Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing Continued Usage Behavior on Mobile Health Applications

(1) Background: As people pay more attention to health, mobile health applications (mHealth apps) are becoming popular. These apps offer health services that run on mobile devices to help improve users’ health behaviors. However, few studies explore what motivates users to continue to use these apps. This study proposes antecedents influencing users’ electronic satisfaction (e-satisfaction) and their continued behaviors of using mHealth apps. Based on the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2), this study constructs a research model including perceived reliability and online review to predict the continued usage behavior on mHealth apps in China; (2) Methods: We conduct an online survey to collect data from participants who have used mHealth apps. This study receives 327 valid responses and tests the research model using the partial least squares structural equation model approach; (3) Results: Our results find that antecedents positively affect continued usage intention through the mediation role of e-satisfaction with mHealth apps. Interestingly, this study reveals that habit positively affects the continued usage behavior and moderates the effect of e-satisfaction and continued intention of using mHealth apps; (4) Conclusions: This study presents theoretical implications on the extended UTAUT2 and provides practical implications understanding of managing mHealth apps in China.
Light Refraction and Reflection near a Black Hole

In this paper, we have calculated the angle of refraction that light travels approaching to the strong gravitational field like a black hole by combining the general relativity and the classical Snell’s law, assuming that the gravitational field can act as a non-vacuum filled with medium of some coefficients. We have found that the value of refracted angle exactly coincides with the value from the Einstein’s relativity theory in a weak gravitational field. From this optical interpretation of the traveling of light near a black hole, we have sug-gested that there might have the reflection phenomenon and investigated that the total reflection occurs at the surface of a black hole. Regardless this might cause controversy, we can explain the recent observation that light reflects from a black hole.
Starch-Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Films Reinforced with Chitosan Nanoparticles: Physical, Mechanical, Structural, Thermal and Antimicrobial Properties

The main purpose of the current study was to propose innovative composite films based on a corn starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend (starch:PVA 40:60) and loaded with 3 different levels of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) (1, 3, and 5% w/v) to strengthen its physical, mechanical, structural, thermal and antimicrobial attributes. The synthesized CNPs were spherical with a particle size of ca. 100 nm as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs and dynamic light scattering tests. The results showed that the CNPs incorporation within the starch-PVA 40:60 films promoted a uniform surface without any considerable pores. These films were characterized by a homogeneous CNP distribution within the polymer matrix, causing a significant decrease in water vapor permeability (WVP) (e.g., from 0.41 for the control film to 0.28 g.mm/kPa.h·m2 for the composite film loaded with 5% CNPs). The film solubility, transparency, glass transition and melting temperatures, and elongation at break were also reduced by increasing the CNP content from 1% to 5%, while total color and tensile strength parameters increased. The antibacterial effects of CNPs were more effective against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) than Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium). It can be concluded that the addition of CNPs to the starch-PVA matrix could improve its functional and technological attributes for food packaging applications.
Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts Preparation, Characterization and Applications for Process Development: An Environmentally Green Approach

The adage of new generation of fine chemicals process is the best process applied in the absence of conventional methods. However, many methods use different reaction parameters, such as basic and acidic catalysts, for example oxidation, reduction, bromination, water splitting, cyanohydrin, ethoxylation, syngas, aldol condensation, Michael addition, asymmetric ring opening of epoxides, epoxidation, Wittig and Heck reaction, asymmetric ester epoxidation of fatty acids, combustion of methane, NOx reduction, biodiesel synthesis, propylene oxide polymerization. Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) have received considerable attention due their potential applications in flame retardant and has excellent medicinal property for reducing acidity. These catalysts are characterized using analytical techniques, such as: X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric-Differential Thermal Analyzer (TG-DTA), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscopes (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, N2 Adsorption-desorption, Temperature programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray photoelectrons spectroscopy (XPS), which gives its overall picture of its structure, porosity, morphology, thermal stability, reusability, and activity of catalysts. LDHs catalysts have proven to be economic and environmentally friendly. The above discussed applications make these catalysts unique from Green Chemistry point of view since they are reusable, and eco-friendly catalysts. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Zur Durchstanztragfähigkeit lochrandgestützter Platten mit kleiner Lasteinleitungsfläche.

Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wird das Tragverhalten lochrandgestützter Platten mit kleiner Lasteinleitungsfläche mittels FEM-Simulationen untersucht. Auf Grundlage der Simulationsergebnisse werden Bemessungsvorschläge für verschiedene Konstruktionsarten angegeben. Abschließend werden Vorschläge für ein Versuchsprogramm und einen Versuchsaufbau gemacht, mit denen die Simulationsergebnisse in einem zweiten Schritt überprüft werden können.
IoT-Based Solutions to Monitor Water Level, Leakage, and Motor Control for Smart Water Tanks

Today, a large portion of the human population around the globe has no access to freshwater for drinking, cooking, and other domestic applications. Water resources in numerous countries are becoming scarce due to over urbanization, rapid industrial growth, and current global warming. Water is often stored in the aboveground or underground tanks. In developing countries, these tanks are maintained manually, and in some cases, water is wasted due to human negligence. In addition, water could also leak out from tanks and supply pipes due to the decayed infrastructure. To address these issues, researchers worldwide turned to the Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology to efficiently monitor water levels, detect leakage, and auto refill tanks whenever needed. Notably, this technology can also supply real-time feedback to end-users and other experts through a webpage or a smartphone. Literature reveals a plethora of review articles on smart water monitoring, including water quality, supply pipes leakage, and water waste recycling. However, none of the reviews focus on the IoT-based solution to monitor water level, detect water leakage, and auto control water pumps, especially at the induvial level that form a vast proportion of water consumers worldwide. To fill this gap in the literature, this study presents a review of IoT-controlled water storage tanks (IoT-WST). Some important contributions of our work include surveying contemporary work on IoT-WST, elaborating current techniques and technologies in IoT-WST, targeting proper hardware, and selecting a secure IoT cloud server.
Rates of readmission and reoperation following pelvic osteotomy in adolescent patients: a database study evaluating the pediatric health information system

ABSTRACT Rates and reasons for readmission and reoperation following adolescent pelvic osteotomy are not well-defined. This study aimed to (1) determine 30-day and 90-day readmission rates and the 2-year reoperation rate after pelvic osteotomy in adolescents and (2) identify reasons for readmission and reoperation. The Pediatric Health Information System database was queried between 10 January 2015 and 1 January 2020 for patients meeting selected International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) procedure and diagnosis codes relating to pelvic osteotomies. Readmission rates were calculated within 30 and 90 days from index osteotomy. The ipsilateral reoperation rate was calculated within 2 years from index osteotomy. Reasons for these outcomes were identified. Univariate and multivariate analyses were utilized to identify readmission risks. Of 1475 patients, 5.4% and 9.2% were readmitted within 30 and 90 days, respectively. Reasons for readmission were consistent across both time points and included infection, hip-related orthopedic conditions and neurologic conditions. Younger age (OR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.89; P < 0.0001) and male sex (OR 1.77, 95% CI: 1.23–2.54; P = 0.002) were predictive of readmission within 90 days. The 2-year reoperation rate was 32.1%, of which 79.8% underwent reoperation for hardware removal, 17.7% for revision and 1.3% for hip replacement. 30-day readmission, 90-day readmission and 2-year reoperation rates after adolescent pelvic osteotomy were 5.4%, 9.2% and 32.1%, respectively. Younger age and male sex were predictive of 90-day readmission. Most ipsilateral reoperations were for hardware removal. Understanding readmission and reoperation risks following pelvic osteotomy can benefit patient counseling and improve expectations of post-surgical outcomes. Level of Evidence: IV, case series.
Current understanding of the role of tyrosine kinase 2 signaling in immune responses

Immune system is a complex network that clears pathogens, toxic substrates, and cancer cells. Distinguishing self-antigens from non-self-antigens is critical for the immune cell-mediated response against foreign antigens. The innate immune system elicits an early-phase response to various stimuli, whereas the adaptive immune response is tailored to previously encountered antigens. During immune responses, B cells differentiate into antibody-secreting cells, while naïve T cells differentiate into functionally specific effector cells [T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells]. However, enhanced or prolonged immune responses can result in autoimmune disorders, which are characterized by lymphocyte-mediated immune responses against self-antigens. Signal transduction of cytokines, which regulate the inflammatory cascades, is dependent on the members of the Janus family of protein kinases. Tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2) is associated with receptor subunits of immune-related cytokines, such as type I interferon, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-23. Clinical studies on the therapeutic effects and the underlying mechanisms of Tyk2 inhibitors in autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases are currently ongoing. This review summarizes the findings of studies examining the role of Tyk2 in immune and/or inflammatory responses using Tyk2-deficient cells and mice.
“Less healthy, unfit, weaker” effects of the emerging nonexerciser stereotype on performance on a fatiguing task

