Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analyzing the Effect of Financial Constraints on Technological and Management Innovation in SMEs: A Gender Perspective

The aim of this research is twofold: establishing whether access to bank financing facilitates innovation in SMEs and whether such effect can be explained from a gender perspective. Using a sample of 310 Spanish SMEs, this study first examines the effect of alleviating financial constraints on both technological and management innovation through a structural equation model. Then, the moderating effect of gender is examined. Our results showed that (a) relaxing financial constraints helps SMEs to innovate in both technological and management innovation, (b) the effect of the relaxation of financial constraints is significantly greater in companies managed by women, and (c) the moderating effect of gender occurs from the double perspective of technological innovation and management innovation. Our empirical results suggest that the gender of the CEO plays a vital moderating role among innovation and financial constraints, providing new evidence about women’s contribution to innovation in SMEs, so these results have practical business and institutional implications as they point out the relevance to promote employment policies that favour the gender diversity of employees at all hierarchical levels of the company.
Regional Index Insurance Using Satellite‐Based Fractional Flooded Area

Emerging parametric insurance products targeted at regional governments consider an index of flooding as the instrument for payoff and rate setting. Inundation extent from satellite remote sensing may provide a more direct measure of flood risk in this context than hydraulic modeling of flow and inundation. Here, we examine satellite‐based fractional inundated area as a proxy for flood impact that can be used for index insurance payment at a regional scale. Typical methods for estimating return periods from unbounded distributions such as the Generalized Extreme Value distribution are not appropriate for fractional flooded area, which is bounded by 0 and 1. Here we examine alternative bounded distributions (2 parameter and a 4 parameter Beta) to estimate return periods and quantify uncertainty using a bootstrap sampling procedure for the short duration satellite record of fractional flooded area. We consider two examples with distinct flood dynamics (a) a country (Bangladesh) where a flood can cover the majority of the land surface, and (b) a river basin (the Rio Salado basin in Argentina) where the worst flood covered only a modest fraction of the watershed. We explore how a parametric insurance policy based on fractional flooded area could be priced based on a typical approach used in the industry, that accounts for uncertainty for small sample estimation. Our exploratory approach to model selection illustrates how estimating the uncertainty price influences insurance contract pricing and is important to consider the choice of distribution beyond just the traditional measures of goodness of fit.
Preparing students for the workplace in developing countries: a study of accounting education in Libya

ABSTRACT Through qualitative analysis of a dozen semi-structured interviews, this study identifies the issues that limit the ability of accounting education programmes to prepare students for the workplace in Libya, a country in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Factors include: faculty’s lack of practical experience; weak links with the profession; a traditional curriculum; teacher-centred pedagogy; traditional forms of assessment; the number and quality of students; limited or outdated resources; and poor physical infrastructure. As a study of the preparation of students for the workplace in a developing country, which takes account of both faculty and practitioner views, this paper also contributes to the limited literature on accounting education in Libya. Considering the findings through the lens of institutional theory concepts leads to recommendations for options that are likely to be relevant not only to Libya but also to the wider MENA region and other developing countries.
ASSESSMENT OF DEPENDENCY-ASSOCIATED FINANCIAL BURDEN OF COVID-19 MORTALITIES

Objective: The objective of this study was to find out interrelationship of economic burden and dependency profile of families with COVID-19 mortalities and to make related recommendations. Methods: A mixed method research was conducted to understand the interwoven mechanisms of COVID-19 mortalities for the study of variables including level of education, type of family, and economic burden to guide and direct public health strategies among research vulnerable groups of population in the present and in the future. Results: The dependency has been high in nuclear and joint family combined (160) as compared to three-generation family (21). The gender-wise distribution shows females having two children in family in higher numbers (46.0%) as compared to males in the same age group (35.5%). There is observed high number of COVID-19 mortalities among graduate and above (79) followed by literate up to higher secondary (60). Mean annual income has been highest in the COVID-19 mortalities for subgroup of a number of children being 4 (5.58%), followed by one child (3.79 lacs), no child (3.11 lacs), two children (2.95 lacs), three children (2.90 lacs), and five and more children (2.79 lacs). Conclusion: Although there is observed intergroup difference in the gender vulnerabilities and varying threshold of dependencies including social, demographic, economic, and developmental areas, there is an appreciable public health need to achieve social gains and avert possible disparities of existence through intersectoral and envisioned strategic reform-based initiatives leading to gainful coexistence of deprived with other social masses to achieve the set target of social developmental goals as per international health actions.
Structural characteristics of periodontal ligaments in the pig model with experimental periodontitis

