Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Fitter Children Better Assess Their Physical Activity with Questionnaire Than Less Fit Children?

Most physical activity (PA) questionnaires assess moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) describing the physical exertion of individuals that might be influenced by their physical fitness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether fitter children could better assess their PA with the questionnaire than less fit children. The cross-sectional validation study was conducted with 108 children (60 girls) aged 11 to 14 years, who were divided into three fitness groups based on the results of the 600 m running test. To answer the research question, the agreement between their assessment of PA using the SHAPES questionnaire and the UKK RM42 accelerometer data was analysed. One quarter of the participants achieved at least 60 min of MVPA each day, measured by accelerometer. The average MVPA obtained was 97.8 ± 35.6 min per day, with the high fitness group having a significantly higher value compared with the other groups. Moderate to high validity coefficients were found in the high fitness group (Spearman’s ρ range 0.34–0.70). In contrast, the lower fitness groups had poor to moderate validity for all variables (Spearman’s ρ range 0.03–0.42). These results suggest that the fittest children self-assess their PA with the questionnaire better than less fit children, which may advance new directions for the development and evaluation of PA questionnaires and their usability.
An Examination of the Relationship Between Levels Diversity-Organizational Performance: Does Innovative Culture Matter?

In the diverse and intense atmosphere of modern business conduct, performance, and proper management of diversity are crucial aspects for every organization. This research investigates the emergence of workforce diversity and firm performance consequences. In such an approach toward the field of diversity research, we investigated the effect of surface-level diversity versus deep-level diversity on organizational performance. Also, the mediating effect of innovative culture has been noted in the model that is defined for current research. This research takes place in the context of the Lebanese banking sector with 75 different banking and finance institutions involved. Hypotheses were tested through Structural Equation Modeling techniques. The findings demonstrated that diversity in age and experience have a vivid impact on organizational performance through the mediation effect of an innovative culture. The literature of diversity alongside managers and HR departments of the banking sector can benefit from the findings of current research.
Borders as the ultimate (de)Fence of Identity: an ontological security approach to exclusionary populism in Italy and Spain

This paper looks at the discursive construction of the concept of border and its interaction with identity in two exclusionary populist movements: Lega in Italy and Vox in Spain. The study, based on the analysis of an ad hoc selection of discourses by the two parties’ leaders, applies clause-based semantic text analysis to detect the main discursive representations of the “us” and the “others” as threatening ontological security and the performative role played by borders as the ultimate (de)Fence for identity. Results show that Matteo Salvini focuses his discourse on the manipulation of physical space, representing Italy as the space for Italians and proposing to “close the borders” as the only way to stop the “invasion”. Santiago Abascal, on his side, constructs Spanish identity as inherently and proudly “anti-Islamic”. Borders, therefore, are invalicable for those considered incompatible with local values, namely “Muslims”, represented as a “natural threat” to Spanish identity.
Human-Based Immune Responsive In Vitro Infection Models for Validation of Novel TLR4 Antagonists Identified by Computational Discovery

Infectious diseases are still a major problem worldwide. This includes microbial infections, with a constant increase in resistance to the current anti-infectives employed. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) perform a fundamental role in pathogen recognition and activation of the innate immune response. Promising new approaches to combat infections and inflammatory diseases involve modulation of the host immune system via TLR4. TLR4 and its co-receptors MD2 and CD14 are required for immune response to fungal and bacterial infection by recognition of microbial cell wall components, making it a prime target for drug development. To evaluate the efficacy of anti-infective compounds early on, we have developed a series of human-based immune responsive infection models, including immune responsive 3D-skin infection models for modeling fungal infections. By using computational methods: pharmacophore modeling and molecular docking, we identified a set of 46 potential modulators of TLR4, which were screened in several tests systems of increasing complexity, including immune responsive 3D-skin infection models. We could show a strong suppression of cytokine and chemokine response induced by lipopolysacharide (LPS) and Candida albicans for individual compounds. The development of human-based immune responsive assays provides a more accurate and reliable basis for development of new anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating drugs.
“[Culture] Makes Each Country Unique, It’s Kind of like a Trademark.” Empirical Results on Students’ Perceptions of Culture and Space as Learning Prerequisite for Geography Lessons

