Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The allocation of tradeable emission permits within Economic Unions: is there any room for environmental dumping?

This paper deals with environmental dumping between national governments belonging to an Economic Union when the regulation of pollution takes place through emissions trading. This topic is addressed in a stylised model where allowances can be freely traded within the Economic Union and decisions on the amount of emission permits to be allocated to the polluting units may be either centralised or decentralised to the national governments. In a simple setup where the emission permits are traded in a perfectly competitive market and national governments act strategically, we show that the decentralised solution would not be efficient. We argue that this model may be used as a stylised framework to investigate the welfare properties of the EU emissions trading system (Directive 2003/87/CE). (JEL numbers: L13, L50.
The Effect of Board and Ownership Structure on the Efficiency of Banks in Tunisia: The Stochastic Frontier Approach

The corporate governance problem is likely to be worse in banks due to their attributes (greater opaqueness than other industries, greater government regulation.) that weaken many traditional governance mechanisms. The purpose of this research is to explore the governance characteristics of the Tunisian listed banks and to detect the impact of the internal governance mechanisms on their efficiency during the period 2002-2009. Our findings indicate that the structure and the size of the board of directors and the ownership structures present divergent effects on the banks efficiency. Then, empirical results show that Tunisian listed banks display a middle efficiency level of 81.60% during the period 2002-2006. The deterioration of the efficiency level is owed to big public bank; in fact, private banks are more efficient than the public ones.
Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory beyond Linear Response: An Exchange-Correlation Potential with Memory

WidespreadB interest in nonlinear dynamic phenomenaleadsC us to seek an efﬁcient description of time-dependentexchangeD and correlation effects in strongly perturbed in-teractingE many-body systems. These effects exhibit amemory in general, and recent work [1,2] on linearF re-sponse suggests that a spatially local memory approxi-mation will only be available if one works in terms ofcurrentsG and vector potentials, rather than densities andscalar potentials. Here we will show that, at least in thecaseG of one-dimensional spatial variation, a very simplereinterpretation of the local-densityapproximation, at thenonlinearH level, can lead to the correct linear
VALIDATION OF REAL-TIME PCR METHODS FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF GENETICALLY-MODIFIED MAIZE AND SOYBEAN

The objective of this study was to validate TaqMan real-time PCR procedures for the quantification of genetically-modified maize (events: MON810, Bt11, Bt176, and T25) and soybean (event: GTS 40-3-2) with the capillary LightCycler 2.0 instrument. The quantification was done by the amplification of reference maize genes: hmg (MON810, Bt11), zSSIIb (Bt176), and adh1 (T25), and genetically-modified DNA fragments containing a part of the maize genome and modified genes at 5’ end (MON810, Bt11, T25), or unique DNA sequence of genes (cryIAb/IVS9) used for the modification (Bt176). As regards GM soybean event GTS 40-3-2, soya specific lectin gene and GM construct-specific DNA fragment (CaMV35S/ CTP- EPSPS) were amplified in real-time PCR reactions. Real-time PCR performance criteria achieved in this validation study proved that it is possible to use the reaction protocol made for 96-well plates real-time PCR instruments at capillary Roche thermocycler. Result of the performance criteria obtained for real-time PCR validation study for the quantification of genetically-modified maize or soybean were satisfactory, close or ever better than the values of inter-laboratory ring-trials.
Small and Nearby NEOs Observed by NEOWISE During the First Three Years of Survey: Physical Properties

Automated asteroid detection routines set requirements on the number of detections, signal-to-noise ratio, and the linearity of the expected motion in order to balance completeness, reliability, and time delay after data acquisition when identifying moving object tracklets. However, when the full-frame data from a survey are archived, they can be searched later for asteroids that were below the initial detection thresholds. We have conducted such a search of the first three years of the reactivated Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer data, looking for near-Earth objects discovered by ground-based surveys that have previously unreported thermal infrared data. Using these measurements, we can then perform thermal modeling to measure the diameters and albedos of these objects. We present new physical properties for 116 Near-Earth Objects found in this search.
Evaluation of natural gas strategies of Turkey in East Mediterranean region: a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats and analytic network process approach

Demand for natural gas has severely challenged the world supply among other types of energy sources such as coal, geothermal, nuclear and etc. Natural gas is the most important form of energy because it is clean, abundant, reliable and versatile. Due to the limited and transportable characterizes of natural gas, sharing pipelines for natural gas with other nations can either bring peace and stability or create chaos. To avoid insoluble strategies, it is very explicit to decide scientifically for these kinds of global issues. To do so, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) – ANP (Analytic Network Process) integrated approach is presented to evaluate natural gas policies for Turkey in terms of East Mediterranean Region. In the first step, the appropriate strategies, SO (strengths-opportunities), ST (strengths-threats), WO (weaknesses-opportunities) and WT (weaknesses-threats) are determined via SWOT analysis including four criteria, 20 sub-criteria and seven strategies. Due to inability of SWOT analysis to prioritize the criteria and rank the strategies, ANP approach which also considers the dependency between criteria is applied in the second step. Finally, the proposed SWOT-ANP approach is compared with other multi criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques to represent the effectiveness and applicability of the model.
A test of large-scale reproductive migration in females of the amphidromous shrimp Macrobrachium acanthurus (Caridea : Palaemonidae) from south-eastern Brazil

