Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An evaporite‐bearing accretionary complex in the northern front of the Betic‐Rif orogen

The Guadalquivir Accretionary Complex forms a largely oblique prism at the northern edge of the Betic‐Rif orogen, where Miocene sediments plus allochthonous evaporite‐bearing units were accreted during the displacement of the Alborán Domain toward the west. Traditional interpretations end the tectonic structuring of the Betic Cordillera at the present topographic front, beyond which gravitational and/or diapiric processes would predominate. However, this study shows pervasive tectonic deformation in the outer prism with coherent oblique shortening kinematics, which is achieved through an alternation of roughly N‐S arcuate thrust systems connected by E‐W transfer fault zones. These structures accord well with the geophysical models that propose westward rollback subduction. The main stage of tectonic activity occurred in the early‐middle Miocene, but deformation lasted until the Quaternary with the same kinematics. Evaporite rocks played a leading role in the deformation as evidenced by the suite of ductile structures in gypsum distributed throughout the area. S‐ and L‐ gypsum tectonites, scaly clay fabrics, and brittle fabrics coexist and consistently indicate westward motion (top to 290°), with subordinate N‐S contraction almost perpendicular to the transfer zones. This work reveals ductile tectonic fabrics in gypsum as a valuable tool to elucidate the structure and deformational history of complex tectonic mélanges involving evaporites above the décollement level of accretionary wedges.
Analyses of defense morph formation of predator-induced polyphenism in Daphnia pulex

Title Analyses of defense morph formation of predator-induced polyphenism in Daphnia pulex [an abstract of dissertation and a summary of dissertation review] Author(s) 楢木, 佑佳 Citation 北海道大学. 博士(理学) 甲第11095号 Issue Date 2013-09-25 Doc URL http://hdl.handle. net/2115/53928 Rights(URL) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.1/jp/ Type theses (doctoral abstract and summary of review) Additional Information There are other files related to this item in HUSCAP. Check the above URL. File Information Yuka_Naraki_review. pdf (「審査の要旨」)
Energy consumption and economic growth in Mozambique: an empirical investigation

In this paper, we examine the causal relationship between energy consumption and economic growth in Mozambique – using modern time-series techniques. Unlike some of the previous studies, the current study has used the recently developed ARDL-bounds testing approach to co-integration and the ECM-based Granger causality method to examine this linkage. To our knowledge, this might be the first study of its kind to examine the causal relationship between energy consumption and economic growth in Mozambique – using the recently developed ARDL-bounds testing approach. The empirical findings of our study show that there is a long-run relationship between energy consumption and economic growth in Mozambique. The results also show that there is a distinct unidirectional causality from energy consumption to economic growth. This implies that, for Mozambique, it is the consumption of energy that drives economic growth, and not vice versa. This finding applies both in the short run and in the long run. The study, therefore, recommends a rapid expansion of the energy infrastructure in Mozambique, in order to enable the country to cope with the expected future increase in energy demand.
Urbanization and Metabolic Syndrome in Cameroon: Alertness on Less Urbanised Areas

Aims: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide and constitutes one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. This study evaluated the effect of urbanization process on the prevalence and risk factors of MetS in three different areas of Cameroon. Methodology: A total of 5654 men and women were recruited (3512 in the urban area; 1683 in less urbanized and 459 in rural area) of 18 years and above. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile markers were analyzed and MetS was diagnosed using a slightly modified of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle habits were recorded using a questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of MetS significantly increased from (p<0.05) rural 7%, less urbanized areas 17.4% to urban area 12.7%. Women and persons of 50 years and above were the most affected (p<0.05). The prevalence of individual components of MetS such as hypertension (HTN) (32.2% for Systolic HTN ; 34.6% for Diastolic HTN) ; diabetes (6.5%) hypercholesterolemia (24%) and hypertriglyceridemia (24.9%) were significantly higher in less urbanized communities meanwhile overweight (65.5%) and abdominal obesity (49%) were more prevalent in urban city. Lifestyle habits were found modified. Low consumption or a real abandon of green vegetable sauces and fruits consumption was observed in the overall population. More than 45% participants living in urban area consumed green vegetable sauces at the frequency of at most once a week. Low physical activities 1.63 (1.27 - 2.09) (p<0.05) was the common risk factors of MetS among urban population Conclusion: Urbanization influences the increasing prevalence of MetS in Cameroon. However, alertness should be on populations of less urbanized areas; more affected by the metabolic anomalies and MetS probably as a result of a poor sensitization and/or knowledge on nutritional diseases among the causes.
Asymmetric Inflation Hedge of Housing Return: A Non-linear Vector Error Correction Approach

