Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asset allocation under multiple regimes Master’s Thesis in Quantitative Finance

In this paper we examine the performance of the Markov Switching model with intra-regimes changes such as the bull market correction and bear market rallies. We accommodate this short time rehearsals by imposing restrictions on the transition probability matrix. We compare the model with classic mean-switching and dynamic VAR models in an asset allocation problem with different number of regimes, initial states choices and asset distributions used in the estimation process. In an out-of-sample and bootstrap veriﬁcation we give evidence that the constrained model outperforms other models in terms of risk-adjusted returns in the long horizon above 2 years.
Validation of INSAT-3D sounder data with in situ measurements and other similar satellite observations over India

Abstract. To date, several satellites measurements are available which can provide profiles of temperature and water vapour with reasonable accuracies. However, the temporal resolution has remained poor, particularly over the tropics, as most of them are polar orbiting. At this juncture, the launch of INSAT-3D (Indian National Satellite System) by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 26 July 2013 carrying a multi-spectral imager covering visible to long-wave infrared made it possible to obtain profiles of temperature and water vapour over India with higher temporal and vertical resolutions and altitude coverage, besides other parameters. The initial validation of INSAT-3D data is made with the high temporal (3 h) resolution radiosonde observations launched over Gadanki (13.5° N, 79.2° E) during a special campaign and routine evening soundings obtained at 12:00 UTC (17:30 LT). We also compared INSAT-3D data with the radiosonde observations obtained from 34 India Meteorological Department stations. Comparisons were also made over India with data from other satellites like AIRS, MLS and SAPHIR and from ERA-Interim and NCEP reanalysis data sets. INSAT-3D is able to show better coverage over India with high spatial and temporal resolutions as expected. Good correlation in temperature between INSAT-3D and in situ measurements is noticed except in the upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric regions (positive bias of 2–3 K). There is a mean dry bias of 20–30 % in the water vapour mixing ratio. Similar biases are noticed when compared to other satellites and reanalysis data sets. INSAT-3D shows a large positive bias in temperature above 25° N in the lower troposphere. Thus, caution is advised when using these data for tropospheric studies. Finally it is concluded that temperature data from INSAT-3D are of high quality and can be directly assimilated for better forecasts over India.
GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM IN INFINITE SECURITY MARKETS

An F-cone of a real vector space is a pointed and generating convex cone, the union of a countable family of finite dimensional polyhedral convex cones such that each one is an extremal subset of the following one. In this paper, we study security markets with countably many securities and arbitrary finite portfolio holdings. If, under the portfolio dominance order, the positive cone of the portfolio space is an F-cone, then Edgeworth allocations and nontrivial quasi-equilibria do exist. This result extends the case where, as in Aliprantis-Brown-Polyrakis- Werner (1998), the positive cone is a Yudin cone.
Correlation between glycemic control markers and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance

Background: Many studies have compared and correlated glycemic control markers with lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, but very few studies correlate them in impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) individuals. Thus, the aim of this study was to find comparison and correlation between FBG, PPBG and HbA1c with lipid profile in T2DM patients and IGT individuals.Methods: The study was conducted at tertiary care hospital in north Karnataka. The diagnosis of T2DM and IGT was based on WHO criteria. 99 apparently healthy controls, 101 T2DM patients and 100 IGT subjects participated in the study.Results: All the biochemical parameters were significantly raised in IGT and T2DM patients as compared to controls.In T2DM, FBG showed significant positive correlation with TC (p=0.048) and significant negative correlation with HDL (p=0.000). PPBG and HbA1c showed significant positive correlation with TGL, TC VLDL and LDL and significant negative correlation with HDL, p value was 0.000 for all parameters. The correlation in IGT, FBG showed significant positive correlation with TC (p=0.000) and LDL (p=0.004), significant negative correlation with HDL (p=0.000). PPBG showed significant positive correlation with TGL, TC and VLDL and significant negative correlation with HDL(p=0.000). Conclusions: Diagnosis of T2DM, IGT and associated dyslipidema is necessary as life style modification and pharmacotherapy can control these situations and thereby reduce the cardiovascular risk.
Genome-wide Gene Expression Profiling: An Excellent Tool to Study Virus-Host Interactions

Virus infection is one of the major issues threatening our health, leading to chronic infections and viral persistence in many cases. Unlike bacteria infection, anti-viral drugs are not as much effective as antibiotics. For example, for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection, upto 70% of those infected will develop into chronic infections and almost half of them will not respond to current standard treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin [1,2]. Although most recently the addition of the HCV specific protease inhibitors (triple-therapy) increased the overall response rate upto 70%, there is still a significant portion of the patients will not respond, not to mention the rapid development of viral resistance to these Direct-acting Agents (DAAs) widely observed in clinic [3]. One of the major reasons for lacking the effective antiviral drugs is that the molecular mechanisms of the viral resistance to these drugs are poorly understood.
From Offline Social Networks to Online Social Networks: Changes in Entrepreneurship

