Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of local government innovation: the case of green public procurement in the United States

PurposeGreen public procurement (GPP) may be a viable solution and an innovative policy tool for public managers to address complex environmental issues facing communities globally. Given their substantial purchasing power, local GPP initiatives and success can accelerate a transition toward a more sustainable society through governments' influence over the private sector. The study's central research question is: What are the factors associated with US local governments' engagement with GPP practices? Design/methodology/approachThis research applies the Mohr's (1969) model of motivations, obstacles and resources (MOR) and draws on original, comprehensive and national survey data collected in collaboration with NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement to explain adoption of GPP as an innovative policy tool. To ensure the robustness of the findings, the data are analysed by running two types of regression – ordinal logistic and negative binomial – using two different operationalizations for the dependent variable, a GPP scale (ordinal) and a GPP scorecard (count). FindingsThe decision surrounding GPP adoption is ultimately driven by organizations’ strategic visions, organizations’ familiarity with the GPP concept and practices, and mandates from the federal government through funding mechanisms.Originality/valueThis study offers guidance to both academic researchers and policymakers in public management and public budgeting and finance on strategies and policy options to expand GPP adoption and utilization.
Development and Validation of a Short Questionnaire Assessing the Behavior of Local Food Procurement in Quebec, Canada

ABSTRACT Background Very few validated instruments, particularly screening tools applicable to large-cohort studies, are available to assess the behavior of local food procurement. Objective The aim was to develop and validate a short questionnaire that measures local food procurement in a sample of French-speaking adults from Quebec, Canada, and to assess the association between local food-procurement behavior and diet quality. Methods A comprehensive questionnaire developed previously to measure local food procurement [Locavore-Index (Locavore-I)] was simplified through a series of steps that included face-validity, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability testing (internal consistency). Construct validity of the resulting short Locavore-I Short Form (Locavore-I-SF) was examined in a sample of 299 adults (85% women) from the Quebec City metropolitan community. Results The Locavore-I-SF comprises 12 questions that measure the frequency of short food supply chain use (self-production, farmers’ markets, and community-supported agriculture box scheme) for 3 locally produced foods (carrot, tomato, and lettuce) as well as the geographical origin of those 3 foods. The Locavore-I-SF, which is scored on a 12-point scale, had a high internal consistency (Cronbach ɑ: 0.74). The Locavore-I-SF scores were strongly correlated with the reference scores obtained from the Locavore-I from which it was developed (r = 0.84, P < 0.0001). Locavore-I-SF scores also correlated (r = 0.50, P < 0.0001) with the geographical origin of foods measured by pictures of food labels taken by participants. Higher Locavore-I-SF scores were associated with behaviors consistent with eating local foods, such as gardening (vs. not gardening; mean ± SEM difference: 2.3 ± 0.4 points; P < 0.0001) and not being preoccupied by the foods’ appearance standards (vs. being preoccupied; 1.4 ± 0.4 points; P = 0.0002). Finally, the Locavore-I-SF scores were weakly associated with the Healthy Eating Food Index-2019 score (B = 0.05 ± 0.02; P = 0.02). Conclusions The Locavore-I-SF, a short questionnaire based on 3 locally produced foods in Quebec, measures the behavior of local food procurement with good reliability and acceptable validity metrics.
Elderly Caregivers’ Awareness of Caregiving Health Risks

The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness of elderly primary caregivers of being at physical and mental health risk due to their caregiving role, as well as to examine the impact of sociodemographic characteristics, patient care characteristics, and situational variables on caregivers’ awareness. Data were collected by interview of a sample of primary caregivers aged 60+. A total of 202 primary caregivers responded positively, representing a response rate of 65% (202/311). We found a low–moderate level of awareness. The final multivariate regression analysis (F (12, 179) = 21.26, p < 0.000) revealed six variables, out of nearly 30, that are associated with a high percentage (59%) of the variability of caregivers’ awareness, namely caregiving burden, caregivers’ self-rated health, patient’s disease severity, caregiver gender, number of children, and familial relation to the patient. Action may be taken to raise caregivers’ awareness. Such interventions would possibly contribute to the quality of life and health of caregivers, enable the optimal treatment of the patient, and reduce the costs imposed on the health system and society in general.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Softening and Ripening-Related Genes in Kiwifruit Cultivars Treated with Ethylene

