Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Credit Spreads, Leverage and Volatility: a Cointegration Approach

This work documents the existence of a cointegration relationship between credit spreads, leverage and equity volatility for a large set of US companies. It is shown that accounting for the long-run equilibrium dynamic between these variables is essential to correctly explain credit spread changes. Using a novel structural model in which equity is modeled as a compound option on the firm’s assets, a new methodology for estimating the unobservable market value of the firm’s assets and volatility is developed. The proposed model allows to significantly reduce the pricing errors in predicting credit spreads when compared with several structural models. In terms of correlation analysis, it is shown that not accounting for the long-run equilibrium equation embedded in an error correction mechanism (ECM) results into a misspecification problem when regressing a set of explanatory variables onto the spread changes. Once credit spreads, leverage and volatility are correctly modeled, thus allowing for a long-run equilibrium, the fit of the regressions sensibly increases if compared to the results of previous research. It is further shown that most of the cross-sectional variation of the spreads appears to be more driven by firm-specific characteristics rather than systematic factors.
The Impact of Inflation Targeting on Inflation and Growth: How Robust is the Evidence?

This paper evaluates the success of Inflation Targeting on inflation and growth on a large panel data set of both developing and developed countries. Earlier studies have found contradictory results depending on the methodology used, different authors have used different estimation methods on different samples of data. Some of the differences in results may also be due to the different time periods (or different frequencies of data) used in the estimation. In this paper, we provide evidence to show that the support for a successful Inflation Targeting policy is very weak or non-existent. We use various estimation methods on panel data on a large sample of countries. We note that the results depend critically on the sample selected, the method of estimation employed, and the procedure used to control for outliers. Section 2 of the paper outlines the process by which inflation targeting is hypothesised to influence inflation and growth, Section 3 surveys this literature, and Section 4 describes the data and provides descriptive statistics comparing the performance of Inflation Targeting countries and non-Inflation Targeting countries, Section 5 uses panel estimation methods including GMM techniques on different samples of data and demonstrates the fragile nature of the results. Section 6 provides the conclusions that suggest that IT policy does not necessarily help to reduce inflation and certainly does not stimulate economic growth.
Task-Agnostic Online Reinforcement Learning with an Infinite Mixture of Gaussian Processes

Continuously learning to solve unseen tasks with limited experience has been extensively pursued in meta-learning and continual learning, but with restricted assumptions such as accessible task distributions, independently and identically distributed tasks, and clear task delineations. However, real-world physical tasks frequently violate these assumptions, resulting in performance degradation. This paper proposes a continual online model-based reinforcement learning approach that does not require pre-training to solve task-agnostic problems with unknown task boundaries. We maintain a mixture of experts to handle nonstationarity, and represent each different type of dynamics with a Gaussian Process to efficiently leverage collected data and expressively model uncertainty. We propose a transition prior to account for the temporal dependencies in streaming data and update the mixture online via sequential variational inference. Our approach reliably handles the task distribution shift by generating new models for never-before-seen dynamics and reusing old models for previously seen dynamics. In experiments, our approach outperforms alternative methods in non-stationary tasks, including classic control with changing dynamics and decision making in different driving scenarios.
EXPRESSION AND ENZYMATIC PROPERTIES OF A UNIQUE RECOMBINANT ANTICOAGULANT AND FIBRINOLYTIC ENZYME FROM ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII TU04

Objective: The objective of this research is to clone and express a new fibrinolytic enzyme encoding serine protease gene in Escherichia coli thus, characterize such purified recombinant. Methods: The recombinant clone was successfully expressed in Lemo21 system and purified using immobilized nickel cation affinity chromatography on a His•bind resin®, followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation and protein filtration in combination. General properties of the purified enzyme were investigated, including the molecular weight, effects of inhibitors and metal ions, substrate specificity, amylolytic activity, fibrinolytic activity and effect of anticoagulant activity in-vitro. Results: The recombinant clone was expressed in Lemo21 system in the cytoplasm in a soluble and active form. The resulting enzyme, SERpro was purified to homogeneity with a purification of 19.35-fold and recovery yield of 4.85%. The enzyme exhibited maximal activity at 37 °C and at pH7.4, respectively. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 82 kDa, determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The fibrinogenolysis peptide sequence analysis revealed that SERpro degraded Bβ chain of Fibrin at a much lower rate but cleaved Aα and γ-chain extensively. The enzyme was activated by metal ions such as Mg 2+ , Fe 3+ and Zn 2+ , and was inhibited strongly by PMSF. The clotting time of human blood serum in the presence of 1U SERpro reached a relative partial thromboplastin time of 13.9% with a 1.14-fold increase. Conclusion: The study deduced SERpro as a new protease with anti-thrombotic activity from Acinetobacter baumannii TU04.
Breeding Ecology of Whiskered Terns in Algeria, North Africa

