Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market Volatility of the Three Most Powerful Military Countries during Their Intervention in the Syrian War

This paper analyzes the volatility dynamics in the financial markets of the (three) most powerful countries from a military perspective, namely, the U.S., Russia, and China, during the period 2015–2018 that corresponds to their intervention in the Syrian war. As far as we know, there is no literature studying this topic during such an important distress period, which has had very serious economic, social, and humanitarian consequences. The Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH (1, 1)) model yielded the best volatility results for the in-sample period. The weighted historical simulation produced an accurate value at risk (VaR) for a period of one month at the three considered confidence levels. For the out-of-sample period, the Monte Carlo simulation method, based on student t-copula and peaks-over-threshold (POT) extreme value theory (EVT) under the Gaussian kernel and the generalized Pareto (GP) distribution, overstated the risk for the three countries. The comparison of the POT-EVT VaR of the three countries to a portfolio of stock indices pertaining to non-military countries, namely Finland, Sweden, and Ecuador, for the same out-of-sample period, revealed that the intervention in the Syrian war may be one of the pertinent reasons that significantly affected the volatility of the stock markets of the three most powerful military countries. This paper is of great interest for policy makers, central bank leaders, participants involved in these markets, and all practitioners given the economic and financial consequences derived from such dynamics.
Millennials’ Intention to Use Self-Checkout Technology in Different Fashion Retail Formats: Perceived Benefits and Risks

With an increase in automation, fashion retailers started to offer a self-checkout option in their stores to meet diverse consumers’ demand. Self-checkout technology has great potential to enhance the shopping experience of millennials, who increasingly dominate the market with increasing buying power, placing convenience as their top priority in the shopping process. However, despite the potential, it is unclear what drives and inhibits millennials to use self-checkout in the fashion retail context. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine millennials’ intention to use self-checkout in the fashion retail environment with regard to their perceptions of benefits and risks. Data were collected from 352 millennials through an online survey. Perceived benefits and risks identified in this study are the key antecedents of the intention to use self-checkout in the fashion retail stores. Also, individuals who have a low need for human interaction are more likely to use self-checkout.
Seasonal differences in courtship feeding rates of male common terns

Courtship feeding rates by male common terns (Sterna hirundo) nesting late in the 1982 breeding season were markedly lower than those of peak nesters in that year. In 1983, however, there were no differences in courtship feeding rates between peak and late nesters. Both groups of males in 1983 fed females at similar rates before the first eggs were laid, and both rates declined after the second eggs were laid. Larger fish were fed to the females later in the season. Late nesting males adjusted their feeding rates to the size of fish delivered; males feeding larger fish fed them at a lower rate than males feeding smaller fish. There was no difference in the weights of three-egg clutches laid by peak and late nesting females, and there was no correlation between courtship feeding rate and clutch weight. As all females were apparently able to obtain sufficient nutrition to provision their eggs adequately, I suggest that 1983 was an unusually favourable food year at Port Colborne. This view accepts courtship .
Bone histology of the ribs of the archaeocetes (Mammalia: Cetacea)

ABSTRACT Histological study of the ribs in two archaeocetes, Basilosaurus cetoides and Zygorhiza kochii, reveals conspicuous pachyostosis, with hyperostosis of periosteal cortices and absence of a free medullary cavity. In addition, abundant remains of calcified cartilage matrix, associated with extensive globular ossification, exist within the medulla. Among Cetacea, these features seem to be unique to the archaeocetes. Conversely, the structural peculiarities of bone in these animals are identical to those of the Sirenia and would arise from similar causes: inhibition of the chondroclastic and endosteal osteoclastic resorptions, and prolongation of subperiosteal osteogenesis during ontogeny, exemplifying morphological adaptation to aquatic life via heterochrony. The possible hormonal mechanisms of these features, as also their supposed adaptive consequences for the buoyancy of the archaeocetes, are discussed in relation to data already available for the Sirenia.
The life cycle of hepatitis B virus and antiviral targets

