Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF FUTURES TRADING ACTIVITY ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF SPOT MARKET RETURNS

There is extensive empirical research on the potential destabilizing effects of futures trading activity on spot market volatility. Rather than just focussing on spot volatility, this paper deals with the contemporaneous relationship between futures trading volume and the overall probability distribution of spot market returns. To disentangle the potential destabilizing effect of futures trading activity from cross-interactions due to price discovery process, futures volume is broken down into two drivers: expected and unexpected trading activity. Then, a non-parametric approach is used to estimate the density function of spot return conditional to both spot and futures trading volume. Empirical evidence using intraday data from the Spanish stock index futures market over the period 2000-2002 is provided. Our empirical findings can be summarized as follows: i) spot market volatility is positively related to spot trading volume, ii) for any given spot trading volume, a significant and positive relationship between unexpected futures trading activity and spot volatility is detected; however no significant relationship arises when expected futures trading volume is considered. These findings are consistent with theoretical models predicting that futures trading activity is not a force behind irrational spot price fluctuations. Existe abundante evidencia empirica en la literatura acerca de la potencial transmision de volatilidad desde los mercados de futuros hacia el correspondiente mercado subyacente. Para contrastar la existencia de una potencial desestabilizacion desde el mercado de derivados, en este trabajo se propone un enfoque mas general apartir del analisis de la relacion entre el volumen negociado en el mercado de futuros y la toda la distribucion de probabilidad de la rentabilidad del subyacente. Para diferenciar la potencial desestabilizacion de las interacciones derivadas del procesode formacion de precios, se descompone el volumen negociado en sus componentes esperada y no esperada. A partir de esta descomposicion, se lleva a cabo una estimacion no parametrica de la funcion de densidad de la rentabilidad del subyacente condicional al volumen negociado, tanto en el mercado de contado comoen el mercado de futuros. Sobre la base del nuevo enfoque propuesto, se proporciona evidencia empirica para el mercado espanol de futuros sobre el Ibex 35 a lo largo del periodo 2000-2002. La evidencia empirica detectada pone de manifiesto dos aspectos relevantes: a) la volatilidad del mercado de contado esta positivamente correlacionada con el volumen de negociacion en dicho mercado y b) dado un nivel de negociacion en el mercado de contado, se observa una relacion positiva entre la negociacion inesperada en el mercado de derivados y la volatilidad del mercado de contado. Estos dos aspectos no son coherentes con la idea de que el mercado de futuros es una fuente de desestabilizacion para el mercado de contado.
VESA AHO INSOLE ENERGY HARVESTING FROM HUMAN MOVEMENT USING PIEZOELECTRIC GENERATORS

VESA AHO: Insole energy harvesting from human movement using piezoelectric generators Tampere University of Technology Master of Science Thesis, 62 pages February 2018 Master’s Degree Programme in Electrical Engineering Major: Renewable Electrical Energy Technologies Examiners: Assistant Professor Sampo Tuukkanen, Lecturer Risto Mikkonen
The experience of gender dysphoria for pre-pubescent children and their families. A review of the literature

In recent years, the experience of gender dysphoria has gained public prominence through an explosion of sensationalized interest in the popular media. However, childhood gender dysphoria remains poorly understood and both parents and children often find themselves having to educate professionals around them. This not only creates a sense of disconnect between family and professionals, but also means that social workers can often be unaware of the myriad of competing perspectives that seek to explain gender variance. This review of the literature seeks to provide interested social workers with an overview of gender dysphoria, current research in the field and theoretical paradigms, with a view to promoting understanding and better practice with families in this little understood field.
Low mass dilepton production in pp, p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions with ALICE

