Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Inflation-Linked Bonds Still Diversify?

The diversifying power of inflation-linked (IL) bonds relative to traditional asset classes has changed significantly. In this paper, we study the dynamics of conditional volatilities and correlations for three asset classes, IL bonds, nominal bonds, and equities, in the USA and Europe. Using a DCC-MVGARCH for the period 1997-2007, we highlight the change that took place in 2003. Although IL bonds once had definite diversification power, they are now highly correlated with nominal bonds and have reached similar volatility levels. As a result, the two asset classes are practically substitutable. This seems to be due to more stable inflation expectations and to a more liquid IL bond market. Although diversification was a valuable reason for introducing IL bonds in a global portfolio before 2003, this is no longer the case. Dynamic portfolio optimisation using our estimates of conditional correlations and volatilities clearly demonstrates that the optimal weight of IL bonds in a portfolio decreased sharply in 2003 in favour of nominal bonds and equities.
From HRM to psychological contracting - the case of Finnish mobile content producing companies

The paper explores how human resource management (HRM) is currently intended, used and experienced in 10 Finnish companies operating in the field of telecommunications. Our specific focus is on direct and indirect forms of managerial control and the psychological contract. We examine how psychological contracts are created and maintained, and study their relationship with HRM as a means of either direct or indirect control. Our findings indicate that employees are voluntarily assuming the obligation to exercise organizational control as a part of their psychological contract in exchange for the freedom and autonomy that they enjoy. Recruitment emerges as a top employer priority. However, not many other human resource (HR) techniques are used. Rather, carefully selected workers are allowed the autonomy and freedom to define what constitutes their psychological contract, with a duty to control its attractiveness from the employers' point of view.
Comparison of Four Methods to Estimate Urban Heat Storage

The relative performance of four independent methods to estimate the magnitude and diurnal behavior of net heat storage fluxes (QS) in a city center is assessed. This heat flux is a significant but understudied component of the urban surface energy balance (SEB). Direct measurement of this SEB term at the local scale (horizontal length scale 10 2 –10 4 m) is practically unattainable primarily because of the complex array of materials and the three-dimensionality of urban systems. Results of an 8-day summertime observational study at a site in the center of Marseille, France, are presented. This locale is an ideal environment for such research because of the warm, dry climate (hence the SEB is dominated by sensible heat exchanges) and the high density of tall buildings with thick walls (hence it has a large thermal mass that favors heat storage as a component of the SEB). Estimates of QS derived as residuals in the SEB, after the remaining terms are measured directly, (termed RES) are compared with those calculated from a parameterization scheme [objective hysteresis model (OHM)], a local-scale numerical model [Town Energy Balance model (TEB)], and a bulk heat transfer method [thermal mass scheme (TMS)]. Inputs to the methods include observed meteorological data and morphometric properties of the urban site. All approaches yield a similar diurnal course. The OHM and TEB methods tend to slightly overestimate storage uptake by day when compared with the RES, whereas TMS slightly underestimates it. All methods underestimate heat storage release at night when compared with RES and show some sensitivity to wind speed, especially above about 5 m s 1 . OHM estimates perform satisfactorily in the mean but miss short-term variability and are poor at night. TEB simulations show the best agreement with RES results, particularly at night. TMS values are comparable to those from the other methods, but its extensive input requirements render it almost impractical. Overall, the convergence of results is reassuring but the lack of a standard for quantifying heat storage and the spread of results mean this term remains a source of imprecision in urban energy balance measurement and modeling.
Agglomeration and productivity: evidence from firm-level data

Do agglomerations stimulate productivity? An extensive literature on agglomeration economies, or urban increasing returns, has analyzed this question with aggregated spatial data. This paper estimates the relationship between agglomeration and productivity at the firm level using static and dynamic models. It makes use of a rich dataset comprising register information on all manufacturing firms in Sweden with 10 or more employees over the period 1997–2004. Three things emerge. First, firms located in larger regions are more productive when controlling for size, human capital, physical capital, ownership structure, import and export, industry classification, and time trend. Second, results from dynamic panel estimations suggests a learning effect in that agglomeration enhances firms’ productivity. Third, the role of agglomeration phenomena does not seem to have a clear coupling to firm size.
Semi-automatic laboratory equipment for reactive injection molding

