Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Regulatory Trade-Off in Real & Financial Markets

It remains undeniable that the regulatory framework in place prior to the financial crisis is built on a flawed system. But does this automatically suggest that more regulation is better? In general, we have to distinguish between the quantity and quality of rules and in particular, the enforcement. The last issue does not necessarily mean we need more regulation - sometimes a better enforcement is enough. Still there remains the question about the degree of regulation. This paper builds a new theory on the optimal degree of the regulatory trade-off. We elucidate the optimal degree of efficacy in financial regulation and compare it with the optimal degree in goods market regulation. We prove that financial regulation does not follow a simple economic trade-off by costs and benefits. In finance, the regulatory trade-off is a boundary solution, i.e. the efficient solution is either no regulation or comprehensive regulation. Either way you prefer, financial markets must be regulated differently in comparison to the real economy.
A Model for Real-time Concurrent Interaction Protocols in Component Interfaces

Interaction Protocol specification is an important part for component interface specification. To use a component, the environment must conform to the interaction protocol specified in the interface of the component. We give a powerful technique to specify protocols which can capture the constraints on temporal order, concurrency, and timing. We also show that the problem of checking if a timed automaton conforms to a given real-time protocol is decidable and develop a decision procedure for solving the problem. Received 16 January 2017; Accepted 27 February 2017
Optimized M9 Minimal Salts Medium for Enhanced Growth Rate and Glycogen Accumulation of Escherichia coli DH5��

have received more atten-tion recently because of the potential correlations with environmental durability and pathogenicity. How-ever, the low level of intracellular glycogen makes extraction and structure characterization difficult, inhibiting functional studies. Bacteria grown in regular media such as lysogeny broth and tryptic soy broth do no accumulate large amounts of glycogen. Comparative analyses of bacterial media reported in literature for glycogen-related studies revealed that there was no consistency in the recipes reported. Escherichia coli DH5 α is a convenient model organism for gene manipulation studies with respect to glycogen. Additionally, M9 minimal salts medium is widely used to improve glycogen accumulation, although its composition varies. In this study, we optimized the M9 medium by adjusting the concentrations of itro-gen source, tryptone, carbon source, and glucose, in order to achieve a balance between the growth rate and glycogen accumulation. Our result showed that 1 × M9 minimal salts medium containing 0.4% tryptone and 0.8% glucose was a well-balanced nutrient source for enhancing the growth and glycogen storage in bacteria. This result will help future investigations related to bacterial physiology in terms of glycogen function.
A Study on the Relationship between Work-Family Conflicts and the Job Satisfaction of Tour Leaders

﻿Many tour leaders have to work and bear family responsibilities at the same time. With limited time and effort, a question of concern is whether they have work-family conflict. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationships between work-family conflict and the job satisfaction of tour leaders. A self-administered questionnaire was designed to collect empirical data from tour leaders, and 233 valid questionnaires were collected. The study results indicate that when tour leaders’ work interferes with their family life, it has no impact on their job satisfaction. On the contrary, when the tour leaders’ family life interferes with their work, it has a negative impact on their job satisfaction. Finally, the study discusses managerial implications and research limitations, and proposes suggestions for future studies.
Determinants of International Capital Flows in Korea: Push vs. Pull Factors

This paper aims to analyze the determinants of international capital flows in Korea during 1980-2010. In particular, we investigate the role of push (external) and pull (internal) factors in determining the magnitude and directions of overall capital flows and their components using a time-series analysis. The regression results show that external factors, in particular world interest rate, significantly affect overall capital flows in Korea. Among internal factors, current account has significant and negative effects on capital flows. The estimated coefficients vary in different sub periods. In particular, the role of internal factors decreases over time. We also find that portfolio investment is more sensitive to internal and external economic environments compared to direct investment.
Annual, quasi-biennial, and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)time-scale variations in equatorial total ozone

