Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Model of the IMF as a Coinsurance Arrangement

Abstract The paper shows that an IMF-like coinsurance arrangement among countries can play a useful role in the global financial system. The operation of the coinsurance arrangement is examined under different loan contracts. It shows that, if the IMF’s objective is to safeguard its resources and be concerned about the welfare of the borrower, an ex ante loan contract is more likely to create the right incentives than an ex post loan contract. Such contracts highlight the need for precommitment to contend with the Samaritan’s dilemma and time inconsistency, and state-contingent repayment schemes to deal with King Lear’s dilemma.
EsKiMo II – the Eating study as a KiGGS Module in KiGGS Wave 2

Nutrition plays an important role for health, in particular of children and adolescents. In addition to the baseline German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS, 2003-2006), the nutrition survey EsKiMo (Eating study as a KiGGS Module) assessed the dietary habits of children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 in detail. In KiGGS Wave 2 (2014-2017) the corresponding module is EsKiMo II. Between June 2015 and September 2017, specially trained nutritionists will visit EsKiMo II participants at their homes. The parents of 6-to 11-year-olds are instructed on how to complete food records on four randomly chosen days - three consecutive days, followed later by an additional day. Participants aged 12 to 17 are interviewed personally on their food intake during the past four weeks with the dietary interview programme DISHES. Further information, for example, regarding dietary supplements is also recorded. EsKiMo II will provide an up-to-date and representative overview of the current nutrition status of 6-to 17-year-olds living in Germany, and it allows analysing changes in dietary behaviour over time. EsKiMo II can identify shortcomings in the nutrition of children and adolescents and thus may contribute with important information to nutrition and health policy.
Nonlinearity of effects of invasive ecosystem engineers on abiotic soil properties and soil biota

Invasions of non-indigenous species into natural communities are currently rated as one of the most important threats to biodiversity. Particularly exotic ecosystem engineers such as earthworms potentially have profound impacts on community assembly and functioning. We investigated the impact of invasion by the lumbricid earthworms into an aspen forest of the Canadian Rocky Mountains on soil organic matter, microorganisms and microarthropod communities. Building on the results of previous studies in this forest, we expected positive effects of Lumbricus terrestris middens and negative effects of Octolasion tyrtaeum on soil biota (increase and decrease in soil nutrient concentrations, microbial parameters and soil microarthropod density and diversity, respectively). Further, we expected that earthworm effects change with time. Combined results of previous and the present study suggest a wavelike colonization pattern for Dendrobaena octaedra and O. tyrtaeum and that indeed the impact of earthworms on soil biota changed with time, likely due to changes in earthworm density. Unexpectedly, L. terrestris middens neither affected soil abiotic nor soil biotic properties. By contrast and in contrast to our hypothesis, carbon and nitrogen concentration and C-to-N ratio in deeper soil layers increased in presence of O. tyrtaeum, thereby likely enhancing nutrient availability for soil microorganisms and microarthropods. Even though the density of this endogeic species was rather low, presence of O. tyrtaeum resulted in increased densities of a number of microarthropod taxa and increased microarthropod diversity. The results suggest that at low density, invasive ecosystem engineers, such as O. tyrtaeum, cause disturbances of intermediate strength thereby beneficially affecting soil microorganisms and most microarthropods. This contrasts earlier effects during the wavelike invasion of O. tyrtaeum into the aspen forest when densities of O. tyrtaeum were high resulting in generally detrimental effects on soil biota. The results emphasize the nonlinearity of earthworm effects on abiotic and biotic soil properties and call for further long-term investigations.
Establishing a Diverse Assemblage of Native Grasses and Forbs on a Knapweed-Infested Site in the Bass River Recreation Area, Ottawa County, Michigan

Extensive areas of degraded lands and remnant natural areas in the upper Midwest have been invaded by the non-native perennial, spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa Lam.). Reestablishment of native plant communities requires the application of effective control measures. The objective of our study was to examine the interactive effects of mowing and chemical site preparation treatments (herbicides) combined with hand pulling on spotted knapweed control and native plant establishment on a knapweed-infested site in western Michigan. Initial mowing and herbicide treatments were applied to forty-eight plots in the summer of 2008, and we seeded these plots with a mixture of native grasses and forbs in the spring of 2009. We hand pulled seed-producing knapweed from selected plots in mid-summer, 2009, and determined residual knapweed densities and native plant occurrence on all plots in late July, 2009. All site preparation treatments began to reduce the knapweed soil seedbank, while both glyphosate and clopyralid herbicides substantially reduced mature spotted knapweed densities. Hand pulling effectively reduced seed-producing knapweed densities to less than 0.5 plants m -2 on mowed and glyphosate-treated plots; hand pulling was unnecessary on clopyralid plots because mature knapweed were totally absent in 2009. Only clopyralid, however, reduced juvenile and seedling knapweed densities significantly. Planted native warm-season grasses were present on all treatment combinations, but full development of a diverse native plant community is expected to take several years. Some combination of herbicide treatment and hand pulling of knapweed is recommended to facilitate reestablishment of a native plant community on knapweed-infested sites.
Early breakthrough of colloids and bacteriophage MS2 in a water‐saturated sand column

