Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do MPC voting records help predicting policy interest rate

This paper provides empirical evidence in favor of timely release of MPC voting records, not published in Poland before the next policymaking meeting, but released much later. The study shows that if the voting records were available before the next MPC meeting they would improve the predictability of policy rate decisions. More speci…cally, the disagreement on policy actions among MPC members is helpful in predicting the next policy change. The paper combines the use of ordered probit model, real-time data and decision-making meetings as a unit of observation. The predictive ability of voting records is robust to variety of speci…cations; their inclusion increases the proportion of correctly predicted decisions by 11%. The estimated policy rules outperform the market anticipation of policy actions, made one day before each MPC meeting during the 1999 - 2009 period, and correctly predict about 90% of policy decisions.
Geometric morphometrics for the study of hemicoxae sexual dimorphism in a local domestic equine breed

Twenty-eight skeletonized hemicoxae from young animals (yearlings, 13 males and 15 females) belonging to the “Cavall Pirinenc Catala” horse (Catalan Pyrenean Horse) breed were studied by means of geometric morphometric (GM) methods.Morphometric analysis was based on coordinates of 16 landmarks of the ilium and ischiopubic regions that were digitized on 2D photographic images. Sexes did not appear separated either by size or shape, the latter being independent of the former. K-means clustering of shape variables were used in order to classify individuals by sex and an average accuracy of 57.1% was achieved. Males were misclassified more frequently than females. For the iliac landmarks, which contributed to the total variance of shape with the higher degree, the value obtained increased to 60.7% for k-means. The ischiopubic complex contributed less to sex differentiation according to shape. It is concluded that the use of GM and multivariate statistics is not a reliable method to quantify pelvic shape and size differences between the sexes for equine yearlings. This is the first known study to apply GM to the hip of an equine breed.
KELT-17B: A HOT-JUPITER TRANSITING AN A-STAR IN A MISALIGNED ORBIT DETECTED WITH DOPPLER TOMOGRAPHY

We present the discovery of a hot Jupiter transiting the V = 9.23 mag main-sequence A-star KELT-17 (BD+14 1881). KELT-17b is a , hot-Jupiter in a 3.08-day period orbit misaligned at −115. °9 ± 4. °1 to the rotation axis of the star. The planet is confirmed via both the detection of the radial velocity orbit, and the Doppler tomographic detection of the shadow of the planet during two transits. The nature of the spin–orbit misaligned transit geometry allows us to place a constraint on the level of differential rotation in the host star; we find that KELT-17 is consistent with both rigid-body rotation and solar differential rotation rates ( at significance). KELT-17 is only the fourth A-star with a confirmed transiting planet, and with a mass of , an effective temperature of 7454 ± 49 K, and a projected rotational velocity of it is among the most massive, hottest, and most rapidly rotating of known planet hosts.
Changing Financial Intermediation: Implications for Monetary Policy Transmission

We show that despite heterogeneous financial intermediation structures in EMEs, bank credit remains a powerful channel of policy transmission in these countries. Credit conditions have been affected by global factors. In particular, our empirical results suggest that exchange rate appreciation tends to boost credit expansion through a currency risk-taking channel. To the extent that new credit boosts growth which in turn generates further appreciation, the link creates the possibility of positive feedback loops. Furthermore, we find that risk premium shocks have had important effects on EMEs, through their impact on both bank and non-bank credit. Against this backdrop, we argue that the standard monetary policy rules may be inadequate in meeting the multi-faceted challenges arising from financial globalization, and there is a growing case for expanding the policy toolkit.Full publication: What Do New Forms of Finance Mean for EM Central Banks?
Diversity patterns of 16S rDNA of bacteria and amoA of Archaea and bacteria from eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) rhizosphere soil