Low mass vector meson ( ρ, ω, ϕ ) production provides key information on the hot and dense state of strongly interacting matter produced in high-energy heavy-ion collisions (called Quark-Gluon Plasma, QGP). Strangeness enhancement is one of the possible signatures of the Quark-Gluon Plasma formation and can be accessed through the measurement of ϕ meson production with respect to ρ and ω mesons. The production dynamics and hadronization process in relativistic heavy-ion collisions can be probed through the measurement of the ϕ nuclear modification factor.We present results on the low mass dimuon analysis in pp, p–Pb and Pb–Pb collisions. In pp collisions at √ s = 2.76 TeV the ϕ differential cross section as a function of the transverse momentum has been measured, serving as a baseline for Pb–Pb data.The ϕ yield and the nuclear modification factor R pPb at forward and backward rapidity have been measured for p–Pb collisions at √ s = 5.02 TeV. At forward rapidity, R pPb increases as a function of p T , saturating for p T > 3 GeV/ c at R pPb ~ 1. At backward rapidity, R pPb shows an increase as a function of the transverse momentum up to a factor of 1.6 for p T ~ 3-4 GeV/ c , followed by a decrease at higher p T . The ϕ yield and nuclear modification factor R AA have been measured for Pb–Pb collisions at √ s NN = 2.76 TeV in the intermediate p T region 2 p T c , as a function of the number of participating nucleons. Remarkable differences are observed in the comparison between the results at forward rapidity in the dimuon channel and the ones measured in the same p T range at midrapidity in the hadronic channel ϕ → KK . In the dielectron channel at midrapidity, the invariant mass distributions in the range 0 m ee c 2 are compared with the expected hadronic sources for pp collisions at √ s = 7 TeV, and for p–Pb collisions at √ s NN = 5.02 TeV. Latest results of the analysis of Pb–Pb collisions at √ s NN = 2.76 TeV are presented.
A Hierarchical Caching Decision Algorithm for Content-Centric Network

Content-Centric Network (CCN), one of the current research hotspots, is known as the network architecture with the best development prospects. As an important part of CCN, the performance of cache decision strategy directly affects the whole performance of CCN. A hierarchical caching decision algorithm (HCDA) is proposed to solve the problem of existing cache decision strategies in CCN. The strategy grades contents and nodes in network topology so that the content can be hierarchically cached. Doing so solves the redundancy caused by LCE (Leave Cache Everywhere). Simulation results show that compared with LCE and ProbC (Probabilistic Caching), HCD effectively raises the cache hit ratio and reduces the cache content redundancy; thus, the user requests hop is reduced.
Shifting Cultivation and Forest Pressure in Cameroon

Shifting cultivation is often blamed as a principal cause of deforestation in tropical Africa. It is claimed that the practice is unsustainable because shortened fallow lengths result in soils too degraded to support forest vegetation. The decline in fallow lengths is often attributed to increases in population density and greater market participation. The conventional wisdom makes several claims that are as yet unsubstantiated. This paper investigates whether there is evidence to support two of these claims in southern Cameroon. First, using both cross-sectional and panel data, I find that there is indeed a robust negative association between fallow lengths and population density in the study area and weaker evidence for a negative relationship between fallow lengths and market participation. Second, a stochastic frontier production function approach is used to investigate the marginal contribution of fallow to output. Results indicate that fallow lengths are not low enough to be affecting yields and therefore do not appear to be resulting in declines in soil fertility. Thus overall, while some of the assumptions of the conventional wisdom appear to be true, there is little evidence to support its dramatic conclusion that shifting cultivators are causing deforestation in the forested region of Cameroon.
GENETIC ALGORITHM FOR EVENT SCHEDULING SYSTEM

