Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DNA Barcoding is not enough: mismatch of taxonomy and genealogy in New Zealand grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae).

DNA barcoding has been touted as a program that will efficiently and relatively cheaply inform on biological diversity; yet many exemplars purporting to demonstrate the efficacy of the method have been undertaken by its principal proponents. Critics of DNA barcoding identify insufficient within‐taxon sampling coupled with the knowledge that levels of haplotypic paraphyly are rather high as key reasons to be sceptical of the value of an exclusively DNA‐based taxonomic. Here I applied a DNA barcoding approach using mtDNA sequences from the cytochrome oxidase I gene to examine diversity in a group of endemic New Zealand grasshoppers belonging to the genus Sigaus. The mtDNA data revealed high genetic distances among individuals of a single morpho‐species, but this diversity was geographically partitioned. Phylogenetic analysis supported at least four haplogroups within one species (Sigaus australis) but paraphyly of this species with respect to several others. In some instances two morphologically and ecologically distinct species shared identical mtDNA haplotypes. The mismatch of genealogy and taxonomy revealed in the Sigaus australis complex indicates that, if used in isolation, DNA barcoding data can be highly misleading about biodiversity. Furthermore, failure to take into account evidence from natural history and morphology when utilizing DNA barcoding will tend to conceal the underlying evolutionary processes associated with speciation.
Mesozoic Anomopoda (Crustacea) from Mongolia

Material from the Early Cretaceous age collected 6 km west of the Hotont Somon (Mongolia) includes numerous impressions of Anomopoda. These show biramous segmented antennae and their setae, valves, head shields, mandibles, the distal part of the post-abdomen, claws and the gut containing food material. Prochydorus rotundus sp. nov., Archeoxus mirabilis sp. nov. and Archeoxus ventrosus sp. nov. are described and attributed to a new family Prochydoridae. The material demonstrates that the prochydorid-type of organization is geologically ancient.
Investigating Structure Relationship from Functional and Relational Value to Behavior Intention: The Role of Satisfaction and Relationship Commitment

Value is a subjective construct that varies between customers, cultures and at different times. Most of the research focus on the value of physical product/service and neglect the value of relationship. This study is the first to consider customer value in terms of both functional and relational aspect. The main objective of the study is to investigate the most prominent predictor of customer behavior intention and also to examine the indirect factors (functional value and relational value) relate to the respective direct factors (satisfaction and relationship commitment) and their ability to explain customer behavior intention. Data obtained from 429 survey questionnaire were analyzed using the structure equation modeling. The results revealed that relationship commitment followed by satisfaction has a significant direct effect on behavior intention. Additionally, bootstrapping analysis confirmed that relational value has indirect effect on behavior intention through satisfaction and relationship commitment. This study highlighted the role of relational value in building the relationship commitment. Strategic guidelines are provided for managers in designing the value in stimulating the customer behavior intention.
Option Pricing With Volatility of Volatility: A Simple, Closed-Form Formula

This is the first paper to provide a simple, explicit formula (that doesn’t require<br>numerical/computational methods) under stochastic volatility. The formula<br>is as simple as the classical Black-Scholes pricing formula. Furthermore,<br>this paper modifies the Black-Scholes model to make it consistent with the<br>empirical reality. Moreover, it is the first paper to show that the option price<br>depends on the volatility of the volatility using the classical Black-Scholes<br>framework.
Persistence of Earnings Components and Price Momentum

This study investigates whether the performance of stock price momentum is affected by factors associated with the persistence of earnings components. We find that stocks with high accruals (or low cash flows) generate higher momentum payoffs than low accruals (or high cash flows) stocks, and the additional momentum payoffs are mostly attributable to abnormal accruals and net distributions to equity. While our results primarily support the earnings fixation explanation, a momentum trading strategy based on the growth in net operating assets generates comparable profits. Lastly, the performance of our trading strategy based on a combination of price momentum and earnings components cannot be explained by limits to arbitrage or standard risk adjustments.
Opioid Crisis and Housing Market Effects∗

We present a novel view of housing market effects that relates the opioid crisis to house prices. With data on opioid prescriptions and analysis of repeat sales for Ohio, we find that house price changes around pharmacies are negatively associated with the quantities of opioids dispensed. The results are consistent across different measures of opioids by pharmacy location. In addition, we present a series of robustness checks to further identify the underlying channel. We show that the effect mitigates over distance and is most pronounced on properties near to opioid dispense locations. In addition, we show that the effect is more pronounced for areas that have a higher proportion of blue collar jobs that typically involve a greater propensity for opioid pain prescriptions. Overall, we link the opioid crisis and the rise in prescription opioids to housing markets. JEL Classifications: R1, R3
How Important is Economic Policy Uncertainty for Capital Structure Decisions? Evidence from US Firms

