Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of hybrid means from a partial circulant diallel table using the ordinary least square and the mixed model methods

By definition, the genetic effects obtained from a circulant diallel table are random. However, because of the methods of analysis, those effects have been considered as fixed. Two different statistical approaches were applied. One assumed the model to be fixed and obtained solutions through the ordinary least square (OLS) method. The other assumed a mixed model and estimated the fixed effects (BLUE) by generalized least squares (GLS) and the best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) of the random effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate the consequences when considering these effects as fixed or random, using the coefficient of correlation between the responses of observed and non-observed hybrids. Crossings were made between S1 inbred lines from two maize populations developed at Universidade Federal de Goias, the UFG-Samambaia "Dent" and UFG-Samambaia "Flint". A circulant inter-group design was applied, and there were five (s = 5) crossings for each parent. The predictions were made using a reduced model. Diallels with different sizes of s (from 2 to 5) were simulated, and the coefficients of correlation were obtained using two different approaches for each size of s. In the first approach, the observed hybrids were included in both the estimation of the genetic parameters and the coefficient of correlation, while in the second a cross-validation process was employed. In this process, the set of hybrids was divided in two groups: one group, comprising 75% of the original group, to estimate the genetic parameters, and a second one, consisting of the remaining 25%, to validate the predictions. In all cases, a bootstrap process with 200 resamplings was used to generate the empirical distribution of the correlation coefficient. This coefficient showed a decrease as the value of s decreased. The cross-validation method allowed to estimate the bias magnitude in evaluating the correlation coefficient using the same hybrids, to predict the genetic parameters and the correlation evaluation. The bias was shown to be greater when the OLS method was used. When the correlation coefficients of the observed and estimated hybrid means were obtained through the mixed instead of the fixed model, this decrease was less marked. The selection of hybrids superior to the checks, in terms of grain weight, also differed in the two different approaches. Nineteen percent of the hybrids were shown to be superior to the checks in the fixed models, while only 1.8% of them were superior in the mixed model.
Bowel Ultrasonography in the Management of Crohn's Disease. A Review with Recommendations of an International Panel of Experts

Background:Bowel ultrasonography (US) is considered a useful technique for assessing mural inflammation and complications in Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this review is to appraise the evidence on the accuracy of bowel US for CD. In addition, we aim to provide recommendations for its optimal use. Methods:Publications were identified by literature search from 1992 to 2014 and selected based on predefined criteria: 15 or more patients; bowel US for diagnosing CD, complications, postoperative recurrence, activity; adequate reference standards; prospective study design; data reported to allow calculation of sensitivity, specificity, agreement, or correlation values; articles published in English. Results:The search yielded 655 articles, of which 63 were found to be eligible and retrieved as full-text articles for analysis. Bowel US showed 79.7% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity for the diagnosis of suspected CD, and 89% sensitivity and 94.3% specificity for initial assessment in established patients with CD. Bowel US identified ileal CD with 92.7% sensitivity, 88.2% specificity, and colon CD with 81.8% sensitivity, 95.3% specificity, with lower accuracy for detecting proximal lesions. The oral contrast agent improves the sensitivity and specificity in determining CD lesions and in assessing sites and extent. Conclusions:Bowel US is a tool for evaluation of CD lesions in terms of complications, postoperative recurrence, and monitoring response to medical therapy; it reliably detects postoperative recurrence and complications, as well as offers the possibility of monitoring disease progression.
Islamic financial literacy among bankers in Kuala Lumpur / Mohamad Azmi Abdullah and Alex Anderson

