Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANFIS Prediction Model for the Mechanical Properties of Soil and Activated Rice Husk Ash Blend for Sustainable Construction

Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), which integrates both Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy logic and neural network principles and also captures their benefits in a single framework was deployed for the modelling of the mechanical strength behaviour of expansive clayey soil treated with hydrated-lime activated rice husk ash (HARHA). The compaction properties, consistency limits and the activated ash (HARHA) were the predictors while CBR and UCS were the targets in this evolutionary model. The advantages of artificial intelligence techniques deployment in geotechnical research is to deal with the complex challenges associated with effectiveness in construction materials’ utilization so as to achieve optimal assessment of geotechnical materials’ behaviour and sustainable engineering design. ANFIS model development were carried out with 35 data sets derived from the experimental responses with respect to varying proportions of HARHA treatment from 0% to 12%. 25 and 10 datasets were used for training and testing the network respectively. The California bearing ratio (CBR) and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) were the target response while the HARHA replacement ratio, compaction and consistency limits properties were the input variables of the developed model. The model evaluation results obtained using statistical tools showed mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.582 and 0.7196, root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.6198 and 0.9004, mean square error (MSE) of 0.384 and 0.811, and coefficient of determination (CoD) value of 0.9973 and 0.9992 for CBR and UCS response parameters respectively. The results obtained indicates a very good performance in terms of prediction accuracy. This shows that ANFIS provides the flexibility in achieving sustainable geotechnical materials integration in civil works.
Synchronous and Asynchronous English Writing Classes in the EFL Context: Students’ Practices and Benefits

Synchronous and asynchronous classes were implemented by universities around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) engaged in multiple practices when attending English writing classes in both modes. However, the practices they engaged in and the benefits they perceived were reportedly of limited benefit. This study asks: What are the practices of students that emerge during synchronous and asynchronous English writing classes? What are the benefits of synchronous and asynchronous English writing classes from the student’s perspective? Group and one-to-one interviews were conducted with twelve students majoring in computer science and information technology at a Saudi university. Thematic analysis revealed that students engage in practices including using the split view on iPads, opening additional windows to search for information, searching using smartphone apps, and writing notes and highlighting key concepts when attending English writing classes regardless of learning mode. It also revealed that synchronous classes offered students real-time communication and provided immediate feedback, while asynchronous classes allowed students to navigate the challenges of distance learning, complementing the synchronous English writing classes and providing students with a sense of security. This paper concludes by advising language teachers to record synchronous classes, raise students’ awareness of the benefits of attending both types of classes and encourage students to apply practices reported by previous students to maximize their English language learning.
Fixed-time and finite-time stability of switched time-delay systems

This paper investigates fixed-time and finite-time stability of switched nonlinear time-varying time-delay systems. It is shown that by assuming these kinds of stability for each subsystem in the family, the similar properties can be ensured for the whole system under commutation with a sufficiently big (average) dwell time. The estimates on admissible dwell-time values are derived. Compared with existing results, the novelties of the obained results lie in that: (i) A class of Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals with inde nite derivative is constructed for switched nonlinear time-delay systems, (ii) Average dwell time switching laws are designed for the fixed-time and finite-time stability of the systems, and (iii) The presented approach has potential applications in fixed-time and finite-time stability of other hybrid systems. The efficacy of the obtained results is illustrated by academic examples.
Prediction-Based Game-Theoretic Strategy for Energy Management of Hybrid Electric Vehicles

This article studies a prediction-based energy management for onboard hybrid energy storage system (HESS), combining engine-generator, battery, and ultracapacitor. Each of these energy sources has a specific utility function to represent its unique preference. Thus, a game-theoretic strategy is presented to model the different preferences of these energy sources and their interactions, and hence to properly dispatch the power load demand among them. To further improve this power dispatch, i.e., the energy management, that may be influenced by the fluctuation of the uncertain power load demand, a prediction is included in the basic game-theoretic strategy to form a prediction-based game-theoretic strategy. The power load demand can be derived from the velocity in HESS and the velocity prediction is implemented by a long short-term memory network. An improvement on the accuracy of this prediction is achieved by utilizing feature extraction and time-series analysis. A multiple time-series method is newly applied to group the input features according to the target prediction horizon. The solution, i.e., Nash equilibrium, of this proposed strategy is reached based on the best response functions of the energy sources and its performance is quantified by four criteria. Short-distance and long-distance driving in a broader scope are analyzed in simulation. Both the simulation and experiment results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed strategy to smoothen the battery power with decreasing 0.01% in $\sigma _{pb}$ (i.e., prolong battery life), to reduce the engine-generator power with reducing 0.01% in $\mu _{Eg}$ (i.e., deplete fossil fuels), and to lower the driving costs. Moreover, the robustness and sensitivity of the proposed strategy are validated through case studies with increasing velocity prediction error.
Combining Sarcopenia and [18F] FDGPET/CT Derived Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Adenocarcinoma Esophageal Cancer Might Improve Outcome Prediction