Traditional melt processing techniques limit in shape and thickness the parts of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites. Producing of thermoplastic hybrid composites through melt intercalation often results in heterogeneous products due to micron-scale agglomerations with a negative effect on the mechanical properties. The in-situ polymerization processes to form the matrix in polymer composites have proved to be a good approach toward the resolution of these issues. In the present work we report on the design and construction of a prototype semi-automatic laboratory equipment for reactive injection molding and its application for the preparation of various types of polyamide-6 based composites via in-situ activated anionic polymerization of e-caprolactam. preparation of thermoset composites attempted to be adapted for TPCs where the control on the chemistry of the matrix forming AAROP is still a big challenge. The present work describes our recently developed prototype semi-automatic laboratory equipment for reactive injection molding that was used for the preparation of various TPC types via in-situ AAROP of e-caprolactam. Some initial studies on the properties of these TPCs are briefly reported.
Cerebral Concussion in Sport: An Overview

Sports-related concussions are ubiquitous in contact and collision sports at all levels of play and across a broad age range. Once thought to be a nuisance injury, it is now recognized that these brain injuries may lead to chronic neurocognitive impairment if not managed properly. This paper provides a broad overview of the research and clinical data that have emerged in this rapidly growing area. Included in the review are discussions of injury definition, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, epidemiology, potential long-term consequences, assessment, and psychological factors. Issues of prevention and education are discussed in light of further increasing awareness of this injury.
A Note on Reinforcement of Polymer Matrix Composites Using Carbon Residues Derived From Woody Biomass

The mechanical properties of phenolic resin reinforced with three different carbon materials were investigated experimentally. The carbon materials: (1) commercially produced carbon nanotubes (CNTs), (2) flash-heated lignocellulose containing CNTs and carbon-black, and (3) cyclically oxidized lignocellulose (Goodell, B. et al. (2008). Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 8: 2472-2474) were added to phenolic resin in different weight percentages to fabricate composites. Carbon nanotubes were found to be an effective reinforcing filler increasing tensile strength by 45.34% and Young’s modulus by 19.08% with a 2% loading. The flash-heated material increased Young’s modulus by 11.04% with a 2% loading but did not affect tensile strength. The cyclically heated material did not contain CNTs, their inclusion in the composites reduced Young’s modulus and, for the 1% loading, reduced tensile strength as well.
Relativistic tearing and drift-kink instabilities in two-fluid simulations

The stability of current sheets in collisionless relativistic pair plasma was studied via two-dimensional two-fluid relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations with vanishing internal friction between fluids. In particular, we investigated the linear growth of the tearing and drift-kink modes in the current sheets both with and without the guide field and obtained the growth rates which are very similar to what has been found in the corresponding particle in cell (PIC) simulations. This suggests that the two-fluid simulations can be useful in studying the large-scale dynamics of astrophysical relativistic plasmas in problems involving magnetic reconnection.
Assessing the level of community capacity building in tourism development in local communities

This paper attempts to summarize the findings of a study, which explored the levels of community capacity building (CCB) that contributed to tourism development in local communities. The study was carried out in Shiraz, Iran. The study focused on the level of community capacity building in local communities that involved in tourism activities. The research methodology of the study was based on qualitative and quantitative methods. Findings of the study show that the level of CCB in tourism development in the study area is generally low. Secondly, the CCB in the Old District of Shiraz was higher compared to the New District. The result also shows that the level of CCB is different according to types of tourism activities. The objective of the study also was to determine the relationship between the level of CCB and community leaders’ perception of tourism impacts and their characteristics. The results from the multiple regression indicated that CCB can be predicted by community leaders' income, tourism income, extra activities, length of residence, educational level, and number of family members engaged in tourism activities.
Metaphor and Hyperbole: Testing the Continuity Hypothesis

