Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unravelling Consumer Responses to Omni-Channel Approach

Retailers begin to create new channel systems to meet changing market environments and innovative information technologies. The growing consumer need and market demand for online sales mean that traditional retailers need to create new integration in their distribution system to serve customers through multiple channels. However, building a successful omni-channel system leads to many challenges. The challenges arise from which customer values perceived by customers. The overall understanding of consumers under the new retail environment is still missing in the literature, and this study conducts an empirical study to close the gap. The author investigates the impact of omni-channel characteristics on customer satisfaction in the context of today’s retailing. The findings of this research indicate that although some characteristics of omni-channel have direct impacts on customer satisfaction, relationships between other omni-channel characteristics and customer satisfaction are not supported. Among the constructs, integrated promotion and integrated information access are found to be significant, whereas other constructs are not. Also, the relationship between customer satisfaction and the intention to revisit omni-channel is supported positively. These results raise the need to review the existing strategy and view of omni-channel from the customer's perspective.
Text-mining forma mentis networks reconstruct public perception of the STEM gender gap in social media

Mindset reconstruction maps how individuals structure and perceive knowledge, a map unfolded here by investigating language and its cognitive reflection in the human mind, i.e., the mental lexicon. Textual forma mentis networks (TFMN) are glass boxes introduced for extracting and understanding mindsets’ structure (in Latin forma mentis) from textual data. Combining network science, psycholinguistics and Big Data, TFMNs successfully identified relevant concepts in benchmark texts, without supervision. Once validated, TFMNs were applied to the case study of distorted mindsets about the gender gap in science. Focusing on social media, this work analysed 10,000 tweets mostly representing individuals’ opinions at the beginning of posts. “Gender” and “gap” elicited a mostly positive, trustful and joyous perception, with semantic associates that: celebrated successful female scientists, related gender gap to wage differences, and hoped for a future resolution. The perception of “woman” highlighted jargon of sexual harassment and stereotype threat (a form of implicit cognitive bias) about women in science “sacrificing personal skills for success”. The semantic frame of “man” highlighted awareness of the myth of male superiority in science. No anger was detected around “person”, suggesting that tweets got less tense around genderless terms. No stereotypical perception of “scientist” was identified online, differently from real-world surveys. This analysis thus identified that Twitter discourse mostly starting conversations promoted a majorly stereotype-free, positive/trustful perception of gender disparity, aimed at closing the gap. Hence, future monitoring against discriminating language should focus on other parts of conversations like users’ replies. TFMNs enable new ways for monitoring collective online mindsets, offering data-informed ground for policy making.
The Change before Behaviour: Closing the Value‐Action Gap Using a Digital Social Companion

This paper describes an experiment, designed and developed with the ultimate aim of fostering low-pollution and low-carbon social innovation. It offers an evidence-based practical alternative to conventional, technological approaches and narratives of smart cities aimed at sensing air pollution and mitigating the effects of climate change. In this experiment a new voice user interface is designed, developed and tested with input from participants – to explore the potential of a new, more socially minded adaptation to current AI assistant devices in the home and enhance the field of smart technology design. The experiment is developed with a group of participants to demonstrate how design research can raise novel questions and inform disciplines with an interest in behaviour change, environmental pollution and smart homes. This work demonstrates the potential for technologies to increase the degree of participation in reducing pollution in cities and facilitate the articulation of agency in complex environmental matters. The work has value for designers, ethnographers and researchers working in design for behaviour change and participatory design, as well as practitioners and organisations who are interested in enabling low-pollution lifestyles, developing smart homes and/or emerging AI technologies.
TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE-STIMULATION FOR THE CONTROL OF PAIN

In this review article the neurophysiological mechanisms through which the effect of TENS can be explained will be discussed. The clinical studies on the effectiveness of TENS for the control of pain, both in the acute and chronic state, are summarized, including contradictory findings, mainly due to methodological problems in pain evaluation and placebo control. Since the effect of TENS, with respect to the pain condition that is treated, seems to be intensity and frequency dependent, attention will be payed on the different TENS modes. Finally the complications and contraindications are discussed.
Incremental Object Detection via Meta-Learning