To investigate how the structure of Sharpey’s fibers in the periodontal ligaments (PDL) were affected by experimental periodontitis in a young pig model, 7 were periodically inoculated with four types of bacteria and a ligature around the last maxillary molar for 8 weeks to induce periodontitis (PG), and 10 served as controls (CG). The harvested molar blocks were sectioned coronally and stained with either hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) or Sirius Red (SR). The H&E-stained images were first reviewed. Then, images of each adjacent SR-stained sections were captured at the region close to the apex of mesial roots under polarizing light microscopy. Sharpey’s fiber numbers in each bundle, total bundle numbers, connection of the bundle to the cementum and alveoli, as well as bundle angulations to the molar long axis were quantified in the defined area 500μm apical to the root apex. Compared to CG, PG showed the following features: 15.13% less total bundle number; 17.8% less bundle size; significantly less connected fiber bundles; 9.2% more interrupted fiber bundles; and 3.85% more oriented toward the cervical in the bundle angulation. These results suggest that experimental periodontitis alters the PDL structure, leading to more interruptions of Sharpey’s fiber attachments to the cementum.
Mycorrhizal tree impacts on topsoil biogeochemical properties in tropical forests

In tropical regions, the patterns of carbon (C) and nutrient properties among ecosystems dominated by distinct mycorrhizal associations are unknown. We aim to reveal whether the dynamics differ and the ecological drivers and ecosystem functioning implications of such differences. Based on a dataset of 97 tropical forest sites, we related EcM trees abundance (as a proxy for the transition from AM to EcM trees dominance) to different topsoil properties, climatic conditions and microbial abundance proxies through Generalized Additive Models. Higher abundances of EcM trees were correlated with higher topsoil concentrations of total nitrogen and C, extractable phosphorus and potassium, δ13C, mean annual temperature, precipitation, microbial (bacterial and fungal) biomass and the relative abundance of saprotrophic fungi. Synthesis. Our results reveal consistent differences in carbon and nutrient content between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM‐) and EcM‐dominated vegetation across the tropical biome, pointing to lower soil fertility and lower rates of C and nutrient transformation processes in EcM‐dominated forests. These patterns associate with lower topsoil C accumulation when compared to AM vegetation, which contrasts with patterns reported for temperate forests. We suggest that different mechanisms of soil organic matter accumulation explain the contrasting impacts of EcM dominance on topsoil properties of temperate and tropical biomes. Global vegetation and C models should account for the contrasting impacts of distinct mycorrhizal vegetation in different climatic zones.
Associations of Maternal rs1801131 Genotype in MTHFR and Serum Folate and Vitamin B12 with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Pregnant Women

Circumstantial evidence links one-carbon metabolism (OCM) related nutrients, such as folate and vitamin B12, with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, few studies have evaluated the combined effects of these nutrients with OCM related gene polymorphisms on GDM. This study investigated whether OCM related genetic variants modified the associations of folate and B12 with GDM. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for OCM related nutrients and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding main OCM related enzymes (MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR) on GDM. Higher folate concentrations were associated with increased GDM risk (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.13). However, higher B12 concentrations were associated with reduced GDM risk (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.92). Pregnancies with MTHFR rs1801131 G alleles had a significantly lower risk of GDM than pregnancies with T alleles (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.91) under the dominant model. The genotype-stratified analysis revealed the association between folate and GDM (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.30) or B12 and GDM (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.98) was more evident in pregnancies with TT genotype. Higher folate and lower B12 are associated with GDM. Pregnancies with MTHFR rs1801131 TT genotype are more susceptible to OCM nutrient-related GDM.
Weight cutting a biomechanical investigation of the effect on martial arts striking performance

Weight cutting is a phenomenon that exists in combative weight-class-based sports. The goal of this research was to investigate the effect of weight cutting on striking performance parameters amongst mixed martial arts practitioners. Participants were tested on common strikes using a method specifically developed for the investigation of reaction time, power, and accuracy. These tests were performed prior to a self-selected weight-cut procedure and 24 hours after making weight, with the hypothesis that weight cutting would exhibit a negative effect on the tested parameters. The findings demonstrated a negative effect on peripheral reaction time, a positive effect on central reaction time, and mixed results on power and accuracy. No previous work has been performed on weight cutting and reaction time or accuracy. Future research should look to investigate the phenomenon closer to its real sport setting and to further the investigation of reaction time and accuracy.
Perspectives, trends and opportunities in city management in Italy: What new challenges lie

