Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Capital Development, Remittances, and Poverty in Central and Eastern European Countries: What Do the Data Tell Us?

The study investigates the impact of human capital development on poverty in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) using dynamic generalized methods of moments (GMM), fixed effects, random effects, and pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) with panel data ranging from 2008 to 2019. Using the same panel data analysis methods and data set, the study also explored the influence of the complementarity between human capital development and personal remittances on poverty in CEECs. What triggered the investigation into this topic is that the available literature on the subject matter is mixed, divergent, and very much conflicting. The lag of poverty, remittances, the interaction between human capital development and remittances, trade openness, unemployment, and partly financial development significantly increased infant mortality rates in CEECs. On the other hand, human capital development, infrastructural development, and partly financial development were found to have reduced infant mortality rates. These results mean that human capital development, financial development, and infrastructural development reduced poverty in CEECs during the period under study. Central and Eastern European Countries are therefore urged to craft and implement financial development, infrastructural development, and human capital development enhancement policies to combat poverty. Future empirical research could also investigate at what threshold the level of human capital development, financial and infrastructural development would poverty be significantly reduced in CEECs.
Underwater Sound Source Localization Based on Passive Time-Reversal Mirror and Ray Theory

This study investigates the performance of a passive time-reversal mirror (TRM) combined with acoustic ray theory in localizing underwater sound sources with high frequencies (3–7 kHz). The TRM was installed on a floating buoy and comprised four hydrophones. The ray-tracing code BELLHOP was used to determine the transfer function between a sound source and a field point. The transfer function in the frequency domain obtained from BELLHOP was transformed into the time domain. The pressure field was then obtained by taking the convolution of the transfer function in the time domain with the time-reversed signals that were received by the hydrophones in the TRM. The location with the maximum pressure value was designated as the location of the source. The performance of the proposed methodology for source localization was tested in a towing tank and in the ocean. The aforementioned tests revealed that even when the distances between a source and the TRM were up to 1600 m, the distance deviations between estimated and actual source locations were mostly less than 2 m. Errors originated mainly from inaccurate depth estimation, and the literature indicates that they can be reduced by increasing the number of TRM elements and their apertures.
A Deep Q-Network Approach to Optimize Spatial Reuse in WiFi Networks

The proliferation of IEEE 802.11 or WiFi networks, and the explosive growth in traffic demands call for solutions to maximize the capacity of WiFi networks. Hence, maximizing the spatial reuse of WiFi networks is critical as doing so allows multiple concurrent transmissions. In this respect, a critical network parameter, Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) threshold, plays a vital role as it dictates whether a node is allowed to transmit after sensing the channel. In this paper, we propose to use Deep Q-network (DQN) under two learning patterns to select the CCA threshold of devices. We further consider Transmit Power Control (TPC) in conjunction with CCA threshold selection to improve the capacity of a WiFi network. The simulation results show that our approach is capable of selecting the optimal CCA threshold for each device. As a result, the average throughput is 62.4% higher than that of a legacy Dynamic Sensitivity Control (DSC) algorithm.
Mass Media Beauty Standards, Body Surveillance, and Relationship Satisfaction within Romantic Couples

As part of objectification processes, individuals engage in body surveillance, whereby they constantly assess the extent to which their external appearance conforms to culturally valued ideals. Mass media play a key role in fostering the objectification and internalization of media beauty standards and increases body surveillance. At the individual level, the literature has largely demonstrated that body surveillance leads to a variety of negative psychological outcomes, but little research has focused on the consequences of body surveillance in the context of romantic relationships. Using dyadic data from couples who identified as heterosexual, the present study examined relations among internalization of media standards, body surveillance, surveillance of the partner’s body, surveillance from the partner, and relationship satisfaction. There were 438 participants (219 couples) recruited using snowball sampling. They were surveyed with an anonymous online questionnaire. Results showed that internalization of media standards was related to body surveillance in both men and women, and to surveillance of the partner’s body and relationship satisfaction in men only. For both sexes, surveillance of the partner’s body was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. For women only, surveillance from the partner was also negatively related to relationship satisfaction. Implications are discussed.
The relationship between wellbeing and job satisfaction of instructors in English Programs

