Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The day-to-day interbank market, volatility, and central bank intervention in a developing economy

This paper investigates banking system instability vis-a-vis the day-to-day interbank market and monetary policy effectiveness in the Dominican Republic. The analysis reveals a negative relationship among excess banking system reserves and the interbank interest rate, and shows that in crisis 'news' affect the interbank rate's volatility asymmetrically and non-linearly. The paper also finds that the 2002-3003 banking crisis and the subsequent central bank intervention as a lender of last resort weakened monetary policy's transmission mechanism. These events undermined the ensuing stabilization effort, stressing the pervasive short-run trade-off between preserving macroeconomic stability and safeguarding financial stability, and the pitfalls of monetary policymaking in a highly volatility setting.
Evaluating tests of virialization and substructure using galaxy clusters in the ORELSE survey

We evaluated the effectiveness of different indicators of cluster virialization using 12 large-scale structures in the ORELSE survey spanning from $0.7<z<1.3$. We located diffuse X-ray emission from 16 galaxy clusters using Chandra observations. We studied the properties of these clusters and their members, using Chandra data in conjunction with optical and near-IR imaging and spectroscopy. We measured X-ray luminosities and gas temperatures of each cluster, as well as velocity dispersions of their member galaxies. We compared these results to scaling relations derived from virialized clusters, finding significant offsets of up to 3-4$\sigma$ for some clusters, which could indicate they are disturbed or still forming. We explored if other properties of the clusters correlated with these offsets by performing a set of tests of virialization and substructure on our sample, including Dressler-Schectman tests, power ratios, analyses of the velocity distributions of galaxy populations, and centroiding differences. For comparison to a wide range of studies, we used two sets of tests: ones that did and did not use spectral energy distribution fitting to obtain rest-frame colours, stellar masses, and photometric redshifts of galaxies. Our results indicated that the difference between the stellar mass or light mean-weighted center and the X-ray center, as well as the projected offset of the most-massive/brightest cluster galaxy from other cluster centroids had the strongest correlations with scaling relation offsets, implying they are the most robust indicators of cluster virialization and can be used for this purpose when X-ray data is insufficiently deep for reliable $L_X$ and $T_X$ measurements.
Retirement Planning & Job Satisfaction: Cushion to Avoid Bridge Employment?

Retirement forces older workers to disconnect with their previous behavioural patterns and economic position. Transition and adjustment from working life to retirement places great psychological pressure and financial distress on older workers, especially those with dependent children. Bridge employment provides a solution for older workers to continue working after retirement while transitioning into retirement slowly and smoothly. As losing the job role has a significant impact on the psychological well-being of retirees, engaging in bridge employment helps to fulfil the important psychological functions of older workers by providing an adaptive style to retirement. This study investigates the influence of retirement planning and job satisfaction on bridge employment. A self-administered questionnaire was used in this study and a total of 523 samples were collected for nine major districts in Sabah. Data were analysed using Partial Least Square (PLS) method version 2.0. The result showed a significant relationship between retirement planning and job satisfaction on bridge employment, explaining 4.7% the variance in bridge employment and job satisfaction was found to be the strongest predictor of bridge employment.
Bothering consumers: When recommendation agents don’t really make our life easier

Intelligent systems have been used in different types of websites with the intention of creating personalized messages and understanding consumers’ needs more deeply. They are supposed to facilitate the decision-making process, make internet browsing easier and give users a sense of social feeling and personalization. So far, research in the field has focused attention on the positive aspects of using these systems. Little effort has been made, however, to try to recognize and correct situations in which they do not perform so well. This work is the result of an exploratory research destined to understand the broadness of the concept of failure in personalized environments as well as its antecedents and consequents. Based on the critical incident technique, we collected the opinion of 86 subjects in a multicultural environment and used their responses to elaborate a comprehensive framework of recommendation failure considering the different motivations for Internet use. Keywords: personalization, online shopping, recommendation agents, recommendation failure.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT: TACTILE PRODUCTS FOR HERITAGE ACCESS

