Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 and profitability of hotel companies in the Republic of Serbia

Besides obvious negative consequences for people's health, the COVID-19 pandemic placed significant negative consequences on the economy as well. Since pandemic made tourism and travel almost impossible, these industries of tourism and hospitality suffered the most. The aim of this paper is to assess whether the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a change in the level of profitability of companies from hotel industry in the Republic of Serbia. The research sample consisted of 100 companies from hotel industry in the Republic of Serbia, where their operations in 2019 and 2020 were observed. The Operating Profit Margin, Net Profit Margin, Return on Assets and Return on Equity were used for the purposes of measuring profitability. The research determined that in the largest number of observed hotel companies in 2020, there was a decrease in profitability considering all four used indicators. By applying the Wilcoxon rank test and the t-test of paired samples, it was determined that the mentioned reductions in the used profitability indicators are statistically significant.
Transgenerational plasticity in a zooplankton in response to elevated temperature and parasitism

Abstract Organisms are increasingly facing multiple stressors, which can simultaneously interact to cause unpredictable impacts compared with a single stressor alone. Recent evidence suggests that phenotypic plasticity can allow for rapid responses to altered environments, including biotic and abiotic stressors, both within a generation and across generations (transgenerational plasticity). Parents can potentially “prime” their offspring to better cope with similar stressors or, alternatively, might produce offspring that are less fit because of energetic constraints. At present, it remains unclear exactly how biotic and abiotic stressors jointly mediate the responses of transgenerational plasticity and whether this plasticity is adaptive. Here, we test the effects of biotic and abiotic environmental changes on within‐ and transgenerational plasticity using a Daphnia–Metschnikowia zooplankton‐fungal parasite system. By exposing parents and their offspring consecutively to the single and combined effects of elevated temperature and parasite infection, we showed that transgenerational plasticity induced by temperature and parasite stress influenced host fecundity and lifespan; offsprings of mothers who were exposed to one of the stressors were better able to tolerate elevated temperature, compared with the offspring of mothers who were exposed to neither or both stressors. Yet, the negative effects caused by parasite infection were much stronger, and this greater reduction in host fitness was not mitigated by transgenerational plasticity. We also showed that elevated temperature led to a lower average immune response, and that the relationship between immune response and lifetime fecundity reversed under elevated temperature: the daughters of exposed mothers showed decreased fecundity with increased hemocyte production at ambient temperature but the opposite relationship at elevated temperature. Together, our results highlight the need to address questions at the interface of multiple stressors and transgenerational plasticity and the importance of considering multiple fitness‐associated traits when evaluating the adaptive value of transgenerational plasticity under changing environments.
A Novel Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance and Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage in Ischemic Stroke Patients After Endovascular Thrombectomy

Background and Purpose Insulin resistance plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the novel metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in stroke patients. Methods We retrospectively included patients with large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation and treated by EVT from 2 stroke centers (Nanjing First Hospital from September 2019 to April 2022, and Jinling Hospital from September 2019 to July 2021). The METS-IR was used as an alternative marker of insulin resistance and calculated using laboratory data after admission. sICH was diagnosed according to the Heidelberg Bleeding Classification. Results Of the 410 enrolled patients (mean age, 69.8 ± 11.7 years; 60.7% men), 50 (12.2%) were diagnosed as sICH. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, poor collateral status, and other potential confounders, higher METS-IR was revealed to be independently associated with sICH (odds ratio, 1.076; 95% confidence interval, 1.034−1.120; P = 0.001). Similar significant results were obtained when defining METS-IR as a categorical variable. The restricted cubic spline uncovered a linear relationship between METS-IR and sICH (P < 0.001 for linearity). Furthermore, adding METS-IR to the conventional model significantly improved the risk prediction for sICH (net reclassification improvement = 15.8%, P = 0.035; integrated discrimination index = 2.6%; P = 0.017). Conclusion This study demonstrated a significant association between METS-IR score and sICH in ischemic stroke patients treated with EVT. It could help monitor and manage sICH in patients after EVT.
SIMULTANEOUS NATURAL-CONVECTION HEAT TRANSFER ABOVE AND BELOW AN ISOTHERMAL HORIZONTAL THIN PLATE

Numerical studies were conducted to investigate the simultaneous natural-convection heat transfer above and below an isothermal thin plate in an infinite space. The full two-dimensional conservation equations for laminar flows were solved. The numerical approach was based on the finite-volume technique with a nonstaggered grid arrangement. The SIMPLE algorithm was used for handling the pressure-velocity coupling. Plate width and temperature were used to vary the Rayleigh number over the range 1.0 2 10 5 to 1.7 2 10 7 . The expressions for numerical local and average Nusselt number were correlated, and horizontal velocity and temperature profiles were provided. It was found that the upper-surface Nusselt numbers are smaller than the corresponding lower-surface Nusselt numbers. Numerical results for upward- and downward-facing isothermal horizontal plates (single-sided heat transfer) were also shown for comparison. For these cases, Nusselt numbers on the upward-facing surface are larger than those on the downward-facing surface.
Stopping the Spread: How Blame Attributions Drive Customer-to-Customer Misbehavior Contagion and What Frontline Employees Can Do to Curb It