In a real-world setting, object instances from new classes can be continuously encountered by object detectors. When existing object detectors are applied to such scenarios, their performance on old classes deteriorates significantly. A few efforts have been reported to address this limitation, all of which apply variants of knowledge distillation to avoid catastrophic forgetting. We note that although distillation helps to retain previous learning, it obstructs fast adaptability to new tasks, which is a critical requirement for incremental learning. In this pursuit, we propose a meta-learning approach that learns to reshape model gradients, such that information across incremental tasks is optimally shared. This ensures a seamless information transfer via a meta-learned gradient preconditioning that minimizes forgetting and maximizes knowledge transfer. In comparison to existing meta-learning methods, our approach is task-agnostic, allows incremental addition of new-classes and scales to high-capacity models for object detection. We evaluate our approach on a variety of incremental learning settings defined on PASCAL-VOC and MS COCO datasets, where our approach performs favourably well against state-of-the-art methods. Code and trained models: https://github.com/JosephKJ/iOD.
Photo-Realistic Video Prediction on Natural Videos of Largely Changing Frames

Recent advances in deep learning have significantly improved performance of video prediction. However, state-of-the-art methods still suffer from blurriness and distortions in their future predictions, especially when there are large motions between frames. To address these issues, we propose a deep residual network with the hierarchical architecture where each layer makes a prediction of future state at different spatial resolution, and these predictions of different layers are merged via top-down connections to generate future frames. We trained our model with adversarial and perceptual loss functions, and evaluated it on a natural video dataset captured by car-mounted cameras. Our model quantitatively outperforms state-of-the-art baselines in future frame prediction on video sequences of both largely and slightly changing frames. Furthermore, our model generates future frames with finer details and textures that are perceptually more realistic than the baselines, especially under fast camera motions.
Forced and Unforced Decadal Behavior of the Interhemispheric SST Contrast during the Instrumental Period (1881–2012): Contextualizing the Late 1960s–Early 1970s Shift

The sea surface temperature (SST) contrast between the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and Southern Hemisphere (SH) influences the location of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and the intensity of the monsoon systems. This study examines the contributions of external forcing and unforced internal variability to the interhemispheric SST contrast in HadSST3 and ERSSTv5 observations, and 10 models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) from 1881 to 2012. Using multimodel mean fingerprints, a significant influence of anthropogenic, but not natural, forcing is detected in the interhemispheric SST contrast, with the observed response larger than that of the model mean in ERSSTv5. The forced response consists of asymmetric NH–SH SST cooling from the mid-twentieth century to around 1980, followed by opposite NH–SH SST warming. The remaining best-estimate residual or unforced component is marked by NH–SH SST maxima in the 1930s and mid-1960s, and a rapid NH–SH SST decrease around 1970. Examination of decadal shifts in the observed interhemispheric SST contrast highlights the shift around 1970 as the most prominent from 1881 to 2012. Both NH and SH SST variability contributed to the shift, which appears not to be attributable to external forcings. Most models examined fail to capture such large-magnitude shifts in their control simulations, although some models with high interhemispheric SST variability are able to produce them. Large-magnitude shifts produced by the control simulations feature disparate spatial SST patterns, some of which are consistent with changes typically associated with the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC).
PiiGAN: Generative Adversarial Networks for Pluralistic Image Inpainting

The latest methods based on deep learning have achieved amazing results regarding the complex work of inpainting large missing areas in an image. But this type of method generally attempts to generate one single “optimal” result, ignoring many other plausible results. Considering the uncertainty of the inpainting task, one sole result can hardly be regarded as a desired regeneration of the missing area. In view of this weakness, which is related to the design of the previous algorithms, we propose a novel deep generative model equipped with a brand new style extractor which can extract the style feature (latent vector) from the ground truth. Once obtained, the extracted style feature and the ground truth are both input into the generator. We also craft a consistency loss that guides the generated image to approximate the ground truth. After iterations, our generator is able to learn the mapping of styles corresponding to multiple sets of vectors. The proposed model can generate a large number of results consistent with the context semantics of the image. Moreover, we evaluated the effectiveness of our model on three datasets, i.e., CelebA, PlantVillage, and MauFlex. Compared to state-of-the-art inpainting methods, this model is able to offer desirable inpainting results with both better quality and higher diversity. The code and model will be made available on https://github.com/vivitsai/PiiGAN.
A Human-Centered Design Approach to Evaluating Factors in 1 Residential Solar PV Adoption: A Survey of Homeowners in 2 California and Massachusetts 3