Purpose To determine the prognostic value of sarcopenia measurements done on staging [18F] FDG PET/CT together with metabolic activity of the tumor in patients with adenocarcinoma esophagogastric cancer with surgical treatment. Methods Patients with early stage, surgically treated esophageal adenocarcinoma and available pre-treatment PET/CT were included. The standard uptake value (SUV) and SUV normalized by lean body mass (SUL) were recorded. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured at the L3 level on the CT component of the PET/CT. Sarcopenia was defined as SMI < 34.4cm2/m2 in women and < 45.4cm2/m2 in men. Results Of the included 145 patients. 30% were sarcopenic at baseline. On the univariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, ECOG, surgical T and N staging, Lymphovascular Invasion (LVI) positive lymph nodes and sarcopenia were significant prognostic factors concerning RFS, and OS. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, surgical N staging (p = 0.025) and sarcopenia (p = 0.022) remained significant poor prognostic factors for OS and RFS. Combining the clinical parameters with the imaging derived nutritional evaluation of the patient but not metabolic parameters of the tumor showed improved predictive ability for OS and RFS. Conclusion Combining the patients’ imaging derived sarcopenic status with standard clinical data, but not metabolic parameters offered an overall improved prognostic value concerning OS and RFS.
Epidemiology of craniopharyngiomas: a population-based study in Malta

Background Despite being benign tumours, craniopharyngiomas are challenging to manage and can cause significant morbidity and mortality in both the paediatric and adult population. The aim of the study was to analyse the epidemiology of craniopharyngiomas, patient and tumour characteristics through a population-based study in Malta, enabling a better quantification of the disease burden. Methods Thorough research was carried out to identify the number of patients who were diagnosed with craniopharyngiomas. Epidemiological data, including both standardised incidence rates (SIR) and prevalence rates, were established in a well-defined population. For incidence estimates, patients who were diagnosed between 2008 and 2019 were included. The background population formed 4.8 million patient-years at risk. Result Twenty-nine subjects were identified and included in our study. The overall SIR was 0.3/100,000/year, with a higher SIR for males compared to females (0.4/100,000/year and 0.2/100,000/year, respectively). The highest SIR was recorded in the 10–19 year age group. The estimated prevalence rate amounted to 5.27/100,000 people, with a lower prevalence rate for childhood-onset when compared to the adult-onset category (2.03/100,000 vs 3.24/100,000 people). The median longest tumour diameter was 31.0 mm (IQR 21–41), with a statistically significant difference between childhood- and adult-onset disease; 43.0 mm (IQR 42.5–47.25) vs 27.0 mm (IQR 20.55–31.55) (P = 0.011). Conclusion Through this population-based study, accurate and up-to-date prevalence and incidence rates for craniopharyngiomas are reported. These provide a clearer reflection of the true health burden of the disease.
The effect of Triticum sativum (wheat) germ on postpartum pain: A double-blind clinical trial

Objective: Postpartum pain (PP pain) is a common problem after vaginal delivery. Some herbs are used to reduce PP pain. Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of Triticum sativum (wheat) germ, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of wheat germ on PP pain. Materials and Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial performed on 90 women who had a vaginal delivery and complained of moderate to severe PP pain. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. In the intervention group, a capsule containing 500 mg of wheat germ was taken every 6 hr for 2 days and in the control group, a placebo capsule was taken in the same order. The severity of PP pain was measured before and one hour after receiving the capsule by using the Visual Analogue Scale. Results: The two groups were not different in terms of pain severity before the intervention. The PP pain in women with moderate pain was significantly reduced in both groups, the reduction was greater in the wheat germ group (GEE=0.04) but this reduction was not significant. The PP pain in women with severe pain was significantly reduced in both groups, however, the reduction was significantly greater in the wheat germ group (GEE=0.63, p=0.007). Moreover, the results showed that the use of mefenamic acid in the wheat germ group was significantly lower than the control group (p=0.04). Moreover, no side effect was reported after consuming the wheat germ. Conclusion: It seems that wheat germ reduces severe PP pain. Further research on this plant is recommended.
Earnings management to avoid earnings decreases and losses