Macrobrachium acanthurus inhabits estuaries and rivers in the western Atlantic. It is not clear whether females migrate towards estuaries to hatch larvae, as reported for other congeneric shrimps. We tested whether females of M. acanthurus exhibit reproductive migrations. The population dynamics of this shrimp was studied in the Ribeira de Iguape River, Brazil. Four sites that differ in position with respect to the coast were sampled monthly during 2007. In M. acanthurus, reproduction was seasonal and reproductive intensity did not vary among study sites. Females brooding early and late embryos were found at all study sites during the reproductive season. No disappearance of reproductive females was observed at the study site located furthest away (~150 km) from the coast. Thus, reproductive females of M. acanthurus do not exhibit reproductive migrations towards estuaries to hatch larvae. Maturity in females was reached at smaller body sizes during the austral summer and spring compared with winter and autumn. Growth rate and body size was sex-specific; males grew slower but attained larger average and final body sizes than females. This information needs to be considered in assessing stocks and establishing sustainable management plans for M. acanthurus in Brazil.
A Gradual Approach for Multimodel Journey Planning: A Case Study in Izmir, Turkey

Planning a journey by integrating route and timetable information from diverse sources of transportation agencies such as bus, ferry, and train can be complicated. A user-friendly, informative journey planning system may simplify a plan by providing assistance in making better use of public transportation. In this study, we presented the service-oriented, multimodel Intelligent Journey Planning System, which we developed to assist travelers in journey planning. We selected Izmir, Turkey, as the pilot city for this system. The multicriteria problem is one of the well-known problems in transportation networks. Our study proposes a gradual path-finding algorithm to solve this problem by considering transfer count and travel time. The algorithm utilizes the techniques of efficient algorithms including round based public transit optimized router, transit node routing, and contraction hierarchies on transportation graph. We employed Dijkstra’s algorithm after the first stage of the path-finding algorithm by applying stage specific rules to reduce search space and runtime. The experimental results show that our path-finding algorithm takes 0.63 seconds of processing time on average, which is acceptable for the user experience.
Numerical validation of various mixing rules used for up-scaled geo-physical properties

Our objective is to interpret laboratory measurements of effective dielectric permittivities as a function of water saturation during drainage and imbibition processes in a porous medium. Mixing rules are widely used to express effective properties of coefficients, e.g. diffusion coefficient, Darcy permeability, electric conductivity and the dielectric permittivity, appearing in heterogeneous diffusion like processes. Here we confine our interest to the electrostatic behaviour of a mixture because most of the mixing rules were derived to compute the effective dielectric permittivity. The validation of the so called mixing rules is obtained by comparing them with the effective properties computed from the numerical solution of the steady state diffusion equation, including boundary conditions. One of the issues concerns the very large number of grid blocks required to obtain convergence. The basic case considers a checkerboard permittivity distribution. From simulations we can conclude that for the solution to converge to effective permittivity, a large number of grid blocks is needed. Furthermore, the convergence rate depends on the numerical method we use. To analyze the validity of the results obtained, we make use of the Hashin-Shtrikman bounds that show the range of effective values for different spatial distributions, for the given volume ratio of constituents. In agreement to the analytical solution, the geometric mean is found to be the value for the effective permittivity in the 2- D case. However, a different choice of internodal dielectric coefficients can enhance the computation for the finite difference simulation. For the 3-D case no analytical expression could be found and from the computations we can conclude that the effective permittivity is close to the Bruggeman mixing law and the third power law average. Conclusions and significance: 1.For the 2-D and 3-D problem the convergence rate for the Finite Element (FE) model is faster than for the Finite Difference (FD) model. 2.For the isotropic 2-D case, a geometric mean for the internodal dielectric permittivity leads to the fastest convergence rate, which corresponds to the effective parameter value. 3.The solution for the 3 –D problem is close to the Bruggeman mixing rule and the third power law average. 4.Coarse gridded FD computations, show results that do not satisfy the Hashin- Shtrikman bounds. 5.Fine gridded numerical computations can be used to analyze the measured effective dielectric permittivity in terms of the spatial distribution of the components. 6.The results suggest that it is possible to obtain unambiguous mixing formula if both the fraction of constituents and a geometric factor are specified. 7.Spatial distribution coefficients of the constituents (e.g. water, sand and rock) are important to interpret and to analyse electric resistivity measurements, e.g. borehole measurements. 8.This research shows that the conventional FD scheme used in reservoir simulators can be improved by an optimal choice of internodal permeabilities.
Dipolar-coupled moment correlations in clusters of magnetic nanoparticles