12 The adoption rate of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the US has grown exponentially in the 13 past two decades. However, from a human-centered design perspective, there is a lack of clear 14 understanding of what current users need and want from solar PV systems and from the experience of 15 installing solar. In this study, we interviewed 18 solar stakeholders and conducted surveys with 1773 16 homeowners including both solar adopters and non-adopters in California and Massachusetts. We 17 analyzed the data using discrete choice theory and showed that cost savings, solar system reliability, 18 installer warranty, and reviewers’ rating of the installer were the most important factors when these 19 homeowners considering purchasing a solar system. Preference differences were discovered between 20 adopters and non-adopters, and based on state, age, and income. In addition, via surveying current solar 21 adopters’ experiences of installing residential solar panels, we found that solar owners ranked installer 22 reliability to be even more important than price. The findings are intended to inform designers, engineers, 23 and manufacturers in creating more compelling residential solar PV systems and to inform installers in 24 designing better installation services. The ultimate goal is to promote this renewable energy technology 25 and reduce global greenhouse gas emission. 26
Pre-service teachers’ classroom management beliefs and associated teacher characteristics

ABSTRACT Over 200 survey responses of single subject pre-service teachers were analysed through mixed methodology. Open-ended responses of teachers’ beliefs on classroom management were qualitatively analysed to explain the various ways they described classroom management and how it can be impacted by content area. Frequency of codes and logistic regression indicate that teachers tend to focus on behavioural components of classroom management, though less so as they progress throughout teacher education. Findings have implications for teacher educators to focus more on a comprehensive understanding of classroom management and to prioritise content-based activities over potential student misbehaviour.
Serum levels of cancer-associated antigen CA-549 in patients with advanced breast cancer

CA-549, a circulating breast cancer associated antigen, has been assayed by using mouse monoclonal antibodies BC4E549 and BC4N154 as tracer and capture antibody, respectively. Serum levels of CA-549 were measured in 123 breast cancer patients, 128 apparently healthy subjects, 36 benign disease patients, and 117 patients with cancer of colon, ovary, lung, liver or pancreas. The data represent a 78% sensitivity and 100% specificity for advanced breast cancer and suggest that levels of CA-549 may be useful marker in the monitoring of advanced disease patients
Loss of Ena/VASP interferes with lamellipodium architecture, motility and integrin-dependent adhesion

Cell migration entails networks and bundles of actin filaments termed lamellipodia and microspikes or filopodia, respectively, as well as focal adhesions, all of which recruit Ena/VASP family members hitherto thought to antagonize efficient cell motility. However, we find these proteins to act as positive regulators of migration in different cell lines. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated loss of Ena/VASP proteins reduced lamellipodial actin assembly and perturbed lamellipodial architecture, as evidenced by changed network geometry as well as reduction of filament length and number that was accompanied by abnormal Arp2/3 complex and heterodimeric capping protein accumulation. Loss of Ena/VASP function also abolished the formation of microspikes normally embedded in lamellipodia, but not of filopodia capable of emanating without lamellipodia. Ena/VASP-deficiency also impaired integrin-mediated adhesion accompanied by reduced traction forces exerted through these structures. Our data thus uncover novel, cellular Ena/VASP functions of these actin polymerases that are fully consistent with their promotion of cell migration.
Tracking the state transitions in changing-look active galactic nuclei through their polarized-light echoes

Context.Variations in the mass accretion rate appear to be responsible for the rapid transitions in spectral type that are observed in increasingly more active galactic nuclei (AGNs). These objects are now labeled “changing-look” AGNs and are key objects for understanding the physics of accretion onto supermassive black holes.Aims. We aim to complement the analysis and interpretation of changing-look AGNs by modeling the polarization variations that can be observed, in particular, polarized-light echoes.Methods. We built a complex and representative model of an AGN and its host galaxy and ran radiative transfer simulations to obtain realistic time-dependent polarization signatures of changing-look objects. Based on actual data, we allowed the system to become several times fainter or brighter within a few years, assuming a rapid change in accretion rate.Results. We obtain time-dependent polarization signatures of distant high-luminosity (quasars) and nearby low-luminosity (Seyferts) changing-look AGNs for a representative set of inclinations. We predict the evolution of the continuum polarization for future polarimetric campaigns with the goal to better understand the physics at work in these objects. We also investigate highly inclined AGNs that experience strong accretion rate variations without appearing to change state. We apply our modeling to Mrk 1018, the best-documented case of a changing-look AGN, and predict a variation in its polarization after the recent dimming of its continuum.Conclusions. We demonstrate that polarization monitoring campaigns that cover the transitions that are observed in changing-look AGNs might bring crucial information on the geometry and composition of all the reprocessing regions within the nucleus. In particular, specific features in the time variation of the polarization position angle can provide a new and efficient method for determining AGN inclinations.
The synthesis of a Cu(ii) Schiff base complex using a bidentate N2O2 donor ligand: crystal structure, photophysical properties, and antibacterial activities

