Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low Inflation and Monetary Policy in the Euro Area

Inflation in the euro area has been falling since mid-2013, turned negative at the end of 2014 and remained below target thereafter. This paper employs a Bayesian VAR to quantify the contribution of a set of structural shocks, identified by means of sign restrictions, to inflation and economic activity. Shocks to oil supply do not tell the full story about the disinflation that started in 2013, as both aggregate demand and monetary policy shocks also played an important role. The lower bound to policy rates turned the European Central Bank (ECB) conventional monetary policy de facto contractionary. A country analysis confirms that the negative effects of oil supply and monetary policy shocks on inflation was widespread, albeit with different intensity across countries. The ECB unconventional measures since 2014 contributed to raising inflation and economic activity in all the countries. All in all, our analysis confirms the appropriateness of the ECB asset purchase programme. JEL Classification: C32, E31, E32, E52
Three‐dimensional structure and kinetic features of reconnection exhaust jets

The structure of exhaust jets produced by a magnetic reconnection source region of width ∼3 RE in the out‐of‐plane direction is investigated with 3‐D particle‐in‐cell simulations. The jet is found to separate into two segments, with the dawnward portion propagating ahead of, and expanding duskward in front of, the duskward one. In such conditions, an orbiting spacecraft would encounter repeated sharp Bz increases. Both segments exhibit east‐west structures on scales of a few ion inertia lengths. The narrow Jy current sheets that produce the sharp Bz increases are associated with electron flows. The ion temperature components Tixx and Tiyy display markedly different behaviors, with the former exhibiting maxima both downstream and, in some locations, upstream of the front, while the latter exhibits maxima along the y extended front. The maximum load factor E·J at the front is several times larger in 3‐D than in 2‐D, is concentrated in numerous sub‐ion‐scale enhancements, and includes a significant ion dissipation contribution.
Testing Effects of Climate Change in Crop Models

Climate change is projected to bring increased carbon dioxide, increased day and/or night temperature, altered rainfall amounts, frequency, and intensity, as well as extended growing seasons in many crop regions (IPCC, 2007). Simulation models for different crops can be used as strategic tools for evaluating the consequences of climate change on production for given regions, as well as evaluating shifts in species, sowing date, cultivars, irrigation, and fertility management practices for adapting to the effects of climate change. Prior to successful use of crop models as tools for strategic tests, it is important to know that the crop models are accurately parametrized and tested as to CO2 and temperature effects on growth and development. Most crop growth models include relationships that simulate sensitivities of photosynthesis, dry matter growth, reproductive processes and grain yield to rising CO2 and a range of temperatures; however, the testing and documentation of the quality of those relationships is not sufficient. Too often, model developers have accepted that past relationships are accurate, and insufficient effort has been made to improve or test those relationships relative to the latest scientific literature. In addition, some crop models may be too simple to fully reproduce interactions of climate change factors. In our opinion, the rigorous improvement of the climate change sensitivities of crop models has been supplanted by the demand for immediate use
Response to Interactive comments on “ Shallow water table effects on water , sediment and pesticide transport in vegetative filter strips : Part B . model coupling , application , factor importance and uncertainty

RC1M Vanclooster (Referee) Thank you very much for the careful review and edits to the initial submission. Below we address the comments raised on the initial submission and we have also revised the manuscript accordingly to accommodate these. Please note that we uploaded the revised manuscript as a supplement to these response comments. [RC1-#: Reviewer 1 comment #; AR-#: Authors response to comment #).
THE INTERRELATION OF WATER QUALITY, GILL PARASITES, AND GILL PATHOLOGY OF SOME FISHES FROM SOUTH BISCAYNE BAY, FLORIDA

