Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technical Note: Building a methodological framework and toolkit for news media dataset tracking of conflict and cooperation dynamics on transboundary rivers

Abstract. Management of transboundary rivers will be one of the great political and environmental challenges of the 21st century if knowledge of conflict and cooperation is not fully developed. Transboundary river conflict and cooperation are critical for the sustainable development of river basins, regional security, and stability, and have significant scientific and practical implications. The construction of a dataset of transboundary water events – individual conflictive or cooperative interaction between riparian –provides important data support and factual basis for the study of transboundary rivers. However, the most representative research, the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database, is built by means of manual reading for information extraction, thus difficult for fast updating, also does not cover the global changes in the past decade. This research aims to build a methodological framework for news media datasets tracking of conflict and cooperation dynamics on transboundary rivers, provide mass of relevant data for the research of transboundary rivers in the globe, prepare a potent research toolkit, lay a solid foundation for further data mining research, and better suit the big data age. In order to test the effectiveness of the methodological framework and toolkit for dataset construction, this research analyses the word frequency and themes of the articles in datasets. The results show that the datasets built by this framework can reflect comprehensive themes of transboundary water conflict and cooperation. Through the analysis of media activity in different river basins, it is possible to get a global overview of the participation of countries located within and outside of the basin in transboundary water issues.
The Impact of Board Internationalization on Real Earnings Management: Evidence From China

In this article, we examine the impact of board internationalization on real earnings management. Using the annual data of 2,899 Chinese listed non-financial firms with 16,638 firm-year observations over the period from 2008 to 2017 for empirical analysis, we find robust evidence that higher proportion of foreign directors on corporate boards reduces real earnings management. Results support the hypothesis that foreign directors increase boards’ effectiveness in monitoring the management and, consequently, lead to less earnings management by corporate executives. Our results are robust to alternative measures of board internationalization, instrumental variable analysis, and adding additional control variables. We further observe that foreign directors are more effective in reducing earnings management in firms with local directors with foreign experience and in Chinese provinces with developed institutional environment. Moreover, Chinese firms complement accrual and real activities–based earnings management, and board internationalization is effective in reducing both types of earnings management. Overall, our findings imply board internationalization improves the quality of reported earnings to outside shareholders.
Collision Avoidance and Dynamic Sleep Scheduling Technique for Cluster Based Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSN)

In UWSN, during clustering, there may be occurrence of intra cluster collision. In order to overcome this issue, in this paper, we propose to design protocol to efficiently handle the intra-cluster collisions and to design sleep-wake up scheduling scheme for the data aggregation. In this case, the cluster head coordinates with its cluster members to transmit (append) their data packets with partially overlapping transmission times. After the CH finishes transmitting its packets to the courier nodes, it starts to receive incoming appended packets from its members. It then sends the packet to its parent CH towards the sink applying data fusion and sending the aggregated packet in TDMA period based on the receiver oriented sleep scheduling scheme. By simulation results, we show that the proposed technique minimizes collision and transmission delay.
Induction of the CD24 Surface Antigen in Primary Undifferentiated Human Adipose Progenitor Cells by the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

In the murine model system of adipogenesis, the CD24 cell surface protein represents a valuable marker to label undifferentiated adipose progenitor cells. Indeed, when injected into the residual fat pads of lipodystrophic mice, these CD24 positive cells reconstitute a normal white adipose tissue (WAT) depot. Unluckily, similar studies in humans are rare and incomplete. This is because it is impossible to obtain large numbers of primary CD24 positive human adipose stem cells (hASCs). This study shows that primary hASCs start to express the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored CD24 protein when cultured with a chemically defined medium supplemented with molecules that activate the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Therefore, this in vitro system may help understand the biology and role in adipogenesis of the CD24-positive hASCs. The induced cells’ phenotype was studied by flow cytometry, Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) techniques, and their secretion profile. The results show that CD24 positive cells are early undifferentiated progenitors expressing molecules related to the angiogenic pathway.
Health Monitoring System with Hybrid Laser Sensor Networks and Cloud Computing for Subway Tunnels