This study evaluates the prevalence of earnings management to avoid losses and earnings decreases across the World. This practice was first documented by Burgstahler and Dichev (1997) for United States firms from 1976 to 1987. We replicate their study for a more recent and global sample. Firms that do not seem to manage earnings do avoid reporting earnings decreases, but we found persistent evidence of earnings management to avoid reporting losses. The results are consistent across different geographical regions, countries, and before and after International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption. Unlike Burgstahler and Dichev (1997), however, we were not able to find evidence on which components of earnings (cash flow from operations, changes in working capital, or other accruals) firms mainly manage to increase earnings, concluding they likely use a bundle of all these components. Our results are important mainly to financial analysts and general investors, who should be careful in giving good prospects to firms who presented small profits since they are likely small losses artificially managed to look better, a practice widely spread across time and geographical regions among IFRS adopters and non-adopters.
Experimental Studies on the Antidiarrheal Effects of Anjang-san

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antidiarrheal effects of Anjang-san in mice and rats. Methods: We measured the content of condensed tannin in Anjang-san extract, and observed the effects of Anjang-san on the small intestinal and colonic transport of mice, as well as on mice models of diarrhea induced by castor oil and MgSO4, and on rat models of castor oil-induced enteropooling. Results: Anjang-san showed significant inhibitory effects on abnormally increased small intestinal transit induced by pyridostigmine and neostigmine, and inhibitory effects on large intestinal transit. Anjang-san also exhibited antidiarrheal effects on diarrhea induced by MgSO4, and inhibitory effects on castor oil-induced enteropooling. Anjang-san also improved castor oil-induced diarrhea based on simple numbers without statistical significance. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Anjang-san has significant antidiarrheal properties and attests to its possible utility in functional diarrheas, irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders based upon further studies.
Effects of Vegetation, Sediment Supply and Sea Level Rise on the Morphodynamic Evolution of Tidal Channels

Tidal channels play a leading role in the morphodynamic evolution of tidal environments by driving the exchange of water, sediments, and nutrients within these systems. Despite their fundamental function on landscape construction, current knowledge on their plano‐altimetric evolution in response to environmental forcing is still limited. We developed a mathematical model to address the interplay of biogeomorphic processes on the plano‐altimetric equilibrium of a straight tidal channel flanked by adjacent intertidal platforms. The model couples a one‐dimensional hydrodynamic model with a bed evolution model. The former describes the flow field within the channel and the storage contribution of lateral shoals. The latter accounts for the main physical processes responsible for shaping the tidal landscape, namely erosion, deposition, and sea level rise, mediated by halophytic vegetation growth. Model results reproduce a variety of channel morphologies, ranging from those typical of tidal‐flat channels, with large width‐to‐depth ratios, to those characterizing salt‐marsh creeks, which have much narrower cross sections and small width‐to‐depth ratios. Our results show that vegetation encroachment on the marsh surface produces two competing effects. First, vegetation increases flow concentration within the channel, owing to the increased flow resistance on the vegetated platform thus favoring channel incision. Second, vegetation promotes a reduction in the tidal prism, owing to higher accretion rates of the salt‐marsh surface thus leading to channel infilling. Which effect prevails over the other depends on the elevation of the intertidal platform in the tidal frame. The latter is in turn dictated by sediment availability, the rate of relative sea level rise, and vegetation biogeomorphic effects.
Combustion Kinetics of Heavy Oils in Porous Media

In this study, the kinetics of heavy crude-oil combustion in porous media are reported. Ramped temperature oxidation (RTO) tests with effluent gas analysis are conducted to probe in situ combustion (ISC) reaction kinetics along with isothermal coke formation experiments. The role of oxygen on coke formation reactions (i.e., fuel formation for ISC) is investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of intermediate reaction products. The XPS data is analyzed along with companion RTO experiments to obtain a simplified multistep reaction scheme. Synthetic cases illustrate the connection between a proposed reaction scheme for oil/matrix pairs and one-dimensional combustion front propagation. Analysis of experimental results illustrate that the reaction scheme is capable of reproducing experimental results including the basic trends in oxygen consumption and carbon oxides production for RTO experiments as a function of heating rate for both good and poor ISC candidates. The combination of XPS and RTO .
Impact of Using ICT for Learning Purposes on Self-Efficacy and Persistence: Evidence from Pisa 2018

