Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Structural Equation Modelling Evaluation of Antecedents and Interconnections of Call Centre Agents’ Intention to Quit

Call centers play a significant role in the operational dynamics of different types of businesses. This is especially the case because a call center agent’s demeanor can impair or engender customer satisfaction, which has ramifications for business patronage. Unfortunately, the pressures associated with the role of the call center agent have made staff attrition a norm in the industry. While this does not augur well for the call center or the organizations that they serve, the role of possible antecedents in the equation of staff attrition in South African call centers remains largely unexplored. Using a structural equation modeling approach, this study examined the interconnections between customer orientation, knowledge management, job satisfaction, and employees’ intention to quit. Additionally, the mediating influence of job satisfaction on the association between customer orientation and knowledge management of the intention to quit is examined. This study found significant relationships between knowledge management, customer orientation, and job satisfaction and the dependent variable (intention to quit). In addition, this study establishes that the extent to which job satisfaction may mediate the influence on the intention to quit hinges on the organizational element considered. Two factors limit the extent to which the findings from this study can be generalized. First, this study focused on the call center setting in South Africa. Second, convenience sampling was used in this study. This study points to critical operational practices that call center managers can embrace toward enhancing job satisfaction and reducing intention to quit propensity. Using structural equation analysis, we contend that call centers in the South African setting would effectively address staff attrition if appropriate organizational practices are endorsed toward ensuring employee job satisfaction.
Elastic Properties of the Pyrite‐Type FeOOH‐AlOOH System From First‐Principles Calculations

The stability, structure, and elastic properties of pyrite‐type (FeS2 structured) FeO2H were determined using density functional theory‐based computations with an internally consistent Coulombic self‐interaction term (Ueff). The properties of pyrite‐type FeO2H are compared to that of pyrite‐type AlO2H, with which it likely forms a solid solution at high temperature, as well as the respective lower pressure CaCl2‐type polymorphs of both endmembers: ϵ‐FeOOH and δ‐AlOOH. Due to substantial differences in the CaCl2‐type → pyrite‐type structural transition pressures of these endmembers, the stabilities of the (Al,Fe)O2H solid solution polymorphs are anticipated to be compositionally driven at lower mantle pressures. As the geophysical properties of (Al,Fe)OOH are structurally dependant, interpretations regarding the contribution of pyrite‐type FeO2H to seismically observed features must take into account the importance of this broad phase loop. With this in mind, Fe‐rich pyrite‐type (Al,Fe)OOH may coexist with Al‐dominant CaCl2‐type δ‐(Al,Fe)OOH in the deep Earth. Furthermore, pyrite‐type (Al0.5–0.6,Fe0.4–0.5)O2H can reproduce the reduced compressional and shear velocities characteristic of seismically observed ultra low velocity zones in the Earth's lowermost mantle while Al‐dominant but Fe‐bearing CaCl2‐type δ‐(Al,Fe)OOH may contribute to large low shear velocity provinces.
A study of vocabulary learning strategies among high and low Iranian English vocabulary learners

Abstract Learning a foreign/second language is a dynamic and complicated process that benefits from learners taking strategic steps to facilitate their own learning. Accordingly, the current study investigates the differences between Iranian high and low English vocabulary learners in terms of vocabulary learning strategies. Two hundred and eighteen university students in Iran took the vocabulary level test and filled out a vocabulary learning strategies survey. In fact, it was an attempt to examine if high/low learners differ significantly in using vocabulary learning strategies. To this end, 218 EFL, 111 high, and 107 low English vocabulary learners were selected to answer Schmitt’s Vocabulary Learning Strategies Questionnaire (VLSQ). The findings showed significant differences between high and low English vocabulary learners’ usage of determination, memory, cognitive, and metacognitive strategies. However, there was no significant difference in their use of social strategies.
Neutron powder diffraction study on Li1.8Na0.2MgCl4