This study investigated the relationship between the wellbeing and job satisfaction of English instructors working at language preparatory programs offered by Turkish universities. The study also attempted to explore if any difference between these two variables existed in relation to the teachers’ characteristics, i.e. years of experience, the proficiency level taught and educational degree. Finally, the reflections of the participants about the influential factors on their wellbeing and job satisfaction were further explored in this study. The quantitative data were obtained from 168 participants though teacher wellbeing survey and teacher job satisfaction survey, whereas the qualitative data came from semi-structured interviews carried out with 10 volunteers. The results revealed that there was a statistically significant, positive and moderate relationship between the participants’ job satisfaction and their wellbeing. Besides, no difference was found between the participants’ wellbeing and their teacher characteristics. Similarly, there was no difference between teachers’ predefined characteristics and their job satisfaction. As for the results of the qualitative data, personal, organizational, student-related and pandemic-related factors were found to be influential on the wellbeing and job satisfaction of the participants. The obtained findings provide pedagogical implications and suggestions for further research in language education and teacher development.
Can Perceived Ease of Use Improve M-Commerce Adoption?: Role of Mobile Network Service Quality

In India, e-commerce sector is rising at an enormous pace, but even larger share is in the hands of offline retailers till now. A unique type of consumer behaviour has been seen because of the simple accessibility of the internet, where the customer searches for products and its information on the internet and then buys them offline. With this the researcher is here analysing the mediating effect of perceived ease of use on adoption of M-commerce services with the usage of advance mobile network generations. Data were collected from 616 respondents by making stratas of respondents in such a way that different telecom users who are doing online transactions were taken. Data were analysed by using Structural Equation Modeling technique and it was examined that the mediator (perceived ease of use) has a great impact on M-commerce adoption.
Neues Messverfahren zur Bewertung von Sprengerschütterungen auf Gebäude mit Hilfe von Faser-Bragg-Gittern

Le present article traite de l'emploi d'un systeme de mesure par fibres optiques pour evaluer l'effet des vibrations du sautage sur des bâtiments. Avec ce procede utilise pour la premiere fois dans l'exploitation des produits de carriere, il est possible de mesurer a intervalles de temps quelconques les tensions et deplacements de la maconnerie de bâtiments et d'evaluer l'effet du sautage sur le bâtiment. A cote des vibrations du sautage, d'autres facteurs exercant une influence sur la formation de fissures dans les maconneries ont pu etre constates et evalues, facteurs qui n'etaient pas decelables avec les mesures de vibrations traditionnelles selon DIN 4150/3. Dans le cas expose, une influence dominante de la temperature exterieure sur l'evolution de la largeur de fissure a ete decelee. L'influence des vibrations de sautage a ete estimee insignifiante. D'une maniere generale, le procede permet de mesurer et d'analyser l'ensemble des dilatations dynamiques et mouvements de bâtiments et, le cas echeant, d'en evaluer la part due aux vibrations de sautage.
Antiradical Potential of Food Products as a Comprehensive Measure of Their Quality

Antiradical potential (ARP) is an important measure of food safety. In addition, it directly or indirectly affects the rate of occurrence of a number of human pathologies. Using a photocolorimetric analysis of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) solutions, we estimated the antiradical potential of food raw materials, food concentrates, biologically active substances, and wild plants. We conducted approximately 1500 analyses of almost 100 food products selected from 11 food groups: vegetables, milk, meat, fish, cereals and bread, drinks (including tea and coffee), etc. With a confidence interval (CI) of 95%, the average values for animal products range from 15.87 to 18.70 ascorbic acid equivalents per gram of dry matter. For plant materials, the range is 474.54–501.50 equivalents when wild herbs are included and 385.02–408.83 equivalents without taking herbs into account. The antiradical potential of the biologically active substances we studied ranged from 706.84 to 847.77 equivalents per gram of dry matter, which makes it possible to use some of the components to repair products with low ARP values, for example, bread and baked goods, confectionery, milk and dairy products, carbonated drinks, and juice. In this study, a low ARP value is associated with a reduction in the shelf life of products and a deterioration in their organoleptic properties; therefore, we propose using ARP as an important reference for describing the quality of food products and raw food materials.
Stromal FAP Expression is Associated with MRI Visibility and Patient Survival in Prostate Cancer

