Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forex and financial markets dynamics: A case of China and ASEAN

Abstract The paper aims to investigate the possible dual causality between exchange rates and stock indices of China and ASEAN using Structural Vector Auto-Regressive Model (SVAR). The paper has analysed the dynamic relationships between the Yuan and the Shanghai Composite Index and Shenzhen Stock Index in the context of China’s third largest trading bloc, i.e., ASEAN, after the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997. The Asian Financial Crisis of 1997–98 had an adverse impact on stock indices and the currencies of ASEAN countries. It was also expected that a devaluation of the Yuan would follow soon, thus plummeting investors’ confidence in the Chinese markets. Further research was needed to explore the complex relationship between financial and forex markets in the context of China and ASEAN. The focus of this paper is to explore such relationship with the focus on China. The results of the model confirm the dual causality between the two variables of interest in China. It concludes that a positive financial shock does have a small but significant impact upon the Yuan, whereas a positive exchange rate shock has a high and a significant impact upon the Shanghai and Shenzhen Composite Indices. The paper finds the effect of monetary and demand shocks upon the Yuan and stock market indices to be insignificant.
The Increasing Trends in Cases of the Most Common Cancers in Saudi Arabia

Background: Cancer epidemiology in Saudi Arabia (SA) differs from that of the USA with respect to types of common malignancies. Hematologic malignancies are among the top five cancers prevalent in SA, including lymphoma and leukemia. Most common malignancies in SA also include breast, thyroid, and colorectal cancer. We sought to evaluate the current trends of these most common cancers in SA. Methods: Electronic search analysis pertaining to Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, breast, colorectal, and thyroid cancer were carried out from two databases: The Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER). Data on prevalence and incident frequency were collected. Trends from 2001 to 2014 were calculated and compared between SCR and SEER. Findings: Leukemia is the most common cancer type among males in SA, followed by colorectal cancer. Hodgkin’s lymphoma has become the third most common malignancy among Saudi males. Percentage of women’s breast cancer and thyroid cancer among total cancer cases have increased by 10.5% and 1.7% respectively from 2001 to 2014, making them the first and second most common cancers in women respectively. Trends of thyroid cancer among males has been stable. Colorectal cancer stands as third most common among Saudi females. Interpretations: There have been significant changes in trends of incidence rate of the most common cancers in SA among both males and females over the past decade. Breast cancer rates have risen at an alarming pace. More epidemiological studies need to be conducted to evaluate etiological factors at environmental, molecular, and genetic levels.
Deep Learning-Based Sum Data Rate and Energy Efficiency Optimization for MIMO-NOMA Systems

The increasing demands for massive connectivity, low latency, and high reliability of future communication networks require new techniques. Multiple-input-multiple-output non-orthogonal multiple access (MIMO-NOMA), which incorporates the NOMA concept into MIMO, is an appealing technology to enhance system throughput and energy efficiency. However, rapidly changing channel conditions and extremely complex spatial structure degrade the system performance and hinder its application. Thus, to tackle these limitations, in this paper, we propose a deep learning-based MIMO-NOMA framework for maximizing the sum data rate and energy efficiency. To be specific, we design an effective communication deep neural network (CDNN) in which several convolutional layers and multiple hidden layers are included. Thanks to the impressive representation ability of the deep learning technique, the CDNN framework addresses the power allocation problem for achieving higher data rate and energy efficiency of MIMO-NOMA with the aid of training algorithms. Additionally, simulation results corroborate that the proposed CDNN framework is a good candidate to enhance the performance of MIMO-NOMA in term of power allocation, and extensive simulations show that it realizes larger sum data rate and energy efficiency compared with conventional strategies.
Soil nutrient availability and reproductive effort drive patterns in nutrient resorption in Pentaclethra macroloba

The removal of nutrients from senescing tissues, nutrient resorption, is a key strategy for conserving nutrients in plants. However, our understanding of what drives patterns of nutrient resorption in tropical trees is limited. We examined the effects of nutrient sources (stand-level and tree-level soil fertility) and sinks (reproductive effort) on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption. We evaluated resorption efficiency (percentage of original nutrients removed during senescence) and resorption proficiency (indicated by senesced-leaf nutrient concentrations) in a symbiotic N-fixing tree species, Pentaclethra macroloba, common to tropical forests in Costa Rica. Although tree-level soil P alone did not drive patterns in nutrient resorption, P efficiency and proficiency declined with increasing tree-level soil P when reproductive status was also considered. Nutrient resorption declined with increasing tree-level soil P in trees that were actively fruiting or that experienced high seedfall the year prio.
Photosynthetic characteristics and diversity of freshwater Synechococcus at two depths during different mixing conditions in a deep oligotrophic lake