The settlement and deformation monitoring for existing tunnels would encounter the difficulties in sensor installation and health evaluation in real time. Thus, it is necessary to develop effective methods for settlement and deformation measurements in the existing tunnels. This study proposed a more practical tunnel deformation monitoring theory and developed remote wireless tunnel deformation real-time monitoring and early warning system based on infrared laser ranging technology and cable sensing technology. The system could monitor the settlement and deformation of the tunnel in real time from a long distance and transmit the deformation data wirelessly in real time; then, three-dimensional space model of tunnel deformation was established, which intuitively and comprehensively reflected the actual deformation of the tunnel and intelligently identified the deformation. Finally, based on the practice of deformation control during tunnel excavation at Xiaohongshu Station of Wuhan Metro Line 8 of China, the measurement results of this new method were compared with the measurement results of particle image velocimetry technology (PIV), the reliability of the new tunnel deformation monitoring method was proved, the settlement error of each monitoring point was found to be less than 1 mm, and the deformation trend was consistent with the actual deformation. The results of this research could provide useful guidance for tunnel deformation monitoring.
Sound Velocities in FeSi at Lower Mantle Conditions and the Origin of Ultralow‐Velocity Zones

The origin of ultralow‐velocity zones (ULVZs) remains an open question despite recent advances in mineral physics and seismology. Here, we examine the hypothesis that FeSi formed from core‐mantle chemical reactions is a plausible source of ULVZs at the core‐mantle boundary (CMB). The sound velocities of B2‐structured FeSi were measured up to 115(2) GPa and 1600(200) K by nuclear inelastic scattering (NIS) in laser‐heated diamond anvil cells (LH‐DACs). Within uncertainties, the sound velocities of B2‐FeSi display negligible anharmonicity, hence validating the extrapolation of velocity‐density relations (Birch's law) to P‐T conditions of the CMB. The sound velocities of B2‐FeSi are significantly lower compared to other candidate phases in a lowermost mantle assemblage, and the Preliminary Reference Earth Model at CMB conditions. Less than 8.4 vol% of FeSi in the aggregate is thus sufficient to explain both the velocity decrements and the high density anomaly observed in a wide range of ULVZs.
Taxonomical re-examination of the genus Neofusicoccum in Japan

Neofusicoccum is a genus of plant pathogenic fungi associated with various woody plants. Since Neofusicoccum has very similar morphological characteristics to the genus Botryospaheria, molecular phylogenetic analysis is essential to determine its taxonomic position. In Japan, a comprehensive taxonomic study of the genus Neofusicoccum has not been conducted. To elucidate the species diversity in Japan, we reexamined Japanese isolates of Neofusicoccum based on their morphology and molecular phylogenetic relationships, using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions rpb2, tef1-α, and tub2. The Japanese isolates were divided into five clades recognized as the species. These species were N. parvum, other Neofusicoccum spp. , and three new species proposed in this study, N. hyperici, N. miyakoense, and N. okinawaense. Furthermore, Physalospora laricina, which causes shoot blight of larch (Larix spp.), was transferred to the genus Neofusicoccum, and we propose its epitype and ex-epitype isolate.
Lower Mantle Seismicity Following the 2015 Mw 7.9 Bonin Islands Deep‐Focus Earthquake

Deep‐focus earthquakes provide insight into how subducting slabs deform over a range of spatial and temporal scales as they descend into the mantle. This study uses a 4D source imaging approach to determine centroid locations of the 2015 Mw 7.9 Bonin Islands deep‐focus earthquake and its aftershock sequence. Imaged sources of the mainshock show a complex rupture, but one that is compatible with a sub‐horizontal rupture plane. Previously undetected early aftershocks are imaged down to depths of approximately 750 km and represent the first reported earthquakes that initiate in the lower mantle. These events and a previously reported group of shallower distal aftershocks occur at the lower and upper boundaries of an imaged slab segment that deforms as it penetrates into the lower mantle. We hypothesize that mainshock failure allowed gravitational settling of the slab segment to occur which produced the distal aftershock sequences.
Construction of a Class of Copula Using the Finite Difference Method

The definition of a copula function and the study of its properties are at the same time not obvious tasks, as there is no general method for constructing them. In this paper, we present a method that allows us to obtain a class of copula as a solution to a boundary value problem. For this, we use the finite difference method which is a common technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations which consists in solving a system of relations (numerical scheme) linking the values of the unknown functions at certain points sufficiently close to each other.
A Technical Survey on the Modeling of Topical Bot

