Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Spatial Non-Equilibrium and Convergence of Chinese Grain Enterprises’ Total Factor Productivity—Evidence from China

The improvement of grain processing capacity is crucial to the realization of grain security. Enterprises are important grain processing bodies and their productivity directly determines grain processing capacity. Chinese grain processing enterprises still have difficulties, and how to further improve grain processing capacity and the total factor productivity of grain processing enterprises may be an important aspect. We used the meta-frontier Malmquist index to measure the total factor productivity of grain enterprises as well as judge the change trend and regional gap, applying the classical regression model to test the convergence of China’s overall and regional grain enterprises’ total factor productivity. This research finds that the total factor productivity of grain processing enterprises increased by 1.18% annually during the sample period, and that of the central region rose more quickly than the other areas of China. Technical progress contributes more to enterprises’ total factor productivity, but technical efficiency may become a key factor in determining it. The difference in the growth rate of the grain processing enterprises’ total factor productivity among different ones in the eastern and western regions is gradually narrowing, while that of the central region is gradually expanding; there is an obvious technological catch-up effect between and within the regions, especially in the central area of China.
CoFee-L: A Model of Animal Displacement in Large Groups Combining Cohesion Maintenance, Feeding Area Search and Transient Leadership

Simple Summary In the current context of climate change and forest cover degradation, the dispersal potential of trees is an issue of great importance. This is particularly the case in the tropics, where trees often need animals to disperse their seeds, as this increases the chances of survival of the progeny and allows migration in the face of climate change. An accurate representation of animal movement is therefore necessary to study the colonization potential of trees in new areas. We have conceived an innovative mathematical model describing the individual movement of gregarious animals, integrating several fundamental features of collective behaviors: cohesion maintenance, feeding area search and leadership. The model was applied to simulate the movements of a wild-ranging troop of primates in a nature reserve. As a result, the model allowed us to simulate the movement of the troop, taking into account the movement and individual characteristics of each member, which is important to consider when the group is composed of many individuals. In the future, this model could be used to improve existing zoochoric seed dispersal models and can be coupled with dynamic vegetation models to predict the shifts of trees species distribution under future climate hypotheses. Abstract In the tropics, the conservation of tree species is closely linked to that of animals, as a large proportion of trees are zoochoric and therefore rely on the movement of animals to disperse their seeds in order to increase the chances of the survival of progeny and to allow migration in the face of climate change. Research into the prediction of animal movements is therefore critical but has so far focused only on particular features of collective behavior. In contrast, we included the concepts of cohesion maintenance, feeding area search and transient leadership in a single model, CoFee-L, and tested it to simulate the movement of a wild-ranging troop of primates (Macaca leonina). We analyzed and compared observations and simulations with a statistical physics tool (mean squared displacement) and with histograms and χ2 (for the step length and turning angle distributions). CoFee-L allowed us to simulate the physical properties of the troop’s center of mass trajectory as well as the step length and angle distributions of the field data. The parametrization of CoFee-L was rather straightforward, as it was sufficient to fix a set of parameters easily observable in the field and then to adjust the values of four parameters that have biological meaning.
Independence Theory in Combinatorics: An Introductory Account With Applications To Graphs And Transversals

1 Preliminaries. - 1.1 General introductory and historical remarks. - 1.2 Sets, families and graphs. - 1.3 Vector spaces linear and affine independence. - Exercises. - 2 Independence spaces. - 2.1 Axioms and some basic theorems. - 2.2 Some induced structures. - 2.3 Submodular functions. - 2.4 Sums of independence structures. - Exercises. - 3 Graphic spaces. - 3.1 The cycle and cutset structures of a graph. - 3.2 Connections with vector spaces. - 3.3 Applications of independence theory to graphs. - Exercises. - 4 Transversal spaces. - 4.1 Hall's theorem and its generalization. - 4.2 The partial transversals of a family of sets. - 4.3 Duals of transversal structures. - 4.4 Extensions of Hall's theorem. - 4.5 Applications. - Exercises. - 5 Appendix on representability. - 5.1 Representability in general. - 5.2 Linear representability. - 5.3 Induced structures. - 5.4 Linear representability over specified fields. - 5.5 Some spaces which are not linearly representable. - Exercises. - Hints and solutions to the exercises. - Further reading.
Future Scaling of Memory Hierarchy for Tensor Cores and Eliminating Redundant Shared Memory Traffic Using Inter-Warp Multicasting