We studied the photosynthetic characteristics and genetic diversity of Synechococcus assemblages at two different light and mixing conditions in a deep oligotrophic lake (Lake Maggiore, Northern Italy). Sampling was performed at the beginning of summer stratification, when the base of the photic zone was isolated by the presence of a shallower thermocline, and during late summer, when the mixing layer extended below the photic zone. Two depths were sampled (15 % and 1 % of surface PAR). To study the diversity of Synechococcus, we used a classical molecular fingerprinting technique (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis, DGGE) with ambient samples and sequencing of the prominent bands. The ecotypes selected within the samples from different depths were different in photosynthetic characteristics and grew in a range of nutrient concentrations. The OTUs colonizing different niches in the water column did not show any significant clustering. However, the OTU richness was significantly different at the two depths in spring, reaching the highest values at 15 % of surface PAR. Cluster analysis of DGGE lanes provided evidence of different community compositions between spring and late summer. Sequencing of the most prominent bands showed one spring OTU affiliated to the Synechococcus subalpine cluster I, with 100% similarity to LM94, MW76B2 and MW15#2 (sensu Crosbie et al. 2003a), not present in late summer. Another OTU present both in spring and late summer showed 100% similarity to MH301, a strain near to subalpine cluster II. Our results support the coexistence of ecotypes in the vertical gradients, rapidly acclimating and performing differently in the microhabitats.
Accuracy of Underwater Census of Trout Populations in a Large Stream in British Columbia

Abstract Two estimates of trout populations were obtained in a large stream, the St. Mary River (mean annual flow, 54 m 3/s) in southeastern British Columbia. Underwater counts of trout by seven swimmers were stratified by bank and midchannel zones, and expanded. Mean expanded counts were compared to mean Petersen (mark-recapture) estimates that also were obtained by underwater observation of fish marked during angling. The expanded count from the underwater enumeration underestimated the population of cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki lewisi over 20 cm in length by 26%, thus requiring a correction factor of 1.35 to adjust the expanded count. Species composition and estimated size distributions of observed fish were similar to those in a sample captured by angling. Replicated counts of trout over 30 cm in length were homogeneous, but counts of 10-30-cm trout were heterogeneous. Expanded underwater counts obtained from as few as two swimmers were reliable if they were replicated, conducted in both representati.
Influence of temperature on survival and reproduction of Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

The influence of temperature on egg production by Nezara viridula adults and on the survival and development of nymphs was examined as a possible reason for the relatively low abundance of eggs and nymphs during mid‐summer in southeastern Queensland. High temperatures (27/37 °C) in laboratory studies adversely affected nymphal survival and adult reproduction compared with lower temperatures (10/20 °C and 20/30°C). Nymphal survival to the adult stage was lower under the high temperature regime and none of the resulting adults survived long enough to mate and reproduce. In general, nymphal survival and development and the reproductive ability of adults was similar at the two lower temperature regimes. Since the middle regime approximates summer field temperatures, we conclude that low numbers of N. viridula nymphs during mid‐summer cannot be explained by temperature alone.
Cloud-based learning service platform for multilingual smart class

The spread of cloud computing is accelerating universities to seek a better educational approach for capitalizing on its capabilities. With the practice of cloud computing in Saudi Arabia universities, instructors are yet unable to interact with the students face-to-face due to the gender separation practice. It becomes worse in a multilingual environment as the students are less fluent in the first language formally practiced in the university. With the current best practice, the students are able to utilize one app to translate the presentation slides and another app to translate the instructor's speech. The student prefers to comprehend the learning materials, although it delays the process of teaching. Therefore, there is a need to integrate current practices. A prototype of a smart class based on cloud computing is developed to ease the use of a mobile device. This project is evaluated by utilizing both direct and indirect assessment spanning across three academic semesters.
An Attempt to Retrieve Continuous Water Vapor Profiles in Marine Lower Troposphere Using Shipboard Raman/Mie Lidar System

A shipboard lidar system was examined the capability to retrieve detailed variation of the water vapor mixing ratio in and above the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL). The water vapor mixing ratio is retrieved from the ratio of Raman lidar signals by water vapor and by nitrogen, with the help of radiosonde data beside. Data obtained during two special observations, PreYMC and YMC-Sumatra, off the west coast of Sumatra island were examined. The mixing ratio was retrieved in the nighttime over 1 km height with the resolution of 10-minutes in temporal and 120meters in vertical. The root mean square difference from the radiosonde data is about or less than 1 g/kg in MABL. A case study demonstrates that the retrieved spatiotemporal variation of water vapor mixing ratio captures meso-scale drying and moistening in detail. The capabilities of the retrieved data were well demonstrated, while number of improvements are expected in future work. (Citation: Katsumata, M., K. Taniguchi, and T. Nishizawa, 2020: An attempt to retrieve continuous water vapor profiles in marine lower troposphere using shipboard Raman/Mie lidar system. SOLA, 16A, 6−11, doi:10.2151/sola.16A-002.)
Adequação do teste de raios X para avaliação da qualidade de sementes de Embaúba (Cecropia pachystachya Trec.)

