Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategic Planning on Productivity through Leadership Commitment and Employee Involvement

Empirical research studies that have examined the relationship between strategic planning and productivity have produced mixed results, with some studies presenting that strategic planning has a significant impact on productivity, while other studies have failed to find the relationship between strategic planning and productivity. This study attempted to clarify and understand the relationship between strategic planning and productivity by including some contingency variables considered relevant in the implementation of strategic planning namely leadership commitment and employee involvement using 156 sample data collected through questionnaire from management employees of Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority. Model fit, validity and reliability were tested using regression analysis, principal component analysis and factor analysis using Jamovi software. The study presents that strategic planning and leadership commitment have a significant impact on productivity and that leadership commitment mediates the association between strategic planning and productivity. This study provides empirical evidence on the nature of the relationship between strategic planning and productivity. This study also gives evidence that leadership commitment is very relevant in strategic planning process at all stages and that no manager should isolate him/herself from strategic planning process.
Rediscovering geography in NATO defence planning

ABSTRACT This article explores the relevance of geography in NATO defence planning. Historical analysis of strategic concepts and other planning documents suggests a pendulum movement from treating geography as the central organising principle within the alliance, to downplaying its role in favour of functional considerations, and back. In view of mounting tensions alongside Europe’s eastern and southern flanks, this argument acquires contemporary relevance with regards to how alliance responsibilities can be (re)distributed. Rediscovering the early principle that allies should concentrate on those tasks for which they are the most geographically suited offers a promising approach for a new division of labour.
The Role of Clinical Audits in Advancing Quality and Safety in Healthcare Services: A Multiproject Analysis From a Jordanian Hospital

Introduction Clinical audits have become essential instruments for evaluating and improving the standard of patient care in healthcare services. While individual clinical audits focus on particular aspects of care, multiple clinical audits across various domains, specialties, or departments provide a more comprehensive understanding of clinical practice and encourage systemic improvements. Methodology This study employed a mixed-methods approach to review and assess various clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives conducted at Al-Karak Governmental Hospital in southern Jordan. The study aimed to identify obstacles and possibilities of conducting clinical audits and provide suggestions for enhancing audit procedures and results. Data were collected from both retrospective and prospective sources and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The study comprised 11 audits conducted in three medical departments, namely surgery, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), and pediatrics, with a total of 618 participants. The improvements in adherence to guidelines after the second loop of all the audits were significant and showed significant improvements in adherence to guidelines, demonstrating the efficacy of clinical audits in improving clinical practice and outcomes. Conclusions Clinical audits are essential for maintaining and improving quality and safety in healthcare services, particularly in developing nations where emergency obstetric care is lacking. Multiple clinical audits provide a comprehensive understanding of clinical practice and encourage systemic improvements. The findings of our study suggest that clinical audits can lead to significant improvements in adherence to guidelines and better clinical outcomes. Future research should focus on identifying best practices for conducting clinical audits and evaluating their long-term viability and expandability.
Novel underlying genetic markers for asthenozoospermia due to abnormal spermatogenesis and reproductive organ inflammation

Asthenozoospermia, a male fertility disorder, has a complex and multifactorial etiology. Moreover, the effectiveness of different treatments for asthenozoospermia remains uncertain. Hence, by using bioinformatics techniques, the present study aimed to determine the underlying genetic markers and pathogenetic mechanisms associated with asthenozoospermia due to abnormal spermatogenesis and inflammation of the reproductive tract. GSE160749 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and the data were filtered to obtain 1336 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with asthenozoospermia. These DEGs were intersected with the epithelial mesenchymal transition datasets to yield 61 candidate DEGs. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed, and the results revealed that these candidate DEGs were significantly enriched in the enzyme-linked receptor pathway and the thyroid hormone pathway. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed to identify the key genes of asthenozoospermia. A total of five key genes were identified, among which SOX9 was significantly upregulated, while HSPA4, SMAD2, HIF1A and GSK3B were significantly downregulated. These findings were validated by conducting reverse transcription-quantitative PCR for clinical semen samples. To determine the underlying molecular mechanisms, a regulatory network of transcription factors and miRNA-mRNA interactions was predicted. The expression levels of HSPA4, SMAD2 and GSK3B were positively associated with several related etiological genes of asthenozoospermia. In total, five key genes were closely associated with the level and type of immune cells; higher levels of activated B cells and CD8 T cells were observed in asthenozoospermia. Thus, the findings of the present study may provide clues to determine the underlying novel diagnostic genetic markers and treatment strategies for asthenozoospermia.
Quantifying vertical movements in fold and thrust belts: subsidence, uplift and erosion in Kurdistan, northern Iraq

