Extra Factor Research Articles

Exploring the Nexus Between Fertility Rates and Geopolitical Risk with Intelligence Methods: A Multifaceted Analysis

Background/Objectives: This paper presents an analysis of birth rate statistics, specifically focusing on recorded births in Scotland. The main research objective focuses on investigating the influence of geopolitical concerns on birth rate forecasts. Specifically, we examine whether individuals may choose to postpone or abstain from having children during times of conflict or political turmoil due to concerns about personal safety, the welfare of their children, or uncertainty about the future caused by geopolitical risks. Additionally, this study examines how disruptions to healthcare services, such as limited access to prenatal care and maternal health facilities, can affect birth outcomes and lead to changes in birth rates. Methods: To approach the research objective both machine learning algorithms and classical statistical procedures. Also, as part of the current analysis, the Geopolitical Risk Index has been applied as an extra factor to predict the birth rate. Results: The results of our study demonstrate the effectiveness of machine learning in producing precise predictions in this field, while emphasizing the significant influence of geopolitical risk on comprehending the dynamics of birth rates in Scotland. Conclusions: This study examines the effectiveness of several machine learning regression models in accurately predicting the number of births in Scotland using data that is not included in the model training process. Findings show promising outcomes in predicting births, while geopolitical instability has been indicated as a substantial influence on birth rates and fertility rates.

Schwinger vs Unruh (Mini-review)

It is shown that the temperatures which characterise the Unruh effect, the Gibbons-Hawking radiation from the de Sitter cosmological horizon and the Hawking radiation from the black hole horizon acquire the extra factor 2 compared with their traditional values. The reason for that is the coherence of different processes. The combination of the coherent processes also allows us to make the connection between the Schwinger pair production and the Unruh effect.

UNLOCKING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN THE SPORTS INDUSTRY: A HOLISTIC INVESTIGATION

In the course of the research, a total of 173 employees were questioned through the application of a random selection process. Surveys were utilized in order to accomplish the goal of gathering information for the specific study. For the purpose of determining the level of internal consistency that the instruments possessed, the researchers made use of the Cronbach alpha coefficient test. In order to accomplish the goals of this study, descriptive statistics were utilized. These data included percentages, frequencies, standard deviations, and averages. Additionally, inferential statistical approaches such as multiple regressions and correlation were utilized within the scope of the study. The outcomes of the research indicated that the degree of courtesy and politeness exhibited by workers had a positive and significant impact on the level of work performance they achieved. The results of the research indicate that there is a significant connection between higher levels of corporate citizenship and increased levels of productivity in the workplace. The findings of the survey indicate that employees working in the sport industry should be prepared to take on additional responsibilities, should be willing to provide assistance to new employees, should have a positive attitude, and should be able to accept workplace inconveniences. This is necessary in order to keep up with the advancements that have occurred in their own field and to improve the overall performance of the company. It is important for employees to have a conversation with their coworkers before taking any activities that could potentially have an impact on their fellow employees. They should also make every effort to avoid clashes with their teammates, as this is an extra factor that should be taken into consideration. It is of utmost significance that they refrain from making public their grievances and refrain from criticizing their coworkers. This is a matter of great importance. For the purpose of determining the precise nature and extent to which demographic determinants influence organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) components in connection to business outcomes, it is required to do additional study

Understanding the Housing Acquisition Behavior of Muslim Generation Y in Malaysia: A Conceptual Framework Based on ABC Theory

House is the most important basic need for the human survival, however many people especially those who are categorised in the category of generation Y do not acquire a house due to various factors (internal salient belief factors, personal factor, and extra factor). In accordance, the volume of residential transaction and homeownership rate among youths in Malaysia has been decreasing for the past few years. It is proven as the number of residential property transaction has dropped from 272,669 transactions in 2012 to 250,586 transactions in 2023. Thus, it is important to examine the behavior of generation Y towards house acquisition in Malaysia. This study focuses on Muslim Generation Y in West Malaysia, specifically on those who have purchased a home and those who have not. The research proposes to examine the internal salient belief factors (attitude and perceived religiosity on property), personal factors (lifestyles) as well as external factors (house features, house location, financing factors, and government support) in influencing house acquisition behavior among Muslim Generation Y in Malaysia. As such, this study proposes to adapt Attitude-Behavior-Context (ABC) theory in discovering the behavior.