Equatorial total ozone variations with time scales of annual, quasi-biennial, and about 4-year periodicities are described by paying attention to their longitudinal structure. Analyses are made for 11 years from 1979 to 1989, using the global total ozone data derived from the total ozone mapping spectrometer on board the Nimbus 7 satellite. Over the equator an annual cycle in total ozone is conspicuous. Zonal mean values are maximum around September and minimum around January. The longitudinal structure shows a zonal wavenumber 1 pattern with minimum values around 140°E to the date line all year-round, indicating a close relationship to a region where the convective cloud activity is vigorous. By removing the climatological annual cycle from the original data, there appears the quasi-biennial oscillation in total ozone. This variation is characterized by zonally uniform phase changes and is strongly coupled with the quasi-biennial oscillation of the equatorial zonal wind in the lower stratosphere. Moreover, subtracting zonal mean values from the anomaly data mentioned above, we see an east-west seesaw variation with a nodal longitude around the date line. This east-west variation, having a characteristic time scale of about 4 years, is clearly related to the El Nino and the Southern Oscillation cycle. During El Nino events the longitudinal anomaly field in total ozone is positive in the western Pacific and negative in the eastern Pacific; the anomaly pattern is reversed during anti-El Nino events. Because the active region of convective clouds is located relatively in the eastern Pacific sector during El Nino events, it is suggested that the stronger upwelling and the higher tropopause associated with the convective cloud activity bring about less total ozone.
The Trojan Color Conundrum

The Trojan asteroids of Jupiter and Neptune are likely to have been captured from original heliocentric orbits in the dynamically excited (“hot”) population of the Kuiper Belt. However, it has long been known that the optical color distributions of the Jovian Trojans and the hot population are not alike. This difference has been reconciled with the capture hypothesis by assuming that the Trojans were resurfaced (for example, by sublimation of near-surface volatiles) upon inward migration from the Kuiper Belt (where blackbody temperatures are ∼40 K) to Jupiter’s orbit (∼125 K). Here, we examine the optical color distribution of the Neptunian Trojans using a combination of new optical photometry and published data. We find a color distribution that is statistically indistinguishable from that of the Jovian Trojans but unlike any sub-population in the Kuiper Belt. This result is puzzling, because the Neptunian Trojans are very cold (blackbody temperature ∼50 K) and a thermal process acting to modify the surface colors at Neptune’s distance would also affect the Kuiper Belt objects beyond, where the temperatures are nearly identical. The distinctive color distributions of the Jovian and Neptunian Trojans thus present us with a conundrum: they are very similar to each other, suggesting either capture from a common source or surface modification by a common process. However, the color distributions differ from any plausible common source population, and there is no known modifying process that could operate equally at both Jupiter and Neptune.
A Simple Thermistor Design for Industrial Temperature Measurement

This paper presents a simple temperature measurement design using thermistor for industrial purposes. This paper establishes the characteristics of the resistance via temperature and it's constant since it has been difficult to determine if a thermistor has a positive or negative temperature coefficient. The practical approach was adopted to determine its characteristics where it was revealed that all thermistors are nonlinear in nature. In this design, the empirical and the practical design were compared; its implementation considers the temperature within the ranges of 35 0 C to 60 0 C which is 308K to 333K respectively. Other considerations were given to the output voltages between 0.155V - 1.055V, ambient temperature of 0 0 C - 25 0 C, Percentage non-linearity as low as 0.16, and a sensitivity of 0.0367V/oC but the resolution of this device is 1oC.The result obtained were analysed to ascertain the functionality of the experimented design via its performance and suggestions on further improvement were made. Index-terms: Industrial Temperature Measurement, Modelling, Thermistor, Empirical Concept, Practical design
Control of Chaos in a Single Machine Infinite Bus Power System Using the Discrete Sliding Mode Control Technique

