Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between municipal performance (service delivery) and communities rejection/acceptance of demarcations

This paper is an assessment of the relationship between perceived municipal performance (in rendering basic needs) and communities’ rejection/acceptance of amalgamations. The research attempts to answer the question “is there a correlation between municipal demarcation disputes and service delivery provision”. Data for this study was obtained using a quantitative approach. The findings indicate that part of the major contributor to municipal demarcation disputes is largely based on municipal performance, as communities reject amalgamation to municipalities perceived as underperforming in rendering services to their communities. Thus service delivery and municipal performance acts as the guiding principle and catalyst to many municipal demarcation disputes. What is perceived as demarcation disputes is largely the stimulus of service delivery provision disputes and underperformance of municipalities in rendering basic needs to the communities. Key words: Demarcations, disputes, municipalities, democracy.
www.econstor.eu Artificial Intelligence, Income Distribution and Economic Growth

The economic impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is studied using a (semi) endogenous growth model with two novel features. First, the task approach from labor economics is reformulated and integrated into a growth model. Second, the standard representative household assumption is rejected, so that aggregate demand restrictions can be introduced. With these novel features it is shown that (i) AI automation can decrease the share of labor income no matter the size of the elasticity of substitution between AI and labor, and (ii) when this elasticity is high, AI will unambiguously reduce aggregate demand and slow down GDP growth, even in the face of the positive technology shock that AI entails. If the elasticity of substitution is low, then GDP, productivity and wage growth may however still slow down, because the economy will then fail to benefit from the supply-side driven capacity expansion potential that AI can deliver. The model can thus explain why advanced countries tend to experience, despite much AI hype, the simultaneous existence of rather high employment with stagnating wages, productivity, and GDP.
Facts and Myths about Misperceptions

Misperceptions threaten to warp mass opinion and public policy on controversial issues in politics, science, and health. What explains the prevalence and persistence of these false and unsupported beliefs, which seem to be genuinely held by many people? Though limits on cognitive resources and attention play an important role, many of the most destructive misperceptions arise in domains where individuals have weak incentives to hold accurate beliefs and strong directional motivations to endorse beliefs that are consistent with a group identity such as partisanship. These tendencies are often exploited by elites who frequently create and amplify misperceptions to influence elections and public policy. Though evidence is lacking for claims of a “post-truth” era, changes in the speed with which false information travels and the extent to which it can find receptive audiences require new approaches to counter misinformation. Reducing the propagation and influence of false claims will require further efforts to inoculate people in advance of exposure (for example, media literacy), debunk false claims that are already salient or widespread (for example, fact-checking), reduce the prevalence of low-quality information (for example, changing social media algorithms), and discourage elites from promoting false information (for example, strengthening reputational sanctions).
Impact of COVID-19 on Urology Practice in Saudi Arabia

Abstract From the moment the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic disease, COVID-19 began to affect the lives of many healthcare providers worldwide. In response to this pandemic, urology departments and training residency programs implemented urgent measures to reduce outpatient clinics, adopted the use of telemedicine, regulated emergency and outpatient urological procedures, promoted the use of operating theatres, and developed the use of sustainable e-learning alternatives to traditional urology educational activities. We reviewed the response of urologists in Saudi Arabia to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they react to the emerging pandemic both for patients and for healthcare of urologist personnel.
Erythropoietin Promotes the Differentiation of Fetal Neural Stem Cells into Glial Cells Partly via EPOR-βCR/Syne-1/H3K9me3 Pathway

Erythropoietin (EPO) treatment has achieved a remarkable improvement of cognition in neonatal hypoxic-ischae mic encephalopathy (HIE) in clinical settings, however, it did not lower the severe neurodevelopmental impairment to extremely preterm infants, however, the primary cause of this discrepant phenomenon is still puzzling. Here, we explore the effect of EPO on post-hypoxic neurogenesis using fetal neural stem cells (NSCs)/neural progenitors (NPs) and whether the effect is mediated by EPOR/βCR heteromimer. Fetal NSCs/NPs was treated with EPO at different time point after oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). Cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation of NSCs/NPs were detected by CellTiter-Glo, Edu assay, flow cytometry and RT-PCR. We found that EPO treatment at different time point increased the cell viability without affecting the proliferation. EPO treatment immediately after OGD/R promoted the oligodendrocyte and astrocyte differentiation, while decreased neuronal differentiation of NSCs/NPs. Furthermore, immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation proved the existence of EPOR/βCR heterodimer on NSCs/NPs, and EPO treatment significantly increase the mRNA expression of βCR and elevated the correlation between levels of EPOR and βCR. Moreover, EPOR and βCR receptors were both correlated with markers of oligodendrocytes. In addition, mass spectrometer analysis identified Syne-1 as one downstream signaling of EPOR/βCR heterodimer. Immunofluorescence and western blot indicated that βCR/Syne-1/H3K9me3 pathway was possibly involved in the function of EPO. Collectively, our data revealed that EPO treatment immediately after OGD/R was not a good time point for neurogenesis, and EPO could promote the formation of EPOR/βCR on fetal NSCs/NPs which mediates its function on glia differentiation.
Effects of Alligator Pepper (Aframomum Melegueta) Meal Additive Diets on Haematological Indices of Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Fish cultures are at risk due to the adverse effects of stress. Blood chemistry and haematological measurements can provide valuable physiological indices that may offer critical feedback on different stressors. Haematological characteristics of most fish have been studied with the aim to establish normal value range and any deviation from it may indicate a disturbance in the physiological process (Rainzapaiva et al., 2000). Haematological properties and concentrations vary with nutritional status, health and strain of fish species as well as water parameter values and seasonality (Sogbesan and Ahmed, 2018).
PERFORMANCE OF GEOSYNTHETIC-REINFORCED SOIL WALLS AT FAILURE