UTeM’s Event Alert System (UTeM-EAS) is an improved version of previous Event alert System in Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka(UTeM) official site that aims to apply artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to provide its users with events priority. This newer system intend be more user friendly by providing organized management. The improved version is also designed to have the capability of sending Short Message Service (SMS) among UTeM’s staff to notify them of future events. Some researches about another existing Event Alert Sytem are carried to provide more understanding to the system to be developed. UTeM-EAS then is created by exploiting one of AI approach namely Genetic Algorithm (GA) with Crossover Technique. There are four main interfaces that ask for login information, add, edit and view events details. As for the development environment, UTeM-EAS is developed and to run in windows XP with support of Adobe Dreamweaver and MS SQL Server. Ozeki Messager 6 are installed and configured for this system to operate with its SMS function. The functionality, usability and security testing are conducted between UTeM’s staffs and administrators itself to measure the performance and user acceptance of the proposed system. Aside from achieving its development objectives, UTeM-EAS also gain great satisfactions from most of its tested users. The system could be more efficient if password encryption is applied and the system is able to reply the message sent by UTeM’s staff asking for further events details
Consumption Behavior, Annuity Income and Mortality Risk of the Elderly

Previous studies find that individuals do not draw down their assets after retirement which is at odds with the predictions of a simple life cycle model without uncertainty. Hurd (1989, 1999) explains saving behavior of elderly singles and couples by adding lifetime uncertainty and bequest motives to the simple life cycle model. In this paper we aim to test whether predictions of the models proposed by Hurd (1989, 1999) hold for a sample of elderly Americans. We also extend the theoretical model of Hurd (1999) for couples. We use data taken from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) supplemented with the Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS). In line with theory we find that, on average, individuals’ total consumption is greater than their annuity income after retirement and the difference between total consumption and annuity income increases with the wealth level. Our results also suggest that consumption growth decreases with higher mortality rates for elderly singles. On the other hand, for elderly couples, consumption growth does not respond to changes in the mortality risk of the couple.
Neural Estimation of Food Age with Adaline-based Multi-Layer Perceptron

This study employs a 4-input and 1-output feedforward neural network with adalines used to implement learning via error back-propagation (EBP) using least mean square rule. The neural network is used to predict the condition of both cooked and uncooked food as well as fresh vegetables by determining food age (in days). Neurosolutions training software is used to simulate the neural network. Training data is obtained from a constructed metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) ammonia circuit. Results show that a 95% overall accuracy of neural network results is obtained. This demonstrates the capability of neural networks in accurate classification of sample data points. Food samples used to obtain inference database include rice, beans, fresh vegetables, yam and potatoes. Keywords/Index Terms: neural network, supervised learning, back propagation, e-nose, artificial intelligence
Sediment Analysis with an Emphasis on Carbon and Nitrogen during the PETM

The Paleocene-Eocene boundary (~55MA) is known as a sudden global warming event that is associated with the negative carbon isotope excursion around 170 kyr in duration. A core was sampled from Mattawoman Creek in Maryland to investigate carbon & nitrogen percentages during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). Coincident with the onset of the bulk carbon isotope shift in the core is a peak in carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio. C/N values remain high at the onset of the PETM but then decrease substantially during the later stages of the event. All values are indicative of the dominance of terrestrial organic matter, however, the proportion of marine organic matter increases during the later stages of the PETM.
Medium optimization of β-glucanase production by Bacillus subtilis SAHA 32.6 used as biological control of oil palm pathogen.

Beta-glucanase enzyme can degrade β-glucan polysaccharide to saccharide oligomers and glucose monomers. The enzyme can be used as biological control to degrade β-glucan in cell wall of fungal pathogens The objective of this study was to determine the optimum medium for bacterial β-glucanase production and to use the enzyme as biological control of oil palm pathogenic fungi. Medium optimization were carried out using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with 18 experimental run of Central Composite Design (CCD) on three variables (oat β-glucan, yeast extract, and bacterial inoculum). The results showed that β-glucanase produced by Bacillus subtilis SAHA 32.6 was strongly influenced by bacterial inoculum size than oat β-glucan and yeast extract concentration. Beta-glucanase of optimized medium could inhibit the growth of oil palm pathogenic fungi, i.e Curvularia affinis and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The ammonium sulphate fractionation of the β-glucanase could inhibit the fungi better than crude enzyme. The bacterial β-glucanase of B. subtilis SAHA 32.6 can be used as bio-fungicide to attack of pathogenic fungi in the oil palm nursery.
Aphid-aphidophage community in Alfalfa cultures (Medicago sativa L.) in Poland. Pt. 1, Structure and phenology of the community

