Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
12 Hours in Virtual Reality: Two Cases of Long-Term Exposure to Consumer-Grade Virtual Reality

In this paper we describe a study exposing two users to consumergrade virtual reality (VR) for a total of 12 hours. The participants experienced a variety of different commercial VR applications and simulator sickness was measured once every hour for the duration of the study. Both participants experienced varying degrees of sickness throughout the 12 hours of exposure and reported increased sickness seven hours into the study.
Overrepresentation of the Underrepresented: Gender Bias in Wikipedia

The goal of our research is to determine if gender bias exists in Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a very large dataset that has been used to train artificial intelligence models. If a dataset that is being used for this purpose is biased, then the artificial intelligence model that was trained with it will be biased as well, therefore making biased decisions. For this reason, it is important to explore large datasets for any potential biases before they are used in machine learning. Since Wikipedia is ontologically structured, we used graph theory to create a network of all of the website’s categories in order to look at the relationships between men-related categories and women-related categories with measures of shortest paths, successor intersections, and average betweenness centrality. We found there is an overexposure of categories that relate to men as they are far more central in Wikipedia and easier to get to than categories that relate to women. However, although women-related categories are not as central, there are about six times more categories that mention women in the title than men, which we consider to be overrepresentation. This is most likely due to women being considered an exception in many fields while men are considered the norm. Our methods can be used to either periodically study gender bias in Wikipedia as its data changes relatively frequently or our methods can be used to study other biases in either Wikipedia or other network-like datasets.
Association of circulating resistin and adiponectin levels with Kawasaki disease: A meta-analysis

The present meta-analysis was performed to examine the association between circulating blood adipokine levels and Kawasaki disease (KD). Studies were identified by searching various databases, including Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. After the studies were pooled, the mean difference (MD) and corresponding 95% CI were calculated. Subgroup analyses and publication bias detection were also performed. The Cochrane Q test and I2 statistics were performed using Review Manager software (version 5.3) to test for heterogeneity. A Begg's test was used to assess publication bias and STATA software (version 12.0) was used for statistical analysis. The results revealed that the KD group exhibited higher levels of resistin compared with those in the healthy controls or disease controls (non-KD; MD=20.76, 95% CI=16.16–25.36, P<0.001; MD=21.27, 95% CI=14.24–28.29, P<0.001, respectively). In addition, when compared with those in patients exhibiting non-coronary artery lesions (NCAL), those with coronary artery lesions (CAL) had higher levels of adiponectin and resistin (MD=1.00, 95% CI=0.06–1.96, P=0.04; MD=2.77, 95% CI=1.32–4.22, P<0.001). Furthermore, compared with those in the inactive-phase group, patients in the active-phase group exhibited higher levels of resistin (MD=17.73, 95% CI=12.82–22.65, P<0.001). In conclusion, the present meta-analysis indicated that resistin levels were elevated in patients with KD. It was also revealed that circulating resistin and adiponectin levels in the CAL group were significantly increased compared with those in patients with NCAL. Furthermore, the active group had higher levels of resistin than the inactive group. The results of these meta-analyses indicated that resistin may serve an important role in the pathogenesis of KD and may therefore be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of KD, whereas adiponectin may only serve an important role in the pathogenesis of CAL and may therefore be used as a biomarker to distinguish CAL from NCAL.
The wider impacts of high-technology employment

Innovative, high-technology industries are commonly described as drivers of regional development. ‘Tech’ workers earn high wages, but they allegedly generate knock-on effects throughout the local economies that host them, producing new jobs and raising wages in nontradable activities. At the same time, in iconic high-tech agglomerations like the San Francisco Bay Area, the home of Silicon Valley, the success of the tech industry creates tensions, in part as living costs rise beyond the reach of many non-tech workers. Across a large sample of US cities, this paper explores these issues systematically. Combining annual data on wages, employment and prices from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Consumer Price Index, it estimates how growth in tradable tech employment affects the real, living-cost deflated wages of local workers in nontradable sectors. Results indicate that high-technology employment has significant, positive, but substantively modest effects on the real wages of workers in nontradable sectors. However, in cities with highly price-inelastic housing markets, the relationship is inverted, with tech generating negative externalities for nontradable workers.
Can Behavioral WOM Measures Provide Insight into the Net Promoter© Concept of Customer Loyalty?

