Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selling Genes, Selling Gender: Egg Agencies, Sperm Banks, and the Medical Market in Genetic Material

Eggs and sperm are parallel bodily goods in that each contributes half of the reproductive material needed to create life. Yet these cells are produced by differently sexed bodies, allowing for a comparative analysis of how the social process of bodily commodification varies based on sex and gender. Drawing on interview and observational data from two egg agencies and two sperm banks in the United States, this article compares how staff recruit, screen, market, and compensate women and men donors. Results show how gendered norms inspire more altruistic rhetoric in egg donation than in sperm donation, producing different regimes of bodily commodification for women and men. I conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for debates in sociology of gender about biological differences among women and men and the cultural norms attributed to these differences; debates in economic sociology about how social factors shape the expansion of the market; and debates in medical sociology about the intersection of the market and medical practice.
Maternal Short Stature and Neonatal Stunting: An Inter-Generational Cycle Of Malnutrition

Maternal body size before pregnancy as a predictor of pregnancy outcome has been investigated in several publications. Most of the stunted children were delivered by stunted mother. This research was aimed to analyze whether maternal body size before pregnancy has an important contribution to neonatal stunting. A prospective cohort study was conducted in Probolinggo Regency, East Java. A number of 420 women were enrolled in this study. Among those women, 194 women were pregnant and 107 newborns were completely observed. Maternal body size was measured before pregnancy including body weight, height, and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC). Newborn’s birth length was measured less than 24 hours after birth. Short stature is defined as an height less than 145 cm, low body weight is defined as a body weight less than 40 kg, neonatal stunting is defined as a birth length less than 48 cm. Result indicated that 12.9% of women had short stature (<145 cm), 16.2% had low body weight (< 40 kg), and 25% had MUAC of <23.5 cm. Data was statistically analyzed by using independent t test. Among the observed pregnant women (107 women), 16.8% had short stature and 19.6% had low body weight. Maternal short stature, but not maternal low body weight and chronic energy deficiency, was correlated with birth length (p= 0.03 and 0.119; 0.653 respectively). Mothers with short stature (height < 145 cm) had a propensity to deliver low birth length babies, but there was insignificant correlation between the birth length and the maternal body weight. The result indicated that a stunted mother would likely to bring forth a stunted baby which reflected the inter-generation malnutrition from mothers to their babies.
Investor Trading and the Post-Earnings-Announcement Drift

We examine whether the two distinct post-earnings-announcement drifts associated with seasonal random walk-based and analyst-based earnings surprises are attributable to the trading activities of distinct sets of investors. We predict and find that small (large) traders continue to trade in the direction of seasonal random walk-based (analyst-based) earnings surprises after earnings announcements. We also find that when small (large) traders react more thoroughly to seasonal random walk(analyst-) based earnings surprises at the earnings announcements, the respective drift attenuates. Further evidence suggests that delayed small trades associated with random walk-based surprises are consistent with small traders’ failure to understand time-series properties of earnings, whereas delayed large trades associated with analyst-based surprises are more consistent with a longer price discovery process. We also find that the analyst-based drift has declined in recent years.
Risk factors for chronic kidney disease: a hospital based cross sectional study from Visakhapatnam

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is being increasingly recognised as a leading public health problem. In India, given its population >1 billion, the rising incidence of CKD is likely to pose major problems for both healthcare and the economy in future years. Diabetes and hypertension are strong predictors for development and progression of chronic kidney disease. The objective of the study was to assess risk factors for chronic kidney disease among patients undergoing dialysis in King George Hospital (KGH), Visakhapatnam.Methods: This is an observational descriptive cross sectional study done in dialysis unit in KGH. A total of 100 patients were selected out of 141 registered CKD patients by simple random sampling technique. Study is done in the month of October- November 2015. A pretested semi structured schedule was administered. Informed written consent was taken from the patients. MS excel 2007 was used for data entry. Data was analysed by SPSS trial version 20. Categorical data was analysed by Chi square test.Results: Among 100 study subjects 72 were females and 28 were males. 91% of the CKD patients were Hypertensive, among whom 73.6% were males and 26.4% were females. This difference was not found to be statistically significant (p=0.446). 22% of the CKD patients were Diabetic, among whom 81.8% were males and 18.2% were females.Conclusions: Better understanding of the role of risk factors in CKD is needed. Large community based cross sectional studies are needed to study in detail about CKD risk factors.
Structure and growth pattern of yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacores ( Bonnatere , 1788 ) in the waters of Simeulue Islands , Aceh Burhanis , Jaliadi and

