Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ionic liquid-mediated microstructure regulations of layered perovskite for enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

The presence of pollutants, e.g., pharmaceutical residues and industrial pollutants causes serious risks and irreversible damage to public health and ecological balance. Semiconductor-based photocatalysis is an attractive way to treat polluted water. Rational design and nanostructuring of semiconductors with visible light absorption and prominent surfaces could strengthen surface-interface reactions, resulting in improved photocatalytic degradation. Herein, layered structured perovskites Bi4Ti3O12 (BTO) were synthesized by an ionic liquid [1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide (Bmim)I] assisted approach. The precise tuning of synthetic conditions allowed formations of various microstructures, including spherical nanoparticles, nanoplates and nanorods, respectively. The optical analyses demonstrated that samples were typically visible light absorbents with narrow band gap energies (2.96–2.73 eV), and displayed pronounced degradation for pharmaceutical residues under visible light illumination. The factors responsible for the high efficiency of BTO photocatalysts were discussed in terms of unique structure, optical alignment, dipole induced carrier separation and formation of active radicals. Among studied samples, the nanorod shaped BTO showed 1.31 and 1.46 times higher apparent rate constants for tetracycline and ibuprofen degradation than its counterparts (spherical nanoparticles and nanoplates), respectively. The better performance of nanorods was ascribed to their higher visible light harvesting ability. Importantly, BTO nanorods exhibited nonselective degradation activity for diverse pollutants of pharmaceutical residues and industrial contaminants. This work demonstrates the unique strategy of microstructure regulation and a wide range of applications of layered perovskites for environmental remediation.
Do fat tails matter in GARCH estimation? Testing market efficiency in two transition economies

The use of the GARCH-class of models is commonplace when examining stock market returns. In this paper we use data on stock markets in two transition economies, the Czech Republic and Romania, to demonstrate the importance of using the correct GARCH specification. When residuals are characterised by fat tails or kurtosis, the use of a GARCH-t specification is appropriate. Diagnostic tests suggest that the GARCH-t specification is appropriate for modelling stock market returns in Romania, whilst the standard GARCH specification is adequate for the Czech Republic. Using a standard GARCH specification leads to rejection of the null hypothesis of market efficiency in Romania, whereas this null hypothesis cannot be rejected using the GARCH-t specification. The null hypothesis of efficiency cannot be rejected in the Czech Republic using either specification. Thus, we find that the presence of fat tails can have important implications for inference in the analysis of stock market returns.
Spatial distribution of cold-ice within a temperate glacier – implications for glacier dynamics, sediment transport and foreland geomorphology

Abstract. This study suggests that cold-ice processes may be more widespread even within temperate glacial systems, than previously assumed. We present the first direct observations of cold-ice at the snout of the temperate glacier Midtdalsbreen an outlet of the Hardangerjøkulen icefield (Norway) from 43 line-kilometres of ground penetrating radar data. Results show a 40 m-wide cold-ice zone within the majority of the glacier snout, where ice thickness is
150°C Amorphous Silicon Thin-Film Transistor Technology for Polyimide Substrates

We have developed a 150°C technology for amorphous silicon thin-film transistors (a-Si:H TFTs) on polyimide substrates deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The silicon nitride gate dielectric and the a-Si:H channel material were tailored to provide the least leakage current and midgap defect density, respectively. In addition, we conducted experiments on the TFT structure and fabrication with the aim of obtaining high electron mobility. TFTs with back-channel etch and channel-passivated structures were fabricated on glass or 51 μm thick polyimide foil. The a-Si:H TFTs have an on/off current ratio of ∼10 7 and an electron mobility of ∼0.7 cm 2/V s.
Mind the Gap! International Comparisons of Productivity in Services and Goods Production

Abstract In this paper, we make a comparison of industry output, inputs and productivity growth and levels between seven advanced economies (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States). Our industry-level growth accounts make use of input data on labour quantity (hours) and composition (schooling levels), and distinguish between six different types of capital assets (including three information and communication technology (ICT) assets). The comparisons of levels rely on industry-specific purchasing power parities (PPPs) for output and inputs, within a consistent input-output framework for the year 1997. Our results show that differences in productivity growth and levels can be mainly traced to market services, not to goods-producing industries. Part of the strong productivity growth in market services in Anglo-Saxon countries, such as in Australia and Canada, may be related to relatively low productivity levels compared with the United States. In contrast, services productivity levels in continental European countries were on par with the United States in 1997, but growth in Europe was much weaker since then. In terms of factor input use, the United States is very different from all other countries, mostly because of the more intensive use of ICT capital in the United States.
MONTE CARLO MARKOV CHAIN EXACT INFERENCE FOR BINOMIAL REGRESSION MODELS