Aphid-aphidophage community was studied in four regions of Poland. The sweep -net technique and catch per unit time provide a representative picture of the species composi­ tion if a series of 15-25 samples is used. In addition to Асуrthosiphon pisum ( H a r r i s ) , five groups of consumers are included to the community. Within two food chains, oligophagous predators and parasites, 126 species were recorded. A new concept of the aphid-aphidophage community structure has been developed. Among the dominant species there were 6 Coccinellidae, 7 Syrphidae and 3 Ghrysopidae. On each site the community is enriched in local, accessory species. Among the parasites a high stability of occurrence was observed for the ApMdiidae. Charipidae and Geraphronidae. The species composition of the Aphelinidae is not stable. The number dynamics of aphids has two peaks : in the spring-summer period and in the autumn, The appearance of aphidophages is significantly correlated with the first peak. ,, 3
Strategic management practices in the healthcare industry : A case study of Gertrude’s garden children's hospital

Administrators of Kenya non-profit hospitals are often hesitant to adopt practices that would lead to a drift from their core values and ethical objectives. This study presents that over time, as the environment surrounding Kenyan hospitals becomes less predictable, there is need for hospital administrators to adopt strategic management practices The focus of the study is on strategic management practices at Gertrude's Garden Children's Hospital as outlined in the strategic management process The areas under research were vision and mission practices, environmental scanning, and general planning practices, goal setting, strategy implementation practices, and evaluation of strategies. In-depth interviews with the CEO and a representative of the hospital's senior management team were conducted to establish what strategic management practices have been adopted by the hospital administrators. The content of the interview was analyzed and presented in relation to the objectives of the study. The findings show that there is fonnulation of vision and mission statements, environmental scanning, fonnulation of annual business plans, objective setting takes place at the hospital, evaluation of strategies and objectives. This implies that the hospital has adopted a variety of strategic management practices
Live Fast and Die Young: Metal Effects on Condition and Physiology of Wild Yellow Perch from along Two Metal Contamination Gradients

ABSTRACT This review summarizes some of the main findings of our work with the Metals in the Environment Research Network examining seasonal and regional effects on metal accumulation, growth, condition, and physiology in wild yellow perch (Perca flavescens) from 10 lakes comprising two metal contamination gradients in the industrial regions of Sudbury, Ontario and Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Canada. The specific objectives of this review are: (1) to propose threshold tissue metal concentrations to discriminate between fish from contaminated and reference sites; (2) to identify factors that can influence metal accumulation and fish condition; and (3) to define an experimental approach for measuring metal effects in wild yellow perch. Using tissue thresholds appeared useful not only for discriminating fish from clean or contaminated environments, but also provided a simple approach to examine metabolic consequences of tissue metal accumulation. Overall, fish from Sudbury grew faster, expressed higher aerobic capacities, and died younger, but also appeared better at limiting accumulation of some metals than Rouyn-Noranda fish. The condition of the latter fish was clearly more affected by metals than Sudbury fish. Finally, our dataset allows us to propose that yellow perch are highly suitable for ecological risk assessment studies of metal effects in wild fish, but that fish size, season, and region must be considered in sampling design and that several reference sites must be studied for meaningful conclusions to be reached.
Design 8 Bit Analog Unit ADC Integrating Type Single Slope For Low Frequency Application

