Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maximum likelihood estimation using composite likelihoods for closed exponential families

In certain multivariate problems the full probability density has an awkward normalizing constant, but the conditional and/or marginal distributions may be much more tractable. In this paper we investigate the use of composite likelihoods instead of the full likelihood. For closed exponential families, both are shown to be maximized by the same parameter values for any number of observations. Examples include log-linear models and multivariate normal models. In other cases the parameter estimate obtained by maximizing a composite likelihood can be viewed as an approximation to the full maximum likelihood estimate. An application is given to an example in directional data based on a bivariate von Mises distribution. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.
The Role of Institutional and Market Forces in Divergent Organizational Change

This paper focuses on a radical change, in which organizations abandon an institutionalized template for arranging their core activities, that is likely to occur in organizational fields that have strong, local market forces and strong but heterogeneous institutional forces. We examine the role of market forces and heterogeneous institutional elements in promoting divergent change in core activities among all U.S. rural hospitals from 1984 to 1991. Results support the view that divergent change depends on both market forces (proximity to competitors, disadvantages in service mix) and institutional forces (state regulation, ownership and governance norms, and mimicry of models of divergent change).
Numerical Simulation of Heavy Precipitation in Northern Baja California and Southern California

Abstract The fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) was used to simulate the heavy-precipitation events of 6–21 January 1993 during a moderate El Nino that produced severe flooding, landslides, and the loss of many lives near the border of California and Baja California, Mexico. The mean synoptic-scale condition consisted of a strong upper-level subtropical westerly jet over the U.S.–Mexico western border and the passage of three surface fronts, along with intense low-level advection of tropical moisture and convective activity over the region. The MM5 reproduced the mean observed circulation patterns of the study period but with less intensity. During the first extreme event on 6 January, the model sounding profile in San Diego, California, was more unstable and saturated than observed, the horizontal winds were weaker in the lower troposphere, and the simulated precipitation was slightly underestimated. The model precipitation was verified with hourly and daily precipi.
Annual cycle in scots pine's photosynthesis

Photosynthesis, i.e. the assimilation of atmospheric carbon to organic molecules with the help of solar energy, is a fundamental and well understood process. Here, we connect theoretically the fundamental concepts affecting C3 photosynthesis with the main environmental drivers (ambient temperature and solar light intensity), using six axioms based on physiological and physical knowledge and yield straightforward and simple mathematical equations. The light and carbon reactions in photosynthesis are based on the coherent operation of the photosynthetic machinery, which is formed of a complicated chain of enzymes, membrane pumps and pigments. A powerful biochemical regulation system has emerged in evolution to match photosynthesis with the annual cycle in solar light and temperature. The action of the biochemical regulation system generates the annual cycle of photosynthesis and emergent properties, the state of photosynthetic machinery, and the efficiency of photosynthesis. The state and the efficiency of the photosynthetic machinery is dynamically changing due to biosynthesis and decomposition of the molecules. The mathematical analysis of the system, defined by the very fundamental concepts and axioms, resulted in exact predictions of the behaviour of daily and annual patterns in photosynthesis. We tested the predictions with extensive field measurements of Scots pine photosynthesis in Northern Finland. Our theory gained strong corroboration for the theory in the rigorous test.
The isolation of histidine tRNA from Thermus thermophilus and the study of its primary structure and interaction sites with homologous aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase

The structure of histidine tRNA (tRNA) is different from tRNA structures of other amino acids specificities by the presence of an extra nucleotide on the 5’-end (G-1). To study the molecular mechanism of interaction of tRNA with histidyl-tRNA synthetase the purification method of T.thermophilus tRNA was elaborated and the primary structure of isoacceptor form of tRNA 1 His was studied. Individual tRNA was isolated from the crude tRNA, using the combination of low pressure chromatography on benzoyl-DEAE-cellulose (BD-cellulose) and DEAE Toyopearl 650 with high pressure liquid chromatography on DEAE 5PW and Ultrapore C8 columns. The primary structure of T.thermophilus tRNA 1 His was determined using the method of rapid gel-sequencing. The studied structure is different from Escherichia coli tRNA in 23 positions. The interaction sites of T.thermophilus tRNA with histidyl-tRNA synthetase were investigated using the method of chemical modification by ethylnitrosourea. It was shown that histidyl-tRNA synthetase protects the following phosphates of tRNA from alkylation by ethylnitrosourea: 8 – between acceptor and D-stem; 27, 28, 29 – from 5’-side of anticodon stem; phosphate 34 in anticodon and phosphates 67, 68 from 3’-side of acceptor stem. All the revealed sites of tRNA are localized on one side of three-dimensional structure of tRNA in the same one where the variable stem side is. D-stem is located on the opposite side and does not interact with the enzyme.
The levels of heavy metals in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus Galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819); Example of Giresun coasts of the Black Sea, Turkey

Heavy metal accumulation levels in the soft tissue of mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) individuals, collected from eight stations along the 122 km long Giresun coast, were investigated. Heavy metal levels (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Se) were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometer (ICP MS). Results were given as μg/g in wet weight mean ± SE; Cr; 0.56 ± 0.03, Mn; 6.23 ± 0.38, Ni; 12.70 ± 1.01, Zn; 69.06 ± 4.20, Co; 1.97 ± 0.07, Cu; 2.65 ± 0.18, Fe; 161.08 ± 15.89, Pb; 3.16 ± 0.08, As; 3.16 ± 0.11, and Se; 0.62 ± 0.05. Metal concentrations in descending order were as follow; Fe > Zn > Ni > Mn> As > Pb > Cu > Co > Se> Cr, respectively. Length and weight distribution of mussel samples were significantly different between some stations (p<0.05). The mean Pb and Zn concentrations were higher than the acceptable limit proposed by International Turkish standards.
Mutual Coupling Reduction of E-Shaped MIMO Antenna with Matrix of C-Shaped Resonators

E-shaped multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) microstrip antenna systems operating in WLAN and WiMAX bands (between 5 and 7.5 GHz) are proposed with enhanced isolation features. The systems are comprised of two antennas that are placed parallel and orthogonal to each other, respectively. According to the simulation results, the operating frequency of the MIMO antenna system is 6.3 GHz, and mutual coupling is below −18 dB in a parallel arrangement, whereas they are 6.4 GHz and −25 dB, respectively, in the orthogonal arrangement. The 2 × 3 matrix of C-shaped resonator (CSR) is proposed and placed between the antenna elements over the substrate, to reduce the mutual coupling and enhance the isolation between the antennas. More than 30 dB isolation between the array elements is achieved at the resonant frequency for both of the configurations. The essential parameters of the MIMO array such as mutual coupling, surface current distribution, envelop correlation coefficient (ECC), diversity gain (DG), and the total efficiency have been simulated to verify the reliability and the validity of the MIMO system in both parallel and orthogonal configurations. The experimental results are also provided and compared for the mutual coupling with simulated results. An adequate match between the measured and simulated results is achieved.
Evolution of Bilateral Capital Flows to Developing Countries at Intensive and Extensive Margins

The capital flows network has changed substantially, bringing new investors and target economies into play. Related, a recent intensification of capital flows to low income countries (LICs) has posed a number of questions. Most importantly, the very nature of those flows and important factors affecting foreign investors decision which can ultimately affect growth prospects of low income countries (together with an issue of sustainability) remain open for an academic probe. Due to an existence of a share of costs which is fixed in nature, there is a need to analyze capital flows and their evolution at two margins: intensive and extensive. This paper presents a parsimonious theoretical account that is consequently mapped into an econometric framework where we allow for two-tier decisions and cross-sectional dependence. Results indicate that market entry costs affect investment decisions pertinent to the LICs, consistently with the static theory. However, persistence in extensive margin eliminates this effect once dynamics is allowed for.
Supplement of Nitrate deposition and preservation in the snowpack along a traverse from coast to the ice sheet summit (Dome A) in East Antarctica

