Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Co-integration analysis with structural breaks: South Africa’s gold mining index and USD/ZAR exchange rate

This paper examines the presence of cointegration between South African gold mining index and USD/ZAR exchange rate. The results show that gold index and USD/ZAR exchange rate series are both I(1) and are cointegrated. The Granger causality test shows a two-way directional causality between gold index and USD/ZAR exchange rate for the period 9 June 2005-9 June 2015. By accounting for possible structural breaks, the Zivot-Andrews unit root test suggests two different breaking points in the data. By using the breaking dates to divide the dataset into 3 sub-periods, the results show that gold index and USD/ZAR exchange rate series are not cointegrated. The Granger causality test shows no causality between the two variables. This finding suggests that gold mining index does not play a key role in explaining the trends in the exchange rate and likewise exchange rate does not affect gold mining index.
Dynamics of former ice lobes of the southernmost Patagonian Ice Sheet based on a glacial landsystems approach

Reconstructions of former ice masses from glacial geomorphology help to constrain the nature and timing of glaciation in relation to climatic forcing. This paper presents a new reconstruction of the glacial history of five ice lobes in southernmost South America: the Bahía Inútil − San Sebastián, Magellan, Otway, Skyring and Río Gallegos ice lobes. We use previous geomorphological mapping of glacial landforms to reconstruct former glacial limits and proglacial lakes, demarcate flow‐sets from the distribution of glacial lineations, and evaluate glacial landsystem signatures and their palaeoglaciological implications. Evidence suggests that the ice lobes predominantly reflect active temperate glacial landsystems, which may have switched to polythermal systems when periods of cold‐based ice developed ephemerally. This complex landsystem signature implies that the ice lobes were sensitive to regional climate variability, with active re‐advances during overall retreat of the ice margins. There is also evidence for periods of fast ice flow and possible surge‐like activity in the region, followed by the rapid retreat or even collapse of some of the ice lobes in association with proglacial lakes. Constraining our new reconstruction with published chronological information suggests that at least some of the ice lobes advanced before the global Last Glacial Maximum (gLGM: ca. 26.5–19 ka) during the last glacial cycle. Our new reconstruction demonstrates a more complex picture of ice dynamics than has previously been portrayed, and one in which the advance and retreat of the ice lobes was likely to have been primarily driven by changes in climate. As such, ice advances before the gLGM in the southernmost part of the Patagonian Ice Sheet are likely to indicate a wider climatic forcing at this time.
PRELIMINARY GEOPHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE KARST WITHIN A TRANSVERSE GLADE IN THE ATLANTIC COASTAL RIDGE, MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FLORIDA, USA

In this paper we present results of two DC Electrical Resistivity Tomography surveys at Deering Estate at Cutler in the Atlantic Coastal Ridge of Miami-Dade County, Florida. This County Natural Area encompasses Deering Glade and hosts one of the largest remaining tropical hardwood-hammock ecosystems in the USA. A canal extension, wetland restoration, and pump station recently constructed at Deering Estate by the South Florida Water Management District is designed to re-hydrate Deering Glade to pre-development conditions thus helping to sustain the hammock ecosystem and reverse trends in saltwater intrusion in this portion of the Biscayne aquifer. For these transects, we used an AGI Super Sting R1/IP with an array of 28 passive electrodes used in a dipole-dipole configuration. The first transect comprised a 46-m ‘roll-along’ survey from the glade interior across the north scarp. In this transect, we used one-meter electrode spacing with a 10-electrode overlap between the two segments. In the second transect, we spanned the glade using a 5-m spacing for a 112-m-long transect. Our first and second transects ‘see’ to a depth of approximate 9 m and 27 m below modern sea level, respectively. In our inversion from the first transect, we clearly identify the high-resistivity vadose zone north of the glade scarp and identify a high-resistivity anomaly that is likely an air-filled cave and aligns with the SW-NE trend of surveyed caves in the northern glade margin. In the inversion from the second transect, the vadose zone in the north scarp is still visible. The southern margin of the glade is highly dissected by excessive root wedging and tree throw, resulting in greater hydration and lower resistivity. A low-resistivity anomaly below the center of the glade potentially represents a cave filled with fresh groundwater. An increase in resistivity at depth potentially represents the contact between the massive permeability of Ophiomorpha ichnofabric in the MIS 5e Miami Limestone and occluded touching-vug porosity in the older carbonates of the Pleistocene Ft. Thompson Formation. Corresponding author. E-mail: lflorea@bsu.edu
Habitat change in an estuarine embayment: anthropogenic influences and a regime shift in biotic interactions

