Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Optimal Mean-Variance Portfolio Selection with a 3/2 Stochastic Volatility

This paper considers a mean-variance portfolio selection problem when the stock price has a 3/2 stochastic volatility in a complete market. Specifically, we assume that the stock price and the volatility are perfectly negative correlated. By applying a backward stochastic differential equation (BSDE) approach, closed-form expressions for the statically optimal (time-inconsistent) strategy and the value function are derived. Due to time-inconsistency of mean variance criterion, a dynamic formulation of the problem is presented. We obtain the dynamically optimal (time-consistent) strategy explicitly, which is shown to keep the wealth process strictly below the target (expected terminal wealth) before the terminal time. Finally, we provide numerical studies to show the impact of main model parameters on the efficient frontier and illustrate the differences between the two optimal wealth processes.
Antimalarial Effect of the Root of Silene macrosolen A. Rich (Caryophyllaceae) on Plasmodium-berghei-Infected Mice

Background Malaria remains a major public health problem globally. Poor access to antimalarial drugs compounded with rapidly evolving drug resistance encourages researchers to continuously look for new drugs. Of importance, traditionally used medicines of plant origin are the highest priority as the ethnobotanical claim can be used as an important clue for its safety and efficacy profiles. Silene macrosolen A. Rich (Caryophyllaceae) has been traditionally used for malaria treatment in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the in vivo antimalarial activity of the plant against Plasmodium-berghei-infected (ANKA strain) Swiss albino mice. Methods The dried powdered root of Silene macrosolen was extracted using 80% methanol. The crude extract was fractionated using chloroform, ethyl acetate, and distilled water that have different affinities to plant phytoconstituents. The in vivo antimalarial activities of the crude extract were evaluated using 4-day suppressive, prophylactic, and curative tests. The antimalarial activity of the solvent fractions was evaluated in a 4-day suppressive test. The oral acute toxicity of the crude extract was also determined according to the OECD guidelines. Results The percentage of parasite suppression on the crude extract was 31.02%, 35.82%, and 39.23% in prophylactic, curative, and 4-day suppressive tests, respectively, at the tested dose level of 400 mg/kg. The percentages of chemosuppression of the solvent fractions (400 mg/kg) were 43.07%, 42.61%, and 38.38% in aqueous, ethyl acetate, and chloroform fractions, respectively. Both the crude extract and solvent fractions also significantly prolonged survival time except in the prophylactic test. In addition, prevention of weight loss and reduction in temperature and packed cell volume (PCV) were observed in crude extract as well as solvent fractions. The acute toxicity test of the plant extract also exhibited no sign of toxicity. Conclusion The result indicated that Silene macrosolen has a significant antimalarial activity, justifying the traditional use of the plant material for treatment of malaria.
Design and Development of a Near Isotropic Printed Arc Antenna for Direction of Arrival (DoA) Applications

This research presents an easy to fabricate isotropic printed arc antenna element to be used for direction of arrival (DoA) arrays. The proposed antenna exhibits a total gain variation of 0.5 dB over the entire sphere for 40 MHz impedance bandwidth at 1 GHz, which is the best design isotropy reported in literature so far. In addition, the isotropic bandwidth of the antenna for total gain variation of ≤3 dB is 225 MHz with 86% efficiency. The isotropic wire antenna is first designed and simulated in Numerical Electromagnetic code (NEC). An equivalent printed antenna is then simulated in CST, where single (short circuited) stub is integrated with the antenna for input matching and the results of NEC simulations are verified. The planar antenna is then manufactured using FR4 substrate for measurements. Good agreement between the measured and simulated results is observed, however the total gain variation is increased to 2 dB for the fabricated antenna. This is because of the unavoidable field scattering from the antenna substrate, the feed cables, and the antenna testing platform.
Security Framework for IoT Based Real-Time Health Applications

