Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aerosol indirect effects on summer precipitation in a regional climate model for the Euro-Mediterranean region

Abstract. Aerosols affect atmospheric dynamics through their direct and semi-direct effects as well as through their effects on cloud microphysics (indirect effects). The present study investigates the indirect effects of aerosols on summer precipitation in the Euro-Mediterranean region, which is located at the crossroads of air masses carrying both natural and anthropogenic aerosols. While it is difficult to disentangle the indirect effects of aerosols from the direct and semi-direct effects in reality, a numerical sensitivity experiment is carried out using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, which allows us to isolate indirect effects, all other effects being equal. The Mediterranean hydrological cycle has often been studied using regional climate model (RCM) simulations with parameterized convection, which is the approach we adopt in the present study. For this purpose, the Thompson aerosol-aware microphysics scheme is used in a pair of simulations run at 50 km resolution with extremely high and low aerosol concentrations. An additional pair of simulations has been performed at a convection-permitting resolution (3.3 km) to examine these effects without the use of parameterized convection. While the reduced radiative flux due to the direct effects of the aerosols is already known to reduce precipitation amounts, there is still no general agreement on the sign and magnitude of the aerosol indirect forcing effect on precipitation, with various processes competing with each other. Although some processes tend to enhance precipitation amounts, some others tend to reduce them. In these simulations, increased aerosol loads lead to weaker precipitation in the parameterized (low-resolution) configuration. The fact that a similar result is obtained for a selected area in the convection-permitting (high-resolution) configuration allows for physical interpretations. By examining the key variables in the model outputs, we propose a causal chain that links the aerosol effects on microphysics to their simulated effect on precipitation, essentially through reduction of the radiative heating of the surface and corresponding reductions of surface temperature, resulting in increased atmospheric stability in the presence of high aerosol loads. Keywords. Atmospheric composition and structure (aerosols and particles)
Time-optimal control of hydraulic manipulators with path constraints

A method of optimization intended to speed up motions of non-redundant hydraulic manipulators along prescribed paths of their end-effectors is presented. A parametric path of the end-effector of a non-redundant manipulator determines the corresponding path in the manipulator joint-space. The optimization problem therefore reduces to finding the optimum distribution of the parameter of the path in time. The proposed optimization scheme is based on discretization of the distribution of the parameter into a fixed number of points, and finding their optimum locations by methods of constrained nonlinear programming. Incompressibility of the hydraulic fluid is assumed throughout for greater effectiveness of the procedure. Results of sample optimizations performed on a three-link hydraulic excavator are presented.
The Development of Foreign Direct Investment as a Tool for Sustainable Tourism in Fayoum, Egypt

Inward foreign direct investment plays a vital role in economic growth and development in developing and emerging countries. In additions, in developing and transition countries including, Egypt tourism sector represents a promising path towards an economic and social development. Further development of tourism sector in these countries is in need of foreign direct investment (FDI). However the importance of tourism in many developing countries, tourism foreign direct investment (TFDI) is still rather low. This current study aims to reveal the concepts of FDI,TFDI and sustainable TFDI; and evaluating the current status and dimensions of TFDI in Fayoum governorate as an emerging Egyptian tourism regional destination. The research depends on the descriptive approach, deep-structured interviews accompanied with open-ended and open-closed questionnaire directed to responsibles and experts of tourism investment in Fayoum governorate. Field data are analysed by SPSS program. The overall and the main finding of the study is that TFDI in Fayoum is existed in a somehow acceptable condition; as Fayoum being an emerging tourism destination in Egypt. The study provides- with support of the real field view- some recommendations particularly for the law and motives of the TFDI in Fayoum.
Antioxidant an Antimicrobial Activities of the Leaf Extract of Salvia palaestina

Salvia palaestina (Lamiaceae) is listed as native plant in Flora Palaestina. In the Palestinian kitchen, its leaves is virtually used in daily basis with the breakfast tea to add its distinct pleasant flavor and aromatic aroma. In order to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of cultivated S. palaestina, the leaves of the herb were collected, air-dried, steam distilled and the culminated essential oils were subjected to GC-MS analysis. About two dozens of volatile and semivolatile phytochemicals were separated and identified. The principal components were eucalyptol (47.09%) and camphor (8.73%). The antioxidant activity of the oil was estimated by 2, 2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The IC50 was 2.333 mg/ml after 30 min, while after 90 min it was 1.585 mg/ml, meaning that the antioxidant activity of the oil increased with time. Linear relation between concentration and activity was observed. The antimicrobial activity was examined by the disc diffusion method. The antimicrobial activity of 5 µl of the essential oil was found to be greater than the activity of gentamicin in the case of Staphylococcus aureus while it was nearly the same as gentamicin against E.coli. Furthermore, this concentration was two times more active than nystatin against Candida albicans.
Customers ’ Perception of E-banking Adoption in Cameroon : An Empirical Assessment of an Extended TAM