The paper reviewed studies of entrepreneurship based on the emergency of online social networks. Similar to offline social networks, entrepreneursâ€™ online social networks have their own unique characteristics. We first reviewed the offline network based research on entrepreneurship. Then we reviewed the studies of entrepreneurship in the context of online social networks including those focusing on topics of network structures and network ties. We highlighted online network communities based on the data collected from LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Our research implies that both researcher and entrepreneurs are facing new opportunities due to the emergence of online social networks.
Plant functional type classification for earth system models: results from the European Space Agency's Land Cover Climate Change Initiative

Global land cover is a key variable in the earth system with feedbacks on climate, biodiversity and natural resources. However, global land cover data sets presently fall short of user needs in providing detailed spatial and thematic information that is consistently mapped over time and easily transferable to the requirements of earth system models. In 2009, the European Space Agency launched the Climate Change Initiative (CCI), with land cover (LC_CCI) as 1 of 13 essential climate variables targeted for research development. The LC_CCI was implemented in three phases: first responding to a survey of user needs; developing a global, moderate-resolution land cover data set for three time periods, or epochs (2000, 2005, and 2010); and the last phase resulting in a user tool for converting land cover to plant functional type equivalents. Here we present the results of the LC_CCI project with a focus on the mapping approach used to convert the United Nations Land Cover Classification System to plant functional types (PFTs). The translation was performed as part of consultative process among map producers and users, and resulted in an open-source conversion tool. A comparison with existing PFT maps used by three earth system modeling teams shows significant differences between the LC_CCI PFT data set and those currently used in earth system models with likely consequences for modeling terrestrial biogeochemistry and land–atmosphere interactions. The main difference between the new LC_CCI product and PFT data sets used currently by three different dynamic global vegetation modeling teams is a reduction in high-latitude grassland cover, a reduction in tropical tree cover and an expansion in temperate forest cover in Europe. The LC_CCI tool is flexible for users to modify land cover to PFT conversions and will evolve as phase 2 of the European Space Agency CCI program continues.
Effect of Grinding Methods on Structural, Physicochemical, and Functional Properties of Insoluble Dietary Fiber from Orange Peel

This study evaluated the effect of grinding methods (regular laboratory milling, ultra centrifugal rotor milling, and ball milling) on structural, physicochemical, and functional properties of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) fraction from orange peel. The results demonstrated that both ultra centrifugal milling and ball milling could effectively decrease average particle size of IDF fraction (81.40 μm and 19.63 μm, resp.). The matrix structure of IDF fraction was destroyed but FTIR structure had no major change after grinding. As particle size decreased, the bulk density and lightness of IDF fraction increased and a redistribution of fiber components from insoluble to soluble fractions was observed. Furthermore, ball milled IDF fraction exhibited significantly higher capacity to retard glucose diffusion and inhibit α-amylase activity (35.09%). This work would give useful insight into effect of grinding methods on properties and functions of orange peel IDF in food industry.
Ocimum basilicum L. Production under Organic Farming

2 Abstract: The effect of static compost (turned compost) (10.0, 15.0 and 20m³ per feddan ), tea of static compost (tea of turned compost) and their interactions on the vegetative growth characters, essential oil, total flavonoides, and nutrient content of Ocimum basilicum L. were evaluated at two successive seasons of 2004 and 2005. The experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm, National Research Center (NRC), Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. Applying static compost (turned compost) with tea of static compost (tea of turned compost) improved vegetative growth characters, essential oil, some chemical composition of essential oil, total flavonoides and phosphorous content, but nitrogen content was decreased. Addition of static compost or tea of static compost gave a better vegetative growth characters, essential oil, total flavonoides, nitrogen and phosphorous contents than addition of turned compost or tea of turned compost. It recommended, using static compost with tea of static compost because it increases the production (quantity and quality ) and medicinal properties also it is very cheap and expressed cash money improving the income of farmer, in addition, uses this organic materials are safe for human health.
On r-Equitable Colorings of Trees and Forests

An r-equitable k-coloring c of a graph G = (V,E) is a partition of V into k stable sets V1(c), · · · , Vk(c) such that | |Vi(c)| − |Vj(c)| | ≤ r for any i, j ∈ {1, · · · , k}. In [B. -L. Chen and K. -W. Lih, Equitable Coloring of Trees, Journal of Combinatorial Theory, Series B 61, 83–87 (1994)], the authors gave a complete characterization of trees which are 1-equitably k-colorable. In this paper, we generalize this result and give a complete characterization of trees which are r-equitably k-colorable for any given r ≥ 1. Furthermore we explain how to extend our result to forests.
Differential expression of Forkhead box protein 2 between genders in chickens