We conducted column‐scale experiments to observe the effect of transport velocity and colloid size on early breakthrough of free moving colloids, to relate previous observations at the pore scale to a larger scale. The colloids used in these experiments were bacteriophage MS2 (0.025 μm), and 0.05‐ and 3‐μm spherical polystyrene beads, and were compared with a conservative nonsorbing tracer (KCl). The results show that early breakthrough of colloids increases with colloid size and water velocity, compared with the tracer. These results are in line with our previous observations at the pore scale that indicated that larger colloids are restricted by the size exclusion effect from sampling all paths, and therefore they tend to disperse less and move in the faster streamlines, if they are not filtered out. The measured macroscopic dispersion coefficient decreases with colloid size due to the preferential flow paths, as observed at the pore scale. Dispersivity, typically considered only a property of the medium, is in this case also a function of colloid size, in particular at low Peclet numbers due to the size exclusion effect. Other parameters for colloid transport, such as collector efficiency and colloid filtration rates, were also estimated from the experimental breakthrough curve using a numerical fitting routine. In general, we found that the estimated filtration parameters follow the clean bed filtration model, although with a lower filtration efficiency overall.
Optimized Ultrasonic-assisted Extraction of Flavonoids from Pyracantha fortuneana Fruit and Evaluation of Antibacterial Activities

Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction (UAE) method was developed for extraction of total flavonoids from Pyracantha fortuneana fruit. The UAE parameters and the antioxidant activities of flavonoids extract were investigated. Important variables and their levels were obtained using single factor analysis method and central composite design. Through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) design experiments, the processing conditions were optimized as follows: ethanol concentration, 81.15%; liquid-solid ratio, 30.00 mL/g; extraction time, 3.14 h; and temperature, 69.55°C. Under the optimum condition, the extraction yield was 1.261%, which was well matched with the predicted values of 1.263%. The antibacterial activities of extract against four bacterial strains were determined by agar well diffusion method and the results indicated that the extract showed potent antibacterial activities, which concludes its application as natural antibacterial agent.
Detecting anisotropy in fingerprint growth

From infancy to adulthood, human growth is anisotropic, much more along the proximal–distal axis (height) than along the medial–lateral axis (width), particularly at extremities. Detecting and modelling the rate of anisotropy in fingerprint growth facilitate the use of children's fingerprints for long‐term biometric identification. Using standard fingerprint scanners, anisotropic growth is highly overshadowed by the varying distortions created by each imprint, and it seems that this difficulty has hampered to date the development of suitable methods, detecting anisotropy, let alone designing models. We provide a tool chain to detect statistically anisotropy in planar shape and its preferred axis. For this we develop a new anisotropic growth model with a Procrustes‐type algorithm and a new parametric and non‐parametric neighbourhood hypothesis test, tunable to measurement accuracy. In application to fingerprint growth, we require only a standard fingerprint scanner and a minutiae matcher. Taking into account realistic distortions caused by pressing fingers on scanners, our simulations based on real data indicate that, for example, already in rather small samples (56 matches) we can significantly detect proximal–distal growth if it exceeds medial–lateral growth by only around 5%. Our method is well applicable to future data sets of child fingerprint time series. We provide an implementation of our algorithms and tests with matched minutiae pattern data.
Impact of vegetation on flow routing and sedimentation patterns: Three-dimensional modeling for a tidal marsh

[1] A three-dimensional hydrodynamic and sediment transport model was used to study the relative impact of (1) vegetation, (2) micro-topography, and (3) water level fluctuations on the spatial flow and sedimentation patterns in a tidal marsh landscape during single inundation events. The model incorporates three-dimensional (3-D) effects of vegetation on the flow (drag and turbulence). After extensive calibration and validation against field data, the model showed that the 3-D vegetation structure is determinant for the flow and sedimentation patterns. As long as the water level is below the top of the vegetation, differences in flow resistance between vegetated and unvegetated areas result in faster flow routing over unvegetated areas, so that vegetated areas are flooded from unvegetated areas, with flow directions more or less perpendicular to the vegetation edge. At the vegetation edge, flow velocities are reduced and sediments are rapidly trapped. In contrast, in between vegetated areas, flow velocities are enhanced, resulting in reduced sedimentation or erosion. As the water level overtops the vegetation, the flow paths described above change to more large-scale sheet flow crossing both vegetated and unvegetated areas. As a result, sedimentation patterns are then spatially more homogeneous. Our results suggest that the presence of a vegetation cover is the key factor controlling the long-term geomorphic development of tidal marsh landforms, leading to the formation of (1) unvegetated tidal channels and (2) vegetated platforms with a levee-basin topography in between these channels.
Autologous serum effect on corneal endothelial damage in the phacoemulsification rabbit model

