Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of implied volatility for explaining consumer sentiment: evidence for the U.S. and Germany

In this paper we examine the information content of interest rate volatility for explaining economic agents ́ expectations on the business cycle as measured by consumer confidence indicators. The volatility measure is the one-year implied volatility of caps and floors. We find that implied volatility adds significantly to the yield spread and the change in the short-term interest rate for explaining consumer sentiment before and during the current financial crisis in the U.S. and Germany. Moreover, implied volatility outperforms realized volatility in all the cases.
The Anisakis simplex complex off the South Shetland Islands (Antarctica): endemic populations versus introduction through migratory hosts.

Third-stage larvae (L3) of 2 Anisakis nema- tode species, A. simplex C and A. pegreffii (both A. sim- plex sibling species complex), were isolated from migrat- ing myctophids around the South Shetland Islands. Gymnoscopelus nicholsi were parasitized by both nema- tode species, at a prevalence of 22.7% for A. simplex C and 4.0% for A. pegreffii, while Electrona carlsbergi har- bored A. simplex C at a prevalence of 9.1%. The ITS-1, 5.8S, and ITS-2 regions of the nematodes were identical to specimens from Pacific Canada or California (A. sim- plex C) and the coast of China (A. pegreffii), confirming an extensive range of distribution for both species. The occurrence in migrating myctophids coupled with rare findings from other teleosts leads to the conclusion that both species were introduced from outside the Antarctic. Consequently, they are at their most southern range in the Southern Ocean, and an earlier molecular record of A. simplex C from the elephant seal Mirounga leonina may have detected an accidental case of infection. Del- phinids, which frequently occur along South America but not in the Southern Ocean, are suggested as being the typical final hosts in the life cycles of A. simplex C and A. pegreffii. The myctophids had only few prey items within their stomachs, dominated by euphausiids, including Euphausia superba and planktonic copepods. These are common intermediate hosts for anisakid nematodes and are an important component of the Ant- arctic food web. Regular introduction events through migrating whales and myctophids are considered responsible for the occurrence of Anisakis infection in the high Antarctic.
Phytoplankton ecology of the Lower Paranà River (Argentina)

Phytoplankton of the Lower Parana River was studied bimonthly from April 1 993 to April 1 994 at six stations along 400-km length. Fluctuations in the physical and chemical variables are analysed in relation to the hydrological changes which play an important role in the functioning of large rivers with complex floodplains. Aulacoseira granulata var. granulata was the dominant alga over the entire river stretch. The subdominant taxa were also represented by centric diatoms which proved to be well adapted to flowing turbid environments. During periods of low flow, with enhanced transpar­ ency, small Chlorococcales increased in abundance. Maximum abundance of the phytoplankton and the greatest diversity were observed during spring. The absence of significant spatial changes in the structure of the phytoplankton along the studied length, reveals a sufficient constancy of environ­ mental conditions for the planktonic dominance to be unaltered through the year.
The Prevalence of Medication use in a Head Start Preschool Sample

This descriptive study examined the prevalence of pharmacological and psychopharmacological medication use in a Head Start preschool sample, as well as trends in medication use based on gender, ethnicity, and behavioral characteristics. The participants for this study included 1,544 parents of children ages 2 to 5 years old enrolled in a Head Start program during the 2008-2009 academic year in three diverse Michigan counties. Fifteen percent of children in this sample (n = 233 ) were taking medication on a regular basis according to parent report. Pharmacological treatments accounted for 98.2% (n = 306 ) of the medications in the sample. Sixty-nine percent ( n = 214) of medications reported were asthma related, significantly less than was reported in this population of children just two years ago. The importance of educating parents about the lack of a research base and potential side effects of common medications given to preschool children is discussed.
2D path generation with a five-bar one DOF mechanism and improved non-circular elements

Abstract It is presented the reduction of the mobility in a planar five-bar mechanism by the integration of a non-circular gear connection. Analytical expressions for the gear relations were derived from the position angle equations. Angles were calculated from the two dimension kinematic task. Next, each of the five possible non-circular gear connections is evaluated. The presented methodology was used for planar path generation along ten points. Negative values were reached for the non-circular disc, leading to variation of the mechanism parameters under boundary conditions from design considerations, to obtain primitive curves for a feasible gear connection.
Works Title Smale strategies for network prisoner ' s dilemma games Permalink

Smale’s approach [13] to the classical two-players repeated Prisoner’s Dilemma game is revisited here for N -players and Network games in the framework of Blackwell’s approachability, stochastic approximations and differential inclusions. MSC: 91A06, 91A26, 62L20, 34G25, 37B25,
Modeling compensated root water and nutrient uptake