W examine the ability of the “Net Promoter” of Morgan and Rego (2006) measure constructed using behavioral word-of-mouth (WOM) data to provide insights into the Net Promoter© customer loyalty concept popularized by Reichheld (2003), which is indicated by a score constructed using attitudinal “intentionto-recommend” data. We show that despite differences in data and operationalization, the two measures are very closely correlated and behave remarkably similarly when examined relative to a third related variable, customer satisfaction.
Air quality implications of the Horizon oil spill

Ann M. M iddlebrook31, Daniel M. M urphy3, Ravan A hm adov3b, Elliot L. A tlasc, Roya B a h re in i i Donald R. Blaked, Jerom e Brioudeab, Joost A. d e G ouw 3b, Fred C. Fehsenfeldab, G regory J. Frostab, John S. Flolloway3b, Daniel A. Lack3b, Justin M. Langridgeab, Rich A. Lueb6, S tu art A. McKeenab, Jam es F. M eagher3, Sim one M einardid, J. A ndrew N eum an3b, John B. N ow ak3b, David D. Parrish3, Jeff Peischlab, A nne E. Perringab, liana B. Pollack3b, Jam es M. R oberts3, Thom as B. Ryerson3, Joshua P. Schw arz3b, J. Ryan Spackm an3b, Carsten W arneke3b, an d A. R. R avishankara3
Female directors and earnings management in high-technology firms

Purpose – This study, based on a merger of gender and accounting theories, aims to explore whether and how earnings management is affected by the presence of female directors on the board of directors and on the audit committee. Design/methodology/approach – The study employs both a univariate and multivariate analysis approach to explore the relation between female directors and earnings management in high-technology firms. In the analysis, two contemporary ex-post measures of earnings management, discretionary accruals and nonoperating accruals, as well as two ex-ante measures of earnings management, Big4 auditor and financial leverage are applied. Findings – The paper finds evidence for a negative relation between the presence of female directors and earnings management. The findings indicate that accounting aggressiveness is affected by the proportion of women on the board of directors as well as on the audit committee. Furthermore, the paper find evidences indicating that earnings management is lower when either the CEO or the CFO is a woman. Notably, in firms with a higher female representation in corporate governance and/or in top management, external monitoring by auditors and creditors seems to be weaker, yet earnings quality is higher. Additional analysis suggests that the gender of directors has value implications for analysts and investors; specifically, there is a positive relation between the proportion of female directors and the firm’s value. The findings are supported by several gender theories and findings regarding women’s motivation and achievement, moral values, social stereotypes and the relation between task performance and self-confidence. Originality/value – This study associates the gender of directors with earnings management by firms. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on earnings management. It should be useful to researchers, regulators, investors, analysts and creditors as well as other players in the capital markets, as it presents a new and important aspect that needs to be accounted for when assessing the quality of firms’ accounting information.
Title Information feedback in a dynamic tournament

This paper studies the problem of information revelation in a multi-stage tournament where the agents’ effort in each stage gives rise to a stochastic performance signal privately observed by the principal. The principal controls the agents’ effort incentive through the use of a feedback policy, which transforms his private information into a public announcement. The optimal feedback policy is one that maximizes the agents’ expected effort. The paper identifies when the principal should use the no-feedback policy that reveals no information, or the full-feedback policy that reveals all his information.
Antibacterial effects of Thymus algeriensis extracts on some pathogenic bacteria

Despite the presence of many antibiotics, bacterial resistance is growing steadily and some of these antibiotics have become ineffective, which poses a major challenge to the health sector. In this context, this work has demonstrated, in vitro, the inhibitory action of the bacterial growth resulting from methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Thymus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut. , a medicinal plant species harvested from the Algerian South-west area, as well as the determination of the phenolic content of those crude extracts. The methanolic extract of Thymus algeriensis showed a significant antibacterial effect with 16.5 and 19 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Klebsiella pneumoniae was not inhibited by both tested extracts. Besides, ethanol extract has not prevented the growth of the Enterobacter cloacae. This biological activity can be explained by the appreciable rates noted for both of the plant extracts in terms of total phenolic levels, which ranged between 79.45 and 67.13 mg GAE g-1 dry weight.
Supramolecular Architecture in a Ni(II) Complex with a Weakly Bonded N,N′-(1,4-phenylenedi- carbonyl)Diglycinate Counter-Anion: Crystal Structure Investigation and Hirshfeld Surface Analysis

In this work, we describe the structural investigation of a Ni(II) complex, [Ni(C12H8N2)2(H2O)2]2·(C12H10N2O6)·(NO3)2·10H2O, with phenanthroline ligands, a deprotonated aromatic dicarboxylic acid, N,N′-(1,4-phenylenedicarbonyl)diglycine, and a nitrate as counter-anions, as well as water molecules. Noncovalent interactions, such as π–π stacking, lone-pair···π, and C–H···π between the phenanthrolines of the cationic complex, [Ni(C12H8N2)2(H2O)2]2+, and counter-anions are observed. Moreover, the solvated and noncoordinating counter-anion, N,N′-(1,4-phenylenedicarbonyl)diglycinate, is embedded in classical and nonclassical hydrogen-bonding interactions with water molecules and phenanthrolines. The two water molecules coordinated by the NiII atom and hydrogen bonded to the carboxylate of the N,N′-(1,4-phenylenedicarbonyl)diglycinate show attractive secondary electrostatic interactions, and a DD/AA hydrogen bonding pattern is formed. The noncovalent interactions of the cationic complex and the solvated N,N′-(1,4-phenylenedicarbonyl)diglycinate counter anion were explored with a Hirshfeld surface analysis, and related contributions to crystal cohesion were determined. The results of the N,N′-(1,4-phenylenedicarbonyl)diglycinate counter anion were compared to those of a solvated N,N′-(1,4-phenylenedicarbonyl)diglycine molecule of a previously described copper(II) complex.
MODELING THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE UPPER PALAEOLITHIC COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE CARPATHIAN BASIN DURING THE UPPER WÜRMIAN

