Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-of-Information Oriented Scheduling for Multi-Channel IoT Systems with Correlated Sources

Age-of-information (AoI) based minimization problems have been widely considered in Internet-of-Things (IoT) networks with the settings of multi-source single-channel systems and multi-source multi-channel systems. Most existing works are limited to either the case of identical multi-channel or independent sources. In this paper, we study this problem under the identical and non-identical multi-channel, as well as the correlated sources setting. This correlation defines the case when updating a source’s AoI; others correlated to this one will also reveal partial information. To tackle this AoI-based minimization problem, we formulate it as a correlated restless multi-armed bandit (CRMAB) problem. By decoupling the CRMAB problem into N independent single-armed bandit problems, we derive the closed-form expressions of the generalized Whittle index (GWI) and the generalized partial Whittle index (GPWI) under the identical channel and the non-identical channel settings, respectively. Then, we put forth the GWI-based and GPWI-based scheduling policies to solve this AoI-based minimization problem. In addition, we provide two lower numerical performance bounds for the proposed policies by solving the relaxed Lagrange problem of the decoupled CRMAB. Numerical results show that the proposed policies can achieve these lower bounds and outperform the state-of-the-art scheduling policies. Compared with the case of independent sources, the performance of the proposed policies in the case of correlated sources improves significantly, especially in high-density networks.
Performance of three Trichogramma species as biocontrol agents on Spodoptera frugiperda eggs

Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the most polyphagous and migratory pests posing a great threat to crops. The Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) play an important role in dampening pest oscillations. In this study, we examined the performance of three egg parasitoids, T. chilonis, T. dendrolimi and T. pretiosum, to control S. frugiperda. Indoor experiments indicated significant differences in fecundity and female proportion between T. chilonis, T. dendrolimi and T. pretiosum. However, no significant differences were observed in developmental duration and female parasitic capacity. Field trials were carried out to clarify their control efficiency. Results showed that the parasitism rates of three parasitoids ranged from 10.7% to 31.4%, without significant differences. Moreover, field release of parasitoids resulted in significant decreases in damage rate (the ratio of infested plants) and damage index. A positive correlation was revealed between temperature (14.5–24.5 °C) and parasitism rate of T. chilonis. In contrast, the relative humidity (66% ~ 77%) did not affect their performance. Taken together, all three Trichogramma species can be used as potential agents to control S. frugiperda, which undoubtedly lays a solid foundation for their application.
Generalized Forecast Error Variance Decomposition for Linear and Nonlinear Multivariate Models

We propose a new generalized forecast error variance decomposition with the property that the proportions of the impact accounted for by innovations in each variable sum to unity. Our decomposition is based on the well-established concept of the generalized impulse response function. The use of the new decomposition is illustrated with an empirical application to U.S. output growth and interest rate spread data.
An Extended UTAUT Model to Explore the Influential Factors towards M-Banking Apps’ Use

Mobile banking apps (mBA) are considered vital tools for banks’ digital transformation as they offer self-service options for most of their provided services to their customers via mobile devices. However, only a small proportion of retail customers utilize them. The limited relevant literature focuses only on individuals’ behavioral intention to adopt or use mBA. The scope of this paper is to help in the examination of such a contemporary and vital topic through the investigation of the key factors that influence individuals towards mBA utilization via their smartphones. The study suggests and tests a conceptual framework that extends the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) with trust, innovativeness, compatibility, and convenience determinants. A sample of 411 adopters and non-adopters of mBA was analyzed through factor analysis and discriminant analysis. Findings reveal that almost all examined determinants do impact individuals’ m-banking app use.
Three-Dimensional Cavity Flow Fields at Subsonic and Transonic Speeds

