Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Dollar - Mark Axis

Over the last two decades, most European currencies have tended to weaken against the mark as the latter strengthened against the dollar. Moreover, the strength of the response of European cross-rates has tended to remain in the same order over time. I first set out the stylised facts of this phenomenon, referred to as the dollar-mark axis, and then try to identify its determinants. In addition to exchange rate policy, I examine the correlation of cyclical fluctuations and trade links (two factors suggested by the theory of optimum currency areas) and the bias of international investors in the currency composition of their portfolios.
Prototype for the characterization of photovoltaic panels based on a SEPIC converter

This paper presents the design and implementation of a prototype based on a SEPIC (Single-Ended Primary Inductance Converter) used to measure the characteristic curves of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The SEPIC is controlled to emulate a variable resistance at the output of the PV panel in order to obtain a set of values (voltages and currents) for different operating points at the output of the panel. The set of voltages and currents are stored and sent to a computer in order to display the characteristic curves in real-time. The performance of the prototype is firstly evaluated though simulations in PSIM and subsequently by experimental results. The results show the outstanding performance of the SEPIC converter and its suitable use for this kind of applications due to its low input current ripple and its operation as a buck-boost converter. The resulting prototype allows the characterization of PV panels up to 500 W.
Sensitivity of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia to Rituximab and Campath-1H and correlation with the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins.

AIM To assess the effect of monoclonal antibodies anti-CD20 (Rituximab) and anti-CD52 (Campath-1H) on the viability of B cells from patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) in comparison with a cytotoxic drug fludarabine (Fluda), and to determine the influence of these agents on the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in vitro. METHODS B-CLL cells were incubated in vitro in the presence of Rituximab, Campath-1H, and Fluda. The viability of the cells was measured by MTT test (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-dyphenyltetrazolium bromide). Gel electrophoresis and Western blotting were used to determine the effect of these agents on the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in vitro. RESULTS Both monoclonal antibodies, Rituximab and Campath-1H, were less toxic than Fluda to B-CLL cells. Combination of Campath-1H or Rituximab with Fluda did not have a stronger effect on the cells than Fluda alone. Both antibodies decreased the expression of p27 protein and increased the expression of p23; Fluda had a similar effect. The extent of cyclin D3 and cyclin E expression did not change significantly. The expression of cyclin D2 was slightly increased in the presence of Campath-1H, but in the presence of Rituximab it either decreased slightly or remained the same. Treatment of B-CLL cells with Fluda alone induced significant decrease in cyclin D2 expression. CONCLUSION These results demonstrated that monoclonal antibodies Campath-1H and Rituximab antibodies, as well as a cytotoxic drug fludarabine, had cytotoxic effects on B-CLL cells. They most likely induce apoptosis of B-CLL cells, but their activity is mediated through different pathways.
Opening the black boxes of global finance

ABSTRACT This paper advocates the application to global finance of one of the central heuristics of science studies: open the black box. Black boxes are devices, practices, or organizations that are opaque to outsiders, often because their contents are regarded as ‘technical’. The goal of opening black boxes is to discover how they are kept opaque; how they structure their ‘contexts’; and how those contexts are inscribed within them. Four types of black box in finance are discussed: option pricing theory; arbitrage; ‘ethnoaccountancy’; and regulation. The limitations of the opening of black boxes as an oppositional strategy are also discussed.
RedDots replayed: A new replay spoofing attack corpus for text-dependent speaker verification research

This paper describes a new database for the assessment of automatic speaker verification (ASV) vulnerabilities to spoofing attacks. In contrast to other recent data collection efforts, the new database has been designed to support the development of replay spoofing countermeasures tailored towards the protection of text-dependent ASV systems from replay attacks in the face of variable recording and playback conditions. Derived from the re-recording of the original RedDots database, the effort is aligned with that in text-dependent ASV and thus well positioned for future assessments of replay spoofing countermeasures, not just in isolation, but in integration with ASV. The paper describes the database design and re-recording, a protocol and some early spoofing detection results. The new “RedDots Replayed” database is publicly available through a creative commons license.
Small molecule screening identifies targetable zebrafish pigmentation pathways

Small molecules complement genetic mutants and can be used to probe pigment cell biology by inhibiting specific proteins or pathways. Here, we present the results of a screen of active compounds for those that affect the processes of melanocyte and iridophore development in zebrafish and investigate the effects of a few of these compounds in further detail. We identified and confirmed 57 compounds that altered pigment cell patterning, number, survival, or differentiation. Additional tissue targets and toxicity of small molecules are also discussed. Given that the majority of cell types, including pigment cells, are conserved between zebrafish and other vertebrates, we present these chemicals as molecular tools to study developmental processes of pigment cells in living animals and emphasize the value of zebrafish as an in vivo system for testing the on‐ and off‐target activities of clinically active drugs.
In Vitro Embryo Production Efficiency in Cattle and Its Association with Oocyte Adenosine Triphosphate Content, Quantity of Mitochondrial DNA, and Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroup

Abstract Mitochondria have a broad range of functions that affect reproduction, and structural as well as quantitative variation in mtDNA has been associated with gamete quality and reproductive success. To investigate the mitochondria effect on in vitro embryo production, we collected oocytes by ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration from donor cows known to differ in the developmental capacity, measured by the blastocyst formation rate, of their oocytes. To evaluate the potential effects of mtDNA and mitochondrial function on oocyte quality, the donor cows' mtDNA control region was sequenced and, after pairwise comparisons of polymorphisms, animals were grouped into two major haplogroups. The number of mtDNA molecules per oocyte was quantified by real-time PCR, and the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content was measured in each oocyte to identify variations between haplogroups. Overall, ATP stocks in oocytes of the two haplogroups differed significantly (P < 0.05; means ± SEM) both at the germinal vesicle and metaphase II stages (2.8 ± 0.06 pmol vs. 2.6 ± 0.07 pmol and 2.9 ± 0.1 pmol vs. 2.3 ± 0.06 pmol, respectively). The proportion of development to blastocyst was significantly different between haplogroups (22.3 ± 2.1 % vs. 36.7 ± 2.9 %). The number of mtDNA molecules per oocyte was highly variable (377 327 ± 14 104, ranging from 2.0 × 103 to 1.2 × 106) but not significantly different between the two haplogroups; significant differences were observed between animals without any apparent relationship to blastocyst production. These data suggest that mitochondria and mtDNA haplogroup affect the developmental capacity of bovine oocytes in vitro.
After Seven Decades of Regulation, Why is the Auditing Profession in Such a Mess?

Regulation Fair Disclosure or Reg FD curbs selective disclosures by corporate boards and executives of material, nonpublic information to favorite research analysts or portfolio managers prior to giving information to the general public. Although, it does not require companies to disclose any material information in excess of the requirements of existing securities laws, the disclosure must be done publicly rather than to selected market participants.
Pre-training evaluation of civil servants : a first step to determine the transfer of competencies in the Belgian civil service

This paper examines the learning level of the four-level model of Kirkpatrick. Determining what has been learned in an educational programme is important to measure the application of the newly achieved knowledge and skills on the workplace afterwards (i.e. the transfer level). First the paper describes the Public Management Programme, an intensive one-year programme for civil servants, organized by the Public Management Institute, in collaboration with the Universite Libre de Bruxelles and the Educational Institute of the Federal Government. Second, it gives a brief overview of the literature about transfer and the measurement of transfer. Third, results of measurements on the second level of Kirkpatrick are presented and discussed. The results reveal that participants perceive their knowledge before the programme significantly lower than after the programme. Finally, general conclusions are made.
The most common technologies and tools for functional genome analysis

Since the sequence of the human genome is complete, the main issue is how to understand the information written in the DNA sequence. Despite numerous genome-wide studies that have already been performed, the challenge to determine the function of genes, gene products, and also their interaction is still open. As changes in the human genome are highly likely to cause pathological conditions, functional analysis is vitally important for human health. For many years there have been a variety of technologies and tools used in functional genome analysis. However, only in the past decade there has been rapid revolutionizing progress and improvement in high-throughput methods, which are ranging from traditional real-time polymerase chain reaction to more complex systems, such as next-generation sequencing or mass spectrometry. Furthermore, not only laboratory investigation, but also accurate bioinformatic analysis is required for reliable scientific results. These methods give an opportunity for accurate and comprehensive functional analysis that involves various fields of studies: genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and interactomics. This is essential for filling the gaps in the knowledge about dynamic biological processes at both cellular and organismal level. However, each method has both advantages and limitations that should be taken into account before choosing the right method for particular research in order to ensure successful study. For this reason, the present review paper aims to describe the most frequent and widely-used methods for the comprehensive functional analysis.
Acute response to rape‐ a PTSD variant

ABSTRACT The relationship between the acute response to rape and the symptoms of Post‐ Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was studied in 55 victims of rape and attempted rape during the first two weeks after the assault. The results show that in the majority of victims the reponse to rape within the first two weeks displays the symptoms of PTSD, although the criterion of duration is not fulfilled. Specific features of the response to rape, like shame, guilt and suicidal ideation are discussed. The importance of early detection to enable the administration of adequate treatment is emphasized and suggestions for further research are offered.
Global Groundwater? Issues and Solutions