This paper explains the working of the conversational AI models and their characteristic features. The primary objective of this paper is to let the readers know about what topical chats are and how they work. Topical chats have huge data/knowledge stored in them for making the conversation interactive and engaging with humans. The first-generation conversational AI models were simply focused on short task-oriented dialogs, such as telling jokes, the weather of the day, or playing songs. But now advanced models can have everyday smooth conversations. These models are built to understand different languages and their different accents. These models can identify whether the user is female/male/other, detect the change in the user’s emotion during the conversation and switch the topic of discussion accordingly. Building a conversational AI model has been a challenging task for researchers as well as the developers as they require deep knowledge in NLU, ASR, LM, Semantics, etc. Understanding human emotions and sentiments is a difficult task for an AI model. Recognizing the speech and giving a sensible response is challenging too. But nowadays AI models are so developed that they can even differentiate between good words and slang words.
In Brief: Organic Gunshot Residue Analysis for Potential Shooter Determination

evaluated emerging approaches for the detection of gunshot residue (GSR) based on organic materials in the residue. One instrument was evaluated for screening for elemental constituents. This study examined x-ray fluorescence (XRF, a portable instrument), ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), and mass spectrometry. In summary, the study found the following: Organic GSR adheres to the surface of skin in a manner that is different from traditional GSR particles. GSR is dispersed and deposited as particles, while organic GSR is dispersed and deposited as a vapor. These compounds are best recovered using a solvent-based wiping process. In this study, WVU identified muslin and Nomex® as sampling media that efficiently collect both types of GSR residue.
Porous Silk Scaffold Derived from Formic Acid: Characterization and Biocompatibility

Silk porous scaffold possesses 3D space structure for cell adhesion and tissue growth and demonstrates promising applications in biomedical engineering. In this study, a porous silk scaffold was prepared from formic acid, and its morphology, structure, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility were characterized. The preparation process involved silk dissolution in formic acid and salt leaching in water, avoiding widely used organic solvent-induced crystallization including methanol or ethanol. The resulting porous silk scaffolds showed good pore structure, stable silk II crystalline structure, good mechanical properties, and enhanced cell biocompatibility. Therefore, these findings demonstrate that porous silk scaffold derived from formic acid has great potential applications as 3D scaffold for cell culture and tissue repair.
Optimizing Budget Allocation for Incentive-Based Active Travel Demand Management Solutions

Incentive-based travel demand management (IBTDM) strategies utilize rewards to redistribute travel demand across space and time. Such congestion-alleviation solutions are usually managed by small private companies with constraint budgets. Aside from spending money on incentives, running promotional campaigns to achieve the gains in market share is essential for maintaining the financial health of IBTDM programs. Therefore, the budget allocation between the two counterparts—incentive and marketing expenditure—needs to be wisely determined. Based on the bottleneck model, this paper proposes an optimal budget allocation scheme considering the impact of a budget constraint and market penetration. It was found that the constraint budget should be prioritized to attract those with lower marketing costs in general. In situations with an insufficient budget and when marketing costs were lower for attracting lower-income individuals, IBTDM decision-makers should focus on those lower-income individuals at first. This mitigates inequity issues to some extent. Therefore, policy makers or planners should pay more attention to marketing cost when developing a marketing plan and try to reduce marketing cost to make full use of incentive budget.
Direct Quantification of Droplet Activation of Ambient Black Carbon Under Water Supersaturation

Understanding the droplet activation of black carbon (BC) under water supersaturation (SS) conditions is crucial to estimate its lifetime (through activation scavenging) and indirect radiative impacts. However, directly probing the droplet activation of ambient BC is challenging because of the difficulty in discriminating the BC‐containing particles (BCc) from other components. Here, we coupled the measurements of number concentrations between size‐resolved cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and individual BCc, achieving a direct quantification of droplet activation for ambient BCc. The activation diameters of BCc (D50_BCc), determined as the dry diameter at which 50% of BCc were activated, were 144 ± 21 nm under SS 0.2% corresponding to activated number fraction of total BCc of 60% ± 10%. D50_BCc was determined as a function of the coating hygroscopicity, and the organic content was observed as a limiting factor in controlling BCc activation. The activated BCc number concentration was predicted using the volume‐weighted compositions within particle. The predicted CCN agreed well with the measurements for all particles, while overestimating the activated BCc number concentration by 71%, 27%, and 27% at SS = 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%, respectively. The higher discrepancy under lower SS may result from the higher non‐sphericity of BCc at large sizes. Therefore, only knowing the hygroscopicity distribution of bulk compositions may not be sufficient for estimating the activation of BCc, but considering additional factors such as the non‐sphericity of BCc is necessary to estimate droplet activation.
Restructuring and Bank Performance in Dual Banking System

