Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Small Firm Growth: An Exhaustive Analysis Using Conceptual and Statistical Approaches

Firm growth is a recurring topic in the field of management and entrepreneurship research. Over the last two decades, determinants of firm growth have been studied to explain variations in growth rates from a broad array of disciplines. Nevertheless, it is observed that accumulated knowledge of firm growth is still limited. The field of study is fragmented because different disciplines produce diverse sets of determinants; however, none of them can be used as a common set of growth predictors. This paper aims to provide an exhaustive analysis on the determinants of firm growth using both conceptual and statistical approaches. Applying factor analysis on a Dutch firm-level data set that includes many known determinants of firm growth from existing literature, we create determinants that are in line with their conceptual constructs (conceptual approach). We also empirically validate the conceptual constructs of these known determinants using a statistical approach where independent variables are grouped into common factors solely on statistical grounds. Finally, using an inclusive model consisting of known determinants from various categories, we are able to identify the most important determinants of firm growth: the individual’s growth motivation and specific (technical) skills, firm age, past financial performance of the firm and the firm’s entrepreneurial-growth orientation. We suggest that these determinants can serve as a common set of determinants to develop a more systematic analysis on the determinants of firm growth in future research.
A New Methodology for the Study of Dynamic Decision-Making with a Continuous Unknown Parameter

A new methodology is presented to solve an important model of dynamic decision-making with a continuous unknown parameter (or state). The methodology centers on the concepts of “continuation-value function” (which gives the expected value-to-go from every possible state under a feasible policy) and “efficient frontier” of such functions in each period. When the model primitives can be described through a family of basis functions, e.g. polynomials, a continuation-value function retains that property and can be fully represented by a basis weight vector. The efficient frontiers of the weight vectors can be constructed through backward induction, which leads to an essential reduction of problem complexity and enables an exact solution for small-sized problems. A set of approximation methods based on the new methodology are developed to tackle larger problems. The methodology is also extended to the multi-dimensional (multi-parameter) setting, which features the important problem of contextual multi-armed bandits with linear expected rewards. We demonstrate that our approximation algorithm for that problem has a clear edge over three benchmark algorithms in the challenging learning environment with many actions and relatively short horizons.
Correction: Green-synthesised cerium oxide nanostructures (CeO2-NS) show excellent biocompatibility for phyto-cultures as compared to silver nanostructures (Ag-NS)

Correction for ‘Green-synthesised cerium oxide nanostructures (CeO2-NS) show excellent biocompatibility for phyto-cultures as compared to silver nanostructures (Ag-NS)’ by Qaisar Maqbool, RSC Adv. , 2017, 7, 56575–56585, https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ra12082f.
Effective treatment with tacrolimus for patients with non-severe aplastic anemia refractory/ intolerant to cyclosporine A: a retrospective study

Background: For the symptomatic non-severe aplastic anemia (NSAA) patients who cannot afford anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), tacrolimus (FK) was occasionally reported to be an option if they were not response or tolerant to the cyclosporine A (CsA). Method: We collected and analyzed respectively 101 NSAA patients refractory or intolerant to CsA with no chance of HSCT or ATG, and treated them with tacrolimus for at least 6 months and followed up for at least one year. Results: The overall response (ORR) was 38.6% (complete response: 9.9%; partial response: 28.7%) and the median time to optimal response was 6 (3～10) months. 32 (31.7%) cases had elevated creatinine level. 8 (7.9%) cases had elevation of AST/ALT. 25.6% (10/39) of patients relapsed at the end of follow-up. Age (P=0.0005), FK concentration (4.0~12ng/ml, P=0.0005) and intolerance to CsA (P=0.012) were the independent risk factors for ORR. Treg cells level pre-FK treatment was much lower than healthy controls (3.7±0.6% vs 6.8±0.7%, P=0.0004), but increased significantly after FK treatment (3.7±0.6% vs. 7.1±0.8%, P=0.0039). Conclusion: Our data provide a possibility of tacrolimus as a salvage treatment for patients with NSAA refractory or intolerant to CsA.
Surface electronic structure of epi germanium (001)-2 × 1