Under certain conditions, power systems may exhibit chaotic behaviors which are harmful and undesirable. In this paper, the discrete time sliding mode control technique is used to control a chaotic power system. The objective of the control is to eliminate the chaotic oscillations and to bring order to the power system. Two discrete time sliding mode control (DSMC) schemes are proposed for a fourth order discrete time chaotic power system. The first DSMC control scheme is based on the well-known exponential reaching law. The second DSMC control scheme is based on the recently developed double power reaching law. It is shown that the states of the controlled system converge to their desired values. Simulation results are presented for different values of the gains of the controllers as well as for different initial conditions. These results indicate that both control schemes work well. However, the simulation results show that the second control scheme gave better results since it was able to greatly reduce the chattering problem.
Effect of sex on early surgical outcomes of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting

Amac: Bu calismada cinsiyetin izole koroner arter baypas greftlemenin (KABG) erken cerrahi sonuclari uzerindeki muhtemel etkileri arastirildi. Ca­lis­ma­ pla­ni:­ Kalp hastalarini kapsayan mevcut veri tabaninin retrospektif incelemesine, Agustos 2007 ve Mart 2011 tarihleri arasinda Iran, Tahran Shariati Hastanesi’nde izole KABG yapilan 1390 ardisik olgu (393 erkek, 997 kadin; ort. yas 58.7±10.1 yil; dagilim 23-87 yil) alindi. Erkek ve kadin cinsiyetleri ameliyat oncesi ozellikler acisindan karsilastirildi. Cinsiyetin ameliyat sonrasi mortalite ve morbidite uzerindeki muhtemel etkilerini degerlendirmek uzere basamakli cok degiskenli lojistik regresyon analizi yapildi. Bul gu lar: Kadin hastalarin yasi daha ileriydi ve diabetes mellitus, hipertansiyon, hiperkolesterolemi ve hiperlipidemi prevalansi daha yuksekti. Mortalite orani, erkeklere kiyasla, kadinlarda anlamli duzeyde daha yuksekti (%2.3’e kiyasla %6.9; p<0.001). Kadin cinsiyeti ameliyat sonrasi mortalite, septisemi, uzamis mekanik ventilasyon, bacaklarda enfeksiyon ve renal komplikasyonlarin bagimsiz bir ongordurucusuydu. So­nuc:­ Calisma bulgularimiz, kadin cinsiyetinin ameliyat sonrasi mortalite ve bazi morbiditelerin bagimsiz bir ongordurucusu oldugunu gostermektedir. Bu nedenle, izole KABG yapilan kadin hastalara ozel ihtimam gosterilmelidir. Anah tar soz cuk ler: Koroner arter baypas greftleme; morbidite; mortalite; ameliyat sonrasi; cinsiyet. Background:­In this study, we investigated possible effects of sex on early surgical outcomes of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: In this retrospective review of existing database including patients with heart disease, 1,390 consecutive cases (393 males, 997 females; mean age 58.7±10.1 years; range 23 to 87 years) who underwent isolated CABG in Shariati Hospital, Tehran Iran between August 2007 and March 2011 were recruited. Male and female sexes were compared for preoperative characteristics. A stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate possible effects of sex on postoperative mortality and morbidity. Results:­ Female patients were older with a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia. The mortality rate was significantly higher in women compared to men (6.9% vs. 2.3%; p<0.001). Female sex was an independent predictor of postoperative mortality, septicemia, prolonged mechanical ventilation, leg infection, and renal complications. Conclusion:­Our study results show that female sex is an independent predictor of postoperative mortality and some of morbidities. Therefore, specific attention should be warranted to female patients undergoing isolated CABG.
Potential Positive Effects of Pesticides Application on Sesamia inferens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Insecta)

