Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Restaurant menu-planning in Japan: A qualitative analysis

ABSTRACT In Asia, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a serious problem. Eating out is now common, including in Japan, and eating out has been reported to be positively related to the onset of NCDs. To improve the nutritional quality of out-of-home meals, we must be able to identify the factors affecting menu planning. However, there are no reports on how restaurateurs plan their menus in Asian countries. So, we used semi-structured interviews with 26 restaurateurs. As a result, we identified the following five factors: Sales Promotion, Internal Factors of Restaurateurs, Customer Prioritization, External Factors, and Management for Profit, which indicate that to improve the nutritional quality, efficient strategies should consider these factors.
Free-Positioning Wireless Power Transfer Using a 3D Transmitting Coil for Portable Devices

The free-positioning wireless power transfer (WPT) system has drawn attention in recent years. Traditionally, a WPT system can transfer energy in one or two directions on the same plane, but it leads the restrictions of angle and axis misalignment between a transmitter and a receiver coil. In this paper, we propose a free-positioning WPT system using a three-dimensional cubic-shaped transmitting coil for portable device charging. A small receiving coil is placed inside the transmitter to achieve the transferred energy through the magnetic resonant coupling. In addition, the equivalent circuit and the mutual inductance between the Tx and Rx coils are analyzed. Finally, a practical experiment is implemented to verify the transfer performance, which can reach up to about 50% power transfer efficiency. The proposed system can charge in spatial freedom.
Detection of single Rhodamine 6G molecules in levitated microdroplets

Single Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules in levitated glycerol microdroplets have been detected with signal-to-noise ratios of >40 using CW laser-induced fluorescence. The fluorescence signal from single R6G molecules was identified by the magnitude of the fluorescence signal and by the unique time dependence of the fluorescence count rate before photobleaching. This high sensitivity allows single molecules to be counted by use of a digital detection approach offering significantly lower detection limits than those possible with conventional detection methods. 27 refs., 6 figs.
Preparation and Regulation of Structural-Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Films Based on Starch and Agar

The problem of recycling polymer waste is one of the most actual problems. One way to solve this problem is to create biodegradable food packaging. By mixing solutions of starch and agar at different mass ratios of polymers in the presence of glycerol, biodegradable films are obtained. Their structural and mechanical characteristics are determined. It is shown that the values of strength, modulus of elasticity and puncture resistance of films are maximal at the mass ratio of agar/starch 7-9. A comparison of the roughness of the films obtained from starch, agar and their mixture showed that the greatest roughness is possessed by films based on starch. The introduction of agar into the films of starch leads to a significant reduction in their roughness. To regulate the structural and mechanical properties of films, it is proposed to use Cа and Mg salts. The influence of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions on the strength and deformation characteristics of biofilms was studied. It is shown that Ca 2+ ions monotonically increase the strength characteristics of starch-agar films, while the curves of changes in these parameters in the presence of Mg 2+ ions have maxima at a concentration of 0.5 %. The difference in the effect of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions on the structural and mechanical properties of films is explained by the hydration degree of these ions. The biodegradability of starch-agar films was controlled by changing their IR spectra. The most significant changes are observed in the intensity and localization of peaks corresponding to O-H, C-H and C-C bonds, which can be evidence of changes in the structure of films due to the destruction of the grid of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, as well as the break of hydrocarbon chains and the destruction of the skeleton of carbohydrate molecules.
Development of branching in living radical copolymerization of vinyl and divinyl monomers

The branching copolymerization of 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate ( HPMA) with either ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) or bisphenol A dimethacrylate (BPDMA) as the branching agent has been carried out using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in methanol at 20 C. With EGDMA, soluble branched copolymers were obtained provided that less than one branching agent was incorporated per primary chain: higher levels of EGDMA led to gelation, as expected. Analysis of the changes in the molecular weight and polydispersity of the polymers shows that the formation of highly branched chains occurs only at high (> 90%) conversions. Chain coupling is close to the ideal behavior predicted by the Flory-Stockmayer theory, suggesting that all double bonds are equally reactive and that there is no significant cyclization, in contrast to conventional free radical polymerization. This analysis is confirmed by comparison of the consumption of the EGDMA branching agent with predictions from both theory and simulation. With BPDMA as the branching agent, similar results are obtained although branching is slightly less efficient.
Novel coronavirus (COVID-2019) pandemic: Common challenges and response from higher education providers

