Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving the option pricing performance of GARCH models in inefficient market

Understanding the relation between option pricing and market efficiency is important. Indeed, emphasizing this relation generates new insights that are appropriate in practice. These insights give a better understanding of the current limitations of the option pricing and hedging methods. This article thus aims to improve the performance of the option pricing approach. To start, the relation between the option pricing methodology and the informational market efficiency was discussed. It is, therefore, useful, before proceeding to apply the standard risk-neutral approach, to check the efficiency assumption. New modified GARCH processes were used to model the dynamics of the asset returns in the option pricing framework. The new considered approaches allow describing the dynamic of returns when the market is inefficient. Using real data on CAC 40 index, the performance of different models as a function of maturity and moneyness was studied. The in-sample analysis, interested in the stability of the pricing models across time, showed that the new approach, developed under the affine GARCH process, is the most accurate. The study of the out-of-sample performance, which aims to evaluate the forecasting ability of different approaches, confirmed the results of the in-sample analysis. For the optional portfolio hedging, always the best hedging approach is that obtained under the affine GARCH model. After a regression study, it was found that the difference between theoretical and observed option values can be explained by factors, which are not taken into account in the proposed pricing formulae.
Direct oral anticoagulant plasma levels and thrombin generation on ST Genesia system

Monitoring of anticoagulant activity of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) can be necessary in special situations. DOAC plasma levels have a high inter‐ and intraindividual variation and do not necessarily reflect the coagulation status of the patient. Thrombin generation (TG) is a global hemostatic assay with the capacity to overcome this limitation. The aim of this study was to show correlations between DOAC plasma levels and TG parameters using the fully automated ST Genesia system.
Effect of metformin on fibrinolysis in type 2 diabetes mellitus: an explorative study

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a high incidence of vascular disease which can cause significant morbidity and mortality. The risk of cardiovascular mortality in T2DM patients is observed to be more compared to the age-matched subjects. This is attributed to depression of the fibrinolytic system which maintains patency of blood vessels. Endogenous inhibitors such as plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) inhibit the activation of plasminogen and thus prevent the degradation of fibrinogen. In T2DM there is increased levels of PAI-1. Such a state of altered fibrinolysis is attributed to insulin resistance. A previous study done at our institute demonstrated higher euglobulin lysis time (ELT) in T2DM patients than controls, suggesting altered fibrinolytic activity in the former group. D-dimer is a degradation product of fibrin. Its presence indicates a state of hypercoagulability. In a study by Nwose et al rise in D-dimer levels were observed in diabetics, especially with cardiovascular complications as compared to controls indicating D-dimer could be a useful marker for predicting the complications in T2DM.
Identification of possible Lynch syndrome in endometrial carcinomas at a public hospital in South Africa

Endometrial carcinomas are common malignancies worldwide. Microsatellite instability is often identified in endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EECs) and in most Lynch syndrome (LS) associated tumours. The authors aimed to identify the number of EECs at a South African public hospital, using the four-mismatch repair immunohistochemical stains, which may suggest possible LS, for the period 2009–2015. Following ethical clearance, 145 cases of archived EEC underwent immunohistochemical testing for MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. Cases demonstrating loss of MLH1 staining were subjected to EpiTYPER for quantitative methylation of the MLH1 promoter region using the Agena MassARRAY® platform. Forty-one (28.28%) cases showed complete loss of tumour nuclei staining for ≥ 1 immunohistochemical stains. Twenty cases (13.79%) showed loss of MLH1/PMS2, 16 cases (11.03%) demonstrated isolated MLH1 loss and one case (0.69%) showed loss of MLH1, PMS2 and MSH6. Two cases showed isolated MSH6 loss and 2 cases showed loss of MSH2 and MSH6. Thirty-seven (90.24%) of 41 mismatch repair-deficient cases showed MLH1 loss. Most (83.78%) of these showed promoter hypermethylation, suggesting a sporadic occurrence of carcinogenesis. The patients from whom the two cases with isolated MSH6 loss, two cases with MSH2/MSH6 loss, and the six cases whereby MLH1 was not explained by methylation should be identified and offered genetic counselling with a view to possible germline mutation assessment as these patients are suspected of having Lynch syndrome. Thus, this study demonstrates a possible 10/145 (6.90%) patients who may have LS and require further testing and suggests a need to screen possible LS patients in the South African population.
Effects of multiple disturbance processes on arboreal vertebrates in eastern Australia: implications for management

