Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On The Eigenvalue Distribution Of Adjacency Matrices For Connected Planar Graphs

Abstract This paper describes the previously unknown statistical distribution of adjacency matrix spectra for planar graphs, also known as spatial weights matrices, in terms of the following three readily available eigenvalue properties: extremes, rank orderings, and sums of powers. This distribution is governed by at most six parameters that, once known, allow accurate approximations of eigenvalues to be computed without resorting to numerical matrix methods applied on a case-by-case basis. Parameter estimates for illustrative real-world examples are obtained using nonlinear least squares regression techniques. Three conjectures are proposed, and graphical and trend results are reported for a diverse set of planar graph-based matrices.
N-tetradecane/Water Emulsion as a Low-cost Phase Change Material for Efficient Packaging and Shipping of Vaccines

This study presents the preparation of n-tetradecane-in-water emulsions with different weight ratios of n-tetradecane and water, and their potential application in packaging and shipping vaccines. The size and distribution of the n-tetradecane droplets are characterized using optical microscopy and light scattering methods, respectively. The thermal properties of the emulsions are determined using the T-history method. In the results, the emulsions, which are comprised of 17 ~ 30 wt% oil, 3 wt% surfactant, and 67 ~ 80 wt% water, are stable and have droplet sizes in the range of 100 to 800 nm. The thermal properties demonstrate that subcooling is prevented through increasing the droplet size. The results indicate that the n-tetradecane/water emulsions containing 25 ~ 35 wt% n-tetradecane, with a melting point of 2 ~ 8 °C and a latent heat of 227.0 ~ 250.8 kJ kg, are good candidate materials for packaging and shipping vaccines.
The Synchronization of Financial and Business Cycles in Saudi Arabia

Financial cycles have become vividly tracked and analyzed by regulatory authorities to avoid the buildup of excessive systemic risks in the financial system that could hamper economic growth. However, fiscal policy usually pays an exclusive attention to business cycles; which might leave fiscal outcomes vulnerable to financial sector dynamics. We investigated financial and business cycles in Saudi Arabia over the period (1970Q1- 2016Q4). The results of the BBQ cycle dating algorithm revealed that the duration of financial upturns (downturns) are longer than that for economic expansions (contractions) in means, also both the amplitude and the slope for upturns (downturns) are higher than those for expansions (contractions) in means. Moreover, financial cycle episodes are more frequent than business cycle episodes. Finally, we found empirical evidence that financial (credit) conditions are crucial for economic stability. Fiscal policy can play an important role in fostering economic growth going forward through the implementation of a countercyclical policy that allows for the accumulation of fiscal buffers and releasing them during periods of an economic slowdown, the setup of early warning systems for business and financial cycles, and the introduction of fiscal rules to limit the scope for a procyclical fiscal stance.
Longitudinal shear of elliptic nanofiber composite : local stress and effective stiffness

The paper addresses, for the first time, the problem of calculating the local elastic fields and effective longitudinal shear stiffness of elliptic nano fiber composite with Gurtin-Murdoch interface. The complete, multipole expansion type solutions have been obtained for three most widely used model geometris of fibrous composite, they are single inclusion model, finite cluster model and representative unit cell model. Both the periodic and random microstructure of composite are considered. The developed analytical method combines the superposition principle, the technique of complex potentials and certain new results in the theory of special functions. An appropriate choice of the potentials reduces the the boundary-value problem to an ordinary, well-posed set of linear algebraic equations. This provides an efficient numerical study of the elastic fields and effective stiffness of fibrous nano composite, with the interaction effects adequately taken into account. For the purpose of effective stiffness evaluation, both the Maxwell’s and Rayleigh’s approaches have been implemented. In the latter case, the exact, closed form formulas for the effective elastic moduli have been derived by analytical averaging the local strain and stress fields. The convergence of solution has been verified and the parametric study of the model problem has been performed. The obtained accurate numerical data illustrate a substantial effect of the inclusion shape and interface elasticity on the local stress concentration and effective elastic behavior of fibrous nano composite.
Textural Properties of Hybrid Biomedical Materials Made from Extracts of Tournefortia hirsutissima L. Imbibed and Deposited on Mesoporous and Microporous Materials