This article presents a pilot study carried out in the city of Barcelona on assistive resources applied to an itinerary of possible interest to visually impaired people. The objective of this study was to use qualitative research techniques to analyze the use of tactile maps, produced with 3D printing, in order to allow people to identify and memorize routes. This analysis was carried out using an evaluation model based on the principles of Universal Design (UD). Four visually impaired users participated in this initial study. They tried the different mock-ups, providing an experience in response to the main research questions: “Could 3D printing be a good technique for making tactile maps for all users, especially visually impaired users? ” and “Could a visually impaired person use a map printed with this technique to learn a route to visit an accessible heritage site? ”
Pharmacologyonline 2 : 829-838 ( 2008 )

In this study, the antioxidant properties of Cassia surattensis (flowers, leaves, stem and pod) extracts were evaluated through DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicalscavenging activity and Xanthine oxidase inhibition assay. The IC50 values were calculated for the above methods in order to evaluate the antioxidant efficiency of each C. surattensis extracts. The phenol contents were also obtained. C. surattensis flowers revealed the best antioxidant property, presenting much lower IC50 values (423.32μg/ml for DPPH assay and 11.1 μg/ml for xanthine oxidase assay). Furthermore, the highest antioxidant contents (polyphenols) were found for these extracts (657.2392 + 2.0321mg GAEs/g extract). The antioxidative activities were correlated with the total phenol. This study suggests that possible mechanism of this activity may be due to free radicalscavenging and antioxidant activities which may be due to the presence of polyphenols in the extracts.
What Determines the Individual Decision to Take Preventive Actions?

This paper aims to empirically understand individual decisions to take health related preventive actions. The model includes not only economic factors, but also social and medical characteristics. We find a positive impact of income and schooling in the probability of doing prevention. We also conclude that women do more prevention than men, and that smokers do less prevention than non smokers. This information is relevant for the decision maker, as identifying critical factors about prevention allows for a better programming and resource allocation for specific policies. There is no evidence to sustain the theoretical prediction of ex-ante moral hazard.
Customized Ontology model for Web Information Gathering using Clustering

The explosion of data leads to the problem on how information should be retrieved accurately and effectively. To address this issue, ontology's are widely used to represent user profiles in personalized web information gathering. As a model for knowledge description and formalization, ontology's are widely used to represent user profiles in personalized web information gathering. When representing user profiles, many models have utilized only knowledge from either a global knowledge base or local knowledge base. Ontology model learns user profiles from both a world knowledge base and local knowledge base. A non-content based customized ontology model is proposed for knowledge representation and reasoning over user profiles. This model generates user Local Instance Repository which includes non-content based descriptors referring to the subjects. This model has improvement over former models in hit/miss ratio, precision and recall parameters.
An Index to Estimate the Wing Area in A Small Passerine, Using the Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) As A Case Study

An Index to Estimate the Wing Area in A Small Passerine, Using the Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) As A Case Study In this paper we suggest two new indices that can be used to estimate passerines' wing area. The first is a simplified index that considers wing pointedness and the width of each primary, the second is an extended index that also considers the length of the forearm. Using the Blue Tit as an example, we show that the sum of the width of all remiges is correlated with the maximum length of the folded wing (rp = 0.42, p = 0.020, N = 30). The length of the ulna is correlated with the maximum length of the folded wing (rp = 0.56, p = 0.005, N = 24). The two indices were derived from measurements of the wing length and the wing formula of birds caught at ringing stations. The indices can be used to analyse materials the stations have collected over the past 50 years. We also discuss how these indices can be applied in intra- and interspecific comparisons and to data collected using different standard methods.
EVALUATION OF A PCR-BASED METHOD TO DETECT VERTICILLIUM DAHLIAE IN CHICORY TAPROOTS

