Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
iBuyers: Liquidity in Real Estate Markets?

We study the growth of “iBuyers,” real estate companies with online acquisition platforms that buy and sell residential real estate, to provide novel evidence on the effects and challenges of making housing markets more liquid. iBuyers act as liquidity providers, buying low and selling high, and carrying properties on their inventories for only a short period of time. Consumers sell their homes at considerable discount to iBuyers averaging 3.6% relative to comparable homes sold through a standard way. This suggests that, like prominent online mortgage originators, iBuyers use technology to provide households with convenience rather than simple cost savings. Compared to other sellers with similar homes, iBuyers list the properties they acquire at higher prices, adjust listing prices more frequently, and are more patient in their listing behavior. While they sell their properties at a premium averaging about 1.6%, these premia are greatest off-season when other players are less active in the market. We next focus our attention on the limits of the iBuyer business model and barriers to their market penetration. We show that iBuyers predominantly target homes that can be fairly accurately priced algorithmic-ally and that can be relatively quickly resold. These findings can be rationalized within a search-based model of house trading that illustrates that iBuyers comparative advantage allows them to add liquidity to the parts of the market where it is relatively less valuable. Despite these limitations, we document that iBuyer entry has increased geographical mobility, the ability for homeowners to move to smaller properties, and housing market liquidity.
Ameliorating Drought Stress Effects on Soybean Physiology and Yield by Hydrogen Peroxide

Soybean is considered as an important legume because of its high content of protein and oil. However, it is sensitive to drought stress that was increasingly recorded recently. Plants respond to drought by several changes on the physiological and molecular levels and by endogenously changing the concentrations of certain substances, sauch as reactive oxygen species (ROS). An experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 to investigate the effects of drought stress and the possible effects of exogenously sprayed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at R1 stage on two soybean cultivars. Significant decreases in all studied traits were recorded as a result of drought stress. Noticeable enhancements in stomatal conductance, relative chlorophyll content, relative water content, leaf area index, plant height and the final seed yield of both cultivars when treated with H2O2 were also recorded. It could be concluded that H2O2 spraying can be a good strategy to alleviate presumable negative influence of drought.
Digitalization and IT Backsourcing: Towards a Transformational Model for the German Automobile Industry

Many organisations are now confronted with the new phenomenon of digitalization and are faced with the challenge of formulating and implementing a company-wide digital transformation strategy. Digitalization is associated with significant and extremely rapid change, and, in some cases, even the replacement of established business models. In manufacturing companies, this transformation is part of what is often termed Industry 4.0 and, in large companies, where the provision of information technology (IT) has hitherto been outsourced (in whole or in part), the introduction of these new technologies may be the catalyst for IT backsourcing. This entails bringing previously outsourced activities back in-house to regain ownership and control, in order to be more flexible and respond more effectively to rapidly changing demands. This study reviews the extant literature to assess existing thinking on the motivation for backsourcing, and then examines the potential role of digitalization in driving IT backsourcing in the German automotive industry. A provisional conceptual framework for subsequent research is put forward, using a knowledge-based view of the firm. The study is in its initial stages, but the model is being developed through more in-depth interviews to provide operational guidance for practitioners and subsequent research studies.
Human Extinction Learning Is Accelerated by an Angiotensin Antagonist via Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex and Its Connections With Basolateral Amygdala

Recent translational research suggests a role of the renin-angiotensin (RA) system in threat extinction and underlying neuroplasticity; however, whether and how pharmacological modulation of the RA system influences physiological and neural manifestations of threat during extinction learning in humans is unclear. Here we report that pre-extinction administration of losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, accelerated attenuation of physiological threat expression. During early extinction, losartan enhanced threat-signal specific ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) activation and its coupling with the basolateral amygdala. Multivoxel pattern analysis revealed that losartan reduced whole brain, particularly vmPFC, threat expression and voxel-wise mediation analyses further confirmed that losartan-accelerated extinction crucially involved vmPFC processing. Overall the results provide initial evidence for a critical role of the RA system in extinction learning in humans and suggest that adjunct losartan administration may facilitate the efficacy of extinction-based therapies.
Heat storage in aquifers: buoyancy flow and thermal-stratification problems

