Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental and numerical tools for miscible fluid displacements studies in porous media with large heterogeneities

Due to technical errors, the figures have been badly printed. We publish entirely the article herein, sincerely apologizing to the authors for the unpleasant inconvenience. We present a set of complementary experimental and numerical tools for studying miscible fluid displacements in porous media with large scale heterogeneities. Experiments are realized in transparent 2D Hele-Shaw cells allowing optical observations and in 3D packings of glass beads with an acoustical technique for imaging fluid displacements. Permeability heterogeneities are modeled by spatial variations of either the local aperture of the Hele-Shaw cell or the diameter of the grains used in the packing. The Hele-Shaw cell model provides high resolution maps of the invasion front location at regular time intervals and of the flow lines: the velocity field is determined by combining these informations. Acoustical images of relative concentration distributions in the 3D packing are in agreement with Hele-Shaw cell data and can be obtained in a broader range of experimental situations. Such experiments realized with a stabilizing density contrast between invading and displaced fluids demonstrate a strong reduction of the front width at low flow velocities, a similar reduction is obtained at high velocities with a stabilizing viscosity contrast. The technique is also applicable to study fluid displacements in natural opaque media. Numerical simulations by a Boltzmann lattice technique using a Stokes-like diffusive term to smooth out the effect of permeability discontinuities provide complementary informations. They are shown to give similar results as experiments for same flow parameter values and to allow for a fast exploration of a broad range of fluid properties and flow situations.
Large sample theory for merged data from multiple sources

We develop large sample theory for merged data from multiple sources. Main statistical issues treated in this paper are (1) the same unit potentially appears in multiple datasets from overlapping data sources, (2) duplicated items are not identified, and (3) a sample from the same data source is dependent due to sampling without replacement. We propose and study a new weighted empirical process and extend empirical process theory to a dependent and biased sample with duplication. Specifically, we establish the uniform law of large numbers and uniform central limit theorem over a class of functions along with several empirical process results under conditions identical to those in the i.i. d. setting. As applications, we study infinite-dimensional M-estimation and develop its consistency, rates of convergence, and asymptotic normality. Our theoretical results are illustrated with simulation studies and a real data example.
A survey on the relationship between stock liquidity with firm performance: A case study of Tehran Stock Exchange

A B S T R A C T Liquidity play an important role on performance of firms listed in Stock Exchange. When there is a good flow of trading stocks, people could expect more financing through absorbing investors on market. The proposed study of this paper investigates the relationship between Tobin's Q and illiquidity in some selected firms in Tehran Stock Exchange. The proposed study selects non-financial stocks over the period of 2001-2010. The result of the survey indicates that there is a negative relationship between illiquidity and Tobin's Q but the ratio is approximately seven percent. In other words, as illiquidity increases by one percent, we could expect only a small change in firms' performance.
Antibacterial activity of three Cameroonian honey types against some pathogenic species

Though much has been documented on the biological activity of honey, no scientific report was seen on the antibacterial activity of honey from Oku, Mbengwi and Ngaoundere in Cameroon. Our aim was to study the in vitro antibacterial activity of honey produced from these places against clinical isolates. Honey samples were tested for antibacterial activity at concentrations from 100 to 20% volume per volume (v/v) against clinical bacterial isolates using agar well diffusion method. MICs and MBCs of honey samples (49.02 to 1.53% v/v) were determined using broth and agar media respectively. Ciprofloxacin was used as reference substance (120 to 0.5 μg/ml). Honey pH was measured using CYBOW11 test strips. Data were analysed with the help of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), version 19. These honey samples inhibited the studied bacterial growth at concentrations ≥ 40% with S. aureus and E. coli being more susceptible. Antibacterial activities at concentrations > 60% were comparable to that of the reference drug at p= 0.05. The MICs and MBCs ranged from 12.25 to 49.02%. The pH of honeys was estimated to be 5. Oku, Mbengwi and Ngaoundere honey samples showed antibacterial activity against some bacteria known to cause infectious diseases in humans. © 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Honey, inhibition zone diameter, MIC/MBC, clinical isolates, Cameroon
Development of Ceramic Water Filter Clay Selection Criteria