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacores) is a large pelagic fish originating from the Scombridae family. This fish can be found almost in all tropical and subtropical waters even often found in Indonesian waters, especially the waters of Semeulue islands. Data pertaining to the growth pattern of the fish are meaningful as a reference for tuna fish resource management in Semeulue waters. This research aimed to investigate the current condition of tuna growth through understanding the size and growth pattern of yellowfin tuna in Simeulue waters. The study was conducted for 4 months from August to November 2016 in Simeulue waters in fisheries managemen area 572. Fork length (FL) of yellowfin tuna was randomly collected on a weekly basis using a roll meter (5 m). The fish length frequency for the determinationof class interval was obtained using frequency distribution formula, while a FiSAT II program was employed to observe biological properties of the fish. A total of 85 yellowfin tuna was successfully assessedusing a fishing pole in the waters of Semeulue Islands (Lasia Island and Babi Island). This number was relatively small because of weather factors; the fishersdecided not to catch the fish in the sea. The results showed that fork length of Yellowfin tuna was 45.5-111.5 cm. Furthermore, length frequency of Yellowfin tuna was assessed using von Bertanlanffy growth functions. Maximum length (L∞) of the fish reached 117.08 cm, while K value was 0.93 per year, theoretical age of 0.10 years and growth prospecting index (Ø) of 4.10. The analysis using length-converted catch curve showed total mortality (Z) of 2.11, natural mortality (M) of 1.22, with an average temperature of 31 °C, capture mortality (F) of 0.89, exploitation rate (E) of 0.42 per year.
Cloning and Oxygen-regulated Expression of the Bacteriochlorophyll Biosynthesis Genes bch E, B, A and C of Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Summary: Four mutants of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides were isolated which were incapable of photosynthetic growth due to inability to synthesize bacteriochlorophyll. A Rb. sphaeroides gene bank was constructed in the mobilizable vector pSUP202 and was transferred into these mutants using the helper plasmid pRK2073. Three clones that produced photosynthetic transconjugants from one or more of the bch mutants were isolated and characterized. These clones were used as probes to estimate levels of specific transcripts in cells undergoing a 100-fold increase in bacteriochlorophyll content. The maximum level of transcripts was observed at an early stage of photosynthetic membrane synthesis when only 7% of the eventual level of pigment had been synthesized.
Convergence of the two-dimensional random walk loop-soup clusters to CLE

We consider the random walk loop soup on the discrete half-plane corresponding to a central charge c in (0, 1]. We look at the clusters of discrete loops and show that the scaling limit of the outer boundaries of outermost clusters is the CLE(kappa) loop ensemble, with the same relation between kappa and c as in the continuum Brownian setting.
Influence of Temperature on Calcium Hydroxyapatite Nanopowders

The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of thermal treatment, in the range of temperature between 80oC - 900oC, on crystallinity, morphology and particles size of calcium hydroxylapatite nanopowders (HAp). A complete study was carried out applying 31P Magic Angle Spinning NMR, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen porosimetry and Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques. HAp specimens were prepared by chemical precipitation in an aqueous solution of calcium nitrate and ammonium hydrogen phosphate. The thermal treatment performed, showed the formation of crystals whose appearance has three main morphologies and different particles size. HAp treated up to 500oC showed a set of needle-like shape crystals with a low surface area value. These crystals turned into rod-like crystals with temperature increase, along with an increase in crystallite size. At 900oC was detected a hexagonal hydroxylapatite phase. Furthermore, Dynamic Light Scattering explored a stable HAp dispersion. The isopropyl alcohol dispersion resulted stable for at least two weeks, useful to create layers of determined morphology nanoparticles.
A Blue Tilt in the Globular Cluster System of the Milky Way-like Galaxy NGC 5170

Here, we present Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) imaging, in the B and I bands, of the edge-on Sb/Sc galaxy NGC 5170. Excluding the central disc region, we detect 142 objects with colours and sizes typical of globular clusters (GCs). Our main result is the discovery of a ‘blue tilt’ (a mass–metallicity relation), at the 3σ level, in the metal-poor GC subpopulation of this Milky Way like galaxy. The tilt is consistent with that seen in massive elliptical galaxies and with the self-enrichment model of Bailin & Harris. For a linear mass–metallicity relation, the tilt has the form Z ∼ L0.42±0.13. We derive a total GC system population of 600 ± 100, making it much richer than the Milky Way. However, when this number is normalized by the host galaxy luminosity or stellar mass it is similar to that of M31. Finally, we report the presence of a potential Ultra Compact Dwarf of size ∼6 pc and luminosity MI ∼−12.5, assuming it is physically associated with NGC 5170.
Sustainability assessment of out of-of-home meals: poten-tials and obstacles applying indicator sets NAHGAST Meal-Basis and NAHGAST Meal-Pro

