Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Downside Beta and Downside Gamma: In Search for a Better Capital Asset Pricing Model

In the financial world, the importance of “downside risk” and “higher moments” has been emphasized, predominantly in developing countries such as Pakistan, for a substantial period. Consequently, this study tests four models for a suitable capital asset pricing model. These models are CAPM’s beta, beta replaced by skewness (gamma), CAPM’s beta with gamma, downside beta CAPM (DCAPM), downside beta replaced by downside gamma, and CAPM with downside gamma. The problems of the high correlation between the beta and downside beta models from a regressand point of view is resolved by constructing a double-sorted portfolio of each factor loading. The problem of the high correlation between the beta and gamma, and, similarly, between the downside beta and downside gamma, is resolved by orthogonalizing each risk measure in a two-factor setting. Standard two-pass regression is applied, and the results are reported and analyzed in terms of R2, the significance of the factor loadings, and the risk–return relationship in each model. The risk proxies of the downside beta/gamma are based on Hogan and Warren, Harlow and Rao, and Estrada. The results indicate that the single factor models based on the beta/downside beta or even gamma/downside gamma are not a better choice among all the risk proxies. However, the beta and gamma factors are rejected at a 5% and 1% significance level for different risk proxies. The obvious choice based on the results is an asset pricing model with two risk measures.
Reconstructing
the childhood diet of the individuals from the Middle Late Bronze Age Bezdanjača Cave, Croatia (ca. 1430 1290 BCE) using stable C and N isotope analysis of dentin collagen

This paper investigates the childhood diet of 16 individuals from the Middle Late Bronze Age (1430 1290 BCE) Bezdanjača Cave (Lika region, Croatia) using stable isotope analysis of dentin collagen from permanent first molars. Results from the analysis reveal that the individuals from Bezdanjača consumed notable quantities of C4 plants during their childhood. The most common C4 plant is millet, whose spread throughout Southern Europe was recently dated to the second half of the 2nd millennium BCE, which agrees with the results obtained in this research. Comparisons between the data collected for the individuals from Bezdanjača and other Middle and Late Bronze Age sites in Croatia suggest that only the individuals from the site of Veliki Vital (Middle Bronze Age, inland Croatia) exhibit similar isotopic values to those from Bezdanjača. Human isotopic values from coastal sites, however, reveal that during the Middle and Late Bronze Age people from the coast had diet that still predominantly contained C3 plant-based foods, which appears to suggest that the dispersion of this crop in Croatia during the Bronze Age followed an east-west trajectory, appearing earlier (Middle and Late Bronze Age) in inland settlements such as Veliki Vital and Bezdanjača and only later (Late Bronze Age and mostly Iron Age) in coastal sites.
Comprehensive Opportunity Assessment Using Commercial and Moral Intensities

We propose a partial theory explaining the processing of opportunities by individuals in organizations, specifically for opportunities with both commercial and moral significance (measured as intensities). The goal of such theorizing is to identify and analyze the range of interactions that the ethical and economic impacts of an opportunity can have so that managers can make better decisions on their exploitation and modification. We explain why and how there is variance in the processing of the ideas behind such opportunities as caused by their moral and commercial intensities. We explain the likely interactions between those two intensities, and when they occur and what can result. Doing so complements work in social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility by filling the gaps of the possible combinations of economic and ethical interactions. We provide these explanations by leveraging a precedent model that had adapted a standard knowledge-processing method to ethical decision-making issues. The explanations resonate because our model leverages the traditional textbook entrepreneurship opportunity evaluation criteria to provide a holistic view of an underlying idea’s commercial intensity, a view that aligns with the driving assumption that the focal decision-makers are boundedly rational.
Random Regression Model for Genetic Evaluation and Early Selection in the Iranian Holstein Population

