Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of Cu2Se via Nanostructure and Compositional Gradient

Forming co-alloying solid solutions has long been considered as an effective strategy for improving thermoelectric performance. Herein, the dense Cu2−x(MnFeNi)xSe (x = 0–0.09) with intrinsically low thermal conductivity was prepared by a melting-ball milling-hot pressing process. The influences of nanostructure and compositional gradient on the microstructure and thermoelectric properties of Cu2Se were evaluated. It was found that the thermal conductivity decreased from 1.54 Wm−1K−1 to 0.64 Wm−1K−1 at 300 K via the phonon scattering mechanisms caused by atomic disorder and nano defects. The maximum zT value for the Cu1.91(MnFeNi)0.09Se sample was 1.08 at 750 K, which was about 27% higher than that of a pristine sample.
Heterogeneous Semi-Asynchronous Federated Learning in Internet of Things: A Multi-Armed Bandit Approach

Federated learning (FL) has recently received significant attention in Internet of Things, due to its capability of enabling multiple clients to collaboratively train machine learning models using neural networks, without sharing their privacy-sensitive data. However, due to the heterogeneity of clients in their computation and communication capability, they might not return the training model to the server at the same time, which may result in high waiting latency at the server, especially in synchronous FL. Although asynchronous FL can reduce the waiting latency, aggregating global model in a completely asynchronous way may lead to some local models out of date, resulting in low training accuracy. To address the above issues, this paper aims to propose a novel Heterogeneous Semi-Asynchronous FL mechanism, named HSA_FL. Firstly, we use a Multi-Armed Bandit (MAB) approach to identify the heterogenous communication and computation capabilities of clients, based on which, we assign different training intensities to clients. Generally, the clients with lower capabilities will be assigned with less number of local updates. In addition, instead of waiting all the clients to return their training models or immediately aggregation after getting a single local model, this paper proposes two aggregation rules, named adaptive update and fixed adaptive, respectively. Finally, simulation results show that the proposed scheme can effectively reduce the training time and improve the training accuracy as compared with some benchmark algorithms.
The impact of project work on international students’ foreign (Ukrainian) language acquisition in high education

The paper concerns the project work during foreign language learning by international students in HEIs. There is the assumption that project work may influence positively international students' mastering a foreign (Ukrainian) language. The article aims to characterize the project activity and prove whether it can improve students' foreign language acquisition. The theoretical (analysis, generalization) and empirical (observation, testing, and experiment) methods were used. The experiment was conducted in which 32 first-year international students participated. Both the experimental (n=16) and control (n=16) groups were pre-tested and post-tested in September and December 2020 respectively. Students' skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking and use of language were checked. The data received before the experiment demonstrated almost a similar level of language acquisition in both groups. The results of the experiment pointed out improvement of the experimental group's members in every facet of the foreign language. The key points which impacted positively students' achievements were social-cultural topics meeting their interests, specially elaborated program of the project, and teachers' support. These findings proved the desirability of including project work in teaching HE foreign language courses for international students.
Integrated Hair Follicle Profiles of microRNAs and mRNAs to Reveal the Pattern Formation of Hu Sheep Lambskin

Hair follicle development is closely associated with wool curvature. Current studies reveal the crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in hair follicle growth and development. However, few studies are known regarding their role in wool curvature. To reveal the potential roles of miRNAs in Hu sheep lambskin with different patterns, a total of 37 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified in hair follicles between small waves (SM) and straight wool (ST) groups using RNA-seq. Through functional enrichment and miRNA-mRNA co-expression analysis, some key miRNAs (oar-miR-143, oar-miR-200b, oar-miR-10a, oar-miR-181a, oar-miR-10b, oar-miR-125b, etc.) and miRNA-mRNA pairs (miR-125b target CD34, miR-181a target FGF12, LMO3, miR-200b target ZNF536, etc.) were identified. Though direct or indirect ways affecting hair follicle development, these miRNAs and mRNAs may have possible effects on wool curvature, and this study thus provides valuable insight on potential pattern formation.
Biodegradation of Carcinogenic Reactive Azo Dyes by Indigenous Bacterial Consortium X5RC5