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major public health issue with more than 350 million people chronically infected worldwide. Therapies using IFN-α or nucleos(†)ide analogs, which are currently approved for the treatment of chronic HBV infection, have failed to completely eliminate the virus. By describing the HBV life cycle, this article focuses on potential HBV targets and recent advances in the development of alternative antiviral strategies to fight chronic HBV infection. The targets that are currently under investigation to develop inhibitors are viral entry, circular covalently closed DNA formation and its regulation, nucleocapsid assembly and viral morphogenesis, as well as the innate response of infected cells against HBV infection. Other steps in the viral life cycle are potential targets; however, the development of novel antivirals remains challenging. The development of new HBV inhibitors represents a major advance in the field of antiviral therapy, to prevent antiviral drug resistance and to .
On the phantom-like appearance of bilingualism effects on neurocognition: (How) should we proceed?

Abstract Numerous studies have argued that bilingualism has effects on cognitive functions. Recently, in light of increasingly mixed empirical results, this claim has been challenged. One might ponder if there is enough evidence to justify a cessation to future research on the topic or, alternatively, how the field could proceed to better understand the phantom-like appearance of bilingual effects. Herein, we attempt to frame this appearance at the crossroads of several factors such as the heterogeneity of the term ‘bilingual’, sample size effects, task effects, and the complex dynamics between an early publication bias that favours positive results and the subsequent Proteus phenomenon. We conclude that any definitive claim on the topic is premature and that research must continue, albeit in a modified way. To this effect, we offer a path forward for future multi-lab work that should provide clearer answers to whether bilingualism has neurocognitive effects, and if so, under what conditions.
Localization of the Ca2+‐dependent proteinases and their inhibitor in normal, fasted, and denervated rat skeletal muscle

Immunofluorescence and immunogold localization studies show that the two Ca2+‐dependent proteinases (μ‐calpain for the micromolar Ca2+‐requiring proteinase and m‐calpain for the millimolar Ca2+‐requiring proteinase) and their protein inhibitor (calpastatin) are located exclusively intracellularly in normal rat soleus muscle. Quantitative immunogold studies indicate that binding of antibodies to both calpains and to calpastatin is approximately two times greater at the Z‐disk of myofibrils than it is at the I‐band or A‐band regions. Mitochondria and nuclei in muscle cells contain both calpains and calpastatin at concentrations approximately one‐tenth and one‐fifth, respectively, of the concentration at the Z‐disk, as estimated by antibody binding. Very little calpain or calpastatin was seen in the cytoplasmic intermyofibrillar spaces, and most of the calpain and calpastatin in muscle cells is associated with intracellular structures. Immunofluorescence results suggest that concentration of m‐calpain but not μ‐calpain or calpastatin is, in some instances, slightly higher near the intracellular surface of the plasma membrane than elsewhere in the muscle cell. Most m‐calpain, however, is distributed throughout the interior of mature rat skeletal muscle cells. Denervation, or fasting and refeeding increases the concentration of the calpains and calpastatin in the muscle cell but does not change their distribution. Some μ‐and m‐calpain and calpastatin is found extracellularly in denervated soleus muscle or soleus muscle from fasting rats, but the extracellular calparns and calpastatin seem to originate from “leakage” of these proteins out of the cell because serum creatine kinase levels are much higher than normal in denervated or fasting rats.
A new classification of the polyphyletic genus Centaurium hill (Chironiinae, Gentianaceae): description of the new world endemic Zeltnera, and reinstatement of Gyrandra Griseb. and Schenkia Griseb.