Photoemission from an epi Ge(001)-2 × 1 surface is presented using synchrotron radiation as a probe. The topmost surface atoms are buckled with the up-dimer and down-dimer atoms exhibiting surface core-level shifts (SCLSs) of −0.492 and −0.178 eV, respectively. The subsurface layer shows a +0.083 eV SCLS. The final-state effect suffices to explain the sign of the shift. The electron affinity and ionization potential for the epi Ge surface are 4.36 and 5.09 eV, respectively. An argument contrasting the current results with those of existing reports with non-epi surfaces is also given. Non-epi surfaces possess Ge surfaces with isolated single atoms or small droplets that affect Ge’s contact with dielectric layers and the electric performances of the Ge metal–oxide–semiconductor structure.
Ambient-air-stable inorganic Cs2SnI6 double perovskite thin films via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition

Air-stable caesium tin iodide double perovskite (Cs2SnI6) thin films have been fabricated via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD). We compare the properties of the double perovskite films made using AACVD with those made by the widely used spin-coating method. Films with purer crystalline phase (less CsI impurity) and far better stability in ambient air can be obtained by AACVD compared with spin coating. The AACVD-grown Cs2SnI6 films retain high phase purity for at least ∼100 days aging in air with negligible CsI impurities detected over this time, as determined by X-ray diffraction. The films exhibit an optical band gap energy (Eg) of ca. 1.3 eV and a homogeneous morphology with the expected nominal stoichiometry within error, as probed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Overall, the characteristics of the Cs2SnI6 films are highly process-dependent, e.g. they are influenced by the presence of hydroiodic acid (HI) in the precursor solution. Without HI addition, an iodine-deficient film with more CsI is produced, which also exhibits a larger Eg of ca. 1.6 eV. In addition to bulk properties, we utilise X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to scrutinise the surface characteristics in detail. We find excess Sn and I located at the surfaces. This can be attributed to the presence of SnI4 from the deposition precursor vapour. Furthermore, following aging in air, an increase in CsI impurity for the AACVD (+HI)-grown film is observed, along with a reduction in SnI4 at the surfaces. Near-ambient pressure XPS (NAP-XPS) is used to examine the surface stability of AACVD (+HI)-grown films on exposure to O2 and H2O. No enhancement in the amount of CsI impurity is observed after both H2O vapour (9 mbar) and O2 (5 mbar) exposure. Nevertheless, the concentrations of tin and iodine change after exposure, suggesting that SnI4 protects Cs2SnI6 from degradation. This passivation effect of SnI4 on Cs2SnI6 surfaces is proposed to explain the additional stability of Cs2SnI6 fabricated via AACVD.
Apply Four Laboratory Characteristics to Classify Critical Patients With COVID-19 After Admission

Background The sudden outbreaking of COVID-19 worldwide has brought into sharp increased burden of economic and treatment in worldwide. All confirmed patients with different severity not only share the limited healthcare systems simultaneously but increase the risk of cross-infection among patients and health care workers. Hence, effective separation of critical COVID-19 patients from the common COVID-19 will be the key to success for ensuring critical patients to obtain treatment priorities and avoiding cross-infections in the hospital. Methods: A total of 105 patients with complete medical records were collected, including 84 blood samples of patients who confirmed in the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology at Anhui and 25 blood samples of patients in two hospitals at Shantou. Series of machine learning tools were introduced to explore and validate the most significant laboratory characteristics. Meanwhile, we compared it to three current popular assessment systems for pneumonia by using three methods, including the AUC index, NRI index and the net benefit. Results: We identified four significant potential laboratory characteristics for the classification of critical patients, including C-reactive protein, albumin, globulin, and sodium levels. The results also suggested the accurate and prediction efficacy of these selected indicators are the highest. Conclusions In conclusion, four easily available and low-cost laboratory characteristics appear to be import predictors of classification in critical patients after hospital admission. They guide therapeutic options and help clinicians make clinical decisions. Hence, we believe that such classification is essential for a more rational allocation scarce medical resource.
Predictors and Risk Factors of Severity of GBS, the Requirement for Mechanical Ventilation and Poor Short-Term Prognosis of Severe GBS