The amazing fusion of the internet of things (IoT) into traditional health monitoring systems has produced remarkable advances in the field of e-health. Different wireless body area network devices and sensors are providing real-time health monitoring services. As the number of IoT devices is rapidly booming, technological and security challenges are also rising day by day. The data generated from sensor-based devices need confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, and end-to-end security for safe communication over the public network. IoT-based health monitoring systems work in a layered manner, comprising a perception layer, a network layer, and an application layer. Each layer has some security, and privacy concerns that need to be addressed accordingly. A lot of research has been conducted to resolve these security issues in different domains of IoT. Several frameworks for the security of IoT-based e-health systems have also been developed. This paper introduces a security framework for real-time health monitoring systems to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity by using two common IoT protocols, namely constrained application protocol (CoAP) and message query telemetry transports (MQTT). This security framework aims to defend sensor data against the security loopholes while it is continuously transmitting over the layers and uses hypertext transfer protocols (HTTPs) for this purpose. As a result, it shields from the breach with a very low ratio of risk. The methodology of this paper focuses on how the security framework of IoT-based real-time health systems is protected under the tiers of CoAP and HTTPs. CoAP works alongside HTTPs and is responsible for providing end-to-end security solutions.
Intact selective attention supports context memory in adults with autism spectrum disorder

Research on memory in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) finds increased difficulty encoding contextual associations in episodic memory and suggests executive dysfunction and deficient metacognitive monitoring as potential contributing factors. Using an aging framework, we tested the effects of selective attention on context memory in ASD. We evaluated memory performance, hyper-binding, and metamemory performance in a novel context memory task. Results showed that adults with ASD performed similarly to typically developed adults on all measures. We conclude that context memory performance is not disrupted in adults with ASD, even when demands on selective attention are high, and discuss the need for continued research to evaluate well-known neurotypical aging effects on episodic memory and further investigate the metacognitive profile in ASD.
The Effect of Perceptions: Instructor–Student Dynamics in the Spanish Heritage Classroom

The rising population of heritage speakers (HS) in university courses in the US has increased the need for instructors who understand the linguistic, social, and cultural profiles of their students. Recent research has discussed the need for specialized courses and their differentiation from second-language (L2) classes, as well as the intersection between HS and language attitudes. However, prior studies have not examined HS students’ language attitudes toward the sociolinguistic background of the instructors and their effect on classroom interactions. Therefore, this study explores HS students’ overall language attitudes and perceptions of their instructors’ sociolinguistic background. In a survey, HS university students (N = 92) across the US assessed four instructor profiles along five dimensions. Results showed that students rated more favorably instructors born and raised in Latin America, followed by those from Spain. Furthermore, HS favored these two profiles over HS or L2 profiles as their course instructors. However, preferences were less marked in the online context. These findings demonstrate that to design supportive learning spaces with—rather than for—HS students, programs must first acknowledge how classroom dynamics are shaped by the perspectives brought into the learning space and by the context of the learning space itself.
The Price Determinants of Contingent Convertible Bonds

Abstract The relationships between contingent convertible (CoCo) bonds and their underlying equities, credit default swap spreads (CDS), interest rates, implied volatilities and foreign exchange rates are studied. Starting with the dynamic correlation of the DCC-GARCH method, it is found that CoCo bonds are most highly correlated to CDS. By constructing the minimum spanning tree of the resulting correlations, the primary link to CDS is confirmed. Implied volatility is found to be a secondary to tertiary link, alternating in importance with equities. Interest rates and FX have little impact.
Assessment of bioclimatic sensitive spatial planning in a Turkish city, Eskisehir