Abstract The distribution of the Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus) is scattered, numbers fluctuate and they are threatened in many regions. Its breeding ecology has only occasionally been studied so far. It is relatively common in some North African wetlands. This study was carried out on Lake Tonga, northern Algeria, south of El-Kala (3651’N; 0820’E) in 1996 and 1997, with 169 and 215 initiated clutches studied, respectively. Basic characteristics of the Whiskered Tern breeding ecology studied were: laying date, clutch size, hatchling number, nest size and shape and egg size. Hatching success differed significantly between 1996 and 1997, probably due to weather. Laying date did not influence breeding parameters. Clutch size and hatching success were correlated with size and shape of nests. Hatchability was also correlated with egg length (negatively) and mass (positively). Relationships between breeding characteristic in relation to weather are discussed.
Review of Studies on Audit Quality

This paper reviews empirical studies over the past decades from all over the world in order to assess what researchers have done about audit quality issue and identify gaps in the literature where further research is needed. These studies are categorized into seven groups; 1) Using direct or indirect measure of audit quality 2) Studies based on source of differentiation 3) Studies rely on output, process and input 4) Organizational aspects 5) Behavioral perspectives and auditor quality 6) Different perceptions of audit quality and 7) Other studies. The existing body of knowledge relating to these groups of studies will be summarized in this paper.
Prey Abundance And Population Dynamics Of South American Fur Seals (Arctocephalus Australis) In Peru

ii Preface . iii Table of Contents . iv List of Tables . vi List of Figures . vii List of Abbreviations . viii Acknowledgements . ix Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 South American fur seals . 3 1.2 Thesis goals and structure . 5 Chapter 2: Historical abundance and population growth rate of South American fur seals in Peru, 1880-2010 . 6 2.1 Summary . 6 2.2 Introduction . 7 2.3 Materials and methods . 9 2.3. 1 Population estimates . 9 2.3. 2 Catch and the abundance model . 10 2.3. 3 Prey biomass and environmental conditions . 13 2.3. 4 Model runs and optimization . 15 2.4 Results . 16 2.5 Discussion . 21 2.5. 1 Catch . 22 2.5. 2 Prey abundance and environmental conditions . 22 2.5. 3 Population growth rate, carrying capacity and dispersal . 24 2.5. 4 Conservation issues for South American fur seals in Peru . 27 Chapter 3: Prey abundance affects the birth rate and timing of pupping of South American fur seals in Peru . 30
Information, Reflection, and Successful Job Search: A Nudging Experiment

When searching for a new job, unemployed young people face several challenges. They need to know which jobs are suited for them, where to find them and how to apply. Furthermore, especially in times of weak labour markets, they need resilience against repeated rejections. Previous research has shown that receiving information and reflecting on how to search for a job enhance self-efficacy and search motivation, thereby reducing the duration of unemployment spells. Following up on these results, we conducted an experiment in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry for Social Affairs which combines an “information nudge” with what we call “reflection nudge”. Our target group comprised about 37,000 young adults who had recently become unemployed. We designed different treatments containing an info-clip and/or a short online questionnaire. Links to the treatments were sent out by email. At the end of a six-month observation period, we used register data to compare unemployment duration within the treatment groups and the control group. Indeed, we do find significant treatment effects for young unemployed people with a low level of formal education. While effect sizes are small, considering the low costs of the intervention, efficiency is very high.
Foraminifera from Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia

Two hundred and thirty-six benthonic species and six planktonic species are identified among Foraminifera present in Holocene sediment of Exmouth Gulf, in a water depth of 5-30 m. The benthonic microfauna comprises 20 agglutinated species (including 9 Lituolida, 1 Trochamminida, and 10 Textulariida), 74 porcellaneous species (Miliolida), and 142 hyaline species (including 4 Spirillinida, 27 Lagenida, 37 Buliminida, and 75 Rotaliida). Abundant species, at least at one site, include Ammotium australiensis, Textularia foliacea, Textularia lateralis, and Textularia oceanica among the agglutinated types; Parahauerinoides fragilissimus, Peneroplis pertusus, Planispirinella exigua, Pseudomassilina australis, Quinqueloculina arenata, Q. philippinensis, Q. sp 8, Sigmoihauerina involuta, Sorites marginalis, Triloculina tricarinata among the porcellaneous species; and Ammonia parkinsoniana, Amphistegina lessonii, A. sp cf A. papillosa, A. radiata, Asterorotalia gaimardi, Cibicides sp cf C. refulgens, Discorbinoides patelliformis, Elphidium sp cf E. advenum, E. crispum, E. sp 1, Heterostegina depressa, Operculina ammonoides, Pararotalia nipponica, and Rosalina cosymbosella among the hyaline (Rotaliida) species.
Intervention on Externalizing Problems of Undercontrolled Personality Types in Primary School Students