Traditionally microbial communities were assessed through culturing, which limits the populations detected. Molecular techniques are becoming more popular when assessing microbial communities. To illustrate gene variability between sites terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) was used in this study. Bacterial 16S rDNA and archaeal and bacterial amoA diversity was examined from Albright Grove, Cataloochee, and Purchase Knob in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) using T-RFLP. Bacterial 16S rDNA T-RFLP electoferrogram peak data revealed that Cataloochee and Purchase Knob had a greater diversity compared to Albright Grove, with 60 different peaks and 17 unique peaks at each site, and 60 different peaks and 18 unique peaks, respectively, while Albright Grove had a total of 45 different peaks and 9 unique peaks. A comparison showed 28.6% of major peaks were shared between all three. Archaeal amoA T-RFLP electoferrogram peak data revealed that Cataloochee and Purchase Knob had a greater diversity compared to Albright Grove, with 105 different peaks and 30 unique peaks, and 103 different peaks and 22 unique peaks at each site, respectively, while Albright Grove had a total of 82 different peaks and 13 unique peaks at the site. No major peaks were shared between all three sites. PCR products for bacterial amoA were only produced from Purchase Knob and generated a total of 10 peaks. Overall diversity appeared to be higher in the disturbed sites of Cataloochee and Purchase Knob compared to the undisturbed site of Albright Grove. Since, the rhizosphere is a complex system a number of other variables could impact the structure of the microbial community, and must be taken into consideration when examining diversity. This study has provided insight into the spatial variability of the microbial community in the Eastern Hemlock rhizosphere, and further examination may help mediate the devastating loss of the hemlock due to an exotic adelgid species.
Modelling income processes with lots of heterogeneity

All empirical models of earnings processes in the literature assume a good deal of homogeneity. In contrast to this we model earnings processes allowing for lots of heterogeneity between agents. We also introduce an extension to the linear ARMA model that allows that the initial convergence to the long run may be different from that implied by the conventional ARMA model. This is particularly important for unit root tests which are actually tests of a composite of two independent hypotheses. We fit our models to a variety of statistics including most of those considered by previous investigators. We use a sample drawn from the PSID, and focus on white males with a high school degree. Despite this observable homogeneity we find much greater latent heterogeneity than previous investigators. We show that allowance for heterogeneity makes substantial differences to estimates of model parameters and to outcomes of interest. Additionally we find strong evidence against the hypothesis that any worker has a unit root.
A THEORY ON THE ORIGIN OF SPIDERS AND THE PRIMITIVE FUNCTION OF SPIDER SILK

The primitive function of spider silk is commonly thought to have been associated ~dth any of three typical behavior patterns seen in the bulk of spiders today: (1) egg protection, (2) prey capture, and (3) shelter building. It is argued here that a primitive function in egg protection and prey capture must be regarded as very unlikely. Silk production and application is hypothesized to have originated in relation to shelter building and burrowing habits of ancestral spiders then still living in a littoral environment.
Sources of job stress, work engagement and career orientations of employees in a South African financial institution.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between employees’ sources of job stress, work engagement and career orientations and how they diff er with respect to these variables in terms of socio-demographic contextual factors such as gender, race, employment status and age. A sample of 90 employees participated in this study, and a Sources of Job Stress Scale, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the Career Orientations Inventory were administered. The results indicated a signifi cant relationship between the participants’ sources of job stress, levels of work engagement and career orientations. Signifi cant diff erences regarding these variables were also detected between males and females, blacks and whites, temporary and permanently employed participants and the various age groups. The fi ndings add new knowledge that may inform organisational wellness and career development practices.
Variations in essential oils of Vitex agnus castus fruits growing in Qum, Khorasan andTehran in Iran

