Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of loss of sex in clonal populations of an endangered perennial Coptis teeta (Ranunculaceae)

The reproductive biology of two subspecies of Coptis teeta was studied. The species is an endangered, herbaceous perennial, endemic to the Mishmi Hills in Eastern Himalaya. We investigated reproductive strategies of the subspecies, their breeding systems and reproductive output. They had contrasting reproductive strategies; ssp. teeta reproduces sexually and produces fewer ramets, while ssp. lohitensis propagates mostly vegetatively through a higher number of ramets. There is a resource adjustment between vegetative and sexual functions with a greater allocation to the former, particularly in ssp. lohitensis. Manual crosses showed that the species is self- and cross-compatible, but is essentially an autogamous selfer. Seed set in the species is generally low, with higher output in ssp. teeta and lower in ssp. lohitensis. The low fecundity is ascribed to a number of pre- and postfertilization events, including unsuitability of floral features for attracting pollinators, high pollen sterility and high rates of fruit and seed abortion. Sexual reproduction does not contribute significantly towards population increase in this species. This could be an important factor contributing to its rarity. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 143, 47−54.
Laboratory kinetics of soil denitrification are useful to discriminate soils with potentially high levels of N$_2$O emission on the field scale

Les emissions de N 2 O, gaz a effet de serre, ont ete mesurees au cours d'essais au champ, sur des sols cultives dont un Rendzic Leptosol, un Eutric Leptosol, un Haplic Calcisol, un Haplic Luvisol et deux Gleyic Luvisols, et sur des sols cultives et en prairie, dont un Haplic Fluvisol et deux Gleyic Cambisols. En parallele, les cinetiques de production et de consommation de N 2 O au cours de la denitrification ont ete etudiees au laboratoire sur des suspensions de sol, au cours d'incubations anaerobies avec apport de NO 3 - et de N 2 O, en presence et en absence d'acetylene. Les sols qui emettent le plus de N 2 O « in situ », c'est-a-dire les Gleyic Luvisols cultives et les sols de prairie, accumulent aussi beaucoup de N 2 O au cours du processus de denitrification etudie au laboratoire. Nous proposons donc un indicateur empirique, mesure au laboratoire, des potentialites des sols a emettre N,O au champ. L'apport de carbone a l'un des Gleyic Luvisols a favorise la reduction du N 2 O et limite l'accumulation transitoire de N 2 O au cours de la denitrification etudiee au laboratoire.
Organic labelling, private label, and U.S. household demand for fluid milk

ABSTRACT The U.S. fluid milk market has been experiencing two trends in the recent decade: the fast growth of private label milk and organic milk. Using the data from Nielsen Homescan Panel, we estimate a censored demand system to study the demand relations among types of milk differentiated by brand types and organic status. We find that sociodemographic factors still play important roles in household choice of milk types, and fluid milk, as a whole, is an inferior good. Moreover, as income increases, households are more likely to shift from buying conventional milk to organic milk and from private label conventional milk to branded conventional milk, as indicated by the asymmetric cross price elasticities. Corresponding implications for milk producers and marketers are discussed.
An empirical analysis of corporate takeover defences and earnings management: evidence from the US

This study explores the impact of corporate takeover defences on the extent of earnings management in the US. Theoretically, it is not obvious whether takeover defences alleviate or exacerbate earnings management. Four well-known corporate takeover defences are examimed: blank check preferred stock, poison pills, classified boards and dual class stock. In spite of their similarity as takeover defences, the empirical evidence indicates that they do not influence the degree of earnings management in the same way. Specifically, blank check preferred stock does not have a significant impact on earnings management. Poison pills and classified boards are found to reduce earnings management, on average, by 1.9% and 1.5% respectively. On the contrary, dual class stock exacerbates earnings management by increasing the degree of abnormal accruals by 2.6% on average. The results are robust even after controlling for firm size, profitability, financial distress, growth opportunities and information asymmetry.
Which precious metals spill over on which, when and why? Some evidence

Much academic and investor analysis and commentary see the four main precious metals as a single market, integrated and to some degree with each metal a substitute for the other. This proposition, which can be explicit or implicit, can be challenged on economic and statistical grounds. Using the Diebold and Yilmaz (2009) methodology, we show that the market is only weakly integrated, that this degree of integration is time varying and that it differs as between returns and volatility.
Are local or international influences responsible for the pre-holiday behaviour of Irish equities?

