Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Random Forest in Crime Prediction: Comparing Three-Layered Random Forest and Logistic Regression

ABSTRACT This study evaluated random forest’s accuracy in predicting violent or criminal behavior of juveniles compared to that of conventional logistic regression using different sets of risk factors. Drawing on the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we predicted three outcomes – arrests, convictions, and incarcerations – using three sets of predictors, starting with sociodemographic variables only (Model 1) and incrementally adding behavioral/situational (Model 2) and emotional/environmental risk factors (Model 3). Although both prediction methods yielded similar levels of “overall” predictive accuracy (measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve), our balanced random forest model, with a cost ratio of 10 (false negatives) to 1 (false positives), substantially improved prediction of who will be arrested, convicted, and incarcerated, which is of paramount importance for many researchers and practitioners. In addition to its capability to enhance sensitivity (prediction of “true positives”), random forest is more effective in forecasting juvenile criminal behavior than is conventional logistic regression in that the former is less susceptible to the influences of added predictors than is the latter.
Implications of Social Isolation in Combating COVID-19 Outbreak in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Its Consequences on the Carbon Emissions Reduction

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has two striking impacts on the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. First, the economic contraction of business and economic activities. Second, the effect of oil prices dropping as energy demand decreases in the international market. This study seeks to underpin the linkage between GDP growth, oil price, foreign direct investment (FDI), air transport, social globalization and carbon dioxide emission by applying time-series econometrics techniques of the following: fully modified ordinary least squares, dynamic ordinary least squares and canonical tests. The results of the Johansen cointegration test and empirical analysis trace a long-run equilibrium relationship between the highlighted variables. Our study shows that a 1% increase in FDI attraction increases economic growth by 0.004%; similarly, air transport and oil rent from KSA increased economic growth by 0.547% and 0.005%, respectively. These outcomes are indicative of the GDP growth ambition of the KSA economy in order to intensify FDI attraction and the air transportation sector. However, we also observe that increases in CO2 emission increase GDP growth. Thus, this suggests that the economic growth in KSA is not green, indicating the need for green economic growth pursuit targets.
Two Flavonoid Compounds as Antiproliferative Activity Against SP-C1 Cancer Tongue Cells from the Leaves of Rasamala (Altingia excelsa Nornha)

Two flavonoid compounds, kaempferol (1) and quercetin (2) have been isolated from the leaves of Rasamala (Altingia excelsa Nornha). The chemical structure of compounds 1 and 2 were identified by spectroscopic evidences including, UV, IR, 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR and MS as well as by comparing with previously reported spectral data.These compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against SP-C1 cancer tongue cells and showed IC50 values of 2.50 and 2.31 mM, respectively.
Regional and Seasonal Precipitation and Drought Trends in Ganga–Brahmaputra Basin

Satellite-based precipitation products can be a better alternative of rain gauges for hydro-meteorological studies in data-poor regions. This study aimed to evaluate how regional and seasonal precipitation and drought patterns had changed in the Ganga–Brahmaputra Basin between 1983 and 2020 with PERSIANN-CDR precipitation data. The spatial pattern of winter drought, monsoon drought, and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) calculated for different time scales were evaluated using principal component analysis. Ganga–Brahmaputra is one of the most populated river basins that flows through different geographical regions. Rain gauges are heterogeneously distributed in the basin due to its complex orography, highlighting the significance of gridded precipitation products over gauge observations for climate studies. Annual and monthly precipitation trends between 1983 and 2020 were evaluated using the original and modified Mann–Kendall trend test, and annual precipitation in the basin was found to be declining at a rate of 5.8 mm/year. An increasing trend was observed in pre-monsoon rainfall, whereas precipitation exhibited a decreasing trend for other months. Results of the Pettitt test showed precipitation time series was inhomogeneous and changepoint occurred around 2000. Decreasing trends of SPI indicated increasing frequency and intensity of drought events. Winter drought showed a clear spatial pattern in the basin; however, SPIs calculated for different time scales and monsoon drought had complex spatial patterns. This study demonstrates the applicability of satellite-based PERSIANN-CDR precipitation data in climate research in the Ganga–Brahmaputra Basin.
Reinitializing Sea Surface Temperature in the Ensemble Intermediate Coupled Model for Improved Forecasts