Antarctic ice core nitrate (NO−3 ) can provide a unique record of the atmospheric reactive nitrogen cycle. However, the factors influencing the deposition and preservation of NO−3 at the ice sheet surface must first be understood. Therefore, an intensive program of snow and atmospheric sampling was made on a traverse from the coast to the ice sheet summit, Dome A, East Antarctica. Snow samples in this observation include 120 surface snow samples (top ∼ 3 cm), 20 snow pits with depths of 150 to 300 cm, and 6 crystal ice samples (the topmost needle-like layer on Dome A plateau). The main purpose of this investigation is to characterize the distribution pattern and preservation of NO−3 concentrations in the snow in different environments. Results show that an increasing trend of NO−3 concentrations with distance inland is present in surface snow, and NO−3 is extremely enriched in the topmost crystal ice (with a maximum of 16.1 μeq L−1). NO−3 concentration profiles for snow pits vary between coastal and inland sites. On the coast, the deposited NO−3 was largely preserved, and the archived NO−3 fluxes are dominated by snow accumulation. The relationship between the archived NO−3 and snow accumulation rate can be depicted well by a linear model, suggesting a homogeneity of atmospheric NO−3 levels. It is estimated that dry deposition contributes 27–44 % of the archived NO−3 fluxes, and the dry deposition velocity and scavenging ratio for NO−3 were relatively constant near the coast. Compared to the coast, the inland snow shows a relatively weak correlation between archived NO−3 and snow accumulation, and the archived NO−3 fluxes were more dependent on concentration. The relationship between NO−3 and coexisting ions (nssSO2− 4 , Na + and Cl) was also investigated, and the results show a correlation between nssSO2− 4 (fine aerosol particles) and NO−3 in surface snow, while the correlation between NO−3 and Na + (mainly associated with coarse aerosol particles) is not significant. In inland snow, there were no significant relationships found between NO−3 and the coexisting ions, suggesting a dominant role of NO−3 recycling in determining the concentrations.
Does Trade and Technology Transmission Facilitate Inequality Convergence? An Inquiry into the Role of Technology in Reducing the Poverty of Nations

Based on stylized evidence showing variation of the Gini coefficient of income inequality across skill cohorts and on the rapid rise in trade in technology-intensive goods, the ripple effects of technology transmission and income inequality are explored in a global Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) framework. An exogenous technology shock transmitted via trade from the United States induces productivity growth in developing regions. This spillover capture-aided by absorptive capability, better governance and institutions, technological symmetry and social acceptance - causes income to increase and income inequality to decline. The conjoined parameters retard growth's inequality-enhancing effect and thus facilitate long-run convergence of inequality between nations.
An evaluation of a diagnostic test to identify the sex of farmed rainbow trout, using sex-specific molecular markers

In trout farming males exhibits lower growth rate and precocious sexual maturation in contrast to females. Since these traits are detrimental for intensive production, all females populations are most appreciated by fish farmers. Molecular markers sex-specific have been developed for rainbow trout that can be useful to diagnose the phenotypic sex of individuals. We evaluated the use of two SCAR markers (OmyP9 & Omy163), which show polymorphisms between males and females in rainbow trout as a diagnostic test for sexing farmed trout. Adult trout (n = 131) were genotyped to assess the association of the SCAR markers with phenotypic sex. To evaluate the correct performance of the SCAR marker in sex diagnosis, each marker and both were analyzed to estimate its specificity (the proportion of males that are correctly identified), sensitivity (the proportion of females that are correctly identified) and predictive value (the probability of the correct positive or negative female identification). Significant associations with phenotypic sex of both SCAR markers with sex were found. The sensitivity and predictive (positive and negative) indexes show higher values when both SCAR markers were considered (95.7, 77.4 and 94.4%, respectively). For joined SCAR markers a likelihood ratio (LR+) of 3.43 was obtained indicating its utility to establish a diagnostic test for sexing trout by use of marker-based analysis.
Effect of corrosion damage on the performance level of a 25-year-old reinforced concrete building

