Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purchasing Power Parity and the Real Exchange Rate

We assess the progress made by the profession in understanding real exchange rate behavior through a selective and critical, but nonetheless expository, review of the literature. Our reading of the literature leads us to the main conclusions that purchasing power parity might be viewed as a valid long-run international parity condition when applied to bilateral exchange rates obtaining among major industrialized countries, and that mean reversion in real exchange rates displays significant nonlinearities. However, further work investigating the effects of real shocks on the long-run equilibrium level also seems warranted.
Discrete Torsion

In this article we explain discrete torsion. Put simply, discrete torsion is the choice of orbifold group action on the B ﬁeld. We derive the classiﬁcation H 2 (Γ , U (1)), we derive the twisted sector phases appearing in string loop partition functions, we derive M. Douglas’s description of discrete torsion for D-branes in terms of a projective representation of the orbifold group, and we outline how the results of Vafa-Witten ﬁt into this framework. In addition, we observe that additional degrees of freedom (known as shift orbifolds) appear in describing orbifold group actions on B ﬁelds, in addition to those classiﬁed by H 2 (Γ , U (1)), and explain how these degrees of freedom appear in terms of twisted sector contributions to partition functions and in terms of orbifold actions on D-brane worldvolumes. This paper represents a technically-simpliﬁed version of prior papers by the author on discrete torsion. We repeat here technically simpliﬁed versions of results from those papers, and have included some new material.
Stability analysis of perturbed plane Couette flow

Plane Couette flow perturbed by a spanwise oriented ribbon, similar to a configuration investigated experimentally at the Centre d’Etudes de Saclay, is investigated numerically using a spectral-element code. Two-dimensional (2-D) steady states are computed for the perturbed configuration; these differ from the unperturbed flows mainly by a region of counter-circulation surrounding the ribbon. The 2-D steady flow loses stability to three-dimensional (3-D) eigenmodes at Rec=230, βc=1.3 for ρ=0.086 and Rec≈550, βc≈1.5 for ρ=0.043, where β is the spanwise wave number and 2ρ is the height of the ribbon. For ρ=0.086, the bifurcation is determined to be subcritical by calculating the cubic term in the normal form equation from the time series of a single nonlinear simulation; steady 3-D flows are found for Re as low as 200. The critical eigenmode and nonlinear 3-D states contain streamwise vortices localized near the ribbon, whose streamwise extent increases with Re. All of these results agree well with experime.
An Integrated Methodology to Analyze the Total Nitrogen Accumulation in a Drinking Water Reservoir Based on the SWAT Model Driven by CMADS: A Case Study of the Biliuhe Reservoir in Northeast China

Human activities, especially dam construction, have changed the nutrient cycle process at the basin scale. Reservoirs often act as a sink in the basin and more nutrients are retained due to sedimentation, which induces the eutrophication of the surface water system. This paper proposes an integrated methodology to analyze the total nitrogen (TN) accumulation in a drinking water reservoir, based on the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model driven by the China Meteorological Assimilation Driving Datasets for the SWAT model (CMADS). The results show that the CMADS could be applied to drive the SWAT model in Northeast China. The dynamic process of TN accumulation indicates that the distribution of TN inputted into the reservoir fluctuated with the dry and wet seasons from 2009–2016, which was mainly governed by the amount of runoff. The annual average TN input and output fluxes of the Biliuhe reservoir were 274.41 × 104 kg and 217.14 × 104 kg, which meant that 19.76% of the TN input accumulated in the reservoir. Higher TN accumulation in the reservoir did not correspond to a higher TN load, due to the influence of flood discharge and the water supply. Interestingly, a higher TN accumulation efficiency was observed in normal hydrological years, because the water source reservoir always stores most of the water input for future multiple uses but rarely discharges surplus water. The non-point sources from fertilizer and atmospheric deposition and soils constituted the highest proportion of the TN input, accounting for 35.15%, 30.15%, and 27.72% of the average input. The DBWD (Dahuofang reservoir to Biliuhe reservoir water diversion) project diverted 32.03 × 104 kg year−1 TN to the Biliuhe reservoir in 2015–2016, accounting for 14.05% of the total annual input. The discharge output and the BDWD (Biliuhe reservoir to Dalian city water diversion) project output accounted for 48.75% and 47.74%, respectively. The effects of inter-basin water diversion projects should be of great concern in drinking water source water system management. There was a rising trend of TN level in the Biliuhe reservoir, which increases the eutrophication risk of the aquatic ecosystem. The TN accumulated in the sediment contributed to a large proportion of the TN accumulated in the reservoir. In addition to decreasing the non-point source nitrogen input from the upper basin, discharging anoxic waters and sediment with a high nitrogen concentration through the bottom hole of the dam could alleviate the nitrogen pollution in the Biliuhe reservoir.
Identification of a novel population of muscle stem cells in mice