Conclusions of past works on the inflation hedging ability of real estate investment are not consistent. The reason for this perplexity might be the neglect of separation between high and low state of inflation, which has a great influence on empirical results. In order to examine the inflation hedging effectiveness of real estate with Taiwanese monthly housing returns and inflation, this paper uses the inflation as the threshold variable to create the nonlinear vector correction model that divides the inflation rates into high and low regime. We find robust evidence that when inflation rates are higher than 0.83% threshold value, housing returns are able to hedge against inflation, and, otherwise, they are unable. Using new methodology to discover new implications is main contribution of this study.
A Comparative Analysis of Elitist and Public Opinion Evaluation of National Health Insurance Policy Performance

This study discusses evaluation of National Health Insurance policy, using the policy Delphi method to obtain elite opinion on evaluation indicators of the policy and a telephone survey to collect general public opinion. Results indicated that the elite and the general public share a consensus on policy performance. The findings suggest that evaluations of NHI policy that incorporate elite and general public assessments may be preferable to evaluations based on assessments from just one sector of the population. Moreover, performance assessment should integrate the opinions of different representative sections of the population, as well as professional and democratic principles of decision-making. The study also provides evidence that public opinion and elite evaluation are correlated and shows considerable consistency in the evaluation of NHI policy regardless of the policy knowledge of the evaluators.
The Relation of History of Science to Philosophy of Science in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions and Kuhn's later philosophical work

In this essay I argue that Kuhn's account of science, as it was articulated in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, was mainly defended on philosophical rather than historical grounds. I thus lend support to Kuhn's later claim that his model can be derived from first principles. I propose a transcendental reading of his work and I suggest that Kuhn uses historical examples as anti-essentialist Wittgensteinian reminders that expose a variegated landscape in the development of science.
ENSO components of the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation and their relation to North Atlantic interannual coastal sea level anomalies

Abstract. The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) are known to influence coastal water levels along the East Coast of the United States. By identifying empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs), which coherently contribute from the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) to the AMO index (AMOI), we characterize both the expression of ENSO in the unsmoothed AMOI, and coherent relationships between these indices and interannual sea level anomalies at six stations in the Gulf of Mexico and western North Atlantic. Within the ENSO band (2–7 yr periods) the total contribution of MEI to unsmoothed AMOI variability is 79%. Cross correlation suggests that the MEI leads expression of the ENSO signature in the AMOI by six months, consistent with the mechanism of an atmospheric bridge. Within the ENSO band, essentially all of the coupling between the unsmoothed AMOI and sea level anomalies is the result of ENSO expression in the AMOI. At longer periods we find decadal components of sea level anomalies linked to the AMOI at three southern stations (Key West, Pensacola, Charleston), but not at the northern stations (Baltimore, Boston, Portland), with values of coherence ranging from 20 to 50%. The coherence of MEI to coastal sea level anomalies has a different structure and is generally weaker than that of the ENSO expressed AMOI influence, suggesting distinct physical mechanisms are influencing sea level anomalies due to a direct ENSO teleconnection when compared to teleconnections based on ENSO expression in the AMOI. It is expected that applying this analysis to extremes of sea level anomalies will reveal additional influences.
Production rates and proton‐induced production cross sections of 129I from Te and Ba: An attempt to model the 129I production in stony meteoroids and 129I in a Knyahinya sample

Abstract— Proton‐induced production cross sections of 129I from Te and Ba are presented. Earlier assumptions that Te is the most important target element in meteoroids are confirmed. Based on this data set and the experimental production rates of 129I from thick‐target experiments, the production of 129I in stony meteoroids is modeled using a GCR flux density of 4.06 cm−2 s−1. The results of this modeling must be considered preliminary because the contribution from neutron capture on 128Te needs further investigation. We obtained modeled production rates that agree with experimental results for samples from two medium‐sized meteorites (Abee and Knyahinya). However, we find that this model does not describe 41Ca in lunar rocks well and seems to overestimate 129I production in larger bodies, such as Allende. We present elemental production rates from Te and Ba based on our modeling as well as for a model that describes neutron capture products. For 129I analysis of Knyahinya, a novel method to separate Te and analysis using ICP‐MS was used, enabling the use of experimental elemental concentrations obtained from the same meteorite to calculate 129I production.
Analysis of internal drive train dynamics in a wind turbine

