Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavior of realized volatility and correlation in exchange markets

We study time-varying realized volatility and related correlation measures as proxies for the true volatility and correlation. We investigate measures of Two-Scale realized Absolute Volatility (TSAV) and correlation (TSACORxy) which are helpful to cope effectively with the problem of market microstructure effects at very high frequency financial time series. The measures are constructed based on subsampling and averaging method so that they possess rather less bias even in presence of market microstructure noise. Absolute transformation of return values has been proved in literature to be more robust than squared transformation when considering large values. With respect to some stylized facts of markets, realized squared correlation does not display dynamic behavior. Motivated by robustness of realized absolute volatility, we study an alternative measure of correlation, built on absolute-transformed volatility. This measure of correlation exhibits experimentally some dynamics and hence some predictability capability on minute-by-minute frequency exchange market data. We show that the distribution of realized correlation series computed based on TSACORxy tends to comply a rightward asymmetric shape implying that upside co-movements are greater than downside ones. Moreover we study the association between realized volatility and correlation. According to the two-scale measure, our findings empirically suggest that when returns in Euro/USD exchange rate are highly volatile, the relation between Euro/USD and Euro/GBP exchange markets is strong, and when Euro/USD calms down, the relationship relaxes.
Dust Around T Tauri Stars

To reproduce the multiple broad peaks and the fine spectral features in the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of T Tauri stars, we model dust around T Tauri stars using a radiative transfer model for multiple isothermal circumstellar dust shells. We calculate the radiative transfer model SEDs for multiple dust shells using the opacity functions for various dust grains at different temperatures. For six sample stars, we compare the model results with the observed SEDs including the Spitzer spectral data. We present model parameters for the best fit model SEDs that would be helpful to understand the overall structure of dust envelopes around classical T Tauri stars. We find that at least three separate dust components are required to reproduce the observed SEDs. For all the sample stars, an innermost hot (250-550 K) dust component of amorphous (silicate and carbon) and crystalline (corundum for all objects and forsterite for some objects) grains is needed. Crystalline forsterite grains can reproduce many fine spectral features of the sample stars. We find that crystal line forsterite grains exist in cold regions (80-100 K) as well as in hot inner shells.
YOUTH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND THE PROCESS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN LUBLIN PROVINCE, POLAND

The research was conducted on a randomly chosen group of 916 students aged 1618 in Lublin Province, Poland. The research was carried out in 2016 using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the extended version, and supplemented with additional questions regarding the students’ assessment of physical education lessons. The majority of students (77.4 %) meet the requirements for a high level of physical activity, with the remaining 16.5 % demonstrating moderate and only 6.1 % − low level. There were no significant reductions of physical activity visible in the older age group, although in subsequent periods (in 16-18 year-olds), it was successively lower. The mean level of total physical activity in boys was 65566 MET1 min week, and it was significantly higher than in girls, i.e. 5345,5 METmin/week. The vast majority of students (92.2 %) participate in school physical education classes, and over 75 % think that they like these activities. Students enrolled in physical education classes demonstrate a higher level of total physical activity (5960.5MET-min/week), in contrast to the non-participating ones (5637,2MET-min/week); however, no significant relationship has been found. Furthermore, it has been shown that girls and boys were willing to get involved in different physical activities. Apart from PE classes, boys would mainly get involved in football (23.2 %), volleyball (15.5 %), table tennis (13.0 %), and swimming (12.5 %). Girls would instead choose volleyball (14.7 %), football (12.6 %), swimming (9.4 %) and gymnastics (8.9 %). This favourable image of physical activity of students in the Polish schools in Lublin Province can contribute to the discussion of the place of physical activities in the modern school educational process.
Phylogenetic diversity of picocyanobacteria in Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems

Oxyphotobacteria ascribed to the genera Synechococcus and Synechocystis are widely distributed in Arctic and Antarctic lakes, yet they are poorly represented in the marine polar environment. Arctic lakes contain phycoerythrin-rich as well as phycocyanin-rich picoplankton, implying a level of genetic diversity within this group that is poorly resolved by classic taxonomic criteria. Our culture studies of isolates from ponds on Bylot Island in the Canadian Arctic (lat. 74 o N, long. 135 o W) show that strains with similar pigment and morphological characteristics differ genetically in terms of their growth versus irradiance parameters. Application of 16S rDNA analysis to these picocyanobacterial isolates shows that they are most closely related to " Microcystis elabens" (98-99% similarity), and more distantly related to Synechococcus sp. PCC6301 (95%), Prochlorococcus marinus (93%) and Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (90%). Picocyanobacteria have been observed among the water column dominants in a variety of Antarctic lakes, for example in the deep Chl a maximum of Lake Vanda (lat. 78 o S, long. 105 o E). In the saline lakes of the Vestfold Hills region (lat. 68 o S, long. 100 o E) their concentrations attain up to 8 x 10 6 cells/ml. Analysis of the 16S rDNA of phycoerythrin-rich isolates from lakes in this region show that they form a distinct cluster, most closely related (97% similar) to P. marinus.
Daily activity patterns of ungulates at water holes during the dry season in the Waterberg National Park, Namibia

In this study, daily drinking activity of all 12 herbivore species were conducted in the dry season at seven waterholes in the Waterberg National Park, Namibia, where only leopard Panthera pardus was present as a large carnivore. Drinking was more frequent between 15h00 and 22h00 than in the rest of the day. A conspicuous peak in drinking activity was in the evening between 18h00 and 19h00, when 15% of animals were recorded drinking water. Water holes had various frequency of attendance by particular ungulate species. Eland Tragelaphus oryx and buffalo Syncerus caffer were most frequently recorded species at water holes, comprising together almost half of all ungulates recorded. The kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, roan Hippotragus equinus, sable antelope Hippotragus niger and warthog Phacochoerus africanus were also in the group of water-dependent species (comprising together at water holes 41.2% of all animals recorded). Four groups of ungulates may be distinguished in the Waterberg National Park based on their daily drinking activity patterns: 1) evening and night drinkers: white rhino Ceratotherium simum, black rhino Diceros bicornis and buffalo (i.e., those free of leopard predation risk); 2) night and morning drinkers: eland, gemsbok Oryx gazella and kudu (i.e. those with limited leopard predation risk); 3) day drinkers: warthog, giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis, roan, sable antelope, red hartebeest Alcephalus buselaphus (high leopard predation risk); 4) whole day and night drinkers: dik-dik Madoqua kirkii, steenbok Raphicerus campestris, common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia. Most animals drinking during the night were more active in the first half (18h00–24h00) than in the second half (24h00–6h00) of the night. How to cite this article: Kasiringua E. , Kopij G. , Procheș Ș. 2017. Daily activity patterns of ungulates at water holes during the dry season in the Waterberg National Park, Namibia // Russian J. Theriol. Vol.16. No.2. P.129–138. doi: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.16. 2.02
Impact of Carpet Weaving on Refractive Errors

Purpose: To determine the effect of carpet weaving on refractive errors Methods: In this cross sectional study, carpet weavers and non-weavers in the normal population of Mashhad were regarded as exposed and non-exposed groups, respectively. A carpet weaver was a person who wove carpets 7 hours a day for at least 2 years. The non-weavers group was selected from the population of Mashhad through stratified cluster sampling. The variables of age, gender, education, with respect to their frequency, were matched between the two groups. Results: In this study, 266 carpet weavers (exposed individuals) and 549 non-weavers group (non-exposed individuals) were evaluated. The prevalence of myopia was 78.9% in carpet weavers and 19.0% in non-weavers [Odds ratio (OR)=16.03, 95% confidence interval (CI)=11.13-23.09]. The prevalence of hyperopia was 6.02% in carpet weavers, and 56.75% in non-weaver group (OR=0.05, P<0.001). The prevalence of astigmatism was 39.47% in carpet weavers and 21.46% in non-weavers. The odds of against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism was 1.72 times more in carpet weavers as compared to non-weavers (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that carpet weaving had a strong correlation with myopia. In addition to myopia, the prevalence of astigmatism, specially ATR astigmatism, was higher in carpet weavers.
Spatial variation in subtidal plant communities around the Socotra Archipelago and their biogeographic affinities within the Indian Ocean

