Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deglacial ice sheet meltdown: orbital pacemaking and CO 2 effects

Abstract. One hundred thousand years of ice sheet buildup came to a rapid end ∼25–10 thousand years before present (ka BP), when ice sheets receded quickly and multi-proxy reconstructed global mean surface temperatures rose by ∼3–5 °C. It still remains unresolved whether insolation changes due to variations of earth's tilt and orbit were sufficient to terminate glacial conditions. Using a coupled three-dimensional climate–ice sheet model, we simulate the climate and Northern Hemisphere ice sheet evolution from 78 ka BP to 0 ka BP in good agreement with sea level and ice topography reconstructions. Based on this simulation and a series of deglacial sensitivity experiments with individually varying orbital parameters and prescribed CO2, we find that enhanced calving led to a slowdown of ice sheet growth as early as ∼8 ka prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The glacial termination was then initiated by enhanced ablation due to increasing obliquity and precession, in agreement with the Milankovitch theory. However, our results also support the notion that the ∼100 ppmv rise of atmospheric CO2 after ∼18 ka BP was a key contributor to the deglaciation. Without it, the present-day ice volume would be comparable to that of the LGM and global mean temperatures would be about 3 °C lower than today. We further demonstrate that neither orbital forcing nor rising CO2 concentrations alone were sufficient to complete the deglaciation.
Antiplasmodial Evaluation of One Compound from Calophyllum flavoranulum

Calophyllum flavoranulum (Clusiaceae family) is a big tree and medical plants from the tropical rain forest of the Indonesian continent. The organic extracts from stem bark yielded phenyl coumarin. The structure was elucidated with the aid of spectroscopic technique. Antiplasmodial activities of isolated compound was tested in vivo against Plasmodium berghei parasite and showed the best antiplasmodial activity. New flavoranulum coumarin compound showed activity against P. berghei parasite with inhibition growth 0, 31.33, 40, 30.67, 46 and 34% at dosage 1.1x10 -10 , 1.1x10 -9 , 1.1x10 -8 , 1.1x10 -7 , 1.1x10 -6 , and 1.1x10 -5 mg/mL, respectively. Flavoranulum coumarin very active as antiplasmodial, and at 3 and 4 day incubation all of parasite were died.
Forecasting the Quantiles of Daily Equity Returns Using Realized Volatility: Evidence from the Czech Stock Market

In this study, we evaluate the quantile forecasts of the daily equity returns on three of the most liquid stocks traded on the Prague Stock Exchange. We follow the recent findings that consider the potential value of intraday information for volatility forecasting and, instead of proxying volatility using daily squared returns, we use both the intraday returns as well as their lower frequency aggregate (realized volatility) to forecast volatility and ultimately the quantiles of the distributions of future returns under different scenarios. We find that a simple autoregressive model for realized volatility together with the assumption of a normal distribution for expected returns results in VaR forecasts that are no worse than those based on other models (HAR, MIDAS) and/or other methods of computing the distribution of future returns. In fact, similar results obtain across the different forecast horizons and at both 2.5% and 5% VaR levels despite superior performance of HAR model in out-of-sample volatility forecasts.
A Study of autonomic nervous system dysfunction among patient with diabetes mellitus: a cross sectional study

Background: Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus and it may affect both the peripheral nerves and autonomic nervous system. It’s prevalence ranges from 1% to 90%. The present study is therefore designed to investigate autonomic nervous system involvement in diabetes mellitus by using simple bedside tests and to study its association with other diabetic angiopathies. Methods: 100 patients of diabetes mellitus were selected in the study. In Autonomic function tests for evaluating parasympathetic damage E: I ratio, 30:75 ratio and Valsalva ratio test was performed. Sympathetic damage was diagnosed by Blood pressure response to standing test and Blood pressure response to sustained handgrip test. Results: Abnormal E:I ratio was noticed in only 24 patients. The 30:15 ratio was found to be abnormal in 38 patients while the Valsalva Ratio was abnormal in 34 patients. Postural hypotension was observed in only 8% patients. The sustained hand grip test was abnormal in 10 patients. The prevalence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy was 58%. The association between the presence of autonomic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy was statistically significant. However, the association between autonomic neuropathy and retinopathy and nephropathy was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of autonomic neuropathy in diabetes mellitus was 58%. There was parasympathetic preponderance over sympathetic nervous system in the involvement of diabetic autonomic neuropathy. There was statistically significant association of diabetic autonomic neuropathy with peripheral neuropathy as compared to retinopathy and nephropathy.
Impact of Various Wrinkle Free Finishes on Wrinkle Recovery Property ofCotton Fabric under Different Variables