The CUDA core of NVIDIA GPUs had been one of the most efficient computation units for parallel computing. However, recent rapid developments in deep neural networks demand an even higher level of computational performance. To meet this requirement, NVIDIA has introduced the Tensor core in recent generations. However, their impressive enhancements in computational performance have newly brought high pressure on the memory hierarchy. In this paper, first we identify the required memory bandwidth in the memory hierarchy as the computational performance increases in actual GPU hardware. Through a comparison of the CUDA core and the Tensor core in V100, we find that the tremendous performance increase of the Tensor core requires much higher memory bandwidth than that in the CUDA core. Moreover, we thoroughly investigate memory bandwidth requirement over Tensor core generations of V100, RTX TITAN, and A100. Lastly, we analyze a hypothetical next-generation Tensor core introduced by NVIDIA through a GPU simulation, through which we propose an inter-warp multicasting microarchitecture that reduces redundant shared memory (SMEM) traffic during the GEMM process. Our evaluation shows that inter-warp multicasting reduces the SMEM bandwidth pressure by 33% and improves the performance by 19% on average in all layers of ResNet-152 and BERT-Large.
Robust optimal asset–liability management with delay and ambiguity aversion in a jump-diffusion market

In this paper, we consider a robust optimal asset–liability management problem with delay for an ambiguity-averse investor (AAI), who does not hold a firm belief towards not only the drift parameters but also the jump intensity in the wealth process. The objective of AAI is to maximise the robust value involving the expected utility of a weighted sum of terminal wealth and a penalisation of model uncertainty. In addition, the wealth process is modelled by a stochastic delay equation with jump via introducing the performance-related capital inflow/outflow. Applying the technique of robust optimal theory and Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, we derive the optimal results and the proof of verification theorem for the general utility functions and liability processes. In the case of the exponential utility function and a positive liability process, we prove the existence and uniqueness of the robust optimal investment strategy and find it naturally satisfies the constraint of no-short selling. Meanwhile, we adopt a special method to solve the corresponding Riccati equation and obtain the value function in explicit form. Furthermore, the results under the complete memory are discussed in detail. Finally, some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the influence of model parameters on the optimal strategy as well as the economic interpretation behind it.
Rational connectedness and bound-edness of Fano manifolds

A digital timing system for recording a plurality of timing functions and displaying these functions in digital form. A high-frequency crystal control oscillator provides timing pulses which are fed to a pulse rate divider circuit which provides a plurality of outputs at different time rates. Each of the outputs of the divider circuit are fed to an individual counter circuit which counts the pulses to record a specified timing function. A digital display circuit is switchably connected between the outputs of each of the counter circuits to individually display the time recorded in each counter without disturbing the continued counting of the counters. The output of one of the counters is compared with a variable comparative circuit which can be preset over a range of predetermined times. When the output of the counter is equal to the preset time in the comparator, a signal is produced which will reset the counter and initiate an overtime count.
Periodic solutions and bifurcation structure at high R in the Lorenz model

A stable periodic solution of the Lorenz system in the limit as $R \to \infty $ is computed as a fixed point of a Poincare mapping. The solution is shown to exist for finite R by application of the implicit function theorem. Successive bifurcations as R is decreased to the nonperiodic regime are examined numerically.
Single microparticles mass measurement using an AFM cantilever resonator

In this work is presented a microbalance for single microparticle sensing based on resonating AFM cantilever. The variation of the resonator eigenfrequency is related to the particle mass positioned at the free apex of the cantilever. An all-digital phase locked loop (PLL) control system is developed to detect the variations in cantilever eigenfrequency. Two particle populations of different materials are used in the experimental test, demonstrating a mass sensitivity of 15 Hz/pg in ambient conditions. Thereby it is validated the possibility of developing an inexpensive, portable and sensitive microbalance for point-mass sensing.
The Effect of Feeding with Central European Local Mulberry Genotypes on the Development and Health Status of Silkworms and Quality Parameters of Raw Silk