Three populations of myogenic cells were isolated from normal mouse skeletal muscle based on their adhesion characteristics and proliferation behaviors. Although two of these populations displayed satellite cell characteristics, a third population of long-time proliferating cells expressing hematopoietic stem cell markers was also identified. This third population comprises cells that retain their phenotype for more than 30 passages with normal karyotype and can differentiate into muscle, neural, and endothelial lineages both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast to the other two populations of myogenic cells, the transplantation of the long-time proliferating cells improved the efficiency of muscle regeneration and dystrophin delivery to dystrophic muscle. The long-time proliferating cells' ability to proliferate in vivo for an extended period of time, combined with their strong capacity for self-renewal, their multipotent differentiation, and their immune-privileged behavior, reveals, at least in part, the basis for the improvement of cell transplantation. Our results suggest that this novel population of muscle-derived stem cells will significantly improve muscle cell–mediated therapies.
Solving systems of set constraints

It is shown that systems of set constraints that use all the standard set operations, especially unrestricted union and complement, can be solved. The centerpiece of the development is an algorithm that incrementally transforms a system of constraints while preserving the set of solutions. Eventually, either the system is shown to be inconsistent or all solutions can be exhibited. Most of the work is in proving that if this algorithm does not discover an inconsistency, then the system has a solution. This is done by showing that the system of constraints generated by the algorithm can be transformed into an equivalent set of equations that are guaranteed to have a solution. These equations are essentially tree automata. <<ETX>>
Adhesion and dissipation at nanoscale

In this thesis, we test some interactions involving surfaces processes at the nanometer scale. The experiments are conducted with a highly sensitive interferometric Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), achieving a resolution down to E-28m2/Hz for the measurement of deflection. Combined with original thermal noise analysis, this tool allows quantitative characterization of the mechanical response of micrometer and nanometer sized systems, such as microcantilevers or carbon nanotubes, on a large frequency range.The first part of my work deals with the viscoelasticity of the coating of AFM cantilevers. Evidenced by a 1/f thermal noise at low frequency, this phenomenon is present when a cantilever is coated with a metallic layer (gold, aluminium, platinium, etc.). Using the fluctuation dissipation theorem and Kramers Kronig relations, we extract the frequency dependance of this viscoelastic damping on a wide range of frequency (1Hz to 20kHz). We find a generic power law dependence in frequency for this dissipation process, with a small negative coefficient that depends on materials. The amplitude of this phenomenon is shown to be linear in the coating thickness, demonstrating that the damping mechanism takes its roots in the bulk of the metallic layer.The second part of my work tackles new experiments on the interaction of carbon nanotubes with flat surfaces. Using our AFM, we perform a true mechanical response measurement of the rigidity and dissipation of the contact between the nanotube and the surface, in a peeling configuration (the nanotube is partially absorbed to the substrate). The results of this protocol are in line with the dynamic stiffness deduced from the thermal noise analysis, showing an unexpected power law dependence in frequency for the contact stiffness. We suggest some possible physical origins to explain this behavior, such as an amorphous carbon layer around the nanotube.
Spatial and temporal variability of ozone sensitivity over China observed from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument

Surface ozone (O3) air pollution in populated regions has been attributed to emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO + NO2 = NOx) and reactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These constituents react with hydrogen oxide radicals (OH + HO2 = HOx) in the presence of sunlight and heat to produce O3. The question of whether to reduce NOx emissions, VOC emissions, or both is complicated by spatially and temporally heterogeneous ozone‐NOx‐VOC sensitivity. This study characterizes spatial and temporal variations in O3 sensitivity by analyzing the ratio of formaldehyde (HCHO, a marker of VOCs) to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a metric known as the formaldehyde nitrogen ratio (FNR). Level 3 gridded retrievals from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aboard the NASA Aura satellite were used to calculate FNR, with our analysis focusing on China. Based on previous studies, we take FNR < 1.0 as indicating VOC‐limited regimes, FNR > 2.0 as indicating NOx‐limited regime, and FNR between 1.0 and 2.0 as indicating transitional regime (where either NOx reductions or VOC reductions would be expected to reduce O3). We find that the transitional regime is widespread over the North China Plain (NCP), the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta during the ozone season (defined as having near‐surface air temperatures >20°C at the early afternoon OMI overpass time). Outside of these regions, the NOx‐limited regime is dominant. Because HCHO and NO2 have distinct seasonal patterns, FNR also has a pronounced seasonality, consistent with the seasonal cycle of surface O3. Examining trends from 2005 to 2013 indicates rapid growth in NO2, especially over less‐developed areas where O3 photochemistry is NOx limited. Over this time period, HCHO decreased in southern China, where VOC emissions are dominated by biogenic sources, but increased slightly over the NCP, where VOC emissions are dominated by anthropogenic sources. A linear regression approach suggests that most of China (70% of grid cells) will be characterized by a transitional regime during the O3 season by 2030. However, in megacities such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing, NO2 has decreased such that the chemical regime has shifted from VOC limited in 2005 to transitional in 2013.
The Resilient Family Firm: Stakeholder Outcomes and Institutional Effects