The pre-holiday behaviour of equity price and return indices on the Irish Stock Exchange do not display consistent positive pre-holiday returns. This is contrary to the majority of studies in this area, and the result is found across a number of sectoral indices. The analysis also indicates that these curious results are driven by local, as opposed to international, influences.
Comparative Analysis of Fish Community Structure between Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Beds and an Adjacent Unvegetated Area in Southern Korea

Fish community structure between eelgrass beds and an adjacent unvegetated area was investigated. Fishes were collected monthly from two eelgrass beds (Gamak and Yeoja Bays) and one adjacent unvegetated area in the southern sea of Korea between February 2006 and February 2007. The number of species for the Gamak and Yeoja Bays were 33, 28, respectively, while 28 species were identified from the unvegetated area. Leiognathus nuchalis was dominant in both Gamak and Yeoja Bays, while Engraulis japonicus was dominant in the unvegetated area. Cluster analysis conducted on total number of individuals for each species produced 3 groups; group A (appeared only in winter regardless of eelgrass), group B (appeared in eelgrass beds during all seasons except winter) and group C (appeared in the unvegetated area during all seasons except winter). The most important differentiating species between eelgrass beds and the unvegetated area were Lateolabrax japonicus, L. nuchalis, Takifugu niphobles and Pholis nebulosa. Based on the results of this study we can assume that eelgrass beds function as a nursery ground for young fishes from spring to fall, but not in winter.
Stock-bond decoupling before and after the 2008 crisis

ABSTRACT In this article, we analyse the co-movements of daily stock prices and government bond prices during the last 25 years, in major Western stock markets, extending previous results to take into account the impact of the current crisis. Our results confirm that bonds are viewed as instruments for improving portfolio diversification in periods of high volatility and falling stock market levels, which is when such diversification is most needed. The possibility of using government debt in portfolios as a means of hedging during times of financial crisis became especially apparent in the crises of 1997, 2001 and 2008. Nevertheless, during the current one, this diversification quality of bonds has disappeared in countries like Italy or Spain, which are also affected by sovereign debt issues.
Produção de novilhos superprecoces em pastagem de aveia e azevém submetida a diferentes alturas de manejo

The objective of this trial was to evaluate production and carcass characteristics of young steers grazing a mixture of black oat and Italian ryegrass pasture. Treatments were four different pasture heights (10, 20, 30, and 40 cm) that were obtained with different stocking rates. Fifty-five beef steers averaging 210 kg of body weight and 10 months of age at the beginning of the trial were used in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The observed increase in the average daily weight gain (ADG) was associated with the quality and/or amount of available forage because herbage allowance increased from 6 to 51 kg DM/100 kg BW when pasture height was enhanced from 10 to 40 cm. Therefore, the ADG was 0.73 and 1.14 kg/animal/day for the treatments with the lowest and highest ADG, which corresponds to 10 and 30 cm pasture height. Considering the low ADG, the greatest gain/area observed on the 10 cm treatment may be explained by a greater stocking rate; both ADG and stocking rate decreased linearly by increasing pasture height. Body weight and hot carcass weight increased until 30 cm of pasture height but decreased at 40 cm because of poorer pasture quality. There was no difference on carcass yield, which averaged 51% among treatments. The body condition score and carcass fat thickness followed the ADG in this trial.
Host plant resistance to grain mould in germplasm accessions of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.)

Abstract The paucity of information on the moulds in Indian pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) led to the studies that were conducted at ICRISAT, India to evaluate (a) 447 germplasm accessions of 32 countries for mould reaction in rainy season, (b) threshed grain mould rating (TGMS) and mycoflora on grains of each accession, and (c) mould scores in field and in vitro. Post physiological maturity evaluation showed that 16% of the accessions secured a mould rating of 2. In TGMS, 18% were mould free and 57% secured a rating of 2 on a 1 – 9 scale. Assessment of twenty representative accessions in vitro against individual and mixed conidial suspensions (1 × 10(6) conidia ml(−1)) of Fusarium moniliforme, F. pallidoroseum and Curvularia pennisetti indicated significant correlation (r = 0.97) between the overall field and in vitro scores of mixed spores inoculations. The mycoflora for TGMS in blotter test revealed that Fusarium moniliforme, F. pallidoroseum, Curvularia pennisetti, Helminthosporium spp. , Alternaria spp. and Colletotrichum spp. to be the major fungi affecting pearl millet grain. It is advisable to harvest panicles at the physiological maturity stage to obtain better quality grains. A strong negative correlation between TGMS and % GS (r = 0.4601) and positive correlation between TGMS and % UGS (r = 0.4654) indicated that, the lesser the threshed grain mould rating higher the % seed germination.
Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), habitat alteration, and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) foraging: system-wide effects and behavioural mechanisms

The aggregate impact of an exotic species introduction, such as the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), may involve a large number of biotic and abiotic interactions within the recipient ecosystem. We used laboratory experiments and field data to assess effects of zebra mussels on both foraging success of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and activity of the amphipod Gammarus fasciatus. In two laboratory experiments zebra mussel clusters reduced the rate at which yellow perch captured amphipods. Yellow perch captured fewer amphipods when zebra mussels were present at two light levels ( 214 lx) and across a range of prey densities (761500 amphipods·m2). The effect of zebra mussels on amphipod activity depended on light level. Yellow perch captured fewer amphipods in the presence of mussel clusters than when plants were present. The frequency of amphipods in the diets of adult yellow perch in Oneida Lake increased after zebra mussel introduction, but the increase was greater in low mussel density .
Restoration of Hydrastis canadensis by Transplanting with Disturbance Simulation: Results of One Growing Season

