Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rendering Strategy to Counter Mutual Masking Effect in Multiple Tactile Feedback

Recently, methods and devices that simultaneously utilize two or more tactile feedback types have been proposed for more immersive interaction with virtual objects. However, the masking effect, which makes us less sensitive to various stimuli presented at the same time, has scarcely been explored. In this study, we propose a novel tactile rendering algorithm that can eliminate the mutual masking effect at the user’s sensation level, when mechanical vibration and electrovibration are applied simultaneously. First, the masking functions of the two stimuli were investigated for various stimulus combinations. Based on these, a generalized form of the masking function was derived. We then tested and confirmed that the proposed algorithm, which calculates the required stimulus intensity to compensate for the mutual masking effect, could render the arbitrary stimulus intensity desired to be perceived by the users. The results of the user test revealed that the proposed rendering algorithm significantly improved the virtual object recognition rate by approximately 23% when geometry and texture were presented jointly. This finding suggests principal guidelines for the combined use of mechanical vibration and electrovibration, as well as for other combinations of different tactile feedback types.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: BIM 6D. Study of the BIM Methodology Applied to Hospital Buildings. Value of Interior Lighting and Daylight in Energy Simulation

One of the least used aspects of BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the ability to obtain the energy model of the building using the BIM methodology known as BIM 6D. This digital information model allows simulating the real energy behavior of the building and the improvement in the building’s lighting systems, both natural and artificial, in particular daylighting. In this way, the BIM 6D simulation allows us to make design and operation decisions for the building, not only for new buildings that must be, in accordance with current legislation, NZEB (Nearly Zero-Energy Building) but also for the rehabilitation of existing buildings. Particularly in buildings for sanitary use, BIM 6D allows an exhaustive analysis of the energy impact of said rehabilitation, guiding it towards an improvement in energy and light efficiency, which in turn provides greater quality and comfort in the use of the sustainable building. This subject of study is especially important in public buildings for hospital use. Buildings where energy efficiency and comfort, oriented towards optimal and efficient lighting, are two fundamental criteria highly appreciated by patients and citizens in general. Once the energy model of the building has been obtained, it is possible to study and identify possible alternatives to improve energy efficiency and improve lighting, as well as to analyze the possibilities of incorporating other more efficient forms of renewable energy, such as the use of daylight. In this work we can see how applying a set of simulated improvement actions in BIM 6D achieves an energy saving of 50% in general and up to 13% only by acting on lighting systems, allowing the decarbonization of buildings with high energy consumption, such as hospitals, and in turn, will lead to an improvement in the energy certification of these buildings; thus achieving a better and higher quality of habitability, using more efficient forms of lighting and transforming buildings into more sustainable spaces.
Authentic Assessment for Speaking Skills: Problem and Solution for English Secondary School Teachers in Indonesia

Although authentic assessment is obligatory in the 2013 Curriculum in Indonesia, teachers find many practical problems in English classrooms, especially when assessing students' speaking ability. This research aims to reveal the teachers' problems on authentic assessment to evaluate the English speaking skills of junior high school students, to find out teachers' need on the authentic assessment of speaking skill, and to develop a model of authentic assessment suitable with teachers' need and characteristics of the learners. This study was a research and development study using the ADDIE Model. The data of the study were obtained from teachers' responses on the questionnaires regarding the students' needs on the use of authentic assessment for English speaking skills. The finding shows (1) the problems faced by teachers regarding the assessment of specific language functions, (2) teachers' needs on the authentic assessment regarding the language functions, activities, and scoring rubrics for speaking skills, (3) the model of authentic assessment suitable with teachers' need related to language function, activities, and scoring rubrics The appropriate need analysis can be used effectively in developing authentic assessment for speaking skills
The Effect of the Processing Parameters on the Properties of the Liquid Phase Spark Plasma Sintered 80Fe-20(Al + MWCNT) Magnetic Metal Matrix Nanocomposites