Students’ everyday perceptions of culture and space have a significant impact on their social coexistence and should, therefore, be considered in geography lessons. The other or foreign is often negatively assessed. This perception is based on an essentialist understanding of cultural space but is inappropriate for a culturally diverse world. The concept of transculturality by Wolfgang Welsch offers a constructivist perspective on culture and space, which takes cultural globalization into account and avoids a stereotyped division of cultures. To prevent xenophobia, it is important to understand the everyday ideas about culture and space younger generations possess and the extent to which transculturality is integrated. The learning requirements of students provide a basis on which geography lessons can be developed that incorporate these concepts to counteract xenophobia. To determine everyday perceptions, 197 German 9th-grade students were asked. The selection of the sample was based on a declaration of consent from the parents and was not fully probabilistic. In addition to a preliminary study, 98 female and 99 male students were surveyed in a written questionnaire. The data analysis was realized in a mixed-method design, with qualitative content analysis and supplementary quantifications. The results of which suggested that culture and space are predominantly understood as nationally specific. Consequently, a transcultural understanding should be incorporated long-term into geography lessons.
Determining the factors affecting customer satisfaction using an extraction-based feature selection approach

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes tremendous damages to the world, including threats to human’s health and daily activities. Most industries have been affected by this pandemic, particularly the tourism industry. The online travel agencies (OTAs) have suffered from the global tourism market crisis by air travel lockdown in many countries. How online travel agencies can survive at stake and prepare for the post-COVID-19 future has emerged as an urgent issue. This study aims to examine the critical factors of customers’ satisfaction to OTAs during the COVID-19 pandemic. A text mining method for feature selection, namely LASSO, was used to deal with online customer reviews and to extract factors that shape customers’ satisfaction to OTAs. Results showed that refunds, promptness, easiness and assurance were ranked as the most competitive factors of customers’ satisfaction, followed by bad reviews & cheap and excellent service & comparison. New factors to customers’ satisfaction were revealed during the global tourism recession. Findings provide OTAs guidelines to reset services priorities during the pandemic crisis.
Molecular and Pigment Analyses Provide Comparative Results When Reconstructing Historic Cyanobacterial Abundances from Lake Sediment Cores

Understanding the historical onset of cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater bodies can help identify their potential drivers. Lake sediments are historical archives, containing information on what has occurred in and around lakes over time. Paleolimnology explores these records using a variety of techniques, but choosing the most appropriate method can be challenging. We compared results obtained from a droplet digital PCR assay targeting a cyanobacterial-specific region of the 16S rRNA gene in sedimentary DNA and cyanobacterial pigments (canthaxanthin, echinenone, myxoxanthophyll and zeaxanthin) analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography in four sediment cores. There were strong positive relationships between the 16S rRNA gene copy concentrations and individual pigment concentrations, but relationships differed among lakes and sediment core depths within lakes. The relationships were more consistent when all pigments were summed, which we attribute to different cyanobacteria species, in different lakes, at different times producing different suites of pigments. Each method had benefits and limitations, which should be taken into consideration during method selection and when interpreting paleolimnological data. We recommend this biphasic approach when making inferences about changes in the entire cyanobacterial community because they yielded complementary information. Our results support the view that molecular methods can yield results similar to traditional paleolimnological proxies when caveats are adequately addressed.
COOPERATIVE ROBOTIC SYSTEM USING DISTRIBUTED DECISION MECHANISMS WITH DELIBERATIVE CENTRAL SUPERVISOR

Cooperative multi-robot systems with distributed decision mechanisms and distributed sensing may be the source of decisional conflicts which can lead to severe performance deterioration. A deliberative central supervisor is a simple approach to correct any incoherent decisions in the system. Given an application, the supervisor can be an autonomous software agent or a human-machine interface. Using Hierarchical Decision Machines (HDM) as distributed decision mechanisms, the decision supervision can use simple matrix representations of decisional data. The resulting architecture has been tested on a fully autonomous team of soccer-playing robots and results indicate that it is well adapted for, but not restricted to, the specific needs of autonomous multi-robot systems with real-time distributed sensing and decision taking.
Down-Regulation of C1GALT1 Enhances the Progression of Cholangiocarcinoma through Activation of AKT/ERK Signaling Pathways

Alteration of mucin-type O-glycosylation is implicated in tumor progression and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Core 1 β1-3 Galactosyltransferase (C1GALT1) is a primary enzyme that regulates the elongation of core 1-derived mucin-type O-glycans. Dysregulation of C1GALT1 has been documented in multiple cancers and is associated with aberrant core 1 O-glycosylation and cancer aggressiveness; however, the expression of C1GALT1 and its role in CCA progression remains unknown. Our study demonstrated that C1GALT1 was downregulated in CCA tissues at both the mRNA and protein levels. The biological function of C1GALT1 using siRNA demonstrated that suppression of C1GALT1 in the CCA cell lines (KKU-055 and KKU-100) increased CCA progression, evidenced by: (i) Induction of CCA cell proliferation and 5-fluorouracil resistance in a dose-dependent manner; (ii) up-regulation of growth-related genes, ABC transporter genes, and anti-apoptotic proteins; and (iii) an increase in the activation/phosphorylation of AKT and ERK in silencing C1GALT1 cells. We demonstrated that silencing C1GALT1 in CCA cell lines was associated with immature core 1 O-glycosylation, demonstrated by high expression of VVL-binding glycans and down-regulation of other main O-linked glycosyltransferases β1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 6 (B3GNT6) and ST6 N-Acetylgalactosaminide Alpha-2,6-Sialyltransferase 1 (ST6GALNAC1) in C1GALT1 knockdown. Our findings demonstrate that down-regulation of C1GALT1 in CCA increases the expression of immature core 1 O-glycan, enhancing CCA progression, including growth and 5-fluorouracil resistance via the activation of the AKT/ERK signaling pathway.
Iterative learning control for impulsive multi-agent systems with varying trial lengths