The 21 century has witnessed dramatic transformation in the financial sector as advances in information technology have created new ways of handling financial transactions through e-banking. In Cameroon, e-banking is still at it infancy and is still to be used as an operating saving tool in reducing cost and promoting customer – banker’s relationship. The main aim of this study was to identify the drivers to the customer’s perception of e-banking adoption in Cameroon by considering an extension in the Technological Adoption Model (TAM). The extended TAM was assessed using a sample survey of 210 customers. The psychometric properties of the data were investigated using the estimation of internal consistency reliability and the convergent and discriminate validity of the instrument items. The results estimated using a path regression analysis showed that perceived security, trust, cost of service, usefulness, and accessibility have significant influenced on customer’s attitudes and hence adoption of e-banking. The results further showed that characteristics such as age, education and marital status have significant influence on customer’s attitude. It was also revealed that perceived reliability, trust, security, and accessibility have significant impact on the perceived usefulness of e-banking adoption. Practically, the results show the need to increase e-banking security, accessibility, trustworthiness and to reduce the cost of e-banking services so to encourage customer’s attitudes towards the adoption of e-banking services.
Longs, Shorts, and the Cross-Section of Stock Returns

We measure investor disagreement directly with observed short interest and long positions of hedge funds and show that disagreements about firms' prospects are prevalent among active, sophisticated investors. During the period 1997-2014, over 30% of highly shorted stocks also had high hedge fund ownership. Stocks with strong investor disagreement do not earn abnormal returns. Our results differ from those based on measures of disagreements of other market participants. The evidence is consistent with the view that disagreement among informed investors arises from active information acquisition and leads to more efficient prices.
Theoretical model of clearance in the tracheobronchial airways of healthy subjects and smokers

Background: According to experimental and theoretical studies long-term inhalation of tobacco smoke is associated with serious health effects, among which impairment of tracheobronchial clearance plays an important role. The present contribution presents a theoretical model enabling a comparison of mucociliary clearance in healthy subjects with that in heavy smokers. Methods: Clearance simulations were carried out with a multi-compartment model including all those cellular and non-cellular structures of the tracheobronchial tree that are capable for the intake and storage of deposited particulate mass. Hypothetical mass transfer between the structures was computed after definition of rate constants. Since airways of heavy smokers are characterized by significant epithelial modifications with respect to healthy structures, the related compartment model was changed in several aspects (omission of compartments and rate constants). Results: Theoretical predictions of tracheobronchial clearance in healthy probands and smokers were restricted to spherical particles with a uniform diameter of 1 µm and a density of 1 g·cm −3 . According to the model 93% of inhaled particles deposited in healthy bronchial airways are cleared within the first ten days following aerosol exposure. In this case the gastrointestinal tract represents the main accumulation site of the removed particulate mass. In heavy smokers mucociliary transport is significantly replaced by slow clearance, resulting in a removal of 36% of all particles within ten days. Conclusions: Lung airways modified by extensive impaction of cigarette smoke particles are marked by considerable changes of their clearance behaviour with respect to healthy bronchial structures. This is mainly expressed by the circumstance that the lymphatic and vascular systems take over the role of accumulation compartments in the diseased lungs.
Action of crude aqueous extract of leaves of Achillea millefolium L. (Compositae) on gastrointestinal tract

Achillea millefolium L. (Compositeae) is used in folk medicine to treat gastric disturbances. Doses of 125, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg protected rats against ulcers induced by ethanol and restraint-in-cold-stress, but not against indomethacininduced ulcers. Injected into the duodenal lumen the extract inhibited the basal acid secretion. Data from studies indicate that the antiulcer activity of A. millefolium must been related to a inhibition of gastric secretion or to a increase of protective factors in gastric mucosa as mucus, bicarbonate and blood flow. In conclusion, this extract effectively protected the gastric mucosa and inhibited gastric acid secretion. Further studies should also be provided for the stimulation of receptors in the parietal cell to elucidate the route whereby the extract produce this action.
Asymptotic distribution of eigenfrequencies for damped wave equations

The eigenfrequencies associated to a damped wave equation, are known to belong to a band parallel to the real axis. We establish Weyl asymptotics for the distribution of the real parts of the eigenfrequencies, we show that up to a set of density 0, the eigenfrequencies are confined to a band determined by the Birkhoff limits of the damping coefficient. We also show that certain averages of the imaginary parts converge to the average of the damping coefficient. Resume II est bien connu que les frequences propres associees a un d'Alembertien amorti sont confinees dans une bande parallele a 1'axe reel. Nous etablissons une asymptotique de Weyl pour la distribution des parties reelles des frequences propres, nous montrons que "presque toutes" les frequences propres appartiennent a une bande determinee par la limite de Birkhoff du coefficient d'amortissement. Nous montrons aussi que certaines moyennes des parties imaginaires convergent vers la moyenne du coefficient d'amortissement.
The Effect of Financial Deregulation on Money Demand in Malaysia