The Ensemble Intermediate Coupled Model (EICM) is a model used for studying the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean, which is anomalies in the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) are observed. This research aims to implement Cressman to improve SST forecasts. The simulation considers two cases in this work: the control case and the Cressman initialized case. These cases are simulations using different inputs where the two inputs differ in terms of their resolution and data source. The Cressman method is used to initialize the model with an analysis product based on satellite data and in situ data such as ships, buoys, and Argo floats, with a resolution of 0.25 × 0.25 degrees. The results of this inclusion are the Cressman Initialized Ensemble Intermediate Coupled Model (CIEICM). Forecasting of the sea surface temperature anomalies was conducted using both the EICM and the CIEICM. The results show that the calculation of SST field from the CIEICM was more accurate than that from the EICM. The forecast using the CIEICM initialization with the higher-resolution satellite-based analysis at a 6-month lead time improved the root mean square deviation to 0.794 from 0.808 and the correlation coefficient to 0.630 from 0.611, compared the control model that was directly initialized with the low-resolution in-situ-based analysis.
Exploring institutions’ perceived roles in regional tourism development: an institutional thickness approach

ABSTRACT In recent decades, commitment to tourism as a development strategy has grown across Latin America. However, despite being praised as an economic and social catalyst in various regions, developing tourism appropriately requires a dense institutional environment marked by leadership, trust, and governance. Against that background, we aimed to analyse institutions’ perceived role in regional tourism development and perceived key factors of such development in relation to four dimensions of institutional thickness. To that end, we conducted a cluster analysis of data from 2000 to 2015 representing 18 institutions’ perceptions of tourism in Colombia’s Department of Antioquia. Key identified factors perceived are, particularly, the exclusive or partial focus of institutions with the tourism value chain, the relationship with technology centres, the importance of spaces for collective representation, and the acknowledgment of infrastructure as a principal investment for regional tourism development.
The Impact of Psychological Traits on Performance Under Pressure—Experimental Evidence of Handball Penalties

Our field experiment analyzes the influence of psychological traits on performance in sequential games. It uses handball penalties thrown under individual, team, or tournament incentives in the ABBA sequence. Considering the single moves of these games, player A and player B are taking turns in being the first-mover. We find no significant first-mover advantage. However, we observe that player A performs better than player B under tournament incentives and if he or she is confident enough.
Increased Aromatics Formation by the Use of High-Density Polyethylene on the Catalytic Pyrolysis of Mandarin Peel over HY and HZSM-5

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) was co-fed into the catalytic pyrolysis (CP) of mandarin peel (MP) over different microporous catalysts, HY and HZSM-5, with different pore and acid properties. Although the non-catalytic decomposition temperature of MP was not changed during catalytic thermogravimetric analysis over both catalysts, that of HDPE was reduced from 465 °C to 379 °C over HY and to 393 °C over HZSM-5 because of their catalytic effects. When HDPE was co-pyrolyzed with MP over the catalysts, the catalytic decomposition temperatures of HDPE were increased to 402 °C over HY and 408 °C over HZSM-5. The pyrolyzer-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry results showed that the main pyrolyzates of MP and HDPE, which comprised a large amount of oxygenates and aliphatic hydrocarbons with a wide carbon range, were converted efficiently to aromatics using HY and HZSM-5. Although HY can provide easier diffusion of the reactants to the catalyst pore and a larger amount of acid sites than HZSM-5, the CP of MP, HDPE, and their mixture over HZSM-5 revealed higher efficiency on aromatics formation than those over HY due to the strong acidity and more appropriate shape selectivity of HZSM-5. The production of aromatics from the catalytic co-pyrolysis of MP and HDPE was larger than the theoretical amounts, suggesting the synergistic effect of HDPE co-feeding for the increased formation of aromatics during the CP of MP.
Estimation of Winter Wheat Yield from UAV-Based Multi-Temporal Imagery Using Crop Allometric Relationship and SAFY Model

Crop yield prediction and estimation play essential roles in the precision crop management system. The Simple Algorithm for Yield Estimation (SAFY) has been applied to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based data to provide high spatial yield prediction and estimation for winter wheat. However, this crop model relies on the relationship between crop leaf weight and biomass, which only considers the contribution of leaves on the final biomass and yield calculation. This study developed the modified SAFY-height model by incorporating an allometric relationship between ground-based measured crop height and biomass. A piecewise linear regression model is used to establish the relationship between crop height and biomass. The parameters of the modified SAFY-height model are calibrated using ground measurements. Then, the calibrated modified SAFY-height model is applied on the UAV-based photogrammetric point cloud derived crop height and effective leaf area index (LAIe) maps to predict winter wheat yield. The growing accumulated temperature turning points of an allometric relationship between crop height and biomass is 712 °C. The modified SAFY-height model, relative to traditional SAFY, provided more accurate yield estimation for areas with LAI higher than 1.01 m2/m2. The RMSE and RRMSE are improved by 3.3% and 0.5%, respectively.
Understanding the Role of Refugees' Entrepreneurship Motives and Challenges in Integration: Evidence From the Food Industry