Some clinically significant prostate cancers are missed by MRI. We asked whether the tumor stroma in surgically treated localized prostate cancer lesions positive or negative with MRI are different in their cellular and molecular properties, and whether the differences are reflected to the clinical course of the disease. We profiled the stromal and immune cell composition of MRI-classified tumor lesions by applying multiplexed fluorescence IHC (mfIHC) and automated image analysis in a clinical cohort of 343 patients (cohort I). We compared stromal variables between MRI-visible lesions, invisible lesions, and benign tissue and assessed the predictive significance for biochemical recurrence (BCR) and disease-specific survival (DSS) using Cox regression and log-rank analysis. Subsequently, we carried out a prognostic validation of the identified biomarkers in a population-based cohort of 319 patients (cohort II). MRI true-positive lesions are different from benign tissue and MRI false-negative lesions in their stromal composition. CD163+ cells (macrophages) and fibroblast activation protein (FAP)+ cells were more abundant in MRI true-positive than in MRI false-negative lesions or benign areas. In MRI true-visible lesions, a high proportion of stromal FAP+ cells was associated with PTEN status and increased immune infiltration (CD8+, CD163+), and predicted elevated risk for BCR. High FAP phenotype was confirmed to be a strong indicator of poor prognosis in two independent patient cohorts using also conventional IHC. The molecular composition of the tumor stroma may determine whether early prostate lesions are detectable by MRI and associates with survival after surgical treatment. Significance: These findings may have a significant impact on clinical decision making as more radical treatments may be recommended for men with a combination of MRI-visible primary tumors and FAP+ tumor stroma.
The histological and immunohistochemical features of a metastatic mammary carcinosarcoma in a dog - a case report

A carcinosarcoma is a tumor composed of cells morphologically resembling both malignant epithelial and mesenchymal components. An 11-year-old, female, mixed-breed terrier was referred to the clinic with complaints of anorexia, vomiting and exercise intolerance. Clinically, tumoral masses were seen in the mammary glands. During necropsy, multilobulated calcified masses were observed in several visceral organs (the liver, kidneys, lungs, small intestines, lymph nodes and thyroid) and both right and left (3rd and 4th) mammary glands. Immunohistochemically, Thyroglobulin, SMA, TTF-1, S100, CD34, and p53 were negative in both epithelial and mesenchymal areas, however, Ki-67 showed high proliferation, especially in the mesenchymal areas. While the positivity of vimentin expression was high in the mesenchymal component of the tumor, the positivity of cytokeratin (CK7 and CK19) expressions was high in the epithelial component of the tumor. In the case of a carcinosarcoma, there is a probability that not only the carcinomatous part, but also the sarcomatous part will metastasize. Despite being uncommon, canine carcinosarcomas should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of mixed mammary tumors, if they include both components. There have not been many previous studies dealing with the metastasis of a mammary carcinosarcoma in dogs as an aggressive tumor. Therefore, we consider this report a worthy contribution and have defined the multiple organ metastasis of a mammary carcinosarcoma.
Greater sage‐grouse respond positively to intensive post‐fire restoration treatments

Abstract Habitat loss is the most prevalent threat to biodiversity in North America. One of the most threatened landscapes in the United States is the sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystem, much of which has been fragmented or converted to non‐native grasslands via the cheatgrass‐fire cycle. Like many sagebrush obligates, greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) depend upon sagebrush for food and cover and are affected by changes to this ecosystem. We investigated habitat selection by 28 male greater sage‐grouse during each of 3 years after a 113,000‐ha wildfire in a sagebrush steppe ecosystem in Idaho and Oregon. During the study period, seeding and herbicide treatments were applied for habitat restoration. We evaluated sage‐grouse responses to vegetation and post‐fire restoration treatments. Throughout the 3 years post‐fire, sage‐grouse avoided areas with high exotic annual grass cover but selected strongly for recovering sagebrush and moderately strongly for perennial grasses. By the third year post‐fire, they preferred high‐density sagebrush, especially in winter when sagebrush is the primary component of the sage‐grouse diet. Sage‐grouse preferred forb habitat immediately post‐fire, especially in summer, but this selection preference was less strong in later years. They also selected areas that were intensively treated with herbicide and seeded with sagebrush, grasses, and forbs, although these responses varied with time since treatment. Wildfire can have severe consequences for sagebrush‐obligate species due to loss of large sagebrush plants used for food and for protection from predators and thermal extremes. Our results show that management efforts, including herbicide application and seeding of plants, directed at controlling exotic annual grasses after a wildfire can positively affect habitat selection by sage‐grouse.
The influence of economic growth, energy consumption, poverty and population on Indonesia's environmental quality index

