Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Working Papers on International Economics and Finance DEFI 1201 January 2012 Inflation convergence in Central and Eastern Europe with a view to adopting the euro

In this paper we consider inflation rate differentials between seven Central and Eastern Countries (CEECs) and the Eurozone. We focus explicitly upon a group of CEECs given that although they are already member states, they are currently not part of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and must fulfil the Maastricht convergence criteria before being able to adopt the euro. However, this group of countries does not have an opt-out clause and so must eventually adopt the single currency. Hence, considering divergence in inflation rates between each country and the Eurozone is important in that evidence of persistent differences may increase the chance of asymmetric inflationary shocks. Furthermore, once a country joins the Eurozone the operation of a country specific monetary policy is no longer an option. We explicitly test for convergence in the inflation rate differentials, incorporating non-linearities in the autoregressive parameters, fractional integration with endogenous structural changes, and also consider club convergence analysis for the CEECs over the period 1997 to 2011 based on monthly data. Our empirical findings suggest that the majority of countries experience non-linearities in the inflation rate differential, however there is only evidence of a persistent difference in three out of the seven countries. Complementary to this analysis we apply the Phillips and Sul (2007) test for club convergence and find that there is evidence that most of the CEECs converge to a common steady state.
Post-harvest mortality in the marine aquarium trade: A case study of an Indonesian export facility

The use of destructive harvesting methods, the collection of unsuitable species, poor handling and husbandry practices, and the potential for overexploitation have raised concerns about the marine aquarium trade over the last decade (Barber and Pratt 1997; Johannes and Riepen 1995; Jones 1997; Sadovy 2002; Wood 2001). Most of these concerns are directly or indirectly related to high post-harvest mortality. The reduction of post-harvest mortality therefore plays a central role in the management of the trade. Because tropical fish are transported great distances to overseas destinations, and because many people are involved in their processing, there are a number of possible causes of post-harvest mortality. The reasons may be summarised as follows:
Financial Valuation and Risk Management Working Paper No . 736 Capital Controls with International Reserve Accumulation : Can This Be Optimal ?

Motivated by the Chinese experience, we analyze a semi-open economy where the central bank has access to international capital markets, but the private sector has not. This enables the central bank to choose an interest rate di↵erent from the international rate. We examine the optimal policy of the central bank by modelling it as a Ramsey planner who can choose the level of domestic public debt and of international reserves. The central bank can improve savings opportunities of credit-constrained consumers modelled as in Woodford (1990). We find that in a steady state it is optimal for the central bank to replicate the open economy, i.e., to issue debt financed by the accumulation of reserves so that the domestic interest rate equals the foreign rate. When the economy is in transition, however, a rapidly growing economy has a higher welfare without capital mobility and the optimal interest rate di↵ers from the international rate. We argue that the domestic interest rate should be temporarily above the international rate. We also find that capital controls can still help reach the first best when the planner has more fiscal instruments.
Riparian reserves in oil palm plantations : biodiversity, ecological processes and ecosystem services

As the human population expands, agricultural expansion and intensification will exert an increasing pressure on remaining habitats, especially in the tropics. Oil palm is one of the most rapidly expanding crops in these regions, and identifying management strategies that conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services in these landscapes is therefore a priority. I assess whether riparian forest fragments (riparian reserves) conserve species and the functions they support within oil palm landscapes. Riparian forests are legally required for their beneficial impact on hydrological dynamics and their potential to contribute to the conservation of terrestrial species is poorly documented. I focussed on two ecologically important indicator groups (ants and dung beetles) and the ecosystem processes that they support. Whilst protecting primary forest will remain the most important strategy for biodiversity conservation, I found that riparian reserves do support species of ants and dung beetles that would not otherwise persist in oil palm landscapes. However, the extent to which riparian reserves maintained key ecological functions differed between these two taxa. The amount of nutrient distribution carried out by ants in riparian reserves was similar to logged forest areas, and higher than in oil palm. In contrast, dung removal functions did not vary between these land uses. I also investigated how the vegetation structure and landscape context of riparian reserves affects the dung beetle communities they support. Increasing reserve width and proximity to other forest fragments had a positive impact on the species richness and diversity of dung beetles in riparian reserves. There was little evidence that riparian reserves enhance the provision of dung removal or pest control services in adjacent areas of oil palm. The results provide evidence to support the introduction and/or enforcement of legislation to protect riparian forest reserves in order to conserve biodiversity and ecological processes in oil palm landscapes.
Evaluating Aviation Emission Inefficiencies and Reduction Challenges with Electric Flights Based on an analysis of flights from 2019 in the Dutch and French airspaces