is an architect with a degree from the Polytechnic of Turin, where she was a research assistant until 2007. Giovanna has worked in the field of strategic urban and land planning for the past ten years. She is co-founder and vice president of the scientific committee of GeCC (Associazione Laboratorio Gestione Centro Citta` ), the Italian association of town centre management, which operates nationwide with local administrations and organisations to support and promote town centre revitalisation initiatives. She is a board member of Tocema Europe and ex officio international board member of the International Downtown Association. She conducts research in partnership with academic institutions, research institutes and other public and private bodies on town centre management and related issues at a national and international level. She is member of the scientific committee of the magazine Centricommerciali &, and on the Editorial Advisory Board of the UK-based Institute of Place Management’s Journal of Place Management and Development. She currently writes for the magazines Trasporti & Cultura and Mark Up and is co-author of several publications, in Italy and abroad. A member of the American Planning Association, she collaborates with Michigan State University on cross-analysis undertaken in Europe and in the US, reviewing of town centres on management structures, aims, best practices and outcomes, as well as TCM literature, topics of master courses and holds training classes. In 2008 she was appointed Commissioner of Urban Planning, Land Planning and Mobility in her home town, Ivrea.
International Inclusive Innovation of Entrepreneurial Firms: Toward a Process Model

Although inclusive innovation has been regarded as a process according to prior studies, this complex process remains relatively under-researched, particularly when the process is successfully completed by entrepreneurial firms from emerging economies. This paper therefore seeks to explore, from a holistically dynamic view, how inclusive innovation process of entrepreneurial firms evolves in the “Bottom of the Pyramid” (BOP) markets. Based on the multi-dimensional details of a Chinese entrepreneurial firms conducting inclusive innovation in African BOP market, this exploratory case study suggests that inclusive innovation information management consists of three important consecutive stages: BOP market gap identification, market cultivation, and intensive market developing. We also unexpectedly reveal that the key capabilities in these three stages are distinctive.
Are patients and relatives the better innovators? The case of medical smartphone applications

Prior research has shown that users are a valuable resource for identifying new product or service innovations. However, few scholars have analyzed how different user types such as intermediate and end users are interacting along the value chain of an emerging new product and how they contribute to innovation. Further, user innovation success in the market is often unclear, since very few innovations diffuse directly to customers from the user innovators. We analyze different innovative contributions of intermediate and end users that have been sold and evaluated within the healthcare sector. Several studies in the healthcare sector have shown that healthcare professionals are an important source of innovation. Yet, to date, companies and scholars have paid little attention to the end users of medical devices: patients. We focus on the innovative behavior of patients and their relatives, their motivations, and their contributions to improving the quality of their own and ultimately of other patients' therapy. We analyze innovations of producers, healthcare professionals, patients, and relatives in the German, UK, and U.S. markets for medical smartphone apps (Apple App Store) and conduct 16 semi-structured interviews. Our findings show that users develop around 46% of all medical smartphone applications (apps). We analyzed 510,229 user ratings and found that apps designed by patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals are rated significantly better by App Store customers than apps created by professional software companies. Apps developed by patients' relatives achieve significantly more downloads and generate on average three times higher revenues per year. The initial medical smartphone app developments in the early days of the Apple App Store were mainly triggered by healthcare professionals. The interview data shows the extensive medical knowledge of patients and their relatives, particularly those with chronic diseases. The overall findings are in line with a current literature stream that indicates that patients are gaining more influence on their treatment, are better informed, and are taking more actions to increase their quality of life. Commercial healthcare companies should take advantage of this and should consider including patients and relatives into their product development.
Introducing the Shorter Dark Tetrad for Muslim Societies (SD4-MS): a study among young adults in Pakistan

ABSTRACT This paper examines the psychometric properties of the Short Dark Tetrad, presented for online administration, among a sample of 370 young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 who were born in the Punjab and who had lived there since their birth. With the omission of one item from each of the four scales (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, and sadism) the clear four factor structure was recovered with cross-loadings remaining on four items. All four scales recorded acceptable or good levels of internal consistency reliability (alpha). This Shorter Dark Tetrad (SD4-MS) is commended for further use within predominantly Muslim societies.
Consequences of Implementing Curricular-Aligned Strategies for Identifying Rural Gifted Students