This study explores the role of refugees' entrepreneurship motives and challenges in their integration into the host country. Based on the food industry, a qualitative research approach was adopted in this study. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with Syrian refugees in two major European cities (i.e., London and Istanbul). The theme coding analysis was performed on the qualitative data, and the analysis processes revealed three main dimensions: entrepreneur integration motives, entrepreneur integration domains, and entrepreneur integration challenges. As a result of the analysis, beyond the previous studies' findings, three interconnected fundamental relations emerged from the main dimensions' sub-categories, which contribute to a better understanding of the role of refugees' entrepreneurship motives and challenges in their integration into the host society: (1) the relation between the market accessing challenge, citizenship desire, and social equality, (2) the relation of cultural proximity and the attitude of host people in building social bridges and, (3) the relation between refugees' mental health problems and resilience in entrepreneurship achievements. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is among the first attempts to reveal the effects of refugees' entrepreneurship motives and challenges in their integration in the context of the food industry.
Artificial intelligence in psychology: How can we enable psychology students to accept and use artificial intelligence?

Psychologists with their expertise in statistics and regarding human perception and behavior can contribute valuable insights to the development of innovative and useful artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Therefore, we need to raise attention and curiosity for AI and foster the willingness to engage with it among psychology students. This requires identifying approaches to integrate a general understanding of AI technology into formal psychological training and education. This study investigated to what extent psychology students currently accept and use AI and what affects their perception and usage. Therefore, an AI acceptance model based on established technology acceptance models was developed and tested in a sample of 218 psychology students. An acceptable fit with the data was found for an adapted version. Perceived usefulness and ease of use were most predictive for the students’ attitude towards AI; attitude itself, as well as perceived usefulness, social norm, and perceived knowledge, were predictors for the intention to use AI. In summary, we identified relevant factors for designing AI training approaches in psychology curricula. In this way, possible restraints regarding the use of AI can be reduced and its beneficial opportunities exploited in psychological contexts.
Freshness assessment of shrimp Metapenaeus affinis by quality index method and estimation of its shelf life

ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop a Quality Index Method (QIM) for ice stored Metapenaeus affinis, and estimate its shelf life of shrimp during 12 days of storage analyzing periodically microbiological (total mesophilic (TMC), psychrotrophilic (PTC), physicochemical (TVB-N, TMA, pH, TBARS and FFA), and sensory (Quality Index Method protocol) characteristics. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was used to correlate the QIM attributes, and linear regression analysis was used to check the variables as a function of storage time. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for interpreting physicochemical and bacteriological quality parameters. The QIM scheme was developed based on 18 demerit points, in which zero indicates total freshness. From the integration of sensory, microbiological, and physicochemical data, it was possible to estimate that the shelf life of ice stored Metapenaeus affinis is 9 days.
FORMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF NANOSUSPENSION FOR IMPROVING SOLUBILITY AND DISSOLUTION OF GEMFIBROZIL

Objective: The study aims at the formulation and optimization of gemfibrozil (Gem) nanosuspension (NS) for improving its solubility and dissolution rate.Method: Gem NS was prepared by precipitation-ultrasonication method using ethanol as solvent, water as anti-solvent, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a stabilizer. A Box–Behnken design was employed to study the effect of the independent variables, Gem concentration in the organic phase (X1), PVA concentration (X2) and sonication time (X3) on the dependent variable, drug release after 90 min (Y). The resulting data were statistically analyzed and subjected to 3D response surface methodology to study the influence of variables on the response. NS was evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, solubility and in vitro drug release and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Results: On the basis of the evaluation, NS4 formulation (with 80 mg/ml Gem, 0.5% PVA concentration, and 20 min of sonication time) demonstrated highest drug content with a particle size of 191.0 nm and zeta potential of −12.0 mV. Dissolution profiles of NS indicated 2.5-fold increase in drug release than pure drug. NS demonstrated 5- and 9-fold increase in solubility, in water, and phosphate buffer (pH 7.5), respectively, pure drug. DSC and XRD studies indicated changes in the crystallinity of Gem during NS formulation. No chemical change was evident in NS as indicated by FTIR.Conclusion: Gem NS formulation could serve as a promising approach for improving its solubility and dissolution rate.
Importance-performance analysis (IPA) of the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of an EDGE-certified building in Ghana

PurposeThe excellence in design and greater efficiencies (EDGE) certification system has seen a gradual adoption worldwide, with Ghana having six out of its eight certified green buildings bearing an EDGE certification. However, little is known about occupants’ satisfaction with the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of EDGE-certified buildings. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the satisfaction of occupants with the IEQ of an EDGE-certified building in Ghana by identifying their perceived performance of the indoor environment relative to their perceived importance.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted to evaluate the performance of 12 IEQ parameters with the occupants of an EDGE-certified office building. The survey results were evaluated using a gap analysis and both traditional and alternative Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) matrices.FindingsThe findings revealed that noise level, temperature, cleanliness, sound privacy, air quality and humidity were IEQs that required the highest priority for improvement. Daylight and artificial lighting showed no appreciable performance gap. Space layout was adequately satisfied, whereas space size was overly satisfied. Visual privacy and outdoor view were found to require low priority of improvement.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the state-of-the-art of the IEQ of green buildings. It pioneers the research that seeks to examine the IEQ of EDGE-certified buildings. The gap analysis and the IPA were effective in prioritizing the IEQs for improvement action and provided a practical research framework that helped researchers examine the performance of green buildings, thereby giving valuable feedback to policymakers and building owners.
LncRNA SOX2-OT Participates in Parkinson’s Disease Through Regulating miRNA-942-5p/NAIF1 Axis