There has been an unprecedented impact on the higher education sector from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) since the first reports in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. As it has rapidly become a global pandemic, universities had to implement appropriate policies for responding to it. Most higher education providers have adapted a range of online learning, teaching and assessment approaches as a response to the pandemic. This paper systematically reviews such responses from higher education providers in various parts of the world and evaluates the challenges and impacts on supporting students in learning and teaching during COVID-19.
MONITORING AGENT SYSTEM BASED ON HUMAN GAIT CLASSIFICATION

- The need for monitoring and surveillance systems for safe access in private or public places is increasing nowadays and becoming very necessary. In the current research paper, we introduced a monitoring agent system that helps in recognition of suspicious human behavior. The paper focuses on the classification task of the agent rather than on its architecture that can be a conventional one. Based on RGB images provided by the camera of the agent, an extraction process extracts silhouette images from RGB ones. The classification agent used the images of the silhouettes to classify human behavior into normal or abnormal. Two classification algorithms are implemented: Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and a Support Vector Machine. The CNN algorithm implicitly extracts the required features from the silhouette images to perform two steps of classification. However, before SVM perform classification step, appropriate features are extracted. These features correspond to interest points (corners) that describe, the GAIT (walking manner). The results of performance, which are reported in this research showed that a very close to 93% classification rate, is achieved by CNN. The SVM classification rate is near to 75%. CNN obtained the classification model, has an average complexity as only two convolutional layers founded it
An Empirical Investigation of the Volatility Spill-over and Asymmetries between Nifty Index and Rupee-Dollar Exchange Rate

The present study is an attempt to investigate the conditional volatility of returns of the two major segments of Indian financial markets viz. Re/$ Exchange Rate and Nifty Index Stock Index using GARCH (p,q) methodology. The period of the study has been taken to be April 2007-March 2017 and the data has been collected as monthly closing prices of the two variables, namely rupee dollar exchange rate and NSE Nifty. The analysis has been carried on first differenced (log transformed) prices. For studying the spill-over of volatility from a market to another, squared residuals (after standardization) from another market have been included as variance regressors. Further to find out whether or not there was any asymmetric returns of the markets under study, Threshold GARCH (T-GARCH) Model has been employed. The results of the study revealed the presence of conditional volatility of returns. The optimal model was identified as ARCH (1) when Re/$ Exchange Rate was the dependent variable while it was GARCH (1,1) when Nifty Index was taken as dependent variable. The bi-directional volatility spill-over (contemporaneous) was clearly evident by the two models and the same was captured by the variance regressors i.e. the standardized squared residuals. Further the results showed no sign of any asymmetry in volatility as reflected by the T-GARCH coefficients.
Mapping of rotational isomeric state chains with asymmetric torsional potential energy functions on a high coordination lattice: Application to polypropylene

A high coordination lattice model was recently introduced for simulating coarse-grained rotational isomeric state (RIS) chains in which the bonds have symmetric torsional potential energy functions, E(φ)=E(−φ). This symmetry was exploited in the coarse-graining and mapping onto the high coordination lattice, thereby making the procedure unsuitable (without modification) for application to chains where one or more bonds has an asymmetric torsion potential energy function, E(φ)≠E(−φ). The necessary modification is described here, and then documented by mapping previously described RIS models for isotactic and syndiotactic polypropylene onto the high coordination lattice. Each bead on the high coordination lattice represents a monomer unit, C3H6, of polypropylene. The conditional probabilities derived from the RIS model form the basis for the acceptance of the single bead moves used in the Monte Carlo simulations on the 2nnd lattice. The simulated chains have reasonable mean-square end-to-end distances and m.
Questionnaire for Adolescents to Evaluate Their Attitudes towards Disability

The purpose of this article is to create and validate a brief instrument to evaluate attitudes towards persons with disabilities among the adolescent population between 12 and 16 years of age. Disability is currently understood from a contextual perspective (ecological model of disability), as the interaction of a person with her/his surroundings. As part of this interaction, the negative attitudes and expectations towards those with disabilities is still a reason for analysis, as it constitutes one of the main barriers to their inclusion in society. The evaluation of these attitudes in different age groups, using new analytical tools and instruments, is essential for the subsequent design and implementation of intervention measures in order to reverse the said attitudes and improve the collective’s place in society. In this study, there were 1282 participants, students between 12 and 16 years of age. A random selection was carried out, choosing fourteen educational centers in order to analyze the students’ attitudes towards persons with disabilities. The final result was the creation of the CBAD-12A questionnaire, made up of 12 Likert-type items, grouped into three factors: acceptance/rejection, competence/limitation, and equal opportunities. It has been demonstrated that the questionnaire possesses adequate psychometric characteristics, providing research with a new instrument to measure attitudes towards disability. The said questionnaire is useful as a diagnostic and/or predictive measure, allowing us to discover and generate interventions aimed at improving the attitudes of the adolescent population towards those with a disability.
Gender-Related Differences and Mortality Predictors among Egyptian Hemodialysis Patients: A Multi-Center Prospective Observational Study