The x-ray test was studied to evaluate the quality of embauba seeds and verify the influence of the internal morphology on the seed germination. Seeds of a lot harvested in 2005 were used from the Bio Flora company. The seeds were exposed to radiation for various amounts of time and intensity, using Faxitron X-Ray equipment, model MX-20. The seeds were divided into three categories according to their internal structure visualized by radiographs in totally formed, partially formed and not formed seeds. Soon after, seeds were submitted to the germination test. The results showed that the time of 360 seconds and 10kV intensity are recommendable for visualizing internal seed structures. The x-ray test is efficient to evaluate development level of embauba seed structure. There is correlation between seed formation and the germination test results.
Antiaggregant effects on human platelets of culinary herbs

The inhibitory effects of methanol extracts of 20 herb species on human platelet aggregation were investigated. Allspice, basil, marjoram, tarragon and thyme strongly inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by collagen. Basil, marjoram and tarragon strongly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP. An active compound, arbutin, was isolated from sweet marjoram as an inhibitor of platelet aggregation induced by collagen; ADP, arachidonic acid (AA) and thrombin. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THE RESISTANCE OF ANIMALS TO BACTERIAL INFECTION

Since the demonstration by R. F. J. Pfeiffer in 1894 of the lysis of cholera vibrios in the guinea pig peritoneum, we have gradually come to believe that the bactericidal powers of the body fluids play an important role in defense against microbial invasion. This anitmicrobial activity is seen best in serum and is most effective against the gram-negative organisms. The nature of this bactericidal activity is known to be extremely complex. Four components of complement, magnesium ions, and now properdin (Wardlaw and Pillemer, 1956) are known to be essential reactants. On the other hand, nothing appears to be known about the bacterial reactant or substrate for this reaction. This latter factor has been the initial aim of the work of my associates and myself. The presumptive test for bacterial substrate that we have used is the ability of a preparation to compete with living cells for the bactericidal serum system, the result being a delay or inhibition of the rate of killing of the living bacteria (FIGURE 1). In our attempts to isolate the substrate in pure form we have been guided by the observation that rough mutants of Escherichia coli or Salmonella paratyphi are killed by serum much more rapidly than the smooth strains from which they are derived (Rowley, 1956), as shown in FIGURE 2. It seemed that this might be a factor of the endotoxin content of the organisms, and we subsequently showed that the lipopolysaccharide fraction of the endotoxin gives the substrate test above. The other fractions not containing lipopolysaccharide obtained in the phenol/ water extraction method of 0. Westphal were much less active in the presumptive substrate test. The early changes in immunity of mice to E. coli (Rowley, 1955) or to S. tyflhi (Field, Howard, and Whitby, 1955) infections consequent to the intravenous injection of bacterial cell walls can all be produced by lipopolysaccharides in a minimum dose of about 1 pg. /20 gm. mouse (TABLE 1). It has been suggested (Rowley, 1955) that these early changes in immunity can be accounted for by the neutralization of the serum bactericidal reaction by the bacterial reactant, followed within 24 to 48 hours by a compensatory increase in the amount and activity of the bactericidal mechanism. By this hypothesis the lipopolysaccharide would contain the bacterial substrate within its very large molecule. At this stage let me summarize the evidence that implicates lipopolysaccharide as a bacterial substrate: (1) Lipopolysaccharide inhibits bactericidal action of serum in vitro; that is, it may be competing with the substrate present in the living bacteria. (2) Avirulent strains of E. coli contain less lipopolysaccharide and are more sensitive than smooth strains of E. coli to killing by serum (Rowley, 1954 and 1956).
Octopine metabolism in Sepia officinalis: effect of hypoxia and metabolite loads on the blood levels of octopine and related compounds

Male Sepia officinalis were subjected to hypoxia and the concentrations of blood metabolites were measured during stress and recovery. Blood octopine levels were elevated during hypoxia, whereas blood glucose concentration declined. During recovery, octopine was rapidly cleared from the blood while blood glucose concentration increased, initially overshooting the control level, before returning to prehypoxia levels.The clearance of an octopine bolus (300 μmol given intravenously) from the blood was followed. Octopine uptake from the blood was correlated with a transient rise in blood glucose concentration. Injection of an arginine bolus resulted in an increase in blood octopine levels, whereas a lactate bolus led to elevated blood glucose and octopine levels.The data show that octopine concentration in cephalopod blood is modulated in response to physiological stress and that octopine metabolism is closely integrated with the metabolism of glucose, arginine, and lactate. It is suggested that the octopine .
Inhibition Behavior of PCDD/Fs Congeners by Addition of N-containing Compound in the Iron Ore Sintering