Heat Storage in aquifers involves injecting warm water into a confined aquifer and recovering the heat later by pumping out the warm water. Heat loss in the aquifers is roughly proportional to the area of the warm storage region which may be increased to unacceptable levels by buoyancy effects. Thermohydraulic problems in heat storage aquifers, methods for predicting the buoyancy flow, and changes in the thermal front within different aquifer types are discussed. Some general observations are made. Results of some analytical solutions are presented. The superposition of forced and natural convection is dealt with. Formulas for the tilting of the thermal front as a function of time are given. These are tested against numerical simulations and applied to laboratory and field experiments. The different results, formulas, and tilting criteria are summarized.
Mesenchymal stromal cells release CXCL1/2/8 and induce chemoresistance and macrophage polarization

Factors released by surrounding cells such as cancer-associated mesenchymal stromal cells (CA-MSCs) are involved in tumor progression and chemoresistance. We determine the mechanisms by which a naïve MSC could become a CA-MSC and characterize CA-MSCs. Ovarian tumor cells (OTC) trigger the transformation of MSCs to CA-MSCs expressing different pro-tumoral, genes and secreting high amounts of CXCR1/2 ligands (CXCL1, CXCL2 and IL-8) implicated in the chemoresistance of cancer cells. CXCR1/2 ligands can also inhibit the immune response against OTC. Indeed, through their released factors, CA-MSCs can trigger the differentiation of monocytes to pro-tumoral M2 phenotype macrophages known to promote the tumor progression. When CXCR1/2 receptors are inhibited, these CA-MSC-activated macrophages lose their M2 functions and acquire an anti-tumoral phenotype. Both ex vivo and in vivo a CXCR1/2 inhibitor can sensitize OTC to carboplatin even in the presence of a pro-tumoral microenvironment. This inhibitor can circumvent the pro-tumoral effects of CA-MSCs. As high concentrations of CXCR1/2 ligands in blood from patients can be associated with chemoresistance, CXCR1/2 inhibition could be a potential therapeutic strategy to revert chemoresistance.
A virtual laboratory for developing and experimenting internet of things applications

O desenvolvimento de aplicacoes para Internet das Coisas (do Ingles Internet of Things, IoT) tem enfrentado importantes desafios tais como a inerente heterogeneidade dos dispositivos em termos de capacidades, poder computacional, protocolos de rede e requisitos energeticos. Para enderecar esse desafio, plataformas de middleware para IoT tem sido propostas para abstrair as especificidades desses dispositivos, promover interoperabilidade entre eles e facilitar o desenvolvimento de aplicacoes. Dado um conjunto de componentes requeridos para uma aplicacao de IoT em desenvolvimento, sua implantacao e configuracao podem ser feitas tanto manualmente quanto utilizando alguma ferramenta de configuracao. Entretanto, configurar um ambiente composto de componentes de uma plataforma de middleware por vezes nao e um processo trivial. Este trabalho apresenta um laboratorio virtual baseado na Web para prototipacao, configuracao e experimentacao de componentes de plataformas de middleware para IoT para o desenvolvimento de aplicacoes. Esse laboratorio virtual e chamado FIWARE-Lab@RNP por ter sido instanciado para a FIWARE, uma plataforma generica aberta desenvolvida na Comunidade Europeia para alavancar o desenvolvimento de aplicacoes de Internet do Futuro. A principal contribuicao do FIWARELab@RNP e permitir o uso de recursos da FIWARE de modo transparente, liberando os usuarios da necessidade de implantar e operar uma instância da FIWARE em seu ambiente de desenvolvimento. FIWARE-Lab@RNP prove funcionalidades para facil criacao, configuracao e gerenciamento de instâncias de componentes da FIWARE, dispositivos, entidades de contexto e servicos, ao passo que tenta minimizar a curva de aprendizado para essas tarefas. Neste trabalho, o FIWARE-Lab@RNP foi avaliado em termos de usabilidade e desempenho. Os resultados de um experimento focado em usuario apontaram que o FIWARE-Lab@RNP contribui para reduzir o esforco de desenvolvimento e e efetivo para melhorar a experiencia de usuario no uso de servicos da FIWARE. Os resultados de tres experimentos computacionais mostraram que o FIWARE-Lab@RNP e escalavel para dar bom suporte a altas cargas de trabalho e eficiente para atender a um numero significativo de requisicoes concorrentes.
Effects of paclobutrazol and jasmonic acid on potato minituber production and some plant characteristics in aeroponic cultivation system