In recent years, the use of information and communication technology (ICT) has meant that learning is no longer limited to the school. In order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) goal 4, that is, to ensure quality education for all, to make educational resources and online learning are indispensable, and to access these resources anytime, anywhere through the Internet. In addition, the global pandemic of COVID-19 has made online education more necessary than ever before. Where and how ICT is used may have an impact on the components of motivation, such as self-efficacy and persistence. In this study, we quantified the impact of ICT utilization on the two components of self-efficacy and persistence. The effects of ICT use on both components were analyzed from the data taken from the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) administered to 15-year old students. The results revealed that students who frequently utilized ICT for the purpose of out-of-school learning, particularly for activities related to school projects, exhibited significantly higher levels of self-efficacy and persistence. The frequency of ICT usage for in-school learning revealed no effect on any of the two above components. In addition, utilization of ICT for recreational purposes outside of school showed significantly lower values in the area of persistence. These results indicate that it is important to set tasks that provide a continuum of ICT use, both in and out of school, in order to motivate learners. This has important implications for the design of learning in online education. Furthermore, it suggests that teachers should design exploratory type lessons that focus on strengthening students’ desire to learn outside of class.
Truth Inference with Bipartite Attention Graph Neural Network from a Comprehensive View

As crowdsourcing has cast a new solution to numerous tasks, truth inference, which deduces the accurate answer from massive noise labels (answers), has become quite an essential issue. However, existing proposals of truth inference only excel at limited tasks since they excessively depend on modeling either workers or labels with simple assumptions. In this paper, we propose BAT (Bipartite Attention-driven Truth) to flexibly infer the truth in various scenarios. The key behind BAT is to explore a comprehensive approach from the whole topology of crowdsourcing itself rather than any individual component. Specifically, BAT firstly characterizes the crowdsourcing as an attributed bipartite graph (ABG). Then it deploys a bipartite graph neural network (bi-GNN). The bi-GNN relies on a bipartite attention mechanism for exploiting the importance of different answers to compute the correct one. For verifying BAT, we compare BAT with other eight existing truth inference methods on real-world datasets from different domains (image, text, audio). The results show that BAT performs best on different crowdsourcing tasks.
360 degree representation: desktop virtual reality combined with analytics in the primary school classroom

ABSTRACT Schools are increasingly pivoting to the use of digital technologies to support both teaching and learning. In this study, the educational use of 360-degree video in the primary school classroom is investigated, focusing on a platform that was developed by an Australian university, which incorporates a chat function as well as an analytics tool. In examining these aspects, a qualitative study, drawing on a sociocultural and multimodal framework, was undertaken with two Australian primary school classes. It was found that the platform provided students with increased access to information and control, as well as supporting interactions. Additionally, it was found that the analytics tool provided teachers with access to information on student engagement. Some educational limitations of the platform are reported on.
On the Role of LiF in Organic Optoelectronics

Organic optoelectronic device behaviour is heavily dependent on interfacial effects due to the device architecture and thickness. Interfaces between the inorganic electrodes and the active organic layers play a defining role in the all of the electronic and stability processes that occur in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic solar cells (OPVs). Amongst the many interlayers introduced at these interfaces to improve charge carrier movement and stability, LiF has proven to be the most successful and it is almost ubiquitous in all organic semiconductor devices. Implemented at both top and bottom contact interfaces, doped into the charge transporting layers, and used as encapsulants, LiF has played major roles in device performance and lifetime. This review highlights the use of LiF at both top and bottom contacts in organic optoelectronics, discusses the various mechanisms proposed for the utility of LiF at each interface, and explores its impact on device lifetimes. From examples relating to charge carrier flow, interfacial electronic level modification, and interfacial stability, a comprehensive picture of the role of LiF in organic devices can be formed. This review begins with a brief overview of the role of the interface in OLEDs and OPVs, and the general properties of LiF. Then, it discusses the implementation of LiF at the top contact electrode interface, followed by the bottom substrate contact electrode, examining both performance and degradation effects in both cases.
Boosting children’s math self-efficacy by enriching their growth mindsets and gender-fair beliefs

ABSTRACT Self-efficacy is easily the most important construct for engagement and success in achievement contexts. In this article, we aim to promote a better understanding of theory-driven practices that foster students’ self-efficacy beliefs in math, especially the practices that change young learners’ mindset and gender stereotypes in math. We briefly present the self-efficacy theory first, followed by theoretical and empirical findings within the mindset and stereotype literature that are relevant to self-efficacy enhancement. Next, we introduce the core concepts and messages, embedded psychological processes, and unique design features of a recent math intervention delivered as part of regular classroom instruction, which has proven effective for enriching children’s growth mindsets and gender-fair beliefs regarding math ability.