Our research group has developed a group of hybrid biomedical materials potentially useful in the healing of diabetic foot ulcerations. The organic part of this type of hybrid materials consists of nanometric deposits, proceeding from the Mexican medicinal plant Tournefortia hirsutissima L. , while the inorganic part is composed of a zeolite mixture that includes LTA, ZSM-5, clinoptilolite, and montmorillonite (PZX) as well as a composite material, made of CaCO3 and montmorillonite (NABE). The organic part has been analyzed by GC-MS to detect the most abundant components present therein. In turn, the inorganic supports were characterized by XRD, SEM, and High Resolution Adsorption (HRADS) of N2 at 76 K. Through this latter methodology, the external surface area of the hybrid materials was evaluated; besides, the most representative textural properties of each substrate such as total pore volume, pore size distribution, and, in some cases, the volume of micropores were calculated. The formation and stabilization of nanodeposits on the inorganic segments of the hybrid supports led to a partial blockage of the microporosity of the LTA and ZSM5 zeolites; this same effect occurred with the NABE and PZX substrates.
Candida tropicalis , etanol , khamir ISOLATION , IDENTIFICATION AND ETHANOL PRODUCTION OF INDIGENOUS YEAST OF TODDY PALM ( BORASSUS FLABELLIFER L . ) JUICE FROM TUBAN , EAST JAVA , INDONESIA

This study aimed to obtain and identify the indigenous yeasts isolated from Borassus flabellifer L. juice and its potency in ethanol production. Steps of this study included isolation, enumeration, characterization, identification and ethanol production and measurement of ethanol concentrations and medium acidity during fermentation. The yeast total isolated from Borassus flabellifer L. juice was 5.06 x 10 CFU/mL and the isolate U2 was phenotypically identified as Candida tropicalis (95.7% ID and T = 1). The pH level of medium decreased during the ethanol fermentation. Yeast isolate U2 was able to produce ethanol by 140.1 g/L using 50 g/L of glucose and it was not significantly different with ethanol yield fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Switching effect in Cu:TCNQ charge transfer-complex thin films by vacuum codeposition

We demonstrate the operation of an organic switching device using a uniform poly-crystalline Cu:7, 7, 8, 8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) charge transfer (CT)-complex thin film that is prepared by vacuum vapor codeposition. Characteristic CT-absorption at λ=600–1200 nm was observed in the complex film in the UV-visible spectrum and the cyano stretching peak in the IR spectrum shifted to a higher (more than 29 cm−1) wave number than that of a pristine TCNQ film, suggesting the formation of a CT-complex in the evaporated thin film. Reproducible electrical switching characteristics were observed in the indium tin oxide/Al/(Al2O3)/Cu:TCNQ/Al structure. The device exhibited a clear threshold from low impedance to high impedance at an applied voltage of 10.0±2.0 V and a reverse phenomenon at a negative bias of −9.5±2.0 V. In this study, we demonstrate that a thin Al2O3 layer between the aluminum (Al) anode and Cu:TCNQ layers creates reproducible switching.
POSSIBLE EVIDENCE FOR METAL ACCRETION ONTO THE SURFACES OF METAL-POOR MAIN-SEQUENCE STARS