Plant root water and nutrient uptake is one of the most important processes in subsurface unsaturated flow and transport modeling, as root uptake controls actual plant evapotranspiration, water recharge and nutrient leaching to the groundwater, and exerts a major influence on predictions of global climate models. In general, unsaturated models describe root uptake relatively simple. For example, root water uptake is mostly uncompensated and nutrient uptake is simulated assuming that all uptake is passive, through the water uptake pathway only. We present a new compensated root water and nutrient uptake model, implemented in HYDRUS. The so-called root adaptability factor represents a threshold value above which reduced root water or nutrient uptake in wateror nutrient-stressed parts of the root zone is fully compensated for by increased uptake in other soil regions that are less stressed. Using a critical value of the water stress index, water uptake compensation is proportional to the water stress response function. Total root nutrient uptake is determined from the total of active and passive nutrient uptake. The partitioning between passive and active uptake is controlled by the a priori defined concentration value cmax. Passive nutrient uptake is simulated by multiplying root water uptake with the dissolved nutrient concentration, for soil solution concentration values below cmax. Passive nutrient uptake is thus zero when cmax is equal to zero. As the active nutrient uptake is obtained from the difference between plant nutrient demand and passive nutrient uptake (using Michaelis–Menten kinetics), the presented model thus implies that reduced passive nutrient uptake is compensated for by R E active nutrient uptake. In addition, the proposed root uptake model includes compensation for active nutrient uptake, in a similar way as used for root water uptake. The proposed root water and nutrient uptake model is demonstrated by several hypothetical examples, for plants supplied by water due to capillary rise from groundwater and surface drip irrigation. 24 25 els simulating water content and fluxes in the subsurface, 26 O R
Studies of the Centaurus cluster - I. A catalogue of galaxies in the central region of the Centaurus cluster

The central region of the Centaurus cluster was surveyed on a lm copy of a high-resolution pho- tographic plate taken with the 100-inch du Pont Las Campanas telescope. From visual inspection of the lm, a large number of cluster galaxy candidates were identied down to a limiting magnitude of 21.5 in B. Between clus- ter members and background objects were distinguished by applying morphological criteria established in previous studies of the Virgo and Fornax clusters. Following the morphological classication of each member, the images of all 296 cluster galaxies on a SRC deep-blue sky survey plate were digitized, processed and analysed with pro- grams written in the image processing package MIDAS. Aperture photometry yielded growth curves and total in- strumental magnitudes of the galaxies. The magnitudes were calibrated with independent photometric data and subsequently transformed into standard B-magnitudes. We further established a set of structure parameters for each cluster galaxy: eective surface brightness, eective radius, central exponential surface brightness, and scale length. For the ellipticals we additionally determined the shape parameters of the light proles.
Identification of sugarcane interspecies hybrids with RAPDs

Identification of “Saccharum officinarum × Erianthus fulvus” F1 hybrids was performed with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Of 280 RAPD primers used, two primers, OPA-19 and OPN-11, were found to be the most suitable for identification of the hybrids. And the hybrids facticitycheck-out rate was 70.6 and 68.3%, respectively.
Sustainable cow-calf operations and water quality : A review

As animal agriculture has evolved to larger production operations in subtropical regions of United States, the problems associated with manure handling, storage and disposal have grown significantly. Understanding the interaction effects of sustainable cow farming with water-table management, nutrient dynamics and water quality in pastures could be the key to reducing nutrients in runoff. Soils do not contribute equally to nutrient export from watersheds or have the same potential to transport nutrient to runoff nor would soil test levels accurately predict total dissolved nutrients. Better understanding of soil nutrient dynamics and crop nutrient changes resulting from different management systems should allow us to predict potential impact on adjacent surface waters. In many states, these issues are critical and of increasing importance among environmentalists, ranchers, and public officials particularly in the case of N and P. One of the first steps in assessing N or P level on any farm is to consider total N or total P inputs and outputs. In Florida, reduction of P transport to receiving water bodies is the primary focus of several studies because P has been found to be the limiting nutrient for eutrophication in many aquatic systems. Long-term monitoring of the changes in soil nutrients, especially soil P would enable us to predict soil chemical or physical deterioration under continuous forage-livestock cultivation and to adopt measures to correct them before they actually happen. Despite substantial measurements using both laboratory and field techniques, little is known about the spatial and temporal variability of nutrient dynamics across the entire landscape, especially in agricultural landscapes with cow-calf operations. bahiagrass / cow-calf / groundwater / surface water / groundwater / sustainability / nutrient cycling / plant uptake / water quality / subtropics / BMPs / eutrophication / trophic state index (TSI)
Unmasking Multivariate Outliers and Leverage Points