Reactive azo dyes are considered as a major source of water and soil contamination. Carcinogenicity and the recalcitrant nature of these dyes is a worldwide problem. Exclusion of these dyes from the effluent is necessary for a clean and green environment. A bacterial consortium X5RC5 was developed for the effective removal of two of the primary reactive azo dyes utilized widely in textile industries (reactive orange 3R and reactive red HE7B). The consortium includes two indigenous bacterial isolates, Lysinibacillus macroides and Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila, from textile effluent. The X5RC5 completely degraded the reactive orange 3R in 4 days and reactive red HE7B in 5 days of incubation periods. In two days, more than 50% degradation was observed for both dyes. Biodegradation of these dyes was affirmed through the UV-Vis spectra and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. This investigation advances the utilization of consortium X5RC5 as a biological tool for the bio-handling of effluent containing dyes.
The Effect of Ownership Structure, Board Size and Firm Value on Corporate Financial Leverage and Dividends Policy: An Applied Study

The paper aims to investigate the empirical linkage between the explanatory variables, ownership structure and one of the corporate governance mechanism namely board size and firm value on the most important corporate financial decisions – financial leverage and dividend policy in an emerging market, Egypt. To achieve the research objectives, we used a sample of 50 non-financial firms chosen from the more actively traded listed Egyptian firms on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) from 2015 to 2020. Measure of corporate financial leverage employed is the total debt/assets ratio. The measures of ownership structure include managerial ownership, institutional ownership, block holder's ownership and foreign ownership. The firm value is computed by contrasting the market value of equity (capital) with the adjusted value of equity. Similarly, the effect of some control variables like firm size, profitability and Tobin’s Q has been also examined. The multiple regression models (OLS) were used to analyze the data and to test the research hypotheses using the published annual financial reports and other related data. Results show for the first hypothesis tested, that managerial ownership and block holder ownership are significantly positively related to corporate leverage, while institutional ownership and foreign ownership are significantly negatively related to corporate leverage, whereas board size is found to be insignificantly negatively correlated and firm value is positively correlated with financial leverage. Firm size used as a control variable is found to be significantly positively correlated with financial leverage, while profitability (ROA) is found to be negatively correlated. For the second hypothesis tested, results show that managerial ownership and foreign ownership are significantly positively related to corporate dividend policy, while block holder ownership and institutional ownership are negatively related to corporate dividend policy. Board size, firm value, all control variables (firm size, Tobin’s Q and ROA) are found to be significantly positively correlated with dividend yield. The empirical findings suggest that board size and ownership structure playing an important role and influence their power in deciding the Egyptian corporate financial decisions regarding the financial leverage and dividend decisions.
Infants’ Learning of Speech Sounds and Word-Forms

How do infants start learning their native language? This chapter reviews the conventional understanding of this problem, illustrated by a review of the most important studies in this area, and suggests that this conventional understanding mischaracterizes the problem infants solve and the developmental process by which they solve it. Recent experimental and modeling work from several labs suggest new ways to think about the beginnings of language learning and the emergence of the lexicon.
Dynamic model of reheating furnace based on fuzzy system and genetic algorithm

A simple method is introduced to determine the structure of the fuzzy model. In this process, the membership function on each variable is increased separately in each iteration and performance is evaluated to decide whether to continue this operation. This procedure continues till the numbers of membership functions on all the variables are fixed. The method is used to a reheating furnace and parameters thereof are tuned by adaptive genetic algorithm. Simulations show the effectiveness of the constructed system.
Digital Transformation Challenges in the Sales of Pharmaceutical Companies in Japan

While the pharmaceutical industry is rated as having less digital maturity than other industries, the changing environment, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been giving momentum to the rise of digital transformation (DT). This study explored the current status and background of DT on sales and how DT has been promoted in Japan based on 20 interviews with leaders and consultants in the pharmaceutical industry. The results showed that while their DT was still at an early stage, DT had been driven by external factors, including the pandemic, with commitment from top management. We identified four changing external factors and nine initiatives in relation to the new activities: three in the practical stage and six in the developing stage. An interesting aspect was that regulations might both promote and hinder DT in this industry combined with COVID-19. As there has been limited domain-specific research in DT of the pharmaceutical industry in Asia, the study is considered to contribute to both academic research and practice in Asian business.
BRINGING LEAN CONSTRUCTION TO LIFE: DEVELOPING LEADERS, CONSULTANTS, COACHES, FACILITATORS, TRAINERS & INSTRUCTORS.