This study investigates the effects of economic policy uncertainty on capital structure decisions for US firms. We use all the five EPU indexes available, conduct both static and dynamic panel regression analyses, control for firm characteristics, take into account global financial episodes, and perform various coefficient restriction tests. We document strong evidence that rising economic policy uncertainty makes firms more conservative in their debt-financing decisions. This negative relationship between economic policy uncertainty and firms’ capital structure choices is much stronger, if one allows the former to determine the optimal, rather than actual, level of the latter, and allows a partial rather than a full adjustment of the actual level towards the optimal level of debt ratios. The strong EPU effects so detected even make unimportant the effects of firm characteristics on capital structure decisions, challenging the long-standing conventional wisdom.
Oreopoa gen. novum, two other new grasses and further remarkable records from Turkey

Abstract Parolly, G. & Scholz, H. : Oreopoa gen. novum, two other new grasses and further remarkable records from Turkey. — Willdenowia 34: 145–158. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2004 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. Three S Anatolian Poaceae species, Oreopoa anatolica, Secale leptorhachis and Stipa cacuminis are described as new to science, illustrated and mapped. To accommodate the first, perennial species, a new genus, Oreopoa, with unsettled affinities within the Poeae, is established. The synecology, distribution patterns and relationships of all species are outlined. In addition, considerable range extensions of five grasses, Bromopsis tomentella subsp. nivalis, Festuca cataonica, F. karsiana, F. punctoria and Koeleria brevis, towards the S Anatolian Taurus Mts are reported.
The Timing of Early Interventions and Child and Maternal Health

What is the impact of timing of early-life investment policies on child and maternal health? Exploiting variation from a 2008 Danish nurse strike, we study this question in the context of universal nurse home visiting. We show that early but not later strike exposure increases child (and mother) general practitioner contacts in the first four years after childbirth. Mothers, who forgo an early nurse visit (rather than a later one), have a higher probability of mental health specialist contacts in the first two years after childbirth. We highlight two channels for these results, screening and information provision: We show that nurses perform well in identifying maternal mental health risks during early home visits in control years (likely preventing longer-term problems). Finally, we show that first-born children and children of parents without a health-related education drive our results. A stylized calculation confirms that short- run health benefits from early universal home visiting outweigh costs.
A Countermeasure to GDP Veneration: Social Progress Indicator

A Social Progress Indicator is a survey instrument, which combined with objective data, can evaluate the impact and quality of state services. The areas of state intervention envisaged include child and long-term care services, education, environment, health, housing, public transport, state pension system and security of the citizen. The impact and quality of state services can determine national well-being. It is vitally important that the economic performance of the Irish state `trickles down' to its citizens by way of the high quality provision of state services, and a Social Progress Indicator can be tailored to achieve that outcome. In this discussion paper, we present the main arguments that a Social Progress Indicator can provide a valuable and novel supplementary measurement of national well-being for Ireland, and that Ireland has an opportunity to act as a global leader in this context. We also provide, at an executive level, guidelines in regard to a methodology to construct a Social Progress Indicator for Ireland. The principal arguments for a Social Progress Indicator are as follows. First, the inadequacy of conventional measurements of national performance e.g. national income, as a proxy for the state's impact on the quality of life of its citizens. Second, the scope, via a Social Progress Indicator, for the improvement of quality of life of a state's citizens, as measured by international standardized rankings e.g. European Quality of Life Survey. Third, the absence of a customer satisfaction criterion, for scientific and timely feedback, in relation to the provision and improvement of state services. Finally, the scope for applications of Social Progress Indicator, in regard to motivating state actors, across state departments, can serve to further motivate the establishment of a Social Progress Indicator. The question of how to measure the quality of delivery of state services is complex and challenging. Relying, in part at least, on people's own judgment is a convenient shortcut and potentially provides a natural way to aggregate various, and potentially diverse, experiences. In a world of misleading anecdotal evidence (i.e. 'fake' news) and media marketed opinion pieces in regard to the quality of state services, a rigorously constructed Social Progress Indicator can play a critically important and informative role. In this vein, we provide executive level recommendations on the data science of representative sampling, sub-index aggregation, and we include a justification for a pilot study and the management of user expectations. We also highlight how a machine learning approach, in the form of textual analytics, can play an important role in aggregating feedback from the citizens of the state. We provide the first evaluation of arguments for a Social Progress Indicator, as a metric to capture the quality of state services in Ireland, with a view to enhancing national well-being.
Low-Carbon Strategies for Competing Firms Under Cap-and-Trade Regulation With Consumer Preference

