and active religious coping. The study also showed that the different scales of religious coping had good internal consistency and testretest reliability and construct validity. The results indicated that Iranian students used positive religious coping methods more frequently than negative strategies. The present research also indicated a significant association between the dimensions of positive religious coping, such as religious practice and psychological wellbeing. The results suggest that this scale may be useful to the researchers interested in religious coping within Islamic context.
Latent Fundamentals Arbitrage with a Mixed Effects Factor Model

We propose a single-factor mixed effects panel data model to create an arbitrage portfolio that identifies differences in firm-level latent fundamentals. Furthermore, we show that even though the characteristics that affect returns are unknown variables, it is possible to identify the strength of the combination of these latent fundamentals for each stock by following a simple approach using historical data. As a result, a trading strategy that bought the stocks with the best fundamentals (strong fundamentals portfolio) and sold the stocks with the worst ones (weak fundamentals portfolio) realized significant risk-adjusted returns in the U.S. market for the period between July 1986 and June 2008. To ensure robustness, we performed sub period and seasonal analyses and adjusted for trading costs and we found further empirical evidence that using a simple investment rule, that identified these latent fundamentals from the structure of past returns, can lead to profit.
Biogeosciences Night-time ozone uptake by Mediterranean species

Night-time ozone uptake by Mediterranean species S. Mereu, A. Finco, G. Gerosa, L. Fusaro, B. Muys, and F. Manes University of Rome “Sapienza”, Dept. of Plant Biology, P. le Aldo moro 5, 00152, Rome, Italy Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Department of Mathematics and Physics, Via Musei 41, 25121 Brescia, BS, Italy Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department Forest, Nature and Landscape, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001, Leuven, Belgium Received: 1 December 2008 – Accepted: 8 January 2009 – Published: 17 February 2009 Correspondence to: S. Mereu (simone.mereu@libero.it) Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union.
Evolution of volcanism and faulting in a segment of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge at 25°N

We reconstruct the volcanic and tectonic evolution over the last 250,000 years of the median valley floor in the spreading segment of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge centered at 25°N. In the center of the segment, multibeam bathymetry and deep‐towed side‐scan images show a large area of smooth‐textured lava flows more like those of the East Pacific Rise than those of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge. Hummocky flows more typical of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge are found toward the southern end of the segment. The presence of the abundant smooth‐textured flows allows us to interpret the volcanic and tectonic relationships in the segment. We construct a geological map using (1) multibeam bathymetry to identify the key volcanic structures and fault scarps and (2) high‐resolution TOBI side‐scan sonar images to interpret age relationships between features on the basis of overall sediment cover as shown by backscatter brightness. Bottom photographs across key features on the median valley floor yield detailed information on stratigraphic relationships between volcanic features and faults and allow us to calibrate backscatter brightness in terms of sediment cover and hence of age. In this way we derive a history of volcanic activity and deformation in a detailed survey area at the segment center, with the most recent flows erupted about 5000 years ago, and the youngest smooth flows about 10,000 years ago, separated by an episode of faulting. Using bathymetry and side‐scan surveys, we extrapolate this to the whole of the median valley floor. The volcanic activity giving rise to the smooth flows has been continuous for about a quarter of a million years at the segment center. Over the same period, hummocky flows have been continuously erupted at the southern end of the segment. Electron probe analyses of dredged basalt glasses show that there is a systematic variation in composition with position in the segment. Basalts from the segment center are all more evolved than those at the southern end of the segment. There is, however, no relation of chemistry with lava type. The basalts from the segment center have very nearly the same composition whether they come from hummocky flows or smooth flows. The boundary between the smooth flows and hummocky flows has fluctuated with time and migrated rapidly northward over the last few thousand years, so that shortly the eruption of smooth flows will probably have ceased. The survey shows that flows that are smooth on side‐scan images are not necessarily sheet flows. In this study they uniformly show pillow morphology. We conclude that smooth flows were probably erupted at faster eruption rates than hummocky flows.
Quality Characteristics and Sensory Properties of Reduced-fat Emulsion Sausages with Brown Rice Fiber

We evaluated the effects of dietary fiber extracted from brown rice on the quality of reduced-fat emulsion sausage. Reduced-fat emulsion sausage was supplemented with brown rice fiber at levels of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 6%. Adding different levels of brown rice fiber affected the proximate composition of the reduced-fat emulsion sausages (p<0.05), except for protein content. Adding different levels of brown rice fiber influenced the physicochemical properties of the reduced-fat emulsion sausages. The cooking yield, emulsion stability, textural properties, and viscosity of the reduced-fat emulsion sausages containing brown rice fiber improved with increases in added brown rice fiber (p<0.05). The reduced-fat emulsion sausages containing 1-3% brown rice fiber generated sensory evaluation scores similar to those of the high-fat sausage control. These results indicate that reduced-fat emulsion sausages with 1-3% added brown rice fiber had the most acceptable sensory properties and highest quality characteristics compared to the others.
Desensitization protocols for patients undergoing solid organ transplantation