Prevalence and risk factors of long COVID among maintenance hemodialysis patients post SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: A one‐year follow‐up study in China

AbstractPatients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) are a high‐risk group susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and long‐COVID syndrome appearance. However, there is limited and unclear evidence for long COVID in MHD patients. We collected the general information, symptoms, signs and laboratory indices of 366 MHD patients infected with COVID‐19 and conducted 12 months follow‐up with a series of questionnaires. As a result, 285 MHD patients had long COVID, with the most common symptoms were fatigue (84.69%) and muscle weakness (72.45%). Mobility problem (p < 0.001), anxiety/depression (p = 0.002) and breathlessness (p < 0.001) were more prevalent in long COVID patients than in non‐long COVID patients. Persistent long COVID people were more likely to report all domains problems of the EQ‐5D‐5L. Age, female, inadequate dialysis (Kt/V < 1.2), coagulation abnormalities (d‐dimer > 1 mg/L) and more comorbidities were risk factors for the development of long COVID. In addition to these factors, elevated inflammatory markers (CRP > 10 mg/L) represent an extra risk factor for the persistence of long COVID symptoms in MHD patients. And more than 80% of long COVID symptoms would resolve after 1 year in MHD patients, of which the sixth month after COVID‐19 infection is a critical turning point. In conclusion, more than 68% of MHD patients have long COVID, which has a poor impact on their health status and quality of life. These risk factors for the development and persistence of long COVID deserve the attention of clinicians.

Type II string theory on AdS3×S3×T4 and symmetric orbifolds

We discuss in detail the 1+1-dimensional superconformal field theory dual to type II string theory on AdS3×S3×T4, emphasizing the string theoretic aspects of this duality. For one unit of Neveu-Schwarz (NS-NS) 5-brane flux (Q5=1), this string theory has been suggested to be dual to a grand-canonical ensemble of T4N/SN free symmetric orbifold conformal field theories (CFTs). We show how the string genus expansion emerges to all orders for the free orbifold grand-canonical correlation functions. We also discuss how the strong coupling limit of the NS-NS string theory arises (even at large N) in the free orbifold description, and argue why this limit does not have a weakly coupled RR description. The dual conformal field theory (CFT) includes (for all values of Q5) an extra T4 factor that is decoupled from perturbative string theory. We discuss the exactly marginal deformations that relate the different values of Q5, including the precise JJ¯ deformations mixing this extra T4 with the symmetric orbifold. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Optimizing Mobile Reading Experience: Adaptive Font Size Adjustment in a Context-Aware Application

The reading experience on a mobile device can be influenced by many external elements that affect the viewing conditions. The user holding position, operating style, and the light conditions of the surroundings can all play a crucial factor in the legibility of the text. Furthermore, the user’s eye conditions may be an extra factor to consider when determining how to improve the reading experience. This study presents a context-aware application that adjusts the text font size based on the distance between the user and the device. The users select their preferred font size at certain distances in the calibration phase, accounting for individual preferences or their eye conditions, and the application uses the device’s front camera to calculate the distance in real time and adjust the font size accordingly. We present implementation details and challenges faced during development and how they were addressed. A two-part experiment ([Formula: see text] = 34) revealed that the application scored an excellent usability score while no differences were found between users with and without eye conditions, showing that both user groups find it equally usable. Additionally, initial results suggest that the visual landmarks used showed a promising start at addressing issues related to our approach.

On the circuit model of two quantum adiabatic search algorithms

The early work of Wei et al. has shown that it is possible to do the computation in constant time for quantum search in quantum local adiabatic evolution framework if the system Hamiltonian has an extra enlarged factor proportional to the square-root of the size of the problem. Also in our prior work, we have shown that it is possible to apply a linear interpolating path in the system Hamiltonian to achieve an O(1) time complexity for a quantum global adiabatic computation. In this paper, we discuss the issues when implementing these two quantum algorithms on the quantum circuit model, and find that to our surprise, the time slices produced does not equal to the time complexity of the algorithm in each case. This is in contrast to the previous related results, because there these two quantities always coincide. When taking into account of the whole energy-level increase of the system compared with that of the usual quantum adiabatic evolutions and the corresponding time complexity simultaneously, we find that the time slices needed always consist of the two quantities multiplying together. This result is new, and may be hopeful to find application in designing quantum adiabatic algorithm for problems beyond quantum search.