It is judicious to be reminiscent of the environmental conditions of plant growth being a primary factor affecting the components and amount of constituents in essential oils making the pharmacological action of essential oils uncertain. The wide range of distribution for Vitex agnus castus (VAC) in Iran made it a suitable candidate for assessing the chemical profiles of samples collected from three different places. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oils obtained by the hydrodistillation of the plant materials, led to identification and quantification of 30, 7, and 18 compounds representing 74.95, 82.53 and 84.41 percent of total oil for Qum, Khorasan and Tehran samples, respectively. All samples were rich in monoterpenes including monoterpene hydrocarbons (42.84-64.48%), monoterpene alcohols (~0.7-8%) and sesquiterpenes (9.45-31.33%). A diterpene compound (3.11%) was found only in Tehran samples. The variations in presence or absence and also the identity of some compounds were quite evident in the VAC fruits.
DO BOARD COMMITTEES’ FEATURES AFFECT CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE? – THE CASE OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

The purpose of our empirical study is to assess the relationship between board committees features and the level of disclosure in case of banking institutions listed on London Stock Exchange. The research methodology used for achieving our goal is based on econometric analysis using statistical tools - correlations for identifying the relationships and regressions for assessing them - all of these being performed using SPSS software. In this respect, firstly, we developed a disclosure index made of three sub-indices, one for each type of disclosure: mandatory, recommended and voluntary. The main features considered for assessing board committees: their existence and independence of membership. The results of the performed analysis reveal significant positive influences of board committees features on the level of disclosure, thus confirming our assumptions that the higher the quality of board committees, the higher the level of disclosure. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.em. 17.2. 2211
Retracted: Recent Advances in DENV Receptors

This paper has been retracted as it is found to contain a substantial amount of material from a number of previously published papers. The three most plagiarized papers are (1) K. I. Hidari and T. Suzuki, “Dengue virus receptor,” Tropical Medicine and Health, vol. 39, no. 4, supplement, pp. 37–43, 2011; (2) A. Cabrera-Hernandez and D. R. Smith, “Mammalian dengue virus receptors,” Dengue Bulletin, vol. 29, no. 662, pp. 119–135, 2005; (3) A. Cabrera-Hernandez, C. Thepparit, L. Suksanpaisan, and D. R. Smith, “Dengue virus entry into liver (HepG2) cells is independent of hsp90 and hsp70,” Journal of Medical Virology, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 386– 392, 2007 (see [1]).
IN VITRO ANTHELMINTIC EFFECTIVENESS OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF OPERCULINA HAMILTONII (G. DON) D.F. AUSTIN & STAPLES (1983) BATATA DE PURGA / Eficácia anti-helmíntica in vitro do extrato etanólico de Operculina Hamiltonii (G. Don) D.F. Austin & Staples ...

O experimento in vitro foi realizado para avaliar a acao do extrato etanolico da Batata de purga - Operculina hamiltonii (G. DON) D.F. Austin & Staples (1983), sobre ovos e larvas de nematoides gastrintestinais de caprinos. A recuperacao dos ovos foi realizada em tamises e as larvas foram obtidas por meio de coproculturas, a partir de fezes de caprinos naturalmente infectados da mesorregiao do Sertao Paraibano. O extrato foi utilizado nas concentracoes de 50; 25; 12,5; 6,25 e 3,12 mg.mL -1 para ambos os testes. Como controle positivo foi usado 0,2 mg.kg -1 de moxidectina, e para testemunha, utilizou-se agua destilada esteril. As placas foram examinadas ao microscopio optico para contagem dos ovos em desenvolvimento e larvas moveis e imoveis, apos 24 h, 48 h e 72 h de incubacao. As concentracoes do extrato etanolico da Batata de purga e os tratamentos testemunha e farmaco diferiram quanto ao numero de ovos inviaveis e no teste de motilidade larval. O percentual de ovos viaveis decresceu com o aumento da concentracao do extrato de Batata de purga, e que a partir da concentracao de 25% do extrato, o percentual de ovos viaveis caiu para 53,07%, chegando a 29,57% na concentracao de 50%, valores estes inferiores e significativos quando comparados com o controle positivo e negativo. A concentracao do extrato da Batata de purga foi responsavel pela reducao no percentual de larvas viaveis, onde se observa que o extrato na concentracao de 50% foi capaz de afetar negativamente 66,87% das larvas. SUMMARY The experiment in vitro was realized to evaluate the action of the ethanolic extract of Operculina hamiltonii (G. DON) D.F. Austin & Staples (1983) -Batata de purga- on eggs and larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats. The recovery of the eggs was realized in tamises and the larvae were obtained by means of larval culture, from feces of naturally infected goats of the semi-arid central region in Paraiba state, NE of Brazil. The extract was used at concentrations of 50; 25; 12.5; 6.25 and 3.12 mg.mL -1 in both tests. Moxidectin (0.2 mg.kg -1 ) was used as positive control, and in the negative control group was used distilled water. The plates were examined by optical microscopy, and the eggs and larvae counted were classified as: in development and movable and immovable larvae, after 24h, 48h and 72h of incubation. The concentrations of the ethanolic extract of C. erosa differed as the number of nonviable eggs and on the test of larval motility. The percentage of viable eggs decreased as the concentration of the extract of Batata de purga increased. When extract concentration reached 25%, the percentage of viable eggs decreased to 53.07%, and decreased further to 29.57% at concentration of 50%. The concentration of Batata de purga was responsible for the reduction of the percentage of viable larvae, where it was observed that the concentration of 50% affected negatively 66,87% of the larvae.
Validation of a scale to measure time perspective in an African context