Abstract Traditional structural analysis in fold and thrust belts has focused on quantifying horizontal movements. In this paper, the importance of quantifying vertical movements is illustrated using a case study from Kurdistan, northern Iraq. The subsidence history of this area can be determined by analysis of the stratigraphic record from deep exploration wells. A phase of thermal subsidence from Middle Permian to Late Cretaceous (tectonic subsidence 1.8–1.9 km) was followed by flexural subsidence in the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic (tectonic subsidence >0.6 km) in response to the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. The main phase of continental collision during the Neogene resulted in the development of the Zagros fold and thrust belt; the amount of uplift at individual anticlines can be estimated from their amplitude (up to 3 km), but regional cross-sections indicate that approximately 1 km of additional basement-involved uplift is present NE of the Mountain Front. The timing of basement-involved uplift is interpreted to be coeval with the deposition of a Pliocene–Quaternary growth sequence adjacent to the Mountain Front. The amount of erosion resulting from the uplift can be estimated from vitrinite reflectance and cross-sections; these estimates show a similar pattern, with maximum erosion in the mountains NE of the Mountain Front (>1.5 km) and lesser erosion in the adjacent foreland basin (generally <0.8 km). The results provide a quantitative understanding of subsidence, uplift and erosion, and have been used to define prospective and high-risk areas for petroleum exploration.
Explaining differences in self-focused and other-involved public health preventive behaviors between the US and China: the role of self- construal and health locus of control

Background This study examined national similarities and differences in people's engagement in health preventive behaviors during a public health crisis, as well as investigated the underlying individual-level psychological mechanisms. A conceptual distinction was made between self-focused and other-involved preventive behaviors in response to public health crises. Method Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in the United States (N = 888) and China (N = 844) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hayes' PROCESS was utilized to assess national differences in seven preventive behaviors, along with the mediating effects of self-construal and health locus of control. Results The results showed that American participants reported greater engagement in self-focused preventive behaviors than Chinese, whereas Chinese participants reported greater engagement in other-involved preventive behaviors than Americans. Chinese participants also engaged more in other-involved than self-focused preventive behaviors. Self-construal and health locus of control partially explained the observed differences in engagement in preventive behaviors. Discussion This study introduces a culture-sensitive approach to provide insights for crafting communication interventions that can enhance the effectiveness of health campaigns in the context of a public health crisis.
Design and Analysis of a Bandwidth Aware Adaptive Multipath N-Channel Routing Protocol for 5G Internet of Things (IoT)

Large numbers of mobile wireless nodes that can move randomly and join or leave the network at any moment make up mobile ad-hoc networks. A significant number of messages are delivered during information exchange in populated regions because of the Internet of Things' (IoT) exponential increase in connected devices. Congestion can increase transmission latency and packet loss by causing congestion. More network size, increased network traffic, and high mobility that necessitate dynamic topology make this problem worse. An adaptive Multipath Multichannel Energy Efficient (AMMEE) routing strategy is proposed in this study, in which route selection strategies depend on forecasted energy consumption per packet, available bandwidth, queue length, and channel utilization. While multichannel uses a channel-ideal assignment process to lessen network collisions, multipath offers various paths and balances network strain. The link bandwidth is split up into a few sub-channels in the multichannel mechanism. To reduce network collisions, several source nodes simultaneously access the channel bandwidth. The cooperative multipath multichannel technique offers several paths from a single source or from several sources to the destination without colliding or becoming congested. The AMMEE routing approach is the basis for path selection. A load- and bandwidth-aware routing mechanism in the proposed AMMEE chooses the path based on node energy and forecasts their lifetime, which improves network dependability. The outcome demonstrates a comparative analysis of various multichannel medium access control (MMAC) techniques, including Parallel Rendezvous Multi Channel Medium Access Protocol (PRMMAC), Quality of Service Ad hoc On Demand Multipath Distance Vector (QoS-AOMDV), Q-learning-based Multipath Routing (QMR), and Topological Change Adaptive Ad hoc On-demand Multipath Distance Vector (TA-AOMDV) and the proposed AMMEE method. The results show that the AMMEE approach outperforms alternative systems. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-01-018 Full Text: PDF
Enhancing Inclusive Teaching in China: Examining the Effects of Principal Transformational Leadership, Teachers’ Inclusive Role Identity, and Efficacy