A series of centrifuge tests was conducted to investigate the performance of geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) walls under failure conditions and evaluate the applicability of limit equilibrium (LE) analysis for the internal stability design of GRS walls. The test variables were reinforcement material and wall height. The failure process, failure mode, and wall facing displacement were observed and discussed. The test results revealed that the wall deformed gradually as the applied g-level increased. At prefailure stage, excessive settlement occurred close to the wall crest, and a distinct subsidence developed at the top of the wall at the end of the reinforced zone. At the moment of failure, wall deformation suddenly increased, and the wall collapsed instantly. The location of the critical failure surface of the GRS wall was affected by the reinforcement inclusion. The upper limit of the critical failure surfaces of all tests was bounded by Rankine's theory. Back-calculation from the centrifuge test results revealed that all the wall models with different reinforcement and wall geometric parameters yielded a single equivalent earth pressure coefficient K_T, and the K_T value was comparable to theoretical active earth pressure coefficients. The failure g-level and location of the critical failure surface predicted by LE analyses were in good agreement with the observed ones from centrifuge tests, validating the applicability of LE analysis as a basis for the internal design of GRS walls. On the basis of the established relationship between the factor of safety and wall facing displacement, the inherent factors of safety ranged from FSs = 1.5 to 2.5 for the wall deformation under serviceability conditions, as suggested in several design guidelines. The maximum horizontal facing displacement reached 8% ~ 12% of the wall height at incipient wall failure. Compared with the wall deformation data in the literature, the global reinforcement stiffness was observed to have a significant influence on the maximum horizontal facing displacement of GRS walls at failure.
Hyporheic zone processes in a canalised agricultural stream: implications for salmonid embryo survival.

Agricultural practices have the potential to influence hyporheic exchange through increased fine sediment loads and through reduced hydraulic conductivity, bed roughness and morphological diversity. These impacts can reduce connectivity between stream and hyporheic waters to the detriment of salmonid embryos. Salmonids bury their eggs in streambed gravels, typically to depths of up to 300 mm and for incubation periods of up to 6 months. Embryo survival is dependant on a complex range of factors which critically includes the delivery of oxygen from surface waters. This paper investigates hyporheic zone exchange processes, oxygen concentration and embryo survival in a canalised agricultural stream at a range of nested spatiotemporal scales. Results are contrasted with those from the Girnock Burn, a relatively undisturbed catchment. Conservative tracer experiments were used to assess reach average hyporheic exchange using the USGS OTIS model. Artificial redds were used to assess reach scale variability in hyporheic processes. Incubation stacks were used to assess embryo mortality and hyporheic water quality with depth at the scale of individual redds. Optodes (optical dissolved oxygen sensors) were used at a sub-set of sites to assess fine scale temporal variability in hyporheic oxygen and temperature. Stream and hyporheic hydrochemistry were used to infer source water contributions and provenance. Data showed that reach average hyporheic exchange in the Newmills Burn was ca. five times less than in the Gimock Burn. Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations related strongly to spatiotemporal patterns of groundwater (GW) discharge. Embryo survival was significantly correlated with DO. It is suggested that low DO in the Newmills Burn relates to groundwater upwelling and limited hyporheic exchange caused by a combination of low morphological diversity, hydraulic conductivity and bed roughness. It is suggested that future studies of embryo survival should look beyond the single issue of fine sediment effects to include a broader understanding of hyporheic zone processes.
FABP1 and FABP2 as markers of diabetic nephropathy

