Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing the Performance of Relative Stock Return Differential and Real Exchange Rate in Two Financial Crisis

This paper uses the dynamic conditional correlation model and the data from eleven economies are used to examine the inter-temporal interactions between stock return differential relative to the US and real exchange rate in the two financial crises of 1997 and 2008. The theoretical model suggests that relative stock return differential and real exchange rate that contain both permanent and temporary components are negatively correlated with each other. Evidence shows that sharp and rapid changes in conditional correlation occurred during the two financial crises. The study provides strong evidence in supporting the stochastic relationship between relative stock prices and real exchange rates, and exchange rate stability becomes crucial in a financial crisis.
The Effect of Unemployment Benefits on Health and Living Standards in Turkey: Evidence from Structural Equation Modelling and Regression Discontinuity Design

PurposeUnemployment can negatively affect individuals, their families and communities in various ways. When individuals are out of work may experience mental and physical health problems, material deprivation and poverty. This study aims to examine the impact of unemployment benefits on health and living standards in Turkey.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employ a structural equation modelling (SEM) to consider the simultaneous relationships among the unemployment benefits and the latent variables of health and Standard of Living (SoL). We propose a fuzzy Regression Discontinuity Design (FRDD) and a Regression Kink Design (RKD) within the SEM framework to infer causality. For the empirical analysis, the authors employ the panel Income and Living Conditions Survey (ILCS) in 2007–2015.FindingsThe authors’ findings suggest that those who receive these benefits are more likely to report higher levels of health and improve their living standards compared to the non-recipients. Furthermore, unemployment benefits replacement rates are associated with improved levels in health and living standards. The authors’ results indicate a substantial heterogeneity on the impact of unemployment benefits since males, low educated individuals and those belonging to the lower levels of income are affected more in terms of their health status and living standards.Originality/valueThe majority of earlier studies have focused on the impact of unemployment benefits on labor outcomes. The originality of this study is that we implement the FRDD and RKD within the SEM framework to explore, simultaneously, the impact of unemployment insurance on health and living standards. Moreover, future research studies can implement this framework to infer causality and explore the impact of related policies and reforms.
Management Accounting Change and New Public Management in Local Government: A Reassessment of Ambitions and Results an Institutionalist Approach to Accounting Change in the Dutch Public Sector

Dutch municipalities and provinces, denoted here as local government, have seen a succession of changes in their management accounting systems and have also introduced other changes related to New Public Management (NPM) in the last twenty years. This paper examines accounting changes, such as the introduction of accrual accounting, output and outcome budgets and performance measurement, from an institutionalist point of view. The paper presents experiences of 23 politicians and professional managers with the various changes over a period of fifteen to twenty years. The interviewees, just like various researchers in the field of NPM, were critical of the accounting changes and their effects. However, several of them also made clear that, seen over the long run, the changes did have some effects that they liked and seem to be in line with the ideals presented in NPM literature. The paper suggests that an institutionalist perspective is helpful for studying change processes in organizations and for observing factors and developments that might not be noticed when a more functional and short-term perspective is adopted.
Antimicrobial activities of different extracts of eight plant species from four different family against some pathogenic microoorganisms