—Inefficiencies in flight operations, like deviations and non-optimal flight speed or altitude, are directly linked to flight emission inefficiencies. Quantifying these emission inefficiencies and studying potential mitigation strategies is certainly beneficial for the sustainability of the aviation industry. In this paper, we analyze emission inefficiencies in Dutch and French airspaces using flight data from 2019. The emission inefficiency analysis quantifies the excess carbon emissions for each flight by comparing its emissions with a set of optimal alternative trajectories. We find that around 19% of excess emissions existed in 2019 within the airspace of interest. We also study the potential reduction of emissions by replacing short-range flights with electric aircraft. We propose a simple electric aircraft energy model and relate that to emissions in electric generations in different countries. We find that besides the significant increase in air traffic demand caused by the limited capacities of electric flights, the emissions caused by electricity generation cannot be neglected. Significant reductions can only be achieved when emissions caused by electricity generation are low, as is the case currently in France. However, more emissions can be indirectly generated if the electricity used to power the future electric aircraft is itself produced from high emission sources, as is the case currently in the Netherlands. The paper also provides further insights and recommendations on the data sources, research approach, and future research for aviation sustainability.
Regulation as country specific (dis-)advantage: Smoking bans and the location of FDI in the tobacco industry

This paper seeks to examine the relationship between smoking bans and the propensity of tobacco firms to engage in FDI. Utilising international business theory based on the FSA/CSA matrix, we show that, contrary to what one may expect, that smoking bans at home are an important institutional intervention, reducing the propensity for firms to engage in FDI, even to countries without a ban themselves.
SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research Instrumental Variable Estimation of the Causal Effect of Hunger Early in Life on Health Later in Life

We estimate average causal effects of early-life hunger on late-life health by applying instrumental variable estimation, using data with self-reported periods of hunger earlier in life, with famines as instruments. The data contain samples from European countries and include birth cohorts exposed to various famines in the 20th century. We use two-sample IV estimation to deal with imperfect recollection of conditions at very early stages of life. The estimated average causal effects may exceed famine effects by at least a factor three.
SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research The German Socio-Economic Panel study Measuring Renewable Energy Externalities : Evidence from Subjective Well-Being Data

Electricity from renewable sources avoids disadvantages of conventional power generation but often meets with local resistance due to visual, acoustic, and odor nuisance. We use representative panel data on the subjective well-being of 46,678 individuals in Germany, 1994-2012, for identifying and valuing the local externalities from solar, wind and biomass plants in respondents’ postcode area and adjacent postcode areas. We find significant wellbeing externalities of all three technologies that differ with regard to their temporal and spatial characteristics. The monetary equivalent of 1 MW capacity expansion is estimated to be in the range of 0.3-0.7 percent of per capita income.
Fuzzy-Affine-Model-Based Output Feedback Dynamic Sliding Mode Controller Design of Nonlinear Systems

This paper investigates the problem of output feedback sliding mode control (SMC) for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems through Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy affine models. By adopting a state-input augmentation method, a descriptor system is first constructed to characterize the dynamical properties of the sliding motion. Based on a common quadratic Lyapunov function and piecewise quadratic Lyapunov functions, sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability analysis of the sliding motion are obtained with some convexification techniques. An output feedback dynamic SMC design scheme is proposed to force the states of the resulting closed-loop system onto the sliding surface locally in finite time. Two simulation examples are finally shown to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Effects of high water table and waterlogging on sunflower growth, yield and seed quality.

Understanding the response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to high water table and waterlogging is important for successful cultivation in monsoon Asia. We examined the physiological responses of sunflower cultivars to these conditions. In the rotational paddy field, where the water table depth was shallow, growth of the plant was suppressed, seed yield was decreased and harvest quality was deteriorated. In the artificially inclined field, the ditch surrounding the sloped plot was constantly filled with water, the growth of plant and oil concentration were decreased significantly when the water table was shallower than about 30 cm. In the pot experiment, where water was logged at different growth stages, the relationship between seed yield and the underground dry weight was significant (r = 0.87, p < 0.01). In cultivars with vigorous growth of underground part, many adventitious roots were appeared. Screening for the appearance of these roots may be an effective way to select sunflower cultivars that are capable of tolerating high water table and tolerating waterlogged conditions and avoiding decreases in seed and oil yield.
Thermal performance of High-Eﬀiciency Vortex (HEV) variants: reversed arrays configuration

