Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smart materials and structures for energy harvesters

Vibrational energy harvesters capture mechanical energy from ambient vibrations and convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy to power wireless electronic systems. Challenges exist in the process of capturing mechanical energy from ambient vibrations. For example, resonant harvesters may be used to improve power output near their resonance, but their narrow bandwidth makes them less suitable for applications with varying vibrational frequencies. Higher operating frequencies can increase harvesters power output, but many vibrational sources are characterized by lower frequencies, such as human motions. This paper provides a thorough review of state of the art energy harvesters based on various energy sources such as solar, thermal, electromagnetic and mechanical energy, as well as smart materials including piezoelectric materials and carbon nanotubes. The paper will then focus on vibrational energy harvesters to review harvesters using typical transduction mechanisms and various techniques to address the challenges in capturing mechanical energy and delivering it to the transducers.
MCP-1-2518 A>G and CCR2-V64I Polymorphism in Pediatric Asthma: A Single Egyptian Center Study

: Background: CCL2 is a chemokine; also known as monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) influences inflammation severity and reactive airway response through its interaction with its receptor CCR2-V64I. Single nucleotide polymorphism of MCP-1-2518 A/G gene increases the level of MCP-1 expression in response to inflammatory stimuli, in addition its receptor CCR2-V64I polymorphism is more common among subjects with asthma. Aim of the Work: To study genetic polymorphisms (MCP-1-2518) and (CCR2-V64I) in pediatric asthma and their effect on susceptibility and severity. Methods: We conducted a prospective hospital-based case-control study that included 48 children with asthma and 23 healthy control children recruited from outpatient clinics of New Children Hospital, Cairo University Hospitals, Cairo University, Egypt. MCP- 1 and CCR2-V64I gene mutation were detected by polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR- RFLP). Results: A/G MCP-1-2518 polymorphism was significantly higher among asthma patients 23 (47.9% ) versus 4 (17.4%) in controls (p = 0.01), Among patients A/G MCP-1-2518 polymorphism was present in 7 (30.4%), 10 (43.5%), 6 (26.1%) of cases of mild, moderate and severe asthma respectively with no significant difference (p = 0.46). G/A CCR2-V64I polymorphism was found in 18 (18.8%) of asthma patients versus 7 (30.4%) in controls with no significant difference (p = 0.27), among patients polymorphism was found in 3 (33.3%), 4 (44.4%), 2 (22.2%) of cases of mild, moderate and severe asthma respectively (p = 0.71). Conclusion: In pediatric asthma MCP-1 (A/G -2518) polymorphism was significantly higher among asthma patients and might prove to increase asthma susceptibility, but its relation to asthma severity could not be confirmed. CCR2-V64I polymorphism had no relation to asthma susceptibility nor severity in our studied group of patients. Further analyses should be carried out on larger population-based studies.
The Assembly-Line Balancing Problem

An increasing number of industrial problems in programming and scheduling now are being solved by analytic procedures. Yet, the almost universal problem of balancing an assembly line does not appear heretofore to have been so treated, even though the first known assembly line was established as early as the War of the Revolution by Eli Whitney for the manufacture of muskets. Efficient procedures for handling this problem are highly desirable. A very large percentage of all commodities, both civilian and military, are manufactured by assembly-line methods, so that any improvement in these procedures would have a very broad area of impact, in both peacetime and wartime production. This paper reports initial results in attempting to develop such a procedure. While refinements are expected with increasing experience and further research, it is believed the practical usefulness of the analytical, engineering approach to this manufacturing problem is demonstrated by present results. Indeed, substantial improvements in productivity have been achieved in each of several cases in which it was used. In addition, the present procedure lends itself to machine computation, such that it likely will be possible to compute optimum balances for assembly lines for many different levels of output in advance and thereby permit reduction by two to three weeks the lead time required to change the rate of production when required by changes in sales.
Insights from the Balanced Scorecard Performance measurement systems: successes, failures and future - a review

Summary Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate Balanced Scorecard by listing claims made by its authors and counterclaims made by other scholars/authors; to justify further research for answering the question ‘‘how to measure’’ in a broad manner; and to justify further research in ‘‘dynamic performance measurement systems for global organisations’’. Design/methodology/approach – By referencing relevant literature, this paper first evaluates Balanced Scorecard. In its second part, the problems associated with designing and implementing performance measures are listed and lack of research in dynamic performance measurement systems for global organisations is brought to attention. The third part emphasises the need for further research to address the issues mentioned in part two. Findings – The literature reveals that Balanced Scorecard still prevails as the dominant performance measurement system. Successful implementations, however, are much less prevalent and translating Balanced Scorecard to concrete action is still a problematic area. Research limitations/implications – A vast, multidisciplinary volume of literature is available on performance measurement. This review has referenced mostly recent (2000-2005) literature. Practical implications – This review provides a reference for academics/practitioners by listing and organising major claims made by authors of Balanced Scorecard and counterclaims made by other authors/scholars. This review also brings to notice the difficulties associated with designing and implementing measures, identifying opportunities for ongoing research. Originality/value – This paper forms the basis for a new research direction that considers global organisations and explores the design of a dynamic performance measurement system that operates within an integrated framework of business processes.
Growth and Welfare of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Response to Graded Levels of Insect and Poultry By-Product Meals in Fishmeal-Free Diets