This study investigated monogenetic trematode infestation of the gills and gill pathology of yellow­ fin mojarra, Gerres cinereWl (Gerreidae); gray snapper, LutjanWl griseWl (Lutjanidae); and timucu (needlefish), Strongylura timucu (Belonidae) in relation to water quality in south Biscayne Bay, Florida. Two habitats of the three species in the bay, one in the southeast and the other in the south­ west, differed in water quality whereas physical and environmental parameters were similar. The water in southwest Biscayne Bay contained.high amounts of aItlmonia, trace metals, and pesticides which were not present in the southeast bay. The gills of hosts from the habitat with inferior water quality were heavily infested with the Monogenea (Platyhelminthes) Neodiplectanumwenningeri (on G. cinereWl), AncyrocephalWlsp. (on L. griseWl), and AncyrocephalWlparvus (on S. timueu) and suffered from excessive mucus secretion, epithelial hyperplasia, fusion of gill lamellae, clubbing and fusion of filaments, and aneurisms. Only light infestations and little or no abnormal tissue changes were noted in fish from the area of good water quality. The findings led to the conclusion that the pollutants in the water acted as an irritant, stressing the fi$, and producing physical and physiological changes which reduced resistance to infestation by Monogenea. Manmade pollution of coastal waters of south­ east Florida has reached a critical level in the most populated areas, causing substantial envi­ ronmental degradation (Carter 1974) and the loss of valuable fishing grounds, and making some areas unsuitable for recreation. In recent years, the pollution of Biscayne Bay, Fla. (Fig. 1) has become a major issue. The shore of north Bis­ cayne Bay is bordered by Miami and Miami Beach, and lined by bulkheads. It receives a large amount of runoff water from the metropol­ itan areas (Waite 1976). Although the south­ western part of the bay still retains much of its natural shoreline and mangrove forests, it is broken by drainage canals intended to lower the water level in neighboring agricultural and ur­ ban areas. These canals therefore carry agricul­ tural, industrial, and urban wastes into that part of the bay (Waite 1976). The southeastern shore­ line of Biscayne Bay is formed by a chain of islands which is part of Biscayne National Park with no major direct sources of water pollution. The purpose of this study was to investigate if differences existed in the ectoparasite fauna and possible gill pathology in the same three species of fish living in southwest Biscayne Bay in the
Title Nonconvex Dynamic Economic Power Dispatch Problems Solution Using Hybrid Immune-Genetic Algorithm

The objective of dynamic economic dispatch (DED) problem is to determine the generation schedule of the committed generation units, which minimizes the total operating cost over a dispatch period, while satisfying a set of constraints. The effect of valve-points and prohibited operating zones (POZs) in the generating units’ cost functions makes the DED a highly nonlinear and non-convex optimization problem with multiple local minima. Considering the ramp-rate limits and transmission losses, makes the DED problem even more complicated. Hence, proposing an effective solution method for this optimization problem is of great interest. This paper presents a novel heuristic algorithm to solve DED problem of generating units, by employing hybrid immune genetic algorithm (IGA). To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, four test systems consisting differe nt number of generating units are studied. The valve-point effects, POZs and ramp-rate constraints along with transmission losses are also considered in simulation cases. The results obtained through the proposed method are compared with those reported in the literature. These results substantiate the applicability of the proposed method for solving the constrained DED problem with non-smooth cost functions.
Hydrocarbon evolution of the Bredasdorp Basin, offshore South Africa : from source to reservoir