Habitat loss and invasive predators increasingly threaten global biodiversity. Here we use a landscape-scale experimental approach to explore the individual and synergistic effects of logging and an invasive predator, the red fox Vulpes vulpes on two common native arboreal vertebrates (a predator and prey species) in south-eastern Australia. We used site occupancy methods to evaluate different models evaluating the effects of site specific forest logging disturbance, lethal fox baiting and forest structural elements for explaining variation in site occupancy of a large monitor lizard Varanus varius, and a marsupial prey, the common ringtail possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus across a complex forest landscape. Site occupancy of ringtail possum was influenced by habitat resources and the structural complexity of forest, which indirectly mediated predation risk. Presence of fox baiting had no direct effect on the ringtail site occupancy. In contrast, access to prey resources and fox baiting appeared to best explain site occupancy variation in monitor lizards across the landscape. While these species are affected primarily by separate disturbances, synergistic interactions between the processes may intensify their effects. Our results demonstrate that species susceptibility to disturbance processes are highly idiosyncratic. This approach makes efficient use of integrated modelling to aid conservation management at both local and landscape levels.
Exploratory Assessment of a Company’s Due Diligence System against the EU Timber Regulation: A Case Study from Northwestern Russia

This study uses a company’s due diligence system (DDS) as an operational tool to ensure the origin of wood coming from northwestern Russia. The company exports a majority of its wood products to European Union (EU) countries, and its DDS consists of a statement of origin, geographical information, and field verification audits. Its DDS is assessed against the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR). Enforcement of the EUTR began in March 2013 and is compulsory for all companies importing wood-based material from outside the EU. The DDS must contain three key components: access to information on operator’s supply of timber or timber products placed on the market, a risk assessment, and a risk mitigation method. The workflow of the conformity assessment must include a literature review, statistical and field data collection, and further analysis of the requirements. Although enforcement of the EUTR began almost two years ago, there is little research on its implementation. This DDS system showed high functionality of its existing components corresponding with the general requirements of the standards developed by the Nature Ecology and People Consult (NepCon), a non-profit organization recognized as the monitoring organization by the European Commission. This wood origin system also meets the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification system, while maintaining full harmonization with the EUTR legislation. However, major obstacles persist in implementation of legislation by EU member states, in terms of interpretation of requirements, prosecutions and fines, and the role of third-party evidence.
Exfoliative Cytology in Vaginal Vestibule of Female Asian Elephants: Relation to Circulating Progesterone Concentrations

Abstract The estrous cycle of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) was monitored by analysis of exfoliative cytology in the vaginal vestibule and serum progesterone concentrations. Appearance frequency of each 5 exfoliative cells; parabasal, intermediate, superficial anuclear and nuclear cells and leukocytes; on the smear collected from two elephants was calculated, and serum progesterone concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Serum progesterone concentrations changed regularly with the cycle between 14 and 17 weeks. Using spectrum analysis (Yule-Walker method) to appearance frequency of exfoliative cells, it was found that the time when a superficial cell markedly appeared in vaginal vestibule corresponded to the time when serum progesterone concentration was almost negligible. It is suggested that the time when numbers of two kinds of superficial (anuclear and nuclear) cells and parabasal and intermediate cells increase to the smear of the elephant, means the period from proestrus to estrus and from metestrus to diestrus, respectively.
Factors Influencing The Greenhouse Gas Emission Disclosure on Manufacturing Firms in Indonesia