Simple Summary Processed animal proteins, such as poultry by-product meal (PBM) and insect meal from black soldier fly (BSFM), are receiving growing interest as alternative or complementary protein sources for carnivorous farmed fish diets, due to their high nutritional value and low environmental footprint. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of PBM and BSFM as partial substitutes for vegetable protein in fishmeal-free diets on growth, whole-body composition, nutrient-energy mass balance and retention, digestive functions, stress, metabolic status, innate immunity, and liver health in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The overall results showed that fishmeal-free diets, including high levels of both PBM and BSFM, either singly or in combination, improved growth, dietary nutrient and energy utilization, and gut function relative to a plant-protein control diet or a fishmeal-based one, with no detrimental effects on fish welfare. Abstract This study compared the nutrient-energy retention, digestive function, growth performance, and welfare of rainbow trout (ibw 54 g) fed isoproteic (42%), isolipidic (24%), fishmeal-free diets (CV) over 13 weeks. The diets consisted of plant-protein replacement with graded levels (10, 30, 60%) of protein from poultry by-product (PBM) and black soldier fly H. illucens pupae (BSFM) meals, either singly or in combination. A fishmeal-based diet was also tested (CF). Nitrogen retention improved with moderate or high levels of dietary PBM and BSFM relative to CV (p < 0.05). Gut brush border enzyme activity was poorly affected by the diets. Gastric chitinase was up-regulated after high BSFM feeding (p < 0.05). The gut peptide and amino acid transport genes were differently regulated by protein source and level. Serum cortisol was unaffected, and the changes in metabolites stayed within the physiological range. High PBM and high BSFM lowered the leukocyte respiratory burst activity and increased the lysozyme activity compared to CV (p < 0.05). The BSFM and PBM both significantly changed the relative percentage of lymphocytes and monocytes (p < 0.05). In conclusion, moderate to high PBM and BSFM inclusions in fishmeal-free diets, either singly or in combination, improved gut function and nutrient retention, resulting in better growth performance and the good welfare of the rainbow trout.
Optimizing Pedestrian-Friendly Walking Path for the First and Last Mile Transit Journey by Using the Analytical Network Process (anp) Decision Model and GIS Network Analysis

Abstract. Every transit trip begins and ends with pedestrian travel. People need to walk to access the transit services. However, their choice to walk depends on many factors including the connectivity, level of comfort and safety. These factors can influence the pleasantness of riding the transit itself, especially during the first/last mile (FLM) journey. This had triggered few studies attempting to measure the pedestrian-friendliness a walking environment can offer. There were studies that implement the pedestrian experience on walking to assess the pedestrian-friendliness of a walking environment. There were also studies that use spatial analysis to measure it based on the path connectivity and accessibility to public facilities and amenities. Though both are good, but the perception-based studies and spatial analysis can be combined to derive more holistic results. This paper proposes a framework for selecting a pedestrian-friendly path for the FLM transit journey by using the two techniques (perception-based and spatial analysis). First, the degree of importance for the factors influencing a good walking environment will be aggregated by using Analytical Network Process (ANP) decision rules based on people’s preferences on those factors. The weight will then be used as attributes in the GIS network analysis. Next, the network analysis will be performed to find a pedestrian-friendly walking route based on the priorities aggregated by ANP. It will choose routes passing through the preferred attributes accordingly. The final output is a map showing pedestrian-friendly walking path for the FLM transit journey.
Integrin β3 Promotes Resistance to EGFR-TKI in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer by Upregulating AXL through the YAP Pathway