The main component of Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) Single Slope type is an Analog Unit. The analog unit is designed precisely to meet characteristics of the ADC. The ADC design has a resolution of 8 bits and frequency clock of 1 MHz . Openloop amplification of OpAmp is 66.42 dB. Set point voltage comparator at the level of 1.65 V. The value of RC in the circuit integrator = 16μ. The reference voltage used is 2 volts, so that the LSB value obtained is 0,125V. Sample and hold level is designed for 1 µs with a 31.25ns pulse width, resulting in a single enumeration there will be pulse of 16 x 62.5 ns clock. Method of research is done by simulation using mentor graphic with 0,35μ AMS technology. The result is an analog unit design of Single-Slope ADC with a speed of 1 us and maximum of reference voltage is 2 Volt and it is able to give amplitudes sampling up to 0.02 Volt Keywords-ramp; ADC; op amps; sampling; integrator I. ARCHITECTURE OF SINGLE SLOPE ADC ( 2 , 10 ) The main component of ADC Single Slope is a circuit of Integrator. Less precise calculation of the component value determination will result in a significant error in the output, so that it needs as possible minimal percentage of error in the design. The block diagram of ADC circuit is shown in the figure below.
Development of Design Methodology for a Small Solar-Powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Existing mathematical design models for small solar-powered electric unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) only focus on mass, performance, and aerodynamic analyses. Presently, UAV designs have low endurance. The current study aims to improve the shortcomings of existing UAV design models. Three new design aspects (i.e., electric propulsion, sensitivity, and trend analysis), three improved design properties (i.e., mass, aerodynamics, and mission profile), and a design feature (i.e., solar irradiance) are incorporated to enhance the existing small solar UAV design model. A design validation experiment established that the use of the proposed mathematical design model may at least improve power consumption-to-take-off mass ratio by 25% than that of previously designed UAVs. UAVs powered by solar (solar and battery) and nonsolar (battery-only) energy were also compared, showing that nonsolar UAVs can generally carry more payloads at a particular time and place than solar UAVs with sufficient endurance requirement. The investigation also identified that the payload results in the highest effect on the maximum take-off weight, followed by the battery, structure, and propulsion weight with the three new design aspects (i.e., electric propulsion, sensitivity, and trend analysis) for sizing consideration to optimize UAV designs.
Aplicación de predictores conformales a señales de fusión

En problemas de clasificacion, reviste especial importancia el analisis de la fidelidad del clasificador de senales, sobre todo cuando se presentan dominios donde es facil que haya errores en la clasificacion. La capacidad de evaluar la calidad de los resultados es posible a traves del uso de metodologias flexibles como la tecnica de Predictores Conformales (CP), capaces de dar predicciones sobre la confianza y credibilidad asignada a cada resultado de una verificacion. Los predictores conformales pueden acotar la tasa de error de las predicciones de una region mediante el establecimiento de un nivel de confianza. Uno de los objetivos planteados en el presente trabajo ha sido la realizacion de una herramienta computacional para clasificacion utilizando el algoritmo de CP, el cual se ha aplicado a un problema multiclase de senales de fusion; permite ademas determinar las medidas de no conformidad utilizando algoritmos subyacentes de clasificacion como: Maquinas de Soporte Vectorial (Support Vector Machine, SVM), Vecinos Cercanos (Nearest Neighbors) y medidas de no conformidad propias del mismo algoritmo CP. Se han comparado los resultados obtenidos por estos tres metodos de clasificacion para el mismo conjunto de senales. [ABSTRACT] In classification problems, particularly important to analyze the fidelity of the signal classifier, especially when there are domains where it is easy to have errors in classification. The ability to assess the quality of results is possible through the use of flexible methodologies such as the Conformal Prediction (CP) technique, capable to give predictions on confidence and credibility assigned to each outcome of a verification. Conformal predictors can limit the rate of error of predictions of a region by establishing a level of confidence. One of the goals outlined in this paper has been to conduct a computational tool for classification using the CP algorithm, which has been applied to a multiclass problem of fusion signals, can also to determine the measures of non-compliance using underlying classification algorithms such as Support Vector Machine (SVM), Nearest Neighbors (NN) and measures of their own nonconformity of the CP algorithm. We compared the results obtained by these three methods of classification for the same set of signals.