This work presents the transcriptome analysis of green ‘Hayward’ (Actinidia deliciosa) and gold ‘Haegeum’ (Actinidia chinensis) kiwifruit cultivars after treatment with ethylene for three days at 25 °C. Illumina high-throughput sequencing platform was used to sequence total mRNAs and the transcriptome gene set was constructed by de novo assembly. A total of 1287 and 1724 unigenes were differentially expressed during the comparison of ethylene treatment with control in green ‘Hayward’ and gold ‘Haegeum’, respectively. From the differentially expressed unigenes, 594 and 906 were upregulated, and 693 and 818 were downregulated in the green and gold kiwifruit cultivars, respectively, when treated with ethylene. We also identified a list of genes that were expressed commonly and exclusively in the green and gold kiwifruit cultivars treated with ethylene. Several genes were expressed differentially during the ripening of kiwifruits, and their cumulative effect brought about the softening- and ripening-related changes. This work also identified and categorized genes related to softening and other changes during ripening. Furthermore, the transcript levels of 12 selected representative genes from the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in the transcriptome analysis were confirmed via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to validate the reliability of the expression profiles obtained from RNA-Seq. The data obtained from the present study will add to the information available on the molecular mechanisms of the effects of ethylene during the ripening of kiwifruits. This study will also provide resources for further studies of the genes related to ripening, helping kiwifruit breeders and postharvest technologists to improve ripening quality.
Genetic Predictors of Change in Episodic Verbal Memory by Cognitive Intervention: ACT, PICALM, BDNF, NRG1, APOE Genes and Their Interactions in Situations of Cognitive Demand.

BACKGROUND Cognitive interventions (CIs) in the elderly are activities that seek to improve cognitive performance and delay its deterioration. Our objectives were to study potential genetic predictors of how a CI program may influence immediate and delayed episodic verbal memory (EVM). METHODS 162 participants were elderly individuals without dementia who were randomized into parallel control and experimental groups. Participants underwent genetic testing to analyze the PICALM, ACT, NRG1, BDNF and APOE genes. We performed a broad neuropsychological assessment before and 6 months after the CI. The CI involved multifactorial training (30 sessions). The control group undertook the centre's standard activities. The main outcome measures were the genotype studied as a predictor of post-intervention changes in EVM. RESULTS We found the CI was associated with improvements in several cognitive functions, including immediate and delayed EVM. While no individual gene was associated with any such change, the interaction between PICALM/ACT (p = 0.008; Eta2 = 0.23) and PICALM/NRG1 (p = 0.029; Eta2 = 0.19) was associated with improved immediate EVM, and the NRG1/BDNF interaction was associated with improved delayed EVM (p = 0.009; Eta2 = 0.21). The APOEε4 genotype was not associated with any change in EVM. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that the participants' genotype can have an impact on the results of CIs. Cognitive stress may stimulate the interaction of various genes and as such, different types of CI should be established for distinct groups of people taking into account the individual's characteristics, like genotype, to improve the results of this type of health prevention and promotion activity.
Treatment of severe atopic dermatitis with upadacitinib in real clinical practice. Short-term efficacy and safety results.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Puerta del Hierro, Madrid, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Doctor Peset, Valencia, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital General de Valencia, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Alicante, Alicante, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Granollers, Barcelona, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Valencia, Spain Department of Dermatology, Juan Ramón Jimenez Hospital, Huelva, Spain Department of Dermatology, Infanta Leonor Hospital, Madrid, Spain Department of Dermatology, Sant Pau Hospital, Barcelona, Spain Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Servant Leadership as a Paradigm for the Challenging South African School Context?

The South African educational system has challenges regarding learner outcomes of previously disadvantaged schools. New thinking is mandatory, and school leadership needs to play an significant role to improve the status quo. The servant leadership paradigm may be a substantial factor to counter the challenges. A quantitative approach measured the covariation between the servant leadership paradigm and its influence on the organizational climate of private schools to learn implementable lessons. The construct of servant leadership was explored via the Servant Leadership Survey (SLS) of Van Dierendonck and Nuijten. According to Castro and Martins’s Climate Survey Questionnaire (CSQ), the organizational climate was analyzed. A total of 249 respondents, all permanently employed as educators from primary and secondary private schools, completed the survey questionnaires. It was found that private schools’ leadership exhibits the characteristics of the servant leadership practices of empowerment, stewardship, accountability, and humility. It was confirmed that private school leadership displays the organizational climate groupings of organizational image, teamwork, work environment, and leadership as priorities that increase constructive organizational climate in the school setting. Recommendation about the implication of these results to improve the disadvantaged school environment is discussed.
Antiplatelet Therapy in High-Bleeding Risk Patients Undergoing PCI: Walking a Tightrope