In this paper, we introduce iterative learning control (ILC) schemes with varying trial lengths (VTL) to control impulsive multi-agent systems (I-MAS). We use domain alignment operator to characterize each tracking error to ensure that the error can completely update the control function during each iteration. Then we analyze the system’s uniform convergence to the target leader. Further, we use two local average operators to optimize the control function such that it can make full use of the iteration error. Finally, numerical examples are provided to verify the theoretical results.
Fault Feature Extraction Method of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Based on VAE-WGAN

This paper focuses on the difficulties that appear when the number of fault samples collected by a permanent magnet synchronous motor is too low and seriously unbalanced compared with the normal data. In order to effectively extract the fault characteristics of the motor and provide the basis for the subsequent fault mechanism and diagnosis method research, a permanent magnet synchronous motor fault feature extraction method based on variational auto-encoder (VAE) and improved generative adversarial network (GAN) is proposed in this paper. The VAE is used to extract fault features, combined with the GAN to extended data samples, and the two-dimensional features are extracted by means of mean and variance for visual analysis to measure the classification effect of the model on the features. Experimental results show that the method has good classification and generation capabilities to effectively extract the fault features of the motor and its accuracy is as high as 98.26%.
An All-in-One Vehicle Type and License Plate Recognition System Using YOLOv4

In smart surveillance and urban mobility applications, camera-equipped embedded platforms with deep learning technology have demonstrated applicability and effectiveness in identifying various targets. These use cases can be found in a variety of contexts and locations. It is critical to collect relevant data from the location where the application will be deployed. In this paper, we propose an integrated vehicle type and license plate recognition system using YOLOv4, which consists of vehicle type detection, license plate detection, and license plate character detection to better support the context of Korean vehicles in multilane highway and urban environments. Using our dataset of one to four multilane images, our system detected six vehicle classes and license plates with mAP of 98.0%, 94.0%, 97.1%, and 84.6%, respectively. On our dataset and a publicly available open dataset, our system demonstrated mAP of 99.3% and 99.4% for the detected license plates, respectively. From 4K high-resolution images, our system was able to detect minuscule license plates as small as 100 pixels wide. We believe that our system can be used in densely populated regions to address the high demands for enhanced visual sensitivity in smart cities and Internet-of-Things.
Torque Teno Sus Virus (TTSuV) Prevalence in Wild Fauna of Northern Italy

Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) is a non-enveloped circular ssDNA virus which frequently infects swine and has been associated with hepatic, respiratory, and autoimmune disorders. TTSuV’s pathogenic role is still uncertain, and clear data in the literature on virus reservoirs are lacking. The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of potentially zoonotic TTSuV in wild animals in Northern Italy and to evaluate their role as reservoirs. Liver samples were collected between 2016 and 2020 during four hunting seasons from wild boars (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). Samples originated from areas in Northern Italy characterized by different traits, i.e., mountains and flatland with, respectively low and high farm density and anthropization. Viral identification was carried out by end-point PCR with specific primers for TTSuV1a and TTSuVk2a species. TTSuV prevalence in wild boars was higher in the mountains than in the flatland (prevalence of 6.2% and 2.3%, respectively). In wild ruminants only TTSuVk2a was detected (with a prevalence of 9.4%). Our findings shed light on the occurrence and distribution of TTSuV in some wild animal species, investigating their possible role as reservoirs.
Association between Neuroticism and Premenstrual Affective/Psychological Symptomatology