The study seeks to examine the impact of financial deregulation on the money demand in Malaysia and the implication of altered money demand pattern on the Malaysian monetary conduct. It also attempts to investigate the currency substitution effect as result of the financial market development and integration of domestic market with the rest of the world. The study utilizes Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Phillips Perron (PP) tests for unit root and stationarity of data, multivariate Johansen cointegration test, and Vector Error Correction model in the analysis of the dynamics of the short run money demand model and adjustment to restore its long run equilibrium. Findings suggest a stable long run relationship of money demand in Malaysia and a greater income elasticity of money demand supported by growing degree of monetization and substantial improvement in banking infrastructure as well as some degree of currency substitution among domestic residents. However, short run dynamic of money demand is found to be instable and correction of its disequilibrium over time was somehow slow, hence shifting monetary targeting by authority from monetary aggregates towards interest rates.
Bamboo Regeneration via Embryogenesis and Organogenesis

Bamboo is a member of grass family (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) (Wu & Raven, 2006). With the characteristics of short rotation, marketability of culms every year and immediate returns, bamboos are the fast growing multipurpose plants of high economic and environmental value that converts solar radiation into useful goods and services better than most tree species (Franklin, 2006; Kassahun, 2000). Besides producing fresh edible shoots and culms for timber, furniture and handicraft or as a raw material for pulping, bamboo serves as an efficient agent for conservation of water and soil (Christanty et al., 1996, 1997; Kassahun, 2003; Kleinhenz & Midmore, 2001; Mailly et al., 1997). Additionally, new products such as bamboo charcoal, bamboo vinegar, bamboo juice, bamboo healthy food, bamboo fiber product have been developed. World-wide interest in bamboo as a source of biofuel or bioenergy has also increased rapidly in recent years (Fu, 2001; Scurlock, 2000).
A study of sex ratio in native (Orconectes virilis) and invasive (Orconectes rusticus) crayfish species in Burt Lake, Michigan

Sex ratio theory has led to numerous studies that both support current ideas and investigate and explain deviations from the expected 1:1 male to female tertiary sex ratio. Crustaceans have been shown to have aberrant sex ratios (Wenner 1972). This study tests the hypothesis that these results apply to crayfish species. In this study native (O. virilis) and invasive (O. rusticus) species were sampled in Burt Lake in Cheboygan County, Michigan to determine the sex ratios of both populations. Crayfish were captured at 4 sites using dip nets and sex and species were visually determined by examination of the genital pore and color indicators. Carapace length and total length were also measured. The chi-squared tests of the data showed a statistically significant deviation from expected 1:1 sex ratios for O. virilis. In this case there was a female bias with 52 female individuals to only 20 male individuals. O. rusticus samples did not differ significantly from the expected sex ratio. This sex ratio bias in O. virilis could be the result of differential movement or mortality as well as interactions between native and invasive crayfish species.
Quantum atom–light interfaces in the Gaussian description for spin-1 systems

We extend the covariance matrix description of atom–light quantum interfaces, originally developed for real and effective spin-1/2 atoms, to include ‘spin alignment’ degrees of freedom. This allows accurate modelling of optically probed spin-1 ensembles in arbitrary magnetic fields. We also include technical noise terms that are very common in experimental situations. These include magnetic field noise, variable atom number and the effect of magnetic field inhomogeneities. We demonstrate the validity of our extended model by comparing numerical simulations to a free–induction decay measurement of polarized 87Rb atoms in the f = 1 ground state. We qualitatively and quantitatively reproduce experimental results with no free parameters. The model can be easily extended to larger spin systems, and adapted to more complicated experimental situations.
Behavioral decision-making in finance: An overview and assessment of selected research

ABSTRACT Everyday financial decisions are the product of diverse factors, including instinct, habit, emotion, reason, and social interaction. Psychologists have long aspired to unravel the determinants of intuitive judgment and choice. Slowly but surely, they have identified various psychological mechanisms that cause predictable decision biases. This survey puts special emphasis on behavioral research in finance that investigates information overload, emotion, social influence, and ambiguity aversion. It also discusses selected cognitive models that attempt to integrate the way individuals interpret and act upon information. In general, behavioral research casts serious doubt on the validity of some of the key insights of mainstream finance such as portfolio theory, the positive risk-return trade-off, and efficient markets.
Past Work Experience and Earnings Trajectories of Single Mothers