Long term-monitoring of an intertidal sandflat in Durban Bay, South Africa, indicated a major regional transformation in macrofauna between 1994 and 2002. This sandflat, known as Little Lagoon, was composed of muddy sand in 1994, but became more sandy by 2002. This change coin- cided with the establishment of dense beds of the burrowing sandprawn Callianassa kraussi, and a major decline in bivalve richness and density. In 1994, bottom-feeding fish dominated the ichthyo- fauna, with bivalve siphons dominating their diets. In 2002, however, the fish community was domi- nated by zooplanktivorous fish, and bivalve siphons were absent in the stomachs of benthic fish. We hypothesised that increases in C. kraussi density between 1994 and 2002 contributed to these changes in macrofauna. To test this hypothesis, macrofauna was compared between areas of high and low C. kraussi density in Little Lagoon in 2002, to determine whether pattern differences between these areas mirrored those between 1994 and 2002. Both investigations showed that C. kraussi was negatively associated with abundances of suspension feeders, deposit feeders and sur- face grazers, but not with burrowing infauna abundance. Densities of bivalves in particular, were sig- nificantly reduced in areas heavily bioturbated by C. kraussi. These trends have since been demon- strated experimentally, and support our hypothesis that an increase in C. kraussi density contributed to these changes to macrofauna. This long-term study also highlights the 'ecosystem-engineering' role of C. kraussi, and suggests that its effects ripple through higher trophic levels by reducing the abundance of food items.
Regions, frictions, and migrations in a model of structural transformation

Why do some regions grow faster than others? More precisely, why do rates of convergence differ? Recent research points to labour market frictions as a possible answer. This paper expands along this line by investigating how these labour market frictions interact with regional migration. Motivating this are two important observations: (1) farm-to-nonfarm labour reallocation costs have fallen, disproportionately benefiting poorer agricultural regions; and (2) migration flows vary dramatically by region, lowering (raising) marginal productivities in destination (source) regions. Using a general equilibrium model of structural transformation calibrated with US regional data over time, I find regional migration barriers magnify the income convergence effect of labour market improvements. For instance, recent research points to improved nonagricultural skills acquisition as a driver of Southern US convergence with the North. I find the strong link between labour markets and Southern convergence follows from the South’s historically extensive migration restrictions. Finally, the model captures the low convergence rates experienced by other regions, such as the US Midwest.
A Theory on Fashion Consumption

