Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of startup costs and the grid operator on the power price equilibrium

In this paper we propose a quadratic programming model that can be used for calculating the term structure of electricity prices while explicitly modeling startup costs of power plants. In contrast to other approaches presented in the literature, we incorporate the startup costs in a mathematically rigorous manner without relying on ad hoc heuristics. Moreover, we propose a tractable approach for estimating the startup costs of power plants based on their historical production. Through numerical simulations applied to the entire UK power grid, we demonstrate that the inclusion of startup costs is necessary for the modeling of electricity prices in realistic power systems. Numerical results show that startup costs make electricity prices very spiky. In the second part of the paper, we extend the initial model by including the grid operator who is responsible for managing the grid. Numerical simulations demonstrate that robust decision making of the grid operator can significantly decrease the number and severity of spikes in the electricity price and improve the reliability of the power grid.
Global Environmental Change Human and Policy Dimensions

Monetary valuation of ecosystem services enables more accurate accounting of the environmental costs and benefits of policies, but this has rarely been applied in developing countries. In such contexts, there are particular methodological and epistemological challenges that require novel valuation methodologies. This paper introduces a new participatory, deliberative choice experiment approach conducted in the Solomon Islands. The research aimed to determine the value people placed on ecosystem services and whether participatory interventions to elicit deeper held values influenced the preferences expressed. Results found that the initial willingness to pay for a number of tropical forest ecosystem services amounted to 30% of household income. Following deliberative intervention exercises, key ecosystem services effectively became priceless as participants were unwilling to trade them off in the choice experiment scenarios, regardless of financial cost. The group based deliberative approach, combined with participatory interventions, also resulted in Kenter et al. The importance of deliberation in valuing ecosystem services in developing countries – evidence from the Solomon Islands. Global Environmental Change Human and policy dimension, 21 (2), 505-521, DOI 10.1016/j.gloenvcha. 2011.01. 001. 2 significant learning for participants. This included a more sophisticated view of ecologicalcultural linkages, greater recognition of deeper held values, and greater awareness of the consequences of human actions for the environment. The use of a group-based participatory approach instead of a conventional individual survey helped to overcome many of the practical difficulties associated with valuation in developing countries. Given the impact of learning on valuation outcomes, participation and deliberation should be integrated into valuation of any complex good, both in developing and developed economies. However, such a methodology raises questions about how valuation can deal with unwillingness to trade-off key ecosystem services, which results in the breakdown of monetary valuation methods. Evaluation of the appropriateness of valuation processes and methodologies for assessing deeper held values and use of mixed-method approaches will be essential to ensure policies take into account the extent to which human life is dependent on ecosystem services.
Asset Allocation in the Euro-Zone: Industry or Country Based?

We investigate the relative importance of country and industry factors as determinants of international equity returns in the Euro-zone over the period 1990 to 2003.We conduct our analysis from a portfolio performance perspective, using mean-variance spanning and efficiency tests as well as style analysis, and show how to adjust the tests for time varying market wide volatility.Although unconditional analysis over the full sample suggests that country-based or industry-based EMU-wide portfolios provide similar risk-return trade-offs, a rolling window analysis indicates a striking change in the structure of equity returns in the Euro-zone over the last decade.From 1992 to 1998 country-based strategies outperform industry-based strategies: country based strategies offer higher Sharpe ratios and higher diversification potential as indicated by both spanning tests and style analysis.In the preconvergence period, equity returns in the EMU-zone clearly had a country structure.In contrast, after the introduction of the Euro the country outperformance has disappeared, both in terms of mean-variance efficiency and in terms of mimicking abilities.Industry factors and country factors are now equally important.Our findings suggest that following the adoption of the single currency, Euro-zone sector-based strategies, while not dominating country-based strategies, offer similar risk return trade-offs and diversification benefits.
Bias Correction of KPSS Test with Structural Break for Reducing the Size Distortion