Genetic diversity in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) germplasm for vegetative and agronomic characteristics in semi-arid regions

Abstract Safflower, a semiarid crop, contains a healthy oil with high unsaturated fatty acids. Genetically diverse accessions are important for genetic maintenance of safflower and breeding proposes. The objectives of present investigation were to evaluate the morphological variation of 100 safflower accessions across two years (2022 and 2023), to explore similar genotypic groups and to identify the higher contribution of traits with to the observed variability. The highest coefficient of variation (CV) was observed for seeds per secondary capitulum, number of capitula per plant and weight of lateral capitulum in the first year and the highest CV values were observed for number of capitula per plant and capitula per lateral branch in the second year. The factor analysis identified five factors in the first year and six factors in the second as yield components, height, seed yield, capitulum diameter and phonology while number of branches was identified as the extra factor in the second year. Results showed that the variation of morphologic traits was made up of from the most measured traits of safflower. We defined seven distinct clusters, which made it possible to differentiate safflower accessions based on measured traits across two years. Of 45 accessions were grouped in similar clusters across two years, without any or similar genotype by environment interaction. Some high yielding accessions like C-47 and Lesaf-175 can be entered directly in multi-environmental trials for cultivar release proposes. The recognized variation improves as a good resource, indicating an important issue for future projects for safflower germplasm maintenance and breeding.

LURAD: Design study of a comprehensive radiation monitor package for the gateway and the lunar surface

Moon is an auspicious environment for the study of Galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and Solar Particle Events (SEP) due to the absence of magnetic field and atmosphere. The same characteristics raise the radiation risk for human presence in orbit around it or at the lunar surface. The secondary (albedo) radiation resulting from the interaction of the primary radiation with the lunar soil adds an extra risk factor, because neutrons are produced, but also it can be exploited to study the soil composition. In this paper, the design of a comprehensive radiation monitor package tailored to the lunar environment is presented. The detector, named LURAD, will perform spectroscopic measurements of protons, electrons, heavy ions, as well as gamma-rays, and neutrons. A microdosimetry monitor subsystem is foreseen which can provide measurements of LET(Si) spectra in a wide dynamic range of LET(Si) and flux for SPE and GCR, detection of neutrons and biological dose for radiation protection of astronauts. The LURAD design leverages on the following key enabling technologies: (a) Fully depleted Si monolithic active pixel sensors; (b) Scintillators read by silicon photomultipliers (SiPM); (c) Silicon on Insulator (SOI) microdosimetry sensors; These technologies promise miniaturization and mass reduction with state-of-the-art performance. The instrument’s design is presented, and the Monte Carlo study of the feasibility of particle identification and kinetic energy determination is discussed.

Sampling discretization of the uniform norm and applications

Discretization of the uniform norm of functions from a given finite dimensional subspace of continuous functions is studied. Previous known results show that for any N-dimensional subspace of the space of continuous functions it is sufficient to use eCN sample points for an accurate upper bound for the uniform norm by the discrete norm and that one cannot improve on the exponential growth of the number of sampling points for a good discretization theorem in the uniform norm. In this paper we focus on two types of results, which allow us to obtain good discretization of the uniform norm with polynomial in N number of points. In the first way we weaken the discretization inequality by allowing a bound of the uniform norm by the discrete norm multiplied by an extra factor, which may depend on N. In the second way we impose restrictions on the finite dimensional subspace under consideration. In particular, we prove a general result, which connects the upper bound on the number of sampling points in the discretization theorem for the uniform norm with the best m-term bilinear approximation of the Dirichlet kernel associated with the given subspace.

Basic quantum subroutines: finding multiple marked elements and summing numbers

We show how to find all k marked elements in a list of size N using the optimal number O(Nk) of quantum queries and only a polylogarithmic overhead in the gate complexity, in the setting where one has a small quantum memory. Previous algorithms either incurred a factor k overhead in the gate complexity, or had an extra factor log⁡(k) in the query complexity.We then consider the problem of finding a multiplicative δ-approximation of s=∑i=1Nvi where v=(vi)∈[0,1]N, given quantum query access to a binary description of v. We give an algorithm that does so, with probability at least 1−ρ, using O(Nlog⁡(1/ρ)/δ) quantum queries (under mild assumptions on ρ). This quadratically improves the dependence on 1/δ and log⁡(1/ρ) compared to a straightforward application of amplitude estimation. To obtain the improved log⁡(1/ρ) dependence we use the first result.