Both the theory of top-down penetration of fashion consumption (Veblen - Simmel model) and the theory of bottom-up fashion consumption have been found consistent with the consumer behavior in the China’s fashion consumer market and the trend of such behavior keeps growing. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a study on fashion consumption to meet the needs of the development of real life and fashion consumption. Firstly, we describe the content of fashion consumption, discuss the connotation and main features of fashion and analyze the relationship among fashion, innovation, classic and prevalence; namely, innovation is the pioneer of fashion while the classic is the denotation of faded fashion and prevalence is the continuance of fashion. Secondly, we examine the psychological motivations and behavioral mechanisms of fashion consumption, pointing out that the psychological motivations of fashion consumption is showing-off and it is of symbolic significance. The general characteristics of fashion buyers and consumer characteristics including the elegant fashion, the popular fashion, the cool fashion and the Bobos fashion are presented. We put forward a decision-making process in fashion consumption according to the influence of fashion, the extent of consumer involvement and the purchase decision time. Finally, by analyzing the fashion consumption behavior of the Chinese consumers, we point out that the core of the cool fashion or the Bobo fashion is actually not materialism and both cool fashion and Bobo fashion will have a profound influence in the fashion consumption in the future.
EFFECT OF SUBSTITUTING GUINEA GRASS WITH SOYBEAN HULLS ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND DIGESTION TRAITS IN FATTENING RABBITS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of soybean hulls (SH) to substitute guinea grass (GG), traditionally used as fibre source in the diets of fattening rabbits on performance, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, gastrointestinal tract development and caecum fermentation. A total of 160 mixed sex Hyla commercial meat rabbits were allocated to 4 experimental groups (40 per treatment) differing in the SH level inclusion in the diet offered to rabbits from 40 to 90 d of age: 0, 50, 100 and 200 g/kg as-fed basis: SH0, SH50, SH100 and SH200 groups, respectively. Growth performance was recorded from 40 to 90 d of age, CTTAD of nutrients from 86 to 90 d of age, and gastrointestinal tract development, caecum fermentation and carcass traits were determined at 90 d of age. Average daily feed intake and the feed/gain ratio were lower in SH100 and SH200 groups than in SH0 group (P<0.05). The digestibility of energy, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were higher in SH100 and SH200 than in SH0 group (P<0.05). The relative weights of stomach and caecum were lower in SH200 than in S0 and S50 groups (P<0.05), and the relative length of small intestine was lower in the 3 groups containing SH than in the S0 group (P<0.01). The caecal pH and concentration total volatile fatty acids were lower in SH100 and SH200 groups than in SH0 or SH50 groups (P<0.05). Substitution of GG with SH had no effect on carcass characteristics and meat quality (P>0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that SH can substitute GG in the diets of fattening rabbits up to 200 g/kg in diet with no adverse effects on the growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass traits and meat quality.
Small Fiscal Multipliers Do Not Justify Austerity: A Macroeconomic Accounting Analysis of Public Debt-to-GDP Dynamics

Abstract: In the aftermath of the Great Recession, a debate about the size of fiscal multipliers emerged. Whatever the estimation approach, fiscal multipliers assumed for projections are the result of extrapolations from time-series data. In this article, I take a different perspective by answering the following question: Is it really necessary to know the value of fiscal multipliers to make sensible policy decisions?
The Longitudinal Relationship Between Media Violence and Empathy: Was It Sympathy All Along?

Previous research with adolescents has reported a negative relationship between media violence and empathy. There are, however, two important conceptual issues in this earlier literature that deserve further research attention. First, studies often treat empathy as a one-dimensional construct while it consists of both an affective and cognitive component. Second, while aiming to measure empathy, several studies have measured sympathy instead. Driven by these concerns, this study was designed to investigate the longitudinal relationship between media violence, affective empathy, cognitive empathy, and sympathy. Using data from a two-wave panel study with 943 adolescents (10–14 years old), a cross-lagged model tested whether media violence exposure negatively influences empathy and sympathy (desensitization) or whether empathy and sympathy negatively influence media violence exposure (selection). Results were in line with desensitization. However, rather than showing that media violence leads to a decrease in empathy (which previous studies have shown), results indicate a decrease in sympathy instead. These findings provide clarification to existing work as well as offer methodological and practical implications.
Preliminary Paleomagnetic Study on Different Rock Types in Olkiluoto Area