In this paper we extend the stationarity test proposed by Kurozumi and Tanaka (2010) to reduce size distortion with one structural break in data generating process. We nd the bias up to the order of 1=T for four types of models containing structural breaks. Simulations on fininite samples show a decrease of size distortions relative to other tests, thus receiving higher power.
Genetic diversity and conservation of South Indian Mayfly, Petersula courtallensis Sivaramakrishnan, 1984 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae)

The aim of this study was to measure variation in the genetic structure for south Indian mayfly species, Petersula courtallensis with wide geographic ranges. The mtCOI sequences of 492–522 bp were obtained for eight individuals collected at eight different study sites during July 2014 to February 2015. Two clusters were resolved based on the distribution of individuals in the Neighbor-Joining tree. This south Indian mayfly species, P. courtallensis had high intraspecific differences between sites across wide spatial distribution. The results presented here support the conclusion that P. courtallensis is a species complex. Results also indicated that a general pattern of high genetic diversity between the western and eastern streams. The levels of COI diversity observed suggest the presence of two genetic distinct populations and their genetic diversity should be conserved in the long term.
Mathematical modelling of liver cancer in Western Kenya

Liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary cancer of the liver and the fifth cause of mortality world-wide. It is a global public health problem which is poorly addressed in the developing countries. Data on prevalence and incidence is scanty leading to inability to predict the burden of HCC in the developing world and this leads to poor policy framework for management and control of HCC. More-over, management and control of HCC is poorly addressed in Kenya. Most subjects with HCC in the developing world present late to the hospital leading to high mortality. The objectives of this study were to develop a predictive mathematical model to predict the proportion of subjects who would develop HCC over 5 years in western Kenya and to conduct a sensitivity analysis of the model developed to ascertain effectiveness in prediction. Liver cancer is the only cancer with both infectious and non-infectious causes. The design of the study was a hybrid mathematical model developed integrating both I.P.M (incidence, prevalence, mortality) and S.I. R (susceptible, infected, recovered) models. Ordinary differential equations were generated and solved using Matlab software to predict burden of HCC. MatLab software was also used to generate graphs to predict the number of subjects who will develop HCC over time. Parameters used were generated from empirical data from the study and secondary sources. The study was approved by the ethics committee at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga teaching and referral hospital. The study site was Kisumu 2856 Otedo Amos et al. county and referral hospital and was conducted between June 2015 and June 2016. Out of 331 (231 males and 100 females) subjects screened, 257 (178 males and 79 females) subjects were included and 74 (50 males and 24 females) were excluded (no liver cancer). Ordinary differential equations were developed which included temporal parameters in the model which were the susceptible population, HCC incidence rates, death rates and birth rates. A schematic hybrid model modified from I.P.M + S.I. R model was developed. S.I. R + I.P.M model was used because HCC cases invariably die but some cases of HCC in early stages survive for some time. In conclusion, this study has established the applicability of the hybrid mathematical model from SIR and IPM for liver cancer burden. Liver cancer burden in western Kenya would increase over time unless risk factors are controlled. The models are sensitive and effective in predicting the burden of liver cancer in the community. This study provides health care workers and stake holders with information to enable generation of policy for management and prevention of HCC.
Comparative actinomycete diversity in marine sediments

The diversity of cultured actinomycete bacteria was compared between near- and off- shore marine sediments. Strains were tested for the effects of seawater on growth and analyzed for 16S rRNA gene sequence diversity. In total, 623 strains representing 6 families in the order Actino- mycetales were cultured. These strains were binned into 16 to 63 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) over a range of 97 to 100% sequence identity. The majority of the OTUs were closely related (>98% sequence identity) to strains previously reported from non-marine sources, indicating that most are not restricted to the sea. However, new OTUs averaged 96.6% sequence identity with previously cul- tured strains and ca. one-third of the OTUs were marine-specific, suggesting that sediment commu- nities include considerable actinomycete diversity that does not occur on land. Marine specificity did not increase at the off-shore sites, indicating high levels of terrestrial influence out to 125 km from shore. The requirement of seawater for growth was observed among <6% of the strains, while all members of 9 OTUs possessed this trait, revealing a high degree of marine adaptation among some lineages. Statistical analyses predicted greater OTU diversity at the off-shore sites and provided a rationale for expanded exploration of deep-sea samples. A change in community composition was observed, with the number of Micromonospora OTUs increasing in the off-shore samples. UniFrac (see http://bmf2.colorado.edu/unifrac) statistics support a difference in community composition between near- and off-shore locations. Overall, 123 of 176 strains had distinct 16S rRNA gene sequences, indicating a high level of actinomycete diversity in marine sediments.
Labor market institutions and wage setting. Empirical evidence for OECD countries

