Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exact emulation of an output queueing switch by a combined input output queueing switch

Combined input-output queueing switches (CIOQ) have better scaling properties than output queueing (OQ) switches. However, a CIOQ switch may have lower switch throughput and, more importantly, it is difficult to control delay in a CIOQ switch due to the existence of multiple queueing points. In this paper, we study the following problem: can a CIOQ switch be designed to behave identically to an OQ switch? B. Prabhakar and N. McKeown (1997) proposed an algorithm such that a CIOQ switch with an internal speedup of 4 can behave identically to an OQ switch with FIFO as the output queueing discipline. In this paper, we propose a new switch scheduling algorithm called joined preferred matching (JPM) that improves Prahhakar and McKeown's results in two aspects. First, with JPM, the internal speedup needed for a CIOQ switch to achieve exact emulation of an OQ switch is only 2 instead of 4. Second, the result applies to OQ switches that employ a general class of output service disciplines, including FIFO and various fair queueing algorithms. This result lays the theoretical foundation for designing scalable high-speed CIOQ switches that can provide same throughput and QoS as OQ switches, but require lower-speed internal memory.
Tests for Normality in Linear Panel-data Models

We propose a new command, xtsktest, for explaining nonnormalities in linear panel-data models. The command performs tests to explore skewness and excess kurtosis, allowing researchers to identify departures from Gaussianity in both error components of a standard panel regression, separately or jointly. The tests are based on recent results by Galvao et al. (2013, Journal of Multivariate Analysis 122: 35–52) and extend the classical Jarque–Bera normality test for the case of panel data.
Efficiency Determinants and Dynamic Efficiency Changes in Latin American Banking Industries

This paper investigates the dynamic and the determinants of banking industry efficiency in Latin America. Allocative, technical, pure technical and scale efficiencies are calculated and analyzed in each country. We find that Latin American bank managers have been using resources efficiently, but they are not choosing an optimal input/output. Additionally, we find that traditional banking performance measures are positively correlated with efficiencies while variables that measure banking and financial structure development and macroeconomics present mixed results.
Numerical Investigation of the Structural Frequencies Effects on Flow Induced Vibration and Heat Transfer

In this research, a numerical simulation, using ANSYS CFX 11, is used to study the flowinduced vibrations (FIV) and heat transfer in a heated circular cylinder subjected to a uniform cross flow with Reynolds number equals to 325. The cylinder is allowed to vibrate, both in in-line and in cross-flow directions. Results of the computations are presented for various values of the structural frequencies of the oscillator. Lock-in is observed for a fairly wide range of cylinder vibration frequencies centered around the vortex shedding frequency of the cylinder. The heat transfer rate is enhanced remarkably as the oscillating frequency of the cylinder approaches the natural shedding frequency. In one of cases, comparing with the stationary cylinder, the rate of heat transfer of the oscillating cylinder is increased by 13%.
Identification of an extracellular infection-induced glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of the phytopathogenic proteobacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000

According to molecular biology, genomic and proteomic data, the phytopathogenic gamma-proteobacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 produces a number of proteins that may promote infection and draw nutrients from plants. Remarkably, P. syringae DC3000 strain possesses three paralogous gap genes encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) enzymes with different predicted molecular sizes and metabolic functions. As GAPDH was shown to be a virulence factor in other microbial pathogens, in the current study, we analyzed the expression levels of each paralogous gap gene by realtime PCR to understand the actual impact of their protein products on P. syringae virulence. We found that all of them were strongly induced during the infection process. Nevertheless, proteomic analysis of culture supernatants revealed that only Class I GAPDH1 encoded by the gap1 gene was identified as an extracellular protein in infective cells. These results strongly suggest that this GAPDH should play a role in the infective process, including its well-know enzymatic function in the glycolytic metabolic pathway.
Validity Evidence of the Test of Word Reading for Portuguese Elementary Students

This article presents data concerning the validity evidence of a test of word reading (TLP – Teste de Leitura de Palavras) that assesses single-word reading accuracy in Portuguese students from Grades 1 to 4. The test is composed of four vertically scaled forms, one for each grade, allowing for the evaluation of students’ word reading progression. In the internal structure-related evidence validity study, administration of the TLP to 905 Portuguese elementary students confirmed its one-dimensional structure. In the evidence based on the relationship with other variables’ study, 280 Portuguese elementary students were assessed with each TLP test form and criterion measures (reading tests, digit span, and vocabulary measures). Significant correlations were observed between results from the TLP test forms, reading instruments, short-term memory, and vocabulary measures. These results revealed adequate evidence based on internal structure and evidence based on the relationship to other variables of the TLP for the assessment of word reading accuracy in Portuguese elementary students.
Contrasting pelagic plankton in temperate Irish lakes: the relative contribution of heterotrophic, mixotrophic, and autotrophic components, and the effects of extreme rainfall events