There is a global shortage of competent and experienced individuals able to lead, coach, facilitate, train and provide consultancy support both internally and externally to clients, owners, constructors and designers who want to make a successful lean transformation of their enterprise or their projects. Demand exists within public and private sector clients and owners, as well as among design and construction enterprises and their professional advisers. If the shortage is not addressed there is the potential for the advance of lean thinking in construction to stall and lean construction to get a bad name as constructors and others seek to cut corners and pay lip service to lean as happened in UK (United Kingdom) 15 years ago. The aim of this paper is to begin a discussion of the skills and knowledge required by those who want to succeed in one or more of these roles. This essay reviews past lean construction leadership development actions and suggests a curriculum for those who want to develop the skills and knowledge required to excel in these roles. A delivery framework for a development program is proposed. The paper concludes with calls for further research and for action sooner rather than later to address the issues, preferably on a regional or global level rather than on a national one. The value of the paper for practitioners is that it suggests the range of skills and knowledge required to be effective which can help their own development and help assess and recruit internal and external consultants, etc; the benefit for scholars is the discussion of what might be included in undergraduate and higher degree curricula as well as ideas for post-experience, post-graduate course offerings aimed at this need.
SARS-CoV-2 RNA is enriched by orders of magnitude in primary settled solids relative to liquid wastewater at publicly owned treatment works

Wastewater-based epidemiology has gained attention throughout the world for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater to supplement clinical testing. Raw wastewater consists of small particles, or solids, suspended in liquid. Methods have been developed to measure SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the liquid and the solid fraction of wastewater, with some studies reporting higher concentrations in the solid fraction. To investigate this relationship further, six laboratories collaborated to conduct a study across five publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) where both primary settled solids obtained from primary clarifiers and raw wastewater influent samples were collected and quantified for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Settled solids and influent samples were processed by participating laboratories using their respective methods and retrospectively paired based on date of collection. SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations, on a mass equivalent basis, were higher in settled solids than in influent by approximately three orders of magnitude. Concentrations in matched settled solids and influent were positively and significantly correlated at all five POTWs. RNA concentrations in both settled solids and influent were correlated to COVID-19 incidence rates in the sewersheds and thus representative of disease occurrence; the settled solids methods appeared to produce a comparable relationship between SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration measurements and incidence rates across all POTWs. Settled solids and influent methods showed comparable sensitivity, N gene detection frequency, and calculated empirical incidence rate lower limits. Analysis of settled solids for SARS-CoV-2 RNA has the advantage of using less sample volume to achieve similar sensitivity to influent methods.
Prevalence, Perception, and Practice, and Attitudes Towards Self-Medication Among Undergraduate Medical Students of Najran University, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Self-medication (SM) is a customary practice around the globe. Appropriate SM comes with many advantages, yet irrational SM is a concern and could lead to adverse drug events and poor health outcomes. Methods This college-based cross-sectional study was carried out from January to March 2021 among Najran University undergraduate medical students to investigate the prevalence and practice of, and attitudes towards SM. Data were collected using a bilingual self-administered online questionnaire, which was categorized into sections, such as socio-demographic details, attitude towards SM, and practice of SM during the last six months, along with students’ opinions and suggestions regarding SM. The three-item scale was used to assess the students’ attitude. IBM SPSS was used to perform the cross-tabulation, chi-squared test, and binary logistic regression. Results Overall, 205 undergraduate medical students (58.6%) responded to the survey. The overall prevalence of SM was 60%, of which 25% used antibiotics as SM drugs. Headache (65.9%), fever (30.2%), cold/flu (31.2%), and gastric acidity (28.3%) were common illnesses for which SM was sought, using analgesics and NSAIDs (52.7%), antipyretics (13.7%), and antacid (12.7%) medications. Among the reasons for SM, the illness being minor and quick relief were frequently reported. To rationalize and improve the practice of SM, about half (48.3%) of the students suggested spreading awareness and education regarding the implications of SM and dispensing the medications with prescriptions (46.8%). Conclusion Overall, the attitude towards SM was satisfactory. The prevalence of SM during the last six months was 60%, and antibiotics were used by 25% of students. A significant negative correlation was observed between attitudes towards and practice of SM. Although medical students of Najran University displayed responsible behavior towards SM, efforts should be made to educate them about the adverse consequences of SM, especially with antibiotics.
Breastfeeding Practices in the United Arab Emirates: Prenatal Intentions and Postnatal Outcomes