Three personality types (resilient, overcontrolled, and undercontrolled) have been repeatedly verified across different languages and cultures, different personality models, and different stages of development. Undercontrollers are socially maladapted types with high impulsivity and low self-control. Research shows they are at risk for externalizing problems, such as aggressiveness, impulsivity, and antisocial behavior. The aim of this study was to develop an intervention to reduce externalizing problems of undercontrolled personality types in primary school students. Participants were 69 undercontrolled primary school students from two primary schools in North China. The experimental group underwent 14 weeks of systematic experiential mental health activities, while the control group performed typical daily classroom activities. Personality and externalizing problem behaviors were measured before the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and 4 months post-intervention. The results showed that the intervention significantly reduced the level of externalizing problems of undercontrolled primary school students. The effects of the intervention were maintained at the 4-month follow-up. This study provides some reference and suggestions on how to intervene in the externalizing problem behaviors of undercontrolled primary school students.
The Role of Pluriactivity for Continuity and Survival in Family Farm Firms

Our study focuses on family farm firms as an important and yet under-researched type of family firms. We explore the entrepreneurial growth behavior in the context of family farm firms by focusing on the role of pluriactivity. By integrating the literature of family business strategies, EO, and growth intentions, this study of 1618 Finnish family farms seeks to understand the idea of pluriactivity as a strategic orientation of family farm firms leading towards the growth and renewal of their prevailing and future domains. Our study revealed that pluriactivity is associated with growth-orientation and perceived strengths of the family farm firms. We identified four types of growth groups (Established, Growth-Driven, Experimenters, Stand-Stills) and found differences in their pluriactive orientation. We suggest that pluriactivity as a strategic orientation affects the growth-intention of the family entrepreneurs and the business renewal processes of the family farm firms. Entrepreneurs need to have capabilities (knowledge, skills, experience) and willingness to change (motivation, attitude, volition) when using pluriactivity as a strategic orientation as they affect growth behavior (EO). Lastly, we discuss with our results and make some suggestions for future research avenues in family business strategy research.
Two new but threatened subspecies of Rufous Grasswren Amytornis whitei (Maluridae)

Summary. Rufous Grasswren Amytornis whitei is the most widely distributed of three species formerly included within the Striated Grasswren A. striatus complex. Included among four phenotypically, geographically and ecologically distinct populations are A. w. whitei of the Pilbara ironstone ranges of Western Australia and A. w. oweni of inland sandy deserts. The other two are the little-known small-billed isolate of the limestone plateau of the Cape Range, North West Cape Peninsula, Western Australia, and a larger form present in the mallee of the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. We present morphometric and other data and describe these two populations as new subspecies; both are of conservation concern.
Phylogeography of Schotia (Fabaceae): Recent Evolutionary Processes in an Ancient Thicket Biome Lineage

Schotia has a southern African distribution with a strong affinity to the thicket biome and is a potential indicator of thicket biogeography. This study uses DNA sequence data (from the chloroplast and nuclear genomes) to infer interspecific phylogenetic relationships, to elucidate the evolutionary history of Schotia, and to extrapolate findings to the history of the thicket biome. Four species of Schotia represented by multiple samples were nonmonophyletic for both chloroplast and nuclear markers. These results may be due to hybridization and/or incomplete lineage sorting, which also suggests a recent origin of Schotia morphospecies. The center of genetic and taxonomic diversity of Schotia is the Eastern Cape and partly the Western Cape, coinciding with the hub of present‐day thicket distribution. This region is hypothesized as being a refugial area for Schotia (and the associated thicket biome) during glacial periods, with expansion beyond this region during interglacial periods.
A Novel Small RNA on the Pseudomonas putida KT2440 Chromosome Is Involved in the Fitness Cost Imposed by IncP-1 Plasmid RP4