The entire evolution of the Milky Way, including its mass-assembly and star-formation history, is imprinted onto the chemo-dynamical distribution function of its member stars, f(x, v, [X/H]), in the multi-dimensional phase space spanned by position, velocity, and elemental abundance ratios. In particular, the chemo-dynamical distribution functions for low-mass stars (e.g., G- or K-type dwarfs) are precious tracers of the earliest stages of the Milky Way's formation, since their main-sequence lifetimes approach or exceed the age of the universe. A basic tenet of essentially all previous analyses is that the stellar metallicity, usually parameterized as [Fe/H], is conserved over time for main-sequence stars (at least those that have not been polluted due to mass transfer from binary companions). If this holds true, any correlations between metallicity and kinematics for long-lived main-sequence stars of different masses, effective temperatures, or spectral types must strictly be the same, since they reflect the same mass-assembly and star-formation histories. By analyzing a sample of nearby metal-poor halo and thick-disk stars on the main sequence, taken from Data Release 8 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we find that the median metallicity of G-type dwarfs is systematically higher (by about 0.2 dex) than that of K-type dwarfs having the same median rotational velocity about the Galactic center. If it can be confirmed, this finding may invalidate the long-accepted assumption that the atmospheric metallicities of long-lived stars are conserved over time.
A mixed autoregressive-moving average exponential sequence and point process (EARMA 1,1)

A stationary sequence of random variables with exponential marginal distributions and the correlation structure of an ARMA (1, 1) process is defined. The process is formed as a random linear combination of i.i. d. exponential random variables and is very simple to generate on a computer. Moments and joint distributions for the sequence are obtained, as well as limiting properties of sums of the random variables and of the point process whose intervals have the EARMA (1, 1) structure.
The role of E-2-hexenal and γ-amino butyric acid in plant defense responses

Plants cannot avoid to be attacked by an almost infinite number of microorganisms and insects. Consequently they armed themselves with molecular weapons against their attackers. Plant defense responses are the result of a complex signaling network, in which the hormones jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene (ET) are the usual suspects under the magnifying glass when researchers investigate host-pest interactions. However, also Green Leaf Volatiles (GLVs), C6 molecules, which are very quickly produced and/or emitted upon herbivory or pathogen infection by almost every green plant play an important role in plant defenses. GLVs are semiochemicals used by insects to find their food, their prey or their conspecifics. They have also been reported to be fundamental in indirect defenses and to have a direct effect on pests, but these are not the only roles of GLVs. These volatiles, being probably one of the fastest weapons exploited, are also able to directly elicit or prime plant defense responses. Moreover GLVs, via crosstalk with phytohormones, mostly JA, can influence the outcome of the plant’s defense response against pathogens. For all these reasons GLVs should be considered as co-protagonists in the play between plant and their attackers.
Stereotype Threat in Organizations: Implications for Equity and Performance

Over the past 20 years, a large body of laboratory and field research has shown that, when people perform in settings in which their group is negatively stereotyped, they may experience a phenomenon called stereotype threat that can undermine motivation and trust and cause underperformance. This review describes that research and places it into an organizational context. First, we describe the processes by which stereotype threat can impair outcomes among people in the workplace. Next, we delineate the situational cues in organizational settings that can exacerbate stereotype threat, and explain how and why these cues affect stereotyped individuals. Finally, we discuss relatively simple empirically based strategies that organizations can implement to reduce stereotype threat and create conditions in which employees and applicants from all groups can succeed.
Internet Appendices to 'How Does Quasi-Indexer Ownership Affect Corporate Tax Planning?'

We test the causal effect of quasi-indexers, traditionally viewed as passive institutional owners, on corporate tax planning by employing the discontinuity in quasi-indexer ownership around the Russell 1000/2000 index cutoff. Russell indices are value-weighted, thus firms assigned to the top of Russell 2000 exhibit much higher quasi-indexer holdings than firms assigned to the bottom of Russell 1000 as a result of the large discontinuity in index weights. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find that the higher quasi-indexer ownership at the top of Russell 2000 is associated with lower GAAP and cash effective tax rates and higher book-tax differences. Further, the greater tax avoidance comes from better federal and state tax planning, not from aggressive tax sheltering activities. Our results are robust to an instrumental variable approach and to various robustness checks. Our evidence contributes to the literature on the impact of ownership structure on tax avoidance and extends the new literature re-examining the assumption that quasi-indexers are passive owners.
A Comparison of the Effect and Contentment among Patients Receiving At-Home Bleaching with Two Different Treatment Approaches