Current methods for conducting exact inference for logistic regression are not capable of handling large data sets due to memory constraints caused by storing large networks. We provide and implement an algorithm which is capable of conducting (approximate) exact inference for large data sets. Various application fields, such as genetic epidemiology, in which logistic regression models are fit to larger data sets that are sparse or unbalanced may benefit from this work. We illustrate our method by applying it to a diabetes data set which could not be analyzed using existing methods implemented in software packages such as LogXact and SAS. We include a listing of our code along with documented instructions and examples of all user methods. The code will be submitted to the Comprehensive R Archive Network as a freely-available R package after further testing.
THE EFFECTS OF QUADRICEPS TAPING AND NOWTAPING APPROCHES ON COUNTERMOVEMENT JUMP PERFORMANCE

Kinesio is one of the most common adhesive therapeutic tapes. Expect for clinical applications, kinesio claims to be able to enhance muscle activity performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of kinesio taping on quadriceps during a maximal counter-movement jump. Six healthy men was recruited in this study (Height: 173.8 k 4.2 em; Weight: 68.8 k 7.3 kg; Age: 22.9 k 2.3 yrs ). The kistler force plate was used to measure the jump height, takeoff force and landing force. No significant differences between two groups. The results showed that kinesio tape did not affect muscle activity and ground recreation force, jumping height and landing force.
Optimal transport from Lebesgue to Poisson

This paper is devoted to the study of couplings of the Lebesgue measure and the Poisson point process. We prove existence and uniqueness of an optimal coupling whenever the asymptotic mean transportation cost is finite. Moreover, we give precise conditions for the latter which demonstrate a sharp threshold at d=2. The cost will be defined in terms of an arbitrary increasing function of the distance. The coupling will be realized by means of a transport map (“allocation map”) which assigns to each Poisson point a set (“cell”) of Lebesgue measure 1. In the case of quadratic costs, all these cells will be convex polytopes.
Reactive extraction of propionic acid using Aliquat 336 in MIBK: Linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) modeling and kinetics study

This study presents linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) modeling of reactive extraction of propionic acid using Aliquat 336 in MIBK as diluent. Reaction was slow in Aliquat 336 + MIBK with rate constant at 0.0079 (m 3 /kmol) 0.55 s -1 . Order of reaction with respect to acid and Aliquat 336 was 1 and 0.9 respectively. Modeling of reactive extraction equilibria using LSER was carried out and predicted a close resemblance of experimental data.
Monetary policy and excess liquidity: the case of Guyana

This paper examines the monetary policy framework of Guyana. Guyana’s monetary Policy is motivated by the IMF’s financial programming model. The quantity of excess reserves in the banking system is seen as critical in determining bank credit and ultimately the external balance and inflationary pressures. Therefore, the central bank is always willing to mop up excess liquidity by selling Treasury bills. The paper examines the potential sources of persistent excess reserves. It then tests using the VAR methodology whether excess reserves exert the postulated effect on the price level and exchange rate.
Optimization of Glucose as Source of Bioethanol from Reed (Imperatacylindrica) Using Cellulase Enzyme at Various pH and Substrate Particle Size

Due to increasing demand of petroleum and limited source of fossil fuel, it is needed to explore and find source of a renewable energy. The biomass from agricultural residues, forest and farm waste has been known as a great source of energy and can be converted into biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel, etc. Reed which is abundant in Indonesia is one of potential sources of lignocellulose biomass that can be utilized as (Imperata cylindrica) a source of renewable energy such as bioethanol. The aim of this study was to optimize yield of glucose from reed using cellulose enzyme. Factors used in this research werepH and substrate particle size. Reed particle sizes were 80 and 100 mesh and pH of the solution were 4.2, 4.8 and 5.5. The results showedthat dried reed with100 meshes in particle size which hydrolysed in enzyme solution with pH 5.5 at 37oC for 72 hours, producedthe highest yield of glucose in the amount of 80.2 mg/ml (8.02 %). When the incubation time was extended, glucose yield increased to 121.8 mg/ml (12.1%) at 96 hours and then decreased as the incubation time was extended further
A Study of the Effects of Time Pressure on Translation Quantity and Quality

The condition under which translation is undertaken has been the subject of little empirical research. The present study aimed to determine whether time pressure would have influential effects on the quality and quantity of a translation task performed by Iranian students of Translation Studies. For this purpose, the students in two intact MA translation classrooms were selected as the participants of the study; i.e., one control group and one experimental group. The participants in the control group were allowed as much as time they needed to perform the translation task whereas the participants in the experimental group were allowed only 30 minutes to perform the task. The results of the study indicated that time pressure had significant influences on both the quality and quantity of the translation task performed by the participants. A trade-off was observed as the participants in the experimental group produced more translated materials than the participants in the control group when compared on a time-constant scale. The quality of their performance, however, lagged behind the quality of performance by the participants in the control group. These results can be explained by the competition model of cognition which hypothesizes that different dimensions of a cognitive task are in constant competition to win over attentional resources and that the competition is highly influenced by the condition in which the task is performed. The implications of the study for both translation theory and practice are also discussed.
Relativistic cosmology number densities and the luminosity function

