Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial performance of Islamic and conventional banks during and after US sub-prime crisis in Pakistan: a comparative study

Islamic banking system that is based on Shariah principles is considered more resilient to the financial shocks due to its interest free nature. This study is aimed to compare the financial performances and investigate whether Islamic banks are more profitable, liquid, less risky and operationally efficient compared to conventional banks during and after US Sub-prime crisis in Pakistan. The time span used for the study was from 2007 to 2012. Thirteen financial ratios composed of five Islamic and five conventional banks to measure the financial performance in terms of profitability, risk and solvency, liquidity and capital adequacy. Independent sample t-test is used to determine the significance of mean differences of selected ratios. The results of profitability measures indicate that Islamic banks remained less profitable; however, liquidity performances of Islamic banks were better than conventional banks. However, overall operational efficiency measures are not in favour of Islamic banks. The study concluded that conventional banks performed more efficiently and profitably as compared to Islamic banks. The opportunity of future empirical study is recommended at the end of this paper.
Sulphide capacity of CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-MgO-TiO2-FetO slag with high titanium and high FeO content based on HIsmelt process

The sulphide capacities of CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-MgO-TiO2-FetO slags with high titanium and FetO were measured by gas-slag equilibration technique to reveal the effect of slag composition and temperature on the sulphide capacities of slags. The results showed that sulphide capacities enhanced with the increase of temperature, basicity, FetO, and MgO contents, TiO2 content increased first and then decreased in the range of 10 wt-% to 20 wt-%; the influence became negligible as the TiO2 content exceeded 25 wt-%. MgO significantly increased the sulphide capacities of slag in the range of 6 wt-% to 8 wt-%, continued to increase the MgO content, and the increasing trend of Log CS became slowly; FetO content increased from 3 wt-% to 9 wt-%, sulphide capacities increased slowly, increased dramatically in the range of 9 wt-% to 15 wt-%. Meanwhile, comparing the optical basicity models found Zhang and Tsao’s models are close to the experimentally determined values.
An Empirical Study on Factors Impacting the Adoption of Digital Technologies in Supply Chain Management and What Blockchain Technology Could Do for the Manufacturing Sector of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT This paper employed an integrated model for examining behavioral intention to adopt blockchain technology in the supply chain management of manufacturing industries in Bangladesh. The proposed conceptual model was empirically tested using data collected from 189 supply chain managers working in manufacturing organizations in Bangladesh. The findings suggest that perceived usefulness, trading partners’ pressure, and competitive pressure are the most important determinant of behavioral intention.
Leading edge strengthening and the propulsion performance of flexible ray fins

Abstract A numerical model of a ray-reinforced fin is developed to investigate the relation between its structural characteristics and its force generation capacity during flapping motion. In this two-dimensional rendition, the underlying rays are modelled as springs, and the membrane is modelled as a flexible but inextensible plate. The fin kinematics is characterized by its oscillation frequency and the phase difference between different rays (which generates a pitching motion). An immersed boundary method (IBM) is applied to solve the fluid–structure interaction problem. The focus of the current paper is on the effects of ray flexibility, especially the detailed distribution of ray stiffness, upon the capacity of thrust generation. The correlation between thrust generation and features of the surrounding flow (especially the leading edge separation) is also examined. Comparisons are made between a fin with rigid rays, a fin with identical flexible rays, and a fin with flexible rays and strengthened leading edge. It is shown that with flexible rays, the thrust production can be significantly increased, especially in cases when the phase difference between different rays is not optimized. By strengthening the leading edge, a higher propulsion efficiency is observed. This is mostly attributed to the reduction of the effective angle of attack at the leading edge, accompanied by mitigation of leading edge separation and dramatic changes in characteristics of the wake. In addition, the flexibility of the rays causes reorientation of the fluid force so that it tilts more towards the swimming direction and the thrust is thus increased.
Simple approach to orbital control using spinning electrodynamic tethers

A simple guidance equation for spinning electrodynamic tethers that can be used to provide approximate closed-loop guidance for orbital transfers was studied. A spinning tether system can utilize the electrodynamic Lorentz forces more effectively for maneuvers that require out-of-plane thrust forces. The added stability created by the centrifugal stiffening from the rotation of a flexible tether system makes spinning an atrractive method for enhancing electrodynamic tether system. The result showed that the efficiency of the hanging tether was slightly superior to a spinning tether for changing the semimajor axis.
Prevalence of Gingival Inflammation among Patients Taking Antipsychotic Drugs