In China, the pink stem borer (PSB) Sesamia inferens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has become a rice pest in some rice-producing regions. The cause of this shift from secondary to major pest is unknown. The major purpose of this study was to examine the effect of five commonly used pesticides in rice fields on reproduction of PSB and on biochemical substances of rice plants. The results showed that the weight of pupae developed from 1st instar larvae treated with 2 mg/L triazophos and the number of eggs laid by emerged females from the treatment were significantly greater than those of the control, increasing by 26.2% and 47%, respectively. In addition, a nontarget insecticide, pymetrozine 100 mg/L, and a target insecticide, chlorantraniliprole 2 mg/L, stimulated reproduction of PSB. Biochemical measurement showed that foliar sprays of these pesticides resulted in significant reductions of contents of resistant substances, flavonoids and phenolic acids, in rice plants. For example, flavonoids and phenolic acids of rice plants treated with triazophos reduced by 48.5% and 22.4%, respectively, compared to the control. Therefore, we predicted that the application of some pesticides, eg triazophos and chlorantraniliprole, may be the cause of the increase in the population numbers of PSB in rice fields.
PERSONAL MEANING OF ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE: A COMPARISON OF INTRINSICALLY AND EXTRINSICALLY MOTIVATED GRADUATE STUDENTS

To analyse the similarities and differences in personal meaning of academic experience associated with intrinsic and extrinsic academic motivation, the conceptual ideas of Self-Determination theory were blended with methodological elaborations based on the Dialogical Self Theory. The Academic Motivation Scale to identify intrinsically and extrinsically motivated graduate students and the Self Confrontation Method to disclose the important experiences in past, present and future related to the graduate studies were administered to 128 graduate students at the Daugavpils University. Both the quantitative and qualitative data analysis contributed to the understanding of relationships between the types of academic motivation and personal meaning of academic experience. The main differences in students’ personal meaning of academic experience, expressed in narrative themes were following: self-development, ideas about the further studies and factors inhibiting graduate studies were more frequent for intrinsically motivated students, while external support from influential persons, work/career, and past experience influencing current academic life were mentioned more often by extrinsically motivated students. The obtained results may help to develop more effective teaching strategies and institutional support of graduate students.
Stochastic Game Theory Applications for Power Management in Cognitive Networks

Power allocation is a challenging issue in wireless networks and mobile communication systems, which is mainly due to the scarcity of available spectrum while trying to maximize the frequency reuse factor. Power allocation is a decision making process by a device that could severely encroach the date rate of other devices within its transmission range. Game theory is a mathematical tool that can be used to solve a multi-user decision making problem. In this thesis, we consider a cognitive network in which primary users have fixed data rate and can use various power levels, while secondary users can adjust their data rate and power level, accordingly, to maximize the spectrum utilization. The contribution of this thesis is 3-fold. First, we propose a stochastic game theory framework in which capture peculiarity that is carried by secondary users is offset by choosing appropriate power. Second, we prove the existence of achieving an equilibrium state as transmissions proceed. Third, a distributed power management algorithm, based on value iteration method, is thrived to solve the stochastic game and yields an optimal policy for each secondary user. Finally, we have developed a simulation model to test the algorithm. The simulation result shows how the total power consumption evolves with respect to the non-cooperative (misbehaving) users. The results also show how the algorithm allows users to self-adapt to changes and to equalize fast in the slow mobility environment.
Diversity of gall‐inducing insects in a Mexican tropical dry forest: the importance of plant species richness, life‐forms, host plant age and plant density

1 We tested four hypotheses concerning the variation in species richness of gall‐inducing insects (GII) in plant communities. We sampled deciduous and riparian habitats in a tropical dry forest at Chamela‐Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve in western Mexico, that differ in phenology and moisture availability. 2 GII species richness might be expected to increase with the richness of host plant species, with life‐form complexity of host plants (trees to shrubs, herbs and climbers), with host age or with host plant density. 3 We found 172 plant species, of which more were present in deciduous than in riparian habitats, but 34 (19.8%) occurred in both. A different GII species colonized each of 39 host species. Most GII species (69.2%) were gall midges (Cecidomyiidae). 4 We found a significant positive correlation between GII species richness and plant species richness in both deciduous and riparian habitats, suggesting that radiation of GII species may be associated with plant species richness. 5 Most of the GII species occurred on trees or shrubs rather than herbs or climbers, consistent with structural complexity providing more colonization sites. 6 The frequency of GII was greater on saplings, which may have more undifferentiated meristems susceptible to gall induction. 7 Both the frequency and intensity of damage by galls were greater in deciduous than riparian habitats, indicating a preference of GII species for plants in the more xeric habitat. 8 The frequency of GII increased with host plant density in only 18 (46.2%) of GII species. 9 Richness of GII depends on all proposed factors, although density is often the least important. The effects of host richness and host age are similar to those seen in many specialist folivorous insects, although the unique association of a single insect with a single host is only seen for GII.
Detection of circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients by a nested reverse transcriptase polymerase assay for cytokeratin 19 mRNA

Nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) are tumors of nasopharynx origin with high rate of distance metastases after radiotherapy. Therefore, detection of micrometastasis will be an important issue in the prognostic and the choice of the systemic treatment. Our aim was early detection of circulating tumor cells in the blood of NPC patients by an RT-PCR assay for cytokeratin19 mRNA. Patients and methods used are venous blood samples obtained from 30 NPC patients with biopsy-proven NPC and 20 healthy blood donors which were tested using a previously reported assay. Identity of products was confirmed by sequencing. Results obtained show that 10 of the 30 NPC were positive for CK19 transcripts in peripheral blood, suggesting the presence of tumour epithelial cells. No CK19 positive cells were detected in the 20 healthy volunteers. Nevertheless, we encountered the problem of CK19 pseudogene interference due to genomic DNA contamination of RNA preparations. Four of the 10 positive patients were proven to have CK19 mRNA, as assessed by sequencing. In the remaining six, the presence of the CK19 pseudogene may has masked the CK19 mRNA in RT-PCR and sequencing. In conclusion, we described an improved RT-PCR assay that is sensitive and has high clinical specificity to detect minimal metastatic disease in NPC patients. Nevertheless, one should be aware about the necessity to optimize the analytical specificity of the assay.
Alternative marketing options for small-scale farmers in the wake of changing agri-food supply chains in South Africa

Abstract With South Africa's urban population approaching 60%, supermarkets and fast food chains have become important players in the South African food system. These large players in the food sector have systematically modified their procurement practices especially with regard to fresh fruit and vegetables and are now circumventing spot markets in favour of sourcing via in-house sourcing companies who mainly procure from preferred supplier producers. This paper draws extensively from a global research programme which seeks to highlight the market changes that potentially contribute to continued exclusion of the small producers from mass consumer markets. This paper illustrates, through a series of case studies, how integration of small-scale farmers into the urban retail market can be facilitated and how the challenges posed by the changing food system could possibly be overcome. The case studies illustrate various initiatives through which small-scale farmers and agribusinesses can be integrated into mainstream agri-food systems and may be used as models for an innovative approach to include small-scale farmers while still maintaining profitable business operations. They highlight the need for a multi actor approach for the successful participation of smallholder farmers in order to allow them to join the supply chain at any point within the channel.
Lactic acid bacteria in fermentation of cereals for theproduction of indigenous Nigerian foods

The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) involved during the spontaneous fermentation of cereals (maize,millet, sorghum) for the production of indigenous foods (‘akamu’, ‘kunu-zaki’) were quantified and identified. The lactic acid bacteria counts varied during the fermentation of the cereals while the titratable acidity (TTA) increased with reduction in pH. Identification of isolates using API 50CHL system was Lactobacillus plantarum, L. pentosus, L. cellbiosus, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The potential of the isolates as starter cultures was determined by inoculating pure culture of lactic acid bacteria on sterilized cereals. The pH of the inoculated sterilized cereals dropped steadily while the total viable counts of the lactic acid bacteria especially L. plantarum increased. Analysis of variance (ANOVA, p=0.05) indicated the significant difference between total viable counts of different isolates during fermentation. This study showed potentials of L. plantarum as a starter culture for industrial fermentation of maize for ‘akamu’ production.