The aim of this study was to validate a revised and shortened version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) in an African context. Participants (N=1050) from urban (n=451) and rural (n=599) areas in the North-West Province of South Africa completed the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory Revised Form (ZTPI-RF), as well as a number of measures of psychological well-being in a one-shot cross-sectional survey design. Quantitative results showed unsatisfactory reliability and validity of the scale in its current form. Qualitative results were however useful in determining a picture of time perspective and its relation to psychological well-being in an African context. It was concluded that for any future attempts to develop or review a scale that measures time perspective, it should be more appropriate for the context, more culturally sensitive and conceptualized from an emic African perspective.
Research on political information and social media: Key points and challenges for the future

The key points of the transformations that social media have generated in the field of political information are identified. Social media consolidation is bringing with it a new, more hybrid communicative environment and a logic based on new principles and operating criteria that affect the entire informative process. Therefore, the impact of digital platforms on the production, distribution, and consumption of political information is examined from a systematic literature review. To conclude, an approach to pending future challenges for research in this highly dynamic field is offered.
2 / Market Share Incentives and Cournot Competition

We consider a game in which firms' owners assign to their managers a delegation scheme weighting profits and market shares. Managers then compete in quantities. We show first that this delegation scheme typically leads to quantities being strategic substitutes or complements depending on firms relative size. Second we consider a game of entry and show that the incumbent may achieve entry deterrence using this delegation scheme. When entry is deterred, the incumbent acts as a pure monopolist. keywords: entry deterrence, market shares, strategic delegation JEL Classification: L13, L22
Estimation and mapping of above ground biomass and carbon of Bwindi impenetrable National Park using ALOS PALSAR data

Biomass is an important parameter for bioenergy modelling, food security, environmental assessment and climate change research. However, estimation of biomass is still a challenging task especially in areas with complex forest stand structures and environmental conditions. The aim of this research was to estimate the Above Ground Biomass (AGB) and carbon stocks in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) using the Horizontal-Horizontal (HH) and Horizontal-Vertical (HV) polarizations acquired by the L-band ALOS PALSAR instrument. In addition, field data from 35 sample plots comprising of the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), co-ordinates of centroids and angles to the top and bottom of the individual trees was used for the analysis. The relationship between biomass and radar backscatter for selected sample plots was established using pairwise correlation. A strong correlation between the radar backscatter and AGB was found using the HV polarization compared with the HH polarization. Overall, ALOS PALSAR data has a strong potential for biomass and carbon estimation in the tropical areas such as the BINP.
First characterization of infectious cDNA clones of Olive mild mosaic virus