Service encounters nowadays are increasingly characterized by customer-to-customer (C2C) interactions where customers regularly become targets of other customers’ misbehavior. Although previous research provides initial evidence of the contagiousness of such C2C misbehavior, it remains unclear whether, how, and why C2C misbehavior spreads when frontline employees (FLEs) are involved and what FLEs can do to curb it. Two online and one field experiment in the context of co-working and transportation services reveal that FLE-directed blame attributions drive the spread of C2C misbehavior while perpetrator-directed blame attributions reverse it. These blame attributions are greater the more severely customers judge other customers’ misbehavior. Findings further rule out alternative contagion mechanisms (social norms and emotional contagion) and show that contagion spills over to C2C misbehavior unrelated to the initial transgression. By specifying how contagion unfolds and by explicating the central role blame attributions play in C2C misbehavior contagion, this research uncovers its social dynamics, thus extending existing theory on customer misbehavior and attribution theory in multi-actor settings. Managerially, this research provides FLEs with explicit guidance on what they should do (personalized FLE interventions delivered either in person or remotely) and avoid doing (disapproving looks, FLE service recovery) when faced with C2C misbehavior.
Modelling potential biotope composition on a regional scale revealed that climate variables are stronger drivers than soil variables

Environmental conditions define the suitability of an area for biotopes, and any area can be suitable for several biotopes. However, most previous studies modelled the distribution of single biotopes ignoring the potential co‐occurrence of biotopes in one area, which limits the usefulness of such models for conservation and restoration planning. In this study, we described the potential biotope composition of an area in response to environmental conditions.
Effects of cash transfers on household resilience to climate shocks in the arid and semi arid counties of northern Kenya

ABSTRACT Climatic events and other natural-related disasters experienced in the arid and semi-arid lands of northern Kenya negatively affect the pastoral livelihoods of the communities. Addressing vulnerability to climate shocks among pastoral communities of Kenya’s Arid and Semi-lands presents a persistent challenge. Cash transfer programmes have increasingly grown as one mode of building household resilience. Understanding the role of cash transfer interventions on household resilience to climate shocks is key to policy programming. This paper aimed at determining the effects of cash transfers on household resilience to climate shocks. The paper evaluated the Hunger Safety Net Program, which is one of the largest unconditional cash transfer programs in Kenya. The Hunger Safety Net Program targeted poor people in northern Kenya including the counties of Turkana, Wajir, Marsabit, and Mandera. To establish the impact the paper compares households which received cash transfers with those that did not receive transfers. The panel fixed effects model was used to determine the effects of cash transfers on household resilience. The results indicate that cash transfers have positive significant effects on household resilience to climate shocks.
Exploring identity construction in team teaching: The case of Iranian student-teachers

Abstract The present study examined the professional identity development of five student-teachers in the context of team-teaching. Data were collected from stimulated recall sessions, semi-structured interviews, and reflective reports, which were analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings indicate that the student-teachers’ professional identity was shaped by meaningful cooperation with their mentor and peers. The student-teachers progressed from team-focused to self-focused professional identity, indicating professional development, self-regulation, and substantial gains in their satisfaction. The study provides implications for teacher educators to use team-teaching in their teacher professional development programs.
The analysis of ensembles of moderately saturated interstellar lines

It is shown that the combined equivalent widths for a large population of Gaussian-like interstellar line components, each with different central optical depths tau(0) and velocity dispersions b, exhibit a curve of growth (COG) which closely mimics that of a single, pure Gaussian distribution in velocity. Two parametric distributions functions for the line populations are considered: a bivariate Gaussian for tau(0) and b and a power law distribution for tau(0) combined with a Gaussian dispersion for b. First, COGs for populations having an extremely large number of nonoverlapping components are derived, and the implications are shown by focusing on the doublet-ratio analysis for a pair of lines whose f-values differ by a factor of two. The consequences of having, instead of an almost infinite number of lines, a relatively small collection of components added together for each member of a doublet are examined. The theory of how the equivalent widths grow for populations of overlapping Gaussian profiles is developed. Examples of the composite COG analysis applied to existing collections of high-resolution interstellar line data are presented. 39 references.
Low-Calorie Sweeteners and Weight Control : What the Science