Groundwater plays a major, if often unrecognized, role in both hydrologic and human systems. The majority of the world's drinking water probably comes from groundwater, and in the last half century, there has been an amazing, if largely ignored, boom in agricultural groundwater use that has provided improved livelihoods and food security to billions of farmers and consumers. However, increased use of groundwater has also created problems, and there are fears—sometimes challenged—that the boom may soon turn to bust. This article reviews the recent literature on the geographic and temporal dimensions of groundwater use and the range of technological and institutional approaches that have been applied in attempts at its management. It then examines the key reasons the resource has proven so difficult to manage and concludes that, in many cases, the most promising solutions may lie outside the groundwater sector and within a broader approach to resource systems.
Contemporary European Constitution-making: Constrained or reflexive?

The overarching question that informs this chapter is whether the Laeken process (after the Laeken Declaration of 2001 that gave the Convention its mandate) has managed to come up with a solution to the EUs legitimacy deficit. My focus here is on the Convention and I seek to establish which legitimation strategy the Convention exercise is reflective of. In the chapter I present and evaluate the Convention exercise in relation to four legitimation strategies. The strategies are all based on deliberative theory, but vary with regard to the deliberative virtues that they privilege, i.e., epistemic, transformative, and moral. Each strategy is developed so as to yield a diagnosis of the EUs legitimacy deficit, which serves as a focal-point for assessing the purpose of the reform; a depiction of how the strategy envisages the reform body and the reform process; and a characterization of the constitutional nature of the output. I find that the Convention was able to tap the virtues of democratic deliberation to an unprecedented degree in EU constitution-making, and the draft also moved the process of constitutionalization forwards, as it holds numerous provisions that will strengthen the EUs democratic quality. The EU has adopted an approach to constitution-making that has become increasingly reflexive, although its gradualist approach is still embedded in a framework with strong built-in safeguards for member states, so that the results are curious mixtures. Reflexivity constrained is the most appropriate label for this. This article has later been published in E. O. Eriksen Making the European Polity. Reflexive integration in the EU London: Routledge (2005) See Reprint
La evolución de la participación laboral de las mujeres en la industria: una visión de largo plazo

This paper explores the evolution of the female participation in the industrial labor force in Mexico during the 20 th century. It finds a U- shaped relation between female labor participation and income per capita. An econometric analysis is carried out for the textile industry during the period 1925-1934 and for the manufacturing industry during the period 1987-1999. Results show the existence of substantial regional differences in female participation in the labor market, and the variables that explain
Rates of change in peak expiratory flow and in diurnal variation in peak flow in patients recovering from acute severe asthma.

1. The rates of change in mean peak expiratory flow and in diurnal variation in peak flow were compared in 14 patients recovering from acute severe asthma. 2. Peak expiratory flow was measured on hospital admission, and at 6-hourly intervals for the next 3 weeks. 3. Diurnal variation in peak flow was assessed by measuring the following: amplitude (the highest minus the lowest peak expiratory flow during any given 24 h period), amplitude % mean (the highest minus the lowest peak expiratory flow during any given 24 h period divided by the mean peak expiratory flow over that period) and residual amplitude (the maximum variation about the mean peak expiratory flow during any given 24 h period). 4. Plots of diurnal variation in peak flow and peak expiratory flow against time were constructed for each patient. To enable comparison of changes in peak expiratory flow and diurnal variation in peak flow the data were transformed. 5. The rate of change for mean peak expiratory flow and for the three measures of diurnal variation in peak flow was assessed by fitting an exponential function to each set of data, and calculating the slope of the exponential curve halfway through the period of observation (10.5 days). 6. Median (range) slope for peak expiratory flow was 0.055 (0-2.57). The comparable value for amplitude was -3.15 (-1.27 to -4.22) (absolute median values compared, P = 0.0029), for amplitude % mean was -1.87 (-0.18 to -5.95) (P = 0.012) and for residual amplitude was -1.43 (-0.62 to -3.09) (P = 0.033). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Testing for Regime Changes in Greek Sovereign Debt Crisis

This paper examines whether the efficiency market hypothesis for the Greek sovereign debt holds. As in Blanco et al. (2005) we test the theoretical equivalence of credit default swap (CDS) and spreads that dictates a CI relationship between the two. The main innovation of the present analysis is the use of a threshold vector error-correction (TVECM) model, thus allowing thresholds within the sample covering the period 1990 to 2010. Moreover, by employing this methodology we are able to evaluate the degree and dynamics of transaction costs resulting from various events due to external market imperfections but also domestic factors. The main hypothesis we test is to what extent spreads and CDS are indeed integrated that may result in an efficient and integrated segniorage capital market. Our findings support the gradual integration hypothesis. We find that spreads and CDS are cointegrated, though threshold effects are also revealed in terms of events that have impacted on markets.
Real options – introduction to the state of the art