The city of Eskişehir is located in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey, where harsh continental climatic characteristics are prevalent i.e. cold winters and hot summers. Quality and quantity of research studies on bioclimatic comfort or outdoor thermal environment as a subject have long been increasing all over the world and in Turkey in recent years (for nearly 20 years). Outdoor bioclimatic comfort conditions, which are counted to be among the human quality of life indicators in an urban environment together with other physical, social and economic ones such as air quality, GDP, social activity possibilities, help cities make urban spaces more livable and are now used as a concrete value instead of mean values of some climatic elements in order to give an idea about the climatic conditions of a city. It was aimed in the present research study to determine 1) hourly bioclimatic comfort conditions in Eskişehir city center during sultry summer days considering bioclimatic comfort values calculated according to the 12-year data obtained between 2007 and 2018 from the meteorological stations representing urban (U; Regional Meteorology Administration Station surrounded by a densely structured area), semiurban (SU; Anadolu University Meteorology Station) and rural (R; Eskişehir Airport Meteorology Station) areas using physiological equivalent temperature index (PET) and RayMan software in the hottest months of the year (between May and September; 5 months), 2) spatial distribution of these comfort values in decades (ten – day intervals) using Geographic Information Systems (GIS; ArcGIS 10.1 software program and raster maps taking into consideration elevation and land use and 3) what urban design and planning principles might be adopted against the adverse thermal comfort conditions triggered by urban heat island (UHI) effect. It was seen as a result of the study that the poorest comfort conditions are provided in urban area (U; the sultriest area) while the rural area (R) is the most advantageous one for the comfort conditions. New bioclimate – sensitive urban design principles were taken into consideration to create bioclimatically more comfortable areas i.e. out of heat stress, windier and less humid sites open to prevalent wind direction.
The Involvement of Students’ Parents in Organizing the Learning from Home at Elementary Schools in Tomohon City

Fulfilling the rights of students to get educational services during the spread of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) is pursued through the implementation of Learning from Home policy. Parental involvement has a crucial influence on students’ involvement. This study aims to analyze and explain the involvement of students’ parents in implementation of learning from home in elementary schools in Tomohon City. This study applies a qualitative approach, case study methods, data collection techniques in the form of interviews, observation, and documentation as well as qualitative data analysis techniques adapted from interaction models. The results showed that the parents of students were very actively involved, especially from the mother's side, the forms of involvement were physical and non-physical, and there was personal communication between parents and teachers. In addition, a lack of readiness, cost, time, and teaching knowledge from students’ parents identified as an inhibiting factor which is overcome by providing opportunities for involvement, interpersonal communication and coordination and provision of incentives. Conclusions and suggestions for future research related to the importance of examining the parental involvement process of students are also presented at the end of the chapter.
Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in stent-assisted coil embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms

Background Dual antiplatelet therapy is widely used for stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE) for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) to prevent thromboembolic events (TEs). Compared to clopidogrel associated with aspirin, knowledge of the safety and efficacy of ticagrelor is lacking in large studies to date. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2016 to December 2018 with at least one year of follow-up in a single institution and systemic review. Results Altogether, 153 patients with UIA receiving SACE were separated into two groups: 113 patients receiving clopidogrel plus aspirin and 40 patients receiving ticagrelor plus aspirin. Acute in-stent thrombotic events were noted in two patients in the clopidogrel group (1.77%) and none in the ticagrelor group (0%). Additionally, one patient (0.88%) in the clopidogrel group had an early ischemic stroke (<3 months). Delayed ischemic stroke was noted in 6 patients (5.31%) in the clopidogrel group and 3 patients (7.50%) in the ticagrelor group. There were no major hemorrhagic events in either group. The two groups showed no significant differences with regard to ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke. Conclusion Compared to the clopidogrel based regimen, ticagrelor can also reduce TEs without increasing bleeding tendency for SACE of UIAs. Ticagrelor combined with low-dose aspirin is a safe and effective alternative option for SACE.
A Measure of Tourist Responsibility