Since human nutrition is responsible for about 30 % of the global natural resource use and in order to decrease resource use to a level in line with planetary boundaries, Lukas et al. (2016) proposed a re-source use reduction in the nutrition sector by a factor 2 (Material Footprint). The catering sector needs clearly defined indicators to assess their business activities’ impact on ecology, social aspects, economic value, and health status. Within the project NAHGAST two sets of indicators, called NAHGAST Meal-Basis and NAHGAST Meal-Pro were developed. The indicator sets are proposed to measure several, with sustainability-associated challenges, such as such as the ecological, social and economical effects, which may come along with the production and the consumption of a meal. Basically, the NAHGAST Meal-Basis deals with qualitative indicators, such as the amount of organic food per serving or the percentage of food wasted. This set is supposed to enable leaders to assess the sustainability of their meals and to visualize future improvements on a simplistic level. The NAHGAST Meal-Pro deals with a more sophisticated set of indicators, such as the carbon and material footprint or the cost recovery per meal. Both sets are underpinned with sus-tainable targets and elaborated as an Excel-based assessment tool, which is tested within a one-year case study. The usefulness and the limits of the tool, as well as current results of the implementation including pro-posed challenges, are discussed.
A SHORT REVIEW OF RECENT RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ON THE POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF SOUTH AFRICAN EXPORT AVOCADOS

SUMMARY The quality of South African avocado fruit varies considerably between seasons and at different times during a season. Studies aimed at identifying the climatic conditions responsible for quality deviations and the development of pre-emptive control strategies are therefore of primary importance to the industry. 'Fuerte' and 'Hass' are presently the most important export cultivars and we therefore initially concentrated on these cultivars for the accumulation of baseline information on fruit maturity and the annual incidence of physiological disorders. The results indicated that oil acquisition is primarily influenced by temperature and rainfall. In years of exceptionally high rainfall the oil content increases at an extraordinarily rapid rate. In 'Hass' which produces fast metabolising fruit, the build up of oil is more rapid than in 'Fuerte' which produces fruit with a slower metabolism. The time and incidence at which internal disorders occurred also seemed to correspond with periods of excessive rainfall at a specific stage in the development of the fruit . Again, the symptoms manifested faster in Hass than in Fuerte, although the symptoms are generally more severe in the latter cultivar. The potential of a number of preharvest practices and postharvest techniques are currently being investigated to overcome the rainfall induced problems. Our research efforts are presently being concentrated on the Pinkerton cultivar which develops grey pulp and external black cold injury when exported by ship. Grey pulp is the more important disorder of the two and manifests as cold storage associated intense greying of the pulp. The incidence of the disorder varies considerably from area to area, within an area and between seasons. Epidemiological and physiological analyses indicated that over-mature fruit, from warmer areas, that are marketed too late in the season are most vulnerable to grey pulp. Close scrutiny of environmental and physiological parameters are therefore required each season. Earlier harvesting at a higher moisture content is recommended for ‘Pinkerton’.
Management Practises in Finnish Manufacturing Establishments: Evidence from FMOP

Abstract Data collected by the recently conducted Finnish Management and Organizational Practices Survey (FMOP) by Statistics Finland is used to examine the management practices in Finnish manufacturing establishments. The FMOP project was funded by the Strategic Research Council. This paper presents the descriptive statistics, some indicative international comparisons using poststratification weighted averages and a cross-regional comparison of the large areas of Finland. The management scores appear to be only slightly behind those of the US and approximately on par with those of Germany. This suggests that the management practices in Finnish manufacturing are on a comparatively high international level. We also find evidence of cross-regional differences in management quality in Finland with aggregate (employment weighted) but not unweighted management scores, which suggests that the differences in the allocation of employment between establishments may explain regional disparities in Finland. To analyse the statistical significance of the regional disparities in workforce allocation in greater depth, we utilize a moment-based estimation procedure that allows for statistical inferences using the Olley-Pakes decomposition. We find evidence of regional variations in the policy relevant allocation component.
Wavelet-Based Breast Tumor Localization Technique Using a UWB Radar

This paper deals with the potential of ultra-wideband (UWB) microwave imaging for the detection and localization of breast cancer in its early stages. A method is proposed for locating tumors which is based on the signal time-of-∞ight backscattered by the tumor. Time-of-∞ight is detected using a wavelet transform algorithm. The feasibility of the method has been investigated by means of simulated results using Finite-Difierence Time-Domain (FDTD) and experimental results with a UWB radar and a phantom.
Shear strength of dry tills from the southern half of Norway in relation to bedrock geology

