Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of Debt Structure and Credit Ratings

Using a comprehensive dataset comprising 1 863 unique U.S. firms as well as 100 unique Norwegian companies in the period 2006 - 2011, we examine the dynamics between corporate debt structure and credit ratings. We address especially three concerns related to credit ratings and their effects on debt structure decisions: We first identify the effects of bond market participation, measured by having a credit rating, before we emphasize the effects of being near a change in credit rating. Last, we address how credit ratings affect corporate debt maturity structure. These considerations form the foundation for understanding what drives corporate capital structure. Our main findings indicate that rated firms are to a greater extent characterized by debt heterogeneity relative to unrated firms. The difference become more apparent as credit ratings exacerbates. We find evidence that firms adjust leverage ratios in concern of a rating change with the boundary between investment grade and non-investment grade as most important. Finally, we observe an inverse u-shaped relationship between credit ratings and public debt issues, with BBB rated firms having the longest maturities. The two markets are compared in order to capture possible similarities in debt structure behavior. We find that U.S. and Norwegian companies behave similar in terms of the priority structure of bank and bond debt. Furthermore, we identify credit ratings as highly prominent for management of firms? debt structure and find that regulation effects and enhanced incentives to monitor are mainly the reasons why debt structure decisions vary between investment grade and speculative graded firms.
Rotating Stars in Relativity

Because of the information they can yield about the equation of state of matter at extremely high densities and because they are one of the more possible sources of detectable gravitational waves, rotating relativistic stars have been receiving significant attention in recent years. We review the latest theoretical and numerical methods for modeling rotating relativistic stars, including stars with a strong magnetic field and hot proto-neutron stars. We also review nonaxisymmetric oscillations and instabilities in rotating stars and summarize the latest developments regarding the gravitational wave-driven (CFS) instability in both polar and axial quasi-normal modes.
Analysis of a hysteresis-controlled self-oscillating class-D amplifier

This paper gives the first systematic perturbation analysis of the audio distortion and mean switching period for a self-oscillating class-D amplifier. Explicit expressions are given for all the principal components of audio distortion, for a general audio input signal; the specific example of a sinusoidal input is also discussed in some detail, yielding an explicit closed-form expression for the total harmonic distortion (THD). A class-D amplifier works by converting a low-frequency audio input signal to a high-frequency train of rectangular pulses, whose widths are slowly modulated according to the audio signal. The audiofrequency components of the pulse-train are designed to agree with those of the audio signal. In many varieties of class-D amplifier, the pulse-train is generated using a carrier wave of fixed frequency, well above the audio range. In other varieties, as here, there is no such fixed-frequency clock, and the local frequency of the pulse-train varies in response to the audio input. Such self-oscillating designs pose a particular challenge for comprehensive mathematical modelling; we show that in order to properly account for the local frequency variations, a warped-time transformation is necessary. The systematic nature of our calculation means it can potentially be applied to a range of other self-oscillating topologies. Our results for a general input allow ready calculation of distortion diagnostics such as the intermodulation distortion (IMD), which prior analyses, based on sinusoidal input, cannot provide.
Urbanization and Rural Development in the People’s Republic of China

This chapter studies how urbanization enhances economic growth. Through agglomeration effects, employment opportunities and income levels can largely increase. In addition, the mechanism of sharing, matching, and learning are greatly strengthened in cities, especially large cities, which can further bring exchange of information, knowledge spillover and human capital externalities. However, when taking a close look at the urbanization level, speed, and regional variations, we see that the PRC’s urbanization level lags behind that of many developing countries at a similar developing stage. Problems of urbanization, including below average urbanization level and urbanization lagging behind industrialization, need to be solved by institutional reforms for sustainable development.
Phenotypic Analysis of Long Bones in Pannexin 3 Knockout Mice Using a Geometric Morphometric Approach

Pannexin 3 (Panx3) is a channel‐forming glycoprotein that is expressed in skin, mammary gland and skeletal tissues. In vitro studies have shown that Panx3 is induced at the growth plate where it is thought to promote cell differentiation, a key role in bone formation. However, whether or not the ablation of Panx3 in mice causes phenotypic anomalies is unknown.
Biological Correlates of Extinction and Persistence of Primates in Small Forest Fragments: A Global Analysis