Abstract Having evolved in an environment with large, severe, and frequent disturbances, including massive floods, fires, and impacts of extinct and extirpated fauna, woodland herbs may be adapted to such disturbance processes. Present lack of such disturbances may contribute to present rarity. We test the hypothesis that transplanting with disturbance simulation can be used to restore the threatened woodland herb, Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal). Three disturbance‐simulation treatments (soil turnover, fertilization, and both) and a control were randomly applied to 100 blocks in goldenseal habitat, and a single rhizome was transplanted into each treatment. Transplanting was effective with 85% of the transplants surviving, 41% flowering, and 34% fruiting; thus, transplanting may increase area of occupancy. Soil turnover alone and combined with fertilization caused a significant increase in plant size available to support production of fruit. Increased flower and significantly increased fruit production were also characteristic of soil‐turned plots. Results support the hypothesis that some woodland herbs are rare due to lack of certain disturbance, call for consideration of soil disturbance as a potentially important and beneficial influence on woodland herbs regardless of light effects, and suggest that transplanting into soil‐overturned plots may restore goldenseal. The assumption that undisturbed conditions are optimal may impede effective management of rare woodland flora, highlighting the need for a more flexible approach.
Mycotoxins in New Zealand maize: A study of some factors influencing contamination levels in grain

Abstract Samples of grain from New Zealand grown maize (Zea mays L.), collected from yield comparison strip trials at harvest during 1992, 1993, and 1994, were analysed for contamination by the Fusarium mycotoxins nivalenol (NIV), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN). The samples collected in 1992 were also assessed for the incidence of infection by Fusarium spp. The samples mostly represented commercially grown hybrids, and 12 of the hybrids were sampled more extensively and were collected in each year of the study. The incidence of mycotoxin contamination was high in each year, especially by the two trichothecenes, NIV and DON. The levels found in 1992 were generally higher than in 1993 and 1994. Much of this was because of adverse weather conditions during the 1991/92 season which led to delayed harvest. In each year samples harvested after early June tended to have higher contamination levels. It was also observed in the 1992 season that Fusarium infection levels were higher in the later harves.
New evidence on purchasing power parity from 17 OECD countries

There is a large literature that investigates whether or not real exchange rates are stationary in an attempt to unravel support for purchasing power parity (PPP). At best, the empirical results are mixed. This paper applies a unit root test that allows for a simultaneous structural break in the intercept and slope, shown by Sen (2003) to minimize power distortions, to examine PPP for 17 OECD countries. Our results on PPP are mixed. When the real exchange rate is based on the US dollar, evidence is found of PPP for only France, Portugal and Denmark. When the real exchange rate is based on the Deutschmark, we find evidence of PPP for Austria, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Denmark.
Sonoluminescence

Abstract Sonoluminescence is the light emission phenomenon from collapsing bubbles in liquid irradiated by an ultrasonic wave. In the present review, theoretical and experimental studies of the two types of sonoluminescence [single‐bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL) and multibubble sonoluminescence (MBSL)] are described. SBSL is a sonoluminescence from a single stably pulsating bubble trapped at the pressure antinode of a standing ultrasonic wave. MBSL is a sonoluminescence occurring from many bubbles in liquid irradiated by an ultrasonic wave. The theoretical and experimental studies suggest that SBSL originates in emissions from plasma inside the heated bubble at the bubble collapse, whereas MBSL originates both in emissions from plasma and in chemiluminescence inside heated bubbles at the bubble collapse. Unsolved problems of sonoluminescence have also been explained in detail.
A Matched Asymptotic Expansions Approach to Continuity Corrections for Discretely Sampled Options. Part 2: Bermudan Options

The paper discusses the ‘continuity correction’ that should be applied to connect the prices of discretely sampled American put options (i.e. Bermudan options) and their continuously‐sampled equivalents. Using a matched asymptotic expansions approach the correction is computed and related to that discussed by Broadie, Glasserman & Kou (1997) (Mathematical Finance, 7, p.325 for barrier options. In the Bermudan case, the continuity correction is an order of magnitude smaller than in the corresponding barrier problem. It is also shown that the optimal exercise boundary in the discrete case is slightly higher than in the continuously sampled case.
Banks’ riskiness over the business cycle: a panel analysis on Italian intermediaries