Paleomagnetic test samples have been measured from different rock types in the Olkiluoto area. The main aim of the study has been to resolve the suitability of the rock types to paleomagnetic studies. Paleomagnetic studies are aimed to investigate the geological evolution of the Olkiluoto area by using remanent magnetization that has been blocked in the rocks in different geological processes. Altogether 20 cylinders were measured from five different rock types. The cylinders were demagnetized with alternating field and the remanent magnetizations were measured. The results were analysed with multicomponent analysing methods. According to preliminary studies, most of the test samples are weakly magnetized and do not carry stable remanent magnetization. However, part of the samples and rock types carry stable or semistable remanent magnetizations and are therefore favourable for further investigations. Especially the diabase dykes carry stable multicomponent magnetizations. Also the pegmatite dykes are worth of additional studies. Remanent magnetizations of test samples from TGG-gneisses, potassium feldspar porphyries and sulphidized rocks are weaker, but it is suggested that some new test samples would be useful for further studies.
Crucial aspects of the initial mass function (I) The statistical correlation between the total mass of an ensemble of stars and its most massive star

Context. Our understanding of stellar systems depends on the adopted interpretation of the initial mass function, IMF φ(m). Unfortunately, there is not a common interpretation of the IMF, which leads to different methodologies and diverging analysis of observational data. Aims. We study the correlation between the most massive star that a cluster would host, mmax, and its total mass into stars, M ,a s an example where different views of the IMF lead to different results. Methods. We assume that the IMF is a probability distribution function and analyze the mmax −M correlation within this context. We also examine the meaning of the equation used to derive a theoretical M− ˆ mmax relationship, N× m up ˆ mmax φ(m )d m = 1 with N the total number of stars in the system, according to different interpretations of the IMF. Results. We find that only a probabilistic interpretation of the IMF, where stellar masses are identically independent distributed random variables, provides a self-consistent result. Neither M nor the total number of stars in the cluster, N, can be used as IMF scaling factors. In addition, ˆ mmax is a characteristic maximum stellar mass in the cluster, but not the actual maximum stellar mass. A �M� − ˆ mmax correlation is a natural result of a probabilistic interpretation of the IMF; however, the distribution of observational data in the N (or M) −mmax plane includes a dependence on the distribution of the total number of stars, N (and M), in the system, ΦN (N), which is not usually taken into consideration. Conclusions. We conclude that a random sampling IMF is not in contradiction to a possible mmax −M physical law. However, such a law cannot be obtained from IMF algebraic manipulation or included analytically in the IMF functional form. The possible physical information that would be obtained from the N (or M) −mmax correlation is closely linked with the ΦM(M )a ndΦN (N) distributions; hence it depends on the star formation process and the assumed definition of stellar cluster.
EFFECT OF PINCHING AND PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING IN FENUGREEK (TRIGONELLA FOENUM- GRAECUM L.)

The effect of pinching and plant growth regulators on growth and flowering of fenugreek cv. APHU Methi-1 was studied during rabi season of 2013-14 at Vegetable Research Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India. The treatments consisted of pinching as one factor with four pinching treatments viz., no pinching (P 0 ), single pinching at 25 DAS (P 1 ), single pinching at 45 DAS (P 2 ), double pinching at 25 and 45 DAS (P 3 ) and application of plant growth regulators as another factor containing five treatments viz., control (water spray) (G 0 ), 50 ppm GA 3 (G 1 ), 75 ppm GA 3 (G 2 ), 50 ppm NAA (G 3 ) and 75 ppm NAA (G 4 ). Significantly maximum plant height and early flower initiation were recorded with no pinching (P 0 ) treatment. Single pinching at 25 DAS (P 1 ) recorded significantly maximum number of branches and number of flowers. Maximum fresh weight and dry weight at 30 DAS were observed with single pinching at 45 DAS (P 2 ). At 60 and 90 DAS maximum fresh and dry weights were observed with double pinching at 25 and 45 DAS (P 3 ). Among the growth regulators, foliar spraying of GA 3 50 ppm (G 1 ) thrice (25, 45 and 65 DAS) resulted in best performance of the parameters like plant height, number of branches, fresh weight, dry weight and number of flowersper plant. Early flower initiation was observed with application of GA 3 75 ppm (G 2 ). Among the interactions between pinching and plant growth regulators, the treatment combination of no pinching with application of GA 3 50 ppm (P 0 G 1 ) resulted in maximum plant height. Maximum number of branches and number of flowers were recorded with single pinching at 25 DAS and application of GA 3 50 ppm (P 1 G 1 ).
Ten fundamental questions for water resources development in the Ganges: Myths and realities