Habitat loss and fragmentation are two of the main threats facing wildlife. The species at risk in small fragments are not a random subset of the original community. Understanding the biology behind the distinction between species at risk and more persistent species should help inform conservation efforts. We attempted to identify risky traits in a well-known taxon, the primates, by asking which traits distinguished taxa that differed in the size of the smallest fragment in which they were recorded. We assumed that taxa that could persist in smaller fragments were at less risk of extinction than those that needed larger fragments. The traits investigated are indicative of amount of habitat needed, reproductive rate, and specialization. We obtained from the literature information on the presence-absence of 68 primate species of 36 genera in forest fragments of less than 100 km2. Association between size of smallest fragment and biology was tested with regressions, Spearman correlations, two-sample t tests, and non-parametric Wilcoxon tests. We found no significant relationships between area of smallest fragment in which species or genera persisted and any of the biological parameters. We suggest that the most likely explanation for this unexpected finding is that the smallest fragments in which primates are currently studied are usually so small that all primate species in them are doomed in the long-term and therefore, no biological traits distinguish taxa at risk. The finding implies that conservation research and efforts should be directed at assessing the efficacy of forest fragments and small biological preserves in conserving primate species.
Creation of Functional Layers for pH Sensors by Galvanic Deposition of Antimony and Bismuth

Current requirements for measuring applications in biotechnology and biomedical applications require the use of planar sensors or sensor arrays. Previously used techniques for preparing pH-sensitive surfaces have various disadvantages. An interesting alternative is the electroplating of such surfaces. In this work, opportunities for the galvanic deposition of pH-sensitive antimony- and bismuth-layers are presented. The properties of the deposited films in terms of suitability as a pH-sensitive surface are compared. The results indicate that both antimony and bismuth with pH-sensitive layers can be electrodeposited. The separation results can be achieved by varying the parameters and the electrolyte composition influence far reaching. The issue of long-term stability of the deposited layers requires further investigation.
Improving a SVM Meta-classifier for Text Documents by using Naive Bayes

Text categorization is the problem of classifying text documents into a set of predefined classes. In this paper, we investigated two approaches: a) to de- velop a classifier for text document based on Naive Bayes Theory and b) to integrate this classifier into a meta-classifier in order to increase the classification accuracy. The basic idea is to learn a meta-classifier to optimally select the best component classifier for each data point. The experimental results show that combining clas- sifiers can significantly improve the classification accuracy and that our improved meta-classification strategy gives better results than each individual classifier. For Reuters2000 text documents we obtained classification accuracies up to 93.87%.
THE EVOLUTION OF GAS GIANT ENTROPY DURING FORMATION BY RUNAWAY ACCRETION

We calculate the evolution of gas giant planets during the runaway gas accretion phase of formation, to understand how the luminosity of young giant planets depends on the accretion conditions. We construct steady-state envelope models, and run time-dependent simulations of accreting planets with the code Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics. We show that the evolution of the internal entropy depends on the contrast between the internal adiabat and the entropy of the accreted material, parametrized by the shock temperature T0 and pressure P0. At low temperatures ( – , depending on model parameters), the accreted material has a lower entropy than the interior. The convection zone extends to the surface and can drive a high luminosity, leading to rapid cooling and cold starts. For higher temperatures, the accreted material has a higher entropy than the interior, giving a radiative zone that stalls cooling. For , the surface–interior entropy contrast cannot be accommodated by the radiative envelope, and the accreted matter accumulates with high entropy, forming a hot start. The final state of the planet depends on the shock temperature, accretion rate, and starting entropy at the onset of runaway accretion. Cold starts with require low accretion rates and starting entropy, and the temperature of the accreting material needs to be maintained close to the nebula temperature. If instead the temperature is near the value required to radiate the accretion luminosity, , as suggested by previous work on radiative shocks in the context of star formation, gas giant planets form in a hot start with .
Hybrid functional studies of the oxygen vacancy in TiO 2

The electronic and structural properties of the oxygen vacancy $({V}_{\text{O}})$ in rutile ${\text{TiO}}_{2}$ are studied using generalized Kohn-Sham theory with the Heyd, Scuseria, and Ernzerhof (HSE) hybrid functional for exchange and correlation. The HSE approach corrects the band gap and allows for a proper description of defects with energy levels close to the conduction band. According to the HSE calculations, ${V}_{\text{O}}$ is a shallow donor for which the $+2$ charge state is lower in energy than the neutral and $+1$ charge states for all Fermi-level positions in the band gap. The formation energy of ${V}_{\text{O}}^{2+}$ is relatively low in $n$-type ${\text{TiO}}_{2}$ under O-poor conditions but it rapidly increases with the oxygen chemical potential. This is consistent with experimental observations where the electrical conductivity decreases with oxygen partial pressure.
Stability of Merton's portfolio optimization problem for Lévy models

