Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The “Reversal Interest Rate”: An Effective Lower Bound on Monetary Policy∗

The “reversal interest rate” is the rate at which accommodative monetary policy “reverses” its intended effect and becomes contractionary for lending. It occurs when recapitalization gain from the duration mismatch are offset by decreases in net interest margins, lowering banks’ net worth and tightening its capital constraint. The determinants of the reversal interest rates are (i) banks asset holdings with fixed (non-floating) interest payments, (ii) the degree of interest rate pass-through to loan rate and deposit rate, (iii) the capital constraints that they face. Low interest rates beyond the time when fixed interest rate mature do not lead to recapitalization gains while still lowering banks’ margins, suggesting a shorter forward guidance policy: the reversal interest rates “creep up”. Moreover, interest rate cuts can have heterogeneous effects across regions where monetary policy operates, being possibly expansionary in one region and contractionary in another. Furthermore, quantitative easing increases the reversal interest rate. QE should only employed after interest rate cut is exhausted. ∗We are grateful to comments by Sam Langfield and participants of seminars at the European Central Bank, the Bank of International Settlement, Princeton University, the Federal Reserve Board, Banque de France, the Danish Central Bank, the Finnish Central Bank, the London School of Economics, ETH Zurich, the Swiss Economists Abroad Meetings, the Swiss National Bank, the 2017 AEA Meetings, Humboldt University, and the Philadelphia Macro Workshop. †Brunnermeier: Department of Economics, Princeton University, markus@princeton.edu, http://scholar.princeton.edu/markus; Koby: Department of Economics, Princeton University, ykoby@princeton.edu
Mitochondrial Function and Inflammation in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis and Patients with Early Stage Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic brain disease. Early detection and treatment are associated with improved disease outcome; and while there are interview-based methods of identifying clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) individuals, there are yet to be reliable biomarkers to identify atrisk population. Several lines of evidence implicate mitochondrial function and inflammation in the etiology and pathology of SCZ. Here, we examine changes in peripheral mitochondrial function, measured by mitochondrial electron transport chain expression and levels of lactate and pyruvate, and changes in levels of inflammatory cytokines in CHR and early stage SCZ individuals; and compare these to clinical symptoms. We did not detect differences in peripheral mitochondrial function and levels of inflammatory cytokines between our non-psychiatric control, CHR, and early stage SCZ groups; however mitochondrial function may be associated with prodromal symptom severity. Additional studies are warranted to further elucidate mitochondrial changes during the start of disease development.
Changing Negative Attitudes Through Sport Sponsorship In Brazil

Objective: The research has as objective to assess if sports sponsorships can change previous negative attitude towards a sponsoring brand, also investigating implications on consumption intentions. Methodology / Approach: The study was structured in experimental design, using a one-group pre-test/post-test variation to compare different effects of an independent variable. An online questionnaire was elaborated using a repeated measure design to assess participant attitudes and consumption intentions, employing a scenario-based experimental survey. The first scenario brought negative information about a sponsoring fake brand/company. It was only accepted in the final sample (295 Brazilians citizens) people that presented negative attitudes in the first scenario. In the sequence, they were submitted to subsequent sports sponsorship scenarios, having their attitudes and consumption intentions measured after each scenario. The second scenario associated the brand with sponsorships to football. The third one also linked the brand to football but focusing on a community perspective. The last context approached a different sport (volleyball), contextualizing the sponsorship in an Olympic/Paralympic frame. Originality / Relevance: This study is justified due to the lack of similar studies, insofar as no other article was found with the same objective, method, premises or culture investigated (country). Main results: The study provided evidence that sports sponsorship can change previous negative attitudes towards a brand, mitigating or turning it into a positive one. The research also reports a positive effect of sports sponsorship on purchase intention. Among all scenarios, the second one showed the biggest influence on attitude and consumption intention. Theoretical / methodological contributions: The findings are important to marketing and sports managers as they offered evidence that sports sponsorship can support brand and organizations to face crises and scandals situations, as a prevention or as a recovery strategy.
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Visceral Adipose Tissue in Morbidly Obese and Normal Weight Chinese Women

