Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social Health among German Nursing Home Residents with Dementia during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the Role of Technology to Promote Social Participation

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the social health of nursing home residents with dementia due to social isolation. Consequently, the frequency of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia (BPSD) might increase. Technological solutions might help safeguard the social health of nursing home residents with dementia. This study investigates the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical outcomes and the availability of social activities and technology to promote social participation in nursing home residents with dementia. The study analyzed cross-sectional data from a follow-up questionnaire nested in a larger national survey of care facilities in Germany. A mixed-methods approach integrated statistical analyses of closed-ended responses and thematic analysis of free-text responses. A total of 417 valid individual responses were received, showing an overall increase in observed BPSD—with anxiety and depression most frequently occurring. Many nursing homes canceled all social activities for residents with dementia, though a few had established procedures to facilitate social participation using technology. Requirements to promote social participation in this population using technology were identified at the micro-, meso-, and macro levels. Technology requirements permeated all three levels. During and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, technology-driven solutions to promote social health among nursing home residents with dementia should be integrated into caregiving procedures.
In Situ Growth of Silver Nanoparticles on Chitosan Matrix for the Synthesis of Hybrid Electrospun Fibers: Analysis of Microstructural and Mechanical Properties

A viable alternative for the next generation of wound dressings is the preparation of electrospun fibers from biodegradable polymers in combination with inorganic nanoparticles. A poly(vinyl alcohol)-chitosan-silver nanoparticles (PVA-CTS-Ag NPs) system has been developed for antimicrobial and wound healing applications. Here, the preparation of PVA-CTS-Ag electrospun fibers using a two-step process is reported in order to analyze changes in the microstructural, mechanical, and antibacterial properties and confirm their potential application in the biomedical field. The Ag nanoparticles were well-dispersed into the chitosan matrix and their cubic structure after the electrospinning process was also retained. The Ag NPs displayed an average diameter of ~33 nm into the CTS matrix, while the size increased up to 213 nm in the PVA-CTS-Ag(NPs) fibers. It was observed that strong chemical interactions exist between organic (CTS) and inorganic phases through nitrogenous groups and the oxygen of the glycosidic bonds. A defect-free morphology was obtained in the PVA-CTS-Ag NPs final fibers with an important enhancement of the mechanical properties as well as of the antibacterial activity compared with pure PVA-CTS electrospun fibers. The results of antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus confirmed that PVA-CTS-Ag(NPs) fibers can be potentially used as a material for biomedical applications.
Predicting Epitope Candidates for SARS-CoV-2

Epitopes are short amino acid sequences that define the antigen signature to which an antibody binds. In light of the current pandemic, epitope analysis and prediction is paramount to improving serological testing and developing vaccines. In this paper, we leverage known epitope sequences from SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 and other Coronaviridae and use those known epitopes to identify additional antigen regions in 62k SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Additionally, we present epitope distribution across SARS-CoV-2 genomes, locate the most commonly found epitopes, discuss where epitopes are located on proteins, and how epitopes can be grouped into classes. We also discuss the mutation density of different regions on proteins using a big data approach. We find that there are many conserved epitopes between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, with more diverse sequences found in Nucleoprotein and Spike Glycoprotein.
Structure Design and Power Flow Analysis of Bar-structure Linear Ultrasonic Motors

Since the transmission efficiency of vibration wave decreased in a bar with sudden variable cross-sections, a new design method based on continuous variable cross-section for Langevin vibrators was proposed. The relationship between the cross-section shape of the bar and transmission efficiency of longitudinal wave was discussed. The longitudinal vibration of bars with continuous variable cross-section was derived as well as its profile function. Meanwhile its acoustic characteristics were also discussed. An improved linear motor was designed by using the Langevin vibrators with continuous variable cross-section. Its maximum thrust increases to 21.4 N, the maximum speed is up to 235 mm/s, and thrust weight ratio is 25 when the peak-to-peak value of driving voltage is 300 V. The speed-frequency relation, the speed-phase difference relation, speed-voltage relation of the motor were obtained by testing. The experimental results indicate that the motor has better output performance.
Analyzing the Difficulties Hindering Successful Integration in the Primary Schools

