Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Capital Account Liberalization Institutions and Economic Growth in the Emerging World

Purpose: The relationship between capital account liberalization and economic growth has been a fervently discussed subject among economists and policy-makers. The role of institutions is imperious to comprehensively investigate the impact of financial openness on growth. The objective of the study is to inspect the nexus between financial liberalization and economic growth after incorporating the contribution of institutional quality. Methodology: A panel of data on 17 emerging market economies (EMEs) is used for the period 1995-2019. We employ the GMM technique by using different de facto and de jure measures of financial liberalization along with institutional variables. Findings: The empirical results illustrate that better quality institutions strengthen the connection between capital account liberalization and output growth in the emerging World. Implications: The policymakers should focus on the more beneficial nature of financial liberalization such as FDI. Also, the policy should be aiming at availing the services of efficient human resources with proper institutional infrastructure.
The Predictive Abilities of Financial Ratios in Predicting Company Failure in Malaysia Using a Classic Univariate Approach

This study examined sixty-four (64) listed companies over a period of ten years using a classic univariate method. Most studies on failure and bankruptcy predictions in the past forty years or more have been dominated by various multivariate statistical methods or some form of artificially intelligent systems. This study however, showed that the predictive powers of the individual ratios used individually and independently of each other has produced highly successful results. The means of the ratios showed significant differences between the companies that failed and those that were non-failed. A dichotomous classification test performed on the holdout sample using the cut-off point obtained from the analysis sample showed average classification accuracy of between 79% and 84%. One ratio, the Cash Flow to Total Debt perform particularly well with correct classification results of failed companies of between 81%% and 94% for both the analysis and the holdout sample and for all the four years before actual failure. Being able to classify failed companies with a high degree of accuracy is most significant as minimizing Type I errors are much more important to a wide range of users of financial information as the consequences of failure to predict failed companies are more devastating than failure to predict correctly the non-failed companies. For one individual ratio to achieve such high predictive abilities and for all four years before actual failure is surprising as this result is comparatively better than many studies using the more popular multivariate techniques where multiple ratios are analysed simultaneously. The study showed that financial ratios used individually do have strong predictive abilities though not all the ratios can predict equally well and for every year.
The new family of JPL planetary surface vehicles

A new type of vehicle design named 'rocker-bogie' and later nicknamed 'Rocky', which has a free rocking bogie at the front of a master bogie, is presented. All Rocky design vehicles have the following in common: there are no springs or elastic members other than those used with tires; there is a single rigid body; they have very high ground clearence; all wheels are capable of being steered; the body is differentially connected between the left and right sides on a transverse axis. The basis of the design, a linkage system that distributes the weight among the wheels over a wide range of individual wheel elevations, and how this leads to superior obstacle climbing ability and superior bump performance, are explained.
Adaptive NN control of a class second-order non-linear systems with unknown dead zones

In this paper, non-smooth control method is derived using RBF neural networks in order to stabilise unknown non-linear systems with unknown dead zone. Compared to previous compensation schemes, simultaneous online estimations of unknown non-linear functions are taken as done with dead zone compensation. Stabilisation result is derived based on quadric Lyapunov function. The simulation shows that the proposed method is effective.
A Study on Instructional Humor: How Much Humor Is Used in Presentations?

Humor is applied in pedagogy to create a positive learning environment. Recent research focuses on the theories, effects, individual differences, and qualitative aspects of humor for instruction. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on quantitative features. Therefore, this research explored the quantitative characteristics of instructional humor in a naturalistic setting and applied techniques from natural language processing (NLP). This paper describes the results of two studies. The first study focused on instructional humor frequency and the placement of humor, while the linguistic features of instructional humor and non-instructional humor were compared in the second study. Two corpora were used in this research: TED Talks and user-submitted jokes from “stupidstuff.org” The results found that educators used humor 12.92 times for popular talks, while less popular talks only had 3.92 times. Humor is also more commonly placed during the first parts of the talk and lessens toward the end. There were also significant differences between the linguistic features of instructional and non-instructional humor in terms of readability scores and sentiment. These results provide a substantial update on quantitative instructional humor research and help educators understand how to use humor in the classroom in terms of quantitative and linguistic features.
Approach to Analysis of Composite Structures Subjected to Action of High-Energy Laser Beam