Manuscript Type Empirical Research Question/Issue Our study seeks to explain the relationship between publicly listed family-controlled firms (FCFs) and investor and employee outcomes before and during the global financial crisis. Theoretically, we develop hypotheses suggesting that FCF resilience is beneficial to both investor and employees. Employing a large firm-level data set of 2,949 firms across 27 European countries, we test the hypotheses that FCFs' long-term orientation makes them resilient to the effects of economic shocks. In addition, using hierarchical linear modeling we evaluate family firm investor and employee outcomes, and the moderating impact of legal institutions protecting minority investors and employees. Research Findings/Insights We find that FCFs financially outperform non-FCFs during the financial crisis, beginning in 2007 and reaching its lowest point in 2009, but show no significant differences during the stable-growth period between 2004 and 2006. We evaluate two employee outcomes: downsizing and wage decreases. We find that FCFs are less likely to downsize their workforce or cut wages in both pre-crisis and crisis conditions. Based upon hypotheses founded in the comparative capitalisms logic, we find significant institutional effects that are contrary to our predictions. Our findings suggest that investors and employees of FCFs achieve more favorable outcomes for their interests when the rules pertaining to investor protection and their enforcement are poorly developed. Theoretical/Academic Implications We contribute to the emerging literature on the institution-based view of comparative corporate governance by demonstrating that family-controlled firms' stakeholder outcomes are contingent upon legal protection for employees and investors under contrasting economic circumstances. Practitioner/Policy Implications Family owners, employees and minority investors should consider both firm-level and country-level governance institutions when investing in different countries, especially in times of economic crisis as jurisdiction-level institutions and firm ownership choices produce variable outcomes for different stakeholders in both crisis and non-crisis conditions.
Near-infrared spectral imaging for quality assurance of pharmaceutical products: Analysis of tablets to assess powder blend homogeneity

The objective of this study was to evaluate near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic imaging as a tool to assess a pharmaceutical quality assurance problem—blend uniformity in the final dosage product. A system based on array detector technology was used to rapidly collect high-contrast NIR images of furosemide tablets. By varying the mixing, 5 grades of experimental tablets containing the same amount of furosemide and microcrystalline cellulose were produced, ranging from well blended to unblended. For comparison, these tablets were also analyzed by traditional NIR spectroscopy, and both approaches were used to evaluate drug product homogeneity. NIR spectral imaging was capable of clearly differentiating between each grade of blending, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The spatial distribution of the components was based on the variation or contrast in pixel intensity, which is due to the NIR spectral contribution to each pixel. The chemical nature of each pixel could be identified by the localized spectrum associated with each pixel. Both univariate and partial least squares (PLS) images were evaluated. In the suboptimal blends, the regions of heterogeneity were obvious by visual inspection of the images. A quantitative measure of blending was determined by calculating the standard deviation of the distribution of pixel intensities in the PLS score images. The percent standard deviation increased progressively from 11% to 240% from well blended to unblended tablets. The NIR spectral imaging system provides a rapid approach for acquiring spatial and spectral information on pharmaceuticals. The technique has potential for a variety of applications in product quality assurance and could affect the control of manufacturing processes.
Epidemiology of Status Epilepticus

Summary: This study presents a review of the epidemiology of status epilepticus (SE) in Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A. The data summarize some of the first population‐based information on the natural presentation of SE in a controlled community setting. SE occurred with an absolute incidence rate of 41 patients per 100,000 residents per year in Richmond. The frequency of total SE occurrences was 50 patients per 100,000 residents per year. Overall mortality in this population was 22%. Absolute incidence and occurrences of SE in this population were shown to be underestimates due to the inability, for multiple reasons, to document all cases of SE. Based on the Richmond data, the number of SE cases, frequencies of occurrence, and deaths per year occurring in the United States were estimated to be 102,000‐152,000, 125,000‐195,000, and 22,000‐42,000, respectively. In Richmond, nonwhites had a much higher incidence of SE than did whites. Partial SE was the most common form of seizure initiating SE. Age and etiology were also found to contribute to mortality. Infants <1 year of age had the highest incidence of SE, but the elderly population represented the largest number of SE cases. This study provides a review of the first prospective, population‐based, epidemiological data on SE and shows that SE is a major medical and neurological emergency in both academic and community hospital settings.
Multidrug-resistant Intestinal Staphylococcus aureus among Self-medicated Healthy Adults in Amassoma, South-South, Nigeria