Convective heat transfer in the Reversed Arrays configuration of the High-Efficiency Vortex (HEV) multifunctional heat exchanger is investigated. An experimental test section constituted of a tube equipped with inclined trapezoidal vortex generators with a constant-flux heating system is designed and constructed. In this configuration, the tab inclination is opposite to the flow direction. Interactions between the tabs and the flow generate coherent structures in the form of longitudinal counter-rotating streamwise vortices enhancing radial particle dispersion, mixing, and ultimately heat transport. The original configuration in which the tabs are inclined in the flow direction is also examined. Recent in-house hydrodynamic and thermal studies have been conducted showing the interest of these configurations in mixing and heat transfer applications. The experimental data are in good agreement with the numerical results. Local Nusselt numbers show an increasing tendency in the longitudinal direction with remarkable cross-sectional variations. Global analysis of convective heat transfer reveals the superiority of the Reversed Arrays. Energy expenditures are assessed through total pressure drop measurements. A comparative analysis based on the thermal enhancement factor and Colburn factor shows that the HEV is energetically less costly than other heat exchangers with similar heat transfer capacity.
War Signals: A Theory of Trade, Trust and Conict

We construct a theory of persistent civil conflicts, where persistence is driven by the endogenous dynamics of inter-ethnic trust and trade. In times of peace, agents belonging to two groups are randomly matched to trade bilaterally. Trade hinges on trust and cooperation. The onset of conflict signals that the aggressor has a low propensity to cooperate, harming future trust and trade. Agents observe the history of conflicts and update their beliefs over time. The theory predicts that civil wars are persistent. Moreover, even accidental conflicts that do not reflect economic fundamentals erode trust, and can plunge a society into a vicious cycle of recurrent conflicts (a war trap). The incidence of conflict can be reduced by policies abating cultural barriers, fostering inter-ethnic trade and human capital, and shifting beliefs. Coercive peace policies, such as peacekeeping forces or externally imposed regime changes, have no enduring effects. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/restud/rdt003 Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-91321 Journal Article Accepted Version Originally published at: Rohner, Dominic; Thoenig, Mathias; Zilibotti, Fabrizio (2013). War signals: a theory of trade, trust and conflict. Review of Economic Studies, 80(3):1114-1147. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/restud/rdt003 War Signals: A Theory of Trade, Trust and Conict Dominic Rohnery, Mathias Thoenigz, Fabrizio Zilibottix This version: December 2012 First version: July 2011
Heterotic Groupings, Perse Performance and Standard Heterosis of Quality Protein Maize (Zea Mays L.) for Yield and Yield Contributor Traits Adapted at Mid Altitude of Ethiopia

For an organized cross breeding program, information on heterotic grouping, perse performance, and commercial heterosis of newly introduced maize lines is required. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the heterotic group, commercial heterosis, perse and crosses mean performance of newly introduced from IITA-Nigeria and CIMMYT- Zimbabwe quality protein maize inbred lines. 36F1 progenies generated from the four testers and nine lines, and including four standard checks a total of 40 entries, and thirteen inbred lines were planted by using Alpha lattice design with three replications at Bako National Maize Research Center and Jimma Agricultural Research center in 2019/20 main cropping season. The combined analysis over the two locations showed there were significant differences at (P<0.01) or (P<0.05) between the genotypes in grain yield, and yield contributors of the studied traits. In this study, lines that showed positive SCA when crossed with tester A were assigned to the opposing heterotic group (group B), and vice versa, based on the significance of the SCA effects. This also suggests that these inbred lines could be placed in the same heterotic group as AB. From the study, L5 had the highest yield (3.6 t/ha) of the inbred lines, followed by L2 (3.13t/ha) and L7 (2.53t/ha) respectively were identified. Regarding to the crosses, Eight promising crosses, L2xT4, L3xT4, L4xT4, L5xT2, L6xT3, L7xT2, L9xT1, and L9xT4, with higher yield than the checks, were identified. For grain yield, about twelve crosses nine crosses showed positive and significant advantages over the standard check BH545 with range of (33.3% to-24.2%) were also observed. Multilocation evaluation, tryptophan and lysine content of these genotypes must be re-evaluated to confirm the findings of this study and to use in recurrent breeding program or for directly release of the promised crosses. In general, molecular based heterotic grouping is more effective in clarifying .
1060 EXPERIMENTAL CONFIRMATION ON THE CALIBRATION CURVES FOR PRESTON'S METHOD.