Objective: To explore the prevalence and severity of gingival inflammation among the patients taking antipsychotic drugs. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in OPD of a psychiatric department of a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Sample of 1025 patients was taken with the history of antipsychotic drugs. Patients were examined for the prevalence and severity of gingival inflammation and periodontal disease using modified gingival index (MGI) and basic periodontal examination (BPE). Study was conducted from March to August 2022. Data will be entered in SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistics, i.e. frequency and percentage were calculated for categorical data. Results: A total number 1025 patients with history of antipsychotic drugs were examined, 873 of them had some degree of gingival inflammation. Out of 873 patients with gingival disease, 536 (61.39%) patients exhibited mild to moderate inflammation whereas periodontal status of 337 (38.60%) patients presented severe inflammation. Basic periodontal examination was performed on individuals exhibiting severe gingival inflammation and patients were guided regarding further treatment that was needed to improve periodontal health. Conclusion: The findings of current study revealed that patients who are on anti-psychotic drugs are at higher risk of developing gingival diseases due to reduced salivary flow and need advanced treatment for their periodontal condition. Keywords: Psychosis, gingival diseases, Dental caries, Self-esteem
HIGH Q MODES IN ELLIPTICAL MICROCAVITY PILLARS

The degenerate fundamental mode of a microcavity pillar structure with circular cross section splits into two linearly polarized modes when the shape is changed to elliptical. The quality factor Q of these modes is very different. This letter demonstrates that the high Q mode provides better values of the figure of merit for strong coupling applications, Q∕V), where V is the modal volume, compared to values obtainable in circular structures. The difference in Q is shown to be a consequence of the polarization dependence of the losses through the microcavity mirrors.
Algebraic Topology – A Student's Guide: Cohomologie modulo 2 des complexes d'Eilenberg-MacLane

On sait que les complexes K (/7, q) introduits par Eilenberg-MacLane dans [4] jouent un r61e essentiel dans un grand nombre de questions de topologie alg6brique. Le pr6sent article est une contribution ~ leur 6tude. En nous appuyant sur un th~or~me d6montr6 par A. Borel dans sa th~se [2], nous d~terminons les alg~bres de cohomologie modulo 2 de ces complexes, tout au moins lorsque le g roupe / /poss~de un nombre fini de g~n~rateurs. Ceci fair l 'objet du w 2. Dans le w 3 nous 6tudions le comportement asymptotique des s6ries de Poincar6 des alg~bres de cohomologie pr6cddentes ; nous en ddduisons que, lorsqu'un espace X v~rifie des conditions tr~s larges (par exemple, lorsque X est un poly~dre fini, simplement connexe, d'homologie modulo 2 non triviale), il existe une infinit6 d'entiers i tels que le groupe d'homotopie gi(X) contienne un sous-groupe isomorphe ~ Z ou ~ Z2. Dans le w 4 nous pr~cisons les relations qui lient les complexes K(II, q) et les diverses ((operations cohomologiques)>; ceci nous fournit notamment une m6thode permettant d'dtudier les relations entre i-carr6s it~rds. Le w 5 contient le calcul des groupes ~. +3(S~) et g. +4(S.); ce calcul est effectud en combinant les r6sultats des w167 2 et 4 avec ceux d'une Note de H. Cartan et l 'auteur ([3], voir aussi [14]). Les w167 4 et 5 sont inddpendants du w 3. Les principaux rdsultats de cet article ont gt6 rdsumds dans une Note aux Comptes Rendus [9].
Application of fractional calculus to polarization dynamics in solid dielectric materials

The fractional calculus has been suggested as an appropriate mathematical tool for the description of a wide variety of physical, chemical and biological processes, in particular non-Debye relaxation in dielectrics. While there have been substantial improvements in our understanding of the physical interpretation of the results of fractional differential equations, there is still much unknown. There is, as yet, not even complete agreement over the notation to be used,-let alone the underlying definition of the fractional derivative. This dissertation explores the hypothesis that there must be an intimate relation between the ac and dc response in any given material represented by a dynamical equation of motion. That at least one of the forms of the fractional calculus does, in fact, provide a useful and practical tool for describing some of the dynamics . of immediate interest is demonstrated. The process investigated is that of polarization dynamics in condensed matter dielectric materials. The dielectric material studied in detail is poly(vihylidine fluoride) (PVDF) which finds use in piezoelectric sensor and actuator applications. A dynamical model, based on the fractional calculus, is shown to reproduce both the ac and dc responses to an applied electric field. Many of the results are directly applicable a wide range of other dynamics includ­ ing mechanical relaxation processes.
Quantum Plasmadynamics: Unmagnetized Plasmas

Response 4-tensors. - Covariant theory of wave dispersion. - Particle and wave subsystems. - Dispersion in relativistic plasmas. - Classical plasmadynamics. - Quantum field theory. - QPD processes. - Responses of a quantum plasma. - Isotropic quantum plasmas. - Spin, MMR and neutrino plasma.
Microaggressions