Today everybody wishes for that his/her dress retains just ironed shape. Wrinkle free finishes provide wrinkle free and soft look fabric. Wrinkle free finishes are broadly used in the textile industry to impart wrinkle-resistance to cellulosic materials such as cotton fabric. The application of wrinkle resistance (permanent or durable press) finishes on the fabric improves their wrinkle resistance property. Because of increasing demand for pure cotton fabrics, permanent press finishes are being used on these clothes. In conventional durable press finishing, there are two types of products used (resin type and reactant type). Both of these products contain formaldehyde which cause human carcinogen. Hence durable press finishes free of formaldehyde with trade namesTexicil DC, Knittex RCT, Arkofix NEC and Arkofix ELF (Dihydroxi ethylene urea and Demethyldihydroxi urea) were used in this research study. The present work endeavors to optimize the application of these wrinkle free finishes at various concentrations trying different techniques of applying these finishes on pure cotton fabric for best manufacturing results. The results revealed that the finish Arkofix ELF and Arkofix NEC showed superior results at the concentration level 120 g/l under Pad-flash –cure method of application for the wrinkle free property of the fabric.
Linear type traits in a Merino flock subjected to selection for increased clean fleece mass and an unselected Control Flock (Sho

Data from 267 individuals were used to. investigate factors influencing 13 linear type traits (scored on a 1-50 point scale) in progeny of a Merino flock subjected to 20 years of selectioll for increased clean fleece mass (Selection Group, 116 individt.als) and an unselected Control Group (151 individuals). Live mass (LM), clean yield, clean fleece mass (CFM), staple length, fibre diameter (FD) and total fold score (fFS) were recorded on the same animals. Average scores for type traits in Selection Gtoup progeny were either similar to, or better (P ".; 0.05) than thos,~ of their Control Group contemporaries in the cases of head: gen'~ral, face colour score, staple formation as well as belly and points. The random effect of sires within groups was significant (P ".; 0.05) for nine type traits, which suggests the possibilitf of generic variance for these traits. No major antagonistic phenotypic correlations of type traits with LM and CFM were found. Both FD and TFS had antagonistic correlations with staple formation score and belly and points score, while FD was also antagonistically correlated with scores for head: general. The only antagollistic phenotypic correlations amongst type traits were the negative relationships of scores for wool quality and evenness of crimp with scores for staple formation and belly and points. Phenotypic correlations were comparable with regard to sign and magnitude in the Selection and Control Groups.
INFLUENCE OF CATALYST QUANTITY AND REACTION TIME ON IN-SITU PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM RAW CASTOR BEAN SEED USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Trans-esterification is the most commonly used methods of biodiesel production. In-situ trans-esterification process uses oil (triglycerides) in seeds directly without the need for initial extraction. The in-situ production of biodiesel from raw castor bean seed with a batch processor was studied at initial catalyst quantity of 0.1, 0.5 and 1.5%, reaction time of 30, 60 and 90 min with a reaction temperature of 60 0 C and alcohol seed ratio of 1:1 using the response surface methodology. Â Initial catalyst concentration and reaction time were subjected to central composite experimental design of the response surface methodology. Â Initial catalyst quantity and reaction time were found to have significant (P<0.05) effects on the yield of castor biodiesel produced, with increased catalyst quantity giving a negative effect on the yield after an initial amount of between 1.0 and 1.2%. Â The reaction time had a positive effect on the yield until after 90 minutes after which biodiesel yield reduced with increased time. The CA-Time interactions influence was small and negative, due to the superior effect of initial catalyst quantity by the formation of by-products (soaps) leading to difficult ester separation from glycerol. A second-order model was obtained to predict the yield as a function of all factors. The model predicted well the observed data with a R 2 value of 0.983. The biodiesel produced had properties comparable to the standards of ASTM while the specific gravity was higher than the specified standards.
Testing for Causality in Mean and Variance between the Stock Market and the Foreign Exchange Market: An Application to the Major Central and Eastern European Countries