Satiation and satiety are central concepts in the understanding of appetite control and both have to do with the inhibition of eating. Satiation occurs during an eating episode and brings it to an end. Satiety starts after the end of eating and prevents further eating before the return of hunger. Enhancing satiation and satiety derived from foodstuffs was perceived as a means to facilitate weight control. Many studies have examined the various sensory, cognitive, postingestive, and postabsorptive factors that can potentially contribute to the inhibition of eating. In such studies, careful attention to study design is crucial for correct interpretation of the results. Although sweetness is a potent sensory stimulus of intake, sweet-tasting products produce satiation and satiety as a result of their volume as well as their nutrient and energy content. The particular case of energy intake from fluids has generated much research and it is still debated whether energy from fluids is as satiating as energy ingested from solid foods. This review discusses the satiating power of foods and drinks containing nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners. The brain mechanisms of food reward (in terms of “liking” and “wanting”) are also addressed. Finally, we highlight the importance of reward homeostasis, which can help prevent eating in the absence of hunger, for the control of intake. J. Nutr. 142: 1149S–1154S, 2012.
The DEEP2 Galaxy Redshift Survey: Clustering of Quasars and Galaxies at z = 1

We present the clustering of Deep Extragalactic Evolutionary Probe 2 (DEEP2) galaxies at 0.7 < z < 1.4 around quasars identified using both the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and DEEP2 surveys. We measure the two-point cross-correlation of a sample of 36 optically selected, spectroscopically identified quasars from the SDSS and 16 more found in the DEEP2 survey with the full DEEP2 galaxy sample over scales 0.1 h-1 Mpc < rp < 10 h-1 Mpc. The clustering amplitude is found to be similar to the autocorrelation function of DEEP2 galaxies, with a relative bias of b = 0.89 ± 0.24 between quasars and DEEP2 galaxies at z ~ 1. No significant dependence is found on scale, quasar luminosity, or redshift over the ranges we probe here. The clustering amplitude errors are comparable to those from significantly larger quasar samples, such as the 2dF (Two Degree Field) QSO Redshift Survey. This results from the statistical power of cross-correlation techniques, which exploit the fact that galaxies are much more numerous than quasars. We also measure the local environments of quasars using the third-nearest-neighbor surface density of surrounding DEEP2 galaxies. Quasars are found in regions of similar mean overdensity to blue DEEP2 galaxies; they differ in environment from the red DEEP2 galaxy population at 2 σ significance. Our results imply that quasars do not reside in particularly massive dark matter halos at these redshifts, with a mean dark matter halo mass of M200 ~ 3 × 1012 M☉ in a concordance ΛCDM cosmology.
Mechanical response of cross-tensioned concrete pavement: experimental study and finite element

ABSTRACT The cross-tensioned concrete pavement (CTCP) has good bearing capacity, anti-crack ability and convenient construction characteristics due to the cross-tenioned prestressed strands placed inside the concrete. In order to study the mechanical response of pavement in construction process, an assembled monolithic structure for CTCP has been proposed and its mechanical response was analyzed through full-scale experiments and finite element model. The results of full-scale experiments show that the longitudinal and transverse compressive strain of concrete respectively exceeds 40μϵ and 20μϵ in the area of laying cross-tensioned prestressed strands with increase of the number of cross-tensioned strands. The end of CTCP is one of the weak areas, which may produce certainly transverse tensile stress. The results of finite element model show that the transverse tensile stress in ending region is mainly affected by the angle of cross-tensioned prestressed strands and its ratio. There is transverse tensile stress at the end of the pavement when the angle of cross-tensioned prestressed strands is small and its ratio is large, which can be offset by arranging transverse prestressed strands. Furthermore, an empirical formula to calculate transverse prestressed strands ratio at the end of pavement is given based on the results of finite element simulation.
Global three-dimensional optimal disturbances in the Blasius boundary-layer flow using time-steppers