Abstract The mobilisation of energy from allocthonous carbon by heterotrophic bacterioplankton can be proportionally more important than autotrophic production in humic lakes. Moreover, increasing levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in many aquatic systems linked to increases in precipitation, which in turn may be related to changing climate, mean that this heterotrophic component of the food web may play an increasing role in the overall transfer and production of energy, particularly within peatland catchments. While such catchments are common in the temperate northwest Atlantic regions of Europe, studies describing the seasonal dynamics of the heterotrophic, mixotrophic, and autotrophic components of their aquatic food webs are rare. In this study, the biomass of these pelagic components was enumerated over 1 year in 2 oligotrophic lakes, both situated in peatland catchments in the west of Ireland but with contrasting DOC concentrations. Bacterial biomass dominated the pelagic food web of the more humic lake, Lough Feeagh, while autotrophic phytoplankton biomass was greatest in the clearwater lake, Lough Guitane. The biomass of potentially mixotrophic flagellates was also slightly larger in the Lough Guitane, while phagotrophic ciliate biomass was comparable between the 2 lakes. An extreme precipitation event led to a significant increase in bacterial biomass while simultaneously depressing autotrophic production for several months in the humic lake. Extreme precipitation in the clearwater lake also depressed autotrophic production but did not give rise to significant increases in bacterial biomass. This quantification of autotrophic, mixotrophic, and heterotrophic components provides a vital first step in understanding how pelagic communities contribute to net ecosystem productivity, and thus how Irish peatland lakes may be affected by projected climate changes.
Enhancement the mechanical properties of a product porcelain by a ceramic additives using ultrasonic technique

This investigation is concerned on the influence of addition ZnO , ZrO 2 ,TiO 2 on the mechanical properties of a porcelain body. Porcelain body is prepared from Iraqi clays (Kaolin Duekhla & Ardhma sand glass), and Feldspar Potash with different weight percent (40% Kaolin, 30% sand glass Ardhma, and 30% Feldspar Potash) , and granular sizes less than (100µm Kaolin, and 50µm for each of sand glass and feldspar). A prepared disk sample of 27mm in diameter was formed by compaction 75 Mpa for 5 min. The circumstances of heat treatment is 1300 o C for 2hr and an elevation speed of 2 o C/min. Effect of the proportion added on mechanical properties of PVC were performed by ultrasonic technique using frequency of 30 KHz. Experimentally, it was found that the adding 2% ZnO + 1% TiO 2 made composite good medium for transferring ultrasound waves, so they can be used as a coated material for objects that we don’t want them to be detected by sonar. Adding 1% ZrO 2 +2% TiO 2 enhances the absorption coefficient of porcelain and the composite becomes good absorber for ultrasound. Adding 2%ZrO 2 +2%TiO 2 made composite not good medium for transferring ultrasound waves , and adding 1%ZnO enhances the compressibility because it has the heights value and ZnO molecules fills the vacancies of porcelain chains. Keywords: porcelain bodies, kaolin clay, ultrasonic waves
Sustainability assurance: A review of the field and avenues for future research

Purpose: This paper focuses on the market for sustainability assurance (SA) services. The objectives of this paper are to (1) review academic efforts in the field, highlighting ground covered, (2) provide a comprehensive understanding of the market for this new form of assurance and (3) identify potential avenues for future research. Methodology: These objectives were met through a review of 50 academic journal articles identified as relevant to the SA field. Findings: SA is a voluntary exercise in most jurisdictions and engagements are structured to meet the needs (demands) of the market and the capabilities (supply) of assurance providers. This has given rise to a diverse landscape with engagements of differing scopes and objectives. From a demand-side, the literature reveals a number of drivers (both at a macro and micro-level) and inhibitors for SA services. From a supply-side, the literature sheds light on the assurance providers operating in the market and the standards they use when undertaking SA services. These practitioners include accountants (the big four) who use ISAE3000 and nonaccountants who prefer AA1000AS. The review reveals five broad areas which have been the focus of existing studies. Finally, the study identifies seven avenues for future research in the SA field. Originality/value: The findings of this paper will prove valuable to practitioners as it will assist them in understanding this new form of assurance. Researchers will benefit from an understanding on ground covered and future avenues for research. Acronyms SA Sustainability assurance SAP Sustainability assurance providers ASAP Accounting sustainability assurance providers NASAP Non-accounting sustainability assurance providers Acknowledgements: The authors thank the reviewer, discussant and participants of the 2016 Auckland Regional Accounting (ARA) Conference, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, November, 2016 for their helpful comments and suggestions on an earlier version of this paper.
How Do Marriage, Cohabitation, and Single Parenthood Affect the Material Hardships of Families with Children?