The identification of red chicory plants infected by Verticillium dahliae at the moment of transplant for seed production is needed since at this time some infected plants could be symptomless. Since the usual plating method is time-consuming and not always reliable, a PCR-based method was evaluated, using oligonucleotide primers described as specific for this pathogen. The experiments allowed to obtain the optimal amplification profile and to verify the good specificity of the primers VMSP1/VMSP2 that, with DNA extracted from Verticillium-infected taproot tissues, amplify a specific fragment of 140 bp.
Protein extraction from grape tissues by two-dimensional electrophoresis

At the onset of proteomic studies protein samples have to be accurately separated by two dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE); subsequently polypeptides are identified. Grape tissues, in particular roots, can be very problematic due to their hardness and to the high content of compounds that interfere in classical protein extraction. We have used a phenol-based extraction method in the presence of a protease inhibitor and Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP). In this paper we demonstrate that this extraction method gives satisfactory and reproducible protein separation allowing the identification of some proteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).
Public Policy Approaches towards the Undeclared Economy in European Countries: A Critical Overview

The aim of this paper is to evaluate critically the extent to which the conventional eradication approach towards undeclared work has been transcended and replaced by an approach which seeks to shift undeclared work into the declared economy. Reporting the results of a 2010 survey of 104 senior stakeholders from government departments, trade unions and employer organisations in 31 European countries, and 24 follow-up in-depth interviews, the finding is that although there is a move towards adopting policy measures that shift undeclared work into the declared economy, a deterrence approach that simply seeks to eliminate undeclared work remains the principal approach in most nations and the approach viewed as the most effective way of tackling undeclared work. Given this intransigence on the part of European national governments, the paper concludes by setting out a future research agenda to bridge this gap.
Comparison of Three Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Best Track Datasets in a Seasonal Context

The quality of tropical cyclone (TC) best track data has increasingly received more attention in climate research in recent years because of the rising interest in the possible effects of global warming on TC activity. In this paper, three best track datasets for the western North Pacific TCs were compared in a seasonal context. Firstly, the statistical characteristics were examined based on their distributions. Then, the potential impact of particular features within the datasets was evaluated by using contrastive cluster analyses. The mean amplitude of the annual cycle in the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) data is largest among the three datasets. The smallest interannual variability helped the Shanghai Typhoon Institute of China Meteorological Administration (CMA-STI) dataset to resist the negative effect of outliers. An inhomogeneity around 2003–2004 was identified in the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) data by the outliers and was compared with the JMA and CMA-STI data. By using contrastive cluster analyses, the differences among the datasets and some effects related to particular issues, including the representation of the annual cycle, the outliers, and wind conversion were evaluated. The JTWC dataset is affected by outliers and wind conversion among the different average times, whereas the representation of the annual cycle was important for the CMA-STI data. After excluding all the outliers, the results indicated more consistent classifications of the TC annual cycle between the JMA and JTWC data.
Plane-Sweep Algorithm: Various Tools for Computer Vision

Recent research on computer vision has made significant progress in 3d reconstruction and free-viewpoint video however most of these methods are not suited for real-time rendering. This paper presents a Video-Based Rendering method that provides online new viewpoints of the scene from a set of webcams. Our method follows a plane-sweep approach perfectly suited for GPU implementation. This paper mainly focuses on different implementations of this method for different purposes. Indeed, our basic plane-sweep technique uses 4 input cameras to create online new views. However this method can be modified to be used with up to 10 cameras or more by a camera selection process. This method can also be adapted to handle moving input cameras using a real-time camera calibration technique. Moreover, this method can easily render a depth map instead of a new view. Finally, we explain how the plane-sweep algorithm can be modified to create multiple new views simultaneously. This latter application is mainly designed for autostereoscopic displays application. Implementation and performance are detailed for all these plane-sweep methods.
Design of an IoT Enabled Local Network Based Home Monitoring System with a Priority Scheme

