Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Volatility spillovers for spot, futures, and ETF prices in energy and agriculture

The agricultural and energy industries are closely related, both biologically and financially. The paper discusses the relationship and the interactions on price and volatility, with special focus on the covolatility spillover effects for these two industries. The interaction and covolatility spillovers or the delayed effect of a returns shock in one asset on the subsequent volatility or covolatility in another asset, between the energy and agricultural industries is the primary emphasis of the paper. Although there has already been significant research on biofuel and biofuel-related crops, much of the previous research has sought to find a relationship among commodity prices. Only a few published papers have been concerned with volatility spillovers. However, it must be emphasized that there have been numerous technical errors in the theoretical and empirical research, which needs to be corrected. The paper not only considers futures prices as a widely-used hedging instrument, but also takes an interesting new hedging instrument, ETF, into account. ETF is regarded as index futures when investors manage their portfolios, so it is possible to calculate an optimal dynamic hedging ratio. This is a very useful and interesting application for the estimation and testing of volatility spillovers. In the empirical analysis, multivariate conditional volatility diagonal BEKK models are estimated for comparing patterns of covolatility spillovers. The paper provides a new way of analyzing and describing the patterns of covolatility spillovers, which should be useful for the future empirical analysis of estimating and testing covolatility spillover effects.
ACCESSIBILITY EXPERIENCES AND CREDIBILITY 3 On the Ease of ( Dis ) believing : The Role of Accessibility Experiences in Credibility

Credibility judgments are common and consequential in many applied settings. While much research has addressed human observers’ ability to discriminate true and deceptive statements, less is known about the processes involved in such judgments. Here, it is proposed that the process of mustering evidence for or against credibility is reflected in a feeling-based form (ease-of-retrieval), and that such feelings can be used as a basis for credibility judgments. The results of an experiment show, as predicted, that the perceived ease with which participants could identify clues strongly influenced credibility judgments. Ironically, mustering more clues in support of a truthful account lowered credibility judgments; in contrast, mustering more clues in support of a deceptive account increased credibility judgments. Mediation analyses suggest that this is because participants relied on a feelingbased as opposed to content-based judgment strategy. Practical implications are discussed, and theoretical issues regarding the process of credibility judgment are raised.
Gender and Leadership

The topic of leadership has been addressed and applied for millennia. Yet, it is only within the past 80 years that leadership has been a topic of serious discussion. It is important to understand variables relevant to effective leadership. Gender is one such variable that must be examined with regard to optimizing leadership effectiveness. The topic of gender and leadership deserves serious and thoughtful consideration and discussion because of professional, political, cultural, and personal realities of the twenty‐ first century. Women and men have been, are, and should be leaders. Gender must be considered to determine how each leader can reach maximum potential and effectiveness. The FourCe‐PITO conceptual framework of leadership is designed to help guide leadership development and education. The present chapter uses this conceptual framework of leadership to discuss how consideration of gender may affect and optimize leadership development and effectiveness. It is the goal of this chapter to lay out the issues that educators of leaders, potential leaders, and “practicing” leaders should be aware of, to achieve success for the good of the groups and individuals they have the responsibility to lead.
Retention of Coastal Cod Eggs in a Fjord Caused by Interactions between Egg Buoyancy and Circulation Pattern

Abstract Norwegian coastal cod form a stationary population of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua consisting of several genetically separated subpopulations. A small-scale differentiation in marine populations with pelagic eggs and larvae is made possible by local retention of early life stages in coastal environments. A numerical model was used to simulate the circulation in a fjord system in northern Norway over 2 years with different river runoff patterns. The dispersal of cod eggs was calculated with a particle-tracking model that used three-dimensional currents. The observed thickness of the low-salinity surface layer was well reproduced by the model, but the surface salinity was generally lower in the model than in the observations. The cod eggs attained a subsurface vertical distribution, avoiding the surface and causing retention. Interannual variations in river runoff can cause small changes in the vertical distribution of cod eggs and larger changes in the vertical current structure. Retention in the fjord system was strong in both years, but some eggs were subjected to offshore transport over a limited time period. The timing of offshore transport depended on the precipitation and temperatures in adjacent drainage areas. A possible match between maximized spawning and offshore transport may have a negative effect on local recruitment.
Radiotherapy outcomes in laryngeal cancer - a retrospective study

