Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling illiquid volatility skews

Most markets trade liquidly in options on the market index, in fact they often trade at a wide range of strike levels. Thus, using the Black-Scholes model, we can obtain the implied volatilities at the various strike levels, forming the associated implied volatility skew of the respective market under consideration. This, however, is not always feasible when it comes to the individual stocks within the market, as single stock options trade a lot less frequently. This dissertation makes use of data from the Eurozone, in particular we consider the Euro Stoxx 50 market index and its underlying constituents. Options written on the Euro Stoxx 50 and its constituents are highly liquid, and volatility skews are obtained for the market as well as for most of the single stocks within the market. I then artificially created 3 cases of illiquid markets, each with increasing degrees of sparseness mimicking various possible realities. Using principal component analysis, this dissertation aims to find an appropriate model for relating the volatility skew of the index to that of single stocks within the market in order to fill gaps in the data of the skews of the individual stocks. Results indicate that simpler models perform similarly in all scenarios of sparseness whereas the performance of more complex models decrease as the data becomes sparser. This indicates that basic relationships can be formed between the index and single stocks in cases with relatively low levels of trade in the market but more accurate estimates are more difficult to achieve. However, if we use the skew data, as is, as an input to the models, their performance remains by and far the same using the full data set and using monthly information. This is encouraging, as it means we can fill gaps in the individual stocks’ skew data with as good a fit as if we modeled with a full set of data.
Ageing bodies and the space they call home

Within the population of ̳older adults‘ there is more diversity than in any other user group. Yet, generalised assumptions still exist about their capabilities, needs, and technology use. This paper briefly outlines existing research into designing technology for (older) users and suggests that the built environment can, and should, serve as the canvas for new technologies that support the sociophysical interactions of ageing bodies. Innovations coming from the fields of tangible interaction and interactive architecture have the opportunity to consider the whole environment in which such bodies reside. Rather than devising specific technologies for older users, this paper suggests focusing on the incorporation of flexible, mainstream technologies, into adaptable, intelligent homes, which support the autonomy of older adults. The challenges of such an endeavour are discussed as the grounding for future research into sociophysical technology that supports older users.
Employing Spatial Metrics in Urban Land-use/Land-cover Mapping: Comparing the Getis and Geary Indices AAG REMOTE SENSING SPECIALITY GROUP 2007 AWARD WINNER 1

We examine the potential of supplementing per-pixel classifiers with the Getis index (Gi) in comparison to the Geary’s C on a subset of Ikonos imagery for urban land-use and landcover classification. The test is pertinent considering that the Gi is generally considered more capable of identifying clusters of points with similar attributes. We quantify the impact of varying distance thresholds on the classification product and demonstrate how well the Gi identified cold and hot spots in comparison to Geary’s C. The exercise also provides a rule of thumb for effectively measuring spatial association in connection to adjacency. We are able to support existing literature that measuring local variability improves classification over spectral information alone. The results, however, neither confirm nor deny the challenge on whether measuring cold and hot spots rather than just spatial association improves classification accuracy.
A Web Usability Evaluation Model for Higher Education Providing Universities of Asia

There are many advantages in using the web as a learning medium. Out of these, some of the most important are that students are able to find their required data efficiently and according to their individual rhythm; time is not wasted as students use it as they want. However, it is not an easy task to accomplish this all even sometimes it can lead to frustration. There is a need to design usable educational website, where the students can participate in educational activities. We realise that often our students go to the sites but they leave because they do not manage to find what they are searching for. An informational web structure, proper page layout, easy navigation and accessibility features provide the comfort to students and they feel pleasant when interacting with the academic websites. This study is a reflection on a usability evaluation of educational websites for the subject of modeling web usability guidelines for educational websites. This paper investigates usability of higher educational websites in Asia. First, an online Google application survey form was designed using Google Forms and used for the evaluation of web usability and student response. After a thorough analysis, a concise model was designed to evaluate the usability of educational websites called "Web Usability Evaluation Model" (WUEM). We evaluated ten top-ranking engineering universities in Asia against the features listed in the WUEM. The evaluation analysis shows that the academic websites are partly usable in their informational structure, navigation and also weak in accessibility. The evaluation shows a detailed structural description of what needs to be improved in these websites to enhance their usability. The proposed WUEM helps in an effective and easy evaluation of websites by the web developers. The research will help academic web developers to enhance the usability of their websites by considering such simple features listed in WUEM.
Reproductive performance of Propylea japonica (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under various light intensities, wavelengths and photoperiods