Simple Summary The objective of this study was to use a model to predict breeding values for sires and cows at an early stage of the first lactation of cows and progeny groups in the Iranian Holstein population to support the early selection of sires. Our results show that we can select sires according to their daughters’ early lactation performance before they finish first lactation. Cross-validation results show that early selection accuracy can be high, and such an early selection can decrease the generation interval and lead to an increased genetic gain in the Iranian Holstein population. Abstract The objective of this study was to use a model to predict breeding values for sires and cows at an early stage of the first lactation of cows and progeny groups in the Iranian Holstein population to enable the early selection of sires. An additional objective was to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters associated with this model. The accuracy of predicted breeding values was investigated using cross-validation based on sequential genetic evaluations emulating yearly evaluation runs. The data consisted of 2,166,925 test-day records from 456,712 cows calving between 1990 and 2015. (Co)-variance components and breeding values were estimated using a random regression test-day model and the average information (AI) restricted maximum likelihood method (REML). Legendre polynomial functions of order three were chosen to fit the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects, and a homogeneous residual variance was assumed throughout lactation. The lowest heritability of daily milk yield was estimated to be just under 0.14 in early lactation, and the highest heritability of daily milk yield was estimated to be 0.18 in mid-lactation. Cross-validation showed a highly positive correlation of predicted breeding values between consecutive yearly evaluations for both cows and sires. Correlation between predicted breeding values based only on records of early lactation (5–90 days) and records including late lactation (181–305 days) were 0.77–0.87 for cows and 0.81–0.94 for sires. These results show that we can select sires according to their daughters’ early lactation information before they finish the first lactation. This can be used to decrease generation interval and to increase genetic gain in the Iranian Holstein population.
Propagation analysis of chirowaveguides using the finite-element method

Propagation analysis of chirowaveguides, i.e. waveguides including chiral media, are calculated using a generalization of the full vector finite-element formulation in terms of the electric and magnetic fields. The formulation permits numerous inhomogeneous waveguide structures of arbitrary linear composition, including chiral media, to be analyzed without any nonphysical, spurious modes. In the proposed formulation both the necessary conditions on the tangential field components and the additional conditions on the normal field components are automatically satisfied by the trial functions. In this way the dimension of the resulting sparse generalized eigenvalue problem is significantly reduced. The straightforward extension to the novel class of chirowaveguides, which exhibit a number of interesting new features, demonstrates the versatility of the formulation. The advantageous numerical properties are thus preserved. Numerical examples on both metal and dielectric chirowaveguides are given. The finite-element results are compared with exact solutions, and the correspondence is found to be excellent. >
Quality Assurance for Logic-Tree Implementation in Probabilistic Seismic-Hazard Analysis for Nuclear Applications: A Practical Example

The purpose of a site‐specific probabilistic seismic‐hazard analysis (PSHA) is to characterize the potential levels of ground shaking that could be experienced due to future earthquakes in the region. The output from such a PSHA, usually expressed in the form of acceleration response spectra at different annual frequencies of exceedance, may be used as the basis for earthquake‐resistant design, to check the seismic margins for an existing design, or as input to complete seismic probabilistic risk analysis. In a regulatory environment, such as for nuclear facilities, it is of particular importance to demonstrate confidence in the estimated levels of ground motions. This is achieved through three key features of the PSHA study: (1) the study is conducted by suitably qualified teams, using an appropriate methodology; (2) all sources of uncertainty are identified, quantified, and incorporated into the calculations; and (3) calculations that provide output that is used directly in the PSHA model, and the PSHA calculations themselves, are subject to Quality Assurance (QA). After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant following the Tohoku earthquake in March 2011, it can be expected that the imperative to provide such regulatory assurance with regards to earthquake hazard has been brought into even sharper focus. This brief paper discusses how the three requirements for regulatory assurance listed above can be met in practice. The focus of the paper is the challenge of providing QA checks on the actual hazard calculations, not so much in terms of the core calculations performed within the PSHA software, but rather in checking the correct implementation of the logic trees representing the full range of uncertainty in the seismic source characterization (SSC) and ground‐motion characterization (GMC) models. A promising approach for addressing this requirement is illustrated with a practical example from a PSHA project for the Thyspunt nuclear site …
Methods of Ensuring Invariance with Respect to External Disturbances: Overview and New Advances

In this paper, we carry out a demonstration and comparative analysis of known methods of the synthesis of various control laws ensuring the invariance of the output (controlled) variable with respect to external disturbances under various assumptions about their type and channels of acting on the control plant. Methods of the synthesis are presented on the example of a third-order nonlinear system with single input and single output (SISO-systems), dynamic feedback synthesis is presented at a descriptive level and the focus is on procedures of static feedback synthesis. For the systems in which the matching conditions are not satisfied, it is concluded that it is expedient to introduce smooth and bounded nonlinear local feedbacks. Within the framework of the block control principle, we developed an iterative procedure of synthesis of S-shaped sigmoid feedbacks for such systems. Nonlinear local feedbacks ensure stabilization of the output variable with the given accuracy and settling time as in a system with traditionally used linear local feedbacks with high gains. However, in contrast to it, sigmoid functions do not lead to a large overshoot of state variables and control actions.
Sustainability in Human Settlements: Imminent Material and Energy Challenges for Buildings in India