Internet of things (IoT) is a concept where all devices get connected to the internet to exchange information. IoT can be utilized in order to make a home environment interactive and smart. The required connectivity can be provided by either making all the devices Wi-Fi capable, which is costly, or by setting a local wireless sensor network (WSN) which later connects to internet. In this work various devices and sensors are designed and connected in a wireless sensor network within a home environment which generates a sensor dependent data packet. These data packets are then sent to the cloud through a master node. The master sends the data using a proposed priority scheme so that the critical information can be sent early. Simulations were performed to show that under the proposed scheme the loss of critical sensors information is reduced by around 75%.
Lattice Boltzmann based multicomponent reactive transport model coupled with geochemical solver for scale simulations

A Lattice Boltzmann (LB) based reactive transport model intended to capture reactions and solid phase changes occurring at the pore scale is presented. The proposed approach uses LB method to compute multi component mass transport. The LB multi-component transport model is then coupled with the well-established geochemical reaction code PHREEQC which solves for thermodynamic equilibrium in mixed aqueous-solid phase system with homogenous and heterogeneous reactions. This coupling enables us to update solid phases volumes based on dissolution or precipitation using static update rules which, on pore scale, affects the change of potentially pore network geometry. Unlike conventional approach, heterogeneous reactions are conceptualized as volumetric reactions by introducing additional source term in the fluid node next to solid node, and not as flux boundaries. To demonstrate the validity of this approach several examples are presented in this paper.
Herschel Planetary Nebula Survey (HerPlaNS): hydrogen recombination laser lines in Mz 3

The bipolar nebula Menzel 3 (Mz 3) was observed as part of the \textit{Herschel} Planetary Nebula Survey (\textit{HerPlaNS}), which used the PACS and SPIRE instruments aboard the \textit{Herschel Space Observatory} to study a sample of planetary nebulae (PNe). In this paper, one of the series describing \textit{HerPlaNS} results, we report the detection of H I recombination lines (HRLs) in the spectrum of Mz 3. Inspection of the spectrum reveals the presence of 12 HRLs in the 55 to 680 $\mu$m range covered by the PACS and SPIRE instruments (H11$\alpha$ to H21$\alpha$ and H14$\beta$). The presence of HRLs in this range is unusual for PNe and has not been reported in Mz 3 before. Our analysis indicates that the HRLs we observed are enhanced by laser effect occurring in the core of Mz 3. Our arguments for this are: (i) the available Mz 3 optical to submillimetre HRL $\alpha$ line intensity ratios are not well reproduced by the spontaneous emission of optically thin ionized gas, as would be typical for nebular gas in PNe; (ii) the compact core of Mz 3 is responsible for a large fraction of the Herschel HRLs emission; (iii) the line intensity ratios for Mz 3 are very similar to those in the core emission of the well known star MWC 349A, where laser effect is responsible for the enhancement of HRLs in the Herschel wavelength range; (iv) the physical characteristics relevant to cause laser effect in the core of MWC 349A are very similar to those in the core of Mz 3.
FRACTIONATION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS FROM THE ALLUVIAL TERRACES AND CUTBANKS OF THE GUALAXO DO NORTE BASIN, EASTERN-SOUTHEASTERN OF THE QUADRILÁTERO FERRÍFERO, MG, BRAZIL