Full-length cDNA clones of an Olive mild mosaic virus (OMMV) isolate were constructed in order to find infectious cDNA clones. The sequencing of three individual full-length clones revealed some differences between them. In vitro transcription of these clones was performed and the effect of spontaneous mutations in the biological behaviour of the in vitro transcripts was evaluated by symptomatology, RNA accumulation and virus replication in inoculated plants. In vitro synthesized RNA from one of these clones was found to mimic the wild-type OMMV, making it useful in future studies on protein structure and function by site directed mutagenesis of individual genes. This is the first report on constructing full-length cDNA clones of OMMV from which infectious RNAs can be transcribed in vitro .
A Spatial Mathematical Model Analysis of the Linkage between Agricultural Trade and Deforestation

Like agricultural trade, deforestation has increased tremendously throughout the past five decades. We analyse the linkage between both factors by applying trade and forest policy scenarios to the global land-use model MAgPIE ("Model of Agricultural Production and its Impact on the Environment"). The model predicts global landuse patterns in a spatially explicit way and uses endogenously derived technological change and land expansion rates. Our study is the first which combines global trade analysis with a spatially explicit mapping of deforestation. By implementing self-sufficiency rates in the regional demand and supply equations, we are able to simulate different trade settings. Our baseline scenario fixes current trade patterns until the year 2045. The three liberalisation scenarios assume a path of increasing trade liberalisation which ends with no trade barriers in 2045 and they differ by applying different forest protection policies. Regions with comparative advantages like Latin America for oilcrops and China for cereals will export more. Whereas, Latin America will buy this competitiveness by converting large parts of its Amazonian rainforest into cropland, China will benefit most due to its decreasing food demand after 2025. In contrast, regions like the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia face the highest increases of imports. Forest protection policies lead to higher technological change rates. In absence of such policies, investments in agricultural Research & Development are the most effective way for protecting the forest.
Beneficial Bacteria Stimulate Youthful Thyroid Gland Activity

Healthful aging with active participation in society are global public health priorities. Sender physique and high productivity levels absent clinical disease are widely recognized features of healthful aging. During studies of obesity in mice, we found that feeding of a purified probiotic microbe, Lactobacillus reuteri, forestalled typical old age-associated weight gain and lethargy, and instead conveyed physical features of much younger mice. We hypothesized that these retained features of youth may be related to increased thyroid gland activity. We subsequently discovered elevated levels of serum T4 and larger thyroid glands in slender one-year-old recipients of probiotic microbes, when compared with their age-matched obese control subjects. Oral L. reuteri treatment also preserved thyroid follicle epithelial height, a key histologic feature of thyroid gland activity, which relied mechanistically upon bacteria-triggered anti-inflammatory CD25+ regulatory T cells. These data from animal models suggest that probiotic microbe supplementation may be used to stimulate beneficial host immune interactions with improved thyroid function and more healthful aging.
ANÁLISE DO SETOR DE PÓS-VENDA DE UMA CONCESSIONÁRIA: UM ESTUDO DE CASO EM PAU DOS FERROS/RN

The relationship with the customer today is of fundamental importance in the business world, considering that to keep the ones that have already been conquered is cheaper for the company of the wants to conquer new ones. Given this, after-sales becomes an important tool that adds value to the companies and contributes to the preservation of customers, since it is a considerable marketing practice in customer retention. Therefore, the present work aims to evaluate the post-sale of a concessionaire located in the micro-region of Pau dos Ferros / RN, through a survey carried out with the consumers of said company. For this, a qualitative case study was developed, in which the results were obtained from a questionnaire contemplating four variables: relationship, service, service and satisfaction. We emphasize that thirty clients were surveyed for a week and then we analyzed the data obtained through the questionnaires. Through this study it was possible to identify that the relationship variable is not being explored by the company after sales department, since the responses were with negative tendencies. However, the concessionaire should make use of this tool, since it can be responsible for growth and a good performance of the company, thus ensuring its success.