In this research, the acclimatized in vitro plants were transferred to the aeroponic system and the effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) and jasmonic acid (JA) were investigated on the production of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cvs Agria and Svalan) minitubers. Some plant characteristics were also investigated in this cultivation system, under greenhouse conditions. Plants were foliar sprayed with PBZ (50 and 100 mgL-1) and JA (5 and 10 mgL-1) 30 and 50 days after transplantation (DAT). Significant interactions were observed between plant growth regulators and the time of foliar spraying for plant height, number of minitubers, and fresh and dry weights of minitubers. Also, the results of the analysis of combined experiments showed significant interactions between cultivars, plant growth regulators, and the time of foliar spraying for the number of minitubers and fresh and dry weights of minitubers. The number, fresh and dry weights of minitubers increased by using 5 mgL-1 JA at 30 DAT in cultivar Agria. Also, the use of 5 mgL-1 JA at 30 DAT in cultivar Savalan increased the fresh and dry weights of minitubers. The use of 100 mgL-1 PBZ caused a reduction in plant height and significantly increased the number, fresh and dry weights of minitubers per plant at 50 DAT in cultivar Agria. In cultivar Savalan, 5 mgL-1 JA and 50 mgL-1 PBZ significantly increased the number, fresh and dry weights of minitubers per plant at 50 DAT.
Using supervised machine learning to automatically detect type II and III solar radio bursts

<p>Solar flares are often associated with high-intensity radio emission known as `solar radio bursts' (SRBs). SRBs are generally observed in dynamic spectra and have five major spectral classes, labelled type I to type V depending on their shape and extent in frequency and time. Due to their morphological complexity, a challenge in solar radio physics is the automatic detection and classification of such radio bursts. Classification of SRBs has become necessary in recent years due to large data rates (3 Gb/s) generated by advanced radio telescopes such as the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR). Here we test the ability of several supervised machine learning algorithms to automatically classify type II and type III solar radio bursts. We test the detection accuracy of support vector machines (SVM), random forest (RF), as well as an implementation of transfer learning of the Inception and YOLO convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The training data was assembled from type II and III bursts observed by the Radio Solar Telescope Network (RSTN) from 1996 to 2018, supplemented by type II and III radio burst simulations. The CNNs were the best performers, often exceeding >90% accuracy on the validation set, with YOLO having the ability to perform radio burst burst localisation in dynamic spectra. This shows that machine learning algorithms (in particular CNNs) are capable of SRB classification, and we conclude by discussing future plans for the implementation of a CNN in the LOFAR for Space Weather (LOFAR4SW) data-stream pipelines. </p>
Improvement of dissolution rate of a new antiretroviral drug using an anti-solvent crystallization technology