This paper provides a practical taxonomic treatment of the polyphyletic genus Centaurium Hill. This new classification defines monophyletic groups and thus reflects the phylogenetic relationships within the subtribe Chironiinae (Gentianaceae). For this purpose, the establishment of a new genus, Zeltnera, along with the reinstatement of Gyrandra Griseb. and Schenkia Griseb. , results in numerous new species combinations, a more restrictive circumscription of Centaurium Hill, and novel generic delimitations within Chironiinae. Fifteen genera are recognized, encompassing ca. 108 species. The new genus Zeltnera comprises 25 species mainly confined to California, Mexico, and Texas. Gyrandra is a small genus with three species restricted to some areas of Mexico (G. chironioides, G. pterocaulis and G. tenuifolia) and two species widespread in Central America (G. brachycalyx and G. pauciflora). Schenkia comprises five species: S. spicata is broadly distributed in Eurasia and north Africa, S. australis, S. clementii, and S. japonica are confined to Australia and the Pacific region, while S. sebaeoides is a rare and endangered Hawaiian endemic. Finally, the genus Centaurium s.s. consists of ca. 20 species of primarily Mediterranean distribution.
Weighted Lorentz-Sobolev estimates for fully nonlinear elliptic equations under relaxed convexity assumptions with oblique boundary conditions

In this work, we develop weighted Lorentz-Sobolev estimates for viscosity solutions of fully nonlinear elliptic equations under weakened convexity conditions and with oblique derivative boundary conditions under suitable assumptions about the data. Furthermore, we obtain Lorentz-Sobolev estimates for solutions to the obstacle problem and other important applications.
How do conflict narratives shape conflict- and peace-related outcomes among majority group members? The role of competitive victimhood in intractable conflicts

Previous research in the Turkish–Kurdish conflict context highlighted two opposing conflict narratives: (a) a terrorism narrative and (b) an independence narrative. In this article, we argue that these narratives are relevant to protracted and asymmetrical intergroup conflict (e.g., independence struggles), and therefore have consequences for conflict- and peace-related outcomes regardless of conflict contexts. We tested this generalizability hypothesis in parallel studies in the context of Turkish–Kurdish (Study 1) and Israeli–Palestinian relations (Study 2) among majority group members (Turks and Jewish Israelis, respectively). We also investigated competitive victimhood as a potential mediating variable in the relationship between conflict narratives on the one side and support for non-violent conflict resolution, forgiveness, and support for aggressive policies on the other, in parallel studies with the two aforementioned contexts. We argue that the terrorism narrative is essentially a negation of the narrative of the other group, and the independence narrative is a consideration of that narrative; therefore, competitive victimhood would be lower/higher when the narrative of the other is acknowledged/denied. Results point to the crucial relationship between endorsing conflict narratives and conflict- and peace-related outcomes through competitive victimhood, and to the possibility that these conflict narratives may show some similarities across different conflict contexts.
Assessment of Fat Reserves Adequacy in the First Migrant Silver American Eels of a Large‐Scale Stocking Experiment

AbstractAn experimental stocking program in the St. Lawrence River–Lake Ontario system provided a unique opportunity to compare reproductive fitness of migrant silver American Eels Anguilla rostrata from the stocking program (SM) and wild migrants (WM), both of which were grown in the same location. Body size, muscle lipid stores, oocyte development, and morphometric indices of silvering were compared between SM and WM eels captured in the St. Lawrence River estuary. Migrant eels from the stocking program were smaller than wild migrants from the estuary, but their size was similar to migrating wild silver American Eels from their site of original capture on the Atlantic coast of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. A bioenergetic model was used to estimate the costs of migration and reproduction and the duration of migration. The adequacy of the measured lipid reserves to meet these estimated energetic costs was assessed for SM and WM eels. Gonad maturation and stage of silvering for SM eels were less advanced .
Exercise-Induced Hemodynamic Changes in Muscle Tissue: Implication of Muscle Fatigue