Abstract Detecting outliers in a multivariate point cloud is not trivial, especially when there are several outliers. The classical identification method does not always find them, because it is based on the sample mean and covariance matrix, which are themselves affected by the outliers. That is how the outliers get masked. To avoid the masking effect, we propose to compute distances based on very robust estimates of location and covariance. These robust distances are better suited to expose the outliers. In the case of regression data, the classical least squares approach masks outliers in a similar way. Also here, the outliers may be unmasked by using a highly robust regression method. Finally, a new display is proposed in which the robust regression residuals are plotted versus the robust distances. This plot classifies the data into regular observations, vertical outliers, good leverage points, and bad leverage points. Several examples are discussed.
The Relationship Between Perceived Social Status, Stress, and Health in Mexican American Immigrants

The Relationship between Perceived Social Status, Stress, and Health in Mexican American Immigrants R. Marcus Green Department of Psychology Doctor of Philosophy The current paper examines the relationship between social support, perceived social status and health in the context of the Hispanic Paradox. It was hypothesized that social support will predict perceived social status which, in turn, is an important factor in predicting physical health among Mexican immigrants. The current paper also hypothesized that stress mediates the relationship between perceived social status and health. Three hundred and twenty male and female Mexican immigrants (ages 18-79) completed questionnaires, wore ambulatory blood pressure monitors for 24 hours, and submitted blood samples. Results supported some, but not most hypotheses. Greater social support was related to higher perceived social status (p = 0.01) and stress mediated two indirect relationships between perceived social status and health outcomes. Specifically, as perceived social status increased calories consumed decreased (p = 0.01) and self-reported health improved (p = 0.02). Still, there were no direct relationships between perceived social status and health outcomes and only two stress mediated relationships. Implications of the results and future directions are addressed. The paper discusses the possibility that higher education and possible variations in degree of acculturation among study participants might have resulted in a unique relationship between perceived social status and health. The paper also addresses the role that a high LDS affiliation among participants might play in the relationship between perceived social status and health of Hispanic immigrants. Finally, the relationship between perceived social status and self-reported health as the study’s most consistent finding is discussed.
Characterization of oxygen-dependent processes in the anoxia-tolerant crucian carp

1 List of papers 3 List of terms and abbreviations 4 Introduction 5 Problems with anoxia and how to overcome them 5 Oxygen-dependent enzymes 7 NO synthase (NOS) 9 Tryptophan and tyrosine hydroxylase (TPH and TH) 11 Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) 12 Genome duplication and evolution 15 Methods 16 qPCR measurements of mRNA levels and normalization with an external standard . 17 Measurements of NO metabolites with chemiluminescence 18 TPH enzyme assay 18 RNR in vitro expression and EPR measurements 19 Aims 20 Summary of results 21 General discussion 23 Crucian carp genes and gene expression in anoxia 23 NO system in anoxia nitrite as a cardioprotective substance in anoxic crucian carp . 24 Characterization of TPH and TH in crucian carp 25 RNR R2 subunit may be protected to function in anoxia 26 Crucian carp and anoxia-related damage in humans 28 Literature 29 Papers I-III and appendix
The effect of diets varying in dietary cation-anion difference fed in late gestation and in lactation on sow productivity

Abstract Eighty-six primiparous or multiparous sows and their pigs were used to evaluate the effects of changing DCAD in late gestation and in lactation on sow productivity. Sows were allotted to treatment based on parity and their farrowing date. Experiment 1 was a preliminary experiment conducted to determine the level of DCAD that would reduce urinary pH. Twenty sows were used in Exp. 1, and the dietary treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal diet with 4 levels of DCAD (140, 103, 80, and 56 mEq/kg). These DCAD were achieved by addition of 4 levels of chloride (SoyChlor; 0, 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5% of the diet). The diets were fed from d 107 of gestation to weaning. Urinary pH was linearly decreased (P
Adverb Use in EFL Student Writing: From Learner Dictionary to Text Production

Adverbs, especially those occurring in adverb+adjective collocations, play a central role in the language that advanced learners are expected to produce in their argumentative writing. Submodifying adverbs of degree such as closely, deeply, strongly and widely, however, have been identified as being problematic for learners of English: Italian learners over-use very and really to the virtual exclusion of any other adverb (Philip 2007). This situation is due in part to the EFL curriculum, but monolingual and bilingual learner.s dictionaries appear to do little to address the issue. This presentation examines the way in which lexical adverbs of degree are treated in the five major English dictionaries for advanced learners (CALD, COBUILD, LDOCE, MED and OALD). It also evaluates the way these same forms are treated in four bilingual dictionaries specifically aimed at Italian learners of English (Longman, Oxford Study, Rizzoli-Laroussse, and Oxford-Paravia). The analysis reveals that these dictionaries do little or nothing to help students expand their working knowledge of adverbs of degree. In general, the presentation of lexical adverbs is regarded to be subservient to the adjectives from which they are derived. The information boxes which most modern learner.s dictionaries include seem to focus on elementary matters of grammar and word choice rather than on the collocation of these polysemous, metaphorically-motivated language items. The presentation concludes by suggesting some ways in which monolingual and bilingual learners. dictionaries might modify their treatment of lexical adverbs in order to enable students to identify and use alternatives to very, really and a lot.
Centennial black carbon turnover observed in a Russian steppe soil