This study concerns a new antiretroviral drug named CRS 74. This molecule has a limited bioavailability because of its low aqueous solubility, poor water wettability and low dissolution rate. In an attempt to improve these properties, CRS 74 was recrystallized by using a Liquid Anti-Solvent (LAS) crystallization process. The chosen solvent is the ethanol and the anti-solvent the water. So solid-liquid equilibria in binary mixtures ethanol/water were measured at 30°C. The obtained solubility data were represented using UNIQUACbased model. The experimental and calculated solubilities permitted to estimate the optimal ethanol/water mass ratios (25/75 % w/w) in order to maximize the theoretical yield of solid. A double-jet with premixing (T-mixer) has been used to mix the two solutions. Particles of recrystallized CRS 74 seemed more agglomerated and the dissolution profile was not modified compared to the original drug. Furthermore, the study of crystals obtained at the exit of the mixer showed that the growth and agglomeration rates of crystals are high.In an attempt to improve its dissolution properties, CRS 74 has been recrystallized using different additives to optimize process and formulation parameters. Conclusively, produced microcrystals exhibited significantly faster dissolution rates than the original CRS 74 crystals. The improved dissolution is attributable to the modification of the particle size of drug crystals and enhancement of wetting properties due to specific interactions between the drug and the additives.
Effects of thickness, morphology and molecular structure of donor and acceptor layers in thermally interdiffused polymer photovoltaics

An in-depth study of concentration gradients in thermally-interdiffused polymer – fullerene photovoltaic devices, with a focus on thickness and heat treatments, is presented in this thesis. Device performance is improved from the bilayer by the creation of a concentration gradient of the donor and acceptor materials throughout the active layer of the device. Concentration gradients are expected to improve device performance by optimizing the charge transfer, transport and collection processes. This is achieved through heat-induced interdiffusion of the two materials at temperatures above the glass transition temperature of the polymer. Investigation of the poly(3-octylthiophene) (P3OT) – C60 system show a three-fold improvement in the external quantum efficiencies (EQE) as compared with bilayer devices. Auger spectroscopy, combined with argon-ion beam milling, serves to record the concentration depth profile and identify concentration gradients in the device through detection of the sulfur in the P3OT backbone. Concentration gradients are optimized to yield the best devices through a thickness variation study conducted on the P3OT – C60 system for fixed thermal interdiffusion conditions at 118 °C for 5 minutes. An optimum thickness of 40 to 60 nm is obtained for the two materials that yields the ideal morphology of a concentration gradient as recorded by Auger spectroscopy. For such devices, the concentration gradient is seen to extend through the device, ending in a thin layer of pure material at each electrode. A monochromatic power conversion efficiency of 2.05% is obtained for 5.3 mW/cm 2 illumination at 470 nm. A brief study is also presented to optimize the concentration gradient profile through variations of the thermal parameters. The dependence of the concentration gradient on the interdiffusion time and temperature is investigated. The merits of heat treatment on the crystallinity of P3OT and the overall device performance are also
Comparison of Pretreatments and Shipping Solutions for Lilium OT Hybrid ‘Zambesi’ Export

Our study evaluated the effect of pretreatment and shipping solution on the quality of the Lilium OT hybrid ‘Zambesi’, which is harvested in South Korea and exported to Japan. We found that vase life was prolonged by approximately 1-2 days when pretreatment or shipping solution was applied. Moreover, both tap water pretreatment followed by shipping using Chrysal AVB and Chrysal SVB pretreatment followed by shipping using tap water + 1-MCP produced less browning and wilting. The change in flower diameter was very small (0.06 cm) when pretreatment with Chrysal SVB was followed by shipping using tap water + 1-MCP. On the auction stage, the flower diameter increased slightly and then slowly decreased. The rate of fresh weight change, after pretreatment with Chrysal SVB and shipping using tap water + 1-MCP, was slightly higher than that of the other treatments. For water uptake, the result was similar. For water balance, which is affected by fresh weight and water uptake, Chrysal SVB followed by shipping using tap water + 1-MCP showed a two-day delay in obtaining a negative value, compared to the other treatments. Also, water balance was greater in flowers pretreated with Chrysal SVB and shipped using Chrysal AVB; these flowers exhibited the longest vase life. The rate of stomatal size change according to brightness, using Chrysal SVB followed by either shipping with tap water + 1-MCP or Chrysal AVB, was slightly higher than the other treatments; this result was similar to that for water balance. Therefore, the vase life of cut lily was longer when only one pretreatment or shipping solution was applied. For pretreatment, Chrysal SVB was more effective than tap water. For shipping solution, tap water + 1-MCP or Chrysal AVB effectively extended vase life and maintained quality. Additional key words: cut flower, floricultural trade, postharvest, vase life, wet distribution
Bacterial biofilms resist oxidising agents due to the presence of organic matter.