Till is the dominant Quaternary sediment in Norway, where the till deposits mostly originate from local rocks with a transport distance less than five kilometres. Debris slides and flows are among the main geohazards on till-covered valley slopes, and in this context the shear strength of Norwegian tills is poorly studied. Therefore, a set of 33 near-surface, genetically independent till samples were collected from various locations in the southern half of Norway to investigate the shear strength and its relation to bedrock geology. The disturbed samples were sieved (<16 mm) and dried before they were tested in a large-scale direct shear box apparatus at normal stresses of 100, 200 and 300 kPa, and with a shear rate of 2.0 mm/min for approximately 40.0 mm horizontal displacement. Overall, the result regarding the average ‘initial dry testing density’ was 1.67 g/cm3, while the maximum shear stresses for the given normal stresses on average were 84.9 kPa, 163.2 kPa and 243.7 kPa, respectively. The average angle of friction and cohesion were 38.4° and 5.3 kPa. Furthermore, the samples were categorised into six regional rock provinces. The mapped rock type assumed to represent the origin of the till samples were based on their area of extent around the sample sites, and adjusted for by the late-Weichselian ice-flow directions. On average, the ‘Precambrian basement’ province locally affected by the Caledonian orogeny (mainly gneisses) had the highest angle of friction. In comparison, the ‘Caledonian’ province of overthrust sheets of sandstone and schist (mainly sandstones) had the lowest angle of friction. Although not conclusive, this study provides indications of a relationship between till shear strength and bedrock geology, suggesting that some provinces may, solely on the basis of their associated geological parameters, be more prone to debris slides and flows than others.
Effect of hypo-osmotic environmental changes on the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, its receptor, and gonadotropin hormone subunit mRNA in adult chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)

Migrating fish such as salmonids are affected by external environmental factors and salinity changes are particularly important, influencing spawning migration. The aim of this study was to test whether changes in salinity would affect the expression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis hormones (gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRHs) [salmon GnRH and chicken GnRH-II], GnRH receptors [GnRHR1 and GnRHR5], and mRNA of the gonadotropin hormone [GTH] subunits [GTHα, follicle stimulating hormone β, and luteinizing hormone β]) in chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Fish were progressively transferred from seawater (SW) through 50% SW to freshwater (FW), and the relationship between the osmoregulatory hormone prolactin (PRL) and sexual maturation was determined. The expression and activity of HPG hormones and their receptors, and levels of estradiol-17β and PRL increased after fish were transferred to FW, demonstrating that changes in salinity stimulate the HPG axis and PRL production in migrating chum salmon. These findings reveal details about the role of the endocrine system in maintaining homeostasis and stimulating sexual maturation and reproduction in response to salinity changes in this species.
The effect of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizer rates on performances of soybean and maize component crops of a soybean/maize mixture at Bako, Western Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted to determine the best compatible soybean varieties in intercropping systems and the most economically optimum integrated fertilizer rate. The factorial experiment consisted of two soybean varieties (Didessa and Boshe) treated with eight levels of combined organic and inorganic fertilizer applications in three replications. Both sole soybeans and maize under recommended fertilizer recommendation were also included for comparison purposes. The result indicated that there were significant differences in leaf area index, plant height and grain yield of maize due to integrated fertilizer application, but not in harvest index. However, statistically significant variations were observed on nodule number per plant, leaf area per plant and yield of intercropped soybeans as a result of soybean varieties and the interaction of varieties with fertilizer application. Higher nodules and leaf areas per plant were recorded in Didesa variety than Boshe. This could be due to varietal difference, integrated fertilizer application and cropping systems as well. Yield advantage obtained due to various combinations of fertilizer rates ranged from 6 to 28% over the yield of sole maize. Monetary advantage (MA) obtained due to intercropping systems ranged from the lowest Birr 1927 ha -1 to Birr 8446 ha -1 under various proportions of fertilizer applications. Application of both
Identifying Local Determinants Of Research Commercialization Strategies In Iranian Biotechnology Sector

Biotechnology industry has a special place among novel industries. The majority of biotech companies are start-ups or small companies that have been working for several years yet are not profitable. Evidences showed that firms and researchers have problems in turning academic findings to commercial revenue and there is problem in commercialization process and choosing method of the exploitation academic opportunities or choosing proper commercialization strategy in this industry. In this study, firstly, the local determinants of commercialization strategy in 41 Iranian young biotechnology companies were identified through interview and then a questionnaire was prepared integrating these determinants and the rest of them exist in literature and was distributed among a larger sample in order to obtain the integrity. Finally, after analyzing the questionnaires, the local determinants of commercialization strategies for Iranian researcher in biotechnology sector were identified.