This research examined the effects of principal transformational leadership on teachers’ inclusive teaching behaviour, with a particular inquiry into the mediating effects of teachers’ inclusive role identity and efficacy for inclusive practice, as informed by identity theory and social cognitive theory. Structural equation modelling with bootstrapping estimation was conducted using data from 712 teachers delivering inclusive teaching in primary or secondary schools in China. The results revealed the sequentially mediating mechanisms of teachers’ inclusive role identity and efficacy underlying the principal transformational leadership effects on teachers’ inclusive teaching behaviour. Research implications are also discussed.
Breathing across ages: a systematic review on challenges and components of transitional care for young people with asthma

Introduction Asthma is a chronic condition that affects millions of adolescents and young adults (AYA) worldwide. The transition from pediatric to adult care presents unique challenges for this population, affecting their self-management, quality of life and overall health outcomes. This systematic review aims to consolidate the available evidence on challenges encountered by AYA with asthma during the transition period from child to AYA and on the key elements of transitional care for AYAs with asthma including the outcomes achieved, ultimately enhancing outcomes. Methodology A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science from their inception to October 2, 2023, to provide an overview of currently available literature. Primary quantitative and qualitative studies, published in peer-reviewed journals that focused on AYA with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma were considered if they focused on challenges encountered by AYA with asthma during the transition process and/or components of transitional care and their outcomes assessed. Results A total of 855 studies were initially identified and 6 articles were included in this systematic literature review. Several challenges experienced by AYA with asthma were identified including maintaining medication adherence, the need to take responsibility and being involved, understanding their condition and its severity, feeling left out of the care system, and experiencing a lack of engagement. The identified transitional care components included a standardized form for medical data transmission, a joint consultation and to offer several longer consultations. Conclusion Several international guidelines for asthma care recommend implementing transition programs in the care for AYA with asthma. Such transition programs should include a comprehensive and individualized approach addressing several challenges faced, to ensure optimal outcomes post-transition. However, to date, data on effective components of transitional care facilitating good outcomes were found to be limited. This systematic review underscores the need for larger studies evaluating the effect of the components of transition programs.
Autosomal Recessive Non-Syndromic Deafness: Is AAV Gene Therapy a Real Chance?

The etiology of sensorineural hearing loss is heavily influenced by genetic mutations, with approximately 80% of cases attributed to genetic causes and only 20% to environmental factors. Over 100 non-syndromic deafness genes have been identified in humans thus far. In non-syndromic sensorineural hearing impairment, around 75–85% of cases follow an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. In recent years, groundbreaking advancements in molecular gene therapy for inner-ear disorders have shown promising results. Experimental studies have demonstrated improvements in hearing following a single local injection of adeno-associated virus-derived vectors carrying an additional normal gene or using ribozymes to modify the genome. These pioneering approaches have opened new possibilities for potential therapeutic interventions. Following the PRISMA criteria, we summarized the AAV gene therapy experiments showing hearing improvement in the preclinical phases of development in different animal models of DFNB deafness and the AAV gene therapy programs currently in clinical phases targeting autosomal recessive non syndromic hearing loss. A total of 17 preclinical studies and 3 clinical studies were found and listed. Despite the hurdles, there have been significant breakthroughs in the path of HL gene therapy, holding great potential for providing patients with novel and effective treatment.
Real-Time Monte Carlo Denoising With Adaptive Fusion Network

Real-time Monte Carlo denoising aims to denoise a 1spp-rendered image with a limited time budget. Many latest techniques for real-time Monte Carlo denoising utilize temporal accumulation (TA) as a pre-processing to improve the temporal stability of successive frames and increase the effective spp. However, existing techniques using TA used to suffer from significant performance degradation when TA does not work well. In addition, they have the disadvantage of deteriorating performance in dynamic scenes because pixel information of the current frame cannot be sufficiently utilized due to the pixel averaging effect between temporally adjacent frames. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a framework that utilizes both 1spp images and temporally accumulated 1spp (TA-1spp) images. First, the multi-scale kernel prediction module estimates kernel maps for filtering 1spp images and TA-1spp images, respectively. Then, the filtered images are properly fused so that the two advantages of 1spp and TA-1spp images can create synergy. Also, the remaining noise is removed through the refinement module and fine details are reconstructed to improve the model flexibility, beyond using only the kernel prediction module. As a result, we achieve better quantitative and qualitative performance at 39% faster than state-of-the-art (SOTA) real-time Monte Carlo denoisers.
Assessing post treatment aeration variables to reduce Trihalomethanes for small systems

Small Public Water Systems face unique challenges in meeting Stage I & II disinfection byproduct rules. Diffused and spray aeration offer significant advantages in installation and O&M costs for small communities that need to lower THMs in finished drinking water. In this study, bench and pilot aeration assessments were undertaken in order to evaluate the importance and interaction of aeration variables associated with Trihalomethane (THM) and specifically chloroform removal. Bench scale experiments to determine the effect of air stripping on free chlorine levels and water pH were also conducted.
Risk factors for avian influenza in Danish poultry and wild birds during the epidemic from June 2020 to May 2021