In standard Relevance Theory, hyperbole and metaphor are categorized together as loose uses of language, on a continuum with approximations, category extensions and other cases of loosening/broadening of meaning. Specifically, it is claimed that there are no interesting differences (in either interpretation or processing) between hyperbolic and metaphorical uses (Sperber & Wilson, 2008). In recent work, we have set out to provide a more fine-grained articulation of the similarities and differences between hyperbolic and metaphorical uses and their relation to literal uses (Carston & Wearing, 2011, 2014). We have defended the view that hyperbolic use involves a shift of magnitude along a dimension which is intrinsic to the encoded meaning of the hyperbole vehicle, while metaphor involves a multi-dimensional qualitative shift away from the encoded meaning of the metaphor vehicle. In this article, we present three experiments designed to test the predictions of this analysis, using a variety of tasks (paraphrase elicitation, self-paced reading and sentence verification). The results of the study support the view that hyperbolic and metaphorical interpretations, despite their commonalities as loose uses of language, are significantly different.
Research, part of a Special Feature on Crossing Scales and Disciplines to Achieve Forest Sustainability Household Land Management and Biodiversity: Secondary Succession in a Forest-Agriculture Mosaic in Southern Mexico

This study evaluates anthropogenic and ecological dimensions of secondary forest succession in Mexico's southern Yucatan peninsular region, a hotspot of biodiversity and tropical deforestation. Secondary succession in particular constitutes an ecologically and economically important process, driven by and strongly influencing land management and local ecosystem structure and dynamics. As agents of local land management, smallholding farmers in communal, i.e., ejido lands affect rates of forest change, biodiversity, and sustainability within and beyond their land parcels. This research uses household surveys and land parcel mapping in two ejidos located along the buffer of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve to analyze how household socioeconomics and policy institutions drive allocations to successional forests in traditional crop fallows and in enriched fallows. Results indicate that household tenancy, livestock holdings, labor-consumer ratios, and receipts of agricultural subsidies are the strongest determinants of traditional fallow areas. Whereas the latter two factors also influence enriched successions, local agroforestry and reforestation programs were the strongest drivers of fallow enrichment. Additionally, the study conducts field vegetation sampling in a nested design within traditional and enriched fallow sites to comparatively assess biodiversity consequences of fallow management. Although enriched fallows display greater species richness in 10x10 m plots and 2x2 m quadrats, plot-scale data reveal no significant differences in Shannon- Wiener or Simpson's diversity indices. Traditional fallows display greater species heterogeneity at the quadrat scale, however, indicating a complex relationship of diversity to fallow management over time. The article discusses the implications of the social and ecological analyses for land change research and conservation policies.
Herbicidal effect of Ailanthus altissima leaves water extracts on Medicago sativa seeds germination

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle is a deciduous tree native to Southeast Asia, and one of the worst invasive plant species in Europe and North America. A feature probably contributing to its invasiveness is a production of a secondary metabolites, one of which ailanthone, is shown in several studies to have, amongst other, a herbicidal effect on many plant species. In this study we have tested the herbicidal effect of A. altissima leaves water extracts on Medicago sativaL. seed germination. M. sativa has been shown in previous studies to be sensitive to A. altissima extracts. The main phytotoxic compound in A. altissima was previously shown to be ailanthone, although probably it is not the only one. Water extracts of leaves have been prepared and diluted to multiple concentrations in order to assess the relation between the extract concentration and the intensity of herbicidal activity. The obtained data showed that there was a significant difference between the emergence of treated and untreated seeds, precisely, the emergence of seeds treated with the highest concentration was on average 30% lower than control. These results were expected and consistent with the previous observations of ailanthone being phytotoxic to a wide variety of plants, causing germination inhibition and injuries in older plants. The data available so far show great promise for the possible future applications of ailanthone as a natural product herbicide.
Knowledge , Attitude and Practice regarding Cervical Cancer Screening Amongst Women visiting Tertiary Centre in Kathmandu ,

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the commonest cancers in Nepal. Fortunately, it is preventable by detecting precancerous lesions and early invasive cancers by various screening tools. Screening can be possible if women are aware of the problem and if they have positive attitude . Therefore this study was conducted to find out about the knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer in Nepalese women attending a tertiary level hospital in Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted in gynaecological out patient department of Kathmandu Medical College from January to March 2011. Structured questionnaire was used. Demographic profile of women was noted and questions pertaining to knowledge, attitude and practice on screening for cervical cancer were asked. Results: There were 105 respondents, of whom 65.7% had heard about cervical cancer. However, only 42.9% and 18.1% had knowledge about screening for cervical cancer and Pap smear test respectively. More than 85% of women had positive attitude towards screening but the uptake of Pap smear test in the respondents was only 10.5%. It was found that advancing age and longer duration of marriage were significantly associated with better knowledge, attitude and practice. Conclusion: Knowledge and practice of the screening for cervical cancer was poor in gynaecological patients visiting a tertiary level hospital. However the attitude of women towards screening was positive.
Comparative pathology of chickens and domestic ducks experimentally infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5N1) isolated in Japan in 2007 and 2008.