According to malacological data from 36 radiocarbon dated Upper Würmian loess profiles the first chronological unit determined from the inferred palaeoclimatic changes embeds a period between 32,000 – 25,000 BP years. This unit was correlated by the Denekamp interstadial located at the boundary of the Middle and Upper Pleniglacial in Western Europe, and between the SPECMAP 2 and 3 isotopic stages. The palaeosol horizons dated into this period can be correlated with the Stillfried B palaeosol. According to the available malacological data, this period can be divided into two parts. The older phase between 32-27,000 BP years was characterized by milder and more humid conditions. While the younger phase representing the period between 27-25,000 BP years was characterized by lower temperatures and drier conditions. For this time period we could infer mean July palaeotemperatures ranging around 19-20 °C in the southern parts of the Carpathian Basin, 18 °C in the central parts of the Great Hungarian Plains, and 17 °C in the Northern Mid-mountains and the southern foothills of the Northern Carpathians, respectively. This N-S trend observable in the distribution of the
Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance in Obese Children as A Predictor for Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Obesity has emerged as one of the most serious public health concerns in the 21st century. HOMAIR scores are useful indicators of insulin resistance for research purposes. Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate HOMA-IR for insulin resistance in obese children, to correlate between HOMA-IR and metabolic syndrome in obese children and also to assess relation between insulin resistance and morbidity. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of ninety overweight and obese children, aged 4-8 years, attending at El-Zahraa University Hospital and National Institute of Nutrition. This study was conducted between from January 2018 to January 2019. All studied children were subjected to anthropometric measurement, blood pressure measuring, skin finding as acanthosis nigricans. Lab investigations including measurement of HBA1C, fasting serum glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides and insulin were done. Results: Mean and median values of HOMA-IR were significantly higher among patients with large birth weight than low and average birth weight and among patients with positive family history of obesity than negative ones. Participants illustrated a significant positive correlations between HOMA-IR and weight and BMI, SBP, DBP and serum cholesterol Conclusion: It could be concluded that homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index HOMA-IR in obese children is increased with increased body mass index, waist circumference systolic, diastolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol, LDL-C, large birth weight, patients with positive family history of obesity and among patients with acanthosis nigricans.
Association of Cross Linked C-Telopeptide II Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid with Knee Osteoarthritis Severity

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to investigate the association of Cross Linked C-Telopeptide Type I & II Collagen (CTX-I and II) and hyaluronic acid (HA) with knee osteoarthritis (OA) severity. METHODS: Sixty menopause women with primary knee OA were enrolled in this study during their visits to the Outpatient Department. Patients with knee pain during weight bearing, active or passive range of motion, or tenderness with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade of more than I were included. Patients with injury, inflammatory and metabolic diseases were excluded. Patients were put in a 10-hour fasting prior to withdrawal of morning blood samples for examinations of HA, CTX-I, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) level. Second void morning urine specimens were taken for CTXII assessment. HA, CTX-I and II levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Sixty menopausal female patients were included in this study, 35 with KL grade II, 17 grade III, and 8 grade IV. Means of CTX-II were significantly different between subjects KL grade IV and III ( p =0.021). Correlation of KL grade was significant with CTX-II ( p =0.001, r=0.412) and HA ( p =0.0411, r=0.269). KL grades were not significantly associated with CTX-I ( p =0.8364, r=-0.0272); IL-1β ( p =0.5773, r=0.0853) and hs-CRP ( p =0.2625, r=0.1470). CONCLUSION: CTX-II and HA were associated with severity of knee OA, suggesting that CTX-II and HA can be used as marker for knee OA severity. KEYWORDS: CTX-II, hyaluronic acid, otestoarthritis, knee
Association pattern between dimensions of fish and otolith to expedite morphometric variations of three geographically isolated stocks of Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) from diverse ecosystems