Background/Objective:It is still an extraordiarily exigent thing to early recognize the severity, therapeutic method and prognisis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Our research’s goal is to investigate the clinical predictive factors indicating severity of GBS and the requirement for mechanical ventilation(MV) in severe patients with GBS, and to explore the identification of modifiable risk factors for predicting poor short-run outcome of severe GBS. Methods: A total of 155 patients were included in a cohort of GBS patients admitted to the Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University between 2014 and 2020. Demographic, clinical, therapeutical and evolutionary data were collected. Neurological testing which used standardized data collection were carried out by the same investigators on the whole study period. Comparion of the results were implemented by single and multiple regression analysis.Result: Of 155 patients, 66 patients were severe GBS, of which twenty-nine patients (18.7%) needed MV. Significant clinical predictors for severe GBS were recent history of surgery, time from onset to admission, Medical Research Council(MRC) sum score on admission, autonomic dysfunction, cranial nerve impairment(glossopharyngeal, facial, Oculomotor and/or abducent nerve deficits) and elevated liver enzyme levels were significantly bound up with severity scores(p<0.05). With regard to risk factors of MV in severe GBS, univariate logistic analysis indicated presence of cranial nerve involvement, autonomic dysfunction, MRC score at nadir, elevated liver enzymes and pneumonia were significantly different(p<0.05); Multivariate analysis determined that MRC score at nadir and autonomic dysfunction were also considered to be predictors for MV in severe GBS(p<0.05). As to prognostic of factors, recent history of surgery, MRC score at nadir, the requirement for MV, MRC score at admission and pneumonia during hospitalization were predictors of poor short-run outcome in severe patients with GBS by univariate logistic analysis, and that the nadir MRC score and the requirement for MV were identically proved as clinic parameters of unfavourable prognosis by multivariate logistic analysis (p<0.05) . Conclusions: Clinical risk factors of severity in GBS, the requirement of MV and unfavourable short-run prognosis in severe GBS were evident. Recent history of surgery is also a predictor for severity in GBS patients.
Plastic degrading fungi Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus nomius isolated from local landfill soil in Medan

Plastic is a naturally recalcitrant polymer, once it enters the environment, it will remain there for many years. Accumulation of plastic as wastes in the environment poses a serious problem and causes an ecological threat. Alternative strategies to reduce accumulation of plastic wastes have been initiated and implemented from a different aspect including from microbiological view point. The study to obtain potential fungi in degrading plastic molecule has been initiated in our laboratory. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic was used as a tested material. Candidate fungi were isolated from local landfill soil. The fungi were cultured in mineral salt medium broth containing LDPE powder. Two of nine isolates showed best growth response in broth media containing LDPE. These isolates (RH03 and RH06) were used in degradation test. Results showed that isolate RH03 and RH06 reduced the weight of LDPE film by 5.13% and 6.63%, respectively after 45 days of cultivation. The tensile strength of treated film even reduced significantly by 58% and 40% of each isolate. Analyses of electron micrograph exhibited grove ands rough were formed on the surface of LDPE film. These were not found in the untreated film. Furthermore, molecular analysis through polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing indicated that RH03 is Trichoderma viride and RH06 is Aspergillus nomius with 97% and 96% similarities, respectively.
Prevalence of GII.4 Sydney Norovirus Strains and Associated Factors of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children: Winter 2019-2020 in Guangzhou