Cocccinellid beetles are largely diurnal species that are known to utilize visual cues in foraging and reproduction and to respond in specific ways to various light conditions. The present study evaluated the mating behavior and reproductive performance of Propylea japonica (Thunberg), a species indigenous to Asia, under various conditions of light intensity, photoperiod, and wavelength. Video-recording was used to continuously observe mating pairs for 24 h and a night vision system was employed to record nocturnal activity. Subsequently, males were removed and eggs were collected from females for 10 days and held under the same photic condi- tions to determine their fertility. The frequency and duration of copula varied among photic regimes in all experiments and tended to be negatively correlated, but more copulations occurred in photophase than in scotophase. White light at 1500 lux yielded higher egg pro- duction when compared to other light intensities, but egg fertility was higher at lower light intensities and highest in complete darkness, a result inferred to reflect egg sensitivity to light. Both fecundity and fertility were greater when 1500 lux white light was provided in a 16L : 8D photoperiod compared to shorter days. Green light yielded the highest net fertility compared to other wavelengths. A scheme is proposed to optimize photic conditions for reproductive adults of P. japonica and their eggs in colonies mass-reared for biological control applications.
Pictorial Reading Strategy and the Learning of Proverbs and Riddles among Primary School Pupils

The study investigated into the effect of pictorial reading strategy on the learning of proverbs and riddles with view to elucidating the need to uphold making children to be well- grounded in their first language. The study adopted quasi- experimental pre-test-post-test design. Three intact classes of Primary Six pupils were assigned to two experimental and one control groups. The treatment took a period of six weeks. Data were subjected to inferential statistics of Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA). The results showed a significant effect with the pre-test level,(F(2, 164) = . 837;p> 0.05) and the post-test,(F(1,164)=12.668; p<0.05; R
Resource guarding by Ptomascopus morio: Simple parental care in the Nicrophorinae (Coleoptera: Silphidae)

Nicrophorine beetles use small vertebrate carrion for breeding resource. While Nicrophorus spp. have highly developed biparental care, no form of parental care is recorded for Ptomascopus spp. We examined two effects of resource guarding by Ptomascopus morio. The presence of parents, especially the female, reduced the number of fly larvae on chicken carrion. Parents also enhanced the survival of brood faced with predation by the rove beetle, Ontholestes gracilis. In 6 out of 20 trials, the rove beetle predators were killed by Ptomascopus morio parents. We conclude that Ptomascopus morio has a simple, and possibly primitive form of parental care.
Long term validation of high precision RTK positioning onboard a ferry vessel using the MGBAS in the Research Port of Rostock

In order to enable port operations, which require an accuracy of about 10cm, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) operates the Maritime Ground Based Augmentation Service (MGBAS) in the Research Port of Rostock. The MGBAS reference station provides GPS dual frequency code and phase correction data, which are continuously transmitted via an ultra-high frequency (UHF) modem. Up to now the validation of the MGBAS was rather limited. Either a second shore based station was used as an artificial user, or measurement campaigns on a vessel with duration of a few hours have been conducted. In order to overcome this, we have installed three separate dual frequency antennas and receivers and a UHF modem on the Stena Line ferry vessel Mecklenburg Vorpommern which is plying between Rostock and Trelleborg. This paper concentrates on the analysis of the highly accurate phase based positioning with a Real Time Kinematic (RTK) algorithm, using correction data received by the UHF modem onboard the vessel. We analyzed the availability and accuracy of RTK fix solutions for several days, whenever the ferry vessel was inside the service area of the MGBAS.
Comparative Analysis of Nepeta Crispa Essential Oil Composition in Flowering and Vegetative Stages

