Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The MAX puzzle in a frontier market before and during the Covid-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This study analyses the MAX anomaly in a frontier market before and during the Covid19 pandemic. Our sample has 39,673 firm-month observations of non-financial firms in Vietnam from 2008 to 2021. Using the Carhart four-factor model augmented with MAX anomaly, Fama-Macbeth two-step estimations, and portfolio analyses, we report the persistence of the MAX puzzle in Vietnam before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The arbitrary returns between the highest and lowest MAX portfolios are around 1% per month. Finally, our results report that the MAX anomaly is subsumed by the IVOL anomaly, while the skewness fails to explain the MAX anomaly. Our findings align with the anchoring theory, prospect theory, and prior literature. Our findings align with the anchoring theory, prospect theory, and prior literature. Our study suggests that policymakers improve market transparency to protect retail investors.
The Japanese Encephalitis Antigenic Complex Viruses: From Structure to Immunity

In the last three decades, several flaviviruses of concern that belong to different antigenic groups have expanded geographically. This has resulted in the presence of often more than one virus from a single antigenic group in some areas, while in Europe, Africa and Australia, additionally, multiple viruses belonging to the Japanese encephalitis (JE) serogroup co-circulate. Morphological heterogeneity of flaviviruses dictates antibody recognition and affects virus neutralization, which influences infection control. The latter is further impacted by sequential infections involving diverse flaviviruses co-circulating within a region and their cross-reactivity. The ensuing complex molecular virus–host interplay leads to either cross-protection or disease enhancement; however, the molecular determinants and mechanisms driving these outcomes are unclear. In this review, we provide an overview of the epidemiology of four JE serocomplex viruses, parameters affecting flaviviral heterogeneity and antibody recognition, host immune responses and the current knowledge of the cross-reactivity involving JE serocomplex flaviviruses that leads to differential clinical outcomes, which may inform future preventative and therapeutic interventions.
Optimization of Castor Oil-Based Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) with Active Agent 1,10-Phenanthroline for Aqueous Pb2+ Analysis

This research has successfully fabricated ion selective electrode (ISE) for Pb2+ using castor oil (Ricinus communis L.)-based polyurethane (PU) membrane with 1,10-phenanthroline as the active agent. The sensitivity of the Pb2+ ISE obtained is 27.25 mV/decade with a linear range of [Pb(NO3)2] of 10−10–10−5 M and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.959. The system response reaches stability after 25 s of measurement. The Pb2+ has a detection limit of 10−10 M and gives a stable response at pH 7–8 with a 15-day lifetime. The investigation of the selectivity of the ISE was performed using the mixed solution method with log Kij values of <1. The selectivity order of Pb2+ ISE against the foreign ions is Ag2+ > Ca2+ > K+ > Mg2+ > Cu2+ > Fe3+ > Cr3+> Zn2+ > Cd2+. The Pb2+ ISE shows acceptable reproducibility and repeatability with standard deviation values of 0.065 and 0.0079, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra confirmed that 1,10-phenanthroline was responsible for the formation of the Pb2+ ion entrapment via complexation. Other characterizations (crystallinity, micro-surface morphology, and mechanical strength) suggest the degradation of the membrane structure integrity after the application. The analysis results of Pb levels using the Pb2+ ISE in artificial and wastewater samples were not significantly different from the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) measurement.
In Vitro Assessment of Probiotic and Technological Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Indigenously Fermented Cereal-Based Food Products