Introduction: Some bleaching modalities include an activation process with the utilization of heat or light to enhance the effect of bleaching gel. Aim: To compare the effect of treatment and the contentment among patients having received bleaching therapy with two different approaches. Methods and Materials: Six men and six women ranging from 22 to 61 years of age were included and divided into two groups. Opalescence 10% carbamide peroxide-gel was administrated in individual bleaching trays in Group I for two hours a day for fourteen days and in Group II for two hours a day for fourteen days and 2x1 hour in-office tooth whitening sessions. In Group II, the same bleaching agent and tray was used plus a light activation with an LED-lamp for forty seconds per tooth being treated. Results: Eleven patients completed the study. Group I had an average colour change of –5,36 steps on a modified VITA-scale and Group II –4,30. The patients in Group II seemed to be more satisfied with the treatment outcome compared to the subjects in Group I. Conclusion: Only speculations regarding the outcome of the study can be made. However, it appears as if patients receiving a more advanced bleaching therapy including the use of light become more satisfied with the end result compared to patients receiving at-home based whitening only. This seems to be the case even if patients given at-home bleaching therapy achieve an objectively better end result of the treatment.
Frogs on trees

We study a system of simple random walks on $\mathcal{T}_{d,n} = \mathcal{V}_{d,n}, \mathcal{E}_{d,n})$, the $d$-ary tree of depth $n$, known as the frog model. Initially there are Pois($\lambda$) particles at each site, independently, with one additional particle planted at some vertex $\mathbf{o}$. Initially all particles are inactive, except for the ones which are placed at $\mathbf{o}$. Active particles perform (independent) $ t \in \mathbb{N} \cup \{\infty \} $ steps of simple random walk on the tree. When an active particle hits an inactive particle, the latter becomes active. The model is often interpreted as a model for a spread of an epidemic. As such, it is natural to investigate whether the entire population is eventually infected, and if so, how quickly does this happen. Let $\mathcal{R}_t$ be the set of vertices which are visited by the process. Let $\mathcal{S}(\mathcal{T}_{d,n}) := \inf \{t:\mathcal{R}_t = \mathcal{V}_{d,n} \} $. Let the cover time $\mathrm{CT}(\mathcal{T}_{d,n})$ be the first time by which every vertex was visited at least once, when we take $t=\infty$. We show that there exist absolute constants, $c,C>0$ such that for all $d \ge 2$ and all $\lambda = \lambda_n $ which does not diverge nor vanish too rapidly, with high probability $c \le \lambda \mathcal{S}(\mathcal{T}_{d,n}) /n \log (n/\lambda) \le C$ and $\mathrm{CT}(\mathcal{T}_{d,n}) \le 2^{4 \sqrt{ \log |\mathcal{V}_{d,n}| }}$.
Insecure employment and pro-environmental consumption: an empirical analysis

"Pro-environmental consumption is one element of the behavioral change that is necessary to ensure sustainability. It is well known that consumption patterns differ according to socioeconomic status in general and that pro-environmental consumption behavior is affected by, among others, people's gender, education and current income. However, relatively few studies have tried to link pro-environmental consumption and socioeconomic characteristics beyond these well-known correlations. We aim to contribute to this literature by looking at the effects of the growing employment insecurity on pro-environmental consumption. erefore we first review the literature on the effects of insecure employment and develop our hypotheses on the effects on purchase of organic food (as an example of pro-environmental consumption). Employing data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, we show that employment insecurity negatively affects frequency of organic food purchase, as well as perceived freedom of choice and attitudes toward organic food purchase. Our results thus hint at direct and indirect effects of insecurity on pro-environmental consumption behavior. e policy conclusion is that any strategy for sustainable development needs to include social policy in order to enable behavioral change. "
Evidence of a possible turning point of UVB increase over Canada, Europe and Japan