Multiple antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus is one of the common causes of severe nosocomial infections, and the gastrointestinal tract is an important source of its transmission. This study assessed the previous usage of antibiotics by healthy adults (university students and villagers) in Amassoma, Nigeria, and investigated the antimicrobial resistance patterns of their intestinal S. aureus isolates. A questionnaire was used for evaluating the previous usage of antibiotics by the volunteers. Stool samples were collected and cultured, and S. aureus isolates were confirmed using standard microbiological protocols. Their antimicrobial resistance patterns were determined using disc-diffusion and agar dilution techniques. In total, 54 (45.0%) volunteers used antibiotics on self-medications, and the practice was significantly higher (p=0.01) among the villagers than among the students. The level of judicious use of prescribed antibiotics was significantly higher (p=0.003) among the students than among the villagers. Thirty-eight (31.7%) healthy adults were colonized with intestinal S. aureus. The percentages of resistance of the isolates to some antibiotics were as follows: ampicillin–68.4%, doxycycline–60.5%, cefoxitin–34.2%, vancomycin–36.8%, erythromycin–34.2%, and gentamicin–5.3%. Twenty-five (65.8%) of the isolates were multidrug-resistant. The need for sound education on the appropriate use of antibiotics and the importance of proper personal hygiene as means of controlling the spread of bacterial antibiotic resistance are highlighted. Thus, effective strategies in these areas are strongly recommended.
Vertical Stratification of Peat Pore Water Dissolved Organic Matter Composition in a Peat Bog in Northern Minnesota

We characterized dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition throughout the peat column at the Marcell S1 forested bog in northern Minnesota and tested the hypothesis that redox oscillations associated with cycles of wetting and drying at the surface of the fluctuating water table correlate with increased carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen turn over. We found significant vertical stratification of DOM molecular composition and excitation‐emission matrix parallel factor analysis components within the peat column. In particular, the intermediate depth zone (~ 50 cm) was identified as a zone where maximum decomposition and turnover is taking place. Surface DOM was dominated by inputs from surface vegetation. The intermediate depth zone was an area of high organic matter reactivity and increased microbial activity with diagenetic formation of many unique compounds, among them polycyclic aromatic compounds that contain both nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms. These compounds have been previously observed in coal‐derived compounds and were assumed to be responsible for coal's biological activity. Biological processes triggered by redox oscillations taking place at the intermediate depth zone of the peat profile at the S1 bog are assumed to be responsible for the formation of these heteroatomic PACs in this system. Alternatively, these compounds could stem from black carbon and nitrogen derived from fires that have occurred at the site in the past. Surface and deep DOM exhibited more similar characteristics, compared to the intermediate depth zone, with the deep layer exhibiting greater input of microbially degraded organic matter than the surface suggesting that the entire peat profile consists of similar parent material at different degrees of decomposition and that lateral and vertical advection of pore water from the surface to the deeper horizons is responsible for such similarities. Our findings suggest that molecular composition of DOM in peatland pore water is dynamic and is a function of ecosystem activity, water table, redox oscillation, and pore water advection.
Constraint-Based Preferential Optimization

We first show that the optimal and undominated outcomes of an unconstrained (and possibly cyclic) CP-net are the solutions of a set of hard constraints. We then propose a new algorithm for finding the optimal outcomes of a constrained CP-net which makes use of hard constraint solving. Unlike previous algorithms, this new algorithm works even with cyclic CP-nets. In addition. the algorithm is not tied to CP-nets, but can work with any preference formalism which produces a preorder over the outcomes. We also propose an approximation method which weakens the preference ordering induced by the CP-net, returning a larger set of outcomes, but provides a significant computational advantage. Finally, we describe a weighted constraint approach that allows to find good solutions even when optimals do not exist.
Genome Sequence and Characterization of the Tsukamurella Bacteriophage TPA2

ABSTRACT The formation of stable foam in activated sludge plants is a global problem for which control is difficult. These foams are often stabilized by hydrophobic mycolic acid-synthesizing Actinobacteria, among which are Tsukamurella spp. This paper describes the isolation from activated sludge of the novel double-stranded DNA phage TPA2. This polyvalent Siphoviridae family phage is lytic for most Tsukamurella species. Whole-genome sequencing reveals that the TPA2 genome is circularly permuted (61,440 bp) and that 70% of its sequence is novel. We have identified 78 putative open reading frames, 95 pairs of inverted repeats, and 6 palindromes. The TPA2 genome has a modular gene structure that shares some similarity to those of Mycobacterium phages. A number of the genes display a mosaic architecture, suggesting that the TPA2 genome has evolved at least in part from genetic recombination events. The genome sequence reveals many novel genes that should inform any future discussion on Tsukamurella phage evolution.