Abstract. Black carbon (BC), from incomplete combustion of fuels and biomass, has been considered highly recalcitrant and a substantial sink for carbon dioxide. Recent studies have shown that BC can be degraded in soils. We use two soils with very low spatial variability sampled 100 years apart in a Russian steppe preserve to generate the first whole-profile estimate of BC stocks and turnover in the field. Quantities of fire residues in soil changed significantly over a century. Black carbon stock was 2.5 kg m−2, or about 7–10% of total organic C in 1900. With cessation of biomass burning, BC stocks decreased 25% over a century, which translates into a centennial soil BC turnover (293 years best estimate; range 182–541 years), much faster than so-called inert or passive carbon in ecosystem models. The turnover time presented here is for loss by all processes, namely decomposition, leaching, and erosion, although the latter two were probably insignificant in this case. Notably, at both time points, the peak BC stock was below 30 cm, a depth interval, which is not typically accounted for. Also, the quality of the fire residues changed with time, as indicated by the use benzene polycarboxylic acids (BPCA) as molecular markers. The proportions of less-condensed (and thus more easily degradable) BC structures decreased, whereas the highly condensed (and more recalcitrant) BC structures survived unchanged over the 100-year period. Our results show that BC cannot be assumed chemically recalcitrant in all soils, and other explanations for very old soil carbon are needed.
Distribution of the Tribe Osmiini Bees ( Hymenoptera : Megachilidae ) of Turkey Part I : The Genera Heriades , Stenoheriades , Hofferia and Hopliti s

In the present study, research materials consisting of approximately 1600 samples, which have been collected from almost the entire country since the 1960s, but mainly from the eastern Anatolia region of Turkey, were evaluated, 103 species and 2 subspecies in 4 genera, Heriades, Stenoheriades, Hofferia and Hoplitis, were recognized. Of these, Hoplitis (Anthocopa) saxialis (Zanden, 1994) is new for Turkey as well the Asian Continent. Hoplitis (Hoplitis) manicata (Morice, 1901), H. (H.) pici (Friese, 1899) and H. (Micreriades) mazzuccoi are new for the eastern Anatolia region. Erzurum is the easternmost distribution records of the first two species for that of H. mazzuccoi Bitlis is the easternmost distribution record. Many new distributional data were added for each species and the plant species they visited were included. Concerning to zoogeographical view of the point, although present species could be included in various chorotypes they are mainly consantrated in the Mediterranean basin. Morover, about 60% of the Anatolian species are associated with Europe and about 40% are Asian species, and those of 13 species live three of the continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. With the present knowledge 18 species and subspecies could be accepted as Anatolian
Analysis of the Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Street Hawking: A Case Study of the Accra Metropolitan Area

To the street hawker, it is a means of making a living but to the managers of the metropolis, street hawking is a menace. These differences in perception have led to a game plan tied to spatio-temporal diurnal traffic regimes. While the city authorities plan may be to evict the street hawkers, the plan of the hawkers is to outwit the city authorities through make-shift hawking patterns in order to make a living. The difference in the two positions can be characterized by the city manager’s need for clean and less congested city streets, and the hawker’s desire to sell wares at locations that maximize income. The factors contributing to street hawking include traffic congestion, profitability, the lack of employable skills and minimal-capital entry requirement into the hawking trade. While the city needs proper spatial planning in the long run, in the short term, city managers and hawkers must develop a relationship that considers public perceptions and the use of public space to make the Accra metropolitan area livable. This calls for new approaches that address the aesthetic and open space needs while at the same time meeting the socio-economic and survival needs of city dwellers and new immigrants.
The Bayesian Solution and Hierarchies of Beliefs

The Bayesian solution is a notion of correlated equilibrium proposed by Forges (1993), and hierarchies of beliefs over conditional beliefs are introduced by Ely and Peski (2006) in their study of interim rationalizability. We study the connection between the two concepts. We say that two type spaces are equivalent if they represent the same set of hierarchies of beliefs over conditional beliefs. We show that the correlation embedded in equivalent type spaces can be characterized by partially correlating devices, which send correlated signals to players in a belief invariant way. Since such correlating devices also implement the Bayesian solution, we establish that the Bayesian solution is invariant across equivalent type spaces.