S t u d y a i m. To analyze the importance of pre-treatment factors (age, sex, T, N, histological differentiation, site, Hb level, performance status) and to investigate the influence of cigarette smoking and pulmonary and cardiac diseases on treatment outcomes in laryngeal cancer patients. M a t e r i a l a n d m e t h o d s. From the year 1989 until May 1995 372 consecutive patients with cancer of the larynx were radically irradiated at the 2nd Teleradiotherapy Department of The Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre and Institute of Oncology in Warsaw (MSCMCC). Pt. characteristics – 88% men; 12% women, age: 29-82 years, stages: T1-20%, T2 – 34%, T3 – 30%, T4 – 16%, lymph node metastases: 27%. R e s u l t s. Complete response to treatment (CR) – 71% of cases. Loco-regional control after 2 years 52% (T1-T2 – 64%, T3-T4 – 40%). Early reactions: pain on swallowing, confluent mucositis and moist skin reaction in 69%, 48% and 41% of cases, respectively. Serious late complications – 19 patients. In a majority of these cases several forms of serious damage were observed. Patients with advanced disease (T3-T4) present a two times higher death risk as compared to patients in earlier stages of the disease (T1-T2). Patients with cervical node metastases also present a two times higher death risk as compared to N0 cases. Patients with performance status 1 or more had a respectively three or four times higher death risk than patients with performance status – 0. No significant influence of sex, histological differentiation, site, hemoglobin level and cigarette smoking, pulmonary and coronary diseases on treatment outcome has been found. The survival curves come down steeply three and more years after treatment completion due to causes other than local failure. The limited number of serious early and late reactions suggests the possibility of a total dose increase.
Concerns and Criticisms of Leadership Development Programs Since the Mid of Nineteenth Century

This paper analyses some of the Leadership Development Programs developed since the mid of nineteenth century. The concerns and criticism of least preferred coworker (LPC) Leadership Development Program as suggested by Fiedler, Leader Match Concept (LMC) Leadership Development Program developed by Fiedler and Chemers, Authentic leadership development program developed by Avolio, Transformational Leadership and the Full Range Leadership Development Programs developed by Bass and Avolio has been explored in this paper. This paper discusses about the fundamental notions and measurement of different leadership styles along with validity of its theory. This paper finds that which leadership development program shall best fit to train CEO’s and top level management. Keywords : Leadership Development Program, least preferred coworker, authentic leadership, Transformational Leadership and the Full Range Leadership
Fano resonance in a metamaterial consisting of two identical arrays of square metallic patch elements separated by a dielectric spacer

We report studies of Fano resonance in a double layer metamaterial consisting of two identical metallic square patch arrays separated by a dielectric spacer. The metallic patch arrays are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to the dielectric spacer. It is shown that such a metamaterial can exhibit sharp Fano resonances. A good agreement is obtained between the experimental and simulation results for such a metamaterial fabricated on an FR4 substrate. The square patch based design is less sensitive to polarization due to its higher degree of symmetry than the metallic elements based on split rings in the previous work.
Revisiting Software Requirements Specifications - What could we learn