In this paper, a new mononuclear Cu(ii) complex was synthesized by using a bidentate N2O2 Schiff base ligand, (E)-2-bromo-4-chloro-6-[(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)methyl]phenol (HL), with a copper(ii) salt in a methanol solvent. The structures of the HL ligand and the complex were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXD), and elemental analysis (EA). The Cu(ii) center in the complex is four-coordinated by a bidentate N2O2 donor ligand, forming slightly distorted square planar geometry. The detailed studies of their photophysical properties such as UV-Vis and fluorescence were done and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were investigated in the powder forms. Density functional theory calculations were carried out on both the HL ligand and the Cu(ii) complex to investigate the changes in the structural parameters and energies of the HOMO and LUMO. The results demonstrated that the HOMO and LUMO were effectively separated with the benzene ring of 2,6-dimethylbenzenamine as the donor unit and the benzene ring of 3-bromo-5-chlorosalicylaldehyde as well as the chelate ring as the acceptor unit. The effective HOMO–LUMO separation helps induce intramolecular charge transfer from the HOMO to the LUMO. The HOMO–LUMO energy gap become smaller when the Schiff base ligand coordinated with Cu(ii) ions, which was most likely due to the Cu(ii) perturbation effect. These theoretical calculations supported the experimentally observed results. The antibacterial activities of the HL ligand and the Cu(ii) complex were studied on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The obtained data confirmed their potent antimicrobial activity and the Cu(ii) complex had the MIC value of 1.25 mmol L−1 against Escherichia coli.
Determinants of Childhood Malnutrition in Jamaica

Malnutrition is a major public health problem in the developing countries. It contributes to child mortality, poor intellectual and physical development of children, and lowered resistance to diseases, and consequently stifles development. Its etiologies include low income, uneven household food distribution, poor sanitation, infection, food shortages, inadequate food marketing and preservation, and inadequate nutrition knowledge. Malnutrition is a very complex problem and multifaceted strategies are required to combat it. It is therefore important to determine its causative factors before appropriate intervention can be implemented. A recent nutrition survey in Cornwall County, Jamaica, showed that malnutrition increased significantly between 1978 and 1984 [1] Moreover, the primary health care nutrition programme has had only modest success in alleviating the problem during the past 15 years [2]. Marchione [3] suggested that despite significant improvement in the Jamaican primary health care system, economic changes appear to be the major factor influencing the nutritional status of young children, and he stressed the need for programmes to develop individuals’ self-reliance with respect to health care. In these circumstances, it seems important to incorporate community development strategies within our primary health care nutrition programme. The success of the community development programmes will depend, to a large extent, on identifying the location, nature, extent, and causes of the nutritional problem, thereby ensuring that scarce resources are targeted to the needy. In this paper, we investigate various socioeconomic, demographic, and biological factors that might influence the nutritional status of children 4-35 months old in Cornwall County. Jamaica is the third largest island of the Caribbean. In 1984 the estimated population was 2.3 million people, over one-third of whom were under 14 years of age [4] Unemployment rates were 26.7% and 25.4% in 1983 and 1984 respectively [4]. The substantial devaluation of the Jamaican dollar during 1982-1984 contributed to the increase of the consumer product index. Although the per capita gross national product is US$1,300 (1983 estimate) [5], this does not represent the true situation because income distribution is highly skewed.
Photo-identification of horseshoe whip snakes (Hemorrhois hippocrepis, Linnaeus, 1758) by a semi-automatic procedure applied to wildlife management

Photo-identification is an increasingly used method for the study of animal populations. Natural marks such as coloration or scale pattern to identify individuals provide an inexpensive and less invasive alternative to conventional tagging methods. Photo-identification has previously been used to distinguish individual snakes, usually by comparing the pileus region. Nevertheless, this method is seldom used in capture-recapture studies. We show the effectiveness of photo-identification in snakes using specific software for individual recognition applied to a wildlife control study of horseshoe whip snakes. Photos were analysed with Automatic Photo Identification Suite (APHIS), which allowed us to compare the variability of head scale patterns surrounding the parietal shields instead of the traditional method of using large scale groups of the pileus. APHIS correctly identified 100 % of recaptures of snakes. Although further studies are needed, the variability of the surrounding scales of the pileus region seems a robust method to identify and differentiate individuals.