The subtidal plant communities of the Socotra Archipelago were studied by means of quadrat sampling. Ordination and statistical analyses revealed 6 distinct clusters corresponding to the geographic location and the physico-chemical factors. The north coast of Socotra Island supports algae commonly found in the Indian Ocean, with an intermediate species richness and alpha diver- sity for the archipelago. This entity includes 2 species-poor subentities: the seagrass beds and the coral-dominated communities. The transition zone is an overlapping area between Socotra's north and south coast where the greatest similarity in community structure with the upwelling flora of the south coast is found, owing to similar environmental conditions. This zone is subject to intense cur- rent patterns favouring a pronounced diversity of red algae. The south coast features the highest number of recorded species and a lower affinity with the (sub-)tropical Indian Ocean flora, and is marked by disjunctly distributed species. The plant communities of the outer islands comprise a mixture of the other entities due to the drastically changing seasonal environmental conditions in a limited coastal area. The intermediate character of this entity, i.e. ongoing competition amongst biota without reaching a climax in the vegetation succession, is reflected in the vegetation analyses and the biogeographic comparison.
Evaluating New Zealand early childhood education professional development: access, barriers and effectiveness

Pathways to the Future: Nga Huarahi Arataki, the ten year strategic plan for early childhood education (ECE) in New Zealand, identified reviewing the delivery of professional development as one strategy for 'promoting the effective delivery of Te Whariki' (Ministry of Education, 2002, p. 15) within the overall goal of improving quality within ECE services. This paper reports on aspects of a national evaluation of ECE professional development undertaken for the Ministry of Education in 2005-06. The paper describes the multi-method approach taken, and highlights findings in two key areas: issues around access to professional development and barriers to practitioners engaging in PD, and the effectiveness of professional development programmes in supporting and sustaining shifts in pedagogical practices underpinned by Te Whariki.International Research in Early Childhood Education, vol. 1, no. 2, p. 29-41
Global dynamics of discrete neural networks allowing non-monotonic activation functions

We show that in discrete models of Hopfield type some properties of global stability and chaotic behaviour are coded in the dynamics of a related one-dimensional equation. Using this fact, we obtain some new results on stability and chaos for a system of delayed neural networks; some relevant properties of our results are that we do not require monotonicity properties in the activation function, we allow any architecture of the network, and the conclusions are independent of the size of the time delays.
LIDAR measurements of cirrus clouds in the northern and southern midlatitudes during INCA (55°N, 53°S): A comparative study

Cirrus clouds have been probed at two locations in the midlatitudes of the southern (SH) and northern hemisphere (NH) with a Mobile Raman Aerosol Lidar (MARL) as part of the European INCA field experiments in 2000. MARL offers the opportunity to observe visible and subvisible clouds and to determine the optical depth τ in a range from below 10−3 up to 3. Despite different synoptic conditions we find at both locations similar macrophysical cloud properties, like mean base and top temperature among others. The frequencies of the optical depth show a characteristic distribution with a high share of subvisible clouds at both locations. While thin haze layers are frequently detected in the NH alone, we find highly depolarizing cirrus clouds only in the SH. These differences indicate that different cirrus properties and formation mechanisms are present at the two sites.
The tropopause inversion layer in baroclinic life cycles experiments: the role of diabatic and mixing processes