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission disclosure study is interesting to be investigated in recent years. Nevertheless, the results are still varying. This research investigated the influence of firm size, Return on Asset (ROA), leverage and environmental performance on GHG emission disclosures of listed manufacturing firms of Indonesia Stocks Exchange (IDX). Multiple regression methodology employed in this study. Sample used was 36 firms that consisted of manufacturing companies in the ranking of PROPER and IDX during 2015-2017. It was found that firm size and environmental performance had an effect on the GHG emission disclosure while ROA and leverage did not have effect. Furthermore, large companies tend to carry out information on GHG emissions disclosures voluntarily than the small one. It indicates that the ranking of PROPER motivated large firms to give information of GHG emission. This finding supported the previous studies in which firm size influenced the GHG emission disclosure.
Eficácia de atrativos alimentares na captura de moscas-das-frutas em pomar de citros

ABSTRACT ATTRACTIVENESS OF FOOD BAITS TO THE FRUIT FLIES IN CITRUS ORCHARD Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritoidea) are key pests in citrus production in the State of Sao Paulo,Brazil, mainly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) and Ceratitis capitata (Wied.). The objective of this study wasto evaluate food baits to monitor fruit fly population in citrus orchard. The experimental design usedwas randomized block, with five treatments and five replications. The experiment was set in 30 September,2003 and evaluated for nine weeks. The attractants tested were the hydrolysate proteins Bio Anastrepha,Isca Mosca and Aumax®, all diluted in 5% water, sugar cane syrup (7%) alone and added to natural orangejuice (10%). Weekly 400 mL aqueous attractants were used into plastic McPhail traps hunged within atree of ´Pera Rio‘ orange. At the time of sampling, flies were removed and conducted to the laboratoryfor counting, sexing and identification. It was captured 1,821 adults of Tephritoidea, from which 892 of
Recuperação e distribuição do nitrogênio fornecido a videiras jovens

The objective of this work was to estimate the recovery and the distribution of N supplied to young grapevines. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse at Embrapa Uva e Vinho, Bento Goncalves, RS, Southern Brazil. Cultivars used were Riesling Italico and Chardonnay grafted on rootstock 101-14 Mgt. One plant was cultivated in each vase containing 3.5 kg of Udorthent soil. The solution of ammonium sulphate with 2% atoms 15N, at the rate of 185.60 mg N, was applied on the soil surface after the transplantation of the grapevines. Plants were collected six times, during vegetative growth, and fractionated in leaves, rootstock + scion, thick roots and fine roots, and then oven-dried, weighted, and analyzed for total N and 15N contents. The largest N recovery of the fertilizer for the young grapevines ocurred in times near to the N supplying. The largest amount of N accumulated in the grapevines was derived from different forms of the N supplied. Leaves and roots were the largest compartment of total N and N fertilizer.
Entrainment of the Two-Peak Circadian Rhythm of Trigonoscelis gigas Reitter (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) with non-24-hr Zeitgebers