One of the main channels through which labour market institutions are supposed to work in determining macroeconomic performance, and the unemployment rate in particular, is trough their effects on the key parameters of the wage curve, particularly the responsiveness of the real wage to the unemployment rate. The question this paper addresses is whether empirical evidence for OECD countries tends to support this particular transmission mechanism. The analysis involves two steps. First, the methodology suggested by Pesaran, Shin and Smith (2001) is applied to time series data for each of 20 OECD countries over the period 1960-1999, in order to test for the existence of a long run level relationship between the real wage and the set of explanatory variables indicated by the theory, and to estimate the parameters of such long run wage curve for each country. Second, the relationship between the estimated wage elasticities to unemployment and a set of labour market institutions of regulatory nature which are supposed to influence such parameter (in particular benefit replacement rates and benefit duration, bargaining coordination, union density and employment protection) is investigated in a cross-country framework. Overall, the analysis finds little support for the role of labor market institutions in explaining inter-country differences in the responsiveness of the real wage to unemployment. None of the institutional variables considered has any significant effect whatsoever on the estimated responses of the real wage to unemployment when considering the whole cross-section sample of 20 OECD countries. When restricting the attention to smaller groups of countries, there is some evidence that benefit duration tends to lowe r the unemployment elasticity of the real wage, and that bargaining coordination and employment protection do have some significant effects, which are, however the opposite of what one would normally expect: real wages are more responsive to unemployment in countries with a lower degree of bargaining coordination and an higher degree of employment protection.
Effect of Resveratrol on Proinflammatory Gene Expression in Pancreas of Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Objective: Inflammation and oxidative stress play an important role in the development of Diabetes mellitus (DM). The production amount of increased reactive oxygen types in s-cells that are sensitive to oxidative stress cause degeneration in insulin release and insulin resistance in Type 2 DM. Streptozotocin(STZ) breaks down s-cells with the accumulation of free radicals by inhibiting pancreas superoxide dismutase. And Resveratrol (RSV) has an inhibitory effect on the degenaration of pancreatic s cells. In this study, we aimed to examine the impact of expressions in NF-κB, TNFα, IL-6, iNOS and COX2 genes in STZ-induced diabetes in pancreases of rats on the complications of DM. Methods: STZ-induced diabetes in pancreases of rats and RSV applied pancreatic tissues of rats after inducing diabetes are used. RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis are conducted for these tissues. mRNA expressions of NF-κB, TNFα, IL-6, iNOS and COX2 genes are realized with real-time PCR reaction and results are evaluated statistically. Results: No significant difference is observed between control, sham control and control+DMSO groups on COX2, iNOS, NF-κB, TNFα and IL-6 in mRNA level. When control and diabetes groups are compared, it is observed that mRNA levels of COX2, iNOS, NF-κB, TNFα and IL-6 genes increased in mRNA expression levels of target genes in diabetes group. This presents a statistical meaning between two groups. And when diabetes and diabetes+RSV groups are compared, decrease in COX2, iNOS, NF-κB, TNFα and IL-6 genes are observed in mRNA levels. It is observed that this decrease is not statistically meaningful. Conclusion: Data obtained shows that there is decrease in expression levels of inflammatory genes in diabetic rats and RSV application has no statistically significant effect on expression levels of these genes. From this point of view it can be said that only RSV application cannot change the expression levels of inflammatory genes associated with diabetes.
On a theorem of Lyapounov