Ceramic water filters (CWFs) are point-of-use drinking water treatment systems that are manufactured and used in under-served communities around the world. The clayey material (CM) used to manufacture CWFs is a locally sourced mixture of clay, sand, slit and amorphous material (usually dug near the CWF factory). CM varies in composition and purity depending on the geographical location and geological setting. In this study, a set of 13 CM samples collected from around the world were analyzed using grain size analysis, as well as liquid and plastic limit tests. Mineralogical composition was determined using X-ray diffraction. A selection of three CM samples (Guatemala, Canada, and Guinea Bissau) with a range of compositions were used to study biofilm growth on CM before and after firing. Biofilm coverage was studied on CM (before firing) and CWF material (after firing) using Pseudomonas fluorescens Migula. The average biofilm coverages for Guatemala, Canada, and Guinea Bissau CM were 20.03 ± 2.80%, 19.28 ± 0.91%, and 9.88 ± 4.02%, respectively. The average biofilm formation coverages for Guatemala, Canada, and Guinea Bissau CWF were 13.08 ± 1.74%, 10.36 ± 3.41%, and 8.66 ± 0.13%, respectively. The results presented here suggest that CM can be manipulated to manufacture better performing CWFs by engineering the soil characteristics, such as grain size, liquid and plastic limits, and mineralogy. This could improve the durability and biofilm resistance of CWFs.
The Spectroscopy and H-band Imaging of Virgo Cluster Galaxies (SHIVir) Survey: Scaling Relations and the Stellar-to-total Mass Relation

We present parameter distributions and fundamental scaling relations for 190 Virgo cluster galaxies in the SHIVir survey. The distribution of galaxy velocities is bimodal about Vcirc ∼ 125 km s−1, hinting at the existence of dynamically unstable modes in the inner regions of galaxies. An analysis of the Tully-Fisher relation (TFR) of late-type galaxies (LTGs) and the fundamental plane (FP) of early-type galaxies (ETGs) is presented, yielding a compendium of galaxy scaling relations. The slope and zero-point of the Virgo TFR match those of field galaxies, while scatter differences likely reflect distinct evolutionary histories. The velocities minimizing scatter for the TFR and FP are measured at large apertures where the baryonic fraction becomes subdominant. While TFR residuals remain independent of any galaxy parameters, FP residuals (i.e., the FP “tilt”) correlate strongly with the dynamical-to-stellar mass ratio, yielding stringent galaxy formation constraints. We construct a stellar-to-total mass relation (STMR) for ETGs and LTGs and find linear but distinct trends over the range M* = 108–11 M⊙. Stellar-to-halo mass relations (SHMRs), which probe the extended dark matter halo, can be scaled down to masses estimated within the optical radius, showing a tight match with the Virgo STMR at low masses; possibly inadequate halo abundance matching prescriptions and broad radial scalings complicate this comparison at all masses. While ETGs appear to be more compact than LTGs of the same stellar mass in projected space, their mass-size relations in physical space are identical. The trends reported here may soon be validated through well-resolved numerical simulations.
An Empirical Analysis of Higher Moment Capital Asset Pricing Model for Bangladesh Stock Market

Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) describes a relationship which is linear between expected return and risk of an asset. Within the contents of this paper, the higher moments of return distributions for companies listed in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) market have been inspected for the period of January 2005 to December 2009. The mean-variance CAPM model is extended by taking higher moments-Skewness and Kurtosis. Monthly stock returns from 80 non-financial companies, covering ten sectors (Engineering, Food & Allied, Fuel & Power, Textile, Pharmaceuticals, Services & Real Estate, Cement, Tannery, Ceramic and Miscellaneous) are studied in this research. From the empirical analysis, it is observed that the intercept term is significantly different from zero and insignificant relationship between beta and excess returns both in mean-variance CAPM and higher moment CAPM conditions. This means that the market excess returns provide no explanation for the asset rate of return, whether or not third and fourth moments are considered in the regression model. But, when the higher moments are introduced, the adjusted R-square increases 0.037 to 0.257. It is noticed that the risk premium for co-skewness risk is positive for the period 2005-2009, indicating that the co-skewness risk is compensated in the DSE market for the studied period. Also, the co-kurtosis risk is rewarded by the market. Thus, in describing risk-return relationship in emerging markets like Bangladesh stock market, the higher moment CAPM performs comparatively well.
Photoperiod-dependent effect of inflammation on nocturnal gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors in pars tuberalis of ewe

Pituitary gland plays an important role in the maintaining homeostasis since it is involved in the regulation of numerous physiological processes including reproduction (Perez-Castro et al., 2012). The pituitary gland is functionally and anatomically connected with the hypothalamus by the median eminence (ME), therefore the pituitary gland is an intermediary organ for physiological signal exchanges between the hypothalamus and peripheral organs (Perez-Castro et al., 2012). The adenohypophysis is composed of hormone-secreting epithelial cells and divided into three discrete parts such as:
Spintronics and thermoelectrics in exfoliated and epitaxial graphene