Forkhead box protein 2 (FoxP2), acts as a key gene in vocalization development involving language learning of humans and songbirds. In the present study, expression pattern was analyzed in different breeds and genders of chickens. Transcriptional levels tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that roosters had significantly higher mRNA expression than hens and capons, but the difference was not significant in different breeds. Protein expression levels tested by western blotting indicated they were similar with transcriptional test, and that roosters showed significant higher protein expression levels than hens and capons. These results suggest that mRNA and protein expression of FoxP2 were sexually dimorphic. Therefore, FoxP2 is a key gene in gender development, and probably regulates rooster crow. Key words: Forkhead box protein 2, mRNA expression, protein expression, gender, chicken.
Description of two new species of the Midas cichlid complex (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Apoyo, Nicaragua

Abstract Two species belonging to the Amphilophus citrinellus (Günther, 1864) species complex endemic to Lake Apoyo, Nicaragua are described. Both species exhibit unique phenotypic characters that have not been found in other members of the species complex. Furthermore, they breed assortatively in Lake Apoyo and can readily be distinguished in the field from all other described species found in that lake. Including the two herein described species, six species that form a monophyletic species assemblage within the Midas cichlid complex inhabit Lake Apoyo, Nicaragua.
Beyond the Veil: The Influence of Islam on Female Entrepreneurship in a Conservative Muslim Context

[Keywords] Islamic female entrepreneurship; Shari’a and entrepreneurship; Bahraini women entrepreneurs Female entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing phenomenon in high, middle, and low-income countries. However, despite worldwide growth, it is less common in Middle Eastern and North African countries (MENA) than other parts of the world. Data from the World Bank Country Enterprise Survey (20032006) report the following frequencies of female businesses ownership-North America (31%), Europe and Central Asia (24%), East Asia (20%), Latin America (20%) and MENA countries (13%). This difference is particularly striking given significant progress by MENA women in education, social development, and labor force participation since 1970. Between 2000-2005 MENA women’s share of the labor force increased from 25% to 27% and they comprised 36% of new entrants in the labor market in 2005 (World Bank, 2007). MENA countries are predominantly Muslim with the Koran shaping the fabric of daily life for Muslims and Shari’a (Islamic law) governing the legal and economic framework in which businesses operate. The Koran prescribes for women rights, responsibilities, and restrictions that differ greatly from non-Muslim countries. For example, the precept qiwama , stipulates patriarchal responsibility towards women along with their support and protection. As a result, workplaces are segregated by gender and in conservative countries women require permission of a male family member to engage in activities outside the home (Kavossi, 2000). The precept wasta , establishes the predominance of male networks and requires men to assist women in gaining entree to those networks. Consequently, women rely on men for access to business networks because the Koran enjoins direct contact with males who are not related by either blood or marriage (Pipes, 2004). This paper explores the research question “How is female entrepreneurship shaped by Islamic traditions and Shari’a in a conservative Muslim context? ” It draws on a sample of 180 female Bahraini entrepreneurs to investigate the impact of Islam and Shari’a on their choice of business (traditionally female activities such as retail and food service versus non-traditional activities such as engineering or manufacturing); the role of social capital in conferring better access to funding and business networks; and whether women who demonstrate a strong commitment to Islam are more successful in obtaining funding from Islamic banks and accessing business networks.
CONVERGENCE IN DISTRIBUTION OF THE PERIODOGRAM OF CHAOTIC PROCESSES

In this work we analyze the convergence in distribution sense of the periodogram function (to the spectral density function) based on a time series of a stationary process Xt = (φ ◦ Tt)(X0) obtained from the iterations of a continuous transformation T invariant for an ergodic probability μ and a continuous function φ taking values in ℝ. We only assume a certain rate of convergence to zero for the autocovariance coefficient of the stochastic process, i.e. we assume there exist C > 0 and β > 2 such that |γX(h)| ≤ C|h|-β, for all h ∈ ℕ, where γX(h) = ∫(φ ◦ Th)(x) φ(x)dμ(x) - (∫ φ(x)dμ(x))2 is the h-autocovariance of the process. Our result applies to the case of exponential decay of correlation (or covariance), as it happens for a continuous expanding transformation T on the circle and a Holder potential φ. It can also be applied to the case when the transformation T has a fixed point with derivative equal to one.
Energy cascade rate in isothermal compressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

