Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hearing from the ocean and into the river: the evolution of the inner ear of Platanistoidea (Cetacea: Odontoceti)

Abstract. The inner ear of the two higher clades of modern cetaceans (Neoceti) is highly adapted for hearing infrasonic (mysticetes) or ultrasonic (odontocetes) frequencies. Within odontocetes, Platanistoidea comprises a single extant riverine representative, Platanista gangetica, and a diversity of mainly extinct marine species from the late Oligocene onward. Recent studies drawing on features including the disparate tympanoperiotic have not yet provided a consensus phylogenetic hypothesis for platanistoids. Further, cochlear morphology and evolutionary patterns have never been reported. Here, we describe for the first time the inner ear morphology of late Oligocene–early Miocene extinct marine platanistoids and their evolutionary patterns. We initially hypothesized that extinct marine platanistoids lacked a specialized inner ear like P. gangetica and thus, their morphology and inferred hearing abilities were more similar to those of pelagic odontocetes. Our results reveal there is no “typical” platanistoid cochlear type, as the group displays a disparate range of cochlear anatomies, but all are consistent with high-frequency hearing. Stem odontocete Prosqualodon australis and platanistoid Otekaikea huata present a tympanal recess in their cochlea, of yet uncertain function in the hearing mechanism in cetaceans. The more basal morphology of Aondelphis talen indicates it had lower high-frequency hearing than other platanistoids. Finally, Platanista has the most derived cochlear morphology, adding to evidence that it is an outlier within the group and consistent with a >9-Myr-long separation from its sister genus Zarhachis. The evolution of a singular sound production morphology within Platanistidae may have facilitated the survival of Platanista to the present day.
Farmland Use Transition in a Typical Farming Area: The Case of Sihong County in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China

An in-depth exploration of the dynamics and existing problems in farmland morphology is crucial to formulate targeted protection policies. In this study, we constructed a morphological evaluation index system to identify the characteristics of farmland use transition in Sihong County of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, China. The dominant morphology in terms of area and landscape pattern and the recessive morphology focusing on function were considered in this work. Based on this information, the driving factors of farmland use transition were quantitatively analyzed via the mixed regression model. The following major findings were determined: (1) The area showed a U-shaped change trend during 2009–2018. The patch density (PD) showed an upward trend, and the mean patch size (MPS) showed a downward trend, indicating that the degree of farmland fragmentation increased. The implementation of land consolidation projects increased the area and aggregation of farmland, while urbanization and road construction occupied and divided the farmland, leading to a reduction in area and increase in the degree of fragmentation. (2) The crop production, living security, and eco-environmental function of farmland showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. Urbanization increased the demand for agricultural products and the degree of large-scale agricultural production and had a positive impact on the crop production and eco-environmental function of farmland. Our research highlights that increasing farmland fragmentation should be addressed in the farming area. Therefore, the government should formulate efficient policies to curb farmland occupation for urban and traffic utilization.
Social Media’s Impact on the Global Mergers and Acquisitions Market

This study analyses the impact of social media popularity on the global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market using a sample of 66,905 M&A transactions across 50 countries for the sample period from 2011 to 2017. Social media influence on M&A transactions is tested using competing bids and proportion of cash paid in the transaction deal characteristics. We find that social media popularity has increased the probability of competing bids by 7.7% across countries and the proportion of cash paid in transactions decreased by 2.5% across countries. The results of additional analyses using the introduction of the internet are consistent with the conclusion that technologies that enhance the transmission of public information have an effect on the M&A variables tested. We test the robustness of our results using subsample analysis and placebo tests. This study is distinct from existing literature due to its globally diverse M&A dataset, unique social media and internet data, and cross-country approach to social media’s influence on financial markets.
Telling Apart the Bad from the Good Guys Behind the Spraying Mist

Residues of pesticides not allowed in organic farming are often found in organic food. A large number of samples are being tested by organic certifiers, but the sampling methods often do not allow to determine if such residues stem from prohibited pesticide use by organic farmers, from mixing organic with conventional products, from short-range spray-drift from neighbour farms, from the ubiquitous presence of such substances due to long-distance drift, or from other sources of contamination. Eight case studies from different crops and countries are used to demonstrate that sampling at different distances from possible sources of short distance drift allows in most cases to differentiate deliberate pesticide application by the organic farmer from drift. Datasets from 67 banana farms in Ecuador, where aerial fungicide spraying leads to a heavy drift problem, were subjected to statistical analysis. A linear discriminant function including four variables was identified for distinguishing under these conditions application from drift, with an accuracy of 93.3%.
Strategically Targeting Plug-In Electric Vehicle Rebates and Outreach Using “EV Convert” Characteristics