Corrosion is a long-term process resulting in the deterioration of the reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Most of the structural problems observed under the impact of either earthquakes or service loads might occur due to corrosion. Therefore, prediction of the remaining service life of a corroding RC structure plays an important role to prevent serious premature damage. In this study, a corroded, 25-year-old high school building which has been demolished at an earlier time was analyzed as a function of corrosion rate. Bond-slip relationships were taken into account in nonlinear analyses as a function of corrosion rate for different time periods (i.e., non-corroded (t: 0), existing (t: 25) and 50 years after construction); and they were used to ensure the effect of time-dependent slip rotation on the global structural behaviour by modifying the target post-yield stiffness of each structural member. Nonlinear push-over analyses were performed by defining the time-dependent plastic hinge properties as a consequence of corrosion effects. In order to define the performance levels of three different time periods, nonlinear incremental dynamic analyses (IDA) were performed for 20 earthquake ground motion records as a function of corrosion rate. Results showed that bond-slip relationship between concrete and steel is very important in evaluating the non-linear behaviour of cor- roded RC structures.
Microbial management of household cold storage exploratory study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The incidence of pathogens found in domestic refrigerator in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) is unacceptably high, even though it is also significant underestimation the true magnitude of the problem (Sheard, 1986). Food-borne diseases encompass a wide spectrum of illnesses and area growing public health problem worldwide. They are the result of ingesting contaminated foodstuffs, and range from diseases caused by a multitude of microorganisms (WHO, 2008). Food-borne diseases are widespread and growing public health problem, both in developed and developing countries. The global incidence of food-borne disease is difficult to estimate, but it has been reported that in 2005 alone, 1.8 million people died from diarrhoeic diseases (WHO, 2008). It has been suggested that the food borne illness is initiated in domestic refrigerator three times more frequently than in commercial refrigerator (Borneff, et al., 1988). Many cases are attributable to inappropriate food storage including ineffective chill storage and refrigerator management (Ryan, et al., 1996). Failure to follow correct practices in the adjustment maintenance use or cleaning of domestic refrigerator poses a number of risks to consumers.
Long-term dynamics of monoterpene synthase activities, monoterpene storage pools and emissions in boreal Scots pine

Abstract. Seasonal variations in monoterpene emissions from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) are well documented, and emissions are often shown to follow the incident temperatures due to effects on compound volatility. Recent studies have indicated a link between monoterpene emissions and physiological drivers such as photosynthetic capacity during needle development. The complex interplay between the dynamic changes in the biosynthetic capacity to produce monoterpenes and the temperature-dependent evaporation process of volatiles from internal storage reservoirs has not yet been studied under field conditions. In this study, we analysed the relationships between needle monoterpene synthase activities, endogenous monoterpene storage pools and monoterpene emissions of needles in two consecutive years at a boreal forest site in Finland. The results showed changes in the monoterpene synthase activity of needles, linked to seasonality and needle ontogenesis, while the pool of stored monoterpenes (about 0.5 % of dry weight) did not change considerably as a function of needle aging. Monoterpene emissions did not correlate directly with enzyme activity or the storage pool size. We observed notably high plant-to-plant variation in the biosynthesis rates of individual monoterpenes, which did not reflect the storage compound mixture. The enzyme activity producing δ-3-carene was only present in the first months after needle flushing, and decreased with needle age, whereas δ-3-carene was abundant in the endogenous monoterpene pool and dominated the needle emissions. This study emphasizes the seasonal, developmental and intraspecific variability of monoterpene biosynthesis and storage, and calls for more in-depth analyses to reveal how such complex interaction affects monoterpene emissions from pine needles in boreal forests.
Field and teleseismic observations of the 1981 Golbaf–Sirch earthquakes in SE Iran