In this paper, the antimicrobial activities of aqueous, ethanolic, ethyl acetate and hexane extract of eight plant species were studied. The extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) (leaves), Melissa officinalis (L.) (leaves), Urtica dioica (L.) (seed), Laurus nobilis (L.) (leaves), Lavandula officinalis (L.) (leaves), Lavandula stoechas (L.) (leaves), Teucrium chamaedrys (L.) (leaves), Equisetum arvense (L.) (leaves) were tested in vitro against two Gram positive (Bacillus cereus (CCM 99), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC (6538P)), two Gram negative (Escherichia coli O157:H7 (RSSK 232), Klebsiella pneumoniae (CCM 2318) and Candida albicans (ATTC 10239) species and by the microdilution method. The results indicated that five of the eight plant showed antibacterial activity, namely L. nobilis, R. officinalis, E. arvense, L. officinalis and L. stoechas compared to standard antibiotics. Among the tested plants only aqueous extracts of L. nobilis showed anticandidal activity. While S. aureus was the most sensitive bacterium, B.cereus was the most resistant bacterium against tested plants. Tested plants all posses antimicrobial growth activities with MIC values ranging from 0.78 to 3.12 mg/mL. The tested extracts showed comparable with MIC values with standard antibiotics which ranged from 0.78 to 6.25 mg/mL. Thus, the extracts were as potent as standard antibiotics ininhibiting the growth of microbial strains.
Time response of FOPID controlled PV based cascaded landsman converter-inverter fed induction motor and electric drives applications

Time Response enhancement utilizing photovoltaic based cascaded Landsman Converter (LC) structure is one of the soft strategies in the recent scenario. The prime function of a DC-DC Landsman converter is to optimize the output power of the photovoltaic array and reduce the output voltage ripples. This paper reveals the demonstration and simulation of the Cascaded Landsman Converter Inverter System (CLCIS) with a PV source. MATLAB Simulink-model for CLCIS has been created utilizing the components of Simulink and closed-loop examinations are performed with PI and Fractional-Order-PID (FOPID) Controllers. The present work deal with the comparison of transient and steady-state time responses of CLCIS with PI and FOPID controllers. The outcomes demonstrate that dynamic reaction is enhanced by utilizing FOPID controller.
Cost of Carrying Radio Transmitters: a Test with Racing Pigeons Columba Livia

Abstract We tested the impact of two types of radio transmitters on flight performance in racing pigeons Columba livia. Prior to each of two flights of known distance, 60 birds were randomly selected from three flocks and put into one of three groups: control, 5-g (i.e. 1.1% of body weight) tail-mounted radios or 8-g (i.e. 1.8% of body weight) sacral-mounted radios. The design of the sacral attachments changed between races as the initial harness caused lesions. Birds with sacral-mounted radios flew more slowly and lost more weight and condition than the other groups. Birds fitted with tail-mounted radios performed similarly to the control group. Loss of condition was correlated with a decrease in flight velocity. We conclude that small tail-mounted radios carry little cost, but sacral mounts may bias results and may be inappropriate for some ecological studies.
Adaptations of British Chalk Bivalvia

ABTRACT--Available museum collections have been utilised for a functional analysis of common members of the bivalve fauna of the Cretaceous Chalk Formation of England. It is concluded that many members of the fauna were able to inhabit their unusual environment by virtue of specialised adaptations. There is an apparent paucity of infaunal bivalves in true Chalk lithology, and the fauna is dominated by epifaunal animals. Adaptations found in members of the epifauna fitting them for life on a soft fine-grained substrate include the probable life habits of swimming, byssal attachment, cementation, and secretion of a gryphaeate lower valve. A remarkable case of parallel adaptation in Spondylus spinosus (J. Sowerby) and Arctostrea colubrina ricordeana (d'Orbigny) is related to their inferred adult life habit of lying free on the soft substrate. Specialised 'snowshoe' spines were secreted by these animals to help prevent their sinking into the Chalk ooze. An appendix contains a detailed functional analysis of Spondylus spinosus and Plicatula inflata (Sowerby), and it is demonstrated for the first time that Spondylus spinosus possessed an early ontogenetic stage of direct cementation.
Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies of leaf extract of Euphorbia neriifolia

