Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Institutional Complementarities between Labour Laws and Innovation

We analyse how institutional complementarities between employee representation laws and dismissal restrictions influence aggregate innovation outcomes. We argue that greater employee voice, due to improved employee representation legislations, may spur innovative effort by employees only when shareholders cannot renegotiate ex-ante agreements with workers over revenue sharing, by threatening dismissal. We perform a panel regression analysis, exploiting country-sector panel data over the 1977–2005 period, and find that stronger employee representation laws in the presence of stricter firing restrictions are in fact associated with higher patenting activity. Consistently with our theoretical argument, the magnitude of this empirical relationship is seen to be relatively larger in those sectors where the human capital contribution to production is higher. Implications for the analysis of economic institutions and for legal policy making are proposed.
Taking stock of social capital research: its application in service-oriented firms

Abstract Notwithstanding the substantial literature on social capital produced in recent years, there have been fewer attempts to examine social capital within the services industry. Our contribution highlights existing research on social capital particularly on the application and outcomes of social capital in the context of service-oriented firms in the Asia Pacific region. We structure our analysis of existing research around the different approaches of social capital studies – either egocentric or sociocentric approach and the focus on the creation and outcomes of social capital. The analysis on the different perspectives of social capital research contributes to our further understanding in the areas of social capital and services industry in the Asia Pacific. The implications for theory and management practice are noted.
Needs, Barriers, and Support Systems for Refugee Students in Germany.

This paper details the results of a study of 25 students of refugee background (SoRB) from Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan at two technical universities of applied sciences in Berlin who were participating in preparatory courses to matriculate or were already engaging in their first semesters of study. The research shares what these refugee students feel they need in order to succeed in German higher education, and what they see as barriers. The data are organized around Baker, Ramsay, Irwin and Mile’s (2017) analytical framework of hot (familiar-informal), warm (familiar-formal) and cold (unfamiliar-formal) sources of support. This study is relevant at a time of both a massification of participation in higher education leading to greater student diversification and the development of more holistic support for all students, and an increasing mood of political agitation in countries traditionally open to migration.
Implementing Laboratory Quality Management Systems in Mozambique: The Becton Dickinson-US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Public-Private Partnership Initiative.

BACKGROUND Mozambique's ministry of health (MOH) recognized the need to establish a national laboratory quality assurance (NLQA) program to improve the reliability and accuracy of laboratory testing. The Becton Dickinson-US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Public-Private Partnership (PPP) was used to garner MOH commitment and train a cadre of local auditors and managers to support sustainability and country ownership of a NLQA program. METHODS From January 2011 to April 2012, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) checklist and the Strengthening Laboratory Management Towards Accreditation (SLMTA) curriculum were used in 6 MOH laboratories. PPP volunteers provided training and mentorship to build the capacity of local auditors and program managers to promote institutionalization and sustainability of the program within the MOH. RESULTS SLIPTA was launched in 6 MOH laboratories, and final audits demonstrated improvements across the 13 quality system essentials, compared with baseline. Training and mentorship of MOH staff by PPP volunteers resulted in 18 qualified auditors and 28 managers/quality officers capacitated to manage the improvement process in their laboratories. CONCLUSIONS SLIPTA helps laboratories improve the quality and reliability of their service even in the absence of full accreditation. Local capacity building ensures sustainability by creating country buy-in, reducing costs of audits, and institutionalizing program management.
Harmony search algorithm to improve cost reduction in power generation system integrating large scale wind energy conversion system

This paper presents an optimization approach, harmony search algorithm (HS), to solve the economic dispatch (ED) problem in the power system integrating wind energy conversion system (WECS). Three optimization techniques, genetic algorithm (GA), interior point methods (ITP) and HS are applied to solve ED when system connecting and disconnecting to WECS. The results show that HS can give the better solution than the others. In the comparison with GA, HS and ITP, HS is better than GA by 3.54% and ITP by 1.4%. Moreover total cost reduction when the system connected to WECS computed by HS is reduced to 4.97 % per day.
Wildlife tourism in Latin America: taxonomy and conservation status