The paper presents a methodology that can be employed in numerical and analytical analyses of composite plates subjected to the action of a laser beam. The problem is related both to protection of composite components of aerospace structures from hostile high-energy laser weapons as well as to drilling holes in composites using a laser. In both cases, a three-dimensional state of stresses in the vicinity of the focal spot (the contact zone where the structure-laser beam interaction takes place) has to be evaluated. In addition, if a hostile laser locks on a structure, it is necessary to estimate changes in the structural response during and after the interaction. The paper outlines the solution of the problem of local three-dimensional stresses as well as an approach to the global response analysis. Finally, a practical problem where local damage exists in the structure as a result of a limited exposure to a laser beam is discussed. Numerical examples illustrate that even a small indentation produced by a laser can noticeably affect the natural frequencies of a composite beam.
A Synbiotic Formulation Comprising Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 and L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine Improves Intestinal Butyrate Levels and Lipid Metabolism in Healthy Humans

The gut microbiota is a crucial modulator of health effects elicited by food components, with SCFA (short chain fatty acids), especially butyrate, acting as important mediators thereof. We therefore developed a nutritional synbiotic composition targeted at shifting microbiome composition and activity towards butyrate production. An intestinal screening model was applied to identify probiotic Bacillus strains plus various amino acids and peptides with suitable effects on microbial butyrate producers and levels. A pilot study was performed to test if the synbiotic formulation could improve fecal butyrate levels in healthy humans. A combination of Bacillus subtilis DSM (Number of German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures) 32315 plus L-alanyl-L-glutamine resulted in distinctly increased levels of butyrate and butyrate-producing taxa (Clostridium group XIVa, e.g., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii), both in vitro and in humans. Moreover, circulating lipid parameters (LDL-, and total cholesterol and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio) were significantly decreased and further metabolic effects such as glucose-modulation were observed. Fasting levels of PYY (Peptide YY) and GLP-1 (Glucagon-like Peptide 1) were significantly reduced. In conclusion, our study indicates that this synbiotic composition may provide an effective and safe tool for stimulation of intestinal butyrate production with effects on e.g., lipid and glucose homeostasis. Further investigations in larger cohorts are warranted to confirm and expand these findings.
IFC AND CITYGML SEMANTIC TRANSFORMATION FOR 3D GIS

Building information modelling (BIM) and geographical information systems (GIS) domains immensely contribute to a digital representation of architectural and environmental bodies respectively. BIM is endorsed in order to enhance the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry process to save time, cost and speed up the project, and more so, to minimise the frequent requests of information by the stakeholders within the industry. On the other hand, the Geographic Information System (GIS) has been increasingly used to generate detailed 3D data, geolocation and spatial analysis. Both BIM and GIS provide 3D data for the development of 3D city models, digital twin, smart city, AEC etc. However, there are significant diverse between the two in terms of their characteristics, scope of interest and focus that makes it difficult to easily be achieved. The amalgamation of the two worlds provides a clear picture of a built environment based on data (geometry and semantics) integration, which reinforces the enhancement of the three-dimensional (3D) applications in general into the digital world. This paper presents a methodology that semantically integrates the two worlds through their standards that is the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) which is an open standard, selected because it is the typical free standard to exchange data in the BIM world and City Geography Markup Language (CityGML) is the most leading 3D city model standard in 3D GIS. This is carried out by performing a semantic mapping between the two standards, converting the encoding that the two standards use from STEP in IFC(BIM) to XML in CityGML (3D GIS), by providing a basic implementation created using Python to combine the above tasks.
Suppression of boron transient-enhanced diffusion in SiGe HBTs by a buried carbon layer

The experiments described in this paper show that base broadening effects due to extrinsic base implantation in SiGe HBTs can be suppressed by introducing a buried carbon layer under the SiGe/Si base prior to epitaxy. They also demonstrate that SiGe HBTs with excellent static (/spl beta//spl times/V/sub AF//spl sim/10/sup 4/ V) and dynamic (f/sub T/B/spl times/BV/sub CEO//spl sim/200 GHz/spl times/V) characteristics can be fabricated using an epitaxially aligned in-situ-doped polysilicon emitter and an appropriately designed SiGe/Si base profile.
IR spectra of paracetamol

Paracetamol is a very popular medication used to treat pain and fever. IR spectra of paracetamol have been measured for powder crystals. Ab initio calculations of its equilibrium geometry and vibrational spectra were carried out for spectrum interpretation. Differences between the experimental IR spectra of crystalline samples have been analyzed. Variations of molecular structure from the isolated state to molecular crystal were estimated based on the difference between the optimized molecular parameters of free molecules and the experimental bond lengths and angles evaluated for the crystal forms of the title compounds. The role of hydrogen bonds in the structure of molecular crystals of paracetamol is investigated. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 255-262, 2021
AlGaAs/GaAs HBT for high-temperature applications

A high-temperature N-p-n AlGaAs/GaAs HBT with a wide-bandgap emitter which can be operated up to a ambient temperature of 350 degrees C is presented. It is demonstrated that a high Al mole fraction of 0.45 in the emitter in combination with a GaAs base layer yields excellent temperature stability. A useful common-emitter small-signal current gain h/sub FE/ higher than 35 was measured in the range between room temperature and 350 degrees C. >
An Empirical study on improvement of operation for feeder vessel route between Busan and west coast of Japan