To expand markets for plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) beyond enthusiastic early adopters, investments must be strategic. This research characterizes a segment of EV adoption that points the way toward the mainstream: EV consumers with low or no initial interest in EVs, or “EV Converts. ” Logistic regression is utilized to profile EV Convert demographic, household, and regional characteristics; vehicle-transaction details; and purchase motivations—based on 2016–2017 survey data characterizing 5447 rebated California EV consumers. Explanatory factors are rank-ordered—separately for battery EVs (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs), to inform targeted outreach and incentive design. EV Converts tend to have relatively “lower” values on factors that might have otherwise “pre-converted” them to EV interest: hours researching EVs online; motivation from environmental impacts and carpool-lane access; and solar ownership. PHEV Converts more closely resemble new-car buyers than other EV adopters, and BEV Converts actually tend to be younger and less-frequently white/Caucasian than new-car buyers. BEV Converts also tend to: lack workplace charging, be moderately motivated by energy independence, and reside in Southern California or the Central Valley. Predictors that not only help target consumers, but also help convert them, include rebates for BEV consumers and, modestly, fuel-cost savings for PHEV consumers.
Compact beam‐switchable antenna for mm‐wave 5G handheld devices

An electronically beam ‐ steerable antenna (BSA) is envisioned. The presented BSA is a possible solution to overthrow the limitations inherent to phased antenna arrays. The design consists of a gap coupling inset feed rectangular patch (driven element) and 3 � 1 passive parasitic patches deployed on both sides of the driven patch. Prototype having 20 � 20 mm dimensions is printed on Rogers ® RT/duroid ® 5870. Four switches are used to load the reactive impedance on parasitic patches, which in turn, change the phases of surface current on parasitic elements and the driven element. Based on the different ON and OFF configuration of switches in parasitic array elements, the main beam is steered along with different directions. The simulated results show that the design can operate between 26.8 and 30.3 GHz a wide impedance bandwidth | S 11 | < − 10 dB (12.5%) with a peak gain of 8.9 dBi and wide 3 ‐ dB scanning angle that is, − 37° to 156° in the azimuth plane. The exhibited performance of BSA with favourable characteristics, such as wideband, adequate gain, wide ‐ angle beam switching, and low profile renders the BSA a good candidate for 5G millimetre wave handheld devices. Moreover, to corroborate the performance, the design is fabricated, and experimental measurements were performed. Congruence is observed between the experimentally measured and computationally simulated results. The simulated results of spherical coverage analysis of BSAwith the integration of smartphone form factor are
Studies on Lignin Degradation Activity by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Kware Lake

Background: Wood is naturally degraded by wood degrading microorganisms and modified and partly degraded residual of lignin goes into soil. It is an amorphous and complex aromatic compound. In the plant cells, lignin can be converted via phenylalanine and tyrosine by transamination. Africa generates a huge amount of waste from agricultural and household activities. This huge amount of waste can be exploited as a sustainable raw material for many industrial processes other than just simply burning it as a solid fuel. Aims: The study aimed at isolating and screening Pseudomonas aeruginoas for lignin degradation. Methods: The bacterium was characterized and identified according to morphological and biochemical characteristics. The bacterial DNA was extracted using DNA isolation kit and used for molecular analysis. Four (4) dyes such as Methylene blue, Congo red, iodine and Malachite green were screened on bacterial isolate for its ability to decolorize the dyes. The effect of some growth parameters such incubation time, temperature, pH and agitation were studies on the isolate for lignin degradation as well as bacterial biomass production. Results: The effect of some growth parameters such incubation time, temperature, pH and agitation were studies on the isolate for lignin degradation as well as bacterial biomass production. From the results, it was observed that the isolate showed higher zone of inhibition on Congo red (14.00 mm) and Methylene blue (10.00 mm), while no decolorization was observed on Malachite green. The growth parameters studied indicated the optimum condition required for both lignin degradation and bacterial biomass production as follows; 48 hours (65%, 0.41g), 40oC (77%, 0.31g), pH 7 (58%, 0.26g) and 100rpm (72%, 0.42). The FTIR revealed two peaks at 3375 cm-1 which attributed to O-H stretching while the second peak 1687.5 cm-1 corresponded to C=O stretching. Conclusion: The results of GC-MS detected the presence of 2,5-Hexanediol, 2-Octynoic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid and i-Propyl9,12-octadecenadienoate.
An EDFA-Gain Equalizer Based On a Sagnac Loop With an Unpumped Erbium-Doped Fiber