While extensive study deals with bank competition and performance relationship, this study pioneers in focusing the existence Islamic bank in the presence of well established conventional banking system in Malaysia. This paper assesses the impact of changing competition landscape and Islamic bank penetration on bank risk, profitability and capitalization. This study utilizes an unbalanced panel dataset consisting of 37 commercial banks over the period 1997 to 2015. the paper uses a panel VAR methodology to discern the interactions between bank competition and Islamic banking presence on one hand and bank performance on the other hand.Findings: We find evidence supportive of both competition – stability and competition – fragility views for conventional banks. The results suggest that bank competition improves conventional bank risk and, at the same time, lower profitability and capital holdings. As for Islamic banks, competition seems to robustly influence only bank profitability. Finally, we note that increasing Islamic bank penetration improves the risk profile of conventional banks and, as expected, reduces their market power. These results bear important implications on the design of competition policies in a dual banking system as well as on the development of the Islamic banking sector.JEL Classification: C23, G21, G28How to Cite:Sukmana, R. , & Ibrahim, M. H. (2021). Restructuring and Bank Performance in Dual Banking System. Signifikan: Jurnal Ilmu Ekonomi, 10 (2), 223-247. https://doi.org/10.15408/sjie.v10i2. 20740.
Neuropsychological Peculiarities of Studying Future Psychologists’ Emotional Intelligence

The article considers emotional intelligence as a complex integrative formation, which includes cognitive, behavioural and emotional qualities. These qualities ensure awareness, understanding and regulation of their own and others’ emotions and effect on the success of interpersonal interaction and personal development. A review of relevant scientific sources has revealed the insufficient study of brain correlates and the specifics of future psychologists’ emotional intelligence. In turn, it has determined the purpose of the study, that is the neuropsychological study of features of future psychologists’ emotional intelligence. The parameters of emotional intelligence in the first- and second-year students majoring in Specialty 053 Psychology are received due to the test-questionnaire at simultaneous registration of electric activity of the brain. The Neuron-Spectrum 5 electroencephalograph was used for the EEG registration. The recording was performed monopolarly in 32 leads, using samples “eyes closed”, “eyes opened” and filling out the test-questionnaire to identify the levels of emotional intelligence. The obtained results have made it possible to determine that the levels of psychology students’ emotional intelligence are related to the activation indicators of different parts in the cortex of their brain. The students mostly are at average and initial levels of emotional intelligence, tend to show an interpersonal type of emotional intelligence and control their own and others’ emotions rather than to differentiate the emotions and establish the cause of their occurrence.
Exploring Brazilian Cultural Identity Through Reading Preferences

In Brazil, each region has its own cultural identity regarding accent, gastronomy, customs, all of which may reflect in its literature. Specially, we believe that country's background and contextual features are directly related to what people read. Hence, we perform a cross-state comparison analysis based on Brazilian reading preferences through a multipartite network model. Also, we explore the effects of socioeconomic and demographic factors on favorite books and writing genres. Such cross-state analyses highlight how the country is culturally rich, where each region has its own distinctive culture. Our findings offer great opportunities for the Brazilian book industry by enhancing current knowledge on social indicators related to reading preferences.
Quantum impedance Lorentz oscillator and its 1- and 2-photon-absorption applications

In this paper, a classical Lorentz oscillator is quantized via Bohr–Sommerfeld quantum theory and 1- and 2-photon absorption (1PA and 2PA) selection rules of quantum mechanics. Based on the Bohr–Sommerfeld model of a hydrogen-like atom in the adiabatic approximation, the computational formulas of the linear and nonlinear parameters and the damping coefficient of the quantized oscillator are derived and further expressed in terms of microphysical quantities, such as electronic charge and mass, Bohr radius, and effective quantum number. In accordance with Boltzmann thermal equilibrium distribution, here, the atom number density in general electric susceptibility is changed to the energy level transition one from the initial to the final state at equilibrium between atomic emission and absorption under light field. A new relationship is proposed to determine the transition eigenfrequency according to the peak frequency and full width at half maximum of an absorption spectrum. Our theoretical simulations of the 1PA spectra of atomic hydrogen and lithium and 1PA and 2PA spectra of two kinds of organic molecules turn out to be in good agreement with the experimental ones. These results suggest that our advancement in the quantization of the Lorentz oscillator is likely successful to make it available for use in the quantitative description of atomic or molecular 1PA and 2PA processes. Generally, the improved Lorentz oscillator may also be more suitable for approximating both linear and nonlinear properties of many dielectric or optoelectronic materials due to its relative simplicity.