Three types of multibody models are presented for the investigation of the internal dynamics of a drive train in a wind turbine. The first approach is limited to the analysis of torsional vibrations only. Then a rigid multibody model is presented with special focus on the representation of the bearings and gears in the drive train. The generic model implementation can be used for parallel as well as planetary gear stages with both helical and spur gears. Examples for different gear stages describe the use of the presented formulations. Furthermore, the influence of the helix angle and the flexibility of the bearings on the results of eigenmode calculations are discussed. The eigenmodes of a planetary stage are classified as rotational, translational or out-of-plane modes. Thirdly, the extension to a flexible multibody model is presented as a method to include directly the drive train components' flexibilities. Finally, a comparison of two different modelling techniques is discussed for a wind turbine's drive train with a helical parallel gear stage and two planetary gear stages. In addition, the response calculation for a torque input at the generator demonstrates which eigenmodes can be excited through this path. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect Of Dividend On Share Price Volatility In Frontier Exchanges: Kenya’s Perspective

Equity investors are faced by very pertinent decisions in the course of their portfolio management such as how to manage the share price volatility. While the extent to which dividend influences volatility is not contentious, the most suitable proxy between the two measures: dividend yield or pay-out is especially in a frontier market is. This study using prices and company performance data of firms listed in Nairobi Stock Exchange performed a cross-sectional analysis for the period 2013-2014. Significant positive association between dividend and share price volatility has been found. Multicollinearity is present between dividend yield and dividend payout which is extended by low R 2 when yield is regressed against price volatility. The study not only confirms that dividend payout as a predominant determinant but the only credible determinant (as a proxy variable for dividends) of share price volatility in a frontier market. Evidence deduced confirms congruence to dividend relevance accompanied by weak market efficiency. Keywords: share price volatility; dividend; dividend pay-out; dividend yield; proxy variable; technical and fundamental analysis
Alternative Perspectives on Optimal Public Debt Adjustment

We compare alternative optimal public debt adjustment strategies in a New Keynesian economy. We find that the unconditionally optimal policy is consistent with a gradual adjustment in public debt towards its mean value at a speed determined by the rate of time preference of agents. To a second-order approximation in a stochastic setting, debt follows a unit root process with a negative drift under the `timeless-perspective' approach but converges to an unconditional mean different from the non-stochastic steady state in the unconditionally optimal economy. Overall, increases in public debt are shown to be optimally reduced by half only after approximately two decades at best.
Hydrological drought across the world: impact of climate and physical catchment structure

Large-scale hydrological drought studies have demonstrated spatial and temporal patterns in observed trends, and considerable difference exists among global hy- drological models in their ability to reproduce these patterns. In this study a controlled modeling experiment has been set up to systematically explore the role of climate and physical catchment structure (soils and groundwater systems) to bet- ter understand underlying drought-generating mechanisms. Daily climate data (1958-2001) of 1495 grid cells across the world were selected that represent K ¨ oppen-Geiger ma- jor climate types. These data were fed into a conceptual hy- drological model. Nine realizations of physical catchment structure were defined for each grid cell, i.e., three soils with different soil moisture supply capacity and three groundwa- ter systems (quickly, intermediately and slowly responding). Hydrological drought characteristics (number, duration and standardized deficit volume) were identified from time se- ries of daily discharge. Summary statistics showed that the equatorial and temperate climate types (A- and C-climates) had about twice as many drought events as the arid and po- lar types (B- and E-climates), and the durations of more ex- treme droughts were about half the length. Selected soils un- der permanent grassland were found to have a minor effect on hydrological drought characteristics, whereas groundwa- ter systems had major impact. Groundwater systems strongly controlled the hydrological drought characteristics of all cli- mate types, but particularly those of the wetter A-, C- and D-climates because of higher recharge. The median num- ber of droughts for quickly responding groundwater systems was about three times higher than for slowly responding sys- tems. Groundwater systems substantially affected the dura- tion, particularly of the more extreme drought events. Bi- variate probability distributions of drought duration and stan- dardized deficit for combinations of K ¨ oppen-Geiger climate, soil and groundwater system showed that the responsiveness of the groundwater system is as important as climate for hy- drological drought development. This urges for an improve- ment of subsurface modules in global hydrological models to be more useful for water resources assessments. A foreseen higher spatial resolution in large-scale models would enable a better hydrogeological parameterization and thus inclusion of lateral flow.
Forecasting Value-at-Risk with Time-Varying Variance, Skewness and Kurtosis in an Exponential Weighted Moving Average Framework

This paper provides an insight to the time-varying dynamics of the shape of the distribution of financial return series by proposing an exponential weighted moving average (EWMA) model that jointly estimates volatility, skewness and kurtosis over time using a modified form of the Gram–Charlier density in which skewness and kurtosis appear directly in the functional form of this density. In this setting, Value-at-Risk (VaR) can be described as a function of the time-varying higher moments by applying the Cornish-Fisher expansion series of the first four moments. An evaluation of the predictive performance of the proposed model in the estimation of 1-day and 10-day VaR forecasts is performed in comparison with the historical simulation, filtered historical simulation and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model. The adequacy of the VaR forecasts is evaluated under the unconditional, independence and conditional likelihood ratio tests as well as Basel II regulatory tests. The results presented have significant implications for risk management, trading and hedging activities as well as in the pricing of equity derivatives.
Indicators of Social Networking Addiction in College Students from Lima