This research aims to investigate the development of muscle fatigue and the recovery process revealed by tissue oxygenation. The tissue hemodynamics were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during a 30-min pre-exercise rest, a 40-cycle heel-lift exercise and a 30-min post-exercise recovery. Wavelet transform was used to obtain the normalized wavelet energy in six frequency intervals (I–VI) and inverse wavelet transform was applied to extract exercise-induced oscillations from the hemodynamic signals. During the exercise phase, the contraction-related oscillations in the total hemoglobin signal (ΔtHb) showed a decreasing trend while the fluctuations in the tissue oxygenation index (TOI) displayed an increasing tendency. The mean TOI value was significantly higher (p < 0.001) under recovery (65.04% ± 2.90%) than that under rest (62.35% ± 3.05%). The normalized wavelet energy of the ΔtHb signal in frequency intervals I (p < 0.001), II (p < 0.05), III (p < 0.05) and IV (p < 0.01) significantly increased by 43.4%, 23.6%, 18.4% and 21.6% during the recovery than that during the pre-exercise rest, while the value in interval VI (p < 0.05) significantly decreased by 16.6%. It could be concluded that NIRS-derived hemodynamic signals can provide valuable information related to muscle fatigue and recovery.
Passengers’ comfort in horizontal curves on mountain roads: a field study using lateral accelerations

Passengers’ comfort in horizontal curves on mountain roads: A field study using lateral accelerations Comodidad de pasajeros en curvas horizontales en caminos montañosos: Estudio de campo usando aceleraciones laterales Yasmany D. García-Ramírez1*Diego Aguilar-Cárdenas1 1Ingeniería Civil, Departamento de Geología y Minas e Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja. San Cayetano Alto, Calle París. C. P. 110107. Loja, Ecuador.
Solitary living and extraterritorial movements of wolves in relation to social status and prey abundance

This study examines three factors encouraging wolf (Canis lupus) dispersal: prey abundnance, age of the animals, and their sex. Factors are related to the frequency at which wolves (n = 54) dissociated from their packs and (or) engaged in extraterritorial movements. From December to April, radio-collared pup, yearling, and adult pack members were observed alone in 28, 57, and 21% of the observations, respectively. A low prey base did not increase solitary living or excursion frequency of pups, did increase both traits in yearlings, and increased only solitary living among adults. Yearling and adult females were dissociated from their packs more frequently than males. Yearling females travelled more frequently outside their territories than did yearling males. On average, pup, yearling, and adult individuals made 1.1, 3.0, and 1.0 extraterritorial excursions per year, respectively. Such movements, mostly in winter, are interpreted as predispersal forays (failed dispersal), but also as an immediate action t.
Innervation of the foregut of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae and inhibition of spontaneous contractile activity by callatostatin neuropeptides

Abstract. The innervation of the gut of the cockroach Leucophaea madera (F.) has been studied by means of wholemount immunocytochemistry with antisera raised against Leu‐callatostatin, a cockroach allatostatin homologue identified from neuropeptide isolation and gene studies in the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria. Leu‐callatostatin‐imunoreactive neurones in the brain, with axon trajectories in the stomatogastric nervous system, innervate the foregut and midgut. Neurones in the last abdominal ganglion supply the hindgut and the midgut via the proctodeal nerve. In addition to a rich callatostatin‐immunoreactive nerve supply, the midgut, including the midgut caeca, contain numerous callatostatin‐immunoreactive endocrine cells. Physiological studies show that the spontaneous contractile activities of the foregut, but not the hindgut, are inhibited by callatostatin neuropeptides. Leu‐callatostatin 3 was the most potent of the range of Leu‐and Met‐callatostatins tested, with a dose‐dependent response between 10‐13 and 10‐7 M. This is similar to the results obtained with the previously identified myoinhibitory peptide of L. maderae, leucomyosuppressin. However, this peptide, with a different type of structure to the allatostatins, inhibits both foregut and hindgut motility equally. Experiments with a series of analogues of the Met‐callatostatins showed that the free acid (as opposed to the carboxyamidated peptide) and N‐terminally truncated peptides were inactive. These morphological and physiological results are thought to be representative of the, as yet unidentified, naturally occurring allatostatin homologues of L. maderae. This family of peptides should be added to the increasing list of insect gut myoinhibitory substances.
Trends in food consumption of schoolchildren from 2nd to 5th grade: a panel data analysis