In this paper, practical problems for current feeder service between Busan port and west coast of Japan were extracted through in depth interviews with Japanese feeder vessel companies, shippers, and port authority based upon which major criteria (elements) for improvement of the feeder network are structured in hierarchic order and weighed relative importance through AHP method. From the questionnaire answered by Korean and Japanese port users and experts the weights of criteria were calculated and the shipping service was ranked the first by both parties with 0.235 and 0.217, respectively. The port service and support system ranked the second and the third, whereas the port marketing was shown to be the lowest of all. Considering the overall weights, the increase in a port loading and unloading speed of port service was followed by provision of dedicated deck for feeder vessel of port facilities for Korean respondents. Therefore, speed up of the port operations and providing docks for feeder vessel are to be firstly provided for more efficient feeder operations, which would be the basis for the construction of optimal transportation network.
An implantable CMOS analog signal processor for multiplexed microelectrode recording arrays

A second-generation multichannel probe designed for measuring single-unit activity in neural structures is described. The probe includes CMOS circuitry for amplifying and multiplexing the recorded signals and for electronically positioning the recording sites with respect to the active neurons. The probe offers a typical AC gain of 150 (50 Hz to 10 kHz), a DC gain of 0.3, and an equivalent input noise of 13 mu V rms. Eight active recording sites are selected from among 32 on the probe shank using a static input channel selector. The probe implements channel selection, self-tuning data output, and initialization using a three-lead connection to the outside world. The probe is realized using 12 masks in a high-yield single-sided dissolved wafer process with a 3- mu m feature size for the circuitry and a 3- mu m pitch on the electrode shanks. <<ETX>>
1969–70 connection survey: Analog transmission performance on the switched telecommunications network

To characterize the transmission performance of the Bell System switched telecommunications network, Bell Telephone Laboratories conducted a survey of toll connections during 1969 and 1970. Connections were established between Bell System end offices chosen by statistical sampling techniques. Both analog and data transmission tests were performed. A summary of analog transmission performance is presented in this paper. It contains estimates for noise, loss, attenuation distortion, envelope delay distortion, peak-to-average ratio, frequency offset, level tracking, nonlinear distortion, and phase jitter for toll calls within the Bell System. Accompanying papers discuss data transmission error performance at various speeds between 150 and 4800 bits per second.
Using the I2S Audio Interface of DS90Ux92x FPD-Link III Devices

I2S is a standard protocol for transmitting two channels (stereo) Pulse Code Modulated digital data over a 3-wire serial bus. Advanced automotive systems require transport of multiple audio data sources, such as mobile devices, Navigation systems, Infotainment, security, or gaming consoles, to speakers located throughout the vehicle. Also, surround sound systems requiring multiple audio data channels may be utilized to enhance the quality and richness sound reproduction. This document describes how to use the Inter-IC Sound (I2S) features of the DS90Ux92x family of FPD-Link III Serializers and Deserializers.
Dynamic Relationship Study between the Observed Seismicity and Spatiotemporal Pattern of Lineament Changes in Palghar, North Maharashtra (India)

The Palghar region (north Maharashtra, India), located in the northwestern part of the stable continental region of India, experienced a low magnitude earthquake swarm, which was initiated in September 2018 and is continuing to date (as of October 2021). From December 2018 to December 2020, ~5000 earthquakes with magnitudes from M1.2 to M3.8 occurred in a small region of 20 × 10 km2. These earthquakes were probably triggered by fluid migration during seasonal rainfall. In this study, we have used multi-temporal Landsat satellite data of the year 2000, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020, extracted lineaments, and studied the changes in frequency and pattern of lineaments before and after the initiation of the swarm in the Palghar region. An increase in the lineament density and amount of rainfall are found to be associated with the increasing frequency of earthquakes.
METODE EXPONENTIAL SMOOTHING UNTUK FORECASTING JUMLAH PENDUDUK MISKIN DI KOTA LANGSA