A comprehensive investigation is provided on the issue of the possible cyclical nature of banks’ behaviour using a large panel of Italian intermediaries over the period 1985 to 2002. Estimating both static and dynamic models, the article investigates whether loan loss provisions and non-performing loans show a cyclical pattern. The econometric results confirm that business cycle affects banks’ loan loss provisions and new bad debts. The impact of recessionary conditions is significant and long-lasting. Moreover, the empirical evidence provides some support for the income-smoothing hypothesis. The estimated relations may be employed to carry out stress tests to assess the effects of macroeconomic shocks on banks' balance sheets.
The role of temperature on in vivo resting spore formation of the aphid-specific pathogen Pandora nouryi (Zygomycota: Entomophthorales) under winter field conditions

Abstract Resting spore formation of Pandora nouryi within the host Myzus persicae was investigated in an open cabbage field during two winters: 2007–2008 and 2010–2011. Multivariate correlation analysis of field data revealed that weekly mean temperature was the main abiotic factor governing the probability of resting spore formation in vivo, followed by host density and mean day length, while the effect of season was insignificant. Moreover, the temperature effect on the proportions of resting spore producing cadavers in those aphids infected with P. nouryi was well fit by a logistic equation, and high proportions (0.37–0.95) were found on most of weekly sampling occasions with mean temperatures of less than 10°C. Thus, these resultant analyses support the hypothesis that temperature is the most important abiotic factor controlling P. nouryi resting spore formation in M. persicae under field situations.
Human capital effects on labour productivity in EU regions

Recent years have seen a wealth of articles on spatial effects in empirical growth specifications. Endogenous growth models, together with the arguments of the new economic geography, have led to spatial dependence being identified with the existence of externalities which cross regional borders. This article continues in this line of research and offers new empirical evidence on the contribution of human capital and agglomeration economies to the differences in productivity in European Union regions. The article uses the spatial Durbin model with different weight matrices to explain the relation between human capital variables and labour productivity, with the advantage that it allows the effects of spatial externalities associated to human capital and agglomeration economies to be quantified.
Regime-dependent relationships among the stock markets of the US, Australia and New Zealand: a Markov-switching VAR approach

Adopting a multivariate Markov-switching-VAR model (Krolzig, 1997) and a recently developed regime-dependent impulse response analysis technique (Ehrmann et al., 2003), this article investigates the dynamic relationships among the stock markets of the US, Australia and New Zealand. Our results reveal the existence of two different regimes in the three stock markets. We find that the correlations among the three markets are significantly higher in a bear regime than in a bull regime. In addition, the responses of each of the three markets to shocks in the other two markets are stronger and more persistent in the bear regime than in the bull regime. Finally, our findings imply that for the New Zealand stock market, the Australian stock market is more influential than the US stock market, and for the Australian stock market, the US stock market is more influential than the New Zealand stock market.
Robust barrier option pricing by frame projection under exponential Lévy dynamics

ABSTRACT We present an efficient method for robustly pricing discretely monitored barrier and occupation time derivatives under exponential Lévy models. This includes ordinary barrier options, as well as (resetting) Parisian options, delayed barrier options (also known as cumulative Parisian or Parasian options), fader options and step options (soft-barriers), all with single and double barriers, which have yet to be priced with more general Lévy processes, including KoBoL (CGMY), Merton’s jump diffusion and NIG. The method’s efficiency is derived in part from the use of frame-projected transition densities, which transform the problem into the Fourier domain and accelerate the convergence of intermediate expectations. Moreover, these expectations are approximated by Toeplitz matrix-vector multiplications, resulting in a fast implementation. We devise an augmentation approach that contributes to the method’s robustness, adding protection against mis-specifying a proper truncation support of the transition density. Theoretical convergence is verified by a series of numerical experiments which demonstrate the method’s efficiency and accuracy.
MP3704_03_Costa 298..322

PERCEIVED VALENCE, TENSION, AND MOVEMENT OF harmonic musical intervals (from the unison to the octave presented in a lowand high-register) and standard noises (brown, pink, white, blue, purple) were assessed in two studies that differed in the crossmodal procedure by which tension and movement were rated: proprioceptive device or visual analog scale. Valence was evaluated in both studies with the visual analog scale. In a preliminary study, the proprioceptive device was calibrated with a psychophysical procedure. Roughness of the stimuli was included as covariate. Tension was perceived higher in dissonant intervals and in intervals presented in the high register. The higher the highpitch energy content in the standard noise, the higher the perceived tension. The visual analog scale resulted in higher tension ratings than the proprioceptive device. Perception of movement was higher in dissonant intervals, in intervals in the high register, and in standard noises than in musical intervals. High-pitch spectrum noises were associated with more sense of movement than low-pitch spectrum noises. Consonant intervals and low-register intervals were evaluated as more pleasant than dissonant and high-register intervals. Highpitch spectrum purple and blue noises were evaluated as more unpleasant than low-pitch spectrum noises.