Sustainability in the living environment requires a paradigm transition to environmentally conducive habitats based on judicious energy and resource use to foster a community that is happy, harmonious, healthy and productive. Habitats, or the living environment, comprise the built- and the natural environment. The built-environment is responsible for the single largest share of resource and energy consumption and demand. This paper provides an overview of sustainability in the context of human settlements with a focus on imminent material resources and energy challenges for buildings in India. Basic arguments on sustainability and well-being in human settlements, and the role of community attitude and behaviour have been highlighted. The paper discusses imminent impacts attributed to unbridled dependence on mined material resources, emissions and pollution due to energy expenditure in buildings, and particularly draws attention to implications of unperceived modernizing rural transitions. Rural habitations, in India have thus far lived off the land with negligible demands on energy and process-intensive materials for sustenance. With a booming economy, increased affordability and exposure to urban lifestyles, the aspirations of rural habitations is now akin to middle-income urbanites. As rural habitations respond to the modernising aspirations of its inhabitants, an unrecognized but steady transition is evident from traditional local-materials based buildings to non-local high-process material based dwellings, viz., zero-energy to high-energy. The consequence is an unperceived but significant resource and energy footprint, that requires to be carefully discerned and regulated for sustainability. Key avenues for promoting sustainability in the built environment include effecting minimum alteration to (exhaustible) natural material, recycling non-organic solid waste into building products, adopting renewable construction materials and regulating energy and emissions in buildings.
Numerical calculation of AC substation grounding systems buried in a vertical multilayered earth model by higher‐order basis function

To study the accuracy of numerical simulations for an AC substation grounding problem embedded in a vertical multilayered earth model, this paper proposes a novel algorithm combining the rapidly convergent one‐dimensional Galerkin's BEM with higher‐order basis functions on the basis of the quasi‐static electric field theory. General analytical formulas for the mutual impedance between any pair of short line conductors are also derived to accelerate the numerical integration. These formulas can work in not only complex space but also real space because of our application of the quasi‐static complex image method, which is different from the contribution of other earlier scientists, whose formula can work just in real space. The algorithm can be used to simulate and analyze any grounding system, including those incorporating a floating grid located anywhere in the earth model. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demonstration of Cooling Savings of Light Colored Roof Surfacing in Florida Commercial Buildings: Our Savior's School

Executive Summary Architects and designers have long known that light-colored building roofs can reduce cooling needs. Recently, monitoring studies in Florida have made an effort to quantify these savings. Experiments in existing residences have shown that a white reflective roof can reduce cooling requirements by an average of 20%. However, until now there has been no investigation in Florida's climate to examine the potential in commercial scale buildings. Page 1 of 15
Understanding the root rot and wilting complex of raspberry: current research advances and future perspectives

Abstract Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is an important fruit crop in British Columbia, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of the USA, as well as in other regions of the world. Root rot and wilting complex (RRWC), primarily caused by Phytophthora rubi, is the most important biotic constraint responsible for declining raspberry production in these regions, causing millions of dollars in losses. Other root-infecting fungal species and the root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus penetrans) may also be found associated with the disease complex. The average lifespan of raspberry plantings in the PNW is 10 to 12 years, which is reduced to 5 years by the disease complex. Phytophthora spp. play a predominant role in the RRWC complex due to the persistent nature of oospores, rapid dispersal of inoculum, and the polycyclic nature of infection, all of which increase disease severity. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of Phytophthora spp. and other pathogens associated with the RRWC, including pathogen biology and the disease cycle, the impact of infection on the plant, as well as current and potential cultural, biological, and chemical options for management. In addition, we discuss breeding efforts for disease resistance, including conventional and molecular approaches to identify sources of resistance, molecular markers linked to potential resistance genes, and their incorporation into elite breeding materials or cultivars. We also present the current gaps in knowledge, unique challenges, and future perspectives in sustainable disease management of this important disease complex.
Prediction and Performance of Compact Heat Exchanger with Small Diameter Tubes for Latent Heat Recovery