The aim of this paper is to investigate the presence of a causality relationship between the stock market and the foreign exchange market in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Turkey. We first analyze the existence of structural breaks in the variance of stock and foreign exchange rate returns series. Then, we employ the causality-in-mean/variance test proposed by Hong (2001). Our empirical results suggest that stock markets Granger-cause foreign exchange markets for all the countries in both mean and variance. Therefore, it can be said that the stock market has an important role in the price discovery process for the foreign exchange market for the countries in question.
Load factor calibration for the proposed 2005 edition of the National Building Code of Canada: Statistics of loads and load effects

The 2005 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) will adopt a companion-action format for load combinations and specify wind and snow loads based on their 50 year return period values. This paper summarizes statistics for dead load, live load due to use and occupancy, snow load, and wind load that have been adopted for calibration, and a companion paper presents the calibration itself. A new survey of typical construction tolerances indicates that statistics for dead load widely adopted for building code calibration are adequate unless the dead load is dominated by thin, cast-in-place concrete toppings. Unique statistics for live load due to use and occupancy are derived that pertain specifically to the live load reduction factor equation used in the NBCC. Statistics for snow and wind loads are normalized using the 50 year values that will be specified in the 2005 NBCC. New statistics are determined for the factors that transform wind speeds and ground snow depths into wind and snow loads o.
Effects of participation in organic markets and farmer-based organizations on adoption of soil conservation practices among small-scale farmers in Honduras

Conservation agriculture is often perceived to provide “win-win” outcomes for farmers leading to reduced erosion and off-site sedimentation, as well as improved soil fertility and productivity. However, adoption rates for conservation agriculture in many regions of the world remain below expected levels. This paper looks at the effect of organic markets in providing incentives for farmers to adopt soil conservation practices based on the willingness of consumers to pay a price premium for the use of sustainable production technologies. Farmer-based organizations may help farmers overcome information deficiencies with respect to production processes as well as consumer preferences. Based on original survey data from 241 small-scale farm households in Honduras, we find that both participation in organic markets as well as in farmer-based groups have positive effects on the number of soil conservation practices adopted on the farm. The results indicate that besides supply-oriented policy measures, such as the provision of technical assistance and extension, demand-related factors are likely to play an important role in sustainable soil management. Demand-oriented policy measures can include support for labeling initiatives and consumer education to facilitate value-added product differentiation and market segmentation.
Seasonal changes in food quantity and quality of the common North Sea copepods Temora longicornis and Pseudocalanus elongatus: a bioassay approach

We evaluated the food quantity and quality over a seasonal cycle for the development and egg production of the common North Sea copepods Temora longicornis and Pseudocalanus elongatus, using a bioassay approach. Seston was sampled from December to October from a well- mixed water column of the Marsdiep (Dutch Wadden Sea) and fed to cultured copepods at a constant temperature of 15°C, thus excluding seasonal effects of temperature, body size, age, and maternal nutrition. Copepod response was evaluated by measuring egg production and juvenile development, while the seston quantity and quality were measured as the concentrations of chl a, specific phyto- plankton pigments, particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate organic nitrogen (PON), fatty acids, and sterols. The egg production of both copepods was low when feeding on seston collected in win- ter, but increased to peak values with the seston from the spring bloom in March-April. The juveniles of both species were able to complete their development only in spring experiments. A multiple regression analyses and comparison to a good-quality standard food of the same concentration sug- gested that, in an annual scale, the egg production and development of T. longicornis mainly depended on phytoplankton concentration, while the egg production and development of P. elonga- tus appeared also to benefit from detritus or heterotrophic food sources. The present study did not detect an influence of a specific food quality variable; however, an unexplained high juvenile mortal- ity in summer suggests that all factors are not understood yet.
Some economic aspects of insurance