Neuroticism and premenstrual conditions share pleiotropic loci and are strongly associated. It is presently not known which DSM-5 symptoms of premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual mood disorder are associated with neuroticism. We enrolled 45 study participants to provide prospective daily ratings of affective (“depression”, “anxiety, “anger”, “mood swings”) and psychological (“low interest”, “feeling overwhelmed”, and “difficulty concentrating”) symptoms across two-three menstrual cycles (128 total cycles). Generalized additive modeling (gam function in R) was implemented to model the relationships between neuroticism and the premenstrual increase in symptomatology. Significance level was adjusted using the False Discovery Rate method and models were adjusted for current age and age of menarche. Results of the association analysis revealed that “low interest” (p ≤ 0.05) and “difficulty concentrating” (p ≤ 0.001) were significantly associated with neuroticism. None of the remaining symptoms reached statistical significance. The late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle is characterized by complex symptomatology, reflecting a physiological milieu of numerous biological processes. By identifying co-expression between neuroticism and specific premenstrual symptomatology, the present study improves our understanding of the premenstrual conditions and provides a platform for individualized treatment developments.
Enterprise Architecture Management: Requirements for Conception of Key Figures to Ensure Transparency and Efficiency

Companies are more and more dependent on information technology (IT) and the buzzword digitization is present everywhere. Information technology needs to be managed, serviced, and supported by IT organizations to ensure business continuity. Traditionally heads of the IT departments have been fully responsible for all aspects of IT usage in the company - including IT cost, IT governance, IT & process planning & implementation and IT operation. The change of technology offerings by external partners, results in a need to focus on strategic tasks like strategy and roadmap planning, IT governance, IT budgeting and enterprise architecture management (EAM). This results in the fact that there is a need of more intensive Business-IT alignment to ensure that IT architecture of a company supports the business processes at its best and to ensure the economic value contribution of IT as a hole. The development of a key figure system for EAM supports responsible managers to ensure efficiency of IT. The scope of this research in progress is, to understand the concept of Enterprise Architecture Management and Key Figures. Additionally, to explore the current state of scientific publications regarding the requirements and conception of Key Figure Systems. Purpose: The outcome will be used in future research to design a key figure system framework to enable practitioners to measure the efficiency of EAM. Methodology: This research is carried out using different methodologies of literature research and clustering techniques. Results: The literature review gives a structured overview over requirements for Key figures and their conception. Outlook: In future research an EAM Measurement framework will be designed comprising of Key Figures and their corresponding value adds.
Fuzzy Control of Column Flotation at Toyoha Mines.

The application of fuzzy logic to control concentrate grades in zinc cleaning column flotation was studied. Rules of thumb of the operation were obtained by interviewing operators.There are many variables to consider in the column flotation, but the initial strategy of the operators is to control the concentrate grade by adjusting the air flow rate. A fuzzy controller was developed based on this main rule of thumb and limiting rules for the tailings grade were added. A more stable and higher concentrate grade was obtained with the fuzzy controller. The total recovery was also satisfactory compared with manual operation. The fuzzy controller was further improved by the addition of rules of pulp level control.
The Requirements for Knowledge and Skills of Managers in ICT Modified Fourth Industrial Revolution

Digitalisation and new technologies transform current world into digital one and thus leading towards changes of customer behaviour, business models, innovations, methods of operation, as well as new generation of people, so called „Digital Natives”. Management of human resources should create conditions for application of Industry 4.0 principles into practice in advance, based on analysis of digitalisation impact on their own business and its strategy, adapt processes of human resource planning. In order to acquire employees with digital qualification and thinking, it will be necessary to alter their recruitment, especially with orientation on social media and mobile variations of traditional recruitment channels. This scientific article points out a change in human capital competence impacted by the fourth Industrial revolution. This scientific article eventuates into proposal of requests for skills and knowledge of managers on different levels of management determined by fourth industrial revolution.
Review of Pedestrian Level of Service: Perspective in Developing Countries

Analyses of pedestrian-related issues have been gaining much attention from researchers in recent years, particularly studies of pedestrian safety and pedestrian level of service (LOS) in developing countries. The focus for evaluating pedestrian LOS has shifted from quantitative methods to qualitative methods and factors to be considered have been changing. Crosswalks (namely, signalized, unsignalized, and midblock) are complex locations because of the interaction of pedestrians with the vehicle flow. Pedestrian LOS at crosswalks is quite different from that on sidewalks. A measure of effectiveness (MOE) is usually adopted for evaluation of pedestrian facilities, and the MOE changes with the type of facility. Pedestrian delay and space at the corner are considered as MOEs for signalized intersections. The MOE might depend on pedestrian safety, delay, available vehicle gaps (crossing difficulty), and behavior of pedestrians as well as that of vehicle drivers at unprotected midblock crosswalks. This study sought to identify the importance of pedestrian LOS in the context of developing countries, particularly at unprotected midblock crosswalks. To achieve this objective, a review of the literature was carried out on the pedestrian LOS at various facilities such as the sidewalk, intersection, and midblock crosswalk. The review highlighted the need for further pedestrian LOS studies at various facilities under mixed traffic.