1 Gülşah Usta1, Reyhan Oğurel2, Zafer Onaran2, Zeynep Pekcan3, Tevfik Oğurel2, Birkan Karslı3, Nurgül Örnek2, Nesrin Büyüktortop Gökçınar2 1Göz Hastalıkları Kliniği, Gölhisar Devlet Hastanesi,Burdur, 2Göz Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Kırıkkale, 3Veterinerlik Fakültesi, Kırıkkale Üniversitesi, Kırıkkale, Türkiye Autologous serum effect to corneal endothelial damage Autologous serum effect on corneal endothelial damage in the phacoemulsification rabbit model
RESPONSES OF ALMOND GENOTYPES TO OSMOTIC STRESS INDUCED IN VITRO

Drought is one of the major limitations to crop production worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the response of five almond genotypes and peach×almond hybrid GF to drought stress in vitro, and screening drought tolerance. Explants subjected to polyethylene glycol osmotic stress ( , , and . % WV) on the MS medium. Increasing PEG level in the medium significantly reduced fresh weight and leaf growth indices of the explants. Concentrations of chlorophylls, anthocyanins and carotenoids were significantly reduced under osmotic stress. Drought sensitive genotypes ‘B’, ‘Sepid’, ‘Mamaei’ and ‘Ferragnes’ showed stunted growth with high rate of leaf abscission under osmotic stress. Under osmotic stress, leaf water content, cellular membrane stability and pigments concentration were significantly higher in the leaves of tolerant genotypes ‘Supernova’ and GF . The results revealed that carotenoids and anthocyanins may be involved in protecting almonds against drought stress. Based on their responses to the osmotic treatments, almond genotypes were divided into drought tolerant (‘Supernova’ and GF ), semi-sensitive (‘B’ and ‘Sepid’) and drought sensitive (‘Mamaei’ and ‘Ferragnes’)
Intrapersonal and community factors associated with prostate cancer screening among African-American males in the US

php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms (https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php). Nursing: Research and Reviews 2016:6 33–42 Nursing: Research and Reviews Dovepress
A multiscale approach for the micropolar continuum model

A method to derive governing equations and elastic-plastic constitutive relations for the micropolar continuum model is proposed. Averaging procedures are operated over a surrounding sub-domain for each material point to bridge a discrete microstructure to a macro continuum model. Material parameters are determined by these procedures. The size of the sub-domain represents the material intrinsic length scale, and it is passed into the macroscopic governing equation so that the numerical solution can be regularized for analyses of failure phenomena. An application to a simple granular material model is presented. keyword: micropolar continuum, material parameter, failure analysis, microstructure
Effects of culture systems on growth and economic performance of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in concrete tanks

2 (T1), algae plus commercial feed at the stocking rate of 10 fishes/m 2 (T2), and commercial feed only at the stocking rate of 20 fishes/m 2 (T3). The tanks were stocked with O. niloticus fingerlings with mean weight of 1.160, 1.030 and 0.255 g for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Each treatment was replicated twice. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance and mean comparison was carried out using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). All tests were carried out at 5% probability level. The result on growth performance show that the intensive system (T1) was significantly different in some growth parameters (P < 0.05) such as yield (0.115, 0.830 and 1.260 kg/m 3 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively), specific growth (1.975, 2.750 and 3.425% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively), survival rate (90, 80 and 91% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively), and feed conversion ratio (1.150 and1.030 for T2 and T3, respectively). Economically, the intensive system was more profitable with a gross margin of N 122, which was 40% more profitable than the extensive system (T1 with Gross margin of N 80), and 269% than commercial feed plus algae (T2 with Gross margin of - N 194). The cost of production (incidence of cost) showed that it cost more (N 447) to produce O. niloticus using commercial feed plus algae (T2 ) in concrete tank than the use of algae only (T1) (N 268) and the use of commercial feed only (T3) (N380).
Special Section NEEDED : A BAN ON THE SIGNIFICANCE TEST