This paper develops price and low-carbon competition models between one socially responsible manufacturer (RM) and one ordinary manufacturer (OM). We investigate how manufacturers’ low-carbon behaviors are affected by factors such as consumers’ low-carbon preference, the cap-and-trade regulation and competing environment. Our results show that without the cap-and-trade regulation and consumers’ low-carbon preference, both RM and OM produce ordinary product. By contrast, with the cap-and-trade regulation, even if consumers do not have low-carbon preference, both RM and OM will reduce carbon emissions if they have the capability. Without the cap-and-trade regulation, as expected, we find that a manufacturer’s price and emission reduction rate are always strategic complements. With the cap-and-trade regulation, however, a manufacturer’s price and emission reduction rate may be strategic substitutes when the carbon market price is high. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, with the cap-and-trade regulation, unlike OM, RM may not be able to benefit always from a high carbon quota issued by the government. Specifically, when OM’s emission reduction cost is low, a high carbon quota could hurt RM’s bottom line. In addition, we show that, even though it is always beneficial for OM to acquire the low-carbon technology, the benefit of doing so diminishes as the competition intensifies, the government carbon quota decreases, or the carbon market price increases.
Who is Liable if a Cryptocurrency Protocol Fails?

Cryptocurrencies have entered the economy as alternative money, speculation objects, and utility tokens for digital platforms. Cryptocurrencies are based on cryptography-based asset disposals broadcasted peer-to-peer to be validated decentrally according to consensus mechanisms in compliance with consented protocols. There several risks associated with the protocols, which may eventually result in the failure of a cryptocurrency. The question is then if anyone can be held liable for such a failure. Such liability is important for both victim compensation as well as the promotion of robust protocols. The paper discusses who can be held liable, possible legal bases for liability, and some legal gaps are identified.
Gambling

Gambling was substantially liberalised in most Australian states and territories in the 1990s. Subsequent years saw not only a surge in gambling expenditure and industry growth, but also adverse impacts on many Australians and their families. The consequent backlash within the community led to the first independent national public inquiry by the Productivity Commission in 1999. Since then, there have been significant changes in the gambling industry and its regulatory environment, with a greater policy focus on community awareness and harm prevention and minimisation. Notwithstanding this, community and political concerns remain evident. There have also been developments within parts of the industry, which have a more national character than before. The Council of Australian Governments accordingly asked the Commission to conduct a follow-up review, with a focus on problem gambling and the scope to consider other aspects of the industry. Consistent with this, the Commission has not sought to replicate the coverage and depth of its earlier research, but rather to concentrate on providing evidence-based advice to governments about policies that would improve outcomes for gamblers and the community as a whole. A key challenge is to identify policies most likely to be effective in reducing the harms associated with gambling, while preserving most of the benefits. This is a complex task for public policy. The coverage and design of regulation require particular care to ensure that the benefits exceed the costs, and that account is taken of what is often imperfect evidence.
Educational Crowdfunding and Student Performance: An Empirical Study

Despite the growing popularity of online education crowdfunding, controversy remains as to whether teachers’ efforts to use this channel are justified and whether donations thus received can actually make a difference. We present the first empirical evidence of the use and impact of education crowdfunding donations after campaign success. Using data on California public school teachers and their students as well as the teachers’ fundraising activities on DonorsChoose.org, we find that students’ academic performance improves after their teacher successfully raises funding on the platform. This finding survives a large number of robustness tests. More importantly, through a series of tests, we show that this positive impact is partly due to the nonfinancial benefits of receiving online crowdfunding donations. Our study contributes not only to the literature on crowdfunding and charitable giving but also ongoing debates on the financing of public education.
Effect of site management on leaf area, early biomass development, and stand growth efficiency of a Eucalyptus grandis plantation in South Africa

The effects of intensive site management operations on leaf area index (LAI), aboveground woody biomass (WB) development, and stand growth efficiency were studied in a South African Eucalyptus grandis (Hill ex Maiden) stand from establishment to 3.5 years of age. Site management treatments included slash removal, slash retention, fertilization, slash burning, and slash disturbance through mechanized harvesting operations. Stand LAI development responded strongly and significantly to the site management treatments imposed at establishment. Responses were driven by nutrient supply but were apparently limited by a severe drought after establishment. At 1.3 years, LAI in the slash removal treatment reached 2.1, compared to 4.5 following fertilization or slash burning. Treatments also significantly affected the development of aboveground WB, which ranged from 53.6 (slash removal) to 64.9 (fertilization) and 65.8 Mg·ha1 (slash burning) at 3.5 years. Biomass allocation to roots and stand growth efficiency (i.e.
Population increase and nesting patterns of the black noddy Anous minutus in Pisonia forest on Heron Island: Observations in 1978, 1979 and 1992