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is an important cause of global morbidity and mortality affecting both sexes. Both genders may present with different symptoms and signs, respond differently to therapy and may exhibit different degrees of tolerance towards their disease. In Egypt, hemodialysis (HD) constitutes the most common modality of renal replacement therapy and the number of hemodialysis patients is increasing. The objective of the present study was to investigate gender-related differences in clinical and biochemical characteristics in HD patients. Mortality events in both genders were also recorded and predictors of mortality in the included HD population were explored. Methods: This multicenter study adopted essentially a cross-sectional design and included 2158 patients (1241 males and 917 females) undergoing HD in 25 hemodialysis units in six governorates in Egypt. The study started at June 2016 till May 2017. Data were extracted from the patients' Original Research Article Megahed et al.; AJMAH, 18(10): 118-130, 2020; Article no.AJMAH. 62531 119 records. One year mortality events in the included HD patients were prospectively observed and recorded. Results: Males on HD had a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) values and were less efficiently dialyzed. Their blood pressure measurements were significantly higher. In addition, males had significantly higher serum albumin with a significantly lower serum potassium level. The overall mortality rate was 6.9% (149 deaths) during the one year follow up period with a significant male predominance (7.9% in males vs. 5.6% in females p=0.03). The mortality rate was highest within the first 14 months after starting hemodialysis therapy. Mortality was statistically significantly higher in patients with diabetes, ischemic heart disease (IHD), anemia with low hemoglobin, and low serum albumin. The mortality risk is nearly duplicated in HD patients with IHD, while low serum albumin was associated with about 3 times an increase in mortality risk in the studied HD patients. Conclusion: Gender differences in clinical and laboratory characteristics and mortality do exist in Egyptian HD patients and should be considered when management guidelines are developed to suit the gender-related variations.
Global value chains and service liberalization: do they matter for skill-upgrading?

ABSTRACT This study attempts to assess the effect of Global Value Chains (GVCs) and service liberalization on skill-upgrading. It provides a bridge between two active literatures on GVCs and service liberalization. Using comprehensive firm-level data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey, the contribution of this paper is twofold. First, it focuses on the effect of GVC integration on skill-upgrading in the presence of service restrictions. Second, it uses firm-level data on 141 developing economies. Our main findings suggest that integration in GVC results in skill-upgrading whilst service trade restrictions are associated with skill-downgrading. We argue that more restricted services weaken the channels by which GVC stimulates the process of skill-upgrading. Therefore, skill-upgrading resulting from GVC participation is more pronounced when services are liberalized. Our results remain robust to any change in the measure of service protection, the measure of skill-upgrading and when we control for the endogeneity of GVCs.
Is there a relationship between blood pressure values and dementia?

Abstract The relationship between arterial hypertension and cognitive decline, two among the conditions with higher prevalence in the elderly population, has gained significant interest, in the scientific community, during the last few years, stemming from the numerous epidemiologic, experimental, and therapeutic evidences suggesting a non-casual correlation between the two conditions. In fact, the brain, for its substantial metabolic and functional complexity, is more susceptible to the harmful effect of high blood pressure than the other target organs. Chronic ischaemic impairment, microvascular damage, and neurodegenerative phenomena are the likely pathophysiologic basis for the correlation between hypertension and cognitive decline. Vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, the two prominent forms of senile dementia, seem to represent the end result of the chronic exposure, during the lifetime, to harmful stimuli, among which the most relevant are the cardiovascular risk factors, at least from an epidemiological perspective. Evidences from interventional studies, although limited, seems to support the concept that to limit the spread of senile dementia, the early optimization of the control of cardiovascular risk factors, first and foremost hypertension, is crucial. The occurrence of a variable degree of mental decline, till overt dementia, in the hypertensive patient, represents the final step of a pathophysiologic process that began many years before. There is, then, the clear opportunity to control the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to cognitive decline in the hypertensive patient.
Deep structure in the Acheulean adaptation: technology, sociality and aesthetic emergence