This first comprehensive study of the petroleum geochemistry of the Bredasdorp Basin, and the adjacent Southern Outeniqua Basin, documents the characteristic large number of hydrocarbon shows and the four regionally distinctive marine source rocks. Detailed correlation of reservoired hydrocarbons with source rock bitumens shows that two source rocks have expelled oil in commercial quantities and two others have expelled commercial quantities of wet gas/condensate. In contrast with earlier studies which indicated that thermal 'gradualism' prevailed, this study indicates that the post-rift thermal history of the basin is very complex. Post-rift cool-down is punctuated by periods of rapidly increasing heat flow resulting in much of the maturation being localised in time. These periods of increased heating coincide with regional plate tectonism. The associated thermal uplift and downwarp effects govern the periods of trap formation and control the hydrocarbon migration direction. Migration distances of these hydrocarbons are described and show inter alia that oil migrates no more than -7-10 km but gas migrates regionally. Two regional episodes of meteoric water flushing reduce sandstone cementation in palaeo-highs forming potential reservoirs at specific times. The unusually low salinity of remnants of this water in some sandstones help characterise these two main migration conduits. A highly detailed hydrocarbon correlation scheme derived from gas, light oil and biomarker data has been established which differentiates products of the four active source rocks and helps characterise the oil-oil, oil-source and source-source pairs. It is evident from these correlations that two periods of migration and reservoiring occurred at 50-60 Ma and 0-10 Ma. As a result, source-reservoir plays which characterise certain areas of the basin as predominantly oil or gas prone can be described. These correlations also highlight areas where mixtures of hydrocarbons are common and where some of the early reservoired oil has been displaced to new locations, constituting potential new exploration plays. Source rocks for some of the analysed hydrocarbons have yet to be found and may not even have been drilled to date. One such source rock appears to be located in the Southern Outeniqua Basin, making that area a potential target for further exploration. This study resolved the common heritage of the source rocks and reservoir sandstones which form part of the Outeniqua(! ) petroleum system. The hydrocarbon volumes available to this system show that by world standards it is indeed significant.
ABORTIFACIENT ACTIVITY OF A MEDICINAL PLANT “MORINGA OLEIFERA” IN RATS

Dried powder of leaf extract of common Indian plant Moringa Oleifera of Moringaceae family was tested experimentally in albino rats in our laboratory for its antifertility activity. Cant per cent abortifacient activity was found when administered orally in aqueous solution at dose of 175 mg/kg body weight daily to Charles foster strain albino rats from days 5-10 post mated.
Epigenetic approaches to psychiatric disorders

Psychiatric diseases place a tremendous burden on affected individuals, their caregivers, and the health care system. Although evidence exists for a strong inherited component to many of these conditions, dedicated efforts to identify DNA sequence-based causes have not been exceptionally productive, and very few pharmacologic treatment options are clinically available. Many features of psychiatric diseases are consistent with an epigenetic dysregulation, such as discordance of monozygotic twins, late age of onset, parent-of-origin and sex effects, and fluctuating disease course. In recent years, experimental technologies have significantly advanced, permitting indepth studies of the epigenome and its role in maintenance of normal genomic functions, as well as disease etiopathogenesis. Here, we present an epigenetic explanation for many characteristics of psychiatric disease, review the current literature on the epigenetic mechanisms involved in major psychosis, Alzheimer's disease, and autism spectrum disorders, and describe some future directions in the field of psychiatric epigenomics.
Socio-environmental impacts of wind farms on the traditional communities of the western coast of Ceará, in the Brazilian Northeast

ABSTRACT Meireles, A.J. A, Gorayeb, A, Silva, D.R. F, Lima, G.S, 2013. Socio-environmental impacts of wind farms on the traditional communities of the western coast of Ceará, in the Brazilian Northeast The global expansion of wind power has resulted from the development of scientific research that aims to establish an energy network which minimizes the emission of pollutants derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. Ceará, in the Brazilian Northeast, has a considerable potential for the generation of environment-friendly power, due to the occurrence of strong winds on many parts of the coast and at higher elevations. Given this, the present study aimed to evaluate the socio-environmental damage caused by the installation of a wind farm on the coastal plain of the municipality of Camocim, on the western coast of the state, and to identify the consequences for the coastal environment and the traditional community of Xavier, which survives primarily on fishing, agriculture, and the extraction of natural resources. The study was based on the recognition and definition of the environmental components of the local landscapes, and the mapping of the community's territory, based on the social cartography approach. The study area is characterized by mangrove ecosystems, dune fields, interdunal lakes, fluvial-lacustrine coastal plains, and a sandy beach. The integration of these different environments underpins the traditional lifestyle of the local community, which is based primarily on the exploitation of natural resources. Given this, the community of Xavier, which is made up of 20 families, was affected directly by the installation and subsequent operation of the local wind farm (one of the largest in the Brazilian Northeast, with 50 wind turbines generating a maximum output of 104.4 MW, and approximately 135 km of transmission lines) through (1) the gratuitous occupation of a significant portion of the community's territory, (2) deforestation of fixed dunes, (3) the suppression of dunes by bulldozing, (4) burying of interdunal lakes, (5) disturbance of the margins of fluvial-lacustrine systems, (6) compaction and impermeabilization of the soil, and (7) artificial retention of mobile dunes. These findings indicate that the licensing of wind farms in the state ignores a set of socio-environmental principles. The results of this analysis indicate the need for a regional blueprint for the development of effective socio-environmental policies for the sustainable exploitation of the coastline of the Brazilian Northeast, and in particular for the definition of the sectors most appropriate for the installation of wind farms, such as the coastal plains, which have been classified as the alternative sites with the best potential, as long as effective licensing measures are implemented.
Use of the SF-36 quality of life scale to assess the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise on aging males who received transurethral prostate surgery