In this paper, the liquid phase sintering was performed using spark plasma sintering to produce iron (Fe: 80 vol%)–aluminum (Al)–multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) magnetic hybrid metal matrix nanocomposites. The properties of the nanocomposites were investigated by considering different parameters of materials processing. The reinforcement of MWCNT with a content of 0–2 vol% did not affect the saturation magnetization of the nanocomposites but increased the coercivity and reduced both the electrical resistivity and the mechanical transverse rupture strength. It was found that milling the powders for 24 h resulted in composite with high saturation magnetization (148.820 A·m2/kg) and high coercivity (2175.6 A/m) but further milling time had reduced the values of magnetic properties. The mixture of Fe nanoparticles and Fe microparticles in composites with a nanoparticles-to-microparticles volume ratio of 1:1 has led to the enhanced saturation magnetization up to 157.820 A·m2/kg and reduced the coercivity of 50.20% in comparison with the Fe nanoparticles based nanocomposites. That mixture exhibited good electrical resistivity but caused the reduction of mechanical strength. The post-sintering annealing has significantly improved the magnetic softness of the composites by reducing the coercivity up to 854.30 A/m and increased the saturation magnetization.
Assessing Response Quality by Using Multivariate Control Charts for Numerical and Categorical Response Quality Indicators

When assessing interview response quality to identify potentially low-quality interviews, both numerical and categorical response quality indicators (mixed indicators) are usually available. However, research on how to use them simultaneously is very rare. In the current article, we extend the application of conventional multivariate control charts to include response quality indicators that are of a mixed type. We analyze data from the eighth round of the European Social Survey in Belgium, characterized by six numerical and two categorical response quality indicators. First, we employ a principal component analysis mix procedure (PCA Mix) to transform the mixed quality indicators into principal components. The principal component scores are subsequently used to construct a Hotelling T2 statistic. To deal with the non-multivariate normal nature of the principal component scores obtained from the PCA Mix, a nonparametric bootstrap method is then applied to calculate the control limit for the T2 statistic. Second, we suggest tools to interpret an identified outlier in terms of finding the responsible original indicator(s). Third, we present a cyclic procedure for determining the “in-control” data, by iteratively removing the outliers until the process is considered as being in control. Lastly, we identify the most important indicators that discriminate the outliers from the in-control data. Our results imply that multivariate control charts based on relevant projection tools such as PCA Mix in combination with the bootstrap technique have great potential for use in evaluating interview response quality and identifying outliers.
Antibacterial Effect of Bioactive Composite versus Glass ionomer using Different Storage Media

Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Bioactive composite versus Glass ionomer using different storage media. Materials and Methods: Three restorative materials were used in this study (Reliafil Lc, Amalgomer and Conventional Glass Ionomer). 90 Disk- shaped specimens (2.5 mm height and 8 mm diameter) were prepared from each material. Groups were divided into three subgroups according to storage media (Acids, artificial saliva and de-ionized water). Bacterial strains were polished at 370c for 24h in Brain Heart Infusion broth which attained from stock cultures. Disk diffusion agar method was used for antimicrobial liability. The inhibition zone diameter around the specimen were measured at three times by the same operator after 48hs using electronic digital caliper. Results: This study found that Amalgomer has the highest antibacterial effect in lactic acid. Whereas, Conventional GIC has the highest antibacterial effect in artificial saliva and Bioactive composite in deionized water. Conclusion: This study was concluded that all the restorative material tested had an antibacterial effect in all storage media though Amalgomer seemed to be more prominent in lactic acid.
Characterization of Engineering Elastic Parameters of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Manufactured from Poplar (Populus deltoides) Strands Using Ultrasonic Contact Pulse Transmission