Recent studies on the formation of a quasi-permanent layer of enhanced static stability above the thermal tropopause revealed the contributions of dynamical and radiative processes. Dry dynamics lead to the evolution of a tropopause inversion layer (TIL) which is, however, too weak compared to observations and thus diabatic contributions are required. In this study we aim to assess the importance of diabatic as well as mixing processes in the understanding of TIL formation 5 at midlatitudes. The non-hydrostatic model COSMO is applied in an idealized mid-latitude channel configuration to simulate baroclinic life cycles. The effect of individual diabatic , i.e. :::::::: processes related to humidityand : , : radiation, and turbulent processes :::::::: turbulence : is studied first to estimate the additional contribution of :::::::::: contribution :: of ::::: each :: of these processes to :: the :::: TIL :::::::: formation :: in :::::::: addition :: to dry dynamics. In a second step these processes are stepwise included in the model to increase 10 the complexity and finally estimate the relative importance of each process. The results suggest that including turbulence leads to a weaker TIL than in a dry reference simulation. In contrast, the TIL evolves stronger when radiation is included but the temporal occurrence ::::::: evolution : is still comparable to the reference. Using various cloud schemes in the model shows that latent heat release and consecutive increased vertical motions foster an earlier and stronger appearance of the TIL than in 15 all other life cycles. Furthermore, updrafts moisten the upper troposphere and as such increase the radiative effect from water vapor. Particularly, this process becomes more relevant for maintaining the TIL during later stages of the life cycles. Increased convergence of the vertical wind induced by updrafts and by propagating and potentially dissipating inertia-gravity waves, :::::: which ::::::::: potentially ::::::: dissipate, : further contributes to the enhanced stability of the lower stratosphere. Furthermore, radia20 tive feedback of ice clouds reaching up to the tropopause is identified to potentially further affect the strength of the TIL in the region of the cloud. :::::: clouds.
Perinatal mortality and morbidity among low birth weight babies

Background: This study was conducted to assess the perinatal mortality and morbidity among Low Birth Babies (LBW) and to determine the associated maternal health and sociodemographic factors. Methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional observational study conducted over a period of three years. All the babies (1002) with birth weight ˂2500 gm but >1000 gm born during this period and their mothers were included in the study. Babies were followed up for one week after birth and perinatal mortality and morbidity were assessed. Results: The perinatal mortality rate among LBW babies was 124.7/1000 babies. Very low birth weight babies (˂1500 g) had 10 times mortality rates than babies with birth weight between 1.5-2.5 kg. Preterm and growth restricted babies had the worst perinatal outcomes. The most common perinatal complication was hyperbilirubinemia (16.77%) followed by hypoglycemia (14.99%) and Hyaline membrane disease (14.86%). Preterm babies had higher rates of birth asphyxia, hypoglcemia, hyperbilirubinemia and neonatal ICU admissions (P ˂0.001). Intrauterine growth restricted babies had better perinatal outcomes than preterm babies. Majority of the mothers (96.87%) belonged to low socio-economic status. The most common maternal complications associated with LBW were anemia (43.36%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (17.6%). Conclusions: Low birth weight babies had higher perinatal mortality and morbidity rates. To decrease the incidence of low birth weight, measures to improve the general health and nutrition of mothers should be employed. Appropriate referral of high risk pregnancies and delivery in centres with good neonatal facilities should be engaged.
Papaya: A gifted nutraceutical plant - a critical review of recent human health research

The plant kingdom is considered to be a repository of modern medicine, attributable to their rich source of bio-active molecules and secondary metabolites. It is indeed the Nutraceuticals that enhance immunity and ensure a healthier life because of their prophylactic and therapeutic values. Over centuries, papaya [Caricaceae; (Carica papaya Linn.)] is a renowned nutritious and medicinal plant. Each part of the papaya like root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, seed, rinds, and latex has its own nutraceutical properties. It serves as food, cooking aid, and Ethnomedicine to prevent and treat wide-range of diseases and disorders. It has also been traditionally used as appetite enhancer, meat tenderizer, purgative, medicinal acne, abortifacient and vermifuge. Over decades, a series of scientific attempts were made to authenticate the nutraceutical properties of papaya. These studies validated that the papaya has antiplasmodial, antitrichochramal, antitrichomonal, antidengue, and anti-cancer activities. They have also exhibited that papaya possesses antiseptic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and contraceptive features, and it helps in the management of sickle-cell anaemia, HIV, heart diseases and digestional disorders too. Nevertheless, the responsible bio-active molecules and their mode of actions remain indistinct and imprecise, and this calls for further pharmacological and clinical research on them. Conclusively, papaya is one of the naturally gifted plants; though its nutraceutical properties as a food or as a quasi-drug are poorly understood or undervalued by people. Accordingly, this scrutiny, demand for instigation of public health awareness campaigns to promote papaya consumption, so that the society shall acquire optimal benefits of papaya and in turn prevent and alleviate various diseases and illness.
1 . 1 Eukaryotic Probiotics : An Overview