The study aims to identify the difficulties, which impede the successful integration in the primary schools in Saudi Arabia. A close-ended questionnaire was distributed among 240 individuals constituting of special needs teachers, normal school teacher, and headmasters. The study found that there is no impact of occupation, experience or age on the integration. However, experience impacted the integration where head teachers’ group were likely to serve as a difficulty stimulator as compared to the classroom teachers’ group. No association was found among the age group and the inclusion difficulty of the participants. The study concluded that enriching the knowledge of the students can assist in the successful integration of the primary schools. It further helps in overcoming the remaining loopholes.
Prevalence and Profiles of Antibiotic Resistance Genes mph(A) and qnrB in Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Dairy Calf Feces

The use of antibiotics to treat dairy calves may result in multidrug-resistant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli. This study investigated fluoroquinolone and macrolide resistance genes among ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from dairy calves. Fresh fecal samples from 147 dairy calves across three age groups were enriched to select for ESBL-producing E. coli. Plasmid-mediated fluoroquinolone (qnrB), macrolide (mph(A)), and beta-lactam (blaCTX-M groups 1 and 9) resistance genes were identified by PCR and gel electrophoresis in ESBL-producing E. coli. Beta-lactamase variants and antibiotic resistance genes were characterized for eight isolates by whole-genome sequencing. Seventy-one (48.3%) samples were positive for ESBL-producing E. coli, with 159 (70.4%) isolates identified as blaCTX-M variant group 1 and 67 (29.6%) isolates as blaCTX-M variant group 9. Resistance gene mph(A) was more commonly associated with blaCTX-M variant group 1, while resistance gene qnrB was more commonly associated with variant group 9. E. coli growth was quantified on antibiotic media for 30 samples: 10 from each age group. Significantly higher quantities of ceftriaxone-resistant E. coli were present in the youngest calves. Results indicate the dominant blaCTX-M groups present in ESBL-producing E. coli may be associated with additional qnrB or mph(A) resistance genes and ESBL-producing E. coli is found in higher abundance in younger calves.
ESG disclosure, board diversity and ownership: Did the revolution make a difference in Egypt?

Egypt witnessed radical and unexpected changes in the political, social and cultural environment that came as a result of the Arab Spring. Since the revolution caused a paradigm shift in so many socio-economic aspects, it is plausible that it also caused dramatic changes in the relationships of board, ownership, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices in different ways. Accordingly, understanding the corporate governance of the largest Arab state in the MENA region following the Arab Spring is a huge benefit. Using the 2011 Egyptian revolution as the exogenous shock, this study empirically examines the effects of board diversity and ownership structure on the ESG disclosure index in the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) listed firms for the pre-revolution (2007–2011) and post-revolution (2012–2014) periods. Using 160 observations for the pre-revolution and 99 observations for the post-revolution periods, we document a significant positive effect of board national diversity on the ESG index in the pre-revolution period. This effect disappears in the post-revolution period. In contrast, we find that board gender diversity shows no significant effect in determining the ESG index in both pre- and post-revolution periods. We additionally find that ownership variables have a positive impact on ESG disclosure in the pre-revolution period. However, this impact is not carried forward to the post-revolution period. Further analysis on moderating effects suggests that the presence of female board members and state ownership can diminish the effective role of foreign board members towards ESG disclosure. These findings can provide policymakers, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders with a broader perspective of corporate board diversity and ownership when aiming to ensure an optimal level of ESG disclosure from listed companies in Egypt or other emerging markets.
Sequential multi‐headed attention for entity‐based relational neural networks

The capacity of relational interaction between high‐level information and reason is the defining characteristic of human intelligence. Regardless of the remarkable progress in artificial intelligence, recent machine reading comprehension models still heavily rely on high‐dimensional word‐based distributed representations. Since these models employ statistical means to answer questions of complex textual corpus and employ an accuracy‐based metric system, their learning capacity of the required skills is not guaranteed. To ensure the capacity of MRC models to learn the desired skills, explainability has become an emerging requirement. In this paper, we propose an end‐to‐end natural language reasoning model that is based on sets of high‐level aggregated representations which promote operational explainability. To this end, sequential multi‐head attention, and a loss regularization function is proposed. We show analysis of the proposed approach on two natural language reasoning oriented question and answering datasets (bAbI and NewsQA).
Multiteam Systems in Large-Scale Disaster Recovery