Historically, prevention from ischemic events with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) took precedence over protection from bleeding. However, increasing data suggest that major bleeding complications are as detrimental as ischemic events. Awareness about the prognostic impact of bleeding prompted the search for new strategies aimed at maximizing both ischemic and bleeding protection. This is noteworthy because patients at high bleeding risk (HBR) have generally been underrepresented in clinical trials on DAPT and they often are at increased risk of ischemic events as well. The present review discusses the evidence base for new pharmacotherapeutic strategies to decrease bleeding risk without compromising ischemic protection among HBR patients undergoing PCI, including shortening DAPT duration, early aspirin withdrawal, and P2Y12 inhibitor de-escalation.
Bacterial–viral interactions: a factor that facilitates transmission heterogeneities

Abstract The transmission of infectious diseases is characterized by heterogeneities that are shaped by the host, the pathogen, and the environment. Extreme forms of these heterogeneities are called super-spreading events. Transmission heterogeneities are usually identified retrospectively, but their contribution to the dynamics of outbreaks makes the ability to predict them valuable for science, medicine, and public health. Previous studies identified several factors that facilitate super-spreading; one of them is the interaction between bacteria and viruses within a host. The heightened dispersal of bacteria colonizing the nasal cavity during an upper respiratory viral infection, and the increased shedding of HIV-1 from the urogenital tract during a sexually transmitted bacterial infection, are among the most extensively studied examples of transmission heterogeneities that result from bacterial–viral interactions. Interrogating these transmission heterogeneities, and elucidating the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, are part of much-needed efforts to guide public health interventions, in areas that range from predicting or controlling the population transmission of respiratory pathogens, to limiting the spread of sexually transmitted infections, and tailoring vaccination initiatives with live attenuated vaccines.
Constraints on Early Paleozoic Deep‐Ocean Oxygen Concentrations From the Iron Geochemistry of the Bay of Islands Ophiolite

The deep ocean is generally considered to have changed from anoxic in the Precambrian to oxygenated by the Late Paleozoic (∼420–400 Ma) due to changes in atmospheric oxygen concentrations. When the transition occurred, that is, in the Early Paleozoic or not until the Late Paleozoic, is less well constrained. To address this, we measured Fe3+/ΣFe of volcanic rocks, sheeted dykes, gabbros, and ultramafic rocks from the Early Paleozoic (∼485 Ma) Bay of Islands (BOI) ophiolite as a proxy for hydrothermal alteration in the presence or absence of O2 derived from deep marine fluids. Combining this data with previously published data from the BOI indicates that volcanic rocks are oxidized relative to intrusive crustal rocks (0.35 ± 0.02 vs. 0.19 ± 0.01, 1 standard error), which we interpret to indicate that the volcanic section was altered by marine‐derived fluids that contained some dissolved O2. We compare our results directly to the Macquarie Island and Troodos ophiolites, drilled oceanic crust, previously compiled data for ophiolitic volcanic rocks, and newly compiled data for ophiolitic intrusive rocks. These comparisons show that the BOI volcanic (but not intrusive) rocks are oxidized relative to Precambrian equivalents, but are less oxidized relative to Late Paleozoic to modern equivalents. We interpret these results to indicate that the Early Paleozoic ocean contained dissolved O2, but at concentrations ∼2.4× lower than for the Late Paleozoic to today.
Impact of Perceived Learning Support and Student Engagement on Remedial Student Science Success in the University Placement Examination during COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aims to examine the relationship between learning support, student engagement, and science achievement of remedial students in the university placement examination during the COVID-19 pandemic. This preliminary quantitative research adopted a correlational design. The participants of this study were 216 students who received their remedial education through an online method in Nigerian settings. Two instruments were used for data collection: student engagement scale and learning support scale. The data were analyzed using correlation and hierarchical regression analyses. The results revealed that learning support aspects, including teacher, peer, and parent support, and student engagement dimensions, such as emotional, behavioural, cognitive, and agentic, were positive predictors of students’ science success. This study has implications for preservice and in-service teacher education, especially educating the teachers on how to actively collaborate with parents in inspiring their children to be engaged and successful scholars. Insightful suggestions were made.
Social Determinants of Obesity and Stunting among Brazilian Adolescents: A Multilevel Analysis