This special issue on Real Options of the European Journal of Finance includes 11 papers presented at the recent Annual International Conferences on Real Options. Eight of them were presented at the 13th Annual Conference held at the University of Minho (Braga, Portugal) and at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in 17–20 June 2009. The conferences brought together academics and practitioners at the forefront of real options and investment under uncertainty to discuss recent developments and applications. The conference, organised by the Real Options Group and the hosting universities, featured academic and professional presentations of theoretical and applied work, workshops and case discussions, experiences from the field and panel discussions. Tourinho (1979) proposed the first known real options model. In this issue, Tourinho revisits his contribution 30 years later, on the occasion of his keynote address at the 12th Annual Conference held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 2008. The paper addresses how the use of a real option models can be reconciled with the equilibrium required in the market of the asset being valued. In the case of natural resources he suggest that this can be ensured by modelling the commodity price as a mean-reverting process to the price that triggers investment. In the same conference and also in this issue, Adkins and Paxson also revisit the Tourinho (1979) model, highlighting the neglected contribution of that seminal model. They claim that combining a convenience yield, the most common approach in the real options models since Brennan and Schwartz (1985), and an option-holding cost, as proposed by Tourinho (1979), produces a better representation of the extraction paradox identified by Tourinho. The holding cost can be manipulated in order to influence the extraction timing and the profit of the option holder. Jaimungal, Souza and Zubelli, along with arguments of Tourinho, suggest that in equilibrium, output and input prices tend to be mean reverting and, therefore, propose a real options model where the option to invest is valued assuming that the project value (V) and the investment cost (I) are both mean reverting, showing that the trigger is no longer a linear function of the ratio V /I as in McDonald and Siegel’s (1986) model, which assumes both factors as geometric Brownian motions. Dockendorf and Paxson develop rainbow option models that are present in the case where firms have the flexibility to choose between two outputs, deriving a quasi-analytical solution and a numerical lattice solution. Using a real case with two commodities, they show that even for
How potent are news reversals?: Evidence from the futures markets

A theoretical model is presented, which predicts a heightening in return volatility following a news reversal. A reversal occurs when a value of an economic indicator that is larger than the forecasted value is followed in the following month by a value smaller than the forecasted value, or vice versa. The model also suggests that the effects of a news reversal will be more pronounced early in the monthly macroeconomic news cycle. The predictions of the model for trading activity are less clear. The main predictions of the model were tested employing intraday data for the nearby Treasury bond futures contract. Consistent with the model, the data show significantly greater responses in volatility per standard‐deviation surprise when there is a news reversal, than otherwise. Further, the increased sensitivity in volatility is especially perceptible early in the announcement cycle. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 29:42–73, 2009
Genotoxicity and Diabetic Embryopathy: Impaired Expression of Developmental Control Genes as a Cause of Defective Morphogenesis

Since the advent of insulin therapy for diabetes mellitus, the survival of mothers with diabetes prior to pregnancy and their offspring has greatly improved. Nevertheless, the observation that the earliest stages of organogenesis can be impaired in the offspring of women with diabetes raises the question of how abnormal fuel metabolism disturbs embryogenesis. Research into this process has been made possible in recent years by advances in molecular biology which makes it possible to study gene expression in early embryos, and by the availability of genetically engineered mutant mouse strains. Using these approaches, a model is emerging in which elevated glucose, by disturbing expression of genes which regulate embryonic development and cell cycle progression, causes premature cell death of emerging organ structures, thereby causing defective morphogenesis. Investigation into the signaling mechanisms by which excess glucose metabolism exhibits toxic effects on embryo gene expression will explain how diabetic embryopathy occurs on a molecular and cellular level, as well as increase our understanding of the role of metabolic homeostasis in proper embryonic development.
Multidimensional Assessment of Poverty Alleviation in a Developing Country: A Case Study on Economic Interventions

Donors increasingly expect international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) to prove that the organizations' economic development interventions alleviate poverty. Currently, many INGOs search for new methods to meet this demand by focusing on the expectations of donors rather than those of beneficiaries. We analyze the benefit of qualitative, context-specific methods and ask the question: What can an economic development intervention contribute to poverty alleviation from the perspective of the beneficiaries? In our case study, a negative economic valuation was not automatically a reason to evaluate the economic intervention as a failure. Assessment thus cannot be reduced to economic impacts. Also, qualitative approaches can add beneficiary-oriented data in a context in which accountability mainly focuses on donors. This beneficiary orientation likely leads to better accountability negotiations with donors. Three hypotheses introduce these results.