Objective To identify trends in food consumption among schoolchildren (2nd-5th grades) from public schools in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil, in a period of three years. Methods Three cross-sectional surveys were carried out in 2013 (n=1,942), 2014 (n=1,989) and 2015 (n=2,418). Dietary intake data were obtained using the Web-Based Food Intake and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren questionnaire. Food items were aggregated to eight food groups. Kruskal-Wallis heterogeneity and trend tests were used to analyze the differences and trends among the mean intake frequency of food groups.
Emergence, Echolocation, Diet and Foraging Behavior of Molossus ater (Chiroptera: Molossidae) 1

Between 4 and 16 January 1996, during a period of cool weather, we studied the emergence and foraging behavior of Molossus ater at a site near Akumal, in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The bats, a colony of at least 32 individuals, roosted in a north‐facing cinder block wall, and emerged about sunset. Emerging bats were usually clustered in time, while those returning usually were not. Radio‐tracking revealed that the bats foraged for short periods (mean 26.8 min) and captures of returning individuals indicated that 27 of 28 had fed, taking, on average, 4.4 g of insects, mainly hydrophilid beetles. On some nights, few or none of the radio‐tagged bats emerged from the roost. Calculations concerning the costs of flight and roosting show that they were more than covered by the energy intake the bats achieved. Molossus ater have high aspect ratio (8.3–9.1) wings and high wing‐loadings of 17.55–24.15 N/m2. When searching for prey, these bats produce long (12.3 ms), narrowband(3.8 kHz), echolocation calls that sweep from 27.6–23.8 kHz. Energy was not limiting for these bats at the time of our study.
The role of behavioural ecology of damselflies in the use of fluctuating asymmetry as a bioindicator of water pollution

1. Fluctuating asymmetry has been used widely to investigate questions concerned with evolution and behaviour, and to study the effects of environmental pollution. Damselflies have been used to answer questions in both fields, but no attempt has been made to combine the knowledge from these areas to investigate whether and how evolutionary ecology and behaviour interfere with the use of fluctuating asymmetry as a bioindicator of water pollution.
Oviposition Preference and Larval Performance of the Western Spruce Budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract Many preference and performance studies have been done on latent species of insect herbivores, but few studies have examined whether eruptive species exhibit preferences for oviposition sites that affect larval survival. We used choice experiments to test whether female moths of an eruptive species (the western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman) exhibited oviposition preferences for needle age class, for age of host trees, and for host vigor among individuals of one species, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. We also evaluated oviposition preferences among three common host species (Douglas-fir, white fir, Abies concolor Lindl., and Engelmann spruce, Picea engelmannii Parry). Females laid more egg masses on older branches (45–60 yr old) than on younger branches (10–15 yr old) of Douglas-fir trees. Also, proportionately more eggs were laid on branches from white fir than on branches from Douglas-fir or Engelmann spruce. There were no differences in the distribution of egg masses when females were offered a choice between 1- and 4-yr-old Douglas-fir needles or between long and short shoots of Douglas-fir. These general patterns were obtained across two generations. However, there were no differences in viability of the F1 or F2 egg masses or weights of F1 female pupae (i.e., fecundity) among treatments for any experiment. Consequently, although female moths of this eruptive species appeared to use foliar cues to determine oviposition sites, we could not link these preferences to any effects on offspring performance because performance did not vary. This contrasts with the tight linkages between preference and performance documented for many latent species.
Study on the Chloride Threshold and Risk Assessment of Rebar Corrosion in Simulated Concrete Pore Solutions under Applied Potential

The pitting corrosion behavior of HRB400 steel in various simulated concrete environments was investigated by the combination of polarization curves and statistical method. The results indicated that the chloride concentration threshold ([Cl−]th) for pitting of the steel was greatly affected by pH when the applied potential exists, which is always caused by random stray current. The interaction of applied potential and chloride concentration on the pitting behavior was discussed. Finally, pitting-risk-evaluation diagrams were built up, which could be easily used to assess the pitting risk of reinforcing bars under the chloride-containing environment with stray current.