This article presents the findings on the study that determines the factors which influence financial literacy of bankers around Kuala Lumpur in term of Islamic financial products. The Governor of Central Bank of Malaysia pointed out several years ago that in order to make Islamic financial products acceptable to a wider spectrum of investors and businesspeople alike, financial literacy on Islamic financial products need to be enhanced. This is to facilitate transactions, with a clear understanding and appreciation of the unique characteristics and features of Islamic Finance and its real economic value. However, to date there is scarcity in the studies of Islamic financial literacy in Malaysia. This is proven when Kayed (2008) queries if there are any attempts by the research community to assess levels of Islamic financial literacy in various Muslim communities. In addition, Ahmad (2010) also points out the importance of Islamic financial literacy. These issues have actually motivated the current study to review available literatures on financial literacy mainly focusing on the Islamic financial literacy. The objectives of this study are (i) determine if the bankers possess adequate financial literacy to undertake financial decision with respect to Islamic financial products and services, and (ii) identify the significant factors that influence Islamic financial literacy among bankers. Factor analysis is used in order to identify those factors that indicate banker’s Islamic financial literacy. The findings reveal that nine factors determine banker’s financial literacy on Islamic financial products and services.
Mortality in Postmenopausal Women by Sexual Orientation and Veteran Status.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To examine differences in all-cause and cause-specific mortality by sexual orientation and Veteran status among older women. DESIGN AND METHODS Data were from the Women's Health Initiative, with demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, and health behaviors assessed at baseline (1993-1998) and mortality status from all available data sources through 2014. Women with baseline information on lifetime sexual behavior and Veteran status were included in the analyses (N = 137,639; 1.4% sexual minority, 2.5% Veteran). The four comparison groups included sexual minority Veterans, sexual minority non-Veterans, heterosexual Veterans, and heterosexual non-Veterans. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate mortality risk adjusted for demographic, psychosocial, and health variables. RESULTS Sexual minority women had greater all-cause mortality risk than heterosexual women regardless of Veteran status (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.36) and women Veterans had greater all-cause mortality risk than non-Veterans regardless of sexual orientation (HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.06-1.22), but the interaction between sexual orientation and Veteran status was not significant. Sexual minority women were also at greater risk than heterosexual women for cancer-specific mortality, with effects stronger among Veterans compared to non-Veterans (sexual minority × Veteran HR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.01-2.85). IMPLICATIONS Postmenopausal sexual minority women in the United States, regardless of Veteran status, may be at higher risk for earlier death compared to heterosexuals. Sexual minority women Veterans may have higher risk of cancer-specific mortality compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Examining social determinants of longevity may be an important step to understanding and reducing these disparities.
Reference intervals for hematologic and biochemical constituents and protein electrophoretic fractions in captive common buzzards (Buteo buteo).

BACKGROUND Increasing interest in wildlife care leads to the need for new tools to evaluate animal health. Laboratory investigations require reference intervals against which to compare the results obtained. For common buzzards, only a few studies have been performed to establish hematologic and biochemical reference intervals. OBJECTIVES The aim of this work was to develop reference values for routine hematologic and biochemical constituents and protein electrophoretic fractions and evaluate possible seasonal differences in values for healthy common buzzards. METHODS Heparinized blood samples were collected from 23 captive, clinically healthy common buzzards between February 2001 and June 2003. A CBC, routine biochemical analysis, and protein electrophoresis were performed. Data distribution was assessed and results from birds sampled in spring, summer, and winter were compared. Results from alternative methods for hemoglobin (Hgb; estimated as HCT / 3 vs spectrophotometry), total protein (biuret vs refractometry), and albumin (bromcresol green vs electrophoresis) concentrations also were compared. RESULTS Reference intervals were calculated as 10-90th percentiles. In spring and summer, total WBC and heterophil counts, and urea, total protein, prealbumin, and beta- and gamma-globulins concentrations were significantly different from winter values. Results obtained by alternative methods for Hgb, total protein, and albumin concentrations were significantly different from those obtained by standard methods, although estimated and spectrophotometric Hgb values were significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS The reference values obtained in this study for hematologic and plasma biochemical constituents and their seasonal variation in healthy, captive common buzzards will be useful in the clinical evaluation of these birds in rehabilitation settings.
HPV Determination in the Control After LEEP Due to CIN II-III: Prospective Study and Predictive Model

To evaluate the usefulness of the endocervical cytology immediately after loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and viral human papilloma virus (HPV) determination as predictive factors of persistence/recurrence (P/R) of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) in the remaining cervix of patients treated with LEEP due to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II or III. We retrospectively selected 105 samples from 100 patients with histologic diagnosis of CIN II-III with cytology immediately after LEEP with a first control post-LEEP between 2 and 6 months after treatment that included HPV determination, a minimal follow-up period of 12 months and maximum of 24 months, and at least 2 colpocytologic controls post-LEEP. In 71 of the 105 patients (67.6%), the determination was negative, finding the presence of HPV in 34 patients (32.4 %). Almost two-thirds of the patients had negative endocervical cytology and absence of HPV. During the follow-up, 20 P/R were detected, 16 (15.2%) of them being high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (7 CIN II and 9 CIN III). The combination of endocervical cytology and HPV determination in the remaining cervix seems to be a good strategy to predict the risk of SIL after conization. The probability of P/R can be estimated based on the results of these 2 variables. The negativity of HPV determination together with a negative endocervical cytology guarantees enough security and a favorable evolution.
Sampling phase detector using a resonant tunneling high electron mobility transistor for microwave phase-locked oscillators