An experimental investigation was conducted to expand the data base and knowledge of flow fields in cavities over the subsonic and transonic speed regimes. A rectangular, 3-D cavity was tested over a Mach number range from 0.30 to 0.95 and at Reynolds numbers per foot from 1 x 10 to the 6th power to 4.2 x 10 to the 6th power. Two sizes of cavities were tested with length-to-height ratios (l/h) of 4.4 and 11.7 and with rectangular and nonrectangular cross-sections. Extensive static pressure data on the model walls were obtained and a complete tabulation of the data are presented. The boundary layer approaching the cavity was turbulent and the thickness was measured with a total pressure rake. The static pressure measurements obtained with the deep cavity configuration (l/h = 4.4) at Reynolds numbers greater than 3.0 x 10 to the 6th power per foot showed large fluctuations during the data sampling time. For the deep cavity, at lower Reynolds numbers, and for all conditions tested with the shallow cavity, the data showed much less unsteadiness. Though mean static pressure distributions have been used in past cavity analysis at transonic free stream conditions, the data presented here indicates that it is necessary to consider the instantaneous pressure distributions. The data also indicated that the shallow cavity static pressure measurements were sensitive to the thickness of the boundary layer entering the cavity.
Differences in the Force-Velocity profile between Judoist and freestyle wrestlers

Background: The aim of this study was to gain new knowledge about the force-velocity (F-V) profile in Judoist and freestyle wrestlers, investigating if there were any differences between sports and which physical demands have which fighting modalities. Participants: 24 athletes (male) took part in this study. Twelve Judoist (age: 20.3 ± 3.9 years, weight: 76.4 ± 10.4 kg; height: 179.4 ± 5.3 cm; BMI: 32.2 ±1.9 kg/m2) and twelve freestyle wrestlers (age: 19.6 ± 4.5 years, weight: 65.3 ± 13.6 kg; height: 177.5 ±5.7 cm; BMI: 23.8 ± 1.8 kg/m2) participated. Methods: To evaluate the F-V profile, the participants performed a squat jump (SJ) without load, as well as with different load conditions (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of athlete’s body mass). To assess the height of the jump, the OptoGait system was used. Consequently, the theoretical maximal force (F 0); the theoretical maximal velocity (V 0); maximal mechanical power output (Pmax); slope of the linear F-V relationship (Sfv); optimal F-V profile (Sfvopt ); and the differences between Sfv and Sfvopt (FV imb% ) were obtained. Results: A higher F 0 and lower V 0 were found in Judo athletes compared to wrestlers. Significant differences were found in Sfv and FV imb (p<0.001). Conclusion: The F-V profile is an accurate, reliable, and economical method that facilitates the evaluation of the current state of the athlete individually. Practical applications: The F-V profile method allows coaches and athletes to adjust their training objectives to achieve a higher level in their sport.
An Insight into Green HRM Practices for Sustainable Workplace in the Banking Sector of Bangladesh: The Role of Electronic HRM

This study aims to get insight into Green HRM practices in Bangladesh's banking sector using electronic HRM to contribute to workplace sustainability. The study also looks at the challenges in such practices and proposes some suggestions for successful adoption of GHRM through E-HRM in the banking industry. The study employed the inclusive one-to-one interview approach for collecting data from the banking professionals. A semi-structured in-depth interview with fifteen banking professionals was done by the researchers. The study was thematic with the goal of making meaning of the participants' reactions. The study relied on the manual analysis to draw its conclusions due to the small sample size. The results indicate that most banks have already embraced the Green HRM functions with the help of E-HRM. However, the significant barriers in adopting GHRM using E-HRM in the banking sector are lack of knowledge, cost factor, technical issues, poor organizational support, etc. The study recommended some solutions as creating awareness, ensuring organizational support, developing technical skills, effective monitoring, rewarding etc. for effectively adopting GHRM practices through E-HRM. The study will surely be beneficial for the policymakers to understand the current scenario of GHRM and E-HRM practices in the banking sector of Bangladesh and therefore take appropriate measures to ensure workplace sustainability.
Cognitive features of indirect speech acts