Estimates of the population size of black noddy Anous minutus on Heron Island were made by counting nests in permanently marked plots in Pisonia grandis forest in 1978, 1979 and 1992. The results, and published data, indicate that the population has been increasing at ca 7% per annum since early this century and currently is ca 63 000 ± 7000 pairs. The continued exponential increase in bird numbers poses interesting ecological questions and potential management problems, as more of the island is occupied by the birds and interaction with the vegetation intensifies. Pisonia is by far the most common tree on the island and most nests are in this species. However, there is evidence that Ficus opposita is preferred over Pisonia and the high mortality of this species in the marked plots may be due to excessive use by noddies. Pisonia trees which reach the forest canopy and are in the 40–60 cm stem diameter class have more nests than smaller trees. Larger stems (>60 cm diameter) are also underutilized relative to their size, and it is suggested that this is because they are more liable to windthrow in cyclones.
Three-point linkage analysis in crosses of allogamous plant species

Ritter & Salamini (1996) presented a systematic account of two-point linkage analysis in allogamous diploid plant species. Vowden et al . (1995) described an alternative approach that is implemented in a computer program LINKEM . This paper describes how the latter approach has been extended to three-point linkage analysis, and implemented in a new program LINK 3 EM that is available from the authors. The essence of the approach is for the computer program to derive the appropriate form of analysis for a specific cross from its ‘knowledge’ of the most general type of cross that can arise. This avoids the need for programming specific codes for the many different types of cross that can arise. The program allows different locus orderings and parental phases to be compared. The Haldane or Kosambi map functions can be specified, although it is also possible to estimate all three pairwise recombination fractions without any assumed map function.
Management advice for the Diplotaxodon limnothrissa (Teleostei: Cichlidae) resource in the south-east arm of Lake Malawi, based on per-recruit analysis

Diplotaxodon limnothrissa is a widely distributed species occurring throughout Lake Malawi and is probably the most abundant cichlid in the pelagic zone of the lake. The species is exploited commercially in the south-east arm of the lake, but since the fishery's inception the resource has never been assessed. Per-recruit analysis indicated that the resource is under-exploited, with current spawner biomass per-recruit between 55% and 74% of pristine levels.
Poverty Reduction and Stock Market Development: Evidence from Africa

Despite the increased number of stock exchanges in Africa, this segment of the financial market remains underdeveloped with low market capitalization, volume and illiquidity. Furthermore, the aftershock of the 2008 financial crisis exacerbates the poor market condition with the attendant decrease in investment. Efforts of previous policies to promote stock market development and restore investors’ confidence did not yield a positive outcome as they are yet to meet the rising demand for capital needed by domestic firms. This paper examines the relationship between poverty reduction and stock market development in Africa, using the pooled mean group (PMG) model for the sample period of 1996 to 2016. The findings suggest poverty reduction has a positive effect on stock market development both in the long-run and short-run estimates. For policy prescription, the government of the respective countries should implement programs that will promote financial inclusion and alleviate poverty to promote domestic investment in stock markets in the region.
Machine Valuation

We present a machine learning approach to firm valuation that requires only historical accounting data as input. The machine learning model generates a median absolute percentage error of 17.2% in out-of-sample firm value predictions. The model out-performs a sample of final-year finance students (41.3%) and individual analyst forecasts of one-year-ahead firm value (22.4%). We show that subsequent market valuations move towards the model valuation, generating return predictability over horizons of up to five years.
School Competition

This paper considers the influence of spatial competition on education and its effect on students' school choice and educational achievement by explicitely modeling educational production and the students' participation decision. Education at school is a function of teacher effort and class size. Students decide which school to attend on the basis of an assessment of the associated costs and prospective benefits from doing so. We analyze how competition between schools affects equilibrium resource spending and school diversity as well as the level and distribution of student attainment and welfare. The consideration of spatial aspects of school choice without recourse to vertical differentiation is a unique contribution of this paper. We argue that schools in metropolitan areas with short ways to school and many potential students face fiercer competition which increases school productivity and student performance. This result confirms the findings in Hoxby (2000). Overall learning time in school is constant in the probability that students behave well if students are segregated by type. However, better behaved students have a higher achievement due to higher optimum resource spending. Finally, we support our argument by an empirical analysis of student performance in various matura schools in Switzerland.