BackgroundNorovirus, the leading cause of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide, is constantly mutating. Continuous monitoring of the evolution of epidemic genotypes and emergence of novel genotypes is therefore necessary. This study determined the prevalence and clinical characteristics of norovirus strains in AGE in Guangzhou, China in 2019-2020 winter.MethodsThis study included children aged 2-60 months diagnosed with AGE in Guangzhou Women and Children Hospital, from August 2019 to January 2020. Norovirus was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and clinical data were obtained. Genotyping and phylogenetic analyses were performed with partial gene sequence fragments located at the open reading frames 1-2 junctions.ResultsDuring the study period, 168 children (61.3% males) were confirmed as norovirus infectious AGE. The main symptoms were diarrhoea and vomiting; and 38 patients (22.6%) had seizures. Norovirus was mainly prevalent in October and November, and GII.P31/GII.4 Sydney was the major genotype circulating in Guangzhou. The phylogenetic tree showed that the Guangzhou strains had high homology with the strains circulating in 2017-2019 worldwide. ConclusionsGII.4 Sydney was the main prevalent norovirus genotype in Guangzhou from August 2019 to January 2020, which had more severe diarrhoea than those of other genotypes. These findings provide a valuable reference for the prevention, control, and treatment of norovirus in the future.
Influence of Microstructure and Atomic-Scale Chemistry on Iron Ore Reduction with Hydrogen at 700°C

Steel is the most important material class in terms of volume and environmental impact. While it is a sustainability enabler, for instance through lightweight design and magnetic devices, its primary production is not. Iron is reduced from ores by carbon, causing 30% of the global CO2 emissions in manufacturing, qualifying it as the largest single industrial greenhouse gas emission source. Hydrogen is an attractive alternative reductant. Although this reaction has been studied for decades, its kinetics is not well understood, particularly the wustite reduction step, which is much slower than hematite reduction. Some rate limiting factors of this reaction depend on the microstructure and local chemistry. Here, we report on a multi-scale structure and composition analysis of iron reduced from hematite with pure H2, reaching down to near-atomic scale. The microstructure after reduction consists of nearly pure iron crystals, containing inherited and acquired pores and cracks. We observe several types of lattice defects that accelerate mass transport inbound (hydrogen) and outbound (oxygen) as well as chemical impurities in the form of oxide islands that were not reduced. With this study, we aim to open the perspective in the field of carbon-neutral iron production from macroscopic processing towards the underlying microscopic reduction mechanisms and kinetics.
Copper-induced recrystallization and interdiffusion of CdTe/ZnTe thin films

ZnTe is commonly employed as a buffer layer between CdTe and the metallization layer at the back contact of state-of-the-art CdTe solar cells. Here, the critical role of Cu in catalyzing recrystallization and interdiffusion between CdTe and ZnTe layers during back contact activation is presented. Several CdTe/ZnTe:Cu thin-film samples were prepared with varying levels of copper loading and annealed as a function of temperature and time. The samples were characterized by x-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The results show that stress is present in the as-deposited bilayers and that negligible interdiffusion occurs in the absence of Cu. The presence of Cu facilitates rapid interdiffusion, predominantly via Cd migration into the ZnTe phase. Zn migration into CdTe is limited to areas around defects and grain boundaries. Ternary CdxZn1-xTe interlayers are formed, and the extent of alloy formation ranges from 0.08 < x <.
Association of tear matrix metalloproteinase 9 immunoassay with signs and symptoms of dry eye disease: A cross-sectional study using qualitative, semiquantitative, and quantitative strategies