ABSTRACT The offer of some cake can be declined by saying “I am on a diet” – an indirect reply. Here, we asked whether certain well-established psychological and conceptual features are linked to the (in)directness of speech acts – an issue unexplored so far. Subjects rated direct and indirect speech acts performed by the same critical linguistic forms in different dialogic contexts. We find that indirect replies were understood with less certainty, were less predictable by, less coherent with and less semantically similar to their context question. These effects were smaller when direct and indirect replies were matched for the type of speech acts for which they were used, compared to when they were not speech act matched. Crucially, all measured cognitive dimensions were strongly associated with each other. These findings suggest that indirectness goes hand-in-hand with a set of cognitive features, which should be taken into account when interpreting experimental findings, including neuroimaging studies of indirectness.
Performance Comparison of Wireless Aerial 3D Cellular Network Models

In this letter, stochastic geometry tools are utilized to compare the downlink performance of two wireless cellular network models with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), in terms of coverage probability and average achievable rate. The considered models are: i) a truncated octahedron-based cellular network, referred to as regular in the following, and ii) a binomial-Voronoi cellular network. The locations of all UAV-user equipments (UAV-UEs) are modeled as a three-dimensional (3D) Poisson Point Process (PPP) in both cellular models. Analytical expressions on coverage probability and achievable average rate are derived, and numerical results are presented. The binomial-Voronoi network is also compared via Monte-Carlo simulations to a regular network with uniformly random UAV-UE receiver selection policy.
Attachment behaviors toward teachers and social preference in preschool children

ABSTRACT According to the perspective of multiple attachments, children establish significant relationships with individuals outside their family, such as teachers and peers. The aim of this research was to observe which dimensions of attachment behaviors that preschoolers show toward their teachers are associated with greater social preference and social impact regarding peers. Research Findings: This study involved 261 children in preschool (49.0% female; age: M = 49.6 months; SD = 9.7) and their teachers. Independent observers assessed the children using the Italian version of the Attachment Q-Sort (AQS). Furthermore, peer social preference and social impact were measured using the peer nomination technique. The results indicate an association between children’s organization of attachment behaviors with teachers and social preference. In general, our data support the idea that children’s attachment behavior toward their teacher is associated with both social preference and social influence. Specifically, the types of attachment behavior that are more strongly associated with social preference and social affect are those related to avoidance, positive negotiation, and difficult negotiation with the teacher. Practice and Policy: This paper also discusses the results from a theoretical point of view along with the research limitations, directions for future investigations, and possible interventions.
Loneliness and Anxiety Among Chinese Medical Students: The Mediating Role of Mobile Phone Addiction and the Moderating Role of Gender

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between loneliness and anxiety, and the mediating role of mobile phone addiction in this relationship, and whether this mediating role was moderated by gender among Chinese medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted on March and April 2021 in Shenyang city of China. In total, 595 medical students were surveyed to complete an online questionnaire including demographic variables, mobile phone usage information, loneliness, mobile phone addiction, and anxiety, and 553 samples were effective for the final analyses. SPSS macro PROCESS was performed to test the mediating effect of mobile phone addiction and the moderating effect of gender. Our findings showed that loneliness was positively associated with anxiety, and mobile phone addiction was a partial mediator in this relationship. In addition, gender was found to moderate the indirect effect of loneliness on anxiety through mobile phone addiction. The effect of mobile phone addiction on anxiety was greater for boys than girls. This study illustrated that students with a higher level of loneliness would be more likely to develop anxiety directly and indirectly. Educational professionals should pay special attention to medical students who felt lonely or addicted to mobile phones, particularly boys.
Monte Carlo Simulation Study on Dose Enhancement by Gold Nanoparticles in Brachytherapy