Breastfeeding provides the ideal nutrition in infancy, and its benefits extend to the health of mothers. Psychosocial factors such as the intention to breastfeed, self-efficacy, or maternal confidence to breastfeed have been shown to impact breastfeeding outcomes in other communities. The aim of this study was to assess the potential associations between mothers’ prenatal intention to breastfeed and post-delivery breastfeeding practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2017. Emirati and non-Emirati mothers with children below the age of 2 were recruited from maternal and child health centers in various geographical areas in Abu Dhabi Capital district, United Arab Emirates. The variables (mothers’ intention to breastfeed, breastfeeding knowledge, support from family and health care professionals, and initiation and duration of breastfeeding) were collected by research assistants during an in-person interview, using a structured questionnaire. A total of 1799 mothers participated in this study. Mothers’ prenatal intention to breastfeed was significantly associated with breastfeeding initiation (p < 0.001) and length of exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.006). Furthermore, intention to breastfeed during early pregnancy showed a strong association (p < 0.001) with mothers who had exclusively breast fed for more than three months. In addition, knowledge on the benefits of breastfeeding and getting support from relatives and non-relatives demonstrated significant relationship with a longer period of exclusive breastfeeding (p < 0.01) In total, mothers in the study reported receiving almost four thousand advice about breastfeeding, of which 3869 (97%) were encouraging to our others in the study. Our findings on prenatal intentions, knowledge and network support on exclusive breastfeeding indicates the importance of including breastfeeding knowledge and support as critical topics during prenatal education, not only to the mothers but also to close network members who seek a healthy pregnancy outcome.
Efficacy of Leadership Program for Head Nurses' Empowering and Supportive Role on Nurses' Work Engagement at Tanta Cancer Center

Background: Oncology nursing services are performed in stressful work environments which affect their work engagement. Head nurses' empowerment and support are confirmed strategies for creating a positive workplace environment which in turn improve oncology nurses work engagement. The study aimed to determine the efficacy of leadership program for head nurses' empowering and supportive role on nurses' work engagement at Tanta Cancer Center (TCC). Research design: A quasi experimental design was utilized to meet the aim of this study. Setting: Study was conducted at TCC affiliated to Ministry of Health. Subjects: All (230) nursing staff include head nurse (n=30) and nurses (n=200) were participated in the study Tools: Three tools were used; (1) Head nurses' empowering and supportive role practice self-report (2) Nursing staff knowledge questionnaire (3) Nurses' work engagement scale. Results: Range (80.9% -76.1%) of nursing staff preprogram had poor knowledge level about empowering and supportive roles of head nurses which highly statistically significantly at (p<0.001) improved post program to be range (84.8% 79.1%) have good level of total knowledge. Head nurses range (60% 50%) had unsatisfactory level of total empowering and supportive role practice preprogram, changed significantly at (p<0.01) post program to be range (83.3% 73.3%) had satisfactory practice level. Preprogram nurses range (65.5% 64%) showed low engagement level for vigor, dedication and absorption respectively changed post program to be 66%, 63.5%,and 67% respectively had high level of work engagement. Conclusion: The designed and implemented leadership program significantly improves head nurses' empowering and supportive role and oncology nurses' work environment. Recommendation: Head nurses periodical attend leadership program to update their empowering and supportive knowledge and practice.
“A heart-wrenching thing”: Analyzing newspaper narratives of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Current research shows that news stories on COVID-19 influence Americans’ opinions on most aspects of the pandemic. This study aims to better understand newspaper narratives of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative textual analysis of newspaper articles in the New York Times uncovered common themes in coverage. Relevant themes are reexamining women’s reproductive rights, highlighting inequalities in the U.S. health care system and uncertainty/fear among pregnant women and women’s health professionals. Theoretical contributions are discussed.