Abstract Purpose This chapter describes the complexity of large-scale disaster recovery programs in the United States, the challenges faced by these programs, and the importance of multiteam systems in overcoming these challenges. Design/methodology/approach This chapter is a case study based on the experience of the authors in hurricane recovery programs. Findings Multiteam systems provide the range of expertise and experience needed to implement complex large-scale disaster recovery programs. For such disasters, responsibility for recovery work needs to be divided among specialized teams with unique expertise, some of which act as checks and balances for others. Challenges facing these teams include ensuring compliance with multiple Federal and state requirements, providing sufficient training to program staff, modifying procedures in response to changing program policies, and communicating changes for all pressure to move quickly, while at the same time facing intense pressure to process applications for assistance as rapidly as possible. Originality/value This chapter provides organizations responsible for disaster recovery important information about the scope of work and challenges they are likely to face following a large-scale disaster.
Is a success story of an underdog more powerful than one of a similar other? examining effects of model similarity and success attribution on intention to exercise

ABSTRACT Success stories are often used to promote health behaviors. This study examined how different features of others’ success stories about achieving an exercise goal influence observers’ intentions to exercise. The specific factors examined were success stories’ model similarity (similar vs. underdog model) and success attribution type (internal vs. external attribution message) on individuals’ expectations of their success and intentions to exercise. The results of an online experiment (N = 282) showed that success stories of similar models led to greater success expectancy than those of underdog models through the increased perception of model similarity. Further, success stories focusing on external – as opposed to internal – attribution resulted in greater success expectancy through increased external attribution of models’ success. Success expectancy then increased intention to exercise. This study concludes by discussing the theoretical implications for social cognitive theory and attribution theory as well as practical implications for designing health promotion messages.
English communication skills for employability: the perspectives of employers in Bahrain

Whilst English remains the language of global commerce, the role and outcomes of English language provision in English-medium higher education institutions in the Arab Gulf countries remains central to any discussion on graduate profile and the employability of graduates in the global marketplace. This paper describes the findings of research into English workplace communication skills amongst a sample of Bahrain employers and students at Bahrain Polytechnic. Using a mixed methods approach, data was gathered through telephone interviews, student workplace simulations and employer focus groups. Findings show that generic employability skills, channelled through English as a second or additional language, are highly valued by Bahrain’s employers. In particular, students need to market themselves as confident, knowledgeable individuals during the recruitment process and after recruitment, continuing to operate successfully in the sociolinguistic culture of their company. Consequently, it is concluded that English language training in higher education programmes needs to move from purely linguistic and degree-related content areas to a broader remit of English for communication purposes that covers both specialised discourse fields and broader generic employability skills and competencies.
Comportamiento del chile Huacle (Capsicum annuum L.) con aplicación de compost y Azospirillum sp. en invernadero

México es considerado centro de origen del chile (Capsicum annuum L.) y tiene dos grupos de chiles: los comunes (disponibles en todo el país) y los locales. La presente investigación se realizó con el propósito de conocer el comportamiento de los genotipos de chile Huacle negro, rojo y amarillo (chiles locales de Cuicatlán, Oaxaca, utiliza dos para elaborar el mole negro), así como evaluar su rendimiento y calidad bajo condiciones de invernadero con dos sistemas de producción: orgánico e inorgánico, con aplicación y no aplicación de rizo-bacterias Azospirillum sp. La siembra se realizó en charolas de 200 cavidades, utilizando peat moss como sustrato. Los sustratos utilizados fueron: arena + compost con la dosis de a) 20% y b) 35% y para el testigo c) arena al 100%. Las macetas se colocaron a doble hilera en tresbolillo espaciadas a 30 cm entre planta y planta y 80 cm entre pasillos. El diseño experimental utilizado fue en bloques completamente al azar con dos repeticiones y una unidad experimental de 8 macetas por genotipo. Las siguientes variables: altura de planta, número de hojas por planta, peso verde y seco de la parte aérea de la planta, peso verde y seco de la raíz, y número de frutos por planta mostraron valores más altos en el sistema de producción convencional a base de sustrato con arena al 100% y solución nutritiva inorgánica. El rendimiento en seco y la calidad del fruto (diámetro polar, ancho de la cavidad y grosor de pulpa) fueron mayores en el sistema de producción orgánico a base de compost y aplicaciones de Azospirillum. Se puede concluir que los genotipos de chile Huacle, el genotipo negro, se adaptaron de manera favorable al sistema de producción orgánico con dosis de 20% de compost y aplicaciones de Azospirillum.
Determinants of customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions in fast-food restaurants among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of a new construct, namely COVID-19 safety, on customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions in the context of fast-food restaurants (FFRs), while accounting for the effect of service quality, perceived value, and food quality. Using an online questionnaire, data was collected from 219 FFR customers. A series of confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to demonstrate the construct validity of this study variables. This study proposed and examined three conceptual models. To test the hypotheses of the three models, structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was employed using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software. This study shows that compliance with COVID-19 safety measures is a key determinant of customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions in the fast-food industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. More importantly, the results reveal that when simultaneously including service quality, perceived value, COVID-19 safety, and food quality as predictors of customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions, only COVID-19 safety and food quality are significant predictors. Managers, owners, and employees of FFRs need to comply with COVID-19 safety measures and improve food quality in order to enhance customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions toward their restaurants. This seminal study examines the determinants of fast-food customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study proposes and validates a new construct for COVID-19 safety in the FFRs.
Knowledge, Practice and Barrier Towards Emergence Contraceptive Usage Among Female University Students at Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania.