The quality of the environment is very important for the sustainability of a country’s economic development, and the environment is influenced by macroeconomic indicators. This study aimed to analyze the effect of economic growth, energy consumption, poverty and population on Indonesia’s quality of environment index. The data used in this research were secondary data and multiple linear regression was used to analyze the data. Based on the results, energy consumption and population have a significant effect on the index of the quality of the living environment in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the variables of economic growth and poverty have a partially insignificant effect on this index. So the results provide empirical evidence that environmentally friendly energy consumption actions have been well managed. The population was found to have a negative effect on environmental quality, perhaps partly due to irresponsible exploitation by residents where natural resources have became an easy choice for fulfilling needs. These actions must be recognized as damaging the environment and threatening the survival of life. Keywords: environmental quality index, economic growth, population, poverty, energy consumption
FLOWER: An Approach for Enhancing E-Learning Experience Amid COVID-19

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has forced higher institutions to shift towards electronic (e) learning. Despite a plethora of research on the responses of higher education institutions to COVID-19 and their shift towards e-learning, research often focuses on the opportunities and/or challenges of e-learning amid COVID-19. Notwithstanding this, limited research has addressed how e-learning experiences can be enhanced among medical students, who often need conventional leaning, especially for practical courses. This research addresses a gap in the knowledge and examined medical students’ perceptions of e-learning using the Blackboard platform, and the elements or predicators that affect their e-learning experience amid COVID-19 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. An online survey was transmitted to medical students in three main public universities. Based on the findings, a FLOWER model was proposed for improving e-learning experience using Blackboard among medical students. This model includes six dimensions: feedback, leverage to remain motivated, open resources and information, working together, evaluation, and reflection and knowledge. These dimensions are interrelated, and enable the creation of a positive e-learning experience. The results showed that four of the six dimensions have high positive and significant path coefficients: open sources and information; leverage to remain motivated; working together; and reflection and knowledge construction. Two of the six dimensions have low positive, but significant, path coefficients (feedback and evaluation), which require further consideration by policymakers and educators. The results have several theoretical and practical implications, which are elaborated upon.
Bayesian Inference for the Weights in Logarithmic Pooling

Combining distributions is an important issue in decision theory and Bayesian inference. Logarithmic pooling is a popular method to aggregate expert opinions by using a set of weights that reflect the reliability of each information source. However, the resulting pooled distribution depends heavily on set of weights given to each opinion/prior and thus careful consideration must be given to the choice of weights. In this paper we review and extend the statistical theory of logarithmic pooling, focusing on the assignment of the weights using a hierarchical prior distribution. We explore several statistical applications, such as the estimation of survival probabilities, meta-analysis and Bayesian melding of deterministic models of population growth and epidemics. We show that it is possible learn the weights from data, although identifiability issues may arise for some configurations of priors and data. Furthermore, we show how the hierarchical approach leads to posterior distributions that are able to accommodate prior-data conflict in complex models.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Study on Diabetic Foot Care among Diabetic Patients with Diabetic Foot Lesions in District Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic multifactorial metabolic illness that is characterized by numerous chronic complications. Diabetes affects almost every system of the body. Among these diabetic foot is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus. Its main objective was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and foot care practices in diabetic patients suffering from diabetic foot lesions. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was designed to be conducted at Civil Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Total 150 diabetic patients with diabetic foot lesions were selected by systematic random sampling method. An informed written consent was obtained from each of the study participant according to the declaration of Helsinki. Data was collected by a structured and pretested questionnaire via face-to-face interview and by direct observation of the patient. Ratio of Type II diabetes among study population was 91.3% whereas 23.3% patients were having family history of diabetes. Result of the study showed that 44.35% patients of study sample were having some knowledge about diabetes related complications whereas 45.44% patients were having a positive attitude towards control and prevention of diabetes related complications. Good foot care and footwear practices were being carried out by just 33.62% of patients included in the study. It was concluded from the present study that by providing education regarding control and management of diabetes and its complications, patients training about foot care practices, early detection and management of peripheral neuropathy and strict control of blood glucose could be very helpful in decreasing the diabetic complication including diabetic foot lesions.