A software requirements specification (SRS) is an important document that reports the result from the system requirements determination (SRD) which forms a basis for subsequent activities in the systems development process. In order to increase the knowledge base of SRS and how they could be structured nine SRSs are analyzed. The analysis aims at demonstrate similarities and differences in SRS composition and requirements organization. The reason for doing this is to be able to give some advice on how a SRS could be improved and thereby supporting development of information systems better. The result from the analysis shows that SRSs are structured either by following the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard 830 with three main sections (introduction – overview – list of requirements), or another structure (introduction – references – list of requirements). In what specific way specific requirements in SRSs are structured differ from SRS to SRS. The most frequent type of requirements is functional requirements, which is not a big surprise. However, more unpredictably is that non-functional requirements are getting so low attention. One finding is that even though using standards might not be the only way to formulate SRSs, they are being used and serve their purposes, at least to some extent. But, standards high focus on functional requirement could be an influential factor explaining SRSs high focus on functional requirement. The main conclusion is that future SRSs should spend more focus on non-functional requirements since these are both more difficult to describe and will probably play an even more important role for information systems in the future. (Less)
Effects of Brisk Walking on Physical Performance and Muscle Function in Community Dwelling Elderly Women

Aim: To examine the impact of a 12-week brisk walking program on physical performance and muscle function in community-dwelling healthy elderly women. Methods: The study was conducted in a group of 27 women with mean age 68.6 ± 5.5 years and mean BMI 28.2 ± 4.37 Kg/m2. Anthropometric variables (BMI, weight, height, waist circumference), body composition measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), the 400 meters walking test, the short physical performance battery, the physical activity level with the PASE questionnaire, handgrip, isometric strength and power of the lower limbs with dynamometer were evaluated at baseline and three months follow-up. All subjects were involved in brisk walking sessions, 1 and ½ h per day on 2 days each week under the supervision of a qualified physical education instructor for 12 weeks. The physical activity intensity has been calculated on the basis of the Borg Scale (RPE scale=13 “somewhat hard”). Results: At 3 months of follow-up, a reduction in waist circumference, total and percentage fat mass, an improvement of peak torque and power of lower limbs and in all the performance test administered was observed. In addition, dividing the population into two sub-groups based on the frequency to walking groups, it was observed that the group with higher attendance presented a significantly greater increase of muscle peak torque, power and specific power values. Moreover subjects with greater attendance showed significantly higher reduction of the time to perform the 400 meters test. Conclusions: Moderate aerobic exercise can improve muscle strength, physical performance and body composition. Dividing the study population into two groups on the basis of greater or lesser participation in the walk groups, the group with frequency percentage higher than 70% showed a significantly greater improvement in peak torque, power and the specific power, suggesting a dose-dependent effect.
Performance evaluation of a MultiStructure Method of Moments

In this paper, a MultiStructure computation technique based on the Method of Moments (MSMoM) is presented. The technique permits the simultaneous analysis of different structures, such as printed antennas, with only one electromagnetic (EM) simulation. Its performance in terms of number of operations for the analysis of several structures is evaluated. The complexity of the new technique is considerably reduced by comparison to an equivalent direct MoM implementation leading to important time savings.
REDISCOVERY OF A "FORGOTTEN LAND": THE LAST THREE DECADES OF RESEARCH ON THE DINOSAUR-BEARING DEPOSITS FROM THE HAŢEG BASIN