concentrations of gold nanoparticles. Brachytherapy employs low energy photons of less than 0.5 MeV, which indeed is the optimal energy range for radiation dose enhancement by introduction of high-Z material. The present study uses the MCNPX TM code to estimate the dose enhancement by gold nanoparticles for the four common brachytherapy sources ( 137 Cs, 192 Ir, 125 I, and 103 Pd). Additionally, cisplatin (H6Cl2N2Pt), a platinum-based chemotherapeutic drug, was used to evaluate the dose enhancement. The simulated source models were evaluated with reference to the calculated TG-43 parameter values. The dose enhancement in the tumor region due to the gold nanoparticles and cisplatin was evaluated according to the dose enhancement factor (DEF). The maximum values of the average DEFs were found to be 1.03, 1.11, 3.43, and 2.17 for the 137 Cs, 192 Ir, 125 I, and 103 Pd sources, respectively. The dose enhancement values for the low-energy sources were significantly higher than those for the high-energy sources. The dose enhancement due to cisplatin was calculated by using the same approach and was found to be comparable to that of the gold nanoparticles. The maximum value of the average DEF for cisplatin was 1.12 for the 5% concentration level in water and a 192 Ir source. We confirmed that cisplatin could be applied to cancer therapy that combines chemotherapeutic drugs with radiation therapy. The results presented herein will be used to study dose enhancement in tumor regions using various radiation modalities with high atomic number materials.
Plant growth-promoting of olive and walnut actinobacteria: isolation, screening PGP traits, antifungal activities, identification, and hydroponic production of wheat

ABSTRACT Bacteria are among the most frequently studied microorganisms in plant growth-promoting traits and fighting against different pathogens. Actinobacteria are prokaryotic organisms that produce mycelium, spores, and can form various secondary metabolites, especially antibiotics. In our study, free-living and endophytic Actinobacteria were isolated from rhizosphere soils and plant parts of olive (Olea europaea L.) and walnut (Juglans regia L.) trees, which are commercially essential agricultural products for Turkey. The study aimed to explore the plant growth-promoting activities of these Actinobacteria as biological fertilizers. Some of the properties of purified Actinobacteria that regulate the plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits; phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid, siderophore, ammonia, protease, beta-galactosidase, chitinase production, and antagonistic activities against various plant-pathogen fungi were investigated. As a result, 422 Actinobacteria were isolated, and 88 Actinobacteria determined to be possible plant bio-fertilizers were identified as Streptomyces spp. (70), Amycolatopsis spp. (12), Micromonospora spp. (four) and Nocardiopsis spp. (two) after the sequencing of their 16S rRNA genes. Moreover, four Streptomyces spp. and two Amycolatopsis spp. were used in hydroponic germination of wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum L.), and plant growth in terms of root and stem parts increased.
Combined CTP-IGF-1 Score: A New Score for Assessment of Disease Severity in Patients With HCV- Related Liver Cirrhosis

Background: Liver is the largest endocrine organ in the body. It is the key organ in insulin mediated metabolism, growth hormone and insulin like growth factors (IGF) pathway. Liver cirrhosis is the end result of many chronic diseases including hepatitis C virus infection. Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score is the standard used in assessment of hepatic reserve but it has its drawbacks in the form of subjective variables, hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. Objective: The work aimed to assess IGF-1 in patients with liver cirrhosis and its correlation with CTP score and to assess the value of modified combined CTP-IGF-1 score. Patients and methods: This was a case-control study that enrolled 170 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and 72 healthy controls. CLD (liver cirrhosis) in the study group was caused by chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Liver cirrhosis was identified by clinical assessment, abdominal ultrasonography (US), and laboratory assessment. Results: IGF1 showed highly significant low values in the study group compared to controls (42.15 ± 27.976 and 66.31 ± 33.084 ng/ml respectively, p <0.001). The combined CTP-IGF-1 score in comparison with the classic CTP score showed improved area under curve (0.848 and 0.854), sensitivity (71.2% and 88%), negative predictive value (41.7% and 53.7%), false negative results (49 and 19) and accuracy (75.73% and 83.98%) but decreased specificity (97.22% and 61.1%), positive predictive value (99.2% and 91.5%) and higher false positive results (1 and 14) respectively. Conclusion: IGF-1 showed progressive decrements with progression of liver cirrhosis and is negatively correlated with CTP score. Addition of IGF-1 to CTP score to formulate combined score improves the AUC, negative predictive value, sensitivity, and the accuracy of CTP score and decreases the false negative results.
Hygroscopicity and Ice Nucleation Properties of Dust/Salt Mixtures Originating from the Source of East Asian Dust Storms