Approximately 30% of patients on transplantation waiting lists are sensitized to HLA antigens as a result of previous exposure through prior transplants, pregnancies or blood transfusions. Besides increasing the waiting time on the list, sensitization to HLA antigens is a major immunologic barrier to solid organ transplantation. Indeed, without proper immunosuppressive strategies, sensitized patients are at high risk of antibodymediated rejection (AMR) and graft loss. Over the past years, several centers have developed desensitization and immunomodulatory approaches that result in reduction of anti-HLA antibodies with improved rates of successful transplantation. The aim of the current work was to review current therapeutic practice for sensitized patients awaiting a solid organ transplant. In particular, we were interested in summarizing current data regarding the management of sensitized patients awaiting a heart transplant. To illustrate the topic, we first studied in detail two complex clinical cases. We then performed a systematic review of current literature in the field (since 1997) regarding current immunomodulatory approaches to treat anti-HLA antibodies before transplantation, focusing on cardiac transplantation. To date, there is no approved therapeutic protocol or consensus on the management of sensitized patients and anti-HLA antibodies before solid organ transplantation. The data are even scarcer regarding thoracic organ transplantation. This study that reviewed current practice may help define best possible approaches for these patients before and after transplantation to ensure better outcomes.
A Comparative Analysis of the Influence of Economic Culture on East and West German Consumers' Subjective Product Meanings

Les consommateurs des economies planifiees ont developpe des savoir-faire differents de ceux adoptes par les consommateurs des economies de marche. Alors que les premiers ont appris a localiser les produits, les seconds se sont exerces a comparer et a choisir entre les produits proposes. Dans le domaine alimentaire, l'ancienne Allemagne de l'Est offrait une serie de produits quantitativement suffisants mais peu varies et de qualite mediocre ou moyenne. Les produits etaient vendus dans tout le pays a des prix imposes. Desormais, la variete et la diversite des qualites est la meme qu'a l'Ouest et l'on constate des variations de prix considerables. On a etudie les differences entre les consommateurs de l'Est et de l'Ouest en comparant des echantillons de consommateurs de Kiel et de Rostock. On a analyse leur perception des produits alimentaires (du fromage et des plats surgeles) et comment ils les rattachaient a des valeurs (a partir d'une approche moyens-fins). Les dimensions perceptives de base, qui emanent des caracteristiques concretes des produits, sont les memes partout, quoique la perception soit plus precise a l'Ouest qu'a l'Est. L'analyse des valeurs fondamentales de l'existence chez les consommateurs allemands de l'Est et de l'Ouest (grâce au Schwartz Value Inventory) a montre que ceux de l'Est se portaient sur les valeurs collectives et ceux de l'Ouest sur les valeurs individuelles. L'analyse du lien que les consommateurs etablissent entre les caracteristiques concretes des produits et les valeurs fondamentales de la vie montra qu'il y avait de legeres differences dans les valeurs, que les repondants de l'Ouest determinaient le niveau des valeurs plus rapidement et qu'ils s'interessaient tout de suite a des attributs plus abstraits. Ces differences suggerent que les consommateurs de l'Est sont, compares a ceux de l'Ouest, a un niveau plus faible d'habituation de leur comportement d'achat. Se procurer des produits alimentaires en Allemagne de l'Ouest est dans une grande mesure caracterise par de l'inertie et une implication mediocre, alors qu'a l'Est l'implication est forte et la prise de decision motivee. Ces differences ont un impact en marketing sur le choix des communications. L'Allemand de l'Ouest sera generalement difficile a influencer dans ses choix de nourriture car il (elle) n'est pas tres interesse(e) par le produit et la communication, par suite, exigera des medias et des messages qui attireront l'attention, qui exploiteront des indices peripheriques (c'est-a-dire emotionnels) et qui seront fortement repetitifs. Les Allemands de l'Est s'interesseront au produit alimentaire et a l'information sur le produit, et la communication devra donc etre plus informative, basee sur les attributs fonctionnels du produit.
Evaluation of HeartMath training programme for improving personal resilience and psychophysiological coherence

The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of a HeartMath training apparatus on personal resilience and physiological coherence. A within group, pre-test and post-test, outcome evaluative design was employed to assess changes in dependent variables. A small convenience sample of 6 participants, 4 women and 2 men, with a mean age of 49 years and an age range from 25 to 68 years, each completed 4 HeartMath training sessions which included 9 tools and techniques. Non-parametric statistical analysis for quantitative data indicated significant increases in physiological coherence and personal resilience perceptions. Thematic content analysis for qualitative data yielded unequivocally positive, experiential descriptions. Integrative findings are discussed in relation to previous and future research.
Towards automated single counts of radicle emergence to predict seed and seedling vigour

The radicle emergence test for Zea mays is an ISTA-validated vigour test (Matthews et al., 2011b) which was accepted into the ISTA Rules at the Annual Meeting in Zurich in June 2011. This article will: briefly describe the background to the – radicle emergence test; provide evidence in support of the po– tential widespread use of radicle emergence as a vigour test for many species; consider how this test can make use of – automated methods; compare this approach to other auto– mated methods for seed quality evaluation and improvement.
Spectral energy distributions for TeV blazars