Merton's classical portfolio optimization problem for an investor, who can trade in a risk-free bond and a stock, can be extended to the case where the driving noise of the logreturns is a pure jump process instead of a Brownian motion. Benth et al. [4,5] solved the problem and found the optimal control implicitly given by an integral equation in the hyperbolic absolute risk aversion (HARA) utility case. There are several ways to approximate a Levy process with infinite activity by neglecting the small jumps or approximating them with a Brownian motion, as discussed in Asmussen and Rosinski [1]. In this setting, we study stability of the corresponding optimal investment problems. The optimal controls are solutions of integral equations, for which we study convergence. We are able to characterize the rate of convergence in terms of the variance of the small jumps. Additionally, we prove convergence of the corresponding wealth processes and indirect utilities (value functions).
Security and Privacy Issues in Private Cloud Storage

With the expansion of business, associate degree enterprise would like to create its PSC (private storage cloud) approach associate degree infrastructure service in a very Partner/Public Cloud. In such PSCs, there are a unit some new security problems, First, a way to isolate the data keep within the PSC from internal and external attackers; Second, a way to create secure intra-cloud information migration inside an enterprise, Third, a way to secure intercloud information migration between the PSC and therefore the Partner/Public Cloud. during this paper, the proposed associate degree design of imposing security services on the layer of HDFS, together with information Isolation Service, Secure Intra-Cloud information Migration Service, and Secure Inter-Cloud Data Migration Service Finally, a prototype has been implemented based on HDFS by our security policies, and the time cost is given and evaluated.
Pressure dependence of the refractive index in InSe

In this work we report on the pressure dependence of the refractive index of indium selenide (InSe) for polarization perpendicular to the c-axis (E⊥c). The refractive index dispersion n⊥(ω) of InSe has been measured between 0.77 and 1.5 eV for hydrostatic pressures up to 8 GPa and interpreted through a single oscillator Phillips-van Vechten model yielding the electronic refractive index and dielectric function. This model also yields the pressure dependence of the Penn gap in InSe, whose interlayer and intralayer deformation potentials have been obtained and compared with those of the lower energy optical gaps. The possible electronic transitions responsible for the Penn gaps for both polarizations (perpendicular and parallel to the c-axis) in InSe and other III-VI layered materials are also discussed on the basis of recent band structure calculations.
Electrochemical synthesis, characterisation, and preliminary biological evaluation of an anodic aluminium oxide membrane with a pore size of 100 nanometres for a Potential Cell Culture Substrate

In this study we investigate the electrochemical synthesis and characterisation of a nanometre scale porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes with a mean pore diameter of 100 nm. The membranes exhibit interesting properties such as controllable pore diameters, periodicity and density distribution. These properties can be preselected by adjusting the controlling parameters of a temperature controlled two-step anodization process. The surface features of the nanometre scale membrane such as pore density, pore diameter and inter-pore distance were quantified using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A preliminary biological evaluation of the membranes was carried out to determine cell adhesion and morphology using the Cercopithecus aethiops[African green monkey – (Vero)] kidney epithelial cell line. Optical microscopy, FESEM and AFM investigations revealed the presence of focal adhesion sites over the surface of the porous membranes. The positive outcomes of the study, indicates that AAO membranes can be used as a viable tissue scaffold for potential tissue engineering applications in the future.
Co-Integration Analysis of Economic Development and Democracy: The Case of Turkey

The relationship between economic growth and democracy is a contentious issue in the literature of comparative politics and political economy. Empirical studies have reached various conclusions, depending upon the sample, data and model utilized. Furthermore there are deviations between certain countries in terms of the relationship between economic growth and democracy. Thus, country specific models have critical importance to shed light on these deviations between those different countries. In this study, we construct a co-integration model of the Turkish economy to examine the relationship between economic growth and democracy. From its very foundation, Turkey has experienced economic and political crises. However, few empirical studies have investigated the relationship between these two trails. Using co-integration analysis for the period 1955 to 2006, we seek to identify the relationship between economic growth and democracy. Our empirical results suggest that there is a long run equilibrium between economic growth and democracy in Turkey.
Analysis of camera calibrations using direct linear transformation and bundle adjustment methods

Main feature of photogrammetry is the measurements which are made on photographic projection of the objects instead of making them directly on the object. Because of its indirect measurement feature, it has various application areas. Widespread use of photogrammetry increases the importance of calibration of cameras in the frame of photogrammetric principles. In this study, images of test fields shot by Nikon Coolpix 950 digital camera were analyzed using Bundle adjustment method while images of test fields obtained from portable roentgen device were analyzed using Direct linear transformation (DLT) method and all the results obtained from different methods were compared.
Determination of Energy Input-Output of Tobacco Production in Turkey