Plasmids can provide advantageous traits to host bacteria, although they may impose a fitness cost. Chromosome-encoded factors are important for regulating the expression of genes on plasmids, and host chromosomes may differ in terms of their interactions with a given plasmid. Accordingly, differences in fitness cost loading and compensatory co-evolution may occur for various host chromosome/plasmid combinations. However, the mechanisms of compensatory evolution are highly divergent and require further insights. Here, we reveal novel evolutionally mechanisms of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to improve the fitness cost imposed by the incompatibility P-1 (IncP-1) multidrug resistance plasmid RP4. A mixed culture of RP4-harboring and -free KT2440 cells was serially transferred every 24 h under non-selective conditions. Initially, the proportion of RP4-harboring cells decreased rapidly, but it immediately recovered, suggesting that the fitness of RP4-harboring strains improved during cultivation. Larger-sized colonies appeared during 144-h mixed culture, and evolved strains isolated from larger-sized colonies showed higher growth rates and fitness than those of the ancestral strain. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that evolved strains had one of two mutations in the same intergenic region of the chromosome. Based on the research of another group, this region is predicted to contain a stress-inducible small RNA (sRNA). Identification of the transcriptional start site in this sRNA indicated that one mutation occurred within the sRNA region, whereas the other was in its promoter region. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR showed that the expression of this sRNA was strongly induced by RP4 carriage in the ancestral strain but repressed in the evolved strains. When the sRNA region was overexpressed in the RP4-free strain, the fitness decreased, and the colony size became smaller. Using transcriptome analysis, we also showed that the genes involved in amino acid metabolism and stress responses were differentially transcribed by overexpression of the sRNA region. These results indicate that the RP4-inducible chromosomal sRNA was responsible for the fitness cost of RP4 on KT2440 cells, where this sRNA is of key importance in host evolution toward rapid amelioration of the cost.
Identification of the Potential Key Circular RNAs in Elderly Patients With Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction

Background Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is one of the severe complications after surgery, inducing low life quality and high mortality, especially in elderly patients. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of POCD remains largely unknown, and the ideal biomarker for clinical diagnosis and prognosis is lacking. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), as a unique class of non-coding RNAs, were characterized by its stability and conservativeness, serving as novel biomarkers in various diseases. Nevertheless, the role of circRNAs in the occurrence of POCD remains elusive. Methods To investigate the differentially expressed circRNAs in the serum of POCD patients and its potential role in the development of POCD, we performed a circRNA microarray to screen the differentially expressed circRNAs in the serum samples from three patients of the POCD group and three paired patients of the non-POCD group. Subsequently, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis (qRT-PCR) was utilized to verify the microarray data with the serum samples from 10 paired patients. Cytoscape software was used to construct the circRNA–miRNA–mRNA network for circRNAs with different expression levels as well as the target genes. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed the biological functions of the differentially expressed circRNAs target genes. Results In total, we have analyzed 10,198 circRNAs through the microarray. Compared with the non-POCD patient group, there were 210 differentially expressed circRNAs with 133 upregulated and 77 downregulated in the POCD group (≥2-fold differential expression, P ≤ 0.05). The qRT-PCR confirmed 10 circRNAs with different expressed levels, and the results were consistent with the microarray findings. Among them, hsa_circRNA_001145, hsa_circRNA_101138, and hsa_circRNA_061570 had the highest magnitude of change. The GO analysis showed that the differentially expressed circRNAs were associated with the regulation of the developmental process, cell-to-cell adhesion, and nervous system development. The KEGG analysis showed that the target genes of circRNAs were enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway and RAS signaling pathway. According to the targetscan7.1 and mirdbV5 databases, the circRNA–miRNA–mRNA network was constructed, and these results provided a vital landscape of circRNA expression profile in POCD. Conclusions Our study provides an essential perspective for the differential expression of circRNAs in POCD patients. Further studies need to be performed to explore their potential therapeutic roles in the development of POCD.
Effects of ASC Application on Endplate Regeneration Upon Glycerol-Induced Muscle Damage

Amongst other approaches, adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) have recently been tested with respect to their regenerative capacity for treatment of neuromuscular disorders. While beneficial effects of ASCs on muscle recovery were observed previously, their impact on regeneration of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) is unclear. Here, we used a murine glycerol damage model to study disruption and regeneration of NMJs and to evaluate the effects of systemic application of ASCs on muscle and NMJ recovery. In mice that were not treated with ASCs, a differential response of NMJ pre- and post-synapses to glycerol-induced damage was observed. While post-synapses were still present in regions that were necrotic and lacking actin and dystrophin, pre-synapses disappeared soon in those affected areas. Partial regeneration of NMJs occurred within 11 days after damage. ASC treatment slightly enhanced NMJ recovery and reduced the loss of presynaptic sites, but also led to a late phase of muscle necrosis and fibrosis. In summary, the results suggest a differential sensitivity of NMJ pre- and post-synapses to glycerol-induced muscle damage and that the use of ASC for the treatment of neuromuscular disorders needs further careful evaluation.