Abstract We provide an initial insight into the extent, occurrence and characteristics of wildlife tourism involving close interactions with free-ranging, non-domesticated, animals outside of formal captive environments across Latin America. Using information provided online via TripAdvisor, we found this type of tourism was occurring across the region (advertised on 249 wildlife tourist attraction webpages across 21 countries) and involved a diverse range of wild animals (73 species, including 19 currently considered as threatened by the IUCN). Opportunities for direct contact with wild animals were particularly prevalent (54% of all surveyed webpages). Despite the potential economic benefits, studies have indicated that these types of ecotourism are potentially having net negative impacts on wildlife conservation and welfare. Mammals classified as Least Concern featured most commonly in tourist photos, but our analyses suggest that mammals and species classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List were most likely to occur in these types of wildlife tourist attractions (WTAs). Amphibians and species classified on the IUCN Red List as Data Deficient or Critically Endangered were least likely. Given the growing nature of the wildlife tourism sector, we provide recommendations to help effectively balance and manage wider wildlife protection goals and growing tourist interest in wildlife.
Challenges and Strategies in Place-Based Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Sustainability: Learning from Experiences in the Global South

Addressing complex environmental problems requires the collaboration of stakeholders with divergent perspectives, a goal that is challenged by diverse factors. Challenges hindering multi-stakeholder collaboration (MSC) for sustainability have previously been addressed in the context of transnational partnerships. However, less is known regarding how place-based MSC operates, especially in the context of the Global South. To contribute to addressing the factors that hinder place-based MSC for sustainability in the Global South, we analyzed 38 MSC projects spanning diverse ecological and social contexts across Mexico. In a series of participatory workshops, 128 stakeholders from academia, government, business, local communities, and civil society organizations discussed factors that hinder place-based MSC and co-constructed strategies to strengthen collaboration. Some challenges coincided with those identified in previous studies (e.g., divergent visions, inadequate project planning), whereas other concerns that have not been commonly regarded as important emerged as crucial obstacles for MSC. We discuss these challenges in the context of areas of limited statehood and point to the traditions of popular education and participatory action research as a source of valuable tools for place-based MSC. We identify strategies capable of addressing diverse challenges, a result that could aid prioritizing resource allocation to strengthen MSC.
Adaptive Robust Control of DC Motors With Extended State Observer

Structured and unstructured uncertainties always exist in physical servo systems and degrade their tracking accuracy. In this paper, a practical method named adaptive robust control with extended state observer (ESO) is synthesized for high-accuracy motion control of a dc motor. The proposed controller accounts for not only the structured uncertainties (i.e., parametric uncertainties) but also the unstructured uncertainties (i.e., nonlinear friction, external disturbances, and/or unmodeled dynamics). Adaptive control for the structured uncertainty and ESO for the unstructured uncertainty are designed for compensating them respectively and integrated together via a feedforward cancellation technique. The global robustness of the controller is guaranteed by a feedback robust law. Furthermore, the controller theoretically guarantees a prescribed tracking performance in the presence of various uncertainties, which is very important for high-accuracy control of motion systems. Extensive comparative experimental results are obtained to verify the high-performance nature of the proposed control strategy.
Relation between self-recalled childhood physical activity and adult physical activity: The women's health initiative.

BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that childhood physical activity may play a role in the etiology and prevention of adult chronic diseases. Because researchers must often depend on self-recalled physical activity data many years after the exposure, it is important to understand factors which may influence adult recall of childhood physical activity. This study evaluated the influence of adult characteristics on reported childhood physical activity and the association between adult physical activity and self-recalled childhood physical activity. METHODS 48,066 post-menopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study reported their physical activity level during ages 5 - 9, 10 - 14, and 15 - 19. RESULTS In this cohort, over 65% of the population reported the same category of physical activity over the three childhood age groups. While higher levels of childhood physical activity were significantly associated with higher adult physical activity, this association varied by race/ethnicity, education, smoking, body mass index, history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease, social support and physical functional status. Women who were consistently highly active reported adult physical activity levels that were 2.82 MET-hr/week (95% C.I. = 2.43, 3.20) higher compared to women who were always physically inactive during childhood. CONCLUSIONS It is important for researchers to understand the influence of adult characteristics on reported childhood physical activity.
Against Digital Art History

This article responds to two issues affecting the field of contemporary art history: digital technology and the so-called computational turn in the humanities. It is divided into two parts: the first connects problems with “digital art history,” an offspring of digital humanities, to neoliberal metrics; the second suggests how digital art history’s“distant reading” might nevertheless be deployed critically in the analysis of contemporary art.
Applying a PCR‐based open‐reading frame typing method for easy genotyping and molecular epidemiological analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Molecular epidemiological techniques, such as pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), or multilocus sequence typing (MLST) have facilitated our understanding of the transmission routes of nosocomial infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, they are time consuming and technically demanding. To perform molecular epidemiological analysis in a standard microbiology laboratory, we aimed to develop a simpler and effective molecular epidemiological technique based on the open‐reading frame (ORF) distribution patterns detected by PCR, which we call PCR‐based ORF typing (POT).
Family-environment risk factors for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. A test of Rutter's indicators of adversity.