Objective Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) plays a central role in the balance of energy metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the differentially expressed proteins in VAT between morbidly obese (BMI >35 kg/m2) and normal weight Chinese women. Method Nine morbidly obese women and 8 normal weight women as controls were enrolled. Abdominal VAT was excised and analyzed by label-free one-dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (1D-LC-MS/MS). Differentially expressed VAT proteins were further analyzed with Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Masson's trichrome staining and CD68 immunohistochemical staining of VAT were conducted in all subjects. Result A total of 124 differentially expressed proteins were found with a ≥2-fold difference. Forty-one proteins were upregulated, and 83 proteins were downregulated in obese individuals. These altered VAT proteins were involved in the attenuation of the liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor (LXR/RXR) signaling pathway and the activation of the acute-phase response process. Three proteins (ACSL1, HADH, and UCHL1) were validated by western blotting using the same set of VAT samples from 6 morbidly obese and 7 normal weight patients, and the results indicated that the magnitude and direction of the protein changes were in accordance with the proteomic analysis. Masson's trichrome staining and CD68 immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that there was much more collagen fiber deposition and CD68-positive macrophages in the VAT of morbidly obese patients, suggesting extensive fiber deposition and macrophage infiltration. Conclusion A number of differentially expressed proteins were identified in VAT between morbidly obese and normal weight Chinese females. These differential proteins could be potential candidates in addressing the role of VAT in the development of obesity.
BIFACTOR MODELING OF PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS SATISFACTION 1 Should we be Looking at the Forest or the Trees? Overall Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Individual Needs as Predictors of Physical Activity

The objectives of this study were twofold: (a) examine if measures designed to assess satisfaction of competence, autonomy, and relatedness needs in the physical activity domain can represent both general and specific needs satisfaction, and (b) assess if the specific needs are associated with concurrent moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) participation (Time 1) and MVPA participation 4 months later (Time 2), beyond general psychological needs satisfaction (PNS). Data from 544 adolescents (Mage=14.12 years, SD=.64) were analyzed. A bifactor model specifying a general PNS and three specific needs factors provided a good fit to the data. Extending the model to predict Time 1 and Time 2 MVPA participation also provided a good fit to the data. General PNS and specific needs had unique and empirically distinguishable associations with MVPA participation. The bifactor operationalization of PNS has implications for future research. Specifically, it provides a framework to delineate common and distinctive antecedents and outcomes of general PNS and specific needs.
Investigation of dynamic quality changes and optimization of drying parameters of carrots (
 
 Daucus carota
 
 var.
 laguna
 )

The effect of air temperature and sample thickness on the color changes and total carotenoids content of carrot slices was investigated. Temperature, exposure time, and moisture levels significantly affected the dynamic changes of total carotenoids and color. A slow and linear decrease in total carotenoids was observed at higher moisture content until reaching an inflection point at around 0.45 gw/gdm for all temperatures studied. Thereafter, the retention in total carotenoids decreased rapidly. The highest retention for a final product was 66.2% when drying at 60°C while retention was between 42.2 and 51.1% when drying at 50 and 70°C. These changes occurred alongside a noticeable change in color at moisture contents below the inflection point of 0.45 gw/gdm for all drying temperatures. Design of experiment based optimization of the drying process resulted in an ideal temperature of 59.8°C and 3.5 mm slice thickness with the predicted values for La*b*; ΔE of 62.18 ± 5.12, 22.46 ± 1.98, 40.35 ± 6.64, 6.31 ± 4.74; rehydration ratio of 0.48 ± 0.07; and total carotenoids of 163.83 ± 17.38 μg/g or 67.38%, respectively, all at a 95% prediction interval.
Routine-Based Choice in the Sample Space of an Organizational Problem: An Extension of Local Search

I propose a model of routine-based choice, where an organization selects its niche to serve and chooses its way to serve the chosen niche. On the basis of local search (Cyert & March, 1963) and absorptive capacity (Cohen & Levinthal, 1989, 1990), I first define the knowledge base of an organization by a random variable on the problem space, whose feature is compared with fitness in the landscape (Levinthal, 1997). I then examine the performance implications of the model along the extended dimensions of the problem space, i.e., lugged, incomplete, and friction landscapes, which lead to sequential choice. Finally, I discuss the intensity and direction of organizational choice as being driven by the concern for the tendency of sequential choice.
Regulatory Science Transparency: Assessment Of Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Rule on Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science

In its proposed rule, Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires transparency in certain areas of regulatory science. The proposed rule mandates public access to the details of studies that address dose response and models. This paper is the result of a study conducted by graduate students at Georgetown University. The study relied upon a specific process for selecting a small number from an exceptionally large number of responses to study the subject. The evaluation of the responses was largely based on Best Available Regulatory Science (BARS) and Metrics for Evaluation of Regulatory Science Claims derived from BARS. The results of the study indicate that opposition to the EPA's proposed rule is largely based on the claim that its implementation would eliminate key studies that contain confidential data from consideration during the regulatory process. Although the proposed rule would allow exemptions from the public access requirements, there is opposition to making exemptions available at the discretion of the EPA Administrator. The study concluded that a regulatory science process called "controlled transparency" would be a reasonable solution to compliance with transparency requirements while protecting confidential information.https://doi.org/10.21423/jrs-v07moghissi
FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODES INFECTIONS IN DAIRY GOATS GRAZING ON SEMI-ARID RANGELANDS OF NORTHEASTERN MEXICO