Here, we resolve the nature of the moment coupling between 10-nm dimercaptosuccinic acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles. The individual iron oxide cores were composed of >95% maghemite and agglomerated to clusters. At room temperature the ensemble behaved as a superparamagnet according to Mossbauer and magnetization measurements, however, with clear signs of dipolar interactions. Analysis of temperature-dependent ac susceptibility data in the superparamagnetic regime indicates a tendency for dipolar-coupled anticorrelations of the core moments within the clusters. To resolve the directional correlations between the particle moments we performed polarized small-angle neutron scattering and determined the magnetic spin-flip cross section of the powder in low magnetic field at 300 K. We extract the underlying magnetic correlation function of the magnetization vector field by an indirect Fourier transform of the cross section. The correlation function suggests nonstochastic preferential alignment between neighboring moments despite thermal fluctuations, with anticorrelations clearly dominating for next-nearest moments. These tendencies are confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations of such core clusters.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT, INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN KENYA JARED NCHOGU MARANGA A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED ECONOMICS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTERS IN ECONOMICS

Foreign Direct Investment and international trade have remained vital for many governments, with a number of pol icies put in place to promote them. This is due to the theoretical provisions which have pointed that any increase in foreign direct investment and international trade has positive and significant effects on the economic growth of the host country. Based on these theories a number of empirical studies have been carried out to determine the effects of foreign direct investment and international trade on economic growth in the host countries including Kenya. However, findings from the respective studies have presented mixed findings and as such no clear conclusion has been drawn. Therefore the objective of this study is to determine the effects of foreign direct investment and international trade in Kenya following continued implementation of policies geared towards attracting foreign direct investment and promotion of international trade. Secondary data obtained from World Bank Development Indicators, statistical abstracts and economic surveys was analysed. The study used the autoregressive distributed lag approach in regressing real gross domestic product growth on foreign direct investment, exports, imports, tax revenue and external debts for the period 1970-2013. From the results the foreign direct investments and natural logarithm of exports in gross domestic product of Kenya have a positive and significant effect on economic growth. On the other hand the results show that; imports, lagged value of tax revenue and external debt stock as components of gross domestic product had a negative and significant effect on economic growth. From the findings it is evident that the government should consider pursuing policies geared towards promoting foreign direct investments following the fact that it has a positive effect on economic growth. Equally, it is evident that exports play a vital role in boosting Kenya's economic growth and as such any policies put in place by the government to make Kenya's exports competitive should be encouraged. However, there is need for government to control its external borrowing owing to the fact that the results show that external debt as a component of gross domestic product has a negative and significant effect on economic growth.
Deregulated miRNA in Mammary Epithelium by Tumor Promoting Extracellular Matrix

Abstract : The goal of this project is to identify the miRNAs that are altered by the aberrant extracellular matrix within the tumor microenvironment, particularly the fibrillary collagen, Collagen type I (Col-1). The biochemical and biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are essential to the establishment and maintenance of epithelial polarity. Increased ECM rigidity caused by deposition of fibrillar collagen, e.g., type I collagen (Col-1), promotes loss of epithelial polarity and tumor progression. microRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and fundamental cellular processes. The current study explores a link between microRNAs and Col-1 deposition using organotypic three-dimensional culture in which epithelial cells are embedded within Matrigel, a mimic of basement membrane matrix (rBM 3-D). rBM 3-D culture of MCF-7 gave rise to acini that consisted of a polarized monolayer of epithelial cells facing a central lumen, an in vitro phenomenon of epithelial polarity. Supplementation of Col-1 disrupted acini and up-regulated the expression of miR-21, a well-documented oncogenic microRNA, via a post-transcriptional mechanism, which correlates with a decrease in two miR-21 targets, programmed cell death 4 and phosphatase and tensin homologue. In summary, our findings provide a link between altered ECM composition/rigidity and the expression of oncogenic microRNAs. The current study also suggests a novel post-transcriptional mechanism for regulation of miR-21 expression at maturation from pre-miR-21 to mature miR-21. We also compared the expression of miRNAs in rBM 3-D and 2-D cultures of the noninvasive MCF-7 and the invasive MDA-MB231 cells. Our findings revealed a profound difference in miRNA profiles between 2-D and rBM 3-D cultures within each cell type. The disparate miRNA profiles correlated with distinct mass morphogenesis of MCF-7 and invasive stellate morphogenesis of MDA-MB231 cells in rBM 3-D culture.
Investigating the performances of a bayesian biomass dynamic model with informative priors on Atlantic bluefin tuna