The phytochemical analysis of leaf extracts (chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous) of a medicinal plant, Euphorbia neiirifolia and their antibacterial activities against bacterial isolates, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsilla pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgarius, Pseudomonas fluroscens were investigated. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, phlobatannins, saponin, tannins, cardenoloids, phenol, terpenoids. The maximum activity was observed in chloroform extract against P. vulgariuswith zone of inhibition (8 mm), followed by ethanol extract against K. pneumonia (5 mm). The water and ethyl acetate extract exhibited very less activity. This research supports the local use of the leaf of the plant, E. neiirifolia for wound healing property and other forms of bacterial infections. Key words: Euphorbia neriifolia, phytochemical analysis, antimiobial activity, medicinal plant.
Metabolomics-based screening of salivary biomarkers for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an attractive strategy to increase the survival rate of patients. Metabolomics has a great potential for identifying useful biomarkers for early diagnosis, and prognosis. In this work, faster ultra-performance liquid chromatography (FUPLC) mass spectrometry (MS) coupled with multivariate statistical method were employed to find the metabolic changes of the salivary metabolome from AD patients. Saliva samples were obtained from patients with AD (n = 256) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 218). The metabolic differences among AD and control subjects were identified based on principal component analysis (PCA). Sphinganine-1-phosphate, ornithine, phenyllactic acid, inosine, 3-dehydrocarnitine, and hypoxanthine in the AD subjects were significantly different from the control subjects. To demonstrate the utility of salivary biomarkers for the early diagnosis of AD, 3 metabolites (AUC > 0.8) comprising sphinganine-1-phosphate, ornithine, and phenyllactic acid were selected as candidate biomarkers. The major contributor to the predictive model was sphinganine-1-phosphate, which was upregulated in AD, yielded satisfactory accuracy (AUC = 0.998), sensitivity (99.4%) and specificity (98.2%), indicating potential diagnosis in the AD. Our data provided highlights the potential advantages of the application of salivary metabolomics in clinical setting for the diagnosis of AD.
Shifting dominant logics? The organisational field of Finnish sport clubs in the 2010s

Abstract This research, which draws upon the new institutionalist approach, investigates the changing dominant logics of voluntary sport clubs in Finland. Data were collected by conducting 41 semi-structured expert interviews with sport clubs and obtaining club documents. Results reveal a widening range of roles, networks, and participant pathways, as well as an increasingly formalised operation and diversified language-use. As a result, many clubs have experienced challenges in maintaining their legitimacy when operating in new domains that diverge from their traditional operations. The findings reflect growing expectations placed upon sport clubs and their shifting roles across the public, private and third sectors. Further, it is argued that understanding the logics of all three sectors have become necessary in order for sport clubs to run successfully. The findings will be of interest to federations, institutes providing tertiary education, as well as to clubs that are in the process of refining their profile.
The timing of the electromyogram in the lateral myotomes of mackerel and saithe at different swimming speeds

Electromyogram (EMG) signals from two points at about 40%L and 65%L(L= length) in the left latera1 muscle of mackerel (Scomber scombrus L.) L= 28–33 cm a nd saithe (Pollachius virens L.) L= 42–50 cm were recorded synchronously with films of steady straight swimming motions. In both species, the duration of EMG activity at both electrodes, remains a constant proportion of the tail cycle period Tat all the tail beat frequencies between 1–8 and 13 Hz. In mackerel and saithe respectively: onset of EMG activity at the front was 74%T and 77%T before the left-most tail blade position and fronl EMG-onset occurred 15%T and 18%T before rear onset. The duration of the EMG burst is longer at the front position (41%T and 47%T) than at the rear (25%T and 27%T), At all swimming speeds the wave of electrical activation of the muscle travelled between the two electrodes 25%L apart at a velocity between 1.5 and 1.6L T−1. Frequencies of spikes within the burst of EMG activity rose from 30–40 Hz at 2 T s−1 to 50–80 Hz at 8 T s−1. In muscle at 40%L EMG-onset happens at phase 30° just after muscle strain at this point reaches its resting length while lengthening (360°). At 65%L EMG-onset occurs earlier in the strain cycle-350° just before the muscle reaches it resting length while lengthening (360°). This could represent within the length of the fish, a phase shift of up to 90° in the EMG-onset in relation to the muscle strain cycle. These timings are discussed in relation to optimized work output and a single instant of maximum bending moment all along the left side of the body.
Examining the National Security Implications of Cryptocurrencies