The present study concerns the isolation and characterization of potential probiotic bacteria isolated from indigenously fermented cereal-based products commonly produced by tribal people of the Aravali hills region of India and the documentation of their unexplored probiotic attributes. The isolated strains were evaluated for probiotic attributes, such as bile salt and acid tolerance, lysozyme and phenol tolerance, antagonistic and antifungal activity, cell autoaggregation, cell-surface hydrophobicity, simulated gastric and pancreatic digestion, antioxidative potential, bile salt hydrolase activity, and H2O2 production. The safety of isolates was assessed by antibiotic sensitivity, hemolytic activity, DNase activity, and biogenic amine production assays, while technological properties, such as fermenting ability, amylolytic activity, and EPS production, were also evaluated. A total of 70 LAB isolates were screened initially, and 6 strains showed good potential as probiotic candidates in in vitro assessments. The efficient strains were identified using phenotyping and biochemical characterization, which results were further confirmed and recognized at the strain level using phylogenetic analysis and 16S rDNA sequencing. The current study has shown that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KMUDR7 isolated from “Makka ki Raab” has excellent probiotic attributes and could be a potential probiotic for product preparation. However, other strains, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus KMUDR1 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus KMUDR9, showed good properties, while KMUDR14, -17, and -20 also have comparable probiotic attributes.
Isoscalar and neutron modes in the E 1 spectra of Ni isotopes and the relevance of shell effects and the continuum

We study theoretically the electric dipole transitions of even Ni isotopes at low energies, using the self-consistent quasi-particle random-phase approximation (RPA) with the D1S Gogny interaction and a continuum-RPA model with the SLy4 Skyrme force. We analyze isoscalar states, isovector states, and the dipole polarizability. We define a reference value for the polarizability, to remove a trivial dependence on the mass number. We compare our results with data and other calculations, with a focus on collective states, shell effects, and threshold transitions. Our results support the presence of a strong isoscalar transition, with little or moderate E1 strength, as a universal feature of ordinary nuclei. In moderately neutron-rich Ni isotopes, namely 68Ni and neighboring isotopes, this transition is found bimodal due to couplings with surface neutrons. An adequate treatment of the continuum states appears essential for describing suprathreshold E1 strength, especially beyond 68Ni. Very exotic isotopes (N>50) are found highly polarizable, with practically all their E1 strength in the continuum. The dipole polarizability and the neutron skin thickness are influenced by shell structure in different ways, so they can appear anticorrelated. A comparison with existing results for lighter (Ca) and heavier (Sn) nuclei suggests that the so-called pygmy dipole strength is influenced strongly by shell effects and that, partly for that reason, its isospin structure depends on the mass region.
A COMPLETE SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY OF THE MILKY WAY SATELLITE SEGUE 1: DARK MATTER CONTENT, STELLAR MEMBERSHIP, AND BINARY PROPERTIES FROM A BAYESIAN ANALYSIS

We introduce a comprehensive analysis of multi-epoch stellar line-of-sight velocities to determine the intrinsic velocity dispersion of the ultrafaint satellites of the Milky Way. Our method includes a simultaneous Bayesian analysis of both membership probabilities and the contribution of binary orbital motion to the observed velocity dispersion within a 14-parameter likelihood. We apply our method to the Segue 1 dwarf galaxy and conclude that Segue 1 is a dark-matter-dominated galaxy at high probability with an intrinsic velocity dispersion of 3.7+1.4− 1.1 km s−1. The dark matter halo required to produce this dispersion must have an average density of within a sphere that encloses half the galaxy's stellar luminosity. This is the highest measured density of dark matter in the Local Group. Our results show that a significant fraction of the stars in Segue 1 may be binaries with the most probable mean period close to 10 years, but also consistent with the 180 year mean period seen in the solar vicinity at about 1σ. Despite this binary population, the possibility that Segue 1 is a bound star cluster with the observed velocity dispersion arising from the orbital motion of binary stars is disfavored by the multi-epoch stellar velocity data at greater than 99% C.L. Finally, our treatment yields a projected (two-dimensional) half-light radius for the stellar profile of Segue 1 of R1/2 = 28+5− 4 pc, in excellent agreement with photometric measurements.
Relationships between Penile-Vaginal Intercourse Frequency and Condom/Contraceptive Use from 2009 to 2018: Findings from the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior

Abstract Objectives: To examine changes over time in event-level condom/contraceptive use and the association between past year penile-vaginal intercourse frequency and event-level condom/contraceptive use. Methods: Data were from the 2009 and 2018 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, an online probability survey of U.S. adolescents and adults. Results: The use of condoms and highly effective hormonal contraceptives decreased while long-acting reversible contraceptive use increased from 2009 to 2018 among adults. Increased penile-vaginal intercourse frequency was associated with decreased use of most contraceptive methods but an increase in condom use for adolescents. Conclusions: Sexual frequency should be considered when assessing condom/contraceptive use.
Binary Black Hole Mergers from Globular Clusters: Masses, Merger Rates, and the Impact of Stellar Evolution

The recent discovery of GW150914, the binary black hole merger detected by Advanced LIGO, has the potential to revolutionize observational astrophysics. But to fully utilize this new window into the universe, we must compare these new observations to detailed models of binary black hole formation throughout cosmic time. Expanding upon our previous work (Rodriguez et al., 2015), we study merging binary black holes formed in globular clusters using our Monte Carlo approach to stellar dynamics. We have created a new set of 52 cluster models with different masses, metallicities, and radii to fully characterize the binary black hole merger rate. These models include all the relevant dynamical processes (such as two-body relaxation, strong encounters, and three-body binary formation) and agree well with detailed direct N-body simulations. In addition, we have enhanced our stellar evolution algorithms with updated metallicity-dependent stellar wind and supernova prescriptions, allowing us to compare our results directly to the most recent population synthesis predictions for merger rates from isolated binary evolution. We explore the relationship between a cluster's global properties and the population of binary black holes that it produces. In particular, we derive a numerically calibrated relationship between the merger times of ejected black hole binaries and a cluster's mass and radius. We explore the masses and mass ratios of these binaries as a function of redshift, and find a merger rate of ~5 Gpc$^{-3}$ yr$^{-1}$ in the local universe, with 80% of sources having total masses from $32M_{\odot}$ to $64M_{\odot}$. Under standard assumptions, approximately 1 out of every 7 binary black hole mergers in the local universe will have originated in a globular cluster, but we also explore the sensitivity of this result to different assumptions for binary stellar evolution. [Abridged]
The Moderating Effect of the Sense of Power on Green (NonGreen) Appeal in Promoting Sustainable Consumption

Sustainable behavior could be promoted via green advertising. Based on the agentic–communal model and the construal level theory, this paper explores the moderating effect of sense of power on the effectiveness of green and nongreen appeals through a random experiment. We expect that in a powerlessness mindset, a green appeal outperforms a nongreen appeal and that in a power mindset, a nongreen appeal outperforms a green appeal with a reduced effect size. As expected, the results show that low-power consumers are more likely to be persuaded when the appeal emphasizes the green attribute rather than the nongreen attribute, whereas the converse holds (not significantly) for high-power consumers. The results also show a significantly positive effect of green appeal on WOM intention. The moderated serial multiple-mediator model indicates that attitudes toward the ad and brand serially mediate the effectiveness of advertising, which is moderated by power. Overall, those results demonstrate that the success of an appeal can be affected by psychological sense of power. The practical implications are also discussed.
On the physical requirements for a pre-reionization origin of the unresolved near-infrared background