Aims. This paper studies the connection between the relativistic number density of galaxies down the past light cone in a FriedmannLemaitre-Robertson-Walker spacetime with non-vanishing cosmological constant and the galaxy luminosity function (LF) data. It extends the redshift range of previous results presented in Albani et al. (2007, ApJ, 657, 760), where the galaxy distribution was studied out to z = 1. Observational inhomogeneities were detected at this range. This research also searches for LF evolution in the context of the framework advanced by Ribeiro and Stoeger (2003, ApJ, 592, 1), further developing the theory linking relativistic cosmology theory and LF data. Methods. Selection functions are obtained using the Schechter parameters and redshift parametrization of the galaxy LF obtained from an I-band selected dataset of the FORS deep field galaxy survey in the redshift range 0.5 ≤ z ≤ 5.0 for its blue bands and 0.75 ≤ z ≤ 3.0 for its red ones. Differential number counts, densities and other related observables are obtained, and then used with the calculated selection functions to study the empirical radial distribution of the galaxies in a fully relativistic framework. Results. The redshift range of the dataset used in this work, which is up to five times larger than the one used in previous studies, shows an increased relevance of the relativistic effects of expansion when compared to the evolution of the LF at the higher redshifts. The results also agree with the preliminary ones presented in Albani et al., suggesting a power-law behavior of relativistic densities at high redshifts when they are defined in terms of the luminosity distance.
Antiviral mode of action of Lactobacillus plantarum YML009 on Influenza virus H1N1

The development of resistance against antiviral agents has augmented a threat to public health sector. Consequently there is an expanding demand for the development of unconventional antiviral agents that could efficiently replace the existent in-use drugs. The probiotic strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have earned the status of being efficient, economical and safe “nutraceutical” in health care armamentarium. A total of 2272 LAB strains were screened against H1N1 virus. The isolate YML009 displayed a pronounced antiviral activity. Sequencing and biochemical assays identified the isolate as Lactoballius plantarum which, exhibited resistance to the damage caused by the acidic conditions such as gastric juice and 5% bile salt. The anti-H1N1 activity of the strain was confirmed by hemagglutination assay and was found to display enhanced efficacy in comparison to the commercially available antiviral drug. This is a primary report on anti-influenza activity of a bacterium L. plantarum YML009.
Pyrolysis of Agroindustrial Residues of Coffee, Sugarcane Straw and Coconut-Fibers in a Semi-pilot Plant for Production of Bio-oils: Gas Chromatographic Characterization

Microbial, vegetal or animal organic matter, which has potential to be transformed into energy, is considered biomass. Among the various alternative energy sources, biomass is the only one with the possibility of generating a class of substances of interest for fine chemistry (ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, phenols, etc.). From biomass, it is possible to produce bio-oil using pyrolysis, a thermodegradation process. The quality of the bio-oil depends on the process conditions (pyrolysis temperature, heating temperature, etc.) and biomass used. In this paper, the pyrolysis (using a fixed bed reactor) of three biomasses (coconut fiber, coffee grounds and sugar cane straw) is studied. The results indicated that the bio-oil yields for all biomass were similar, approximately 37%. The chemical profile obtained by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/qMS) showed high amounts of fatty acids in the coffee grounds bio-oil and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in coconut fiber bio-oil, whereas guaiacols were the predominant components of the sugar cane straw bio-oil.
Is it What You Say or How You Say It? How Content Characteristics Affect Consumer Engagement with Brands on Facebook

The popularity of social media has led to many brands using platforms such as Facebook for marketing communications, typically whereby brands post content (text, images, and/or videos) on their social media pages for their consumer “fans” to see and, hopefully, engage with. Despite the widespread use of social media marketing, relatively little is known about how various characteristics of branded social media content affect different types of consumer engagement (e.g., liking, commenting, sharing) with brands on social media. The authors analyze 4,284 Facebook posts made by nine brands during an 18-month period. A theory-based typology of fourteen content characteristics covering aspects of what brands say and how they say it is developed and these are linked to different types of consumer engagement with brands’ posts. Various drivers of engagement are found, with the most important being those associated with persuasion. Contrary to traditional marketing communications, persuasive content characteristics are found to lower engagement in the social media context. This research sheds light on how consumers process and interact with branded content in social media, and has implications for how marketers should design content to maximize consumer engagement with their brands.
Impact of the sampling design on the quality of ground-based LiDAR datasets