The emergence of block-chain technology in the form known as “cryptocurrency” is an evolution of the global monetary system that is here to stay. The rise of this new variant of distributed ledger technology has been dismissed by some who believe it offers no real value and denigrated by others who believe its prevalence raises national security concerns. Many of these concerns stem from the common misperception that all cryptocurrencies have cryptographic properties which render them anonymous and can be used by terrorists and other undesirables to fund their criminal enterprises. After discussing the basic technical components of blockchain technology, this article distinguishes that, contrary to popular belief, most cryptocurrencies are not what could be classified as “anonymous,” but are instead “pseudonymous. ” These pseudonymous cryptocurrencies can actually enhance law enforcement’s ability to track criminal users’ financial activities. It further refines the notion that all cryptocurrencies are the same by noting that some are more anonymous than others, and some are in fact more identifiable than fiat currencies. Instead of resisting cryptocurrencies altogether, this article argues that the United States government should embrace those cryptocurrencies that are pseudonymous and should further study those which are considered anonymous.
The Effects of Daylight Saving Time Changes on Stock Market Volatility

This study investigates the presence of the Daylight Saving Time change effects on stock returns and on stock volatility using an EGARCH specification to model the conditional variance. The evidence gathered from the major US stock markets for the period between 1967 and 2007 does support the existence of the Daylight Saving Time effect neither in stock returns and nor in volatility. Thus, this paper supports the argument made by Pinegar (2002) on the non-existence of the daylight saving effects on the stock market returns.
IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF FLAVONOIDS: A REVIEW

Plants produces diversity of secondary metabolites which not only plays an important role in adaption accordering to the environment but also represent an important source of active pharmaceuticals. Flavonoids are a group of polyphenols having a wide array of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, anti mutagenic etc. Biotechnology offers a great opportunity to exploit these secondary metabolites via different methods. Plant cell and tissue culture is one of the emerging fields of biotechnology to investigate and enhance the production of secondary metabolites. Undifferentiated cell cultures like callus cultures and suspension cultures have been studied widely for flavonoid production. Along with this hairy root culture and transformation techniques have also been studied for the production of different flavonoids as they are more genetically stable. The focus of the present review is the application of the tissue culture technology, type of medium and explants used for the production of flavonoids in different plant species.
Characterizing Euro Area Multinationals

This study uses firm-level data on a large sample of European manufacturing firms to investigate the links between opening up foreign affiliates and firms' productivity. The analysis is guided by recent theoretical models of international trade with firm heterogeneity. The paper finds that while only a small share of euro area firms locate affiliates abroad, these firms account for over-proportionally large shares of output, employment and profits in their home countries. They have higher survival rates and their productivity growth is also higher. The strongest contribution is by productivity growth of existing firms with a multinational status rather than entry into the multinational status. Finally, there are performance premia for multinationals with a large number of affiliates abroad relative to those with a small number.
Who's Afraid of an EU Tax and Why? - Revenue System Preferences in the European Parliament

The EU's revenue system is still typical for an organisation based on international cooperation and stands in contrast to the Union's far advanced legislative and political role. This contrast feeds the debate on granting the EU an autonomous tax source. Our contribution explores the factors which shape the acceptance of the EU tax option among European policy makers. We make use of a unique database: A survey among Members of the European Parliament (MEP) which resulted in a response of some 150 of the representatives. Our results confirm an important role for party ideology and individual characteristics but they also demonstrate that country-specific factors are important to understand the support for an EU tax. In the light of our findings the status quo bias in the EU's revenue system can be attributed to the persistent importance of national interests with respect to fiscal burden sharing and tax policy.
Temporary Stays and Persistent Gains: The Causal Effects of Foster Care