Abstract The crystal structure of inverse spinel-type (space group Fd-3m, Z = 8), quaternary lithium chloride Li1.8Na0. 2MgCl4 has been determined by neutron powder diffraction methods (a = 1044.16(7) pm, 114 reflections, Rexp = 5.23%). The sodium ions are solely placed at the octahedral 16d site together with the Mg and a part of the Li+ ions. These results are in agreement with analogous studies on the manganese compound (Lutz et al., 1989) but being in contradiction with the results of 6Li and 7Li MAS NMR experiments (Nagel et al., 2002). The reason of this discrepancy is discussed.
Effects of Glyphosate Combinations by 2,4-D or Dicamba on Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Applications of isopropylamine glyphosate at 0.28, 0.56, 0.84, and 1.12 kg ae/ha in combination with the dimethylamine salts of 2,4-D or dicamba at 0.14, 0.28, 0.42, and 0.56 kg ae/ha produced additive or synergistic field bindweed control compared to the herbicides applied alone. Leaf and root growth was inhibited more from herbicide combinations than would be predicted from the effects of the chemicals applied alone at the same rate. The uptake of 14C from glyphosate into the treated leaf and its accumulation in roots increased when 2,4-D or dicamba was combined with the 0.28 kg/ha rate of 14C-glyphosate. The combination of 2,4-D or dicamba with a higher (0.84 kg/ha) 14C-glyphosate rate did not change total absorption of 14C from glyphosate. However, compared to 0.84 kg/ha of 14C-glyphosate applied alone, less 14C accumulated above the treated leaf and more accumulated in the roots when 2,4-D was added to the glyphosate. The combination of glyphosate with 2,4-D or dicamba generally resulted in both increased uptake of 14C from 2,4-D or dicamba and greater accumulation in the roots. The additive or synergistic field bindweed control observed from mixtures of glyphosate with 2,4-D or dicamba appeared to be due to greater accumulation of the herbicides in the roots.
(Un)desirable approaches in therapy with Swedish individuals practicing BDSM: client’s perspectives and recommendations for affirmative clinical practices

ABSTRACT This transformative study aimed to explore how people who practice BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, masochism) experience therapy; specifically, what sort of therapist responses and qualities they described as problematic and desirable in relation to addressing BDSM in therapy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 Swedish BDSM practitioners with experiences of psychotherapy. The interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: ‘A professional stance’, relating to how therapists handled their professional roles when BDSM was addressed, ‘Therapists’ approaches towards BDSM’, regarding therapists’ opinions and attitudes towards BDSM, and ‘Conversations about BDSM’, regarding how therapists handled conversation about the topic. Participants reported negative experiences where therapists expressed prejudice, judgment or pathologizing attitudes, failed to contain their own emotions, questioned their clients about BDSM, used their clients to inform themselves about BDSM, avoided or focused excessively on the topic. Positive experiences were characterised by non-judgement, asking client-centred questions, and stimulating a collaborative exploration of matters relevant to the client. BDSM practitioners’ experiences of therapy were related to those documented in the literature on other minoritized identities. This study contributes to the growing literature on kink-aware therapy, which makes psychotherapy more affirmative, accessible, and rewarding to BDSM practitioners.
First Law of Motion: Influencer Video Advertising on TikTok

This paper develops an algorithm to predict the effect of influencer video advertising on product sales. We propose the concept of motion-score, or m-score, a summary statistic that captures the extent to which a product is advertised in the most engaging parts of a video. We locate product placement with an object detection algorithm, and estimate pixel-level engagement as a saliency map by fine-tuning a deep 3D convolutional neural network on video-level engagement data. M-score is then defined as the pixel-level, engagement-weighted advertising intensity of a video. We construct and evaluate the algorithm with around 40,000 influencer video ads on TikTok, the largest short video platform of the world. We leverage variation in video posting time to identify the causal effect of video ads on product sales. Videos of higher m-score indeed lift more sales. This effect is sizable, robust, and more pronounced among impulsive, hedonic, or inexpensive products. We trace the mechanism to influencers’ incentives to promote themselves rather than the product. We discuss how various stakeholders in entertainment commerce can use m-score in a scalable way to optimize content, align incentives, and improve efficiency.
Discipline-specific language learning outcomes in EMI programs in the People’s Republic of China

Abstract English-Medium Instruction (EMI) practices in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are still emerging and in need of further empirical investigation, in comparison to European countries. Existing research in the Asian context is mainly based on students’ and teachers’ perceptions and policy-related concerns. There is a remarkable lack of studies assessing students’ language and content learning outcomes through objective tests. This study specifically reports on language learning outcomes data in two EMI programs, namely Film Production and International Trade, taught by non-Chinese international teachers. Pre-post discipline-specific vocabulary and writing tests as well as pre-post grammar proficiency tests were conducted over the course of one semester and after the same number of hours of exposure. Results show that almost no progress was made as regards their general English grammar proficiency, as expected, but gains were found in productive and receptive vocabulary tasks and in the three measures of the writing task. The greatest gains emerged in the International Trade group in the vocabulary tasks and no differences were observed between the groups in the writing task. Results are discussed in relation to classroom teaching practices in the two groups, which were observed three times over the course of the semester.
A community-based study of clients’ lived experiences of going through the rural HIV care continuum

