Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smartphone Addiction Among University Students’ During the Post-COVID-19 Era: The Role of Emotional Intelligence and Future Anxiety

Objective Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related psychological symptoms can lead to smartphone addiction (SPA) risk and other behavioral disorders, thus impacting individuals’ mental health and well-being. The present study aims to propose a mediation model to investigate the association between emotional intelligence (EI) and SPA, and the mediating role of future anxiety (FA) during the post-COVID-19 era. Methods An online questionnaire including the Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Dark Future Scale, and the Smartphone Addiction Scale among university students from China, was conducted between September 14 and November 22, 2022. Finally, 1,154 valid questionnaires were collected. The reliability and confirmatory factor analysis results showed that all three scales had good reliability and validity. Results Structural Equation Model demonstrated that EI significantly and negatively influenced SPA (β=0.211, p<0.001), university students’ FA significantly and positively effected SPA (β=0.315, p<0.001), EI significantly predicted SPA in university students, and FA partially mediated the association between EI and SPA. The mediation effect of FA was 0.110, which accounted for 34.27% of the total effect. Bootstrap results furthermore tested the rigor of the mediating effect. Conclusion These findings broaden our understanding regarding the relationship between EI and SPA and the mediating role of FA, providing new sights for educators on how to reduce the risk of SPA when confronting the ongoing and possible future pandemics.
Intra-individual qualitative and quantitative comparison of [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and PET/MRI

Background: Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) positron emission tomography (PET) is a cornerstone of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) management. Hybrid PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now available for NET-imaging, next to PET/computed tomography (CT). Objectives: To determine whether CT or MRI is the best hybrid partner for [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET. Design: Monocentric, prospective study. Methods: Patients received a same-day [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and subsequent PET/MRI, for suspicion of NET, (re)staging or peptide receptor radionuclide therapy-selection. The union (PETunion) of malignant lesions detected on PETCT and PETMRI was the reference standard. Concordance of detection of malignant lesions in an organ was measured between PETunion and CT and PETunion and MRI. Seven bins were used to categorize the number of malignant lesions, containing following ordinal variables: 0, 1, 2–5, 6–10, 11–20, >20 countable and diffuse/uncountable. The difference in number of malignant lesions was obtained as the difference in bin level (‘Δbin’) between PETunion and CT and PETunion and MRI with a Δbin closer to zero implying a higher concordance rate. Results: Twenty-nine patients were included. Primary tumors included 17 gastroenteropancreatic-NETs, 1 colon neuroendocrine carcinoma, 7 lung-NETs and 2 meningiomas. Patient level concordance with PETunion was 96% for MRI and 67% for CT (p = 0.039). Organ level concordance with PETunion was 74% for MRI and 40% for CT (p < 0.0001). In bone, there was a higher concordance rate for MRI compared to CT, 92% and 33%, respectively (p = 0.016). Overall, a mean Δbin of 0.5 ± 1.1 for PETunion/MRI and 1.4 ± 1.2 for PETunion/CT (p < 0.0001) was noted. In liver, a mean Δbin of 0.0 ± 1.1 for PETunion/MRI and 1.7 ± 1.2 for PETunion/CT was observed (p = 0.0078). In bone, a mean Δbin closer to zero was observed for PETunion/MRI compared to PETunion/CT, 0.6 ± 1.4 and 2.0 ± 1.5, respectively (p = 0.0098). Conclusions: Compared to SSTR PET/CT, SSTR PET/MRI had a higher patient and organ level concordance for malignant tumoral involvement and number of malignant lesions, with a clear added value in bone and liver specifically.
A Multicenter Prospective Study on the Use of a Mandibular Advancement Device in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The main objective of this prospective study was the evaluation of 1 mm step titration of mandible advancement in the success of treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). For that, a multicenter prospective study was designed to recruit patients with OSA who were eligible to receive a mandibular advancement device. Gradual titration of mandibular advancement (steps of 1 mm) from maximum intercuspidation was performed to determine the optimal mandibular advancement (highest reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)). The principal variable was the percentage of patients where a reduction ≥50% of the AHI was achieved at the end of the titration phase. A total of 102 patients participated in this study. Fifty-six percent of the participants were males and 67% had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Most of the patients (79%) had an age ≥ 50 years and the majority (74%) were either non-smokers or ex-smokers. Excessive daytime sleepiness was reported by 40% of the patients. The mean AHI at baseline was 20.6 ± 12.7 events/h. The mean advancement of the mandible was 3.1 ± 1.6 mm. The device achieved a reduction in the AHI in 93% of the patients and success (≥50% reduction in the AHI) in 69% of the patients. Success was achieved in 50%, 81.6%, and 73.3% of the patients with mild, moderate, and severe OSA, respectively. Decreasing the magnitude of mandibular advancement could be possible by controlling the vertical mouth opening and step-by-step titration.
Market partitioning, organizational identity and geography: Empirical and simulation evidence in the German electricity market after deregulation