The significance test as currently used is a disaster. Whereas most researchers falsely believe thai the significance test has an error rale of 5%, empirical studies show the average error rale across psychology is 60%—)2 times higher than researchers think it to he. The error rate for inference using the significance test is greater than the error rate using a coin toss to replace the empirical study. The significance test has devastated the research review process. Comprehensive reviews cite conflicting results on almost every issue. Yet quantitatively accurate review of the same results shows that the apparent conflicts stem almost entirely from the high error rate for the significance test. If 60% of studies falsely interpret their primary results, then reviewers who base their reviews on the interpreted study ' findings'' will have a 100% error rate in concluding that there is conflict between study results. Consider a parable; A new young science has addressed significant problems and has attracted a large number of bright, tireless, empirical scientists. There is only one problem. This new science uses a defective decision-making technique that has been shown to have a 60% error rale. Worse yet, people in that science falsely believe that the error rate is 5%. Thus, people take the results of the decision-making device to be almost always right even though it is actually wrong tnore often than it is right. The question is this; Do you expect a high or a low rate of progress in this new science? Before you answer, consider this ugly fact. Suppose two researchers in this new science are testing a new hypothesis. One does an empirical study and the other flips a coin. The person who does the study has a 60% chance of error and thus has a 40% probability of being right. The person who flips a coin has a 50% probability of being right. That is, the person who flips a coin will be right more often than the person who does a study. My personal prediction is that progress in this new science will come at a glacial rate.
The limiting distribution of the St. Petersburg game

The St. Petersburg game is a well-known example of a random variable which has infinite expectation. Csorgo and Dodunekova have recently shown that the accumulated winnings do not have a limiting distribution, but that if measurements are taken at a subsequence b, , then a limiting distribution exists exactly when the fractional parts of log2 b, approach a limit. In this paper the characteristic functions of these distributions are computed explicitly and found to be continuous, self-similar, nowhere differentiable functions. A single trial in the St. Petersburg game consists in tossing a fair coin until it falls heads and then the player receives 2k dollars if this happens at the kth throw. The expected value comes out to be 1 2 2k I 2 + + Tk + =o, so the St. Petersburg game gives an example of a random variable which has infinite expectation. However, the probability that this game last long enough to get large paybacks is quite low and the law of large numbers still holds. In fact, Feller showed [3, p. 237] that if one only allows a finite number n of trials, then for any fixed c > 0 Pr{ Sn 1'>6l > -}-*0 as n oo, where Sn denotes the accumulated winnings in n trials of the St. Petersburg game and lg2 n = l . In this sense the game can be given a "fair" entrance fee of n lg2 n dollars . It follows from Feller's result that a way of generating a fair entrance fee independent of the number of trials is to find a sequence ai, a2, . satisfying a1 + * + a1n n lg2 n Received by the editors December 10, 1993. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 60F05. 1995 American Mathematical Society
Factors Affecting Isoflavone Content in Soybean Seeds Grown in Thailand

Soybeans are the most common source of isoflavones in human foods. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of Thai soybean variety, planting date, physical seed quality, storage condition, planting location, and crop year on isoflavone content, as well as to analyze the relationship between seed viability and isoflavone content in soybean seeds grown in Thailand. Isoflavone content in Thai soybeans varied considerably depending on such factors as variety, physical seed quality, crop year, planting date (even in the same crop year), and planting location. Most varieties (except for Nakhon Sawan 1 and Sukhothai 1) had significantly higher isoflavone content when planted in early rather than in late dry season. Additionally, seed viability as well as long-term storage at or at ambient condition seemed unlikely to affect isoflavone content in Thai soybean varieties. Isoflavone content in soybean seeds grown in Thailand depends on multiple genetic and environmental factors. Some varieties (Nakhon Sawan 1 and Sukhothai 1) exhibited moderately high isoflavone content regardless of sowing date. Soybeans with decreased seed viability still retained their isoflavone content.
Sleep disorders in critical care unit.

Sleep deprivation is common in critically ill patients in ICU. It is not surprising that sleep disturbances and fatigue are among the most common symptoms in critically ill adults. Many factors such as preexisting sleep disorders, pathophysiology of the underlying illness/injury, therapeutic interventions, medications, and ICU environment, play roles in sleep and fatigue symptoms during recovery from acute illness or injury. Sleep disruption is a significant stressor in the ICU that can negatively affect recovery and even survival.
Struggling to stay out of high-poverty neighborhoods: housing choice and locations in moving to opportunity's first decade

Improving locational outcomes emerged as a major policy hope for the nation's largest low-income housing program over the past two decades, but a host of supply and demand-side barriers confront rental voucher users, leading to heated debate over the importance of choice versus constraint. In this context, we examine the Moving to Opportunity experiment's first decade, using a mixed-method approach. MTO families faced major barriers in tightening markets, yet diverse housing trajectories emerged, reflecting variation in: (a) willingness to trade location – in particular, safety and avoidance of “ghetto” behavior – to get larger, better housing units after initial relocation; (b) the distribution of neighborhood types in different metro areas; and (c) circumstances that produced many involuntary moves. Access to social networks or services “left behind” in poorer neighborhoods seldom drove moving decisions. Numerous moves were brokered by rental agents who provided shortcuts to willing landlords but thereby steered participants to particular neighborhoods.