Objective: growth stage is one of important factors in component of essential oil, both from quantity and quality aspects. Nepeta crispa (Lamiaceae) with "Mofarrah" as local name is one of endemic plants with several traditional uses in Iran. It’s aerial parts are used to prepare infusions and beverages for use as sedative, relaxant, carminative, tonic for respiratory and nervous disorders. Evaluation of the essential oil pattern in two above mentioned growth stages was the aim of this study. Methods: Aerial parts of plant in both stages of growth were dried, powdered and essential oils were isolated by Clevenger type apparatus. Obtained essential oils were injected to GC/MS. Results: In vegetative stage 32 constituents were identified which the main components were: 1,8-cineol (43.8%), α-Terpineol(11.03%), 4aα,7α,7aα-Nepetalactone (10.36%), δ-Terpineol(4.95), α-Bisabolene (4.55), 4aα,7β,7aα-Nepetalactone (3.67) and 4-Terpineol (3.65) and in flowering stage, 31 compounds were identified while, 1,8-Cineole (44.25%), 4aα,7α,7aα-Nepetalactone (24.72%), α-Terpineol (6.3%), δ-Terpineol (2.99) had the major amounts. Conclusion: these results present that the N. crispa essential oil in two growth stages were different both of content and presence of compounds.
Context-aware content-centric collaborative workflow management for mobile devices

The paper examines mobile context-aware contentcentric workflows. With the proliferation of mobile devices, distributed collaborative teams can communicate, share content and remain productive while working out of the office. The collaboration process can be enhanced, more dynamic and efficient by using a workflow management technology that responds to collaborators' requirements, supports coordination of a teamwork and is adapted for context-aware content manipulation. This paper discusses context awareness and proposes to extend the existing collaborative workflow approach by a context-aware content lifecycle in order to make workflow processes more adaptive to collaboration needs.
Dynamic Assessment in Combination with Video Interaction Guidance in Preschool Education.

Dynamic assessment represents an alternative diagnostic approach focused on the revelation of the tested persons’ learning potential. The learning potential is observed via the emphasis on the achievement process. It aims at meaningful connection with the intervention that immediately applies diagnostic findings to support the development of an individual’s abilities. This article summarizes essential information about the mentioned diagnostic trend and investigates possibilities of its utilization in a combination with the method of video interaction guidance (VIG). The pilot-study evaluating this combination of dynamic assessment and VIG has been conducted in three stages. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used, although the nature of the study is mostly qualitative. The study verifies the utility and advantages of the dynamic assessment-based method for preschool preparation in kindergartens. Moreover, the paper identifies effective instructions and styles of communication supporting cognitive development.
How do secondary school students write poetry? How creative writing processes relate to final products

Do different creative writing processes lead to qualitatively different writing products? In this study we examined how Dutch speaking secondary school students (16-years old, 11 grade) wrote two poems. Students’ on line writing processes were recorded by a keystroke logging program: Inputlog. Text production, pausing, and several types of revision activities were coded. Each poem was holistically rated for quality by seven judges. Next, we examined the relationship between students’ writing processes and the quality of their final text. We found that relatively much text production in the beginning of the writing process and relatively many high level revisions towards the end of the writing process, influenced the final text positively. Pausing and other types of revision were negatively related to the text quality, at least in some of the phases of the writing process.
Improving dengue virus diagnosis in rural areas of Mexico.

