Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
analytics capability and decision making performance in emerging market

This study examines the role of big data contractual and relational governance in big data decision-making performance of firms based in China. It investigates the mediation of big data analytics (BDA) capability in the association of contractual and relational governance with decision-making performance. Furthermore, moderating role of data-driven culture in the relationship of BDA capability and decision-making performance is examined. Data are collected from 108 Chinese firms engaged in big data-related activities. Structural equation modelling is employed to test the hypotheses. This study contributes towards the literature on big data management and governance mechanisms, by establishing the relationship of decision-making performance with big data contractual and relational governance directly and through the mediation of BDA capabilities. It also contributes towards knowledge based dynamic capabilities (KBDCs) view of firms, arguing that dynamic capabilities such as BDA capabilities can be influenced through knowledge sources and activities. We add to the discussions on whether contractual and relational governance are alternatives or they complement each other, by establishing the moderating role of big data relational governance in the relationship of contractual governance and decision-making performance. Finally, we argue that social capital can enhance KBDCs through contractual and relational governance in big data context.
Integrated spatial assessment of human pressures and impact on UK seabed habitats

As demands on aquatic resources increase, there is a growing need to monitor and assess their condition. This chapter reviews a variety of aquatic environmental assessments, at local, national, international and global scales and finds confusion in the terminology used to describe assessments. In particular the terms „ecosystem‟ and „integrated‟ are often misused resulting in lack of clarity. Therefore, definitions of some assessment terminology are suggested, consolidating existing proposals and simplifying future applications. A conclusion from the review is that a new classification system for types of environmental assessments is required. The categorisation system proposed builds on preliminary work of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Assessment classification is based on the environmental components considered, methodologies and nature of the linkages between components, and the inclusion or exclusion of socio-economic factors. The assessment terminology and categorisation system provided could in future simplify the way that assessments are defined and used to inform development of management strategies.
2017) Homogenization of the Spatial Sensitivity of Electrostatic Sensors for the Flow Measurement of Pneumatically Conveyed Solids in a Square-Shaped

— The spatial sensitivity of an electrostatic sensor is recognized as an important factor that affects the accuracy of solids flow measurement in a pneumatic conveying pipe. However, the distribution of the spatial sensitivity is generally inhomogeneous due to the physical structure of the electrostatic sensor and the inherent electrostatic sensing mechanism. This paper proposes a sensitivity homogenization method based on differential measurement, i.e., using the differential outputs from two electrodes with different axial widths. The validity of the sensitivity homogenization method for a square-shaped electrostatic sensing head, which consists of strip-shaped electrode arrays with different widths, is validated through mathematical analysis. Furthermore, the response of the electrostatic sensing head incorporating the sensitivity homogenization method to roping flow regimes was evaluated on a gravity-fed solids flow test rig. Results from both modeling and experimental tests indicate that the homogeneity of the spatial sensitivity is improved significantly. The mean non-uniformity of the outputs from the sensing head is 11.7% as a result of the homogenization method.
International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics

Here we investigate the accuracy of the overlap criterion when applied to a simple near-integrable model in both its 2D and 3D versions. To this end, we consider, respectively, two and three quartic oscillators as the unperturbed system, and couple the degrees of freedom by a cubic, non-integrable perturbation. For both systems we compute the unperturbed resonances up to order O ( e 2 ), and model each resonance by means of the pendulum approximation in order to estimate the theoretical critical value of the perturbation parameter for a global transition to chaos. We perform several surface of sections for the bi-dimensional case to derive an empirical value to be compared to our theoretical estimation. Although both values are of the same order of magnitude, there is a significant difference between them. For the 3D case a numerical estimate is attained that we observe matches quite well the critical value resulting from theoretical means. This confirms once again that calculating resonances up to O ( e 2 ) suffices in order the overlap criterion to work out.
Dispersion forces in inhomogeneous planarly layered media: A one-dimensional model for effective polarisabilities

Dispersion forces such as van der Waals forces between two microscopic particles, the Casimir--Polder forces between a particle and a macroscopic object or the Casimir force between two dielectric objects are well studied in vacuum. However, in realistic situations the interacting objects are often embedded in an environmental medium. Such a solvent influences the induced dipole interaction. With the framework of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics, these interactions are mediated via an exchange of virtual photons. Via this method the impact of a homogeneous solvent medium can be expressed as local-field corrections leading to excess polarisabilities which have previously been derived for hard boundary conditions. In order to develop a more realistic description, we investigate on a one-dimensional analog system illustrating the influence of a continuous dielectric profile.
Moderating effects of psychological factors and frequency of experiences in the emergency department: The role of perceived quality of healthcare