Integrin β3 plays a key role in the resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI), but the development of integrin β3 inhibitors has been stalled due to the failure of phase III clinical trials for cancer treatment. Therefore, it is imperative to find a potentially effective solution to the problem of acquired resistance to EGFR-TKI for patients with integrin-β3 positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by exploring novel downstream targets and action mechanisms of integrin β3. In the present study, we observed that the expression of integrin β3 and AXL was significantly upregulated in erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cell lines, which was further confirmed clinically in tumor specimens from patients with NSCLC who developed acquired resistance to erlotinib. Through ectopic expression or knockdown, we found that AXL expression was positively regulated by integrin β3. In addition, integrin β3 promoted erlotinib resistance in NSCLC cells by upregulating AXL expression. Furthermore, the YAP pathway, rather than pathways associated with ERK or AKT, was involved in the regulation of AXL by integrin β3. To investigate the clinical significance of this finding, the current well-known AXL inhibitor R428 was tested, demonstrating that R428 significantly inhibited resistance to erlotinib, colony formation, epithelial–mesenchymal transformation and cell migration induced by integrin β3. In conclusion, integrin β3 could promote resistance to EGFR-TKI in NSCLC by upregulating the expression of AXL through the YAP pathway. Patients with advanced NSCLC, who are positive for integrin β3, might benefit from a combination of AXL inhibitors and EGFR-TKI therapy.
A Narrative Review of Peer-Led Positive Psychology Interventions: Current Evidence, Potential, and Future Directions

Positive psychology interventions are an effective means for cultivating flourishing, addressing low levels of wellbeing, and preventing languishing. Peer-led interventions can be a particularly advantageous delivery method of positive psychology interventions, as participants tend to respond more favourably to people that they can identify with personally. Such interventions have been applied in a variety of settings and populations, but the literature on peer-led positive psychology interventions has not yet been summarised. This paper provides a narrative overview of peer-led positive psychology interventions. We reviewed relevant peer-led interventions, assessed the available evidence on their effectiveness, and highlighted promising opportunities for peer-led positive psychology interventions. We found that the majority of the studies were observational in design but showed a high level of acceptability for participants across the reviewed domains. In particular, schools, workplaces, the aged care sector, and community settings are noted as promising target domains for these interventions. However, more studies—particularly high-quality research—will be needed to comprehensively test the effectiveness of peer-led positive psychology interventions. We discuss opportunities for future research in this field.
Effectiveness of Sliding Disc Drills on Some Physical Variables and the Level of Technical Performance of Tkatchev Skill on Horizontal Bar

This research aims to identify the effectiveness of using sliding disc drills on some physical variables and the level of technical performance of Tkachev's skill on horizontal bar apparatus in gymnastics. The experimental approach was used using the experimental design for pre-post measurement of one group to suit the nature of the research. The research sample was chosen Intentionally from the gymnastics team players at Qassim University, and the basic research sample included (10) players, while the exploratory study was conducted on a sample of players representing the original community. From outside the main research sample, their number was (10) players who were chosen randomly with the aim of selecting the appropriate sliding disc drills and codifying their training loads. The percentage of improvement in grip strength was (16,50%), The percentage of improvement of legs muscular strength was (16.20%), the percentage of improvement of the back muscular strength was (30.80%), the percentage of improvement of the abdominal muscular endurance was (24.20%), and the percentage of the improvement of the flexibility of the hip joint was (44.20%). The percentage of improvement in the dynamic balance was (32.40%), while the percentage of improvement in the skill (TKATSHEV Piked) was (52.1%), and the percentage of improvement in the skill (TKATSHEV Stretched) was (29.7%), and the percentage of improvement in the skill (TKATSHEV Tucked) was (49.9%). The researcher recommends the use of sliding disc drills to develop physical fitness and the level of technical performance of Tkachev's skill on Horizontal Bar.
How Different Categories of Gamified Stimuli Affect Massive Open Online Courses Continuance Intention and Learning Performance? Mediating Roles of Internal Experiences

Drawing on gamification literature, this study develops a research model to examine whether gamification features as environmental stimulus antecedents to learners’ organismic experiences in using massive open online courses (MOOCs) can affect their response on MOOCs and learning outcomes. The proposed research framework, rooted in the stimulus-organism-response model, provides a strong foundation for understanding these hypothesized relationships. Sample data for this study were collected from learners who had experience in taking the gamified MOOCs provided by the MOOC platform launched by a well-known university in Taiwan, and 307 usable questionnaires were analyzed using structural equation modeling. This study verified that three types of gamification features including achievement-related gamification features, immersion-related gamification features, and social interaction-related gamification features positively influenced learners’ internal experiences in using MOOCs (i.e., cognitive involvement, flow experience, and social presence), which jointly expounded their continuance intention of MOOCs, and this in turn enhanced their perceived impact on learning. Overall, this study’s results offered enough evidence to strongly support all of the hypothesized links and the research model. Besides, the results of the mediation analysis confirmed that learners’ internal experiences and continuance intention of MOOCs fully mediated the effects of their perceived gamification features on perceived impact on learning.
Potential use of random and linked SSR markers in establishing the true heterotic pattern in maize (Zea mays)