Evaluation of an “in-house system” for the diagnosis of dengue infection by detection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies showed that 25 out of 34 (73.53%) serum samples were positive for IgM antibodies; 6 (17.64%) were positive for IgG and 3 (8.8%) were negative for both IgM and IgG anti-DENV antibodies. Ten samples from “non-symptomatic” people were all negative. In order to evaluate the anti-DENV ELISA, 20 serum samples obtained from healthy individuals from a non-endemic region (Mexico City) and 20 serum samples previously classified as positive were tested. All 20 samples from healthy individuals proved to be negative for both IgM and IgG anti-DENV antibodies, whereas not all positive samples resulted as positive in our assay.
43 - 47 Mohamad Arif Mohamad Jamali.pmd

Social wasps (Vespidae) display a wide range of diversity in their ecology and social organisation, providing insights into the origins of simple societies and the elaboration and maintenance of complex societies. Social wasps play an important role in our ecosystems and economies, for example, through their pollination and pest control services. Compared with other social insects (e.g. ants, termites and bees), the social wasps are understudied. The social subfamilies within the Vespidae namely Stenogastrinae, Polistinae and Vespinae occurred together only in the oriental region. Cladistic analysis of behavioral data showed that Stenogastrinae have been grouped together with the social Polistinae and Vespinae in the family of Vespidae. However, it has been reported that Stenogastrinae are more closely related to the solitary wasps; Eumeninae than to the other social subfamilies, based on their morphological characters. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the subfamily in the social vespid wasps (Stenogastrinae, Polistinae, and Vespinae) based on CO1 mitochondrial DNA. Construction of phylogenetic tree shows a monophyletic clade between subfamily of Vespinae and Polistinae and subfamily of Stenogastrinae have been group as the sister clade to other social wasps.
Optimisation of Coagulation Process with SIWW is Coagulant for Colour and COD Removal of Acid Dye Effluent Using Central Composite Design Experiment

Central composite rotatable design experiment is used to study the effect of coagulation process for acid dye effluents and to optimise the variables such as dye concentration, coagulant dosage and initial pH, which influence the efficiency of colour and COD removal of dye effluents. The steel industrial wastewater (SIWW) FeCl3 rich is used for this study as an original coagulant to remove the acid red 14 dye solutions. A model has been obtained among decolourization, COD reduction and relevant parameters by means of variance analysis and obtained model was optimized. The efficiencies of decolourization and COD reduction for acid dye solution were accomplished at optimum conditions as 98% and 94%, respectively.
Efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive­-behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression in adults, children and adolescents: A meta­-analysis

Abstract: This meta-­analysis examined the effect of transdiagnostic cognitive­-behavioral therapy (T­-CBT) in adults, children, and adolescents with emotional disorders, exploring the effects of possible moderator variables on efficacy. In contrast with previous reviews, only studies employing transdiagnostic theory­-based protocols were included. A total of 48 studies reporting on 6291 participants were identified. Treatment efficacy was examined using a random effects model and taking into account pre­- and post­-treatment data. Results within the adult population showed large overall effect sizes on anxiety (randomized con­trolled trials [RCTs]: g = 0.80; Uncontrolled studies: g = 1.02) and depression (RCTs: g = 0.72; Uncontrolled studies: g = 1.08) that were stable at follow up. Preliminary analysis with children and adolescents showed medium effect sizes on anxiety ( g = 0.45) and depression ( g = 0.50). No significant differences between T­-CBT and disorder­-specific CBT were found. Overall, results support the efficacy of T­-CBT for emotional disorders. Resumen: Eficacia de la terapia cognitivo conductual transdiagnostica en el tratamiento de la ansiedad y la depresion en adultos, ninos y adolescentes: Un meta-analisis. El presente meta­-analisis examina el efecto de la terapia cognitivo conductual transdiagnostica (TCC­-T) en adultos, ninos y adolescentes con trastornos emocionales, explorando los efectos de posibles variables moderadoras en su eficacia. A diferencia de los meta­-analisis previos, solo se incluyeron los estudios que emplearon protocolos basados explicitamente en el enfoque transdiagnostico. Se identificaron 48 estudios que informaron sobre 6291 participantes. La eficacia del tratamiento se examino utilizando un modelo de efectos aleatorios y teniendo en cuenta los datos pre y post­-tratamiento. Los resultados sobre poblacion adulta muestran tamanos del efecto elevados para la ansiedad (ensayos controlados aleatorizados [ECAs]: g = 0.80; Estudios no controlados: g = 1.02) y la depresion (ECAs: g = 0.72; Estudios no controlados: g = 1.08), que permanecieron esta­bles durante el seguimiento. El analisis preliminar con poblacion de ninos y adolescentes mostro tamanos del efecto medios en ansiedad ( g = 0.45) y depresion ( g = 0.50). No encontramos diferencias significativas entre la TCC­-T y la TCC para trastornos especificos. En general, los resultados apoyan la eficacia de la TCC­-T para los trastornos emocionales.
Comparison of Lipoxygenase, Cyclooxygenase, Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Effects and Cytotoxic Activities of Selected Flavonoids