The aim of this study is to identify the main moderators in the relationship between antecedents/predictors (doctors, privacy, accessibility, and availability, perceived waiting time to be called back by the doctor after the examinations and/or tests) and the perceived quality of healthcare (PQHC) in the emergency department (ED). Patients admitted to the ED of a public hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, between January and December 2016 were included in this study, with a representative sample size of 382 patients. A 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence interval were used, and all data were collected between May and November 2017. We used a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to test the moderation models. We identified 3 main moderators with different moderating roles between the antecedents (predictors) and PQHC: level of life satisfaction, level of happiness, and frequency of ED experiences. Overall satisfaction with doctors is more likely to influence the PQHC among patients with lower levels of life satisfaction. Moreover, privacy and perceived waiting time to be called back by the doctor after an examination and/or test are more likely to influence the PQHC among patients with lower levels of life satisfaction and happiness. Finally, accessibility and availability are more likely to influence the PQHC among patients with more frequent ED experiences. Thus, knowing the moderating effects of psychological factors and the frequency of ED experiences may help to better understand the relationship between PQHC and certain predictors.
Management of Retinitis Pigmentosa Via Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells or Combination With Magnovision: 3-Year Prospective Results

Abstract To investigate whether the natural progression rate of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) can be decreased with subtenon Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell (WJ-MSC) application alone or combination with Magnovision. The study included prospective analysis of 130 eyes of 80 retinitis pigmentosa patients with a 36-month follow-up duration. Patients constitute 4 groups with similar demographic characteristics. The subtenon WJ-MSC-only group consisted of 34 eyes of 32 RP patients as Group 1; the Magnovision-only group consisted of 32 eyes of 16 RP patients as Group 2; the combined management group consisted of 32 eyes of 16 RP patients who received combined WJ-MSC and Magnovision as Group 3; the natural course (control) group consisted of 32 eyes of 16 RP patients who did not receive any treatment were classified as Group 4. Fundus autofluorescence surface area (FAF-field), horizontal and vertical ellipsoid zone width (EZW), fundus perimetry deviation index (FPDI), full-field electroretinography magnitude (ERG-m), and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) changes were compared within and between groups after 36 months follow up period. FAF-field delta changes were detected 0.39 mm2 in Group 1, 1.50 mm2 in Group 2, 0.07 mm2 in Group 3 and 12.04 mm2 in Group 4 (Δp 4 > 2 > 1 > 3). Horizontal EZW, Vertical EZW, BCVA, and FPDI delta changes were detected Δp 4 > 1,2 > 3. ERG-m delta changes were detected Δp 3 > 1,2,4. Retinitis pigmentosa characterized by progressive loss of photoreceptors eventually leading to total blindness. The combination of WJ-MSC and Magnovision can significantly slow the progression of the disease in comparison to natural progression rate for 3 years in appropriate cases. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05800301.
Severe cutaneous necrosis in antiphospholipid syndrome

To the Editor: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent thrombosis and/or recurrent fetal loss. APS can be primary or secondary to autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is unique from other thrombophilic disorders in that it predisposes patients to not only venous but also arterial thrombosis through endothelial cell damage and activation of platelets. The Sydney Criteria are used for diagnosis of APS and necessitate the presence of one clinical and one laboratory criteria. Clinical criteria consist of objectively confirmed venous, arterial or small vessel thrombosis, or pregnancy complications that may be attributed to placental insufficiency, including pre-eclampsia, pregnancy loss, or premature birth. Laboratory criteria consist of a positive laboratory test (lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin anticoagulant and/or anti-B2 glycoprotein) found on 2 or more occasions at least 12 weeks apart. Management of APS involves the long-term use of vitamin K antagonists. Catastrophic APS (CAPS), as the name implies, is a disastrous complication of APS. The International Congress on aPL has proposed criteria for diagnosis of CAPS; Definite CAPS requires all four of the following criteria: involvement of three or more organs, systems or tissues, manifestations develop simultaneously or in less than 1 week, small vessel occlusion that is confirmed histologically in at least one organ or tissue and presence of antiphospholipid antibodies twice at least 12 weeks apart. Probable CAPS diagnosis requires less stringent criteria (involvement of only two organs or sites of tissue involvement and manifestations of a third event develops between 1 week and 1 month after presentation despite anticoagulation). Although CAPS only occurs in less than 1% of patients with APS, when present, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality with the majority of patients requiring ICU admission for multi-organ failure. Cutaneous manifestations are recognized in the clinical spectrum of APS and include ulcers, pseudovasculitic skin lesions and digital gangrene. Less commonly reported is cutaneous skin necrosis, for which there have only been 14 case reports since the year 2000. We now present a rare case of APS with cutaneous necrosis and summarize clinical presentation and management of previous cases reported in the literature since the year 2000.
Ethnic disparities in presentation but not outcome in multiple myeloma patients: a multicenter retrospective study in Northern Israel