A novel sampling phase detector (SPD) using a resonant-tunneling high electron mobility transistor (RTHEMT), which features strong nonlinear characteristics, is proposed and demonstrated as a means of achieving a simple, low-power-consumption SPD. We confirmed promising performance for an RTHEMT as a simple pulse generator in an SPD with low power consumption, even for a low reference-signal input level. An 11-GHz phase-locked oscillator is constructed along with the present SPD, and successfully phase-locked signals are obtained with it. These results clearly show the potential of constructing high-performance analog RF circuits based on RTHEMTs.
Research workloads in Australian Universities

This article provides insight into the nature of research workload allocation for Australian academics. It explores the distinction between research performance and research workload allocation. Research performance can be judged at an institutional level, a work group level or an individual level. The process by which an institution’s research performance is judged is not necessarily suitable at the level of the individual academic. The research performance of individual academics is based on their ‘research output’, in the form of publications, grants or supervision of research students, but historically, little attention has been paid to the ‘input’ or the time required to achieve these outputs. To determine the real costs of research, and to examine academic working conditions, this paper argues the clear distinction must be made that ‘output’ is about research performance; whereas ‘input’ is about research workload allocation. Therefore, what is needed is a suite of reasonable time allocations which can be associated with research activities, as is the case for teaching related activities. The paper analyses data from an online survey, circulated to academics across Australia in 2016, in which staff estimated the typical time spent on a wide range of research related tasks. The findings from the 2059 respondents show staff strongly support a transparent and holistic approach to workload planning which acknowledges the full range of activities they undertake. Analysis of the times associated with the research tasks led to the development of a table of suggested time estimates, based on the median values, for many common research activities.
A multidimensional measure of fatigue for use with cancer patients.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a multidimensional measure of fatigue for use with cancer patients. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY Items for the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory (MFSI) were generated through literature review, discussion with healthcare providers, and a survey of currently available measures of fatigue. The 83-item MFSI was designed to assess global, somatic, affective, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms of fatigue. The instrument was administered on three occasions to 275 women who had received or were undergoing treatment for breast cancer and 70 women with no history of cancer. Reliability, validity, and factorial structure of the MFSI were analyzed. RESULTS The factor analysis produced five empirically derived scales that correspond generally to the five rationally derived scales. Reliability of the rationally and empirically derived scales was excellent (alpha coefficients .87 to .96). Estimates of test-retest reliability were also favorable. Other results support the validity of both the rationally and empirically derived scales. The MFSI appears to be sensitive to fatigue, accurately discriminating cancer patients from control subjects and between patients with varying levels of performance status. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The MFSI may be useful in identifying patterns of fatigue within individual patients and across treatment modalities. Such specificity may allow the clinician to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that are targeted for differing patterns of fatigue. Because the measure is keyed to a 1-week time frame, it may be useful during the course of cancer treatment. The MFSI appears to be a valid and reliable tool to assess the full spectrum of symptoms that characterize the construct of fatigue.
Nurses’ and physicians’ perceptions of older people and attitudes towards older people: Ageism in a hospital in Turkey

Abstract Nurses and physicians provide health care for a growing number of older people as a result of the rapid increase in the life expectancies of older people. Health professionals’ negative attitudes towards older people affect the quality of health care offered to these individuals. The sample for this study included 110 nurses and 57 physicians working in the medical and surgical clinics of a university hospital. A questionnaire form and the Ageism Attitude Scale (AAS) were used to collect the data. A five-point Likert-type format was utilised for the AAS. The AAS total mean score was 80.02 ± 2.64 for nurses and 83.17 ± 9.09 for physicians. The difference between these mean scores was statistically significant (p < 0.05). For the AAS sub-dimension ‘limiting the life of the older people,’ the physicians’ score (35.14 ± 6.22) was significantly higher than the nurses’ score (33.22 ± 3.59). In this study, nurses’ and physicians’ attitudes, approaches, and considerations were found to be generally positive.
Post-ECT Agitation and Plasma Lactate Concentrations

This prospective study evaluated the hypothesis that emergence agitation after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) could be caused by lactate-induced panic secondary to insufficient neuromuscular blockade. Plasma lactate levels were measured before and after 245 consecutive ECT sessions in 37 patients monitored for evidence of post-ECT agitation. ECT was administered using a brief-pulse, rectangular, constant-current device through bilaterally placed electrodes under general anesthesia and neuromuscular blockade. Agitation was observed in 7% of all ECT sessions. No significant difference could be found in pre-ECT lactate levels. However, mean post-ECT lactate levels in agitated sessions were significantly greater than those in nonagitated sessions (4.77 versus 2.54 mmol/l, p < 0.05). An increase (+27%) in the pre-ECT succinylcholine dose for those patients who previously had repeated post-ECT agitation resulted in cessation of post-ECT agitation and return of the formerly high post-ECT lactate levels to normal (1.61 versus 2.07 mmol/l). Although the number of patients who had post-ECT agitation was small, the data support the hypothesis that post-ECT agitation might be a manifestation of lactate-induced panic.
Relationship between speed and risk of fatal injury: pedestrians and car occupants