Three-dimensional direct numerical simulations are used to study the energy cascade rate in isothermal compressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. Our analysis is guided by a two-point exact law derived recently for this problem in which flux, source, hybrid and mixed terms are present. The relative importance of each term is studied for different initial subsonic Mach numbers$M_{S}$and different magnetic guide fields$\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$. The dominant contribution to the energy cascade rate comes from the compressible flux, which depends weakly on the magnetic guide field$\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$, unlike the other terms whose moduli increase significantly with$M_{S}$and$\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$. In particular, for strong$\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$the source and hybrid terms are dominant at small scales with almost the same amplitude but with a different sign. A statistical analysis undertaken with an isotropic decomposition based on the SO(3) rotation group is shown to generate spurious results in the presence of$\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$, when compared with an axisymmetric decomposition better suited to the geometry of the problem. Our numerical results are compared with previous analyses made within situmeasurements in the solar wind and the terrestrial magnetosheath.
Improved ice loss estimate of the northwestern Greenland ice sheet

We estimate ice volume change rates in the northwest Greenland drainage basin during 2003–2009 using Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) laser altimeter data. Elevation changes are often reported to be largest near the frontal portion of outlet glaciers. To improve the volume change estimate, we supplement the ICESat data with altimeter surveys from NASA's Airborne Topographic Mapper from 2002 to 2010 and NASA's Land, Vegetation and Ice Sensor from 2010. The Airborne data are mainly concentrated along the ice margin and thus have a significant impact on the estimate of the volume change. Our results show that adding Airborne Topographic Mapper and Land, Vegetation and Ice Sensor data to the ICESat data increases the catchment‐wide estimate of ice volume loss by 11%, mainly due to an improved volume loss estimate along the ice sheet margin. Furthermore, our results show a significant acceleration in mass loss at elevations above 1200 m. Both the improved mass loss estimate along the ice sheet margin and the acceleration at higher elevations have implications for predictions of the elastic adjustment of the lithosphere caused by present‐day ice mass changes. Our study shows that the use of ICESat data alone to predict elastic uplift rates biases the predicted rates by several millimeters per year at GPS locations along the northwestern coast.
Neonatal mortality at the neonatal unit: the situation at a teaching hospital in Ghana

Background The first 28 days of life- the neonatal period is the most vulnerable time for a child's survival. Globally, neonatal mortality has seen a downward trend in recent years. The main objective of this study was to determine the percentage of neonatal mortality and to provide information on factors associated with neonatal mortality at the neonatal unit of a tertiary health facility or teaching hospital. Methods Data of neonates admitted to the neonatal in-patient unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Ghana from January 2013 to May 2014 were analyzed. Logistic regression model was performed to assess the association between neonatal mortality and predictors. Results A total of 5,195 neonatal admissions were recorded. The overall percentage of neonatal mortality was 20.2%. Infants with very low birth weight, having 5-minute Apgar score lower than 4, newborns with pre-term delivery, being referred from other health facilities, and being diagnosed with respiratory distress and birth asphyxia had a higher percentage of neonatal mortality. Conclusion The mortality at the neonatal in-patient unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana is very high. There is the need for continuous attention and interventions to help reduce the risk of mortality among neonates admitted to the facility.
The Evolution of Corporate Species

The evolution of biological species is influenced by two types of complementarities. One is related to the synergies among and within organisms, while the other is the outcome of conflicts among different species and among members of the same species. In both conflictual and synergic complementarities, the traits selected in one domain affect the traits selected in the other domain. However, synergies and conflicts involve different mechanisms and interact with each other to generate complex co-evolutionary dynamics. Socio-economic systems are characterized by similar complementarities. Whereas technology and property rights exhibit synergic complementarities, workers’ and capitalists’ organizations display conflictual complementarities. The evolution of different species of capitalism can be better understood in terms of both types of complementarities and by their interactions. The comparative history of the American and the European economies is used to illustrate how models of capitalism can diverge, building different types of institutional complementarities over time.
A Study on Quality of Public and Private Funded B.Ed Programme in Northern Region Based on Perception of Teacher Trainees with Regard to Learning Enhancement.

One of the key areas of a secondary teacher education programme is to train and prepare teacher trainees to function and carry out their responsibilities with commitment and most importantly as professionals. In the light of this, it is crucial for all teacher education institutions to visualize and share a common goal towards teacher preparation. But in reality, institutions carry out actual curriculum transaction and implement varied learning activities in their own unique manner. The effort is to make consistent efforts to develop in trainees, skills of teaching, the ability to think reflectively and establish interconnection among the various components. With this assumption, in mind, institutions need to ensure that they function within the framework of the six key areas of teacher education, in a well-planned and process-oriented manner. The objective of the study was to find out and compare the quality of Public and Private-Funded Institutions based on the perception of B.Ed students with regard to ‘Learning Enhancement’ in nine northern regions. The study found that there was no significant difference between the perception of male and female trainees in the age group of 18-24 years and 25 years and above of Public-Funded and Private-Funded Institutions. There was significant difference in the perception of sex, whereas there was no significant difference in the perception of teacher trainees in the age group of trainees of Public and Private-Funded Institutions. Between Public and Private-Funded Institutions, there was significant difference in the perception of teacher trainees; however, trainees of Public-Funded Institutions had more