Abstract Several studies showed ethnic disparities in multiple myeloma (MM) incidence and prognosis. In order to compare prognosis and overall survival between different ethnic groups, a multicenter retrospective study was conducted in Northern Israel. A total of 145 patients suffering from MM were included (72% Jewish, and 28% Arabs) who were treated between 2008–2018. A difference was found in the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis, patients of Arab origin were diagnosed at a more advanced stage (III), (53.7% vs. 33.7%, respectively). A mortality rate of 48.9% was found in the study, regardless of population ethnic origin. No significant differences in rates of MGUS, MM symptoms, treatments, or progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were observed between ethnic groups. This suggests that raising awareness of MM may result in an earlier diagnosis, especially among patients of Arab origin, preventing unnecessary suffering from these patients.
European Journal of Political Economy

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk of participating in public events, among them elections. We assess whether the voter turnout in the 2020 local government elections in Italy was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We do so by exploiting the variation among municipalities in the intensity of the COVID-19 outbreak as measured by the mortality rate among the elderly. We find that a 1 percentage point increase in the elderly mortality rate decreased the voter turnout by 0.5 percentage points, with no gender differences in the behavioural response. The effect was especially strong in densely populated municipalities. We do not detect statistically significant differences in voter turnout among different levels of autonomy from the central government.
Dysregulation of MicroRNAs in Adult Osteogenesis Imperfecta: The miROI Study

As epigenetic regulators of gene expression, circulating micro‐RiboNucleic Acids (miRNAs) have been described in several bone diseases as potential prognostic markers. The aim of our study was to identify circulating miRNAs potentially associated with the severity of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) in three steps. We have screened by RNA sequencing for the miRNAs that were differentially expressed in sera of a small group of OI patients versus controls and then conducted a validation phase by RT‐qPCR analysis of sera of a larger patient population. In the first phase of miROI, we found 79 miRNAs that were significantly differentially expressed. We therefore selected 19 of them as the most relevant. In the second phase, we were able to validate the significant overexpression of 8 miRNAs in the larger OI group. Finally, we looked for a relationship between the level of variation of the validated miRNAs and the clinical characteristics of OI. We found a significant difference in the expression of two microRNAs in those patients with dentinogenesis imperfecta. After reviewing the literature, we found 6 of the 8 miRNAs already known to have a direct action on bone homeostasis. Furthermore, the use of a miRNA‐gene interaction prediction model revealed a 100% probability of interaction between 2 of the 8 confirmed miRNAs and COL1A1 and/or COL1A2. This is the first study to establish the miRNA signature in OI, showing a significant modification of miRNA expression potentially involved in the regulation of genes involved in the physiopathology of OI. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
LJMU Research Online

Background: Alkaptonuria is a rare genetic disease that leads to structural joint damage and impaired movement function. Previous research indicates that alkaptonuria affects gait, however the detailed mechanisms are unknown. Research question: What are the joint-specific gait mechanisms which contribute to impaired gait in alkaptonuria patients? Methods: The gait of 36 alkaptonuria patients were compared to those of 21 unimpaired controls. The AKU patients were split into three age groups (young 16-29 years, n = 9, middle 30-49 years, n = 16 and old 50+ years, n = 11), and the kinematic and kinetic gait profiles were compared to speed-matched controls using a spm1d two-sample t-test. Results: The young AKU group showed significant differences in the sagittal plane of the knee joint compared to speed-matched controls. The middle group showed deviations in the knee and hip joints. The old group showed significant differences in multiple joints and planes and exhibited gait mechanisms which may be compensation strategies. Significance: This study is the first to identify and describe joint-specific mechanisms during gait in alkaptonuria patients. Gait deviations were evident even in young AKU patients, including a 16-year-old, much earlier than previously thought. The knee joint is an important focus of future research and potential interventions as deviations were found across all three AKU age groups.
alliance management capabilities in cross-sector collaborative partnerships