Background: Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of diabetic nephropathy and a major public health issue worldwide. Approximately 20-30% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have renal impairment. Fatty acid-binding protein 1 (FABP1) is expressed in renal proximal tubule cells and released into urine in response to hypoxia caused by decreased peritubular capillary blood flow, and FABP2 is responsible for the transport of free fatty acids in the intestinal endothelium cells. There is increasing evidence that FABP1 and FABP 2 play a role in the development and progression of chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation of circulating FABP1 and FABP2 levels to nephropathy in patients with T2DM. Methods: For this study, 268 subjects with T2DM who were enrolled in a disease management program were stratified according to urinary microalbumin and serum creatinine measurements. The plasma FABP1 and FABP2 concentrations were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Demographic and potential metabolic confounding factors were analyzed with logistic regression to calculate the effects of FABP1 and FABP2 levels on diabetic nephropathy. Results: The FABP1 and FABP2 levels increased in parallel with the advancement of diabetic nephropathy. Increasing concentrations of FABP1 and FABP2 were independently and significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed FABP1 and FABP2 as an independent association factor for diabetic nephropathy, even after full adjustment of known biomarkers. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a FABP1 level of >33.8 ng/mL and a FABP2 level of >2.8 ng/mL were associated with diabetic nephropathy. Conclusion: Our results suggest that FABP1 and FABP2 may be novel biomarkers of diabetic nephropathy.
Investigating self–settled Syrian refugees’ agency and informality in southern cities greater Cairo: a case study

This paper aims at contributing to our understanding of how self-settled Syrian refugees (registered and non-registered) use informal practices to forge their non-political agency and how this agency could be considered as political acts. ,This paper was conducted per the qualitative data analysis (in-depth interviews and participant observation), attributed to the critical ethnographic approach, through which refugees’ everyday struggle is explored, additionally, that was incorporated with the analysis of Syrians’ Facebook groups and formal sources. ,The research paper concluded that everyday struggle strategies are considered as political acts by acquiring rights that many self-settled Syrian refugees are stripped of by international humanitarian agencies and host government. Hence, registered and unregistered refugees equally forge what is called “informal citizenship” through their presence via a blend of agency forms ranging from hidden agency to explicit one and via their incorporating into the informal contexts, leading them to carve a position of semi-legality that help them to circumvent the formal structural hardship. ,This paper endeavors to study how urban refugees as change agents can convert their illegal presence to “probably refugeeness” to unsettle the prominent recognition of them as illegal non-citizens in southern cities.
How Does Label Noise Affect the Quality of Speaker Embeddings?

A common assumption when collecting speech datasets is that the accuracy of data labels strongly inﬂuences the accuracy of speaker embedding models and veriﬁcation systems trained from these data. However, we show in experiments 1 on the large and diverse VoxCeleb2 dataset that this is not always the case: Under four different labeling models (Split, Merge, Permute, and Corrupt), we ﬁnd that the impact on trained speaker embedding models, as measured by the Equal Error Rate (EER) of speaker veriﬁcation, is mild (just a few percent absolute error increase), except with very large amounts of noise (i.e., every minibatch is almost completely corrupted). This suggests that efforts to collect speech datasets might beneﬁt more from ensuring large size and diversity rather than meticulous labeling.
ELOS Technologies : Specifications of Aurora TM and Polaris TM Systems * Parameter Aurora Polaris

aser therapy is one of the fastest growing technologies in cosmetic dermatology. According to recent estimates from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the total number of cosmetic procedures performed in the United States has increased by 293% since 1997 to a total of 8.3 million surgical and nonsurgical procedures in 2003. Nonsurgical procedures, which include the subcategory of noninvasive laser devices, have increased by an astounding 471%. Currently, the number of options in noninvasive laser devices is overwhelming; cosmetic dermatologists can choose from more than 65 different laser systems for the treatment of a variety of cosmetic and medical skin conditions. This article reviews electro-optical synergy (ELOS), a novel technology that encompasses a unique blend of optical and electrical radiofrequency (RF) energies simultaneously applied to tissue. Most cosmetic dermatologists are familiar with nonablative laser devices that use a single optical energy source to achieve selective photothermolysis. However, directing optical energy to targets beneath the skin surface presents certain challenges. For example, light photons are scattered or absorbed by melanin on contact with the skin, and, as a result, only a variable proportion of photons actually reaches the target. Such variability necessitates providing higher energy for sufficient dermal heating thereby increasing the potential for epidermal complications (eg, crusting, dyschromia). The physician must consider a patient’s skin type, treatment site, and the optical wavelengths and pulse dosimetry of the laser system before performing any laser procedure. Electrical RF energy has become an increasingly popular method for nonablative cosmetic treatment. This type Electro-optical Synergy in Aesthetic Medicine: Novel Technology, Multiple Applications
The $100 Million Nudge: Increasing Tax Compliance of Businesses and the Self-Employed Using a Natural Field Experiment