The global linear stability of the flat-plate boundary-layer flow to three-dimensional disturbances is studied by means of an optimization technique. We consider both the optimal initial condition leading to the largest growth at finite times and the optimal time-periodic forcing leading to the largest asymptotic response. Both optimization problems are solved using a Lagrange multiplier technique, where the objective function is the kinetic energy of the flow perturbations and the constraints involve the linearized Navier–Stokes equations. The approach proposed here is particularly suited to examine convectively unstable flows, where single global eigenmodes of the system do not capture the downstream growth of the disturbances. In addition, the use of matrix-free methods enables us to extend the present framework to any geometrical configuration. The optimal initial condition for spanwise wavelengths of the order of the boundary-layer thickness are finite-length streamwise vortices exploiting the lift-up mechanism to create streaks. For long spanwise wavelengths, it is the Orr mechanism combined with the amplification of oblique wave packets that is responsible for the disturbance growth. This mechanism is dominant for the long computational domain and thus for the relatively high Reynolds number considered here. Three-dimensional localized optimal initial conditions are also computed and the corresponding wave packets examined. For short optimization times, the optimal disturbances consist of streaky structures propagating and elongating in the downstream direction without significant spreading in the lateral direction. For long optimization times, we find the optimal disturbances with the largest energy amplification. These are wave packets of Tollmien–Schlichting waves with low streamwise propagation speed and faster spreading in the spanwise direction. The pseudo-spectrum of the system for real frequencies is also computed with matrix-free methods. The spatial structure of the optimal forcing is similar to that of the optimal initial condition, and the largest response to forcing is also associated with the Orr/oblique wave mechanism, however less so than in the case of the optimal initial condition. The lift-up mechanism is most efficient at zero frequency and degrades slowly for increasing frequencies. The response to localized upstream forcing is also discussed.
Radiative properties and radiative transfer in high pressure thermal air plasmas

The aim of this paper is to investigate radiative properties of thermal air plasmas in wide ranges of pressure and temperature, and to analyse the accuracy of some spectral and geometrical approximations in high-pressure radiative transfer applications. Comprehensive calculations of absorption spectra, including molecular, atomic and ionic line and continuum radiation, are presented and the dependence of these spectra on the pressure level is analysed. The high resolution spectra, in association with a rigorous ray-tracing method, are then used to study the accuracy of the P1 and the simplified SP3 geometrical approximations in 1D axisymmetric geometries. Cylindrical plasma columns at uniform pressure and with a non-uniform pressure distribution are considered. The P1 approximation provides acceptable results but the SP3 approximation is found to be more accurate. Concerning the spectral approximations, the use of band averaged Rosseland mean absorption coefficients yields volumetric radiative powers in fairly good agreement with line-by-line calculations.
Adaptation in the sensory cortex drives bistable switching during auditory stream segregation

Abstract Current theories of perception emphasize the role of neural adaptation, inhibitory competition, and noise as key components that lead to switches in perception. Supporting evidence comes from neurophysiological findings of specific neural signatures in modality-specific and supramodal brain areas that appear to be critical to switches in perception. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to study brain activity around the time of switches in perception while participants listened to a bistable auditory stream segregation stimulus, which can be heard as one integrated stream of tones or two segregated streams of tones. The auditory thalamus showed more activity around the time of a switch from segregated to integrated compared to time periods of stable perception of integrated; in contrast, the rostral anterior cingulate cortex and the inferior parietal lobule showed more activity around the time of a switch from integrated to segregated compared to time periods of stable perception of segregated streams, consistent with prior findings of asymmetries in brain activity depending on the switch direction. In sound-responsive areas in the auditory cortex, neural activity increased in strength preceding switches in perception and declined in strength over time following switches in perception. Such dynamics in the auditory cortex are consistent with the role of adaptation proposed by computational models of visual and auditory bistable switching, whereby the strength of neural activity decreases following a switch in perception, which eventually destabilizes the current percept enough to lead to a switch to an alternative percept.
Efficient Detection and Recognition of Traffic Lights for Autonomous Vehicles Using CNN

Smart city infrastructure and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) need modern traffic monitoring and driver assistance systems such as autonomous traffic signal detection. ITS is a dominant research area among several fields in the domain of artificial intelligence. Traffic signal detection is a key module of autonomous vehicles where accuracy and inference time are amongst the most significant parameters. In this regard, the aim of this study is to detect traffic signals focusing to enhance accuracy and real-time performance. The results and discussion enclose a comparative performance of a CNN-based algorithm YOLO V3 and a handcrafted technique that gives insight for enhanced detection and inference in day and night light. It is important to consider that real-world objects are associated with complex backgrounds, occlusion, climate conditions, and light exposure that deteriorate the performance of sensitive intelligent applications. This study provides a direction to propose a hybrid technique for TLD not only in the daytime but also in night light.
A fuzzy logic supervisor for PID control of unknown systems

The design of a fuzzy logic supervisor for proportional plus integral plus derivative control of unknown systems is carried out in this paper. The PID controllers are designed using Ziegler-Nichols tuning rules. Since the Ziegler-Nichols method provides nominal parameter values for the PID controller, the desired system response is not realized without additional tuning. A fuzzy supervisor is proposed to reduce the amount of additional tuning. The objective of the fuzzy supervisor is to gradually increase the derivative gain of the controller as the system error approaches zero. When the error and change in error are in the zero membership regions, the proportional gain is increased to improve the settling time of the system and an integral gain, if required, is added to eliminate steady-state error. Simulation results, demonstrating improvements in the response of the systems with fuzzy supervisor, are presented. <<ETX>>