This paper summarizes the results of the Ganges Strategic Basin Assessment (SBA), a 3-year, multi-disciplinary effort undertaken by a World Bank team in cooperation with several leading regional research institutions in South Asia. It begins to fill a crucial knowledge gap, providing an initial integrated systems perspective on the major water resources planning issues facing the Ganges basin today, including some of the most important infrastructure options that have been proposed for future development. The SBA developed a set of hydrological and economic models for the Ganges system, using modern data sources and modeling techniques to assess the impact of existing and potential new hydraulic structures on flooding, hydropower, low flows, water quality and irrigation supplies at the basin scale. It also involved repeated exchanges with policymakers and opinion makers in the basin, during which perceptions of the basin could be discussed and examined. The study’s findings highlight the scale and complexity of the Ganges basin. In particular, they refute the broadly held view that upstream water storage, such as reservoirs in Nepal, can fully control basin wide flooding. In addition, the findings suggest that such dams could potentially double low flows in the dry months. The value of doing so, however, is surprisingly unclear and similar storage volumes could likely be attained through better groundwater management. Hydropower development and trade are confirmed to hold real promise (subject to rigorous project level assessment with particular attention to sediment and seismic risks) and, in the near to medium term, create few significant tradeoffs among competing water uses. Significant uncertainties, including climate change, persist, and better data would allow the models and their results to be further refined.
Sociological and Mathematics Educational Values: An Intersection of Need for Effective Mathematics Instructional Contents Delivery

Sociological and mathematics educational values are two key components worthy of integration for effective mathematics instructional contents delivery in this era of globalized world. The paper examines values attached to these components and its applicability in an ongoing mathematics classroom. The study employs qualitative methodological technique with interviews as a source of data. 3-service mathematics teachers teaching mathematics in different senior secondary schools participated in the study. The findings reveal that mathematics teachers are aware and had minimum understanding of these components of values inculcation in their mathematics teaching and learning. Suggestions are offered on how to improve sociological and mathematics educational values for effective mathematics instruction. Key word: Sociological, Educational, Mathematical and Values.
Informativeness of Value-at-Risk Disclosure in the Banking Industry

Following the Basel Committee’s advocacy of value-at-risk (VaR) disclosure in external reports of financial institutions, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued Financial Reporting Release No. 48 to permit VaR disclosure as one of the most important disclosure approaches for market-risk quantitative information in 1997. This study is the first to empirically examine both economic determinants and consequences of VaR disclosure informativeness in the banking industry. First, this study finds that more informative VaR disclosure is associated with more effective corporate governance characteristics, including better shareholder protection, a larger and more independent board, the presence of a separate risk committee under the board of directors, a more independent risk committee, higher institutional ownership and a better overall governance environment. These results suggest that corporate governance mechanisms are important determinants of the informativeness of VaR disclosure. Second, the evidence shows that the cost of equity capital is negatively associated with the informativeness of VaR disclosure, consistent with informative VaR disclosure effectively communicating private information to investors about a bank’s market risk exposure and its risk management system. Additional evidence during the recent crisis further suggests the importance of VaR disclosure informativeness to the capital market as a strong signal reflecting the efficacy of risk management practices and the quality of risk governance mechanisms. However, I still find that a large proportion of the sample banks choose not to disclose information with respect to some important disclosure items (e.g., quantitative stress-test results, and non-trading portfolio VaR). It is necessary for government regulators to re-consider the current regulation on VaR disclosure in the external reports of the banking industry.
A note on wind generator interaction

A simple model for the wake behind a wind generator is given. The model is compared to some full scale experimental results. The model is then used in an example where the production from a circular cluster of 10 wind generators is calculated. Next the simple wake model is extended to deal . with a number of aligned generators, and finally an example is given where the production from a linear cluster of 10 . generators is calculated.