Kemiskinan merupakan suatu keadaan ketidakmampuan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan dasar seperti makanan, pakaian, tempat berlindung dan kesehatan. Permasalahan kemiskinan dapat berdampak negatif bagi masyarakat, seperti meningkatnnya kriminalitas, tingginya angka kematian, akses pendidikan tertutup dan meningkatnya pengangguran. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaplikasian metode exponential smoothing dalam peramalan jumlah penduduk miskin di Kota Langsa tahun 2021-2024. Data yang digunakan adalah data tahunan dengan jenis data adalah data sekunder yang diperoleh dari Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) Kota Langsa. Metode peramalan exponential smoothing terbagi menjadi tiga yaitu single exponential smoothing, double exponential smoothing dan triple exponential smoothing. Berdasarkan analisa data yang telah dilakukan, diketahui bahwa data tidak stasioner, memiliki unsur trend dan tidak dipengaruhi musiman, sehingga metode peramalan yang tepat digunakan adalah double exponential smoothing, dengan menggunakan dua parameter yaitu . Hasil forecasting dengan metode ini pada tahun 2021-2024 berturut-turut 17.92, 17.62, 17.33, dan 17.04. Dalam hal ini hasil forecasting mengalami penurunan secara terus-menerus setiap tahunnya.
On the relationship between maximum still water shear forces, bending moments, and radii of gyration of the total ship's weight and buoyancy forces

Abstract The correlation between maximum still water shear forces and bending moments versus the difference between radii of gyration of the gravity and buoyancy forces is studied. The radii of gyration and the still water shear forces and bending moments are calculated by analytical methods. It is shown that the difference between the two radii of gyration determines the sign and absolute values of the maximum still water shear forces and bending moments. The calculation of the radii of gyration can become a part of the ship's trimming calculations still in the early design stages, which will allow for evaluation of the maximum still water shear forces and bending moments even before performing any strength calculations. This procedure can also be used in the ship's operation. An example is given for a 47,000 DWT oil/chemical tanker.
The Role of Psychological Empowerment on Job Satisfaction among Malaysian Public Sector Workers

A number of recent research studies have demonstrated the presence of a positive association between working environment and psychological factors on work satisfaction. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the relationships between workplace friendship, psychological empowerment and organizational commitment on job satisfaction among public sector workers. A total of 356 employees participated in this study where results revealed that the majority of the employees have a high level of workplace friendship, psychological empowerment, organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Besides, workplace friendship and psychological empowerment showed a significant relationship with job satisfaction, meanwhile, no significant relationship between organizational commitment and job satisfaction was shown. Moreover, psychological empowerment has been identified to be the unique predictor that leads to job satisfaction among employees. Findings of this study suggested that psychological training and programs might be effective and crucial to be regularly implemented in order to boost employees’ motivations and job satisfaction that later benefits the organization. The theoretical impact and suggested intervention will be discussed in detail.
Understanding Rheology of Metal Nanocontacts

The mechanical rigidity or softness of metal-metal nanocontacts under large vibrations is important in nanoscale rheology and in technology. A puzzling shear-induced liquefaction under oscillatory strain, totally unexpected at room temperature, was suggested by recent experiments on nanosized gold junctions. Here we show theoretically that the simulated gold nanocontact structure actually remains crystalline even under large oscillatory strains. Tensile and compressive slips, respectively of “necking” and “bellying” types, do take place, but recover reversibly even during fast oscillatory cycles. We also explain why, counterintuitively, the residual stress remains tensile after both slips, driving the averaged stiffness from positive to negative, thus superficially mimicking a liquid’s. Unlike a liquid, however, the softening of the solid junction occurs by stick-slip, predicting largely frequency independent stiffness with violent noise in stress and conductance, all properties compatible with experiments. This surprising large amplitude rheology of nanojunctions and its consequences are likely to apply, with different parameters, to many other metals.
A hybrid PSO-SA algorithm for the travelling tournament problem

Sports scheduling has become an important area of applied operations research in recent years, since satisfying fans' and teams' requests and revenues of a sports league and TV networks may be affected by quality of the league schedule. While this type of scheduling problem can be solved by mathematical methods and exact solutions are accessible, it computationally leads to hard problems. The travelling tournament problem (TTP) is defined as minimising total travelling distance for all teams in a league. In this study, a new mathematical model for the TTP with the no-repeater constraint is presented. In addition, a very fast hybrid metaheuristic algorithm is proposed, which combines particle swarm optimisation (PSO) and simulated annealing (SA). Our computational experiments on standard instances show that the hybrid approach results in comparable to or even better than current best known solutions, specifically in computational time. [Received 24 August 2009; Revised 16 January 2010, 9 June 2010; Accepted 12 June 2010]
The mitochondrial calcium uniporter regulates mitochondrial mass and dendritic localization in distinct 2 hippocampal circuits 3 4

1 The mitochondrial calcium uniporter regulates mitochondrial mass and dendritic localization in distinct 2 hippocampal circuits 3 4 AUTHORS 5 Katy Pannoni1, Daniela Gil1, Logan Campbell1, Shannon Farris1-3,# 6 7 AFFILIATIONS 8 1Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Center for Neurobiology Research, Roanoke, 9 Virginia 10 2Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, 11 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 12 3Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia 13 14 #Lead author, correspondence: farrissl@vtc.vt. edu 15 16