Six percent of children in the United States enter foster care by age 18. We estimate the effects of foster care on children's outcomes by exploiting the quasi-random assignment of child welfare investigators in Michigan. We find that foster care improved children's safety and educational outcomes. Gains emerged after children exited the foster system when most were reunified with their birth parents, suggesting that improvements made by their parents were an important mechanism. These results indicate that safely reducing the use of foster care, a goal of recent federal legislation, requires more effective in-home, prevention-focused efforts. (JEL H75, I21, J13, K42)
Notes on Apanteles sesamiae Cam. a parasite of the maize stalk-borer (Busseola fusca, Fuller) in South Africa.

1. Apanteles sesamiae , Cam. , is the only parasite of Busseola fusca , Fuller, which is of importance in the Eastern Transvaal. 2. The adult is described, and the morphology of the last stage larva of the parasite is discussed in detail. 3. The biology and bionomics of the species are dealt with, and the effect of parasitism on the host is described. 4. The extent of natural parasitism and the rapidity of increase in the field shows that A. sesamiae is an effective parasite of the Maize Stalk-borer in South Africa. 5. The results of cold storage experiments are given and the methods of shipping parasite material are described. It was found impracticable to ship cocoons, but successful consignments of parasitised borer larvae were sent to Canada.
Optimization of Extended Surfaces on Tubes of the Radiant Section of Fired Heaters

This paper proposes the use of non-uniform extended surfaces installed externally to the tubes of the radiation section of fired heaters, in order to obtain a better heat flux distribution to the coils. To this end, the heat transfer mechanisms present in such equipment were studied through computational fluid dynamics (CFD), using simplified geometries that represent typical sizes of fired heaters. Also, a simplified model for the combustion was considered. Although this model oversimplifies the physics of the problem, it was able to give satisfactory results for the parameters being optimized, considering the main objective of this paper, that is to minimize the non-uniformity of heat flux in the tubes of the radiant section of fired heaters. It was possible to obtain optimized geometric parameters for different types of extended surfaces evaluated, coupling the results of these models with the Particle Swarm optimization method using a response surface technique. The results indicate a significant improvement in the uniformity of the heat flux distribution to the tubes through the use of the proposed extended surfaces. Thus, this solution reveals to be an interesting alternative to reduce the risks of fluid degradation and coking formation. Future studies must investigate the non-uniformity of the heat flux due to the presence of the flame and consider the interaction between the reactive flow and the participating medium. Nevertheless, this paper presents some results that justify the optimization of such extended surfaces taking into consideration thermal radiation.
IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTHELMINTIC POTENTIAL OF LEAVES OF CLEOME VISCOSA LINN Review Article

Herbal drugs are traditionally used in various parts of the world to cure different diseases. The Ayurvedic and Siddha medical systems are very famous medical practices in Indian traditional medicines. In the present research studies, Alcohol and aqueous extracts from the leaves of Cleome viscosa were investigated for their anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma and Ascardia galli. Three concentrations (50, 100 &150mg/ml) of each extracts were studied in activity, which involved the determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worm. Both the extracts exhibited significant anthelmintic activity at highest concentration of 150 mg/ml.Albendazole in same concentration as that of extract was included as standard reference and distilled water as control. The anthelmintic activity of alcohol and aqueous extracts of Cleome viscosa has therefore been demonstrated for the first time.
Levofloxacin Loaded Polyhydroxybutyrate Nanodrug Conjugate for In-Vitro Controlled Drug Release.

Biologically produced Polyhydroxy butyrate synthesized by Bacillus cereus has been modified into nanostructures which were in the size range of 250 – 300 nm. Loading of these nanoparticles with levofloxacin increased the size to 350-580 nm. In vitro drug release study indicated the controlled release of levofloxacin from PHB-levofloxacin nanoconjugate where 99% of the drug release was noticed after 22 h. This ability of PHB nanoparticles clearly indicates their potential for application as drug carrier for the controlled drug release.