Using spherical indentation to determine creep behavior with considering empirical friction coefficient

Indentation testing is a common technique for characterizing the mechanical properties of materials. When it comes to assessing the yield behavior of metals, conical indentation is often favored due to its ability to induce significant plastic deformation at relatively shallow indentation depths. On the other hand, spherical indentation is typically chosen for evaluating metal creep behavior, as it helps minimize the influence of plastic deformation on creep measurements. In spherical indentation tests, the friction at the contact interface is particularly crucial, given the larger contact area and more pronounced slip zones. However, accurately determining the friction coefficient at the contact interface is a complex multi-scale challenge, with the exact coefficient varying based on specific testing conditions and surface treatments. Consequently, empirical friction coefficients are frequently employed, often without thorough justification. In this work, we proposed Bayesian inference method for obtaining the creep constitutive behavior of alloys through spherical indentation tests. Our model considers not only the complexity of creep law, but also the indentation friction, which is unable to consider in most spherical indentation tests with traditional treatment. By using experimental data of spherical indentation tests on 310S stainless steel and pure nickel alloy from literature, present study demonstrates the effectiveness of the Bayesian inference approach, with the inferred constitutive models exhibiting well agreement with uniaxial creep behavior. Furthermore, the method considers the friction coefficient as an extra factor in inferring creep constitutive behavior from indentation tests.

A critical examination of the protection level for primary producers in the first tier of the aquatic risk assessment for plant protection products

BackgroundThe aim of environmental risk assessment (ERA) for pesticides is to protect ecosystems by ensuring that specific protection goals (SPGs) are met. The ERA follows a prospective tiered approach, starting with the most conservative and simple step in risk assessment (RA) (so-called tier 1) using the lowest available appropriate endpoint derived from ecotoxicological tests. In 2015, for the tier 1 RA of aquatic primary producers, the recommendation was changed from using the lowest of the 50% inhibition (EC50) values based on biomass (area under the curve—EbC50), increase in biomass (yield- EyC50) or growth rate (ErC50) to only using the growth rate inhibition endpoint (ErC50) because it is independent of the test design and thus more robust. This study examines the implications of this such on the level of conservatism provided by the tier 1 RA and evaluates whether it ensures a suitable minimum protection level.ResultsOur analysis shows that replacing the lowest endpoint with the growth rate inhibition endpoint while maintaining the assessment factor (AF) of 10 significantly reduces the conservatism in the tier 1 RA. Comparing protection levels achieved with different endpoints reveals that the current assessment is less protective. To maintain the previous level of protection, and since the protection goals have not changed, we recommend to multiply the default AF of 10 by an extra factor of minimum 2.4 in the tier 1 RA based on ErC50. Independently of the endpoint selected in tier 1 RA, several issues in the general RA of pesticides contribute to uncertainties when assessing the protection levels, e.g., lack of appropriate comparison of the higher tier experimental studies (i.e., best achievable approximation of field situation, so-called surrogate reference tier) with field conditions or the regulatory framework's failure to consider realistic conditions in agricultural landscapes with multiple stressors and pesticide mixtures.ConclusionsWe advise to consider adjusting the risk assessment in order to reach at least the previous protection level for aquatic primary producers. Indeed continuing using an endpoint with a higher value and without adjustment of the assessment factor is likely to jeopardize the need of halting biodiversity loss in surface waters.

Oncogenesis Induced by Polyomavirus (BKV)

Polyomavirus BK (BKV) or human Polyomavirus is an icosahedral, non-enveloped virus classified under the Polyomaviridae family. The oncogenic properties of BKV belong to both an early domain and late domains. BKV encodes important Tag proteins such as LTAg and STAg “Tumour antigen; Tag. They succeeded in altering and stimulating infected cells to uncontrolled proliferation experimentally in both culture cell and animal models. This study aims to summarize the important oncogenic pathway that BKV used to initiate tumor. Both BKV proteins LTAg and STAg interfere with many cellular pathways/proteins such as retinoblastoma proteins, PP2A, P53, MAP kinases pathway, tumor suppressor proteins, telomerase, endothelial growth factor, leading to uncontrol of cell proliferation and apoptosis. This study concluded that stimulation of cell growth and secretion of extra endothelial growth factor in the absence of antiapoptotic proteins increases BKV proteins to mediate cancer development.