There is a lack of information about the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections on dairy goats. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with the prevalence of GIN infection in mixed-breeds dairy goat grazing on semi-arid rangelands of northeastern Mexico. Mixed-breed dairy goats (n = 668) including Boer, Nubian, Alpine, Saanen and Toggenburg in 18 flocks were used. The goats were weighted and sampled of faeces and blood. The egg counts per gram of faeces (EPG) and the percentage of packed cell volume (PCV) was determined. Age, body condition score (BCS), and FAMACHA were estimated. Environmental temperature, annual rainfall, and altitude were the independent variables. The association between EPG, PCV, BCS, and FAMACHA was determined. Temperature, rainfall, altitude, and live weight affected the EPG of GIN excretion (P <0.01). Older goats had the highest EPG counts and lower values for BCS, PCV, and FAMACHA (P <0.05) than young goats. Goats with poor BCS had a higher EPG count and lower values of PCV and FAMACHA (P <0.05). The correlations between EPG and FAMACHA; EPG and BCS; EPG and PCV were 0.58, -0.55 and -0.55, respectively (P <0.01). Correlations between FAMACHA and PCV and BCS were -0.69 and -0.66, respectively (P <0.01). It concluded, that the prevalence of infections with GIN in mixed-breeds dairy goat is high; the BCS, live weight, ambient temperature, rainfall, and altitude were factors that influence the GIN infections on dairy goats grazing on semi-arid rangeland of northeastern Mexico.
Testing the Robustness of the Perceptual Load Theory

Perceptual load theory (PLT) states that whether distractors capture attention depends on the easiness of the perceptual task. Evidence supporting PLT is almost exclusively from visual search, so it is unclear whether load effects can be found in non-visual-search tasks. To clarify this, an attentional blink (AB) paradigm was used. In Experiment 1, participants paid attention to two targets (T1 and T2), where T2 was presented after T1 at varying lags. T2’s position relative to T1 indicated perceptual load, with high load at short lags and low load at the long lag. Confirming this, an AB effect was found. To test PLT in Experiment 2, congruent or incongruent flankers were introduced beside T2. The AB effect occurred again, but no flanker effect was found. Experiment 3 made the task easier, but flanker effects were still absent. These results suggest that perceptual load effects may be most amenable to visual search.
Pattern and structure of microtopography implies autogenic origins in forested wetlands

Abstract. Wetland microtopography is a visually striking feature, but also critically influences biogeochemical processes at both the scale of its observation (10 −2 –10 2 m 2 ) and at aggregate scales (10 2 –10 4 m 2 ). However, relatively little is known about how wetland microtopography develops or the factors influencing its structure and pattern. Growing research across different ecosystems suggests that reinforcing processes may be common between plants and their environment, resulting in self-organized patch features, like hummocks. Here, we used landscape ecology metrics and diagnostics to evaluate the plausibility of plant–environment feedback mechanisms in the maintenance of wetland microtopography. We used terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to quantify the sizing and spatial distribution of hummocks in 10 black ash (Fraxinus nigra Marshall) wetlands in northern Minnesota, USA. We observed clear elevation bimodality in our wettest sites, indicating microsite divergence into two states: elevated hummocks and low elevation hollows. We coupled the TLS dataset to a 3-year water level record and soil-depth measurements, and showed that hummock height (mean = 0.31±0.06 m) variability is largely predicted by mean water level depth ( R2=0.8 at the site scale, R2=0.12 –0.56 at the hummock scale), with little influence of subsurface microtopography on surface microtopography. Hummocks at wetter sites exhibited regular spatial patterning (i.e., regular spacing of ca. 1.5 m, 25 %–30 % further apart than expected by chance) in contrast to the more random spatial arrangements of hummocks at drier sites. Hummock size distributions (perimeters, areas, and volumes) were lognormal, with a characteristic patch area of approximately 1 m 2 across sites. Hummocks increase the effective soil surface area for redox gradients and exchange interfaces in black ash wetlands by up to 32 %, and influence surface water dynamics through modulation of specific yield by up to 30 %. Taken together, the data support the hypothesis that vegetation develops and maintains hummocks in response to anaerobic stresses from saturated soils, with a potential for a microtopographic signature of life.
Enhancing productivity of farmer-saved seed yam in Ghana: Positive selection and neem leaf powder factors