This thesis is about two subjects: graphene spintronics and graphene thermoelectrics. Spintronics is about the creation and manipulation of spin currents. These are electrical currents in which we can control the spin orientation (up or down) of the conduction electrons. The second subject, thermoelectrics, is about the interaction between heat and charge currents. A classic thermoelectric phenomena is the Peltier effect, the cooling or heating of an interface between two materials when an electric current is flowing through. Graphene is an interesting material for studying both spintronic and thermoelectric effects. Spins in graphene can travel unperturbed over a distance of several micrometers at room temperature, further than in any other material. And the strength of the Peltier effect in graphene can be controlled with an applied voltage, even allowing for the switching between cooling and heating the interface. In this thesis I investigate the suitability of epitaxial graphene in spintronic applications. Epitaxial graphene is a large area graphene type that can be grown on a silicon carbide (SiC) chip. I show that it is possible to produce wafer scale graphene spin devices and that spin transport behaves differently on this particular substrate, because spins are temporarily immobilized in charge traps that are present in the graphene-SiC interface. I also investigate a nanodevice that (1) can switch between heating and cooling of a graphene-gold interface and (2) can measure the induced temperature change using a nano-scaled thermocouple.
Vertical Characteristics of Reflectivity in Intense Convective Clouds using TRMM PR Data

Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Precipitation Radar (TRMM-PR) based vertical structure in intense convective precipitation is presented here for Indian and Austral summer monsoon seasons. TRMM 2A23 data is used to identify the convective echoes in PR data. Two types of cloud cells are constructed here, namely intense convective cloud (ICC) and most intense convective cloud (MICC). ICC consists of PR radar beams having Ze>=40 dBZ above 1.5 km in convective precipitation area, whereas MICC, consists of maximum reflectivity at each altitude in convective precipitation area, with at least one radar pixel must be higher than 40 dBZ or more above 1.5 km within the selected areas. We have selected 20 locations across the tropics to see the regional differences in the vertical structure of convective clouds. One of the important findings of the present study is identical behavior in the average vertical profiles in intense convective precipitation in lower troposphere across the different areas. MICCs show the higher regional differences compared to ICCs between 5-12 km altitude. Land dominated areas show higher regional differences and Southeast south America (SESA) has the strongest vertical profile (higher Ze at higher altitude) followed by Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP), Africa, north Latin America whereas weakest vertical profile occurs over Australia. Overall SESA (41%) and IGP (36%) consist higher fraction of deep convective clouds (>10 km), whereas, among the tropical oceanic areas, Western (Eastern) equatorial Indian ocean consists higher fraction of low (high) level of convective clouds. Nearly identical average vertical profiles over the tropical oceanic areas, indicate the similarity in the development of intense convective clouds and useful while considering them in model studies.
Cardiorenal Syndrome: A Glimpse Into Some Intricate Interactions

It is well known that heart and kidney functions are interdependent; primary disorders of one organ have been shown to affect the other organ (organ cross-talk). Over the last decade, growing interest and attention has been drawn to this interaction; the term cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) has been coined and 5 types of CRS have been recognized, whereby a vicious cycle is proposed of acute or chronic dysfunction of either the kidney or the heart which can trigger and aggravate dysfunction of the other organ. This interrelation in which one system negatively influences the other system calls for a closer examination of its pathophysiology, a more systematic approach for the diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome, and more intensive investigation for potential preventive measures. An overview of these complex interactions is herein attempted.
Competition and critical-period thresholds for vegetation management decisions in young conifer stands.

Thresholds define the time when management action is required to prevent a loss in yield, but have remained relatively elusive in forest vegetation management. Hundreds of studies quantifying the effects of competing vegetation in young forest stands, however, have produced reasonably consistent patterns and magnitudes of tree responses. These consistencies reveal a set of general guidelines that can be used to assist forest managers in deciding when vegetation management treatments are needed. Among the variety of vegetation management thresholds that have been defined, competition and critical-period thresholds can be interpreted from existing forest vegetation research. Competition thresholds define the vegetation density at which yield loss begins to occur and varies depending on whether the manager's objective is to maximize survival, height increment, basal area growth, or biomass. These interactions also appear to vary depending on whether woody or herbaceous plants are the principal competitors. T.
2 COST AND PROFIT EFFICIENCY IN EUROPEAN BANKS