The study was conducted on 200 students from a private university in Lima (150 female), who belong to four academic programs: Psychology, Administration and International Business, Pharmacy and Biochemistry, and Obstetrics. The objective of the study is to assess the intensity of three social network addiction dimensions: obsession for social networking, lack of personal control about using social networks, and excessive use of social networks. The Social Networking Addiction Questionnaire from Escurra and Salas (2014) was used. Results show low levels for all the assessed indicators. Males’ scores were significantly higher than females’ only in the obsession for social networking indicators. In addition, for all three dimensions, the Administration program students obtained the highest scores, and the Psychology and Obstetrics program students obtained the lowest. The implications of the results found are discussed.
What Really Caused the ROKS Cheonan Warship Sinking

This paper is concerned with the sinking of the Korean naval warship (ROKS Cheonan) and the reported spectra of the seismic signals recorded at the time of the incident. The spectra of seismic signals show prominently amplitude peaks at around 8.5 Hz and its harmonics. These frequencies were explained with the vibrations of a water column due to an underwater explosion. This explanation is highly doubtful and concerns about its validity have already been raised in the scientific community. In this work an alternative explanation is presented: it is shown that the recorded seismic spectra are consistent with the natural frequencies of vibrations of a large submarine with a length of around 113 m. This finding raises the possibility that the ROKS Cheonan sunk because of the collision with a large submarine rather than the explosion of a torpedo or an underwater mine.
MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF TWO-PHASE FLOWS LOADED WITH LIGHT AND HEAVY PARTICLES TO ANALYZE CFB PROCESSES

Mathematical modeling of polydispersed (gas-solid particles) flow with light (ash) and heavy (corundum) particles is presented to analyze manifold process occurring in circulating fluidized beds (CFB). This study covers the process of turbulent mixing of particle and particle-particle collision, particle-surface collision and pertains the gravitation and viscous drag and lift forces. The 2D RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes) equations are used for numerical modeling of uprising polydispersed turbulent flow with implemented k-Lh model of closure. The flow domain is a round pipe with diameter of 30 mm and height of 100 calibers (pipe diameters). The flow (mean velocity up to 10 m/s) carries two fractions of ash particles (material density of 1020 kg/m 3 and sizes of 0.25 and 0.4 mm) and corundum particles (material density of 4000 kg/m 3 and size 0.4 mm). Two mass loadings – 5 and 10 kg/kg – were considered. The results are presented in the form of distribution of axial and radial velocity components of gaseous and solid phases, particle mass concentration and kinetic turbulent energy along the flow height at steady-state flow cross-sections.
Using ensemble climate projections to assess probabilistic hydrological change in the Nordic region

Abstract. Assessing hydrological effects of global climate change at local scales is important for evaluating future hazards to society. However, applying climate model projections to local impact models can be difficult as outcomes can vary considerably between different climate models, and including results from many models is demanding. This study combines multiple climate model outputs with hydrological impact modelling through the use of response surfaces. Response surfaces represent the sensitivity of the impact model to incremental changes in climate variables and show probabilies for reaching a priori determined thresholds. Response surfaces were calculated using the HBV hydrological model for three basins in Sweden. An ensemble of future climate projections was then superimposed onto each response surface, producing a probability estimate for exceeding the threshold being evaluated. Site specific impacts thresholds were used where applicable. Probabilistic trends for future change in hazards or potential can be shown and evaluated. It is particularly useful for visualising the range of probable outcomes from climate models and can easily be updated with new results as they are made available.
Does Mutual Fund Ownership Affect Financial Reporting Quality for Chinese Privately-Owned Enterprises?

This paper examines the role of mutual funds in enhancing financial reporting quality in China. Mutual funds are more sophisticated and influential than individual investors. Therefore, they are expected to be more effective at preventing executives from expropriating investors and manipulating earnings as a cover-up, which in turn would reduce the incidence of modified audit opinions (MAOs). Our results, based on the Chinese listed firms from 2003 to 2008, confirm this prediction. More importantly, the effects of mutual fund ownership in reducing the incidence of MAOs are greater among privately owned enterprises (POEs), and especially those with higher growth. This is because POEs rely more heavily on the capital market for financing than do state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and because growth opportunities need to be funded by additional external capital. This finding implies that mutual funds form an important part of the external governance mechanism in emerging countries, but this effect is moderated by state control and ownership.