C. S. Zerefos, K. Tourpali, K. Eleftheratos, S. Kazadzis, C. Meleti, U. Feister, T. Koskela, and A. Heikkilä Academy of Athens, Navarino Environmental Observatory, Biomedical Research Foundation, Greece Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece Department of Physics, University of Thessaloniki, Greece Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Greece Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Greece Meteorological Observatory Lindenberg, German Meteorological Service, Germany Climate Change Unit, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
GzRUM1, Encoding an Ortholog of Human Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 2, is Required for Ascospore Development in Gibberella zeae

Gibberella zeae (anamorph: Fusarium graminearum), a homothallic (self-ferile) ascomycete with ubiquitous geographic distribution, causes serious diseases in several cereal crops. Ascospores (sexual spores) produced by this fungal pathogen have been suggested as the main source of primary inoculum in disease development. Here, we report the function of a gene designated GzRUM1, which is essential for ascospore formation in G. zeae. The deduced product of GzRUM1 showed significant similarities to the human retinoblastoma (tumor suppressor) binding protein 2 and a transcriptional repressor, Rum1 in the corn smut fungus (Ustilago maydis). The transcript of GzRUM1 was detected during the both vegetative and sexual stages, but was more highly accumulated during the latter stage. In addition, no GzRUM1 transcript was detected in a G. zeae strain lacking a mating-type gene (MAT1-2), a master regulator for sexual development in G. zeae. Targeted deletion of GzRUM1 caused no dramatic changes in several traits except ascospore formation. The GzRUM1 strain produced perithecia (sexual fruit bodies) but not asci nor ascospores within them. This specific defect leading to an arrest in ascospore development suggests that GzRUM1, as Rum1 in U. maydis, functions as a transcriptional regulator during sexual reproduction in G. zeae.
Life-cycle analysis for heavy vehicles

Various alternative fuels and improved engine and vehicle systems have been proposed in order to reduce emissions and energy use associated with heavy vehicles (predominantly trucks). For example, oil companies have proposed improved methods for converting natural gas to zero-aromatics, zero-sulfur diesel fuel via the Fischer-Tropsch process. Major heavy-duty diesel engine companies are working on ways to simultaneously reduce particulate-matter and NOx emissions. The trend in heavy vehicles is toward use of lightweight materials, tires with lower rolling resistance, and treatments to reduce aerodynamic drag. In this paper, we compare the lifecycle energy use and emissions from trucks using selected alternatives, such as Fisher-Tropsch diesel fuel and advanced fuel-efficient engines. We consider heavy-duty, Class 8 tractor-semitrailer combinations for this analysis. The total lifecycle includes production and recycling of the vehicle itself; extraction, processing, and transportation of the fuel itself; and vehicle operation and maintenance. Energy use is considered in toto, as well as those portions that are imported, domestic, and renewable. Emissions of interest include greenhouse gases and criteria pollutants.
A Hybrid Approach by Integrating Brain Storm Optimization Algorithm with Grey Neural Network for Stock Index Forecasting

Stock index forecasting is an important tool for both the investors and the government organizations. However, due to the inherent large volatility, high noise, and nonlinearity of the stock index, stock index forecasting has been a challenging task for a long time. This paper aims to develop a novel hybrid stock index forecasting model named BSO-GNN based on the brain storm optimization (BSO) approach and the grey neural network (GNN) model by taking full advantage of the grey model in dealing with data with small samples and the neural network in handling nonlinear fitting problems. Moreover, the new developed BSO-GNN, which initializes the parameters in grey neural network with the BSO algorithm, has great capability in overcoming the deficiencies of the traditional GNN model with randomly initialized parameters through solving the local optimum and low forecasting accuracy problems. The performance of the proposed BSO-GNN model is evaluated under the normalization and nonnormalization preprocessing situations. Experimental results from the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) Composite Index, the Shenzhen Composite Index, and the HuShen 300 Index opening price forecasting show that the proposed BSO-GNN model is effective and robust in the stock index forecasting and superior to the individual GNN model.