The study of the Cosmic Near-Infrared Background (CIB) light after subtraction of resolved sources can push the limits of current observations and infer the level of galaxy and black hole activity in the early universe. However, disentangling the relative contribution from low- and high-redshift sources is not trivial. Spatial fluct uations of the CIB exhibit a clustering excess at angular scales ∼1 ◦ whose origin has not been conclusively identified. We explor e the likelihood that this signal is dominated by emission from galaxies and accreting black holes in the early Universe. We find that, if the first small mass galaxi es have a normal IMF, the light of their ageing stars (fossils) integrated over cosmic time contributes a comparable amount to the CIB as their pre-reionization progenitors. However, the measured fluctuation signal is too large to be produced by galaxies at redshifts z>8 unless their star formation efficiencies are much larger than those inferred from the observed Lyman-dropout population. In order to produce the observed level of CIB fluctuation without viol ating constraints from galaxy counts and the electron optical depth of the IGM, minihalos at z>12 must form stars with efficiency f⋆&0.1 and, although a top-heavy IMF is preferred, have a very low escape fraction of ionizing radiation, fesc<0.01. If instead the CIB fluctuations are produced by high- z black holes, one requires vigorous accretion in the early univers e reaching ρacc&10 5 M⊙Mpc −3 by z≃10. This growth must stop by z∼6 and be significantly obscured not to overproduce the soft cosmic X-ray background (CXB) and its observed coherence with the CIB. We therefore find the range of suitable possibilities at high- z to be narrow, but could possibly be widened by including additional physics and evolution at those epochs.
Flows along cometary tails in the Helix planetary nebula NGC 7293

Previous velocity images which reveal flows of ionized gas along the most prominent cometary tail (from Knot 38) in the Helix planetary nebula are compared with that taken at optical wavelengths with the Hubble Space Telescope and with an image in the emission from molecular hydrogen. The flows from the second most prominent tail from Knot 14 are also considered. The kinematics of the tail from the more complex Knot 32, shown here for the first time, also reveal an acceleration away from the central star. All of the tails are explained as accelerating ionized flows of ablated material driven by the previous, mildly supersonic, asymptotic giant branch wind from the central star. The longest tail of ionized gas, even though formed by this mechanism in a very clumpy medium, as revealed by the emission from molecular hydrogen, appears to be a coherent outflowing feature.
Supplementary notes on vowel lengthening in Danish

The recordings which formed the basis of Fischer-Jørgensen "Segmental duration of Danish words in dependency on higher level phonological units", ARIPUC 16, 1982, were supplemented by a number of new recordings containing mostly actual disyllables (i.e. words without apocope). The four West Jutlandish speakers read a supplementary list, and recordings were made of a number of new informants: seven dialect speakers from East Jutland, five from North Zealand, and two younger Copenhagen informants. It turned out that both West- and East Jutlandish speakers have vowel lengthening in actual disyllables but not in apocopated words (the same was true of the North Zealandish speakers who had apocope). There is thus more lengthening in the dialects than assumed in my 1982 report. Very conspicuous lengthenings were found in three North Zealandish coastal dialects, but somewhat less lengthening than expected in the speech of the two Copenhagen informants. The rejection of the hypothesis of a connection with apocope or with a special pitch contour was confirmed by the new recordings. The assumption of a connection with the weakness of the following consonant is upheld.
Identification of a 5-Hydroxymethylation Signature in Circulating Cell-Free DNA for the Noninvasive Detection of Colorectal Cancer

Background As a crucial epigenetic modification, DNA 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) plays a key role during colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis. Nevertheless, the levels of 5-hmC-related genes in the circulating DNA of CRC remain largely unknown. Methods and Results The GSE81314 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), which was generated by chemical marking-based low-input shotgun sequencing to detect 5-hmC in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was used in the present study. The GSE81314 dataset includes data for 8 plasma samples from healthy individuals and 4 plasma samples from CRC patients. The difference in the 5-hmC levels in cfDNA between the CRC group and healthy individuals was analyzed by the differentially expressed genes (DEG) package. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to analyze gene coexpression modules associated with sample characteristics. DEG analysis identified 19 upregulated and 9 downregulated 5-hmC-related genes. WGCNA showed that the pink, purple, and brown modules, which contain 531 genes in total, were significantly correlated with CRC (0.66, 0.61, and -0.59, respectively). We used gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) software to compare 5-hmC-related genes and pathways between CRC patients and healthy controls. We further performed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis and identified 4 nodes (LCN2, LRG1, S100P, and TACSTD2) that played key roles in the network, and we analyzed the expression of these nodes S100P in the GEPIA database. Consistent with the 5-hmC levels in CRC patient plasma, our external validation results from the GEPIA and UALCAN databases showed that LCN2, LRG1, S100P, and TACSTD2 were highly expressed in CRC tissue compared with controls. The DNA promoter methylation levels of LCN2, LRG1, and S100P were lower in CRC tissue than in normal control tissue. Conclusion The present findings suggest that abnormality in cell-free DNA hydroxylation in plasma may be associated with CRC. In addition, the 5-hmC levels of LCN2, LRG1, S100P, and TACSTD2 in circulating cfDNA may be used as potential noninvasive markers for CRC.
Not All Landscape Palm Fertilizers Are Created Equal