3SUMMARY We examined the possibility of eliciting informative priors for the parameters of a biomass production model with emphasis on the intrinsic population growth rate of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). We reviewed the literature to propose probability distribution functions for the vital rates and used a matrix population model structured by age (Leslie) to compute the population growth rate. A generalized biomass production model is applied on two CPUE and catch datasets (1976-1996 and 1976-2006) using informative priors. The population growth rate prior has a diffuse distribution and is very sensitive to young of the year mortality rate. Thus, we compared the performances of this prior with a commonly used prior for tunas population growth rate. We noticed satisfactory predicted CPUE for both series and priors. Therefore, the choice of relevant prior distributions for the biomass production model seems debatable for tunas. RESUME
Synthesis of silica particles for the use as probe in duffusion by FRAP and NMR-diffusometry

In this study we have prepared probes that can be used for measuring diffusion by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Diffusometry (NMR-d) and Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP), two techniques which give complementary information on mass transport. By using both it is possible to compare the global and local measurements and gain knowledge on the heterogeneity of the material, and on the probe-material interactions For the FRAP measurements, the probe needs to be fluorescent, photostable, but bleachable, while for the H NMR-d measurements, the probe has to carry responsive protons. We have synthesized silica nanoparticles of varying sizes using a modified Stöber process. FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate) was utilized to make the particles fluorescent and visible to FRAP. The dye was covalently bound to the silica matrix using APTMS ((3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane). A second layer of TEOS (tetraethyl orthosilicate) was added to help prevent leaching of the dye. The silica particles were then surface modified with a PEG (polyethylene glycol) silane to stabilize the probe and render it detectable by NMR-d. We have then used TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) to characterize the silica nanoparticles morphology and to investigate size distribution. This enabled a verification of FRAP and NMR-d results by comparing the TEM average sizes with the sizes calculated from the diffusion rates with the Stokes-Einstein equation. Fluorescence emission wavelengths were also measured before and after surface modification. We have succeeded in synthesizing a dye-doped silica nanoparticle probe that can be used both in FRAP and NMR-d measurements. The self-diffusion coefficients measured by FRAP and NMR-d are of the same magnitude, showing that it is possible to compare results from the techniques. We were able to obtain a high enough particle concentration for NMR-d, and the fluorescence was strong enough to be measured at the low concentrations used in FRAP.
Effect ofcastration and androgen treatment on the androgen dependent parameters in the accessory glands of the slender loris

Of the several secretions of the male sex accessory glands of mammals, fructose and citric acid are important and are found in large quantities in the semen. Their synthesis and secretion are entirely regulated by the androgens secreted by the testis (Price and William Ashman 1961; Prasad et al 1973a,b). Amongst the non-human primates, besides the monkey (Dinakar et aI1974a,b) not much information about the prosimian primates is available. The present investigation deals with the secretions and their androgen control in the accessory sex glands ofthe male slender loris, Loris tardiqradus lydekkerianus (cabra).
The volatility of components of grass silage on oven drying and the inter‐relationship between dry‐matter content estimated by different analytical methods

This study reviews the volatility coefficients used to convert the oven dry-matter (DM) content of grass silage to an accepted true DM base, volatile-corrected oven dry matter (VCODM). The revised coefficients quoted for DM determination at 60∞C, 85∞C and 100∞C are based on 18 grass silages with DM contents in the range 153‐365 g kg ‐1 . The volatility coefficients for drying at 60∞C, 85∞C and 100∞C were 0AE090, 0AE224 and 0AE375 for lactic acid and 0AE554, 0AE716 and 0AE892 for total volatile fatty acids respectively. The volatilities of ammonia and total alcohols remained unchanged from previous work and showed no temperature dependences in the range 60∞C to 100∞C. These revised coefficients were validated using 36 grass silages from three harvests in 1996 and 1997, and no significant differences were found among absolute dry matter (GCDM), alcohol-corrected toluene dry matter (ATDM) and VCODM contents based on the three drying temperatures (VCODM100, VCODM85 and VCODM60). A series of regression equations relating absolute DM content to oven DM content determined at different temperatures gave coefficients of 1AE024, 1AE013 and 1AE000 and constants of 12AE67, 11AE43 and 11AE16 for oven drying at 60∞C, 85∞C and 100∞C respectively. Mathematical manipulation of these equations enables interconversion of DM contents at the three drying temperatures. A new method is described for the analysis of volatile fatty acid, lactic acid and alcohol concentrations in grass silage by gas‐liquid chromatography using a single injection in an automated procedure that makes the routine estimation of VCODM a practical proposition to satisfy routine high-volume requirements. Finally, in a separate study over 4 years using 2381 grass silages from research and commercial farms throughout Ireland, a simple regression is described, which, for advisory purposes, allows true silage DM content to be estimated from oven dry matter content (ODM) for silages in which ODM is >200 g kg ‐1 .