Jaglic Z. , Cervinkova D. , Vlkova H. , Michu E. , Kunova G. , Babak V. (2012): Bacterial biofilms resist oxidising agents due to the presence of organic matter. Czech J. Food Sci., 30: 178–187. This study evaluated the susceptibility of planktonic and biofilm cells of Staphylococcus spp. (n = 87), klebsiella spp. (n = 30), and escherichia coli (n = 74) isolates originating from food contact surfaces of milk and meat processing plants to benzalkonium chloride (BAC), sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), chloramine B (CAB), and peracetic acid (PAA). Bacterial growth and reduction of viable cells in the presence of disinfectants were determined in tryptone soya broth (TSB) and water, respectively. Biofilm positive isolates ( n = 73) were tested for the presence of selected qac genes. Unlike BAC, chlorine‑based disinfectants and PAA were poorly efficient in TSB, especially in the case of biofilms. However, when tested in water, the efficacy of NaClO, CAB and PAA substantially increased, which was particularly evident in biofilms. In water, staphylococcal biofilms were even more susceptible to CAB than planktonic cells. A part (23.3%) of the biofilm positive staphylococci carried the qac genes but did not express an increased resistance to BAC. This study showed that bacterial biofilms protected with organic matter could be one of the main reasons for disinfection failure.
The Death of the Security Goddess Securitas: Brave New World

The term “security” comes from the word “Securitas”. Securitas was the Goddess of security and stability, in the Roman Empire. In modern times, security is often described as the absence of threat and fear. However, this conceptualization has perils of which Aldous Huxley’s novel Brave New World can be accepted as the most extreme example. In such a world there is no need for the security goddess Securitas anymore. Everything is automated from birth to death. There is no fear and nothing to be afraid of, but the price that is paid, is becoming robotic in a totalitarian society. That is why a new conceptualization and a new definition of security can help prevent and overcome this totalitarian problem. By analyzing the main themes of the BNW novel without going into the details of the events and characters; the main purpose of this paper is to examine the issue of security and its nature and to offer a new definition of security. Firstly, a very short plot of the novel will be given. Secondly, the themes and ideas of the BNW will be discussed in terms of why it is a dystopia rather than a utopia. Thirdly, BNW will be evaluated in juxtaposition with the concept of security. Finally, an alternative definition of the concept of security will be offered in order to enhance its meaning and also to be able to prevent the coming of a possible future like BNW.
Effect of Feeding More Than 70% Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Feedlot Cattle Performance

A finishing trial evaluated effects of feeding greater than 70% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) on feedlot cattle performance. The WDGS was fed at 40, 70, 77, and 85% of diet dry matter (DM), while roughage levels ranged from 5 to 25% across treatments. Larger ADG and G:F were observed with 40% WDGS and 5% roughage. Higher levels of WDGS were successfully fed with levels of roughage above 8% but the diets were less profitable than the 40% WDGS diet.
Acoustic Noise Classification Using Selective Discrete Wavelet Transform-Based Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficient

- A feature extraction method through wavelet Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) is proposed for acoustic noise classification. The method combined with a wavelet sub-band selection technique and a feedforward neural network with two hidden layers, is a promising solution for a compact acoustic noise classification system that could be added to speech enhancement systems and deployed in hearing devices such as cochlear implants. The technique leads to higher classification accuracies (with a mean of 95.25%) across three SNR values, a significantly smaller feature set with 16 features, a reduced memory requirement, faster training convergence and lower computation cost by a factor of 0.69 in comparison to the traditional Short-Time Fourier Transform-based (STFT-based) technique.