In a post-pandemic context, destinations are questioning mass tourism, and are focusing on more sustainable segments, looking for more responsible tourists. This requires obtaining relevant information to assess what kind of tourists visit the destination and, at the same time, to monitor changes in tourists’ behavior and attitudes. This study aims to respond to this challenge by creating a measure to assess the tourist’s responsibility. Using a scale development method, a sequential mixed-method approach is conducted to identify scale dimensions and items. An initial qualitative approach is implemented for item generation using focus group and face-to-face interviews. Then, a second study based on a survey is conducted for exploratory factor analysis. A third study, also based on a survey is performed to obtain a new sample for confirmatory factor analysis. Findings show two dimensions: civic responsibility and philanthropic responsibility, allowing an understanding of how tourists can act responsibly in destinations without compromising the ecological footprint on the planet. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Benzoic Acid Based Beverages: Health Implications

Soft drinks nowadays are becoming an important part of the modern diet consumed in many communities worldwide and are available in the market virtually in the same form almost anywhere around the globe. Additives such as antioxidants and preservatives are usually added to soft drinks to increase their shelf life. Several acids such as benzoic and ascorbic acid are used in beverages to prevent oxidation and degradation of matrix. Literature documented that combination of these preservatives in soft drinks results in benzene formation. Moreover, benzene has long been reported to inflict many public health problems. This review elucidated different health consequences such as hematological, neurological, reproductive and carcinogenic effects of exposure to benzene. Liver and kidney derangements were also reported from different epidemiological and experimental studies. Therefore, we suggest that combination of ascorbic acid and benzoic acid in beverages should be avoided by small scale and industrial manufactures. A closer monitoring of these preservatives in beverages by regulatory agencies is highly needed.
Genetic Resources and Diversity among Sheep Breeds of Asia and Europe

Sheep has been domesticated southwestern Asia for about 8000-9000 years ago and represented one of earliest livestock species. Ancestor relationship can be investigated through mtDNA data. There are many genetic markers to determine the relationship between and among the sheep breeds. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms are basic technique and have less variability and many restrictions as compared to Random amplification of polymorphic DNA. Due to specific amplification of Amplified fragment length polymorphisms it is more suitable than Restriction fragment length polymorphisms and Random amplification of polymorphic DNA. Microsatellites are widely used technique for the determination of genetic diversity. This technique provides information about the classification and characterization of sheep breeds. However this technique cannot provides information on breed functional traits. On the basis of mtDNA analysis haplotypes groups differ in sequences by any extent of Ovis species. Haplotype A and B are two of most important haplotype groups. Haplotype A carries Asiatic mouflon (Ovis orientalis) while Haplotype B carries European mouflon (Ovis musimon). Actually Haplotype A and B are both found in Asia while Haplotype B only dominates in Europe so sheep descent from one or more Asiatic mouflon. Haplotype C also found in Turkey, Portugal, Caucasus and China while Haplotype D present in Karachai sheep from Caucasian. Haplotype E which is very rare and found only in Turkey.
Preferences for coastal adaptation to climate change: evidence from a choice experiment

ABSTRACT Climate change adaptation is essential for coastal areas. This paper adds to the limited evidence on the trade-offs people are willing to make concerning coastal adaptation strategies along an entire coast of a state (Baltic Sea coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). The trade-offs are conceptualised in a choice experiment in terms of six attributes: the extent of beach nourishment, dyke heightening, cliff protection, access to dunes, realignment of dykes and dunes, and cost in terms of a coastal protection levy. The attributes were selected and designed in close cooperation, among others, with governmental decision-makers. Accounting for preference heterogeneity, we identified three latent groups among the participants of a nationwide online survey in Germany. Respondents who prefer extensive changes, respondents who are willing to pay only for an increase in dyke height, and respondents who are unwilling to cover additional expenses for adaptation. The aggregated welfare measures indicate that an adaptation scenario Recreation ranks highest followed by Safety and Nature. However, the scenarios do not represent unequivocal alternatives and provide essential insights into peoples’ preferences not only to policymakers and the administration in the case study region.
Monitoring Urban Expansion and Urban Green Spaces Change in Addis Ababa: Directional and Zonal Analysis Integrated with Landscape Expansion Index

Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is urbanizing very fast. This study aimed to assess urban expansion and Urban Green Spaces (UGS) change in the city from 1989 to 2019. Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) and Landscape Expansion Index (LEI) were used to extract Land Use Land Cover (LULC) data, measure urban expansion and UGS change and analyze urban growth pattern in inner zone, outer zone and eight quadrants. The results showed that urban area in the inner zone increased from 3712 ha to 3716 ha (0.1%), and from 3716 ha to 3874 ha (4.2%) and in the first (1989–1999) and second periods (1999–2009), while it decreased from 3874 ha to 3733 ha (3.6%) in the third period (2009–2019), portraying a non-unidirectional trend of change. Conversely, the UGS in the inner zone decreased from 60 ha to 54 ha (10%), and from 54 ha to 38 ha (29.6%) in the first and second periods, while it increased from 38 ha to 53 ha (39.4%) in the third period, reporting spatial tradeoff between the two land cover types. Meanwhile, urban areas in the outer zone increased from 10,729 ha to 15,112 ha (40%), from 15,112 ha to 21,377 ha (41.4%) and from 21,377 ha to 28,176 ha (31.8%) in the first, second and third periods, respectively, representing frontiers of suburbanization. On the other hand, the UGS in the outer zone decreased from 3624 ha to 3171 ha, from 3127 ha to 2555 ha and from 2555 ha to 1879 ha, with an annual rate of decline of 1.25%, 1.8% and 2.6%, respectively, showing increasing trend of UGS destruction for urban construction. Furthermore, the LEI analysis result showed that urban expansion pattern demonstrated largely an outlying growth characterized by differentiation and isolation of patches, whereas the infill and edge expansion pattern were insignificant and fluctuated over 30 years. Furthermore, the directional analysis showed that urban area predominately expanded in SEE,> SSE,> SSW,> SWW,> and NEE directions with varying magnitude in the first, second and third period, but decreased in third period in NWW, < NNW< and NNE directions. In response to such urban growth pattern, the center of gravity of urban area shifted from north to south during the study period, displaying main direction urbanization in recent years. Conclusively, zonal and directional studies are more effective in characterizing the Spatio-temporal dynamics variabilities of urban expansion and UGS change for informed urban planning towards sustainable urban development.
Desmodium tortuosum, Euphorbia heterophylla and Moringa oleifera Effect on Local Rabbit Does Milk Production and Pups’ Performances

Desmodium tortuosum and Euphorbia heterophylla are fields’ weeds. Moringa oleifera plant is adapted to several agroecological zones and has many food and medicinal virtues. This work assessed these three plants potential to induce milk production. Thus, 96 primiparous local breed rabbit does, 10 months old, with an average 2983.6±212.4 g weight were used. They were grouped into 4 blocks containing 24 animals each. Then, one diet among 4 diets was randomly assigned to each group. Panicum maximum as fodder was mixed with a commercial pellet rabbit feed, the control (Pan). Then, this control diet was supplemented with Desmodium tortuosum (Des), Euphorbia heterophylla (Eup) and Moringa oleifera (Mor) in pellet partial substitution. The parameters monitored were the litter size, the pups’ average daily weight gain, the does’ weights before and during gestation, and after farrowing. Likewise, the milk production at peak lactation was evaluated. As a result, compare to Pan, Des, and Eup diets improved the total rabbit pups’ number from 96 to 112, and it represented a 16.67% gain. But Mor diet reduced Pan diet performance to 76 newborn rabbits, it was a 20.83% loss. Moreover, Des, Eup, and Mor diets induced an improvement in the milk quantity at peak lactation. In this order, these improvements were +15.51, +27.74, and +19.98%, respectively, compared to Pan diet which produced 109.6 g. In conclusion, Desmodium tortuosum and Euphorbia heterophylla could be used as green forages to improve milk production in local rabbit does breeding.