ABSTRACT Context. Establishment of true heterotic pattern in maize germplasm can increase the efficiency of hybrid breeding. Heterosis is dependent on the genetic diversity of parents and the extent of dominance at different loci. Estimation of genetic diversity through use of molecular markers is routine practice in maize breeding. Aims. The present study was designed to test whether simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to yield-contributing traits are more reliable for heterotic grouping than random SSRs. Methods. Diallel crosses developed among 19 inbred lines were evaluated at multi-locations. The genotypes were also grouped using polymorphic random (50) and linked (47) SSRs. Key results. The crosses generated with lines belonging to different heterotic groups of linked SSR markers did not reveal any superiority over the crosses of the diallel set. By contrast, mean performance of inter-heterotic group crosses generated on the basis of random markers was superior to that of intra-heterotic crosses. Specific combining ability effects did not reveal any significant association with genetic distance of random or linked markers. Conclusions. The lack of improved efficiency of linked markers over random markers can be attributed to factors including the quantitative nature of the trait, genotype × environment interactions, genetic background of germplasm in which the markers are expressed, and multiple alleles. Implications. Markers linked to yield-contributing traits are no more reliable for heterotic grouping than random markers.
Investigating the Relationship between Perceptions of a “Good Reader” and Reading Performance among Elementary and Middle School Students: An Exploratory Study

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between student perceptions of a “good reader” and their reading performance. A total of 100 students (grades 1–8) who attended an after-school program for low-income youth completed the Student Perceptions of a Good Reader Scale (SPGRS) that includes two subscales: Perceptions-Decoding Efficiency (PerDecoding) and Perceptions-Comprehension (PerComp). Additionally, a measure of reading comprehension (Measures of Academic Progress Growth Reading [MAP]) and a curriculum-based measure of oral reading fluency (ORF) were administered. Participants’ scores on the PerComp subscale were significantly higher than on the PerDecoding subscale for both skilled and unskilled readers, indicating that, regardless of level of reading performance, these young readers perceive that behaviors related to reading comprehension are more important than behaviors related to efficiently decoding words in defining a good reader. Regression analyses reveal that both types of perceptions (decoding efficiency and comprehension) are significantly related to reading comprehension for upper elementary and middle school students. However, participants’ ORF and reading comprehension did not significantly predict their perceptions of a good reader. Despite some reading experts’ concerns that the current emphasis on reading fluency as an indicator of student reading proficiency may negatively impact children’s views of reading, these findings reveal that children associated behaviors with reading comprehension as more highly indicative of a good reader.
Molecular investigation of feline calicivirus in cats in Mosul city, Iraq

The study included 200 cats of different ages, genders, types of breeding, source, vaccination programs, and health status. They were examined clinically and traditionally and recorded clinical signs appearing on them, and swabs were collected from the eye's conjunctiva and the pharyngeal area. RNA was extracted from the swabs and then converted into a cDNA molecule to investigate viral nucleic acid from collected swabs. Then, the open reading template gene two was detected using the primer for this within the applied polymerase chain reaction technique. The Molecular method found the highest infection rate in the oropharyngeal compared with conjunctival swabs. It was found in the highest percentage of infection in the age group more than six months, and the rate of infection decreased with age and in cats outdoors management and imported ones. While nonvaccinated cats recorded the highest rate of infection with the feline calicivirus. In conclusion, feline calicivirus affected the cats in Mosul, Iraq.
mRNA Booster Vaccination Enhances Antibody Responses against SARS-CoV2 Omicron Variant in Individuals Primed with mRNA or Inactivated Virus Vaccines

The advent of the Omicron variant globally has hastened the requirement for a booster vaccination dose to confer continuous protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV2 infection. However, different vaccines are available in different countries, and individuals who had adverse reactions to certain vaccine types require heterologous vaccine boosters. To understand the efficacy of different vaccination regimens in inducing humoral responses to SARS-CoV2, we examined plasma antibodies and frequencies of Omicron RBD-specific B cells in individuals who had different priming-booster vaccination regimens. We found that individuals with three homologous doses of mRNA vaccines had higher levels of IgG of all subclasses against RBD of Omicron than individuals with three homologous doses of inactivated virus vaccine. A booster with mRNA vaccine resulted in significant increases in median levels of RBD-reactive IgG1 (17–19 fold) and IgG3 (2.3–3.3 fold) as compared to individuals receiving inactivated virus booster shots regardless of priming vaccine types. More importantly, individuals who received a booster dose of mRNA vaccine, irrespective of the priming vaccine, had antibodies with higher neutralizing capability against the Omicron variant than those who received a booster dose of inactivated virus vaccine. Corroborating the antibody results, boosting with the mRNA vaccine increased the frequencies of Omicron RBD-binding B cells by (1.5–3.3 fold) regardless of priming vaccine types. Together, our data demonstrate that an mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273) booster enhances humoral responses against the Omicron variant in individuals vaccinated with either two prior doses of mRNA or inactivated virus vaccine (CoronaVac or BBIBP-CorV), potentially providing more effective protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly by the Omicron variant.