Abstract This community-based study explored the lived experiences of being in and going through the rural HIV care continuum among 15 gay and bisexual men (GBM) with HIV who live in a rural area of a Midwestern state. Our analysis adapted a six-step interpretative phenomenological analysis. Five themes emerged that reflected the five continuum stages: 1) Diagnosis means death, 2) Linkage to care means uncertainty, 3) HIV care improves the quality of life lost pre- or peri-diagnosis, 4) ART implies life, and 5) Undetectable addresses the medical but not social aspects of HIV. Participants recalled they faced and continue to face social determinants, stigma, and chronic and mental health conditions. Findings provide future research directions and practical implications to address social determinants of health, promote chronic and mental health, and reduce interpersonal stigma throughout all HIV care continuum stages.
Short- and Long-Term Dynamics of Cause-Specific Mortality Rates Using Cointegration Analysis

This article applies cointegration analysis and vector error correction models to model the short- and long-run relationships between cause-specific mortality rates. We work with the data from five developed countries (the United States, Japan, France, England and Wales, and Australia) and split the mortality rates into five main causes of death (infectious and parasitic, cancer, circulatory diseases, respiratory diseases, and external causes). We successively adopt short- and long-term perspectives, and analyze how each cause-specific mortality rate impacts and reacts to the shocks received from the rest of the causes. We observe that the cause-specific mortality rates are closely linked to each other, apart from the external causes that show an entirely independent behavior and hence could be considered as truly exogenous. We summarize our findings with the aim to help practitioners set more informed assumptions concerning the future development of mortality.
Mining Largest Maximal Quasi-Cliques

Quasi-cliques are dense incomplete subgraphs of a graph that generalize the notion of cliques. Enumerating quasi-cliques from a graph is a robust way to detect densely connected structures with applications in bioinformatics and social network analysis. However, enumerating quasi-cliques in a graph is a challenging problem, even harder than the problem of enumerating cliques. We consider the enumeration of top-k degree-based quasi-cliques and make the following contributions: (1) we show that even the problem of detecting whether a given quasi-clique is maximal (i.e., not contained within another quasi-clique) is NP-hard. (2) We present a novel heuristic algorithm KernelQC to enumerate the k largest quasi-cliques in a graph. Our method is based on identifying kernels of extremely dense subgraphs within a graph, followed by growing subgraphs around these kernels, to arrive at quasi-cliques with the required densities. (3) Experimental results show that our algorithm accurately enumerates quasi-cliques from a graph, is much faster than current state-of-the-art methods for quasi-clique enumeration (often more than three orders of magnitude faster), and can scale to larger graphs than current methods.
Determinants of Community Behaviour Towards ICT-Oriented Applications - Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) PDRM

This study focuses on the determinants of community behaviour towards ICT-oriented applications - Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) PDRM as a medium to submit complaints. The VSP application has spanned four years since its launch in May 2016, but the community participation as a consumer is still low and far from the target set by the government. Registered members were also found to have less use of this application in making complaints and reports to the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), especially in dealing with criminal issues that occur within the community. Therefore, this study was conducted to find out if there is a relationship between factors that influence the intention of the community to use the PDRM VSP application. This study uses the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) by [1] as the basis for the formation of variables and research framework. The data were obtained from questionnaires distributed to 155 respondents living in the state of Kedah. The findings show that there was a significant relationship between factors that influence the intention to use VSP. The results of this study also found that the expectations of the effort and the conditions of the facility had a great influence on the intention to use VSP applications. Therefore, the study emphasizes that with the availability of better VSP applications, the effectiveness of PDRM service delivery to the community in the state of Kedah can be improved.
Disturbance estimator-based switching function for discrete-time sliding mode control systems with control saturation

In this paper, a new disturbance estimator-based switching function (SF) is presented dedicated to discrete-time sliding mode control (DSMC) systems with disturbances and control saturation (CS). This SF is featured by an (n+1)th-order disturbance estimator, which utilizes n+1 past disturbance terms to attain accurate disturbance rejection. Moreover, an auxiliary state is integrated into the SF to address the CS problem. One uniqueness of the developed method is that it is capable of achieving the ideal quasi-sliding mode and produces a zero-convergence error of the SF under the influence of disturbances and CS, which is rarely realized in DSMC methods. In addition, system states dynamics is rigorously analysed adopting the Lyapunov technique. The feasibility and virtue of the designed results are verified by a numerical example.
Creatinine-Based Formulae Poorly Match in the Classification of Hypofiltration or Hyperfiltration in a General Population of Adolescents: A Retrospective Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Study