Dust storms are common meteorological events that occur frequently in the late spring and early summer in arid and semi-arid areas. The resulting lofted dust and salt mixtures can impact atmospheric chemistry and climate systems through the many pathways represented by aerosol-cloud-climate interactions. In this study, dust/salt samples were collected from important sources of the East Asian dust storm, including the Badain Jaran Desert, the Tengger Desert and the Ulan Buh Desert in northwestern China. Ion chromatography (IC) measurements were performed to determine the concentrations of cations and anions. The ionic concentrations, pH and dissolvable fractions of sand samples show a positive correlation, indicating that the dissolved content is rich in alkaline ions. A positive matrix factorization (PMF) receptor model was employed to analyze the IC results, and from the PMF solutions non-obvious connections to local geography emerge. The results of hygroscopic experiments of sand samples which were measured by a vapor sorption analyzer indicate that the hygroscopicity may be related to the soluble content of samples, and the observed hygroscopic behavior can be well described by a thermodynamic model. The morphology of individual particles was chemically mapped by the synchrotron-based scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, and needle-shaped CaCO3 particles were observed to adhere to more irregular high K-containing particles. Moreover, a continuous flow diffusion chamber was used to investigate the ice nucleation abilities of typical salts, with both homogeneous freezing and deposition nucleation being observed. The results indicate that the salts primarily act as cloud condensation nuclei but can also act as ice nucleating particles at low temperatures.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Raw cow’s Milk at Sohag Governorate, Egypt.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most pathogenic bacteria isolated from milk and is one of the main causes of food poisoning outbreaks worldwide. This study was performed to investigate prevalence of S. aureus in raw cow’s milk sold in dairy shops at Sohag Governorate, Egypt, determine some virulence factors and antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates and to examine some Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates by PCR for presence of some antibiotic resistance and virulence genes including coa (coagulase), nuc (thermonuclease), spa (Staphylococcal protein A), mecA (a determinant of methicillin resistance) and tetK (a determinant of tetracycline resistance) genes. Therefore, a total of 300 samples of raw cow’s milk were randomly collected from dairy shops in three different cities at Sohag Governorate, Egypt (El Balyana, Sohag and Tahta cities) during the period from November 2020 to August 2021. Bacteriological examination revealed that 67 samples were positive for S. aureus with percentage of (22.3%) and that (68.7%) and (31.3%) of the isolates exhibited β-hemolysis and αhemolysis on blood agar, respectively. Also, it revealed that (46.3%) and (58.2%) of the isolates had Congo red binding (CRB) activity and DNase activity, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for S. aureus isolates (n=67) against 9 different antibiotics revealed that they were sensitive to vancomycin (100%), gentamycin (100%), amoxicillin/clavulinic acid (97%), ciprofloxacin (92.5%) and erythromycin (82.1%) while they showed highest resistance to oxacillin (70.1%) followed by tetracycline (67.2%), chloramphenicol (59.7%) and penicillin (47.8%). Furthermore, it revealed that (43.4%) of the isolates were resistant to 3 antibiotics or more and that (79.3%) of these multiple drug resistance (MDR) isolates were MRSA. Screening of 10 randomly selected MRSA isolates for presence of coa, nuc, spa, mecA and tetK genes by PCR revealed that all of them harbor coa, nuc and spa genes, while only (80%) and (70%) of them harbor mecA and tetK genes, respectively. In conclusion, our results indicated presence of a high prevalence of MDR S. aureus especially MRSA in raw cow’s milk which represents a major threat to public health, therefore more restrictive hygienic measures must be applied during all stages of milk production.