While there is a significant amount of research on cross-sector collaboration, we still lack an adequate understanding of the nature and dynamics of Alliance Management Capabilities (AMC) that organizations demand when stretching their inter-organizational relationships beyond the boundaries of their sector. We address this gap by investigating the role of AMC in establishing and maintaining cross-sector collaborations, focusing on the perspective of nonprofit organizations (NPOs). Using qualitative data obtained from a diverse group of NPOs that are actively in collaboration with the business sector, we identified a unique set of AMC that are deployed at the pre-and post-formation stages of collaboration, and concomitantly at both stages (or cross-cutting AMC). Moreover, we provide an integrative framework that explains how these capabilities are leveraged and developed within the context of cross-sector collaboration which takes a circular path that comprises strategic actions and learning routines. We draw implications for theory and practice.
REINFORCEMENT LEARNING AGENTS

Reinforcement learning (RL) is a powerful technique to train an agent to perform a task. However, an agent that is trained using RL is only capable of achieving the single task that is specified via its reward function. Such an approach does not scale well to settings in which an agent needs to perform a diverse set of tasks, such as navigating to varying positions in a room or moving objects to varying locations. Instead, we propose a method that allows an agent to automatically discover the range of tasks that it is capable of performing in its environment. We use a generator network to propose tasks for the agent to try to achieve, each task being specified as reaching a certain parametrized subset of the state-space. The generator network is optimized using adversarial training to produce tasks that are always at the appropriate level of difficulty for the agent. Our method thus automatically produces a curriculum of tasks for the agent to learn. We show that, by using this framework, an agent can efficiently and automatically learn to perform a wide set of tasks without requiring any prior knowledge of its environment1. Our method can also learn to achieve tasks with sparse rewards, which pose significant challenges for traditional RL methods.
The state of the Eastern Cape schools in a period almost the second decade of democracy

This paper explore the state of the Eastern Cape schools by employing an education production function approach using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and quantile regression techniques in 2013, a period almost twenty years into democracy in South Africa. The study benefited from the availability of Annual National Assessment (ANA) results from the examination directorate as a measure of schooling outcomes. In the education production function, scores from ANA were estimated against educator characteristics, school characteristics and community characteristics. The results of this study indicated that in the Eastern Cape learner performance is strongly influenced by educator quality, school and community characteristics.
Distinct SAP102 and PSD-95 nano-organization defines multiple types of synaptic scaffold protein domains at single synapses

The MAGUK family of scaffold proteins plays a central role in maintaining and modulating synaptic signaling, providing a framework to retain and position receptors, signaling molecules, and other synaptic components. Of these scaffold proteins, SAP102 and PSD-95 are essential for synaptic function at distinct developmental timepoints and perform overlapping as well as unique roles. While their similar structures allow for common binding partners, SAP102 is expressed earlier in synapse development and is required for synaptogenesis, whereas PSD-95 expression peaks later in development and is associated with synapse maturation. PSD-95 and other key synaptic proteins organize into subsynaptic nanodomains that have a significant impact on synaptic transmission, but the nanoscale organization of SAP102 is unknown. How SAP102 is organized within the synapse, and how it relates spatially to PSD-95 on a nanometer scale, could impact how SAP102 clusters synaptic proteins and underlie its ability to perform its unique functions. Here we used DNA-PAINT super-resolution microscopy to measure SAP102 nano-organization and its spatial relationship to PSD-95 at individual synapses. We found that like PSD-95, SAP102 accumulates in high-density subsynaptic nanoclusters. However, SAP102 nanoclusters were smaller and denser than PSD-95 nanoclusters across development. Additionally, only a subset of SAP102 nanoclusters co-organized with PSD-95, revealing that within individual synapses there are nanodomains that contain either one or both proteins. This organization into both shared and distinct subsynaptic nanodomains may underlie the ability of SAP102 and PSD-95 to perform both common and unique synaptic functions. Significance statement SAP102 and PSD-95 are two key members of the MAGUK family of synaptic scaffold proteins that are critical for synapse development, maintenance, and modification during plasticity. Because PSD-95 has a highly complex subsynaptic nanostructure that impacts synaptic function, we asked if SAP102 is similarly organized into nanoclusters at individual synapses and how it relates to PSD-95 within synapses. We found that SAP102 forms subsynaptic nanoclusters with unique properties, and that within individual synapses proteins both concentrate into overlapping nanodomains, as well as form MAGUK-specific nanodomains. This demonstrates that organization of synaptic proteins into nanoclusters is likely to be maintained within the family of MAGUK proteins and reveals potential mechanism for specializing functions within individual synapses based on scaffold protein nanodomains.