We analyze the consumption of non-life insurance across 103 Italian provinces in 1998-2002 in order to assess its determinants, in the light of the empirical literature. Using sub-regional data we overcome an important limitation of cross-country analyses, i.e. the systemic heterogeneity due to country-specific characteristics. Individual heterogeneity is accounted for through panel data techniques. However, considering spatial units within a single market raises issues of cross-sectional or spatial dependence, either due to common nationwide and/or regional factors or to spatial proximity. We carefully assess spatial dependence, employing recent diagnostic tests, finding out that the regressors included in our specification successfully account for spatial dependence. Insurance turns out to depend on income, wealth and some demographics, as already established, but also on trust, judicial efficiency and borrowing conditions. This finding helps in explaining the gap between Central-Northern Italy and the South of the country.
Australian House Prices: A Comparison of Hedonic and Repeat-Sales Measures

House prices are difficult to measure due to changes in the composition of properties sold through time and changes in the quality of housing. I explore whether these issues affect simple measures of house prices, and whether regression-based measures provide an accurate alternative to measuring pure house price changes in Australia. Using unit record data for Australia's three largest cities, regression-based approaches provide a more accurate estimate of pure price changes than a median, and are comparable, with around half of the variation in prices growth explained. These results confirm that regression-based measures are useful for measuring house price changes in Australia.
iii Contents List of Tables v List of Graphs v List of Figures v List of Appendices vi List of Acronyms vii

viii Chapter 1 : Introduction 1 Chapter 2 : Literature review 4 2.1. Literature on consumer behaviour and environment 4 2.2. Literature on Choice experiment 11 2.2.1. Choice experiment elements 12 2.2.2 Choice experiment procedure 14 Chapter 3 : Methodology and Empirical model 16 3.1 questionnaire development 16 3.1. 1 Questionnaire developmentCharacteristics 16 3.1. 2 Questionnaire developmentChoice experiments 17 3.2. Sampling and survey administration strategy 21 3.3. Empirical model 22 3.3.1. Data preparation 22 3.3.2. Other practical issues using Stata 23 3.3.3. Empirical model specification 23
Combined Effects of Gravity, Bending Moment, Bearing Clearance, and Input Torque on Wind Turbine Planetary Gear Load Sharing: Preprint

This computational work investigates planetary gear load sharing of three-mount suspension wind turbine gearboxes. A three dimensional multibody dynamic model is established, including gravity, bending moments, fluctuating mesh stiffness, nonlinear tooth contact, and bearing clearance. A flexible main shaft, planetary carrier, housing, and gear shafts are modeled using reduced degrees-of-freedom through modal compensation. This drivetrain model is validated against the experimental data of Gearbox Reliability Collaborative for gearbox internal loads. Planet load sharing is a combined effect of gravity, bending moment, bearing clearance, and input torque. Influences of each of these parameters and their combined effects on the resulting planet load sharing are investigated. Bending moments and gravity induce fundamental excitations in the rotating carrier frame, which can increase gearbox internal loads and disturb load sharing. Clearance in carrier bearings reduces the bearing load carrying capacity and thus the bending moment from the rotor can be transmitted into gear meshes. With bearing clearance, the bending moment can cause tooth micropitting and can induce planet bearing fatigue, leading to reduced gearbox life. Planet bearings are susceptible to skidding at low input torque.
Prevalence of Burnout among Professionals Who Care for Elderly and Chronically Ill Patients