This research was undertaken to study the influence of the sampling design and laser beam density of ground-based LiDAR measurements on the quality of laser datasets in terms of shadowing. The generation of virtual forest stands by means of stochastic L-systems as tree descriptors were opted for based on the study frame. The dynamic plant modeler and plant nursery natFX (Bionatics, CIRAD, Montpellier, France) was used to simulate full grown forest stands of two tree species (i.e. Fagus sylvatic and Platanus acerifolia). Next, hemispherical laser measurements with different laser beam densities were simulated according to three different sampling patterns (i.e. single, diamond, and corners) inside these virtual forest stands through the use of ray-tracing technology. An adjusted sampling design has proven its effectiveness since an average decrease of 27.27% in shadowing in comparison with a single measurement was obtained. This contrasts with an average decrease of 13.64% by increase of the laser beams density by a factor 25. Afterwards, contact frequency values, calculated from the virtual laser data sets, were utilized to successfully model the shadowed parts of the canopy demonstrating the potential of ground-based laser scans to capture the 3D leaf distribution inside a full grown forest stand.
BLUETOOTH-BASE WORM MODELING AND SIMULATION

Bluetooth is one of the most popular technologies in the world in the new century. Meanwhile it attracts attackers to develop new worm and malicious code attacking Bluetooth wireless network. So far the growth of mobile malicious code is very fast and they have become a great potential threat to our society. In this thesis, we study Bluetooth worm in Mobile Wireless Network. Firstly we investigate the Bluetooth technology and several previously appeared Bluetooth worms, e.g. “Caribe”,”Comwar”, and we find the infection cycle of a Bluetooth worm. Next, we develop a new simulator, Bluetooth Worm simulator (BTWS), which simulates Bluetooth worm’ behaviors in Mobile wireless networks. Through analyzing the result, we find i) In ideal environment the mobility of Bluetooth device can improve the worm’s propagation speed, but combining mobility and inquiry time issue would cause a Bluetooth worm to slow down its propagation under certain situation. ii) The number of initially infected Bluetooth devices mostly affects the beginning propagation speed of a worm, and energy issue can be ignored because the new technology can let Bluetooth device keeping work for a long time. iii) Co-channel interference and setting up monitoring system in public place can improve the security of Bluetooth wireless network.
The Lefschetz-Riemann-Roch formula

This paper uses the results and some of the methods of the paper of BOREL and SERRE on the Grothendieck-Riemann-Roch theorem ([0]) to obtain a fixed point formula for periodic automorphisms of non-singular projective algebraic varieties over an algebraically closed field, k. This formula is analogous to that of ATIYAH, SINGER and SEGAL [2] (see also [5]) for elliptic differential operators over compact manifolds with automorphisms of period n and for certain other automorphisms. Both formulas depend heavily on the fact that the eigenvalues of certain endomorphisms of vector bundles are locally constant. In [2], this is guaranteed by hypotheses which force these eigenvalues to be n^ roots of unity and considerations of continuity.
Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic fractionation between diet and swine tissues

Naturally occurring stable isotope ratios can be a powerful tool in studies of animal nutrition, provided that the assumptions required for dietary reconstruction are validated by studies such as the one presented here. The objective of this study was to document the magnitude of isotopic fractionation between swine diet and their different tissues. For this, the isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen of the diet and selected tissues (hair, nail, liver, muscle, fat and cartilage) were determined. The d13C and d15N of the diet were -15.9 and 1.3, respectively, and all d15N of swine tissues were 2.2 to 3.0 enriched in 15N in relation to the diet. Little variation in d15N occurred among tissues, with exception to liver that was less enriched in 15N than the nail. Nail and hair presented no 13C enrichment relative to diet. Cartilage was ~1.0 enriched in 13C as compared to diet. Liver and muscle were on average 2.1 more depleted in 13C in relation to diet as well as fat tissues. Some of the C and N isotope ratios of swine tissues differed in organs, but the isotopic fractionation trends among tissues appears to be similar to other mammals. Therefore our data provide a good baseline to interpret stable isotope patterns in domestic mammals (such as swine) in controlled or semi-controlled experiments.
Circular Statistics-based low complexity DOA estimation for hearing aid application

The proposed Circular statistics-based Inter-Microphone Phase difference estimation Localizer (CIMPL) method is tailored toward binaural hearing aid systems with microphone arrays in each unit. The method utilizes the circular statistics (circular mean and circular variance) of inter-microphone phase difference (IPD) across different microphone pairs. These IPDs are firstly mapped to time delays through a variance-weighted linear fit, then mapped to azimuth direction-of-arrival (DoA) and lastly information of different microphone pairs is combined. The variance is carried through the different transformations and acts as a reliability index of the estimated angle. Both the resulting angle and variance are fed into a wrapped Kalman filter, which provides a smoothed estimate of the DoA. The proposed method improves the accuracy of the tracked angle of a single moving source compared with the benchmark method provided by the LOCATA challenge, and it runs approximately 75 times faster.