Probiotics are viable microorganisms which upon ingestion confer health benefits to the host. Any microorganism irrespective of its origin, capable of surviving in the digestive tract of host and exerting such effects can be a candidate. S.K. Nayak (*) Laboratory of Fish Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8510, Japan e-mail: sukantanayak@rediffmail.com M. -T. Liong (ed.), Probiotics, Microbiology Monographs 21, DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-20838-6_2, # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011 29 Most of the currently used probiotics belong to prokaryotic origin. Unlike prokaryotes, several eukaryotic microorganisms can also be very useful to animal’s health. Since a long time, eukaryotes are used as single cell protein and/or as components of food starters for human and animal consumption throughout the world. Apart from these uses, certain eukaryotic microorganisms are also used as probiotics since they can withstand the harsh milieu of gut and execute beneficial effects in host. While bacterial probiotics are common, only limited eukaryotic probiotics belonging to fungi/moulds/yeasts are used in human and animal practices. Nowadays interest in eukaryotic probiotics is on the rise and in most of the cases, their efficacy and usefulness has been confirmed by firm scientific evidences. Among the eukaryotic probiotics, yeasts especially Saccharomyces species are dominant and routinely used in a broad range of hosts. This chapter deals with the occurrence, distribution, taxonomic characterization, and detail modes of action of eukaryotic probiotics with special reference to yeasts in human and other animals.
The effects of thermal biology and refuge availability on the restricted distribution of an alpine lizard

Aim In an effort to disentangle the ecological processes that confine ectotherms to alpine environments, we studied the thermoregulatory and microhabitat selection behaviours of the rock lizard Iberolacerta cyreni, which is endemic to some mountains of central Spain, and of the wall lizard Podarcis muralis, which is a potential competitor of rock lizards.
Brake wear (nano)particle characterization and toxicity on airway epithelial cells in vitro

Particulate air pollution results from different sources, among which those related to road traffic have a significant impact on human health. Combustion-derived particles emitted by thermal engines have been incriminated and are now better controlled. In contrast, non-exhaust emission sources related to car wear and degradation processes are not yet regulated. Here we report on brake wear particles (BWP) harvested in two test facilities operating in France, providing samples from different braking systems and driving/testing conditions. Using a combination of light scattering, X-ray fluorescence, optical and electron microscopy, the particle size and elemental composition are revealed. The BWP are shown to be in the nano- to micrometer range and to have a low carbonaceous content (6%), iron and copper being the main components (> 40%). To evaluate the toxicity potential of its nano-sized fraction, brake wear nanoparticles are isolated by sonication, filtration and ultra-centrifugation techniques, leading to stable colloidal dispersions. A significant outcome of this study is that the nano-sized fraction represents 26% by mass of the initial BWP. Human bronchial epithelial cells (Calu-3) are used as relevant target cells to investigate their cytotoxicity. We observe a clear short-term loss of viability associated to reactive oxygen species generation, but with limited pro-inflammatory effects. On an actual cell-deposited mass-dose basis, the cytotoxicity of the nanosized fraction is similar to that of BWP, suggesting that the cytotoxicity is particle size independent. To conclude, brake wear dust contains substantial amount of metallic nanoparticles exhibiting toxicity for lung cells, and should warrant further consideration.