Exploring the risk factors of avian influenza (AI) occurrence helps us to monitor and control the disease. Since late 2020, the number of avian influenza outbreaks in domestic and wild birds has increased in most European countries, including Denmark. This study was conducted to identify potential risk factors for wild birds and poultry during the epidemic in 2020/2021 in Denmark. Using Danish AI surveillance data of actively surveyed poultry and passively surveyed wild birds from June 2020 to May 2021, we calculated geographical attributes for bird locations and assessed the potential risk factors of AI detections using logistic regression analyses. 4% of actively surveyed poultry and 39% of passively surveyed wild birds were detected with AI circulating or ongoing at the time. Of these, 10 and 99% tested positive for the H5/H7 AI subtypes, respectively. Our analyses did not find any statistically significant risk factors for actively surveyed poultry within the dataset. For passively surveyed wild birds, bird species belonging to the Anseriformes order had a higher risk of being AI virus positive than five other taxonomic bird orders, and Galliformes were of higher risk than two other taxonomic bird orders. Besides, every 1 km increase in the distance to wetlands was associated with a 5.18% decrease in the risk of being AI positive (OR (odds ratio) 0.95, 95% CI 0.91, 0.99), when all other variables were kept constant. Overall, bird orders and distance to wetlands were associated with the occurrence of AI. The findings may provide targets for surveillance strategies using limited resources and assist in risk-based surveillance during epidemics.
Lane-Changing Decision Intention Prediction of Surrounding Drivers for Intelligent Driving

In complex traffic environment, it is still a great challenge for Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) to understand the surrounding drivers’ Lane-Changing Decision (LCD) intention accurately. The LCD intention is affected by Driver’s Psychology (DP) and Driving Style (DS). But few LCD studies considered DP and DS simultaneously. We previously proposed a LCD model, by combing DP and DS, termed as DP&DS-LCD model. Nevertheless, there are some factors not fully considered in this model, including the driver’s Visual Attention (VA) in DP quantification and the influence of driving state on DS. Therefore, an enhanced LCD Model is developed, by integrating the DP under VA (DPVA) and DS Layering (DSL), named as DPVA&DSL-LCD model. In the model, a psychological field model coupling driver’s VA mechanism is established to represent the surrounding vehicles’ influence on the driver. Then, a DSL framework is proposed by adding the influence of driving state on DS. The Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier are respectively adopted in training and recognition phases to identify the current driving style. Finally, integrating the DPVA and DSL, the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) algorithm is used to train the LCD model. In experiments, the open I-80 database from Next Generation Simulation (NGSIM) is adopted to train the DPVA&DSL-LCD. And compared with other three LCD models, the prediction performance of DPVA&DSL-LCD model achieved the best. Therefore, the DPVA&DSL-LCD model is effective and could provide support for the decision-making of AVs by predicting surrounding vehicles’ LCD intention.
Early Life Stress Is Associated with Alterations in Lymphocyte Subsets Independent of Increased Inflammation in Adolescents

Early life stress (ELS) is linked to an elevated risk of poor health and early mortality, with emerging evidence pointing to the pivotal role of the immune system in long-term health outcomes. While recent research has focused on the impact of ELS on inflammation, this study examined the impact of ELS on immune function, including CMV seropositivity, inflammatory cytokines, and lymphocyte cell subsets in an adolescent cohort. This study used data from the Early Life Stress and Cardiometabolic Health in Adolescence Study (N = 191, aged 12 to 21 years, N = 95 exposed to ELS). We employed multiple regression to investigate the association between ELS, characterized by early institutional care, cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity (determined by chemiluminescent immunoassay), inflammation (CRP, IL-6, and TNF-a determined by ELISA), and twenty-one immune cell subsets characterized by flow cytometry (sixteen T cell subsets and five B cell subsets). Results reveal a significant association between ELS and lymphocytes that was independent of the association between ELS and inflammation: ELS was associated with increased effector memory helper T cells, effector memory cytotoxic T cells, senescent T cells, senescent B cells, and IgD− memory B cells compared to non-adopted youth. ELS was also associated with reduced percentages of helper T cells and naive cytotoxic T cells. Exploratory analyses found that the association between ELS and fewer helper T cells and increased cytotoxic T cells remained even in cytomegalovirus (CMV) seronegative youth. These findings suggest that ELS is associated with cell subsets that are linked to early mortality risk in older populations and markers of replicative senescence, separate from inflammation, in adolescents.