The Preston's method is considered as one of the most commonly employed methods to measure the wall shear stress. However, it is only possible to determine the wall shear stress from measured pressure differences of the Preston tube and undisturbed static pressure, combined with calibration curves, which depend on the Preston tube diameter, fluid density, and viscosity. Since its invention, no significant advancement in theory has been made, and calibration curves proposed by Preston, Patel and Bechert are still in use. In the present study, a need to measure surface shear stress over a circular cylinder prompted us to develop our original Preston tube system. The developed system has been calibrated by measuring the wall shear stress in the fully developed turbulent flow regime in a circular pipe. The present results generally confirm the previously reported calibration curves. A slight modification of the coefficients in the calibration equation shows further improvement.
Identifying obesity subtypes: A review of studies utilising clinical biomarkers and genetic data

Obesity is a complex and multifactorial condition that poses significant health risks. Recent advancements in our understanding of obesity have highlighted the heterogeneity within this disorder. Identifying distinct subtypes of obesity is crucial for personalised treatment and intervention strategies. This review paper aims to examine studies that have utilised clinical biomarkers and genetic data to identify clusters or subtypes of obesity. The findings of these studies may provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and potential targeted approaches for managing obesity‐related health issues such as type 2 diabetes.
ICT uses, innovation and SMEs productivity: Modeling direct and indirect effects in small local firms

El document de treball analitza les noves fonts co-innovadores (us TIC, capital huma i aprenentatge, i noves formes d’organitzacio del treball) de la productivitat del treball a les petites empreses que produeixen per als mercats locals. Utilitzant dades d’una enquesta per a una mostra representativa de 464 empreses localitzades a Girona (una provincia del nord-est d’Espanya) el 2009, i usant dues tecniques d’estimacio econometrica: minims quadrats ordinaris i sistemes d’equacions estructurals, la investigacio obte dos resultats principals. En primer lloc, el salari es el principal determinant de la productivitat del treball. En segon lloc, i en contraposicio amb l’evidencia disponibles per a les grans empreses, a les petites empreses locals la co-innovacio exerceix un efecte indirecte sobre la productivitat del treball. Les relacions causals directes entre la co-innovacio i la productivitat nomes s’ha identificat a les petites empreses locals innovadores. En aquest sentit, les relacions de causalitat entre la co-innovacio i la productivitat de totes les petites empreses locals s’estableix indirectament, a traves de la seva capacitat per a exportar als mercats de fora de la Unio Europea. Finalment, el document de treball identifica noves direccions de la politica publica per a millorar la productivitat de les petites empreses locals.
The efficacy of lining materials in the reduction of microleakage in class II composite resin restoration using the sandwich technique: A stereomicroscopic study

Background: The sealing ability of different liners under composite restorations in the reduction of microleakage. Aim: To evaluate the effects of three different liners in sandwich techniques on gingival microleakage of class II composite restorations. Materials and Methods: Standardized Class II box cavities were prepared on forty premolar teeth and randomly divided into four groups, n = 10: Group A, no liner (control); Group B, Polofil NHT Flow; Group C, Ionolux; and Group D, Fuji VII. The etching, bonding, and process for restoring the whole remaining mass of the cavities with G-aenial composite were the same, with the sandwich material expectations. Dye penetration was evaluated using a stereomicroscope. Statistical Analysis: Duncan’s Post hoc analysis and Friedman’s test. Results: Group A showed the highest microleakage followed by Group D, Group C, and Group B. Conclusion: Polofil NHT Flow seems to be a promising liner for gingivally deep class II cavities.
Relationships between runoff, land cover and climate in the semi-arid intermountain region of the western U.S.A

In this work, we used the Regional Hydro-Ecological Simulation System (RHESSys) model to examine runoff sensitivity to land cover changes in a mountain environment. Two independent experiments were evaluated where we conducted simulations with multiple vegetation cover changes that include conversion to grass, no vegetation cover and deciduous/coniferous cover scenarios. The model experiments were performed at two hillslopes within the Weber River near Oakley, Utah watershed (USGS gauge # 10128500). Daily precipitation, air temperature and wind speed data as well as spatial data that include a digital elevation model with 30 meter grid resolution, soil texture map and vegetation and land use maps were processed to drive RHESSys simulations. Observed runoff data at the watershed outlet were used for calibration and verification. Our runoff sensitivity results suggest that during winter reduced Leaf Area Index decreases canopy interception resulting in increased snow accumulations, and hence snow available for runoff during the early spring melt season. Increased Leaf Area Index during the spring melt season tends to delay the snow melting process due to reduced radiation beneath high LAI surfaces relative to low LAI surfaces. The model results suggest that annual runoff yield after removing deciduous vegetation is on average about 7% higher than with deciduous vegetation cover, while annual runoff yield after removing coniferous vegetation is on average as about 2% higher than that produced with coniferous vegetation cover. These simulations thus help quantify the sensitivity of water yield to vegetation change. 173 3.