Purpose We used the Short Form (SF)-36® Health Survey scale to assess the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFE) on aging males who received transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P). Methods From April 2010 to December 2010, a total of 66 patients who underwent TUR-P were enrolled in this study. They were randomized into two groups (with 33 patients in each group) – an experimental group who performed postoperative PFE every day and a control group. Data, including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry study, and the SF-36 quality of life measure, were collected before the operation, and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the operation. We analyzed the differences between the two groups with respect to their IPSS scores, maximal urinary flow rate, residual urine amount, and life quality. Results A total of 61 patients (experimental group: 32 patients, and control group: 29 patients) completed this study. We found that at 12 weeks postop, patients who performed PFE every day had a better maximal urinary flow rate (16.41 ± 6.20 vs 12.41 ± 7.28 mL/min) (P = 0.026) compared with patients in the control group. The experimental group had a much greater decrease in IPSS score (P < 0.001). As for the SF-36 scale, the experimental group had higher scores than did the control group on both the physiological domain (54.86 vs 49.86) (P = 0.029) and the psychological domain (61.88 vs 52.69) (P = 0.005). However, there were no significant differences with respect to the postvoiding residual urine between the two groups (57.24 ± 52.95 vs 64.68 ± 50.63 mL) (P = 0.618). Conclusion Compared with the control group, patients who performed PFE for 12 weeks after TUR-P showed improvement in their maximal urinary flow rate and lower urinary tract symptoms, and had a better quality of life. The immediate initiation of PFE is suggested for patients who undergo TUR-P.
Zeolitic occurrences from Tertiary pyroclastic flows and related epiclastic deposits outcropping in northern Sardinia (Italy)

This study is part of research work aimed at identif ying zeolitic occurr ences of economic interest in Sardinia. The aim of the present work is to define genetic models for zeolite occ urring in Tertiary pyroclastic flows outcropping in northern Sardinia (Logudoro reg ion) . The sample area, covering about 1000 km2, includes the villages of Ozieri, Ploaghe, Ittire ddu , Chilivani, Mores and Bonorva. The most important volcanic formations, outcropping here, include the oldest manifestations (24-15 Ma) of Oligo-Miocene orogenic magmatism in Sardinia. Terti ary volcanics includ e poorly welded (ILP and IC) and welded (IS) ash and pumice flows; epicl astic (EV and EN) and base surge (BS) deposits are locally interbedded. Field research, devoted to lithostratigraph ic reconstruction of outcropping suit es, also showed numer ous degassing pipes inside ignimbritic rocks. Laboratory research ide ntif ied various rock components (matr ix, phenocrys ts, pumice and xenoliths) and modal analyses were also carried out near Bonorva. The distributive and textural features of secon dary mine ral s (zeol ite , smect ite , sil ica minerals and glaucon ite) were also examined. Microscopic (optical and SEM) data defined the following crystallization order: smectite => clinoptilolite => opal-CT => mordenite. The most common zeolitic variety is clinoptilolite,
Amoxicillin and amoxicillin plus clavulanate: a safety review