This paper examines the effect of marital and family status on the experience of material hardship, using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). Among the key indicators of hardship are the ability to meet essential expenses, housing conditions, neighborhood problems (including crime, schools, public services), and having enough resources to buy adequate amounts of food. The results indicate marriage does lower material hardship, even among households with similar incomes and demographic and educational characteristics. Moreover, the reduced hardship associated with marriage extends both to low-income and to less-educated women, despite their less promising marriage market.
Effects of sampling protocol on the shapes of species richness curves

Aim Scheiner (Journal of Biogeography, 2009, 36, 2005–2008) criticized several issues regarding the typology and analysis of species richness curves that were brought forward by Dengler (Journal of Biogeography, 2009, 36, 728–744). In order to test these two sets of views in greater detail, we used a simulation model of ecological communities to demonstrate the effects of different sampling schemes on the shapes of species richness curves and their extrapolation capability.
Production of glutamic acid by Corynebacterium glutamicum using dates syrup as carbon source

The present study was an illustrative investigation on L-glutamic acid production by usingCorynebacterium glutamicum employing a cheaply available dates syrup. Owing to the high sugar content of dates syrup (total sugar 80%) attempt was made to utilize the date syrup for the production of glutamic acid, in shaking culture. The acid treated dates syrup (ATDS) at concentration of 100g/L was the best sugar sources in the glutamic production. Penicillin addition at concentration of 4 U/ml after 12 h of incubation was superior in glutamic acid production. The selected temperature-sensitive mutants M5AJ2, showed 13.4% increase in glutamic production while, M5AJ4 and M7AJ6 showed 22.4 and 4.6% decrease respectively, in their glutamic acid production than their wild type bacterial strain. The specific production rate of glutamic acid in case of temperature shift-up from 31 to 39°C increased apparently 2 and 1.5 fold respectively on average from that under the constant temperature. 24g/L pure glutamic acid were precipitated in crystal at pH 3.2. Key words: Glutamic acid, Corynebacterium glutamicum, dates syrup, fermentation, penicillin, mutation, UV, efflux.
Assessing the Effects of Prognostic Factors in Recovery of Tuberculosis Patients in the Upper West Region

This study was conducted to assess the effect of prognostic factors in recovery of tuberculosis patients in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Four hundred patients who underwent treatment at the Wa General Hospital were used in this research. Product Limit function and Logistic Regression model were used to analyze the data obtained. It was observed that female patients had more chance of recovery than their male counterparts. Variables that significantly contributed to recovery were age, type of patents, duration of treatment, and HIV status of the patient. Patients who recovered were 73.75% with 26.25% treatment failure and a median recovery time of 25.43 weeks. The results revealed that for each one week increase in age after treatment initiation, the risk of relapse decreases by 7.1%. This indicates that increase in age, increases the risk of relapse and even death. Patients co-infested with HIV/AIDS had a high risk of treatment failure. People should be educated to avoid spitting in public places and cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, patients should also be encouraged to visit the health centre regularly and also take drugs as prescribed, the Directly Observed Therapy Short-Course should be introduced for all patients, and especially the elderly and the immune compromised patients must be treated with care. Keywords: Tuberculosis, Product-Limit Estimator, Binary Logistic Regression
The Impact of Urbanization on Housing Development: The Lagos Experience, Nigeria.

The impact of rapid population growth on housing development in a developing economy is usually a consequence of the push of the rural areas and the pull of the town. There is always an upsurge and conglomeration of people in city centres with the resultant effects on housing growth arising from acute unemployment. This growth and physical expansion of cities have been accompanied by unplanned urban sprawl, environmental pollution, deterioration, deficiencies in modern basic facilities, and general urban decay. As increased poverty and urbanization exert more pressures on urban facilities, most Nigerian cities tend to have lost their original dignity, social cohesion and administrative efficiency. This paper revealed the consequences of the problems of urbanization in Nigeria using empirical data from the metropolitan Lagos.The study is based on data collected from sixteen Local Government Areas consisting of 53 residential zones in metropolitan Lagos. Out of the total number of 135,820 properties, a size of about 1% (1,500) was randomly selected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to resolve the objectives and the formulated hypotheses. Some of the findings include the upsurge in population growth rate of the city that took a sharp turn in the 20th century caused by rural-urban migration thereby resulting in an unprecedented high rent cost due to the insufficient housing delivery system. Also the spatial expansion of the city was massive to the extent that the boundaries could no longer be differentiated from the adjoining Ogun State. Key words: Urbanization, environment and housing provision.
Contributions from the ovarian follicular environment to oocyte function