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of obesity and stunting among Brazilian adolescents and its associations with social determinants of health (individual, family, and school), grounded on the necessity of investigating the determinants of nutritional problems within this population. (2) Methods: A population-based survey was administered to 16,556 adolescents assessed by the 2015 National School Health Survey. Multivariate models of obesity and stunting were estimated from Multilevel Poisson Regressions. (3) Results: The prevalence of obesity among Brazilian adolescents (10.0%; 95% CI: 9.4–10.6) was associated directly with indifference or dissatisfaction with body image, with eating breakfast four or fewer days a week, living with up to four people in the household, studying in private schools, and being from the South region, and was inversely associated with being female, 15 years old or older, with having the highest nutritional risk eating pattern, dining at fast-food restaurants, and eating while watching television or studying. The prevalence of stunting (2.3%; 95% CI: 2.0–2.8) was directly associated with the age of 15 years or older, and inversely associated with the lower number of residents living in the household, maternal education—decreasing gradient from literate to college level education, studying in urban schools, and being from the South and Central-West regions. (4) Conclusions: Obesity in adolescence presented behavioral determinants. Stunting and obesity have structural social determinants related, respectively, to worse and better socioeconomic position among Brazilian adolescents.
Business-to-Business E-Commerce Adoption Amongst the Malaysian Manufacturing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Strategic Agility as Moderator

Research on e-commerce in Malaysia is developing, especially amongst the manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as it includes questions about the adoption of business-to business (B2B) e-commerce. Manufacturing SMEs accounted a large portion of gross domestic product (GDP) and SMEs exports. Previous scholars from the developed countries had conducted several research on these issues compared to the developing countries, especially Malaysia. The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) was used to measure the company’s performance from four different perspectives. Strategic agility as a moderator should be attributed to the adoption of B2B e-commerce to improve business performance. Strategic agility plays a vital role in technological change, which can improve business performance. The study obtained detailed information on the respondents through the 49th edition of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Industry Directory. Three hundred and eighty-one Malaysian manufacturing SMEs participated in this study. The collected data used the online survey methods and Smart Partial Least Squares Analysis (SmartPLS) under the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The BSC’s point of views include that financial, customers, internal processes, and learning and growth had a significant impact on the adoption of B2B e-commerce. The results showed that strategic agility governed the relationship between B2B e-commerce and internal processes.
Technique for Modeling Installation and Pullout of DIAs on a Beam Centrifuge

This paper describes a technique for modeling the installation and pullout of a dynamically installed anchor (DIA) using specifically designed equipment on a beam centrifuge. The equipment consists of three subassemblies, an X-Y table, an anchor installation system, and a pullout system. The X-Y table allows the location of anchor installation and pullout direction and pullout angle to be adjusted within a relatively short time without stopping the centrifuge. This permits the pullout angle with respect to vertical and the azimuthal angle of the pullout direction relative to the fins to be adjusted under high-g conditions. Inclined anchor penetration could also be preset by changing the lateral offset of the top of the guide tube. Finally, a very short transition time of several seconds between installation and pullout can be achieved, thereby allowing nearly short-term conditions to be achieved during pullout. The centrifuge model test results show that vertical pullout of non-vertically installed anchors and non-vertical pullout of vertically installed anchors both give a higher holding capacity than vertical pullout of vertically installed anchors. This indicates that the transverse pullout resistance of an anchor may contribute measurably to the anchor capacity and raises the possibility that, when appropriately installed, even higher pullout capacity may be obtainable from inclined pullout of non-vertically installed anchors. The findings also suggest that the ratio of short-term to long-term capacity may differ for different soils, thereby underlining the importance of being able to conduct tests at sufficiently shorter reconsolidation times.
Histological analysis of testes in patients with 5 alpha-reductase deficiency type 2: Comparison with cryptorchid testes in patients without endocrinological abnormalities and a review of the literature

Abstract. As evidenced by the intact histology of the testes during infancy, testicular differentiation during the prenatal period occurs normally in individuals with 5 alpha-reductase type 2 deficiency (5αRD); however, a majority of these individuals suffer from azoospermia or oligospermia during adulthood, indicating that impaired spermatogenesis occurs postnatally. Although the accompanying cryptorchidism may be partly responsible for this process, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. To address this issue, we retrospectively compared the histological findings of descended testes in a 3-mo-old patient and undescended testes in an 18-yr-old patient with 5αRD. In the latter, testicular histology was compared to that of cryptorchid testes obtained from five adolescent patients without endocrinological abnormalities. Histological findings of a 3-mo-old patient revealed normal number of germ cells with intact seminiferous tubules. In contrast, an 18-yr-old patient showed marked reduction in germ cell number and atrophic seminiferous tubules. The findings were very similar to those observed in cryptorchid testes without endocrinological abnormalities. These findings suggest that the decrease in germ cells in 5αRD patients may be at least partly caused by accompanying cryptorchidism. As the number of germ cells did not decrease during the infantile period, early orchiopexy is recommended to prevent a decrease in germ cell number and preserve fertility.