The analysis of bank accounting ratios as indicators of competitiveness has been complemented and occasionally revised by the increasing use of more sophisticated indices of efficiency. In recent years, over a hundred studies have analysed the efficiency of financial institutions, concentrating mostly on costs. However, the few available studies that estimate profit frontier functions come up with efficiency levels that are much lower than cost efficiency levels, implying the existence of the most important inefficiencies on the revenue side. Also, few are the studies that run comparisons at an international level, and none of these deals with profit efficiency. This paper analyses, by means of alternative techniques, both cost and profit efficiency in a sample of 11 countries of the European Union for the period 1993-1996, again obtaining profit efficiency levels lower than cost efficiency levels, as well as compatible results in the different estimation procedures used.
Effect of Coleus tuberosus Flour High Resistant Starch Consumption in Glucose, Lipid, Digest and Short Chain Fatty Acid Profile in Normal Rats

This research was conducted to study the effect of processing methods on the resistant starch content of Coleus tuberosus and the influence of consumption of Coleus tuberosus flour toward profiles of glucose, lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL), digest and Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) in normal rats. Processing method affects the levels of resistant starch in the Coleus tuberosus starch. The results showed the levels of resistant starch of Coleus tuberosus with different processing are steaming-cooling: 9.5291±0.0724%; boiling-cooling: 9.1235±0.3680% and oven-cooling: 9.0306±0.9570%; raw Coleus tuberosus: 7.5243±0.2054%. Effect of Coleus tuberosus flour consumption with steaming-cooling process controlling glucose and lipid profile in normal rats compared to the other treatment processes. Short-chain fatty acid profiles in all processes showed the greatest proportion of acetic acid, followed by acid propionate and the last is butyric acid. This study shows that Coleus tuberosus flour that produced by heating and followed by cooling process can increase the levels of resistant starch and physiological benefits to the management profile of glucose, lipids, digest and SCFA in normal rats.
Assessment of Organic Carbon and Available Nitrogen in the Soil of Some Selected Farmlands Located at Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Adamawa State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to assess the Organic Carbon (OC) and available Nitrogen in the soils of the Teaching and Research Farmlands of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from three locations to make up nine composite samples at a depth of 0-20 cm and the soil samples were analyzed for particle size distribution, soil reaction (pH), Electrical Conductivity (EC), OC, available Nitrogen, available Phosphorus, exchangeable bases, and Total Exchangeable Acidity (TEA). The soil samples were slightly acidic with a pH mean of 6.26. The textural class of the soil samples varied from sandy loam to loamy and with sand ranging from 75.30-80.30%, silt 7.00-11.30% and clay 12.30-13.30%. The OC and organic matter were recorded low and moderate in the three locations. For sustainable crop production; good soil management practice such as crop rotation, addition of quality crop residue, Organic Manure (OM) and application of organic fertilizer is recommended.
Evaluation of management transfer of irrigation scheme in Düzce valley located in Western Black Sea Region of Turkey

Management transfer of Duzce irrigation scheme was evaluated using appropriate performance indicators and the effects of farmers' opinions on water using and agricultural effectiveness. The results of the analysis indicated that the transfer process was not useful for farmers generally. Transfer management had no effect on sufficiency, equality, and irrigation time. However, maintenance of irrigation channels has gone better even though yet to be improved. Transfer affected management interest in the farmers' wish and suggestion positively, and farmers trusted the irrigation association. But, it is still needed that irrigation association should work on water distribution in the district. The irrigation association should repair the existing ones and construct new irrigation and drainage channel in the scheme network and organize meetings how to increase higher performance of irrigation management for farmers.
Onset of temporal aperiodicity in high Prandtl number liquid bridge under terrestrial conditions

The paper presents a three-dimensional numerical study of the bifurcations and onset of chaotic regime for the thermoconvective oscillatory flow in cylindrical liquid bridge. Three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations in Boussinesq approximation are solved numerically by finite volume method. Silicone oil 1cSt, with rather large Prandtl number, Pr=18.8, is chosen as test liquid. The simulations are done at normal gravity conditions and unit aspect ratio. The dependence of viscosity of the fluid upon temperature allows us to be close to the real phenomenon. Both spatial and temporal changes occurring in the system are analyzed. The results are compared to the experimental data. A following sequence of well-defined dynamic regimes was detected when temperature difference between the supporting disks is increasing: steady, periodic, quasiperiodic, periodic, and chaotic. The observed succession of bifurcations on the way to chaos is similar to the one coming from experiments. Except for these dynamic bifurcati.
Acid Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass: Steady State and Dynamic Analysis

In this work, a systematic study of the reactor design and of the selection of the operating conditions for the dilute acid pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is presented, using modeling and simulation tools to improve the process efficiency. As case study, the acid pretreatment of corn stover in a continuous process is considered. Static and dynamic simulations were performed using Aspen Plus. The results are presented in terms of yields of fermentable sugars, reaction times and bioethanol prodution. The results show the potential of the methodology for improving the process efficiency (i.e. high conversions and short reaction times).