Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RESIDENTS' DEGREE OF SATISFACTION IN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS HOUSING PROVISION IN DEVELOPING ECONOMY

One of the most significant recent shifts in the emerging economy's housing sector has been an initiative to give the private sector more responsibility for public housing provision through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). This intends to improve the living standard and satisfaction among the users of the provided PPPs housing provided. Based on this perception, this study examined the degree of satisfaction among PPPs housing residents in developing economies using Lagos State, Nigeria, as a case study. Through a systematic random sampling, questionnaires were distributed to 180 respondents within the selected PPPs housing in the study area. The study findings indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the location of residents, proximity to the workplace, external appearance, and space allocation among residents of PPPs housing provided. The findings further showed that residents were dissatisfied with the PPPs housing's maintenance practices and community facilities. The study recommended that parties involved in the PPPs housing, especially the government, subsidize materials required to build the houses to reduce costs. The study also suggested that maintenance units should be provided within PPPs housing to avoid damage and deterioration of provided facilities. The study concluded that in meeting residents' degree of satisfaction, community facilities such as waste disposal, security post, and electric power generator and distribution should be adequately provided to improve residents' satisfaction levels within the PPPs housing.
Effect of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Function of Alzheimer's Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial

This review aims to systematically review the effects of physical exercise on the cognitive performance of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its mechanisms of action. Databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched until December 2021. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the effect of an exercise intervention (compared with no exercise) on patients with AD. The measures included cognitive function [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease assessment scale-cognitive (ADAS-Cog), Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) and Executive Function (EF)]. The methodological quality of the included literature was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Twenty-two studies (n = 1647, mean age: 77.1 ± 6.3 years) were included in the systematic review, sixteen of which were included in the meta-analysis. A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that physical exercise positively affects cognitive performance in older patients with AD. However, the positive effects of the intervention should be interpreted with caution considering the differences in methodological quality, type, frequency, and duration of exercise in the included studies. Future studies should consider the design rigor and specification of RCT protocols.
Factors influencing adoption of VSH queens in the honey breeding industry

vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1. Background and Problem Definition . 1 1.2. Research Question and Objective . 4 1.3. Arrangement of Thesis . 4 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 6 2.1. The Varroa destructor and Breeding for Resistance . 6 2.2. Technology Adoption. 11 2.3. Technology Adoption, Pest Resistance and Control . 15 2.4. Technology Adoption, Risk Preference and Uncertainty. 17 CHAPTER 3: DATA AND METHODOLOGY . 20 3.1. Survey Data . 20 3.2. Conceptual Model . 22 3.3. Variables Used in the Probit Analysis . 23 3.4. Estimation . 27 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . 28 4.1. Descriptive Statistics . 28 4.2. Probit Results . 29 4.3. Marginal Effects . 31 4.4. Discussion. 31 CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS . 35 5.1. Summary of Results . 36 5.2. Conclusions . 36 5.3. Limitations . 37 REFERENCES . 39 APPENDIX . 45 VITA . 49
ASSESSING CRITICAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL MAINTENANCE POLICY

A national maintenance policy is a maintenance strategy that outlines the rules for triggering maintenance actions for buildings and other structures within a country. This study assessed critical factors affecting the development of a national maintenance policy in Nigeria. Through a Delphi survey, the required data for this study was obtained. The Delphi findings indicate twelve (12) factors affecting the development of a national maintenance policy in Nigeria. Among these twelve (12) factors, five (5) had a very high impact (VHI: 9.00-10.00) on the factors affecting the development of a maintenance policy/law in Nigeria, while three (3) of the factors had a high impact (HI: 7.00-8.99) and four (4) other factors scored a medium impact (MI: 5.00-6.99). The study's key finding indicates that the critical factors affecting Nigeria's development of a national maintenance policy were corruption and corrupt practices, lack of clear national maintenance vision, lack of continuity in governance, lack of accurate data of buildings stocks, and inadequate legislation on infrastructure. The study suggested a need for independent authority established by law responsible for implementing maintenance policies or laws. The study concluded that there should be a standalone national maintenance policy or law that will holistically address maintenance-related issues in the country.
Trade Policy and Exporters' Resilience: Evidence from Indonesia