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome among professionals who care for elderly and chronically ill patients and the relationship between the appearance of Burnout and sociodemographic and job related variables. The sample consisted of 265 employees who worked directly with the elderly and chronically ill. It was composed mostly of women, 94.3%. The average age was 43 (SD = 10.2). We made use of the following instruments: a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory—HSS (Semedo, 2009). The results show that 19.6% of participants have high rates of emotional exhaustion, 4.9% present high depersonalization, and 2.6% experience low personal accomplishment. Disease severity and support services influence personal accomplishment. Age proved to be a predictor of the emotional exhaustion variable, while the length of service at an institution variable not only proved to be a predictor of emotional exhaustion, but also of personal accomplishment. The prevention of Burnout Syndrome constitutes one of the major challenges for occupational health care providers to the elderly and chronically ill.
Impact of Ownership Structure on Debt Equity Ratio: A Static and a Dynamic Analytical Framework

This study examines the determinants of capital structure as part of the agency theory. French corporate structure with its high corporate concentration provides able us to analyze how ownership structure affects debt policy. Emphasis is placed on the role of insiders and outsiders ownership in explaining the debt ratio. The empirical study examined a sample of French companies listed on SBF 250 index and observed over the period 1997-2007. Test results show a non linear relationship between managerial ownership and capital structure. Outside shareholdings do not play a disciplinary role to effectively control the behavior of managers in a static framework. However, for high levels of managerial ownership, outside shareholdings does not significantly affect debt ratio. In addition, in a dynamic framework, we document a negative and a significant effect of external investors on debt equity ratio. Furthermore, the effect of management ownership is not significant.
Detection of biofilm production in Candida species isolates recovered from bloodstream patients

Introduction: Candida Bloodstream Infections (CBSIs) are the fourth most common infections among hospitalized patients. Candida biofilm results from an initial attachment of cells to glycoprotein-coated host cells and tissue or biomaterial surfaces. Material and Method: Candida spp. was identified by conventional method and biofilm formation was detected by tube method. Result: C . tropicalis was the most common species followed by C. haemulonii, C. albicans , C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. pelliculosa , C. guilliermondii and C. krusei. 125 of the isolates were tested for biofilm formation of which 67(53.6%) were found to be capable of forming biofilms. Of these 55(82%) biofilm forming isolates were those recovered from patients with Catheter Related Candidemia (CRC) while 12 (17.9%) biofilm forming isolates were without CRC. Most common biofilm producing species were C.pelliculosa followed by C.tropicalis , C.haemulonii , C. parapsilosis , C.glabrata , C. albicans , C.krusie and C. guilliermondii . Conclusion: Our study found more biofilm production in Central Venous Catheter (CVC) Candidemia and most of the CVC related Candidemia were found in diabetic and neutropenic patients and hence care should be taken in those patient who are at risk of developing biofilm production before applying the external appliances.
Mathematics and Music - Models and Morals

The intimate association between mathematics and music can be traced to the Greek culture. It is well-represented in the prevailing Western musical culture of the 18th and 19th centuries, where the traditional cycle of fifths provides a mathematical model for classical harmony that originated with the well-tempered, and later the equal-tempered, keyboard. Equal-temperament gives equivalent status to all twelve tonal centres in the chromatic scale, leading to a high degree of symmetry and an underlying group structure. This connection seems to endorse the Pythagorean concept of music as exemplifying an ideal mathematical harmony. This paper examines the relationship between abstract mathematics and music more critically, challenging the idealized view of music as rooted in pure mathematical relations and instead highlighting the significance of music as an association between form and meaning that is negotiated and pragmatic in nature. In passing, it illustrates how the complex and subtle relationship between mathematics and music can be investigated effectively using principles and techniques for interactive computer-based modelling that in themselves may be seen as relating mathematics to the art of computing - a theme that is developed in a companion paper (viz. paper #082 in this directory).