Palms are widely planted in Florida landscapes. Their bold leaf textures create a tropical or Mediterranean look that is highly desired by residents and tourists alike. But palms have very high nutritional requirements, and deficiencies of any element can result in conspicuous and unattractive symptoms on their large leaves. UF/IFAS research shows that the most effective fertilizer has 100% of the N, K, Mg, and B sources in slow-release or controlled-release form and that all of the Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu sources should be water soluble. This 4-page fact sheet explains the reasons for this recommendation and how to ensure that you have a formulation that will be effective. Written by Timothy K. Broschat, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, April 2015. (Photo Credit: T.K. Broschat) ENH1255/EP516: Not All Landscape Palm Fertilizers Are Created Equal (ufl.edu)
Robustness of key features of loop quantum cosmology

A small simplification based on well-motivated approximations is shown to make loop quantum cosmology of the $k=0$ Friedman-Robertson-Walker model (with a massless scalar field) exactly soluble. Analytical methods are then used i) to show that the quantum bounce is generic; ii) to establish that the matter density has an absolute upper bound which, furthermore, equals the critical density that first emerged in numerical simulations and effective equations; iii) to bring out the precise sense in which the Wheeler-DeWitt theory approximates loop quantum cosmology and the sense in which this approximation fails; and iv) to show that discreteness underlying loop quantum cosmology is fundamental. Finally, the model is compared to analogous discussions in the literature and it is pointed out that some of their expectations do not survive a more careful examination. An effort has been made to make the underlying structure transparent also to those who are not familiar with details of loop quantum gravity.
Kinetic and Isothermal Investigations on the Use of Low Cost Coconut Fiber-Polyaniline Composites for the Removal of Chromium from Wastewater

Pollution due to various heavy metals is increasing at an alarming rate. Removal of hexavalent chromium from the environment is a significant and challenging issue due to its toxic effects on the ecosystem. Development of a low-cost adsorbent with better adsorption efficiency is presently required. In this study, waste coconut fibers (CF) were used to prepare its composite with polyaniline (PANI) via in-situ oxidation. The obtained composites with varying loading of PANI (15, 25, 50, and 75% w/w) were characterized by FE-SEM, TGA, and FTIR spectroscopy. The prepared composites were evaluated for their adsorption performance for removal of Cr(VI). It was concluded that the composite with 50% w/w polyaniline loading on coconut fiber exhibited a maximum adsorption efficiency of 93.11% in 30 min. The effect of pH, dosage, and concentration of the aqueous solution of chromium on the Cr(VI) adsorption efficiency of the composite was also studied. From the optimization studies it was observed that the absorbents exhibited the best adsorption response for Cr(VI) removal with 0.25 mg/mL adsorbent at pH 4, in 30 min. The effect of pH, dosage, and concentration of the aqueous solution of chromium on the Cr(VI) adsorption efficiency of the composite was also studied. This study highlights the application of low-cost adsorbent as a potential candidate for the removal of hexavalent chromium. A detailed study on the adsorption kinetics and isothermal analysis was conducted for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution using coconut fiber-polyaniline composite. From the kinetic investigation, the adsorption was found to follow the pseudo second order model. The data obtained were best fitted to the Elovich model confirming the chemisorption of the Cr(VI) on coconut polymer composites. The analysis of the isothermal models indicated monolayer adsorption based on the Langmuir adsorption model.