The magnitude of oocyte’s role for embryo development is categorical. This unique cell contains the machineries and cellular components necessary to remodel male and female chromatin, to sustain early development and to, ultimately, generate a complete and complex individual. However, to gain these competences before fertilization, the oocyte undergoes several morphological, cellular and molecular changes during its lifetime enclosed in the ovarian follicle. This review will briefly revisit how the oocyte orchestrate the follicular cells, and how molecules transit to the oocyte from the innermost (cumulus) and outermost (antrum and granulosa cells) layers surrounding the follicle-enclosed oocyte. Finally, we will discuss the interferences of in vitro culture conditions in the communication of the oocyte with its surrounding cells and the potential strategies to modulate these communication systems to increase oocyte competence.
In-vitro analysis of the efficacy of Fe oxide nanoparticles in prevention of iron deficiency chlorosis in citrus rootstock (Citrus volkameriana)

Present study was undertaken to explore of the effect iron nanoparticles (uncoated iron oxide nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol and FeEDTA and FeEDDHA chelates) on prevention of chlorosis in Citrus volkameriana. Study was carried out under the in vitro condition on MS medium supplemented with different iron compositions. Various growth attributes such as chlorophyll a, b, iron content of leaves, root and shoot length, number and area of leaves, degree of chlorosis, dry and fresh weights of seedling, roots and shoots were measured in end of study. Results of study revealed that seedlings grown on MS culture medium supplemented with uncoated nanoparticles of iron oxide had the highest rates of iron uptake and the lowest degree of chlorosis. Further, plant cultured on the MS medium with uncoated iron nanoparticles significantly increased vegetative growth characteristics such as, fresh and dry weights and chlorophyll content over the control (MS without chelated iron). Plant cultured on MS medium supplemented with uncoated iron oxide nanoparticles showed superiority over the plant cultured on MS media without iron and improved leaves growth characteristics and decreased chlorosis. Soad Saeedi 1 , Mousa Mousavi 1,* and Mohamad Hadi Ghaffarian Mogharab 2
Determinant of gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in Yogyakarta special province

The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of employment, investmentÂ and the number of tourists towards GRDP in Yogyakarta. The data used in thisÂ research is a time series data for the period of 1999-2013. This research employedÂ multiple regression and dynamic regression, namely partial adjustmentÂ model. The multiple regression estimation shows that employment has negativeÂ effect to GRDP, meanwhile the investment and the number of tourists have aÂ positive relation towards dependent variable. Moreover, based on partial adjustmentÂ model, adjustment process also influences the output accumulation inÂ Yogyakarta. Therefore, to develop the local economy, the government mayÂ invite more tourists as well as increase investment in Yogyakarta. Â
Postembryonic development of Cistanche tubulosa (Schrenk) Whigt.

The embryo of the mature seed of the parasitic angiosperm Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) Whigt remains at pro-embryo stage. Little is known about the establishment of shoot and root apical meristems at poles of the embryonic body during postembryonic development. Thus, structure of the embryo of the mature seed and how and what the shoot and root apical meristems develop into during postembryonic development were investigated using light and dissecting stereo-microscopes. In the mature seed, the plumular pole of the embryo consists of large vacuolated, dense cells, containing starch granules and the radicular pole consists of decidedly smaller and denser cells lacking starch. During seed germination and parasitization, plumular pole cells expired without forming the apical meristem or cotyledons; while radicular pole cells formed a meristematic zone, which developed into a young parasite. We therefore conclude that: (1) the embryo of Cistanche consists of a nutrient-storage region (the plumular pole) and a meristematic region (the radicular pole); (2) during postembryonic stages, the plumular pole performs storage function and supplies its stored nutrients as well as those of the endosperm to the radicular pole; the radicular pole was the only origin of the apical meristems forming Cistanche. This study provides some useful information on the embryology of the parasitic plant and elucidates the basis for ecological adaptation and evolutionary strategy of this plant.
The Influence of Historical Land Use and Water Availability on Grassland Restoration

The ecological role of historical land use has rarely been explored in the context of grassland restoration. We conducted a 4‐year field experiment in a steppe and an old field in Inner Mongolia in northern China to examine the influence of historical land use and water availability on ecosystem restoration. Species richness, evenness, and plant cover were higher in the steppe than in the old field. The steppe was more temporally stable compared with the old field in terms of species richness, evenness, plant density, and cover. Water addition increased peak aboveground biomass, belowground net primary productivity, species richness, plant density, and cover in both the steppe and the old field. Water addition also enhanced the stability of ecosystems and the restoration of grassland. Our findings suggested that historical land use determines community structure and influences the process of grassland restoration. Converting grasslands to farmland in semiarid areas can cause the long‐term loss of biodiversity and instability of ecosystem with consequent impacts on ecosystem services. The amendment of limited resources is an effective practice to increase the success of ecosystem restoration.