Circadian rhythms of locomotor activity of the desert beetles T.gigas were entrained with skeleton photoperiods (2x2 hr per circadian cycle 30 lx green LED light pulses). The Zeitgeber period was stepwise reduced by 1 hr down to 22 hr or increased up to 26 hr. Within the range of entrainment, the phase angle Ψ of a circadian rhythm with respect to light depends upon the period of Zeitgeber differently for the morning (M) and evening (E) peak: M is easier to advance, while E is easier to delay. Beyond the range of entrainment both peaks became free-running with some relative coordination. Masking (direct stimulation of activity by light) occurred only during the subjective night, and never in subjective day. In few cases one of two peaks became free-running while its counterpart remained entrained, suggesting that each of the two peaks has its own visual input and can be entrained by light. These results are in agreement with the difference in the PRC shape for the M and E peaks, and support the hypothesis.
A prospective study: role of prophylactic antibiotics versus no antibiotics in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Elective gallbladder surgery is the most common abdominal surgical procedure. Antibiotic prophylaxis is a common conduct in open cholecystectomy, but there is ambiguity about the use of prophylactic antibiotics in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Some surgeons suggest that the elimination of prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy increase the incidence of postoperative infective complications but not to a statistically significant degree. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of prophylactic antibiotics in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods: A total of 100 patients were included and they were randomized in 2 groups of 50 each. Group A was given prophylactic intravenously (IV) antibiotic within 1 hour before surgery and group B was not given any antibiotics. Results were compared and data analyzed statistically using chi-square and t test. Complications in both the groups were compared.Results: Rate of surgical site infections were 6% (n=3) and 4% (n=2) in group A and B respectively; and the difference between them was not found statistically significant. All infections which occurred in present study were superficial surgical site infection. There was no evidence of deep-seated infections and none of the patients developed distant infection. There was no derangement in any of the biochemical parameter in this study.Conclusions: We were not able to demonstrate any significant benefit from addition of prophylactic antibiotics in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
When Good Feelings Turn Mixed: Affective Dynamics and Big Five Trait Predictors of Mixed Emotions in Daily Life

In this study, we examine how daily life fluctuations in positive affect (PA) and negative afect (NA) relate to mixed emotions—that is, simultaneous positive and negative feelings. We utilised three experience sampling studies (total N = 275), in which participants reported their affect 10 times each day for up to 14 days. Because people generally experience fairly stable moderate levels of PA in daily life, we proposed that mixed emotions would typically occur when NA increases and overlaps with, but does not entirely eliminate, PA. Accordingly, within individuals, we found that mixed emotions in daily life were more strongly predicted by changes in NA and the occurrence of negative events than by changes in PA and positive events. At the between–person level, individuals with more variable NA, more stable PA, and higher trait Neuroticism scores experienced higher average levels of mixed emotions. Further, we found evidence that the average magnitude of NA increases may partially mediate the association between Neuroticism and mixed emotions. We also found that positive predictors of mixed emotions are negative predictors of individuals’ within–person PA/NA correlations—that is, affective synchrony. Our findings elucidate trait predictors and affective dynamics of daily life mixed emotions, which appear closely intertwined with NA variability. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology
Surface soil chemistry at an alpine procellariid breeding colony in New Zealand, and comparison with a lowland site

Abstract Procellariid seabirds occupied colonies on the pre‐human New Zealand mainland from the lowlands to alpine areas, but the effect of geographic environment on soil nutrient cycling has not been investigated. To facilitate qualitative predictions of seabird breeding effects on terrestrial ecology and biogeochemistry, we compared surface soil (0–15 cm) results from a Hutton's shearwater colony at 1230 m with a Westland petrel colony in lowland forest. Soil acidity, total C, total N, total Cd, and Cdexcess (the soil Cd which cannot be accounted for by parent material weathering) concentrations were all lower at the Hutton's shearwater colony despite higher burrow occupancy and density. Lower δ15N values and higher pH imply that guano was less nitrified in the soil before being lost. At both colonies, parent material contributed a large portion of total P and total Cd. Correlations between total N, Pexcessand Cdexcess with total C suggested that guano nutrient retention is driven by soil organic matter. We conclude that seabird colony location affected the cycling of seabird‐derived nutrients in pre‐human New Zealand.
Determination of essential oil compositions and antimicrobial activity of Achillea gypsicola Hub.-Mor. at different plant parts and phenological stages