Summary In 1981 June and July two large earthquakes occurred on the Gowk Fault System in south-east Iran. Both earthquakes were associated with surface faulting showing a combination of reverse and right lateral strike-slip motion on parallel, adjacent faults striking north-south and dipping both east and west. Such motion can be seen to have occurred in the recent past and is responsible for the formation of elongated alluvium-filled depressions in the footwall region common to both the east- and west- dipping faults. The earthquake of June 11 involved motion along about 15 km of the Gowk Fault System with a moment of about 1.0 × 1026 dyne cm. The earthquake of July 28 was larger and occurred farther north with movement along at least 65km of the Gowk Fault System and a moment of about 7 × 1026 dyne cm. Surface faulting in both earthquakes was complex and spread over several kilometres width on en echelon fault segments as well as on faults dipping both east and west. The long-period WWSSN seismograms of these two mainshocks are unusually complicated and clearly made up of several individual subevents. Sensible interpretation of these waveforms without guidance from the surface faulting and the long-period SRO moment tensor inversion of Dziewonski & Woodhouse would be impossible. However, a combination of these three data sources allows a geologically plausible interpretation of the rupture processes in these earthquakes to be made. Although the faulting in both mainshocks was on the same large-scale feature (the Gowk Fault), the rupture zones of the two earthquakes did not, apparently, overlap and were separated by a gap of 5 km along strike in which both coseismic and recent geological displacements are very small. Rupture in both mainshocks appears to have nucleated near this gap and to have propagated away from it. Other such gaps are visible along the irregular displacement of the northern fault break, and may have been the nucleation positions for individual subevents of the July 28 earthquake. Recognition of such nucleation sites is of obvious importance to earthquake prediction efforts.
Chemistry of cave water in Smocza Jama, city of Kraków, Poland

Motyka, J., Gradzinski, M. , Ro? kowski, K. & Gorny, A. , 2005. Chemistry of cave water in Smocza Jama, city of Krakow, Poland. Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae, 75: 189-198. Abstract: The chemical composition of the water in Smocza Jama cave (city of Krakow, Krakow-Wielun Upland) was studied. The cave is 276 m long and it was developed in the Upper Jurassic limestone. Nineteen water samples were collected between March 1995 and January 1998. The pool water and drip water were sampled. The former water samples represent Ca - Na - HCO3 -S O 4 - Cl, while the latter ones SO4 - Ca - Na type. In pool water the concentrations of Cl are higher than in drip water, while in drip water the SO4 predominates. The chemical composition of the studied samples of both the pool and drip waters differs considerably from the composition typical of the limestone cave water. The studied water differs also in its chemical composition from the ground- water of the Krakow-Wielun Upland. High concentrations of NO3 ,S O4, Cl, Na, K, and P suggest that the water in Smocza Jama is considerably affected by pollution. The chemical composition of the studied pool water can be the effect of mixing of, at least, two components. The water can: (i) filtrate from the Vistula river, (ii) percolate down from the surface of Wawel Hill, (iii) migrate from the nearby area, where the city centre is located, and (iv) ascend as artesian water from deeper confined aquifer. The former three of the four mentioned water sources may be strongly degraded due to long lasting human occupation of both Wawel Hill and the city centre, as well as pollution of the Vistula river. The high amount of SO4 ions reaching 1439 mg/L in drip water results probably from leaching of litter and rubble poured over the cave in the 19th century.
Tilburg University Recent Developments in German Corporate Governance

We contrast the features of the German corporate governance system with those of other systems and discuss the recent regulatory initiatives. For example, the rules on insider trading and anti-trust have been strengthened. The Restructuring Act has been revised to prevent minority shareholders from stalling corporate restructuring via legal actions. The Takeover Act now prescribes a tender offer as soon as an investor acquires at least 30% of a firm’s equity. However, the Act also allows anti-takeover devices. Despite the recent, substantial changes, we conclude that the main characteristics of the German system are still in place. JEL codes: G32, G34, G38