This article considers the adaptive setting and probable origins of human aesthetic capabilities, using evidence of the Acheulean tradition in the last million years, and highlighting the importance of the preceding and enveloping social and technological contexts. Acheulean bifaces, made from about 1.75 to 0.1 Ma, often with an appearance of symmetry, give windows on crucial interlocking aspects of human intellectual evolution. These have been seen as the domains of technology, sociality and aesthetics, following Leroi-Gourhan, or in near-equivalence the ‘technological’, ‘sociological’ and ‘ideological/philosophical’ of L.A. White. These domains can be analysed to have a reality, in the sense that social worlds of the apes far antedate technology, which in turn is generally taken to be far older than a sense of aesthetic appreciation. The bifaces are helpful in illustrating early developments because they can be made only through bringing together a set of concepts linking form, function and technology of manufacture, in a recurring ‘deep structure’. As there are at least 6 to 12 necessary concepts, perhaps significantly more, the artefacts are essentially multivariable or multivariate. They thus impose high cognitive requirements in manufacture, pressing towards effective sequencing of steps so that not too many variables will be involved simultaneously. Support of such a knowledge base has social requirements of shared or collective intention. Biomechanical and functional necessities also exert pressures on concepts: rules maintained by all these requirements entail a notion of ‘appropriateness’ or ‘rightness’ that may have been a prime factor in driving evolution of a sense of aesthetics and even the shaping of moral feelings. As the rules are variably expressed through time and space in the Acheulean, some of the best information comes from seeing how far particular variables are ‘locked’ in relationships which recur to give the impression of deep structure.
Research on autonomous collision avoidance of merchant ship based on inverse reinforcement learning

To learn the optimal collision avoidance policy of merchant ships controlled by human experts, a finite-state Markov decision process model for ship collision avoidance is proposed based on the analysis of collision avoidance mechanism, and an inverse reinforcement learning (IRL) method based on cross entropy and projection is proposed to obtain the optimal policy from expert’s demonstrations. Collision avoidance simulations in different ship encounters are conducted and the results show that the policy obtained by the proposed IRL has a good inversion effect on two kinds of human experts, which indicate that the proposed method can effectively learn the policy of human experts for ship collision avoidance.
CNN-Based Fall Detection Strategy with Edge Computing Scheduling in Smart Cities

The livelihood problem, especially the medical wisdom, has played an important role during the process of the building of smart cities. For the medical wisdom, the fall detection has attracted the considerable attention from the global researchers and medical institutions. It is very difficult for the traditional fall detection strategies to realize the intelligent detection with the following three reasons: (i) the data collection cannot reach the real-time level; (ii) the adopted detection methods cannot satisfy the enough stability; and (iii) the computation overhead of collection device is very high, which causes the barely satisfactory detection effect. Therefore, this paper proposes Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based fall detection strategy with edge computing consideration, where the global network view ability of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is used to collect the generated data from smartphone. Meanwhile, on one hand, the edge computing is exploited to put some computation tasks at the edge server by the scheduling technique. On the other hand, CNN is equipped with both edge server and smartphone, and it is leveraged to train the related data and further give the guidance of fall detection. The experimental results show that the novel fall detection strategy has a more accurate rate, transmission delay, and stability than two cutting-edge strategies.
Spectral analysis of naringenin deprotonation in aqueous ethanol solutions

The deprotonation of 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman-4-one (naringenin) was studied in aqueous solutions of ethanol and 0.1 mol L−1 sodium perchlorate at 25°C. The chemical species that contributed to deprotonation were evaluated together with their pure spectral characteristics and concentration profiles by some chemometric methods. The deprotonation constants assigned by pK1, pK2, and pK3 were determined by multivariate curve analysis of spectral data at different pcH values. The pure spectral analysis concordant with the theoretical prediction of deprotonation constants indicates that the acidity of hydroxyl groups in naringenin decreases in the order: 7-OH, 4′-OH, 5-OH. The effects of the solvent on deprotonation were analysed in terms of the linear solvation energy relationships using the model of Kamlet, Abboud, and Taft (KAT). Multiple linear regressions were aimed towards correlating the deprotonation constants with the microscopic parameters containing hydrogen-bond acidity (α), dipolarity/polarisability (π*), and hydrogen-bond basicity (β). The most significant parameter was found to be the hydrogen-bond acidity of binary mixtures.
Core/Shell PBA/PMMA‐PGMA Nanoparticles to Enhance the Impact Resistance of UV‐Cured Epoxy Systems

Crosslinked core/shell PBA/PMMA-PGMA particles are prepared by emulsion polymerization and dispersed into a UV-curable cycloaliphatic epoxy resin in the range of 5–15 wt%. The presence of the particles does not significantly affect the UV curing process: a slight decrease of final epoxy group conversion is attributed to an increase in the viscosity when CS-GMA is added to the photocurable formulation and to an enhanced vitrification effect. The presence of the particles does not modify theTg of the cured materials, while an enhancement of impact resistance is observed that does not depend on the particle content. FESEM micrographs for epoxy reinforced with core/shell particles indicate a plastic void growth of the epoxy polymer and shear yielding toughening mechanism.