This study explores the relationship between speed and the risk of fatal injury for three different types of traffic accident: pedestrians struck by the front of cars ;car drivers following frontal impacts ; and car drivers following side impacts. The risk of fatality with impact speed (for pedestrians) and change of velocity (for seat-belted car drivers) has been calculated using a logistic regression method, and three current sources of accident data in the UK: the On the Spot (OTS) project ; police fatal files ; and the Co-operative Crash Injury Study (CCIS). This same method of logistic regression has been applied to two other important sources of pedestrian accident data: data collected by Ashton and Mackay in Birmingham in the 1970s, and data from the German In-Depth Accident Study (GIDAS) used by Rosen and Sander in their 2009 paper. Using the same method on these different datasets means that the results can be directly compared. The risk of fatality was then plotted in the form of risk curves for each dataset. Comparison of the pedestrian risk curves from the different datasets shows that the risk of pedestrian fatality is generally higher for the dataset from the 1970s, indicating that the probability of pedestrians being killed when hit by the front of a car has reduced over the last 30 years. In all of the pedestrian datasets, the risk of fatality increases slowly until impact speeds of around 30 mph. Above this speed, risk increases rapidly - the increase is between 3.5 and 5.5 times from 30 mph to 40 mph. Although the risk of pedestrians being killed at 30mph is relatively low, approximately half of pedestrian fatalities occur at this impact speed or below. Comparing the risk of fatality for a seat-belted driver in a frontal impact with a side impact shows that the risk of fatality is much higher in a side impact than in a frontal impact with the same change of velocity.
Can Environmental Cash Transfers Reduce Deforestation and Improve Social Outcomes? A Regression Discontinuity Analysis of Mexico's National Program (2011-2014)

Environmental conditional cash transfers, or"payments for ecosystem services"are a centerpiece of global efforts to protect biodiversity, safeguard watersheds, and mitigate climate change by reducing forest loss. This paper evaluates the impacts of Mexico's national payments for ecosystem services program, which provides five years of payments to landowners in exchange for maintaining and managing natural land cover. Using a regression discontinuity design, the paper studies impacts on environmental, socioeconomic, and social capital outcomes for the 2011-14 program cohorts. The analysis finds that treated communities increased management activities to protect land cover, such as patrolling for illegal conversion or combatting soil erosion (by 48 percent compared to controls). The program reduced the loss of tree cover in areas at high risk of deforestation (by 29 percent compared to controls), with effects being larger for those that have been in the program the longest (38 percent compared to controls). These results are similar to estimates of impact for earlier program cohorts and continue to highlight the importance of targeting the program to areas of high risk of land cover loss to increase environmental effectiveness. The program continued to reach poor communities and households, but estimated impacts on household wealth indicators are small in magnitude and not statistically significant. These results indicate that community-level conditional payments did not harm household-level socioeconomic indicators, a key safeguard requirement of conservation policies of the United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. The data also show that payments for ecosystem services significantly increased community social capital -- the institutions, attitudes, and values that govern human interactions -- (by 9 percent compared to controls), and these externally provided incentives did not crowd out household contributions to other community work.
Asymmetric Timeliness of Earnings, Market-to-Book and Conservatism in Financial Reporting

When annual earnings are regressed on annual returns, the returns coefficient is higher when returns are negative. The difference between the coefficients of earnings on positive and negative returns is called asymmetric timeliness of earnings and, in the accounting literature, is used extensively as a conservatism measure. The objective of this paper is to investigate the relation between asymmetric timeliness and the market-to-book ratio (MTB), using a theory of accounting conservatism that reflects the role of accounting as observed in practice. Recent literature has focused on the negative relation between the two measures. Using our theory of conservatism, we predict and observe empirically that the relation between asymmetric timeliness over a period and MTB at the end of the period is positive when asymmetric timeliness is measured cumulatively over long horizons. Our paper further highlights that when asymmetric timeliness is measured over short periods not including the firm's IPO, it is dependent on the composition of equity value at the beginning of that period. This dependence is responsible for the negative association observed between asymmetric timeliness estimated over short periods and MTB at the end of the period. Our theory and empirical results further suggest that asymmetric timeliness is a better measure of total conservatism at a point in time when it is estimated cumulatively over multiple years preceding that time. Overall, our results are consistent with our theory that accounting does not record changes in rents and is asymmetrically timely in recording changes in separable asset values.