An attempt was made to establish association pattern between dimension of fish and otolith to expedite morphometric variations of geographically isolated stocks of Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822), from three diverse ecosystems; viz., an estuarine (brackish water), a riverine (freshwater) and a lacustrine (freshwater) ecosystem. Sampling was carried out during the period from September 2017 to February 2019 and a total of 196 otoliths were sampled from Narmada Estuary (n=69), Brahmaputra River (n=75) and Ukai Reservoir (n=52) of India. Mean otolith length recorded was 3.55±0.14 mm, 5.18±0.09 mm and 3.85±0.07 mm for samples collected from Narmada Estuary, Brahmaputra River and Ukai Reservoir respectively. Otolith length-weight relationship (OLWR) from three ecosystems showed negative allometric b values ranging from 1.9046-2.5048, with significant difference between Narmada Estuary and Brahmaputra River (p<0.05). Power regression analysis of otolith dimensions (length and width) to total length of fish (TL) and otolith length (OL) to total weight of fish (TW) showed that data fitted well to the model as evident from R2 values (>0.6); except for relationship between otolith width (OB) and TL in samples from Brahmaputra River (R2=0.459). Present study provides first-hand information on association pattern of dimension of fish body and otolith of T. ilisha which can be used in geographical mapping of stock profile of the species.
The Effect of Mobile Banking On User Satisfaction and Loyalty through the Quality of Mobile Banking Service (Study on Banks in East Java)

Background of this research is dramatic development of Mobile Banking in Indonesia. It is so obvious because m-Banking service has provided an unhampered practical financial transaction through cellular phone such that the user is capable to operate online baking transaction in any times and places. Mobile Banking can be used to access whole online banking transaction including ATM (Automatic Teller Machine), except the cash withdrawal facility. This research is focused on the acceptance and the use of information technology in Mobile Banking, and therefore, the customer of Mobile Banking is categorized as the user. Based on some researches, the system usage becomes a main instrument to accept the technology. Indeed, this research considers Mobile Banking user as the instrument of Mobile Banking acceptance. This research attempts to explore the variables affecting the use of Mobile Banking such as perception of security, perception of new product adoption, perception of IT knowledge, perception of internet connecting quality, and quality of Mobile Banking service. Mobile Banking creates satisfaction and loyalty of the user. Therefore, user satisfaction represents a response and feedback given by the user after using Mobile Banking. The attitude of user toward Mobile Banking becomes a subjective criterion of how like of the user to the system. The analysis tool is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Based on the direct effect between variables, it seems that of seven hypotheses proposed, six hypotheses have significant effect and only one has non-significant effect. Result of this research indicates that Mobile Banking service has nonsignificant but positive effect on user loyalty. It shows that the facility of Mobile Banking is not ensuring user loyalty to use Mobile Banking. The progression of telecommunication technology and banking technology is introducing the user with new application and new facility. However, it is not increasing user loyalty to certain service because the user is using the service based on the demand. Keywords—Mobile Banking, Security, New Product Adoption, IT Knowledge, Internet Connection Quality, Service Quality, User Satisfaction, User Loyalty
Tuning the Implementable Structures of Fractional-Order PID Controllers for Control of FOPDT Processes

This study presents a set of rules for optimal tuning a class of integer-order controllers, known as implementable fractional-order PID controllers, to be applied in control of first-order-plus-dead-time (FOPDT) processes. To this aim, the approach of so-called “tuning based on the implementable form of the controller” is applied instead of the common approach of “tuning based on the ideal form of the controller”. Consequently, no contradiction is found between the behavior of the tuned controller and that of the implemented controller. Also, algebraic relations between the values of cost functions, which are defined based on integral square error (ISE) and integral square time error (ISTE) performance indices, and free parameters of the implementable controller are established. Tuning implementable fractional-order PID controllers via the proposed rules guarantees that the values of performance indices are reduced in comparison with the case of using optimal PID controllers. In addition to numerical results, experimental results are also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed tuning rules in practical applications.
Where is the land of hope and glory? The geography of intergenerational mobility in England and Wales

Does the importance of your family background on how far you get in adulthood also depend on where you grow up? For England and Wales, a paucity of data has made this a difficult question to reliably answer. This paper presents a new analysis of intergenerational mobility across three cohorts in England and Wales using hitherto previously unstudied linked decennial census microdata. These data permit study of mobility in occupation, home ownership and education, at the spatial level through time. In the aggregate, there is little overall change in occupational mobility, but a substantial decline in home ownership mobility over the late 20th century in England and Wales. The picture for educational mobility is less clear, because higher education expanded dramatically. In terms of geographical variation, there are strong sub-regional patterns, with four main results emerging. First, area-level differences in upward occupational mobility are highly persistent over time. Second, consistent with evidence from other countries, absolute and relative mobility are positively correlated for all measures and particularly strongly for home ownership. Third, there is a robust relationship between upward educational and upward occupational mobility. Last, there is a small negative relationship between upward home ownership mobility and upward occupational mobility, revealing that social mobility comparisons based on different outcomes can have different trends.