Chickens and domestic ducks were inoculated with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5N1) isolated in Japan in 2007 and 2008. The virus strain A/chicken/Miyazaki/K11/2007 caused 100% mortality in chickens with characteristic skin lesions on the head that were similar to those found in field chicken outbreaks in 2007. The virus strain A/whooper swan/Akita/1/2008 (Ws/Akita/1/08) isolated from dead wild swans was also highly pathogenic against chickens. When domestic ducks were inoculated with each virus, only Ws/Akita/1/08 caused mortality. Two characteristic clinical signs, a neurologic sign and corneal opacity, were observed in domestic ducks. Histologically, edematous and hemorrhagic skin lesions at the comb and wattle were the most prominent findings in dead chickens. In domestic ducks, non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, pancreatic focal necrosis, keratitis, and epidermal necrosis of the feathers and beak were observed, depending on the course of infection. Immunohistochemical testing revealed that, compared to chickens in which the virus preferably replicated in systemic endothelial cells, antigen distribution in domestic ducks was confined to the parenchymal cells of some organs such as the brain, heart, pancreas, and epidermis of the feathers and beak. Our data suggest that, in addition to the increased mortality rate, skin lesions of the head including the wattle and comb comprise an important clinical sign in chickens for detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5N1) isolated in Japan. On the other hand, the neurologic signs and corneal opacity can be useful indications for detecting infected waterfowl.
Phonetics of Tongan stress

In this study, we determine the acoustic correlates of primary and secondary stress in Tongan. Vowels with primary stress show differences in f0, intensity, duration, F1, and spectral measures compared to unstressed vowels, but a linear discriminant analysis suggests f0 and duration are the best cues for discriminating vowels with primary stress from unstressed vowels. Vowels with secondary stress are mainly marked by differences in f0 relative to unstressed vowels. With regard to the effects of stress on the vowel space, we find that all five Tongan vowels are higher in the vowel space (have lower F1) when unstressed. Moreover, there is no reduction in the overall size of the vowel space. We interpret this pattern as evidence that unstressed vowels in Tongan are not prone to centralization, vowel reduction, or undershoot. The results, however, are consistent with a sonority expansion account (Beckman, Edwards & Fletcher 1992), whereby stressed vowels are lowered to enhance sonority.
What competencies should directors possess? Malaysia perspective

Directors' competencies are seeing to be of importance to corporate governance. As this issue has not yet being studied extensively in Malaysia, this study determines the key competencies of Malaysian company's directors using qualitative approach involving two stages of Delphi Technique. In the first stage all information pertaining to directors' competences in the literature had been reviewed. In the second stage, the key competencies identified in stage one were the criteria for developing a semi structured questionnaire. Participants were asked to rank the competencies in term of their importance for directors' performance. Based on personel interviews with 41 participants eight types of competencies were found to be essential for Malaysian companies' directors. Financial competencies received the highest responses, followed by corporate planning, business forecasting, legal, risk management, marketing, human resource and international business. This paper provides important evidence to support the conclusions drawn from the study about the importance of relevant directors' competencies for board and corporate effectiveness.
Electrochemical migration of micro-alloyed low Ag solders in NaCl solution

The reliability investigation of the lead-free solders is still a current issue. In this paper, Electrochemical Migration (ECM) behavior of novel lead-free micro-alloyed low Ag content solders were investigated by water drop test in NaCl solution. The results were compared to commonly used lead-free and lead bearing solder alloys. It was found that some micro-alloyed solders can have similar low ECM susceptibility than lead bearing ones. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was also carried out to find the root cause of different ECM behaviour of micro-alloyed solders. The results of water drop test and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were in good agreement relating electrochemical migration susceptibility. Since SAC0807 solder alloy has shown higher corrosion rate than SAC0307 and has also higher ability for ECM as well. It is concluded, that some lead-free micro-alloyed low Ag content solder alloy (e.g.: SAC0807) could have a high reliability risk in the electronic devices during operation.