This study aimed to evaluate and compare lipoxygenase (LOX), cyclooxygenase (COX), xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory effects and cytotoxic activities of selected flavonoids in vitro. The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities had been investigated using ultraviolet spectrophotometry, MTT assay, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry. The results showed that luteolin, luteoloside and quercetin exhibited better inhibition on XOD and LOX enzymes. In addition, all the selected flavonoid glycosides showed no significant cytotoxicity, but diosmetin, luteolin, apigenin and quercetin expressed significant cell toxicity. Meanwhile, these four flavonoids also showed better inhibition on COX-2 mRNA expression and apoptosis-inducing effect. In conclusion, this study suggests that these anti-tumor flavonoids possess anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, which are associated with their direct inhibition of XO and LOX activities and down-regulation of COX-2 transcription.
Five-Wheeled Wheelchair with an Add-On Mechanism and Its Semiautomatic Step-Climbing and -Descending Function

In this chapter, we propose a novel add-on electric drive system for propelling a manual wheelchair on the floor together with an advanced function to climb and descend a step with no human support. The proposed add-on mechanism consists of an active-caster drive wheel and a reconfigurable link mechanism with a linear actuator to change the location of the drive wheel relative to a wheelchair. By attaching the mechanism to a man- ual wheelchair, we build a five-wheeled wheelchair. Since the drive wheel is attached on the back of the wheelchair, a risk of falling to the back is significantly reduced. To surmount a step with no help, we develop a step-climbing and -descending strategy by using the proposed wheelchair with a reconfigurable link mechanism. The five-wheel configuration guarantees a static stability of the wheelchair when some wheels are hovered from the ground. The function is used in step-climbing and -descending strategies to realize the transfer of a wheelchair user. In order to reduce the effort of a wheelchair user to control the complicated step surmount strategies, semiautomatic system is installed on the prototype wheelchair whose availability is verified through experiments.
Detection of Hevea brasilensis clones yield potential and susceptibility to tapping panel dryness in Côte d’Ivoire using the 32 and 35 KDa lutoidic proteins

This study was carried out to identify protein markers with yield potential and susceptibility to tapping panel dryness (TPD). To achieve this goal, 11 clones, stimulated and non stimulated, yield and susceptibility to TPD were compared. Their lutoid fraction polypeptides were analysed using one and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Susceptibility to TPD appeared as a clonal trait which is not related to yield potential. TPD can occur either in stimulated or non stimulated clones but, overstimulation increase TPD symptoms. Clones PB 235, PB 260 and IRCA 130 are highly susceptible to TPD, whereas IRCA 41, PB 217, AF 261, AVROS 2037 and GT 1 are less susceptible. Productive and less susceptible clones to TPD are characterized by abundant quantity of 35 KDa polypeptide and absence or very small amount of 32 KDa polypeptide. Contrarily, clone susceptible to TPD are characterized by abundant quantity of 32 KDa polypeptide. In unproductive clones (RO 38, TJR 1), 32 KDa protein was more abundant than 35 KDa. Overstimulation induces a decrease of 35 KDa protein intensity. Thus, 32 and 35 KDa polypeptides could be used for identification of Hevea clones yielding potential and susceptibility to TPD. Keywords: Hevea brasiliensis , lutoid, protein, rubber, tapping panel dryness, yield