Purpose This study aimed to analyze the association of tear matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) immunoassay with the severity of dry eye (DE) signs and symptoms through qualitative, semiquantitative, and quantitative evaluations of immunoassay band. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 320 eyes of 320 patients. The clinical signs of DE were assessed using the Ocular Surface Disorder Index (OSDI) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), tear breakup time (tBUT), tear volume evaluation by tear meniscometry, and staining scores of the cornea and conjunctiva by the Oxford grading scheme. The tear MMP-9 immunoassay results were interpreted using qualitative (positive or negative), semi-quantitative (reagent band density on a four-point scale: 0 = negative; 1 = weakly positive; 2 = moderately positive; 3 = strongly positive), and quantitative (ratio of reagent band density to control band density) indicators. Results Positive MMP-9 immunoassay results were significantly related to shorter tBUT, tBUT ≤3 seconds, higher corneal staining score, corneal staining score ≥2, and conjunctival staining score ≥2. The semi-quantitative results of the MMP-9 immunoassay were positively correlated with higher corneal staining score (r = 0.122, p = 0.029) and negatively correlated with tBUT (r = -0.125, p = 0.025). However, in the quantitative analysis, none of the DE signs or symptoms were correlated to the band density of the MMP-9 immunoassay. Conclusions The positive MMP-9 immunoassay results were related to the severity of ocular signs of DE. However, using quantitative measures of the MMP-9 immunoassay to assess the clinical severity of DE requires further investigation.
PENGARUH MOTIVASI, KOMPENSASI DAN KOMPETENSI TERHADAP KINERJA PEGAWAI PENGELOLA KEARSIPAN YANG ADA DI LINGKUNGAN PEMERINTAH KABUPATEN OGAN KOMERING ILIR

Purpose - This study aims to determine the effect of motivation, compensation and competence on the performance of records management employees in the Ogan Komering Ilir Regency Government. Design/methodology - The design of this research is associative research by connecting between variables. The data used in this study are primary and secondary data, and respondents' answers are 120 employees in the Government of Ogan Komering Ilir Regency. The analytical method used is multiple linear regression and through testing the validity and reliability. Test data used to determine the characteristics of the data are the normality test and linearity test. The test model used consisted of multicollinity test and heterodecacity test, assisted by SPSS for windows version 22 with a significance level of 0.05. Findings - The results of multiple linear regression testing show compensation motivation and competence together have a significant influence on employee performance. Partially motivation has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, competence has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, while compensation has no positive and significant effect on employee performance. Implications: This study provides the results that motivation and competence are supporting factors for improving employee performance.
Comparative seasonal assessment on the quality of Black Bengal goat oocytes in view of in vitro embryo production

In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes provide an excellent opportunity for cheap and abundant embryos for carrying out animal improvement. With the aim for studying the quality of oocyte in different seasons of Black Bengal goat, both right and left ovaries were collected from the slaughter houses. For each of the specimens, gross parameters such as right, left, corpus luteum (CL)-present and corpus luteum (CL)-absent group were evaluated on the basis of weight (g), length (cm), width (cm), follicles aspirated and number and state of cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs), normal COCs and abnormal COCs, the effect of season on cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) of goat oocytes. Our study revealed that the average number of follicles and oocytes recovery rate were higher in summer than in winter season and recovery rate of grade A and B oocytes were higher in summer than that of in winter and recovery rate of grade C and D were higher in winter than that of in summer. In the present study a significantly greater number of oocytes per ovary were recovered from ovaries without a corpus luteum than from ovaries with a corpus luteum. So the summer was the best season for recovery of COCs which have a worthy competence to be matured in vitro.
The Weaknesses of English Writing Skills among Undergraduate Saudi Students Majoring in English at Qassim University: A Perspective of English Faculty

Throughout this 21st century, the communicative ability in English has become an essential skill, and it is a crucial language for global communication. Writing is one of the survival skills of modern society which forms part as one of the vital macro skills for communication. This study ascertained the weaknesses of English writing among undergraduate students majoring in English at Qassim University. It employed quantitative and qualitative research designs using an online survey technique. Results of the study showed that lack of English writing practice, the negative impact of the Arabic language, instructors' focus on syntactic forms more than semantic forms, ineffective teaching methods, and unwillingness to teach writing courses are some of the significant problems. To tackle the above problems, researchers proposed some practical strategies to help students write better. Blending new technology into writing courses is effective. Designing a wiki class, for example, not only prompts students to consider writing as a process but also cultivates collaboration. Researchers also emphasized the importance of having an excellent instructor-student relationship.