Cercetările asupra depozitelor continentale cu resturi ale unor dinozauri de la sfârsitul perioadei cretacice din cadrul Bazinului Haţeg au o istorie de peste o sută de ani. Primele cercetări asupra faunei cu dinozauri din Bazinul Haţeg sunt datorate lui Franz von Nopcsa (1877-1933), contribuţiile sale in domeniul paleontologiei sistematice, a evoluţiei si paleobiologiei dinosaurilor isi păstrează si in prezent actualitatea. După Nopcsa cercetarea sistematică a acestor depozite s-a intrerupt pentru multe decenii, fiind reluată in vara anului 1977 când D. Grigorescu insoţit de un mic grup de studenţi geologi a inceput excavarea unor situri fosilifere identificate pe valea râului Sibisel, in apropierea satului Sânpetru, localitate renumită prin cercetările lui Nopcsa. An de an, fără intrerupere cercetările au continuat intr-un cadru multidisciplinar, domeniile abordate fiind paleontologia sistematică, stratigrafia, sedimentologia, tafonomia; in timp acestor domenii li s-au adaugat cercetările asupra mineralelor argiloase, izotopilor stabili si paleomagnetismului. Rezultatele acestor cercetări, care au antrenat in timp câteva sute de studenţi, dar si mulţi cercetători profesionisti din ţară si din străinătate, sunt sintetizate in cadrul prezentei lucrări. Intre aceste rezultate sunt cuprinse descoperirea a numerosi taxoni (90% din fauna maastrichtiană a Haţegului cunoscută in prezent este rodul cercetărilor de după 1977), descoperirea cuiburilor cu ouă si a puilor de dinozauri, descoperirea mamiferelor si a uriasului pterozaur Hatzegoperyx. Cadrul stratigrafic al depozitelor cu dinozauri atât in privinţa structurii litostratigrafice cât si a vârstei depozitelor, acceptată in prezent ca acoperind intreaga durată a Maastrichtianului, a dobândit clarificări care permit pe de o parte o mai bună interpretare a evoluţiei sedimentologice, iar prin aceasta a condiţiilor ecologice din cadrul regiunii, iar pe de altă parte corelarea mai precisă a depozitelor continentale cu vestigii ale dinozaurilor cu depozite similare de la sfârsitul Mezozoicului din alte regiuni ale lumii. Pornind de la importanţa stiinţifică a faunei cu dinozauri, evidenţiată in mod special prin cercetările din ultimele trei decenii, un proiect de dezvoltare durabilă a Ţării Haţegului a fost iniţiat: "Geoparcul Dinozaurilor Tara Haţegului".
UConnRCMPy: Python-based data analysis for Rapid Compression Machines

The ignition delay of a fuel/air mixture is an important quantity in designing combustion devices, and these data are also used to validate chemical kinetic models for combustion. One of the typical experimental devices used to measure the ignition delay is called a Rapid Compression Machine (RCM). This paper presents UConnRCMPy, an open-source Python package to process experimental data from the RCM at the University of Connecticut. Given an experimental measurement, UConnRCMPy computes the thermodynamic conditions in the reaction chamber of the RCM during an experiment along with the ignition delay. UConnRCMPy implements an extensible framework, so that alternative experimental data formats can be incorporated easily. In this way, UConnRCMPy improves the consistency of RCM data processing and enables the community to reproduce data analysis procedures.
Simulation of anisotropic wave propagation based upon a spectral element method

We introduce a numerical approach for modeling elastic wave propagation in 2-D and 3-D fully anisotropic media based upon a spectral element method. The technique solves a weak formulation of the wave equation, which is discretized using a high-order polynomial representation on a finite element mesh. For isotropic media, the spectral element method is known for its high degree of accuracy, its ability to handle complex model geometries, and its low computational cost. We show that the method can be extended to fully anisotropic media. The mass matrix obtained is diagonal by construction, which leads to a very efficient fully explicit solver. We demonstrate the accuracy of the method by comparing it against a known analytical solution for a 2-D transversely isotropic test case, and by comparing its predictions against those based upon a finite difference method for a 2-D heterogeneous, anisotropic medium. We show its generality and its flexibility by modeling wave propagation in a 3-D transversely isotropic medium with a symmetry axis tilted relative to the axes of the grid.
Fading of the X-Ray Afterglow of Neutron Star Merger GW170817/GRB 170817A at 260 Days

The multi-wavelength electromagnetic afterglow from the binary neutron star merger GW170817/GRB 170817A has displayed long-term power-law brightening, and has presented challenges to post-merger models of the non-thermal emission. The most recent radio observations up to 200 days post-merger suggest that the afterglow has finally peaked and may now be fading, but fading has not been confirmed in the X-rays. We present new, deep Chandra observations of GW170817/GRB 170817A at 260 days post-merger that reveal an X-ray flux of erg s−1 cm−2, and confirm that the X-ray light curve is now also fading. Through rigorous comparisons with previous Chandra observations of GW170817/GRB 170817A, X-ray fading is detected between 160 and 260 days post-merger at a 4. 4σ significance on the basis of the X-ray data alone. We further constrain the X-ray photon index to steepen by <0.5 at 3. 1σ significance during this period, which disfavors the passing of the synchrotron cooling frequency through the X-ray band as the cause of the observed fading. These observations remain consistent with optically thin synchrotron afterglow emission. If this afterglow emission arises from a quasi-spherical mildly relativistic outflow, the X-ray fading suggests that the outflow is now decelerating. Alternatively, if this afterglow arises from a successful off-axis structured jet, the X-ray fading suggests that emission from the jet core has already entered the line of sight.
Quarterly With a Little Help from our ( Virtual ) Friends Simulating Peer Interactions for Assessment and Intervention in Children with Social Skills Deficits