We have demonstrated an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) gain equalizer for flattening the amplified spontaneous emission gain spectrum using a Sagnac loop incorporated with a single-section unpumped erbium-doped fiber. The gain spectra output from the transmission port and the reflection port of the Sagnac loop are studied in detail. The absorption effect of unpumped erbium-doped fiber and the resonance mode caused by the birefringence beat length in the loop are combined to make the gain spectrum be partially or completely flattened by adjusting the polarization controllers properly in the loop. On the one hand, the part of the spectrum is flatted within ±0.15 dB and ±0.145 dB in the wavelength range of 16 nm and 14 nm at the reflection port and transmission port respectively. On the other hand, the total spectrum is flatted within ±1.225 dB over a bandwidth of 36.5 nm in the whole C-band at the transmission port, while the two-peak with 29.6 nm interval occurred at the reflection port because of the 0.15-1.55 m birefringence beat length of single-mode erbium-doped fiber in the loop. The results are consistent with theoretical simulations. This flat technique has the potential to be used in communication technology, especially in wavelength division multiplexing to adjust multichannel gain simultaneously and multi-wavelength narrow-linewidth fiber lasers to achieve a wide range of stable light output.
Separative magnetization transport: theory, model, and experiment

Separative magnetization transport: theory, model, and experiment Rico A. R. Picone Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Professor Joseph L. Garbini Mechanical Engineering We present a theoretical framework for modeling the transport of any number of globally conserved quantities, in any spatial configuration, and apply it to obtain a model of magnetization transport for spin-systems with two spin-species. The framework allows an entropy function to define a model that explicitly respects the laws of thermodynamics. A one-species model is derived as a special case. In the high spin-temperature (linear) limit, this model is shown to be equivalent to the model of nuclear spin transport of Genack and Redfield (Genack and Redfield, 1975). The two-species model is novel in that it describes systems of two spin-species and systems with large polarization. It is explored numerically and shown to be consistent with experimental results, which are also presented, but are insufficient to validate the model. This is followed by a numerical exploration of a potential experiment that could validate the model. Analytic, steady state solutions for the oneand two-species models are derived. The separative quality of transport is quantified by two figures of merit: one static and the other dynamic. The theoretical framework, two-species model, and experimental results provide a foundation for further study of separative magnetization transport (SMT), and in particular the study of harnessing it to induce hyperpolarization by optimizing the presented figures of merit.
Comparative Study of Mechanical Properties of Chemically Treated and Untreated Cyrtostachys Renda Fibers

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment on the strength and stiffness of Cyrtostachys renda (CR) leaf stalk fibers, which could potentially serve as reinforcement for polymer composites. Chemical treatment was performed with NaOH concentrations of 1, 3, and 5 wt% at a soaking time of 1 and 2 hours. The tensile strength, interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and the surface morphology of the fibers were investigated. Based on statistical analysis, the concentration of NaOH significantly affected the tensile strength, while both the concentration of NaOH and treatment duration influenced the IFSS. Increases of 130% in tensile strength and of 423% in interfacial shear strength for the fiber treated at NaOH concentration of 3% at 1 hour soaking time were found, as well as an increased crystallinity index by 12% compared to untreated CR fiber. SEM analysis revealed that shrinkage of hollow structure by the NaOH treatment occurred and subsequently fiber get denser. It can be concluded that fiber treatment with 3% NaOH for 1 hour soaking time is ideal to enhance the fiber properties. Therefore, alkali (NaOH) treated CR fiber could be a potential candidate as reinforcement in polymer composite for structural and automotive components.
Influence of the replacement of silica by boron trioxide on the properties of bioactive glass scaffolds

Based on the increasing number of diseases, injuries and trauma and the limitations associated with current standard therapies, research is progressing in the field of tissue engineering (TE) to develop alternative ways to repair and regenerate damaged tissue.15 Bone TE typically involves a porous scaffold, used as temporary support for cell attachment, possibly combined with growth factors and other biomolecules to improve cellular functions during the regeneration process.68 Bioactive glasses (BGs) are attractive candidates for filling bone defects due to their bioactive properties, characterized by the ability to support the proliferation and differentiation of bone cells and to form a strong bond to bone.912 Moreover, the possibility to fabricate scaffolds or fibers from BGs makes them interesting for bone TE.13 The first BG composition, invented by Hench and coworkers, consists of 45 Si2O24.5 CaO24.5 Na2O6 P2O5 (in wt%) and is wellknown as the 45S5 composition.13 Compared to other BG compositions, 45S5 BG has been the most used BG in biomedical applications and in Received: 7 October 2020 | Revised: 15 December 2020 | Accepted: 21 January 2021 DOI: 10.1111/ijag.15894
Determinants of the disclosure tone of poverty alleviation information: the case of A-share listed companies in China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchange

ABSTRACT Companies’ disclosing information of targeted poverty alleviation in China has become a referee for investors to judge the morality of the corporate management and influenced the decision-making of investment. According to analysing the sample of A-share listed companies in China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen during 2016–2019, this article tests the effects on practices (Investment of Poverty Alleviation) via theories (Information Disclosure). The empirical result shows that: First, once companies invest more in targeted poverty alleviation, they will significantly increase their active tone, such as active participation and high involvements, to disclose the relevant information. Second, compared with private enterprises, state-owned enterprises will have more active tones in disclosing the information on targeted poverty alleviation. Nevertheless, with the non-profit feature and its social responsibility of state-owned enterprises, results reveal the negative correlations between increasing expenditures in poverty alleviation and its information disclosure.
Classification and regression models in Copper refinery

The Chuquicamata Copper refinery has an annual production of 480, 000 Tons of copper cathode (A grade). The electrochemical process has a duration of 10 days with 300 A/m2 current density. In this global context, there are a lot of process variables for the process control, like impurities, electrolyte flux in the cells, additive addition, short-cuts and electrical current efficiency. In the present work, classification and regression models are used for having a global process control. The classification models like SVM, Decision Trees, GLMNET, LDA, KNN and Logistic regression show an easy way to see the different effect of the process variables over the quality of the final product. The regression models show the future behaviour of process variables in different scenarios and how this result have a huge impact in the cost of the electrochemical process. In other line, the classification models are easy tool for the operation team. They can see the effect of process variables day by day in the electrochemical cell. The fusion of both models has a strong impact in the global process control for take future decision and minimising the process cost.
Exogenous shocks and the adaptive capacity of family firms: exploring behavioral changes and digital technologies in the COVID‐19 pandemic

The COVID‐19 pandemic has been and is currently still affecting organizations of all sizes and in many industries, and research still lacks profound insights into the managerial implications of this phenomenon. In particular, it is unclear how family firms, which are the economic backbone of most of the countries affected by the pandemic, have adapted to COVID‐19. This paper addresses this gap by drawing on a rich body of evidence collected from 90 interviews and secondary data in a longitudinal case study of four German family firms. We develop a framework for understanding how family firms adapt to exogenous shocks such as the COVID‐19 pandemic and find that the exogenous shock further reinforces the family firm’s resource constraints and the family’s fear of losing their socioemotional wealth. These motivational sources, in turn, trigger behavioral changes in both the firm and the family. In addition to a temporarily induced short‐term orientation, these changes manifest in (pseudo)family cohesion, less rigid mental models, and the utilization of digital technologies. Organizational outcomes such as new alliances, digital platforms, and the adaptive capacity of family firms are the result of these behavioral changes. By providing a comprehensive understanding of how COVID‐19 affects family firms, the insights from our study contribute to innovation research, business practice, and policymaking alike. More broadly, we provide innovation scholars with a theoretical comprehension of how exogenous shocks can challenge our canonical understanding of organizations’ (innovative) behavior.
Improving Selection Efficiency of Crop Breeding with a Genomic Prediction Aided Partial Phenotyping Strategy

Increasing the number of environments for phenotyping of crop lines in earlier stages of breeding programs can improve selection accuracy. However, this is often not feasible due to cost. In our study, we investigated a partial phenotyping strategy that does not test all entries in all environments, but instead capitalizes on genomic prediction to predict missing phenotypes in additional environments without extra phenotyping expenditure. The breeders’ main interest – response to selection – was directly simulated to evaluate the effectiveness of the partial genomic phenotyping strategy in a wheat dataset. Whether the partial phenotyping strategy resulted in more selection response depended on the correlations of phenotypes between environments. The partial phenotyping strategy consistently showed statistically significant higher simulated responses to selection, compared to complete phenotyping, when the majority of completely phenotyped environments were negatively correlated and any extension environment was highly positively correlated with any of the completely phenotyped environments. Our results indicate that genomics-based partial phenotyping can improve selection response at middle stages of crop breeding programs.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Cyclic Nitrones via Organocatalytic Michael Addition of Aldehydes to Nitroolefins and Subsequent Reductive Cyclization.

A direct approach to the synthesis of optically active five-membered cyclic nitrones is described. The presented strategy is based on organocatalytic Michael addition of aldehydes to trans-nitroalkenes and subsequent reductive cyclization. The developed methodology was successfully applied to the asymmetric synthesis of Methdilazine.
Some problems of characterization of a solid surface via the surface free energy changes

During the processes occurring at a solid surface, the changes in the surface free energy take place. The knowledge about surface free energy is very helpful for understanding the processes taking place on the surface. However, experimental determination of solid surface free energy is still not a fully solved problem. In this paper, some problems dealing with calculation of solid surface free energy from contact angle are discussed based on literature values of advancing and receding contact angles measured on four different fluoropolymers surface. The four approaches most often used for the calculation are described and especial focus on the approach in which both the advancing and receding contact angles is paid. It is concluded that using probing liquids the absolute value of solid surface free energy cannot be determined. However, the determined apparent values of the energy are very helpful to understand the conditions necessary for a given process to occur.