BACKGROUND This study investigated whether family-environment risk factors are associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Compelling work by Rutter and coworkers revealed that it was the aggregate of adversity factors (severe marital discord, low social class, large family size, paternal criminality, maternal mental disorder, and foster care placement) rather than the presence of any single factor that led to impaired development. Based on the work of Rutter, we hypothesized a positive association between indicators of adversity and the diagnosis of ADHD and ADHD-associated impairments. METHODS We studied 140 ADHD and 120 normal control probands. Subjects were non-Hispanic white boys between the ages of 6 and 17 years. Rutter's indicators of adversity were used to predict ADHD-related psychopathology as well as impaired cognitive and psychosocial functioning. RESULTS The odds ratio for the diagnosis of ADHD increased as the number of Rutter's adversity index predicted ADHD-related psychopathology (depression, anxiety, and conduct disorder), learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, and psychosocial dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS A positive association appears to exist between adversity indicators and the risk for ADHD as well as for its associated psychiatric, cognitive, and psychosocial impairments. These findings support the work of Rutter and stress the importance of adverse family-environment variables as risk factors for children with ADHD.
Cyclosporin A, But Not FK506, Induces Osmotic Lysis of Pancreas Zymogen Granules, Intra-Acinar Enzyme Release, and Lysosome Instability by Activating K+ Channel

Objectives The immunosuppressant tacrolimus (FK506) has improved pancreas allograft survival compared with cyclosporin A (CsA), possibly because of reduced acute pancreatitis following ischemia-reperfusion injury. Ion permeabilities in zymogen granule (ZG) membranes, including a KCNQ1 K+ channel, promote hormone-stimulated enzyme secretion. We investigated whether a differential modulation of ZG and lysosomal ion permeabilities and enzyme secretion by CsA/FK506 contributes to pancreatitis. Methods Rat ZGs and lysosomes were isolated by gradient centrifugation, ion permeabilities assayed by osmotic lysis, and single-channel currents recorded in a planar lipid bilayer. Amylase release was measured in permeabilized acini and lysosomal cathepsin B release detected by immunoblotting. Results CsA (1–10 &mgr;M), but not FK506, enhanced ZGs osmotic lysis by selectively increasing K+ permeability up to 5-fold. Zymogen granule membrane K+ channels showed ∼2-fold increased single-channel open probability with CsA only. Cyclosporin A selectively increased basal (∼2-fold), but not cholecystokinin-octapeptide (1 nM)–induced amylase secretion in K+ medium only. Cyclosporin A (5 &mgr;M), but not FK506, increased cathepsin B release from lysosomes. Conclusions Cyclosporin A selectively opens the ZG K+ channel and induces cathepsin B release from lysosomes, which cause increased in situ lysis of ZGs and may aggravate or fuel acute allograft pancreatitis following hypoxia-reperfusion injury.
The pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide modulates glutamatergic calcium signalling: investigations on rat suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons

Circadian rhythms generated by the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) are synchronized with the external light/dark cycle by photic information transmitted directly from the retina via the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT). The RHT contains the neurotransmitters glutamate and pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP), which code chemically for ‘light’ or ‘darkness’ information, respectively. We investigated interactions of PACAP and glutamate by analysing effects on the second messenger calcium in individual SCN neurons using the Fura‐2 technique. PACAP did not affect NMDA‐mediated calcium increases, but influenced signalling cascades of non‐NMDA glutamate receptors, which in turn can regulate NMDA receptors. On the one hand, PACAP amplified/induced glutamate‐dependent calcium increases by interacting with α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionate (AMPA)/kainate signalling. This was not related to direct PACAPergic effects on the second messengers cAMP and calcium. On the other hand, PACAP reduced/inhibited calcium increases elicited by glutamate acting on metabotropic receptors. cAMP analogues mimicked this inhibition. Most neurons displaying PACAPergic neuromodulation were immunoreactive for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, which is a marker for retinorecipient SCN neurons. The observed PACAPergic effects provide a broad range of interactions that allow a fine‐tuning of the endogenous clock by the integration of ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ information on the level of single SCN neurons.
A new feature selection method based on clustering