How does trade policy aﬀect exporters’ ability to source intermediate inputs and adjust exports in response to foreign shocks? Faced with a sudden change in the demand for their goods, exporting ﬁrms must adjust their production inputs and/or sources optimally. This paper tests whether a country’s trade policy makes such adjustments harder for ﬁrms relying on imported inputs. The analysis exploits new time-varying data on non-tariﬀ measures (NTMs) faced by Indonesian ﬁrms. In response to a depreciation of the Yuan which makes Chinese exports more competitive in third markets, Indonesian ﬁrms facing NTMs on their inputs see a much larger drop in their export values compared to ﬁrms that do not face any NTMs, with the magnitude of this eﬀect varying depending on the type of NTM. We show that this diﬀerence can be explained by the inability of ﬁrms facing NTMs to take advantage of cheaper intermediate inputs from China in the face of depreciations of the Yuan.
Effects of Dietary Lipid Levels on the Lipid Deposition and Metabolism of Subadult Triploid Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

A growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid levels on the lipid deposition and metabolism of subadult triploid rainbow trout. Diets with low (148 g lipid kg-1 diet), moderate (228 g lipid kg-1 diet), and high (294 g lipid kg-1 diet) crude lipid contents were fed to quadruplicated groups of fish ( 233 g ± 0.2 g ) for 80 days, and they were named as LL, ML, and HL, respectively. Results showed that the lowest and highest values of condition factor and hepatosomatic index were shown in the LL group, respectively, while the HL group obtained the highest liver redness value, plasma total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol contents ( P < 0.05 ). The viscerosomatic index and plasm glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, and triglyceride contents were comparable among groups ( P > 0.05 ). As for lipid deposition, viscera and muscle were the main lipid storage place for triploid rainbow trout when tissues’ weight is taken into consideration. Overall quantitative PCR showed that the lipid uptake, triglyceride, and fatty acid catabolism were upregulated, but glycolysis was downregulated as dietary lipid increased. The expression of genes involved in lipogenesis, lipoprotein clearance, very low-density lipoprotein assembly, and glycogenesis was not affected by dietary lipid levels ( P > 0.05 ). In summary, subadult triploid rainbow trout store lipid mainly in viscera and muscle; it could maintain hepatic lipid homeostasis when fed with dietary lipid levels ranging from 150 to 300 g kg-1 by regulating lipid uptake and switching energy supply between glycolysis and fatty acids β-oxidation.
Assessing customer satisfaction and loyalty in the retail sector

Purpose The effects of customer satisfaction on loyalty have been widely discussed by the academic community. Although the results of the studies reported in the literature are often contradictory, the existence of a relationship between satisfaction and loyalty is acknowledged, despite the influence of moderators and constraints of various kinds. The purpose of this paper is to discuss this relationship in the specific context of the retail sector, since this sector presents major challenges in terms of competition, and efforts placed on customer satisfaction and loyalty are more evident. Design/methodology/approach A survey based on the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) model was applied to a retail store in Portugal. This model has its roots in Switzerland, where in 1989, Claes Fornell developed a new complementary method for measuring the overall quality of companies’ output, through the calculation of an aggregated customer satisfaction index. The proposed model is based on a set of causal relationships established between a set of constructs. The ultimate goal is to calculate both satisfaction and loyalty indexes as well as to estimate the relationship between both constructs. Structural equation modelling, based on a partial least squares (PLS) estimation methodology, is the statistical technique used to estimate the model parameters, as well as to compare the aggregated indexes. PLS is based on the principles of linear regression and combines multiple regression aspects with factor analysis, in order to estimate a series of interrelated relationships. Findings The results confirm a positive influence of satisfaction on customers’ loyalty to the retail store. The study also shows the importance of the image construct, due to its strong direct effects on satisfaction, which makes it essential for influencing the loyalty index, both directly and indirectly. The impact of the image construct is also evident on the expectations, as the latter has shown a considerable direct effect on perceived quality. Research limitations/implications The study is based on a single case study of a Portuguese sports retail store. In future it would be interesting to study a representative sample of the whole retail sector. Practical implications The study is useful for the specific retail store where it was undertaken to help it devise better customer service, in order to increase satisfaction and loyalty. It is also useful for the entire network of stores for that retailer and other retail chains. Social implications The systematic application of customer surveys to whole sectors of the economy would improve competition, customer service and, ultimately, contribute to development and economic growth. Originality/value The ECSI has been applied to various industry sectors in different countries, including Portugal. It has never been used in the context of the Portuguese retail sector and it adds to the discussion on the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty, which is a pertinent topic of interest for researchers in quality management.
Open Surgery for Sportsman’s Hernia a Retrospective Study