The most part of energy losses in power system such as fuel cells is due to the heat released by the exhaust gas to atmosphere. The exhaust gas consists of non-condensable gas andsteam with sensible and latent heat. As a lot of latent heat is included in the exhaust gas, its recovery is very important to improve the power system efficiency. Based on the previous basic studies, a thermal hydraulic prediction method for latent heat recovery exchangers was proposed. For the condensation of steam on heat transfer tubes, the modified Sherwood number taking account of the mass absorption effect on the wall was used. Two kinds of compact heat exchanger with staggered banks of bare tubes of 10.5 or 4 mm in outer diameter was designed with the prediction method. The more compactness was obtained with the smaller tubes at a designed heat recovery. The thermal hydraulic behavior in the compact heat exchangers was experimentally studied with air-steam mixture gas. In the parametric experiments varying the steam mass concentration, the temperature distributions of cooling water and mixture gas were measured. The experimental results agreed well with the prediction proposed in this study and the more compactness with the smaller tubes was proved.
Large scale tests on a generalised oscillating water column wave energy converter

This short paper outlines tests in the GWK during March / April 2014 on a generalised Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy converter. The tests (at approximately 1:5 to 1:9 of full scale) measured wave loads, water column movements, air pressures and air flows through a number of orifices simulating turbine losses, including full closure. The tests will provide unique calibration data for CFD models using compressible air in the chamber. Additionally, by direct comparison with small-scale physical model tests, scale effects in wave loading and device performance will be explored in detail.
Chinese Newlyweds’ Perception and Tolerance Toward Common and Severe Partner Aggression

Purpose This study aimed to find the judgment demarcation points of Chinese newlyweds toward common and severe partner aggression, exploring the correlation of asymmetrical commitment and partner aggression tolerance, and revealing the gender differences in aggression tolerance. Materials and Methods We conducted two online questionnaire surveys with a total of 629 Chinese newlyweds. Specifically, data for group 1 were collected from 326 Chinese newlyweds for exploratory factor analysis of aggression normality, and data for group 2 from the remaining 303 couples were used for confirmatory factor analysis and inferential statistical analyses. Results Results showed that eight items representing non-physical aggression were regarded as common aggression, seven items indicating physical aggression were regarded as severe aggression, and one item was deleted because of disqualification in the exploratory factor analysis. Moreover, individuals showed greater tolerance toward common aggression compared with severe aggression. In terms of commitment, the 303 couples were divided into two groups: asymmetrically committed relationships (ACR) and non-asymmetrically committed relationships (non-ACRs). Through multilevel modeling, we found that couples in ACRs had a greater tolerance for common aggression. In addition, tolerance showed gender differences: husbands displayed a more tolerant attitude toward partner aggression, whether common or severe types. Conclusion The study found the demarcation points of aggression normality in Chinese newlyweds broadened the application of commitment in research on partner aggression and emphasized the importance of study of dyadic relationships.
The impact on seaplane floats during landing

In order to make a stress analysis of seaplane floats, and especially of the members connecting the floats with the fuselage, it is of great importance to determine the maximum pressure acting on the floats during landing. Here, the author gives a formula for maximum pressures during landing that permits one to apply experimental results to different bodies and different velocities. The author notes that the formula checks very well with experimental results.
The Performances of Intimately Mix and Layer Methods in Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis System

The oil palm shell was subjected to multimode microwave pyrolysis at a fixed microwave power of 300W at 2.54GHz using intimately mix and layer microwave heating methods to observe process temperature, pyrolysis product and bio-oil composition at various levels of Coconut Activated Carbon (CAC). The results indicated that the layers method achieved higher bio-oil yield with complete uniformity of process temperature at high CAC loading compared to intimate mix method. The increased CAC loading increased selectivity towards phenol in bio-oil with maximum phenol 80.23 %area and 51.77%area under GC-MS at 75wt% CAC loading using intimately mix and layer method, respectively. The layer method produced a new product 1,1-dimethyl hydrazine of 11.24–13.01 %area in bio-oils which was not found of using intimately mix method. The 1,1-dimethly hydrazine is an important source of high energy fuel. Keywords: Oil palm shell; intimately mix method; layer method; coconut activated carbon; microwave assisted pyrolysis; heating profile; bio-oil
Novel truncated cone cavity for surface resistance measurements of high T/sub c/ superconducting thin films

A truncated cone cavity that avoids degeneration between the TE/sub 01n/ and TM/sub 11n/ modes occurring in the most frequently used circular cylindrical cavities for materials measurements is described. Analytical expressions for the field components are given. An error analysis is carried out which yields a sensitivity of 2.3 m Omega for surface resistance measurements at 18 GHz, using samples with a diameter of 9 mm. One cavity was built, and measurement results are given for the surface resistance of various YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub x/ thin films on MgO substrates. The samples were manufactured by means of laser ablation and magnetron sputtering. <<ETX>>