Despite the considerable number of newer antibacterials made available over the past decades, amoxicillin, alone or in combination with clavulanic acid, still accounts among the most widely used antibacterial agents. Although they are often considered ‘twin drugs’, they are different both in terms of antibacterial activities and of safety profile. It is well documented that the clavulanate component may cause adverse reactions by itself, thus exposing patients to further, and sometimes undue, risks. Although amoxicillin/clavulanate should be considered as an alternative agent only for the treatment of resistant bacteria, evidence shows that it is often used also when a narrow-spectrum antibiotic would have been just as effective. This prescription habit may have serious consequences in terms of patients' safety, as well as in terms of the development of bacterial resistance.
Climate variability and increase in intensity and magnitude of dengue incidence in Singapore

Introduction: Dengue is currently a major public health burden in Asia Pacific Region. This study aims to establish an association between dengue incidence, mean temperature and precipitation, and further discuss how weather predictors influence the increase in intensity and magnitude of dengue in Singapore during the period 2000–2007. Materials and methods: Weekly dengue incidence data, daily mean temperature and precipitation, and the midyear population data in Singapore during 2000–2007 were retrieved and analyzed. We employed a time series Poisson regression model including time factors such as time trends, lagged terms of weather predictors, considered autocorrelation, and accounted for changes in population size by offsetting. Results: The weekly mean temperature and cumulative precipitation were statistically significant related to the increases of dengue incidence in Singapore. Our findings showed that dengue incidence increased linearly at time lag of 5–16 and 5–20 weeks succeeding elevated temperature and precipitation, respectively. However, negative association occurred at lag week 17–20 with low weekly mean temperature as well as lag week 1–4 and 17–20 with low cumulative precipitation. Discussion: As Singapore experienced higher weekly mean temperature and cumulative precipitation in the years 2004–2007, our results signified hazardous impacts of climate factors on the increase in intensity and magnitude of dengue cases. The ongoing global climate change might potentially increase the burden of dengue fever infection in near future.
Milder winters in northern Scandinavia may contribute to larger outbreaks of haemorrhagic fever virus

The spread of zoonotic infectious diseases may increase due to climate factors such as temperature, humidity and precipitation. This is also true for hantaviruses, which are globally spread haemorrhagic fever viruses carried by rodents. Hantaviruses are frequently transmitted to humans all over the world and regarded as emerging viral diseases. Climate variations affect the rodent reservoir populations and rodent population peaks coincide with increased number of human cases of hantavirus infections. In northern Sweden, a form of haemorrhagic fever called nephropathia epidemica (NE), caused by the Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) is endemic and during 2006–2007 an unexpected, sudden and large outbreak of NE occurred in this region. The incidence was 313 cases/100,000 inhabitants in the most endemic areas, and from January through March 2007 the outbreak had a dramatic and sudden start with 474 cases in the endemic region alone. The PUUV rodent reservoir is bank voles and immediately before and during the peak of disease outbreak the affected regions experienced extreme climate conditions with a record-breaking warm winter, registering temperatures 6–9°C above normal. No protective snow cover was present before the outbreak and more bank voles than normal came in contact with humans inside or in close to human dwellings. These extreme climate conditions most probably affected the rodent reservoir and are important factors for the severity of the outbreak.
The Leverage Ratio and Liquidity in the Gilt and Repo Markets

Market participants have argued that a significant unintended consequence of post-crisis regulatory leverage ratio requirements has been a reduction in the liquidity of fixed income markets. We assess this claim in the context of the gilt (UK government bond) and gilt repo markets. We find that gilt repo liquidity worsened during the period when UK leverage ratio policy was announced, and that gilt liquidity worsened conditional on factors such as funding costs and inventory risk. We also find evidence that gilt repo liquidity has become less resilient. However, evidence from heterogeneity in dealer behaviour is inconclusive regarding a causal link between leverage ratio requirements and the reduction in market liquidity.