It is shown that a Hamiltonian system in the neighbourhood of an equilibrium may be given a special normal form in case the eigenvalues of the linearized system satisfy non–resonance conditions of Melnikov’s type. The normal form possesses a two dimensional (local) invariant manifold on which the solutions are known. If the eigenvalue is pure imaginary then these solutions are the natural continuation of a normal mode of the linear system. The latter result was first proved by Lyapounov. The present paper completes Lyapounov’s result in that the convergence of the transformation of the Hamiltonian to a normal form is proven and the condition that the eigenvalues be pure imaginary is removed.
Knowledge spillovers through R&D networking

In spite of the abundant research on the relation between spillovers and the optimal outcome of cooperation in R&D versus non-co-operative set-ups, and the well-acknowledged increasing occurrence of co-operative agreements, the fact that firms could manage and increase spillovers through R&D cooperation has hardly been addressed empirically. In this paper, we will show that the rationale for a policy of promoting R&D co-operation depends on the theoretical perspective that is endorsed, and on the magnitude and nature of spillovers, a matter that is still open to empirical scrutiny. Public policies that are entirely based on conclusions from analysing existing national value added linkages may be more inward- and backward looking than those which also consider (inter)national collaborative patterns, that will partly shape the future economic and technological space.
Acute Toxic Effects of Organophosphate Pesticides on Killifish Fish (Aphanius dispar) Juveniles

In the present study an attempt has been made to investigate the effect of organophosphate pesticide on Aphanius dispar (killifish) through acute toxicity bioassay (24 h). The results showed that the LC50 values for two pesticides tested were low 0.0025 ppm for chlorpyrifos and 0.039 ppm for methyl parathion indicating high sensitivity of fish juveniles to different pesticides. The treatment with pesticides also resulted in decreased total tissue proteins in A. dispar which reduces the nutritive quality of fish and hence producing negative impact on the health and safety of fisheries products.
DAMAGE DETECTION USING LEAST-SQUARES SINGULAR VALUE DECOMPOSITION METHOD AND ITS SENSITIVITY TO EXPERIMENTAL DATA

A singular value decomposition algorithm, SVD, is applied to frequency response function matrix to identify damage. A composite beam is used to generate vibration data for a healthy and damaged database. The method employed was named robust singular value decomposition as this procedure uses robust statistics to avoid outlier data, so the analysis can be done in a set of healthy and damaged data. Remarks are made on efficiency of the detection algorithm for different damage levels, and measurement techniques.
Spatial Patterns of Seed Dispersal by White‐Faced Capuchins in Costa Rica: Evaluating Distant‐Dependent Seed Mortality

Spatial patterns of seed dispersal are the focus of numerous theoretical examinations of endozoochory. Here, we examine the spatial pattern of seed dispersal by white‐faced capuchin monkeys Cebus capucinus in Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica, and the neighborhood characteristics and distance variables most closely associated with seed survival and germination, and seedling survival and growth in various locations. Overall, distance to the nearest fruiting conspecific tree has the most positive, consistent effect on growth and survival variables, which supports a variation of the Janzen–Connell seed escape hypothesis.
Defect reduction in (11-20) a-plane GaN by two-step epitaxial lateral overgrowth

We report a two-step growth method to obtain uniformly coalesced epitaxial lateral overgrown a-plane GaN by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). By obtaining a large wing height to width aspect ratio in the first step followed by enhanced lateral growth in the second step via controlling the growth temperature, we reduced the tilt angle between the advancing Ga-polar and N-polar wings for improved properties. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the threading dislocation density in the wing area was 1.0 x 10{sup 8}cm{sup -2}, more than two orders of magnitude lower than that in the window area (4.2 x 10{sup 10} cm{sup -2}). However, a high density of basal stacking faults, 1.2 x 10{sup 4} cm{sup -1}, was still observed in the wing area. Near field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) at room temperature revealed that the luminescence was mainly from the wing regions with very little contribution from the windows and meeting fronts. These observations suggest that due to significant reduction of threading dislocations radiative recombination is enhanced in the wings.
The comparison of effects of two selected functional and Therabandtrainings on the dynamic balance and strength of lower limb among elderly men