ABSTRACT Stereotype threat literature has shown that inducing negative stereotypes can contribute to the underperformance of individuals belonging to a range of stereotyped groups and various domains. The present study sought to observe the effect of the emerging nonexerciser stereotype on performance in a fatiguing task consisting of executing intermittent contractions at 40% of maximal voluntary strength until exhaustion. Comparing 13 young male nonexercisers and 13 young male exercisers, results revealed that both exercisers and nonexercisers increased their performance in the negative stereotype condition. Concerning the nonexercisers this is contrary to classic stereotype threat effects. Valuable results were observed for rate of perceived effort as a mechanism through which performance on a fatiguing task may be affected. This study is encouraging as it revealed that nonexercisers’ performance on a prolonged fatiguing task was not decreased by the negative nonexerciser stereotype but rather that, to some degree, stereotype threat could be beneficial to performance.
THE IMPACT OF NEIGHBORHOOD ON CHILDREN’S SCHOOL READINESS IN GREECE – THE CASE OF AGIOI ANARGIROI, GREECE

The factors that influence young children’s school readiness, their cognitive skills and socio-emotional development relate to the social context shaped collectively by the individuals and families that live in a specific part of a district, the neighborhood. This study explores, through parents’ views, the direct and indirect roles of the neighborhood environment in the development of preschool age children and examines whether there is a direct impact of the neighborhood’s role on children’s school readiness. More specifically, this paper studies the impact of the neighborhood context of Agioi Anargiroi, and the characteristics – both individual and socioeconomic – of the people of this population, on the school readiness of preschool age children. The data were collected by means of an anonymous written questionnaire, which was distributed to and filled in by the parents of preschool age students attending co-located public kindergartens of the Municipality of Agioi Anargiroi of the prefecture of Attiki. Article visualizations:
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Improves the Metabolic and Haemostatic Disturbances in Rats with Male Hypogonadism

Objectives: The current work was designed to study the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on glucose homeostasis, liver functions and hemostatic disturbances in a rat model of bilateral orchidectomy (ORCH). Methods: 32 male rats (n = 8) were randomly assigned into 4 groups; (i) control (sham operated) group; were normal rats in which all surgical procedures were done without ORCH, (ii) Control + DHEA group: as control group but rats were treated with DHEA for 12 weeks, (iii) orchiectomized (ORCH) group: rats had bilateral orchidectomy and (iv) ORCH + DHEA group: orchiectomized rats treated with DHEA for 12 weeks. Four weeks after ORCH, DHEA treatment began and lasted for twelve weeks. By the end of the experiment, the parameters of glucose homeostasis, lipid profile, liver enzymes, bleeding and clotting times (B.T. and C.T.), prothrombin time (P.T.), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), platelet count and aggregation, von-Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), fibrin degradation products (FDP), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), endothelin-1 were measured. Results: ORCH caused significant deteriorations in the parameters of glucose homeostasis, lipid profile, and liver functions (p < 0.05). In addition, lower androgenicity-induced by ORCH caused a significant rise in PAI-1, fibrinogen, FDPs, ET-1 (p < 0.01) with significant shortening of bleeding and clotting times. DHEA replacement therapy significantly decreased glucose, insulin, PAI-1, fibrinogen, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 when compared to ORCH rats. Conclusion: DHEA ameliorated the metabolic, hepatic, hypercoagulable, and hypofibrinolysis disturbances induced by ORCH.
Effect of sleeper and ballast interventions on rail track performance

······························································································· I CONTENTS ······························································································ III LIST OF TABLES ··························································································· VII LIST OF FIGURES ························································································XIII LIST OF SYMBOLS ····················································································· XXIII LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ············································································ XXV DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP ······························································· XXVII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ············································································ XXIX CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ········································································ 1 1.1 Background of the study ·································································· 1 1.2 Knowledge gaps ············································································ 3 1.3 Aim and objectives ········································································· 5 1.4 Outline of the thesis ······································································· 6 CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND ·········································································· 9 2.
On the behavior of inhaled fibers in a replica of the first airway bifurcation under steady flow conditions