This paper uses a natural field experiment to examine the effectiveness of specific nudges on tax compliance amongst firms and the self-employed in the Dominican Republic. In collaboration with the Dominican Republic’s tax authority, we designed messages for more than 28,000 self-employed workers and over 56,000 firms. Leveraging administrative tax data, we find evidence that our nudges (increasing the salience of prison sentences or public disclosure of tax evaders) have large effects on increasing tax compliance, primarily working through the channel of decreasing claimed tax exemptions. Interestingly, we find that firms are more impacted than the self-employed, and that firm size is critically linked to nudge effectiveness: larger firms are considerably more influenced by nudges than smaller firms. We find this latter result noteworthy given the paucity of evidence showing significant behavioral impacts of nudges amongst the largest players in a market. Overall, our messages increased tax revenue by $193 million (roughly 0.23% of the Dominican Republic’s GDP in 2018), with over $100 million constituting income that the government would not have received without our field experimental nudges.
Entrepreneurial Success: Key Challenges Faced by Malaysian Women Entrepreneurs in 21st Century

The purpose of this research is to investigate the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs on entrepreneurial success in Malaysia. This study proposes a conceptual framework and investigates the significant factors of family and social support, emotional intelligence, gender stereotype, and knowledge and risk-taking behavior in predicting women entrepreneurial success. Data was collected using a questionnaire with a Likert scale from 1-5 from a sample of 125 women entrepreneurs who owned Small-Medium-Enterprises (SME) in Malaysia using a convenient sampling technique. Collected data were analysed using structural equation modeling (SEM) via AMOS 22 software. The result indicated that “knowledge” have significant negative impact on women entrepreneurial success, while all the other challenges identified in the previous research such as lack of emotional intelligence, lack of family support, poor risk taking behaviour, gender stereotype were not significant in influencing women entrepreneurial success. Family and social support, and risk-taking behaviour were found contradict with other previous researches indicating that women entrepreneurs are becoming more independent due to the changing norms and cultural values. In conclusion, women entrepreneurial success largely dependent on the work experiences, relevant skills/competencies and industrial know-how they acquired and mastered to effectively manage and grow their businesses. It is recommended that women-entrepreneurs in Small Medium Enterprises(SME) shall invest in continuous learning to gain more relevant skills/competencies, knowledge, industrial know-how and experiences to sharpen their competitive advantages and sustain continuous development and growth. Therefore, it’s highly recommended that government should formulate policies to promote women entrepreneurship through effective and practical trainings. This study will be useful for women entrepreneurs to develop themselves by investing themselves to gain knowledge by participating academic programs and industrial based network conferences. Entrepreneurial development authorities or bodies will be able to use this study to develop and design human resource development intervention program to enable women entrepreneurs to be more successful. Future researchers can increase the sample size and focus on similar type of small medium enterprise owners in terms of sector or industry and size. Also the future researchers can used a mixed method in collecting data to provide a more coherent and meaningful conclusion.
A Comparison Study of Confinement Effect of PEDOT and CNT for Sulfur Nanocomposites in Li-S Battery Application

Nanocomposites in Li-S Battery Application Nicholas Greco1,2, Michael Ross1, Marc Hermann1, Yong Hao1* 1Materials Engineering Department, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, United States. 2Mechanical Engineering Department, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, United States. Current Research in Materials Chemistry Greco N, et al. Cur Res Mater Chem 2019, 1: 105 https://doi.org/10.33790/crmc1100105
Reduced level of smoothened suppresses intestinal tumorigenesis by down-regulation of Wnt signaling.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Although the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway regulates development and progression of several types of cancer, its involvement in colon cancer remains unclear. We aimed to clarify the roles of Hh signaling in intestinal tumorigenesis. METHODS We studied expression of the Hh signaling components in the intestinal tumors of Apc(+/Delta716) mouse, a model for familial adenomatous polyposis. We used small interfering RNAs against Smoothened (SMO), which encodes the major signal transducer of the Hh pathway, to knockdown SMO expression and explore its function in human colon cancer cell lines. We also compared the intestinal tumor phenotypes of Apc(+/Delta716)Smo(+/-) mice with those of Apc(+/Delta716) mice. RESULTS Expression of Smo was markedly increased in the intestinal adenoma epithelium of Apc(+/Delta716) mice. Importantly, SMO knockdown in human colon cancer cell lines suppressed proliferation in culture; cells arrested at the G1/S phase. Furthermore, Apc(+/Delta716)Smo(+/-) mice had decreased numbers of polyps in the large size class (Phi >or= 1-2 mm) and recessed polyp morphology, accompanied by reduced proliferation of the tumor epithelial cells. Unexpectedly, reduced expression of Smo suppressed beta-catenin-dependent transcription, rather than Hh-responsive Gli-dependent transcription. Interestingly, SMO knockdown reduced protein levels of active beta-catenin and induced its nuclear exclusion. CONCLUSIONS Smo contributes to intestinal tumorigenesis by increasing Wnt signaling. SMO might be a good therapeutic target for patients with colorectal polyps and carcinomas, even in the absence of Hh signal activation.