Physiological changes related to aging and muscular problems can increase the risk of injuries in the elderly people. Hence, one of the major risks in the elderly people is falling down. The present study aims to compare the effects of two selected Functional and Theraband trainings on the dynamic balance and strength of lower limb in the elderly men. 45 old men with physically healthy in range of 60 to 75 years were randomly divided into three groups: the Functional trainings (n=15), Theraband trainings (n=15) and control groups (n=15). The dynamic balance with Berg test and the lower limb strength with 30 Second Chair Stand tests were measured. The Functional and Theraband groups take part in Theraband and Functional trainings for 6 weeks. All tests were repeated for all of the groups after six weeks of training in the same condition. Data were analysed by covariance analysis (ANCOVA). The level of significance was p≤0.05. The results of this study showed that the Functional and Theraband trainings lead to a significant improvement in the dynamic balance and strength of lower limb in the elderly men. Furthermore, Theraband trainings on the strength of lower limb and Functional trainings on the dynamic balance had more effect. Elderly men are recommended to use Functional trainings for improving the dynamic balance and the Theraband trainings for improving the strength of lower limb.
Seismic Facies of Pleistocene–Holocene Channel-fill Deposits in Bawean Island and Adjacent Waters, Southeast Java Sea

The late Pleistocene-Holocene stratigraphic architecture of the Bawean Island and surrounding waters, southeast Java Sea has been analyzed by using sparker seismic profiles. Geological interpretation of these seismic profiles revealed the widespread distribution of paleochannels with different shape and size in the present-day Java Sea. Two channel types can be distinguished based on its morphology: U-shaped channels in the western part and V-shaped channels in the eastern part. The stratigraphic successions were grouped into two major seismic units separated by different seismic boundaries. Characters of marine and fluvial deposits were determined based on seismic boundaries and internal reflectors. Three seismic facies can be identified within late Pleistocene – Holocene incised channel fills associated with SB2. The internal structure of incised-channels consist of chaotic reflector at the bottom, covered by parallel–sub parallel and almost reflection-free indicating the homogenous sediment deposited during the succession. Keywords : Pleistocene-Holocene channel fills, sparker seismic profiles, seismic boundaries, incised–channel, Java Sea. Rekaman seismik sparker digunakan untuk menganalisis endapan stratigrafi berumur Plistosen Akhir–Holosen di Perairan Pulau Bawean dan sekitarnya. Berdasarkan interpretasi geologi dari rekaman seismik tersebut teridentifikasi sebaran alur purba yang berbeda bentuk dan ukuran dengan kondisi Laut Jawa sekarang. Berdasarkan morfologinya, dua tipe alur purba yang terdentifikasi adalah alur purba berbentuk U di bagian barat dan berbentuk V yang terbentuk di bagian timur daerah penelitian. Suksesi stratigrafi kemudian dibedakan menjadi dua grup unit seismik utama yang dibatasi oleh perbedaan batas seismik, yaitu endapan asal darat dan laut yang ditentukan berdasarkan batas sikuen dan reflektor internal. Pada unit Pleistosen–Holosen teridentifikasi tiga tipe fasies seismik yang berkorelasi pada batas sikuen SB2. Struktur internal alur purba yang tertoreh terdiri dari reflektor kaotik yang di bagian bawah, kemudian ditutupi oleh reflektor paralel - sub paralel sampai hampir bebas refleksi yang mengindikasikan terendapkannya sedimen homogen selama suksesi tersebut. Kata kunci : Pengisi alur Plistosen - Holosen, penampang seismik sparker, batas seismik, alur tertoreh, Laut Jawa.