Simple Summary Several regions of Slovenia and Hungary retained numerous centuries-old white mulberry trees, evidence of past sericultural activities, being traditionally used to feed the silkworm larvae. Attempts for the reintroduction of sericulture in these countries are ongoing. The current study assessed the suitability of the locally adapted mulberry trees for contemporary sericultural needs. Silkworm hybrids were fed with leaves of the selected local mulberry genotypes and the larvae performance parameters (bodyweight, spinning success, cocoon quantity, and quality) were compared to those fed with reference mulberry varieties. The chemical contents and nutritive parameters of the mulberry leaves were determined, and connections were predicted between selected leaf compounds and silkworm performance parameters. The local mulberries had higher total protein contents, and lower total phenolic contents and differed in some individual phenolics, macro- and microelements compared to the reference sericultural and fruit varieties. A combined positive influence of proteins, specific phenolics, and microelements on larval growth and silk thread parameters was predicted. The health status and gut microbiome compositions of larvae were also analyzed. The results of the study indicate that selected local Slovenian and Hungarian mulberry varieties are suitable for high-quality silk cocoon and raw silk production. Abstract Silkworm rearing activities ceased in the 1970′s in several European countries. Attempts on the re-establishment of ecological and sustainable sericulture in Slovenia and Hungary are ongoing. The aim of the study was to assess the usability of locally adapted mulberry genotypes for sericulture and to estimate connections between leaf compound and silkworm performance parameters. A controlled feeding experiment of silkworms was performed to test the influence of leaves from selected trees on the growth of larvae, the health and microbiological status of larvae (e.g., gut bacterial microbiome, Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus infection), weight of cocoons and raw silk parameters. The Slovenian and Hungarian mulberry genotypes had significantly higher total protein contents, and lower total phenolic contents and differed significantly in some individual phenolics compared to the reference sericultural and fruit varieties. Significant differences were found in the contents of the macro- and microelements, namely S, Mn, Fe, and Sr. Based on correlative statistics and multivariate analysis, a combined positive influence of proteins, specific phenolics, and microelements on larval growth and silk thread parameters was predicted. The results of the study indicate that selected local Slovenian and Hungarian mulberry varieties are suitable for high-quality silk cocoon and raw silk production.
Transdermal Absorption of Sclareol, an Active Ingredient in Clary Sage Oil: A Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopausal Symptoms

Clary sage oil is commonly used in complementary and alternative medicine to treat menopausal symptoms. However, whether sclareol, which is considered to have estrogen-like effects, can be absorbed transdermally remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we applied sclareol dissolved in jojoba oil to the dorsal skin of male Hos-HR-1 mice 30 min before blood sampling. We examined whether sclareol can be detected in the plasma because of transdermal absorption using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The concentration of sclareol in plasma and liver samples calculated based on the measured sample concentration and the recovery rate was 0.36 ± 0.08 and 1.69 ± 0.32 ppm, respectively. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between the plasma sclareol concentration and hepatic homogenate sclareol concentration. Our findings indicate that sclareol is absorbed transdermally and accumulates in the liver. Moreover, the lack of change in plasma blood urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels among the three groups indicates that there was no hepatic or renal damage due to transdermal absorption of sclareol in Hos-HR-1 mice. However, further validation in humans is required because the thickness of the dermis and the number of pores significantly differ between mice and humans.
Biomarker-Guided Assessment of Acute Kidney Injury Phenotypes E among ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients

Recent practice guidelines recommended the use of new stress, functional, and damage biomarkers in clinical practice to prevent and manage acute kidney injury (AKI). Biomarkers are one of the tools used to define various AKI phenotypes and provide prognostic information regardless of an acute decline in renal function. We investigated the incidence and possible implications of AKI phenotypes among ST elevation myocardial infarction patient treated with primary coronary intervention. We included 281 patients with STEMI treated with PCI. Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) was utilized to determine structural renal damage and functional AKI was determined using the KDIGO criteria. Patients were stratified into four AKI phenotypes: no AKI, subclinical AKI, hemodynamic AKI, and severe AKI. Patients were assessed for in-hospital adverse events (MACE). A total of 46 patients (44%) had subclinical AKI, 17 (16%) had hemodynamic AKI, and 42 (40%) had severe AKI. We observed a gradual and significant increase in the occurrence of MACE between the groups being highest among patients with severe AKI (10% vs. 19% vs. 29% vs. 43%; p < 0.001). In a multivariable regression model, any AKI phenotype was independently associated with MACE with an odds ratio of 4.15 (95% CI 2.1–8.3, p < 0.001,) for subclinical AKI, 4.51 (95% CI 1.61–12.69; p = 0.004) for hemodynamic AKI, and 12.9 (95% CI 5.59–30.1, p < 0.001) for severe AKI. In conclusion, among STEMI patients, AKI is a heterogeneous condition consisting of distinct phenotypes, addition of novel biomarkers may overcome the limitations of sCr-based AKI definitions to improve AKI phenotyping and direct potential therapies.
Analysis and Fast Modelling of Microstructures in Duplex Stainless Steel Formed by Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing

Superduplex stainless steels have seen increasing use in past decades in applications that require both excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The properties of duplex steels depend strongly on their thermal history, which can produce a wide range of austenite to ferrite ratios; whereas optimal properties generally require near 50-50 ferrite-austenite duplex microstructures. Additive manufacturing processes involve large thermal gradients as new material is melted on top of already printed material, and thermal history depends on process parameters. As the equilibrium phase ratio depends strongly on temperature, the result is a wide range of reported phase ratios, ranging from negligible fractions of austenite to greater than 60 %. So it is important to understand and predict how the phase ratio depends on process parameters. We assesses the microstructures in single-bead-thickness walls of SAF 2507 superduplex stainless steel printed using constant process parameters, using the laser metal powder directed energy deposition (LMPDED) additive manufacturing technique. Post-printing microstructural analysis revealed a gradient of austenite phase fraction as a function of distance from the build platform. This data reveals the relation between the thermal history and solid-solid phase transformation of ferrite to austenite during the fabrication process. The thermal history of each position in the wall was modelled by a previous fast numerical simulation (that has been improved in this contribution), and a fast diﬀusion controlled solid-solid phase transformations model based on semi-analytical methods has been developed. Numerical results for the phase ratios are in reasonable agreement with experimental observations. The proposed simulations strategy is suﬃciently fast to enable to adjust the process parameters to achieve a targeted distribution of phase ratio in order to facilitate additive manufacturing of super duplex stainless steels, and a temperature control strategy of the build platform has been proposed on this basis to reach almost uniform near 50-50 phase ratios.
Using Data Mining to Estimate Patterns of Contagion-Risk Interactions in an Intercity Public Road Transport System

The COVID-19 pandemic has had very negative effects on public transport systems. These effects have compromised the role they should play as enablers of social equity and environmentally sustainable mobility and have caused serious economic losses for public transport operators. For this reason, in the context of pandemics, meaningful epidemiological information gathered in the specific framework of these systems is of great interest. This article presents the findings of an investigation into the risk of transmission of a respiratory infectious disease in an intercity road transport system that carries millions of passengers annually. To achieve this objective, a data mining methodology was used to generate the data required to ascertain the level of risk. Using this methodology, the occupancy of vehicle seats by passengers was simulated using two different strategies. The first is an empirical approach to the behaviour of passengers when occupying a free seat and the second attempts to minimise the risk of contagion. For each of these strategies, the interactions with risk of infection between passengers were estimated, the patterns of these interactions on the different routes of the transport system were obtained using k-means clustering technique, and the impact of the strategies was analysed.
Internal Generation of Waves in Fully Elliptic Modified Mild-Slope Equation Using Source Function Method Under FEM Computational Environment

An improved method for generating waves in the fully elliptic modified mild-slope equation (MMSE) is described. After recasting MMSE into the form of a pair of hyperbolic first order equations, we solve this system with added mass in the continuity equation using Green function method, the solution of which reveals the relationship between the source amplitude and surface wave characteristics. We test the model for the generation of desired incident waves in an annular entrance channel. We also compare model results with available experiment data. Good agreements between the numerical results and the analytical solution are found.
Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors: Their Basic Working Principles and Some Applications

Electrochemical sensors are a class of devices in which the transducer component is the electrode. These devices are often seen as an effective tool for studying chemical and biological systems. This work offers an overview of electrochemical sensors and biosensors, as well as their basic working principles and some applications. It is expected to motivate young researchers to develop new methodologies and materials for the electrochemical sensors area, allowing the expansion of possibilities and the realization of applied and innovative research.
Insights into the high-pressure behavior of solid bromine from hybrid density functional theory calculations

Understanding the properties of molecular solids at high pressure is a key element in the development of new solid-state theories. However, the most commonly used generalized-gradient approximation (GGA) of the density functional theory (DFT) often fails to correctly describe the behavior of these systems at high pressure. Here we utilize the hybrid DFT approach to model the properties of elemental bromine at high pressure. The calculations reproduce in very good agreement with experiment the properties of the molecular phase I ( Cmca symmetry) and its pressure-induced transition into the non-molecular phase II ( Immm ). The experimentally yet unobserved transition into phase III ( I4/mmm ) is predicted to occur at 128 GPa, followed by subsequent formation of an fcc lattice at 188 GPa. Analysis of the structure and electronic properties of the modelled phases indicates that the molecular Cmca phase becomes metallic just at the borderline of its stability, and that both Immm and I4/mmm phases are metallic and quasi-2D. Finally, we show that the incommensurate phases of bromine postulated from experiment are transient species which can be viewed as intermediates in the dissociation process occurring at the boundary of the transition from phase I to phase II.
Dual-Hop Transmission and Multiple Relays for Performance Analysis of Designing Physical Layer Security for IoT Networks

This article presents a secure performance metric of a downlink nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in the presence of interference from the traditional user. In the context of NOMA, we deploy two-hop transmission to improve the performance of destinations. Further, multiple relays are implemented to aid robust signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) at destinations. We derive a closed-form expression of secure outage probability (SOP) to characterize security concerns in the case an eavesdropper exists in the overage of second hop transmission. We verify all expressions by employing Monte Carlo simulations.