When using wood and wood-based composites, it is necessary to determine the elastic constants of these engineered materials. Oriented strand board (OSB), as structural wood based panel, plays a significant role in the building sector, but the accessibility of such elastic constants of OSB is mostly limited. For this purpose, this study aimed at determining the elastic wave velocity, stiffness and all elastic constants of OSB made from Poplar (Populus deltoides) strands using ultrasonic through–transmission technique. Laboratory OSBs with the mean density of 760 kg/m3 were made with the average strand sizes of 0.6 mm in thickness, 120 mm in length and 30 mm in width. 8 % phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin was used with the pressing conditions of 3.43 N/mm2, 190 °C and 600 s as pressure, temperature and time of pressing, respectively. The OSBs were assumed as an orthotropic model. Three modulus of elasticity (E1, E2, and E3), three shear modulus (G12, G13 and G23), and six Poisson’s ratios (v12, v21, v13, v31, v23, v32) were calculated by longitudinal, transversal and quasi-transversal waves velocities. Ultrasonically determined stiffness coefficients of OSB were investigated by representative volume elements (RVE). Therefore, the separation of scales requirement is satisfied, and the measured velocities can be applied to determine the engineering elastic parameters of the examined OSB. The results indicate that modulus of elasticity and shear modulus are in the same order of magnitude in comparison with other references, and the values of Poisson’s ratios are valid in ultrasonic range measurement. In conclusion, the ultrasonic contact pulse transmission shows great potential to determine the characterization of elastic wave velocity, stiffness and engineering elastic parameters.
THE IMPACT OF EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAMS ON JOB PERFORMANCE AND JOB SATISFACTION IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES IN MALAYSIA

Currently, many organizations are facing trials when competing in the turbulent business environment; this is coupled with the current Covid-19 pandemic, which has worsened the strength of the organizations. The telecommunication companies in Malaysia was also not spared in this situation. Therefore, a crucial strategy for the telecommunication companies to gain competitive advantage is by conducting training to its employees at all levels to overcome this current drawback. This research aims to discover if training impacts job performance and job satisfaction which are two crucial variables that leads to the telecommunication company’s survival and growth. Therefore, in order to achieve the objective of this research, the survey procedure is used to develop a thorough profile, which is gathered from 316 out of 500 formal standardized questionnaires sent to employees at three major telecommunication companies in Malaysia. This research utilized the quantitative methods to produce empirical outcomes and substantiations that answer the research questions. The literature examined the areas of training, job performance, and job satisfaction to fill the gap and to determine the significance of training programs conducted on job performance and job satisfaction. The analysis shows that training is statistically significant and has a strong relationship with job performance and job satisfaction. The hypothesis depicted that training programs conducted in the telecommunication companies have a significant relationship with job performance and job satisfaction of the employees. Thus, the findings of this study could aid as an example to other companies in Malaysia to not take granted of the impact of training on job performance and job satisfaction. By undertaking continuous training, companies could rise against the current economic problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and continue to survive and flourish as well as maintain its competitive strength. Article visualizations:
GHANA’S ROAD TO CASHLESS ECONOMY: THE E-ZWICH EXPERIENCE

In 2008, the Government of Ghana (GoG) through the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GHIPSS) launched a smart card called e-zwich which formed a central part of the government’s plan to move the country towards a cashless economy. Modernization of the cash sector has remained at best in a confused state since it was launched and at worst an embarrassing drawback. In this article, we employ the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the structural equation model to estimate users' behavioral intentions and actual usage of the cashless system. The structural results show that eleven out of the fourteen hypotheses are statistically significant, while the remaining three are statistically insignificant. The results also indicate that performance efficiency, effort efficiency, and social influence significantly influence the behavioral intentions of people to use the cashless system, and the age and gender of users significantly moderate the three constructs. Behavioral intentions and facilitating conditions are also found to influence actual usage of the cashless system significantly. This study fills the gap in the applicability of the UTAUT model in a central cashless system acceptance and usage. The study also provides empirical evidence on how demographic factors such as age, education, and gender moderate the relationships among the major constructs of the UTAUT model. For the first time, we support the empirical findings on the moderating effect of age in the UTAUT model with established economic theory, the life-cycle theory. We have outlined recommendations in detail on some important considerations needed to achieve smart financial economy in Ghana, and such achievement could be emulated by other countries that are yet to implement a central cashless system.
The impact of alicyclic substituents on the extraction ability of new family of 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-diamides