Sportsman’s hernia is a painful syndrome in the inguinal area occurring in patients who play sports at an amatorial or professional level. Pain arises during sport, and sometimes persists after activity, representing an obstacle to sport resumption. A laparoscopic/endoscopic approach is proposed by many authors for treatment of the inguinal wall defect. Aim of this study is to assess the open technique in terms of safety and effectiveness, in order to obtain the benefit of an open treatment in an outpatient management. From October 2017 to July 2019, 34 patients underwent surgery for groin pain syndrome. All cases exhibited a bulging of the inguinal posterior wall. 14 patients were treated with Lichtenstein technique with transversalis fascia plication and placement of a polypropylene mesh fixed with fibrin glue. In 20 cases, a polypropylene mesh was placed in the preperitoneal space. The procedure was performed in day surgery facilities. Early or late postoperative complications did not occur in both groups. All patients returned to sport, in 32 cases with complete pain relief, whereas 2 patients experienced mild residual pain. The average value of return to sport was 34.11 ± 8.44 days. The average value of return to play was 53.82 ± 11.69 days. With regard to postoperative pain, no substantial differences between the two techniques were detected, and good results in terms of the resumption of sport were ensured in both groups. Surgical treatment for sportsman’s hernia should be considered only after the failure of conservative treatment. The open technique is safe and allows a rapid postoperative recovery.
Identification of Metabolism-Related Gene-Based Subgroup in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is still the main male health problem in the world. The role of metabolism in the occurrence and development of prostate cancer is becoming more and more obvious, but it is not clear. Here we firstly identified a metabolism-related gene-based subgroup in prostate cancer. We used metabolism-related genes to divide prostate cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas into different clinical benefit populations, which was verified in the International Cancer Genome Consortium. After that, we analyzed the metabolic and immunological mechanisms of clinical beneficiaries from the aspects of functional analysis of differentially expressed genes, gene set variation analysis, tumor purity, tumor microenvironment, copy number variations, single-nucleotide polymorphism, and tumor-specific neoantigens. We identified 56 significant genes for non-negative matrix factorization after survival-related univariate regression analysis and identified three subgroups. Patients in subgroup 2 had better overall survival, disease-free interval, progression-free interval, and disease-specific survival. Functional analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes in subgroup 2 were enriched in the xenobiotic metabolic process and regulation of cell development. Moreover, the metabolism and tumor purity of subgroup 2 were higher than those of subgroup 1 and subgroup 3, whereas the composition of immune cells of subgroup 2 was lower than that of subgroup 1 and subgroup 3. The expression of major immune genes, such as CCL2, CD274, CD276, CD4, CTLA4, CXCR4, IL1A, IL6, LAG3, TGFB1, TNFRSF4, TNFRSF9, and PDCD1LG2, in subgroup 2 was almost significantly lower than that in subgroup 1 and subgroup 3, which is consistent with the results of tumor purity analysis. Finally, we identified that subgroup 2 had lower copy number variations, single-nucleotide polymorphism, and neoantigen mutation. Our systematic study established a metabolism-related gene-based subgroup to predict outcomes of prostate cancer patients, which may contribute to individual prevention and treatment.
Screening for Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Preoperative Setting: A Narrative Review

Cognitive impairment predisposes patients to the development of delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction. In particular, in older patients, the adverse sequelae of cognitive decline in the perioperative period may contribute to adverse outcomes after surgical procedures. Subtle signs of cognitive impairment are often not previously diagnosed. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe the available cognitive screeners suitable for preoperative screening and their psychometric properties for identifying mild cognitive impairment, as preoperative workup may improve perioperative care for patients at risk for postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Electronic systematic and snowball searches of PubMed, PsycInfo, ClinicalKey, and ScienceDirect were conducted for the period 2015–2020. Major inclusion criteria for articles included those that discussed a screener that included the cognitive domain ‘memory’, that had a duration time of less than 15 min, and that reported sensitivity and specificity to detect mild cognitive impairment. Studies about informant-based screeners were excluded. We provided an overview of the characteristics of the cognitive screener, such as interrater and test-retest reliability correlations, sensitivity and specificity for mild cognitive impairment and cognitive impairment, and duration of the screener and cutoff points. Of the 4775 identified titles, 3222 were excluded from further analysis because they were published prior to 2015. One thousand four hundred and forty-eight titles did not fulfill the inclusion criteria. All abstracts of 52 studies on 45 screeners were examined of which 10 met the inclusion criteria. For these 10 screeners, a further snowball search was performed to obtain related studies, resulting in 20 articles. Screeners included in this review were the Mini-Cog, MoCA, O3DY, AD8, SAGE, SLUMS, TICS(-M), QMCI, MMSE2, and Mini-ACE. The sensitivity and specificity range to detect MCI in an older population is the highest for the MoCA, with a sensitivity range of 81–93% and a specificity range of 74–89%. The MoCA, with the highest combination of sensitivity and specificity, is a feasible and valid routine screening of pre-surgical cognitive function. This warrants further implementation and validation studies in surgical pathways with a large proportion of older patients.
Needs and Perceptions of Patients With Dystonia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Framework Analysis of Survey Responses From Italy