This dissertation develops and tests theories on identity-based resource partitioning in the context of the German electricity market after deregulation in 1998. I apply insights from the recent theoretical development on organizational identity and pay special attention to the roles of audience heterogeneity which is observed through the lens of geography. Based on both theoretical arguments and field evidence, I detail the process of identity-based partitioning and explore three boundary conditions for sustaining an periphery identity oppositional to that of market leaders: intense cooperation among peripheral organizations, sufficient audience heterogeneity and short delays in enacting as well as in perceiving the periphery identity. I hypothesize that although increasing oppositional identities upon competitive release lead to resource partitioning, this effect varies substantially across audience segments embedded in geographical communities. Organizational founding rates increase with greater match between the peripheral identity and the values endorsed by the local community. I also propose while center organizations may absorb the majority of the released resources, competitive release leads to higher growth rates of peripheral organizations compared with those of the subsidiaries of the center ones. Combining the apparently opposing effects of the match between producer identity and audience tastes on founding rates and growth rates, I suggest that resource partitioning may occur both at the form level through new foundings and at the firm level through organizational growth, depending on the strength of the match. The theories and hypotheses are developed and tested using simulation experiments (chapter 2) and longitudinal quantitative data (chapter 3 and 4). This dissertation contributes to the theories on resource partitioning and organizational identity as well as to research on industrial evolution and sociology of market in general.
Max-Min Fairness for Uplink NOMA Systems With Finite Blocklength

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been viewed as a promising technology to meet access and throughput demands in wireless communications. To apply NOMA techniques in practical scenarios, finite blocklength (FBL) has to be considered. In this article, we explore the max-min fairness for uplink FBL-NOMA. Specifically, we consider the joint optimization of the power control and transmission rates to improve the max-min effective throughput and simultaneously provide the quality-of-service (QoS) guarantee of transmission reliability for each user. Though the formulated problem appears as a difficult non-convex problem, we obtain the globally optimal solution by first determining the optimal transmission rates for given powers and then obtaining the optimal power control through a line search. We further develop a simplified algorithm to obtain the nearly optimal performance. The superiority of our proposed algorithms is demonstrated via simulation results.
Pension Reform, Incentives to Retire and Retirement Behavior: Empirical Evidence from Swedish Micro-Data

This paper investigates to what extent the 1998 major reform of Sweden’s public old-age pension system contributed to the increase in extensive margin labor supply among older workers seen in the country in recent decades. We use a large data set containing all males and females born in Sweden between 1922 and 1950 and observe their retirement behavior during 1985–2014. We use an econometric model in which the economic incentives to stay in the labor market are measured by Social Security Wealth, defined at each hypothetical retirement age, and a variable measuring the implicit tax, imposed by the income security system, on staying in the labor force. The point estimates from our econometric model suggest that at most a small part of the increase in labor force participation of the elderly can be attributed to the pension reform.
Estimation on the Hourly Distribution of Near-Surface Temperature Lapse Rate Under Winter Clear-Sky Conditions

The near-surface (2 m) temperature lapse rate (TLR) is a key parameter in various environmental studies. However, high spatial and temporal resolution TLRs are not usually available on regional scales, especially in mountainous regions. The purpose of this study is to model spatiotemporal continuous TLR in a mountain area using observed air temperature, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface temperature (LST) products, land cover maps, and the ASTER digital elevation model (DEM). To address this issue, the sliding window method was employed in this study to model TLR from MODIS LST, and the diurnal temperature cycle (DTC) model was utilized to fit the diurnal variation of TLR. The results of this study indicated that MODIS LST can be used to calculate the near-surface TLR of grid point. The sliding window method can effectively calculate the spatially continuous TLR, and the sliding window size of 15 $\times $ 15 is suitable for this study area. The simulated TLR can be effectively corrected using the relationship between measured air temperature and LST by considering a correction coefficient. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) after correction was decreasing by 0.36 °C km−1. The daily amplitude of TLR ranges from 22.25 to −13.07°C km−1, with a standard deviation (STD) of 7.50 °C km−1. The near-surface TLRs vary in both space and time and are more variable than a constant of −6.5°C km−1. The mean absolute error (MAE) and RMSE between simulated hourly TLR values and measured TLR values are 2.85 and 3.32 °C km−1, respectively, which means that the diurnal variation of TLR can be effectively fit using the DTC model. The research proposed method can effectively utilize MODIS LST under clear-sky conditions to calculate spatiotemporal continuous TLR.
The Aristocratic Contribution to Economic Development in Nineteenth Century England