Figure 1 Childhood interactions with peers allow children to experience the intimacy and conflict inherent in human relationships [1]. Some children find establishing and maintaining peer relationships natural and easy. Others, such as children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), may experience extreme difficulties that put them at risk for poor social adjustment, depression, and isolation in later life [2]. These children also miss out on the learning opportunities that come through reciprocal social interaction with peers. Luckily, with intervention and support, children can improve their skills. However, to provide an effective intervention, a child’s interaction skills with peers must first be assessed. Only then can a treatment be tailored to the needs of each child.
Preclinical assessment of ulixertinib, a novel ERK1/2 inhibitor

Ulixertinib (BVD-523) is a novel and selective reversible inhibitor of ERK1/ERK2. In xenograft studies it inhibited tumor growth in BRAF-mutant melanoma and colorectal xenografts as well as KRAS-mutant colorectal and pancreatic models. Ulixertinib is currently in Phase I clinical development for the treatment of advance solid tumors. The objective of the study is to assess the metabolic stability (in various pre-clinical and human liver microsomes/hepatocytes), permeability, protein binding, CYP inhibition, CYP induction and CYP phenotyping of ulixertinib. We have also studied the oral and intravenous pharmacokinetics of ulixertinib in mice, rats and dogs. Ulixertinib was found to be moderately to highly stable in various liver microsomes/hepatocytes tested. It is a medium permeable (2.67 x 10 -6 cm /sec) drug and a substrate for efflux (efflux ratio: 3.02) in Caco-2 model. Ulixertinib was highly bound to plasma proteins. CYPs involved in its limited metabolism and it is CYP inhibition IC 50 ranged between 10-20 µM. Post oral administration ulixertinib exhibited early T max (0.50-0.75 h) in mice and rats indicating absorption was rapid, however in dogs T max attained at 2 h. The half-life (t ½ ) of ulixertinib by intravenous and oral routes ranged between 1.0-2.5 h across the species. Clearance and volume of distribution by intravenous route for ulixertinib were found to be 6.24 mL/min/kg and 0.56 L/kg; 1.67 mL/min/kg and 0.36 L/kg and 15.5 mL/min/kg and 1.61 L/kg in mice, rats and dogs, respectively. Absolute oral bioavailability in mice and rats was > 92 %, however in dogs it was 34 %.
Isotope data improve the predictive capabilities of a marine biogeochemical model

Abstract. Mesocosm experiments combined with biogeochemical modeling provide a powerful research tool to better understand marine ecosystem processes. Using an extended Nutrient-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton-Detritus (NPZD) model, we investigated the added value of stable isotope tracer additions to constrain biogeochemical transformations within a mesocosm experiment that was designed to study ocean acidification effects on the marine ecosystem. Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo simulations revealed that even when isotope data were available for the majority of the components, not all parameters in the model could be constrained by calibration. However, when isotope tracer data were deliberately excluded from the calibration, the overparameterisation was even stronger. More specifically, it led to unconstrained fluxes through the zooplankton and detritus compartment, and different relative contributions of these two compartments to phytoplankton biomass loss produced equally plausible results. It is concluded that model uncertainty due to overparameterisation can be considerably reduced by explicitly resolving stable isotope dynamics. Therefore, this mesocosm experiment has benefitted substantially from isotope tracer additions to unravel carbon cycling under varying CO2 regimes.