Analysis of assessment data from an initial pool of second-grade students (n = 4549) in low-income rural communities and a subgroup of students identified from that pool for gifted services (n = 524) provided evidence for the validity of a curricular-aligned process including universal screening and local norms for identifying rural students in high-poverty schools as gifted. We first compared identification data on a group identified with existing, more general identification strategies to data on students identified specifically in language arts using universal screening and local norms as part of the identification criteria, providing staff development focused on indicators of rural giftedness prior to teacher ratings of students, and using a profile in decision making. This comparison confirmed the hypothesis that talent in rural students from low-income areas may manifest in ways that are not captured by more generic identification processes. Despite concerns about the implementation of identification processes using local norms, students identified through the project’s alternative approach scored higher on a measure of verbal aptitude and scored as well on postintervention assessments as students identified using the district-identification process. This outcome provides evidence that students identified with local norms in a specific academic domain reach similar or higher levels of achievement as students identified using national norms and more general means of assessment.
Inpatient Telehealth Experience of Patients With Limited English Proficiency: Cross-sectional Survey and Semistructured Interview Study

Background Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) are at a higher risk of poor health outcomes and are less likely to use telehealth than English-speaking patients. To date, there is no formal evaluation of inpatient (IP) telehealth user experience of patients and their families by language preference during visits with their clinicians. Objective This study aims to compare the experiences of English- and Spanish-speaking patients and their families using IP telehealth, as well as to evaluate the experience of Spanish interpreters providing services through IP telehealth. Methods We prospectively administered a survey to English- and Spanish-speaking patients and their families who used IP telehealth from October 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. We performed semistructured phone interviews of hospital-based Spanish interpreters who provided services through IP telehealth. Results A total of 661 surveys were administered, with completion rates of 18% (112/621) in English and 62% (25/40) in Spanish. On a 10-point scale, the overall satisfaction of Spanish speakers (median 10, IQR 10-10) was higher than that of English speakers (median 9, IQR 8-10; P=.001). Both English- and Spanish-speaking patients used IP telehealth for visits with their primary IP care team, subspecialty consultants, and other clinicians. Hospital tablets were used more often than personal devices, and only English-speaking patients used personal laptops. Patients and their families encountered challenges with log-in, team coordination with multiple users, and equipment availability. Interpreters encountered challenges with audio and video quality, communication, safety, and Wi-Fi access. Conclusions Both English- and Spanish-speaking patients reported high satisfaction using IP telehealth across multiple disciplines despite the workflow challenges identified by interpreters. Significant investment is needed to provide robust infrastructure to support use by all patients, especially the integration of multiple users to provide interpreter services for patients with LEP.
“My Blood Is Boiling When I Think About Advising”: The Role of Academic Advising in STEM Student Retention

Student attrition from STEM disciplines is one of the most pressing issues in higher education. To better understand the causes of this attrition, this study examines STEM students’ college experiences and uncovers their perspectives on the existing support systems with a specific focus on the role of academic advising. Our research reveals that students from a particular STEM major identified academic advising as problematic, serving as one of the main factors pushing them out of the major, while the STEM major they transferred to did not have this issue. We examined whether this difference was also evident in the perspectives of the student affairs offices by interviewing academic counselors. This research emphasizes the responsibility of academic counselors in students’ decisions to leave STEM majors and the importance of care in their work. The findings suggest a need for STEM departments to re-assess academic advising philosophies and practices while creating more supportive learning environments.
Understanding the Effect of Place Image and Knowledge of Tourism on Residents’ Attitudes Towards Tourism and Their Word-of-Mouth Intentions: Evidence from Seville, Spain

ABSTRACT As places are greatly shaped and reshaped by tourism, the way residents perceive their place and their knowledge of tourism gradually transform and become more complex and influential. Drawing on the social exchange and social representations theory, this research aimed to explore the effect residents' place image and knowledge of tourism have on perceived tourism impacts, which were subsequently expected to predict residents' support for tourism development and their word-of-mouth (WOM) intentions. Data were collected from 484 residents in Seville, the third most visited destination in Spain. The findings suggest that place image shaped residents' perceptions of the economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts, while knowledge of tourism affected only the economic ones. Additionally, place image and support for tourism determined residents' WOM intentions. The study extends current knowledge in mature destinations on the way residents' attitudes are shaped, whereby additional emphasis on place based and resident informed policies is needed.
Determination of scaled mode shapes in response only modal analysis

In Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) method which is also known as response only modal analysis, the mode shapes are not scaled as the excitation forces are not known. Different methods are used for scaling the mode shapes. Mass change method is a well-known approach to obtain the scale factors of mode shapes. In this paper FDD method is used to find the unscaled mode shapes of a two stories building model simulated by 3D frame elements. The mass change method is used for scaling the unscaled mode shapes. Besides the effect of noise and the type of excitation force on the estimation of mode shapes in FDD method is addressed. The magnitude, the number and the location of masses are also considered in this study.