Development of efficient extractants for the separation of actinides and lanthanides in the technologies of nuclear fuel cycle is one of the most urgent and complex tasks in modern nuclear energetics. New family of 4,7-dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid diamides based on cyclic amines was synthesized and shown to exhibit high selectivity in the La/Am pair separation (SF (Am/La ≈ 10)) and in the Am/Eu pair separation (SF (Am/Eu ≈ 12)). It was shown that pyrrolidine derived diamide is more efficient extractant for americium, curium and lanthanides from highly acidic HNO3 solution than its non-cyclic N,N,N′,N′-tetraalkyl analogues. The structures of synthesized compounds were studied in details by IR, NMR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. According to spectroscopy data, incorporation of aromatic rings to the amide fragment of ligand leads to complex dynamic behavior in solutions what is believed to strongly affect the extraction ability of synthesized ligands.
A new public educative leadership?

Educative leaders, leading and leadership are not officially recognised or enabled for or within public educational services in England. The modernisation of education may add ‘educational’ to ‘leadership’ in spoken and written texts, but the change imperative is usually premised on ‘school’, ‘distributed’, ‘instructional’ and ‘transformational’ leaders, leading and leadership as organisational and performance technologies. Thinking and doing otherwise tends to be officially ignored or condemned as rebellious, with those involved being denounced as ‘the enemies of promise’ (Gove, 2013). While recognising these dangers, our commentary sets out to reveal the importance and authenticity of educative leaders, leading and leadership as a relational and activist pedagogy, in which we present a standpoint that is rooted in Economic and Social Research Councilfunded primary research and is informed by social science theorising (Courtney, 2017; Gunter, 2012, 2018).
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MILK FATTY ACID PROFILE AND EXPRESSION LEVELS OF SCD, FASN AND SREBPF1 GENES IN DAMASCUS DAIRY GOATS

Bu calismada, doymus yag asidi icerigi dusuk (LSFA) ve yuksek (HSFA) olan keci sutlerinde SCD, FASN, SREBPF1 genlerinin ekspresyon duzeyleri ile sut yag asidi profilleri ve aralarindaki iliski arastirilmistir. HSFA grubunda sut somatik hucrelerinde SCD, FASN ve SREBPF1 genleri, LSFA grubuna gore yaklasik sirasiyla 7, 9 ve 4 kat daha fazla ifade edilmistir (P<0,01). Ayrica, SCD ve FASN (0,907; P<0,001), SCD ve SREBPF1 (0,628; P<0,001), FASN ve SREBPF1 (0,720; P <0,001) genleri arasinda pozitif korelasyonlar tespit edilmistir. C6:0 (Kaproik asit) ile SCD (0,468; P<0,05) ve SREBPF1 (0,388; P<0,05) genleri arasinda pozitif ve onemli korelasyonlar bulunmustur. Bununla birlikte, bu uc genin tamami ile C8:0 (Kaprik asit) ve C10:0 (Kaprilik asit) yag asitleri arasinda pozitif korelasyonlar belirlenmistir. Sut orneklerinde C14:0 (Miristik asit) ve SREBPF1 geni arasinda pozitif korelasyon gozlenmistir (0,469; P<0,05). Ayrica, koku indeksi ile SCD (0,553; P<0,01), FASN (0,444; P<0,05), SREBPF1 (0,499, P<0,05) genleri arasinda pozitif korelasyon tespit edilmistir. Sonuclar, SCD, FASN ve SREBPF1 genlerinin kecilerin sut yag asidi profili ve sut kalitesi uzerinde onemli etkileri oldugunu ve bu genlerin kecilerde seleksiyon uygulamalarinda aday olabilecegini gostermistir.
See Me, Like Me! Exploring Viewers’ Visual Attention to and Trait Perceptions of Party Leaders on Instagram