The microaggression concept has recently galvanized public discussion and spread to numerous college campuses and businesses. I argue that the microaggression research program (MRP) rests on five core premises, namely, that microaggressions (1) are operationalized with sufficient clarity and consensus to afford rigorous scientific investigation; (2) are interpreted negatively by most or all minority group members; (3) reflect implicitly prejudicial and implicitly aggressive motives; (4) can be validly assessed using only respondents’ subjective reports; and (5) exert an adverse impact on recipients’ mental health. A review of the literature reveals negligible support for all five suppositions. More broadly, the MRP has been marked by an absence of connectivity to key domains of psychological science, including psychometrics, social cognition, cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior genetics, and personality, health, and industrial-organizational psychology. Although the MRP has been fruitful in drawing the field’s attention to subtle forms of prejudice, it is far too underdeveloped on the conceptual and methodological fronts to warrant real-world application. I conclude with 18 suggestions for advancing the scientific status of the MRP, recommend abandonment of the term “microaggression,” and call for a moratorium on microaggression training programs and publicly distributed microaggression lists pending research to address the MRP’s scientific limitations.
Experimental study of turbulent mixing in a rectangular reactor

The velocity and concentration fields in a liquid-phase confined planar-jet reactor were measured using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF). Measurements were taken at downstream distances from the jet splitter plates of 0, 1, 4.5, 7.5, 12, and 15 jet widths for a Reynolds number of 50,000 based on the distance between two sidewalls of the test section. The velocity and concentration field data were analyzed for such flow statistics as mean velocity, Reynolds stresses, turbulent kinetic energy, and scalar mean and variance. The turbulence dissipation rate was also estimated based on a large-eddy PIV approach using the strain-rate tensors computed from velocity fields and the sub-grid scale (SGS) stress obtained from the Smagorinsky model. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models including a two-layer k — e turbulence model, gradient-diffusion models and a scalar dissipation rate model were validated against experimental data collected from this facility. The experimental and computational results were found to be in good agreement.
Estimating the Meridional Extent of Adiabatic Mixing in the Stratosphere Using Age‐Of‐Air

Wave‐induced adiabatic mixing in the winter midlatitudes is one of the key processes impacting stratospheric transport. Understanding its strength and structure is vital to understanding the distribution of trace gases and their modulation under a changing climate. Age‐of‐air is often used to understand stratospheric transport, and this study proposes refinements to the vertical age gradient theory of Linz et al. (2021), https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD035199. The theory assumes exchange of air between a well‐mixed tropics and a well‐mixed extratropics, separated by a transport barrier, quantifying the adiabatic mixing flux across the interface using age‐based measures. These assumptions are re‐evaluated and a refined framework that includes the effects of meridional tracer gradients is established to quantify the mixing flux. This is achieved, in part, by computing a circulation streamfunction in age‐potential temperature coordinates to generate a complete distribution of parcel ages being mixed in the midlatitudes. The streamfunction quantifies the “true” age of parcels mixed between the tropics and the extratropics. Applying the revised theory to an idealized and a comprehensive climate model reveals that ignoring the meridional gradients in age leads to an underestimation of the wave‐driven mixing flux. Stronger, and qualitatively similar fluxes are obtained in both models, especially in the lower‐to‐middle stratosphere. While the meridional span of adiabatic mixing in the two models exhibits some differences, they show that the deep tropical pipe, that is, latitudes equatorward of 15° barely mix with older midlatitude air. The novel age‐potential temperature circulation can be used to quantify additional aspects of stratospheric transport.
The Hausdorff dimension of the graphs of continuous self-affine functions

The exact formula for the Hausdorff dimension of the graph of a continuous self-affine function is obtained. The Hausdorff dimension of some class of Borel probability measures is computed. The Hausdorff measures corresponding to the functions φ c (t)=t HD(graph(f) exp(c√log l/t log log log l/t) are studied
Kinetic Model for Binary Gas Mixtures

A method has been developed for treating the Boltzmann equation for a binary gas mixture with inverse fifth power molecular interaction. This method involves replacing the complete collision integral in the Boltzmann equation with a kinetic model. This kinetic model reproduces the collisional transfer of momentum and energy for Maxwell molecules, as well as conserving mass, momentum and energy. Several interesting linearizations of the model equations are presented, among which is a simplified form particularly well suited to the case of disparate masses.
Auditor Exits and Firm Performance: Is There a Link?