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and its countermeasures have created changes in both life and healthcare. With the prioritization of COVID-19-related management, the risks and experiences of patients suffering from rare conditions, such as dystonia, during the pandemic remain understudied. Materials and Methods Using a framework analysis of a nationwide qualitative online survey, we sought to explore the perspectives of patients with dystonia on their clinical assistance and possible unmet needs during the first pandemic wave. An online survey consisting of 37 items (such as demographic characteristics, dystonia-related features, neurological service provision, therapeutic relationship with the neurologist, perceptions related to virus infection, perceptions about healthcare-related needs, work-related questions, requesting information, and seeking support during the pandemic) was carried out using both close and open-ended questions. Results Responses from 62 participants were collected, with most of them from the red zones in Italy, where they were confined indoors. Social isolation was a relevant stressor. Motor and non-motor symptoms increased with detrimental consequences for patients' job and daily functionality. Outpatient clinics and rehabilitation sessions were temporarily shut down, and even telephone/mail support was sparse. Despite efforts, patients felt alone in dealing with dystonia. Conclusion The first wave of the pandemic and its related restrictions had detrimental consequences for people living with dystonia, and their relevant needs remained unmet. These findings may contribute to implementing remedial healthcare provisions in this pandemic or in future pandemics.
The 844ins68 cystathionine beta-synthase and C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism and the vaso-occlusive event risk in sickle cell disease

Introduction Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inflammatory condition with an increase in the adhesion of sickled erythrocytes, and it is a potential cause of vaso-occlusive episodes, an event related to clinical manifestations, morbidity and mortality. The cystathionine beta-synthase enzyme gene (CBS) and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme gene (MTHFR) are risk factors for thromboembolic disorders. This study evaluated the frequency of the 844ins68 CBS and C677T MTHFR gene polymorphisms and their possibility to be risk factors for vaso-occlusive crises.
Detecting the Spatial Mismatch of Water Resources and Grain Planting Pattern Changes in China Based on Satellite Data

China has achieved sustained growth in grain production and significant changes in grain patterns since the early 21st century. Meanwhile, the contradiction between the shortage of water resources and the development of agriculture is becoming more and more severe. This study introduced Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) gravity satellite Total Water Storage (TWS) Product to indicate total water storage and calculated the Cumulated Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (CNDVI) of cropland as an indicator for grain growth. Based on the continuous satellite data, this paper revealed the spatial mismatch between water resources supply and grain growth pattern in China. The center of gravity of the CNDVI tends to move northwest, while the GRACE TWS data’s center of gravity is in the opposite direction. There were different relationships between GRACE-TWS and CNDVI changes in different zones. We calculated the pixel-wise spatial Pearson Correlation coefficients of TWS and CNDVI. The TWS data and CNDVI data show negative correlation trends in the water-limited areas such as the northern arid-semiarid region and northern China plain, while they show a positive correlation in relatively sufficient water resources in southeast China. According to the results, the changing pattern of grain production in China is likely to cause the depletion of grain production potential in the water-limited regions, while the southeastern regions with higher potential still have more capacity for agricultural production.
Measuring servitization progress and outcome: the case of ‘advanced services’

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to establish a framework for assessing the progress and outcome of a manufacturer’s transformation towards becoming a provider of ‘advanced services’ – a complex bundling of products and services, whereby manufacturers offer capabilities and outcomes instead of products alone. ‘Advanced services’ represent the most complex offering in the current servitization trend amongst manufacturers. However, current performance measures lack the breadth and focus to assess progress or outcomes, and so support research and practice of organisational transformation efforts required. To address this gap the paper investigates how a manufacturer’s efforts to become an ‘advanced services’ provider can be comprehensively measured, and develops a framework for assessing the transformation journey towards becoming an ‘advanced services’ provider. The research method is based on (1) a systematic literature review process to create a comprehensive set of service-related performance measures that are available to assess a manufacturer’s servitization efforts, followed by (2) an engagement with an expert panel to synthesise the identified measures and create a set of ‘advanced services’ performance measures. The proposed framework is presented as a scorecard that can be used in practice to assess the progress and outcome of a manufacturer’s transformation towards becoming a provider of ‘advanced services’.