In this work, we collected a sample of 69 TeV blazars from TeVCat, obtained their multi-wavelength observations, and fitted their spectral energy distributions by using a second degree polynomial function. The structure parameters of synchrotron bumps for 68 blazars and those of inverse-Compton bumps for 56 blazars were derived. Then, we conducted statistical analysis on the parameters (curvature, peak frequency, peak luminosity, bolometric luminosity and X/γ-ray spectral indexes). From our analysis and discussions, we can conclude the following: (1) There is a clear positive correlation between the synchrotron peak frequency, log ν p s , and the inverse-Compton peak frequency, log ν p IC , and between the synchrotron peak luminosity, log ν p s L ν p s , and the inverse-Compton peak luminosity, log ν p IC L ν p IC . (2) The correlation between the peak frequency and the curvature of synchrotron bump is clearly different from that of the inverse-Compton bump, which further indicates that there are different emission mechanisms between them. (3) There is a correlation between log ν p IC and γ-ray spectral index, αγ, for the TeV blazars: log ν p IC = − ( 4.59 ± 0.30 ) α γ + ( 32.67 ± 0.59 ) , which is consistent with previous work. (4) An “L-shape” relation is found between log ν p s and αX for both TeV blazars and Fermi blazars. A significant correlation between log ν p s and X-ray photon index (αX) is found for the TeV blazars with high synchrotron peak frequency: log ν p s = − ( 3.20 ± 0.34 ) α X + ( 24.33 ± 0.79 ) , while the correlation is positive for low synchrotron peaked TeV sources. (5) In the αX − αγ diagram, there is also an “L-shape. ” The anti-correlation is consistent with results available in the literature, and we also find a positive correlation between them. (6) Inverse-Compton dominant sources have luminous bolometric luminosities.
Phonon dynamics in CuxBi2Se3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.125) and Bi2Se2 crystals studied using femtosecond spectroscopy

Phonon dynamics in Bi, Bi2Se2, and CuxBi2Se3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.125) single crystals was investigated using femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. Two damped oscillations in measured transient reflectivity changes were observed, respectively, attributed to coherent optical and acoustic phonons. The frequency shift of the phonon modes in Bi-rich Bi2Se2 crystals indicates the intercalation of the additional Bi atoms into the Bi2Se3 matrix and formation of the Bi2 layer between the quintuple layers (QLs). The deformation of QLs in CuxBi2Se3 crystals was also found. These phonon dynamics results suggest that Cu atoms in CuxBi2Se3 crystals are predominantly intercalated between pair of QLs.
Combustion Catalyst: Nano‐Fe2O3 and Nano‐Thermite Al/ Fe2O3 with Different Shapes

In order to enable the energetic materials to possess a more powerful performance, adding combustion catalysts is a quite effective method. Granular, oval, and polyhedral Fe2O3 particles have been prepared by the hydrothermal method and used to fabricate Al/Fe2O3 thermites. All the Fe2O3 and Al/Fe2O3 thermite samples were characterized using a combination of experimental techniques including scanning electron microsco‐ py (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and high‐resolution TEM (HRTEM). The non‐isothermal decomposition kinetics of the composites and nitrocellulose (NC) can be modeled by the Avrami‐Erofeev equation f(α)=3(1–α)[–ln(1–α)]1/3/2 in differential form. Through the thermogravimetric analysis infrared (TG‐IR) analysis of decomposition processes and products, it is speculated that Fe2O3 and Al/Fe2O3 can effectively accelerate the thermal decomposition reaction rate of NC by promoting the O‐NO2 bond cleavage. Adding oxides or thermites can distinctly increase the burning rate, decrease the burning rate pressure exponent, increase the flame temperature, and improve the combustion wave structures of the ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (AP/HTPB) propellants. Among the three studied, different shapes of Fe2O3, the granular Fe2O3, and its corresponding thermites (Al/Fe2O3(H)) exhibit the highest burning rate due to larger surface area associated with smaller particle size. Moreover, Al/Fe2O3(H) thermites have more effective combustion‐supporting ability for AP/HTPB propellants than Fe2O3 structures and the other two as‐prepared Al/Fe2O3 thermites.
The significance of apatite inclusions in soil phosphorus studies

Apatite inclusions have been identified in several primary minerals, and their abundance and morphology have been described. A comparison of several methods used for the determination of total P in soils showed that Na2CO3 fusion is the most reliable method for samples which contain apatite inclusions and that the effectiveness of extraction was usually in the order: Na2CO3 fusion > HF digestion > HC1O4 digestion > N H,SO4 extraction following ignition. Included apatite was identified using a petrological microscope in residues after digestion with 60% HC1O4. This form was also extracted much more slowly by 0.5. /V HC1 than was nonincluded apatite. Included apatite resistant to attack by 1]V HQ was determined as "residual inorganic P" in fractionation studies on weakly weathered materials, and the influence of fineness of grinding on the ratio of "acid-extractable Ca-P" to residual inorganic P indicated the likely dimensions of the inclusions in different minerals. Additional