Employing firm-level data for 2011–2020, we explore the impact of auditor exit on firm performance. Using profitability and growth as outcome variables, the findings suggest that auditor exit leads to a dampening of profit, but growth prospects are not adversely affected. However, firms’ stock returns are adversely impacted over the immediate to medium term. This impact differs across ownership, especially when interactive effects are taken on board. Among the reasons, resignations and noncooperation by management are most detrimental to firm behavior. JEL Codes: G 32; M 42
Optimization of metabolite basis sets prior to quantitation in magnetic resonance spectroscopy: an approach based on quantum mechanics

High-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is playing an increasingly important role for diagnosis. This technique enables setting up metabolite profiles of ex vivo pathological and healthy tissue. The need to monitor diseases and pharmaceutical follow-up requires an automatic quantitation of HRMAS 1H signals. However, for several metabolites, the values of chemical shifts of proton groups may slightly differ according to the micro-environment in the tissue or cells, in particular to its pH. This hampers the accurate estimation of the metabolite concentrations mainly when using quantitation algorithms based on a metabolite basis set: the metabolite fingerprints are not correct anymore. In this work, we propose an accurate method coupling quantum mechanical simulations and quantitation algorithms to handle basis-set changes. The proposed algorithm automatically corrects mismatches between the signals of the simulated basis set and the signal under analysis by maximizing the normalized cross-correlation between the mentioned signals. Optimized chemical shift values of the metabolites are obtained. This method, QM-QUEST, provides more robust fitting while limiting user involvement and respects the correct fingerprints of metabolites. Its efficiency is demonstrated by accurately quantitating 33 signals from tissue samples of human brains with oligodendroglioma, obtained at 11.7 tesla. The corresponding chemical shift changes of several metabolites within the series are also analyzed.
Inference using surrogate outcome data and a validation sample

SUMMARY In the context of estimating ,3 from the regression model P ( YI X), relating response Y to covariates X, suppose that only a surrogate response S is available for most study subjects. Suppose that for a random subsample of the study cohort, termed the validation sample, the true outcome Y is available in addition to S. We consider maximum likelihood estimation of ,3 from such data and show that it is nonrobust to misspecification of the distribution relating the surrogate to the true outcome, P(S I Y, X). An alternative semiparametric method is also considered, which is nonparametric with respect to P(S I Y, X). Large-sample distribution theory for maximum estimated likelihood estimates is developed. An illustrative example is presented.
Single ionization of the water molecule by electron impact: Angular distributions at low incident energy

Recent experimental results of Milne-Brownlie et al. on the ionization of the water molecule by low-energy electron (250 eV) have been compared to theoretical predictions performed in the distorted-wave first Born model [Phys. Rev. A 69, 032701 (2004)]. It was found that this theory was unable to predict the very large recoil scattering observed experimentally. In this work, more sophisticated theoretical models are investigated in order to better understand the water ionization process at the multidifferential level and to reproduce the experimental observations.
The Prediction Sum of Squares as a General Measure for Regression Diagnostics

Statistics that usually accompany the regression model do not provide insight into the quality of the data or the potential influence of the individual observations on the estimates. In this study, the Q2 statistic is used as a criterion for detecting influential observations or outliers. The statistic is derived from the jackknifed residuals, the squared sum of which is generally known as the prediction sum of squares or PRESS. This article compares R 2 with Q2 and suggests that the latter be used as part of the data-quality check. It is shown, for two separate data sets obtained from regional cost of living and U.S. food industry studies, that in the presence of outliers the Q2 statistic can be negative, because it is sensitive to the choice of regressors and the inclusion of influential observations. Once the outliers are dropped from the sample, the discrepancy between Q2 and R 2 values is negligible.
Estimating the Optimum of a Stochastic System using Simulation

We incorporate new techniques for obtaining unbiased estimators of gradients from single simulations of stochastic systems in optimization procedures. We develop an "enhanced" least squares estimator of the optimum which incorporates information about both the function and its gradient and improves substantially on techniques which use only the function. We also propose a sequential design to use with the enhanced least squares estimator to optimize a regression function when it is evaluated by simulation.
Polarimetric Radar Observations in the Ice Region of Precipitating Clouds at C-Band and X-Band Radar Frequencies

AbstractData collected by C-band and X-band radars in northwestern Italy are analyzed to study the behavior of the polarimetric variables in the ice region of precipitating clouds, with special emphasis on the specific differential phase Kdp. It is found that stratiform precipitation, irrespective of the precipitation type at the ground and as opposed to convective systems, is characterized by well-pronounced positive differential reflectivity Zdr and Kdp values near the model-predicted −15°C isotherm. The regions of enhanced Zdr and Kdp are likely related to the growth of dendrite crystals in the region where the difference between the saturation vapor pressure over water and the saturation vapor pressure over ice is greatest. Coincident C-band and X-band measurements, in conjunction with electromagnetic scattering simulations, demonstrate that Kdp scales with frequency, indicating that the ice particles in the vapor deposition preferential growth zone are Rayleigh scatterers. Peak values around 2.0° and.