Historians have generally taken a sceptical view of the contribution of the aristocracy to economic growth in England. This paper suggests that although it is almost impossible to quantify the group's overall contribution, their positive role in promoting the agricultural revolution, exploiting mineral resources, improving the transport network, and developing new towns, was substantial. Despite the debts that many families accumulated, and the penchant for indulgent spending on elections, countryhouse building and other marginally productive pursuits, the aristocracy made a substantial contribution in terms both of financial investment, and of less definable roles such as their encouragement of tenants' farming practices through the types of lease they granted. Consequently the paper suggests a more positive view of the aristocratic role than has usually been acknowledged.
The Empirical Measurement and Determinants of Intra-Industry Trade for a Developing Country

The analysis computed the trends and determinants of India’s bilateral composite IIT as well as sectoral IIT with select trade partners. In particular, Grubel - Lloyd Corrected (Grubel and Lloyd, 1975; Aquino, 1997) indices have been used for the empirical analysis involving bilateral aggregate and bilateral sectoral IIT respectively. The empirical results provide evidence for a major part of actual IIT to be explained outside the framework of the neoclassical theories of international trade. The major findings are as follows. First, India’s aggregate as well as sectoral IITs in general displayed a positive time trend with the ROW. This signifies that the country’s two-way manufacturing trade in general and its IPN participation with partners in particular has considerably deepened over the period. Second, the regression analysis indicates that several demand-related (e.g., income difference), supply-oriented (e.g., technology difference), friction-led (e.g., distance, trade facilitation, contiguity, language) and sector-specific (e.g., average labour productivity, vertical product differentiation) factors display a strong statistical relationship with IIT as expected. Third, the empirical analysis strongly underlines the importance of trade facilitation measures in enhancing IIT, which needs to be viewed in a wider perspective. As presence of poor connectivity framework raises transport costs and discourage trade in parts and components (i.e., the relatively low value-added items) significantly, the two-way trade (i.e., IIT) in a wide range of manufacturing product segment can be affected. Fourth, as diversification of product baskets (i.e., product differentiation) happens to be a significant driver of IIT, there is a strong case to focus on technological innovation through research and development (R&D), for maintaining intra-sectoral manufacturing trade flows.
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in 100 Iraqi Patients with Hand Osteoarthritis

Background: Hand osteoarthritis (HOA) is a common joint disorder leading to considerable pain and with substantial impact on hand function. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a measurable index of the presence of atherosclerosis. Increased CIMT is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, so early diagnosis and management may improve quality of life. Objective: To assess the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and hand osteoarthritis (HOA), and to evaluate the predictors of this relationship.Patients and Methods: One hundred Iraqi HOA patients and 100 healthy controls were included in this study. Full history was taken and complete clinical examination was done for all patients. Disease characteristics [age, sex, duration, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, family history of HOA, smoking history, lipid lowering agent use] were also documented. Laboratory analysis included complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipid profile. Individuals in both groups were assessed for CIMT by B-mode ultrasonography. X-rays of both hands was taken for patients and was graded according Kellgrenand Lawrence scale.Results: Fifty five (55%) Iraqi HOA patients have increased CIMT compared with 38 % of controls (p=0.02). There was no statistical significant association between increased CIMT and HOA radiographical grading (p=0.72). The lipid profile was the only predictor of increased CIMT in patients with HOA [p=0.02, OR (95% CI) = 3.24 (1.20-8.75)] Conclusions: There is increased frequency of increased CIMT (55%) in Iraqi patients with HOA. Abnormal lipid profile is the only significant predictor of increased CIMT.
Attributes motivating participation in extreme recreation at Putrajaya Challenge Park, Malaysia

Extreme recreation refers to activities in relation to height, speed, physical exertion and generally involving a certain level of danger. The Putrajaya Challenge Park (PCP) is a recreational complex that provides opportunity for extreme recreation emphasising on wall climbing, skateboarding/rollerblading, mountain biking and bicycle motor cross. Since motivation is a significant factor of extreme recreation participation, it is essential for the management of PCP to understand extreme recreation participants' motivation. This study was conducted to determine the motivation that influenced the public to participate in extreme recreation, particularly the existing activities of PCP. A survey was conducted on the participants of PCP for two months to obtain a total of 198 questionnaires. A multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify the attribute towards extreme sport involvement. Regression analysis found that five factors were significant at 95% confidence level which included travelling time, skill and knowledge of participant, age, years of education and monthly income. Skill and knowledge, age and years of education were directly proportional to participation rate. Meanwhile, travelling time and monthly income were found to be inversely related to participation rate.
Research advances in the degradation of aflatoxin by lactic acid bacteria