The use of visual self-personalization by politicians to shape perceptions of their character and personality is a prominent form of modern political communication, especially on social media. Yet, little is known about the effect these portrayals have on the visual attention of voters and their impressions of the traits of the politicians depicted. This exploratory study examines the effects of visual self-personalization (professional vs. private focus) by Finnish political leaders of both genders on Instagram. Through a pilot laboratory study, viewers’ visual attention was measured using eye-tracking technology and, in combination with this, leader trait impressions were experimentally examined. The results indicate that photos depicting politicians in professional settings are more attention grabbing and effective in shaping trait impressions than photos showing politicians in private life. Among the recommendations for future research, it is noted that gender aspects should be further explored as this study, by focusing on a gender-egalitarian country, had a limited scope in that respect.
Relationship between head teachers’ leadership competencies and effective school management in public primary schools in Narok county, Kenya

In Kenya, the challenge of school management effectiveness has been reported in many public primary schools, despite huge investment in the education sector. The aim of the study was an investigation of the influence of head teachers’ leadership competencies on school management effectiveness in public primary schools in Narok County, Kenya. The study employed the convergent mixed method research design. Data collection was done by using questionnaires, interviews, and checklists for findings. 665 headteachers, 25 Curriculum Support Officers and County Auditor formed the target population. Using purposeful sampling technique, headteachers and Curriculum support officers were selected. SPSS aided in calculating descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The findings of the study indicate that competencies of head teachers affect the discipline of staff and pupils in most public primary schools in the county. The study found that in many schools the headteachers had registered infectiveness in encouraging strict adherence to the school administrative structure; ensuring that the learning environment is child friendly, safe and conducive; in organizing and updating records of learner discipline cases, challenging behavior and interventions; and in displaying of school rules. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education should consider strengthening the monitoring and evaluation for headteachers’ roles; and organizing update trainings for headteachers to enhance their leadership competencies. Keywords: Headteachers’ Leadership Competencies, Financial Performance, Narok County, Public Primary Schools
The complete chloroplast genome of Catalpa ‘Bairihua’, a hybrid variety with multi season flowering

Abstract The complete chloroplast genome of Catalpa ‘Bairihua’ a hybrid variety with multi season flowering obtained from hybrid progeny of C. bungei ‘Luoqiu Sihao’ (C. bungei ‘01’ × C. bungei ‘Changguo Qiu’) and C. fargesii f. duclouxii was first sequenced with the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. Which was 158,210 bp in length with a typical quadruple structure and contained a large single copy (LSC: 84,928 bp) region and a small single copy (SSC: 12,664 bp) region that were separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRa, b: 30,309 bp) region. The GC content of the whole chloroplast genome is 38.1%. A total of 130 genes was annotated in the complete chloroplast genome, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8rRNA genes. ML phylogenetic analysis by comparing with 39 chloroplast genomes of the Bignoniaceae indicated that Catalpa ‘Bairihua’ was close to Tecomaria capensis.
Inventory management and the value of quick response to the retailer facing boundedly rational strategic customers

ABSTRACT We consider a two-stage newsvendor model in which the retailer orders a product and sells it at the full price in the first stage, and sells the leftover stock, if any, at a discounted price in the second stage. The customers are strategic, who are boundedly rational and risk averse, and their valuations of the product decrease with time. The customers make purchase decisions based on their beliefs of the product’s availability and their expected utility in the two stages. The customers who purchase in the second stage may not get the product. Characterising the retailer’s optimal inventory policy, we show that the retailer’s optimal profit decreases with the rate of the customers’ decreasing product valuation. Moreover, as the customers become less rational or more risk averse, the retailer’s profit vary with the model parameters. We conduct numerical studies to examine the impacts of the customers’ bounded rationality on the retailer’s order quantity and optimal profit. In addition, considering the value of the quick response (QR) strategy, we show that the QR strategy can increase the retailer’s profit, while the customers’ bounded rationality may increase or decrease the value of QR to the retailer.