The aim of this study is to evaluate an energy analysis of tobacco production in Adiyaman province of Turkey. Trials and measurements were done in tobacco farm of Celikhan district of Adiyaman province, in order to determine the energy input-output of tobacco. In this tobacco farm, energy input-output level was also determinated through trial, measurement and observation studies, applied during the 2014 production season. For tobacco production, energy input was calculated as 25523.32 MJ ha and energy output was calculated 1
‘You have to pick’: Cotton and state-organized forced labour in Uzbekistan

This article explores state-organized forced labour in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry, the labour management practices applied in the sector and the experience of labour exploitation associated with Uzbek cotton. To theorize this, the authors bring together Andrew Crane’s slavery as a management practice theory with Amartya Sen’s capabilities approach, offering an alternative to theories focusing on lead firm–supplier relations or global value chains when investigating violations of working conditions. Based on analysis of monitoring data and reporting on Uzbekistan’s cotton sector, the authors explore what sustains and enables forced labour as well as the exploitation and insulation of human capabilities that follow.
A Case Study of Collecting Dynamic Social Data: The Pro-Ana Twitter Community

The study of social processes in on-line social media content is a relatively new and rapidly growing endeavour. Many social media platforms provide a public API which can be used for the targeted collection of data from perceived communities, however existing software for this purpose focusses on a “snapshot” of the community and its communications, and ignores important aspects of its dynamics. We present a data collection system designed to capture tweets and the dynamics of Twitter user profile and friend/follower lists, and an approach to identify a set of tags or keywords that define an on-line community. This approach and system were used to collect a data set spanning more than 3 Christmas periods from the “pro-ana” and eating disorder Twitter community.
Stochastic blockmodels for exchangeable collections of networks

We construct a novel class of stochastic blockmodels using Bayesian nonparametric mixtures. These model allows us to jointly estimate the structure of multiple networks and explicitly compare the community structures underlying them, while allowing us to capture realistic properties of the underlying networks. Inference is carried out using MCMC algorithms that incorporates sequentially allocated split-merge steps to improve mixing. The models are illustrated using a simulation study and a variety of real-life examples.
A Theoretical Review of Mobile Commerce Success Determinants

Mobile commerce (M-Commerce) involves the delivery of trusted transaction services over mobile devices for the exchange of goods and services between consumers, merchants and across organizations. It may be accomplished through a variety of mobile devices over a wireless telecommunication network in a wireless environment. Despite the rapid pervasiveness of mobile based transactions in Kenya, questions relating to m-commerce success drivers are largely unexplored. This paper reviews prominent information system adoption theories, information systems success concepts and pertinent mobile commerce literature to derive m-commerce success imperatives. Based on the review, an appropriate model for m-commerce success is proposed. A preliminary conclusion that emerges from this study points towards compatibility to user needs, ease of use, pricing and innovation as constructs with the strongest potential for determining the success outcomes of a mobile commerce arrangement. The emergent perspectives and the proposed framework offers value to both theory and practice by providing new insights into various issues that have largely been overlooked when conceptualizing mobile commerce initiatives. Keywords: Mobile commerce, adoption theories, information system success, m-commerce model
Accurate transcriptome-wide prediction of microRNA targets and small interfering RNA off-targets with MIRZA-G

Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knock-down is a widely used experimental approach to characterizing gene function. Although siRNAs are designed to guide the cleavage of perfectly complementary mRNA targets, acting similarly to microRNAs (miRNAs), siRNAs down-regulate the expression of hundreds of genes to which they have only partial complementarity. Prediction of these siRNA ‘off-targets’ remains difficult, due to the incomplete understanding of siRNA/miRNA–target interactions. Combining a biophysical model of miRNA–target interaction with structure and sequence features of putative target sites we developed a suite of algorithms, MIRZA-G, for the prediction of miRNA targets and siRNA off-targets on a genome-wide scale. The MIRZA-G variant that uses evolutionary conservation performs better than currently available methods in predicting canonical miRNA target sites and in addition, it predicts non-canonical miRNA target sites with similarly high accuracy. Furthermore, MIRZA-G variants predict siRNA off-target sites with an accuracy unmatched by currently available programs. Thus, MIRZA-G may prove instrumental in the analysis of data resulting from large-scale siRNA screens.