The increasing labor supply of single mothers in the US labor market in the 1990s is well documented, but due to data deficiencies it generally has been difficult to track the progress in the labor market of this group. In this study we integrate household characteristics data from the Current Population Survey with administrative longitudinal employment and earnings records from the US Census Bureau’s Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) program, enabling us to construct employment and earnings histories covering the six years prior to and five years following the survey year (either 1997 or 1998) of each respondent. In contrast to the broader population, single mothers as a group had persistently lower rates of employment and, if employed, higher job volatility and stagnant earnings in the years prior to the survey year. Subsequently, their position in the labor market improved markedly: low-income single mothers, in particular, experienced relatively rapid earnings growth and increased employment stability. Even so relatively large fractions of low-income single mothers continued to experience difficulties in the labor market, and a more detailed analysis of the factors contributing to success in the labor market suggests that past employment histories are closely related to subsequent labor market outcomes.
Presidential Selection: Electoral Fallacies*

Serious discussion of the so-called "electoral college"2 was one mi nor casualty of the thirty-six days of legal and political maneuvering accompa nying the Florida recount that ultimately decided the presidential election of 2000. For perhaps a week after 7 November, the realization that the runner-up in the national popular vote could well inherit the White House sparked a mod icum of interest in the workings of the electoral college. Events in Florida soon took over, however, not to be dislodged. Even then, one might have thought
Hiring subsidies for people with disabilities: Do they work?

This article evaluates the effectiveness of hiring subsidies targeted to people with disabilities. By exploiting the timing of implementation among the different Spanish regions of a subsidy scheme implemented in Spain during the period 1990-2014, we employ a differences-indifferences approach to estimate the impact of the scheme on the probability of DI ben- eficiaries of transiting to employment and on the propensity of individuals of entering the DI program.
Uneasy Lies the Head that Wears the Crown: The Link between Guilt-Proneness and Leadership

We propose that guilt proneness is a critical characteristic of leaders and find support for this hypothesis across 3 studies. Participants in the first study rated a set of guilt-prone behaviors as more indicative of leadership potential than a set of less guilt-prone behaviors. In a follow-up study, guilt-prone participants in a leaderless group task engaged in more leadership behaviors than did less guilt-prone participants. In a third, and final, study, we move to the field and analyze 360° feedback from a group of young managers working in a range of industries. The results indicate that highly guilt-prone individuals were rated as more capable leaders than less guilt-prone individuals and that a sense of responsibility for others underlies the positive relationship between guilt proneness and leadership evaluations.
FRACTAL BASED DATA SEPARATION IN DATA MINING

The separation of the searched data from the rest is an important task in data mining. Three separation/classification methods are presented. Considering data as points in a metric space, the methods are based on transformed distances of neighbors of a given point in a multidimensional space via a function that uses an estimate of scaling exponent. We shortly describe them and show that transformation function has form of the distance to the scaling exponent power. We also show the efficiency of methods presented on artificial as well as on real-life tasks and compare them with other standard as well as advanced approaches.
A Five Years Tuberculosis Treatment Outcome at Kolla Diba Health Center, Dembia District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Analysis

Multiple studies of tuberculosis treatment have indicated that effective treatment of tuberculosis requires adherence to a minimum of 6 months treatment with multiple drugs. At Kolla Diba Health Center, standardized tuberculosis prevention and control programme, integrating Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) strategy started in 1996. Treatment outcome is an important indicator of tuberculosis control programs as the World Health Organization suggested. We, therefore, carried out this study to investigate the outcome of tuberculosis treatment at Kolla Diba Health Center, Dembia District in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A five years records of 827 tuberculosis patients at Kolla Diba Health Center was analyzed to assess tuberculosis treatment outcomes. Bivariate analyses using logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between treatment outcome and potential predictor variables. Results:There were 827 (403 males, 424 females) with mean (SD) age of 31.1 (16.9) years study participants. Tuberculosis type was categorized as smear positive, 169 (20.4%), smear negative 278 (33.6%) and extrapulmonary case, 380 (45.9%). Treatment outcome was classified as successfully treated, 708 (85.6%), defaulted, 29 (3.5%), transferred out, 63 (7.6%) and died, 27 (3.3%). Patients aged 15 years or less had significantly high treatment success rate (aOR 4.576, P=0.004) followed by 35-44 years (aOR 3.829, P=0.003) and 25-34 years (aOR 3.669, P=0.002). Ninety (10.9%) patients were co-infected with HIV, which had more likely to die or transferred out compared to uninfected cases. Conclusion: Treatment success rate was fairly satisfactory. A high proportion of patients died or transferred out in HIV co-infected tuberculosis patients which is a serious public health concern that needs to be addressed right away.