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease. Studies have shown that lncRNA SOX2-OT was highly expressed in PD patients, but its specific functions and mechanisms still need further research. This study aimed to explore whether lncRNA SOX2-OT could regulate oxidative stress, inflammation and neuronal apoptosis in PD in vitro model and explored the underlying mechanism. An in vitro PD cell model was induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). The results of the biological software analysis and luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-942-5p was a direct target of lncRNA SOX2-OT, and NAIF1 was a direct target of miR-942-5p. Experiments showed that the expression levels of lncRNA SOX2-OT and NAIF1 were increased, and miR-942-5p expression was decreased in SH-SY5Y cells following MPP+ treatment. In addition, MPP+ treatment reduced SH-SY5Y cell viability, induced apoptosis, increased cleaved-Caspase3 protein expression, and increased cleaved-Caspase3/Caspase3 ratio, increased LDH viability, and increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and ROS in SH-SY5Y cells, reduced SOD activity, however, all these effects were inhibited by SOX2-OT-siRNA, and these inhibitions were reversed by miR-942-5p inhibitor. Moreover, the protective role of miR-942-5p mimic in MPP+ induced SH-SY5Y cells was significantly eliminated by NAIF1-plasmid. In summary, this study confirmed that lncRNA SOX2-OT regulated oxidative stress, inflammation and neuronal apoptosis via directly regulating the miR-942-5p/NAIF1 signal axis, and then participated in the occurrence and development of PD. These data provide a new potential targets for PD diagnosis and treatment.
Anti-Trafficking Efforts and Civil Conflicts

ABSTRACT The issue of human trafficking has received considerable attention in recent years. Despite strong cooperation among countries on the global fight against this gross violation of human rights, differences in national anti-trafficking policy and practices undermine the efficacy of international cooperation on trafficking in persons. This paper seeks to understand determinants of national efforts devoted to the eradication of human trafficking. It argues that civil conflicts impede anti-trafficking efforts of states for their adverse effects on national governments’ abilities and resources to fight against trafficking in persons. Analyses based on data coming from 173 countries over the 2003–2015 period demonstrate that civil conflicts deteriorate anti-trafficking efforts of countries.
Barriers and enablers to undergraduate music students undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) secondary music programme

Abstract In the context of falling recruitment to Initial Teacher Education programmes in the UK, this article focuses on motivators and demotivators affecting undergraduate students’ attitudes towards training as a teacher and considers these under the broad headings of altruistic (such as wanting to share a love of the subject and working with young people) and pragmatic (stable career, regular salary, good holidays). A review of the literature suggests that there are differences between the US and the UK in terms of the extent to which students can develop an identity as a teacher during their formative undergraduate years. An online survey was distributed to undergraduates in UK higher education institutions, the results were related to the issues identified in the literature and the differences between genders examined. The results suggested that there was no single significant barrier to undergraduate students deciding to train as secondary music teachers, but that there are opportunities to increase the number of students developing an identity as a music teacher while studying for their undergraduate degrees, and some gender-specific issues which could be addressed.
Gendering the history of cinemagoing in Izmir, Turkey: Middle-class women’s experiences of cinema in the 1960s and 1970s

This article focuses on cinemagoing in Izmir (the third largest city in Turkey) in the 1960s and the 1970s, when the city developed a vibrant cinema culture with its numerous winter and summer cinemas. It attempts to undo the problematic conceptions of homogeneous audiences and cinemagoing experiences by focusing on how gender shaped and constructed the experiences of middle-class audiences. The primary source material for the article is qualitative data obtained from 62 oral history interviews, in addition to the contents of local newspapers and film industry magazines. The article argues that although, for women, cinemagoing was a very meaningful event in itself, it was not a wholly free and easily pleasurable activity. It also suggests that women, like men, went to the cinema to see a variety of films more than they went to socialize, and their choice of films was not limited to supposedly women’s genres. Overall, the article attempts to break with the nostalgic tone in popular and academic discussions of cinemagoing in Izmir and other cities in Turkey. It shows that cinema in Izmir, and possibly elsewhere in Turkey, was not just a forum of collective entertainment and pleasure, but also a locus of struggle.