ABSTRACT PCDD/Fs are typical toxic persistent aromatic compounds that greatly reduce air quality and harm human health. In this study, urea’s suppressive effect on PCDD/Fs and their congener emissions was investigated via sintering pot tests, and the inhibition mechanisms were studied. The results showed that the I-TEQ values for the total PCDD/Fs decreased from 0.50 to 0.20, 0.12 and 0.20 ng I-TEQ Nm–3 after adding solid 0.02, 0.035 and 0.05 wt. % urea particles, respectively, to the iron ore sintering mixture, but these values increased for the low-chlorinated TeCDFs (from 0.003 to 0.009, 0.006 and 0.006 ng I-TEQ Nm–3) and TeCDDs (from 0.014 to 0.020, 0.018 and 0.020 ng I-TEQ Nm–3). Moreover, the average I-TEQ values for the chlorine substituents in the PCDFs and PCDDs decreased, indicating that urea inhibited chlorination or enhanced dechlorination. The potential mechanisms by which urea suppresses the total PCDD/Fs and hydrodechlorinates the high-chlorinated PCDD/Fs are discussed.
Adaptation of Cool-Season Grain Legume Species across Climatically-Contrasting Environments of Southern Europe

Information on most-adapted species is required to increase the economic sustainability and the utilization of cool-season feed legumes in southern Europe. This study aimed to compare pea (Pisum sativum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), and white lupin (L. albus L.) across Italian environments which contrasted for geoclimatic area (subcontinental or Mediterranean) and sowing season (autumn or late-winter). Each species was represented by two cultivars tending to different geoclimatic adaptation. Data Set 1 included eight cultivars and five environments; Data Set 2 comprised two pea and two faba bean cultivars, and 10 environments. On average, pea exhibited higher grain yield than any species in subcontinental environments and lupin species in Mediterranean environments. Crossover genotype x environment interaction (GEI) occurred between species in Data Set 1 and between cultivars within species in both data sets (P < 0.05). Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis of grain yield data indicated that species and cultivar adaptation patterns were more influenced by the climatic area than by location, sowing time, or test year within climatic area, highlighting the interest of comparing species on the basis of locally-adapted cultivars. Entry grain yield was associated with higher aerial biomass across subcontinental environments, and earlier phenology and higher harvest index across Mediterranean environments. In the species comparison based on locally top-performing cultivars, white lupin outyielded other species for crude protein in both climatic areas, whereas pea outperformed others across subcontinental environments and did not differ from faba bean or white lupin across Mediterranean environments for production of milk feed units (P < 0.05).
Modulation of Room-Temperature Ferromagnetism in Copper Oxide Thin Films by Magnetic Field-Assisted Annealing

This article demonstrates the effect of magnetic field-assisted annealing on the magnetic and structural properties of the sol–gel-derived copper oxide films grown on n-Si substrates. The samples were annealed at 450 °C with and without the presence of an external magnetic field. The comparison of XRD and FESEM results of the annealed samples under three different magnetic fields of 280, 400, and 520 G show that the particle sizes of the CuO films were increased with the increase in magnetic field during thermal annealing. The presence of magnetic field during annealing also modulates reflectance characteristics of the film which can be explored for various optoelectronic applications. Most interestingly, CuO films exhibit ferromagnetic characteristics which can be modulated by varying the externally applied magnetic field during the annealing of the samples. The obtained retentivity and coercivity values of annealed samples in the presence of magnetic field vertically downward are $1.84 \times 10^{-2}$ emu/gm and 280.60 Oe, respectively. These are significantly higher than the values of thermally annealed samples.
From South Asian Print to the Digital Archive: The Quest for Access and Sustainability

Abstract This essay examines the challenges involving the creation of and access to digital content and those faced by smaller nineteenth-century publishers in South Asia. Rather than seeing the digital arena of online publishing as representing a break with preceding periods and technologies, this article argues that, as during the period of print’s expansion in colonial India towards the end of the nineteenth century, the digital arena is at its core an ongoing experiment in which legislation and regulations, readers, publishers, libraries, pirates and business interests continue to play off one another in a metaphorical dance through which the digital publishing landscape is created. For those in late colonial India who sought to enter the world of print and for contemporary efforts to make digitised materials available online alike, the quest for fiscal sustainability has been one of the greatest challenges. By combining an examination of the Urdu writer Abdul Ḥalīm Sharar’s (1860–1926) struggles in publishing the monthly periodical, Dil Gudāz, between 1887 and 1934 with the challenges faced by online archives today, this essay teases out parallels and differences. I argue that the ability of smaller presses to thrive in India in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was dependent on a responsive public that accepted its newfound role as patrons, whereas in the present, private donations and grants are the crucial ingredients that can help ensure collaborations achieve their goals.