Abstract Inhaled fibers can potentially cause inflammation of the lung tissue and interstitium, which after long-term exposure may lead to lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, or pulmonary and pleural fibrosis. To reduce the risk and set the appropriate occupational hygiene regulations, it is important to be able to precisely calculate the fate of inhaled fibers depending on their physical characteristics and inhalation conditions. In the absence of experimental data on the real behavior - trajectories, orientation and flipping - of inhaled fibers, a new test rig was assembled for visualization and recording of flowing fibers in a replica of the human trachea and the first bronchial bifurcation. Fibers prepared from commercially produced glass fibers have been processed, dispersed, and introduced into the airway replica. Visualization was performed using a powerful LED light and a high-speed camera. The flow of fibers was evaluated upstream and downstream of the realistic asymmetrical bifurcation and dependence on flow conditions was sought. The fractions of parallelly and perpendicularly flowing fibers were statistically evaluated in three locations. The frequency of flipping was also analyzed. The results show that the parallel orientation of the fibers is less dominant than expected. The fiber orientation tables for various conditions can be used to adjust and improve computational simulations of inhaled fibers in the human airways.
THE ACCEPTANCE OF MOBILE PAYMENT AND SUSTAINABLE USAGE INTENTION IN MALAYSIA: AN ANALYSIS BASED ON UNIFIED THEORY OF ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY (UTAUT)

Mobile payment refers to a payment method by which a consumer pays a bill for goods or services through a mobile terminal. mobile payment users can send payment instructions directly or indirectly to a bank financial enterprise via mobile devices or proximity sensing devices, thereby enabling currency payments and funds transfers. It realizes the integration of terminal equipment, Internet, application providers and financial institutions, and completes financial business such as currency payment. However, the adoption rates of this payment method are relatively low in Malaysia. This research aims to identify and explore key factors that affect the decision of whether to use mobile payments. Qualitative and quantitative research are the main methodology in this research. The well-established theories, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is applied to investigate user acceptance of mobile payments. An empirical model for acceptance of mobile payment in Malaysia is established in this paper. Survey data from mobile payments users are used to test the proposed hypothesis and the model. The result of data analysis shows that Malaysian consumers’ perceptions of cost has no statistically significant relationship with attitude to adopt mobile payment. On the other hand, the factors of Effort Expectancy, Performance Expectancy, Social Influence and Consumer Trust play significant roles. The results of this study also have some practical implications for the spread and management of mobile payment industry in Malaysia and some suggestions are offered to mobile payment platform. At the end of this paper, the limitations and future research directions are listed. JEL: M10; M15; D12 Article visualizations:
Autonomous cars and activity-based bottleneck model: How do in-vehicle activities determine aggregate travel patterns?

When traveling in an autonomous car, the travel time can be used for performing activities other than driving. This paper distinguishes users’ work-related and home-related activities in autonomous cars and proposes an activity-based bottleneck model to investigate travelers’ behavior in the morning commute, shedding light on how the scope to undertake in-vehicle activities affects travelers’ trip-timing preferences and decisions, and therewith social welfare. These welfare effects can be expected to depend on the optimality of both the market for trips, and the market for vehicles. We therefore consider different supply regimes for automobiles, and un-priced congestion versus queue-eliminating road pricing. We reveal analytically the relationship between users’ various in-vehicle activities and trip timing choices by autonomous and normal car users. Three supply regimes for autonomous cars are investigated: welfare-maximizing public supply, competitive marginal cost supply, and profit-maximizing private supply. Pricing rules under different supply regimes are compared analytically, and the relative efficiencies in terms of the welfare gains are compared numerically. Results show that travelers’ in-vehicle activity choices have significant impacts on the travel patterns, congestion externality, supply decisions and the associated welfare effects.
Application of Radiofrequency for Decolorization, Floc Formation, and Microorganism Inactivation

The use of radio frequency for water and wastewater treatment is a topic that has not been extensively explored. In this study, the effect of a HydroFlow S38 device (Hydropath Holdigs) inducing 150 KHz radio frequency (RF) has been investigated, removing color, forming coagulant flocs and their sedimentation, and the removal of bacteria. Experiments were first conducted on synthetic samples, and then on landfill leachate from the Aradkooh waste processing and landfilling complex (Kahrizak) in Tehran, Iran. The results of the experiments showed that RF had little to no effect on de-coloring in the absence or presence of sodium hypochlorite. Also, the coagulation and flocculation of ferric chloride remained unaffected. However, the use of RF was shown to reduce the number of bacteria significantly. The inductance of RF alone, without any other aid or chemical/physical treatment, was able to reduce the bacterial count by 35%. These findings provide motivation for future research regarding the use of RF for bacteria inactivation.