Feature selection is an effective technique to put the high dimension of data down, which is prevailing in many application domains, such as text categorization and bio-informatics, and can bring many advantages, such as improving efficiency and avoiding over-fitting, to learning algorithms. Currently, many efforts have been attempted in this field and various feature selection methods have been developed and proved to be very competitive. Unlike other selection methods, in this paper we propose a new method to select important features using a manner of feature clustering. The main character of our method is that it works like data clustering in an agglomerative way. In this method, each feature is considered as a data point clustered with between-cluster and within-cluster distances. As a result, the selected feature subset has minimal redundancy among its members and maximal relevance with the class labels. Our performance evaluations on seven benchmark datasets show that the classification performance achieved by our proposed method is better than other feature selection methods.
Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is activated by calmodulin with two bound calciums

Changes in synaptic strength that underlie memory formation in the CNS are initiated by pulses of Ca2+ flowing through NMDA-type glutamate receptors into postsynaptic spines. Differences in the duration and size of the pulses determine whether a synapse is potentiated or depressed after repetitive synaptic activity. Calmodulin (CaM) is a major Ca2+ effector protein that binds up to four Ca2+ ions. CaM with bound Ca2+ can activate at least six signaling enzymes in the spine. In fluctuating cytosolic Ca2+, a large fraction of free CaM is bound to fewer than four Ca2+ ions. Binding to targets increases the affinity of CaM's remaining Ca2+-binding sites. Thus, initial binding of CaM to a target may depend on the target's affinity for CaM with only one or two bound Ca2+ ions. To study CaM-dependent signaling in the spine, we designed mutant CaMs that bind Ca2+ only at the two N-terminal or two C-terminal sites by using computationally designed mutations to stabilize the inactivated Ca2+-binding domains in the “closed” Ca2+-free conformation. We have measured their interactions with CaMKII, a major Ca2+/CaM target that mediates initiation of long-term potentiation. We show that CaM with two Ca2+ ions bound in its C-terminal lobe not only binds to CaMKII with low micromolar affinity but also partially activates kinase activity. Our results support the idea that competition for binding of CaM with two bound Ca2+ ions may influence significantly the outcome of local Ca2+ signaling in spines and, perhaps, in other signaling pathways.
State of charge estimation based on sliding mode observer for vanadium redox flow battery

State of charge (SOC) of the batteries is a key indicator for battery monitoring and control. Long-time operation of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRBs) may cause ion diffusions across the membrane and the depletion of active materials, which will lead to capacity fading and internal resistance increasing. A selection of proper SOC method considering capacity fading factor is critical. In previous studies, capacity fading factor is not considered when SOC observer has been designed. In addition, the traditional method — extended kalman filter — is not appropriate to estimate SOC when the battery capacity is decaying. In this paper, an adaptive method, sliding mode observer (SMO), capable of dynamic estimation is proposed based on a model considering capacity fading. The simulation result shows that a capacity loss of 13.9% is estimated based on the diffusion model. The mean error between the observed and the modelled capacities is 0.14 Ah.
Polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use in patients with dementia: an underresearched problem

Multimorbidity and polypharmacy are increasingly prevalent across healthcare systems and settings as global demographic trends shift towards increased proportions of older people in populations. Numerous studies have demonstrated an association between polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP), and have reported high prevalence of PIP across settings of care in Europe and North America and, as a consequence, increased risk of adverse drug reactions, healthcare utilization, morbidity and mortality. These studies have not focused specifically on people with dementia, despite the high risk of adverse drug reactions and PIP in this patient cohort. This narrative review considers the evidence currently available in the area, including studies examining prevalence of PIP in older people with dementia, how appropriateness of prescribing is assessed, the medications most commonly implicated, the clinical consequences, and research priorities to optimize prescribing for this vulnerable patient group. Although there has been a considerable research effort to develop criteria to assess medication appropriateness in older people in recent years, the majority of tools do not focus on people with dementia. Of the limited number of tools available, most focus on the advanced stages of dementia in which life expectancy is limited. The development of tools to assess medication appropriateness in people with mild to moderate dementia or across the full spectrum of disease severity represents an important gap in the research literature and is beginning to attract research interest, with recent studies considering the medication regimen as a whole, or misprescribing, overprescribing or underprescribing of certain medications/medication classes, including anticholinergics, psychotropics, antibiotics and analgesics. Further work is required in development and validation of criteria to assess prescribing appropriateness in this vulnerable patient population, to determine prevalence of PIP in large cohorts of people with the full spectrum of dementia variants and severities, and to examine the impact of PIP on health outcomes.