Recycling of diseased and pests infested seed yam ( Dioscorea spp.) has resulted in drastic yield reductions in yam production. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of positive selection on the quality of farmer-saved seed yam and also evaluate the effect of neem leaf powder in managing plant parasitic nematodes damage to yam. Two farming systems namely; Positive selection (PS) and Farmer practice (FP) and two soil amendment regimes; neem leaf powder at 20 g stand-1 (NA20) and no neem amendment (NA0) were tested on one variety of yam (Dente). A 2 x 2 x 1 factorial study, mounted on a randomised complete block design in a split plot arrangement was conducted in four replications. Positive selection occupied main plots; while Farmer practice occupied sub-plots. The study was conducted in eight communities located in two municipalities of Ghana, during 2015-2017. Parameters evaluated included Yam Mosaic Virus incidence and severity, incidence and severity of nematode cracks and galling on yam tubers, plant establishment and yield of yam. It was observed that Yam Mosaic Virus (YMV) disease incidence decreased from 38% in 2016 to 31% in 2017 in PS plots as a result of using virus-free planting materials. However, in FP plots, it increased from 67% in 2016 to 72% in 2017. Neem leaf powder amendment resulted in significantly (P< 0.05) low tuber galling (7%) compared with 40% in unamended plots. Similarly, PS plots yielded 7.7 t ha-1 compared to 5.9 t ha-1 in FP fields. In conclusion, Positive selection out-yielded FP by 30.5%; while PS-neem leaf powder interaction resulted in 38.5% over and above FP without neem amendment. Key words: Dioscorea spp. , parasitic nematodes, yam mosaic
The Best that I Can Be: A Case for a Strengths-Based Approach during the First‑Year Experience

More South African research is needed that examines the application of positive psychology to assist students in navigating the stressful first‑year experience by identifying, developing and applying signature strengths. This article reports on a mixed methods study that investigated the efficacy of a strengths-based development programme presented to a sample of 55 first‑year university students (mean age = 19.77, SD = 1.50, female = 60%). Quantitative data were collected in a pre- and post-intervention manner using the Personal Growth Initiative Scale, the Subjective Happiness Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Strengths Use and Deficit Improvement Questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected in individual semi-structured interviews (n = 12, age range = 18‑22). Significant changes between the pre- and post‑test scores emerged when comparing the quantitative data. The qualitative analysis pointed to aspects that participants regarded as beneficial to the efficacy of the strengths-based programme. Collectively, the data integration suggested that the intervention had a positive impact on participants’ sense of well‑being and contributed to enhancing the first‑year experience. Limitations and areas for further research conclude the discussion.
Characteristics of Child Development in Okinawa; The Comparisons with Tokyo and Denver and the Implications for the Developmental, Screening.

Developmental differences in the Denver Developmental Screening Test items were demonstrated between the 615 Okinawa( Miyako and Yaeyama Islands) chi 1 dren and the 1171 Tokyo children. The children in Tokyo were generally advanced than those in Okinawa after one year of age, while the children in Okinawa demonstrated earlier development in the middle and late periods of the first year. There were also interesting differences between Okinawa and Denver. Okinawa children were initially slow in gross motor development. Denver children were markedly advanced in some of the language items. Ecological and socio-cultural factors which may contribute to these differences as well as the implications of these results for the developmental screening were discussed.
Learning vocabulary electronically: Does computer assisted language learning (CALL) instruction have any impacts on iranian efl learners?

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) on Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary learning. Furthermore, this study was an attempt to explore if there is any difference between the impact of CALL instruction on Iranian male and female EFL learners’ vocabulary learning. Therefore, 50 homogeneous male and female participants were selected. The instruments were the Quick Placement Test of Oxford University Press and University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, version 1 (2001) and two vocabulary achievement tests were administered as pre- and post-test. After the homogeneity test was employed, a pre-test was administered to participants of both groups. The experimental group underwent 12 sessions in six weeks of instruction using CALL. Finally, a post-test was given to both groups. Descriptive statistics, independents samples t-test, and paired samples t-test were run to find the effect of CALL instruction on Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary learning. The results of paired samples t-test between pre-test and post-test of both groups of the study showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group. The results also indicated that there was no significant difference between male and female learners’ vocabulary learning using CALL instruction.
Preference of Moving Toward Sustainability in Oil & Gas Mutual Funds: Evidence from a Financial Perspective

Since the need for increased awareness of sustainable energy is widely accepted, clean technology investments have experienced a steep rise. It is a widespread belief that sustainable investing did not generate higher returns compared to unsustainable investing. In this study, I investigate the relationship between financial performance and the movement toward sustainability in oil and gas mutual funds. Investors are reluctant to shift toward sustainability as they often worry about potential performance loss. This study provides empirical evidence on the impact of sustainability for oil and gas mutual fund financial performance for 7,166 unique mutual funds with monthly varying ESG ratings from 2016 to 2019. Employing a Carhart four-factor model with a sandwich variance estimator, the empirical results indicate significant evidence that it is financially attractive to move toward sustainability as an oil and gas mutual fund. I find that sustainability does not currently appear to be a drag on the performance of oil and gas mutual funds. Evidence suggests that recently sustainable oil and gas mutual funds tend to outperform oil and gas mutual funds.