Abstract Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites that often contaminate food and animal feed, causing huge economic losses and serious health hazards. Aflatoxin contamination has become a major concern worldwide. Biological methods have been used to reduce aflatoxins in food and feed by inhibiting toxin production and detoxification. Among biological methods, lactic acid bacteria are of significant interest because of their safety, efficiency, and environmental friendliness. This study aimed to review the mechanisms by which lactic acid bacteria degrade aflatoxins and the factors that influence their degradation efficiency, including the action of the lactic acid bacteria themselves (cell wall adsorption) and the antifungal metabolites produced by the lactic acid bacteria. The current applications of lactic acid bacteria to food and feed were also reviewed. This comprehensive analysis provided insight into the binding mechanisms between lactic acid bacteria and aflatoxins, facilitating the practical applications of lactic acid bacteria to food and agriculture.
Blockchain-Based Clustered Federated Learning for Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring

To address privacy concerns of state-of-the-art centralized machine learning in non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) applications, the adoption of federated learning (FL) has emerged as a solution to transfer training processes from cloud servers to edge devices. Nevertheless, conventional FL encounters several challenges including architecture safety, incentive mechanism, computing cost, and personalization. To overcome these challenges, the study proposes a self-motivated decentralized FL scheme for NILM, named blockchain-based clustered FL, by combining blockchain mechanism with clustered FL, incentivizing suitable clients to participate in FL by offering rewards based on data size and model performance. Under NILM-related differential privacy protections, the Laplace noise is injected into the first layer of neural networks in the blockchain-based clustered FL, and a decay factor is employed to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive noise on performance. Lightweight training techniques such as data quantization and weight pruning are employed to reduce computational complexity. Furthermore, a clustering approach is utilized to create multiple global models, thereby enhancing the model personalization degree. It is verified by the case study that the blockchain-based clustered FL outperforms the conventional FL in both accuracy and operation risk, and offers much superior performance and a more robust model compared to local training.
Vibration Control for a Second-Order System via a Magnetorheological Damper

For most mechanical systems such as buildings, aerodynamics, aerospace applications, etc., acceleration measurement is the only variable for practical purposes. Therefore, the displacement and velocity signals required for control schemes are generally estimated through state observers or by means of integral filters. For instance, the Luenberger observer is designed based on a suitable observer gain, whereas the filters request an appropriate cut-off frequency to avoid phase shifts. Consequently, this article provides an algebraic state observer to estimate displacement, integral of displacement, and velocity simultaneously. The main advantage of this approach is that the observer does need tuning gains, only depending on the system properties. In addition, this work presents an alternative for the semi-active vibration control problem via a PID plus Active Disturbance Rejection Controller (ADRC), which is robust to seismic movement. A nonlinear second-order equation models the building structure equipped with a Magnetorheological Damper (MRD).
Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection 3 Years after the Start of the Pandemic: A Population-Level Observational Study

The risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections changes as new variants emerge, but the follow-up time for most of the available evidence is shorter than two years. This study evaluated SARS-CoV-2 reinfection rates in the total population of an Italian province up to three years since the pandemic’s start. This retrospective cohort study used official National Healthcare System data on SARS-CoV-2 testing and vaccinations, demographics, and hospitalizations in the Province of Pescara, Italy, from 2 March 2020 to 31 December 2022. A total of 6541 (5.4%) reinfections and 33 severe and 18 lethal COVID-19 cases were recorded among the 121,412 subjects who recovered from a primary infection. There were no severe events following reinfection in the young population, whereas 1.1% of reinfected elderly died. A significantly higher reinfection risk was observed among females; unvaccinated individuals; adults (30–59 y); and subjects with hypertension, COPD, and kidney disease. Up to three years after a primary SARS-CoV-2 infection, the majority of the population did not experience a reinfection. The risk of severe COVID-19 following a reinfection was very low for young and adult individuals but still high for the elderly. The subjects with hybrid immunity showed a lower reinfection risk than the unvaccinated.
Managerial capability, business strategy, and performance: the role of external factors

ABSTRACT The purpose of the paper is to investigate (1) the mediating role of business strategies in the managerial capability-performance relationship; and (2) the moderating roles of environmental contingents including market turbulence, technology turbulence, and competitive intensity on the indirect managerial capability-performance relationship through business strategies. The study uses primary data collected from manufacturing firms (n = 203) in a Sub-Saharan nation to examine this vital relationship. Using Hayes PROCESS, the findings reveal that whereas the differentiation strategy effectively mediates the managerial capability-performance relationship, cost leadership offers no mediation effects. Furthermore, the findings show that the contingent role of the three selected environmental conditions on the strategy-performance relationship is positive but insignificant. This implies that although these external factors positively moderate the relationship, weaken the business strategy-performance relationship, signifying a buffering relationship.