ABSTRACT In this study, composition and antimicrobial effects of essential oils of Achillea gypsicola Hub. -Mor. root-stem, leaf, flower, flower head samples were evaluated periodically and daily. Major components of the essential oils were camphor, 1,8-cineol and borneol. Significant differences in camphor, 1,8-cineole and borneol ratios were determined depending on the phenological periods, plant parts and harvest time. The highest major component rates were detected in camphor obtained from root-stem samples harvested at full flowering period-1 pm, in 1,8-cineole obtained from flower head samples harvested before seed maturation stage, and in borneol obtained from root-stem samples harvested at pre-flowering stage-6 am. A total of 23 new compounds were first detected in A. gypsicola. When all plant parts are evaluated, it was determined that flower head samples harvested in the evening at seed maturation stage and leaf samples harvested in the evening at post flowering stage showed strong antimicrobial activities against microorganisms.
Prey selection by barn owls in relation to small-mammal community and population structure in a Sahelian agro-ecosystem

Barn owl pellet content was studied on seven occasions over a 2-y period during which terrestrial small-mammal populations were assessed via a capture-mark-recapture (CMR) programme in a Sahelian agro-ecosystem of the Inner Delta of Niger River in Mali. Rodents (especially Mastomys huberti representing 78.5% of the total number of prey) were the major prey of the barn owl on all but one occasion, when bats were dominant. This exception coincided with the period of lowest abundance of M. huberti at the study site. Distribution of M. huberti prey into four age classes was assessed through analysis of tooth wear in remains from the seasonal pellet samples. Comparisons with age structure of the CMR population indicate that the barn owl tended to prey on smaller-than-average (thus younger) individuals, especially when these are rare in the population (non-reproductive period between June and October). The spectrum of prey consumed is compared with data previously reported in Sahelian Africa, showing for the first time in this region a major shift in prey choice by the barn owl when its preferred prey becomes rare. At the rodent population level, the apparent choice of younger M. huberti prey at some periods is interpreted in the light of our knowledge on population dynamics of the species in this habitat.
Measurement and analysis of clothes dryer air leakage

Abstract Clothes dryer appliances are sold globally in the tens of millions each year. Both vented and ventless types are common and are heated by combustion, electric resistance, or electric heat pumps. In the dyer air path, segments can be defined between components such as the drum, blower, filter, screens or grills, and heat exchangers (where applicable). In this work, a technique was developed to experimentally measure air leakage into and from the segments of a clothes dryer. Detailed leakage measurements were taken on two vented and one ventless residential clothes dryer. The measurements were quantified as a leakage flow coefficient for each segment. For two dryers (one vented and one ventless), these flow coefficients were combined with in situ operating pressure measurements to determine leakage flow rates for each segment. For these two units under normal operation with air pressures within 0.5 kPa (50 mm water column) of ambient pressure, volumetric system air leakage was found to be about 20–60% of the blower airflow. Furthermore, a quasi–steady state psychrometric analysis was conducted on vented dryers with negatively pressurized drums. The analysis revealed that leakage quantity, location, and direction are essential to achieving an acceptable energy balance and accurate modeling results for a vented heat pump clothes dryer but are of limited significance for vented electric resistance clothes dryers.
Observations on the population dynamics and vertical distribution of trichodorid nematodes in a Scottish forest nursery

SUMMARY The population dynamics of Trichodorus primitivus, T. velatus and Paratrichodorus pachydermus was followed between April 1974 and March 1977 in a forest nursery growing young Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) trees. Soil samples taken at 10 cm intervals between 0–50 cm indicated that nematode and root distribution were not correlated and numbers of T. velatus were greatest between 0–29 cm and T. primitivus between 30–49 cm. After 3 yr trichodorid numbers between 0–19 cm had increased and those between 40–49 cm had decreased. The sex ratio of T. primitivus and T. velatus males to females was 1:1.6 and 1:1.5 respectively while for P. pachydermus it was 1:1.0. The ratios of adults to larvae varied with depth, the proportion of T. primitivus and T. velatus larvae increasing with depth but for P. pachydermus the greatest larval to adult ratio was in the top 10 cm. No consistent seasonal fluctuations were observed in the populations of all three species although larval numbers were proportionally greater than adult numbers in the summer and autumn of 1975 and 1976.