Background: Unplanned pregnancy is major public health concern. Globally unintended pregnancies account for about 40% of all pregnancies annually. The problem is more in developed countries in which nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended. In Tanzania over 20 women die each day due to the complication of unplanned pregnancy and childbirth which contribute to high maternal mortality rate. Though EC can prevent unplanned pregnancies by nearly 95% to 99% but the practice is still very low in Africa as well as in Tanzania despite some of the study shown that there is moderate knowledge. Therefore, the current study aiming of assessing knowledge, practice and barrier or challenges which face female university students in using EC. Method: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 365 female students at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCO), Mwenge Catholic University (MWECAU) and Moshi cooperative University (MOCU) in Kilimanjaro region. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Self-administered questionnaires were used during data collection. Results: About (65.7%) of the female university students had ever heard of EC and more than half of them had knowledge on when to use EC (54.4%), where to obtain (58.7%) and time for EC to be taken (41.5%). Moreover about 75.6% of female university students in this study reported never use emergency contraceptives (EC) while 24.4% reported having ever used emergency contraceptive and among 24.4% EC users reported that 90.2% use EC pills method. On the other hand, common barriers toward EC use reported by female university students were fear of side effects, personal barrier, and religion opposition 39.4%, 31.9% and 12.8% respectively.Conclusions: This study found that majority 65.7% of female university students had ever heard of emergence contraceptive (EC) in their lives. Practice of EC is still very low among female students where by only 24.4% reported having ever used emergency contraceptive. Fear of side effect and personal barrier were mostly reported as the common barrier by the female student towards EC usage 39.4%, 31.9% respectively. Thus, there is an urgent need to educate the female university students about EC.
Advancing Chinese Event Detection via Revisiting Character Information

Recently, character information has been successfully introduced into the encoder-decoder event detection model to relieve the trigger-word mismatch problem, thus achieving impressive results in the languages without natural delimiters (i.e., Chinese). However, it is introduced into the encoder or the decoder separately, which makes the advantage of character information not be captured and represented adequately for event detection. In this article, we proposed a novel method to model character information in both the encoding and decoding stages to advance the neural event detection model. In particular, the proposed method can encode both words and characters and predict their event types jointly and further leverage interactions between word and its characters to optimize the inference. Experimental results show that the proposed model outperforms previous event detection methods on the ACE2005 Chinese benchmark. We release our code at Github.1
Wireless Drone Charging Station Using Class-E Power Amplifier in Vertical Alignment and Lateral Misalignment Conditions

Recent major advancements in drone charging station design are related to the differences in coil design between the material (copper or aluminum) and inner thickness (diameter design) to address power transfer optimization and increased efficiency. The designs are normally challenged with reduced weight on the drone’s side, which can lead to reduced payload or misalignment position issues between receiver and transmitter, limiting the performance of wireless charging. In this work, the coil combination was tested in vertical alignment from 2 cm to 50 cm, and in lateral misalignment positions that were stretched across 2, 5, 8, 10, and 15 cm ranges. Simulated and experimental results demonstrated improved transfer distances when the drone battery load was 100 Ω. With the proposed design, the vertical transfer power that was achieved was 21.12 W, 0.460 A, with 81.5% transfer efficiency, while the maximum lateral misalignment air gap that was achieved was 2 cm with 19.22 W and 74.15% efficiency. This study provides evidence that the developed circuit that is based on magnetic resonant coupling (MRC) is an effective technique towards improving power transfer efficiency across different remote and unmanned Internet of Things (IoT) applications, including drones for radiation monitoring and smart agriculture.