O presente estudo objetivou determinar, via extracao sequencial (metodo adaptado a partir do Bureau de Referencia de Romunidade), as diferentes maneiras em que os elementos Fe, As, Pb, Mn, Ba, Zn e Ni sao associados com sedimentos dos terracos aluviais e da bacia do Rio Gualaxo Norte (leste-sudeste da Quadrilatero Ferrifero, Minas Gerais, Brasil). A fim de complementar os dados obtidos por extracao sequencial, foram incluidas descricao sedimentologica e interpretacao de facies, bem como, analise mineralogica e granulometria de amostras coletadas em cada perfil. Os resultados mostram altas concentracoes dos elementos Pb, As, Fe, Mn e Ba em amostras de solo. No entanto, apenas uma pequena percentagem desses recursos sao prontamente biodisponiveis por estar associado com a fracao trocavel. Atencao especial deve ser dada aos elementos Ba e Ni, que podem ser mobilizados em caso de reducao do pH, quando a liberacao de drenagem acida de rejeitos das atividades de mineracao. Sobre os elementos toxicos As e Pb, estes aparecem predominantemente associados com a fracao residual (sugerindo uma origem geogenic), embora a analise dos perfis estratigraficos revelam que grandes concentracoes desses elementos aparecem para ser associadas com atividades antropogenicas, tais como a mineracao de ouro na regiao estudada. Nesses casos, estimula o desenvolvimento ou adaptacao de extrair um protocolo especifico, considerando as caracteristicas de amostras (ricos em ferro, pobre em materia orgânica, com ou sem a presenca de sulfetos).
UPDATED DISTRIBUTION OF THE EUROPEAN POND TURTLE EMYS ORBICULARIS (LINNAEUS, 1758) AND ITS CONSERVATION ISSUES IN SERBIA

Although the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) has been included in studies for several decades, the information about its distribution and the state of populations in Serbia is still incomplete. The data collected from the available literature sources, and those based on the authors’ own field investigations, indicate that E. orbicularis occupies a large part of the territory of the Republic of Serbia, preferring aquatic biotopes at lower altitudes. We compiled a list of 287 localities where the presence of the pond turtle has been recorded. Of those, 14% (40 localities) were known only from literature sources, localities added during our field investigations represent 82% (235 sites), 4% (12 localities) confirming literature data. We also gathered information on the main negative threats to the endurance of the pond turtle in Serbia. These are habitat pollution, degradation and destruction, and the spread of allochthonous invasive turtle species. Some protective and conservation measures are suggested in the conclusion. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173043]
An Eulerian- Lagrangian numerical method to predict bubbly flows

A large-eddy simulation based Eulerian-Lagrangian model is employed to study bubble plumes in an open channel with crossflow. The numerical results are validated with PIV experimental data. Good agreement between simulated and observed velocities is found. The impact of the crossflow on the structure of the plume and the resulting turbulent structures are described.
Energy / Delay Trade-off of the GTS Allocation Mechanism in IEEE 802 . 15 . 4 for Wireless Sensor Networks

The IEEE 802.15. 4 protocol proposes a flexible communication solution for Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (LR-WPAN) including wireless sensor networks (WSNs). It presents the advantage to fit different requirements of potential applications by adequately setting its parameters. When in beaconenabled mode, the protocol can provide timeliness guarantees by using its Guaranteed Time Slot (GTS) mechanism. However, power-efficiency and timeliness guarantees are often two antagonistic requirements in wireless sensor networks. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and propose a methodology for setting the relevant parameters of IEEE 802.15. 4-compliant WSNs that takes into account a proper trade-off between powerefficiency and delay bound guarantees. First, we propose two accurate models of service curves for a GTS allocation as a function of the IEEE 802.15. 4 parameters, using Network Calculus formalism. We then evaluate the delay bound guaranteed by a GTS allocation and express it as a function of the duty cycle. Based on the relation between the delay requirement and the duty cycle, we propose a power-efficient superframe selection method that simultaneously reduces power consumption and enables meeting the delay requirements of real-time flows allocating GTSs. The results of this work may pave the way for a powerefficient management of the GTS mechanism in an IEEE 802.15. 4 cluster. Energy/Delay Trade-off of the GTS Allocation Mechanism in IEEE 802.15. 4 for Wireless Sensor Networks Anis KOUBAA, Mário ALVES, Eduardo TOVAR IPP-HURRAY! Research Group, Polytechnic Institute of Porto Rua Dr. Antonio Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, PORTUGAL {akoubaa, emt}@dei.isep.ipp.pt , mjf@isep.ipp.pt