Pediatric formulae to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) give a broad range of values. Their consistency in assigning the subjects as hypofiltrating or hyperfiltrating is unknown. In 1993 apparently healthy adolescents (53.4% females) aged 14–17 years, we investigated the concordance of six creatinine-based formulae in the classification of the subjects into ≤ 5th or ≥95th percentile of eGFR, and the between-groups difference in the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors. Mean eGFR varied between 77 and 121 mL/min/1.73 m2. Arbitrary setting of hypofiltration or hyperfiltration to 5% returned 46 males and 53 females. At least one formula classified 89 males and 99 females as hypofiltrating and 105 males and 114 females as hyperfiltrating. All six formulae concordantly classified 15 males and 17 females as hypofiltrating and 9 and 14, respectively, as hyperfiltrating. Pairwise, formulae consistently classified hypofiltration in 42–87% of subjects with hyperfiltration in 28–94%. According to two out of the six formulae, hyperfiltration was associated with an increased prevalence of obesity and obesity-associated comorbidities. Hypofiltrating subjects did not manifest chronic kidney disease–associated comorbidities. Further studies in different populations of healthy adolescents are needed before it is possible to conclude which creatinine-based formula is appropriate for the classification of hypofiltration and hyperfiltration in nonclinical cohorts.
Generalized Structural Equations Approach in the of Elderly Self-rated Health

To model classified and ordinal data, the Generalized Structural Equation Model (GSEM), which is based on the integration of two generalized linear model (GLM) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) algorithms, is applied. Unlike the SEM, this model does not require the normality assumption. The main purpose of this paper is to introduce and compare weighted (WLSMV) and unweighted (ULSMV) least squares mean and variance adjusted methods, two of the most applicable estimators of GSEM, for studying factors affecting the elderly self-rated health in 2015 in Tehran, Iran. 600 elderly people aged 60 years and above from 22 regions of Tehran were selected using multi-stage sampling. Self-rated health of the elderly variable (a 5-point Likert scale) was analyzed as an ordinal variable and was modeled considering the variables of social support, financial and environment security, spirituality, mental and physical health, functional health and health-related behaviors by Mplus software. The results showed that WLSMV outperformed ULSMV according to the smaller values of RMSEA and larger values for CFI and TLI indexes (RMSEA WLSMV = 0.04, CFI WLSMV = 0.965, and TLI WLSMV = 0.936). To prevent concluding invalid results in studying ordinal data due to considering them as a continues variable, it is important selecting correct statistical method according to the type of variables.
Impact of Nanoscale Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) on the Bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR-1

Nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) comprises a class of lithium intercalation compounds with the composition LxNiyMnzCo1-y-zO2 (0 < x,y,z < 1). These compounds are of emerging importance in nanoparticle form as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries used in transportation and consumer electronics. To evaluate the potential environmental impact of release of this material in the environment, we synthesized NMC nanosheets and investigated their interaction with Shewanella oneidensis, a soil and sediment bacterium. Exposure to 5 mg/L NMC significantly impaired bacterial population growth and respiration. Measurements of NMC surface composition by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and of the composition of the suspending solution via inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) demonstrated incongruent material dissolution and measurable release of all four metal constituents (Li, Mn, Co, and Ni) into solution. Speciation modeling and assessment of bacterial response to metal ion ex.
REEEC-AGENT: human driver cognition and emotions-inspired rear-end collision avoidance method for autonomous vehicles

Rear-end collision detection and avoidance is one of the most crucial driving tasks of self-driving vehicles. Mathematical models and fuzzy logic-based methods have recently been proposed to improve the effectiveness of the rear-end collision detection and avoidance systems in autonomous vehicles (AVs). However, these methodologies do not tackle real-time object detection and response problems in dense/dynamic road traffic conditions due to their complex computation and decision-making structures. In our previous work, we presented an affective computing-inspired Enhanced Emotion Enabled Cognitive Agent (EEEC_Agent), which is capable of rear-end collision avoidance using artificial human driver emotions. However, the architecture of the EEEC_Agent is based on an ultrasonic sensory system which follows three-state driving strategies without considering the neighbor vehicles types. To address these issues, in this paper we propose an extended version of the EEEC_Agent which contains human driver-inspired dynamic driving mode controls for autonomous vehicles. In addition, a novel end-to-end learning-based motion planner has been devised to perceive the surrounding environment and regulate driving tasks accordingly. The real-time in-field experiments performed using a prototype AV demonstrate the effectiveness of this proposed rear-end collision avoidance system.