Social marketing framework for anti-littering behavior: an integrated serial mediation model

PurposeLittering has been identified as a significant social issue in India that has negative impact on the environment as well as public health. Social marketing is a powerful tool for changing and sustaining pro-environmental behaviors, but so far no research has been found on the application of social marketing on changing littering behavior in India. This paper aims to integrate the two widely used social marketing models, health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB), with an extra factor, environmental factors, in a holistic model to understand and predict anti-littering behavior in India.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 750 individuals were interviewed at 34 locations across the states of New Delhi and Punjab (India) in a field survey. For data analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model techniques in AMOS 21.0 have been used.FindingsThe results of the study suggest that the perceived benefits and perceived barriers have a significant direct effect on the attitude toward anti-littering behavior. No direct impact of perceived threat has been found on attitude toward anti-littering behavior. The results also confirm the role of attitude, subjective norms and self-efficacy in influencing the anti-littering intention with attitude and subjective norms having a greater impact on intention as compared to self-efficacy. Furthermore, the results also highlight that the environmental factors and intention carry more weights than perceived behavioral control in influencing anti-littering behavior. Recognizing the importance of sequential mediators in the present study, the results of the serial mediation analysis revealed that attitude and intention sequentially mediate the path linking perceived benefits, perceived barriers and anti-littering behavior.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study in terms of theory building appears to be the first to integrate social marketing models HBM and TPB to explain and understand not only anti-littering behavior but also for setting a platform of behavior change in a larger context.

Delayed Dynamics with Transient Resonating Oscillations

Recently, we have studied a delay differential equation which has a coefficient that is a linear function of time. The equation has shown the oscillatory transient dynamics appear and disappear as the delay is increased between zero to asymptotically large delay. We here propose and study another equation that shows similar transient oscillations. It has an extra exponential gaussian factor on the delayed feedback term. It is shown that this equation is analytically tractable with the use of the Lambert $W$ function. This equation is also studied numerically to confirm some of the properties inferred from the analytical solution. We also have found that the amplitude of transient oscillation changes and goes through a maximum as we increase the value of the delay. In this sense, the proposed equation is one of the simplest dynamical equations that brings out a resonant behavior without any external oscillating inputs.

Distance Duality Test: The Evolution of Radio Sources Mimics a Nonexpanding Universe

Distance duality relation (DDR) marks a fundamental difference between expanding and nonexpanding universes, as an expanding metric causes angular diameter distance smaller than luminosity distance by an extra factor of (1 + z). Here we report a test of this relation using two independent samples of ultracompact radio sources observed at 2.29 GHz and 5.0 GHz. The test with radio sources involves only geometry, so it is independent of cosmological models. Since the observed radio luminosities systematically increase with redshift, we do not assume a constant source size. Instead, we start with assuming the intensive property, luminosity density, does not evolve with redshift and then infer its evolution from the resultant DDR. We make the same assumption for both samples, and find it results in the same angular size–redshift relation. Interestingly, the resultant DDR is fully consistent with a nonexpanding universe. Imposing the DDR predicted by the expanding universe, we infer the radio luminosity density evolves as ρ L ∝ (1 + z)3. However, the perfect agreement with a nonexpanding universe under the assumption of constant luminosity densities poses a conspiracy and fine-tuning problem: the size and luminosity density of ultracompact radio sources evolve in the way that precisely mimics a nonexpanding universe.

MOBILE-BANKING PENETRATION IN RURAL INDIA: A STUDY BASED ON UTAUT-2 MODEL

Mob-banking technology is still evolving across all the world, but its spread has been uneven. We prefer to focus on factors that influence actual practice and future use intention. Through its uneven mechanical phenomena of mob-payments, India offers us with a suitable arena for analyzing citizens' usage behavior. We try to comprehend adoption backed UTAUT-2 models in accessibility, transactional convenience, profit convenience, and post-benefit convenience as all have a significant influence on mob-banking adoption purpose. The effects of convenience dimensions on mob-banking adoption intention are moderated by perceived hedonistic and perceived utilitarian objectives. In this research trying to find out the which UTAUT-2 factor can affect the mobile banking penetration in rural India and how can improve the penetration rate in rural India and this research also propose a extra factor in UTAUT-2 model and providing the solution.The research's findings can help banks in important elements of online convenience to order via mob-banking platforms

Erratum: QED-based derivation of the general forms of the relativistic Doppler effect and of the relativistic aberration for uniformly rotating frames and for uniformly accelerated frames

The current paper corrects an error that occurred in a previously published paper. The error starts from Sec. 3 , Eq. ( 3.2 ) whereby the scalar value of the wave-vector needs to be corrected. The net result is that the final formulas for the relativistic Doppler effect and for aberration get simplified. The source of the error is an extra multiplication factor by “[Formula: see text]”. We need to replace the incorrect [Formula: see text] in [A. Sfarti, MPLA 37, 2250238 (2022)] with the correct expression [Formula: see text].